US Patent 7674234 Cervical collar with geared adjustment

The present invention provides a cervical collar with a rack and pinion adjustment mechanism. The rack moves a chin support member, which raises and lowers a chin piece. Independently, the present invention provides methods and mechanisms in which the chin support can angulate independently of the collar body. Such angulation is preferably accomplish by pivotally supporting the chin piece on the racks, or on the left and right chin support pieces. Thus, in a preferred class of embodiments, the collar has a pivot for the chin support pieces relative to the collar body, and an other pivot for the chin piece relative to the chin support pieces.