Abstract:
A harness providing neck support for weightlifters, to reduce the risk of neck injuries, resulting from improper lifting form. The harness includes a soft foam support collar worn around the neck. Furthermore, it includes a strap, ring, loop, and fastener system to secure the harness to a weightlifter&#39;s pre-existing lifting belt. The harness provides downward tension for support, ease of removal between uses, and enables the wearer to adjust for a comfortable fit. The harness stabilizes the neck, while allowing full range of motion of the arms, shoulders, and chest. This invention is unique in that it provides neck support specifically for weightlifting, and attaches to a waist-level supportive device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT. 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM [EFS-WEB] 
       [0004]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT INVENTOR 
       [0005]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    [1] Field of the Invention 
         [0007]    The present invention relates to the field of human physical training equipment, and more specifically to a novel neck support harness, to be worn by a person engaging in an exercise procedure, in order to stabilize the neck to reduce risk of injury in the event of improper form or fatigue. 
         [0008]    [2] Description of the Related Art 
         [0009]    Weightlifters are susceptible to neck injuries, caused by movement of the neck during heavy lifting. Improper form and sudden fatigue during exercise procedures such as overhead press, deadlift, clean, snatch, military, and bench press, place the lifter&#39;s neck at considerable risk for injury. Strained muscles, pinched nerves, and irritated cervical vertebrae are common neck injuries associated with weightlifting. Neck injuries can take several weeks, to a few months to heal; and in extreme cases may require physical therapy or surgery to repair. A neck injury may result in significant pain, limited range of motion, and prevent the individual from exercising for an extended period of time. In the past, weightlifters have used equipment to reduce their risk of injury. Lifting belts are used for back protection, wraps are used to protect elbows and knees, and gloves are used to protect hands. The Weightlifting Neck Support Harness will provide similar protection for a weightlifter&#39;s neck. 
         [0010]    A similar device is used in the sport of football to prevent neck injuries, which involves a padded collar affixed to the player&#39;s shoulder pads to limit neck movement during collisions. Such a device does not currently exist for the sport of weightlifting. Some attempts have been made to provide a person the ability to lift and sustain load weight. These devices are useful for their intended purpose, but involve directly bearing load weight with the device, which obstructs exercise procedures where load assistance isn&#39;t desired. Additionally, some of these devices apply load to the neck and shoulder area when in use, which is counterproductive to the objective of reducing the risk of a neck injury. Other attempts have been made to provide exercise equipment that offers minimal neck support, but those devices either occupy the weightlifter&#39;s hands and feet to perform specific exercise procedures, or involve a thick chest-level pad that interferes with the path of the barbell during exercise procedures such as Snatch. 
         [0011]    Therefore, a long-standing need has existed to provide a neck support harness which is comfortable and may be readily worn by a person engaged in an exercise procedure, which provides neck support without applying load to a person&#39;s neck and shoulders, while enabling the person&#39;s hands and feet to be free to perform a variety of exercise procedures. Additionally the present invention does not involve a thick chest-level pad, thus eliminating interference with the path of the barbell during lifting procedures such as Snatch. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The objective of this invention is to stabilize a weightlifter&#39;s neck, during exercises that could cause neck injuries. The harness limits range of motion to reduce over-extension of the cervical vertebrae and neck related muscles. The wearer attaches an adapter to their preexisting lifting belt, which positions a strap loop on the belt, providing downward tension for the neck collar. The wearer places a soft foam collar around their neck and loops a mid-section connector through an anchored lifting belt adapter. The mid-section connector is pulled upwards, thus pulling the collar downward, and around the neck. The mid-section connector is attached to itself using a hook and loop fastener. 
         [0013]    Advantages of this invention include the ability to adjust the length of the harness at the neck collar, mid-section connector, and lifting belt adapter. This enables the wearer to customize the harness for their body size, to ensure the best fit. Additionally, the adjustable lifting belt adapter enables the harness to fit on lifting belts of varying thicknesses and widths. Furthermore, the hook and loop fastener, on the mid-section connector, enables easy removal of the neck collar between uses. The lifting belt adapter is non-intrusive, and may remain on the belt when the neck collar is not in use. The harness permits full range of motion of the arms, shoulders, and chest, so as not to obstruct proper form while lifting. The neck collar consists of soft foam to provide comfort during use. The foam collar has a cloth covering, consisting of lightweight, breathable fabric, to ensure minimal heat retention and sweat wicking. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING[S] 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a front centered view of the neck support harness, shown affixed with hook and loop fasteners to a lifting belt, worn by a weightlifter. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a left frontal elevated view of the neck support harness, shown in the absence of the wearer and lifting belt; this figure displays the hook and loop fasteners in a detached position. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a left frontal elevated view of the lifting belt adapter, which is used to affix the mid-section connector to the wearer&#39;s lifting belt; this figure displays the hook and loop fastener in a detached position. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a left frontal elevated view of the d-ring used to affix the neck support collar straps, to the mid-section connector. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    As illustrated in the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the Weightlifting Neck Support Harness, as shown in  FIG. 2 , is comprised of a foam support collar  1 , a cloth collar cover  13 , various sized straps  2 ,  6 ,  8 , two strap adjusters  3 , a loop  7 , d-ring  4 , hook fasteners  11 ,  12 , and loop fasteners  5 ,  10 . The harness consists of three major components; a neck collar  14 , a mid-section connector  15 , and a lifting belt adapter  16 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . These three components work together to connect neck collar  14  to the wearer&#39;s lifting belt  9 , thus stabilizing the wearer&#39;s neck through downward tension. 
         [0019]    In the preferred embodiment, the neck collar component consists of a soft foam tube  1 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , with an exterior diameter of approximately 6 cm, and an interior diameter of approximately 2 cm. The tube is approximately 60 cm in length, with a first end portion and a second end portion. The interior portion of tube  1  is hollow, allowing for strap  2  to be inserted through tube  1 , and extend equally beyond each end portion. Foam tube  1  is housed inside of cloth cover  13 , which has the same dimensions as the exterior dimensions of foam tube  1 . Cloth cover  13  consists of lightweight athletic material that does not retain heat, and permits sweat wicking. Cloth cover  13  has a sewn hem at each end, with an overlap of approximately 1 cm, and a sewn seam that runs the length of the cover. An additional embodiment, of the neck collar component could use a foam tube that is smaller or larger, in width and length, than the preferred embodiment; and may not require the use of a cloth cover. An alternate embodiment of the neck collar could be comprised of a flat rectangular foam pad, with or without a similar shaped cloth cover. 
         [0020]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , each end portion of strap  2  is laced through a corresponding strap adjuster  3 . Strap  2  would be approximately 120 cm in length, and 2 cm in width. Strap  2  is laced under the top bar, over the center bar, and under the bottom bar of strap adjuster  3 . The interior width of strap adjuster  3  would match the width of strap  2 . Each end portion of strap  2  is looped overtop of d-buckle  4 , and back under the center bar of strap adjuster  3 . Each end portion of strap  2  extends beyond their corresponding strap adjuster  3 . The tips of the first and second end portions of strap  2  would each be folded backwards, overlapping by approximately 1 cm, and sewn to itself to prevent fraying. 
         [0021]    The purpose of the mid-section connector is to connect neck collar  14  to lifting belt  9 , to provide downward tension for neck support. The top portion of mid-section connector  15  begins with d-ring  4 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , which is connected to neck collar  14  through both end portions of strap  2 . The interior width of d-ring  4  would match the width of strap  6 . Strap  6  would be approximately 42 cm in length, and 4.5 cm in width. The first end portion of strap  6  is laced backward through the flat section of d-ring  4 , overlapping by approximately 2 cm, and sewn to the backside of itself; thus securing d-ring  4  within strap  6 . In the preferred embodiment ring  4  is ‘D’ shaped and made of metal; additional embodiments could use a plastic ring, as well as a ring that is different in shape, such as square or circular. 
         [0022]    Next loop-fastener  5  is attached to the front side of strap  6 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , below d-ring  4 . Loop-fastener  5  would be approximately 20 cm in length, and 4.5 cm in width. In the preferred embodiment the outer perimeter of loop-fastener  5  is sewn to strap  6 , for permanent attachment. An additional embodiment could use an industrial adhesive to attach loop-fastener  5  to strap  6 . The tip of the second end portion of strap  6  would be folded backwards, overlapping by approximately 2 cm, and sewn to itself to prevent fraying. 
         [0023]    Hook-fastener  11  is attached to the front side of strap  6 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , adjacent to the hemmed threading, at the second end portion. Hook-fastener  11  would be approximately 12 cm in length, and 4.5 cm in width. In the preferred embodiment, the outer perimeter of hook-fastener  11  is sewn to strap  6 , for attachment. Additional embodiments could use an industrial adhesive to attach hook-fastener  11  to strap  6 . This concludes the production of mid-section connector  15 . 
         [0024]    As part of the invention process it was identified that a lifter&#39;s preexisting lifting belt  9 , was the most secure anchor to provide downward tension for neck collar  14 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . An alternate design was considered, involving an anchoring strap below the lifter&#39;s chest, which wrapped around their back. It was determined that this design would be more expensive to produce, and consumers would not prefer to wear an additional support belt. This decision led to the development of lifting belt adapter  16 . 
         [0025]    Lifting belt adapter  16  secures an anchoring loop  7 , onto lifting belt  9 , for the purpose of securing neck collar  14 , and mid-section connector  15 , to lifting belt  9 . The adapter  16 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , uses strap  8  to wrap around lifting belt  9 . Strap  8  would be approximately 38 cm in length, and 4.5 cm in width. The first end portion of strap  8 , is wrapped backwards around the bottom of loop  7 , overlapping by approximately 2 cm, as shown in  FIG. 3 , and sewn to the backside of itself; thus securing loop  7  within strap  8 . The interior width of loop  7  would match the width of strap  8 . In the preferred embodiment loop  7  is rectangular and made of metal; additional embodiments could use a plastic loop, as well as a loop that is different in shape, such as square or circular. 
         [0026]    Loop-fastener  10  is attached to the front side of strap  8 , below loop  7 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . Loop-fastener  10  would be approximately 15 cm in length, and 4.5 cm in width. In the preferred embodiment the outer perimeter of loop-fastener  10  is sewn to strap  8 , for permanent attachment. An additional embodiment could use an industrial adhesive to attach loop-fastener  10  to strap  8 . The tip of the second end portion of strap  8  would be folded backwards, overlapping by approximately 2 cm, and sewn to itself to prevent fraying. 
         [0027]    Hook-fastener  12  is attached to the backside of strap  8 , adjacent to the hemmed threading, at the second end portion, as shown in  FIG. 3 . Hook-fastener  12  would be approximately 10 cm in length, and 4.5 cm in width. In the preferred embodiment, the outer perimeter of hook-fastener  12  is sewn to strap  8 , for attachment. Additional embodiments could use an industrial adhesive to attach hook-fastener  12  to strap  8 . This concludes the production of lifting belt adapter  16 . 
         [0028]    Once completed, lifting belt adapter  16 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , is attached to lifting belt  9 , by placing the backside of the first end portion of strap  8 , against the front of lifting belt  9 , with loop  7  positioned above the top of the belt. The second end portion of strap  8  is wrapped around the bottom and back of lifting belt  9 , and laced through the back of loop  7 . The second end portion of strap  8  is then pulled taught to ensure a tight fit, and is secured to loop-fastener  10 , with hook-fastener  12 . At this point lifting belt adapter  16  is secure, and will provide resistance to mid-section connector  15 , resulting in downward tension for neck collar  14 . 
         [0029]    Once all components are completed, and lifting belt adapter  16  is secured to lifting belt  9 ; the wearer places neck collar  14  over their head and around their neck, as shown in  FIG. 1 . Next mid-section connector  15  is laced through the backside of loop  7 , and the second end portion of strap  6  is pulled upwards, as shown in  FIG. 2 . The resistance provided by loop  7  pulls mid-section connector  15  and neck collar  14  downwards, thus wrapping foam support collar  1  around the wearer&#39;s neck. Securing hook-fastener  11  to loop-fastener  5  sets the tension. At this point the Weightlifting Neck Support Harness would be ready for use, as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0030]    An additional embodiment of the Weightlifting Neck Support Harness would not require usage of lifting belt adapter  16 . In this alternate embodiment, the second end portion of strap  6  is laced behind the top of, and underneath lifting belt  9 , then pulled upwards. The resistance provided by the bottom of lifting belt  9 , pulls mid-section connector  15  and neck collar  14  downwards, thus wrapping foam support collar  1  around the wearer&#39;s neck. Securing hook-fastener  11  to loop-fastener  5  sets the tension. At this point the Weightlifting Neck Support Harness would be ready for use. This embodiment would require strap  6  to be approximately 67 cm to account for the additional distance. 
         [0031]    In the preferred embodiment straps  2 ,  6 , and  8  are made of nylon webbing; additional embodiments could use polyester, propylene, or cotton webbing, as well as leather; all of these materials would accomplish the same objective. The dimensions of straps  2 ,  6 , and  8 , fasteners  5 ,  10 ,  11 , and  12 , foam support collar  1 , and cloth collar cover  13 , may vary from the preferred embodiment, to provide multiple sizes for the final consumer product (small, medium, large, extra-large, etc.),