IP Library › Granted Patent US 12696949
Granted Patent B2
US 12696949 · App. 18/606,499 · Granted Aug 4, 2026

Neck protection device

Inventor: Lee Gillon (Montrose, CO)
A42B3/105
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12696949
App. No.
18/606,499
Granted
Aug 4, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A neck protection device is disclosed that provides a hard hat neck and spine shield. The neck protection device comprises a body component that is configured as a flexible, multi-layer plate assembly that attaches to a hard hat via a hood that sits inside the suspension basket. During use, the device protects the rear neck area and the upper spine of a user. The body component can comprise additional plate components, which are connected to form a continuous chain of protection down the back of the user's neck. Thus, additional plate components can be added as needed.

Claims (21)

1 . A neck protection device that provides a user with a multipurpose, hard hat neck and spine shield, the neck protection device comprising:

a body component having a shape that is configured to cover a posterior region of each of a cervical vertebrae of a user's spine when the neck protection device is worn by the user and is configured to form a gap between the body component and the posterior region;

a reinforcing bar; and

a hard hat;

wherein the body component is rectangular, and curved about a longitudinal axis to provide strength and flexibility;

wherein once in place, the body component protects a rear neck area and upper spine of a user by absorbing kinetic energy from an object striking the body component without breaking or deforming;

wherein the neck protection device offers protection without impeding hard hat function and while maintaining optimal movement of a user's head and neck;

wherein the body component is secured to the hard hat via a set of straps that are fastened to themselves via a snap fastener, the set of straps are wrapped around a suspension basket of the hard hat and secured with the snap fasteners, such that the body component hangs down from a back end of the hard hat;

wherein at least one additional plate component is added to the body component to form a continuous chain of protection down a back of a user's neck; and

wherein the at least one additional plate component is sized and shaped to resemble the body component and secured via snap fasteners, as the body component is secured to the hard hat;

wherein the reinforcing bar is positioned horizontally in-line with the body component under the set of straps and is configured to add rigidity to the neck protection device; and

wherein the body component is an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene ballistic fabric body.

2 . The neck protection device of claim 1 , wherein a bottom surface of the body component comprises a pad for extra cushioning.

3 . The neck protection device of claim 1 , wherein the body component comprises a sleeve for extra protection.

4 . The neck protection device of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of indicia.

5 . A method of protecting a user's neck and upper spine against impact injuries, the method comprising the following steps:

providing a neck protection device comprising a body component with at least one plate component and a reinforcing bar positioned horizontally in-line with the body component;

securing a predetermined number of additional plate components together in a chain;

securing the body component to a suspension basket of a hard hat via a hood; and

wearing the hard hat in a construction setting; and

wherein the body component is a fiberglass body component.