Safety device and system for head and neck stabilization

A head and neck support system for a vehicle seat occupant, comprising:

• a helmet having right and left sides and a back having a bottom edge;
• a racing suit having an torso section from which right and left sleeves and right and left pant legs extend, said torso section having a chest portion and a rear portion relative to said occupant when said device is worn by said occupant;
• a plurality of straps fixed to said racing suit and adapted for releasable attachment to said helmet;
• wherein at least one of said plurality of straps comprises a spinal strap fixed to said back portion of said racing suit, said spinal strap having an upper end located adjacent the base of the neck relative to said occupant and a lower end located adjacent the base of the spine relative to said occupant and extending vertically from said upper end to said lower end so as to parallel the spine of said occupant when said device is worn by said occupant;
• and
• a rear connector means attached to said upper end of said spinal strap and extending upwardly therefrom, said rear connector means being adapted for releasable attachment to said helmet near the midpoint of said bottom edge of said back of said helmet.

A method for providing head and neck protection of an occupant of a high performance vehicle wearing a helmet, which comprises:

• providing a helmet having right and left sides and a back having a bottom edge relative to said occupant on the head of the occupant, said helmet having a plurality of attachment means fixed thereto, at least one of which comprises a rear attachment means near said bottom edge of said back portion of said helmet;
• providing a racing suit having a torso section from which right and left sleeves and right and left pant legs extend, said torso section having a front portion and a rear portion relative to said occupant, said racing suit having a plurality of straps fixed thereto, wherein at least one of said straps comprises a spinal strap having an upper end located adjacent the base of the neck relative to said occupant and a lower end located adjacent the base of the spine relative to said occupant and extending vertically from said upper end to said lower end so as to parallel the spine of said occupant when said device is worn by said occupant, said spinal strap including a rear connector strap extending from said upper end and adapted to be releasably attached to said helmet;
• positioning said racing suit on the body of said occupant such that said front portion of said racing suit is adjacent the chest of said occupant, said rear portion is adjacent the back of said occupant, and said spinal strap is adjacent the spine of said occupant;
• positioning the helmet on the head of the occupant;
• and
• connecting said plurality of straps to said plurality of attachment means, including said rear connector strap to said rear connector means, wherein in normal vehicle operation or in a crash said helmet connected to said racing suit reduces the forward and lateral movement of the head and neck which cause fatigue and injury in vehicle operation or in a crash.

The method of claim 16, wherein said means for preventing lateral movement comprises further comprises:

• right and left shoulder straps fixed to said racing suit, each having first and second ends and configured to lie across the shoulders of said occupant when said device is worn by said occupant;
• a right connector means attached to said first end of said right shoulder strap and extending upwardly therefrom, said right connector means being adapted for releasable attachment to said right side of said helmet;
• and
• a left connector means attached to said first end of said left shoulder strap and extending upwardly therefrom, said left connector means being adapted for releasable attachment to said left side of said helmet;
• wherein during a right lateral impact said right shoulder strap connected to said helmet restrains the head and neck of said occupant from moving laterally to the left, and during a left lateral impact said left shoulder strap restrains the head and neck of said occupant from moving laterally to the right.