Device for protecting the cervical vertebrae

Abstract

A device for protecting the cervical vertebrae, in sports motorcycle racing and car racing, includes elements suitable for opposing inertia forces due to strong accelerations whereto the individual is subject, prevents harmful stresses to the bony structure, in the normal performance of the races, and minimizes them in the event of an accident. The device includes a support structure, made substantially integral to the pilot's trunk, a helmet, and elements suitable for connecting the helmet to the support so as to restrict the mobility of the helmet with respect to the support, which include a ring element, or collar suitable for quickly connecting the helmet to the support structure, and obtaining a swivel coupling therewith, the reciprocal rotation between the helmet and the support taking place according to an axis that, in the zone of the cervical vertebrae, substantially coincides with the physiological axis of rotation of the cervical vertebrae.

1 . Device for protecting the cervical vertebrae, for use mainly in the field of sports motorcycle racing and car racing, of the type comprising a support structure ( 2 ), made substantially integral to the pilot's trunk, a helmet ( 3 ), and means suitable for connecting said helmet ( 3 ) to said support ( 2 ), so as to restrict the mobility of said helmet ( 3 ) with respect to said support ( 2 ), characterized in that said means suitable for connecting said helmet ( 3 ) to said support ( 2 ), so as to restrict the mobility of said helmet ( 3 ) with respect to said support ( 2 ), comprise an element ( 4 ,  4   a ,  4   b ,  60 ), suitable for quickly connecting said helmet ( 3 ) to said support structure ( 2 ), first means being provided suitable for obtaining a swivel coupling between said element ( 4 ,  4   a ,  4   b ,  60 ) and said support structure ( 2 ) and second means suitable for connecting said element ( 4 ,  4   a ,  4   b ,  60 ) with said helmet ( 3 ), the mutual rotation between said helmet ( 3 ) and said support ( 2 ) taking place according to an axis ( 5 ) that, in the zone of cervical vertebrae, substantially coincides with the physiological axis of rotation of said cervical vertebrae. 
     
     
         2 . Device for protecting the cervical vertebrae, according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said first means, suitable for obtaining a swivel coupling between said element ( 4 ,  4   a ,  4   b ,  60 ) and said support structure ( 2 ), comprise a bottom edge ( 40 ,  40   a ,  40   b ,  61 ) of said element ( 4 ,  4   a ,  4   b ,  60 ) that inserts into a circular guide ( 25 ,  25   a ,  25   b ) obtained on the top part ( 20 ) of the support structure ( 2 ). 
     
     
         3 . Device for protecting the cervical vertebrae, according to  claim 2 , characterized in that said bottom edge ( 40 ) of said element ( 4 ,  60 ) inserts with clearance in said guide ( 25 ) of said support structure ( 2 ), so as to allow the oscillation of the pilot's head according to vertical, longitudinal and crosswise planes, as well as any combination of said two oscillations. 
     
     
         4 . Device for protecting the cervical vertebrae, according to  claim 2 , characterized in that said element ( 4 ,  4   a ,  4   b ), suitable for quickly connecting said helmet ( 3 ), comprise a collar ( 4 ,  4   a ,  4   b ) which engage with its bottom edge ( 40 ,  40   a ,  40   b ) said circular guide ( 25 ). 
     
     
         5 . Device for protecting the cervical vertebrae, according to  claim 4 , characterized in that said second means, suitable for connecting said collar ( 4 ,  4   a ) to said helmet ( 3 ) comprise a top edge ( 41 ,  41   a ), of said collar ( 4 ,  4   a ), that inserts into a groove ( 30 ) of said helmet ( 3 ). 
     
     
         6 . Device for protecting the cervical vertebrae, according to  claim 5 , characterized in that said top edge ( 41 ), of said collar ( 4 ), inserts with clearance in said groove ( 30 ) of said helmet ( 3 ), so as to allow a reciprocal movement between said collar ( 4 ) and said helmet ( 3 ). 
     
     
         7 . Device for protecting the cervical vertebrae, according to  claim 3 , characterized in that said element ( 60 ), suitable for quickly connecting said helmet ( 3 ), comprise a plurality of quickly operating clamps ( 60 ), which engage, with their bottom edge ( 61 ), said circular guide ( 25 ), said clamps ( 60 ) being fixed near the bottom edge of the helmet ( 3 ). 
     
     
         8 . Device for protecting the cervical vertebrae, according to  claim 7 , characterized in that said quickly operating clamps ( 60 ) are provided with a safety system which prevents the opening not expressly operated of said clamps. 
     
     
         9 . Device for protecting the cervical vertebrae, according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said second means, suitable for connecting said collar ( 4   b ) to said helmet ( 3 ) comprise a plurality of small cylinders ( 50   a ,  50   b ,  50   c ,  50   d ) which link pins ( 51   a ,  51   b ,  51   c ,  51   d ), which are integral to said collar ( 4   b ), to corresponding pins ( 52   a ,  52   b ,  52   c ,  52   d ), integral to said helmet ( 3 ), said small cylinders ( 50   a ,  50   b ,  50   c ,  50   d ) allowing reciprocal movements of the helmet ( 3 ) with respect to the collar ( 4   b ), means being provided suitable for dampening said reciprocal movements of the helmet ( 3 ) with respect to the collar ( 4   b ). 
     
     
         10 . Device for protecting the cervical vertebrae, according to  claim 9 , characterized in that said small cylinders ( 50   a ,  50   b ,  50   c ,  50   d ) are hydraulic or pneumatic. 
     
     
         11 . Device for protecting the cervical vertebrae, according to  claim 10 , characterized in that said small cylinders ( 50   a ,  50   b ,  50   c ,  50   d ) are interconnected, said connections being obtained by connecting the respective top chambers and the respective bottom chambers of the small cylinders which are located in diametrically opposed positions to one another, so that when one of said small cylinders stretches, the diametrically opposed small cylinders shortens and vice versa, thus allowing the oscillation of the pilot's head in the vertical, longitudinal and crosswise planes, as well as any combination of said two oscillations. 
     
     
         12 . Device for protecting the cervical vertebrae, according to  claim 10 , characterized in that the top chambers of said small cylinders ( 50   a ,  50   b ,  50   c ,  50   d ) are connected with the corresponding bottom chambers. 
     
     
         13 . Device for protecting the cervical vertebrae, according to  claim 12 , characterized in that said means, suitable for dampening the reciprocal movement of the helmet ( 3 ) with respect to the collar ( 4   b ) comprise calibrated valves ( 53   a ,  53   b ) inserted in the circuit connecting the chambers of said small cylinders ( 50   a ,  50   b ,  50   c ,  50   d ), said valves ( 53   a ,  53   b ) being suitable for introducing load losses, which hinder the movement of the fluid in the circuit, slowing the movement of the pistons of said small cylinders ( 50   a ,  50   b ,  50   c ,  50   d ). 
     
     
         14 . Device for protecting the cervical vertebrae, according to  claim 9 , characterized in that said means, suitable for dampening the reciprocal movements of the helmet ( 3 ) with respect to the collar ( 4   b ), comprise viscoelastic solid bodies. 
     
     
         15 . Device for protecting the cervical vertebrae, according to  claim 12 , characterized in that said small cylinders ( 50   a ,  50   b ,  50   c ,  50   d ) which connect said pins ( 51   a ,  51   b ,  51   c ,  51   d ), integral to said collar ( 4   b ), with said corresponding pins ( 52   a ,  52   b ,  52   c ,  52   d ), integral to said helmet ( 3 ) are mounted on spherical hinges. 
     
     
         16 . Device for protecting the cervical vertebrae, according to  claim 15 , characterized in that the rods of said small cylinders ( 50   a ,  50   b ,  50   c ,  50   d ) are adjustable in length to adjust the distance of the helmet ( 3 ) from the support structure ( 2 ) on the pilot's sizes. 
     
     
         17 . Device for protecting the cervical vertebrae, according to at least  claim 1 , characterized in that said collar ( 4 ,  4   b ) is stiff and is made in two halves, articulated to each other, so as to be fitted on said guide ( 25 ,  25   b ) of said support structure ( 2 ) and connected to said helmet ( 3 ), there being provided closing means ( 43 ,  43   b ) suitable for maintaining said collar ( 4 ,  4   b ) closed on said support structure ( 2 ). 
     
     
         18 . Device for protecting the cervical vertebrae, according to  claim 17 , characterized in that said closing means ( 43 ) keep said collar ( 4 ) tightened on said helmet ( 3 ). 
     
     
         19 . Device for protecting the cervical vertebrae, according to at least  claim 1 , characterized in that said collar ( 4   a ) is flexible and is provided with a cut ( 44 ), so as to be opened and fitted on said guide ( 25   a ) of said support structure ( 2 ) and on said groove ( 30 ) of said helmet ( 3 ), there being provided closing means ( 43   a ) suitable for keeping said collar ( 4   a ) closed on said helmet ( 3 ) and said support structure ( 2 ), the opening of said collar ( 4   a ) occurring through the deformation of said collar ( 4   a ). 
     
     
         20 . Device for protecting the cervical vertebrae, according to  claim 19 , characterized in that the sides of said collar ( 4   a ) are bellow shaped so as to extend, thus allowing the oscillation of the pilot's head in the vertical, longitudinal and crosswise planes, as well as any combination of said two oscillations. 
     
     
         21 . Device for protecting the cervical vertebrae, according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said guide ( 25 ,  25   a ,  25   b ) of said support structure ( 2 ), has a generally circular shape and lies on a plane ( 26 ) perpendicular to the physiological axis of rotation of the cervical vertebrae ( 5 ), said axis passing by the geometrical center of said circular guide ( 25 ). 
     
     
         22 . Device for protecting the cervical vertebrae, according to  claim 21 , characterized in that said generally circular guide ( 25 ,  25   a ,  25   b ) is open on the front side so that the pilot may insert his/her neck inside said circular part ( 25 ,  25   a ,  25   b ). 
     
     
         23 . Device for protecting the cervical vertebrae, according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said means suitable for securing said support structure ( 2 ) on the pilot's trunk comprise a back part ( 24 ) of said structure ( 2 ) that covers the pilot's back, so as to remain blocked between the seat's back and the pilot's back. 
     
     
         24 . Device for protecting the cervical vertebrae, according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said means suitable for securing said support structure ( 2 ) on the pilot's trunk comprise safety belts ( 6 ). 
     
     
         25 . Device for protecting the cervical vertebrae, according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said means suitable for securing said support structure ( 2 ) on the pilot's trunk comprise belts that directly tighten said support structure ( 2 ) to the pilot's trunk. 
     
     
         26 . Device for protecting the cervical vertebrae, according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said means suitable for securing said support structure ( 2 ) on the pilot's trunk comprise the fact that said support structure ( 2 ) is integrated in a safety suit or jacket. 
     
     
         27 . Device for protecting the cervical vertebrae, according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the top and bottom planes of said connecting element ( 24 ,  24   a ), in relation to the inclination of the groove ( 30 ) obtained on the helmet ( 3 ), form an angle γ, suitable for determining the correct position the cervical column must take with respect to the dorsal column, in relation to the car or motorcycle use of said device ( 1 ) for protecting the cervical vertebrae.