An apparatus for protecting against injuries to the head and neck includes a head harness; a body anchor component; and tensioners extending between and interconnecting the head harness and the body anchor component. The tensioners limit the range of movement of the head. Each tensioner is a composite band or strap having an elastic member and an inelastic member. An additional linking member in the connection between the tensioner and the body anchor component preferably has viscoelastic properties and cushions or dampens rapid acceleration of the tensioners during an impact to the head, such as when a tackle is made in football. The additional linking member preferably is a solid material with viscoelastic characteristics. In some embodiments, the apparatus is configured to be worn under a football helmet and shoulder pads.

Shoulder pad includes shoulder pads and a cervical spine protection device. The device includes an upper portion for engagement with a helmet when an axial force is applied to a portion of the helmet. The upper portion has a front section, a rear section, and side sections which have a top surface. At least one damper element is provided within the device. The top surface of the side sections has an apex higher than the top surface of the front section and the rear section when the device is worn. The axial force applied to the helmet is absorbed by the device and directed away from a cervical spinal column of the user by the device. The damper element, when the axial force is absorbed by the device, resistively collapses to attenuate the axial force. The device allows extension of the head and neck during athletic movement.

A head and neck support and restraint system including protective headwear worn by a user; an article worn about the shoulders, chest and back of the user; and a dynamic connector that is disposed between and attached to the protective headwear and the worn article that dampens and distributes forces to which the head and neck are subjected during use. Such forces can include forces experienced as a result of acceleration, deceleration, or impact during a collision between the user and another person or object. The dynamic connector also supports and limits the rate and range of motion permitted between the head and neck relative to the shoulders, chest and back of a user when the head or body of the user is subjected to such forces.

An apparatus for protecting against injuries to the head and neck includes a head harness; a body anchor component; and tensioners extending between and interconnecting the head harness and the body anchor component. The tensioners limit the range of movement of the head. Each tensioner is a composite band or strap having an elastic member and an inelastic member. An additional linking member in the connection between the tensioner and the body anchor component preferably has viscoelastic properties and cushions or dampens rapid acceleration of the tensioners during an impact to the head, such as when a tackle is made in football. The additional linking member preferably is a solid material with viscoelastic characteristics. In some embodiments, the apparatus is configured to be worn under a football helmet and shoulder pads.

Protective shoulder pads, such as the type worn for playing ice hockey, including a central panel configured to cover a portion of a chest of the wearer and defining a centerline extending centrally therethrough, and two side panels partially overlapping the central panel and each disposed on opposite sides of a centerline of the central panel. Each of the side panels is rotatable relative to the central panel about a rotation axis located proximate an upper end of each of the side panels, so as to adjust a width of the protective shoulder pad which is defined between opposed outer lateral edges of the side panels. The side panels are securable to the central panel at a plurality of attachment points to maintain a selected width of the adjustable shoulder pad.

A neck guard configured to protect a wearer's neck and throat from injury is provided. It comprises a continuous, slash-resistant tube defining inside and outside surfaces, and spaced apart top and bottom edges. The tube is sized to fit over the wearer's head for positioning around the neck, and the top edge is contoured to follow the shape of the wearer's jaw and skull. A plurality of means for securing the tube along both the top and bottom edges to other devices are provided as well to prevent the tube from drooping or otherwise moving out of place while being worn. The tube may be made from a seamless, knitted material using high-strength textile fibers such as aramid, para-aramid, polyethylene, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, or nylon, and it may also be blended with other rugged yet elastic materials. The neck guard can include foam padding attached to the tube for additional protection.

A collar sized to be worn around the neck of a human subject has at least one member that defines an arc of less than 360 and greater than 180 having a diameter, a first compressor at a first end of the arc, a second compressor at a second end of the arc and a bend angle sensor. The collar is adapted to exert an inwardly-directed force on the first and second compressors when worn. The bend angle sensor is configured and positioned to detect a bend angle of the collar, wherein the bend angle correlates to the inwardly-directed force on the first and second compressors when worn.

A protective collar assembly to distribute impact forces during various sporting events. The protective collar is constructed and arranged to reduce compression from impacts on a helmet by dispersing loads across the shoulders and chest of the wearer. The assembly includes a cowl with a base support and an outer bearing ring featuring notches and undercuts for secure, rotatable attachment. A ball bearing assembly in the outer ring enables frictionless, limited head rotation, with safety tabs to prevent over-rotation. An inner bearing ring further stabilizes the bearings, while a flexible, tear-resistant fabric cover restricts unsafe head movement. The top ring connects to a helmet via a quick-release mechanism, allowing secure attachment and easy removal.