Systems and methods are provided for supporting a head of a user, e.g., while the user inclines their head downward, leans forward, and the like, for extended periods of time. In an exemplary embodiment, a harness is provided that is configured to be worn on a body of a user, the harness including a shoulder harness configured to be worn over or around one or both shoulders of the user, and a head support. The head support may include a support bracket including a first end mounted to the harness, and a rest member coupled to a second end of the support bracket such that the rest member extends across a forehead of the user and/or at least partially around the user's head when the harness is worn for supporting the user's forehead.

A structural support system for reinforced garments having an axial support member joined to a spinal support member by a quick release mechanism. The axial support member may be incorporated with a reinforced garment belt, while the spinal support member is incorporated with a jacket or vest. The members may be joined by a quick release pin mechanism, so that the jacket may be quickly removed, while the support belt remains in place. The structural support system may be easily adapted based on the needs of a particular user and configured for a variety of applications. For example, the structural support system may be adapted to be incorporated into a reinforced garment or alternately configured to provide external support.

Embodiments of universal adapter system including a belt adapter for a belt, such as a tactical belt, configured to couple one or more pack adapters secured to a respective load bearing pack, such as a backpack. Other embodiments of the universal adapter systems may be described and claimed.

A head, neck and shoulder protection assembly for protecting the head, neck and shoulders of a user includes a pair of shoulder pads. A helmet, which has a bottom edge defining an opening, is reversibly couplable to the shoulder pads. The bottom edge is substantially complementary to an upper surface of the shoulder pads. The helmet is couplable to the shoulder pads such that the helmet is fixedly positioned relative to the shoulder pads. The opening is configured for insertion of the user's head into the helmet. The helmet is positioned to couple to the pair of shoulder pads, such that movement of the helmet relative to the shoulder pads is restricted. The helmet is dimensionally larger than the head and neck of the user, such that the user has full range of movement of the head and neck of within the helmet without the user's head contacting the helmet.

A guard arrangement includes a sleeve with a pocket defining an adjustable opening that has a nominal width, and a pad element having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is configured to be removably positioned inside the pocket, and the first portion has a width at a widest part of the first portion that is greater than the nominal width of the opening.

This invention relates to a multi-function hip protector device (hip protector) designed to slip-on and slip-over existing clothing, to be resistant to incontinence accidents, to reduce the number of hip injuries and dislocations, provide a gait belt member allowing a 3.sup.rd person or nurse to assist the wearer in providing gait-sturdy support to those individuals or hospital patients with needed balance correction, provide cushioning of the sacral area and offers protection to the greater trochanters in the event of a fall, add cushion to the pelvis and hips, function as a protectant for bed-ridden people who are unable to adjust their body weight due to a physical debilitation by adding cushion to reduce the shear friction which is a causative agent to bed sores for the elderly with skin integrity issues.

A shoulder-pad system includes various components, including an impact-plate assembly and one or more sub-layers. The shoulder-pad system may be substantially retained in an arrangement or configuration using one or more securing garments. An exemplary securing garment includes an upper-body garment that at least partially wraps over, and attaches to, the impact-plate assembly.

A bodily protection assembly for protecting a user from impact energy includes a pair of shoulder pads structured to be worn by the user. A top cage is coupled to the shoulder pads such that the top cage is positioned between the shoulder pads and the user's shoulders. Thus, the top cage may prevent impact energy from being transferred into the user's shoulders. A lower cage is coupled to the shoulder pads such that the lower cage is positioned between the shoulder pads and the user's upper torso. The lower cage surrounds the user's upper torso. Thus, the lower cage may prevent impact energy from being transferred into the user's upper torso.

Techniques and mechanisms for changing a flexibility of a sheet structure. In an embodiment, a garment or other device includes sheet structure, where an interface region is disposed between overlapping layer portions of a sheet structure. While a pressure differential is maintained between the interface region and a chamber of the garment, a valve of the garment is opened to allow an exchange of fluid between the interface region and the chamber. In another embodiment, the exchange of fluid changes a flexibility of the sheet structure by initiating or alleviating friction jamming between the overlapping layer portions.

A protective device includes an airbag assembly configured to extend at least partially around a waist or hips of an individual; a buckle attached to the airbag assembly, the buckle comprising a first buckle half, and a second buckle half, the first and second buckle halves being attachable to and detachable from one another; and an airbag actuator configured to actuate the airbag assembly. At least a portion of the airbag actuator is disposed in the first buckle half or the second buckle half.