U.S. patent application number 10/748819 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-30 for side sleeping pillow.
Invention is credited to Kordell, Jeffrey S., Riesberg, Jody.
Application Number | 20050138733 10/748819 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34700954 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050138733 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Riesberg, Jody ; et
al. |
June 30, 2005 |
Side sleeping pillow
Abstract
A side sleeping pillow for those who tend to sleep on their
sides and have shoulder problems or the like as a result thereof.
Two side pads are capable of folding under a main pillow cushion to
provide spacing for the sleeper's arm without restricting blood
flow.
Inventors: |
Riesberg, Jody;
(Lincolnshire, IL) ; Kordell, Jeffrey S.; (Itasca,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
David M. Mundt
Cook, Alex, McFarron, Manzo,
Cummings & Mehler, Ltd.
200 West Adams Street, Suite 2850
Chicago
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
34700954 |
Appl. No.: |
10/748819 |
Filed: |
December 30, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/640 ;
5/636 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 9/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
005/640 ;
005/636 |
International
Class: |
A47C 020/02 |
Claims
1. A side sleeping pillow combination comprising: a main pillow
cushion having an underside, a front and rear edge, and a pair of
side edges; and a side pad adjacent each of said side edges, said
side pads capable of folding under said main pillow whereby a space
is created between said folded under side pads, said space
traversing the underside of said main pillow from said front edge
to said rear edge.
2. A side sleeping pillow as defined in claim 1 wherein said side
pads include a pair of pads with spacing therebetween.
3. A side sleeping pillow as defined in claim 1 further comprising
a pillowcase for providing the associated spacing between said
pillow and said pads.
4. A side sleeping pillow as defined in claim 2 further comprising
a pillowcase for providing the associated spacing between said
pillow and said pads.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to pillows for
sleeping, and more particularly, to a pillow for those who sleep on
their side and may have shoulder problems or the like as a result
thereof.
[0002] Multiple orthopedic conditions can be created or exacerbated
by postural contortions during sleep. When sleeping, a person
commonly uses a pillow for supporting the head and neck areas. The
thickness of the pillow required for proper support varies from
person to person because of shoulder width, head and neck size and
weight. Moreover, the required thickness and support of a pillow
depends on how the person is orientated when sleeping, such as
whether a person's shoulders are horizontal or vertical. In the
horizontal shoulder position, less support is required then in the
vertical shoulder position because of the varying distance between
the position of the head adjacent to the bed surface depending on
the position of the shoulders. Failure to provide the proper
support of the head and neck while sleeping can result in a stiff
neck and/or shoulders. These conditions may become exacerbated with
a chronic side sleeper due to restricted blood flow to the
shoulder, neck, upper back and arm.
[0003] Some people commonly sleep with two pillows laid on top of
each other to increase the height of support that is provided. Such
increased height may generally provide better support when the
person's shoulders are in the vertical position, since the person's
head is further away from the surface of the bed. However,
restricted blood flow may still result to this side-sleeper's
shoulder, neck, upper back and arm.
[0004] The need for proper support of the person's head and neck
while sleeping has long been recognized. However, known pillows and
support devices have not been able to solve the problems associated
with proper support while sleeping, especially for one who sleeps
on their side. Accordingly, it is an object of the present
invention to provide a pillow that overcomes the deficiencies of
the current practices whereby a side sleeping pillow is provided
that gives the proper support for one who sleeps on their side.
[0005] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
side sleeping pillow that is adjustable to the user's sleeping
orientation.
[0006] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a side sleeping pillow that enables unrestricted blood flow to the
user's head, neck shoulders and arms.
[0007] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
the user the opportunity to use their own pillow with the side
sleeping pillow case of the invention.
[0008] These and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will be clearly understood through a
consideration of the following detailed description.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] According to the present invention, there is provided a side
sleeping pillow combination. The combination includes a main pillow
cushion having an underside, a front and a rear edge, and a pair of
side edges. A side pad is adjacent each of the main pillow side
edges and is capable of folding under the main pillow to provide a
space between the pads that traverses the underside of the main
pillow from the front to the rear edge.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The features of the present invention, which are believed to
be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims.
The invention, together with the further objects and advantages
thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in
the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like
elements, and which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the side sleeping pillow
constructed in accordance with the principles of the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the side sleeping pillow of
FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 3A is an end view of the side sleeping pillow of FIG. 1
shown in partial cross-section along lines 3A-3A of FIG. 2.
[0014] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a corner of the pillow of
FIG. 3A showing the typical stitching used to construct the pillow
in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 4 is an end view of the side sleeping pillow of FIG. 1
showing a user positioning his arm out of the top end thereof.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the side sleeping pillow of
FIG. 1 showing a user positioning his arm out of the side
thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] The present invention provides for a side sleeping pillow
allowing for unrestricted blood flow to the user's shoulder, neck,
upper back and arm. Turning to FIG. 1, where a perspective view of
the pillow system 10 made in accordance with the principles taught
herein has been illustrated. From FIG. 1 it can be understood that
the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a main
pillow cushion 12 and a plurality of pads (14, 16, 18, 20). In a
preferred embodiment of the invention which has been shown on FIG.
1, the means for flexibly attaching the main pillow cushion 12 with
the pads (14, 16, 18, 20) includes a case 22. However, it will be
understood that other means for coupling these elements have been
contemplated, such as stitching or velcro.TM. and the like.
[0018] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3A, it will be understood that
the preferred embodiment of the invention includes a main pillow
cushion 12 of the typical dimensions of approximately 16" wide by
25" long by 4" high. Each of the pads (14, 16, 18, 20) of the
preferred embodiment are approximately 61/2" wide by 8" long by 3"
high. The end view of FIG. 3A illustrating how the side pads fold
under the main pillow cushion 12 to create arm channels for the
side sleeper's arm. More particularly, when the left end pads 24
are folded under, left side arm channel 26 is created between pads
14 and 16 and the main pillow 12 and the bed. Similarly, when the
right end pads 28 are folded under, right side arm channel 30 is
created between pads 18 and 20 and the main pillow 12 and the bed.
Then, when both the left end pads 24 and the right end pads 28 are
folded under, main arm channel 32 is created between arm pads 24
and 28 and the main pillow 12 and the bed.
[0019] The present invention has been designed to use the
individual side sleepers preferred pillow as the main pillow
cushion 12. As such, the pillowcase 22 is capable of holding the
preferred pillow within its cotton and nylon zippered area.
Pillowcase 22 is the typical stitching 34 variety, see FIG. 3B, and
as such provides the means to keep the pillow and pads separate
from one another and the associated spacing or arm channels open.
The pillowcase allows the flexibility for easy laundering and
allergen-free usage (because the user is capable of using their own
pillow in the event of specific fabric or fill hypersensitivity).
Alternatively, the main pillow cushion may be of the typical poly
fill variety, and in any event the corner pillows (14, 16, 18, 20)
are preferably of the typical poly fill 36 variety.
[0020] The side sleeping pillow of the present invention provides
the user with at least two positions to place their arm when
sleeping on their side. FIG. 4 illustrates a side sleeper 38 with
their arm 40 comfortably extending out of the main arm channel 32
when the left end pads 24 and the right end pads 28 are folded
under the main pillow 12. Alternatively, FIG. 5 illustrates the
side sleeper 38 with their arm 40 comfortably extending out of the
left side arm channel 26 when the left end pads 24 and the right
end pads 28 are folded under the main pillow 12. Obviously if the
user desires to sleep on their back, the left end pads 24 and the
right end pads 28 are not folded under the main pillow 12 and the
user sleeps on their main pillow 12 as usual.
[0021] While a particular embodiment of the invention has been
shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art
that changes and modifications may be made therein without
departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and,
therefore, the arm in the appended claims is to cover all such
changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope
of the invention.
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