Patent ID: 6729643
Filing Date: 2004-05-04
Classification: A41D,A42B,B60R,B64D

Abstract:
For use in a high performance racing vehicle or the like in which the torso of a driver is restrained in a seat by a harness that includes shoulder straps extending over the driver's shoulders, and a helmet is worn by the driver, a neck support and head restraint device comprising:an inflatable collar configured and dimensioned to surround the driver's neck at a location between said helmet and the driver's shoulders, means for anchoring said collar to the shoulder straps of said harness, at least one tether having a first end connected to said collar, said tether extending around said collar from said first end to a second end connected to a rear portion of said helmet; and means for inflating said collar from a pliable collapsed state to a relatively stiff expanded state, the relative dimensions and arrangement of said tether and said collar being such that when said collar is in said collapsed state, said tether extends loosely between said collar and said helmet, and when said collar is in said expanded state, said tether is tensioned, resulting in the rear portion of said helmet being urged against said collar.