Combined neck and upper body protective garment

Abstract

A neck protector comprising a collar sized and shaped to provide a continuous closure around a neck of a wearer. The collar has a first pair of opposed ends, with one end having a first tongue and the other a first groove. The first tongue fits into the first groove to form a first tongue and groove interlock, which is maintained with a closure. Also, an upper body protector which may be used in combination with the neck protector. The upper body protector comprises a body portion and a spine protector shield system, and / or a chest protector shield system attached to the body portion. Both shield systems comprise at least two overlapping shield sections sized, shaped and positioned to cover at least a portion of the wearer's spine or sternum, while permitting flex, freedom of movement, and venting.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to protective equipment. In particular, the present invention relates to protective equipment for reducing or eliminating neck and upper body injuries ordinarily associated with various activities, including but not limited to contact sports such as lacrosse, ice hockey, ringette, football and action sports such as dirt biking, mountain biking, ski and sea-doo activities.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Neck and upper body injuries are fairly common for players of contact sports such as lacrosse, ice hockey, ringette and football. Ice hockey, in particular, is a sport where sharp skate blades pose a risk of dangerous lacerations to the players, and therefore, it has become generally mandatory for ice hockey players to wear neck protection which inhibits lacerations in the neck area that can cause life-threatening injuries. Blunt force contact can also cause injury in hockey and other sports. Advances in the field of protectiv...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]Therefore, what is desired is a neck protector which can be combined with upper body protective equipment to shield a wearer's neck and upper body from impact forces and potential injury due to impact and laceration, yet which is adjustable, easy to don, provides adequate venting and is comfortable to wear.

[0010]An embodiment of the invention combines the neck protector with a shoulder protector portion, a back protector portion, and a chest protector portion to form a single integral unit and protect against laceration and impact from skate blades, sticks, pucks and other threatening elements.

[0011]An embodiment of the combined neck and upper body protective equipment of the present invention shields a wearer's neck and upper body from impact forces and potential injury due to impact and laceration, yet is adjustable, easy to don, provides adequate venting and is comfortable to wear.

Problems solved by technology

Ice hockey, in particular, is a sport where sharp skate blades pose a risk of dangerous lacerations to the players, and therefore, it has become generally mandatory for ice hockey players to wear neck protection which inhibits lacerations in the neck area that can cause life-threatening injuries.

Blunt force contact can also cause injury in hockey and other sports.

These known neck protectors are generally awkward and uncomfortable for the wearers.

In use, the overlapping ends of the collar create an awkward and uncomfortable bulky region.

The overlapping hook and loop interlock becomes somewhat less secure over time with use and may be prone to opening during use.

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