US6434756B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Neck and spine protection apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 2001-01-31
•
Granted: 2002-08-20
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Expires: 2021-01-31
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for protecting the neck and spine of a user are provided. A neck and spinal protection apparatus is provided comprising a chest cover for fitting about a chest of a user. Moreover, a back cover fits about an upper back of the user and a shoulder cover fits about the user's shoulders and is connected to the chest and back cover. Furthermore, a head cover fits over a head of the user and is connected to the back cover. The head cover extends only about the upward and rearward periphery of a user and disperses a force associated with an impact to the head cover downward to the chest, back and shoulder covers in use.
Inventors
- 👤 Vohn Hoop
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 17:07
CPC Classifications
A; A42; A42B; A42B3/00; A42B3/04; A42B3/0406; A42B3/0473; A41; A41D; A41D13/00; A41D13/05; A41D13/0512; A41D13/0531; A63; A63B; A63B71/00; A63B71/08; A63B71/10; A63B71/12; A63B71/1291
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A neck and spinal protection apparatus, comprising: a chest cover for fitting about a chest of a user; a back cover for fitting about an upper back of a user; a shoulder cover for fitting about the user's shoulders and connected to the chest and back covers; and a head cover for fitting over a head of the user and connected to the back cover, wherein the head cover extends only about the upward and rearward periphery of a user and disperses a force associated with an impact to the head cover downward to the chest, back and shoulder covers in use.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
A neck and spinal protection apparatus, comprising: a chest cover for fitting about a chest of a user; a back cover for fitting about an upper back of a user; a shoulder cover for fitting about the user's shoulders and connected to the chest and back covers; and a head cover for fitting over a head of the user and connected to the back cover, wherein the head cover extends only about the upward and rearward periphery of a user and disperses a force associated with an impact to the head cover downward to the chest, back and shoulder covers in use.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the chest cover includes right and left portions which are vertically separated along a center of the user's chest.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the chest cover is operable to be opened using the right and left portions and placed onto the user.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the right and left portions are operable to be securely fastened together when placed onto the user.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the shoulder cover is operable to fit over a protective shoulder equipment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the shoulder cover fits over the protective shoulder equipment leaving a recess above the protective shoulder equipment.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the chest cover and the back cover are operable to be securely fastened to the protective shoulder equipment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the head cover is operable to fit over a protective helmet of the user.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the head cover is operable to be securely fastened to the protective helmet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
86 words
A neck and spinal protection apparatus, comprising: an upper torso cover which fits about a chest, an upper back and shoulders of a user; and a neck and head cover attached to the back of the upper torso cover and having a structure-free field of view for the user, the neck and head cover further fitting about a rear portion of the user's neck and head and dispersing a force to the head or neck of the user downward to the upper torso cover in use.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
86 words
A neck and spinal protection apparatus, comprising: an upper torso cover which fits about a chest, an upper back and shoulders of a user; and a neck and head cover attached to the back of the upper torso cover and having a structure-free field of view for the user, the neck and head cover further fitting about a rear portion of the user's neck and head and dispersing a force to the head or neck of the user downward to the upper torso cover in use.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the neck and head cover is detachable from the upper torso cover.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 10 , which is made of polycarbonate lexan material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the upper torso cover fits over a protective shoulder equipment operable to be placed over the user's shoulders.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the upper torso cover is operable to securely fastened to the protective shoulder equipment.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the neck and head cover is operable to not restrict the user's range of vision.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the upper torso cover is operable to be split along a front portion and opened outwardly permitting the user place the apparatus over the user's head, neck, back and chest.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
85 words
A neck and spinal protection apparatus, comprising: a right breast, shoulder, and upper back plate operable to be fitted about a user's right breast, shoulder and upper back; a left breast, shoulder, and upper back plate operable to be fitted about a user's left breast, shoulder, and upper back; and a head plate providing a user with greater than a 180° field of view, fitting about the periphery of a user's head in use, and fastening securely to the right and left upper back plates.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
85 words
A neck and spinal protection apparatus, comprising: a right breast, shoulder, and upper back plate operable to be fitted about a user's right breast, shoulder and upper back; a left breast, shoulder, and upper back plate operable to be fitted about a user's left breast, shoulder, and upper back; and a head plate providing a user with greater than a 180° field of view, fitting about the periphery of a user's head in use, and fastening securely to the right and left upper back plates.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the left and right plates are operable to be placed over and securely fasten to a protective shoulder equipment worn by the user.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the head plate is operable to be placed over and securely fastened to a protective helmet worn by the user.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the head plate is securely fastened to the protective helmet by snapping onto the helmet.
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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) | 2005-08-19 | 2006-02-18 | 2006-08-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-08-19 | 2010-02-18 | 2010-08-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-08-19 | 2014-02-18 | 2014-08-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |