Head and neck restraint device with dynamic articulation

Abstract

A head and neck restraint device for high performance race car drivers. The device includes a yoke, a collar and a pair of legs. The yoke and/or collar are adapted to pivotably articulate with respect to the legs. At least a portion of each leg can flex in response to force.

1 - 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . A head and neck restraint device, comprising:
 a) a yoke comprising:
 i) a base portion; 
 ii) a stand-up collar portion coupled to the base portion; 
 iii) a first sidewing coupled to one side of the base portion; and 
 iv) a second sidewing coupled to an opposing side of the base portion from the first sidewing; and 
   b) first and second legs, each of the first and second legs comprising:
 i) a proximal portion; 
 ii) a distal portion spaced apart from the proximal portion; 
 iii) a front surface; 
 iv) a rear surface opposite the front surface; and 
 v) a connector member mounted for rotation relative to one of the first and second sidewings such that each of the first and second legs is capable of limited pivoting articulation relative to the respective first or second sidewing, 
   wherein the first and second legs and first and second sidewings are configured to absorb forces as the yoke moves from a first configuration to a second configuration relative to the first and second legs, and the first and second legs are independently pivotable relative to the yoke.   
     
     
         33 . The head and neck restraint device of  claim 32 , wherein the first and second legs are each movable relative to the yoke between at least a first position and a second position, wherein engaging portions of the front surfaces of the first and second legs are spaced apart from the respective first and second sidewings when the first and second legs are in the first position, and wherein the engaging portions of the front surfaces of the first and second legs are engaged with the respective first and second sidewings to limit pivoting movement of the first and second legs when the first and second legs are in the second position. 
     
     
         34 . The head and neck restraint device of  claim 33 , wherein each of the first and second sidewings includes a pair of spaced apart knuckles having a recessed area defined therebetween, and wherein the connector members of the first and second legs are received in the recessed area of the respective first and second sidewings. 
     
     
         35 . The head and neck restraint device of  claim 34 , further comprising a first pin extending through the knuckles of the first sidewing and the connector member of the first leg to couple the first leg with the first sidewing, and a second pin extending through the knuckles of the second sidewing and the connector member of the second leg to couple the second leg with the second sidewing. 
     
     
         36 . The head and neck restraint device of  claim 35 , further comprising a tether coupled to the collar portion and adapted to connect with a helmet. 
     
     
         37 . A head and neck restraint device, comprising:
 a) a yoke comprising:
 i) a base portion; 
 ii) a stand-up collar portion coupled to the base portion; 
 iii) a first sidewing coupled to one side of the base portion; and 
 iv) a second sidewing coupled to an opposing side of the base portion from the first sidewing; 
   b) a tether coupled to the collar portion and adapted to connect with a helmet of a user; and   c) first and second legs, each of the first and second legs comprising:
 i) a proximal portion; 
 ii) a distal portion spaced apart from the proximal portion; 
 iii) a front surface extending between the proximal and distal portions; 
 iv) a rear surface opposite the front surface, the rear surface extending between the proximal and distal portions; and 
 v) a connector member mounted for rotation relative to one of the first and second sidewings such that each of the first and second legs is capable of limited pivoting articulation relative to the respective first or second sidewing, 
   wherein the yoke is configured to extend at least partially around a neck of the user with the first and second sidewings positioned adjacent to the user's shoulders, the rear surfaces of the first and second legs are configured to extend along the user's chest and the front surfaces of the first and second legs are configured to receive a vehicle safety belt thereon, the first and second legs are independently pivotable relative to the yoke, and the first and second sidewings are configured to engage with the vehicle safety belt and to engage with the first and second legs to absorb forces and control movement of the helmet relative to the first and second legs as the yoke moves from a first configuration to a second configuration relative to the first and second legs.   
     
     
         38 . The head and neck restraint device of  claim 37 , wherein the first and second legs are each movable relative to the yoke between at least a first position and a second position, wherein engaging portions of the front surfaces of the first and second legs are spaced apart from the respective first and second sidewings when the first and second legs are in the first position, and wherein the engaging portions of the front surfaces of the first and second legs are engaged with the respective first and second sidewings to limit pivoting movement of the first and second legs when the first and second legs are in the second position. 
     
     
         39 . The head and neck restraint device of  claim 38 , wherein each of the first and second sidewings includes a pair of spaced apart knuckles having a recessed area defined therebetween, and wherein the connector members of the first and second legs are received in the recessed area of the respective first and second sidewings. 
     
     
         40 . The head and neck restraint device of  claim 39 , further comprising a first pin extending through the knuckles of the first sidewing and the connector member of the first leg to couple the first leg with the first sidewing, and a second pin extending through the knuckles of the second sidewing and the connector member of the second leg to couple the second leg with the second sidewing.