Athletic collar

Abstract

A device includes a collar and at least one pad. The collar is configured for wearing by a user, the collar having a plurality of pad receptacles. The at least one pad is configured for coupling with a selected one of the plurality of pad receptacles, the pad having an elastic portion configured to limit movement of a user.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A collar comprising:
 a lower shoulder flange having a back pad;   an upper flange coupled to the shoulder flange, the upper flange encircling only a portion of a neck of a user to allow an unrestricted forward movement of a head of the user; and   a plurality of bumpers affixed to the upper flange, each of the plurality of bumpers spaced from others of the plurality of bumpers, wherein at least a first one of the plurality of bumpers is configured to exert a force on a back of the head during extension of the neck in a rearward direction and at least a second one of the plurality of bumpers is configured to exert a force on a side of the head during lateral movement of the neck in a sideways direction, wherein the plurality of bumpers are positioned to allow for unrestricted forward movement of the head of the user.   
     
     
         3 . The collar of  claim 2  wherein the lower shoulder flange is configured to provide an anchor mechanism by which the collar is affixed to the user.  4 , (New) The collar of  claim 2  wherein the lower shoulder flange is configured to attach directly to the user to allow the lower shoulder flange movement independent of a shoulder pad. 
     
     
         5 . The collar of  claim 2  wherein the plurality of bumpers includes one of an inflatable bladder or a foam filled bladder. 
     
     
         6 . The collar of  claim 2  wherein the plurality of bumpers are removably coupled to the upper flange. 
     
     
         7 . The collar of  claim 2  further comprising a riser coupled to the upper flange and coupled to the lower shoulder flange, the riser having a rigid structure configured to convey a mpressive force applied to the upper flange to the lower shoulder flange and configured to hold the upper flange in a selected position to with respect to the neck of the user. 
     
     
         8 . A system comprising:
 a football helmet;   a collar includes a flange encircling a rear and side portions of the helmet, and wherein the collar includes at least one bumper affixed to the flange and selectively positionable at various locations on the flange, wherein the at least one bumper is configured to dampen a sideways movement, rearward movement, or any combination thereof of the helmet.   
     
     
         9 . The system of claim  8 wherein the at least one bumper has a repositionable location on the flange. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the flange includes an upper flange and a lower flange with the upper flange having a first side segment opposing a second side segment, the first side segment and the second side segment provide a clearance between the at least one bumper and the helmet when worn by a user, and wherein the first side segment and the second side segment are configured to limit movement of the helmet in side directions, and a rear segment configured to limit movement of the helmet in a rearward direction. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the flange and at least one bumper are positioned so as to allow an unrestricted forward movement of the helmet. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the location of the at least one bumper on the flange avoids contacting a bottom edge of the helmet when worn, the at least one bumper provides shock absorption without a fulcrum effect on a head. 
     
     
         13 . A collar comprising:
 a lower shoulder flange having a back pad;   an upper flange coupled to the shoulder flange, the upper flange spaced from a neck of a user and encircling only a portion of the neck of a user to allow an unrestricted forward movement of a head of the user; and   a plurality of bumpers selectively affixed to the upper flange each of the plurality of bumpers spaced from others of the plurality of bumpers, wherein at least a first one of the plurality of bumpers is adjacent a back of the head and a second one of the plurality of bumpers is adjacent a first side of the head and a third one of the plurality of bumpers is adjacent a second side of the head, wherein the plurality of bumpers do not extend forward of the upper flange to allow for unrestricted forward movement of the head of the user.   
     
     
         14 . The collar of  claim 13  wherein the lower shoulder flange is configured to provide an anchor mechanism by which the collar is affixed to the user. 
     
     
         15 . The collar of  claim 13  wherein the lower shoulder flange is configured to attach directly to the user to allow the lower shoulder flange movement independent of a shoulder pad. 
     
     
         16 . The collar of  claim 13  wherein the plurality of bumpers includes one of n inflatable bladder or a foam filled bladder. 
     
     
         17 . The collar of claim 13  wherein the plurality of bumpers are removably coupled to the upper flange. 
     
     
         18 . The collar of  claim 13  further comprising a riser coupled to the upper flange and coupled to the lower shoulder flange, the riser having a rigid structure configured to convey a compressive force applied to the upper flange to the lower shoulder flange and configured to hold the upper flange in a desired position with respect to the neck of the user. 
     
     
         19 . The collar of  claim 13  wherein an upper edge of the upper flange is configured to be positioned between a location adjacent an ear and a location adjacent a top of the neck of the user. 
     
     
         20 . The collar of  claim 13  wherein the upper flange is configured to have the second one of the plurality of bumpers or the third one of the plurality of bumpers to be contacted by a lower region of the head, or to be contacted a helmet worn by the user, during lateral movement of the neck in a sideways directions and avoid contacting a bottom edge of the helmet to provide shock absorption without a fulcrum effect on the head. 
     
     
         21 . The collar of  claim 20  wherein the upper flange is configured to have the first one of the plurality of bumpers to be contacted by a lower region of the head, or to be contacted by a helmet worn by the user, during extension of the neck in a rearward direction, and avoid contacting a bottom edge of the helmet to provide shock absorption without a fulcrum effect on the head.