SPORT NECK GUARD WITH VERTICAL FASTENERS AND FABRIC FOLD TO PROTECT AGAINST CUTS AND LACERATIONS

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A neck guard for protecting a wearer's neck and throat from injury, comprising: a continuous, slash-resistant tube defining an inside, an outside, a top edge, and a bottom edge; at least one means for securing the tube to another device disposed along the top edge; at least one means for securing the tube to another device disposed along the bottom edge; wherein the tube is sized to receive a wearer's head through the inside and configured to be positioned around the neck of the wearer, and wherein the top edge is shaped to accommodate the contours of a wearer's jaw and skull along the top of the wearer's neck.

2. The neck guard of claim 1, wherein the slash-resistant tube comprises a seamless, knitted material in a high-strength textile fiber.

3. The neck guard of claim 1, wherein the tube is configured to form a series of grooves, pleats, ribs, or indentations that allow the tube to fold, bend, compress, and stretch ergonomically when a wearer's head moves throughout its entire range of motion.

4. The neck guard of claim 2, wherein the high-strength textile fiber is selected from the group consisting of aramid, para-aramid, polyethylene, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, and nylon.

5. The neck guard of claim 2, wherein the knitted material is blended with additional material.

6. The neck guard of claim 1, wherein the tube further comprises one or more pieces of foam padding, plastic, metal, or composite plates secured to the tube.

7. The neck guard of claim 1, wherein the at least one means for securing the tube to another device disposed along the bottom edge comprises hook and loop fasteners operative to releasably secure the neck guard around an anchor point integrated on a garment or accessory worn on the wearer's upper body or torso.

8. The neck guard of claim 1, wherein the at least one means for securing the tube to another device disposed along the top edge comprises one or more elastic straps configured to secure to a garment or accessory worn on the wearer's head.

9. The neck guard of claim 1, wherein the at least one means for securing the tube to another device disposed along the top edge comprises at least one hole defined by the surface of the tube, and such hole is configured to secure to a helmet.

10. A neck guard for protecting a wearer's neck and throat from injury, comprising: a continuous, slash-resistant tube defining an inside, an outside, a top edge, and a bottom edge and sized to receive a wearer's head through the inside and configured to be positioned around the neck of the wearer, the tube comprising knitted material in a high-strength textile fiber configured to form a series of grooves, pleats, ribs, or indentations that allow the material to fold, bend, compress, and stretch ergonomically when a wearer's head moves throughout its entire range of motion, the tube; and means for vertically removably securing the tube to another device; wherein the top edge is shaped to accommodate the contours of the wearer's jaw and skull along the top of the wearer's neck.

11. The neck guard of claim 10, wherein the high-strength textile fiber is selected from the group consisting of aramid, para-aramid, polyethylene, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, and nylon.

12. The neck guard of claim 10, wherein the knitted material is blended with additional stretchy and resilient material.

13. The neck guard of claim 10, wherein the tube further comprises one or more pieces of foam padding, plastic, metal or composite plates secured to the tube.

14. The neck guard of claim 10, wherein the means for vertically removably securing the tube to another device comprises at least one means for securing the tube to another device disposed along the bottom edge of the tube and at least one means for securing the tube to another device disposed along the top edge of the tube.

15. The neck guard of claim 14, wherein the at least one means for securing the tube to another device disposed along the bottom edge of the tube comprises hook and loop fasteners operative to releasably secure the neck guard around an anchor point integrated on a garment or accessory worn on a wearer's upper body or torso.

16. The neck guard of claim 14, wherein the at least one means for securing the tube to another device disposed along the top edge comprises one or more elastic straps configured to secure to a garment or accessory worn on the wearer's head.

17. The neck guard of claim 1, wherein the at least one means for securing the tube to another device disposed along the top edge comprises at least one hole defined by the surface of the tube, and such hole is configured to secure to a helmet.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the neck guard being worn.

[0026] FIGS. 2 and 3 show alternative plan views of the embodiment of the neck guard from FIG. 1.

[0027] FIGS. 4-6 show alternative views of another embodiment of the neck guard being worn.

[0028] FIG. 7 shows yet another view of an embodiment of the neck guard being worn.

[0029] The disclosed embodiments may be better understood by referring to the figures in the attached drawings, as provided below. The attached figures are provided as non-limiting examples for providing an enabling description of the method and system claimed. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered as limiting of its scope. One skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without some of the details included in order to provide a thorough enabling description of such embodiments. Well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Having summarized various aspects of the present disclosure, reference will now be made in detail to that which is illustrated in the drawings. While the disclosure will be described in connection with these drawings, there is no intent to limit it to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed herein. Rather, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0031] With reference to FIG. 1, the neck guard 100 may be a slash-resistant material configured to encircle a wearer's 110 neck 112. In some embodiments, the neck guard 100 is a continuous, and even in some embodiments, a seamless tube and may be therefore sized to allow a wearer's 110 head 114 to pass therethrough. It is contemplated, however, that the neck guard 100 may comprise a length of material having opposing first and second ends (not shown, but known to those of ordinary skill in the art) securable to one another about the wearer's neck, such as laces, by way of complementary snaps, hook and loop fasteners, buckles, and the like, integrated at such first and second ends.

[0032] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 an exemplary embodiment of the neck guard 100 defines an inside 102 and outside 104, and a top edge 106 and bottom edge 108 spaced apart from one another. Note that the neck guard 100 here is illustrated as a flattened tube for the purposes of illustrating certain features of the invention, though it is contemplated that closures may be provided as described above.

[0033] In an exemplary embodiment, the top edge 106 may be shaped to follow the contours of the wearer's jaw 116 and skull 118, as may be seen in FIG. 1, for example, at the top of the neck 112 when worn. To that end, a rear, top edge portion of the neck guard 100 may be relatively higher in position than a front, top edge portion of the neck guard 100. In other words, a front top edge portion of the neck guard 100 may define a cutout 117 shaped to follow the contours of the wearer's jaw, while a rear top edge portion of the neck guard 100 may rise to protect the base of a wearer's skull, at the top of their neck 112. It is contemplated that this may aid protection of a significant portion, if not the entirety of, the wearer's neck 112 and throat while worn.

[0034] Returning to FIGS. 2 and 3, in some embodiments, material comprising the neck guard 100 may be knitted or otherwise configured to form a series of grooves 120, pleats, ribs, or indentations that allow the material to fold, bend, compress, and stretch ergonomically when a wearer's head moves during participation in sports activities and even, in some embodiments, throughout its entire range of motion, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. Indeed, it is contemplated that some degree of elasticity may be desired in order to allow the device to fit comfortably over the wearer's head while maintaining a relatively close fit around the wearer's neck 112, and therefore, in some embodiments, the neck guard 100 may comprise material that is at least somewhat elastic and resilient. To that end, the slash-resistant material may be a seamless, knitted textile made from high-strength fibers such as aramid, para-aramid, polyethylene, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, or nylon.

[0035] The particular weight and/or thickness of the neck guard may vary as needed or desired to provide varying levels of cut resistance. This can be determined by user preference, or even by industry or league standards. In some embodiments, the neck guard 100 may comprise material that can withstand a cutting force between about 1000 grams to about 4000 grams.

[0036] The material may also be blended with additional materials, such as elastane, and others for enhanced properties, like further strength and durability, stretch, breathability, sweat wicking properties, and the like. Indeed, in some embodiments, the neck guard 100 may comprise additional lining layers comprising fabrics such as polyester, wool, microfiber blends, and others materials and blended materials known to those of ordinary skill in the art for having beneficial properties for comfort against the skin, reducing microbial loads, moisture wicking, cooling, and the like as needed or desired. For those embodiments in which the neck guard 100 is a continuous tube, it is contemplated that means for adjusting the diameter of the tube around the neck of the wearer, known to those of ordinary skill in the art, for comfort and safety, may be provided. For example only, and not limitation, in some embodiments, complementary hook and loop tabs may be secured to an outer surface of the neck guard 100 and optionally engaged with one another to tighten or release the diameter of the neck guard 100 around the wearer's neck 112.

[0037] Returning again to FIGS. 2 and 3, the neck guard 100 may further comprise a plurality of mechanisms for securing the neck guard 100 to one or more other devices from the top edge 106 and the bottom edge 108. In some exemplary embodiments, one or more means for securing the neck guard 100 to another device may comprise one or more straps 122 extending from the bottom edge 108 of the neck guard 100 and configured to securely yet releasably engage with an anchor point on a garment or accessory worn on the upper body of a player. For instance, with reference to FIG. 7, the straps 122 may releasably engage a player's shoulder pads 130, an undershirt, or jersey. In some embodiments, the straps 122 may comprise complementary hook-and-loop fasteners, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, or snaps, laces, buckles, buttons and/or buttonholes.

[0038] One or more means for securing the neck guard 100 to another device may comprise at least one hole 121 defined by the surface of the neck guard 100 configured to secure to a helmet 123, as in FIG. 1 with any means known to those of ordinary skill in the art as capable of so doing. For instance, a notch, hook, screw, button, clasp, or the like may be provided to engage such hole or other means disposed along the top edge 106 of the neck guard 100.

[0039] As another example, shown in FIGS. 4-7, one or more straps 124 may extend from the top edge 106 of the neck guard 100 and configured to securely yet releasably engage with an anchor point on a helmet, such as a portion of a face cage, visor, or on an anchor point on any non-helmet garment or accessory worn on or around or proximate to the head of a player. In the figures, such garment or accessory is shown as a protective, sweat wicking, or even warming, hood 132, though it is contemplated that this garment or accessory may be a balaclava, headband, or any other garment or accessory capable of supporting the neck guard 100 in position around the neck of the wearer. In still further embodiments, the garment or accessory, such as a hood, balaclava, or headband, may itself be fully integrated along the top edge 106 of the neck guard 100. As above, any means for releasably securing the top edge 106 of the neck guard 100 may be utilized without departing from the invention. For instance, complementary snaps, hook and loop fasteners, buckles, laces, and the like, may be integrated on the one or more straps 124 and garment or accessory as needed or desired.

[0040] It is contemplated that means for securing the neck guard 100 to another device from the top and bottom edges of the neck guard 100 may be disposed on the neck guard 100 to symmetrically anchor the neck guard 100 in position from the wearer's left and right sides.

[0041] Foam padding and even rigid plastic, metal, or composite plates may be secured to the neck guard 100 for added protection.

[0042] It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely examples of possible implementations. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the principles of the present disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.

[0043] Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

[0044] While certain embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications are contemplated and can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the color and any design applied to the neck guard may vary without departing at all from the invention.

[0045] Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited, except as by the appended claim(s).

[0046] The teachings disclosed herein may be applied to other systems and may not necessarily be limited to any described herein. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the above patents and applications and other references, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.

[0047] Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being refined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the neck guard with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be constructed to limit the neck guard to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification unless the above description section explicitly define such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the disclosed system, method, and apparatus. The above description of embodiments of the neck guard is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the precise form disclosed above or to a particular field of usage.

[0048] While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the method, system, and apparatus are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible for which those skilled in the relevant art will recognize.

[0049] While certain aspects of the method and system disclosed are presented below in particular claim forms, various aspects of the method, system, and apparatus are contemplated in any number of claim forms. Thus, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the neck guard.