Neck brace

• US 8,562,551 B2
• Filed: 08/09/2011
• Issued: 10/22/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xceed Holdings CC
• Original Assignee: Xceed Holdings CC
• Inventors: Leatt, Christopher James
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, Kim M
• Application Number:
  US13/206,312
• Publication Number:
  US 20120203157A1
• Time in Patent Office: 805 Days
• Field of Search: 602/5, 602 17- 19, 242/2, 128/DIG.23
• US Class Current: 602/18
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/0512 Neck or shoulders area
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 2600/102 Motorcycling
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/0473 Neck restraints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/055 Cervical collars

Abstract

A neck brace (10) is disclosed which comprises two sections (12, 14) which are releasably connected to one another along a split line (18). The ring has upwardly facing surfaces (30, 76.1, 20.2) which limit tilting movement of a helmeted head in all directions. The brace further has a column (68, 70) which extends downwardly from the ring for transferring loads to the wearer'"'"'s back on each side of the spine.

Claims

1. A device for protecting the neck of a wearer, comprising:

an upper surface adapted to be operatively positioned around the neck of the wearer to provide a clearance between the upper surface and a front lower rim of a full face helmet when the helmet is worn by the wearer, the clearance allowing a range of freedom of movement of the helmet above the upper surface, the upper surface comprising;

a front section constructed and arranged to limit tilt of the helmet through contact of the front lower rim of the helmet with the front section of the upper surface, and

a rear section constructed and arranged to limit rearward tilt of the helmet through contact of a rear lower rim of the helmet with the rear section of the upper surface; and

a lower forward extension coupled to the upper surface and having sufficient rigidity to transfer to the wearer'"'"'s chest at least some of a force applied to the front section of the upper surface by the front lower rim of the helmet;

wherein the upper surface further has a side section constructed and arranged to limit sideward tilt of the helmet through contact of the helmet and the side section of the upper surface.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the upper surface is operatively positioned around a substantial portion of the neck of the wearer.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the upper surface is operatively positioned around the entire neck of the wearer.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the front section limits the forward tilt of the helmet through contact of the front lower rim of the helmet with the front section of the upper surface.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the front section limits the tilt of the helmet in a forwardly direction through contact of the front lower rim of the helmet with the front section of the upper surface.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the lower forward member is substantially the same shape as the front section of the upper surface.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the lower forward member comprises cushioning.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the side surface limits sideward tilt of the helmet through contact of a side lower rim of the helmet and the side surface of the upper surface.

9. A device for protecting the neck of a wearer comprising:

an upper surface adapted to be operatively positioned around the neck of the wearer to provide a clearance between the upper surface and a front lower rim of a full face helmet when the helmet is worn by the wearer,

wherein the clearance allows a range of freedom of movement of the helmet above the upper surface of the device; and

wherein the upper surface comprises a front section constructed and arranged to limit tilt of the helmet through contact of the front lower rim of the helmet with the front section of the upper surface;

a lower forward member extending from the upper surface and having sufficient rigidity to transfer to the wearer'"'"'s chest at least some of a force applied to the front section of the upper surface by the front lower rim of the helmet; and

a structure connected to and extending between the upper surface and the lower forward member, said structure having sufficient rigidity to transfer to the lower forward member, at least some of the force applied to the front section of the upper surface by the front lower rim of the helmet.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the upper surface is operatively positioned around a substantial portion of the neck of the wearer.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the upper surface is operatively positioned around the entire neck of the wearer.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein the front section limits the forward tilt of the helmet through contact of the front lower rim of the helmet with the front section of the upper surface.

13. The device of claim 9, wherein the front section limits the tilt of the helmet in a forwardly direction through contact of the front lower rim of the helmet with the front section of the upper surface.

14. The device of claim 9, wherein the lower forward member is substantially the same shape as the front section of the upper surface.

15. The device of claim 9, wherein the lower forward member comprises cushioning.

16. A device for protecting the neck of a wearer comprising:

an upper surface adapted to be operatively positioned around the neck of the wearer to provide a clearance between the upper surface and a front lower rim of a full face helmet when the helmet is worn by the wearer,

wherein the clearance allows a range of freedom of movement of the helmet above the upper surface of the first device;

wherein the upper surface comprises a front section constructed and arranged to limit tilt of the helmet through contact of the front lower rim of the helmet with the front section of the upper surface; and

wherein the upper surface comprises a back section constructed and arranged to limit rearward tilt of the helmet through contact of the helmet with the back section of the upper surface;

a lower rearward member extending from the upper surface and having sufficient rigidity to transfer to the wearer'"'"'s back at least some of a force applied to the back section of the upper surface by the helmet; and

a side surface constructed and arranged to limit sideward tilt of the helmet through contact of a side lower rim of the helmet and the side surface of the upper surface.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the upper surface is operatively positioned around a substantial portion of the neck of the wearer.

18. The device of claim 16, wherein the upper surface is operatively positioned around the entire neck of the wearer.

19. The device of claim 16, wherein the front section limits the forward tilt of the helmet through contact of the front lower rim of the helmet with the front section of the upper surface.

20. The device of claim 16, wherein the front section limits the tilt of the helmet in a forwardly direction through contact of the front lower rim of the helmet with the front section of the upper surface.

21. A device for protecting the neck of a wearer comprising:

a ring adapted to substantially encircle the wearer'"'"'s neck and to provide a clearance between the ring and a front lower rim of a full face helmet when the helmet is worn by the wearer, the clearance allowing a range of freedom of movement of the helmet above the ring, the ring having;

a front section constructed and arranged to limit forward tilt of the helmet through contact of the front lower rim of the helmet with the front section of the ring; and

a rear section constructed and arranged to limit rearward tilt of the helmet through contact of the helmet with the rear section of the ring;

a lower rearward member extending from the ring and having sufficient rigidity to transfer to the wearer'"'"'s back at least some of a force applied to the rear section of the ring by the helmet; and

a side surface constructed and arranged to limit sideward tilt of the helmet through contact of the helmet and the side surface of the ring.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein the ring encircles the entire neck of the wearer.

23. The device of claim 21, wherein the side surface limits sideward tilt of the helmet through contact of a side lower rim of the helmet and the side surface of the ring.