U.S. patent application number 13/186499 was filed with the patent office on 2011-11-10 for assisting passengers to sleep while sitting.
This patent application is currently assigned to Amit Stekel. Invention is credited to Michael ROTHSCHILD.
Application Number | 20110272995 13/186499 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35463238 |
Filed Date | 2011-11-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110272995 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ROTHSCHILD; Michael |
November 10, 2011 |
ASSISTING PASSENGERS TO SLEEP WHILE SITTING
Abstract
A method and an apparatus for helping a user rest and sleep
while in an upright sitting position on a seat by providing
vertical and horizontal support to the user's upper body and head.
The method consists of providing a seat add-on and fitting an
adjustable vest (1-6) that can cling to the seat add-on at varying
heights and relieve the load on the lower part of the spine,
putting some of it on the armpits and some on the back ribs, and of
providing a head support cushion (18-21) that enables the neck to
relax while sustaining the head and neck in a vertical position.
The seat add-on, the vest and the cushion in combination
continuously support the seated user's upper body and head
vertically and horizontally, to assist the user to rest and sleep
in the vertical position.
Inventors: |
ROTHSCHILD; Michael;
(Ramot-HaShavim, IL) |
Assignee: |
Stekel; Amit
Rechovot
IL
Rothschild; Michael
Ramot-HaShavim
IL
|
Family ID: |
35463238 |
Appl. No.: |
13/186499 |
Filed: |
July 20, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11569996 |
Nov 29, 2007 |
8007046 |
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PCT/IL2005/000582 |
Jun 2, 2005 |
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13186499 |
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60575806 |
Jun 2, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
297/465 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B64D 11/06 20130101;
B64D 11/062 20141201 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/465 |
International
Class: |
A62B 35/00 20060101
A62B035/00; B60R 22/00 20060101 B60R022/00 |
Claims
1. A method for securing a passenger to and releasing from a seat,
comprising: (a) fixing a backrest to the seat; (b) wearing a vest
having a back surface adapted for adhesion to a surface on said
backrest; (c) securing said surface to the backrest by sitting
down; and (d) detaching said surface from the backrest by getting
up.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein wearing the vest
comprises adjusting it to the passenger's body.
3. A method according to claim 1, wherein securing comprises
mounting the vest back on an adjustable position on the seat.
4. A method according to claim 1, wherein sitting down comprises
adjusting the passenger back height relative to the backrest.
5. A method according to claim 1, wherein sitting down comprises
adjusting the body posture relative to the seat.
6. A method according to claim 1, comprising providing posture
support while said passenger is sleeping.
7. A method according to claim 1, wherein securing said surface to
the seat comprises hook and loop attaching of said surface to a
backrest vertically secured to said seat at least at a bottom
thereof.
8. A method according to claim 1, wherein securing said surface to
the seat comprises hook and loop attaching of said surface to a
backrest including an attachment area therefore and further
comprising covering a portion of said attachment area prior to said
securing.
9. A method according to claim 1, further comprising: changing a
posture of sitting by the passenger, by repeatedly detaching said
surface from the backrest and securing said surface to the
backrest.
10. A method according to claim 9, wherein said passenger
repeatedly detaches and secures during sitting.
11. A method according to claim 1, further comprising: choosing a
preferred posture of sitting by the passenger.
12. A method according to claim 1, wherein said (c) and (d) are
performed by the passenger.
13. A method according to claim 1, wherein the passenger is able to
attach and detach himself from the seat without a need to handle
said vest or seat.
14. A method according to claim 1, wherein wearing a vest comprises
wearing a vest by said passenger.
15. A method according to claim 1, wherein removably fixing a
backrest to the seat comprising diagonally fastening a strap of the
backrest across a corner of the seat.
16. A method according to claim 1, wherein removably fixing a
backrest to the seat comprises removably fixing a backrest to a
passenger seat.
17. A method according to claim 1, wherein removably fixing a
backrest to the seat comprises removably fixing to a commercial
airplane seat, a train seat or a child safety seat.
18. A method according to claim 1, further comprising: accessing
pockets of said passenger by said passenger after (c) and before
(d).
19. A method according to claim 1, wherein securing said surface to
the backrest by sitting down comprises securing said surface to the
backrest by pressing the surface to the backrest.
20. A method according to claim 1, wherein wearing a vest further
comprises adjusting the vest to the body by using straps of the
vest.
21. A method according to claim 1, wherein fixing comprises
removably fixing.
22. Apparatus for use by a subject, comprising: a vest worn by the
subject, said vest having a first loop and hook connector surface
on its rear side, and attachments for attaching said vest to the
upper body of the subject; and a seat having a back rest having a
second loop and hook connector surface associated with its front
surface, wherein said backrest is fixed to the seat without
interfering with equipment attached to the back of the seat,
wherein said first and said second loop and hook connector surfaces
interlock when said subject sits in said seat.
23. Apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said attachments
comprises attachments easily connected by the subject.
24. Apparatus according to claim 22, and which enables the subject
to attach and detach himself from said seat without any handling of
said vest or seat.
25. A method of assisting a sedentary subject to sleep, comprising
the steps of: providing a vest having a first loop and hook
connector surface on its rear side, and attachments for attaching
said vest to the upper body of the subject; providing a seat having
a back rest having a second loop and hook connector surface
associated with its front surface; fitting said vest closely onto
the upper body of the subject, such that said vest provides support
to the upper body of a sedentary subject; determining that the
subject wants to sleep; and interlocking said first and said second
loop and hook connector surfaces, such that said vest stabilizes
the upper body of said subject against vertical and horizontal
forces.
26. The method according to claim 25 and wherein said subject is
able to attach and detach himself from said seat without a need to
handle said vest or said seat.
27. The method according to claim 25 and wherein said subject is
able to adjust his seating position to determine a most comfortable
position without a need to handle said vest or said seat.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/569,996 filed Nov. 29, 2007, which is a
National Phase of PCT Patent Application No. PCT/IL2005/000582
having International filing date of Jun. 2, 2005, which claims the
benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
60/575,806 filed on Jun. 2, 2004. The contents of the above
applications are all incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Currently in airplanes and trains, because of space
limitation, the back of seats cannot lie down, other than in
premium classes of travel. Passengers therefore have to sit
vertically or almost vertically for a long time, or even sleep in
the vertical or near-vertical sitting position. In the vertical
sitting position, the waist, spine and neck can easily get tired
because they have to support the whole weight of the upper body and
head. During sleep, there is lack of support, the position of the
body is unstable, resulting in muscle pain, strain and
paralysis.
[0003] Many prior art inventions, such as those found in the
references cited below, offer methods and devices to remove some of
the load caused by a long stay in an upright position.
[0004] The state of the art in the field is believed to be
represented by the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,266,825, 6,007,156,
4,996,978, 4,834,457, 4,788,969, 3,827,716, 3,612,605, 3,531,158,
3,524,679, 3,191,599, 3,099,486, 3,063,752, 3,004,794, 2,851,033,
2,667,917, 2,667,913, 2,255,464, 1,722,205 and 284,024.
[0005] None of these inventions has yet materialized into a
functional solution to the problem, possibly because the solution
offered is either partial or inconvenient to use. For example, in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,156 to G. H. Chang for "Vertical Rest Helping
Method and Apparatus", there is described a device that fixes the
passenger in a predetermined position, which is not necessarily the
subjective optimal position as determined by the user, and without
the simple ability to change posture from time to time, or to leave
and return to the seat when desired, to subjectively adjust the
sitting position for user comfort, or reach the user's pockets or
clothing. Furthermore, the solution proposed may impair passenger
safety by fixing the passenger to his seat and reducing his
evacuation speed in dangerous situations.
[0006] There therefore exists a need to provide a device and method
for assisting passengers to sleep in an upright position, but which
overcomes at least some of the disadvantages of prior art devices
and methods.
[0007] The disclosures of each of the publications mentioned in
this section and in other sections of the specification are hereby
incorporated by reference, each in its entirety.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The object of this invention is to provide a novel vest
which allows passengers to sleep while sitting, but without fixing
them rigidly to their seat.
[0009] In accordance with a first aspect, the present invention
provides a light and portable vest which enables the user to sleep
comfortably in an upright position in his seat.
[0010] In accordance with another aspect, the vest of the present
invention comprises a detachable part that is comfortable to wear
in normal use when the user leaves his seat.
[0011] In accordance with another aspect, the vest of the present
invention is such that it can be readily adjusted in preparation
for sleeping.
[0012] In accordance with another aspect, the vest of the present
invention allows the passenger to choose his own preferred posture
of sitting or sleeping and to change it from time to time.
[0013] In accordance with another aspect, the vest of the present
invention allows the passenger reach his pockets, clothes and to
generally move in his seat freely.
[0014] In accordance with another aspect, the vest of the present
invention is also a life jacket, allowing the passenger to be
prepared for dangerous situations and to evacuate his seat
quickly.
[0015] There is therefore provided, in accordance with a first
preferred embodiment of the present invention, apparatus for use by
a subject, comprising: [0016] (i) a vest worn by the subject, the
vest having a first VELCRO surface on its rear side, and
attachments for attaching the vest to the upper body of the
subject, and [0017] (ii) a seat having a back rest having a second
VELCRO surface associated with its front surface, wherein the first
and the second VELCRO surfaces interlock when the subject sits in
the seat.
[0018] In this apparatus, the attachments are preferably such that
the vest fits closely to the upper body of the subject.
[0019] In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the
present invention, the vest is preferably constructed of material
having rigidity, such that the vest provides support to the upper
body of the subject.
[0020] Furthermore, the attachments of the vest preferably comprise
straps easily connected by the subject.
[0021] In accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the
present invention, the second VELCRO surface associated with the
front surface of the backrest of the seat is preferably part of the
front surface. Alternatively and preferably, the second VELCRO
surface associated with the front surface of the backrest of the
seat is part of an add-on element attachable to the backrest of the
seat.
[0022] There is further provided in accordance with more preferred
embodiments of the present invention, apparatus as described above,
and also comprising a neck collar constructed of soft material. The
neck collar may preferably be attached to the seat add-on.
[0023] In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the
present invention, the vest preferably comprises buoyancy elements
such that it is also operative as a life vest.
[0024] Any of the above embodiments of the present invention are
such that the subject is able to attach and detach himself from the
seat without any handling of the vest or seat.
[0025] There is also provided in accordance with a further
preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method of
assisting a sedentary subject to sleep, comprising the steps of:
[0026] (i) providing a vest having a first VELCRO surface on its
rear side, and attachments for attaching the vest to the upper body
of the subject, [0027] (ii) providing a seat having a back rest
having a second VELCRO surface associated with its front surface,
[0028] (iii) fitting the vest closely onto the upper body of the
subject, such that the vest provides support to the upper body of a
sedentary subject, and [0029] (iv) seating the subject in the seat
such that the first and the second VELCRO surfaces interlock, such
that the vest stabilizes the upper body of the subject against
vertical and horizontal forces.
[0030] According to this method, the subject is able to attach and
detach himself from the seat without a need to handle the vest or
the seat. The method also preferably enables the subject to adjust
his seating position to determine a most comfortable position
without a need to handle the vest or the seat.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] The present invention will be understood and appreciated
more fully from the following detailed description, taken in
conjunction with the drawings in which:
[0032] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a vest, constructed
and operative according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0033] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a vest structure with an
adjustable number of straps;
[0034] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a vest with buoyant
regions;
[0035] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a first embodiment of a
seat add-on;
[0036] FIG. 4A describes another embodiment of the seat add-on of
FIG. 4;
[0037] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a second embodiment of a
seat add-on;
[0038] FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a third embodiment of a
seat add-on;
[0039] FIG. 7 describes the way the vest and the seat add-on are
combined in use together;
[0040] FIG. 8 describes how a simple additional strip can be used
to provide head support;
[0041] FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a head support cushion for
use with the vest and seat add-on of the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 10 describes the way the head support cushion is used;
and
[0043] FIG. 11 schematically illustrates how the seat add-on can be
obviated by the use of suitably constructed seats.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0044] Reference is now made to FIG. 1 which is a schematic
illustration of a vest, constructed and operative according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention. The vest comprises a
backpiece 1, on the outer side of which is attached a plate 2
preferably made of VELCRO.RTM. material. Fastening straps 3 and 5
are provided, which are threaded through their respective
buttonholes, 4 and 6, and then fastened at the best length for the
user, to provide a snug yet comfortable fit. VELCRO may also be
preferably used to fasten the straps at the correct length, but
other fastening means may also preferably be used
[0045] Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which depicts an improved
embodiment of the vest of FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the number of
fastening straps is variable. The means used to connect these
straps to the vest at the best location can vary. In this picture,
special buttonholes 7 are used, and additional corresponding
buttonholes are displayed on the other side of the vest. The vest
can also be closed by use of VELCRO material or similar, on both
sides of the vest, replacing the buttonholes. A variable number of
strips may preferably be used as in FIG. 2. Alternatively and
preferably, a single one side VELCRO covered manifold replaces all
the straps.
[0046] Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which illustrates a further
preferred embodiment of the vest providing both better support and
comfort, as well as floatation capabilities that enable the vest to
function as a life vest in case of need. This is achieved through
the introduction of built-in pockets 8 where buoyant material or
inflatable cushions can be placed. The pockets can also be
inflatable on their own. If the vest is designed to serve as a life
vest, then additional features required by life vests can
preferably be added, such as an automatic inflation mechanism, a
whistle and a flashlight, as in conventional life vests.
[0047] The vest of the present invention is intended to operate
correctly by using it in conjunction with a seat add-on fixed to
the seat, which attaches the vest to the seat in a readily
adjustable and readily detachable manner, and yet supplies support
to the whole back area of the vest
[0048] Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which illustrates
schematically a first embodiment of such a seat add-on, constructed
and operative according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention. The seat add-on comprises a surface 10, preferably of
VELCRO material, which is attached to the surface of the back of
the seat preferably by means of straps 11, 12. The VELCRO material
plate 2 on the back of the vest, clings to the VELCRO material
surface 10 on the seat, and the strength of the attachment is such
that it resists the vertical and horizontal forces that the weight
of the person in the vest exerts by his tendency to droop downwards
or to lean sideward when sleeping, and thus supports the body of
the sleeping person in an upright position. As is seen, this
embodiment of the seat add-on is similar in construction to the
vest but is fastened to the seat rather than the passenger. In
fact, when necessary, a regular vest, as described in the previous
FIGS. 1-3 can also be used to serve as a seat add-on.
[0049] The preferred embodiments of the vest and seat add-on have
been shown in the previous drawings and described as using a VELCRO
material. The invention is also thuswise claimed. It is to be
understood, though, that VELCRO is used as an example of any such
similar material, having complemental parts which adhere to each
when pressed together, and which are adapted for use as closure
fastening components and which can be readily detached when needed,
and especially separable fasteners of the hook and loop type.
Alternative materials fulfilling these requirements can also be
equally well used in the vest and seat add-on of the present
invention.
[0050] Reference is now made to FIG. 4A, which illustrates an
additional embodiment of the seat add-on. This embodiment has on
its lower side two strips and two button holes that enable it to be
fastened to the lowest part of the back of the seat without risking
any interference with equipment that might be attached to the back
of the seat.
[0051] Reference is now made to FIG. 5 which describes another
preferred embodiment of the seat add-on. In this embodiment, the
VELCRO plate 10 is attached to two rigid hooks 14, strong enough to
sustain the vertical forces exerted by the body weight of the
passenger. A VELCRO covered strip 16 is preferably provided to
counter the horizontal forces on the lower part of the VELCRO plate
10. Multiple strips 16 can be used to improve resistance to
horizontal forces.
[0052] Reference is now made to FIG. 6 which describes another
preferred embodiment of the seat add-on, which resembles a seat
cover having a back plane 22 and a sitting base 15. The resistance
to the vertical forces comes from the vertical rigidity of the back
plane 22 on which the VELCRO plate 10 is mounted. Resistance to
horizontal forces comes preferably from a VELCRO covered strip 16
or any other strip that fastens the back plane 22 to the back of
seat. The horizontal forces can also be preferably resisted by
adjustably fixing the angle between the back plane 22 and the
bottom plane 15 or limiting the angle to a lower bounding
value.
[0053] Reference is now made to FIG. 7 which describes more fully
how the vest and the seat add-on are combined and used to provide
support for the passenger's back, against vertical and horizontal
forces. The seat add-on is attached to the seat, either by the
staff or by the passenger, using the particular attaching means to
the seat which counter the vertical and horizontal forces. In the
preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the vertical forces will be
sustained by the two hooks 14 and the horizontal forces by the
strap (or straps) 16.
[0054] The passenger then dons the vest and uses the straps 3 and 5
to best adjust it to his body, for snugness of fit and for comfort.
At this stage, while sitting down, the passenger puts his back on
the seat at the height that best distributes the load on the
various parts of the body. Several attempts may be needed to
determine the optimum position, but since the attachment and
detachment of the vest to the seat add-on is performed so simply,
this is not an arduous task. Once the optimum position has been
attained, the passenger no longer has to maintain the muscle tonus
in his back to hold his back straight, since the vest does so for
him.
[0055] One of the advantages of this solution is that the customer
can do all the adjustments himself very easily. Another advantage
is that he can leave his seat at any moment during the flight and
then come back and enjoy the same support from the seat. The ease
with which adjustments are achieved also enables him to improve his
position during the flight if, at some stage, he feels the need to
do so.
[0056] Reference is now made to FIG. 8 which illustrates a simple
additional strap 17 used, according to another preferred embodiment
of the present invention, to achieve support for the head and neck.
This is, however, not the manner in which most passengers would
prefer to support their heads and necks, and another method is
proposed for that end, as described in the FIGS. 9 and 10.
[0057] Reference is now made to FIG. 9 which depicts a head and
neck support device, according to another preferred embodiment of
the present invention. The prior art neck supports commonly used
for this purpose do not achieve the expected results since the head
may tend to fall forward, as they support it mainly from other
directions. The collar shown in FIG. 9 supports the head and neck
from all directions. Its body 18 is in the form of a cushion that
supports the head and neck in all directions. The collar can be
attached to the seat add-on, or simply sits on the user's shoulders
using the indent for the shoulders to stabilize it. A VELCRO plate
19 is provided to close the support circle around the neck using
the rear cushion pad 20 and the VELCRO strips 21. Both cushions are
preferably adjustable to fit a variety of neck sizes. The
flexibility of the cushion and the strips should suffice for the
adjustment to various neck diameters. Vertical flexibility can also
be achieved through the inclusion of inflatable compartments.
[0058] Reference is now made to FIG. 10 which illustrates the
manner in which the neck support cushion may be used. The body 18,
should support the head and neck from the front, and provide
additional support from the sides. The front should rest on the
chest and its sides should rest on the shoulders, using the
shoulder indent to position it in a stable manner. The cushion 20
is then added from the back to complete the support from all
directions.
[0059] Reference is now made to FIG. 11 which shows how the seat
add-on can be obviated by use of a specially constructed seat back.
In this preferred embodiment, the VELCRO plate, 24, instead of
being part of the seat add-on, is integrated into the seat 25
itself, making the device even easier to use. A second VELCRO plate
23 can preferably be used to cover the VELCRO plate 24 when the
vest is not in use.
[0060] The sleep assisting vest assembly of the present invention
may also be adapted for use as a child restraint addition for
incorporation into children's safety seats for automotive use,
providing the child with support to enable him to sleep comfortably
and safely in an upright position.
[0061] It is appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the
present invention is not limited by what has been particularly
shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present
invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of various
features described hereinabove as well as variations and
modifications thereto which would occur to a person of skill in the
art upon reading the above description and which are not in the
prior art.
* * * * *