IMPROVED HEAD AND NECK SUPPORT FOR RACING

An improved head and neck support device (10) for occupants (100) of high performance vehicles, is described. The device includes a restraining yoke (12) and a collar (11). The restraining yoke has two fron t portions (12A and 12B) which extend down from the shoulders (102) of the occupant along the torso (104) of the occupant. The restraining yoke also includes a rear portion (12C) which extends behind the neck (106) and the shoulders of the occupant. The collar of the device extends upward from the rear portion of the restraining yoke behind the head (112) of the occupant. The collar of the device is connected by tethers (15 or 215) to the helmet (108) of the occupant. The shoulder belts (110A) of the shoulder harness (110;1 of the vehicle exte nd over the front portions and rear portion of the restraining yoke when the device is mounted on the occupant such that the device is between the shoulder belts and the occupant. The collar acts to transfer the forces from the helmet through the tethers to the collar of the restraining yoke which transfers the forces to the shoulder harness thereby reducing the forces being transmitted to the neck of the occupant.