Helmet Anchor Assemblies Limit Cervical Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current helmet technologies and rule changes in contact sports fail to adequately prevent neck injuries, spinal cord injuries, and concussions caused by acceleration/deceleration forces, as they either restrict head motion, expose players to hazards, or induce unnecessary fatigue.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a helmet, a body harness, and adjustable anchor assemblies with guide cords that limit cervical rotation, lateral bending, and extension ranges of motion without restricting normal head movement, using a two-part quick release mechanism to secure the helmet and minimize exposure to other players.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid fastening devices are used to secure the helmet, then neck injury prevention is improved, but head motion restriction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible guide cords instead of rigid fastening structures. The guide cords are flexible elements that can accommodate head motion while still providing guidance and limitation. The cords pass through anchor assemblies that allow movement within predetermined ranges while preventing excessive motion, thus resolving the contradiction between securing the helmet and allowing head motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor assemblies are designed to be dynamic rather than static. They allow the guide cords to move within certain ranges of motion while limiting excessive movement. The system adapts to head motion patterns, providing restriction only when necessary to prevent injury, while allowing free motion during normal activity.
2Reliability
If exposed fasteners are used to secure the helmet, then neck injury prevention is improved, but hazard to other players increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor assemblies serve as intermediary components between the guide cords and the helmet. These assemblies are designed to be concealed within the helmet structure or body harness, eliminating exposed fasteners that could hazard other players. The intermediary anchor points provide secure attachment while maintaining safety for other participants.
3Reliability
If elastic straps are used to attach the helmet, then neck injury prevention is improved, but participant fatigue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates elastic straps from the system entirely. Instead of using elastic materials that cause fatigue, the invention employs rigid guide cords with anchor assemblies that provide stable, non-fatiguing attachment. The guide cords are secured at specific points rather than using continuous elastic binding, removing the source of participant fatigue while maintaining injury prevention.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for preventing neck injury, spinal cord injury and concussion is disclosed. The apparatus includes a helmet, a body harness and a plurality of anchor assemblies connecting the helmet to the body harness. The anchor assemblies are adjustable to limit the cervical rotation, lateral bending, flexion and extension ranges of motion of a wearer to a predetermined set point, each anchor assembly including a plurality of guide cords extending from the helmet to an anchor of the anchor assembly, the plurality of guide cords being attached to, but individually adjustable with respect to, the anchor.