Weightlifting Neck Support Harness

Abstract

A harness providing neck support for weightlifters, to reduce the risk of neck injuries, resulting from improper lifting form. The harness includes a soft foam support collar worn around the neck. Furthermore, it includes a strap, ring, loop, and fastener system to secure the harness to a weightlifter's pre-existing lifting belt. The harness provides downward tension for support, ease of removal between uses, and enables the wearer to adjust for a comfortable fit. The harness stabilizes the neck, while allowing full range of motion of the arms, shoulders, and chest. This invention is unique in that it provides neck support specifically for weightlifting, and attaches to a waist-level supportive device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]Not ApplicableSTATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not ApplicableTHE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT.[0003]Not ApplicableINCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM [EFS-WEB][0004]Not ApplicableSTATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT INVENTOR[0005]Not ApplicableBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0006][1] Field of the Invention[0007]The present invention relates to the field of human physical training equipment, and more specifically to a novel neck support harness, to be worn by a person engaging in an exercise procedure, in order to stabilize the neck to reduce risk of injury in the event of improper form or fatigue.[0008][2] Description of the Related Art[0009]Weightlifters are susceptible to neck injuries, caused by movement of the neck during heavy lifting. Improper form and sudden fatigue duri...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a harness that helps stabilize a weightlifter's neck during lifting exercises that could cause neck injuries. The harness limits the range of motion of the cervical vertebrae and neck muscles to reduce the risk of injury. The harness can be adjusted for different body sizes and can be easily removed when not in use. It allows full range of motion of the arms, shoulders, and chest without obstructing proper form. The neck collar is made of soft foam and lightweight fabric to provide comfort during use.

Problems solved by technology

Weightlifters are susceptible to neck injuries, caused by movement of the neck during heavy lifting.

Improper form and sudden fatigue during exercise procedures such as overhead press, deadlift, clean, snatch, military, and bench press, place the lifter's neck at considerable risk for injury.

Neck injuries can take several weeks, to a few months to heal; and in extreme cases may require physical therapy or surgery to repair.

A neck injury may result in significant pain, limited range of motion, and prevent the individual from exercising for an extended period of time.

Such a device does not currently exist for the sport of weightlifting.

These devices are useful for their intended purpose, but involve directly bearing load weight with the device, which obstructs exercise procedures where load assistance isn't desired.

Additionally, some of these devices apply load to the neck and shoulder area when in use, which is counterproductive to the objective of reducing the risk of a neck injury.

Other attempts have been made to provide exercise equipment that offers minimal neck support, but those devices either occupy the weightlifter's hands and feet to perform specific exercise procedures, or involve a thick chest-level pad that interferes with the path of the barbell during exercise procedures such as Snatch.

Images