Apparatus for restricting head movement

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an apparatus for limiting head movement. The apparatus may comprise a shaft having a stem made of a substantially rigid material and one or more adjustable securing portions, the one or more adjustable securing portions configured to secure the stem to a neck of a user. The apparatus may include a chin support disposed at a first end of the stem and configured to contact a chin of the user. When secured to the user by the one or more adjustable securing portions, the chin support is configured to reduce vertical range of motion of a head of the user, and allow lateral range of motion of the head of the user. During a lateral rotation of the head of the user while the shaft is secured to the user, the shaft remains secured to the neck of the user and rotates with the head of the user, such that the chin support maintains contact with the chin of the user.

The following is claimed: 
     
         1 . A head movement training apparatus comprising:
 a substantially rigid support structure configured to be positioned adjacent to a user's neck;   a chin engagement member coupled to the support structure and configured to contact a lower surface of the user's chin;   a neck securing assembly configured to removably attach the apparatus to the user's neck; and   wherein the apparatus is configured to permit lateral rotation of the user's head while restricting downward tilting of the user's head beyond a predetermined angle.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises a vertically oriented shaft portion and a horizontally oriented chin support portion forming an angular configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the angular configuration forms an inverted L-shape. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the chin engagement member comprises a contoured surface configured to conform to the user's chin anatomy. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the contoured surface comprises a malleable material configured to adapt to different chin shapes. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the neck securing assembly comprises:
 a flexible strap configured to encircle the user's neck; and   a fastening mechanism configured to adjustably secure the strap around the user's neck.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the fastening mechanism comprises at least one of:
 a hook and loop fastener;   a buckle;   a clasp;   a snap connector; or   an adjustable clamp.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises a telescoping portion configured to adjust a distance between the chin engagement member and the neck securing assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the chin engagement member comprises multiple interchangeable contact surfaces having different contours. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises a lightweight foam core encased in a rigid outer shell. 
     
     
         11 . A basketball training device comprising:
 a neck collar configured to be worn around a player's neck;   a vertical support member extending upwardly from the neck collar;   a chin rest disposed at an upper end of the vertical support member and configured to maintain contact with the player's chin; and   wherein the device is configured to prevent the player from looking downward while permitting lateral head movement during basketball activities.   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the neck collar comprises an adjustable circumference to accommodate different neck sizes. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the vertical support member comprises a rigid material selected to resist bending under normal use conditions. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the chin rest comprises a cushioned surface configured to provide comfortable contact with the player's chin. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the cushioned surface comprises a replaceable pad. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the vertical support member comprises a length adjustment mechanism configured to position the chin rest at an optimal height for different users. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the neck collar comprises padding configured to distribute pressure evenly around the player's neck. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the device is configured to rotate with the player's head during lateral movement while maintaining the chin rest in contact with the player's chin. 
     
     
         19 . A sports training apparatus comprising:
 a wearable base configured to be secured to a user's neck region;   a positioning element extending from the wearable base toward the user's chin;   a chin contact surface disposed on the positioning element and configured to engage the user's chin; and   wherein the apparatus is configured to maintain the user's head in a substantially upright orientation while allowing rotational movement of the head about a vertical axis.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the wearable base comprises a flexible band with an adjustable closure system configured to provide a secure yet comfortable fit around the user's neck.