Head and Neck Support and Restraint System

Abstract

A head and neck support and restraint system including protective headwear worn by a user; an article worn about the shoulders, chest and back of the user; and a dynamic connector that is disposed between and attached to the protective headwear and the worn article that dampens and distributes forces to which the head and neck are subjected during use. Such forces can include forces experienced as a result of acceleration, deceleration, or impact during a collision between the user and another person or object. The dynamic connector also supports and limits the rate and range of motion permitted between the head and neck relative to the shoulders, chest and back of a user when the head or body of the user is subjected to such forces.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A head and neck support and restraint system for supporting and protecting the head, neck and body of a user from a force applied from an external source that causes the head and neck of the user to move relative to the body, the system comprising:
 a first article of protective headwear;   a second article worn about the body; and   a dynamic connector attachable to the first article and to the second article and comprising a rotation damper, a tilt damper, an elongation-compression damper, and an elongate shaft that passes through the rotation damper, the tilt damper, and the elongation-compression damper,   wherein the dynamic connector damps the force and distributes the damped force throughout the body to reduce the likelihood of physiological damage to the user.   
     
     
         22 . The head and neck support and restraint system of  claim 21  wherein the elongate shaft a first portion that is flexible and a second portion that is relatively inflexible. 
     
     
         23 . The head and neck support and restraint system of  claim 22  wherein the flexible first portion of the elongate shaft passes through the rotation damper and the tilt damper. 
     
     
         24 . The head and neck support and restraint system of  claim 22  wherein the relatively inflexible portion of the elongate shaft passes through the elongation-compression damper. 
     
     
         25 . The head and neck support and restraint system of  claim 22  wherein the flexible first portion of the elongate shaft has one end that is couple to an adjacent end of the relatively inflexible second portion of the elongate shaft. 
     
     
         26 . The head and neck support and restraint system of  claim 21  wherein the elongate shaft desirably comprises a cross-section that embodies one or more keys adapted for insertion into cooperatively aligned bores disposed in the rotation damper and in the tilt damper. 
     
     
         27 . The head and neck support and restraint system of  claim 26  wherein some portions of the rotation damper comprise cooperatively configured keyways to facilitate engagement between the rotation damper and the elongate shaft through which rotational forces imparted to the dynamic connector are communicated through the elongate shaft to the rotation damper. 
     
     
         28 . The head and neck support and restraint system of  claim 21  wherein the elongate shaft comprises a polymeric material. 
     
     
         29 . The head and neck support and restraint system of  claim 21  wherein the dynamic connector limits the rate and range of movement of the head and neck relative to the body within predetermined allowable limits. 
     
     
         30 . The head and neck support and restraint system of  claim 21  wherein the force is produced by acceleration, deceleration or impact. 
     
     
         31 . The head and neck support and restraint system of  claim 21  further comprising at least one release mechanism configured for use in selectively detaching the dynamic connector from the first article. 
     
     
         32 . The head and neck support and restraint system of  claim 21  further comprising at least one release mechanism configured for use in selectively detaching the dynamic connector from the second article. 
     
     
         33 . The head and neck support and restraint system of  claim 21  further comprising at least one removable locking key that is engageable with the dynamic connector for use in selectively locking system components into a fixed position relative to each other to immobilize the head and neck relative to the body of the user during an emergency situation. 
     
     
         34 . The head and neck support and restraint system of  claim 21  wherein the first article is a helmet. 
     
     
         35 . The head and neck support and restraint system of  claim 21  wherein the second article is selected from the group consisting of a vest, pack, pack frame, reinforced jacket and shoulder pads. 
     
     
         36 . The head and neck support and restrain system of  claim 21  wherein the second article comprises a belt disposed around the waist to distribute part of the force to the pelvis and hips of the user. 
     
     
         37 . The head and neck support and restraint system of  claim 21  further comprising a force indicator.