Method of bracing a person's neck

Abstract

A ventilated neck brace that provides support to the wearer's neck while providing improved ventilation and breathability. Most embodiments of the neck brace are comprised of an elongate member that defines a neck support, a transition section, and an elongate shoulder rest. Most configurations of the neck brace allow the wearer to adjust the width and length of the neck brace.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A neck brace comprising: 
 an elongate neck support section that defines an open front portion;    an elongate shoulder rest that can support the elongate neck support section; and    a transition section that connects the neck support to the shoulder rest.    
     
     
         2 . The neck brace of  claim 1  wherein the neck support section only contacts the sides and back of the wearer's neck.  
     
     
         3 . The neck brace of  claim 1  wherein the neck support section and shoulder rest are comprised of a flexible continuous band of material.  
     
     
         4 . The neck brace of  claim 3  wherein the continuous band of material is covered by a rigid support.  
     
     
         5 . The neck brace of  claim 4  wherein the rigid support comprises plastic.  
     
     
         6 . The neck brace of  claim 3  wherein continuous band of material comprises copper, stainless steel, or aluminum.  
     
     
         7 . The neck brace of  claim 1  wherein the range of movement of a wearer's neck is limited to approximately 0° to 15°.  
     
     
         8 . The neck brace of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the elongate neck support section, transition sections, and elongate shoulder rest is C-shaped.  
     
     
         9 . The neck brace of  claim 1  wherein the height and width of the elongate shoulder rest and elongate neck support are adjustable.  
     
     
         10 . The neck brace of  claim 1  wherein the elongate neck support and elongate shoulder rest provide open areas that provide ventilation to the wearer's neck.  
     
     
         11 . The neck brace of  claim 1  wherein the elongate neck support comprises a first and second end, and the elongate shoulder rest comprises a first and second end, wherein the first end of the elongate neck support is attached to the first end of the elongate shoulder rest and the second end of the elongate neck support is attached to the second end of the elongate shoulder rest.  
     
     
         12 . A neck brace comprising an elongate flexible member and an elongate rigid member which fits over the elongate flexible member, wherein the elongate rigid member and elongate flexible member are shaped to form a neck support which can contact a wearer's neck and a shoulder rest which can rest over at least one of a wearer's base of the neck and shoulders.  
     
     
         13 . The neck brace of  claim 12  wherein at least one of the elongate flexible member and elongate rigid member is continuous.  
     
     
         14 . The neck brace of  claim 12  wherein the elongate rigid member and elongate flexible member comprise first and second ends, wherein the first and second ends are in contact with each other.  
     
     
         15 . The neck brace of  claim 12  wherein the elongate flexible member comprises a single piece of copper and the elongate member comprises a single piece of plastic.  
     
     
         16 . The neck brace of  claim 12  wherein the elongate flexible member and elongate rigid member define open areas which provide ventilation to a wearer's neck.  
     
     
         17 . A neck brace comprising a continuous elongate member that is shaped to form a neck support, a transition section that maintains the position of the neck support, and a shoulder rest that can contact at least one of a wearer's bas of the neck and shoulders to stabilize the neck support.  
     
     
         18 . The neck brace of  claim 17  wherein the neck support, transition section, and the shoulder rest comprise a flexible inner tubing and a substantially rigid outer layer.  
     
     
         19 . The neck brace of  claim 17  wherein the at least one of the neck support, the transition section, and the shoulder rest is C-shaped, wherein at least one of the transition section and neck support are positioned to contact the wearer's jaw and limit a rotation and forward movement of a wearer's head.  
     
     
         20 . The neck brace of  claim 17  wherein a height and width of the neck brace are adjustable.