U.S. patent application number 11/682862 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-11 for sound-insulating sleep pillow.
Invention is credited to Kenley B Minton.
Application Number | 20080216244 11/682862 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39740143 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080216244 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Minton; Kenley B |
September 11, 2008 |
SOUND-INSULATING SLEEP PILLOW
Abstract
Sleep pillows are described that wrap around the user's head and
are retained by a strap, providing sound insulation, thereby
allowing the user to enjoy better sleep in the presence of
sleep-disruptive noises.
Inventors: |
Minton; Kenley B; (Solana
Beach, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WESLEY B. AMES
7031 LOS VIENTOS SERENOS
ESCONDIDO
CA
92029
US
|
Family ID: |
39740143 |
Appl. No.: |
11/682862 |
Filed: |
March 6, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/640 ;
5/636 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 9/10 20130101; A47G
2009/006 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/640 ;
5/636 |
International
Class: |
A47G 9/00 20060101
A47G009/00 |
Claims
1. A sleep pillow, comprising a central, back section, a left
section, and a right section, each section comprising a compliant
foam filler and a fabric cover, wherein said left section and said
right section are joined with said central back section, and
wherein said pillow wraps around a user's head and holds itself in
position.
2. The pillow of claim 1, further comprising a closure that holds
said left section and right section over the ears of a user and
holds said pillow in position.
3. The pillow of claim 2, wherein said closure comprises a strap
that passes over the face of a user, thereby holding said pillow in
a U-shaped configuration.
4. The pillow of claim 3, wherein said strap further comprises hook
and loop fasteners.
5. The pillow of claim 4, further comprising a release tab, wherein
said pulling on said release tab releases said hook and loop
fasteners.
6. The pillow of claim 1, wherein said left section and said right
section as hingedly attached on opposing sides of said central
section.
7. The pillow of claim 2, wherein said pillow will lay flat on a
bed surface, thereby allowing use of said pillow as a conventional
pillow.
8. The pillow of claim 1, further comprising an eye cover.
9. The pillow of claim 8, wherein said eye cover is attached to a
strap that holds said left section and said right sections over the
ears of a user.
10. The pillow of claim 1, further comprising ear coverings in each
of said left section and said right section.
11. The pillow of claim 10, wherein said ear coverings comprise
depressions, thereby reducing pressure on a user's ears.
12. The pillow of claim 10, wherein said ear coverings comprise ear
muffs.
13. The pillow of claim 10, wherein said ear coverings comprise
earphones.
14. The pillow of claim 13, wherein said earphones are functionally
connected with noise canceling circuitry.
15. The pillow of claim 13, wherein said earphones are functionally
connected with timed alarm circuitry.
16. The pillow of claim 3, wherein said strap passes through
recessed strap passageways in said left section and said right
section.
17. The pillow of claim 1, further comprising a removable and
replaceable interior liner.
18. A method for reducing noise disturbances during sleep for a
user, comprising fastening a pillow of claim 1 around a user's head
in preparation for and during sleep.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising covering said user's
eyes with an eye mask attached to said pillow.
20. A method for making an acoustical pillow, comprising inserting
three foam sections in separate pockets in a fabric covering
forming three pillow sections, wherein said separate pockets are
proximal to each other and said fabric covering provides hinge
connections between said pillow sections/
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] NOT APPLICABLE.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to pillows for sleeping.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The following discussion is provided solely to assist the
understanding of the reader, and does not constitute an admission
that any of the information discussed or references cited
constitute prior art to the present invention.
[0004] Historically, a conventional pillow supports and cushions a
sleeper's head thereby providing comfort but provides little or no
noise or light abatement. The poor sound deadening properties are
due to a combination of selection of materials that are not
efficient sound deadeners, and configuration that does not lend
itself to efficiently covering the user's ears.
[0005] Typically, when it is desirable to reduce noise levels, ear
plugs are used. However, for many individuals, earplugs are
annoying to use and also readily become soiled and/or lost.
Likewise, some individuals use eye masks to reduce light
exposure.
[0006] Redewill, U.S. Pat. No. 5,313,678, entitled Acoustical
Pillow, concerns a pillow that uses a spring inside of a U-shaped
core to bias the end of the core against a user's ears, which is
said to attenuate environmental sound.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention concerns a sleep pillow that is
designed to improve sleep by reducing noise experienced by the
user. The reduction in noise is accomplished using a cushion, e.g.,
a foam cushion, that wraps around the back and sides of a user's
head, covering the ears. Additionally, the wrap-around pillows
provide thermal insulation during cold conditions. In some
advantageous embodiments, the pillow also includes an eye covering
to block light, assisting a person to obtain restful sleep even
when there is significant ambient light. Due to the preferred
configuration of the cushion in a three section design, the pillow
allows for both closed (wrapped around a person's head) and open
(the unit lying flat) use.
[0008] For napping or sleeping, this invention also preferably
includes built-in earmuffs in order to further reduce noise
exposure. In a three section design, the two side pillows can each
incorporate standard or electronic earmuffs. The standard earmuffs
attenuate external noise, while the choice of electronic earmuffs
are for those that prefer to rest with music or pre-taped ocean or
similar relaxing sounds.
[0009] Thus, in a first aspect the invention provides a sleep
pillow that includes a central, back section, a left section, and a
right section. Each of those sections includes a compliant foam
filler and a fabric cover, where the left section and the right
section are joined with the central back section, and where the
pillow wraps around a user's head and holds itself in position.
[0010] In particular embodiments, the pillow also includes a
closure that holds the left section and right sections over the
ears of a user and holds the pillow in position; the closure
includes a strap that passes over the face of a user (usually over
the user's forehead), thereby holding the pillow in a U-shaped
configuration; the strap also includes hook and loop fasteners
(e.g., VELCRO.RTM.); the strap also includes a release tab, where
pulling on the release tab releases the strap, e.g., releases the
hook and loop fasteners.
[0011] In certain embodiments, the left section and right section
are hingedly attached on opposing sides of the central or rear
section; the pillow will also lay flat on a bed surface, thereby
allowing use of the pillow as a conventional pillow; the pillow
also includes an eye cover (e.g., an eye mask); the eye cover is
attached to the strap that holds the left section and the right
section over the ears of a user.
[0012] Also in particular embodiments, the pillow also includes ear
coverings in each of the left section and the right section; the
ear coverings include depressions, thereby reducing pressure on a
user's ears; the ear coverings are or include ear muffs; the ear
coverings include earphones; the earphones are functionally
connected with noise canceling circuitry; the earphones are
functionally connected with timed alarm circuitry; the earphones
are functionally connected with audio input, e.g., white noise,
pink noise, music, radio, mp3 or other digital audio format, or the
like.
[0013] In certain embodiments, the strap passes through recessed
strap passageways or channels in the left section and right pillow
sections; the pillow also include a removable and replaceable
interior liner, e.g., attached with hook and loop fasteners.
[0014] In a related aspect, the invention provides a method for
reducing noise disturbances during sleep for a user by fastening a
pillow of the preceding aspect around a user's head in preparation
for and during sleep.
[0015] In certain embodiments the method also includes covering the
user's eyes with an attached eye mask; the person is in a lighted
environment; the person in on an airplane; the person is in a
hotel; the pillow is used during daytime hours.
[0016] Likewise, in another related aspect, the invention provides
a method for making an acoustical pillow of the first aspect above,
wherein the method includes inserting three foam sections in
separate pockets in a fabric covering forming three pillow
sections, where the separate pockets are proximal to each other and
the fabric covering provides hinge connections between the pillow
sections.
[0017] In particular embodiments, the method also involves adding
further features described for embodiments of the first aspect
above, such as installing an adjustment strap, installing ear
coverings (which may involve cutting recesses in a respective foam
sections), installing an eye mask in the adjustment strap,
installing a liner and/or fasteners for a liner on the inner
surface of the pillow, e.g., on the inner surface of the pillow
covering, as well as other such steps.
[0018] Additional embodiments will be apparent from the Detailed
Description and from the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a front view of the invention open with no liner
shown. The three separate pillows are connected with a sleeve of a
fabric material allowing for both open and closed use of the
invention. An opening in each side pillow allows for a person's ear
to fit into built-in earmuffs. Velcro strips are used to attach the
washable liner.
[0020] FIG. 2 depicts the invention open at top view. The
adjustment strap is shown with it's attachment to the rear pillow,
then extending forward through a fabric material loop. In this
figure the liner is shown.
[0021] FIG. 3 shows a side view. The side pillows are both shaped
with an indentation so as to prevent the earmuff from contacting
the sleeping surface, thus preventing excessive pressure against
the person's ear caused by the person's head weight.
[0022] FIG. 4 depicts a person sleeping on his/her side with the
pillows closed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] The present invention provides a pillow that assists
individuals to have restful sleep even under conditions where
environmental noise would otherwise be a problem. In addition, the
present pillow can be fitted with an eye mask which further assists
the user to achieve restful sleep under difficult conditions. Thus,
the pillow is particularly advantageous for individuals who work
during the night and therefore must sleep during the day and/or for
travelers who must sleep in noisy and/or light-filled
environments.
[0024] Thus, in general, the pillow includes a padding material
that acts as an acoustic barrier and is configured such that the
pillow wraps around the back and sides of a user's head, thereby
covering the person's ears and the adjacent portions of the
person's head. Typically, the pillow segments are held in place
around the person's head with a strap that is fastened to or wraps
around at least the side pillow sections and passes across the
persons face (usually across the person's forehead). In this way,
the pillow provides both conventional pillow support for a sleeper
in a back or side sleeping position, and reduces perceived noise
levels. As indicated above, advantageously the pillow can also
include an eye mask, which is usually attached to the strap that
holds the pillow sections in place around the person's head.
[0025] Segmented Pillow: Thus, in particular advantageous
embodiments, the pillow has three connected pillow sections, which
may be generally rectangular sections. These pillow segments are
typically constructed of a foam filler (memory or conventional
foam), which is usually covered in a fabric material. As indicated
above, during use, the three segments wrap around the user's head
such that the central pillow segment is at the back of the user's
head and the two side pillow segments are at the sides of the
user's head, covering the user's ears. In many cases, the pillow
sections have substantially parallel inner and outer surfaces, such
that each pillow section provides stable positioning in any of
three sleep positions (i.e., with the person resting on their back
or on either side).
[0026] Because it is desirable to protect the pillow padding from
soiling, tearing, and other damage, preferably the pillow sections
are covered. For example, each pillow section can be covered with a
fabric or breathable film. That covering can also provide the
connection between the sections. The covering can be constructed as
a removable sleeve. Any of a large number of different fabrics and
films may be used, including, for example, fabrics made of natural
fibers such as cotton and wool, synthetic fibers such as
polypropylene or polyesters, and mixtures of natural and synthetic
fibers. As indicated, breathable film materials and materials that
include breathable films may also be used, e.g., GORE-TEX.RTM. and
similar materials.
[0027] The covering will also usually provide the physical
connection between pillow segments. While the pillow sections can
be connected such that the pillow is naturally in a U-shaped
configuration, in most cases the connections between the pillow
sections will also constitute a hinge. In this way, the pillow can
be laid flat on a sleep surface and used as a conventional flat
pillow, or can be wrapped around the person's head as described
above. Where the covering provides such hinging, generally the
individual pillow sections will fit into separate pockets or
chambers in the covering.
[0028] Generally, the two side pillow sections are thicker than the
rear or middle pillow segment. This difference in thickness allows
the pillow to support the person's head in a comfortable positions
(preferably with proper spinal alignment) when a person rests on
his/her side. Similarly, the rear pillow is thinner in thickness
for comfort requirements when a person is resting on his/her back.
The cross-sectional area of the pillows may vary but in general are
sized to accommodate typical head size. Thus, for example, the rear
section typically will have a width that is approximately the same
as the average width of peoples' heads.
[0029] In advantageous embodiments, the side sections of the pillow
are relieved such that the pressure against the person's ears due
to the weight of the person's head is reduced. This can be
accomplished in various ways, e.g., by indenting the inner surface
over the ear area and/or by indenting the outer surface such that
the thickness of the pillow section over the ear area is reduced.
For example, the outer surface can be indented by providing a
U-channel for the strap to pass through, e.g., a channel about 1-5
cm or even more in depth. The depth of the channel can be varied
depending on the thickness of the pillow section and the degree of
thickness reduction desired.
[0030] Liner: In addition to the covering, the pillow can also
advantageously include a liner, preferably a removable liner. Such
a liner can be designed such that it is readily removable and
replaceable, e.g., using hook and loop fasteners such as
VELCRO.RTM. fasteners. Thus, the liner can be removed and replaced
with a new liner, or can be cleaned and then placed back on the
pillow. The liner material is preferably selected to be comfortable
for contact with a person's skin, and/or readily cleanable, such as
by washing (preferably by machine washing).
[0031] Strap: As described above, the pillow is typically held
around a person's head using a strap or straps. Usually the strap
is made of conventional synthetic fiber webbing. In most cases, the
strap(s) is connected with the covering such that the strap passes
around the front of the user's head, e.g., across the person's
forehead. The strap is adjustable, e.g., using hook and loop
fastener(s). In certain embodiments, the adjustment strap (e.g.,
one or two separate pieces) is attached at the rear or central
pillow and extends forward on both sides and is secured with
VELCRO.RTM. at a front location.
[0032] Ear Muffs: Both side pillows can advantageously incorporate
built-in earmuffs (passive or electronic). Such ear muffs assist in
sealing against or around the person's ears. The pillow section
(e.g., the foam itself) is shaped or molded to accommodate the
installation of earmuffs. Typically, the design incorporates an
opening in the liner (if present) and pillow covering material for
each ear to rest within the respective earmuff. When electronic
earmuffs (i.e., headphones) are used, the earmuffs can be driven by
electronics in or attached to the pillow, or may be separate (e.g.,
with wired or wireless connections) The electronics may be
noise-canceling and/or can provide audio such as white noise, pink
noise, or selected audio such as music. Where audio is provided,
the audio may be timed (e.g., turns off after a period of time) or
can be continuous.
[0033] Exemplary Pillow: An exemplary pillow is shown in FIGS. 1-4.
In FIG. 1, the acoustical pillow 10 is shown opened with the inner
portion of the pillow exposed. The pillow includes a rear or center
pillow section 12, a left pillow section 14, and a right pillow
section 16. These sections are covered with a fabric covering,
where the fabric covering provides hinge connections 18 and 20
between the pillow sections. Recessed in the left pillow section
and the right pillow section respectively are ear muffs 22 and 24.
To enable the pillow to be wrapped and held around a person's head,
the pillow includes an adjustment strap 26 that extends around all
three sections with the strap ends able to pass over a person's
face. The strap is held in position at least in part by fabric
loops 28 and 30. The closure and adjustment of the strap is
provided with VELCRO fasteners. One half 32 of the VELCRO fastener
is shown, while the other half in not visible in this view. A
portion of the strap extends beyond the VELCRO fastener piece 32,
providing a grab tab 36 for quick release of the strap. Also
attached to the strap is an eye mask 38. When the strap is
positioned over the person's face, generally over the person's
forehead, the eye mask can be positioned to cover the person's
eyes. The pillow also includes a liner (not shown in this view)
that attaches to the pillow covering using VELCRO pieces 40, 41,
42, and 43. Of course, a different number of attachment pieces
and/or positions and/or fasteners may be used.
[0034] Another view of pillow 10 is shown in FIG. 2, with the view
from the top (with reference to the top of a user's head with the
pillow in normal position). As shown, the pillow includes removable
liner 44 that attaches as described above. The strap 26 passes
through recessed channels 46 and 48 in the outer surfaces of the
left and right sections 14 and 16 of the pillow, and is attached to
the rear section 12.
[0035] The exemplary pillow 10 is shown from one end in FIG. 3.
This view shows the recessed channel or indentation in the outer
surface of right section 16, with the strap 26 passing through that
channel.
[0036] The exemplary pillow 10 is shown in position on a person's
head in FIG. 4. The person 50 is shown on their right side on
sleeping surface 60. The right pillow section 16 supports the
person's head such that the person's spine will be substantially
straight. As shown, the strap 26 passes over the person's lower
forehead and eyes, such that the eye mask 38 is positioned over the
person's eyes.
[0037] All patents and other references cited in the specification
are indicative of the level of skill of those skilled in the art to
which the invention pertains, and are incorporated by reference in
their entireties, including any tables and figures, to the same
extent as if each reference had been incorporated by reference in
its entirety individually.
[0038] One skilled in the art would readily appreciate that the
present invention is well adapted to obtain the ends and advantages
mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The methods,
variances, and compositions described herein as presently
representative of preferred embodiments are exemplary and are not
intended as limitations on the scope of the invention. Changes
therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art,
which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention, are
defined by the scope of the claims.
[0039] It will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that
varying substitutions and modifications may be made to the
invention disclosed herein without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention. For example, variations can be made the
materials from which the present pillows are constructed and to the
shapes and sizes of pillow segments. Thus, such additional
embodiments are within the scope of the present invention and the
following claims.
[0040] The invention illustratively described herein suitably may
be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, limitation
or limitations which is not specifically disclosed herein. Thus,
for example, in each instance herein any of the terms "comprising",
"consisting essentially of" and "consisting of" may be replaced
with either of the other two terms. The terms and expressions which
have been employed are used as terms of description and not of
limitation, and there is no intention that in the use of such terms
and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown
and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that
various modifications are possible within the scope of the
invention claimed. Thus, it should be understood that although the
present invention has been specifically disclosed by preferred
embodiments and optional features, modification and variation of
the concepts herein disclosed may be resorted to by those skilled
in the art, and that such modifications and variations are
considered to be within the scope of this invention as defined by
the appended claims.
[0041] In addition, where features or aspects of the invention are
described in terms of Markush groups or other grouping of
alternatives, those skilled in the art will recognize that the
invention is also thereby described in terms of any individual
member or subgroup of members of the Markush group or other
group.
[0042] Also, unless indicated to the contrary, where various
numerical values or value range endpoints are provided for
embodiments, additional embodiments are described by taking any 2
different values as the endpoints of a range or by taking two
different range endpoints from specified ranges as the endpoints of
an additional range. Such ranges are also within the scope of the
described invention. Further, specification of a numerical range
including values greater than one includes specific description of
each integer value within that range.
[0043] Thus, additional embodiments are within the scope of the
invention and within the following claims.
* * * * *