U.S. patent application number 09/737492 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-15 for pillow device.
Invention is credited to Lin, Chang-San.
Application Number | 20010040401 09/737492 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21667285 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010040401 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lin, Chang-San |
November 15, 2001 |
Pillow device
Abstract
A pillow device can be adhered to the pillow of a car seat is
disclosed. The pillow device includes an adjustable or inflatable
soft portion for supporting the neck of a passenger, a head
supporting portion for preventing the head to turn aside. A ring
sticky buckle serves to fix the pillow device on the pillow of a
car seat so that other than the original function of a pillow, the
pillow device of the present invention has a further function of
protecting the head and neck of a passenger so as to improve the
quality in sleep.
Inventors: |
Lin, Chang-San; (Taipei,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BACON & THOMAS, PLLC
625 Slaters Lane - 4th Floor
Alexandria
VA
22314-1176
US
|
Family ID: |
21667285 |
Appl. No.: |
09/737492 |
Filed: |
December 18, 2000 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/397 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/885 20180201;
A47C 7/383 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/397 |
International
Class: |
A47C 007/36 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 2, 2000 |
CN |
89207242 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A pillow device capable of being fixed to a pillow of a seat of
a car, characteristic in that: the pillow device includes a first
retaining plate and a second retaining plate which are formed with
a first supporting plate and a second supporting plate,
respectively; the first and second retaining plates are combined so
as to be used to adjust the distance between the first and second
supporting plates; the first retaining plate has a sticky strip for
retaining the first retaining plate to the pillow of the seat in a
car; the second retaining plate has a protrusion with an adjustable
elevation angle; the protrusion is positioned between the first
supporting plate and the second supporting plate so that the head
and neck of the passenger is retained between the two supporting
plates and the protrusion serves to resist against the rear neck of
the passenger.
2. A pillow device capable of being fixed to the pillow of a seat
of a car, characteristic in that: the pillow device is formed as a
soft body, a protrusion is formed in the body between the two
supporting plates as a supporter between two ends of the body and
is adjustable in the elevation angle so that the head and neck of
the passenger is retained between the two supporting plates and the
protrusion serves to resist against the rear neck of the
passenger.
3. The pillow device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a
soft cover liner; after the first retaining plate and second
retaining plate are combined, this cover liner can cover thereon so
that a soft contact surface is formed between the first supporting
plate and second supporting plate.
4. The pillow device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the two
supporting plates are combined with a sliding plate and then they
are coupled to the body so that the distance of the two supporting
plates are adjustable.
5. The pillow device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein each
supporting plate is formed with a through hole which is beneficial
to the hearing ability as the head of the passenger is placed
between the two supporting plates.
6. A pillow on a seat of a car, characteristic in that two lateral
sides of the pillows are retained with rotatable supporting plates,
respective; and a protrusion with an adjustable elevation angle is
installed in the pillow; when the supporting plates rotate through
an angle so that the head of the passenger can be retained between
the two supporting plates; and the protrusion resists against the
rear neck of the passenger.
7. The pillow on a seat of a car as claimed in claim 1, wherein
each supporting plate is formed with a through hole which is
beneficial to the hearing ability as the head of the passenger is
placed between the two supporting plates.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a safety pillow, and
especially to a pillow device of a car seat which is helpful to the
safety of a passenger sleeping in a moving car.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Currently, the primary concerns in the decoration of a car
put a great emphasis on the elegance and practice use. Most of the
designs are concentrated on the instrument panel, decorating
textures, safety air bag, safety strip, comfort of the seat of the
driver. However, the sleeping in the car which troubles the
passengers has no means to solve this problem. Therefore, the
safety and comfort in sleep is a problem eagerly to be
resolved.
[0003] In the prior art, almost no design aims at the passenger
pillow of a car seat. Referring to FIG. 1, a lateral view of a
general car seat is illustrated. In the prior art, the pillow 2 is
arranged at the upper side of a car seat 1 by a supporting rod 2.
The elevation of the pillow 2 is adjustable to meet the head of a
passenger. However, most of the pillow is designed to protect the
passenger from being impacted, while the pillow in the prior art
without any neck supporter and the function of preventing the head
to turn laterally so that as the passenger sleeps as the car is
driven, the head or neck of the passenger is possible hurt or feel
ache due to dramatic vibration from turning or braking
abruptly.
[0004] Thus, the current pillow of a car seat has a serious defect.
This defect will induce a dramatic accident as the passenger sleep
in a car. Since as a passenger sleeps in a car, he (or she) is
generally without any alert to the accident from the environment.
Therefore, the head and neck of the passenger is possible hurt.
Moreover, passengers often feel uncomfortable, moreover, has aches
in head and neck. These are caused from an uncomfortable sleep in
the car.
[0005] From a statistic result, most of passengers must sleep for a
while in a long period as taking a car. Therefore, there is an
eager demand for a novel pillow device which may improve the defect
in the prior art.
[0006] Referring to FIG. 2, an inflation device for protecting the
neck of passenger is illustrated. The inflation device 3 is formed
with an opening which may wind around the neck of the passenger to
avoid the neck to be pressed since the head turns aside. However,
this device will make the user feel uncomfortable because of being
wound around. Moreover, as the head turns aside, the beats of the
artery in the head will make the passenger feel uncomfortable and
is not beneficial to sleep. Furthermore, since device 3 directly
winds around the neck of the passenger, the defect of sleeping
laterally of a passenger can not be corrected. Therefore, there is
an eager demand for a pillow device to help the user to sleep in a
correct pose.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is
to provide a pillow device which can support the neck of the
passenger and prevent the head of the passenger to turn aside.
[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
pillow device which can be attached to a car seat so as to support
the neck of the passenger and prevent the head of the passenger to
turn aside to press the nerves in the neck.
[0009] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
pillow device which may improve the car seat, and can support the
neck of the passenger and prevent the head of the passenger to turn
aside.
[0010] The present invention provides a pillow device which can
improve the defects in the prior arts, such as the pillow in the
prior art without any neck supporter and the function of preventing
the head to turn laterally so that as the passenger sleeps in a
moving car, the head or neck of the passenger is possible hurt or
feel ache due to dramatic vibration from turning or braking a car
abruptly. Therefore, the present invention provides a pillow device
which can be adhered to the pillow of a car seat is disclosed. The
pillow device includes an adjustable or inflatable soft portion for
supporting the neck of a passenger, a head supporting portion for
preventing the head to turn laterally. A ring sticky buckle serves
to fix the pillow device on the pillow of a car seat.
[0011] In another embodiment, the car seat is improved so that an
adjustable or inflatable soft portion for supporting the neck of a
passenger, a head supporting portion for preventing the head to
turn laterally is installed at lateral side of the pillow so that
the car seat is more comfortable.
[0012] The various objects and advantages of the present invention
will be more readily understood from the following detailed
description when reading in conjunction with the appended
drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a lateral view of the pillow in a prior art car
seat.
[0014] FIG. 2 is an elevation view showing a prior art inflation
device for protecting the head and neck of a passenger.
[0015] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the first
embodiment of the pillow device in the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 4 is an assembled perspective view of the first
embodiment of the pillow device in the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the second embodiment
of the pillow device in the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the design of the
embodiment of FIG. 5 being fixed to the pillow of a car seat.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the pillow device of
the present invention before being used.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the use of the pillow
device in the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a lateral view of the head strip of the pillow
device in the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 10 is an elevation view showing the pillow device of
the present invention with a slidable supporting frame.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] The present invention will be fully described in the
following with appended figures, while these descriptions are just
used to cause those skilled in the art to understand the present
invention instead of confining the spirit and scope of the present
invention, whereas the present invention is defined in the appended
claims as a part of this specification.
[0024] The present invention relates to a pillow device which is
used in the condition that as the driver or passenger desires to
take a rest during a period of driving a car. The pillow device is
designed to protect and comfort the neck of the user.
[0025] In the present invention, a pillow device is illustrated,
which includes two plastic curved plates (adjustable in width), an
elevation angle adjuster (adjustable the elevation angle for
protecting the neck bone), a cover filled with soft sponge and a
sticky strip. The pillow device of the present invention can be
attached to the seat of a car easily. The head and neck of the
passenger can be fixed by the two plastic curved plates and
elevation angle adjuster. Therefore, the passenger may sleep
comfortably with a preferred pose without inducing the neck to bend
laterally so as to put a force to the nerves of the head and neck.
As a consequent, the passenger has a good sleep. Meanwhile, as the
car is moving, the passenger may avoid to suffer from dramatic
jumps and vibrations during turning or braking a car.
[0026] At first, with reference to FIG. 3, an exploded perspective
view of the first embodiment of the pillow device in the present
invention is illustrated therein. In this embodiment, the pillow
device 10 includes a first retaining plate 11, a second retaining
plate 12 and a cover liner 15. The lateral side of the first
retaining plate 11 extends to be formed as a slightly vertical
first supporting plate 13. The supporting plate 13 has a through
hole 131. Sticky strips 16, 17 are arranged on the first retaining
plate 11. The second retaining plate 12 is attached with a soft
pad. An elevation angle adjuster 18 is arranged within the pad. The
adjusting way of this elevation angle adjuster 18 may be an
inflation type, an blowing type, or a mechanic type so as to be
formed with an protrusion for adjusting the elevation angle and
height for supporting the neck bone. The lateral side of the second
retaining plate 12 extends out so as to be formed as a slightly
vertical second supporting plate 14. The supporting plate 14 has a
through hole 141. The first and second retaining plate 11, 12 have
sticky surfaces which serve to combine the first and second
retaining plate 11, and 12 together. The cover liner is made of
soft material. After the first and second retaining plates 11 and
12 are combined, the left and right end portions 151, 152 of the
liner can cover the first and second supporting plates 13 and 14,
and thus the head of the passenger can be properly retained in the
first supporting plate 13 and second supporting plate 14.
[0027] The attachment of the first retaining plate 11 and second
retaining plate 12 will be further described herein. The upper
surface of the bottom of the first retaining plate 11 and the lower
surface of the second retaining plate 12 are arranged with sticky
surfaces for sticking the two retaining plate together. After the
two retaining plates 11, 12 are combined, the passenger may adjust
the distance between the two supporting plates 13 and 14 for
matching the width of the head. Referring to FIG. 4, a perspective
view showing the combined first retaining plate 11 and second
retaining plate 12 is illustrated. The dashed lines show the left
and right end portions 151 and 152 of the cover liner 15 covering
on the first and second supporting plates 13 and 14 so that the
head of the passenger may retain between the first retaining plate
11 and second retaining plate 12 comfortably. The two through holes
131 and 141 are helpful to the hearing ability of the
passenger.
[0028] In using the pillow device according to first embodiment of
the present invention, at first, the first retaining plate 11 is
fixed to the pillow of a car seat by sticky strips 16 and 17. The
sticky strips 16, 17 are place at upper and lower sides of the
pillow and are sticky to one another at the rear side of the pillow
so that the first retaining plate 11 tightly adheres to the front
side of the pillow. Next, the elevation angle adjuster 18 of the
second retaining plate 12 are adjusted, and by electrically
charging or mechanically adjusting, a protrusion is formed. Then,
the second retaining plate 12 is sticky to the first retaining
plate 11 so that the two retaining plates 11, 12 are combined
together. Finally, the cover liner 15 covers the two retaining
plates 11, 12 as so to be formed with a combination shown in FIG.
6.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 5, a perspective view of the second
embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. In this
embodiment, from one lateral view, it is shown that the pillow
device 20 has a shape. A PVC material with a middle hardness and a
thicker thickness is used as the material for supporting an air bag
or a soft pad thereon. In a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, a plastic sheet with a thickness of 0.5 mm to 2 mm and a
hardness of 25 to 35 degrees is used as the material at the back
sides of the bottom and two lateral sides, while a further plastic
sheet with a thickness of 0.1 mm to 1 mm and a hardness of 40 to 60
degrees is used as the material at the front sides of the bottom
and two lateral sides. The pillow device 20 has a plane portion.
Two ends thereof extend upwards to be formed with slightly vertical
supporting plates 21 and 22. The inner surface of the two
supporting plates 21 and 22 are attached with an electric charged
air bag or a soft pad. The upper surface at the plane portion
between the two supporting plates 21 and 22 has fixed soft pad 231
and a soft protrusion 232 for adjusting the elevation angle. The
protruding height of the protrusion can be adjusted by an inflation
or a mechanically way for supporting the head and neck of a
passenger. The lower surface of the plane portion is installed with
sticky strips 24 and 25 the use of which are identical to that of
the sticky strips 16 and 17 in the first embodiment. Besides, the
two supporting plates 21 and 22 are installed with through holes
211 and 221 for retaining the hearing ability of the passenger to
be comfortable.
[0030] Now, referring to FIG. 6, in the use of the pillow device 20
according to second embodiment of the present invention, the pillow
device 20 of the present invention can be fixed to the pillow 2 of
a car seat 1 directly by the sticky strips 24, 25, and the pillow
device 20 is retained in front of the pillow 2 so that the
passenger may retain the head between two supporting plates 21 and
22 comfortably. Furthermore, the air bag or pad with a soft
material at the inner surface thereof will sustain the head to
resist against the pillow device comfortably. The comfortable
protrusion 232 resists against the neck of the head so as to
protect the neck portion.
[0031] With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, perspective views of the
pillow device according to the present invention used in the seat
of a car before using and in using, respectively, are illustrated
therein. In this embodiment of the present invention, the pillow of
a car seat 1 is directly changed as a pillow device 30. At first,
referring to FIG. 7, the pillow device 30 has a soft body. The left
and right sides of the body have movable supporting plates 31 and
32. In this embodiment, two supporting plates 31, 32 are movably
and rotatably fixed to the two lateral sides of the body by a
fixing shaft 321. A protecting soft pad for protecting and fixing
two sides of the neck bone is formed on the respective surface of
the two supporting plates 31, 32. When the two supporting plates
31, 32 are rotated through one angle, stoppers are formed at two
sides of the body so that the head of the passenger is retained
between the two supporting plates 31, 32 to has an optimum pose.
The neck portion will not bend laterally to press the nerve of the
head. Besides, the lower side of the body of the pillow device is
installed with a soft protrusion 33 for adjusting the elevation
angle thereof. The embodying way of the protrusion 33 is by an
inflation or a mechanic way to adjusting the height thereof for
supporting the neck portion thereof.
[0032] In order to increase the safety of a passenger which sleeps
for a while when a car moves, other than the safety pillow device
of the present invention, a further hat or head strip can be
installed. With reference to the schematic view showing in FIG. 9,
the aforesaid embodiments can be further arranged with a hat or
head strip 34 at the pillow device. The hat or the head strip 34
can be separated from the pillow device, and if desired, it can be
adhered to the pillow device through buckling rings or sticky
strips. A telescopic device is installed at the connection between
the hat or the head strip 34 and the pillow device in order to
protect the passenger from colliding forwards due to an impact of
the car, or to avoid the head to collide the top of the car.
[0033] Therefore, by the design of the hat and head strip, the
force applied to the head due to a collision is reduced so that the
head and neck are well protected. Besides, the sizes of the hat and
head strip are adjustable for suiting the size of the
passenger.
[0034] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that
the invention is not limited to the details described thereof.
Various substitutions and modifications have been suggested in the
foregoing description, and others will occur to those of ordinary
skill in the art. For example, in the design of the width of the
pillow device, the two supporting plates at lateral sides can be
designed to be adjustable and inclined inwards, so that the width
therebetween is adjustable. If the cost is an important
consideration, a simple hard sponge ear cover can be used. Two
sponge covers enclose the left and right supporting air bags or
soft bags so that the width of the pillow device become small for
matching the head size of the passenger. Furthermore, according to
the pillow device 20 in the second embodiment of the present
invention, the supporting plates 21, 22 can be changed to become
movable to cause the supporting plates 21, 22 each are combined
with a sliding plate, as shown in FIG. 10; for example, the knife
piece of an article knife, and then it is further coupled to the
body of the soft pillow so that the two supporting plates 21 and 22
has a adjustable distance therebetween for meeting the requirement
of the passenger. Therefore, all such substitutions and
modifications are intended to be embraced within the scope of the
invention as defined in the appended claims.
[0035] The pillow device according to the present invention not
only has the original function of a pillow, but also may protect
the head and neck of the passenger so as to improve the quality of
sleep. The defect that the prior art pillow which can not well
protect the head and neck of the passenger is effectively improved.
The pillow device of the present invention has a simple structure.
In embodying, it can easily combine with the seat of a car with a
little cost.
* * * * *