U.S. patent application number 14/541075 was filed with the patent office on 2015-05-14 for head stabilizing headrest.
The applicant listed for this patent is Daniel D. Gottlieb. Invention is credited to Daniel D. Gottlieb.
Application Number | 20150128348 14/541075 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53042377 |
Filed Date | 2015-05-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150128348 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gottlieb; Daniel D. |
May 14, 2015 |
Head Stabilizing Headrest
Abstract
An ergonomic headrest is disclosed that holds a user's head
substantially in place to reduce turning during sleep. The headrest
comprises two large, substantially conical mounds that are
positioned beside each other to form a channel between the mounds.
The user's neck rests between the mounds, and the top portion of
the mounds provide support for the user's head.
Inventors: |
Gottlieb; Daniel D.; (Sandy
Springs, GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Gottlieb; Daniel D. |
Sandy Springs |
GA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53042377 |
Appl. No.: |
14/541075 |
Filed: |
November 13, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61903735 |
Nov 13, 2013 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/637 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 9/1081
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/637 |
International
Class: |
A47G 9/10 20060101
A47G009/10 |
Claims
1. A headrest for stabilizing a user's head during rest comprising
two substantially semi-spherical mounds positioned beside each
other such that a channel is formed between the mounds so that the
user's neck may rest within the channel.
2. The headrest of claim 1 wherein the mounds comprise a firm
cushion material that provides both comfort and support for a
user's head and neck.
3. The headrest of claim 1 further comprising an ergonomic neck
support positioned at one end of the channel.
4. A headrest for stabilizing a user's head during rest comprising:
a. a headrest liner; and b. two substantially semi-spherical
mound-shaped cushions positioned within the liner wherein the liner
holds the cushions in a position beside each other such that a
channel is formed between the mounds so that the user's neck may
rest within the channel.
5. The headrest of claim 4 wherein the mounds comprise a firm
cushion material that provides both comfort and support for a
user's head and neck.
6. The headrest of claim 4 further comprising an ergonomic neck
support positioned at one end of the channel.
7. The headrest of claim 4 wherein the liner resembles a brazier
and wherein the cushions are placed within the cups of the brazier
design.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/903,735 filed by this same inventor on
Nov. 13, 2013.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a device for
stabilizing a person's head while resting to avoid neck strain,
and, more specifically, to a headrest that will help a user
maintain their head position while resting or sleeping to avoid or
decrease neck pain caused by certain cervical issues.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Many people suffer from cervical issues in the neck that
require them to be careful positioning their head during rest or
sleep, and to prevent or reduce turning their head or body during
sleep. Failure to keep their head stabilized may exacerbate their
neck pain, or even interrupt their sleep. The result may be
significantly interrupted sleep patterns that prevent an individual
from getting sufficient rest during the night, and may exacerbate
the patient's cervical issues. Sleep disorders can be problematic
for those affected, leading to inattentiveness during the day, and
sometimes mental/emotional problems, as well as neck pain and
additional ailments that may be caused by pinched nerves in the
neck.
[0004] A known treatment for such issues includes special pillows
or devices that are intended to keep someone from shifting into
some position that tends to tweak the already injured area of the
neck. Most of these treatments are unreliable, at best, and many of
them are simply uncomfortable, so that the individual is unable to
get a good night's rest due to the treatment rather than the neck
pain. Thus there is a need for a comfortable headrest that provides
some stability to the head position to reduce neck pain, while also
being comfortable enough to allow for restful sleep.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides a headrest that is both
comfortable and reliable for keeping one's head and neck in a
stable position that reduces or avoids strain on the neck. The
headrest is comprised of two large, substantially semi-spherical
mounds, with a valley created between them. The user rests their
head in the valley in a position that has been determined to lessen
pressure on the neck, and the two large mounds prevent the users
head from shifting significantly while sleeping.
[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention, the headrest is
comprised of a single cushion that has two large mounds on either
side to support the head. In another embodiment, the headrest also
contains an ergonomic neck support the further relieve pressure on
the neck muscles.
[0007] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
headrest comprises two separate, substantially semi-spherical
cushions that are encased within a liner that positions the two
cushions such that they create a channel between them capable of
supporting the head and neck of a user. In another embodiment, an
ergonomic neck support cushion is also included within the liner to
further support the user's neck.
[0008] In yet another embodiment, the liner resembles a large
brazier and the two cushions are placed within the cups of the
brazier to form the headrest. In an additional embodiment, an
ergonomic neck support may be included within the fabric below the
cleavage area of the brazier to provide neck support for user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Accordingly, the present invention will be understood best
through consideration of, and reference to, the following Figures,
viewed in conjunction with the Detailed Description of the
Invention referring thereto, in which like reference numbers
throughout the various Figures designate like structure and in
which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a headrest of the
present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 shows the headrest of FIG. 1 being used by someone
resting or sleeping.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a cutaway view of FIG. 2.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the headrest of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 5 is an alternative embodiment of the headrest of FIG.
1, illustrating the optional ergonomic neck support.
[0015] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of the present invention, including a decorative liner.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a front view of the headrest of FIG. 6.
[0017] It is to be noted that the drawings presented are intended
solely for the purpose of illustration and that they are,
therefore, neither desired nor intended to limit the invention to
any or all of the exact details of construction shown, except
insofar as they may be deemed essential to the claimed
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] In describing preferred embodiments of the present invention
illustrated in the Figures, specific terminology is employed for
the sake of clarity. The invention, however, is not intended to be
limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be
understood that each specific element includes all technical
equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a
similar purpose.
[0019] Turning to FIGS. 1-4, a headrest 10 of the present invention
and one of its intended uses is illustrated. Headrest 10 may be
constructed of any soft but substantially resilient material that
is commonly used for pillows. The material should be firm enough to
limit movement of the user's head while resting. Suitable material
may include, but is not limited to, a soft covering stuffed with
soft material such as down, foam, gel, beads, and the like, or soft
material that is capable of maintaining its shape, such as memory
foam.
[0020] Headrest 10 is comprised of two large, somewhat
semi-spherical mounds, 20, 30 that are intended to support each
side of the user's head. There is a separation between the mounds
that creates channel 40. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the user may
place his head between mounds 20 and 30, into channel 40. The
desired shape of the mounds provides for channel 40 to be somewhat
hourglass shaped, so that a user's neck may rest in the narrow
portion of channel 40, while his head is in a wider portion. The
Figures show the user laying on his back, with his face pointing
upwards, which is the preferred use of the present invention.
However, the user may also lay on his side, with his face pointing
towards either of mounds 20 or 30. In this way mounds 20, 30 may
restrict movement of the user's neck while providing comfortable
support.
[0021] As an alternative embodiment, headrest 10 may also include
ergonomic neck support 50 to provide further relief to the user's
neck. An example of neck support 50 is shown in FIG. 5. There is no
intended limit to the shape of neck support 50, other than it may
have some natural curvature to comfortably fit the user's neck.
Neck support 50 may have any shape or dimension, and could
conceivably extend downward to support the shoulders or lower areas
of the spine.
[0022] The dimensions of the mounds 20 and 30 and channel 40 are
not critical. The dimensions should be such that sufficient support
is provided to the intended users head and neck. The fact that the
construction material is relatively malleable allows for the
headrest to adapt to the user's head and neck to a certain extent,
making the dimensions less critical. The curvature of mounds 20 and
30 allow for the desired support of the neck within the narrow
portion of channel 40, and the head resting in the wider portion of
channel 40. In one embodiment, mounds 20, 30 may have a diameter of
about 6 inches to about 12 inches, and channel 40 may be from about
1 inch to about 3 inches wide at its most narrow point. In another
embodiment, optional neck support 50 may be about 1 inch to 2
inches high at its highest point.
[0023] Use of the disclosed headrest has been found to restrict
head movement sufficiently to provide some relief to patients with
chronic cervical issues. Rest may be achieved without feeling pain,
without stressing the neck muscles to avoid pain, and some
improvement in neck movement may be achieved. It is further
believed that a headrest of the present device may provide
positional therapy for patients diagnosed with mild sleep apnea,
allowing such patients to rest without their neck falling into a
position that restricts air pathways.
[0024] Turning now to FIGS. 5 and 6, an alternative embodiment of
the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, headrest 10 may
be formed within an exterior liner 60 that helps headrest 10
maintain the desired shape. Mounds 20 and 30 may actually be
separate cushions, in this embodiment, wherein the mounds 20, 30
are held in their relative positions by liner 60 in order to create
channel 40. In such an embodiment, channel 40 might not have any
headrest material beneath it, so that the user's head actually
rests directly on a mattress, or on a pillow placed beneath
headrest 10. However, additional cushion material could be placed
beneath channel 40. In addition, the alternative embodiment may
also include ergonomic neck support 50, placed either outside or
within liner 60.
[0025] In the example shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, liner 60 is actually
a women's brazier, or is designed to resemble a brazier. In order
to create the desired headrest shape, the present invention may be
created by using a large brazier designed for women, and then
fashioning cushioning material to fill the cups 62, 63 of the
brazier liner 60. Almost any size brazier may be used to create a
headrest of the appropriate shape, but the inventor has found
success utilizing a 54DDD size brazier. Different sizes may also be
utilized as desired. The use of a brazier liner has the added
benefit of being both humorous and comforting, which may improve
the patient's mental health as well as providing the previously
described physical benefits.
[0026] Having, thus, described exemplary embodiments of the present
invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the
within disclosures are exemplary only and that various other
alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the
scope and spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the present
invention is not limited to the specific embodiments as illustrated
herein, but is only limited by the following claims.
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