Cervical spine protection device

A cervical spine protection system comprising:

• shoulder pads;
• a cervical spine protection device comprising:
• a lower portion engaged with a user's shoulders;
• an upper portion designed for engagement with a user's helmet when an axial force is applied to a portion of the helmet, the upper portion having an opening at the rearward facing side of a user's body;
• a middle portion disposed between the lower portion and the upper portion;
• an inside portion shaped to fit around a user's neck,
• wherein the axial force applied to the top portion of the helmet is at least partially absorbed by the cervical spine protection device and at least partially directed away from a cervical spinal column of the user by the cervical spine protection device, and
• wherein the cervical spine protection device allows extension of the head and neck during athletic movement.

A cervical spine protection device comprising:

• an inside portion shaped to fit around a user's neck;
• an outside portion comprising an upper portion, a lower portion, and a middle portion, wherein the middle portion is located between the upper portion and the lower portion;
• a front portion;
• and
• a back portion,
• wherein the lower portion is shaped to engage with a user's shoulders,
• wherein the back portion includes an opening that is sized and shaped to allow a user to move their head and neck backwards without substantial restriction,
• wherein the outside portion comprises a substantially c-shaped design, with the lower portion and the upper portion extending laterally further than the middle portion away from the user's neck, and
• wherein, when a force is applied to a surface of the upper portion, the device directs the force away from the user's cervical spine.

A cervical spine protection device comprising:

• a foam or foam-like material that includes at least an open cell microcellular structure;
• an inside portion shaped to fit around a user's neck;
• an outside portion comprising an upper portion, a lower portion, and a middle portion, wherein the middle portion is located between the upper portion and the lower portion;
• a front portion;
• and
• a back portion,
• wherein the upper portion includes more material than the lower portion,
• wherein the lower portion is more flexible than the upper portion,
• wherein the lower portion is shaped to engage with a user's shoulders,
• wherein the back portion includes an opening that is sized and shaped to allow a user to move their head and neck backwards without substantial restriction,
• wherein the outside portion comprises a substantially c-shaped design, with the lower portion and the upper portion extending laterally further than the middle portion away from the user's neck, and
• wherein, when a force is applied to a surface of the upper portion, the device acts as a compressive element and directs the force away from the user's cervical spine.