Protective apparatus and equipment with adjustable neck roll

Abstract

A protective apparatus for use with athletic shoulder pads, which includes two arched shoulder portions contoured to form a neck opening; and a reversibly compressible neck roll ascending from both shoulder portions at the neck opening, the neck roll having a first positioning structure midway between opposing ends of the neck roll and a second positioning structure at each of the opposing ends of the neck roll, wherein the neck roll is movable by altering downward tension on each of the positioning structures.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A protective apparatus for use with athletic shoulder pads, the apparatus comprising:
 two arched shoulder portions joined together and contoured to form a neck opening; and   a reversibly compressible neck roll ascending from both shoulder portions at the neck opening, the neck roll comprising a first positioning structure midway between opposing ends of the neck roll and a second positioning structure at each of the opposing ends of the neck roll, wherein the neck roll is adjustable by altering downward tension on each of the positioning structures.   
     
     
         2 . The protective apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the neck roll comprises compressible foam. 
     
     
         3 . The protective apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a height of a front region of the neck roll is adjustable by altering downward tension on the positioning structures at the opposing ends of the neck roll. 
     
     
         4 . The protective apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein tensioning at least some of the positioning structures compresses the neck roll. 
     
     
         5 . The protective apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the positioning structures comprise tabs with eyelets or straps comprising both hook and loop sections. 
     
     
         6 . The protective apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a shoulder strap looped over each shoulder portion. 
     
     
         7 . The protective apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein opposing ends of the shoulder strap are affixed to an underside of the shoulder portion. 
     
     
         8 . The protective apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the shoulder strap is elastic. 
     
     
         9 . The protective apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the shoulder strap is inelastic. 
     
     
         10 . Protective equipment for use by an athlete, the equipment comprising:
 a pair of athletic shoulder pads characterized by a main body, shoulders and a neck opening; and   the protective apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the neck roll extends through the neck opening of the athletic shoulder pads, further wherein the positioning structures are fastened to the shoulder pads.   
     
     
         11 . The protective equipment according to  claim 10 , wherein the shoulders are further characterized as having an epaulet overlaying a cup and the protective apparatus further comprises a shoulder strap, wherein the shoulder strap is looped between the epaulet and cup. 
     
     
         12 . The protective equipment according to  claim 10 , wherein a height of the front region of the neck roll is adjusted by increasing or decreasing downward tension on the positioning structures at the opposing ends of the neck rolls. 
     
     
         13 . The protective equipment according to  claim 10 , wherein a rear region of the neck roll is moved by increasing or decreasing downward tension on the positioning structure midway between the opposing ends of the neck roll. 
     
     
         14 . A method of preventing or decreasing injury to an athlete during a sporting event comprising wearing the protective equipment according to  claim 10 , and actively participating in a sporting event under conditions that risk injury to a neck of the athlete.