Protective body armor

Abstract

An apparatus for protective body armor to protect the head, neck, and spine from impaction, lateral extension, hyperflexion, hyperextension, while allowing for normal physiologic movement and range of head and neck motion is disclosed. In at least one embodiment a protective body armor includes: a shell adapted to couple to at least one upper body plate, to cover the head and neck, to allow normal physiologic movement and range of the head and the neck within the shell, and to prevent movement beyond the normal movement and range, wherein the shell does not move relative to the at least one upper body plate once rigidly coupled and the farthest distance the head can move upon an impact to the user is within a boundary of the shell; and a skull pad for wear by the user directly upon the head within the shell and for coverage of the skull area.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The technology described herein relates generally to the fields of head, neck, back, and spine protection devices. More specifically, this technology relates to an apparatus and associated methods for protective body armor to protect the head, neck, and spine from impaction, lateral extension, hyperflexion, hyperextension, and the like, while allowing for normal physiologic movement and range of head and neck motion in high performance racing, football, and so forth.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]In activities and events such as football, high performance racing, contact sports, and the like, head, neck, spine and related injuries can occur. Devices are known in the background art to protect the head from direct impact. By way of example, football helmets and racing helmets are known. However, many deficiencies and shortcomings exist with known devices, systems, and methods. Therefore, it is desired to have an improved protective body armor device, syst...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]In various exemplary embodiments, the technology described herein provides an apparatus and associated methods for protective body armor to protect the head, neck, and spine from impaction, lateral extension, hyperflexion, hyperextension, and the like, while allowing for normal physiologic movement and range of head and neck motion in high performance racing, football, and so forth.

[0006]In one exemplary embodiment, the technology described herein provides protective body armor for head, neck, and spine protection. The protective body armor includes: a shell adapted to couple rigidly and removably to at least one upper body plate and to cover the head and neck of a user, to allow the user normal physiologic movement and range of the head and the neck within the shell, and to prevent movement beyond the normal movement and range, wherein the shell does not move relative to the at least one upper body plate once rigidly coupled and the farthest distance the head can move upon an impact to the user is within a boundary of the shell; and at least one skull pad adapted for wear by the user directly upon the head within the shell and for padded coverage of the skull area. In various embodiments, the shell can be one or more of carbon fiber and a lightweight metal.

Problems solved by technology

However, many deficiencies and shortcomings exist with known devices, systems, and methods.

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