U.S. patent application number 12/869149 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-25 for magnetized restraint systems and packages for travel and rest.
Invention is credited to Staci Koehler.
Application Number | 20110204696 12/869149 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41016475 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110204696 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Koehler; Staci |
August 25, 2011 |
MAGNETIZED RESTRAINT SYSTEMS AND PACKAGES FOR TRAVEL AND REST
Abstract
A magnetized head restraint system employs a magnetic head
restraint (40) and a magnetic seat assembly (50). In use, the
magnetic head restraint (40) is affixed to a person relative to a
head of the person and the magnetic seat assembly (50) supports the
person in a sitting position whereby the magnetic head restraint
(40) and the magnetic seat assembly (50) can magnetically interact
to restrain any movement of the head of the person to a spatial
area relative to the magnetic seat assembly (50) in response to the
magnetic head restraint (40) being affixed to the person and in
response to the magnetic seat assembly (50) supporting the person
in the sitting position. The magnetic head restraint (40) may
include an elastic member (42) and a magnetic component (43). The
magnetic seat assembly (50) includes a seat assembly (53)
incorporating a magnetic component on a permanent basis and/or a
magnetic seat restraint (51/52) removably attachable to the seat
assembly (53).
Inventors: |
Koehler; Staci; (Fishers,
IN) |
Family ID: |
41016475 |
Appl. No.: |
12/869149 |
Filed: |
August 26, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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PCT/US2009/035364 |
Feb 27, 2009 |
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12869149 |
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61031878 |
Feb 27, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
297/464 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 7/383 20130101;
A42B 1/24 20130101; A42B 3/0473 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/464 |
International
Class: |
A47C 31/00 20060101
A47C031/00 |
Claims
1. A magnetized restraining system, comprising: a magnetic head
restraint operable to be affixed to a person relative to a head of
the person; a magnetic seat assembly operable to support the person
in a sitting position; and wherein the magnetic head restraint and
the magnetic seat assembly are further operable to magnetically
interact to restrain any movement of the head of the person to a
spatial area relative to the magnetic seat assembly in response to
the magnetic head restraint being affixed to the person and in
response to the magnetic seat assembly supporting the person in the
sitting position.
2. The magnetized head restraint system of claim 1, wherein the
magnetic head restraint includes: a magnetic component including
the at least one magnetic component; and an elastic member coupled
to the magnetic component, the elastic member operable to
facilitate any movement of the head of the person within the
spatial area relative to the magnetic seat assembly in response to
the magnetic head restraint being affixed to the person and in
response to the magnetic seat assembly supporting the person in the
sitting position.
3. The magnetized head restraint system of claim 2, wherein the
magnetic head restraint further includes: a headband incorporating
the magnetic component and the elastic member.
4. The magnetized head restraint system of claim 2, wherein the
magnetic head restraint further includes: a hat incorporating the
magnetic component and the elastic member.
5. The magnetized head restraint system of claim 2, wherein the
magnetic head restraint further includes: a hair accessory
incorporating the magnetic component and the elastic member.
6. The magnetized head restraint system of claim 2, wherein the
magnetic head restraint further includes: a head/neck support
incorporating the magnetic component and the elastic member.
7. The magnetized head restraint system of claim 1, wherein the
magnetic seat assembly includes: a seat including at least one
magnetic component.
8. The magnetized head restraint system of claim 1, wherein the
magnetic seat assembly includes: a seat; and a magnetic seat
restraint removably attached to at least a portion of the seat, the
magnetic seat restraint includes at least one magnetic
component.
9. The magnetized head restraint system of claim 8, wherein the
magnetic seat restraint further includes a strap removably fastened
around the at least a portion of the seat.
10. The magnetized head restraint system of claim 8, wherein the
magnetic seat restraint further includes a seat cover removably
disposed over the at least a portion of the seat.
11. The magnetized head restraint system of claim 1, wherein: the
magnetic head restraint includes a first magnetic component; the
magnetic seat assembly includes a second magnetic component; and at
least one of the first magnetic component and the second magnetic
component is elongated in a horizontal direction to facilitate any
movement of the head of the person within the spatial area relative
to the magnetic seat assembly in response to the magnetic head
restraint being affixed to the person and in response to the
magnetic seat assembly supporting the person in the sitting
position.
12. A magnetized restraining package, comprising: a magnetic head
restraint operable to be affixed to a person relative to the head
of the person; a magnetic seat restraint operable to be removably
attached to a seat assembly for supporting the person in a sitting
position; and wherein the magnetic head restraint and the magnetic
seat restraint are further operable to magnetically interact to
restrain any movement of the head of the person to a spatial area
relative to the seat assembly in response to the magnetic head
restraint being affixed to the person and in response to the
magnetic seat restraint being removably attached to the seat
assembly.
13. The magnetized restraining package of claim 12, wherein
magnetic head restraint includes: a magnetic component including
the at least one magnetic component; and an elastic member coupled
to the magnetic component, the elastic member operable to
facilitate any movement of the head of the person within the
spatial area relative to the seat assembly in response to the
magnetic head restraint being affixed to the person and in response
to the magnetic seat restraint being removably attached to the seat
assembly.
14. The magnetized restraining package of claim 13, wherein the
magnetic head restraint further includes: a headband incorporating
the magnetic component and the elastic member.
15. The magnetized restraining package of claim 13, wherein the
magnetic head restraint further includes: a hat incorporating the
magnetic component and the elastic member.
16. The magnetized restraining package of claim 13, wherein the
magnetic head restraint further includes: a hair accessory
incorporating the magnetic component and the elastic member.
17. The magnetized restraining package of claim 13, wherein the
magnetic head restraint further includes: a head/neck support
incorporating the magnetic component and the elastic member.
18. The magnetized restraining package of claim 12, wherein the
magnetic seat restraint includes: at least one magnetic component;
and a strap removably fastened around the at least a portion of the
seat.
19. The magnetized restraining package of claim 12, wherein the
magnetic seat restraint includes: at least one magnetic component;
and a seat cover removably disposed over the at least a portion of
the seat.
20. The magnetized restraining package of claim 12, wherein: the
magnetic head restraint includes a first magnetic component; the
magnetic seat restraint includes a second magnetic component; and
at least one of the first magnetic component and the second
magnetic component is elongated in a horizontal direction to
facilitate any movement of the head of the person within the
spatial area relative to the seat assembly in response to the
magnetic head restraint being affixed to the person and in response
to the seat assembly supporting the person in the sitting
position.
21. The magnetized restraining package of claim 12, further
comprising: a travel case for storing and transporting at least one
of the magnetic head restraint and the magnetic seat restraint.
22. A magnetized restraining system, comprising: a magnetic head
restraint operable to be affixed to a person relative to a head of
the person; a magnetic seat assembly operable to support the person
in a sitting position; and wherein the magnetic head restraint and
the magnetic seat assembly include means for magnetically
interacting to restrain any movement of the head of the person to a
spatial area relative to the magnetic seat assembly in response to
the magnetic head restraint being affixed to the person and in
response to the magnetic seat assembly supporting the person in the
sitting position.
23. A magnetized restraining package, comprising: a magnetic head
restraint operable to be affixed to a person relative to a head of
the person; a magnetic seat restraint operable to be removably
attached to a seat for supporting the person in a sitting position;
and wherein the magnetic head restraint and the magnetic seat
restraint include means for magnetically interacting to restrain
any movement of the head of the person to a spatial area relative
to the seat assembly in response to the magnetic head restraint
being affixed to the person and in response to the magnetic seat
restraint being removably attached to the seat assembly.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to systems and
packages for restraining a head of a person while the person is
traveling and/or resting. The present invention specifically
relates to magnetic based systems and packages for restraining a
head of a person while the person is traveling and/or resting.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] An individual's head may drop or otherwise tilt when that
individual falls asleep in a sitting position, particularly when
traveling. The head may fall forward or to the side thereby causing
the individual to wake up. In a situation with a child in a booster
type car set wearing the automobile's seat belt, the child may fall
forward or to the side resulting in a pulling on the seat belt that
compromises the safety of the seat belt and reduces the quality of
the child's sleep. In a similar situation with a smaller child in a
traditional car seat, the child's head drops and the child's body
slumps to a very uncomfortable position, which also results in a
poor quality of sleep. For an adult, teen or adolescent, the head
may fall to the side, as on an airplane, bus or train and into the
individual seated to ones side. Older children and adults napping
in a passenger seat are unable to get comfortable enough to even
fall asleep or awakened quickly when their head starts to droop.
This "head dropping" during sleep has been a problem since the
beginning of travel and the enforcement of seat belts and car
seats.
[0003] Often, people use various types of pillows to lesson this
problem. However, not only is it not practical to travel with
pillows for everyone, it is still difficult to obtain comfortable
sleep in a tight space and pillows just do not keep the head up
when the individual is in an upright position. There is a known one
piece device using a hat and a series of attached Velcro straps to
secure the head to the headrest of said passenger vehicle or
airplane. This is not practical in installation or use. It does not
allow for movement, and the engagement and disengagement is
cumbersome.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention provides new and unique magnetized
restraining systems and packages for traveling and/or resting.
[0005] In a first form of the present invention, a magnetized
restraining system comprises a magnetic head restraint and a
magnetic seat assembly. In use, the magnetic head restraint is
affixed to a person relative to a head of the person and the
magnetic seat assembly supports the person in a sitting position,
whereby the magnetic head restraint and the magnetic seat assembly
can magnetically interact to restrain any movement of the head of
the person to a spatial area relative to the magnetic seat assembly
in response to the magnetic head restraint being affixed to the
person and in response to the magnetic seat assembly supporting the
person in the sitting position.
[0006] In a second form of the present invention, a magnetized
restraining package comprises a magnetic head restraint and a
magnetic seat restraint. In use, the magnetic head restraint is
affixed to a person relative to a head of the person, and the
magnetic seat restraint is removably attachable to a seat assembly
for supporting the person in a sitting position, whereby the
magnetic head restraint and the magnetic seat restraint can
magnetically interact to restrain any movement of the head of the
person to a spatial area relative to the seat assembly in response
to the magnetic head restraint being affixed to the person and in
response to the magnetic seat restraint being removably attached to
the seat assembly.
[0007] The aforementioned forms and other forms as well as objects
and advantages of the present invention will become further
apparent from the following detailed description of various
embodiments of the present invention read in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings. The detailed description and drawings of the
various embodiments of the present invention are merely
illustrative of the present invention rather than limiting, the
scope of the present invention being defined by the appended claims
and equivalents thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The benefits and advantages of the present invention will
become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
relevant art after reviewing the following detailed description and
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0009] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a generic embodiment of a
magnetized head restraint system in accordance with the present
invention;
[0010] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a generic embodiment of a
magnetized restraint in accordance with the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a magnetized
headband in accordance with the present invention;
[0012] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a person wearing the magnetized
headband illustrated in FIG. 3;
[0013] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrates exemplary operational modes of the
magnetized headband illustrated in FIG. 3;
[0014] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a magnetized
head/neck support in accordance with the present invention; and
[0015] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a magnetized
hat in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0016] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the
principles of the present invention, reference will now be made to
various exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings and
specific language will be used to describe the same. It will
nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the
present invention is thereby intended, and alterations and
modifications in the illustrated device, and further applications
of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated therein are
herein contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the
art to which the disclosure relates.
[0017] The present invention relates to a magnetized head restraint
worn by individuals of all sexes and ages traveling or resting to
keep their head up-right comfortably and safely when sleeping
(e.g., a passenger of a vehicle, a bus, a train or an airplane, or
a patient in a wheel chair, lying in a hospital bed or lying on a
gurney).
[0018] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrates a generic a magnetic head
restraint 10 and a generic magnetic seat assembly 20 of the present
invention. For purposes of the present invention, the term
"magnetic head restraint" is broadly defined herein as any article
of manufacture (1) having the properties of a magnet, or is capable
being magnetized or attracted by a magnet, and (2) that can be
affixed to a person relative to a head of that person. Examples of
magnetic head restraint 10 include, but are not limited too, a
headband incorporating a magnetic component (e.g., a magnet or a
metal piece), a hat incorporating a magnetic component (e.g., a
magnet or a metal piece), a hair accessory incorporating a magnetic
component (e.g., a magnet or a metal piece), and a head/neck
support incorporating a magnetic component (e.g., a magnet or a
metal piece).
[0019] For purposes of the present invention, the term "magnetic
seat assembly" is broadly defined herein as any seat assembly for
supporting a person in a sitting position including a magnetic seat
restraint. Examples of a seat assembly include, but are not limited
to, a chair, a kids' car seat, a wheel chair, a bed and a gurney.
Furthermore, the term "magnetic seat restraint" is broadly defined
herein as any article of manufacture having the properties of a
magnet, or is capable being magnetized or attracted by a magnet,
and can be attached, removably or permanently, from a seat
assembly. Examples of a magnetic seat restraint include, but are
not limited to, a magnet or metal piece being integrated into a
seat assembly or adhered to a seat assembly elative to a head level
of a person, a strap having a magnetic component (e.g., a magnet or
a metal piece) affixed thereto and capable of being affixed to a
seat assembly, a seat cover having a magnetic component (e.g., a
magnet or a metal piece) affixed thereto and capable of being
disposed over a seat assembly, and
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a magnetic attraction B between magnetic
head restraint 10 and magnetic seat assembly 20 whereby, when
magnetic head restraint 10 is affixed to the person the magnetic
seat assembly 20 is supporting the person in the sitting position
as shown in FIG. 2, a magnetic interaction between magnetic head
restraint 10 and magnetic seat assembly 20 restrain any movement of
the head of the person to a spatial area A relative to magnetic
seat assembly 20. The advantage of this magnetic interaction is the
ability of the person to keep their head up-right comfortably and
safely when sleeping.
[0021] In practice, the present invention does not impose any
restriction or any limitation to the structural configuration
(e.g., components, size and the shape) and the material composition
of a magnetic head restraint and a magnetic seat restraint. In one
exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a magnetic
restraint of the present invention (e.g., head or seat) employs a
magnetic component 31 affixed, removably or permanently to an
elastic member 30. For FIG. 2A, the affixation is external, and for
FIG. 2B, the affixation is internal. In this example, magnetic
component 31 and elastic member 30 are elongated in a horizontal
direction to facilitate restrained movement of the head of the
person to a spatial area as shown in FIG. 1B.
[0022] Those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the
various and numerous possible implementations of a magnetic head
restraint and magnet seat restraint of the present invention. FIGS.
3-9 show exemplary embodiments of a magnetic head restraint and
magnet seat restraint of the present invention to further
facilitate an understanding of the present invention.
[0023] Specifically, FIG. 3 illustrates a magnetic headband 40
employing a circular elastic member 42 and a magnet 43, both
elongated in a horizontal direction. A decorative cover 41
encircles elastic member 42 and magnet 43 whereby a person can
comfortably wear magnetic headband 40 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
FIG. 6 illustrates a magnetic seat assembly 50 employing a seat
assembly 53 having a magnetic head restraint consisting of a strap
51 and a metal bracket 52 affixed to strap 51. Metal bracket 52 is
also elongated in a horizontal direction. A magnetic attraction
between magnet 43 and metal bracket 52 is shown whereby a magnetic
interaction between magnet 43 and metal bracket 52 enables elastic
member 42 to restrain any movement of the head of the person to a
spatial area A relative to seat assembly 50. The advantage of this
magnetic interaction is the ability of the person to keep their
head up-right comfortably and safely when sleeping.
[0024] By further example, FIG. 7 illustrates a magnetic seat
assembly 60 employing a bed 63 having a magnetic head restraint
consisting of a strap 61 and a metal bracket (not shown) affixed to
strap 61. The metal bracket is elongated in a horizontal direction.
A magnetic interaction between magnet 43 (not shown) of magnetic
headband 40 and the metal bracket enables elastic member 42 to
restrain any movement of the head of the person to a spatial area A
relative to bed 63. Again, the advantage of this magnetic
interaction is the ability of the person to keep their head
up-right comfortably and safely when sleeping.
[0025] FIG. 8 illustrates a magnetic head/neck support 70 employing
an elastic member (not shown) externally affixed to a rear surface
of support 70 and a magnetic component (not shown) for magnetically
interacting with the metal bracket of the magnetic head restraint
affixed around the seat assembly as shown.
[0026] Referring again to FIG. 4, magnetic headband 40 is also
representative of a magnetic hair accessory of the present
invention. Specifically, at smaller overall dimension, headband 40
becomes a hair accessory that can be wrapped around a person's hair
in the back of the person's head. As such, a magnetic interaction
between magnet 43 and metal bracket 52 as shown in FIG. 6 enables
elastic member 42 to restrain any movement of the head of the
person to a spatial area A relative to seat assembly 50.
[0027] FIG. 9 illustrates a magnetic hat 80 employing elastic
member 81 and a magnet 82, both elongated in a horizontal
direction. A magnetic interaction between magnet 82 and a magnetic
seat restraint (e.g., metal bracket 52 as shown in FIG. 6) enables
elastic member 81 to restrain any movement of the head of the
person to a spatial area A relative to a seat assembly. Again, the
advantage of this magnetic interaction is the ability of the person
to keep their head up-right comfortably and safely when
sleeping.
[0028] While the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are
presently considered to be preferred, various changes and
modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is indicated in
the appended claims, and all changes that come within the meaning
and range of equivalents are intended to be embraced therein.
* * * * *