U.S. patent application number 10/695480 was filed with the patent office on 2004-07-22 for automatically adjustable pillow.
Invention is credited to Hajakbari, Alireza, Hajakbari, Mohammad Reza, Mohrekesh, Hassan.
Application Number | 20040139549 10/695480 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32717445 |
Filed Date | 2004-07-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040139549 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mohrekesh, Hassan ; et
al. |
July 22, 2004 |
Automatically adjustable pillow
Abstract
A head support or pillow system that is utilized by a user with
the results being that neck discomfort or snoring, or both, are
greatly reduced, if not completely eliminated, during a sleep
phase. The head support system utilizes an automatically adjustable
chamber that changes motion and height of the support either
intermittently or continuously throughout the sleep cycle so as to
gently move the head of the user, which results in reduced neck
pain or snoring, or both.
Inventors: |
Mohrekesh, Hassan; (Rowland
Height, CA) ; Hajakbari, Alireza; (Rowland Height,
CA) ; Hajakbari, Mohammad Reza; (Rowland Height,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
David L. Stott
THORPE NORTH & WESTERN, LLP
P.O. Box 1219
Sandy
UT
84091-1219
US
|
Family ID: |
32717445 |
Appl. No.: |
10/695480 |
Filed: |
October 28, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60421886 |
Oct 28, 2002 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/636 ; 5/655.3;
5/655.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 9/10 20130101; A47G
9/1027 20130101; A47G 2009/003 20130101; A61F 5/56 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
005/636 ;
005/655.3; 005/655.5 |
International
Class: |
A47C 020/02 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A head support for minimizing snoring, comprising: a pillow with
a support chamber for supporting an individual's head at variable
heights; an automated adjustment mechanism to automatically inflate
or deflate the support chamber to reduce or eliminate the snoring
by raising or lowering the head of the individual.
2. The head support according to claim 1, wherein the automated
adjustment mechanism comprises: a pressure sensor, coupled to the
support chamber, configured to sense pressure within the support
chamber; and a pressure generator, coupled to and responsive to the
pressure sensor, configured to increase or decrease pressure within
the support chamber by inflation or deflation, respectively.
3. The head support according to claim 2, wherein the pressure
generator is configured to inflate or deflate the support chamber
with a gas mixture comprising at least one of nitrogen and
oxygen.
4. The head support according to claim 2, wherein the pressure
generator is configured to inflate or deflate the support chamber
with a liquid.
5. The head support according to claim 1, wherein the automated
adjustment mechanism includes a storage chamber, coupled to the
support chamber, in which a fluid is transferred to or from the
storage chamber depending on whether the support chamber is to
inflate or deflate, respectively.
6. The head support according to claim 2, wherein the pressure
generator comprises an air pump.
7. The head support according to claim 6, wherein the air pump is
electro-mechanical.
8. The head support according to claim 1, further comprising a pad
to cover the support chamber and to provide comfort.
9. The head support according to claim 1, wherein the automated
adjustment mechanism is configured to inflate and deflate the
support chamber between a first height and a second height in a
constant and automatic manner.
10. A head support comprising: a pillow with a support chamber for
supporting an individual's head at variable heights; and an
inflating and deflating device, coupled to the support chamber, to
change the height of the head support by deflating or inflating the
support chamber in an automated and gradual way, thereby reducing
or preventing neck pain of the individual.
11. The head support according to claim 10, wherein the inflating
and deflating device comprises: a pressure sensor, coupled to the
support chamber, that senses vibrations caused by the individual;
and a pressure generator, coupled to and responsive to the pressure
sensor, configured to increase or decrease pressure within the
support chamber via inflation or deflation, respectively.
12. The head support according to claim 11, wherein the pressure
generator is configured to inflate or deflate the support chamber
with a gas mixture comprising at least one of nitrogen and
oxygen.
13. The head support according to claim 11, wherein the pressure
generator is configured to inflate or deflate the support chamber
with a liquid.
14. The head support according to claim 10, wherein the inflating
or deflating device includes a storage chamber, coupled to the
support chamber, in which a fluid is transferred to or from the
storage chamber depending on whether the support chamber is to
inflate or deflate.
15. The head support according to claim 11, wherein the pressure
generator comprises an air pump.
16. The head support according to claim 15, wherein the air pump is
electro-mechanical.
17. The head support according to claim 10, further comprising a
pad to cover the support chamber and to provide comfort.
18. The head support according to claim 10 wherein the inflating or
deflating device is configured to inflate and deflate the support
chamber between a first height and a second height in a constant
and automatic manner.
19. A method for preventing snoring by a patient using a head
support comprising: establishing a first height of the head
support; and automatically adjusting the head support repeatedly
between a first level and a second level, either higher or lower
than the first height, during a sleep phase of the patient using
the head support.
20. The head support according to claim 19, wherein the
automatically adjusting step comprises: sensing pressure within a
chamber portion of the head support; and in response to the sensing
pressure, adjusting the pressure within the chamber.
21. The head support according to claim 20, wherein the pressure
adjusting step comprises inflating or deflating the chamber portion
within the head support with a fluid.
22. The method according to claim 19, wherein the automatically
adjusting step is performed in a constant manner.
23. The method according to claim 19, wherein the automatically
adjusting step is performed in a varied manner.
24. A head support comprising: a pillow with a chamber for
supporting an individual's head at variable heights; and a lifting
and lowering device, located within the chamber, to change the
height of the head support by elevating or lowering the lifting and
lowering device within the chamber in an automated and gradual way,
thereby reducing or preventing sleep discomfort of the
individual.
25. The head support according to claim 24, further comprising: a
pressure sensor, coupled to the chamber, configured to sense
snoring vibrations caused by the individual; and an electric motor,
coupled to the lifting and lowering device and responsive to the
pressure sensor, configured to drive the lifting and lowering
device to cause the chamber to rise or lower.
26. The head support according to claim 24, further comprising a
pad to cover the chamber and to provide comfort.
27. The head support according to claim 24, wherein the lifting and
lowering device moves the head support between a first height and a
second height in a constant and automatic manner.
28. A pillow system configured to provide support for a person's
head while resting, comprising: a head-sized pillow member having
an inner chamber defined therein, the head-sized pillow member
configured to support the head of the person at variable heights;
and a control device configured with automatic hands-free
activation to activate at least one of inflation and deflation of
the inner chamber while the person is resting.
29. The pillow system of claim 28, further comprising a sensor,
coupled to the control device, configured to sense snoring,
acoustically, of the person and configured to automatically
activate the control device to facilitate at least one of inflation
and deflation of the inner chamber to reduce or eliminate snoring
by raising or lowering the head of the individual.
30. The pillow system of claim 28, further comprising a sensor,
coupled to the control device, configured to sense snoring-type
vibrations of the person and configured to automatically activate
the control device to facilitate at least one of inflation and
deflation of the inner chamber to reduce or eliminate snoring by
raising or lowering the head of the individual.
31. The pillow system of claim 28, wherein the control device
comprises a pre-programmed cycle of inflation and deflation of the
inner chamber.
32. The pillow system of claim 31, wherein the pre-programmed cycle
comprises an intermittent cycle.
33. The pillow system of claim 32, wherein the intermittent cycle
is configured to be activated by a sensor configured to sense
snoring-type vibrations of the person.
34. The pillow system of claim 32, wherein the intermittent cycle
is configured to be activated by a sensor configured to sense
snoring, acoustically, of the person.
35. The pillow system of claim 31, wherein the pre-programmed cycle
comprises a continuous cycle.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/421,886, filed Oct. 28, 2002.
FIELD OF THE INVENITON
[0002] The present invention relates generally to adjustable
pillows and, more particularly, the present invention relates to an
adjustable pillow that may be automatically and variably adjusted
to reduce snoring or neck discomfort, or both.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Pillows and headrests used for therapeutic support are well
known to those skilled in the art. It is well known to provide a
pillow or head support that reduces or minimizes head or neck
discomfort as well as to attempt to reduce snoring by an
individual. Various types of supports have been provided in the art
that have met with some degree of success, but are still limited in
their effectiveness. Some such supports include contoured pillows
that are designed to cradle the head in such a way as to improve
the support of the muscles to minimize any tension or stress. These
types of supports typically reduce neck tension and therefore
reduce neck soreness after use. Further, since each individual is
different from one another, there are other types of head supports
that can be adjusted either manually or through mechanical
means.
[0004] One such head support includes placing additional bolsters
within the support to provide an optimal comfort level for the
user. This comfort level typically is desired to reduce snoring or
to alleviate muscle fatigue. A problem with these types of supports
is that they need to be adjusted prior to sleep and are not
adjustable during the sleep phase.
[0005] Additional pillows or supports have incorporated means for
adjusting the pillow's firmness level and height level using
mechanical means such as air pumps. The air pumps may be electrical
or hand operated and the user selects a particular pressure that is
suitable to the user. Unfortunately, these types of systems still
do not adjust during the sleep phase as the user is asleep and
cannot provide fine tune adjustment to minimize neck soreness or
reduce snoring.
[0006] Further, it has been proposed in the art to provide sensors
to detect when a user moves or to utilize sound or pressure
transducers to detect when a user may actually be snoring. In
response to such detection, some action may be taken, but such has
not been specifically defined within the art.
[0007] Accordingly, what is needed is a head support or pillow
system that is able to minimize neck soreness or reduce snoring, or
both, in an effective and efficient automated manner with or
without the user's direct input.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] According to the present invention, a head support for
minimizing snoring or to reduce or prevent neck pain, is disclosed.
The head support includes a pillow with a chamber that
automatically and variably adjusts in height such that an
individual's head can be lowered or raised as the chamber changes
to variable heights. The head support further includes an automated
adjustment device to cause the chamber to inflate or deflate or to
raise or lower gently and automatically so as to reduce snoring or
neck pain.
[0009] In another embodiment, the head support further includes a
pressure sensor and a pressure generator. The pressure generator is
coupled to the chamber within the pillow and senses the pressure
within the chamber. The pressure sensor can be a transducer that
senses audible sounds as well. The pressure generator is typically
coupled to the pressure sensor and responds to signals generated by
the pressure sensor to either increase or decrease the pressure
within the chamber by either raising or lowering the height of the
chamber. In one embodiment, the chamber is filled with a fluid,
such as a gas or liquid and in another embodiment, the chamber may
adjust in a mechanical fashion, such as a screw driven support that
rises or lowers as driven by motors turning the screws.
[0010] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together
illustrate, by way of example, features of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] While the specification concludes with claims particularly
pointing out and distinctly claiming that which is regarded as the
present invention, the advantages of this invention may be
ascertained from the following description of the invention when
read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified schematic diagram of a
pillow support system, depicting a head support portion with an
inner chamber and a control device coupled to the head support
portion, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates a simplified side view of the inner
chamber of the pillow support system, depicting a mechanical
bolster that rises or lowers with the aid of a motor coupled
thereto, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates a simplified cross sectional view of the
head support portion, according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates a simplified cross-sectional view of an
alternative head support portion, depicting a sensor and a pump
device coupled to the inner chamber, according to an embodiment of
the present invention; and
[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the head support portion,
depicting a range of height adjustability of the head support
portion, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments
illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used
herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood
that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby
intended. Alterations and further modifications of the inventive
features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the
principles of the inventions as illustrated herein, which would
occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of
this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the
invention.
[0018] The present invention discloses a head support or pillow
system that is utilized by a user to reduce neck discomfort or
snoring, or both, or even eliminates them completely, during a
sleep phase. The present invention accomplishes this by introducing
an automatically adjustable chamber within the pillow or head
support that changes motion and height of the support either
intermittently or continuously throughout the sleep phase so as to
gently move the head of the user, which results in reduced neck
pain or snoring, or both.
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a top plan view of a schematic diagram of
a head support or pillow support system 10 as embodied in the
present invention. Such a pillow support system 10 can include a
head support portion 12, which includes an inner chamber 14 defined
therein. The inner chamber 14 is further coupled to a control
device 16 that can include an operating switch 18. The inner
chamber 14 can be filled with a fluid material, such as a gas or
liquid, to adjust the pressure and height of the head support
portion 12 during the sleep phase. The control device 16 causes the
fluid to transfer between the inner chamber 14 and a reserve
bladder 19, which may or may not be part of the control device 16.
In one embodiment, a liquid can be used as the fluid material, in
which a separate reserve bladder 19 can be incorporated to store
the liquid that is not actually in the inner chamber 14. In another
embodiment, a gas can be used as the fluid material, wherein the
air surrounding the user can be vented to the inner chamber 14 and
obtained from the surrounding environment such that no separate
chamber is necessary. In another embodiment, a separate chamber
having a gas, such as nitrogen, oxygen and/or mixtures thereof, can
be used to inflate and deflate the inner chamber 14.
[0020] The control device 16 can include various controls, switches
and/or pre-programmed parameters to allow the user to finely tune
the height of the inner chamber 14 prior to use and/or pre-select
various types of cycles for varying the height of the inner chamber
14. Such a control device 16 can include controls and programming
that can be implemented by one of ordinary skill in the art.
[0021] Additional mechanical types of bolsters for controlling the
inner chamber 14 of the pillow support system 10 may also be
utilized. One such bolster is illustrated in FIG. 2 that can
include a screw drive 30 coupled to a motor 32 such that a platform
34 can rise up and down. In particular, the motor 32 can turn the
screw drive 30 one direction and then a second direction to move
the platform 34 up and down, as indicated by respective arrows 36
and 38. Multiple screws may also be utilized such that the platform
34 may raise and lower on different sides and/or at different
heights to provide a more precise level of comfort adjustment for
the user. Since the pillow support system 10 is designed to be
utilized during a sleep stage, the motor 32 is preferably
ultra-quiet with minimal vibration so as not to disturb the
individual during the individual's sleep stage. Further still, the
head support portion 12 (FIG. 1) is typically bolstered with
additional materials, such as cotton, or cotton polyester blends,
down feathers, therapeutic memory materials that have high density,
all of which tend to provide an insulating effect to minimize the
transmission of vibrations or sounds, or both, to the user during
the height adjustment of the pillow support system 10. Further, the
pillow support system 10 can include additional means for
bolstering the head support portion 12 with additional batting
materials prior to the sleep phase to provide greater comfort for
the user.
[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of the head support
portion 12 of the present invention. The head support portion 12
can include the inner chamber 14, which may include a cross-section
that is generally rectangular. The inner chamber 14 can also
include a cross-section that is generally polygonal, round or oval
shape, or the like.
[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the head support 12
with a modified version of the inner chamber 14. In particular, the
inner chamber 14 can include a unique curved cross-sectional shape
to which the outer portion of head support portion 12 may conform.
This shape of the inner chamber 14 can be a customized shape that
is illustrative of different shapes that may be incorporated for
the inner chamber 14.
[0024] Further, in another embodiment, one or more sensors 20 and a
pump device 22 can be coupled to the inner chamber 14. The one or
more sensors 20 can be a pressure sensor, a vibration sensor and/or
an acoustical sensor or transducer, or combinations thereof that
can detect when a patient is snoring and then activate the pump
device 22 to begin the height adjustment of the head support 12 by
filling or emptying the inner chamber 14. The pump device 22 may be
coupled to the control device 16 (FIG. 1), where the actual pump
mechanics may be stored separately from the inner chamber 14, but
include communication therewith to allow the fluid to transfer
between the inner chamber 14 and the reserve bladder 19 or the
outside environment, as necessary. Further, the one or more sensors
20 can be coupled to the control device 16 to prompt and activate
the pump device 22, thereby changing the height of the head support
portion 12 by inflation and/or deflation.
[0025] FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the pillow support
system 10 where a height range for adjusting the pillow support
portion 12 is depicted. During an initial input setting of the
control device 16, the user can select a particular height as the
ideal beginning point. During the sleep phase, the pillow support
system 10 can, automatically and hands-free, cause the pillow to
change height either intermittently or constantly throughout the
sleep phase in a very slow and gentle manner ranging between a
minimum height H.sub.MIN and a maximum height H.sub.MAX, which may
be a difference of either one inch to four inches, but not limited
thereto. The change in height of the head support portion 12 is
intended to adjust in a slow and gentle manner so as not to disturb
the individual during the sleep phase as well as not to cause
discomfort from any sudden movement that would be undesirable. The
height adjustment or cycle may occur at pre-selected time periods,
such as every fifteen minutes, every half hour and/or every hour,
by rising from the minimum height H.sub.MIN to the maximum height
H.sub.MAX and then back again. This height adjustment or cycle can
be intermittent or continuous in oscillation, whichever is desired
by the user and whichever provides the best possible reduction of
neck soreness or snoring, or both. With this arrangement, the
height adjustment and cycle type (i.e., intermittent, continuous)
can be pre-selected by the user with various controls on the
control device 16 (FIG. 1) prior to sleeping and facilitate such
height adjustment automatically and hands-free of the user while
sleeping.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, it has been determined that
through the steady adjustment of the height of the pillow support
during the sleep phase, whether it is done intermittently or
continuously, there can be reduced neck tension as well as reduced
snoring. In some cases, elimination of neck soreness and snoring
has been achieved. Further, by incorporation of the one or more
sensors 20, the pillow support system 10 can respond to the first
indication of noise and/or vibration generated by the individual
should snoring begin and cause the pillow support system 10 to
change height automatically in response to the sensed conditions.
This allows the pillow to adjust only when absolutely necessary,
such as when a condition warrants it either through snoring or even
intermittent tossing and turning of the individual during the sleep
phase. For example, should the individual toss and turn, this can
be considered an indication of sleep discomfort, wherein the pillow
support system 10 can sense this through the sensors 20 and
institute a height adjustment until the user stops tossing and
turning after a set period. In one embodiment, control logic within
the control device 16 can interpret this information and provide
the adjustment as necessary as known by one of ordinary skill in
the art.
[0027] It is to be understood that the above-referenced
arrangements are illustrative of the application for the principles
of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative
arrangements can be devised without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present invention while the present invention has been
shown in the drawings and described above in connection with the
exemplary embodiments(s) of the invention. It will be apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications can
be made without departing from the principles and concepts of the
invention as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *