Abstract:
A combination neck brace incorporated into a body protector which is formed as an entire integrated unit to be worn to protect the neck and the body of a user, including the concept of a foam rubber protector which surrounds the neck region of the body and is incorporated into and made a part of a plastic or fiberglass protective shield which has a body portion that extends around the entire torso of the body so that the neck protector portion is incorporated into the torso protector portion to perform a full integrated unit. The neck protector portion has a rotatable hinge member than enables a neck protector portion to be moved forwardly so that the head can be inserted through the neck protector section and thereafter return to its original position to tightly envelope the neck and provide the protective shield to the neck and head area.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field of devices that are used to protect the rider while the rider is engaged in an activity such a riding a motorcycle. The devices are specifically designed to protect the head and the body so that in the event of an accident, the most critical portions of a rider&#39;s anatomy which include the head and neck and body portion will be protected to the maximum extent possible to reduce any injury to the rider. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     In general, the concept of a protective device to protect the head and neck of a rider is known. The following 13 patents are relevant to the field of the present invention. 
     1. U.S. Pat. No. 3,514,784 issued to Robert F. McDavid on Jun. 2, 1970 for “Protective Football Apparatus” (hereafter the “McDavid Patent”); 
     2. U.S. Pat. No. 4,449,251 issued to Jean-Marc Gauthier on May 22, 1984 for “Neck And Collarbone Protector” (hereafter the “Gauthier Patent”); 
     3. U.S. Pat. No. 4,501,023 issued to Johnny B. Bilberry on Feb. 26, 1995 for “Neck Support” (hereafter the “Bilberry Patent”); 
     4. U.S. Pat. No. 4,590,622 issued to Robert A. Wolfe et al. and assigned to All American Inc. on May 27, 1986 for “Shoulder, Chest And Neck Protective Device” (hereafter the “Wolfe Patent”); 
     5. U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,339 issued to Jeffrey D. Fair on Apr. 18, 1989 for “Protective Vest Having A Cervical Collar” (hereafter the “&#39;339 Fair Patent”); 
     6. U.S. Pat. No. 4,996,720 issued to Jeffrey D. Fair on Mar. 5, 1991 for “Protective Vest Having A Cervical Collar” (hereafter the “&#39;720 Fair Patent”); 
     7. U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,590 issued to Theodore A. Monica, Jr. and assigned to Riddell, Inc. on Apr. 11, 1995 for “Football Helmet Motion Restrictor” (hereafter the “Monica Patent”); 
     8. U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,471 issued to Luis Terrazas on May 2, 1995 for “Neck Relaxer” (hereafter the “Terrazas Patent”); 
     9. U.S. Pat. No. 5,546,601 issued to Alan Abeyta on Aug. 20, 1996 for “Neck And Cervical Spine Protector Device For Dispersing Axial Compressive Forces” (hereafter the “Abeyta Patent”); 
     10. U.S. Pat. No. 5,946,719 issued to Vincent G. Crupi et al. and assigned to Med-Eng Systems, Inc. on Sep. 7, 1999 for “Neck And Head Protection System” (hereafter the “Crupi Patent”); 
     11. U.S. Pat. No. 6,067,665 issued to Bernard F. DePalma et al. and assigned to Cramer Products, Inc. on May 30, 2000 for “Adjustable Protective Collar” (hereafter the “DePalma Patent”); 
     12. U.S. Pat. No. 6,195,802 issued to Stephen E. Armellino and assigned to U.S. Armor Corporation on Mar. 6, 2001 for “Tactical Vest” (hereafter the “Armellino Patent”); 
     13. U.S. Pat. No. 6,874,170 issued to Todd D. Aaron on Apr. 5, 2005 for “Head And Neck Protection System” (hereafter the “Aaron Patent”). 
     The McDavid Patent discloses the concept of incorporating a neck support member attached to the shoulder harness of an object which is to be worn by football players during activities. Specifically, the device includes a pair of elongated rectangular back panels which are hingeably attached which enable the device to be rotated open for placement onto a player. This also extends to a breast connector plate as illustrated. The panels extend across a player&#39;s cervical spine and also behind the player&#39;s neck as shown in the drawings. Therefore, this invention discloses the broad general concept of incorporating a neck protector into a shoulder harness. 
     The Gauthier Patent discloses a neck and collar bone protector which is a neck protector with a portion that can be worn over the collar bone area. There is a collar  12  connected to a bib  10  through a neck edge  14  of the bib. The collar can be wrapped around the person&#39;s neck and retained therein by hook and loop fasteners. The collar extends to a bib which rests on the top portion of a person&#39;s chest. 
     The Bilberry Patent is a neck support. It includes a neck support  2  which is a flexible shape collar. A front support  7  is attached to segments of the collar and lies adjacent ends  5  of the collar. The collar  2  is described as being made of relatively soft and resilient sponge rubber. The collar is shown as having lace supports  15  which extend through respective openings in a breast plate which is comparable to a shoulder pad. Therefore, what this discloses is a spongy neck support collar tied to a breast plate. 
     The Wolfe Patent is a combination shoulder, chest and neck protecting device which in effect is a vest with various attachments as shown to protect different upper body parts. This includes a neck roll  90  which is attached as part of the vest assembly. 
     The &#39;339 Fair Patent discloses a protective vest having a cervical collar where essentially the cervical collar member is formed into and is made a part of the protective vest so that it can be worn underneath a football helmet. However, there is an open front and it does not entirely surround the neck and is simply designed to protect the back of the neck as an additional protection means against whiplash and additional rearward movement of the neck. 
     The &#39;720 Fair Patent discloses a cervical collar again incorporated into a vest. Once again, the collar is protecting the rear portion of the neck but in this case there is the addition of additional panels such as  106  which surround the front portion of the neck. Therefore, the neck is entirely enclosed by the collar panels  12  and  106  incorporated into a chest protector. 
     The Monica Patent includes a football helmet motion restrictor provided on a football chest protector which is best illustrated in  FIG. 3  provides a restriction means for the helmet. This goes only partially around the neck and is more intended to go around the helmet to restrict its movement during athletic events. 
     The Terrazas Patent was defined as a neck relaxer and is more of a cervical collar which basically has a support section that extends over the back so that it prevents forward and backward movement of the neck while at the same time permitting rotational movement of the neck. The first claim which is the only independent claim in the patent states:
         “An apparatus for supporting head, neck and back area of a human patient comprising:   a) an upper support element for supporting the head of the human patient;   b) a lower support element for supporting the back of the human patient; and   c) a means for attaching said upper support element to said lower support element which allows said upper support mechanism to rotate in both lateral directions relative to the head of said human patient about an axis of rotation which is situated in alignment and juxtaposed with the posterior region of the head of the human patient when said apparatus is worn by the human patient while restraining the upper support element in the posterior and anterior directions relative to the head of said human patient.”       

     This patent essentially discloses a neck protector with a section going down the back to prevent forward and backward movement of the neck. 
     The Abeyta Patent discloses a neck and cervical spine protector which is connected to the shoulder and chest protector device of a football protection system. The invention has the purpose of dispersing axial compressive forces on the head away from the neck and cervical spine region to the posterior midline portions of the shoulder and upper thorax regions of the user&#39;s body. This also discloses a generally u-shaped structure  34  on the back of the neck attached to the back of the shoulder pads. The invention claims the concept of the u-shaped structure for fitting about the back and opposite sides of the neck of a user a resting on the posterior midline portion of the shoulders and means to find the u-shape structure for seating thereon a head protector worn by the user and then a lower structure which relies over the chest portion of the wearer. 
     The Crupi Patent essentially is a protective system which includes the helmet and a protective neck area with the purpose being to provide additional protection from the blast effects of exploding munitions. 
     The DePalma Patent is an adjustable protective collar which includes a protective pad  10  which is worn behind the user and is incorporated into the thorax chest protector portion. The collar only extends to the back of the neck and not around the entire neck and is for preventing backward movement of the neck during a football play in  FIG. 8  with the helmet in a position right behind the back protective collar. 
     The Armellino Patent is what is called a tactical vest and essentially has a protective back collar with the innovative feature being that the collar can be raised to support the back of the neck and then lowered and attached to the back of the vest hook and loop fasteners when it is not necessary to have the collar around the back of the neck. It is intended as part of a chest protector for a bulletproof vest. 
     The Aaron Patent discloses a head and neck protection system which includes the protective collar which can be attached by snap members to a football helmet and also attached by stack members to a chest protecting area. 
     There is a significant need for an improved device that substantially provides additional protection to a rider which provides much more effective protection to the head and neck area than the inventions set forth in the prior art embodiments. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a combination neck brace incorporated into a body protector which is formed as an entire integrated unit to be worn to protect the neck and the body of a user. The present invention includes the concept of a foam rubber protector which surrounds the neck region of the body and is incorporated into and made a part of a plastic or fiberglass protective shield which has a body portion that extends around the entire torso of the body so that the neck protector portion is incorporated into the torso protector portion to perform a full integrated unit. The neck protector portion has a rotatable hinge member than enables a neck protector portion to be moved forwardly so that the head can be inserted through the neck protector section and thereafter return to its original position to tightly envelope the neck and provide the protective shield to the neck and head area. 
     It has been discovered, according to the present invention, that if a neck protector is incorporated into an entire body protector assembly, then the neck protector will serve as much more effective functional features to protect the neck and body during an accident including preventing hyperextension of the neck in either the forward or rearward direction to reduce the likelihood that the neck would be broken during an accident. 
     It has further been discovered, according to the present invention, that if the chest and neck protector are formed into an entire integrated unit with a simple rotational means to enable a portion of the neck protector to be dislodged and rotated away from the balance of the neck protector section, then the entire assembly can be easily lifted over a person with the head inserted through the neck protector area and thereafter, the front portion of the neck protector assembly rotated back into place and locked in place so that the entire unit carefully envelopes the neck and body portion of the rider to provide maximum protection to the user during a sporting event such as riding a motorcycle. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a body protector having numerous ventilation holes in order to provide maximum comfort to the user. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a combination neck and body protector which enables the neck protector portion to be incorporated into the body portions so that it provides a far more effective neck protection assembly to prevent hyperextension of the neck in either the forward or rearward direction. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a lightweight easy to attach neck and chest protector assembly wherein a minimum amount of effort is required to open the assembly so that it can be placed upon the user and thereafter quickly close the assembly so that it is quickly locked into an operational condition. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a combination neck and body protector which will provide maximum protection to the neck to prevent hyperextension of the neck in the forward and backward direction and further provide ventilation holes in the body protector to provide maximum comfort to the user. 
     It is the general object of the present invention to provide a combination neck brace incorporated into a body protector to form an entire integrated unit to be worn to protect the neck and body during an accident including preventing hyperextension of the neck in either the forward or rear directions to reduce the likelihood that the neck would be broken during an accident. 
     Further novel features and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and discussion, taken in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Referring particularly to the drawings for the purpose of illustration only and not limitation, there is illustrated: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the present invention combination neck brace incorporated into a body protector in the closed position; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the present invention combination neck brace incorporated into a body protector with the neck brace rotated into the open condition so that the combination neck brace and body protector can be placed onto a user; 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of the present invention combination neck brace incorporated into a body protector; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear elevational view of present invention combination neck brace incorporated into a body protector; 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevational view when viewed from the right side of present invention combination neck brace incorporated into a body protector; 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevational view when viewed from the left side of present invention combination neck brace incorporated into a body protector; 
         FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the present invention combination neck brace incorporated into a body protector; and 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom plan view of the present invention combination neck brace incorporated into a body protector. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Although specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that such embodiments are by way of example only and merely illustrative of but a small number of the many possible specific embodiments which can represent applications of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the present invention as further defined in the appended claims. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 8 , the combination neck brace incorporated into a body protector  10  is illustrated from all views. Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3  through  8 , the neck brace portion  20  has a rear section  30  which includes and arcuate planar section  32  which curves upwardly on its rearmost portion  34 . Optionally, the rear section  30  has an interior foam cushioning  36  running along its interior edge  38 , the cushioning  36  being removably affixed thereto by attachment means  40  such as a multiplicity of fastening bolts  40 . Alternatively, the fastening means  40  can be rivets or other means by which the cushioning  36  is permanently attached to the interior edge  38  of the rear section  30 . The rear section  30  partially encloses an interior opening  22 . 
     The neck brace portion  20  also comprises a front section  42  which is movable relative to the rear section  30 . In the closed position as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3  through  8 , the front section  42  includes and arcuate planar section  44  which extends downwardly to its forward most portion  46 . Optionally, the front section  42  has an interior foam cushioning  48  running along its interior edge  50 , the cushioning  48  being removably affixed thereto by attachment means  52  such as a multiplicity of fastening bolts  52 . Alternatively, the fastening means  52  can be rivets or other means by which the cushioning  48  is permanently attached to the interior edge  50  of the front section  42 . The front section  42  partially surrounds an opening  24 . The front section  42  is aligned with the rear section  30  to form a closed neck brace which surrounds a neck area of a wearer, the neck extending through interfitting openings  22  and  24 . 
     The rear section  30  of the neck brace portion  20  extends to a lateral neck brace body member  60  which in turn is permanently affixed to the upper portion  72  of a body protector member  70 . The body protector  70  comprises a front section  74  and a rear section  80  which are interconnected by a first arcuate connector section  76  and a second arcuate connector section  78 . The front section  74  is made of a solid piece of material such as plastic, polyurethane, fiberglass, or other strong protective material. Similarly, the rear section  80  is also made of a solid piece of material such as plastic, polyurethane, fiberglass or other strong protective material. Similarly, the first arcuate connector section  76  and the second arcuate connector section  78  are each made of a solid piece of material such as plastic, polyurethane, fiberglass or other strong protective material. Preferably, the front section  74 , rear section  80 , and first and second arcuate connector sections  76  and  78  are molded out of a single piece of material with the lateral neck brace body member  60  also integrally molded to the first and section arcuate connector sections  76  and  78  and also integrally molded to the upper portion  82  of the rear section  80  of the body protector  70 . 
     The body portion  70  further comprises a first lower interconnecting member  90  along one lower side which can be a strap or belt  92  having two sections with one section  93  attached at one end to the lower portion of the front section  74  and the second section  95  attached at one end to the lower portion of the rear section  80 , the two sections  93  and  95  having respective interior mating interconnecting means  96  such as a female buckle  97  and male buckle  98 . The body portion  70  further comprises a second lower interconnecting member  100  along the opposite lower side which can be a strap or belt  102  having two sections with one section  103  attached at one end to the lower portion of the front section  74  and the second section  105  attached at one end to the lower portion of the rear section  80 , the two sections  103  and  105  having respective interior mating interconnecting means  106  such as a female buckle  107  and male buckle  108 . 
     The front section  42  of the neck brace portion  20  extends to a front section body portion  43  which in turn is movably affixed to the front section  74  of the body protector  70 . By way of example, the movable attachment means  110  by which body portion  43  of the front section  42  of the neck brace portion  20  is attached to the front section  74  of the body protector  70  can be a rotatable hinge which interconnects the two members. The body potion  43  further comprises a pair of oppositely disposed interconnecting members  120  and  130 . The body portion  60  of the rear section  30  of the neck brace portion  20  has a pair of oppositely disposed interconnection receiving members  62  and  64  which receive the interconnecting members  120  and  130 .  FIGS. 1 and 3  through  8  show the interconnecting members  120  and  130  respectively connected to the receiving members  62  and  64  so that the neck brace  20  is closed with the front section  42  aligned with the rear section  30 .  FIG. 2  illustrates the interconnecting members  120  and  130  removed from the receiving members  62  and  64  and the front section  42  rotated away from the rear section  30  by rotation of the movable attachment means  110 . It will be appreciated that it is within the spirit and scope of the present invention to have at least one interconnecting means  120  or  130  and at least one receiving means  62  and  64  instead of the pair. 
     Optionally, the front section  74  of the body protector  70  may have a multiplicity of openings  140  which provide air openings to cool the body and also provide an ornamental feature. Similarly, the rear section  80  of the body protector  70  may have a multiplicity of openings  150  which provide air openings to cool the body and also provide an ornamental feature. It will be appreciated that it is within the spirit and scope of the present invention to have at least one opening in the front section  74  and at least one opening in the rear section  80 . 
     In operation, the user unfastens the interconnecting members  120  and  130  from the receiving members  62  and  64  and rotates the front section  42  of the neck brace portion  20  away from the rear section  30  and lifts the entire combination neck brace incorporated into a body protector  10  over the user&#39;s head and fits the user&#39;s head through the opening  22 . The assembly  10  is positioned so that the first arcuate connector section  76  rests on one shoulder of a wearer, the second arcuate connector section  78  rests on the opposite shoulder of the wearer, the front section  74  of the body protector  70  rests against the chest and front torso of the wearer, the rear section  80  of the body protector rests against the back and rear torso of the wearer, and the rear section  30  of the neck brace portion  20  rests around the back and a portion of the side of the neck of the wearer. The front section  42  of the neck brace portion  20  is the rotated to be aligned with the rear section  30  so that the neck brace portion  20  is closed and the interconnecting members  120  and  130  are respectively connected to their respective receiving members. The front portion of the wearer&#39;s neck rests within opening  24 . The neck brace is interconnected to provide a tight secure support around the neck. The mating buckles  97  and  98  of interconnecting member  90  are closed and the mating buckles  107  and  108  of interconnecting member  100  are closed and the respective straps pulled so that the front section  74  and rear section  80  of the body protector  70  are respectively tightly fit against the front and back of the wearer&#39;s torso. The cushion member  36  and  48  provide further comfort and security around the wearer&#39;s neck. 
     Through use of the present invention neck brace incorporated into a body protector, the entire assembly provides substantially increased protection to a wearer over the prior simple neck brace or simple chest protector. By having a fully integrated unit, the entire neck area and body area of the wear is protected and the additional feature of the having the neck brace incorporated into and made a part of the body protector results in a much stronger protection device that can better absorb a shock force if the wearer is riding a motorcycle and becomes involved in an accident. The integrated combination of the neck brace and body protector form an entire integrated unit to be worn to protect the neck and body during an accident including preventing hyperextension of the neck in either the forward or rear directions to reduce the likelihood that the neck would be broken during an accident. 
     Defined in detail, the present invention is a protective apparatus to be worn around a neck and body of a wear, the protective apparatus comprising: (a) a combination neck brace incorporated into a body protector which is formed as an entire integrated unit to be worn to protect the neck and the body of a user; (b) the neck brace including two section each having an opening so that the neck brace surrounds the neck region of the body, the neck brace incorporated into and made a part of a protective shield which has a body portion that extends over a front portion and rear portion of a torso of the body of the wearer so that the neck brace portion is incorporated into the body protector portion to form a fully integrated unit; and (c) the neck brace formed into two sections with one section permanently affixed to the body portion and the one section movably affixed to the body portion so that the two sections can be separated to permit the apparatus to be fit over the neck and body of the wearer and thereafter moved to the closed position so that the neck brace surrounds the neck of the wearer. 
     Defined broadly, the present invention is a protective apparatus to be worn around a neck and body of a wear, the protective apparatus comprising: (a) a neck brace portion having a rear section which includes an arcuate planar section partially surrounding an interior opening and a front section which is movable relative to the rear section, the front section including an arcuate planar section which partially surrounds an interior opening, the rear section extending to a lateral neck brace body member, the front section extending to a front neck brace body portion; (b) a body protector having a front section and a rear section having upper portions which are interconnected by a respective first acuate connector section and a second arcuate connector section; and (c) the lateral neck brace body member permanently affixed to the rear section and first and second arcuate connector sections of the body protector and the front neck brace body portion movably connected to the front section of the body protector. 
     Defined more broadly, the present invention is a protective apparatus to be worn around a neck and body of a wear, the protective apparatus comprising: (a) a neck brace portion having a rear section partially surrounding an interior opening and a front section which is movable relative to the rear section, the front section partially surrounding an interior opening, the rear section extending to a lateral neck brace body member, the front section extending to a front neck brace body portion; (b) a body protector having a front section and a rear section having upper portions which are interconnected; and (c) the lateral neck brace body member permanently affixed to the rear section of the body protector and the front neck brace body portion movably connected to the front section of the body protector. 
     Of course the present invention is not intended to be restricted to any particular form or arrangement, or any specific embodiment, or any specific use, disclosed herein, since the same may be modified in various particulars or relations without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention hereinabove shown and described of which the apparatus or method shown is intended only for illustration and disclosure of an operative embodiment and not to show all of the various forms or modifications in which this invention might be embodied or operated.