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US20230011423A1 - Self-inflatable American football neck collar - Google Patents

Self-inflatable American football neck collar Download PDF

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Publication number
US20230011423A1
US20230011423A1 US17/803,339 US202217803339A US2023011423A1 US 20230011423 A1 US20230011423 A1 US 20230011423A1 US 202217803339 A US202217803339 A US 202217803339A US 2023011423 A1 US2023011423 A1 US 2023011423A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
collar
football
helmet
inflatable
self
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US17/803,339
Inventor
John Maurice Connell, JR.
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US17/803,339 priority Critical patent/US20230011423A1/en
Publication of US20230011423A1 publication Critical patent/US20230011423A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
    • A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
    • A41D13/05—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches protecting only a particular body part
    • A41D13/0512—Neck or shoulders area
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A42—HEADWEAR
    • A42B—HATS; HEAD COVERINGS
    • A42B3/00—Helmets; Helmet covers ; Other protective head coverings
    • A42B3/04—Parts, details or accessories of helmets
    • A42B3/0406—Accessories for helmets
    • A42B3/0473—Neck restraints
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
    • A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
    • A41D13/015—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches with shock-absorbing means
    • A41D13/0155—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches with shock-absorbing means having inflatable structure, e.g. non automatic
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
    • A63B71/08—Body-protectors for players or sportsmen, i.e. body-protecting accessories affording protection of body parts against blows or collisions
    • A63B71/12—Body-protectors for players or sportsmen, i.e. body-protecting accessories affording protection of body parts against blows or collisions for the body or the legs, e.g. for the shoulders
    • A63B71/1291—Body-protectors for players or sportsmen, i.e. body-protecting accessories affording protection of body parts against blows or collisions for the body or the legs, e.g. for the shoulders for the neck
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2225/00—Miscellaneous features of sport apparatus, devices or equipment
    • A63B2225/62—Inflatable
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2243/00—Specific ball sports not provided for in A63B2102/00 - A63B2102/38
    • A63B2243/0066—Rugby; American football
    • A63B2243/007—American football

Definitions

  • the field of endeavor of this invention is the American football protective equipment market. This collar is made to help reduce head, neck and spinal cord injuries in the game of football.
  • FIG. 1 A A first figure.
  • a side view of the invention showing the contoured shape of the collar.
  • the collar must be lower in the front and higher in the back to match the shape of the bottom edge of the football helmet.
  • This view also shows the inflation hose, inflation bulb, and the toggle valve on the collar.
  • a top view of the collar showing the horseshoe shape of the invention and how it will fit around the neck.
  • top and bottom cuts are the same size and shape.
  • FIG. 1 D is a diagrammatic representation of FIG. 1 D
  • This FIGURE depicts the outside cut of material that connects the top and the bottom cuts. This piece wraps around the outer back and sides of the collar. This piece must be wider and longer than the inside cut of material to produce the higher and lower shape of the collar.
  • This FIGURE depicts the inside cut of material that connects the top and the bottom pieces on the inside.
  • This piece is similar in shape to the outside cut of material except I it smaller in order to set the desired contoured shape.
  • the self-inflatable football collar will be made of a heavy gauze nylon cover. This cover will incase an inflatable bladder. The bladder will have a small plastic hose that will come out of the side of the invention.
  • This hose will have a hard-plastic toggle valve that will open and close air flow thru the hose. There will be a Velcro flap that will cover the plastic valve for safety reasons.
  • the helmet Because there is a large gap between the lower edge of the helmet and the shoulders, the helmet will be pushing down. This causes the force to be transferred from the helmet to the head, neck and spinal cord. This collar is designed to catch the lower edge of the helmet. This will keep the helmet from coming down and will transfer the force from the head to the collar and the shoulders.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)

Abstract

There is no other self-inflatable football collar in the American football equipment market. Upon impact to the helmet, this collar is designed to catch in lower lip of the football helmet and transfer the force from the head and neck of the collar and shoulders.

Description

    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • The field of endeavor of this invention is the American football protective equipment market. This collar is made to help reduce head, neck and spinal cord injuries in the game of football.
    • BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • The previous and current problem playing the game of American football is that the helmet alone cannot protect the player from high impacts. This collar will reduce head, neck and spinal cord injuries by catching the lower edge of the football helmet and transferring the force from the head, neck and spinal cord to the collar and then to the shoulders.
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
  • FIG. 1A
  • A side view of the invention showing the contoured shape of the collar. The collar must be lower in the front and higher in the back to match the shape of the bottom edge of the football helmet. This view also shows the inflation hose, inflation bulb, and the toggle valve on the collar.
  • FIG. 1B
  • A top view of the collar showing the horseshoe shape of the invention and how it will fit around the neck.
  • FIG. 1C
  • A view of the top and bottom cut of material that makes up the invention. The top and bottom cuts are the same size and shape.
  • FIG. 1D
  • This FIGURE depicts the outside cut of material that connects the top and the bottom cuts. This piece wraps around the outer back and sides of the collar. This piece must be wider and longer than the inside cut of material to produce the higher and lower shape of the collar.
  • FIG. 1E
  • This FIGURE depicts the inside cut of material that connects the top and the bottom pieces on the inside. This piece is similar in shape to the outside cut of material except I it smaller in order to set the desired contoured shape.
    •  DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  • The self-inflatable football collar will be made of a heavy gauze nylon cover. This cover will incase an inflatable bladder. The bladder will have a small plastic hose that will come out of the side of the invention.
  • This hose will have a hard-plastic toggle valve that will open and close air flow thru the hose. There will be a Velcro flap that will cover the plastic valve for safety reasons.
  • There will also be a rubber bulb that can be inserted into the open end of the hose. Air is pumped into the bladder by squeezing the bulb.
  • The previous and current problems playing the game of American football is that the helmet alone cannot protect players from high impact forces to the head.
  • Because there is a large gap between the lower edge of the helmet and the shoulders, the helmet will be pushing down. This causes the force to be transferred from the helmet to the head, neck and spinal cord. This collar is designed to catch the lower edge of the helmet. This will keep the helmet from coming down and will transfer the force from the head to the collar and the shoulders.
  • In the protective equipment market for American football there is no inflatable collar at this time. Most of the other collars in this market are attached to the shoulder pads. They are not designed to catch the lower edge of the football helmet in an even manor. This will cause the helmet to rock forward or backward. These collars also still leave a gap between the helmet and shoulders. Because of this gap these collars depend on the player to shrug his shoulders upward to reduce the gap. My collar will catch the helmet quicker without the player needing to shrug their shoulders.
  • The reason this collar will be useful is it will reduce force to the head, neck and spinal cord, therefore reducing injuries.
  • In 2014 a study was done on six deaths caused from playing football. These were not deaths caused by players overheating or players with heart problems. The deaths were caused from high impacts while playing the game of football. All six deaths were caused from cervical fractures or broken necks. I honestly feel this collar could possibly have prevented these deaths.

Claims (2)

The claimed invention is:
1. The invention is a self-inflatable football neck collar, designed specifically for use in the narrow scope of the American football equipment market.
2. The invention is designed to be worn around the neck and catch the lower lip of the football helmet upon impact, which will transfer the force to the collar and then the shoulders.
US17/803,339 2021-07-12 2022-05-19 Self-inflatable American football neck collar Abandoned US20230011423A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US17/803,339 US20230011423A1 (en) 2021-07-12 2022-05-19 Self-inflatable American football neck collar

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US202163259385P 2021-07-12 2021-07-12
US17/803,339 US20230011423A1 (en) 2021-07-12 2022-05-19 Self-inflatable American football neck collar

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20230011423A1 true US20230011423A1 (en) 2023-01-12

Family

ID=84799260

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US17/803,339 Abandoned US20230011423A1 (en) 2021-07-12 2022-05-19 Self-inflatable American football neck collar

Country Status (1)

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US (1) US20230011423A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2024184251A1 (en) * 2023-03-06 2024-09-12 Autoliv Development Ab Protection device, protection assembly and method

Citations (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US731314A (en) * 1902-08-20 1903-06-16 Johan A Malmqvist Pneumatic life-belt.
US2041737A (en) * 1935-01-28 1936-05-26 American Anode Inc Rubber article
US3048860A (en) * 1959-09-25 1962-08-14 Wendell Coffee Life preserver
US3164151A (en) * 1962-12-14 1965-01-05 Nicoll Esmond D Vere Inflatable splint
US3808612A (en) * 1972-03-09 1974-05-07 R Boyle Inflatable toilet seat
US3855631A (en) * 1973-09-17 1974-12-24 Hit Away Protective neck collar
US4161794A (en) * 1975-06-09 1979-07-24 Bengt Petersson New Products Investment Ab Inflatable cushion
US4274161A (en) * 1976-11-29 1981-06-23 Littler Brian J Crash helmet collar
USD263625S (en) * 1980-02-13 1982-03-30 McKnight and Bridges Pty. Limited Inflatable neck support
USD322380S (en) * 1987-02-13 1991-12-17 El-Asir Rabei K Inflatable neck pillow
US5752927A (en) * 1995-12-29 1998-05-19 Rogachevsky; Richard J. Inflatable cervical traction device
US5779512A (en) * 1996-02-15 1998-07-14 Rupert; Roger J. Flotation device
US6543054B2 (en) * 2001-01-02 2003-04-08 Edwin Zenith Gabriel Bodily-injury protective clothing and accessories for outdoors and in a vehicle
US10154697B2 (en) * 2012-01-26 2018-12-18 Yukari Corporation Neck supporter
US20190069623A1 (en) * 2017-09-01 2019-03-07 Carl Kuntz Inflatable neck support for contact sports helmets
USD966746S1 (en) * 2022-04-13 2022-10-18 Fuzhou Mofan Electronic Parts Co., Ltd. Cushion

Patent Citations (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US731314A (en) * 1902-08-20 1903-06-16 Johan A Malmqvist Pneumatic life-belt.
US2041737A (en) * 1935-01-28 1936-05-26 American Anode Inc Rubber article
US3048860A (en) * 1959-09-25 1962-08-14 Wendell Coffee Life preserver
US3164151A (en) * 1962-12-14 1965-01-05 Nicoll Esmond D Vere Inflatable splint
US3808612A (en) * 1972-03-09 1974-05-07 R Boyle Inflatable toilet seat
US3855631A (en) * 1973-09-17 1974-12-24 Hit Away Protective neck collar
US4161794A (en) * 1975-06-09 1979-07-24 Bengt Petersson New Products Investment Ab Inflatable cushion
US4274161A (en) * 1976-11-29 1981-06-23 Littler Brian J Crash helmet collar
USD263625S (en) * 1980-02-13 1982-03-30 McKnight and Bridges Pty. Limited Inflatable neck support
USD322380S (en) * 1987-02-13 1991-12-17 El-Asir Rabei K Inflatable neck pillow
US5752927A (en) * 1995-12-29 1998-05-19 Rogachevsky; Richard J. Inflatable cervical traction device
US5779512A (en) * 1996-02-15 1998-07-14 Rupert; Roger J. Flotation device
US6543054B2 (en) * 2001-01-02 2003-04-08 Edwin Zenith Gabriel Bodily-injury protective clothing and accessories for outdoors and in a vehicle
US10154697B2 (en) * 2012-01-26 2018-12-18 Yukari Corporation Neck supporter
US20190069623A1 (en) * 2017-09-01 2019-03-07 Carl Kuntz Inflatable neck support for contact sports helmets
USD966746S1 (en) * 2022-04-13 2022-10-18 Fuzhou Mofan Electronic Parts Co., Ltd. Cushion

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2024184251A1 (en) * 2023-03-06 2024-09-12 Autoliv Development Ab Protection device, protection assembly and method

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