GB2286763A

GB2286763A - Protective clothing for the neck

Info

Publication number: GB2286763A
Application number: GB9503748A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Carol Cooper
Original assignee: K C EQUESTRIAN Ltd
Current assignee: K C EQUESTRIAN Ltd
Priority date: 1994-02-24
Filing date: 1995-02-24
Publication date: 1995-08-30
Also published as: GB9503748D0; GB9403551D0

Abstract

An item of protective clothing for sporting use comprises a combined neck brace (10) and a stock (11). The neck brace (10) includes an elongated strip of foamed plastic contained within a fabric cover (17) produced from the same material as that from which the stock (11) is made. The stock (11) is attached to the neck brace (10) by releasable fasteners (20 and 21). <IMAGE>

Description

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING Field of the Invention This invention relates to protective clothing for sporting use, particularly equestrian use.

Any protective clothing for sporting use needs to be simple to wear and effective without restricting the freedom of movement of the person engaged in the sporting activity.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved item of protective clothing designed to provide simple and effective protection for the neck of the wearer.

Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided an item of protective clothing in the form of a combined neck brace and stock.

The neck brace is preferably in the form of a foamed plastic support pad which is contained within a fabric cover.

The foamed plastic support pad is preferably of elongated form and of such length that it extends almost but not completely around the neck of the wearer, in use, there being a gap between the two ends of the pad so that movement of the chin of the wearer is not substantially restricted.

The foamed plastic support pad may be in the form of a parallel-sided strip of substantially constant thickness but which tapers in width at its end portions.

The fabric cover is preferably sown to the support pad with the stitching such as to assist in maintenance of the required shape for the support pad.

The stock is preferably in the form of a ready-tied stock and produced from a fabric which is the same as that with which the support pad is covered.

The stock is preferably attached to the neck brace by means of releasable fasteners provided on the stock and on the neck brace.

The releasable fasteners are preferably in the form of strips or pads of the material sold under the Registered Trade Mark "VELCRO". Strips or pads of "VELCRO" material provided with loops are preferably attached to the two ends of the neck brace and complementary strips or pads of "VELCRO" material provided with hooks which engage with the loops on the brace are preferably attached to the stock.

Brief Description of the Drawing The single figure of the accompanying drawing is an exploded perspective view of a combined neck brace and stock.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment The item shown in the drawing comprises a neck brace 10 and a stock 11. The stock 11 is of fabric material and comprises four strips 12, 13, 14 and 15 which are sewn together in such manner that strip 12 can extend across the front of the neck of the wearer, strip 13 can extend downwardly from the centre portion of strip 12 and strips 14 and 15 can extend outwardly from adjacent the centre of strip 12 on top of strip 12. The two strips 14 and 15 are then folded over strip 13 and pinned together by means of a pin 16 as shown in the drawing so as to give the appearance of a tied stock.

The neck brace 10 comprises a foamed plastic support pad with a fabric cover 17. The foamed plastic is in the form of an elongated strip of constant thickness, typically 270 mm. in length and 10 or 12 mm. in thickness. The centre portion of the foamed plastic strip is parallel-sided and is typically 60 or 65 mm. in width. The end portions of the foamed plastic strip are of tapering form and the degree of taper may be somewhat greater than is shown in the drawing such that, for example, the ends of the strip are of the order of 25 or 30 mm. in width. The dimensions of the foamed pad will, of course, depend on the neck size of the intended user and a convenient range of sizes will accordingly be provided.

The fabric cover 17 is sewn in position on the foamed plastic support pad with a line of stitches extending generally along the axis of the strip and on that side of the strip which, in use, will be in contact with the neck of the wearer of the neck brace 10. There are also lines of stitching at the ends of the strip and along the tapering end portions of the strip.

The line of stitches along the axis of the strip, for the portion thereof between the points 18 and 19 shown on the drawing, goes through the foamed plastic and interconnects the two sides of the plastic cover 17, putting the foamed plastic under compression along the line joining the points 18 and 19.

This line of stitches along the centre portion of the neck brace 10 has a strengthening or reinforcing effect and serves to assist in ensuring that the neck brace 10 maintains its shape.

A strip 20 of the material sold under the Registered Trade Mark "VELCRO" is attached to each end of the neck brace 10 (as shown in the drawing). The strips 20 are provided with loops and are located on the surfaces of the neck brace 10 which, in use, face forwardly. A complementary strip 21 of the material sold under the Registered Trade Mark "VELCRO" is attached to each end of the fabric strip 12 which forms part of the stock 11. The strips 21 are provided with hooks and, as can be seen from the drawing, are located on rearwardly facing surfaces of the stock 11.

In a modification to the arrangement described above and shown in the drawing, the strip 13 is attached to the rear of strip 12 and extends over the top of strip 12 so as to provide an alternative form of knot for the stock.

In use, a horse rider, or other person engaged in a sporting activity in which damage to the neck is possible, while at the same time a smart appearance is required, will fit tha combined neck brace and stock around his or her neck. Such fitment of the combined neck brace and stock will be effected very easily, i.e. by placing the brace 10 around the neck and engaging the "VELCRO" strips 21 on the stock with the "VELCRO" strips 20 on the brace 10. It will be just as easy to remove the combined brace and stock, merely by pulling on one or other end of the strip 12 to release the "VELCRO" strips 20 and 21.

As the foamed plastic support pad does not extend fully around the neck of the wearer, i.e. there is a gap between the two ends of the neck brace 10, the rider or other wearer is free to move his or her chir up and down while, at the same time, having his or her neck properly supported.

Claims

Claims:

1. An item of protective clothing in the form of a combined neck brace and stock.

2. An item as claimed in Claim 1, in which the neck brace is in the form of a foamed plastic support pad which is contained within a fabric cover.

3. An item as claimed in Claim 2, in which the foamed plastic support pad is of elongated form and of such length that, in use, it extends almost but not completely around the neck of the wearer.

4. An item as claimed in Claim 2, in which the foamed plastic support pad is in the form of a parallel-sided strip of substantially constant thickness.

5. An item as claimed in Claim 4, in which the foamed plastic strip tapers in width at its end portions.

6. An item as claimed in Claim 2, in which the fabric cover is sown to the support pad with the stitching such as to assist in maintenance of the required shape for the support pad.

7. An item as claimed in Claim 6, in which the stitching includes a line of stitches extending along the centre portion of the pad and connecting the two sides of the fabric cover so as to put the corresponding part of the foamed plastic under compression.

8. An item as claimed in Claim 2, in which the stock is ready-tied and is produced from a fabric which is the same as that with which the support pad is covered.

9. An item as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the stock is attached to the neck brace by means of releasable fasteners.

10. An item as claimed in Claim 9, in which the releasable fasteners comprise strips of material carrying interengaging loops and hooks.

11. An item of protective clothing for sporting use, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.