Impact-Compensating Helmet Reinforcement System

Abstract

A neck support for a sport player, includes a fabric treated with a dilatant material, the fabric sized and shaped to be deployed about the player's neck to be supported by the player's shoulders and to be supportive of the player's head. The fabric can be disposed within a neck collar, the neck collar disposed between a helmet worn by the player and the player's shoulders. The collar can include a first component connected to a player's helmet; a second component connected to a player's torso; a ball bearing assembly interposed between the first and second component; and dilatant material arranged between the first component and the ball bearing assembly or between the second component and the ball bearing assembly.

I claim as my invention: 
     
         1 . A neck support for a sport player, comprising:
 a fabric treated with a dilatant material, the fabric sized and shaped to be deployed about the player's neck to be supported by the player's shoulders and to be supportive of the player's head.   
     
     
         2 . The neck support according to  claim 1 , wherein the fabric is disposed within a neck collar, the neck collar disposed between a helmet worn by the player and the player's shoulders. 
     
     
         3 . The neck support according to  claim 1 , wherein the fabric is shaped as a shroud. 
     
     
         4 . The neck support according to  claim 3 , wherein the shroud is connected to a helmet worn by the player. 
     
     
         5 . The neck support according to  claim 1 , wherein the dilatant material comprises a cornstarch solution. 
     
     
         6 . The neck support according to  claim 1 , wherein the dilatant material comprises KEVLAR treated with polyethylene glycol. 
     
     
         7 . A neck support for a sport player, comprising:
 a first component connected to a player's helmet;   a second component connected to a player's torso;   a ball bearing assembly interposed between the first and second component; and   dilatant material arranged between the first component and the ball bearing assembly or between the second component and the ball bearing assembly.   
     
     
         8 . The neck support according to  claim 7 , wherein dilatant material is arranged between the first component and the ball bearing assembly and between the second component and the ball bearing assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The neck support according to  claim 8 , wherein the dilatant material is a dilatant treated fill enclosed by a fabric. 
     
     
         10 . The neck support according to  claim 8 , wherein the dilatant material comprises a cornstarch solution. 
     
     
         11 . The neck support according to  claim 8 , wherein the dilatant material comprises KEVLAR treated with polyethylene glycol. 
     
     
         12 . The neck support according to  claim 7 , wherein the bearing assembly comprises a plurality of ball bearings arranged spaced apart in a circular path and guided for individual rotation by a wire frame that carries axle portions that are journaled by though holes in each ball. 
     
     
         13 . The neck support according to  claim 7 , wherein the first component is a rigid open vented composite for reduced weight and neck area ventilation.