Neck protector

Abstract

A device for protecting a neck of a user from injury. The device includes a body and a helmet connection configured to removably couple the body to a helmet. The body is configured to cover the neck of the user to protect the neck from injury. A method protects the neck of a user.

1 . A device for protecting a neck of a user from injury, the device comprising:
 a body; and   a helmet connection configured to removably couple the body to a helmet,   wherein the body is configured to cover the neck of the user to protect the neck from injury.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the body extends from a first end to a second end, the device further comprises an end connection configured to removably couple the first end to the second end. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a first side and a second side, and wherein the helmet connection comprises a first side helmet connection on the first side and a second side helmet connection on the second side. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein one or both of the first side helmet connection or the second side helmet connection comprises:
 a flap extending from the body.   
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the flap is configured to extend over a helmet side strap. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein one or both of the first side helmet connection or the second side helmet connection further comprises one of:
 i) a snap connection, the snap connection comprising:
 a first portion on the flap; and 
 a second portion on the body; or 
   ii) a hook and loop connection, the hook and loop connection comprising:
 one of a hook layer or a loop layer on the flap; and 
 the other of the hook layer or the loop layer on the body; or 
   iii) an opening through the flap, the opening configured to extend over a helmet strap.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 4 , the flap further comprises a first flap on the first side and a second flap on the second side, and
 a reinforcing material extending along a top edge of the device between the first flap and the second flap.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein, the reinforcing material is disposed inside an outer cover of the body. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the reinforcing material is disposed outside an outer cover of the body. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the reinforcing material is configured to provide a rigid support of a chin area of the user. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a first side, a second side, and a middle portion extending between the first side and the second side, and wherein the first side and the second side are configured to cover and protect sides of the neck and the middle portion is configured to cover and protect a front of the neck. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the helmet connection comprises a first side helmet connection configured to couple to a first helmet side strap, a second side helmet connection configured to couple to a second helmet side strap, and a chin strap connection configured to couple to a helmet chin strap. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the helmet connection is a hook and loop connection having one of a hook layer or a loop layer on the body and the other of the hook layer or the loop layer on the helmet chin strap. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , the body further comprising pockets configured to receive a cooling system or cooling material and/or a communication system coupled thereto or embedded therein. 
     
     
         15 . A system for protecting a neck of a user from laceration, the system comprising:
 a helmet; and   a neck protector configured to couple to the helmet, the neck protector comprising a helmet connection configured to removably couple the neck protector to the helmet, wherein the neck protector is configured to cover a portion of the neck surrounding a carotid artery to protect the carotid artery from injury.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , the neck protector further comprising a body extending from a first end to a second end; and an end connection configured to removably couple the first end to the second end. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the helmet connection comprises a first side helmet connection configured to couple to a first helmet side strap, and a second side helmet connection configured to couple to a second helmet side strap. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the neck protector further comprises a chin strap connection configured to couple to a helmet chin strap. 
     
     
         19 . A method for protecting a neck of a user from injury, the method comprising:
 providing a neck protector having a helmet connection comprising a first side helmet connection, and a second side helmet connection;   coupling the first side helmet connection to a first side of a helmet; and   coupling the second side helmet connection to a second side of the helmet,   wherein, after coupling the first side helmet connection and the second side helmet connection, the neck protector covers the neck of the user to protect the neck from injury.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the neck protector further comprises a reinforcing material extending along a top edge of the neck protector between the first side helmet connection and the second side helmet connection.