U.S. patent application number 12/139448 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-17 for contour shaped support pillow.
Invention is credited to Takafumi Eura, Sohail Sherif.
Application Number | 20090307846 12/139448 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41413389 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090307846 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Eura; Takafumi ; et
al. |
December 17, 2009 |
CONTOUR SHAPED SUPPORT PILLOW
Abstract
A contour shaped support pillow is provided including a trough
located at an upper center of a front surface of the pillow, side
support areas on the front surface at sides of the trough, and
first and second neck support areas above and below the trough. A
substantially flat back surface adjoins the front surface at an
outer rear edge. A parting line is on the front surface following
the outer rear edge and terminates on each side of the first neck
support area at the outer rear edge. An edge region is between the
parting line and the outer rear edge. The trough, the side support
areas, and the first and second neck support areas within the
parting line form a concave surface. A top of the front surface
between the parting line and the outer rear edge of the back
surface has a concave shape.
Inventors: |
Eura; Takafumi; (Santa
Monica, CA) ; Sherif; Sohail; (Santa Monica,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHRISTIE, PARKER & HALE, LLP
PO BOX 7068
PASADENA
CA
91109-7068
US
|
Family ID: |
41413389 |
Appl. No.: |
12/139448 |
Filed: |
June 13, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/636 ;
5/490 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 9/10 20130101; A47C
7/383 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/636 ;
5/490 |
International
Class: |
A47C 20/00 20060101
A47C020/00; A47G 9/02 20060101 A47G009/02 |
Claims
1. A contour shaped support pillow for balancing and maintaining a
person's head in a neutral resting position, comprising: a trough
located at an upper center of a front surface of the pillow; side
support areas on the front surface at a right side of the trough
and a left side of the trough; a first neck support area on the
front surface below the trough; a second neck support area on the
front surface above the trough; a substantially flat back surface
adjoining the front surface at an outer rear edge; a parting line
on the front surface of the pillow following the outer rear edge
and terminating on each side of the first neck support area at the
outer rear edge of the back surface; and an edge region between the
parting line and the outer rear edge of the back surface, wherein
the trough, the side support areas, the first neck support area,
and the second neck support area within the parting line form a
concave surface for balancing and maintaining the person's head in
the neutral resting position, wherein a top of the front surface
above the second neck support area between the parting line and the
outer rear edge of the back surface has a concave shape.
2. The contour shaped support pillow of claim 1, wherein the side
support areas are configured to provide side support to the
person's head in a first alignment and to provide side support to a
person's head and neck in a second alignment, the first alignment
and the second alignment being 180.degree. out of alignment.
3. The contour shaped support pillow of claim 1, wherein a contour
of the front surface smoothly transitions between the trough and
the side support and the neck support areas in the shape of
parabolic and logarithmic approximated curves.
4. The contour shaped support pillow of claim 1, wherein the edge
region is sloping.
5. The contour shaped support pillow of claim 1, wherein the pillow
is shaped like a heart with the side support areas being lobes of
the heart, the second neck support area and the concave shape of
the top of the front surface being a bridge between the lobes, and
the first neck support area being a bottom rounded edge of the
heart.
6. The contour shaped support pillow of claim 1, wherein the pillow
contains elastomeric fill selected from the group consisting of an
elastomer, a gel filled pouch, an air filled bladder, a
polyurethane foam, a latex foam, a memory foam, cotton, and
feathers.
7. The contour shaped support pillow of claim 1, further
comprising: a first hook and loop fastener strip at the center of
the trough; and a cover having a second hook and loop fastener
strip for attaching to the first hook and loop fastener strip such
that the cover conforms to the concave surface.
8. The contour shaped support pillow of claim 7, further
comprising: a side pocket in the cover to which a portable media
player can be attached or within which a portable media player can
be inserted.
9. The contour shaped support pillow of claim 7, further
comprising: an interior pocket interior to the cover; and a zip
fastener attached to the cover for opening and closing the cover
and for providing access to the interior pocket.
10. The contour shaped support pillow of claim 7, wherein: the
pillow is rollable and insertable into a tube shaped container; and
the pillow expands to a designed form when removed from the
container.
11. The contour shaped support pillow of claim 7, further
comprising: hook and loop fastener strips on the back surface for
attaching to an underlying surface.
12. The contour shaped support pillow of claim 7, wherein the cover
is a material selected from the group consisting of leather,
synthetic leather, fabric, and plastic.
13. The contour shaped support pillow of claim 7, wherein: a width
of the contour shaped support pillow between edges of the side
support areas is between 150 mm and 300 mm; a height of the contour
shaped support pillow between edges of the first neck support area
and the second neck support area is between 100 mm and 260 mm; a
thickness of a thickest portion of the side support areas is
between 20 mm and 120 mm; and a thickness of a center of the trough
is between 0 mm and 20 mm.
14. The contour shaped support pillow of claim 13, wherein a
difference in thickness between the trough and the thickest portion
of the side support areas is between 0 mm and 120 mm.
15. The contour shaped support pillow of claim 7, wherein: a width
of the contour shaped support pillow between edges of the side
support areas is between 190 mm and 300 mm; a height of the contour
shaped support pillow between edges of the first neck support area
and the second neck support area is between 150 mm and 260 mm; a
thickness of a thickest portion of the side support areas is
between 30 mm and 60 mm; and a thickness of a center of the trough
is between 0 mm and 20 mm.
16. The contour shaped support pillow of claim 15, wherein a
difference in thickness between the trough and the thickest portion
of the side support areas is between 0 mm and 60 mm.
17. The contour shaped support pillow of claim 7, wherein: a
thickness of the first neck support area is between 30 mm and 50
mm, and a thickness of the second neck support area is between 10
mm and 20 mm.
18. A contour shaped support pillow for balancing and maintaining a
person's head in a neutral resting position, comprising: a trough
located at an upper center of a front surface of the pillow; side
support areas on the front surface at a right side of the trough
and a left side of the trough; a first neck support area on the
front surface below the trough; a second neck support area on the
front surface above the trough; a substantially flat back surface
adjoining the front surface at an outer rear edge; a parting line
on the front surface of the pillow following the outer rear edge
and terminating on each side of the first neck support area at the
outer rear edge of the back surface; an edge region between the
parting line and the outer rear edge of the back surface; a first
hook and loop fastener strip at the center of the trough; and a
cover having a second hook and loop fastener strip for attaching to
the first hook and loop fastener strip such that the cover conforms
to the concave surface, wherein the trough, the side support areas,
the first neck support area, and the second neck support area
within the parting line form a concave surface for balancing and
maintaining the person's head in the neutral resting position,
wherein a top of the front surface above the second neck support
area between the parting line and the outer rear edge of the back
surface has a concave shape, wherein the pillow is shaped like a
heart with the side support areas being lobes of the heart, the
second neck support area and the concave shape of the top of the
front surface being a bridge between the lobes, and the first neck
support area being a bottom rounded edge of the heart, wherein the
pillow contains elastomeric fill selected from the group consisting
of an elastomer, a gel filled pouch, an air filled bladder, a
polyurethane foam, a latex foam, a memory foam, cotton, and
feathers, wherein a width of the contour shaped support pillow
between edges of the side support areas is between 190 mm and 300
mm; a height of the contour shaped support pillow between edges of
the first neck support area and the second neck support area is
between 150 mm and 260 mm; a thickness of a thickest portion of the
side support areas is between 30 mm and 60 mm; a thickness of a
center of the trough is between 0 mm and 20 mm; a difference in
thickness between the trough and the thickest portion of the side
support areas is between 0 mm and 60 mm, a thickness of the first
neck support area is between 30 mm and 50 mm, and a thickness of
the second neck support area is between 10 mm and 20 mm, and
wherein the side support areas are configured to provide side
support to the person's head in a first alignment and to provide
side support to a person's head and neck in a second alignment, the
first alignment and the second alignment being 180.degree. out of
alignment.
19. The contour shaped support pillow of claim 18, wherein the edge
region is sloping.
20. The contour shaped support pillow of claim 18, further
comprising: a side pocket in the cover to which a portable media
player can be attached or within which a portable media player can
be inserted.
21. The contour shaped support pillow of claim 18, further
comprising: an interior pocket interior to the cover; and a zip
fastener attached to the cover for opening and closing the cover
and for providing access to the interior pocket.
22. The contour shaped support pillow of claim 18, wherein: the
pillow is rollable and insertable into a tube shaped container; and
the pillow expands to a designed form when removed from the
container.
23. The contour shaped support pillow of claim 18, further
comprising: hook and loop fastener strips on the back surface for
attaching to an underlying surface.
24. The contour shaped support pillow of claim 18, wherein the
cover is a material selected from the group consisting of leather,
synthetic leather, fabric, and plastic.
25. The contour shaped support pillow of claim 18, wherein a
contour of the front surface smoothly transitions between the
trough the side support and the neck support areas in the shape of
parabolic and logarithmic approximated curves.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a support pillow,
and more particularly, to a contour shaped support pillow.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Children in particular, but also adults, have a tendency to
roll or drop their heads sideways and sometimes forward while
sleeping in a seated position. This is very uncomfortable, and
causes the person sleeping to lack proper rest as a result. Many
sleep pattern interruptions occur while fighting this position of
imbalance during sleep. Sitting fully upright poses the greatest
challenge in maintaining a balanced head position while trying to
sleep. Usually, and especially in children, the upper torso will
follow the head's position to the side, to the point of moving the
person's body completely off center.
[0005] Many pillows have been developed to control a person's head
position when seated in repose. Resulting prior art pillows tend to
either be too bulky, incorporating too much material, or they are
placed around a person's head and neck in an awkward position, or
they allow for excessive movement of the head, which in turn causes
the body to follow the head's position to the side. None keep the
head balanced rather than cradled and none are designed in a
contoured form to keep the head balanced effectively.
[0006] One of these prior art pillows is described by McNiel, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,471,690, which is incorporated herein by reference.
McNiel states that freedom of head movement, even the freedom in
sliding of the body is an important consideration in the pillow's
development, thereby facilitating a person's head and body to
easily become off balance while sleeping in a seated position.
Silver et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,230,349, which is incorporated
herein by reference, references a pillow which is U-shaped for
cradling a person's head and neck. By examining that pillow's
design it becomes apparent that a person's neck and head are
cradled by that or similar designs. One of the disadvantages of
such designs is that the neck is forced forward by the thickness
and the composition of the pillow's back side, thereby requiring a
constant back pressure to keep the head in a resting position.
Furthermore, due to its design, that pillow is not suitable for use
by smaller children because of their lack of ability to apply
enough back pressure against the pillow. Also, the U-shaped pillow
only offers indirect head side support. The head side support is
achieved by supporting the jaw bones which roll onto the pillow's
side arm surface, rather than by supporting the skull itself, which
is an uncomfortable solution. That pillow's use is not only
uncomfortable, but also restricting and awkward. Due to its
placement position it easily wrinkles collars and clothing in the
neck and shoulder areas of the persons using it, which many times
are business travelers. It also causes the head to tilt to one side
or another onto the U-Shaped arms creating excessive and
uncomfortable pressure points on one's cheek area and face.
Lincoln, U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2005/0264055 A1, which is incorporated
herein by reference, is designed to provide lateral padding to
protect the sides of a child's face. The design of that pillow is
specific to a child's car seat. Its excess side material for the
purpose of side face protection will cause excessive heat buildup.
The pillow includes a central hole and two neck support areas, one
on the lower portion and one on the upper portion of the pillow,
which along with the side support areas cause the pillow to form an
enclosure (cradle) around the user's head when applied for use.
Harnish, U.S. Pat. No. 5,345,633, and Gold et al., U.S. Pat. No.
6,938,958 B2, both of which are incorporated herein by reference,
are not pre-shaped to conform to the natural lines and form of the
contact area of a person's rear skull area. The pillows only
display generic surfaces, and due to their shape and incorporated
angles and because those devices do not offer an effective natural
neck support area, the head is easily allowed to roll out of them.
In fact, the pillows place the head in a position conducive to
being off balance due to their thickness. The pillows do not keep
the head balanced and therefore the head will eventually fall
sideways and/or forward in the direction of the straight or
diverging wing angles. Other prior art pillows, such as those
mentioned in Kogan, U.S. Pat. No. 4,218,792, and Josefek, U.S. Pat.
No. 4,773,107, both of which are incorporated herein by reference,
are primarily designed for rest in a supine position and
incorporate excessive use of material, which is not user friendly
for travel.
[0007] In summary, prior art pillows allow for excessive head
movement, are placed around a person's neck and head at very
uncomfortable positions, or they offer too much contact area with
the top and sides of a person's head and neck circumference, which
creates a feeling of cradling and constriction. Further, some of
the prior art pillows promote heat buildup around the head region.
Most prior art pillows are not designed for both children and
adults. Further, none take balance into account, which is an
important aspect of rest. Thus, there is a need for a pillow for
both children and adults that keeps the head balanced in its
centered and most comfortable position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] A contour shaped pillow is provided to balance and to
maintain a person's head in its neutral resting position. The
pillow includes two upper side support areas with a trough centered
between the two upper side support areas. The pillow has two neck
support areas contour shaped to fill the area between a person's
neck and a substantially flat surface upon which a person chooses
to rest with an approximately flat back side with or without a
fastening device. The pillow offers a comfortable front form molded
to fit the contour and shape of a person's back skull and neck
areas.
[0009] The contour shaped support pillow of the present invention
provides an adequate and highly effective means of stabilizing the
head in its most comfortable centered position, giving the head and
the body the best chance to naturally maintain their balance and
upright position while sleeping in a seated state. The pillow
offers two neck support surfaces designed to relax the head
supporting muscles and a concave center area molded to support the
back side of the skull without forcing it forward when seated as do
other inventions. The neck support surfaces are shaped for a better
fit for providing support without cradling the user in any way. The
pillow is small and convenient for use while traveling or at home.
The pillow counteracts the natural tendency of the human head to
drop sideways and forward while sleeping in a seated body position,
thereby affording maximum rest quality to the user. The pillow is
light in weight for ease of handling. The pillow makes efficient
use of the material which comprises its make-up. The pillow keeps
the user's face area clear, as the pillow does not require any face
area contact, thus unnecessary heat buildup will be avoided and the
user will be awarded a feeling of being free and unrestricted. The
pillow does not cradle a person's head or neck. The pillow awards
the user a higher degree of comfort by distributing the weight of
the user's head evenly across its contour shaped surface area. The
pillow is suitable for use by all age groups and is fashionable and
pleasing to the eye. The pillow can be used without wrinkling the
user's clothes.
[0010] A contour shaped support pillow is provided. The contour
shaped support pillow balances and maintains a person's head in a
neutral resting position. A trough is located at an upper center of
a front surface of the pillow. Side support areas are on the front
surface at a right side of the trough and a left side of the
trough. A first neck support area is on the front surface below the
trough. A second neck support area is on the front surface above
the trough. A substantially flat back surface adjoins the front
surface at an outer rear edge. A parting line is on the front
surface of the pillow following the outer rear edge and terminates
on each side of the first neck support area at the outer rear edge
of the back surface. An edge region is between the parting line and
the outer rear edge of the back surface. The trough, the side
support areas, and the neck support areas, one of which is within
the parting line, form a concave surface for balancing and
maintaining the person's head in the neutral resting position. A
top of the front surface above the second neck support area between
the parting line and the outer rear edge of the back surface has a
concave shape.
[0011] In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
side support areas are configured to provide side support to the
person's head in a first alignment and to provide side support to a
person's head, as well as neck support in a second alignment, the
first alignment and the second alignment being 180.degree. out of
alignment, with regard to rotation around the trough center
point.
[0012] In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, any
given contour line of the front surface smoothly transitions
between the trough and the side support areas in the shape of a
logarithmic function such as that which is generally approximated
by f(x)=2 log(10x)-x.sup.2.
[0013] In one exemplary embodiment, the edge region is sloping.
[0014] In one exemplary embodiment, the pillow is shaped like a
heart with the side support areas being lobes of the heart, the
concave shape of the top of the front surface being a bridge
between the lobes, and the neck support area being a bottom rounded
edge of the heart.
[0015] In one exemplary embodiment, the pillow contains elastomeric
fill selected from the group consisting of an elastomer, a gel
filled pouch, an air filled bladder, a polyurethane foam, a latex
foam, a memory foam, cotton, and feathers.
[0016] In one exemplary embodiment, the pillow further includes a
first hook and loop fastener strip at the center of the trough, and
a cover having a second hook and loop fastener strip for attaching
to the first hook and loop fastener strip such that the cover
conforms to the concave surface.
[0017] In one exemplary embodiment, the pillow further includes a
side pocket in the cover to which a portable media player can be
attached or within which a portable media player can be
inserted.
[0018] In one exemplary embodiment, the pillow further includes an
interior pocket interior to the cover; and a zip fastener attached
to the cover for opening and closing the cover and for providing
access to the interior pocket.
[0019] In one exemplary embodiment, the pillow is rollable and
insertable into a tube shaped container; and the pillow expands to
a designed form when removed from the container.
[0020] In one exemplary embodiment, the pillow further includes
hook and loop fastener strips on the back surface for attaching to
an underlying surface.
[0021] In one exemplary embodiment, the cover is a material
selected from the group consisting of leather, synthetic leather,
fabric, and plastic.
[0022] In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a
width of the contour shaped support pillow between edges of the
side support areas is between 150 mm and 300 mm; a height of the
contour shaped support pillow between edges of the first neck
support area and the second neck support area is between 100 mm and
260 mm; a thickness of a thickest portion of the side support areas
is between 20 mm and 120 mm; and a thickness of a center of the
trough is between 0 mm and 20 mm.
[0023] In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a
difference in thickness between the trough and the thickest portion
of the side support areas is between 0 mm and 120 mm.
[0024] In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a
width of the contour shaped support pillow between edges of the
side support areas is between 190 mm and 300 mm; a height of the
contour shaped support pillow between edges of the first neck
support area and the second neck support area is between 150 mm and
260 mm; a thickness of a thickest portion of the side support areas
is between 30 mm and 60 mm; and a thickness of a center of the
trough is between 0 mm and 20 mm.
[0025] In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a
difference in thickness between the trough and the thickest portion
of the side support areas is between 0 mm and 60 mm.
[0026] In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a
thickness of the first neck support area is between 30 mm and 50
mm, and a thickness of the second neck support area is between 10
mm and 20 mm.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] FIG. 1 is a front view of a contour shaped support pillow
according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a front view of the first exemplary embodiment
showing the pillow supporting a person's head.
[0029] FIG. 2' is a front view of the first exemplary embodiment
showing the pillow rotated 180.degree. and supporting a person's
head.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the first exemplary embodiment.
[0031] FIG. 4 is a side view of the first exemplary embodiment
showing the pillow supporting a person's head.
[0032] FIG. 5 is a section view of the first exemplary embodiment
along the cross-section line a-a' of FIG. 2.
[0033] FIG. 5' is another section view of the first exemplary
embodiment along the cross-section line a-a' of FIG. 2.
[0034] FIG. 6 is a top down view of the first exemplary
embodiment.
[0035] FIG. 7 is a section view of the first exemplary embodiment
along the cross-section line b-b' of FIG. 2.
[0036] FIG. 8 is a front view of the first exemplary embodiment
illustrating the dynamic front surface movement of the first
exemplary embodiment.
[0037] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the first exemplary
embodiment.
[0038] FIG. 10a is a front view of a contour shaped support pillow
illustrating a hook and loop fastener strip according to a second
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0039] FIG. 10b is a side view illustrating the hook and loop
fastener strips of the pillow and the pillow cover.
[0040] FIG. 11 is a side view of an interior pocket according to a
third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0041] FIG. 12 is a front view of the interior pocket according to
the third exemplary embodiment.
[0042] FIG. 13 is another side view of the interior pocket
according to the third exemplary embodiment.
[0043] FIG. 14 is a front view of a side pocket according to a
fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0044] FIG. 15 is a front view illustrating an electronic device
attached to the side pocket of the fourth exemplary embodiment.
[0045] FIG. 16 is a front view illustrating an electronic device
within the side pocket of the fourth exemplary embodiment.
[0046] FIG. 17 is a side view of the side pocket according to the
fourth exemplary embodiment.
[0047] FIG. 18 is a side view illustrating an electronic device
attached to the side pocket of the fourth exemplary embodiment.
[0048] FIG. 19 is a side view illustrating an electronic device
within the side pocket of the fourth exemplary embodiment.
[0049] FIG. 20 illustrates the contour shaped support pillow rolled
up.
[0050] FIG. 21 illustrates inserting the rolled up contour shaped
support pillow into a tube container.
[0051] FIG. 22 illustrates the contour shaped support pillow within
the tube container.
[0052] FIG. 23a illustrates a front view of the contour shaped
support pillow within a carrying bag.
[0053] FIG. 23b illustrates a side view of the contour shaped
support pillow within a carrying bag.
[0054] FIG. 24 illustrates dimensions of the contour shaped support
pillow according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0055] FIG. 25 illustrates dimensions of the contour shaped support
pillow according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0056] The contour shaped support pillows of exemplary embodiments
of the present invention are optionally made from a variety of
materials, such as polyurethane or latex foams, memory foams, or of
natural materials such as cotton, feathers, or the like. Other
exemplary embodiments could be comprised of a combination of the
above mentioned materials, or of an inflatable air bladder or a
pre-shaped gel pouch, containing a material such as silicone. The
layering of different types of foam to achieve different types of
firmness across the pillow's surface, with each layer being
adjoined through adhesive to the one touching it, is conceivable.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the pillow is
made from resilient polyurethane foams through cast molding, free
rise processing, injection molding, cutting, or the like. The
pillow design takes into account foam quality measuring units such
as Indentation Force Deflection (IFD), Indentation Load Deflection
(ILD), and foam recovery time in order to provide for a foam body
of comfortable firmness and of high quality and durability. In an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the pillow is
covered with a material, which is comfortable to the touch, such as
leather, or a cotton material, synthetic leather, terry cloth, or
the like. The cover can be fully enclosing or it can be
manufactured with a zipper or hook-and-loop fastener type opening
which could then allow for the separation of the fill material from
the cover for the purpose of separate use or of cleaning each
individual part of the pillow.
[0057] FIGS. 1-9 are views of contour shaped support pillow 10
according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the contour pillow 10 is formed of a
resilient material, as described above, in the general shape of a
heart including a trough 11, an elevated neck support area 12, and
two side support pads 13 and 14. The trough 11 has a parabolic
shape and the surface smoothly transitions between the trough 11
and the two side support pads 13, 14 and between the trough 11 and
the neck support areas 12, 18'. The contour pillow 10 has a concave
center shape, with the concave center located between the neck
support area 12 and the concave exterior side 18 of the
heart-shaped pillow. The concave exterior side 18 of the
heart-shaped pillow reduces the contact area against the back of
the head, particularly against the hair of a user, which minimizes
heat build up, allows the head to breath while resting, and
prevents "bed hair," which is difficult to style and brush into a
desire shape or form.
[0058] All planar angles of the front face surface of the contour
pillow 10 change as per the cross-section illustration of FIG. 8.
Parting line 15 follows the exterior edge of the sides and top of
the contour pillow 10. From the parting line 15, the contour pillow
10 slopes downward towards the exterior rear edges of the contour
pillow 10. Providing for the contour pillow 10 to slope downward
toward the exterior rear edges provides for a larger rear surface
area for making better contact with resting surfaces and a smaller
contact area for a person's head. The contour of the edge can be a
straight slope, concave, convex, or some other configuration that
allows for a contact surface area to be less than a rear surface
area. The smaller contact area for a person's head prevents the
head from moving around too far from the trough 11, which thus
provides for maintaining a person's head in the trough 11.
[0059] The center contoured region, which includes trough 11
together with the elevated neck support area 12, is molded to
receive the occipital region of a user's head. The center contoured
region minimizes forward force tendencies. The unique shape of the
contour pillow 10 ensures that the face remains clear and free, and
the shape ensures that predominantly the back side of a user's head
is in contact with the front surface of the contour pillow 10
thereby minimizing any wrinkling effect on a user's clothing around
the neck and shoulder region. The contour pillow 10, through its
contoured front panel design helps greatly in the center
stabilization of the head while in use, either in a seated or
supine position.
[0060] FIG. 2 illustrates how a person's head 20 would normally be
placed against the contour pillow 10. FIG. 2' is a front view of
the first exemplary embodiment showing the pillow rotated
180.degree. and supporting a person's head. Alternatively, as shown
in FIG. 2', the pillow 10 can be rotated 180.degree. such that the
bridge of the heart-shaped pillow (i.e., the concave edge portion
18) is located under the person's neck and the support area 12 is
located above the person's head 20. In such a positioning, the
pillow 10 provides an adequate amount of rear neck support
utilizing a minimal area through support lip 18' and a greater
amount of side neck support through side support pads 13, 14. In
addition, in such positioning, the neck support contact area is
reduced, as concave edge portion 18 reduces the amount of contact
the pillow makes with the neck, thus still providing adequate neck
support with the benefit of allowing air circulation to flow around
the neck for a cooler feel. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the person's
head 20 is supported sideways by the side support pads 13 and 14.
Parting line 15 follows the exterior edge of the sides and top of
the pillow 10, but ends at a rear of each bottom side of the pillow
10 so that a person's neck would not make contact with the parting
line 15.
[0061] FIG. 3 illustrates the flat back surface 30. The back
surface 30 may include hook-and-loop fastener attach strips 31 and
stitch lines 32 attaching the strips 31 to the back surface 30 of
the contour pillow 10. The back surface 30 may be formed of a
material such as a thin latex rubber. This back surface 30 co-acts
with the underlying surface 42 upon which the user wishes to rest.
The thin latex rubber material counteracts sideways or vertical
slipping tendencies of the contour pillow 10 when in use against
the underlying bottom surface 42.
[0062] FIG. 4 illustrates the relative position of a user's head 20
in relation to the contour pillow 10 while resting against the
pillow 10 at the first design resting position. FIG. 4 shows the
shape of the elevated neck support area 12 and the side contour
line 41 of the side support pad 14. FIG. 4 also shows the pillow's
placement against a flat surface 42. Alternatively, the pillow 10
may be used against other types of surfaces, including surfaces
that are not flat. FIG. 4 further illustrates the position of the
hook-and-loop fastener strip 31 and shows a parting stitch line 16
to which a cover would conform. It will be appreciated that the
contact area between the contour pillow 10 and a person's head 20
is limited to the back side of the person's head and neck. It will
also be appreciated that the neck support area 12 affords a
comfortable fit between the person's occipital region and the
surface against which the person wishes to rest upon. Furthermore
it will be appreciated that the center area of the contour pillow
10 does not cradle the user's top surface of the person's head 20,
nor does the contour pillow 10 cradle the circumference of the
user's neck area.
[0063] FIGS. 5, 5' are side views of the pillow 10 exposing the
neck and head support area cross-section a-a' of FIG. 2. The
hook-and-loop fastener strip 31 position is also shown. FIGS. 5, 5'
show how the user's neck is supported by the neck support area 12,
while the person's head 20 is resting against the concave trough
11. The resilient body 50 of the compact resilient foam material is
shown in FIG. 5.
[0064] FIG. 6 shows a top down view of the contour pillow 10
receiving a person's head 20. By examining the person's head
position as it is received by the contour pillow 10 one will
appreciate the head centering qualities, and the limited intrusion
or cradling properties of the contour pillow 10. FIG. 6 illustrates
a parting stitch line 17 to which a cover would conform. Parting
lines 15, 16, and 17 of FIG. 6 show where the pillow interior and
cover may be mated together. For the cover to conform to the pillow
in the concave trough 11, adhesives may be used. Alternatively, the
cover may be stitched to the concave trough 11 of the pillow 10. Of
course, different parting line formats may be used.
[0065] FIG. 7 is a section view of the first exemplary embodiment
along the cross-section line b-b' of FIG. 2. FIG. 8 illustrates the
flow lines 82 of the side support pads 13 and 14. FIG. 8 also shows
the cross section contour line 80 corresponding to cross section
line b-b' of FIG. 2 intersecting with cross section contour line 81
corresponding to cross section line a-a' of FIG. 2 in the trough
area 11. FIG. 8 further shows the position of the neck support area
12 and the flow line 83 across this neck support area. FIG. 9 is a
perspective view of the contour pillow 10 according to the first
exemplary embodiment.
[0066] FIG. 10a is a front view of a contour shaped support pillow
10 illustrating a hook and loop fastener strip 100 according to a
second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10b is a
side view illustrating the hook and loop fastener strips of the
pillow and the pillow cover. As depicted in FIG. 10a and FIG. 10b,
the pillow 10 includes a hook and loop fastener strip 100 and the
cover 104 includes a corresponding hook and loop fastener strip
100'. The hook and loop fastener strip 100 is aligned with the
corresponding hook and loop fastener strip 100' on an interior side
of the cover. The hook and loop fastener strips 100, 100' may be
Velcro.RTM. and may include hook fasteners or loops, or both.
Velcro.RTM. is a registered trademark of Velcro Industries B.V. The
hook and loop fastener strip 100 allows a cover with a
corresponding hook and loop fastener strip 100' to attach to the
pillow 10 in the concave trough 11. Alternatively, the cover may be
attached to the pillow 10 in the trough 11 with buttons, button
snaps, glue, stitches, or other means currently for attaching to
surfaces together. Attaching the pillow cover to the pillow 10 in
the concave trough 11 allows the cover to make contact with the
foam material of the pillow 10, thereby preventing the material
from exerting a force upwardly on a person's head away from the
foam material. In addition, attaching the pillow cover to the
pillow 10 in the concave trough 11 allows for small air gaps
between the person's head and the pillow cover, which helps to
reduce heat accumulation.
[0067] FIG. 11 is a side view of an interior pocket 101 according
to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12
is a front view of the interior pocket 100. FIG. 13 is another side
view of the interior pocket 100. As depicted in FIGS. 11-13, the
pillow 10 may further include an interior pocket 101, which is
interior to the cover 104 covering the foam material 103 of the
pillow 10. The interior pocket 101 may be revealed by unzipping the
cover at zipper 102. Alternatively, the cover may be closed/opened
with buttons, button snaps, hook and loop fasteners, or other types
of zip fasteners. The interior pocket 101 may hold personal items,
such as lip balm, ear plugs, or other small items to which a user
would like access before or during sleeping periods. In addition,
the interior pocket 101 may hold additional items, such as office
notes, personal notes from loved ones, and pictures.
[0068] FIG. 14 is a front view of a side pocket 105 according to a
fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a
front view illustrating an electronic device attached to the side
pocket 105. FIG. 16 is a front view illustrating an electronic
device within the side pocket 105. FIG. 17 is a side view of the
side pocket 105. FIG. 18 is a side view illustrating an electronic
device attached to the side pocket 105. FIG. 19 is a side view
illustrating an electronic device within the side pocket 105. As
illustrated in FIGS. 14-19, the pillow 10 may further include one
or more side pockets 105. The side pocket 105 allows a portable
media player 106 to attach to the pocket 105 or to be inserted
within the pocket 105. By providing an attachment location for a
portable media player 106, users may use the pillow 10 while
listening to music on the portable media player 106.
[0069] FIG. 20 illustrates the contour shaped support pillow 10
rolled up. FIG. 21 illustrates inserting the rolled up contour
shaped support pillow 10 into a tube container 110. FIG. 22
illustrates the contour shaped support pillow 10 within the tube
container 110. Between uses, the contour shaped support pillow 10
can be rolled up and placed within a small, thin container such as
a tube-shaped container 110. When a user would like to use the
pillow, such as on a flight, the user can pull out the rolled up
pillow 10 and the pillow 10 will expand to its original shape and
form.
[0070] FIGS. 23a, 23b illustrate front and side views of the
contour shaped support pillow 10 within a carrying bag 111.
Alternatively, between uses, the contour shaped support pillow 10
can be stored within a carrying bag 111.
[0071] FIG. 24 illustrates dimensions of the contour shaped support
pillow according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the contour shaped support pillow has a width between
150 mm and 300 mm and a height between 100 mm and 260 mm. In
addition, a thickness of the trough is between 0 mm and 20 mm, a
thickness of the thickest portion of the side supports is between
20 mm and 120 mm, a thickness of the first neck support area is
between 30 mm and 50 mm, and a thickness of the second neck support
area is between 10 mm and 20 mm. Thus, according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention, a difference in thickness
between the trough and the side supports is between 0 mm and 120
mm.
[0072] FIG. 25 illustrates dimensions of the contour shaped support
pillow according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the contour shaped support pillow has a width between
190 mm and 300 mm and a height between 150 mm and 260 mm. In
addition, a thickness of the trough is between 0 mm and 20 mm, a
thickness of the thickest portion of the side supports is between
30 mm and 60 mm, a thickness of the first neck support area is
between 30 mm and 50 mm, and a thickness of the second neck support
area is between 10 mm and 20 mm. Thus, according to another
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a difference in
thickness between the trough and the side supports is between 0 mm
and 60 mm.
[0073] The pillow of exemplary embodiments of the present invention
offers a comfortable front form molded to fit the contour and shape
of a person's back skull and neck areas, and designed to support
the back side of the skull without imposing any twisting moments on
the person's skull.
[0074] It is recognized that proper fill material thickness between
the skull area, at each point on the skull, and the surface upon
which the skull is resting is important. Too thick of a fill will
yield forward pressure on a person's head, not enough fill will
yield a lack of support, true for any given point on the skull.
[0075] The contour of the pillow can be approximated by parabolic
and logarithmic type curves. The trough 11 represents the fill
space between the maximum curvature of a person's rear skull with
the surface upon which the person chooses to rest. The thickness at
this particular point determines the angle of the chamberlain's
line and the resulting flexion angle when compared to the neutral
head resting position. Further, points along the surface of the
entire skull can be defined similarly and the fill space between
said points and the substantially flat surface can then be
determined. Each person's skull rounding is shaped slightly
differently resulting in minute protrudences of the varying skull
forms into the parabolic/logarithmic contour pillow. These minute
indentations have been found to have no significant bearing on the
comfort, or functionality of the device, as long as these variances
are absorbed by proper fill material qualities, such as material
composition, firmness and resilience, of which memory foam seems to
be the best.
[0076] As the skull is a rounded object, any fill material height
moving outwardly from the trough point 11 must also conform to the
requirements described above, meaning proper fill material
thickness must be chosen at any point where the pillow contacts the
back area of a person's skull. A choice too thick will yield a
rotational momentum imposed on said person's head, counteracting it
will require fatiguing muscle input over the time of use.
[0077] The contour of the pillow follows a series of parabolic and
logarithmic lines moving outwardly from the trough 11 to define
proper material thickness at each point which contacts the person's
skull and neck areas, resulting in a concave trough area and a
varying convex edge along the circumference of the pillow's outer
edge.
[0078] The height or focus of each parabola has been chosen to
result in as small a shape as possible to allow for maximum
comfort, also to allow for a form that is not intrusive on a
person's space, and to allow for the object to be easily carried in
transport, and also to reduce manufacturing costs by using the
minimum amount of material to achieve all of the objectives
above.
[0079] The contour shaped support pillow of exemplary embodiments
of the present invention provides a more useful, efficient, and
comfortable resting surface for the seated or supine rest seeking
user than prior art pillows.
[0080] While the above description contains much specificity, these
should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the
invention, but rather as an exemplification of one or more
preferred embodiments thereof. It will occur to those skilled in
the art that modifications and alternatives can be practiced within
the spirit of the invention. Many other variations are possible.
For example, embodiments of different basic shapes are possible,
such as but not limited to oval or triangular shapes. Also other
embodiments may contain, as possible fill materials, gel filled
pouches or air filled bladders of the same shape as the pillow to
name a few variations. The materials used to cover the pillow can
vary from leather, to synthetic leather, to cotton, or terry cloth,
or any other different varieties of cover materials can be used.
Also, instead of using the described hook-and-loop strips to fasten
the pillow to a given surface, one could use snaps, clips, or the
like, and strips of different shapes to affix the pillow to any
given attaching surface, or no attachment mechanisms at all can be
an option as well. Furthermore, instead of using a back material
which displays an adhesive like quality such as a latex material
described herein, one could use patches of gel which could be made
part of the pillow's make-up, or similar to create an affinity
between the back panel of the pillow and the surface upon which it
is resting, though this is not a requirement of the design either.
Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by
the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their
legal equivalents.
* * * * *