Adjustable cervical collar

Abstract

An embodiment of an adjustable cervical collar system includes a collar body and a chin support structure assembled together, about respective pivots at opposed ends, for pivotal movement about a pivot axis so that the angle subtended by the collar body and chin support structure can be adjusted. The collar body and chin support structure can be locked in a selected position by a locking mechanism. A release mechanism permits the wearer to release the locking mechanism using one hand, and the angular position of the chin support structure relative to the collar body is changed manually. When the release mechanism is released, the locking mechanism automatically locks the chin support in the new position. A neck strap is detachable from the chin support structure and the collar body, and its length is also adjustable.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A strap connector for connecting an elongated strap to a structure, the strap connector comprising:
 a connector housing structure configured to receive an end of the strap and allow the strap to be inserted through a connector housing to a desired position for an effective strap length:   a lock mechanism to lock the strap at the desired position within the connector housing;   a connector mechanism for connection to the structure, and wherein the connector mechanism includes manual release features configured to provide ready disconnection of the strap connector from the structure without releasing the lock mechanism, so that the strap connector is disconnected from the structure without changing the effective strap length.   
     
     
         24 . A neck strap system for a cervical collar body, comprising:
 a neck portion arranged to fit about the back of the neck of a person;   an elongated strap portion connected to the neck portion;   a strap connector including a connector housing, the strap connector configured to receive an end of the strap portion and allow the strap portion to be inserted through a connector housing to a desired position for an effective strap length between the connector and the neck portion, the strap connector including:   a lock mechanism to lock the strap portion at the desired position within the connector housing and a lock release manually actuated by a collar user to allow the strap portion to move within the housing;   a connector mechanism for connection to the cervical collar body, and wherein the connector mechanism includes manual release features actuated by the collar user and configured to provide ready disconnection of the strap connector from the cervical collar body without releasing the lock mechanism, so that the strap connector is disconnectable from the structure without changing the effective strap length.   
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the connector mechanism of the strap connector comprises:
 a back plate;   respective first and second clip members mounted in the housing and retained by the back plate, each clip member including a button portion and a clip barb feature;   a spring member mounted in a protruding boss feature of the back plate and providing a bias force tending to push the barb features apart;   the barb features of each strap connector configured to pass through an opening in a connector end of the collar body and to clip over an interior surface to secure the strap connector in place; and   wherein the button portions protrude through slots in the housing structure, and configured so that the user, by pressing the respective button portions together, urge the respective barb portions toward each other and out of engagement with the collar body, allowing the connector to be removed.   
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the strap end portions each have a series of ribs, and adjustment of the effective strap length is provided by engagement of a brake feature carried by the connector structure between ribs of the strap portion, and wherein the lock mechanism of the connector structure includes a sliding plate which can be pushed inwardly by the user to allow the brake feature to lift out of engagement with the ribs, allowing the strap portion to be moved within the connector structure to adjust its position.