U.S. patent application number 11/668313 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-07 for custom orthotic neck curve builder system.
Invention is credited to TRAVIS LEE WILSON.
Application Number | 20080028528 11/668313 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39027685 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080028528 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WILSON; TRAVIS LEE |
February 7, 2008 |
CUSTOM ORTHOTIC NECK CURVE BUILDER SYSTEM
Abstract
An orthotic pillow system made up of a specialized pillow with
selectively-replaceable building portions. The pillow is configured
to assist patients to obtain relief from symptoms by naturally
replacing the curve in the cervical portion of their spines. The
pillow, which is preferably made from a foam material, enables the
cervical curve of the neck to be built up over time as inserts are
placed in the pillow and beneath the head of a patient.
Inventors: |
WILSON; TRAVIS LEE;
(MERIDIAN, ID) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DYKAS, SHAVER & NIPPER, LLP
P.O. BOX 877
BOISE
ID
83701-0877
US
|
Family ID: |
39027685 |
Appl. No.: |
11/668313 |
Filed: |
January 29, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60763120 |
Jan 27, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/636 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 9/109 20130101;
A61F 5/01 20130101; A47G 2009/1018 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
005/636 |
International
Class: |
A47G 9/10 20060101
A47G009/10 |
Claims
1. A spinal orthosis system comprising: a pillow having a body said
body defining a depression; an insert configured for placement
within said depression, said insert having a preselected shape and
size.
2. The spinal orthosis system of claim 1 wherein said insert is
inserted into said depression through an opening within said
pillow.
3. The spinal orthosis system of claim 1 wherein said pillow and
said inserts are made of a foam material.
4. The spinal orthosis system of claim 1 wherein said pillow is
covered with a spaced gel foam material.
5. The spinal orthosis system of claim 1 wherein said system
contains a plurality of pre-selected inserts each of said inserts
dimensioned to provide a designated therapeutic result.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Background Information. In its ideal condition the human
spine is curved to allow for increased flexibility, strength and
movement to a user. However, due to a variety of conditions
including injury, accident, stress or strain upon the spine or upon
other parts of the body, this spine can be moved out of alignment
and the natural curvature of the spine flattened or reduced. When
this occurs, a variety of conditions can result. These conditions
can include headaches, neck pain, seizures, sleeplessness and other
conditions.
[0002] The present invention is an orthotic pillow system that is
configured to assist a patient to obtain relief from these symptoms
by naturally replacing the curve in the cervical portion of their
spine. The present invention is a specialized pillow with
selectively replaceable building portions, which may be inserted
within the device according to the medical necessity as designed by
a chiropractor or physician and enable the cervical curve of the
neck to be built up over time, as these inserts are placed beneath
the head of the patient.
[0003] Over time a physician may modify the number and height of
the curve so as to provide the desired quantity of curvature to the
cervical portion of the spine itself. In addition to these
features, the system includes a soft cover, which provides comfort
to the wearer. The sides of the device may be lifted by inserting
space beneath the pillow so as to elevate the sides of the pillow
itself. The weight of the patient's head serves as a tracking
device to keep the head in a desired position and location. This
acts to alleviate pain the person feels.
[0004] The system of the present invention is made up of a pillow,
having a body that defines a groove or depression between two
sides. Preferably, this groove or depression is positioned at a
general midpoint between the two sides. This pillow is preferably
made from a foam material and is covered with a soft-top coating
which increases the comfort to the user. In the preferred
embodiment of the invention, this soft-top covering is a gel type
of foam that is placed over a more firm type of foam that provides
the support to the pillow system. The pillow also defines an
opening, which allows for the placement of generally
semi-cylindrically shaped inserts through the pillow and into the
depression. Preferably, these inserts are dimensioned to provide
the appropriate amount of curvature to the spine of a party. In the
preferred embodiment of the invention, this opening is located on
one side of the pillow and allows for the insertion and removal of
the inserts through the sides of the device. In the preferred
embodiment of the invention the system contains a variety of
variously dimensioned inserts which allow for the selection of a
particular insert that would provide the user with the desired
amount of curvature as well as provide them with a desired level of
comfort. In addition by providing a plurality of inserts having
different heights and characteristics, a practitioner may vary the
height of the portion used in the present invention and by so doing
vary the amount of curvature that is placed into the cervical spine
portion of the patient's neck.
[0005] The shape of the trough or depression and the various sizes
of the cervical building inserts enable the configuration of the
person's neck to be modified and improved. The device also includes
side elevating supports, which can be utilized to raise the sides
of the pillow so as to accommodate persons who sleep on their sides
or need the device to further surround their head.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a detailed side view of a preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0012] Referring now to the attached photographs, a variety of
views of the present invention are shown. FIG. 1 shows a first
embodiment of the present invention. The invention is a pillow 10
made up of a body 12, which defines a depression or trough 24
between a pair of sides 20/20'. An insert 18 having a desired size
is placed within the depression 24 between the sides 20/20' and
provides a neck building portion of the device. In use, a person
lays their head into the lower portion of the depression with the
neck building insert beneath their neck. The weight of the person's
head acts as a traction device and holds the head within the
designated location. The inserts move the portions of the person's
spine in such a manner so as to allow the curvature of the neck and
the cervical portion of the spine, to be formed into the
appropriate shape.
[0013] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the present invention with the
inserts removed from the pillow and placed in front of the device.
A plurality of inserts 18 is shown. FIG. 4 shows a side view of the
embodiment shown in FIG. 3 and also shows the additional
elevational supports 22, which can be used to elevate one or more
sides of the pillow of the present invention. FIG. 5 shows an
insertion opening 26 wherein the inner pillow portion can be
accessed. FIG. 6 shows the present invention as placed within a
pillowcase covering 14.
[0014] Still other features and advantages of the present invention
will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the
following detailed description describing only the preferred
embodiment of the invention, simply by way of illustration of the
best mode contemplated by carrying out my invention. As will be
realized, the invention is capable of modification in various
obvious respects all without departing from the invention.
Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferred
embodiment are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as
restrictive in nature.
[0015] While there is shown and described the present preferred
embodiment of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that
this invention is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied
to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the
foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined by the following claims.
* * * * *