U.S. patent application number 10/864150 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-15 for lower leg pillow.
Invention is credited to Hunter, Steven C..
Application Number | 20050273934 10/864150 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35458949 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050273934 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hunter, Steven C. |
December 15, 2005 |
Lower leg pillow
Abstract
A lower leg pillow separates a person's legs and prevents the
knees and ankles from touching. The lower leg pillow has a
resilient pillow body within a covering. The symmetric resilient
pillow body supports and separates the knees and ankles. The body
has opposite first and second ends with a waist between the ends,
connected by a continuous rim. A top and an opposite bottom have
the rim as their perimeter. The covering fits snugly upon the
pillow body. In use, a person has the lower leg pillow with the
first end between their knees and the second end between their
ankles thus separating the legs and aligning the spine during
sleep.
Inventors: |
Hunter, Steven C.; (St.
Louis, MO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHARLES C. MCCLOSKEY
763 S. NEW BALLAS ROAD STE. 170
ST. LOUIS
MO
63141
US
|
Family ID: |
35458949 |
Appl. No.: |
10/864150 |
Filed: |
June 9, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/648 ;
5/632 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 20/021
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
005/648 ;
005/632 |
International
Class: |
A47C 017/86 |
Claims
I claim:
1. An orthopedic pillow for separating the legs of a person resting
in a lateral position comprises: a resilient pillow body, said body
having a generally symmetric shape upon the longitudinal and
lateral axes, a first end and an opposite second end, a waist
between said first end and said second end, a planar top and
mutually parallel and spaced apart planar bottom, an outer rim
continuously connecting said first end, said second end, and said
waist located generally midway between said top and said bottom;
and, a covering fitting snugly upon said body; whereby a person
places said pillow between their legs with said first end between
their knees and said second end between their ankles thus
separating the legs and aligning the spine during sleep.
2. The orthopedic pillow of claim 1 wherein said first end and said
second end have a curvature suitable for grasping by a person's
feet.
3. The orthopedic pillow of claim 1 wherein an inner perimeter
connects said top to an edge connecting to said outer rim and an
inner perimeter connects said bottom to an edge connecting to said
bottom.
4. The orthopedic pillow of claim 3 wherein said edge is selected
from the group consisting of rounded, semi-circular, or
elliptical.
5. The orthopedic pillow of claim 3 wherein said edge is selected
from the group consisting of square, beveled, or pointed.
6. The orthopedic pillow of claim 1 further comprising: said waist
having narrower width than said first end and said second end.
7. The orthopedic pillow of claim 6 wherein said pillow body has a
generally dog bone shape.
8. The orthopedic pillow of claim 1 wherein said pillow body is
selected from the group consisting of foam, spun polyester fill,
down, and cotton.
9. A method of separating the legs of a person during sleep
comprising: a) shaping a pillow for grasping by feet and for
spanning between the knees and the ankles of a person; b) placing
said pillow within a covering; and, c) locating said pillow between
the knees and ankles of a person, whereby the feet grasp and hold
said pillow in position while sleeping thus, a person has their
legs separated to permit the spine to align during sleep.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The lower leg pillow relates generally to house wares or bed
linens, and more specifically to pillows that separate the legs of
a sleeping person. Upright, a person has their legs separated for
sitting, standing, or walking and the knees and ankles do not
contact each other. Reclining on the side, a person has one leg
rest upon the other. With the legs together, the ankles and knees
contact each other and form pressure points. The bony nature of the
ankles and knees rubs the skin upon those joints potentially
causing abrasion for people in lengthy stays at hospitals, nursing
homes, or other long term care facilities.
[0002] Over many years, people have used pillows to support their
legs during sleep. People place regular rectangular pillows between
their knees and ankles to separate their legs. The softness of
regular pillows allows them to compress when placed between legs.
Compressed pillows permit the legs to rotate the pelvis and
misalign the spine. Alas, movement during sleep dislodges the
regular pillows and the knees and ankles rub each other.
[0003] Further with the legs together, the pelvis rotates and
misaligns the spine. The upper leg, furthest from a bed, rotates
downward and rests upon the lower leg. For the upper ankle to reach
the lower ankle, the pelvis rotates towards the feet. Normally,
people move during sleep to reduce pressure and minimize abrasion
at the knees and the ankles. However, people may have medical
conditions that limit their ability to support their body. A stable
cushioned support between the knees and the ankles maintains proper
leg alignment reducing stress on skin, joints, and musculature.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0004] As all people sleep, those with skeletal and other
conditions desire restful sleep. People have sought pillows and
supports of many kinds for the lower legs.
[0005] For example, body pillows allow people to embrace a support
and pads cushion individual joints. However during sleep, people
may release their grasp on a body pillow and pads may turn away the
cushioning from the joint. Pillows and adaptations of pillows are
known in the prior art.
[0006] The patent to Smith, H. H., No. 2,720,660, shows a pillow
construction of a flexible material within a covering. As in the
present invention, this pillow has two widths suitable for
different body parts and a covering upon foam. Differing from the
present invention, this pillow has ends of different widths,
straight sides, and the ability to fold in half lengthwise. In
general, this pillow supports the shoulders, neck and head but may
be manipulated to support the knees and ankles.
[0007] The patent to McCullough, No. 3,327,330 has an L shaped
pillow with pivoting wings. Unlike the present invention, this
pillow has two wings that pivot upon seamed joints to alter and to
reduce the shape of the pillow. The pillow also has an intended use
to support the head and the neck but makes little mention of
supporting the lower legs.
[0008] The patent to Hofstetter, No. 4,624,021, shows a cushion
like support for use by sleeping people. Similar to the present
invention, this support has a wider section that separates the
knees and the ankles, foam cushioning, and a removable cover.
Unlike the present invention, this support has a narrow neck
extending away from the wider portion used below the knees, a
pointed end opposite the neck, and a straight side for contact with
the torso of a sleeping person. Generally, this support extends for
approximately the length of a recumbent person asleep.
[0009] The patent to Avery, No. 4,794,657, shows a three part
pillow combination. Like the present invention, this pillow
combination has a leg pillow possibly for separating the knees and
ankles. Unlike the present invention, this pillow combination has
pillow sections joined by male pins inserted into female sockets,
generally rectangular shaped sections, and a narrow leg pillow.
This combination supports main parts of the body but does not focus
upon the lower legs.
[0010] Then the patent to Mintz, No. 5,497,519, has an inflatable
pillow for supporting the legs of a sleeping person. As in the
present invention, this pillow supports the legs to straighten the
spine and has a location between the knees and the ankles. In
contrast to the present invention, this pillow has inflatable
chambers, rounded corners forming a generally rectangular shape,
and a length greater than the distance from a knee to an ankle.
This inflatable pillow provides for an adjustable separation of
legs to assist a person in sleeping on their side.
[0011] The patent to Kelly, No. 6,052,848, shows a generally U
shaped pillow for the length of a person. As in the present
invention, this pillow supports the legs when folded. In contrast
to the present invention, this pillow can surround a person, has a
generally constant width and thickness, and has a strap with hook
and loop fasteners to secure the wings of this pillow. The present
invention differs distinctly from this pillow.
[0012] The patent to Jamvold et al., No. D471,750, shows a
butterfly shaped pillow. This pillow has two symmetric ends with a
narrow waist and a band upon the waste but no description of the
perimeter edge of the pillow. In contrast, the present invention
has a wider waste, no centered band, and a shaped edge.
[0013] The present invention overcomes the difficulties of
dislodging the pillow during sleep, knees and ankles causing
pressure points, and abrasion and risk of ulceration at low leg
joints. The present invention has a particular size to fit from the
knees to the ankles, single piece construction, and no inflation
required.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] Generally, the present invention provides a lower leg pillow
that separates a person's legs and prevents the knees and ankles
from contacting each other. The lower leg pillow separates the legs
of a person resting upon their side using a resilient pillow body
within a covering. The resilient pillow body supports and separates
the knees and ankles from one another. Symmetric in length and
width, the resilient pillow body has opposite first and second ends
with a waist between the ends. A rim continuously connects the ends
and the waist. A top and an opposite bottom have the rim upon their
perimeter. The top and the bottom have a generally flat shape and
are spaced apart and parallel. Secondly, the covering fits snugly
upon the pillow body and rounds any edges of the pillow body. A
person places the lower leg pillow between their legs with the
first end between their knees and the second end between their
ankles for their feet to grasp thus separating the legs and
aligning the spine during sleep.
[0015] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more
important features of the invention in order that the detailed
description thereof that follows may be better understood and that
the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.
[0016] The invention may also include curved ends, shaping of the
rim as round or beveled, and various materials used as the pillow
body. Additional features of the invention will be described
hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims
attached.
[0017] Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in
the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of the
presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiment of
the present invention when taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings. Before explaining the current embodiment of
the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention
is not limited in its application to the details of construction
and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the
following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention
is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried
out in various ways. Also, the phraseology and terminology employed
herein are for the purpose of description and should not be
regarded as limiting.
[0018] One object of the present invention is to provide a new and
improved lower leg pillow.
[0019] Another object is to provide a lower leg pillow that can be
easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed to the consuming
public.
[0020] Another object is to provide a lower leg pillow with rounded
tapered ends for feet to grasp.
[0021] Another object is to provide a lower leg pillow retained
between the legs during movement while a person sleeps.
[0022] A further object is to provide a lower leg pillow that
separates the legs of a sleeping person, stabilizes the pelvis, and
thus straightens the spine when a person sleeps on their side.
[0023] These together with other objects of the invention, along
with the various features of novelty that characterize the
invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed
to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better
understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the
specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to
the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is
illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 shows the preferred embodiment of the lower leg
pillow in use by a person sleeping upon their side;
[0025] FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the preferred embodiment of the
lower leg pillow having a dog-bone like shape constructed in
accordance with the principles of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view longitudinally of the lower
leg pillow with a beveled edge;
[0027] FIG. 4 shows a sectional view laterally of the lower leg
pillow through an end with a beveled edge;
[0028] FIG. 5 shows a sectional view laterally of the lower leg
pillow through the waist with a beveled edge;
[0029] FIG. 6 shows a sectional view longitudinally of the lower
leg pillow with a round edge;
[0030] FIG. 7 shows a sectional view laterally of the lower leg
pillow through an end with a round edge; and,
[0031] FIG. 8 shows a sectional view laterally of the lower leg
pillow through the waist with a round edge.
[0032] The same reference numerals refer to the same parts
throughout the various figures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0033] The present art overcomes the prior art limitations by
providing a lower leg pillow symmetrically supporting both knees
and ankles of a person. As a person tires or begins sleeping, a
person reclines upon a bed as shown in FIG. 1. Commonly a person 2
sleeps upon their side with one leg 3, the lower leg 3a, in contact
with the bed and the other leg 3, the upper leg 3b, in contact with
the lower leg 3a. Placed between the legs 3, the present invention
separates and cushions the knees 12 and ankles 13. Properly
separated knees 12 and ankles 13 place the upper leg 3 in a plane
parallel with the plane of the lower leg 3. With the two legs 3 in
parallel planes, the pelvis is perpendicular to both planes and the
spine straightens.
[0034] Used between the knees 12 and the ankles 13, the present
invention appears in FIG. 2. The lower leg 3 pillow 1 has a
covering 11 upon a body 4. The covering 11 is removable for
laundering and generally smoothes the edges 16 of the body 4. The
covering 11 has a zipper, or other closure to allow placement of
the pillow body 4 within the covering 11. The body 4 has a
generally dog bone shape with two opposite ends 5, 6: a first end 5
and a second end 6. Midway between the first end 5 and the second
end 6, the body 4 has a waist 7 generally narrower than the first
end 5 and the second end 6. Upon the perimeter, the body 4 has a
rim 10 defining the outermost edge of the present invention. Within
the rim 10, the body 4 has a top 8 of dog bone shape of lesser
dimension than the rim 10 and perpendicular to the rim 10. The body
4 is symmetric upon the longitudinal and lateral axes.
[0035] The first end 5 and the second end 6 have a curvature 14 or
generally round shape suitable for gripping by feet. With the
present invention in place during sleep, a person's 2 feet remain
in contact with the second end 6. The shape of the second end 6
permits the feet of an unconscious person 2 to grip the present
invention holding it in place between the knees 12 and the ankles
13.
[0036] Turning to FIG. 3, the body 4 has a top 8 and an opposite
bottom 9. At the limits of the top 8 and the bottom 9, the body 4
has an inner perimeter 15 that follows the outer rim 10. The inner
perimeter 15 is inset from the outer rim 10. The first end 5 and
the second end 6 have similar edges 16. Between the outer rim 10
and the inner perimeters 15 of the top 8 and the bottom 9, the
first and second ends 5, 6 have a beveled edge 16, at approximately
forty five degrees to the plane of the top 8. The beveled edge 16
is a planar surface connecting the inner perimeter 15 to the outer
rim 10. The beveled edges 16 are symmetric between the top 8 and
the bottom 9, and the first end 5 and the second end 6. With the
beveled edges 16, the lower leg 3 pillow 1 has a generally
octagonal shaped cross section.
[0037] At the end shown in FIG. 4, the body 4 continues the top 8
and the bottom 9 surfaces. The top 8 and bottom 9 have an inner
perimeter 15 inset from the outer rim 10. A beveled edge 16
connects the outer rim 10 to the inner perimeter 15 in a generally
octagonal shape. At an end, the lower leg 3 pillow 1 is symmetric
from top 8 to bottom 9, and left to right.
[0038] Between the ends 5, 6, the waist 7 has a narrower cross
section. The top 8 and bottom 9 continue but more narrow. The inner
perimeters 15 define the limits again of the top 8 and the bottom
9. Then a beveled edge 16 connects the inner perimeter 15 to the
outer rim 10. In a sectional view, the waist 7 also has a generally
octagonal shape.
[0039] An alternate embodiment now appears in FIGS. 6, 7, 8.
Turning to FIG. 6, lengthwise, the body 4 pillow 1 has a top 8 and
an opposite bottom 9. At the extent of the top 8 and the bottom 9,
the lower leg 3 pillow 1 has two inner perimeters 15 that follow
the outer rim 10. The inner perimeter 15 is inset from the outer
rim 10. The first end 5 and the second end 6 have similar edge
conditions 16. Between the outer rim 10 and the inner perimeters 15
of the top 8 and the bottom 9, the first and second ends 5, 6 have
a round edge 16. The round edge 16 is a semi-circular surface
connecting the inner perimeter 15 of the top 8 through the outer
rim 10 to the inner perimeter 15 of the bottom 9. The rounded edges
16 are symmetric between the top 8 and the bottom 9, and the first
end 5 and the second end 6. The body 4 has a generally rectangular
shaped cross section with round ends 5, 6.
[0040] At the end shown in FIG. 7, the lower leg 3 pillow 1
continues the top 8 and the bottom 9 surfaces. The top 8 and bottom
9 have an inner perimeter 15 inset from the outer rim 10. A rounded
edge 16 connects the outer rim 10 to the inner perimeter 15 in a
generally semi-circular shape. At an end, the lower leg 3 pillow 1
is symmetric from top 8 to bottom 9 and left to right.
[0041] Between the ends 5, 6, the waist 7 has a narrower cross
section as shown in FIG. 8. The top 8 and bottom 9 continue
narrower than at the ends 5, 6. The inner perimeters 15 define the
extent of the top 8 and the bottom 9. Then a round edge 16 connects
the inner perimeter 15 to the outer rim 10. In a sectional view,
the waist 7 also has a generally rectangular shape with round ends
5, 6. Alternatively, the lower leg 3 pillow 1 has an elliptical
shaped edge 16 connecting the top 8 and the bottom 9.
[0042] From the aforementioned description, a lower leg pillow has
been described. The lower leg pillow is uniquely capable of
separating a person's legs at the knees and ankles without
dislodging during sleep. The lower leg pillow and its various
components may be manufactured from many materials including but
not limited to open and closed cell foam, down, polyester,
polymers, polypropylene PP, polyvinyl chloride PVC, nylon, cotton
and other textiles, and composites.
[0043] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be
utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods
and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present
invention. Therefore, the claims include such equivalent
constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and the
scope of the present invention.
* * * * *