Abstract:
A restraint system is disclosed which limits the range of motion of a driver&#39;s helmet, and consequently the flexure of an individual&#39;s neck. In particular, the proposed system is laterally symmetric and comprises an arrangement of straps including a first strap extending from the “chin” of the helmet downwardly over the shoulder to an attachment point near the shoulder blade. A second strap extend form the occipital region forward over the shoulder and is attached on the chest. A separate strap also extends from the chin to the mid-point of the second strap. A fourth strap extends from the occipital region to the mid-point of the first strap. In addition, a harness is disclosed comprising a strap which encircles the check and straps which encircle the thighs, and use of a VELCRO fastener to anchor the restraint system to the harness.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The present invention is generally directed toward a head and neck protector, and more specifically, directed toward a head and neck restraint system for use with a helmet for protecting a driver&#39;s head and neck during a crash. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Protecting the head and neck of drivers for high speed race cars or motorcycles is highly desirable. In order to protect the driver&#39;s head, the use of a crash helmet is common. However, the use of the helmet does not limit the range of motion of the driver&#39;s neck and does not restrain the neck. Therefore, this allows the neck of the driver to uncontrollably snap move in different directions during a crash. 
   It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a restraint system usable with a crash helmet which limits the range of motion of a driver&#39;s head, and consequently the flexure of the driver&#39;s neck. 
   It is another object of the invention to provide a restraint system that is easily worn and uses with a conventional helmet. 
   It is a further object of the invention to provide a device which maintains the head and neck of the driver in alignment with the driver&#39;s spine during a frontal impact of a high performance vehicle. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   These problems and others are addressed by the present invention which comprises a head and neck-restraint system for protecting the neck of an individual during a crash of a motor vehicle, the head and neck restraint system comprising a head enclosing helmet of the type having a head shell surrounding the head, forehead, and chin of the individual with an opening at a bottom portion thereof and a face portion, a plurality of straps and means for releasably securing the plurality of straps to a portion of the helmet, means for securing the plurality of straps to the individual, and, wherein the plurality of straps form an X-pattern configuration on a right side and a left side of said user below the helmet. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     These and other objects of the present invention will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and the following drawings of which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the neck restraint system in an assembled configuration attached to a helmet on an individual. 
       FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of the neck restraint system of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is left side elevation view of the neck restraint system of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is top plan view of a directive anchor used for securing the straps of the neck restraint system to the helmet; 
       FIG. 5  is the top plan view of the strap directive anchor of  FIG. 4  in a non-use configuration; 
       FIG. 6  is a side perspective of the strap directive anchor of  FIG. 4  in a non-use configuration; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the strap directive anchor of  FIG. 4  illustrating the way the straps are directed and attached thereto; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the neck restraint system including a body attachment harness; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a third representative embodiment of the neck restraint system in an assembled configuration attached to a helmet on an individual; 
       FIG. 10  is left side elevation view of the neck restraint system of in accordance with a fourth representative embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 11  is a side elevation view of a removable locking mechanism for the fourth representative embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
       FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 11  taken along the line  12 - 12 . 
       FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 11  taken along the line  13 - 13 ; and, 
       FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism in a disengaged, unlocked, or released configuration. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention only and not for the purpose of limiting the same, referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , a neck restraint system is generally shown at  10  being used by a user  12  and attached to a crash helmet  14 . The helmet  14  includes a head shell  16  and a bottom opening  18  for providing access for the user&#39;s head, and a frontal opening  20  to provide visibility for the user when the user has the helmet on. 
   In the first representative embodiment of the present invention, the neck restraint system  10  comprises a plurality of laterally symmetrical straps that are attached to the helmet  14  at one end and are removably attached to the user&#39;s outfit at opposing second end. 
   The neck restraint system  10  comprises a plurality of directive anchors and, more specifically and preferably, four directive anchors wherein a first directive anchor  22  is attached to an inner and frontal right side of the helmet shell  16 , a second directive anchor  24  is attached to the inner and rear right side of the helmet shell  16 , a third directive anchor  26  is attached to the inner and frontal left side of the helmet shell  16 , and a fourth directive anchor  28  is attached to the inner and rear left side of the helmet shell  16 . The first and the second directive anchors  22 ,  24  are preferably symmetrically positioned with respect to the third and fourth directive anchors  26 ,  28 . Also, the number of the directive anchors are not limited to four and, alternatively, they may be positioned and attached to the outside of the helmet shell  16 . The first, second, third, and fourth directive anchors  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28  preferably have identical shapes and configurations, as best seen  FIGS. 4-7 , and provide an attaching means for securing the plurality of straps of the neck restraint system to the helmet. 
   The neck restraint system  10  further includes a first strap or belt  30 , preferably made of nylon, polyester, cotton, or combinations thereof, having a first end  32  and a second end  34 , a second strap  36  having a first end  38  and a second end  40 , a third strap  42  having a first end  44  and a second end  46 , and a fourth strap  48  having a first end  50  and a second end  52 , configured and attached to one another in a manner that will be explained in a greater detail herein. 
   As best seen in  FIG. 1 , the first representative embodiment of the present invention requires the neck restraint system  10  to be attached to a user&#39;s outfit or race suit, generally illustrated at  54 . A plurality of anchor straps are attached at the outer portion of the user&#39;s race suit  54  generally below the user&#39;s abdomen area. More specifically, a first anchor strap  56  having a first metal loop  58  attached to a first end thereof, and a second end  60  attached, preferably, but not limited to, by stitching to the front side outer portion of the race suit  54 . A second anchor strap  62  having a second metal loop  64  attached to a first end thereof, and a second end  66  attached by, preferably, but not limited to, stitching to the rear side outer portion of the race suit  54 . A third anchor strap  68  having a third metal loop  70  attached to a first end thereof, and a second end  72  attached by, preferably, but not limited to, stitching to the front side outer portion of the race suit  54 . And a fourth anchor strap  74  having a fourth metal loop  76  attached to a first end thereof, and a second end  78  attached by, preferably, but not limited to, stitching to the rear side outer portion of the race suit  54 . As will be explained herein, the first, second, third, and fourth anchor straps  56 ,  62 ,  68 , and  74  are laterally and symmetrically positioned and attached to the race suit for providing support for the first, second, third, and fourth straps  30 ,  36 ,  42  and  48 , respectively. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4 through 7 , the first directive anchor  22  is illustrated. As stated hereinabove, the first, second, third and fourth directive anchors  22 ,  24 ,  26 , and  28  are preferably identical in shape and configuration, and therefore, the structural features and the fastening means of each directive anchor is described and illustrated in view of the first directive anchor  22  only. The first directive anchor  22  includes a top surface  80 , a bottom surface  82  and a plurality of elongate slots providing a plurality of openings from the top surface  80  to the bottom surface  82 . More specifically, the first directive anchor  22  includes a first slot  84  and a second parallel slot  86  disposed at one side thereof and separated from the first slot  84  by a first divider  85 , a third slot  88  substantially parallel to the first and the second slots  84 ,  86 , a fourth slot  90  and a fifth slot  92  separated from the fourth slot  90  by a second divider  91  and parallel to the fourth slot  90  at a second side of the first directive anchor and substantially below the first, the second, and third slot  84 ,  86 ,  88 . The first directive anchor  22  further includes a pyramid-configured protrusion  94  on the top surface  80  and positioned and bounded by the second slot  86 , third slot  88 , and the fourth slot  90 , wherein, as will be explained in greater detail, the straps of the neck restraint system are extended over the pyramid-configured protrusion  94 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 7 , the assembled neck restraint system  10  will be explained. In order to attach the neck restraint system  10  to the helmet  14  and the race suit  54  of the user, the first strap  30  is attached to the second directive anchor  24  by extending the first strap second end  34 , or in the alternative, the first strap first end  32 , through the first slot  84  from underneath, then over the first divider  85 , through the second slot  86  and underneath the second directive anchor  24 , up through the third slot  88  and over the pyramid-configured protrusion  94  and through the fourth slot  90 , underneath the second divider  91 , and then up through the fifth slot  92 . The first strap second end  34  is then attached by, preferably, but not limited to, stitching to an upper portion of the second strap  36  at  34 ′. Now, the first strap first end  32  is of a length and dimensioned and configured to extend and be inserted through the first metal loop  58  attached to the first anchor strap  56 , and folder over and secured to itself by a fastening means, such as, but not limited to, a VELCRO brand fastening means  96 . 
   The second strap  36  is slidably disposed within or attached to the first directive anchor  22  in a substantially similar manner as the first strap  30  being attached to the second directive anchor  24 , wherein the second strap second end  40  is attached, preferably by stitching to the first strap  30  at  40 ′ and just above the user&#39;s right shoulder  98 , and the second strap first end  38  extends through the second anchor strap second metal loop  64  and is folded and secured to itself by a VELCRO brand fastening means  96 . 
   The substantially mid-point of the portion of the first strap  30  between where the second strap first end  40  is attached or stitched to the first strap  30  at  40 ′ and the second directive anchor  24  is also stitched and attached at a point  100  to substantially the mid-point of the portion of the second strap  36  between where the first strap second end  34  is attached to stitched to second strap  36  at  34 ′ and the first directive anchor  22 . Therefore, as best seen in  FIG. 1 , the right side of the neck restraint system  10  in the assembled configuration and right above the right shoulder  98  of the user includes an X-pattern configuration resulting from the portions of the first strap  30  and the second strap  36  being attached to the helmet. 
   As best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the third strap  42  is slidably disposed within or attached to the fourth directive anchor  28  in a substantially similar manner as the first strap  30  being attached to the second directive anchor  24 , wherein the third strap second end  46  is attached, preferably by stitching to the fourth strap  48  at  46 ′ just above the user&#39;s left shoulder  102 , and the third strap first end  44  extends through the third metal loop  70  and is folded and secured to itself by a VELCRO brand fastening means  96 . Similarly, the fourth strap  48  is slidably disposed within or attached to the third directive anchor  26  as the first strap  30  being attached to the second directive anchor  24 , wherein the fourth strap second end second end  52  is attached, preferably by stitching to the third strap  42  at  52 ′ just above the user&#39;s left shoulder  102 , and the fourth strap first end  50  extends through the fourth anchor strap metal loop  76  and is folded and secured to itself by a VELCRO fastening means  96 . Alternatively, other fastening means may be used instead of the VELCRO fastening means  96  such as, but not limited to, a belt and buckle securing means. 
   The substantially mid-point of the portion of the fourth strap  48  between where the third strap second end  46  is attached or stitched to the first strap  30  at  46 ′ and the third directive anchor  26  is also stitched and attached at a point  104  to substantially the mid-point of the portion of the third strap  42  between where the fourth strap second end  52  is attached and stitched to third strap  42  at  52 ′ and the fourth directive anchor  28 . 
   Therefore, as best seen in  FIG. 3 , the left side of the neck restraint system  10  in the assembled configuration and above the left shoulder  102  of the user includes an X-pattern configuration resulting from the portions of the fourth strap  48  and third strap  42  being attached to the helmet. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a second representative embodiment of the neck restraint system is illustrated wherein the first, second, third, and fourth,  30 ,  36 ,  42 , and  48  are attached to a harness assembly  106  instead of being directly attached to the user&#39;s race outfit. The harness assembly  106  comprises a main belt portion  108  having a buckle  110  which can be adjustably worn by the user around the user&#39;s waist. The first anchor strap  56  is now attached, preferably by stitching, to the main belt  108  at a second end  112 , and similarly, the second anchor strap  62  is attached to the main belt  108  at a second end  114 , the third anchor strap  68  is attached to the main belt  108  at a second end  116 , and the fourth anchor strap  74  is attached to the main belt at a second end  118 . 
   The harness assembly  108  further includes a leg attachment means comprising a right leg strap  120  dimensioned and configured to be wrapped around the user&#39;s right leg, preferably around the user&#39;s right thigh and above the right knee, and removably secured by an attaching means such as, but not limited to, a VELCRO brand fastener. 
   A right leg extension  124  includes a first end  128  securely attached to the right leg strap  120  preferably by stitching, and a second end  130  attached to a lower portion or the inside of the main belt  108 . A left leg strap  122  dimensioned and configured to be wrapped around the user&#39;s left leg, preferably around the user&#39;s left thigh and above the left knee, and removably secured by an attaching means such as a VELCRO brand fastener. A left leg extension  126  includes a first end  132  securely attached to the left leg strap  122  preferably by stitching; and a second end  134  attached to a lower portion or the inside of the main belt  108 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 9 , a third alternative embodiment of the neck restraint system  10  is illustrated. A fifth strap  136  having a first end  138  and a second end  140  provides further stability and securement of the system when in use by having the first end  138  attached, preferably by stitching, to the first strap  30  right above the point  100  and the second end  140  similarly attached to the second strap  36  right above the point  100 . The fifth strap  136  also includes a metal loop  142  which is freely slidable between the first and the second ends  138 ,  140 . 
   A fifth anchor strap  144  is attached, preferably by stitching, to the user&#39;s race outfit right above the right shoulder  98 , wherein the fifth anchor straps&#39;s free end  146  can loop through the metal loop  142  and secure the fifth strap  136  by having the free end  146  attached to the opposing end of the fifth anchor strap  144  by means of VELCRO or other suitable removable means. 
   Similarly, for the left side of the neck restraint system, a sixth strap  148  having a first end  150  and a second end  152  provides further stability and securement of the system when in use by having the first end  150  attached, preferably by stitching, to the third strap  42  right above the point  104  and the second end similarly attached to the fourth strap  48  right above the point  104 . The sixth strap  136  also includes a metal loop  154  which is freely slidable between the first and the second ends  150 ,  152 . 
   A sixth anchor strap  156  is attached, preferably by stitching, to the user&#39;s race outfit right above the left shoulder  102 , wherein the sixth anchor straps&#39;s free end  158  can loop through the metal loop  154  and secure the sixth strap  148  by having the free end  158  attached to the opposing end of the sixth anchor strap  156  by means of VELCRO or other suitable removable means. 
   Moreover, additional X-pattern straps maybe attached to the front and the back of the neck restraint system  10  to limit the rotational and circular movement of the user&#39;s helmet while in use. More specifically, a front X-pattern strap  160  includes a strap  162  and a strap  164  attached in the middle at  166 , wherein, as best seen  FIG. 9 , the first and the second ends of the strap  162  are attached to the first strap  30  and the third strap  42  at  168  and  170 , respectively, and the first and the second ends of the strap  164  are attached to the first strap  30  and the third strap  42  at  172  and  174 , respectively. 
   Similarly, a rear X-pattern strap  176  includes a strap  178  and a strap  180  attached in the middle at  182 , wherein, as best seen  FIG. 9 , the first and the second ends of the strap  178  are attached to the second strap  36  and the fourth strap  48  at  184  and  186 , respectively, and the first and the second ends of the strap  180  are attached to the second strap  36  and the fourth strap  48  at  188  and  190 , respectively. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 10 through 14 , a fourth alternative embodiment of the neck restraint system  10  is illustrated. More specifically, this embodiment contemplates the use of a removable mechanism for attaching and detaching the neck restraint system  10  from the user&#39;s helmet  14 . 
   A plurality of female anchor receivers are attached to the inner front and rear sides of the helmet. More specifically, a first female anchor receiver  192  and a second female anchor receiver  194  is attached to the inner front left side and inner rear left side of the helmet  14  by means of, but not limited to, a plurality of screws  200 . Similarly, a third female anchor receiver  196  and a fourth female anchor receiver  198  is attached to inner front right side and inner rear right side of the helmet  14  by means of, but not limited to, the plurality of screws  200 . These female anchor receivers replace the first, second, third, and fourth directive anchors to provide for a detachable and removable assembly of the neck restraint system for the helmet. 
   Each of the first, second, third, and fourth female anchor receivers  192 ,  194 ,  196 , and  198  includes a bottom opening  201  to provide, as will be explained herein, access for the detachable male anchors. 
   A plurality of male anchors, and more specifically, a first, second, third, and fourth male anchors  202 ,  204 ,  206 , and  208  are provided to replace the first, second, third, and fourth directive anchors to attach the straps, and the first, second, third, and fourth male anchors,  202 ,  204 ,  206 , and  208  are detachably attached to the first, second, third, and fourth female anchor receivers  192 ,  194 ,  196 , and  198 , respectively, in a manner that will be discussed in a greater detail below. It is noted that the first, the second, third, and fourth male anchors  202 ,  204 ,  206 , and  208  are preferably identical to one another and, therefore, their details will be only discussed in relation to the first male anchor  202 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the first female anchor receiver  192  includes a top wall  210 , a first sidewall  212 , and a second sidewall  214  bounding the bottom opening  201 . A support plate  216 , preferably made from metal or other suitable material, is secured to the inner surface of the second sidewall  214  and further includes an extension arm having a circular pivot end  218 . The second a sidewall  214  further includes a protrusion  215  on the inner side thereof for providing further support to hold the support plate  216 . 
   A hook-shaped linkage arm  220  includes a first portion  222  and a second portion  224  integral with the first portion  224 , wherein the second portion  224  further includes a fork-shaped end having a pair of tines  226 . The linkage arm  220  is pivotally attached to the support plate  216  at the circular pivot end  218  in a pivoting and balanced way, wherein the linkage arm  220 , as best seen in  FIG. 12 , can pivot about the pivot end  218  in either a clockwise direction or a counter clockwise direction. 
   A second linkage arm  228  includes a first end and is pivotally attached to a second end of the first portion  222  of the hook-shaped linkage arm  220  at  230 , and a second end  232  pivotally attached to a third linkage arm  234 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 12 , the first male anchor  202  is illustrated in a locked, engaged, or attached configuration with the first female anchor receiver  192 . The first male anchor  202  includes a lower housing  236  having a top wall  238  and an upper housing  240  on top of the lower housing  236 . An actuating lever arm  242  is pivotally mounted within the lower housing  236  at one end through a pin or dowel  244  extending laterally the width of the lower housing  236 , and further includes a second end  246  extending outwardly from the lower housing  236  and through the top wall  238  to provide support for a user&#39;s finger to actuate the mechanism. 
   A fourth linkage arm  248  is operably disposed within the lower housing and has a substantially W-shaped or wavy configuration. The fourth linkage arm  248  is centrally and pivotally mounted at a mid-point section  250  thereof through the pin or dowel  244  and includes a first engaging end  252  and an opposing second engaging end  254 . The actuating lever arm  242  further includes an extension  256  which engages the lower portion of the second engaging end  254  as well as an upper portion of the second engaging end  254 , wherein pressing the second end  246  of the actuating lever arm  242  would actuate the fourth linkage arm  248 . 
   A plunger  258  includes a first end  260  and a second end  262  and slidably extends through the upper housing  240 , wherein the second end  262  extends through an opening at a top wall  264  and engages the lower portion of the third linkage arm  234  through the opening  201 . The first end  260  extends through an opening at the top wall  238  of the lower housing  236  and rests against the first engaging end  252  of the fourth linkage arm  248 . 
   A coiled spring  266  is inserted through the first end  260  of the plunger  258 , and includes a first end  268  resting against the lower surface of the top wall  238 , and a second end  270  resting against the first engaging end  252  and providing a spring biased forced against the movement of the fourth linkage arm  248 . 
   A directive anchor  272 , similar to that of the directive anchors of the first embodiment for supporting the belt straps, includes a first end  274  attached to the upper surface of the top wall  238 , and further includes a second engaging end having an arrow-head shape and configuration  276  with a laterally extending slit  278  therethrough. The arrow-head end  276  comprises a pair of opposing indentations  280  that provide for an engagement with the corresponding pair of tines  226  for the fork-shaped second portion  224 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 14 , to disengage the first male anchor  202  from the first female anchor receiver  192 , and thereby releasing the neck restraint system  10  from the user&#39;s helmet  14 , a user presses the actuating lever arm  242  at the second end  246 , causing the actuating lever arm  242  to pivot about the central pivot point  250 , and further-pivoting the fourth -linkage arm  248  by pressing against the second engaging end  254 . The first engaging end  253  presses against the first end  260  of the plunger  258 , and compresses the coiled spring  266 . The plunger  258  is moved upwardly and cause the third linkage arm  234  to move, and in turn causing the second linkage arm  228  to pivot, thereby causing the hook-shaped linkage arm  220  to pivot about the circular pivot end  218 , which in turn cause the pair of tine  226  to move away and disengage the pair of indentations  280 . Hence, the first male anchor  202  can be pulled down and away from the first female anchor  192 . 
   While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, various modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has been described by way of illustration only, and this description should not be construed as limiting to the several claims appended hereto.