U.S. patent application number 11/057722 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-17 for adjustable pillow for supporting an infant.
Invention is credited to Rachel Margalit.
Application Number | 20060179574 11/057722 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36814096 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060179574 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Margalit; Rachel |
August 17, 2006 |
Adjustable pillow for supporting an infant
Abstract
A pillow that provides support for an infant, especially during
feeding. The pillow is preferably adjustable to accommodate for the
varying lengths and thicknesses of different caretakers' arms.
Further preferably, the pillow is also adjustable to help secure
the pillow about the upper portion of the caretaker's arm. Still
further preferably, the pillow is adjustable to help secure the
pillow about the lower portion of caretaker's arm.
Inventors: |
Margalit; Rachel;
(Scottsdale, AZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WEISS & MOY PC
4204 NORTH BROWN AVENUE
SCOTTSDALE
AZ
85251
US
|
Family ID: |
36814096 |
Appl. No.: |
11/057722 |
Filed: |
February 14, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/655 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 13/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
005/655 |
International
Class: |
A47D 15/00 20060101
A47D015/00 |
Claims
1. A pillow for supporting an infant comprising: a substantially
tubular body having a substantially uniform width and having a
first open end and a second open end and defining a bore
therebetween, said bore dimensioned to retain an arm of a user
inserted through one of said first open end and said second open
end so that said substantially tubular body covers substantially
all of said arm of said user and said substantially tubular body
having a length sufficient to support a substantial portion of a
body of an infant, said substantially tubular body comprising: an
inner surface; an outer surface coupled to said inner surface to
form a void defined by and located between said inner surface and
said outer surface; and filling inserted within and distributed
substantially equally between said inner surface and said outer
surface of said substantially tubular body thereby providing said
substantially tubular body with a substantially uniform thickness;
and at least one adjustment device coupled to at least one of said
first open end and said second open end, said at least one
adjustment device allowing at least one of said first open end and
said second open end to be securely coupled about at least one of
an upper portion of said arm of said user and a lower portion of
said arm of said user.
2. The pillow of claim 1 having a first adjustment device coupled
to said first open end and having a second adjustment device
coupled to said second open end.
3. The pillow of claim 1 wherein at least one of said first open
end and said second open end defining a slit, said slit extending
substantially perpendicularly from said at least one of said first
open end and said second open end towards a middle area of said
substantially tubular body proximate said at least one of said
first open end and said second open end, at least one of said first
open end and said second open end defining a first edge and a
second edge proximate said slit.
4. The pillow of claim 3 wherein said at least one adjustment
device comprises: a band, one edge of said band being coupled to
one of said first open end and said second open end of said
substantially tubular body so that a first end of said band being
proximate said first edge proximate said slit and a second end of
said band being proximate said second edge proximate said slit; a
first coupling mechanism coupled to said first end of said band; a
second coupling mechanism dimensioned to mate with said first
coupling mechanism and coupled to said second end of said band in
order to maintain a desired circumference of said band.
5. The pillow of claim 3 wherein said at least one adjustment
device comprises a zipper, a first half of said zipper being
coupled along said first edge proximate said slit and a second half
of said zipper being coupled along said second edge proximate said
slit.
6. The pillow of claim 1 wherein said at least one adjustment
device comprises at least one annular elastic strip, said at least
one annular elastic strip being coupled to said inner surface of
said substantially tubular body and being coupled proximate at
least one of said first open end and said second open end such that
a portion of said substantially tubular body extends beyond said at
least one annular elastic strip.
7. The pillow of claim 6 wherein said portion of said substantially
tubular body extending beyond said annular elastic strip being
capable of folding back upon itself and thereby shortening a length
of said substantially tubular body.
8. The pillow of claim 7 wherein said outer surface and at least a
portion of said inner surface proximate said annular elastic strip
comprising a substantially soft material so that when said portion
of said substantially tubular body extending beyond said annular
elastic strip is folded back upon itself, said substantially soft
material of said at least a portion of said inner surface being
exposed.
9. The pillow of claim 6 wherein said at least one adjustment
device further comprises: at least one strap, a first end of said
at least one strap being coupled to said substantially tubular body
proximate at least one of said first open end and said second open
end and a second end of said at least one strap being disposed
opposite said first end of said at least one strap and extending
beyond one of said first open end and said second open end; a first
coupling mechanism coupled to a bottom surface of said strap
proximate said second end of said strap; a second coupling
mechanism coupled to said outer surface of said substantially
tubular body proximate one of said first open end and said second
open end so that said first coupling mechanism and said second
coupling mechanism being dimensioned to be mated such that said
portion of said substantially tubular body extending beyond said
annular elastic strip being gathered and thereby shortening a
length of said substantially tubular body.
10. The pillow of claim 1 further comprising at least one pocket
coupled to said outer surface of said substantially tubular body
and coupled at a distance from at least one of said first open end
and said second open end such that said at least one pocket being
accessible to said user despite any length adjustment of said
substantially tubular body.
11. The pillow of claim 10 wherein said at least one pocket being
oriented such that an opening of said pocket being proximate said
second open end.
12. The pillow of claim 1 further comprising at least one loop
coupled to said outer surface of said substantially tubular body,
said loop being dimensioned such that an infant feeding accessory
may be passed therethrough and secured to said pillow.
13. A pillow for supporting an infant comprising: a substantially
tubular body having a substantially tapered width and having a
first open end and a second open end and defining a bore
therebetween, said bore dimensioned to retain an arm of a user
inserted through one of said first open end and said second open
end so that said substantially tubular body covers substantially
all of said arm of said user and said substantially tubular body
having a length sufficient to support a substantial portion of a
body of an infant, said substantially tubular body comprising: an
inner surface; an outer surface coupled to said inner surface to
form a void defined by and located between said inner surface and
said outer surface; and filling inserted within and distributed
substantially equally between said inner surface and said outer
surface of said substantially tubular body thereby providing said
substantially tubular body with a substantially uniform
thickness.
14. The pillow of claim 13 further comprising at least one
adjustment device coupled to at least one of said first open end
and said second open end, said at least one adjustment device
allowing at least one of said first open end and said second open
end to be securely coupled about at least one of an upper portion
of said arm of said user and a lower portion of said arm of said
user.
15. The pillow of claim 14 having a first adjustment device coupled
to said first open end and having a second adjustment device
coupled to said second open end.
16. The pillow of claim 14 wherein at least one of said first open
end and said second open end defining a slit, said slit extending
substantially perpendicularly from said at least one of said first
open end and said second open end towards a middle area of said
substantially tubular body proximate said at least one of said
first open end and said second open end, at least one of said first
open end and said second open end defining a first edge and a
second edge proximate said slit.
17. The pillow of claim 16 wherein said at least one adjustment
device comprises: a band, one edge of said band being coupled to
one of said first open end and said second open end of said
substantially tubular body so that a first end of said band being
proximate said first edge proximate said slit and a second end of
said band being proximate said second edge proximate said slit; a
first coupling mechanism coupled to said first end of said band; a
second coupling mechanism dimensioned to mate with said first
coupling mechanism and coupled to said second end of said band in
order to maintain a desired circumference of said band.
18. The pillow of claim 16 wherein said at least one adjustment
device comprises a zipper, a first half of said zipper being
coupled along said first edge proximate said slit and a second half
of said zipper being coupled along said second edge proximate said
slit.
19. The pillow of claim 14 wherein said at least one adjustment
device comprises at least one annular elastic strip, said at least
one annular elastic strip being coupled to said inner surface of
said substantially tubular body and being coupled proximate at
least one of said first open end and said second open end such that
a portion of said substantially tubular body extends beyond said at
least one annular elastic strip.
20. The pillow of claim 19 wherein said portion of said
substantially tubular body extending beyond said annular elastic
strip being capable of folding back upon itself and thereby
shortening a length of said substantially tubular body.
21. The pillow of claim 20 wherein said outer surface and at least
a portion of said inner surface proximate said annular elastic
strip comprising a substantially soft material so that when said
portion of said substantially tubular body extending beyond said
annular elastic strip is folded back upon itself, said
substantially soft material of said at least a portion of said
inner surface being exposed.
22. The pillow of claim 19 wherein said at least one adjustment
device further comprises: at least one strap, a first end of said
at least one strap being coupled to said substantially tubular body
proximate at least one of said first open end and said second open
end and a second end of said at least one strap being disposed
opposite said first end of said at least one strap and extending
beyond one of said first open end and said second open end; a first
coupling mechanism coupled to a bottom surface of said strap
proximate said second end of said strap; a second coupling
mechanism coupled to said outer surface of said substantially
tubular body proximate one of said first open end and said second
open end so that said first coupling mechanism and said second
coupling mechanism being dimensioned to be mated such that said
portion of said substantially tubular body extending beyond said
annular elastic strip being gathered and thereby shortening a
length of said substantially tubular body.
23. The pillow of claim 14 further comprising at least one pocket
coupled to said outer surface of said substantially tubular body
and coupled at a distance from at least one of said first open end
and said second open end such that said at least one pocket being
accessible to said user despite any length adjustment of said
substantially tubular body.
24. The pillow of claim 23 wherein said pocket being oriented such
that an opening of said pocket being proximate said second open
end.
25. The pillow of claim 13 further comprising at least one loop
coupled to said outer surface of said substantially tubular body,
said loop being dimensioned such that an infant feeding accessory
may be passed therethrough and secured to said pillow.
26. A pillow for supporting an infant comprising: a substantially
tubular body having a substantially tapered width and having a
first open end and a second open end and defining a bore
therebetween, said bore dimensioned to retain an arm of a user
inserted through one of said first open end and said second open
end so that said substantially tubular body covers substantially
all of said arm of said user and said substantially tubular body
having a length sufficient to support a substantial portion of a
body of an infant, said substantially tubular body comprising: an
inner surface; an outer surface coupled to said inner surface to
form a void defined by and located between said inner surface and
said outer surface; and filling inserted within and distributed
substantially equally between said inner surface and said outer
surface of said substantially tubular body thereby providing said
substantially tubular body with a substantially uniform thickness;
a first annular elastic strip, said first annular elastic strip
being coupled to said inner surface of said substantially tubular
body and being coupled proximate said first open end such that a
portion of said substantially tubular body extends beyond said
first annular elastic strip, said portion of said substantially
tubular body extending beyond said first annular elastic strip
being capable of folding back upon itself and thereby shortening a
length of said substantially tubular body; a second annular elastic
strip, said second annular elastic strip being coupled to said
inner surface of said substantially tubular body and being coupled
proximate said second open end such that a portion of said
substantially tubular body extends beyond said second annular
elastic strip, said portion of said substantially tubular body
extending beyond said second annular elastic strip being capable of
folding back upon itself and thereby shortening said length of said
substantially tubular body, wherein said outer surface and at least
a portion of said inner surface comprising a substantially soft
material so that when at least one of said portion of said
substantially tubular body extending beyond said first annular
elastic strip and said portion of said substantially tubular body
extending beyond said second annular elastic strip is folded back
upon itself, said substantially soft material of said at least a
portion of said inner surface being exposed; at least one pocket
coupled to said outer surface of said substantially tubular body,
said at least one pocket being oriented such that an opening
defined by said at least one pocket being proximate said second
open end and said at least one pocket coupled at a distance from
said second open end such that said at least one pocket being
accessible to said user despite any length adjustment of said
substantially tubular body; and at least one loop coupled to said
outer surface of said substantially tubular body, said loop being
dimensioned such that an infant feeding accessory may be passed
therethrough and secured to said pillow.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention pertains in general to pillows and pertains
in particular to an adjustable pillow for providing support to an
infant.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] When feeding an infant, a caregiver usually cradles the
infant in his/her arm to hold the infant upright. Oftentimes, the
caregiver may sit in a chair or couch and will rest his/arm upon
the chair's arm for support. However, during a prolonged feeding
period, the infant may experience discomfort from the caregiver's
arm and the caregiver may experience fatigue. Further discomfort
may arise from the build-up of perspiration on the caregiver's arm.
Several attempts have been made to address these issues.
[0003] For example U.S. Pat. No. 5,239,717, issued to Sue, appears
to disclose a pillow for a caregiver's arm for supporting the head
of a baby. The pillow is comprised of two side-by-side
interconnected layers which lie flat and are juxtaposed relative to
each other. The pillow forms a tube when a part of the arm of a
caregiver is inserted between the two layers. While wearing this
tube about his/her arm, the caregiver and the infant are provided
with cushioning for a more comfortable feeding. A problem arises,
however, when the caregiver is young and has a thinner and shorter
arm than an adult caregiver would. The Sue invention does not
provide any adjustability to accommodate for the different arm
lengths that caregivers may have. Furthermore, the Sue invention is
not secured about the caregiver's arm, therefore creating the
possibility that the pillow may accidentally slip down the
caregiver's arm.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 6,381,786, issued to Cadden, discloses an
infant pillow feeding sleeve. The sleeve is slipped over the arm of
the caregiver and when the arm is bent to position the baby for
feeding, the sleeve props the infant's head up, thereby reducing
fatigue and increasing the comfort of the caregiver and the child.
Like the Sue invention, the Cadden infant pillow feeding sleeve
does not account for the varying arm lengths of different
caregivers. And the Cadden invention also lacks any sort of
securing device to ensure that the pillow feeding sleeve is held
firmly in place. Furthermore, the Cadden device discloses a reduced
thickness at both ends, which could cause an infant's head to
accidentally slip off of the pillow.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,440,769, issued to Thomas, appears to
disclose another cylindrical pillow for supporting a baby's head.
The pillow is slipped onto the caregiver's arm like a sleeve and
has elastic bands to hold the pillow in place around the
caregiver's arm. Although these elastic bands help provide
security, they are rough and may cause abrasions on the highly
sensitive skin of the infant. And again, the Thomas invention fails
to provide any adjustability for the varying arm lengths of
different caregivers.
[0006] Therefore a need existed to provide a pillow for supporting
an infant that is adjustable to accommodate for the varying lengths
of different caretakers' arms. Preferably the pillow will also be
adjustable to help secure the pillow about the upper portion of the
caretaker's arm. Further preferably, the pillow will be further
adjustable to help secure the pillow about the lower portion of
caretaker's arm.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a pillow
for supporting an infant that is adjustable to accommodate for the
varying lengths of different caretakers' arms.
[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
pillow for supporting an infant that is adjustable to help secure
the pillow about the upper portion of the caretaker's arm.
[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
pillow for supporting an infant that is adjustable to help secure
the pillow about the lower portion of the caretaker's arm.
BRIED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0010] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
a pillow for supporting an infant is disclosed. The pillow
comprises: a substantially tubular body having a substantially
uniform width and having a first open end and a second open end and
defining a bore therebetween, the bore being dimensioned to retain
an arm of a user inserted through either the first open end or the
second open end so that the substantially tubular body covers
substantially all of the arm of the user, and the substantially
tubular body having a length sufficient to support a substantial
portion of a body of an infant. The pillow also comprises at least
one adjustment device coupled to at least one of the first open end
and the second open end, the at least one adjustment device
allowing at least one of the first open end and the second open end
to be securely coupled about at least one of an upper portion of
the arm of the user and a lower portion of the arm of the user. And
the substantially tubular body comprises: an inner surface, an
outer surface coupled to the inner surface to form a void defined
by and located between the inner surface and the outer surface, and
filling inserted within and distributed substantially equally
between the inner surface and the outer surface of the
substantially tubular body thereby providing the substantially
tubular body with a substantially uniform thickness.
[0011] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, a pillow for supporting an infant is disclosed. The
pillow comprises: a substantially tubular body having a
substantially tapered width and having a first open end and a
second open end and defining a bore therebetween, the bore being
dimensioned to retain an arm of a user inserted through one of the
first open end and the second open end so that the substantially
tubular body covers substantially all of the arm of the user and
the substantially tubular body having a length sufficient to
support a substantial portion of a body of an infant. The
substantially tubular body comprises: an inner surface, an outer
surface coupled to the inner surface to form a void defined by and
located between the inner surface and the outer surface, and
filling inserted within and distributed substantially equally
between the inner surface and the outer surface of the
substantially tubular body thereby providing the substantially
tubular body with a substantially uniform thickness.
[0012] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, a pillow for supporting an infant is disclosed. The
pillow comprises: a substantially tubular body having a
substantially tapered width and having a first open end and a
second open end and defining a bore therebetween, the bore being
dimensioned to retain an arm of a user inserted through one of the
first open end and the second open end so that the substantially
tubular body covers substantially all of the arm of the user and
the substantially tubular body having a length sufficient to
support a substantial portion of a body of an infant. The pillow
also comprises a first annular elastic strip coupled to the inner
surface of the substantially tubular body and coupled proximate the
first open end such that a portion of the substantially tubular
body extends beyond the first annular elastic strip, the portion of
the substantially tubular body extending beyond the first annular
elastic strip being capable of folding back upon itself and thereby
shortening a length of the substantially tubular body. The pillow
further comprises a second annular elastic strip coupled to the
inner surface of the substantially tubular body and coupled
proximate the second open end such that a portion of the
substantially tubular body extends beyond the second annular
elastic strip, the portion of the substantially tubular body
extending beyond the second annular elastic strip being capable of
folding back upon itself and thereby shortening the length of the
substantially tubular body, wherein the outer surface and at least
a portion of the inner surface comprising a substantially soft
material so that when at least one of the portion of the
substantially tubular body extending beyond the first annular
elastic strip and the portion of the substantially tubular body
extending beyond the second annular elastic strip is folded back
upon itself, the substantially soft material of the at least a
portion of the inner surface being exposed. In addition, the pillow
comprises at least one pocket coupled to the outer surface of the
substantially tubular body, the at least one pocket being oriented
such that an opening defined by the at least one pocket being
proximate the second open end and the at least one pocket coupled
at a distance from the second open end such that the at least one
pocket being accessible to the user despite any length adjustment
of the substantially tubular body. The pillow also comprises at
least one loop coupled to the outer surface of the substantially
tubular body, the loop being dimensioned such that an infant
feeding accessory may be passed therethrough and secured to the
pillow. And the substantially tubular body comprises: an inner
surface, an outer surface coupled to the inner surface to form a
void defined by and located between the inner surface and the outer
surface, and filling inserted within and distributed substantially
equally between the inner surface and the outer surface of the
substantially tubular body thereby providing the substantially
tubular body with a substantially uniform thickness.
[0013] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of
the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular,
description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a
pillow for supporting an infant consistent with the present
invention. The pillow is shown in use with a caregiver supporting
an infant.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pillow of FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an open end of the pillow of
FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a
pillow for supporting an infant consistent with the present
invention.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective, partially cut-away view of an open
end of the pillow of FIG. 4. The pillow is shown as having a
portion of the substantially tubular body folded back upon
itself.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an open end of a third
embodiment of a pillow for supporting an infant consistent with the
present invention.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an open end of the pillow of
FIG. 6. The pillow is shown as having a portion of the
substantially tubular pillow gathered and held in place by two
straps.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a perspective, partially cut-away view of an open
end of a fourth embodiment of a pillow for supporting an infant
consistent with the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a side view of a fifth embodiment of a pillow for
supporting an infant consistent with the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a second open end of the
pillow of FIG. 9. The pillow is shown as having a portion of the
substantially tubular body folded back upon itself.
[0024] FIG. 11 is a side view of the pillow of FIG. 9. The pillow
is shown as having a loop and an infant feeding accessory passed
therethrough and secured to the pillow.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] The novel features believed characteristic of the invention
are set forth in the appended claims. The invention will best be
understood by reference to the following detailed description of
illustrated embodiments when read in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals and symbols
represent like elements.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 1-11, a pillow for supporting an infant
104 (shown in FIG. 1), referred to generically as pillow 10, is
disclosed. The pillow 10 comprises a substantially tubular body 12
and at least one adjustment device 38.
[0027] The substantially tubular body 12 may have either a
substantially uniform width or a substantially tapered width (shown
in FIG. 9). The substantially tubular body 12 has a first open end
14a (shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 9), referred to generically as
open end 14, and a second open end 14b (shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 9,
and 10), referred to generically as open end 14. The substantially
tubular body 12 defines a bore 28 (shown in FIGS. 2-6, FIG. 8, and
FIG. 10) between the first open end 14a and the second open end
14b. The bore 28 is preferably dimensioned to retain an arm 98 (see
FIG. 1) of a user 96 (see FIG. 1) that is inserted through the
first open end 14a so that the substantially tubular body 12 covers
substantially all of the arm 98 of the user 96. Further preferably,
the substantially tubular body 12 has a length sufficient to
support a substantial portion of a body 106 (see FIG. 1) of the
infant 104. The substantially tubular body 12 comprises an inner
surface 30 (shown in FIGS. 2-6, FIG. 8 and FIG. 10), an outer
surface 32, and a void 34 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) defined by and
located between the inner surface 30 and the outer surface 32. The
void 34 contains filling 36 (see FIG. 5) that is distributed
substantially equally between the inner surface 30 and the outer
surface 32, thereby providing the substantially tubular body 12
with a substantially uniform thickness.
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 1, preferably, the pillow 10 has at
least one adjustment device, referred to generically as adjustment
device 38, coupled to either one of the first open end 14a and the
second open end 14b. Or, the pillow 10 may have two adjustment
devices 38, one coupled to the first open end 14a and another
coupled to the second open end 14b (see FIG. 2). An adjustment
device 38 coupled to the first open end 14a would allow for the
first open end 14a to be securely coupled about an upper portion
100 of the arm 98 of the user 96, and an adjustment device 38
coupled to the second open end 14b would allow the second open end
14b to be securely coupled about a lower portion 102 of the arm 98
of the user 96.
[0029] FIGS. 2 and 3 show a first embodiment of the pillow 10,
hereinafter referred to as pillow 10a, of the present invention. As
shown in FIG. 3, either open end 14 may define a slit 44 that
extends substantially perpendicularly from the open end 14 towards
a middle area 26 (also shown in FIGS. 4 and 9) of the substantially
tubular body 12 proximate the open end 14. On the other hand, FIG.
2 shows the first open end 14a as defining a slit 44 that extends
substantially perpendicularly from the first open end 14a towards
the middle area 26 of the substantially tubular body 12 proximate
the first open end 14a and also shows the second open end 14b as
defining a slit 44 that extends substantially perpendicularly from
the second open end 14b towards the middle area 26 of the
substantially tubular body 12 proximate the second open end
14b.
[0030] In FIGS. 2 and 3, one embodiment of the adjustment device
38, referred to as adjustment device 38a, is shown. The adjustment
device 38a comprises a band 50. One edge 52 of the band 50 is
coupled to the open end 14 of the substantially tubular body 12 so
that a first end 54 of the band 50 is proximate a first edge 16
proximate the slit 44 and a second end 56 (see FIG. 3) of the band
50 is proximate a second edge 18 proximate the slit 44. FIG. 2
shows that the adjustment device 38a may be coupled to each of the
first open end 14a and the second open end 14b of the pillow 10.
The adjustment device 38a has a first coupling mechanism 58a (see
FIG. 3), referred to generically as coupling mechanism 58, coupled
to the first end 54 of the band 50 and also has a second coupling
mechanism 58b (see FIG. 3), referred to generically as coupling
mechanism 58, coupled to the second end 56 of the band 50. The
second coupling mechanism 58b is dimensioned to mate with the first
coupling mechanism 58a in order to maintain a desired circumference
of the band 50.
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, another embodiment of the pillow
10, hereinafter pillow 10b, is shown. The pillow 10b uses another
type of adjustment device 38b, referred to generically as
adjustment device 38. The adjustment device 38b comprises at least
one annular elastic strip 68. The annular elastic strip 68 is
coupled to the inner surface 30 of the substantially tubular body
12 and is coupled proximate the open end 14 such that a portion 74
of the substantially tubular body 12 extends beyond the annular
elastic strip 68. FIG. 4 shows that an adjustment device 38b may be
coupled to each of the first open end 14a and the second open end
14b of the substantially tubular body 12. Although not shown, it
should be clearly understood that further substantial benefit may
be derived from at least another annular elastic strip 68 being
coupled to the inner surface 30 of the substantially tubular body
12 proximate the middle area 26 of the substantially tubular body
12. As shown in FIG. 5, the portion 74 of the substantially tubular
body 12 extending beyond the annular elastic strip 68 may be folded
back upon itself, thereby shortening a length of the substantially
tubular body 12.
[0032] Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, an alternative embodiment of
the pillow 10, hereinafter pillow 10c, is shown. The pillow 10c is
essentially the same as the pillow 10b, although the pillow 10c
comprises two straps 80 that are used to adjust the length of the
pillow 10c. Each of the two straps have a first end 82 coupled to
the substantially tubular body 12 proximate the open end 14 and
each having a second end 84 disposed opposite the first end 82 of
the strap 80 and extending beyond the open end 14 of the
substantially tubular body 12. A first coupling mechanism 58a is
coupled to a bottom surface 86 of each strap 80 proximate the
second end 84 of each strap 80. A second coupling mechanism 58b is
coupled to the outer surface 32 of the substantially tubular body
12 proximate the open end 14. The first coupling mechanism 58a and
the second coupling mechanism 58b are dimensioned to be mated such
that the portion 74 of the substantially tubular body 12 extending
beyond the annular elastic strip 68 may be gathered and held in
place, thereby shortening the length of the substantially tubular
body 12. Although it is preferred that two straps 80 be used, it
should be clearly understood that an alternate number of straps 80
may be used so long as the straps 80 gather and hold the portion 74
of the substantially tubular body 12 extending beyond the annular
elastic strip 68 in place.
[0033] Referring now to FIG. 8, another embodiment of the pillow
10, referred to herein as pillow 10d, is shown. Like pillow 10a,
the open end 14 of pillow 10d may define a slit 44 that extends
substantially perpendicularly from the open end 14 towards a middle
area 26 of the substantially tubular body 12 proximate the open end
14. And like pillow 10b, the adjustment device 38b comprises at
least one annular elastic strip 68 coupled to the inner surface 30
of the substantially tubular body 12 and coupled proximate the open
end 14 such that a portion 74 of the substantially tubular body 12
extends beyond the annular elastic strip 68. The pillow 10d,
however, has a zipper 62 that is used to adjust the length of the
substantially tubular body 12 of the pillow 10d. A first half 64 of
the zipper 62 is shown coupled along the first edge 16 proximate
the slit 44 and a second half 66 of the zipper 62 is shown coupled
along the second edge 18 proximate the slit 44. As the zipper 62 is
unzipped, the portion 74 of the substantially tubular body 12
extending beyond the annular elastic strip 68 may be folded back
upon itself, thereby shortening the length of the substantially
tubular body 12.
[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, an alternative embodiment
of the pillow 10, hereinafter pillow 10e, is shown. The pillow 10e
is essentially the same as the pillow 10b, although the outer
surface 32 and at least a portion of the inner surface 30 proximate
the annular elastic strip 68 preferably both comprise a
substantially soft material 108 so that when the portion 74 of the
substantially tubular body 12 extending beyond the annular elastic
strip 68 is folded back upon itself, the substantially soft
material 108 of the portion of the inner surface 30 will be
exposed. Although this is preferred, it should be clearly
understood that substantial benefit may be derived if the entire
inner surface 30 or none of the inner surface 30 were comprised of
the same substantially soft material 108 that the outer surface 32
is comprised of. The pillow 10e further differs from the previous
embodiments in that the pillow 10e has a substantially tapered
width (see FIG. 9). A tapered width is preferable because the upper
portion 100 of a user's 96 arm is typically wider than the lower
portion 102 of the user's 96 arm.
[0035] FIGS. 9-11 also show that the soft material 108 has a
plurality of protuberances 110. Such protuberances 110 are present
in cloth materials such as Minkey Dot polyester. These
protuberances 110 allow for greater comfort and support for the
infant 104. Although it is preferred to use Minkey Dot polyester,
it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may be
derived from using alternative types of material so long as the
material is not uncomfortable to the infant 104.
[0036] Referring now to FIG. 2 and FIGS. 9-11, the pillow 10 is
shown as having at least one pocket 88 that is coupled to the outer
surface 32 of the substantially tubular body 12. Although it is
preferred that the pillow 10 have a pocket 88, substantial benefit
may still be derived from a pillow 10 without a pocket 88.
Preferably, the pocket 88 is oriented such that an opening 90 of
the pocket 88 is proximate the second open end 14b of the
substantially tubular body 12. Further preferably, the pocket 88 is
coupled at a distance from the open end 14 such that the pocket 88
remains accessible to the user 96 despite any length adjustment of
the substantially tubular body 12. Preferably, the pillow 10 may
also have at least one loop 92 coupled to the outer surface 32 of
the substantially tubular body 12. Although it is preferred that
the pillow 10 have a loop 92, substantial benefit may still be
derived from a pillow 10 that does not have a loop 92. Preferably,
the loop 92 is dimensioned such that an infant feeding accessory 94
(see FIG. 11), such as a burp rag 95 (see FIG. 11), may be passed
therethrough and secured to the pillow 10. Although the infant
feeding accessory 94 is shown to be a burp rag 95, it should be
clearly understood that the loop 92 may be used to secure any
infant feeding accessory 94 to the pillow 10, such as a toy set of
rings, a pacifier, or some other toy or accessory.
[0037] While the invention has been particularly shown and
described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will
be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and
other changes in form and details may be made therein without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example,
although the coupling mechanisms 58 in FIGS. 2, 3, 6, and 7 are
shown as being snaps 60, it should be clearly understood that
further substantial benefit may be derived from using an alternate
type of coupling mechanisms 58, such as hooks, Velcro.RTM.
fasteners, and buttons. As a further example, although it is
preferred that the outer surface 32 comprise a substantially soft
material 108, such as polyester, and that the inner surface 30
comprise an alternate material, such as cotton flannel, it should
be clearly understood that any type of materials may be used so
long as the material is comfortable to both the user 96 and to the
infant 104. It should also be clearly understood that it is not
required that certain types of adjustment devices 38 be used for
any particular embodiment of the pillow 10. The type of adjustment
device 38 selected for the pillow 10 may vary so long as the pillow
10 is adjustable to accommodate for the different arm sizes of
different caregivers.
* * * * *