Head and neck protection system

Abstract

A head and neck protection system includes a head protector, a shoulder protector, and a neck guard for protecting a person from injury. The neck guard detachably connects between the head protector and the shoulder protector and includes a collar. The collar has a first edge and a second edge spaced apart from the first edge. The first and second edges include fastening means for detachably coupling the collar between the head protector and the shoulder protector. In one embodiment, the collar has a perimeter that flares outwardly as the collar extends from the head protector to the shoulder protector. The collar is formed of an anti-ballistic material to protect the person from injury from bullets, fragments and other projectiles. The collar interconnects the head protector with the shoulder protector to form a restraint that limits displacement of the head protector relative to the shoulder protector.

1 . A head and neck protector for use with head gear and gear worn over the torso, comprising: 
 A. a neck guard formed of anti-ballistic material having a first edge and a second edge in spaced relation to the first edge; and    B. a first fastening means disposed along the first edge for attaching said neck guard to said head gear.    
   
   
       2 . The head and neck protector of  claim 1  comprising a second fastening means disposed along the second edge of said neck guard for attaching said neck guard to said gear worn over the person's torso.  
   
   
       3 . The head and neck protector of  claim 1 , wherein the first fastening means comprises a detachable fastening means selected from the group consisting of snap fasteners, zippers, hook and loop fasteners, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       4 . The head and neck protector of  claim 1 , wherein the first fastening means comprises a plurality of snap fasteners that engage with a plurality of snap connectors on the head gear.  
   
   
       5 . The head and neck protector of  claim 1 , wherein the first edge is shorter in length than the second edge, and said neck guard forms a frusto-conical neck brace surrounding the neck.  
   
   
       6 . The head and neck protector of  claim 1 , wherein the neck guard forms a continuous barrier surrounding the neck.  
   
   
       7 . The head and neck protector of  claim 1 , comprising a third edge and a fourth edge, said third edge and said fourth edge extending generally transverse to the first and second edges.  
   
   
       8 . The head and neck protector of  claim 1 , wherein the anti-ballistic material comprises a para-aramid fiber.  
   
   
       9 . A head and neck protection system for protecting a person against injury, comprising: 
 A. a head protector; and    B. a neck guard formed of an anti-ballistic material, said neck guard being connected with the head protector, said neck guard comprising: 
 (1) a first edge and a second edge in spaced relation from the first edge; and  
 (2) a first fastening means extending along the first edge of the neck guard, said first fastening means being configured to detachably couple the neck guard with the head protector.  
   
   
   
       10 . The head and neck protection system of  claim 9  comprising shoulder gear connected with said neck guard.  
   
   
       11 . The head and neck protection system of  claim 10  comprising a second fastening means extending along the second edge of the neck guard, said second fastening means being configured to detachably couple the neck guard with said shoulder gear.  
   
   
       12 . The head and neck protection system of  claim 10  wherein said shoulder gear is selected from the group consisting of a vest, a jacket and a uniform.  
   
   
       13 . The head and neck protection system of  claim 9 , wherein the first fastening means comprises a detachable fastener selected from the group consisting of snap fasteners, zippers, hook and loop fasteners, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       14 . The head and neck protection system of  claim 9 , wherein the neck guard comprises a frusto-conical neck brace surrounding the neck.  
   
   
       15 . The head and neck protection system of  claim 9 , wherein the neck guard comprises a continuous barrier around the neck.  
   
   
       16 . The head and neck protection system of  claim 9 , wherein the neck guard comprises a third edge and a fourth edge, said third edge and said fourth edge extending generally transverse to the first and second edges.  
   
   
       17 . The head and neck protection system of  claim 9 , wherein the anti-ballistic material comprises a para-aramid fiber.  
   
   
       18 . A head and neck guard for use with a head protector and shoulder gear for protecting a person against injury to the head or neck, comprising: 
 a strip of anti-ballistic material having first and second edge portions in spaced relation to each other, and first and second end portions in spaced relation to each other, said strip of anti-ballistic material having a length that is dimensioned such that said strip can be extended substantially around the entire neck area of the person;    a first fastening means disposed along the first edge portion for attaching said strip to the head protector; and    a second fastening means disposed along the second edge portion for attaching said strip to the shoulder gear.    
   
   
       19 . A head and neck guard as set forth in  claim 18  wherein said strip of anti-ballistic material comprises a para-aramid fiber.  
   
   
       20 . A head and neck guard as set forth in  claim 18  wherein the first edge portion has a length that is shorter than the length of the second edge portion, whereby said strip of anti-ballistic material is adapted to form a frusto-conical shape when attached between the head gear and the shoulder gear.  
   
   
       21 . A head and neck guard as set forth in  claim 18  wherein said strip of anti-ballistic material has a thickness that is selected to provide resistance to elongation, and provide flexibility to permit rotation of the person's head about a vertical axis of the person's neck.  
   
   
       22 . A head and neck guard as set forth in  claim 18  wherein the length of said strip is dimensioned to provide a gap between the first and second end portions when the guard is positioned around the neck area of the person.