Vertically extended neck brace

Abstract

A cervical extension support and stabilization device capable of supporting the head includes a harness configured to be worn around a user's torso, a neck brace member having an elongated stem for attachment to the harness, and a support portion configured to contact the base of the user's skull, the neck brace member being flexibly resilient to allow cervical extension and resist cervical extension.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for supporting and stabilizing a user's neck and / or head during work that requires neck extension.

Background Art

[0002] In certain tasks, the operator needs to look upward. By doing so, the operator will extend the neck, which can be uncomfortable and / or harmful. As used herein, "extension" refers to the posterior flexion movement of the neck such that the subject's head looks upward and moves backward. Excessive extension can result in serious injury.

[0003] In certain tasks, the operator needs to hold both hands above the head, often holding tools and equipment and wearing protective safety devices, and look straight upward. Examples of industries where operators need to look upward for long periods of time include, but are not limited to, construction workers, welders, oilfield workers, ironworkers, plumbers, painters, drywall installers and tapers, assemblers, electricians, plumbers, machinists, window washers, gutter technicians, arborists, and warehouse workers.

[0004] Neck braces and head braces are known, but these always include a head support member that restricts the range of movement of the user's head. These devices are inadequate in many different ways.

[0005] There is a need in the art for a device that is comfortable and supportive and can be worn with the safety devices that workers often need when wearing such devices.

Summary of the Invention

[0006] In one aspect, the present invention includes a neck brace, the neck brace comprising (a) a harness configured to be worn on the user's torso, (b) A neck brace member including a stem that engages with a harness, and a lower portion and an upper portion, the neck brace member being curved forward in the lower portion and then curved backward in the upper portion, thus achieving a concave shape. The neck brace member is preferably elastically flexible and is formed from a material such as plastic, composite material, or metal. The neck brace member stem is preferably positionable adjustably within the harness to accommodate different user sizes and / or may itself have an adjustable length.

[0007] The following drawings form a part of this specification and are included to further demonstrate specific embodiments or various aspects of the present invention. In some cases, embodiments of the present invention may be best understood by referring to the accompanying drawings in combination with the detailed description presented herein. The description and the accompanying drawings can highlight specific examples or specific aspects of the present invention. However, those skilled in the art will understand that some examples or aspects may be used in combination with other examples or aspects of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3A

Figure 3B

Figure 3C

Figure 4

Figure 5A

Figure 5B

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Figure 1 shows a typical human anatomical structure and indicates the danger zone of neck extension where the head moves backward within the sagittal plane. As can be seen from the figure, the greater the extension, the higher the risk of injury. Many individuals performing manual operations above the head extend their necks when looking upward. If the neck extension is prolonged or extreme, fatigue and / or injury may occur.

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention stabilize and protect the neck so that a user who needs to extend vertically and look upward is less likely to suffer from vertebral problems, discomfort, pain, or damage from pinched nerves caused by vertebral compression. The present invention is configured to promote a healthy curvature of the spine and maintain the length of this spine even when the neck and head are extended.

[0011] In some embodiments, the device (10) includes a harness (12) configured to be worn on the user's torso and a neck brace member (14) extending upward from the harness and conforming to the contour of the neck when in a comfortable upright position (as shown in FIG. 5A). The neck brace member (14) is elastically flexible or elastically attached to the harness to allow but resist neck extension, thereby comfortably supporting the user's head when the user is looking upward and performing an overhead task, thereby reducing the burden on the neck muscles and / or the compression of the neck vertebrae.

[0012] An embodiment of the neck brace member is shown in FIG. 2 and includes a stem (16) that cooperates with a harness (12) to firmly hold the neck brace member (14) in a fixed position. The support member (18) preferably includes an extension portion having a slight rearward curvature as shown in FIG. 2. The upper portion (16a) of the stem (16) has a slight forward curvature to follow the curvature of the user's neck. Preferably, the stem (16) and the harness (12) cooperate in an adjustable manner such that the stem can be vertically adjusted to accommodate differences in the user's size and build.

[0013] An embodiment of the harness (12) is shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C. The harness (12) is preferably a fabric harness (12) that includes one or more sturdy pockets (20) sewn to the back to receive the insertion of the stem (16) and to facilitate the positioning and adjustment of the stem (16). In one embodiment, the harness may include a plurality of ladder-like pockets (20). It is preferred to position the neck brace member (14) such that the upper portion of the support member (18) is slightly above the first cervical vertebra (C1) of the user located at the base of the skull. The C1 vertebra is located directly below the skull, and thus the neck brace member (14) can be positioned such that the base of the skull can contact the upper portion of the support member (18).

[0014] To enable fine adjustment of the position of the stem within the harness, a rotary dial mechanism (22) including gears that cooperate with teeth or claws (not shown) on the stem (16) may be provided. In an alternative embodiment, the neck brace member can be configured to have an adjustable length by having an adjustable mechanism fixed to the harness, such as any suitable belt or strap mechanism that allows for an adjustable length. Alternatively, the stem itself may have an adjustable length, such as being formed from two pieces that slide relative to each other.

[0015] The stem (16) has an upper portion (16a) that curves forward, i.e., toward the front of the user, and a support portion (18) that curves rearward. Thus, the device cradles the user's neck in a concave shape when the user's head is in a neutral position, as seen in FIG. 4.

[0016] In some embodiments, the support member (18) may flare from the bottom to the top, as shown in the rear view of FIG. 4. This configuration can allow for some limited lateral movement of the head while maintaining supportive and stable contact with the neck.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the neck brace member is elastically flexible and may be formed from any suitable material having sufficient strength and flexibility. Many plastics, composite materials, or metals may be suitable. In one preferred embodiment, the neck brace member may be composed of a carbon fiber composite selected for its strength, elasticity, and light weight.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the neck brace member includes a substantially smooth surface and edges to reduce the likelihood of snagging or scratching the user. The neck brace member may be covered with a cloth or other material that comfortably contacts the skin.

[0019] As seen in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the upper portion of the support portion (18) is positioned at or just above the level of the C1 vertebra, allowing for the wearing of safety equipment such as masks, goggles, respirators, safety helmets, etc. Further, it allows for comfortable use by individuals with a hair ponytail.

[0020] Definitions and Interpretations The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not exhaustive or limited to the form of the invention disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application and to enable others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications suitable for the particular intended use.

[0021] It should further be noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude any element. Thus, this description is intended to serve as a basis for the use of exclusive terms such as "alone", "only", etc. in connection with the listing of elements of the claims or the use of "negative" limitations. The terms "preferably", "preferred", "prefer", "optionally", "may" and similar terms are used to indicate that the item, condition or step being referred to is an optional (not essential) feature of the invention.

[0022] As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, "comprises" and / or "comprising" identify the presence of the described features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. As used herein, the term "another" is defined as at least a second or more. As used herein, the terms "including" and "having" are defined as inclusive (i.e., open syntax). As used herein, the term "coupled" is defined as "connected", although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically.

[0023] References herein to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", etc. indicate that the described embodiment may include a particular aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes that aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, such phrases may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment referenced elsewhere in this document. Further, if a particular aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, whether or not explicitly described, it is within the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art to affect or connect such aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic to other embodiments. In other words, any element or feature can be combined with any other element or feature in different embodiments, unless there is an obvious or inherent incompatibility between the two, or unless specifically excluded.

Claims

1. An apparatus for supporting a user's extended neck, comprising: (a) a harness configured to be worn on the user's torso; (b) a neck brace member including an elongated stem for attachment to the harness and a support portion configured to contact the base of the user's skull; wherein the neck brace member is elastically flexible to resist while allowing extension of the neck; wherein an upper portion of the stem is curved forward to follow the curvature of the user's neck in an upright position and is configured to be positioned at a location corresponding to the position of the user's first cervical vertebra (C1) when the harness is worn on the user's torso, and the support portion is curved backward.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is adjustable to change the height of the support portion.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the harness includes a vertical ladder-like series of pockets for receiving the stem so that the height of the support portion can be changed.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the stem is formed from two pieces that slide relative to each other and the length of the stem is adjustable.

5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the neck brace member includes a carbon fiber composite material.

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the support portion widens from bottom to top.

7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the neck brace member is configured to contact the user's neck when the harness is worn on the user's torso.

8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the neck brace member is covered with cloth.

9. The apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising a rotary dial mechanism having a gear that cooperates with teeth or claws on the stem to enable fine adjustment of the position of the stem relative to the harness.

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