U.S. patent application number 11/309038 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-13 for pillow for localized support of the head.
Invention is credited to Deborah Ghani.
Application Number | 20070283495 11/309038 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38820380 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070283495 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ghani; Deborah |
December 13, 2007 |
Pillow for Localized Support of the Head
Abstract
An asymmetrically disposed pillow formed of tube-like
construction provides an over ear arch with cervical support
depending from the rear end of the arch. The arch includes an upper
cranial support section that lies along a horizontal axis and fits
above the ear. A rear end of the cranial support section connects
to a depending occipital support section, which depends behind the
ear. A lower end of the occipital support section connects to a
cervical support section that is disposed at a forward angle that
is less than a right angle. Optionally, the forward branch of the
arch depends from the cranial support section as a temporal support
section. Optionally, the temporal support section further depends
as a cheek support.
Inventors: |
Ghani; Deborah; (Arvada,
CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KYLE W. ROST
5490 AUTUMN CT.
GREENWOOD VILLAGE
CO
80111
US
|
Family ID: |
38820380 |
Appl. No.: |
11/309038 |
Filed: |
June 12, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/636 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 9/10 20130101; A61G
7/072 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/636 |
International
Class: |
A47G 9/00 20060101
A47G009/00 |
Claims
1. An asymmetric pillow defining an ear pocket with open front for
localized support of the head and neck of a human user, comprising:
a cranial arch support bounding a top edge of said ear pocket; and
a cervical support depending from a rear end of said cranial arch
support and extending forwardly and downwardly from the rear end of
the cranial arch support to support a cervical area of the neck and
bound a rear edge of the ear pocket.
2. An asymmetric pillow according to claim 1, wherein: said arch
support extends upwardly from about a mid-portion of said ear
pocket; and said cervical support extends downwardly from about a
mid-portion of said ear pocket.
3. An asymmetric pillow according to claim 1, wherein: said pillow
is configured as a longitudinally elongated tube disposed along a
serpentine longitudinal axis.
4. An asymmetric pillow according to claim 3, wherein: said
serpentine longitudinal axis is hook-shaped, such that in use under
a user's head, the hook shape defines said ear pocket in suitable
position to be disposed with open front facing forward toward the
user's face.
5. An asymmetric pillow according to claim 1, further comprising:
an occipital support; wherein said arch support comprises a cranial
support connected at the rear end thereof to said occipital
support; and the occipital support interconnects said cranial
support with said cervical support.
6. An asymmetric pillow according to claim 5, wherein said
occipital support defines a rear edge of the ear pocket.
7. An asymmetric pillow according to claim 5, further comprising a
temporal support at a front end thereof.
8. An asymmetric pillow according to claim 7, further comprising a
cheek support at a front end of said temporal support.
9. A tubular pillow disposed along a serpentine longitudinal axis
defining an ear pocket with open front for localized support of the
head and neck of a human user, comprising: an arch shaped cranial
support defining an arcuate top of said ear pocket for supporting
the cranial portion of a user's head; and a cervical support
connected to a rear end of said cranial arch support behind the ear
pocket and extending downwardly and forwardly there from for
supporting a user's neck below the ear.
10. A tubular pillow according to claim 9, wherein: said cranial
support extends upwardly from about a mid-portion of said ear
pocket; and said cervical support extends downwardly from about a
mid-portion of said ear pocket.
11. A tubular pillow according to claim 9, wherein: said serpentine
longitudinal axis is hook-shaped, such that in use under a user's
head, the hook shape defines said ear pocket in suitable position
to be disposed with open front facing forward toward the user's
face.
12. A tubular pillow according to claim 9, further comprising: an
occipital support to the rear of said ear pocket; wherein said
arch-shaped cranial support is connected at a rear end thereof to
said occipital support; and the occipital support interconnects
said cranial support with said cervical support.
13. A tubular pillow according to claim 12, wherein said occipital
support defines a rear edge of the ear pocket.
14. A tubular pillow according to claim 12, further comprising a
temporal support extending downwardly and forward from a front end
of said cranial support.
15. A tubular pillow according to claim 14, further comprising a
cheek support extending downwardly and forward from a front end of
said temporal support.
16. A tubular pillow according to claim 9, wherein said serpentine
longitudinal axis is disposed in a generally hook-shaped
configuration.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention generally relates to beds and support devices
for discrete portions of a user. More specifically, the invention
relates to support devices for selected, localized portions of the
head or neck of a user in a supine or prone position.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art Including Information
Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98
[0004] A normal, rectangular pillow as commonly used for sleeping
provides broad support for the head. To a small degree, this type
of pillow has been customized for special needs. Different degrees
of firmness allow a side sleeper to obtain a more firm pillow,
while a back sleeper can obtain a less firm pillow, and a stomach
sleeper can obtain a still less firm pillow. However, the normal
pillow is not suited for relieving or eliminating pressure on
sensitive areas of the head. Instead, the normal pillow provides a
broad area of support, and it is difficult or nearly impossible to
isolate certain areas of the head from contact while otherwise
supporting the head.
[0005] Pillows having various special shapes are known. For
example, the donut shaped pillow is useful for allowing the user to
lie face down. This type of pillow finds application on message
tables, where the user desires to lie face down with the head
symmetrically disposed in a centered, forward looking position.
Another special duty pillow is contoured to the cheek, ear, and
nose so as to relieve excess pressure and avoid facial wrinkling.
This pillow is the subject of U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,448 to Boyd.
While it is possible to relieve pressure on a specified facial
structure or head structure by special pockets or recesses in a
foam pillow, not all situations can be met with this solution.
[0006] Particularly after facial surgery, portions of the head and
face are inflamed and extremely sensitive to pressure. It would be
desirable to have a pillow that is capable of supporting the head
with substantially no pressure applied to the face or to areas of
the head where certain types of surgical incisions are made. The
present invention is specifically directed to a pillow that allows
a side sleeper to eliminate pressure on selected areas that are
commonly inflamed and painfully sensitive after facial surgery,
such as facelifts and similar operations. The pillow also is
adaptable to relieving pressure on other inflamed portions of the
head, especially the ear, which otherwise tends to be very
difficult to isolate from pressure. Thus, the pillow has additional
utility in relieving pressure on a sore ear. Those with an earache
or swimmer's ear can find relief.
[0007] To achieve the foregoing and other objects and in accordance
with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly
described herein, the method and apparatus of this invention may
comprise the following.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Against the described background, it is therefore a general
object of the invention to provide a pillow capable of supporting
the head in a suitable position for side sleep, while eliminating
pressure on selected portions of the face, cheek, ear, and
proximate areas.
[0009] According to the invention, a pillow for facial surgery
patients is formed of tube-like construction. Subsections are
arranged in series and shaped to skirt the top, rear, and bottom
periphery of the user's ear, forming an ear pocket with open front.
An upper cranial support arch lies along a horizontal axis and fits
above the ear. A rear end of the cranial support section includes a
depending occipital support section that extends behind the ear. A
lower end of the occipital support section connects to a cervical
support section that is disposed at a forward angle that is less
than a right angle.
[0010] According to another aspect of the invention, a tubular
pillow is disposed along a serpentine longitudinal axis that
defines an ear pocket with open front for localized support of the
head and neck of a human user. An arch-shaped cranial support
defines an arcuate top of the open ear pocket for supporting the
cranial portion of a user's head. A cervical support is connected
to a rear end of the cranial arch support behind the ear pocket and
extends downwardly and forwardly from the rear end of the cranial
arch support for supporting a user's neck below the ear.
[0011] According to still another aspect of the invention, an
asymmetric pillow defines an ear pocket with open front for
localized support of the head and neck of a human user. An arch
support bounds a top edge of the ear pocket, and a cervical support
depends from a rear end of the arch support and extends forwardly
and downwardly to support a cervical area of the user's neck and
bound a rear edge of the ear pocket.
[0012] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
form a part of the specification, illustrate preferred embodiments
of the present invention, and together with the description, serve
to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is top plan view of a head-supporting pillow.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing in phantom a
representative head overlaid on the pillow in typical position
resting on the pillow for side sleep.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the pillow, taken along
the plane through line 3-3 of FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing a second
embodiment of the pillow supporting an alternate portion of the
head to relieve pressure on a different area of the head.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The invention is a pillow 10 configured to support the human
head in a suitable position and at a suitable height for side
sleep. The pillow is formed of a shell or covering 12, which may be
a fabric. The interior of the pillow contains a suitable means for
supporting or cushioning the head, which may be a fill 14.
[0018] Important features of pillow 10 are configuration and
resting contours shown in the drawing figures. Pillow 10 is
configured in three-dimensional structure as a tube-like or
cylindrical rod-like structure that is elongated along a
serpentine, longitudinal axis 15, indicated by a broken line in
FIG. 1. The configuration also is generally round in transverse
cross-section at the majority of its length along the longitudinal
axis. Accordingly, the uncompressed cross-section of pillow 10,
taken at almost any point, is similar to the cross-section shown in
FIG. 3. This cross-section is shaped as a circle, oval, ellipse, or
the like, providing a central longitudinal high point or ridge 16
that generally overlies the position of longitudinal axis 15 in the
view of FIG. 1. The overall height of pillow 10 at high point 16,
as viewed in FIG. 3, is about four inches. The fill 14 of pillow 10
would be considered to be firm and should be sufficient to maintain
a height at high point 16 of between two and three inches, in
use.
[0019] In use, the high point 16 becomes blended into a more
flattened vertical contour under the user's head. However, the
overall tubular shape restricts or contains the horizontal spread.
The pillow 10 may be considered to be circular in transverse
cross-section when uncompressed, with approximately a four-inch
uncompressed diameter. When compressed during use, the transverse
cross-section may be considered to resemble an ellipse, and the
typical major axis of the compressed ellipse is between five and
six inches. This spread from about a four-inch diameter to about a
six-inch major ellipse axis indicates that the pillow provides
concentrated support to the user's head without readily causing the
pillow to spread under selected sensitive areas of the head.
[0020] The contour of pillow 10 includes several support areas for
the human head, best shown in FIG. 2. The first support area is the
top, crown, or cranial support 18, which fits the user above his
ear and extends forward approximately to the temple of the head.
The second, optional support area is the rear cranial or occipital
support 20, which fits the user behind the ear. The third support
area is the cervical support 22, which supports the upper cervical
vertebrae of the neck, between the lower ear and shoulder. In some
instances, the occipital support 20 may be absorbed by the
structures of the cranial and cervical support areas. The
combination of two support areas, including a cranial arch and a
cervical support, provides a stable base that supports the head for
sleep and provides latitude for head movement during sleep.
Preferred, three-area support includes cranial, occipital, and
cervical support.
[0021] The appropriate contour of pillow 10 not only supports the
indicated areas of the head and neck, but also circumnavigates the
ear. Thus, an open-front pocket 24 is available to receive the
user's ear. When the ear is in open pocket 24 as shown in FIG. 2,
the front of cranial arch support 18 and the front of cervical
support 22 extend forward of the ear, or to the right in the view
of FIG. 2. These forward extremes lie along a theoretical
connecting line that is nearly vertical or extending between top
and bottom according to the view of FIG. 2. The connecting line
would pass in front of the ear. Thus, both cranial support 18 and
the cervical support 22 extend forward to a varying degree, to the
right in FIG. 2, beyond the front edge of the ear. In approximate
dimensions, pillow 10 has a width, left-to-right in FIG. 2, of
about eight inches and a vertical dimension, top-to-bottom in FIG.
2, of about thirteen inches.
[0022] Using the directional conventions of FIG. 2 as specified in
the prior paragraph, portions of the pillow can be described as
extending in certain directions by considering the pillow to be
formed of multiple sections of a bent tube following a centerline
or longitudinal axis 15, FIG. 1. On this basis of description,
cranial support 18 extends horizontally or front-to-back from in
forward of the user's ear position to rearward of the ear position.
Optional occipital support 20 extends downwardly or vertically from
the rear end of the cranial support and is disposed along the rear
edge of the user's ear. Cervical support 22 extends forward and
downward from the bottom of occipital support 20 at an acute angle
of less than ninety degrees. The preferred forward angle is
approximately thirty degrees from vertical.
[0023] Because pillow is formed of a soft and pliable construction
that is subject to easy deformation, these descriptions are
approximations that best describe the pillow when undeformed by
use. The contour of the pillow in resting or undeformed state
provides a base line contour that will tend to be carried through
during sleep.
[0024] Head movement on pillow 10 tends to be forward due to the
support provided behind the ear. The open front of ear pocket 24
allows forward movement while protecting the ear from application
of inadvertent pressure during sleep. In addition, the open front
provides pressure relief to areas of the face and jaw forward and
below the ear.
[0025] An alternative embodiment of the pillow 10 appears in FIG.
4. This configuration provides increased support to the top of the
user's head and forward to the temple and optionally the cheek.
Accordingly, the top of the pillow forms a cranial arch that
encompasses from the occipital support to the forward end of the
pillow tube. The arch further includes both the cranial support 18
and a temporal support 26. The arch may extend forward by a further
portion, the orbital or cheek support 28. Both the temporal support
and the orbital support areas preserve the open front of ear pocket
24.
[0026] More generally, this alternative embodiment provides a
cranial arch that forms a top boundary of an ear pocket 24. The
arch extends upwardly from approximately the mid-height of the ear
pocket. The cervical support depends from the rear end of the arch,
at the mid-height of the ear pocket to support the user's neck.
This configuration leaves open the front side of the ear pocket and
the area near the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which is located
below the ear. The TMJ is notorious as a source of facial pain, and
the pillow 10 effectively relieves the TMJ from pillow pressure. In
a similar way, use of pillow 10 may reduce the painful symptoms of
other conditions, including facial surgery, injury to the face,
sunburn, cystic acne, abscessed tooth, extraction of wisdon tooth
or other tooth, tooth ache, dental surgery, sinusitis or sinus
infection, trigeminal neuralgia, herpes zoster, herpes simplex,
cluster headache, and migraine headache.
[0027] The pillow is asymmetric in order to support the indicated
portions of the human head with selectivity and reliability. The
cylindrical, tubular or rod-like configuration of the pillow can be
viewed as being disposed along a serpentine longitudinal elongated
centerline axis indicated by a broken line 30 in the view of FIG.
4. The axis 30 forms an asymmetric U-shaped hook in which the
forward arm, which is shown to terminate in cheek support 28, is
shorter than the rear arm, which terminates in cervical support
22.
[0028] The cylindrical, rod-like configuration of the pillow
enables support areas to be centered at narrow central ridge region
16 overlying axis 30 of the cylindrical shape. The ridge region 16
can be viewed as lying along the longitudinal axis 30 of the
tubular pillow. The axis 30 is asymmetric in overall contour, such
that the pillow 10 can be likened to a hook or question mark in
shape, forming an ear pocket with open front in the direction of
the user's face. This shape provides comfortable support and
minimizes any need for movement to find a better resting position.
Accordingly, patients who have had facial surgery, a sore ear, or
any of several other painful areas of the head are better enabled
to obtain restful sleep.
[0029] The various fills 14 that are suitable for pillow 10 are
known fills. Foamed plastic beads are a suitable choice. Feathers,
down, or pile fills can be used. The view of FIG. 3 shows a fabric
cover 12 over fill 14. As an alternative, pillow 10 can be formed
of molded foam material, memory foam, and other materials known to
be suitable for use in pillows.
[0030] The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications
and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is
not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and
operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable
modifications and equivalents may be regarded as falling within the
scope of the invention.
* * * * *