Motorcycle helmet with a spinal cord protective device

Abstract

A motorcycle helmet is disclosed with a detachable spinal cord protective device or attachment, wherein the protective device or attachment is a detachable collar that, for example, snaps to the inside of the helmet and closes at the front neck with a securing mechanism, such as a Velcro™ strap. A motorcycle helmet with a spinal cord protection extension is also disclosed, wherein the extension comprises an elongation in the back to the base of the neck. Also disclosed is a half-helmet with spinal cord protection, wherein a securing mechanism, such as a Velcro™ strap, provides closure around the neck. The disclosed variation in motorcycle helmets enables full range of motion to the sides and front but not to the back of the head, insuring neck protection upon impact.

1 . A device comprising:
 a. a full-face helmet with a base modified to engage a snap-fit arrangement; and   b. a U-shaped spinal cord protection attachment, said spinal cord protection attachment engaging said full-face helmet via said snap fit arrangement, said U-Shaped spinal cord protection attachment having a securing mechanism for securing said U-Shaped spinal cord protection attachment around a subject's neck.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein securing mechanism comprises hook and loop fasteners. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein dimensions of said U-shaped spinal cord protection attachment are picked to fully cover a neck region, thereby providing protection to the spinal cord in said neck region. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein exterior of said U-shaped spinal cord protection attachment is made of any of the following: Kevlar, Nylon, or leather and interior if said U-shaped spinal cord protection device is made up of a plurality of thin titanium strips, said titanium strips providing reinforcement. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said U-shaped spinal cord protection attachment further includes an access mechanism providing access to interior of said U-shaped spinal cord protection attachment for placement of an airbag deployment mechanism that deploys an airbag around said subject's neck upon impact, said airbag extending from ear-to-ear of said subject. 
   
   
       6 . A full-face helmet, wherein the improvement comprises:
 a U-shaped spinal cord protection extension integrated into said standard full-face helmet, said U-Shaped spinal cord protection attachment having a securing mechanism for securing said U-Shaped spinal cord protection attachment around a subject's neck.   
   
   
       7 . The full-face helmet of  claim 6 , wherein securing mechanism comprises hook and loop fasteners. 
   
   
       8 . The full-face helmet of  claim 6 , wherein dimensions of said U-shaped spinal cord protection extension are picked to fully cover a neck region, thereby providing protection to the spinal cord in said neck region. 
   
   
       9 . The full-face helmet of  claim 6 , wherein exterior of said U-shaped spinal cord protection extension is made of any of the following: Kevlar, Nylon, or leather and interior if said U-shaped spinal cord protection device is made up of a plurality of thin titanium strips, said titanium strips providing reinforcement. 
   
   
       10 . The full-face helmet of  claim 6 , wherein said U-shaped spinal cord protection extension further includes an access mechanism providing access to interior of said U-shaped spinal cord protection extension for placement of an airbag deployment mechanism that deploys an airbag around said subject's neck upon impact, said airbag extending from ear-to-ear of said subject. 
   
   
       11 . A device comprising:
 a. a half-face helmet with a base modified to engage a snap-fit arrangement; and   b. a U-shaped spinal cord protection attachment, said spinal cord protection attachment engaging said half-face helmet via said snap fit arrangement, said U-Shaped spinal cord protection attachment having a securing mechanism for securing said U-Shaped spinal cord protection attachment around a subject's neck.   
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein securing mechanism comprises hook and loop fasteners. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein dimensions of said U-shaped spinal cord protection attachment are picked to fully cover a neck region, thereby providing protection to the spinal cord in said neck region. 
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein exterior of said U-shaped spinal cord protection attachment is made of any of the following: Kevlar, Nylon, or leather and interior if said U-shaped spinal cord protection device is made up of a plurality of thin titanium strips, said titanium strips providing reinforcement. 
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein said U-shaped spinal cord protection attachment further includes an access mechanism providing access to interior of said U-shaped spinal cord protection attachment for placement of an airbag deployment mechanism that deploys an airbag around said subject's neck upon impact, said airbag extending from ear-to-ear of said subject.