Shoulder pads incorporating cervical spine protection device

Abstract

Shoulder pad includes shoulder pads and a cervical spine protection device. The device includes an upper portion for engagement with a helmet when an axial force is applied to a portion of the helmet. The upper portion has a front section, a rear section, and side sections which have a top surface. At least one damper element is provided within the device. The top surface of the side sections has an apex higher than the top surface of the front section and the rear section when the device is worn. The axial force applied to the helmet is absorbed by the device and directed away from a cervical spinal column of the user by the device. The damper element, when the axial force is absorbed by the device, resistively collapses to attenuate the axial force. The device allows extension of the head and neck during athletic movement.

1 . A shoulder pad having a cervical spine protection system comprising:
 shoulder pads; and   a cervical spine protection device comprising:
 an upper portion designed for engagement with a user's helmet when an axial force is applied to a portion of the helmet, the upper portion having a front section, a rear section, and side sections, wherein the front section, rear section, and side sections of the upper portion have a top surface; and 
 at least one damper element within the cervical spine protection device; 
   wherein the top surface of the side sections of the upper portion has an apex that is higher than the top surface of the front section and the rear section when the cervical spine protection device is worn by a user,   wherein the axial force applied to the top portion of the helmet is at least partially absorbed by the cervical spine protection device and at least partially directed away from a cervical spinal column of the user by the cervical spine protection device,   wherein the at least one damper element, when the axial force is at least partially absorbed by the cervical spine protection device, resistively collapses so as to at least partially attenuate the axial force,   wherein the cervical spine protection device allows extension of the head and neck during athletic movement.   
     
     
         2 . The shoulder pad of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one damper element comprises an inner chamber containing fluid, and the at least one damper element, when the axial force is at least partially absorbed by the cervical spine protection device, vents the fluid from the inner chamber. 
     
     
         3 . The shoulder pad of  claim 2 , wherein the damper element further comprises at least one orifice for resistively venting the fluid from the inner chamber so as to at least partially attenuate the axial force. 
     
     
         4 . The shoulder pad of  claim 2 , wherein the fluid is at least one of air, hydraulic fluid, oil, or water. 
     
     
         5 . The shoulder pad of  claim 4 , wherein the damper element further comprises a holding vessel, wherein the fluid, when vented from the inner chamber, passes into the holding vessel. 
     
     
         6 . The shoulder pad of  claim 2 , wherein the damper element, when the axial force is removed, refills with fluid. 
     
     
         7 . The shoulder pad of  claim 6 , wherein the damper element refills with fluid due to negative pressure inside the inner chamber. 
     
     
         8 . The shoulder pad of  claim 6 , wherein the damper element is a spring. 
     
     
         9 . The shoulder pad of  claim 1 , wherein the cervical spine protection device further comprises:
 a lower portion engaged with a user's shoulders.   a middle portion disposed between the lower portion and the upper portion;   an outside portion shaped to engage with the shoulder pads, wherein the outside portion comprises a substantially c-shaped design, with the lower portion and the upper portion extending laterally further than the middle portion away from the user's neck; and   an inside portion shaped to fit around a user's neck.   
     
     
         10 . The shoulder pad of  claim 9 , wherein the lower portion extends laterally further away from the user's neck than the upper portion. 
     
     
         11 . The shoulder pad of  claim 9 , wherein the cervical spine protection device is separable and removable from the shoulder pad. 
     
     
         12 . The shoulder pad of  claim 11 , wherein the lower portion is shaped to fit adjacent to or under the shoulder pads. 
     
     
         13 . The shoulder pad of  claim 1 , wherein the cervical spine protection device is integral with the shoulder pads. 
     
     
         14 . The shoulder pad of  claim 1 , wherein the top surface is designed to engage a bottom surface of the user's helmet when the axial force is applied to the helmet. 
     
     
         15 . A cervical spine protection device comprising:
 an upper portion designed for engagement with a user's helmet when an axial force is applied to a portion of the helmet, the upper portion having a front section, a rear section, and side sections, wherein the front section, rear section, and side sections of the upper portion have a top surface;   a lower portion engaged with a user's shoulders.   a middle portion disposed between the lower portion and the upper portion;   an outside portion shaped to engage with the shoulder pads, wherein the outside portion comprises a substantially c-shaped design, with the lower portion and the upper portion extending laterally further than the middle portion away from the user's neck;   an inside portion shaped to fit around a user's neck; and   at least one damper element within the cervical spine protection device;   wherein the top surface of the side sections of the upper portion has an apex that is higher than the top surface of the front section and the rear section when the cervical spine protection device is worn by a user,   wherein the axial force applied to the top portion of the helmet is at least partially absorbed by the cervical spine protection device and at least partially directed away from a cervical spinal column of the user by the cervical spine protection device,   wherein the at least one damper element, when the axial force is at least partially absorbed by the cervical spine protection device, resistively collapses so as to at least partially attenuate the axial force,   wherein the cervical spine protection device allows extension of the head and neck during athletic movement.   
     
     
         16 . The cervical spine protection device of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one damper element comprises an inner chamber containing fluid, and the at least one damper element, when the axial force is at least partially absorbed by the cervical spine protection device, vents the fluid from the inner chamber. 
     
     
         17 . The cervical spine protection device of  claim 16 , wherein the damper element further comprises at least one orifice for resistively venting the fluid from the inner chamber so as to at least partially attenuate the axial force. 
     
     
         18 . The cervical spine protection device of  claim 16 , wherein the fluid is at least one of air, hydraulic fluid, oil, or water. 
     
     
         19 . The cervical spine protection device of  claim 15 , wherein the damper element is a spring. 
     
     
         20 . A shoulder pad having a cervical spine protection system comprising:
 shoulder pads; and   a cervical spine protection device comprising:
 an upper portion designed for engagement with a user's helmet when an axial force is applied to a portion of the helmet, the upper portion having a front section, a rear section, and side sections, wherein the front section, rear section, and side sections of the upper portion have a top surface; 
 a lower portion engaged with a user's shoulders. 
 a middle portion disposed between the lower portion and the upper portion; 
 an outside portion shaped to engage with the shoulder pads, wherein the outside portion comprises a substantially c-shaped design, with the lower portion and the upper portion extending laterally further than the middle portion away from the user's neck; 
 an inside portion shaped to fit around a user's neck; and 
 at least one damper element within the cervical spine protection device; 
   wherein the top surface of the side sections of the upper portion has an apex that is higher than the top surface of the front section and the rear section when the cervical spine protection device is worn by a user,   wherein the axial force applied to the top portion of the helmet is at least partially absorbed by the cervical spine protection device and at least partially directed away from a cervical spinal column of the user by the cervical spine protection device,   wherein the at least one damper element, when the axial force is at least partially absorbed by the cervical spine protection device, resistively collapses so as to at least partially attenuate the axial force,   wherein the at least one damper element comprises an inner chamber containing fluid, and the at least one damper element, when the axial force is at least partially absorbed by the cervical spine protection device, resistively vents the fluid from the inner chamber through at least one orifice so as to at least partially attenuate the axial force, and   wherein the cervical spine protection device allows extension of the head and neck during athletic movement.