Patent ID: 7442176

Claim:
A cervical support brace comprising: an upper U-shaped support member having a first support prong and a second support prong; a lower U-shaped support member having a first support prong and a second support prong; a first linkage member that connects the first support prong of the upper U-shaped support member with the first support prong of the lower U-shaped support member; and a second linkage member that connects the second support prong of the upper U-shaped support member with the second support prong of the lower U-shaped support member; each of the first and second linkage members comprising an adjustment mechanism disposed between two parallel pivot points within each of the first and second linkage members, the adjustment mechanism comprising: a first bracket, a first portion of the first bracket being rotationally fixed to one of the two parallel pivot points, a second portion of the first bracket having a through-hole; a second bracket, a first portion of the second bracket being rotationally fixed to the other of the two parallel pivot points, a second portion of the second bracket having a through-hole; a bolt extending through the through-hole of the first bracket and the through-hole of the second bracket, the bolt having a head and a threaded end portion; a spring disposed between the head of the bolt and the second portion of the first bracket; and an adjustable nut disposed on the threaded end of the bolt, the nut having a circumferential groove, the second portion of the second bracket being partially disposed within the circumferential groove, such that location of the nut along the threaded end of the bolt may be adjusted to expand or contract the cervical support brace.