Concussion reduction prevention system

Abstract

The Concussion Reduction Prevention System is a protective helmet and shoulder pad device that may be worn by an athlete, such as a football player, during sports play to reduce the likelihood that the athlete will obtain a concussion. The helmet is large enough to allow the athlete's head to move freely within it. The helmet connects to the pad via a cradle. The cradle includes attachment points along the athlete's shoulders so that impact forces are distributed onto the athlete's shoulders. The pad is reinforced to distribute impact forces from the helmet to the athlete's shoulders.

I hereby claim: 
     
         1 . A concussion reduction device comprising:
 a helmet comprising:
 a shell worn about a head of a user, wherein the shell covers the top, back and sides of the user's head, wherein the shell is large enough to allow a user's head to move freely within the shell, 
 a facemask covering the front of the helmet, wherein the facemask allows a user to see through the front and sides of the helmet, 
 padding positioned within the shell, wherein the padding protects the user's head from making contact with the shell, 
 a cradle that runs along the bottom of the helmet surrounding a user's neck, wherein the cradle is shaped so that it may be coupled to a user's shoulder pads, wherein the cradle further comprises one or more guide pins, wherein the guide pins are positioned above the user's shoulders, 
   pads worn about the shoulders of a user further comprising:
 padding that distributes impact forces to a user's shoulders 
 a collar at the top of the shoulder pads that couples with the cradle, 
 guide holes positioned wherein the collar that are formed to receive the guide pins, and wherein the guide holes are positioned along the user's shoulder, and 
   a latch on the front of the shoulder pads that secures the helmet onto the pads,   a quick release means that allows the helmet to be released from the pads upon the pulling of a cable, and   a shield that runs from the bottom of the facemask to the pads, wherein the shield shields the user's neck.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a latching means that reversibly couples the latch to the front of the shoulder pads. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the latching means is spring loaded. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the guide pin receptacles are keyhole shaped. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the guide pins are adjustable. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cradle is composed of stainless steel. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the facemask is composed of titanium, stainless steel, or carbon steel. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the shell is composed of polycarbonate.