U.S. patent application number 11/872322 was filed with the patent office on 2008-04-24 for leg pillow.
This patent application is currently assigned to Banyan Licensing LC. Invention is credited to Antonio Arcieri, Edmund Scott Davis.
Application Number | 20080092297 11/872322 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39316466 |
Filed Date | 2008-04-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080092297 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Davis; Edmund Scott ; et
al. |
April 24, 2008 |
Leg Pillow
Abstract
A pillow formed of a resilient body and having an hourglass
shape for placing between a person's legs to provide support while
the person is reclining. The pillow can include a massaging unit
disposed inside the body for producing vibrations. The pillow in
one embodiment has first and second portions pivotally connected
along a hinge such that the pillow is convertible between an open
configuration and a closed configuration. The pillow can be
positioned between the legs when in the closed configuration, or
beneath the legs when in the open configuration.
Inventors: |
Davis; Edmund Scott; (Fort
Lauderdale, FL) ; Arcieri; Antonio; (Fort Lauderdale,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ALSTON & BIRD LLP
BANK OF AMERICA PLAZA
101 SOUTH TRYON STREET, SUITE 4000
CHARLOTTE
NC
28280-4000
US
|
Assignee: |
Banyan Licensing LC
|
Family ID: |
39316466 |
Appl. No.: |
11/872322 |
Filed: |
October 15, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60829478 |
Oct 13, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/648 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 20/021
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
005/648 |
International
Class: |
A47C 20/00 20060101
A47C020/00 |
Claims
1. A pillow for therapeutic use by humans, comprising: a body of
resilient material, the body having a first leg-engaging face and
an opposite second leg-engaging face for respectively engaging
first and second legs of a person when the pillow is positioned
between the person's legs, each of the first and second
leg-engaging faces having a concave portion contoured to receive
and cradle one of the person's legs, wherein the body is
dimensioned and configured such that the body can remain between
the person's legs as the person turns from one side to another
while reclining on a sleep surface; and a massaging system
including a massaging unit disposed inside the body, the massaging
unit being operable to produce vibrations in the body for
transmission to the person's legs.
2. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the massaging system includes a
controller connected to the massaging unit and operable to control
operation thereof.
3. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the body includes first and
second portions connected to each other along a hinge that permits
the first and second portions to pivot relative to each other for
converting the pillow between a closed configuration for use
between a person's legs and an open configuration for use beneath
the person's legs.
4. The pillow of claim 3, wherein the first portion includes the
first leg-engaging face and an opposite first back face, and the
second portion includes the second leg-engaging face and an
opposite second back face, the first and second back faces abutting
each other in the closed configuration.
5. The pillow of claim 4, wherein the second portion pivots about
the hinge about 180 degrees relative to the first portion when the
pillow is converted from the closed configuration to the open
configuration.
6. The pillow of claim 3, wherein the massaging unit comprises a
first massaging unit disposed inside the first portion and a second
massaging unit disposed inside the second portion, each of the
massaging units being operable to produce vibrations in the
respective portion of the body for transmission to the person's
legs.
7. A pillow for therapeutic use by humans, comprising: a body of
resilient material, the body including first and second portions
connected to each other along a hinge that permits the first and
second portions to pivot relative to each other for converting the
pillow between a closed configuration an open configuration, the
first portion having a first leg-engaging face and an opposite
first back face and the second portion having a second leg-engaging
face and an opposite second back face, each of the first and second
leg-engaging faces having a concave portion contoured to receive
and cradle one of the person's legs when the pillow is in the
closed configuration and positioned between the person's legs or
when the pillow is in the open configuration and positioned beneath
the person's legs.
8. The pillow of claim 7, wherein each of the first and second back
faces is substantially planar, the first and second back faces
abutting each other in the closed configuration of the pillow.
9. The pillow of claim 8, wherein each of the first and second
portions includes sidewalls that are generally orthogonal to the
respective one of the first and second back faces.
10. The pillow of claim 7, wherein the second portion pivots about
the hinge about 180 degrees relative to the first portion when the
pillow is converted from the closed configuration to the open
configuration.
11. The pillow of claim 7, wherein the hinge connects an end wall
of the first portion to an end wall of the second portion.
12. The pillow of claim 11, wherein the end walls of the first and
second portions are substantially planar and are substantially
abutting in the open configuration of the pillow.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of
U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/829,478 filed on
Oct. 13, 2006, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a pillow used for therapeutic
purposes and, more particularly, to a pillow that engages the legs
of a reclining person to provide support intended to maintain the
individual's body in proper alignment.
[0003] Previous attempts have been made to design devices such as
pillows for providing support and aligning various parts of a
reclining person's body. Prior patents generally disclose pillows
of a length sufficient to engage a substantial portion, or in some
cases all, of the length of a person's body.
[0004] For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 2,056,767 issued on Oct. 15,
1935 to William H. Blath discloses a back pad attachable to the
body of a user so that it will be held in position whether the
patient is lying in bed or sitting. The back pad purports to permit
freedom of movement for the spinal column in either position of the
wearer.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 3,795,018 issued on Mar. 5, 1974 to Charley H.
Broaded discloses an adjustable bed having a surface with supports
of varying heights whereby the head, shoulders, and legs are
propped. When body members are propped up, the spine of the user is
the to be kept in linear alignment.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,173,048 issued on Nov. 6, 1979 to John A.
Varaney discloses a pillow configuration having a central
head-supporting portion forming the top of the pillow and two
extension portions positioned substantially perpendicularly to the
central portion and extending substantially vertically downwardly
therefrom, thus resulting in a pillow construction that is the to
provide sleeping comfort for the head and shoulders of the
user.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,585,730 issued on Apr. 29, 1986 to Eva Rajan
discloses a device for stabilizing the pelvis by supporting a
person's lumbar region. Additional attachments support the
hipbones.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,624,021 issued on Nov. 25, 1986 to Jean A.
Hofstetter discloses a cushion-like support having a portion
extending from the shoulder area to the pelvis to bolster a
person's torso, purportedly allowing pressure points in the lower
extremities to be relieved.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,754,510 issued on Jul. 5, 1988 to Harry A.
King discloses a body pillow to cushion and enfold the entire
length of the body while providing a comfortable cushioned
separation of the arms and legs of the user.
[0010] None of these patents, either taken singly or in
combination, disclose the unique construction of the instant
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0011] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings,
which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is an environmental view of a leg pillow according to
one embodiment of the invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the leg pillow illustrated in
FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the leg pillow
illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of the leg pillow
illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the leg pillow
illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the leg pillow illustrated
in FIG. 1, showing the cover being partially removed therefrom;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating yet another
embodiment of the leg pillow in use in a first position;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating the leg pillow of FIG. 7
in use in a second position;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating the leg pillow of FIG.
8;
[0021] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the leg pillow of
FIG. 7 in an open position;
[0022] FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating the leg pillow of
FIG. 7 in a closed position and oriented on its side;
[0023] FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating the leg pillow of
FIG. 7 being moved between the open and closed positions;
[0024] FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating the leg pillow of
FIG. 7 in the closed position and oriented on its end; and
[0025] FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating the leg pillow of
FIG. 7 in an articulating packaging system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] The present disclosure now will be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
some but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed,
the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should
not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein;
rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will
satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like
elements throughout.
[0027] Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 6, a cushion device or
pillow 100 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is
illustrated. The pillow 100 comprises a resilient body that has an
hourglass, dog bone, or dumbbell shape in cross-section, as best
seen in FIGS. 5 and 6. The pillow 100 has a first leg-engaging face
102 and an opposite second leg-engaging face 104, each of which is
non-planar. The first and second leg-engaging faces collectively
define the hourglass, dog bone, or dumbbell shape. These faces
extend in a length direction (denoted by double-headed arrow A in
FIG. 2) between a first sidewall 106 and a second sidewall 108 of
the pillow. The sidewalls 106, 108 are generally planar and
parallel to each other, and are spaced apart along the length
direction A. The first and second leg-engaging faces 102, 104 are
generally mirror images of each other with respect to a medial
plane P that bisects the pillow into two half thicknesses. The
first and second leg-engaging faces 102, 104 are spaced apart in a
thickness direction (denoted by double-headed arrow B in FIG. 5) of
the pillow and thus define the thickness of the pillow. The pillow
includes a first end face 110 and an opposite second end face 112
spaced apart along a width direction of the pillow (denoted by
double-headed arrow C in FIG. 5), the end faces extending in the
length direction A between the first and second sidewalls 106, 108,
and extending in the thickness direction B between the first and
second leg-engaging faces 102, 104. As shown in FIG. 5, the
thickness of the pillow varies along the width direction of the
pillow because of the non-planar contours of the first and second
leg-engaging faces 102, 104.
[0028] More specifically, as best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the
thickness of the pillow 100 has a minimum at an intermediate
location of the pillow along the width direction C. At this
intermediate location, the first and second leg-engaging faces 102,
104 are concave in an outward direction (i.e., first leg-engaging
face 102 is concave in the upward direction and second leg-engaging
face 104 is concave in the downward direction in FIG. 5), the faces
having curvature along the width direction C. The leg-engaging
faces 102, 104 may have some curvature along the length direction
A, although the leg-engaging faces 102, 104 of the pillow 100 in
the illustrated embodiment are substantially linear along the
length direction. The thickness of the pillow increases with
distance from the intermediate location along the width direction C
toward each of the ends of the pillow, and reaches a maximum
proximate each end of the pillow. This thickness distribution is
due to the contours of the first and second leg-engaging faces 102,
104, each of which defines a hump or crest proximate each end of
the pillow. Thus, proceeding along the width direction C from the
first end face 110 to the second end face 112, the first
leg-engaging face 102 has a convex crest 114, transitioning to a
concave valley 116 at the intermediate location, then transitioning
to another convex crest 118. The second leg-engaging face 104
similarly has a convex crest 120, transitioning to a concave valley
122, then transitioning to another convex crest 124.
[0029] The pillow 100 can be formed of a one-piece body 130 of
resilient polymer foam, such as polyurethane foam. The foam body
130 can be covered by an outer cover 140 of fabric that enshrouds
and tightly conforms to the configuration of the resilient foam
body. The cover can be removable from the foam body so that the
cover can be laundered or dry-cleaned. The cover can be formed of
any suitable fabric, such as a woven cotton or cotton/synthetic
blend, optionally having an antimicrobial compound incorporated
therein. The pillow cover 140 is preferably made of preshrunk
cotton fabric that will not shrink when dried properly. Also, the
cover can be made of a waterproof or water-resistant material.
[0030] The pillow 100 includes a massaging system 150. According to
one embodiment, the massaging system 150 includes one or more
massaging units 152 and a controller 154. The massaging unit(s) 152
can operate using vibrating or sliding motion. For example, in one
embodiment, the massaging unit(s) 152 can include a motor with a
movable eccentric weight inside a housing to generate the
vibration. In other embodiments, repetitious sliding motion can be
used to generate a massaging motion. The controller 154 will
provide for turning the massage element(s) 152 on and off and, in
one embodiment, controlling the speed and intensity of the
vibration or sliding motion to modify the massaging effect. In
addition to a massaging system, the pillow 100 may also include a
sound system for producing music (such as a receiver, transmitter,
and speaker) and/or temperature element for adjusting the
temperature of the pillow (such as a cooling element or heater)
that can be controlled using controller 154. The controller 154 can
communicate with the massaging unit(s) 152 (and/or the sound system
and/or temperature elements) via a sheathed electrical wire 156 or
via wireless communication. In another embodiment, the controller
can constitute an on/off switch on the side of the pillow 100.
[0031] The pillow 100 is designed to be placed between the legs of
a user U while the person is lying down or sleeping on one side,
and is designed to relieve pressure on back and hip muscles. The
pillow fits comfortably between the legs of the user, keeping the
legs in line with the spine, thus reducing pressure on the spine
and the nerves as the muscles relax. The pillow preferably is light
in weight and thus easy to adjust for comfort with a minimum of
movement. With the contoured design, the pillow will usually move
with the user when the user turns over, allowing for uninterrupted
sleep. The valleys 116, 122 on the opposite leg-engaging faces 102,
104 of the pillow are configured to receive and cradle the user's
legs as best seen in FIG. 1. The smoothly convex crests 114, 118,
120, 124 are configured so as to not catch on the mattress or
become entangled in bedclothes, sheets, or the like as the user
turns over during sleep.
[0032] The pillow 100 can be manufactured in various sizes. For
proper fit for most individuals, the maximum dimensions of the
pillow in the A, B, and C directions can be about 8 inches, 6
inches, and 10 inches, respectively. For smaller individuals and
children, these dimensions can be about 6.5 inches, 5 inches, and 9
inches, respectively. Special sizes can be manufactured for
individuals who have undergone hip surgery or hip replacements.
[0033] By providing proper separation of the legs, the pillow 100
functions as a cushion device having therapeutic use. More
particularly, the pillow is sandwiched between the legs of a person
in a reclining position so that the pillow remains between the legs
as the person turns from side to side. Opposed portions of the legs
of the user engage the pillow and are maintained evenly spaced
apart. Proper ventilation between the legs, as well as proper
support and alignment of the spine, hips, and knees, are obtained
so as to relieve pain caused by pressure on and/or misalignment of
muscles, joints, and nerves, thereby enabling the body to relax and
rest comfortably.
[0034] Referring to FIGS. 7-13, there is illustrated a second
embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment,
the pillow 200 includes first and second articulating portions 200a
and 200b that are hinged together at a hinge 200c. Each portion
200a, 200b forms about half of the thickness of the pillow when the
portions are back-to-back in a closed configuration of the pillow.
As illustrated in FIGS. 10-12, the portions 200a and 200b
articulate about the hinge 200c between an open configuration and
the closed configuration. In the closed configuration, the pillow
200 can be inserted between the legs of the user, as illustrated in
FIGS. 7 and 9. In the open position, each of the first and second
portions 200a, 200b of the pillow can be used to support one leg of
the user, as illustrated in FIG. 8. The pillow 200 can include a
massaging system, as described above. More particularly, the first
portion 200a can include a first massaging unit 250a, and the
second portion 200b can include a second massaging unit 250b. The
pillow 200 can further include a sound system and/or a temperature
element as described above.
[0035] The first portion 200a defines a first leg-engaging face 202
of the pillow 200 and the second portion 200b defines an opposite
second leg-engaging face 204 of the pillow. With reference to FIG.
10, the first leg-engaging face 202 defines a convex crest 214,
transitioning to a concave valley 216, then transitioning to
another convex crest 218. The second leg-engaging face 204 defines
a convex crest 220, transitioning to a concave valley 222, then
transitioning to another convex crest 224. Each of the articulating
portions 200a, 200b has a generally planar back face 226, 228,
respectively, opposite from the respective leg-engaging face 202,
204. These generally planar back faces 226, 228 abut each other in
the closed configuration of the pillow as shown for instance in
FIG. 13.
[0036] The hinge 200c is located at a first end face 210 of the
pillow. The first end face is formed by a first end face 210a of
the first portion 200a and a first end face 210b of the second
portion 200b. (FIG. 12). The hinge 200c connects the first end
faces 210a and 210b to each other along adjacent edges thereof.
Advantageously, the first end faces 210a, 210b are substantially
planar such that when the pillow is opened up into the open
configuration, the first end faces 210a, 210b can be substantially
abutting as shown in FIG. 10. In the closed configuration, the
first end faces 210a, 210b collectively form a substantially planar
surface that can stably support the pillow in a vertical
orientation on a mattress or other sleep surface when the user is
in a supine position such as shown in FIG. 7. The opposite second
end face 212 of the pillow 200 can be more rounded than the first
end face 210.
[0037] Each of the first and second portions 200a, 200b includes
sidewalls that are generally orthogonal to the back faces 226, 228,
respectively. These sidewalls are substantially planar in the
illustrated embodiment, although such is not essential.
[0038] The pillow 200 can be formed of resilient polymer foam such
as polyurethane foam. The first and second portions 200a, 200b can
comprise two separate pieces of foam material. An outer fabric
cover similar to the cover 140 of the first embodiment can enshroud
the two portions. The hinge 200c can be formed by the fabric
cover.
[0039] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the
convex crests 114, 118, 120, 124 of the pillow 100, or the convex
crests 214, 218, 220, 224 of the pillow 200, can be asymmetrical in
terms of dimensional size, shape, and/or orientation. This can be
advantageous because it can enable the pillow to be used for
different applications. For example, use in a typical bed may
differ from use on a boat or airplane or in a hammock.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 14, there is illustrated a packaging
system 300 for packaging the pillow 200, according to one
embodiment of the present invention. The packaging system 300
includes two articulating portions 300a, 300b, which articulate
about a hinge 300c. In one embodiment, the articulating portion
300a of the packaging system 300 completely encompasses the
corresponding first portion 200a of the pillow 200, and the
articulating portion 300b completely encompasses the second portion
200b of the pillow. In one embodiment, the hinge portion 300c of
the packaging system encompasses the hinge portion 200c of the
pillow. In other embodiments, the hinge portion 200c of the pillow
comprises the hinge portion 300c of the packaging system.
[0041] Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions
set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to
which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings
presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated
drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are
not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that
modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included
within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms
are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive
sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
* * * * *