U.S. patent application number 10/837199 was filed with the patent office on 2004-11-18 for protective pad for neck.
Invention is credited to Mrowka, Colleen M., Mrowka, Kate V..
Application Number | 20040226081 10/837199 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33424101 |
Filed Date | 2004-11-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040226081 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mrowka, Kate V. ; et
al. |
November 18, 2004 |
Protective pad for neck
Abstract
This invention relates to a pad to protect against impact force
on the posterior neck when worn by a person playing hockey. The
invention is comprised of a dual-layer pad, a hard shatter-proof
outer shell with a foam-cushioned inner shell, which absorbs the
shock of impact from a hockey puck or stick hit to the base of the
neck. It can be made in various sizes as needed. This invention
further comprises a shock absorbing pad with fasteners to secure
the pad to the back of the hockey helmet. This invention further
comprises a protective helmet system with releasable attachment.
Releasable attachment means coupled to the helmet to permit the
neck pad to be securely fastened.
Inventors: |
Mrowka, Kate V.; (Cheshire,
CT) ; Mrowka, Colleen M.; (Cheshire, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Colleen Mrowka
70 Bellamy Road
Cheshire
CT
06410
US
|
Family ID: |
33424101 |
Appl. No.: |
10/837199 |
Filed: |
May 3, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60471365 |
May 17, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/468 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/0512
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/468 |
International
Class: |
A41D 027/26 |
Claims
What I claim as my invention is:
1. A pad that is attached to and/or suspended from the back of a
hockey helmet to absorb the shock of impact from a puck or
stick.
2. A pad with a contoured convex shape consisting of a hard
shatter-proof outer shell with a foam-cushioned inner shell,
measuring 31/8 (.+-.2 inches) width, by 41/4 inches (.+-.3 inches)
inches length, by {fraction (6/8)} inch (.+-.{fraction (5/8)}
inches) thick which can be attached to and/or suspended from the
back of a hockey helmet to absorb the shock of impact.
3. A pad according to claim 2, wherein the hard shatter-proof outer
shell in said pad measures {fraction (2/8)} inch.+-.{fraction
(2/8)} inch and the cushioned layer of said pad measures {fraction
(5/8)} inch.+-.{fraction (7/8)} inch.
4. A pad according to claim 2 comprised of an expanded
polypropylene (EPP) pad.
5. A pad according to claim 2 comprised of a dual layer system
wherein the outer layer is plastic and the inner layer is foam.
6. A pad according to claims 2, wherein said pad is comprised of a
hard plastic portion glued to, attached to, molded to, or
reinforced by a cushioned expanded polypropylene (EPP) foam
pad.
7. A pad according to claim 2, comprised of carbon fibers or carbon
reinforced with plastic (graphite).
8. A pad according to claim 2, comprised of expanded polystyrene
(EPS) foams.
9. A pad according to claim 2, comprised of expanded polyurethane
(EPU) foams.
10. A pad according to claim 2, comprised of expanded polyethylene
(EPE) foams.
11. A pad according to claim 2, comprised of ethylene-vinyl-acetate
(EVA) foam.
12. A pad according to claim 2, wherein the foam is glued or molded
to, or reinforced by fiberglass.
13. A pad according to claim 2, wherein said paid is not attached
to the helmet, and has 2 holes pre-drilled near the top of the
pad.
14. A pad according to claim 2, through which there are plastic
clips which would in turn fasten said pad to the back of the
helmet.
15. A pad according to claim 2, through which there are metal clips
which would in turn fasten said pad to the back of the helmet.
16. A pad according to claim 2, through which there are plastic tie
fasteners which would in turn attach said pad to the back of the
helmet.
17. A pad according to claim 2, through which there are plastic
loops which would in turn attach said pad to the back of the
helmet.
18. A pad according to claim 2, through which there are metal loops
which would in turn attach said pad to the back of the helmet.
19. A pad according to claim 2, through which there are rubber ties
which would in turn attach said pad to the back of the helmet.
20. A pad according to claim 2, through which there are rubber
loops which would in turn attach said pad to the back of the
helmet.
21. A pad according to claim 2, through which there are Velcro
fasteners which would in turn attach said pad to the back of the
helmet.
22. A pad according to claim 2, with adjustable fasteners made of
plastic, metal, rubber, cloth, or elastic, attached to the helmet,
or attached to the pad which in turn would attach to the
helmet.
23. A pad according to claim 2, which is formed with or without
convexity, comprised of materials that could be heat molded by the
consumer.
24. A helmet, constructed wherein the back of the helmet extends
downward with a padded portion, wherein the padded portion is
constructed according to claim 2.
25. A helmet, constructed wherein the back of the helmet extends
downward with a padded portion, wherein the padded portion is
constructed according to claim 2, and is hinged so that it moves
forward and backward to move with the head of the person wearing
the helmet.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION
[0001] This patent application claims priority to U.S. provisional
patent application Ser. No. No. 60/471,365 filed on May 17, 2003.
The subject matter of that provisional application is incorporated
by reference in its entity herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention herein relates to a protective pad that
effectively reduces the occurrence of injury and/or death to people
while playing hockey.
[0003] Direct trauma accounts for approximately 80% of all injuries
in the game of hockey. While playing the game of hockey, players
shoot a rubber hockey puck across the ice and sometimes into the
air. The puck becomes a frozen weapon that can travel up to 160
kilometers/hour and generate impact forces exceeding 5500
Newton's.
[0004] The best method to prevent injury, or reduce the risk
thereof, is to wear protective pads, proper fitting helmets, and
use proper equipment. The protective pads and garments currently
available for use include: the hockey helmet; a thin neck protector
(fabric) worn at the bottom of the neck below the hyoid bone;
shoulder and chest pads; elbow pads; padded gloves; padded shorts;
shin and knee pads. At present, there are no pads available to
absorb the shock of impact if hit at the base of the skull, where
the neck and brain-stem are vulnerable.
[0005] There is a gap between the bottom of the existing hockey
helmets and the uppermost area of the shoulder pads. This gap
becomes even larger when a player flexes his/her neck (moves the
head downward.) The body area that is left unprotected is very
vulnerable, and if hit in that gap, the player could sustain brain
injury or death.
[0006] A tragic illustration of this vulnerability occurred in
December, 2000 when a 12-year-old Cheshire Massachusetts boy was
struck in the back of the neck with a hockey puck during youth
hockey practice. He died the next morning.
[0007] This invention probably would have saved his life.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] This invention relates to a protective pad for the neck. The
objective of the invention is to protect the wearer against impact
force to the posterior neck when worn by a person playing hockey.
The invention is comprised of a dual-layer pad, a hard
shatter-proof outer shell with a foam-cushioned inner shell, which
absorbs the shock of impact from a hockey puck or stick hit to the
base of the neck. It can be made in various sizes and thicknesses
as needed. This invention further comprises a shock absorbing pad
with fasteners to secure the pad to the back of a hockey helmet.
This invention further encompasses a protective helmet system with
releasable attachment. Releasable attachment means the invention
coupled to the helmet to permit the invention to be securely
fastened.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a two-dimensional drawing of the invention as
viewed from the front.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a two-dimensional drawing of the invention as
viewed from the back.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a cross-section drawing of the invention as viewed
from the side (convex contour not depicted).
[0012] FIG. 4 is a cross-section drawing of the invention as viewed
from the top.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a sketch drawing of the invention as viewed from
the back as it is attached to a hockey helmet.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a sketch-outline of the human head/skull as viewed
from the side and indicating the vulnerable location of the
brainstem.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a sketch-outline of the human head wearing a
hockey helmet (as known from prior art), as viewed from the side
and depicting the still vulnerable brain stem area.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a sketch-outline of the human head, wearing a
hockey helmet with the cranium defense protective pad fastened
appropriately.
WRITTEN DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0017] This invention relates to a protective pad that attaches to
a hockey helmet to protect the areas of the hockey player's head
and neck that is left unprotected with the current helmet design
and typical protective pads. This pad hangs from the back of the
hockey helmet and shields the posterior cervical spine, the neck,
and the brain stem of the person wearing the helmet. This invention
also encompasses a helmet system whereby a shock absorbing pad is
attached to, or constructed as a component of, the back of the
helmet.
[0018] The protective pad is comprised of a hard outer surface
layer to withstand the force of impact and decrease the impact
force on the player and an inner foam cushioned layer to further
provide shock attenuation. The cushioned inner layer is cemented,
glued, and/or molded to the hard outer shell. This invention also
embodies a pad comprised of a dual layer of materials. The pad is
contoured with a slight convex shape from the top to the bottom to
resemble the normal curve of the cervical spine.
[0019] There are two holes drilled through the top of the pad with
adjustable fasteners to attach the pad to the bottom-rear of the
hockey helmet. Since the pad is fastened to the helmet only by the
two fasteners at the top of the pad, the pad is able to swing
freely in the anterior-posterior (forward-backward) position so as
not to interfere with the neck movement required during play. As
the player moves his head forward and further exposes the brainstem
at the base of the skull, the protective pad moves slightly in
toward the neck thereby maintaining its protective abilities. It
does not restrict cervical flexion and extension, rotation, or
lateral flexion.
[0020] In event of the pad being a component of a helmet system,
the portion of the helmet that protects the neck is hinged to the
mainstay of the helmet. The hinge of this assembly thereby allows
for unrestricted cervical movement for the wearer of the
helmet.
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