U.S. patent application number 11/941709 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-26 for multi-purpose body pillow with insert panel and method of using the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to BASIC COMFORT, INC.. Invention is credited to John Lord, Donald Seigler.
Application Number | 20080148487 11/941709 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39540817 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080148487 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lord; John ; et al. |
June 26, 2008 |
MULTI-PURPOSE BODY PILLOW WITH INSERT PANEL AND METHOD OF USING THE
SAME
Abstract
A body pillow including an elongate cushion having first and
second ends. The cushion includes an arcuate first portion and an
arcuate second portion, and a mid-portion extending therebetween.
The cushion is configurable between a relaxed configuration and a
coiled configuration. In the relaxed configuration the first
portion extends arcuately in a first direction about a majority of
a circumference of a circle and the second portion extends
arcuately in a second direction different than the first direction
about less than a majority of a circumference of a circle. In the
coiled configuration the second portion is congruent with a least
some of the first portion. The body pillow may further include an
interior panel joined to an inner periphery of the first portion
for retaining the first portion in its arcuate position.
Inventors: |
Lord; John; (Lakewood,
CO) ; Seigler; Donald; (US) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Michael R. Henson & Associates, LLC
5613 DTC Parkway, Suite 240
Greenwood Village
CO
80111
US
|
Assignee: |
BASIC COMFORT, INC.
Denver
CO
|
Family ID: |
39540817 |
Appl. No.: |
11/941709 |
Filed: |
November 16, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60867160 |
Nov 24, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/632 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 20/027 20130101;
A47C 20/025 20130101; A47C 20/021 20130101; A47C 20/023 20130101;
A47D 13/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/632 |
International
Class: |
A47G 9/10 20060101
A47G009/10 |
Claims
1. A body pillow, comprising: an elongate cushion having first and
second ends, said cushion including an arcuate first portion, an
arcuate second portion, and a mid-portion extending therebetween,
said cushion configurable between: a. a relaxed configuration
wherein said first portion extends arcuately in a first direction
about a majority of a circumference of a circle, and said second
portion extends arcuately in a second direction different than the
first direction about less than a majority of a circumference of a
circle; and b. a coiled configuration wherein said second portion
is congruent with at least some of said first portion.
2. A body pillow according to claim 1 further comprising an
interior panel joined to an inner periphery of said first portion,
said interior panel for retaining the first portion in its arcuate
position.
3. A body pillow according to claim 2 wherein said interior panel
has a teardrop shape and is releasably fastened to said first
portion.
4. A body pillow according to claim 3 including a zipper for
releasably fastening said interior panel to said first portion.
5. A body pillow according to claim 4 including a cover flange
attached to said inner periphery for covering said zipper.
6. A body pillow according to claim 1 wherein said cushion includes
a filler material selected from the group consisting of feathers,
fibrous material, foam, and beads.
7. A body pillow according to claim 6 wherein said cushion has a
roundish cross-section.
8. A body pillow according to claim 1 including a casing enclosing
said elongate cushion.
9. A body pillow according to claim 8 wherein said casing is a
removable fabric.
10. A body pillow, comprising: a. an elongate cushion having first
and second ends, said cushion including an arcuate upper portion, a
lower portion, and a mid-portion extending therebetween, said
cushion constructed to assume a relaxed configuration wherein said
upper portion extends arcuately in a first direction about a
majority of a circumference of a circle, said lower portion extends
arcuately in a second direction different than the first direction
about less than a majority of a circumference of a circle, and said
mid-portion extends linearly therebetween, whereupon said body
pillow can support an adult in a reposed position; and b. an
interior panel joined to an inner periphery of said upper portion,
said interior panel for retaining said upper portion in its arcuate
position.
11. A body pillow according to claim 10 further comprising a casing
enclosing said elongate cushion.
12. A body pillow according to claim 10 wherein said interior panel
has a teardrop shape and is releasably fastened to said upper
portion.
13. A body pillow according to claim 12 including a zipper for
releasably fastening said interior panel to said upper portion.
14. A body pillow according to claim 12 including cooperative hook
and loop fastener materials for releasably fastening said interior
panel to said upper portion.
15. A body pillow, comprising: a. an elongate cushion having first
and second ends, said cushion including an arcuate upper portion, a
lower portion, and a mid-portion extending therebetween, said
cushion configurable into a coiled configuration wherein said lower
portion is congruent with at least some of said upper portion; and
b. an interior panel joined to an inner periphery of said upper
portion for retaining the upper portion in its arcuate
position.
16. A body pillow according to claim 15 further comprising a casing
enclosing said elongate cushion.
17. A body pillow according to claim 16 including a zipper for
releasably fastening said interior panel to said upper portion.
18. A body pillow according to claim 17 including a cover flange
attached to said inner periphery for covering said zipper.
19. A method for supporting a person in a reposed position
comprising: providing a body pillow with an elongate cushion having
arcuate first and second end portions, and a mid-portion extending
therebetween; placing said body pillow on a support surface;
configuring said body pillow such that said first portion extends
arcuately in a first direction about a majority of a circumference
of a circle; and placing the person so that their head and abdomen
are supported by the first end portion and the person's back is in
close confronting relation to said mid-portion.
20. The method according to claim 19 including retaining the first
portion in its arcuate configuration.
21. The method according to claim 20 including placing the person
so that their legs straddle said second portion.
22. The method according to claim 20 including subsequently
reconfiguring the body pillow into a coiled configuration by
positioning said second portion congruently with said first
portion.
23. The method according to claim 22 wherein the body pillow is
positioned into a coiled configuration by overlapping said first
portion with said second portion.
24. The method according to claim 22 wherein the body pillow is
positioned into a coiled configuration by encircling said first
portion with said second portion.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Sooner or later it seems that everyone has some difficulty
in sleeping. Sleep loss has enormous impact on individuals and
society. Sleep loss impacts work productivity and learning ability.
Sleep deprivation is a dangerous ingredient when mixed with
driving, operating machinery, or making critical decisions, often
resulting in accidents and injury. Sleep loss is also related to
health problems, both physical and mental.
[0002] Difficulty in sleeping may be caused by consuming too much
caffeine, sleep apnea, ambient noise, or from just general
worrying. It seems, however, that the most common complaint
regarding difficulty in sleeping is the inability to get
comfortable. There are many reasons why someone might have
difficulty getting comfortable enough to sleep. Some examples of
discomfort are related to external environmental factors associated
with a particular situation, such as sitting upright in an airplane
seat, sleeping on hard lumpy ground when camping, or being too hot
or too cold. Other examples of discomfort affecting sleep are
related to the physical condition of the person trying to sleep.
Some examples of physical conditions affecting sleep are a painful
injury, a persistent back problem, breathing disorders, and of
particular interest here--pregnancy.
[0003] There have been many attempts to alleviate the discomfort
associated with these situations and conditions. For instance, in
the case of sleeping in an airplane seat, horseshoe shaped pillows
that wrap around the traveler's neck to support the head have been
suggested. Also, a multitude of different types of mattresses are
made from space foams, air bladders, and water bladders that have
been touted as having miraculous abilities to ease back pain and
cause a person to fall asleep. Others simply improvise by using
multiple pillows in various arrangements to support the body in a
manner that alleviates their particular discomfort.
[0004] In the particular case of pregnant women, they obviously
have the issue of supporting their back and abdominal area. A
woman's body has unusual forces and stresses placed on it as a
result of the weight of the child. These forces can make it
difficult to find a comfortable position for sleeping. This is
especially true in later term when the child is larger and the
woman is correspondingly enlarged such that many sleeping
positions, such as on her stomach or back, are no longer an option.
In fact some experts recommend specifically that an expectant
mother sleep on her left side during late term pregnancy.
[0005] Some attempts have been made to provide a remedy for the
particular discomfort associated with pregnancy that makes falling
and staying asleep difficult. An example of such an attempt is U.S.
Pat. No. 6,499,164 to Leach. Leach suggests a support pillow having
a horseshoe shaped top and a j-shaped bottom connected together by
a straight section, whereby the horseshoe shaped top includes a
foot that is spaced, from and parallel, to the straight portion. An
adult female lying on her side can rest her head on the horseshoe
shaped portion and the j-shaped portion of the support pillow may
be received between the legs. Because the foot is spaced from and
parallel to the straight portion the resulting curved opening
naturally does not provide any support for a pregnant woman's
abdomen.
[0006] Accordingly, there remains a need to provide a new and
improved support cushion that provides not only a comfortable
pillow but also provides support for the pregnant woman's back and
more importantly her abdomen. Furthermore, because a pregnancy
generally only lasts nine months a multi-purpose body pillow is
desirable that has other uses after pregnancy. For instance, the
body pillow could be used to support the baby itself either in a
sleeping position or, as it grows, in an upright sitting
position.
SUMMARY
[0007] Provided is a body pillow including an elongate cushion
having first and second ends. The cushion includes an arcuate first
portion, an arcuate second portion, and a mid-portion extending
therebetween. The cushion is configurable between a relaxed
configuration and a coiled configuration. In the relaxed
configuration the first portion extends arcuately in a first
direction about a majority of a circumference of a circle and the
second portion extends arcuately in a second direction different
than the first direction about less than a majority of a
circumference of a circle. In the coiled configuration the second
portion is congruent with a least some of the first portion. This
may be done by overlapping the first portion with the second
portion or by encircling the first portion with the second
portion.
[0008] The body pillow may further include an interior panel joined
to an inner periphery of the first portion for retaining the first
portion in its arcuate position. The interior panel may be teardrop
in shape and be releasably fastened to the first portion. The
interior panel may be releasably fastened to the inner periphery
with, for example, a zipper or cooperative hook and loop fastener
materials.
[0009] The cushion may include a filler material such as feathers,
fibrous materials, foam, and beads, to name just a few. The cushion
could be roundish in cross-section and enclosed by a removable
casing formed of fabric or the like. Preferably, also, the body
pillow includes a cover flange attached to the casing along the
first portion's inner periphery for covering the zipper.
[0010] Also provided is an embodiment of a body pillow wherein the
cushion is constructed to assume the relaxed configuration wherein
the upper portion extends arcuately in a first direction about a
majority of the circumference of a circle and the lower portion
extends arcuately in a second direction different than the first
direction about less than a majority of a circumference of a
circle. The mid-portion extends linearly between the upper and
lower portions. In yet another embodiment a body pillow is provided
wherein the cushion is configurable into a coiled configuration
wherein the lower portion is congruent with a least some of the
upper portion.
[0011] Also provided is a method for supporting a person in a
reposed position including providing a body pillow with an elongate
cushion having arcuate first and second end portions, and a
mid-portion extending therebetween. The method also includes
placing the body pillow on a support surface and configuring the
body pillow such that the first portion extends arcuately in a
first direction about a majority of a circumference of a circle.
The method also includes placing the person, for example an
expectant mother, so that her head and abdomen are supported by the
first end portion and her back is in close confronting relation to
the mid-portion. The method may also include retaining the first
portion in its arcuate configuration. The person may also be placed
so that her legs straddle the second portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pregnant female sleeping
in and supported by an exemplary embodiment of a body pillow;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the body pillow in a spiral
or coiled configuration operative to support an infant in a reposed
position;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the body pillow in a coiled
configuration whereby the cushion supports an infant or child in a
sitting upright position;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the body pillow as configured to
support a sleeping adult;
[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates a plan view of an embodiment of the body
pillow that includes a removable insert panel;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the body pillow taken
about lines 6-6 in FIG. 5;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the body pillow shown in FIGS. 5
and 6;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a detailed view of the insert panel from FIG.
5;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a partial view of the cushion casing illustrating
the overlapping panels and the insertion of the insert panel;
[0021] FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-section of the body pillow
illustrating the construction and attachment of the zippered insert
panel; and
[0022] FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-section of the support cushion
similar to FIG. 10 where the insert panel is attached with
cooperative hook and loop materials.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a support
cushion or body pillow 20 being employed by a pregnant female 10
where her head 12, abdomen 14, and back 18 are all supported by
body pillow 20. In addition, her hips 16 are kept in a comfortable
position by supporting her leg 17. While a pregnant woman is used
as an example because of the common discomfort associated with
pregnancy, it is an example only and should not be construed as
limiting. There may be other conditions such as chronic back pain
where one might benefit from the support provided by the body
pillow as described herein.
[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of a body pillow 120
including a removable interior panel 140. FIG. 2 also illustrates
the body pillow in a spiral or coiled configuration. In this
configuration, with the interior panel installed, a child 15 may be
placed in the middle of the spiral on top of the interior panel 140
either for sleeping or for playing. FIG. 3 illustrates the body
pillow 120 arranged in a coiled configuration with the interior
panel 140 removed. In this optional configuration the child 15 is
supported in an upright sitting position.
[0025] With reference to FIG. 4 it can be seen that the body pillow
20 is comprised of an arcuate first portion 22 and an arcuate
second portion 26 with a mid-portion 23 extending therebetween. In
its relaxed or preformed state the first portion 22 extends
arcuately in a first direction about a majority of a circumference
of a circle C.sub.1, and the second portion 26 extends arcuately in
a second direction different than the first direction about less
than a majority of a circumference of a circle C.sub.2. The first
portion 22 may have an outer diameter 28, which is approximately 25
to 27 inches, and an inner diameter 29, which is approximately 9 to
11 inches. The inner diameter 29 defines an interior area 30. As
can be appreciated in FIG. 4, the end 24 of the first portion 22
extends along phantom line "d" in a direction generally
perpendicular to that of the mid-portion 23 which extends along
phantom line "L". By terminating the first portion 22 perpendicular
to the mid-portion 23, support is provided for the user's abdomen
(FIG. 1).
[0026] The second portion 26 is sized such that opening 27 is
approximately 9 to 11 inches wide. Second portion 26 may be curved
with an inner radius 25 matching the dimension of outer diameter 28
of the first portion 22. Constructing the body pillow with these or
similar dimensions facilitates the spiral and coiled configurations
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. It should be understood that the above
dimensions are merely representative and that various dimensions
and relationships thereof could be selected.
[0027] With reference again to FIG. 1 it can be seen that the
woman's head 12 is supported by the first portion 22 and the
woman's abdomen 14 is supported by the end 24 of first portion 22.
The woman's leg 17 is supported by second portion 26 thereby
keeping her hips 16 in a comfortable position. This is accomplished
by placing her legs 17 so that they straddle the second portion 26.
The woman's back 18 is supported by mid-portion 23.
[0028] With reference to FIG. 4, it is noted that the body pillow
may be displaced from the relaxed or preformed state into various
configurations. For example, the body pillow may be configured into
the coiled configuration such as shown in FIG. 2 by wrapping the
inner diameter 25 of second portion 26 adjacent to outer diameter
28 of the first portion 22. Alternatively, the coiled configuration
of FIG. 3 can be created by overlapping first portion 22 with
second portion 26.
[0029] FIG. 5 illustrates in more detail the alternative
embodiment, as introduced in FIGS. 2 and 3, which includes the
interior panel 140. This embodiment 120 is similar to the
embodiment 20 of FIG. 4 in that it includes a first portion 122, a
second portion 126, and a mid-portion 123. The first portion 122
has an outer diameter 128 and an inner diameter 129. Inner diameter
129 defines the perimeter of the interior panel 140. The interior
panel 140 may be attached by various means such as with a zipper,
buttons, snaps or cooperative hook and loop material as will be
discussed more fully below. Also illustrated in FIG. 5 is cover
flange 132 that covers the rough side of the zipper, which is used
to hold the interior panel in place.
[0030] With reference to FIG. 8, interior panel 140 is configured
to correspond to the shape of inner diameter 129. Interior panel
140 is comprised of a main panel portion 142 and tail portion 144
forming a teardrop shape. The entire perimeter of panel 140 is
bordered with a first zipper side 170. Tail portion 144 of interior
panel 140 is configured to fill the area created where first
portion 22 terminates perpendicular to the mid-portion 23.
[0031] As can be seen in FIG. 6, body pillow 120 is comprised of an
outer pillow casing 150 and an inner pillow insert 160. The
diameter of pillow casing 150 as shown in the cross section of FIG.
6 is approximately 7 to 9 inches. Pillowcase 150 is comprised of
top panel 152 and bottom panels 154, corresponding to the first
portion, and bottom panel 156, corresponding to the second and mid
portions. Referring to FIG. 7, panel 154 overlaps panel 156 on
second portion 126 creating overlap section 157. Overlap section
157 provides an opening for inserting pillow insert 160. Pillow
insert 160 may be an elongate pillow insert made of down filling,
foam, beads, or fibrous material such as polyester, cotton, and the
like. Outer pillowcase 150 may be made out of cotton, synthetics,
blends of the same, or any soft material. FIG. 9 shows in more
detail the operation of the overlaps of panels 154 and 156
providing for the insertion of pillow insert 160. Pillowcase 150 is
in an upside-down configuration where the cover is slightly folded
exposing opening 165, which is normally obscured by the overlap
section 157 when the cover is in a normally straight position.
Preferably the edge of panel 154 is strengthened by adding piping
158 to prevent tearing.
[0032] FIG. 10 shows in greater detail the construction and
attachment of interior panel 140. In this embodiment, interior
panel 140 is attached with a zipper 175 comprised of a first side
170 and a second side 171. As is typical of a zipper, there is a
rough side and a relatively smooth side. Cover flange 132 is
located on the rough side of the zipper 175 to prevent any
discomfort to the user caused by the zipper. Preferably, cover
flange 132 is constructed of the same material as is the pillowcase
150 and the outer part of the insert panel 140. Insert panel 140 is
constructed of two layers of material 146 and 148 with synthetic
fiber fill 200 or the like disposed therebetween. Sewn between the
two panels 146 and 148 is the first zipper side 170. As can be seen
in detail in FIG. 10 the attachment of the mating side of the
zipper 171 is sewn in between panels 152 and 154 of the pillowcase
150 along with cover flange 132. Panels 152, 154, and 156 along
with cover flange 132 and zipper 170 are all sewn together with
methods of attaching and/or sewing panels and zippers together
which are generally well known in the art. The second zipper side
171 is sewn into the inner diameter 129 of the first portion 122
thereby matching the shape and diameter of the interior panel 140
and operative to mate with the first zipper side 170. Also shown in
FIG. 10 is the construction of pillow insert 160, which is
comprised of an outer casing 162, filled with suitable fill
material as described above or as shown here, synthetic fiber fill
200.
[0033] FIG. 11 is a further embodiment of the interior panel where
the zipper is replaced with cooperative hook 180 and loop 185
fastener materials in order to fasten the interior panel 140 to the
comfort flange 132.
[0034] With the above construction in mind, also contemplated is a
method for supporting a person in a reposed position. This method
may include any of the steps inherent in any of the disclosed
embodiments. Broadly the method may include the step of providing a
body pillow with an elongate cushion having arcuate first and
second end portions, and a mid-portion extending therebetween. The
body pillow is placed on a support surface and configured such that
the first portion extends arcuately in a first direction about a
majority of a circumference of a circle. The person is placed so
that his/her head and abdomen are supported by the first end
portion and the person's back is in close confronting relation to
the mid-portion. This method may further include retaining the
first portion in its arcuate configuration. This method may further
include placing the person so that his/her legs straddle the second
portion. Subsequently the body pillow may be configured into a
coiled configuration by positioning the second portion congruently
with the first portion.
[0035] Accordingly, the present invention has been described with
some degree of particularity directed to the exemplary embodiments
of the body pillow. It should be appreciated though that the
present invention is defined by the following claims construed in
light of the prior art such that modifications or changes may be
made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the
inventive concepts contained herein.
* * * * *