US5123408A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sports helmet braced for protection of the cervical spine
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1991-09-18
•
Granted: 1992-06-23
•
Expires: 2011-09-18
Abstract
Abstract A flexible support brace transfers excessive back motion of a sports helmet through a flexible interlinked brace, which floats freely between two spaced circumferential spans on the helmet during normal play but which engage with the helmet and collapses to a braced configuration if the helmet is excessively pulled back or pushed forward. In the braced configuration, helmet loads are transferred to the shoulder pads of the player directly thus transferring excessive head loads into the chest area of the player where they can be more safely absorbed.
Inventors
- 👤 Leonard F. Gaines
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 03:37
CPC Classifications
A; A42; A42B; A42B3/00; A42B3/04; A42B3/0406; A42B3/0473
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A protective helmet for contact sports comprising: a spherical outer shell; a first, upper circumferential band spanning an arc of said shell; a second, lower circumferential band spanning an arc of said shell; a compression resistant cervical brace having a arcuate upper end and a lower end; said arcuate upper end being movably captive between said first and said second bands and said shell; means on said arcuate upper end to limit motion of said cervical brace with respect to the helmet; and means fastening said cervical brace lower end to a shoulder protective apparatus.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
A protective helmet for contact sports comprising: a spherical outer shell; a first, upper circumferential band spanning an arc of said shell; a second, lower circumferential band spanning an arc of said shell; a compression resistant cervical brace having a arcuate upper end and a lower end; said arcuate upper end being movably captive between said first and said second bands and said shell; means on said arcuate upper end to limit motion of said cervical brace with respect to the helmet; and means fastening said cervical brace lower end to a shoulder protective apparatus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: said first and said second circumferential bands having a radius; said shell having a radius; said band radius and said shell radius being concentric.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: said first circumferential band, said second circumferential band, said shell and said arcuate upper end each defining circular arcs being concentric.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said lower end further comprises: means for expanding the length of said cervical brace from a first to a second length.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said means further comprise: at least one expandable, bend resistant link and captive pin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said means further comprise: said cervical brace lower end having at least one first and second interconnected, linked sections; said first linked section having an open oval end; said second linked section having a T-shaped end captive within said oval end; finger extensions on said oval end overlapping said second linked section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means fastening said cervical brace lower end further comprise: a cross bar member affixed to said lower end; a left shoulder pad engaging member affixed vertically to a left end of said cross bar member; a right shoulder pad engaging member affixed vertically to a right end of said cross bar member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said shoulder pad engaging member further comprises: a shoulder bracket further comprising: a curved upper end for engaging a shoulder; and a curved upper end for bracing against a rib cage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein each said shoulder bracket further comprises: means, intermediate said curved upper end and said padded lower end, for expanding the length of said shoulder bracket from a first to a second length.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 9, said means for expanding further comprising: said shoulder bracket having at least one first and second interconnected, linked sections; said first linked section having an open oval end; said second linked section having a T-shaped end captive within said oval end; finger extensions on said oval end overlapping said second linked section.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said lower end further comprises: means for expanding the length of said cervical brace from a first to a second length.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said means further comprise: at least one expandable, bend resistant link and captive
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said means further comprise: said cervical brace lower end having at least one first and second interconnected, linked sections; said first linked section having an open oval end; said second linked section having a T-shaped end captive within said oval end; finger extensions on said oval end overlapping said second linked section.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-06-23 | 1995-12-23 | 1996-06-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-06-23 | 1999-12-23 | 2000-06-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-06-23 | 2003-12-23 | 2004-06-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |