Head and neck protection apparatus

Abstract

Various protective apparatus are described. One protective apparatus includes a shoulder pad assembly having an opening for a neck of a user, a supporting element affixed to the shoulder pad assembly, the supporting element being configured to extend above the shoulder pad assembly and to encircle a portion of the opening, one or more clips arranged on the surface of the supporting element, and a helmet having one or more first bars that, when engaged within the one or more clips, secure the helmet to the supporting element.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A protective apparatus comprising:
 a shoulder pad assembly having an opening for a neck of a user;   a supporting element affixed to the shoulder pad assembly, the supporting element being configured to extend above the shoulder pad assembly and to encircle a portion of the opening;   one or more clips arranged on the surface of the supporting element; and   a helmet comprising one or more first bars that, when engaged within the one or more clips, secure the helmet to the supporting element.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the supporting element comprises an overhang extending downward from a rear portion of the supporting element. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the supporting element comprises an overhang extending downward from a rear portion of the supporting element in a manner that produces a slot at the rear of the supporting element. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the helmet further comprises one or more second bars. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more second bars are affixed to a rear surface of the helmet. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more second bars are affixed to an inner surface of the helmet. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more second bars are affixed to an inner rear surface of the helmet. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the protective apparatus further comprises one or more communication devices. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more clips comprises a hook and a lever. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the lever, when raised, raises the hook above at least one of the one or more first bars. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the lever, when raised, raises the hook above at least one of the one or more first bars to enable the hook to engage the at least one of the one or more first bars. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the lever, when lowered, lowers the hook to secure at least one of the one or more first bars. 
     
     
         13 . A protective apparatus comprising:
 a shoulder pad assembly having an opening for a neck of a user;   a wire having two ends, the wire arranged to surround the opening, each of the two ends being secured to a lever that is affixed to the shoulder pad assembly;   one or more locking mechanisms affixed to the shoulder pad assembly; and   a helmet having one or more bars configured for insertion into the one or more locking mechanisms;   wherein, upon insertion of the one or more bars into the one or more locking mechanisms and upon a raising of the lever, the helmet is secured to the shoulder pad assembly.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein upon a lowering of the lever, the helmet is unsecured from the shoulder pad assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein upon a lowering of the lever, the locking mechanism is released. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the protective apparatus further comprises one or more communication devices. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the protective apparatus further comprises a collar. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the collar is configured to be positioned in between a base of the helmet and an outer surface of the shoulder pad assembly. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the collar includes shock-absorbing material. 
     
     
         20 . A protective apparatus comprising:
 a shoulder pad assembly having an opening for a neck of a user, the shoulder pad assembly comprising a chest plate at the front of the shoulder pad assembly;   a helmet configured for placement upon the shoulder pad assembly in a manner that surrounds the opening from above; and   a collar affixed to the shoulder pad assembly;   wherein the collar, when positioned along at least a portion of a base of the helmet and secured to the chest plate, secures the helmet to the shoulder pad assembly.