U.S. patent application number 10/656019 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-10 for air pillow with four adjustable air pressure chambers.
Invention is credited to Graebe, Kurtis F..
Application Number | 20050050637 10/656019 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34226260 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050050637 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Graebe, Kurtis F. |
March 10, 2005 |
Air pillow with four adjustable air pressure chambers
Abstract
An inflation pillow is designed to comfortably cradle the head
and neck of a user whether the user is lying on their back or on
their side. The inflation pillow has separate air pressure
adjustable compartments. Two of the compartments are specifically
configured to support the neck and head of a user when lying on
their back. The remaining two compartments are specifically
configured to support the head and neck of a user when lying on
either side.
Inventors: |
Graebe, Kurtis F.;
(Belleville, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THOMPSON COBURN, LLP
ONE US BANK PLAZA
SUITE 3500
ST LOUIS
MO
63101
US
|
Family ID: |
34226260 |
Appl. No.: |
10/656019 |
Filed: |
September 5, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/644 ;
5/655.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 9/1027 20130101;
A47G 2009/003 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
005/644 ;
005/655.3 |
International
Class: |
A47G 009/04 |
Claims
1) A pillow specifically configured to support a user's head and
neck comprising: an inflatable cushion having a top surface and an
opposite bottom surface and an interior volume between the top
surface and the bottom surface; the interior volume having a sealed
forward section between the top surface and the bottom surface, the
forward section being positioned on the pillow and dimensioned
relative to the pillow to support the user's neck on the forward
section; the interior volume having a sealed rearward section
between the top surface and the bottom surface, the rearward
section being adjacent the forward section and being sealed from
the forward section, the rearward section being positioned on the
pillow and dimensioned relative to the pillow to support the user's
head on the rearward section; the interior volume having a sealed
left side section between the top surface and the bottom surface,
the left side section being adjacent the forward section and the
rearward section and being sealed from the forward section and the
rearward section, the left side section being positioned on the
pillow and dimensioned relative to the pillow to support the user's
head on the left side section; and, the interior volume having a
sealed right side section between the top surface and the bottom
surface, the right side section being adjacent the forward section
and the rearward section and being sealed from the forward section
and the rearward section, the right side section being on an
opposite side of the interior volume from the left side section,
the right side section being positioned on the pillow and
dimensioned relative to the pillow to support the user's head on
the right side section.
2) A pillow comprising: an inflatable cushion having a top surface
and an opposite bottom surface and an interior volume between the
top surface and the bottom surface; the interior volume having a
sealed forward section between the top surface and the bottom
surface; the interior volume having a sealed rearward section
between the top surface and the bottom surface, the rearward
section being adjacent the forward section and being sealed from
the forward section; the interior volume having a sealed left side
section between the top surface and the bottom surface, the left
side section being adjacent the forward section and the rearward
section and being sealed from the forward section and the rearward
section; the interior volume having a sealed right side section
between the top surface and the bottom surface, the right side
section being adjacent the forward section and the rearward section
and being sealed from the forward section and the rearward section,
the right side section being on an opposite side of the interior
volume from the left side section; and, the interior volume
consisting essentially of the forward section, the rearward
section, the left side section, and the right side section.
3) The pillow of claim 1, further comprising: the top surface being
formed with a plurality of upwardly projecting air cells.
4) A pillow comprising: an inflatable cushion having a top surface
and an opposite bottom surface and an interior volume between the
top surface and the bottom surface; the interior volume having a
sealed forward section between the top surface and the bottom
surface; the interior volume having a sealed rearward section
between the top surface and the bottom surface, the rearward
section being adjacent the forward section and being sealed from
the forward section; the interior volume having a sealed left side
section between the top surface and the bottom surface, the left
side section being adjacent the forward section and the rearward
section and being sealed from the forward section and the rearward
section; the interior volume having a sealed right side section
between the top surface and the bottom surface, the right side
section being adjacent the forward section and the rearward section
and being sealed from the forward section and the rearward section,
the right side section being on an opposite side of the interior
volume from the left side section; and, the left side section and
the right side section of the interior volume being in fluid
communication with each other.
5) The pillow of claim 4, further comprising: a single valve on the
pillow communicating with the left side section and the right side
section of the interior volume.
6) The pillow of claim 1, further comprising: a forward section
valve for controlling a fluid pressure in the forward section of
the interior volume; and, a rearward section valve for controlling
a fluid pressure in the rearward section of the interior
volume.
7) The pillow of claim 6, further comprising: a side section valve
for controlling a fluid pressure in at least one of the left side
section and the right side section of the interior volume.
8) The pillow of claim 1, further comprising: the left side section
and the right side section of the interior volume having equal
volumes.
9) A pillow comprising: an inflatable cushion having a top surface
and an opposite bottom surface and an interior volume between the
top surface and the bottom surface; the interior volume having a
sealed forward section between the top surface and the bottom
surface; the interior volume having a sealed rearward section
between the top surface and the bottom surface, the rearward
section being adjacent the forward section and being sealed from
the forward section; the interior volume having a sealed left side
section between the top surface and the bottom surface, the left
side section being adjacent the forward section and the rearward
section and being sealed from the forward section and the rearward
section; the interior volume having a sealed right side section
between the top surface and the bottom surface, the right side
section being adjacent the forward section and the rearward section
and being sealed from the forward section and the rearward section,
the right side section being on an opposite side of the interior
volume from the left side section; and, the rearward section of the
interior volume having a volume that is larger than a volume of the
forward section of the interior volume.
10) The pillow of claim 1, further comprising: a portion of the top
surface above the forward section of the interior volume being
elevated above a portion of the top surface above the rearward
section of the interior volume.
11) The pillow of claim 1, further comprising: portions of the top
surface above the left side section and above the right side
section of the interior volume being elevated above a portion of
the top surface above the rearward section of the interior
volume.
12) The pillow of claim 1, further comprising: each of the forward
section, the rearward section, the left side section, and the right
side section having a rectangle configuration.
13) A pillow specifically configured to support a user's head and
neck comprising: an inflatable cushion having a top surface and an
opposite bottom surface and an interior volume between the top
surface and the bottom surface; the top surface having a forward
area portion that is positioned on the pillow and is dimensioned
relative to the pillow to support the user's neck on the forward
area portion of the top surface; the top surface having a rearward
area portion adjacent the forward area portion, the rearward area
portion being positioned on the pillow and being dimensioned
relative to the pillow to support the user's head on the rearward
area portion of the top surface, the forward area portion being
elevated above the rearward area portion; the top surface having a
left side area portion adjacent the forward area portion and the
rearward area portion, the left side area portion being positioned
on the pillow and being dimensioned relative to the pillow to
support a side of the user's head on the left side area portion of
the top surface, the left side area portion being elevated above
the rearward area portion; and, the top surface having a right side
area portion adjacent the forward area portion and the rearward
area portion, the right side area portion being positioned on the
pillow and being dimensioned relative to the pillow to support a
side of the user's head on the right side area portion of the top
surface, the right side area portion being elevated above the
rearward area portion, the right side area portion being on an
opposite side of the top surface from the left side area
portion.
14) A pillow comprising: an inflatable cushion having a top surface
and an opposite bottom surface and an interior volume between the
top surface and the bottom surface: the top surface having a
forward area portion; the top surface having a rearward area
portion adjacent the forward area portion, the forward area portion
being elevated above the rearward area portion; the top surface
having a left side area portion adjacent the forward area portion
and the rearward area portion, the left side area portion being
elevated above the rearward area portion; and, the top surface
having a right side area portion adjacent the forward area portion
and the rearward area portion, the right side area portion being
elevated above the rearward area portion, the right side area
portion being on an opposite side of the top surface from the left
side area portion. the top surface consisting essentially of the
forward area portion, the rearward area portion, the left side area
portion, and the right side area portion.
15) The pillow of claim 13, further comprising: the top surface
being formed with a plurality of upwardly projecting cells.
16) The pillow of claim 13, further comprising: the left side area
portion and the right side area portion of the top surface being
equally elevated above the rearward area portion of the top
surface.
17) The pillow of claim 13, further comprising: the rearward area
portion being larger than the forward area portion.
18) The pillow of claim 13, further comprising: the left side area
portion and the right side area portion being equal areas.
19) The pillow of claim 18, further comprising: the left side area
portion and the right side area portion each being larger than the
forward area portion of the top surface.
20) The pillow of claim 13, further comprising: the forward area
portion, the rearward area portion, the left side area portion, and
the right side area portion each having a rectangular
configuration.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] (1) Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention pertains to an air inflatable pillow
that is designed to comfortably cradle the head and neck of a user
whether the user is lying on their back or on their side. More
specifically, the present invention pertains to an inflatable
pillow having four separate air pressure adjustable compartments.
Two of the compartments are specifically configured to support the
head and neck (cervical spine) of a user when lying on their back.
The remaining two compartments are specifically configured to
support the head and neck of a user when lying on either side.
[0003] (2) Description of the Related Art
[0004] There exists in the prior art many different examples of
pillows that have been specifically designed to provide comfort and
therapeutic care for users of the pillows. Many different types of
pillows have been designed aiming to reduce or correct neck and
upper back discomfort of users while they sleep. These pillows are
constructed in a variety of shapes and contours and from a variety
of different materials.
[0005] More recently, therapeutic pillows have been designed with
contours and dimensions that are specifically matched to an
individual. The individual's head and neck dimensions are employed
in designing the supporting surface of the pillow. These types of
pillows are constructed of a foam or similar material that has a
top surface contour that cradles the back of the head of the
individual as well as the back of the neck of the individual. The
resilient foam or other similar material of the pillow and the
configuration of the pillow top surface are intended to provide
comfort and therapeutic care to the individual user.
[0006] However, the individualized pillow constructions of the
prior art described above are disadvantaged in that the resilience
or firmness of the pillow is set when the pillow is initially
designed for the individual user. Should the individual user's
preference for a firm pillow or a soft pillow change, it is
necessary to construct a new pillow to suit the individual's
preference for the firmer or softer pillow. In addition, these
prior art pillows are designed for an individual that predominantly
sleeps on their back. However, many individuals change their
sleeping positions several times during a full night's sleep. Prior
art pillows that are specifically designed to cradle the back of
the user's head and neck are not as comfortable, and can often be
very uncomfortable when the pillow is used to support the side of
the individual's head when the individual rolls over to sleep on
their side.
[0007] What is needed to overcome these disadvantages of prior art
therapeutic pillows is a pillow that can adjust to anatomical needs
having a firmness or softness that can be changed as the individual
user's preference for a firm pillow or soft pillow changes. In
addition, the pillow would provide therapeutic support to the
user's head and neck whether the user is sleeping on their back or
on their side.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The pillow of the present invention overcomes the
disadvantages associated with prior art therapeutic pillows. The
pillow of the invention is designed as an inflatable pillow with
four separate compartments enclosing interior volume sections. The
separate compartments are designed to support and cradle the back
of the user's head and the back of the user's neck when the user is
sleeping on their back, and to support the side of the user's head
when the user is sleeping on their left side or right side.
Individually sealed forward and rearward inflatable pillow
compartments support the respective neck and head of the user when
the user is sleeping on their back. Individually sealed left side
and right side inflatable pillow compartments support the
respective left side of the individual's head and neck and the
right side of the individuals' head and neck when the individual is
sleeping on either side.
[0009] The forward pillow compartment contains a forward section of
the pillow interior volume that is sealed from the remainder of the
pillow interior volume. This enables the forward section of the
pillow interior volume to be adjustably inflated to a desired air
pressure that provides the firmness or softness of the pillow
preferred by the individual. In addition, the forward compartment
of the pillow is constructed with a height dimension that positions
a top surface of the forward compartment beneath the individual's
neck, providing support for the neck when the individual is
sleeping on their back.
[0010] The rearward pillow compartment contains a rearward section
of the pillow interior volume that is sealed from the remainder of
the pillow interior volume. This enables the rearward pillow
compartment to be adjustably inflated to provide the level of
firmness or softness preferred by the pillow user. In addition, the
rearward pillow compartment is constructed with a height dimension
that positions a top surface of the rearward pillow compartment at
a lesser elevation than the top surface of the forward pillow
compartment. This enables the top surface of the rearward pillow
compartment to support the user's head at a slightly lesser
elevation than the top surface of the forward pillow compartment
supporting the user's neck when the user is lying on their
back.
[0011] The left side and right side compartments of the inflatable
pillow contain respective left side and right side sections of the
pillow interior volume. The left and right side sections of the
pillow interior volume are sealed from the forward and rearward
sections of the interior volume, but communicate with each other.
This enables the air pressure in the left side and right side
sections of the pillow interior volume to be adjusted to provide
the respective left and right compartments of the pillow with the
firmness or softness desired by the individual user. In addition,
the left and right side compartments of the pillow are constructed
with their top surfaces elevated slightly above the top surface of
the rearward pillow compartment. This dimensioning of the left and
right side compartments of the pillow enables the compartments to
comfortably support the respective left and right sides of the
user's head and neck when the user is sleeping on either their left
or right side.
[0012] Thus, the pillow of the present invention provides separate
air adjustable compartments that can provide the desired firmness
or softness of the individual user. In addition, the dimensioning
of the pillow's separate compartments enable it to comfortably
support the head and neck of the user when the user is sleeping on
their back, and support the opposite left side and right side of
the user's head when the user is sleeping on their respective left
side or right side.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] Further features of the present invention are set forth in
the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of
the invention and in the drawing figures wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the air inflatable pillow of the
invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a front, elevation
view of the pillow of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a rear, elevation
view of the pillow of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a front, perspective
view of the pillow of FIG. 1; and,
[0018] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a rear, perspective
view of the pillow of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0019] A plan view of the air inflatable pillow 12 of the invention
is shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows the top of the air inflatable
pillow 12. Preferably, the air pillow 12 is constructed in a
similar manner to that of the air cell pillow of U.S. Pat. No.
6,189,168 B1, which issued on Feb. 20, 2001, and is incorporated
herein by reference. The pillow 12 is basically comprised of a
bottom, base sheet 14 and a top sheet 16. Both the base sheet 14
and top sheet 16 are constructed of a flexible air impervious
material, for example vinyl or plastic. The base sheet 14 and top
sheet 16 have coincident peripheral edges 18 that are securely
sealed together by radio frequency (RF) welding or other equivalent
means. This seals an interior volume 22 of the air pillow between
the base sheet 14 and top sheet 16.
[0020] The bottom, base sheet 14 is generally flat. However, as a
variant embodiment of the air pillow, the base sheet 14 could be
formed with a plurality of air cells in the same manner as the top
sheet 16, which is described below.
[0021] The top sheet 16 is formed with a plurality of air cells
that project upwardly from a plane of the top sheet defined by the
top sheet peripheral edge 18. The air cells are formed by being
molded into the top sheet or by other equivalent methods. The air
cells are arranged in three groups. The air cells of each of the
three groups have the same basic construction, with only the
dimensions of the air cells of the groups being different.
[0022] The plurality of air cells includes a first forward group of
air cells 26 arranged in a line across the front of the pillow 12
at the middle of the pillow. In the illustrative embodiment, the
first group of air cells 26 includes three air cells. Each of the
air cells 26 of the first group has a top wall surface 28 and four
side wall surfaces 32 that give the air cell a cubic configuration
when inflated. The top sheet 16 is secured to the bottom sheet 14
along the bottom edges of each of the air cell side walls 32
forming sealed seams along the bottom edges. The sealed seams
extend completely around each air cell 26 except for short, narrow
portions 34 of the top sheet that are not sealed to the bottom
sheet. These narrow portions 34 form conduits that intercommunicate
the adjacent air cells 26 of the first group. Long, narrow portions
of the top sheet and bottom sheet are also left unsecured to each
other, forming a first inflation conduit 36 that extends between
the top sheet 16 and bottom sheet 14 from the air cells 26 of the
first group to the peripheral edges 18 of the sheets.
[0023] A first valve 38 is secured on the top sheet 16 at the
peripheral edge 18 and communicates with the first inflation
conduit 36. The first valve 38 can be any known type of valve that
can be used to selectively supply air pressure through the conduit
36 to the air cells 26 of the first group to inflate the air cells,
and can be selectively opened to deflate the air cells.
[0024] The air cells 26 of the first, forward group of air cells
together define a forward compartment of the air pillow. The
forward compartment encloses a forward section of the interior
volume of the air pillow. This forward section of the pillow
interior volume is isolated from other sections of the pillow
interior volume, as will be explained.
[0025] The top surface area of the air pillow is defined by the top
wall surfaces of all of the air cells. The top wall surfaces 28 of
the air cells 26 of the first group together define a forward
surface area portion of the air pillow top surface. The side walls
32 of each of the air cells 26 of the first group have the same
dimensions and position the top wall surfaces 28 of the air cells
26 at generally the same positions elevated above the plane defined
by the base sheet and top sheet peripheral edges 18. With the air
cells of the first group 26 fully inflated, the top wall surfaces
28 of the first group of air cells 26 are positioned at generally a
first elevation above the plane defined by the sheet peripheral
edges 18. By adjusting the air pressure in the first group of air
cells 26, the elevation of the air cell top wall surfaces 28 above
the plane defined by the base sheet and top sheet peripheral edges
18 can be adjusted. In addition, by adjusting the air pressure in
the first group of air cells 26, the firmness or softness of the
air cells can be adjusted.
[0026] The plurality of air cells includes a second group of air
cells 46 that is separate from the first group of air cells 26. The
second group of air cells 46 is arranged in two lines at the back
of the pillow behind the first group of air cells 26 and at the
middle of the pillow. In the illustrative embodiment, the air cells
of the second group 46 include six separate air cells. Like the air
cells of the first group, each of the air cells 46 of the second
group has a top wall surface 48 and four side wall surfaces 52 that
give the air cells a cubic configuration when inflated. Again, like
the air cells of the first group 26, the top sheet 16 is secured to
the bottom sheet 14 along the bottom edges of each of the air cell
side walls 52 forming sealed seams along the bottom edges of the
air cells 46. The sealed seams extend completely around each of the
air cells 46 except for short, narrow portions 54 of the top sheet
that are not secured to the bottom sheet. These narrow portions 54
form conduits that interconnect the adjacent air cells 46 of the
second group. Long, narrow portions of the top sheet and bottom
sheet are also left unsecured to each other, forming a second
inflation conduit 56 that extends between the top sheet 16 and
bottom sheet 14 from the air cells 46 of the second group to the
peripheral edges 18 of the sheets.
[0027] A second valve 58 is secured on the top sheet 16 at the
peripheral edge 18 and communicates with the second inflation
conduit 56. The second valve 58 can be any known type of valve that
can be used to selectively supply air pressure through the second
inflation conduit 56 to the air cells 46 of the second group to
inflate the air cells, and can be selectively opened to deflate the
air cells.
[0028] The air cells 46 of the second, rearward group of air cells
together define a rearward compartment of the air pillow. The
rearward compartment encloses a rearward section of the interior
volume of the air pillow. This rearward section of the air pillow
interior volume is isolated from the other sections of the pillow
interior volume.
[0029] The top wall surfaces 48 of the air cells 46 of the second
group together define a rearward surface area portion of the total
top surface area of the air pillow. The side walls 52 of the second
group of air cells 46 have the same dimensions and position the top
wall surfaces 48 of the second group of air cells 46 at generally
the same elevation above the plane defined by the sheet peripheral
edges 18. With the air cells of the second group 46 fully inflated,
the air cell top wall surfaces 48 are positioned generally at a
second elevation above the plane defined by the base sheet and top
sheet peripheral edges 18. The second elevation of the air cells of
the second group 46 is less than the first elevation of the air
cells of the first group 26, as can be seen in the schematic
representations of the air cells shown in FIGS. 2-5. By adjusting
the air pressure in the air cells of the second group 46, the
second elevation of the top wall surfaces 48 of the second group of
air cells can be adjusted. In addition, by adjusting the air
pressure in the air cells of the second group 46, the firmness or
softness of the air cells can be adjusted.
[0030] The plurality of air cells include a third group of air
cells 66 that are positioned at the left side and right side of the
pillow. Like the air cells of the first group 36 and second group
46, each of the air cells 66 of the third group has a top wall
surface 68 and four side wall surfaces 72 that give the air cell a
cubic configuration when inflated. The top sheet 16 is secured to
the bottom sheet 14 along the bottom edges of each of the air cell
side walls 72 forming sealed seams along the bottom edges. The
sealed seams extend completely around each air cell 66 except for
short, narrow portions 74 of the top sheet that are not sealed to
the bottom sheet. These narrow portions 74 form conduits that
intercommunicate the adjacent air cells 66 of the third group.
Long, narrow portions of the top sheet and bottom sheet are also
left unsecured to each other, forming a third inflation conduit 76
that extends between the air cells of the third group 66 on the
left side of the pillow and the right side of the pillow as shown
in FIG. 1. An additional third inflation conduit 78 extends between
the base sheet 14 and top sheet 16 from the third group of air
cells 66 on the left side of the pillow as viewed in FIG. 1, to a
third valve 82 positioned at the peripheral edge of the pillow. The
third valve 82 can be any known type of valve that can be used to
selectively supply air through the third inflation conduits 78, 76
to the air cells 66 of the third group to inflate the air cells,
and can be selectively opened to deflate the air cells.
[0031] The air cells 66 of the third group together define a left
side compartment and a right side compartment of the air pillow.
The left side compartment and right side compartment
intercommunicate with each other through the third inflation
conduit 76. The left side compartment and right side compartment
enclose respective left and right side sections of the interior
volume of the air pillow. The left and right side sections of the
pillow interior volume are isolated from the forward and rearward
sections of the pillow interior volume.
[0032] The top wall surfaces 68 of the air cells 66 of the third
group together define a left side surface area portion and a right
side surface area portion of the total top surface area of the
pillow. The side walls 72 of the air cells of the third group 66
have the same dimensions. When the air cells of the third group 66
are fully inflated, the dimensions of the air cell side walls 72
position the top wall surfaces 68 of the air cells at generally the
same elevation above the plane defined by the base sheet and top
sheet peripheral edges 18. This third elevation of the top wall
surfaces 68 of the air cells of the third group 66 is elevated
above the first elevation of the top wall surfaces 28 of the air
cells 26 of the first group and is elevated above the second
elevation of the top wall surfaces 48 of the air cells 46 of the
second group. By adjusting the air pressure in the air cells 66 of
the third group, the third elevation of the air cell top wall
surfaces 68 can be adjusted. In addition, adjusting the air
pressure in the air cells 66 of the third group adjusts the
firmness or softness of the air cells.
[0033] The sealed forward pillow compartment defined by the air
cells 26 of the first group and the sealed rearward pillow
compartment defined by the air cells 46 of the second group support
the respective neck and head of the user when the user is sleeping
on their back. The left side pillow compartment defined by the air
cells 66 of the third group on the left side of the pillow and the
right side pillow compartment defined by the air cells 66 of the
third group on the right side of the pillow support the respective
left side of the individual's head and neck and the right side of
the individual's head and neck when the individual is sleeping on
either side.
[0034] The forward pillow compartment defined by the air cells 26
of the first group contains a forward section of the pillow
interior volume that is sealed from the remainder of the pillow
interior volume. This enables the forward section of the pillow
interior volume to be adjustably inflated to a desired air pressure
that provides the firmness or softness of the pillow preferred by
the individual. In addition, the forward compartment of the pillow
defined by the air cells 26 of the first group can be adjustably
inflated through the first valve 38 to adjust an elevation position
of the top wall surfaces 28 of the forward compartment beneath the
individual's neck, providing support for the neck when the
individual is sleeping on their back.
[0035] The rearward pillow compartment defined by the air cells 46
of the second group contains a rearward section of the pillow
interior volume that is sealed from the other pillow compartments.
This enables the rearward pillow compartment to be adjustably
inflated to provide the level of firmness or softness preferred by
the pillow user. In addition, the rearward pillow compartment
defined by the air cells 46 of the second group has a height
dimensioned that positions the top wall surfaces 48 of the rearward
pillow compartment at a lesser elevation than the top wall surfaces
28 of the forward pillow compartment. This enables the top surface
of the rearward pillow compartment to support the user's head at a
slightly lesser elevation than the top surface of the forward
pillow compartment supporting the user's neck when the user is
lying on their back.
[0036] The left side and right side pillow compartment's defined by
the air cells 66 of the third group on the respective left side and
right side of the pillow contain respective left side and right
side sections of the pillow interior volume. The left side and
right sections of the pillow interior volume are sealed from the
forward and rearward sections of the interior volume, but
communicate with each other through their adjacent conduits 74 and
the third inflation conduit 76. This enables the air pressure in
the left side and right side sections of the pillow interior volume
to be adjusted to provide the respective left and right
compartments of the pillow with the firmness or softness desired by
the individual user. In addition, the left and right side
compartments of the pillow defined by the air cells 66 of the third
group on the left side and right side of the pillow are constructed
with their top wall surfaces 68 elevated slightly above the top
wall surfaces 48 of the rearward pillow compartment defined by the
air cells 46 of the second group. This dimensioning of the left and
right side compartments of the pillow enables the compartments to
comfortably support the respective left and right sides of the
user's head when the user is sleeping on either their left side or
right side.
[0037] Thus, the pillow of the present invention provides separate
air adjustable compartments that can provide the desired firmness
or softness of the individual user. In addition, the dimensioning
of the pillow's separate compartments enable it to comfortably
support the head and neck of the user when the user is sleeping on
their back, and support the opposite left side and right side of
the user's head when the user is sleeping on their respective left
or right sides.
[0038] Although the air pillow of the invention has been described
above by reference to a specific embodiment, it should be
understood that other variations and modifications could be made to
the air pillow without departing from the intended scope of the
invention defined by the following claims.
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