U.S. patent application number 13/798035 was filed with the patent office on 2013-09-12 for multi-position travel pillow.
This patent application is currently assigned to Top Travel Products, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Kenneth Myers. Invention is credited to Kenneth Myers.
Application Number | 20130232693 13/798035 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49112700 |
Filed Date | 2013-09-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130232693 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Myers; Kenneth |
September 12, 2013 |
Multi-Position Travel Pillow
Abstract
A travel pillow configured to support a person's head in
multiple different positions that includes a number of shaped
surfaces configured to support a user's head and/or neck in
different positions. The top side includes a chamfered neck support
surface and a flat top surface. The chamfered neck support surface
further includes a pair of humps providing additional side-to-side
support for the head. The rear side includes two flat rear surfaces
and a rounded forehead support surface. The bottom side includes a
beveled support surface and a flat connector surface and a slight
chamfer surface for comfort against the neck. The travel pillow may
also carry a hook-and-loop fastener for removably attaching a head
strap to the pillow, which can be used for holding the pillow to
the user in various support configurations, for binding the pillow
in a compressed state, and as a blindfold to aid in sleeping.
Inventors: |
Myers; Kenneth; (Marietta,
GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Myers; Kenneth |
Marietta |
GA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Top Travel Products, LLC
Marietta
GA
|
Family ID: |
49112700 |
Appl. No.: |
13/798035 |
Filed: |
March 12, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61609819 |
Mar 12, 2012 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/636 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 7/383 20130101;
A47G 9/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/636 |
International
Class: |
A47G 9/10 20060101
A47G009/10 |
Claims
1. A travel pillow configured to support a person's head and neck
in a number positions to accommodate sleeping while traveling,
comprising: a front side having a U-shaped front surface configured
to be selectively positioned as a support around a portion of a
person's neck, under the person's chin, or against the person's
forehead; a top side including a chamfered neck support surface
configured to receive and provide side-to-side support for the
person's the head when the U-shaped front surface is positioned
around a portion of a person's neck with the chamfered neck support
positioned adjacent to the person's head; a bottom side including a
beveled support surface for supporting the travel pillow between
the person's chest and head when the U-shaped front surface is
positioned under the person's chin; a rear side including a support
surface for placement against a generally horizontal surface to
support the travel pillow between the horizontal surface and the
person's forehead when the U-shaped front surface is positioned
against the person's forehead while the person leans forward above
the horizontal surface from a seated position.
2. The travel pillow of claim 1, further comprising a resilient
foam core providing at least about nine inches of support between
the rear side and the U-shaped front surface when positioned
between the horizontal surface and the person's forehead.
3. The travel pillow of claim 2, wherein the resilient foam core
further comprises a memory foam portion forming the chamfered neck
support surface.
4. The travel pillow of claim 1, further comprising a soft cover
carry one or more high friction surfaces to help prevent the pillow
from slipping while supporting the person's head or neck in various
support position.
5. The travel pillow of claim 4, wherein high friction surfaces
include a high friction surface located on the beveled support
surface.
6. The travel pillow of claim 1, wherein the rear surface further
comprises a rounded support surface configured for placement
against a person's forehead with the front surface placed against
the generally horizontal surface to provide a second support
position for supporting the person's head while the person leans
forward above the horizontal surface from a seated position.
7. The travel pillow of claim 1, wherein the chamfered neck support
surface further comprises a pair of humps configured to provide
additional side-to-side support to the person's head when the
U-shaped front surface is positioned around a portion of a person's
neck with the chamfered neck support positioned adjacent to the
person's head.
8. The travel pillow of claim 1, wherein the front side further
comprises a pair of beveled front faces.
9. The travel pillow of claim 9, further comprising high friction
surfaces located on the beveled front faces.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 61/609,819 entitled "Multi-Position Travel
Pillow" filed Mar. 12, 2012, which is incorporated by
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention is directed to travel pillows and,
more particularly, to a travel pillow configured to support a
person's head and/or neck in multiple positions to accommodate
sleeping while traveling.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A common problem when traveling long distances by airplane
or automobile is not being able to sleep in the head-forward
position. This is an important concern as sleeping with one's head
tilted back can be uncomfortable and may even lead to irritating
sinus drainage while trying to sleep. Additionally, even those for
whom sleeping with their head tilted back is comfortable, there is
still the desire to change positions occasionally to prevent
soreness and discomfort that can arise from maintaining a single
position for an extended period of time. Further, there are
numerous other situations, such as waiting for hours at the airport
for a delayed flight, where the lack of headrests on the seats make
resting comfortably a near impossibility.
[0004] Note that "head-forward" sleeping can vary from a slight
chin drop to leaning ones entire torso forward to more of a
sleeping-on-your-stomach kind of effect that is more comfortable
for many people. There are a variety of products currently on the
market that attempt to address this concern. One such product is a
large, inflatable wedge designed to be placed on top of an airplane
tray table and leaned forward against for support of the upper
torso. Besides being bulky and awkward in appearance, is terribly
inconvenient for other than the actual sleeping part of one's
travel. It has to be inflated/deflated for meals, movies and such.
It is remarkably unwieldy to manage for such basic activities as
getting up to go to the restroom or stretch. It is also crowding
for fellow passengers. This product also is limited to a single
user position. These drawbacks are too significant for such a
product to gain mass acceptance.
[0005] Several collar-type products currently available would do a
good job keeping your head from falling forward, though in only a
single, very upright position. They can be too bulky around the
back of the neck, not allowing the shoulders to go back against the
rest. This puts unnecessary, uncomfortable pressure on the nerves
and muscles in the back of the neck. Many users may find the size
and wrap-around shape to be too confining, awkward and even hot.
Trimmer collar designs offer better appearance and reduced bulk,
but also only provide a single head position. These smaller collars
do not provide the lateral support of the larger collars. As with
the larger collar, users may not like the feeling of having a large
item wrapped around their neck.
[0006] A tube shaped inflatable pillow on the market provides for
an alternate, side-leaning sleeping position. However, it does not
allow forward support or even use behind the head in an upright
sleeping position. Those drawbacks, combined with its large size
and awkward shape greatly limit this product's acceptance in the
market.
[0007] The classic "C" shaped travel pillow is the most common in
the market. This pillow provides no support for head-forward
positions, and is too low on the sides to provide useful lateral
support. The bulk behind the neck places excess pressure on the
muscles and nerves in the neck.
[0008] There is, therefore, a continuing need for an improved
travel pillow and, more specifically, a travel pillow configured to
adequately supports a person's head or neck in multiple different
positions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The invention meets the needs described above in a travel
pillow that includes a number of shaped surfaces configured to
support a user's head and/or neck in different positions to
accommodate sleeping while traveling. Generally, the travel pillow
includes a multi-position front side having a U-shaped front
surface configured to be selectively positioned as a support around
a portion of a person's neck, under the person's chin, or against
the person's forehead. A top side of the travel pillow includes a
chamfered neck support surface configured to receive and provide
side-to-side support for the person's the head when the U-shaped
front surface is positioned around a portion of a person's neck
with the chamfered neck support positioned adjacent to the person's
head. A bottom side of the travel pillow includes a beveled support
surface for supporting the travel pillow between the person's chest
and head when the U-shaped front surface is positioned under the
person's chin. In addition, a rear side of the travel pillow
includes a support surface for placement against a generally
horizontal surface to support the travel pillow between the
horizontal surface and the person's forehead when the U-shaped
front surface is positioned against the person's forehead while the
person leans forward above the horizontal surface from a seated
position.
[0010] The travel pillow of claim typically includes a resilient
foam core providing at least about nine inches of support between
the rear side and the U-shaped front surface when positioned
between the horizontal surface and the person's forehead. The foam
core may also include a memory foam portion forming the chamfered
neck support surface. The foam core may be covered by a soft cover
carry one or more high friction surfaces to help prevent the pillow
from slipping while supporting the person's head or neck in various
support position. For example, a high friction surface may be
located on the beveled support surface.
[0011] To provide yet another support position, the rear surface
may further include a rounded support surface configured for
placement against a person's forehead with the front surface placed
against the generally horizontal surface to provide a second
support position for supporting the person's head while the person
leans forward above the horizontal surface from a seated position.
The chamfered neck support surface may further include a pair of
humps configured to provide additional side-to-side support to the
person's head when the U-shaped front surface is positioned around
a portion of a person's neck with the chamfered neck support
positioned adjacent to the person's head. In addition, the front
side may further include a pair of beveled front faces, which may
carry friction surfaces.
[0012] The specific techniques for accomplishing the advantages
described above will become apparent from the following detailed
description of the embodiments and the appended drawings and
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of the travel pillow.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective bottom view of the travel
pillow.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a top view of the travel pillow.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the travel pillow.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the travel pillow.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a front view of the travel pillow.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a side view of the travel pillow.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a perspective top view of the travel pillow
showing an additional hook-and-loop fastener for attaching a
strap.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a perspective bottom view of the travel pillow
showing the additional hook-and-loop fastener for attaching the
strap.
[0022] FIG. 10 is a perspective bottom view of the travel pillow
showing with the strap attached.
[0023] FIG. 11 is a perspective assembly view of the travel
pillow.
[0024] FIG. 12 is a perspective assembly view of the travel pillow
showing a two-part foam core.
[0025] FIG. 13 is a front view of the travel pillow showing head
support humps in the chamfered surface on the top side.
[0026] FIG. 14 is a rear view of the travel pillow showing the head
support humps in the chamfered surface on the top side.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0027] The invention may be embodied in a travel pillow that
includes a number of shaped surfaces configured to support a user's
head and/or neck in different positions. In an illustrative
embodiment, the top side includes a chamfered neck support surface
and may also include a substantially flat top surface. The
chamfered neck support surface may further include a pair of humps
configured to provide additional side-to-side support for the head.
The rear side includes a rounded forehead support surface and may
also include two substantially flat rear surfaces. The bottom side
includes a beveled support surface and may further include a flat
connector surface and a slight chamfer surface for comfort against
the neck. The travel pillow may also carry a hook-and-loop fastener
for removably attaching a head strap to the pillow, which can be
used for holding the pillow to the user in various support
configurations, for binding the pillow in a compressed state, and
as a blindfold to aid in sleeping.
[0028] The travel pillow typically includes a foam core and a soft
cover. The foam core may include a soft, preferably memory foam
neck support section and a firmer body section. The cover may carry
one or more high friction surfaces to help prevent the pillow from
slipping while supporting the user's head or neck in various
support position. It will be appreciated that the pillow has been
specifically designed to adequately support a person's head or neck
in a number of different positions, which makes it more versatile
and convenient than any of the prior travel pillows.
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1-7, an illustrative embodiment of the
travel pillow is shown with a suitable configuration for supporting
a person's head in multiple different positions. More specifically,
the improved travel pillow includes a number of shaped surfaces
configured to support the user's head and/or neck in different
positions. This particular example of a travel pillow 10 includes a
front side 12, a top side 20, a rear side 30, a bottom side 40, and
lateral sides 50. The front side 12 includes two beveled front
faces 14, and a front surface 16. The top side 20 includes a
chamfered neck support surface 22 and a flat top surface 24. The
chamfered neck support surface 22 further includes a pair of humps
26 providing additional side-to-side support for the head. The rear
side 30 includes two flat rear surfaces 32 and a rounded forehead
support surface 34. The bottom side 40 includes a beveled support
surface 42 and a flat connector surface 44 and a slight chamfer
surface 46 for comfort against the neck The lateral sides 50 are
generally flat.
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 8-10, each side 50 of the travel pillow
may carry a hook-and-loop fastener 52 for removably attaching a
head strap 54 to the pillow. The head strap is used for holding the
pillow to the user in various support configurations. The head
strap can also be used to bind the pillow in a compressed state for
storage and transport, and as a blindfold to aid in sleeping.
[0031] Referring to the exploded views FIGS. 11 and 12, the travel
pillow 10 typically includes a foam core 60 and a soft cover 62.
The foam core 60 may include a soft, preferably memory foam neck
support section 64 and a firmer body section 66. The cover 62 may
carry one or more high friction surfaces 70a-c to help prevent the
pillow from slipping while supporting the user's head or neck in
various support position.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 11-12, the improved travel pillow 10 may
be formed from a foam core 60 a fabric cover 62 and a neck
strap/transport strap 54. The preferred embodiment of the foam core
60 is a two part assembly with a high density resilient foam base
66 for structural strength and a medium density foam insert 64 for
user comfort, which may be formed of memory foam. Other embodiments
may include fewer or more materials and densities to achieve
similar results. The overall, varied geometries of the foam
surfaces provide a multitude of comfortable, supportive resting
positions for the user's head. These positioning options are
important for both variation of resting position on long trips and
also to accommodate various body shapes and sizes.
[0033] Referring again to FIGS. 1-10, the front side 12 of the
pillow includes a "U" shaped cutout area 16 which can be a oriented
around the user's neck in a multitude of positions, including
vertically underneath the chin and horizontally from the front,
back or sides of the neck. This cutout area is shaped to provide
cradling support. The top side 20 includes a chamfered surface 22
for clearance from the neck or face. The bottom side 40 also has a
slight chamfer surface 46 for comfort against the neck, while the
top surface 20 offers the much larger, generally chamfered area 22
supported by a memory foam insert 64 (see FIG. 12) to conform to
and cradle the head or face. Further, as can be seen in FIG. 12,
the memory foam insert 64 is contoured to provide the chamfered
surface 22 with a pair of humps 26 for additional cradling support
and relief for the neck when the pillow is used behind the head.
The contour also provides slightly greater loft so that the
compression of the memory foam will result in an approximately
continuous planar surface with the non-memory foam portion of the
chamfered surface.
[0034] The bottom side 40 of the pillow includes a flat area 44
which can be used to rest the side of the head as is done with a
standard bed pillow. Below the flat area 44 is a large beveled
surface 42 which is angled to provide support against the chest
when the pillow is used vertically underneath the chin, or to rest
against a surface around the user's head when pillow is used around
the neck.
[0035] The front 12 of the pillow includes ends 32 and bottom 40
includes the beveled surface 42 flat can serve as feet to stabilize
the pillow in various vertical positions. Additionally, the rear 30
contains a relief area 34 which may serve to cradle the user's
forehead when resting it on the pillow in the inverted vertical
position.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 12, the cover 62 of the pillow is
fabricated primarily of a soft fabric, such as fleece or cotton.
Other materials may be used depending upon environmental
considerations or user preference. In the preferred embodiment, the
flat areas 32 of the rear side and large beveled area 42 of the
bottom of the pillow extending over to the ends surfaces 32 on the
rear of the pillow, and the end surfaces 14 on the front side 12 of
the pillow may carry high-friction pads 70a-c to enhance
positioning control when using the pillow on slippery surfaces.
These high-friction areas may be achieved through use of a separate
fabric, rubber, or a coating applied to the primary fabric in those
areas specifically. Further, the cover may be fabricated without
the high-friction surfaces entirely. The sides 50 of the cover
include hook-and-loop patches 52 for attachment of an optional
retaining strap 54. These patches also serve as attachment points
for the retaining strap 54 when it is used as a compression wrap
for transport.
[0037] FIG. 10 shows the retaining strap 54, which may be
fabricated in the same soft fabric as the main body of the cover.
The retaining strap includes lengthy hook-and-loop patches to
enable attachment to the pillow at varying lengths and in varying
orientations. The retaining strap may also serve as a compression
wrap for the pillow when it is wrapped around the pillow and
secured to the mating hook-and-loop patches 52 on the cover.
Further, the retaining strap may be used alone, typically with a
half-twist, around the user's head to provide an effective room
darkening sleep mask. It will be appreciated that the pillow has
been specifically designed to provide at least the following key
benefits by accommodate at least the positions described below,
which makes it more versatile and convenient than any of the prior
travel pillows.
[0038] 1) Comfortably supports head in multiple different
positions, which allows variation of positions over longer
travel.
[0039] 2) Can be placed under the chin (3 different orientations)
to provide support of hanging head. While supporting chin/head, it
does not go around the back of the head/neck, therefore the head
can go back fully to rest against the headrest if desired. The
non-slip surfaces and optional-use retaining strap aid in keeping
the pillow in place under the chin when the user is wearing
slippery clothing or simply desires extra security.
[0040] 3) The angular geometries vary with each surface, allowing
great variation in positioning to adjust for different size users
and preferences for level/position of support. The angles and
curves also serve to cradle the chin/face, which is not only
comfortable, but also prevents side-to-side tipping. Since this is
not a collar, it will be less awkward/restrictive feeling. Its
comparatively small/narrow profile also does not stick out visibly
around the head like some others.
[0041] 4) The larger "dished" side of the pillow has a contoured
"memory foam" insert which both cradles the head/face and provides
an added degree of softness for comfort. Because the memory foam is
provided as an insert, the rest of the pillow can retain its
resiliency as required for several other usage positions.
[0042] 5) For sleeping in a more forward position, the pillow can
be placed either on the users arms resting across his knees (it has
sufficient height and rigidity) or on a tray table (such as on an
airplane). For either placement, the pillow can be positioned in
one of several orientations to vary the height and support per user
preference. Several positions offer face-perimeter support (such as
on a massage table face pad) so that the user can sleep face down
without suffocating/mashing their face into the pillow. There is
also a useful orientation for simply sleeping with the head turned
to the side.
[0043] 6) In addition to the above-listed head-forward positions,
this pillow also allows a variety of very comfortable, highly
supportive head-back orientations. Each orientation cradles the
head in a slightly different way, and at slightly different amounts
of tilt to-fro, to meet user preference. Because of the high degree
of flexibility in positioning, this pillow feels more comfortable
for these head-back positions than even other pillows which were
designed specifically for head-back support.
[0044] 7) This pillow is small (approx 9''.times.9''.times.4'')
compared to many pillows. It is lightweight, soft, and
compressible. The included retaining strap doubles as a compression
wrap for minimum size during transport.
[0045] 8) The included retaining strap may also be used as a sleep
mask.
[0046] 9) This pillow is made of high-density foam, which allows it
to be supportive, yet soft. It also does not have to be inflated
and deflated with each use and has no risk of developing leaks.
[0047] 10) The pillow has an ultra-soft covering which is removable
for washing. Color options are available to suit user
preference.
[0048] 11) Because of the simple, common materials and
manufacturing processes, the pillow can be made available at a very
attractive, affordable price for consumers.
[0049] It will be further understood that the foregoing describes a
preferred embodiment of the invention and that many adjustments and
alterations will be apparent to those skilled in the art within the
spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended
claims.
* * * * *