U.S. patent application number 13/265118 was filed with the patent office on 2012-06-07 for head and neck support device.
Invention is credited to Grant Leigh Nelson.
Application Number | 20120137418 13/265118 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41254813 |
Filed Date | 2012-06-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120137418 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nelson; Grant Leigh |
June 7, 2012 |
HEAD AND NECK SUPPORT DEVICE
Abstract
A head and neck support device for use by a person wearing a
helmet. The head and neck support device include a pair of flexible
shoulder straps, a stiff carrier structure and a pair of tethering
systems. The shoulder straps are each configured to fit a torso and
different shoulder of a person. The stiff carrier structure
includes a U-shaped yoke (18) and a high collar (20) which is
hingedly connected to the yoke (18). The carrier structure includes
an upper attachment formation near an upper end of each front
carrier portion for attachment to a different one of the shoulder
straps and a lower attachment formation near a lower end of each
front carrier portion for attachment to a different one of the
shoulder straps. The tethering systems include tether straps (44)
which extend between the carrier structure and the helmet for
providing a restraint between the carrier structure and the
helmet.
Inventors: |
Nelson; Grant Leigh;
(Claremont, ZA) |
Family ID: |
41254813 |
Appl. No.: |
13/265118 |
Filed: |
April 29, 2009 |
PCT Filed: |
April 29, 2009 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB2009/051742 |
371 Date: |
December 9, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/468 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 3/0473 20130101;
B60R 2021/0048 20130101; B60R 2021/0086 20130101; B60R 2022/027
20130101; B60R 22/00 20130101; A41D 13/0512 20130101; B60R 22/001
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/468 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/00 20060101
A41D013/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 30, 2008 |
ZA |
2008/03768 |
Claims
1. A head and neck support device for use by a person wearing a
helmet, the head and neck support device including: a pair of
flexible shoulder straps which are each configured to fit a torso
and different shoulder of the person; a stiff carrier structure
including a pair of front carrier portions which are configured to
extend over the shoulders and torso of the person and which are
spaced above the shoulder straps; and a high collar connected
between the front portions, which is locatable adjacent and behind
the neck of the person, the carrier structure including an upper
attachment formation near an upper end of each front carrier
portion for attachment to a different one of the shoulder straps
and a lower attachment formation near a lower end of each front
carrier portion for attachment to a different one of the shoulder
straps; and tethering means extending between the carrier structure
and the helmet for providing a restraint between the carrier
structure and the helmet.
2. The head and neck support device as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the front carrier portions of the carrier structure are hingedly
mounted to the high collar thereby permitting articulation of the
front carrier portions relative to the high collar.
3. The head and neck support device as claimed in claim 1 or claim
2, wherein the carrier includes a U-shaped yoke which includes said
front carrier portions and an integral rear carrier portion which
extends behind the high collar relative to the person.
4. The head and neck support device as claimed in any one of claims
1 to 3, wherein the high collar extends between a lower position at
about the base of the person's neck and an upper position adjacent
a horizontal level centre of gravity of the head of the person and
helmet combined, which is disposed at about eye level of the
person.
5. The head and neck support device as claimed in any one of claims
1 to 4, wherein the tethering means includes a first tethering
system including a pair of tethering straps attachable between the
helmet at one side thereof and the carrier structure and a second
tethering system including a pair of tethering straps attachable
between the helmet at the other side thereof and the carrier
structure.
6. The head and neck support device as claimed in claim 5, wherein
one of the tethering straps of each tethering system is attachable
between the helmet and the collar so as to provide a restraint
between the collar and the helmet in a substantially horizontal
direction, while the other tethering strap may be attachable
between the helmet and the collar so as to provide a restraint
between the front carrier portion and the helmet in a substantially
vertical direction.
7. The head and neck support device as claimed in claim 6, wherein
the tethering straps of each tethering system are attached to the
helmet at a common attachment point.
8. The head and neck support device as claimed in any one of claims
1 to 7, wherein the head and neck support device is adapted for use
by an occupant of a vehicle wearing a shoulder harness having two
shoulder belts, the shoulder belts of the shoulder harness being
received, in use, in a position between the shoulder straps and the
front carrier portions of the head and neck support device, the
front carrier portions of the carrier structure including belt
locating means for locating and holding the shoulder belts relative
to the carrier structure in said position between the shoulder
straps and the front carrier portions.
9. The head and neck support device as claimed in claim 8, wherein
the locating means includes a pair of first locating formations
which are integral with the collar and which define channels within
which a different one of the shoulder belts can be located; and a
pair of second locating formations which are defined near lower
ends of the front carrier portions in which a different one of the
shoulder belts can be located.
10. The head and neck support device as claimed in claim 9, wherein
the head and neck support device is adapted for use with a shoulder
harness of a type comprising two shoulder belts and a restraint
which is connected between the shoulder belts causing the shoulder
belts to extend towards one another from an upper region thereof
towards a lower region thereof in a substantially V-shaped
configuration, the second locating formations of the belt locating
means each being in the form of a U-shaped locating formation in
which a different one of the shoulder belts can be received and
defining an open end which faces outwards away from the other one
of the second locating formations.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a head and neck support device for
use by a person wearing a helmet.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0002] According to the invention, there is provided a head and
neck support device for use by a person wearing a helmet, the head
and neck support device including:
[0003] a pair of flexible shoulder straps which are each configured
to fit a torso and different shoulder of the person;
[0004] a stiff carrier structure including a pair of front carrier
portions which are configured to extend over the shoulders and
torso of the person and which are spaced above the shoulder straps;
and a high collar connected between the front portions, which is
locatable adjacent and behind the neck of the person, the carrier
structure including an upper attachment formation near an upper end
of each front carrier portion for attachment to a different one of
the shoulder straps and a lower attachment formation near a lower
end of each front carrier portion for attachment to a different one
of the shoulder straps; and
[0005] tethering means extending between the carrier structure and
the helmet for providing a restraint between the carrier structure
and the helmet.
[0006] The front carrier portions of the carrier structure of the
head and neck support device may be hingedly mounted to the high
collar thereby permitting articulation of the front carrier
portions relative to the high collar.
[0007] The carrier of the head and neck support device may include
a U-shaped yoke which includes said front carrier portions and an
integral rear carrier portion which extends behind the high collar
relative to the person.
[0008] The high collar of the head and neck support device may
extend between a lower position at about the base of the person's
neck and an upper position adjacent a horizontal level centre of
gravity of the head of the person and helmet combined, which is
disposed at about eye level of the person.
[0009] The tethering means of the head and neck support device may
include a first tethering system including a pair of tethering
straps attachable between the helmet at one side thereof and the
carrier structure and a second tethering system including a pair of
tethering straps attachable between the helmet at the other side
thereof and the carrier structure.
[0010] One of the tethering straps of each tethering system of the
head and neck support device may be attachable between the helmet
and the collar so as to provide a restraint between the collar and
the helmet in a substantially horizontal direction, while the other
tethering strap may be attachable between the helmet and the collar
so as to provide a restraint between the front carrier portion and
the helmet in a substantially vertical direction.
[0011] The tethering straps of each tethering system of the head
and neck support device may be attached to the helmet at a common
attachment point.
[0012] The head and neck support device may be adapted for use by
an occupant of a vehicle wearing a shoulder harness having two
shoulder belts, the shoulder belts of the shoulder harness being
received, in use, in a position between the shoulder straps and the
front carrier portions of the head and neck support device, the
front carrier portions of the carrier structure including belt
locating means for locating and holding the shoulder belts relative
to the carrier structure in said position between the shoulder
straps and the front carrier portions.
[0013] The locating means of the head and neck support device may
include a pair of first locating formations which are integral with
the collar and which define channels within which a different one
of the shoulder belts can be located; and a pair of second locating
formations which are defined near lower ends of the front carrier
portions in which a different one of the shoulder belts can be
located.
[0014] The head and neck support device may be adapted for use with
a shoulder harness of a type comprising two shoulder belts and a
restraint which is connected between the shoulder belts causing the
shoulder belts to extend towards one another from an upper region
thereof towards a lower region thereof in a substantially V-shaped
configuration, the second locating formations of the belt locating
means each being in the form of a U-shaped locating formation in
which a different one of the shoulder belts can be received and
defining an open end which faces outwards away from the other one
of the second locating formations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Further features of the invention are described hereinabove
by way of a non-limiting example of the invention, with reference
to and as illustrated in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings. In
the drawings:
[0016] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a head and neck
support device for use by a person wearing a helmet, in accordance
with the invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 shows a schematic front view of the head and neck
support device of FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 3 shows a schematic rear view of the head and neck
support device of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 4 shows a schematic side view of the head and neck
support device of FIG. 1, showing the manner in which the yoke is
hingedly displaceable relative to the high collar;
[0020] FIG. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of the yoke and
collar mounting formation of the head and neck support device of
FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of the head and
neck support device, illustrating the manner in which the shoulder
belts of a shoulder harness are located thereon; and
[0022] FIG. 7 shows a schematic side view of the head and neck
support device of FIG. 1, illustrating its mode of use by an
occupant of a high speed performance vehicle seated in a vehicle
seat and wearing a shoulder harness.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] With reference to the drawings, a head and neck support
device, in accordance with the invention, is designated generally
by the reference numeral 10. The head and neck support device 10 is
specifically adapted for use by a person 12 wearing a helmet 14.
The device 10 comprises, broadly, a pair of flexible shoulder
straps 16.1 and 16.2, a stiff carrier structure including a
U-shaped yoke 18 and a high collar 20 which is hingedly connected
to the yoke 18 and tethering means in the form of a pair of
tethering systems 22.1 and 22.2.
[0024] In this example, the head and neck support device 10 is used
by a person 12 who is an occupant of a high performance vehicle
seated in a rigid seat 24. The person 12 in this instance, is
strapped in the seat by means of a shoulder harness having two
shoulder belts 26.1 and 26.2 which are mounted to a backwall of the
cockpit of the vehicle and which extend through holes defined
therefor in the rigid seat 24 over the shoulder and front torso of
the person 12 where the shoulder belts are united on the chest of
the person by a central buckle of the harness. The shoulder belts
extend towards one another from upper regions to lower regions
thereof, so as to define a V-shape.
[0025] The yoke 18 comprises a pair of front carrier portions 28.1
and 28.2 which are shaped and configured to extend over the
shoulders and torso of the person 12, and an integral rear carrier
portion 30 which extends behind the high collar 20 relative to the
person. The front carrier portions 28.1 and 28.2 of the yoke 18
terminate at lower ends 32.1 and 32.2, respectively. The front
carrier portions 28.1 and 28.2 include strap attachment formations
34.1 and 34.2 at their lower ends to which the shoulder straps 16.1
and 16.2, respectively, are attached.
[0026] The head and helmet combined of the person 12 have a
horizontal level centre of gravity which is disposed at about eye
level. The high collar 20 extends between a lower position at about
the base of the person's neck and an upper position adjacent the
horizontal level centre of gravity of the head and helmet combined
of the person. The collar 20 is curved to conform to the shape of
the head and helmet of the person 12.
[0027] The carrier structure includes a pair of shoulder belt
locating formations 36.1 and 36.2 which are integrally formed with
the collar 20 and which each extend laterally outwardly from a
lower side region of the collar. Each belt locating formation 36
defines a channel formation in which a particular one of the
shoulder belts 26.1 and 26.2 is located. The yoke 18, the collar 20
and the belt locating formations 36 formed integrally therewith,
are preferably constructed of a lightweight, durable, stiff
material such as carbon fibre composite or a high impact resistant
plastic material. It will be appreciated that the yoke 18, although
being stiff, has a degree of resilient flexibility.
[0028] The yoke 18 is pivotally connected to the collar 20 by means
of pivot pins 38 thereby permitting articulation of the yoke 18
relative to the collar 20 in a substantially vertical plane. With
reference to FIG. 4 of the drawings, the manner in which the yoke
18 is pivotally displaceable relative to the high collar, is
illustrated. In use, articulation of the yoke 18 relative to the
collar 20 permits the position of the yoke to be altered relative
to the high collar, thereby to accommodate different reclining
positions of the person 12 and also persons having different
anatomical shapes.
[0029] The shoulder straps 16.1 and 16.2 are of webbing material
and are each configured to be located on a different shoulder of
the person and to extend downwardly along the front portion of the
person. The shoulder straps are flexible so as to permit bending
and twisting and as such, are thus configured to conform to the
anatomical shape of the shoulder and front torso of the person 12.
The shoulder straps are, however, not extendable along their
lengths and as such, do not provide for any elongation. Upper ends
of the shoulder straps 16.1 and 16.2 are fixedly secured to the
belt locating formations 36.1 and 36.2, respectively. The straps
16.1 and 16.2 are spaced below the front carrier portions 28.1 and
28.2, respectively. The shoulder straps 16.1 and 16.2 each carry a
buckle 40 for locating the shoulder belts 26.1 and 26.2 relative to
the shoulder straps 16.1 and 16.2, respectively.
[0030] The front carrier portions 28.1 and 28.2 of the yoke 18
define channel-shaped belt locating formations 42.1 and 42.2 at
their ends 32.1 and 32.2, respectively, within which the shoulder
belts 26.1 and 26.2, respectively, are received. More specifically,
the belt locating formations 42.1 and 42.2 define channel
formations which face outwardly away from each other. The belt
locating formations 42.1 and 42.2 thus frictionally engage inner
sides of the shoulder belts received therein, thus pretensioning
the shoulder belts in similar fashion to that provided by a
taper-lock system.
[0031] The tethering systems 22.1 and 22.2 are attachable to the
helmet 14 at left and right sides thereof, respectively. The
tethering system 22.1 includes tether straps 44.1 and 44.2 which
are fixedly connected to a catch 46 for releasable attachment to a
post anchor attached to the left side of the helmet. Similarly, the
tethering system 22.2 includes tether straps 45.1 and 45.2 which
are connected to a catch 46 for releasable attachment to a post
anchor attached to the right side of the helmet. The tether straps
44.1 and 45.1 are connected, in use, between the collar 20 and the
helmet 14 so that the tether straps 44.1 and 45.1 provide a
restraint between the collar 20 and the helmet 14 in a
substantially horizontal direction at or slightly below the
horizontal level centre of gravity of the head and helmet combined,
of the person 12. The tether straps 44.2 and 45.2 are connected
between mounting formations 43.1 and 43.2 on each of the front
carrier portions 28.1 and 28.2, respectively, and the helmet 14 so
that the tether straps 44.2 and 45.2 provide a restraint between
the front carrier portions and the helmet in a substantially
vertical direction. The tethers are connected in such a way as to
allow side to side turning motion of the head of the person. The
lengths of the tether straps allow the person to have forward and
lateral field of view. The tether straps 44.1 and 45.1 form two
parts of a single strap which extends behind the collar at an upper
region thereof. The tether straps are attachable to the helmet at
positions which conform to the design specifications prescribed by
the Homologated Motorsport Authority Specification.
[0032] The device 10 includes a tether strap locating formation 50
which is fixedly secured to a rear side of the collar 20 and which
defines a horizontally-extending channel 52 within which the single
strap is received. More specifically, the strap locating formation
50 include central frictional gripping formations 54 defining an
internal passage through which the single strap passes and which
frictionally engages the strap thereby frictionally resisting
displacement of the tether strap along the channel formation 52. By
providing a horizontal single strap, increased movement of the
person's head from side to side is permitted while at the same time
restricting motion in a direction away from the collar. The
frictional gripping formations 54 are operable to frictionally
engage the single strap at relatively high accelerations of the
strap, thereby preventing movement of the strap along the channel
formation 52, while permitting relative movement of the strap along
the channel formation 52, at relatively low accelerations of the
strap.
[0033] The collar 20 defines a set of pairs of mounting holes 60
and the yoke 18 defines a pair of mounting holes 62. The collar is
fixedly releasably mounted to the yoke by a pair of mounting pins
64 protruding through an aligned pair of collar mounting holes and
pair of yoke mounting holes.
[0034] In use, the device 10 is securely held in place by the
shoulder belts 26.1 and 26.2 of the shoulder harness when the
person is securely strapped in the vehicle. The shoulder belts 26.1
and 26.2 are located between the shoulder straps and the front
carrier portions of the yoke.
[0035] The tether straps limit loading applied to the head and neck
region of the person by providing a physical connection between the
helmet and the carrier structure. As such, forces acting on the
helmet and head of the person are transferred via the tether straps
to the carrier structure and the shoulder straps onto the shoulder
and front torso region of the person which in this case serves as
an anchor.
[0036] It will be appreciated that the exact configuration of the
head and neck support device in accordance with the invention, may
vary greatly while still incorporating the essential features of
the invention as described and defined hereinabove. It will also be
appreciated that the embodiments described above were chosen in
order to best explain the principles of the invention and the
invention is not intended to be limited to the details described
above since various modifications and structural changes may be
made without departing in any way from the spirit of the
invention.
* * * * *