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.

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.