Abstract:
A restraint system for limiting the range of motion of an individual&#39;s head and flexure of their neck includes an arrangement of straps extending from a head engulfing helmet to a two piece arch-shaped shoulder mounted support member. The arch-shaped shoulder mounted support member includes a front portion, a rear portion and a mechanism for adjusting the curvature of the arch to accommodate individuals of different sizes and also to accommodate different seating positions. A pair of upwardly extending restraint members extends upwardly from the rear portion of the shoulder mounted support member. An upper portion of the upwardly extending restraint member extends upwardly behind the helmet and is tethered to the helmet so that the upwardly extending restraint member limits forward and rear movement of the head.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates a head and neck restraint system for protecting the neck of an individual during a crash of a motor vehicle and more particularly to an improved head and neck restraint system for restricting the forward/aft movement of a motorcycle rider&#39;s head in the event of an accident. 
       BACKGROUND FOR THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The use of crash helmets to protect the head of drivers of high speed race cars and motorcycles is well known. In fact the use of crash helmets is commonly accepted for riders of motorcycles. However, the use of a helmet does not limit the range of motion of the driver&#39;s neck and does not adequately protect the neck in the event of an accident particularly one of high speed. 
         [0003]    For motorcycle racers there is one generally accepted approach for protecting the head and neck of competitors. For example, it is presently believed that a Hans device as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,810,535 and 6,813,782 are commonly used in racing motorcycles. 
         [0004]    Two more recent approaches for a neck protector for use with a crash helmet are disclosed in my earlier U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,380,290 and 7,395,558 which are included herein in their entirety by reference. As disclosed therein, the head and neck restraint system includes a head enclosing crash helmet of the type having a head shell surrounding the head, forehead and chin of an individual with an opening in 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. The system also includes means for securing the plurality of straps to the individual and wherein the plurality of straps form an X-pattern configuration on the right and left sides of a user below the helmet. 
         [0005]    Notwithstanding the above, it is presently believed that there is a need and a potentially commercial market for an improved head and neck restraint system in accordance with the present invention. There should be a need and a commercial market because it is believed that the restraint system in accordance with the present invention will reduce the risk of serious injury in a high speed crash at a competitive cost. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In essence, a head and neck restraint system in accordance with the present invention includes: 
         [0007]    a head enclosing helmet of the type having a head shell surrounding the head, forehead and chin of an individual with an opening in the bottom portion and a face portion; 
         [0008]    an arch-shaped shoulder support member comprising a front half portion resting on and extending over a forward part of the individual&#39;s shoulders and an upper portion of the individual&#39;s chest, and a rear half portion resting or a rear portion of the individual&#39;s shoulders and extending over the rear portion of the individual&#39;s shoulders and an upper portion of the individual&#39;s back, and 
         [0009]    an adjusting mechanism for adjusting the curvature of the arc shaped shoulder support member and wherein said front half portion and said rear half portion are pivotally connected to the adjustment means. 
         [0010]    The system also includes means at least partially passing under an individual&#39;s arm fixed to the front and rear half portions for maintaining the arch-shaped shoulder support member on the shoulders of an individual and a plurality of straps and means for securing the plurality of straps to a portion of the helmet. 
         [0011]    In addition, the system includes means for releasably securing the plurality of straps to the arch-shaped shoulder member and wherein the plurality of straps form an X-pattern configuration on a right side and a left side of the individual below the helmet. Finally, the system includes a pair of adjustable upwardly extending restraint members that extend upwardly behind the head of an individual and a pair of tethers or straps connecting the helmet to the upwardly extending restraint members to thereby prevent excessive forward movement of the head in the event of an accident. The upwardly extending restraint members also prevent or limit rearward movement of the head during an accident. 
         [0012]    In an preferred embodiment of the invention a head shell surrounds the head, forehead and chin of an individual with an open bottom portion, a face portion and a forward and forward lower and rear lower connecting points on each side thereof. An arch-shaped shoulder mounted support member comprises a front portion resting on and extending over a forward part of the individual&#39;s shoulders and upper portion of the individual&#39;s chest and a rear portion resting on a rear part of the individual&#39;s shoulders and an upper portion of the individual&#39;s back. An adjustable mechanism for adjusting the curvature arch-shaped shoulder mounted support member and wherein said front portion and said rear portion of said arch-shaped shoulder mounted support member are pivotally connected. Means are passing over at least partially under the individual&#39;s arms are fixed to the arch-shaped shoulder mounted support member for maintaining the arch-shaped shoulder mounted support member on the shoulders of the individual. 
         [0013]    In a preferred embodiment of the invention first and second flexible connecting members connect the forward lower and rear lower connecting points on each side of the head shell to the front portion and rear portion of the arch-shaped shoulder mounted support member and wherein each of the flexible connecting means form an X-pattern configuration on the right side and the left side of the individual below the helmet. 
         [0014]    A pair of adjustable upwardly extending restraint members that extend upwardly behind the head of the individual and third and fourth flexible connecting means with one of said flexible connecting means connecting an upper side of said head shell to one of said upwardly extending restraint members and the other of said third and fourth flexible connecting means connecting an upward side of the other side of said head shell to the other of said upwardly extending restraint members whereby the upwardly extending restraint member prevents forward movement of the individual&#39;s head as a result of a crash and wherein the upwardly extending restraint member also limit rearward movement of the individual&#39;s head to prevent whiplash or other injury. 
         [0015]    The invention will now be described in accordance with the following figures wherein like numbers have been used to illustrate like parts. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    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: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the neck restraint system according to my earlier U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,380,290 and 7,395,558 in an assembled configuration attached to a helmet on an individual; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of the neck restraint system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a left side elevation view of the neck restraint system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is top plan view of a directive anchor as used for securing the straps of the neck restraint system to the helmet as disclosed in my earlier patents and which may be used in the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is the top plan view of the strap directive anchor of  FIG. 4  in a non-use configuration as disclosed in my earlier patent and which may be used in the practice of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a side perspective of the strap directive anchor of  FIG. 4  in a non-use configuration as disclosed in my earlier patent and which may be used in the practice of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the strap directive anchor of  FIG. 4  illustrating the way the straps are directed and attached thereto as disclosed in my earlier patent and which may be used in the practice of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the neck restraint system including a body attachment harness in accordance with one of my earlier patents; 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a third representative embodiment of the neck restraint system in accordance with my earlier patents in an assembled configuration attached to a helmet on an individual; 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is left side elevation view of the neck restraint system in accordance with a fourth representative embodiment of my previous invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a side elevation view of a removable locking mechanism as disclosed in my earlier patents and which may be used in the practice of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 11  taken along the line  12 - 12 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 11  taken along the line  13 - 13 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism in a disengaged, unlocked, or released configuration; 
           [0031]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the neck restraint system in accordance with one of my earlier patents and including a shoulder support member which may be incorporated in the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a shoulder support arc shown in  FIG. 15  in an assembled configuration; 
           [0033]      FIG. 17  is an exploded view of the shoulder support arc shown in  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a neck restraint system in accordance with my earlier patents and which is applicable to the present invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 19  is a side sectional view of a strap retaining means of the system shown in  FIG. 18 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 20  is a perspective of a shoulder size adjusting means in an assembled configuration; 
           [0037]      FIG. 21  is an exploded view of the shoulder size adjusting means shown in  FIG. 20 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 22  is a side sectional view of the should size adjusting means shown in  FIG. 20 . 
           [0039]      FIG. 23  is a rear elevational view of a head and neck restraint system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0040]      FIG. 24  is a front elevational view of the head and neck restraint system shown in  FIG. 23 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 25  is a side elevational view of the head and neck restraint system shown in  FIGS. 23 and 24 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 26  is a plan view of a joining element and strap director as used in one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0043]      FIG. 27  is a plan view of a strap director and tie as used in another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0044]      FIG. 28  is a plan view of a generally X-cross joiner and strap director in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0045]      FIG. 29  is a joiner and strap director having a screwed strap director in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; 
           [0046]      FIG. 30  is a schematic illustration of a locking mechanism for positioning the upwardly extending support member; and 
           [0047]      FIG. 31  is a front elevational view of the head and neck restraint system shown in  FIG. 24  but showing a fastener in an opened position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0048]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating the preferred embodiments of the invention only and not for the purpose of limiting the same, referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , a prior art neck restraint system in accordance with my earlier patents 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. 
         [0049]    In the first representative embodiment of my earlier 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. 
         [0050]    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. 
         [0051]    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. 
         [0052]    As best seen in  FIG. 1 , the neck restraint system  10  is 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  is attached to a first end thereof, and a second end  60  is 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  is attached to a first end thereof, and a second end  66  is 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  is attached to a first end thereof, and a second end  72  is 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  is 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. 
         [0053]    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  is substantially parallel to the first and the second slots  84 ,  86 , and a fourth slot  90  and a fifth slot  92  are 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 is 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 . 
         [0054]    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 . 
         [0055]    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 hook and loop fastening means  96 . 
         [0056]    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. 
         [0057]    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. 
         [0058]    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 . 
         [0059]    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. 
         [0060]    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  straps 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 . 
         [0061]    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. 
         [0062]    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 . 
         [0063]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , a third approach for 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 . 
         [0064]    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. 
         [0065]    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 . 
         [0066]    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. 
         [0067]    Moreover, additional X-pattern straps may be 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. 
         [0068]    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. 
         [0069]    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 . 
         [0070]    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. 
         [0071]    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. 
         [0072]    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 . 
         [0073]    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 sidewall  214  further includes a protrusion  215  on the inner side thereof for providing further support to hold the support plate  216 . 
         [0074]    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. 
         [0075]    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 . 
         [0076]    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. 
         [0077]    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 . 
         [0078]    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 . 
         [0079]    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 . 
         [0080]    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 . 
         [0081]    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 . 
         [0082]    Referring now to  FIGS. 15 through 17  the neck restraint system includes a plurality of attaching knobs  300 , wherein each knob  300  provides a securing means for replacing the stitching means for attaching the crossover or adjoining straps of the other embodiments. Each knob  300  may be of a snap fit configuration, or in the alternative, may have a sliding feature for allowing the length of the straps to adjust to a user&#39;s size. 
         [0083]    A shoulder support arc  302  is alternatively provided to replace other means of securing the neck restraint system on the user such as attaching the restraint system to the user&#39;s race suit of providing leg anchors. The shoulder support arc  302  includes a first rigid arc portion  304  preferably made from, but not limited to, Kevlar or carbon fiber, and a foam portion  306  having the same shape and configuration as the rigid arc portion  304  which is attached to the underside of the first rigid arc portion  304  by securing means, such as, but not limited to, glue. The rigid arc portion  304  includes a semi-circular first side  308  and an opposing second semi-circular second side  310 , which are attached together with an elongate front extension  312  and an elongate rear extension  314 . 
         [0084]    A first anchor strap  316  is provided at the adjoining corner of the first side  308  and the elongate front extension  312 , a second anchor strap  318  is provided at the adjoining corner of the second side  310  and the elongate front extension  312 , a third anchor strap  320  is provided at the adjoining corner of the first side  308  and the elongate rear extension  314 , and a fourth anchor strap  322  is provided at the adjoining corner of the second side  310  and the elongate rear extension  314 . The first anchor strap  316  includes a first slot  324  and a second slot  326  for receiving the strap and securing it to the shoulder support arc  302 . Similarly, the second anchor strap  318  includes a first slot  328  and second slot  330 , the third anchor strap  320  includes a first slot  332  and a second slot  334 , and the fourth anchor strap  322  includes a first slot  326  and a second slot  338 . The shoulder support arc  302  is placed over the user&#39;s shoulders and secured to the body by a first belt  340  extending under the user&#39;s armpit, the first end  346  of which is attached to the first anchor strap  316  and the second end  348  is attached to the third anchor strap  320 . Similarly, a second belt  342  includes a first end  350  attached to the second anchor strap  318  and a second end  352  attached to the fourth anchor strap  322 . 
         [0085]    Referring now to  FIGS. 18 through 22  the first, second, third, and fourth anchor straps  316 ,  318 ,  320 , and  322  are replaced with a first, a second, a third, and fourth recoil anchoring means  354 ,  356 ,  358 , and  360 . Each recoil anchoring means includes a dome-shaped housing  362  and an aperture  364  through which the strap belt extend outwardly. A recoil mechanism  366  is housed within the dome-shaped housing  362 , wherein the recoil mechanism  366  functions to adjust the extendible length of the strap belt as well as locking the strap belt at a certain desired length. 
         [0086]    The first and the second sides  308  and  310  each includes an adjusting means generally shown at  368 . The first side  308  includes a front half portion  370  and a rear half portion  372  pivotally connected to the front half portion  370  by the adjusting means  368 . More specifically, the front half portion  370  includes a plurality of substantially circular retaining means  374  attached for a peripheral edge thereof wherein each circular retaining means  374  is divided by a space  376  from the adjoining circular retaining means  374 . Similarly, the rear half portion  372  includes a plurality of substantially circular retaining means  378  attached to a peripheral edge thereof and in a facing relation to the plurality of circular retaining means  374 , wherein each circular retaining means  374  is divided by a space  380  from the adjoining circular retaining means  378 . 
         [0087]    A link  382  having a plurality of opposing circular retaining means  384  with a plurality of spaces  386  is provided and includes a shaped and configuration so that each circular retaining means  384  may be received within the corresponding space between the adjoining circular retaining means  374  on one side, and on the opposite side, each circular retaining means may be received within the corresponding space between the adjoining circular retaining means  378 . The link  382  pivotally attaches the first half portion  370  to the second half portion  372  with a pair of elongated screws  386  each having a knob  388  at one end thereof, wherein the first half portion  370  and the second half portion  372  may be adjusted in a clockwise or counter clockwise motion, as best seen in  FIG. 22 , to adjust to the curvature and size of the user&#39;s shoulder, and then secured in that desired position by tightening the screws  386 . 
         [0088]    An improved head and neck restraint system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in connection with  FIGS. 23-30 . As shown therein the head and neck restraint system  400  includes a helmet, sometimes referred to a head shell  410  that surrounds an individual&#39;s head, forehead and chin with a hard outer shell and a foam lining as for example, polyurethane as approved by the major racing organizations. The helmet includes an opening in a bottom portion through which an individual inserts his or her head on a conventional manner. The helmet or head shell  410  also includes a face portion  412 . 
         [0089]    The head and neck restraint system  400  also includes an arch-shaped shoulder mounted support  414  that rests on the shoulders of an individual and may take a form as shown in  FIGS. 15-18 . As shown in  FIGS. 23-25  an arch-shaped shoulder mounted support member  416  includes a front portion  415  and rear portion  417  that are connected by one or two pivots  418  and  419  that provide adjustment of the curvature in order to fit an individual. 
         [0090]    Means such as a semi-ridged strap  420  pass under the arms of the individual and are fixed to one or both of the front and rear portions  415  and  417  for firmly maintaining the arch-shaped shoulder mounted member  416  on the shoulders of the individual. The head and neck restraint system also includes one or more flexible connectors or straps  421 ,  422 ,  423  and  424  on each side of the head restraint system to connect a forward lower portion and a rear lower portion  425  and  426  to the front and rear portions  415  and  417  of the arch-shaped shoulder mounted support member  416 . The straps  421 ,  422 ,  423  and  424  can be combined in a single end of strap that forms an X-shaped configuration at a director plate  427 . 
         [0091]    The system  420  also includes a pair of upwardly extending restraint members or towers  430  and  432  as shown most clearly in  FIG. 23 . The restraint members or towers  430  and  432  extend upwardly from the rear portion  417  of the arch-shaped shoulder mounted support  414  behind the head shell  410  and are attached to the rear portion  417 . The upwardly extending towers  430  and  432  may be made of carbon/carbon fiber compounds or other suitable material as will be well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art and/or integrally formed with the rear portion of the arch-shaped shoulder mounted member  416 . 
         [0092]    The upwardly extending restraint members or towers  430  and  432  are each tethered to one side i.e. the left side and the right side of the head shell  40  by means of a pair of fasteners  435  and  437  (see  FIGS. 25-27 ) and a pair of tethers  436 . The fasteners  435  and  437  may be of various designs and may engage a pair outwardly projecting rods  438  with one of the rods  438  on each side of the rear portion of the head shell. 
         [0093]    Additional features of the present invention include a belt extender  440  as shown in  FIGS. 23 ,  24  and  25 . The belt extender includes a mechanism which is similar if not identical to the mechanism used in safety belts and shoulder belts in automobiles and includes a locking mechanism as will be well understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art. In addition, the towers,  430 ,  432  may be adjustable along a horizontal axis by means of a slot  445  with conventional clamp means as will once again be well understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0094]    The towers  430 ,  432  may also include an adjustment mechanism to move the upwardly extending towers backward and forward so that towers are further away or closer to the helmet as shown in  FIG. 25 . For example, limited movement about a pivot are provided after adjustment a conventional locking release button  448  is pressed to lock the towers in place. 
         [0095]    A further feature of the head and neck restraint system in accordance with the present invention incorporates a X-directional joiner with a fastening mechanism  450  that directs a front belt in a cross like configuration but allows the two sides of the X to be separated for ease in removing the system from an individual rider. It is also contemplated that the flexible connectors or straps can extend along or through the front and rear portion of the arch-shaped shoulder mounted member. 
         [0096]    While the invention has been described in connection with its preferred embodiment, it should be recognized that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the appended claims.