Apparatus for preventing neck injury, spinal cord injury and concussion

Abstract

An apparatus for preventing neck injury, spinal cord injury and concussion is disclosed. The apparatus includes a helmet, a body harness and a plurality of anchor assemblies connecting the helmet to the body harness. The anchor assemblies are adjusted to limit the cervical rotation, lateral bending, flexion and extension ranges of motion of a wearer to a predetermined set point, each anchor assembly including a plurality of guide members extending from the helmet to an anchor of the anchor assembly, the plurality of guide members being attached to the anchor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for preventing neck, spinal cord injury and concussion, comprising;
 a helmet;   a body harness; and   three anchor assemblies separately positioned at a rear position, and right side and left side positions and connecting the helmet to the body harness, wherein the anchor assemblies are adjusted to limit cervical rotation, lateral bending, flexion and extension ranges of motion of a wearer to a predetermined set point,   each anchor assembly positioned at the right side position and at the left side position including three guide members extending from the helmet to an anchor of the anchor assembly,   the anchor assembly positioned at the rear position including at least one guide member extending from the helmet to an anchor of the anchor assembly,   each of the guide members being attached to a corresponding anchor, the anchor comprising a retainer for receiving and securing the guide members and a retainer seat permanently attached to the body harness, the retainer and retainer seat being detachably coupled to one another, the helmet being detachable from the body harness without adjusting the guide members secured to the retainer, wherein the retainer and retainer seat are male and female buckle elements.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the helmet includes grommets configured to receive the guide cords. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to permit a maximum range of motion of 80 degrees for right and left rotation, 45 degrees for right and left lateral flexion, 50 degrees for flexion, and 60 degrees for extension. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to distribute linear and rotational acceleration forces experienced by the wearer to the helmet and body harness. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the retainer seat is attached to the body harness at a location concealed by a jersey worn over the body harness. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least the anchor assemblies positioned at the right side position and at the left side position include a second retainer for receiving and securing the guide members opposite a corresponding anchor of the anchor assembly, wherein the second retainer is attached to the helmet.