System and method for reducing concussions in sports participants

Abstract

A system for reducing concussions in a sport participant. The system includes a helmet, the helmet comprising a shell having a crown region; a first tether, the first tether having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the crown region of the shell of the helmet; and a uniform comprising a waist band and/or belt, the second end of the first tether connected thereto, the first tether having a slack region, wherein the momentum of the first tether upon matching the momentum of the sport participant eliminates the slack region of the first tether and restrains the helmet of the sport participant, reducing the chance of receiving a concussion. A method for reducing concussions in a sport participant is also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for reducing concussions in a sport participant, comprising:
 a helmet, the helmet comprising a shell having a crown region;   a first tether, the first tether having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the crown region of the shell of the helmet; and   a uniform comprising a waistband and/or belt, the second end of the first tether connected thereto, the first tether having a slack region,   wherein the momentum of the first tether upon matching the momentum of the sport participant eliminates the slack region of the first tether and restrains the helmet of the sport participant, reducing the chance of receiving a concussion.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second tether having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the crown region of the shell of the helmet. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the second end of the second tether is connected to the waistband and/or belt of the uniform at a point diametrically opposed to the point that the second end of the first tether is connected to, the second tether having a slack region. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the momentum of the second tether upon matching the momentum of the sport participant eliminates a slack region of the second tether and restrains the helmet of the sport participant, reducing the chance of receiving a concussion. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the shell is formed of a material comprising a plastic or composite. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the shell also includes a front region, a rear region, opposing side regions, each side region having an ear flap with an ear opening. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the uniform is an American football uniform comprising a pair of pants having a waste band. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the uniform is an American football uniform comprising a pair of pants having a waste band and a belt. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the helmet further comprises a face guard secured to the shell by a face guard connector. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the helmet further comprises a chin strap assembly that releasably secures the helmet to the sport participant. 
     
     
         11 . A method for reducing concussions in a sport participant, comprising:
 providing a helmet, the helmet comprising a shell having a crown region;   providing a uniform comprising a waistband and/or belt;   providing a first tether having a first end and a second end; and   connecting the first end of the first tether to the crown region of the shell of the helmet and the second end of the first tether to the waist band and/or belt of the uniform, the first tether having a slack region,   wherein the momentum of the first tether upon matching the momentum of the sport participant eliminates the slack region of the first tether and restrains the helmet of the sport participant, reducing the chance of receiving a concussion.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of providing a second tether having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the crown region of the shell of the helmet. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the second end of the second tether is connected to the waistband and/or belt of the uniform at a point diametrically opposed to the point that the second end of the first tether is connected to, the second tether having a slack region. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the momentum of the second tether upon matching the momentum of the sport participant eliminates the slack region of the second tether and restrains the helmet of the sport participant, reducing the chance of receiving a concussion. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the shell is formed of a material comprising a plastic or composite. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the shell also includes a front region, a rear region, opposing side regions, each side region having an ear flap with an ear opening. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the uniform is an American football uniform comprising a pair of pants having a waste band, the second end of the tether connected to a point on the waistband. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the uniform is an American football uniform comprising a pair of pants having a waste band and a belt, the second end of the tether connected to a point on the belt. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the helmet further comprises a face guard secured to the shell by a face guard connector. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the helmet further comprises a chin strap assembly that releasably secures the helmet to the sport participant.