U.S. patent application number 11/076505 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-08 for head restraint device.
Invention is credited to Massey, Jody Russell.
Application Number | 20050268377 11/076505 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35446035 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050268377 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Massey, Jody Russell |
December 8, 2005 |
Head restraint device
Abstract
The present invention provides a head restraint system for
supporting the head of a person wearing headwear while seated. The
head restraint is comprised of a headwear portion and a rear
mounting portion. The headwear portion is comprised of an article
of headwear with one part of a fastener attached at the rear of the
headwear. The rear mounting portion comprises the other part of
said fastener attached to the rear mount such that a user wearing
the headwear may lean his or her head against the seat thereby
engaging the parts of the fastener and intern restraining the users
head. In some embodiments, the rear mount is the back of a seat,
and in other embodiments a separate rear mounting fixture is
provided.
Inventors: |
Massey, Jody Russell;
(Macon, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Jody Russell Massey
2338 Old Holton Road
Macon
GA
31204
US
|
Family ID: |
35446035 |
Appl. No.: |
11/076505 |
Filed: |
March 9, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60553004 |
Mar 12, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/209.13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 7/383 20130101;
A61F 5/3707 20130101; A42B 1/24 20130101; B60N 2/882 20180201 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/209.13 |
International
Class: |
A42B 001/06 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A head restraint apparatus comprising: at least one fastener
having a first and a second fastening portions; an article of
headwear, wherein said first fastener portion is joined to a rear
portion of said headwear and said second fastener portion is joined
to a mounting area on the back of a seat such that said first and
second portions are operable to be fastened together while a person
wearing the article of headwear is sitting in a normal sitting
position in the chair.
2. The head restraint apparatus of claim 1, wherein the article of
headwear is an eyeglass having an attached lanyard, and said first
fastener portion is joined to the lanyard.
3. The head restraint apparatus of claim 2, wherein said first
portion of said fastener is fixedly joined onto a sleeve, which
sleeve is operable to be removably joined to the lanyard by sliding
the lanyard through the sleeve.
4. The head restraint apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fastener
is a Velcro system.
5. The head restraint apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first
portions of said fastener is Velcro hooks and said second portions
of said fastener is the material of the seat, which material
comprises small loops that are operable to removably fasten to the
Velcro hooks.
6. The head restraint apparatus of claim 1, wherein the article of
headwear is a baseball cap.
7. The head restraint apparatus of claim 6, wherein said first
portion of said fastener is fixedly joined onto a sleeve, which
sleeve is operable to be removably joined to the baseball cap by
sliding a detachable adjustment strap at the rear of the baseball
through the sleeve.
8. The head restraint apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fastening
of said first and second portions of said fastener is
removable.
9. The head restraint apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fastening
of said first and second portions of said fastener is
permanent.
10. The head restraint apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first
portion of said fastener is fixedly joined onto a clip, which clip
is operable to be removably clipped onto to the article of
headwear.
11. A head restraint apparatus comprising: at least one fastener
having a first and a second fastening portions; an article of
headwear, wherein said first fastener portion is joined to a rear
portion of said headwear and said second fastener portion is joined
to a mount, said mount being located near the back of a seat such
that said first and second portions are operable to be removably
fastened together while a person wearing the article of headwear is
sitting in a normal sitting position in the chair.
12. The head restraint apparatus of claim 11, wherein the article
of headwear is an eyeglass having an attached lanyard, and said
first fastener portion is joined to the lanyard.
13. The head restraint apparatus of claim 11, wherein said mount is
mounted onto a rigid structure.
14. The head restraint apparatus of claim 11, wherein said mount is
mounted onto the seat.
15. The head restraint apparatus of claim 11, wherein said mount is
a raised head support portion manufactured as part of the seat.
16. The head restraint apparatus of claim 11, wherein said fastener
is Velcro system.
17. The head restraint apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fastening
of said first and second portions of said fastener is
removable.
18. The head restraint apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fastening
of said first and second portions of said fastener is
permanent.
19. The head restraint apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first
portion of said fastener is fixedly joined onto a clip, which clip
is operable to be removably clipped onto to the article of
headwear.
20. A head restraint apparatus comprising: an article of headwear,
and means for joining the article of headwear to a mounting area
that is operable to join with said joining means while a person
wearing the article of headwear is sitting in a normal sitting
position in the chair.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present Utility patent application claims priority
benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of the provisional application for
patent No. 60/553004 filed on Mar. 12, 2004.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to the field of
safety head restraints. More particularly, the invention relates to
head restraints used to limit head movement when seated.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Head restraints have been known for many years in the prior
art, yet few are geared to support the wearer's head if the wearer
looses head control. Some known patents in the prior-art are
designed for this purpose. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,339,151
shows a head restraint in the Figures that utilizes a strap, which
is tied around the back of chair with strings. A headband is placed
around the wearer's forehead and is either riveted to strap or
attached by a cord to strap at a single point. This approach is
generally useful when being discreet is not important and the
application permits such a relatively complex installation.
[0004] Another technique is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 of U.S. Pat.
No. 4,707,031 where a head restraint includes a seat band, which is
secured around the head rest portion of the seat. A band is secured
at the back of the band and along both sides to a securement band
and is wrapped around the wearer's forehead and secured by a
"Velcro" type securement. As with the previous approach, the
attachment of the wearer's head to the seat is by indiscreet
means.
[0005] The Ross U.S. Pat. No. 6,301,716 shows a head support
assembly for physically disabled persons and includes a headband
16, which is loosely supported to a seat back by a pair of cords 20
and 22. This device is designed to permit a substantial amount of
movement of the wearer's head and would be inappropriate for
supporting the wearer's head while sleeping. Similarly, U.S. Pat.
No. 6,266,825 provides for an indiscreet head support mechanism by
way of an adhesive strap secured to a seat harness and a head
harness secured by a loop that passes over the wearer's forehead,
but does not surround the wearer's head. U.S. Pat. No. 6,607,245 is
another example of an indiscreet head support devise for use during
sleeping.
[0006] In view of the foregoing, there is a need for improved
techniques for simple, discreet seat head restraints such that a
casual observer of the head restraint wearer is likely unaware of
the head restraint.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and
not by way of limitation, in the Figures of the accompanying
drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar
elements and in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a back view of the headwear portion of
the preferred embodiment of the present invention
[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the seat portion of the
preferred embodiment.
[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates an unattached side view of the preferred
embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the preferred
embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 5 illustrates an attached side view of the preferred
embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 6 illustrates how to attach the fastener that is
attached to the headwear portion in an alternate embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 7 illustrates the side view of how to attach a clip to
the headwear portion in an alternate embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the seat portion in an
alternate embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 9 illustrates a front view of the seat portion in an
alternate embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of the seat portion of an
alternate embodiment.
[0018] Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the Figures are
not necessarily drawn to scale.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0019] To achieve the forgoing and other objects and in accordance
with the purpose of the invention, a seat head restraint is
described.
[0020] An aspect of the present invention provides for a head
restraint supporting the wearer's head while seated, which head
restraint supports the wearer's head to thereby limit the movement
thereof if the wearer falls asleep, for example, while seated. In
one embodiment of the present invention, the head restraint is
comprised of a headwear portion and a rear mounting portion. The
headwear portion is comprised of an article of headwear with one
part of a fastener attached at the rear of the headwear. The rear
mounting portion comprises the other part of the fastener attached
to the rear mount such that a user wearing the headwear may lean
the wearer's head against the seat thereupon engaging the parts of
the fastener consequently restraining the users head. In some
embodiments, the rear mount is the back of a seat, and in other
embodiments a separate rear mounting fixture is provided.
[0021] Other features, advantages, and object of the present
invention will become more apparent and be more readily understood
from the following detailed description, which should be read in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] The present invention is best understood by reference to the
detailed Figures and description set forth herein.
[0023] Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with
reference to the Figures. However, those skilled in the art will
readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with
respect to these Figures is for explanatory purposes as the
invention extends beyond these limited embodiments.
[0024] The present invention is directed towards head restraints
for supporting the wearer's head while seated. In an embodiment of
the present head restraint system a headwear portion and a seat
attachment portion is provided, whereby the user's head is
adequately secured to the headwear, which headwear is adequately to
the seat attachment portion, thereby sufficiently securing the
user's head to the seat.
[0025] A multiplicity of suitable headwear devices are contemplated
that may be configured according to the teachings of the present
invention. The headwear should preferably have a comfortable and
secure fit with the wearer's head and have a rear location where an
attachment means can be fixedly joined. For example, FIG. 1
illustrates the back of a baseball cap embodiment adapted in
accordance with the principles of the present invention wherein
headwear portion 5 comprises a headwear 1, shown as a baseball cap,
and an attachment means 2 is fixedly joined with headwear 1. In
this embodiment, a Velcro attachment system is shown. Moreover, in
the Figure, attachment means 2 is shown to be joined at the bottom,
backside of headwear 1, however, those in the art will appreciate
that any suitable location may be selected according to the
application and depending on where the desired point of headwear
fixation is located. A seat portion 6 according to an embodiment of
the present invention is shown in front view in FIG. 2 and includes
a seat back 4 and attachment means 3, which removably mates with
attachment means 2 of FIG. 1 with a sufficient attachment force for
the application. Attachment means 3 is fixedly joined to seat back
4 using known methods suitable for the type of attachment system
selected for the application as described in more detail below.
[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates a vertical profile of the relative
orientation headwear portion 5 prior to being removably attached to
seat portion 6 in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. Headwear portion 5 is engaged onto seat portion 6 by
moving headwear portion 5 backwards until attachment means 2 and
attachment means 3 are sufficiently engaged and attached to one
another, thereby securing headwear portion 5 to seat portion 6 as
shown in FIG. 4, which illustrates a top view of the attachment
between headwear portion 5 to seat portion 6.
[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates the side, profile view of user 7 wearing
headwear portion 5 when it is attached to seat portion 6 in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. When
engaged as shown the present headwear attachment system made
according to the present invention adequately secures the users
head to seat back 4, while being relatively unnoticeable and
discreet. The proper selection and implementation of headwear
portion 5 and seat portion 6 will be readily apparent to those
skilled in the art depending on the aesthetic and performance
constraints of the application. By way of example and not
limitation, if the user is a baby or child sitting in a car seat
then this embodiment of the present invention may be a baseball cap
headwear with the first part of a self-adhesive Velcro system
joined to the back of the baseball cap at a suitable location to
conveniently attach with the second part of the self-adhesive
Velcro system, which is joined to the car seat at convenient
location relative to the user's comfortable head orientation. To
disengage the present head restraint system, suitable force is
applied to separate attachment means 2 and attachment means 3 from
one another. This can be accomplished by the user or another
person.
[0028] A multiplicity of known alternative attachment means are
contemplated which achieve the foregoing requirements. By way of
example, and not limitation, suitable attachment means include hook
and loop Velcro and snap fasteners, which may be self adhesively,
glued, sewn, or otherwise secured in place by known techniques. The
strength, size, and implementation of the attachment means depends
on how much attachment force is required to hold the users head in
place during peak and average loading, and is well within the
averaged skilled artisan to properly select from known
approaches.
[0029] It should be appreciated that headwear 1 is understood to
encompass all suitable and common headgear in accordance with the
teachings of the present invention, including, but not limited to,
hats, caps, visors, turbans, hoods, hoods built into other items,
head scarves, and head stockings. Alternative headwear embodiments
of the present invention (not shown), also include other suitable
items normally worn on the head, for example, but not limited to,
eyeglass lanyards, eyeglass restraints, earmuffs, and head wrapping
earphones.
[0030] FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the present
invention, which is a variation of the embodiment, where, instead
of the attachment means being directly on the headwear, it is
adhered to a sleeve 8 which is slipped over the headwear at an
appropriate location, such as at headwear strap 9.
[0031] Similarly, other alternative embodiments of the present
invention include attachment means, which are readily joined and
removed from the headwear as shown in FIG. 7. For example, the
attachment means may be Velcro fixedly adhered to a clip 10, which
is clipped onto headwear 1.
[0032] Yet other alternative embodiments of present invention
implement a variation of attachment means 3 of FIG. 1 whereby seat
attachment means 11 is instead attached to seat attachment strap 12
at its headwear engagement end as shown in FIG. 8, which is joined,
by sewing it in place for example, at its opposite seat attachment
end to seat back 4. With this approach, headwear portion 5 is
strapped to seat back 4 when the user wearing headwear portion 5
engages attachment means 2 and seat attachment means 11, thereby
restraining the users head to seat back 4 via seat strap 12. The
length of strap 12 is chosen according to the desired range of
motion for headwear portion 5, and, in turn, the wearer's head.
Alternate embodiments of this approach may have the seat attachment
end of seat strap 12 attached at more distant locations of the seat
or even at appropriate location off the seat such that headwear
portion 5 is suitable restrained according to the requirements of
the particular application.
[0033] Yet other alternative embodiments of present invention
implement a variation of attachment means 3 of FIG. 1 whereby seat
attachment means 11 is instead attached to seat attachment strap 13
at the strap headwear engagement area and also such that strap 13
is then strapped to the seat 4 in one of a variety ways with one
such example shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.
[0034] Furthermore, some embodiment of the present invention may
have the seat portion manufactured as a part of seat back 4 in
compliance with the teachings of the present invention. Similarly,
some embodiment of the present invention may have the headwear
attachment means manufactured as part of the headwear.
[0035] Those in the art will readily appreciate that the described
embodiments of the present invention is suitable to assist a user,
especially a child, while sleeping in a car seat by providing a
head restraint, which supports the user's head to limit the
movement thereof if the user falls asleep while seated or otherwise
needs head restraint.
[0036] Having fully described at least one embodiment of the
present invention, other equivalent or alternative methods of
implementing a head restraint system according to the present
invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The
invention has been described above by way of illustration, and the
specific embodiments disclosed are not intended to limit the
invention to the particular forms disclosed. For example, the
particular implementation of the attachment means may vary
depending upon the particular requirements of the application.
Whereby, in some alternate embodiments, the attachment means of the
headwear and seat portions can be replaced with one or more known
types of fasteners, snaps for example, and are contemplated as
within the scope of the present invention. The invention is thus to
cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling
within the spirit and scope of the following claims.
* * * * *