Flexible Multi-Layer Neck Shield for Hard Hat

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Solution Overview

Problem

Construction workers wearing hard hats lack protection for their neck and spine, making them vulnerable to impact injuries, and existing hard hats do not adequately safeguard these areas, which can lead to serious or fatal injuries from falling objects or weather exposure.

Innovation Solution

A multipurpose hard hat neck and spine shield featuring a flexible, multi-layer plate assembly that attaches to the hard hat via a hood, providing continuous protection down the back of the neck, with additional plate components that can be added for custom length, using materials like ABS or Kevlar for impact resistance and maintaining optimal head and neck movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a hard hat is used to protect the head, then head protection is provided, but the neck and spine remain vulnerable to impact injuries

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneck and spine protectionVSAvoidhard hat structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the hard hat and neck shield into a single integrated device. The neck shield is attached to the hard hat through the suspension system, creating a unified protective apparatus that simultaneously protects both the head and neck areas without requiring separate devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The hard hat is designed to serve multiple protective functions by incorporating the neck shield component. The suspension system is adapted to not only support the hard hat but also attach and position the neck shield, making the overall system multi-functional for both head and neck protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Strength

If a rigid neck shield is used to protect against impact, then impact protection is improved, but head and neck movement is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidhead and neck movement

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The neck shield incorporates dynamic elements including a movable jaw mechanism that allows the shield to move with head and neck movements. The suspension system uses flexible components that enable the rigid shield to follow the natural motion of the wearer's head and neck, maintaining protection while preserving range of motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The suspension system utilizes flexible straps and bands that connect the rigid neck shield to the hard hat. These flexible elements act as intermediaries that allow the rigid shield to move dynamically with the wearer's head and neck, preventing restriction of movement while maintaining protective positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Area of stationary object

If additional plate components are added to extend protection down the back, then coverage area is increased, but device weight and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection coverage areaVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The neck shield is divided into multiple separate plate components that can be individually attached to the suspension system. These segmented plates can be distributed along the suspension straps to provide extended coverage down the back without concentrating all the weight in one location, making the additional protection more manageable and less burdensome.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The additional plate components are integrated into the existing suspension system structure, nesting within the framework of the hard hat and suspension assembly. The plates are positioned to utilize the existing suspension straps and framework, adding protection coverage without requiring a completely separate support structure that would increase overall weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The neck protection device effectively absorbs and deflects kinetic energy from impact, preventing injuries to the neck and spine while allowing full range of motion, thus offering significant protection without impeding hard hat function.

Implementation Method 1

The neck protection device effectively absorbs and deflects kinetic energy from impact

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectKinetic energy absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

The neck protection device effectively absorbs and deflects kinetic energy from impact

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectKinetic energy deflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS20240306756A1Neck Protection Device

Publication Date: 2024.09.19 GILLON LEE

AI summary

A neck protection device is disclosed that provides a hard hat neck and spine shield. The neck protection device comprises a body component that is configured as a flexible, multi-layer plate assembly that attaches to a hard hat via a hood that sits inside the suspension basket. During use, the device protects the rear neck area and the upper spine of a user. The body component can comprise additional plate components, which are connected to form a continuous chain of protection down the back of the user's neck. Thus, additional plate components can be added as needed.