Brace for supporting the head in an upright position
First Claim
1. An apparatus for supporting the head, the neck, and the upper body, the apparatus comprising:
- first support means for supporting an upper portion of the head;
second support means for supporting a lower portion of the head, a portion of the second support means being disposed proximate to the chin;
third support means for supporting a portion of the upper body, the third support means including a front portion and a rear portion, said front and rear portions cooperating to encompass a substantial portion of the upper body;
first interconnecting means for detachably connecting the first support means to the rear portion of the third support means;
second interconnecting means for detachably connecting the second support means to the front portion the third support means; and
whereby the first support means, the second support means, and the third support means cooperatively function to significantly reduce bio-mechanical thrust and to allow for maintenance of the head in a substantially upright position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus is provided for supporting the head, the neck and the upper body. The apparatus includes a first assembly for supporting an upper portion of the head. In one preferred example, the first support assembly includes a headband to be fitted around the head for reducing lateral-rotational movements due to bio-mechanical thrust. A second support assembly is provided for supporting a lower portion of the head. In a preferred example, the second support assembly includes a chin support which is structurally separate from the first support assembly. A third support assembly is provided for supporting a portion of the upper body. In a preferred example, the third support assembly includes a vest which substantially encompasses the upper body. An interconnecting arrangement is employed to adjustably and detachably connect the first support assembly and the second support assembly to portions of the third support assembly. The first support assembly, the second support assembly, and the third support assembly can be used to significantly reduce bio-mechanical thrust and, in one example, maintain the head in a substantially upright position.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus for supporting the head, the neck, and the upper body, the apparatus comprising:
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first support means for supporting an upper portion of the head; second support means for supporting a lower portion of the head, a portion of the second support means being disposed proximate to the chin; third support means for supporting a portion of the upper body, the third support means including a front portion and a rear portion, said front and rear portions cooperating to encompass a substantial portion of the upper body; first interconnecting means for detachably connecting the first support means to the rear portion of the third support means; second interconnecting means for detachably connecting the second support means to the front portion the third support means; and whereby the first support means, the second support means, and the third support means cooperatively function to significantly reduce bio-mechanical thrust and to allow for maintenance of the head in a substantially upright position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus for supporting the head, the neck and the upper body, the apparatus comprising:
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first support means for supporting an upper portion of the head, the first support means including a headband encompassing a substantial portion of the upper head; second support means for supporting a lower portion of the head, the second support means including a chin support, the second support means being structurally separate from the first support means; a vest having detachable fastening means; a first interconnecting member for operatively connecting the chin support to a front portion of the vest; a second interconnecting member for operatively connecting the first support means to a rear portion of the vest; and whereby the first support means, the second support means and the vest cooperatively function to significantly reduce biomechanical thrust and maintain the head in a substantially upright position.
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16. A method for supporting the head, the neck and the upper body, the method comprising:
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providing first support means; supporting an upper portion of the head using the first support means; providing second support means; supporting a lower portion of the head using the second support means, the second support means being disposed proximate to the chin; providing third support means; encompassing a substantial portion of the upper body with the third support means; supporting a portion of the upper body using the third support means; providing first and second interconnecting means; and detachably connecting the first support means and the second support means to rear and front portions of the third support means using the first and second interconnecting means, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification