U.S. patent application number 14/555529 was filed with the patent office on 2015-12-24 for configurable body pillow that retains multiple shapes.
The applicant listed for this patent is Zinus, Inc.. Invention is credited to Dong Young Lee.
Application Number | 20150366361 14/555529 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52233658 |
Filed Date | 2015-12-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150366361 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Dong Young |
December 24, 2015 |
Configurable Body Pillow That Retains Multiple Shapes
Abstract
A body pillow is configurable into multiple shapes using pull
strings and toggles. The tubular pillow has an outer covering with
first and second arms extending in opposite directions. First and
second pull strings exit the outer covering through a first opening
in the first arm and a second opening in the second arm. A first
toggle clamps the first pull string after the string is pulled
tight and the toggle is pushed up against the covering. A second
toggle clamps the second string after the toggle is pushed up
against the covering after the second string is pulled tight. The
pillow is J-shaped when only the first pull string is pulled tight
and clamped such that only the first arm is curved. The pillow is
C-shaped when both the first and second pull strings are pulled
tight and clamped such that both the first and second arms are
curved.
Inventors: |
Lee; Dong Young; (Busan,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Zinus, Inc. |
San Leandro |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52233658 |
Appl. No.: |
14/555529 |
Filed: |
November 26, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/632 ;
29/428 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 20/027 20130101;
A47C 20/025 20130101; A47C 20/023 20130101; A47G 9/10 20130101;
A47C 20/021 20130101; A47G 2009/1018 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47C 20/02 20060101
A47C020/02; A47G 9/10 20060101 A47G009/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 24, 2014 |
CN |
201420338999.6 |
Claims
1. A multiple-shape body pillow comprising: a central body; a first
arm extending from the central body; a second arm extending from
the central body, wherein the first arm extends from the central
body opposite the second arm, wherein the first arm, the central
body and the second arm together form a generally tubular elongated
body that is covered by a covering; a first pull string that exits
the body pillow through a first opening in the covering located in
the first arm; a second pull string that exits the body pillow
through a second opening in the covering located in the second arm;
a first cord lock that clamps the first pull string, wherein the
first cord lock pushes up against the covering when the first pull
string is pulled and the first cord lock is slid along the first
pull string towards the first opening; and a second cord lock that
clamps the second pull string, wherein the second cord lock pushes
up against the covering when the second pull string is pulled and
the second cord lock is slid along the second pull string towards
the second opening, wherein in a first configuration the body
pillow is generally J-shaped when only the first pull string is
pulled tight and held clamped by the first cord lock such that the
second arm remains straight and the first arm is curved, and
wherein in a second configuration the body pillow is generally
C-shaped when both the first pull string and the second pull string
are pulled tight and held clamped by the first cord lock and the
second cord lock such that both the first arm and the second arm
are curved.
2. The multiple-shape body pillow of claim 1, wherein in a third
configuration the body pillow is generally straight when neither
the first pull string nor the second pull string is pulled tight
and held clamped by the first cord lock and the second cord
lock.
3. The multiple-shape body pillow of claim 1, further comprising: a
third pull string that exits the body pillow through a third
opening in the covering in the central body; a third cord lock that
clamps the third pull string, wherein the third cord lock pushes up
against the covering when the third pull string is pulled and the
third cord lock is slid along the third pull string towards the
third opening.
4. The multiple-shape body pillow of claim 3, wherein in a third
configuration the body pillow is generally U-shaped when only the
third pull string is pulled tight and held clamped by the third
cord lock such that the central body is curved and the first arm
and the second arm remain straight.
5. The multiple-shape body pillow of claim 1, wherein the first
pull string is fixedly attached at an end to the covering.
6. The multiple-shape body pillow of claim 1, wherein the first
pull string has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end
is attached to the covering inside the covering, and wherein the
second end remains outside the covering.
7. The multiple-shape body pillow of claim 6, further comprising: a
third pull string that exits the body pillow through a third
opening in the covering in the central body, wherein each of the
first arm, the second arm and the central body has approximately
the same length, and wherein ends of both the first pull string and
the third pull string are attached to the covering at a location in
the central body.
8. The multiple-shape body pillow of claim 1, wherein the first
cord lock has a spring, and wherein the spring causes the first
cord lock to clamp down on the first pull string so as to hold the
first cord lock in place on the first pull string.
9. The multiple-shape body pillow of claim 1, wherein the first arm
has an inner perimeter when the first pull string is pulled tight
and held clamped by the first cord lock to curve the first arm, and
wherein the first pull string travels along the inner
perimeter.
10. The multiple-shape body pillow of claim 1, wherein the first
opening in the covering is disposed in a pouch formed in the
covering, and wherein the first cord lock fits in the pouch when
the first pull string is pulled tight, the first cord lock is slid
along the first pull string towards the first opening, and the
first cord lock clamps onto the first pull string.
11. The multiple-shape body pillow of claim 1, wherein the pouch
can be closed by a zipper.
12. The multiple-shape body pillow of claim 1, further comprising:
a resilient filler material, wherein the covering surrounds an
inner lining that contains the resilient filler material.
13. A multiple-shape body pillow comprising: a central body; a
first arm extending from the central body; a second arm extending
from the central body, wherein the first arm extends from the
central body opposite the second arm, wherein the first arm, the
central body and the second arm together form a generally tubular
elongated body that is covered by an inner lining, wherein the
inner lining is covered by an outer covering; a pull string
disposed in the first arm between the inner lining and the outer
covering, wherein the pull string exits the body pillow through an
opening in the outer covering; and a cord lock adapted to clamp the
pull string outside the outer covering, wherein the cord lock
pushes up against the outer covering when the pull string is pulled
and the cord lock is slid along the pull string towards the
opening, and wherein the body pillow retains a J shape when the
pull string is pulled tight and is clamped by the cord lock such
that the first arm becomes curved and the second arm remains
straight.
14. The multiple-shape body pillow of claim 13, wherein the body
pillow is sized for an average adult female.
15. The multiple-shape body pillow of claim 13, wherein the central
body has a cross-sectional diameter of seven to twelve inches.
16. The multiple-shape body pillow of claim 13, wherein each of the
first arm, the second arm and the central body has approximately
the same length, wherein the opening in the outer covering through
which the pull string exits the body pillow is disposed in the
first arm, and wherein an end of the first pull string is attached
to the covering inside the covering at a location in the central
body.
17. A method of manufacturing a multiple-shape body pillow,
comprising: attaching a first end of a pull string to an outer
covering of the body pillow at an attachment location; pulling the
pull string through an opening in the outer covering such that a
second end of the pull string is outside the outer covering;
inserting a generally tubular elongated body covered by an inner
lining into the outer covering, wherein the inner lining contains a
resilient filler material; and pulling the second end of the pull
string through a cord lock that is adapted to clamp the pull string
outside of the outer covering.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the body pillow has three
sections of equal length, wherein the attachment location is within
a central section of the body pillow, and wherein the opening is
outside of the central section of the body pillow.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein the opening in the outer
covering is disposed in a pouch formed in the outer covering,
wherein the cord lock fits in the pouch, and wherein the pouch can
be closed by a zipper.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein the resilient filler material
includes pieces of foam.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a body pillow
and, more particularly, to a body pillow that is configurable into
multiple shapes.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A body pillow is an elongated pillow that can be bent to
surround the user and to provide support to both the user's back
and front sides. For example, in one configuration, a body pillow
provides back support while the user's arms hug a top curved
section and while the user's legs straddle a bottom curved section.
In another configuration, the body pillow provides back support for
pregnant women who sleep on their sides while resting their heads
in a curved portion of the pillow. A body pillow can also be
configured to support a baby being breast fed by a mother resting
in the body pillow. Thus, body pillows are available in many
different shapes and configurations to provide these different
kinds of support. During use, however, portions of the body pillow
can flatten out and fail to maintain the desired support. For
example, it can be necessary to reconfigure the body pillow several
times during a night's sleep.
[0003] One way to maintain a body pillow in a particular
configuration is to provide tie strings at the ends of the pillow.
The tie strings can be tied to one another in order to hold the
body pillow in a toroidal shape. This manner is maintaining the
body pillow in a toroidal configuration is disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 8,468,627 to Leach. The toroidal shape is not, however, one of
the most commonly used configurations of a body pillow. And the tie
strings cannot hold either end of the body pillow in a curved
configuration without interfering with the space inside the curve
that is meant to be occupied by the user.
[0004] Another way to maintain a body pillow in a particular
configuration is to attach a strap to an end of the pillow and then
to loop the strap around the central section of the pillow. The
strap thereby retains the end of the body pillow in a curve. This
manner is maintaining the body pillow in a P shape is disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 7,793,371 to Leach. The strap, however, interferes
with the space inside the curve that could otherwise be occupied by
the user. Forming an open J shape would be preferable to the P
shape that is formed by the curved end of the pillow and the
strap.
[0005] A method is sought for retaining a body pillow in multiple
configurations that does not require any portion of the body pillow
to be tied or strapped to any other portion of the body pillow.
SUMMARY
[0006] A body pillow is configurable into multiple shapes using
pull strings and cord locks (toggles). The body pillow has a
generally tubular elongated body formed by a central body from
which first and second arms extend in opposite directions. The
elongated body is covered by an inner lining that contains a
resilient filler material. The inner lining is covered by an outer
covering. Ends of the first and second pull strings are fixedly
attached to locations on the inside of the outer covering. The
strings exit the body pillow through first and second openings in
the outer covering. The first opening is in the first arm, and the
second opening is in the second arm. After the first pull string is
pulled tight, a first cord lock can be slid along the string,
pushed up against the covering and clamped on the first pull
string. Similarly, a second cord lock can be clamped on the second
pull string after the cord lock is slid along the second string and
pushed up against the covering after the second string is pulled
tight. The body pillow has a J-shaped configuration when only the
first pull string is pulled tight and held clamped by the first
cord lock such that the first arm is curved and the second arm
remains straight. The body pillow has a C-shaped configuration when
both the first and second pull strings are pulled tight and held
clamped by the first and second cord locks such that both the first
and second arms are curved.
[0007] The body pillow is generally straight when neither the first
pull string nor the second pull string is pulled tight and held
clamped by the first cord lock and the second cord lock. The
configurable body pillow also has a third pull string that exits
the body pillow through a third opening in the central body. And
end of each of the first and third pull strings is attached on the
inside of the outer covering at an attachment location in the
central body. A third cord lock is adapted to clamp the third pull
string after the third string is pulled tight, the third cord lock
is slid along the third pull string towards the third opening, and
the third cord lock pushes up against the outer covering. The body
pillow has a U-shaped configuration when only the third pull string
is pulled tight and held clamped by the third cord lock such that
the central body is curved and the first arm and the second arm
remain straight. When a pull string is pulled tight and held
clamped by a cord lock to curve the central body or an arm of the
pillow, the taut portion of pull string travels between the inner
lining and the outer covering along the inner perimeter of the
curve.
[0008] In one embodiment, the first opening in the outer covering
is disposed at the bottom of a pouch formed in the covering. The
pouch can be closed by a zipper. The first cord lock fits in the
pouch when the first pull string is pulled tight, the first cord
lock is slid along the first pull string towards the first opening,
and the first cord lock clamps onto the first pull string.
[0009] A method of manufacturing a configurable body pillow
includes attaching ends of pull strings to the inside of an outer
covering. An elongated body of the body pillow is made by inserting
pieces of a resilient filler material, such as small loose tubes of
memory foam, into a tubular inner lining. The ends of the inner
lining are then sewn shut. A first end of each pull string is
attached to the inside of the outer covering of the body pillow at
an attachment location. Each pull string is then pulled through an
opening in the outer covering such that a second end of each pull
string is outside the outer covering. In one embodiment, the
opening is disposed at the bottom of a pouch formed between the top
and bottom fabric layers of the outer covering. The tubular
elongated body with the inner lining containing the filler material
is then inserted into the outer covering. The second end of each
pull string that has exited the outer covering is pulled through a
cord lock that is adapted to clamp the pull string at a location
outside of the outer covering. The body pillow is manufactured in a
size that can be used by an average adult female in a C-shaped
configuration with both ends of the tubular body curved.
[0010] Other embodiments and advantages are described in the
detailed description below. This summary does not purport to define
the invention. The invention is defined by the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The accompanying drawings, where like numerals indicate like
components, illustrate embodiments of the invention.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multiple-shape body pillow
in a straight configuration.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the body pillow of FIG. 1
that has been configured in a J shape with one arm curved and the
other arm straight.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a more detailed view of the straight arm of the
body pillow of FIG. 2.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a more detailed view of a cord lock being inserted
into a pouch in the straight arm of the body pillow of FIG. 2.
[0016] FIG. 5 shows a pouch in the central body of the body pillow
into which a cord lock and the loose end of a pull string can be
inserted.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the body pillow of FIG. 1
that has been configured in a U shape.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the body pillow of FIG. 1
that has a C-shaped configuration.
[0019] FIG. 8 shows the body pillow in the C-shaped configuration
of FIG. 7 used by a pregnant woman.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of steps for manufacturing the
multiple-shape body pillow of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Reference will now be made in detail to some embodiments of
the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multiple-shape body pillow
10 that can be configured to retain multiple shapes. In FIG. 1, the
body pillow 10 has a generally tubular elongated body that forms a
straight shape. In the straight configuration, the body pillow 10
is about eighty-eight inches long. The body pillow 10 has a
cross-sectional diameter of seven to twelve inches. The elongated
body has a central body 11, a first arm 12 and a second arm 13. The
first arm 12 extends from the central body 11 opposite the second
arm 13. Each of the first arm 12, the second arm 13 and the central
body 11 has approximately the same length, and thus each makes up a
third of the body pillow 10. The elongated body has an inner lining
that is covered by an outer covering 14. In one embodiment, the
outer covering 14 is made of a soft, woven fabric, and the inner
lining is made of a durable, rip-resistant material. The inner
lining contains a resilient filler material, such as goose down,
synthetic fiber ticking, or pieces of foam. In one embodiment, the
filler material is made of tubes of visco-elastic polyurethane
foam, also called memory foam.
[0023] A first pull string 15 exits the body pillow 10 through a
first opening in the outer covering 14 located in the first arm 12.
A second pull string 16 exits the body pillow 10 through a second
opening in the outer covering 14 located in the second arm 13. And
a third pull string 17 exits the body pillow 10 through a third
opening in the outer covering 14 in the central body 11. A first
cord lock 18 or toggle slides along the first pull string 15 when
unlocked. The first cord lock 18 pushes up against the outer
covering 14 when the first cord lock is slid along the first pull
string towards the first opening. When unclamped, a second cord
lock 19 slides along the second pull string 16, and a third cord
lock 20 slides along the third pull string 17. The cord locks 18-20
in FIG. 1 have each been slid along the pull strings to push up
against the outer covering 14, but the pull strings have not been
pulled tight. One end of the first pull string 15 is fixedly
attached to the outer covering 14 on the inside of the covering at
a location 21 in the central body 11. The other end of first pull
string 15 is outside outer covering 14 and is visible in FIG. 1.
One end of the third pull string 17 is also fixedly attached to the
outer covering 14 on the inside of the covering at the same
location 21 at which the first pull string 15 is attached. For
example, the ends of the pull strings can be sewn into the seam of
the outer covering 14.
[0024] Body pillow 10 in FIG. 1 has a generally straight
configuration because none of the pull strings is pulled tight. In
the straight configuration, both sides of each arm 12-13 are the
same length. However, the elongated body is caused to curve when
one side of an arm of the elongated body is made shorter than the
opposite side by pulling on a pull string and holding more of the
string length locked outside the outer covering 14 by a cord lock.
Pulling a pull string out of the outer covering 14 and tight so as
to pull more of the string from the opening causes the elongated
body to curve in the direction of the opening from which the string
is pulled. The side of the elongated body becomes shorter as the
fabric of the outer covering 14 bunches up around the shorter
length of string between the opening and the location on the inside
of the outer covering at which one end of the pull string is
attached.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of multiple-shape body pillow
10 that has been configured in a first J shape. Body pillow 10
assumes the first J shape when only the second pull string 16 is
pulled tight and held locked by the second cord lock 19 such that
the first arm 12 forms a straight section and the second arm 13
forms a curved section. FIG. 2 shows that the length of the second
pull string 16 that has been pulled from the second opening is
longer than the lengths of the first and third pull strings that
are outside the outer covering 14. The second arm 13 has an inner
perimeter 22 when the second pull string 16 is pulled tight and
held locked by the second cord lock 19 to form the curve of the J
shape. When the second pull string 16 is taut between the second
opening and its attachment location inside the covering 14, the
string travels along the inner perimeter 22 between the inner
lining and the outer covering 14. As is apparent from FIG. 2, a
portion of the central body 11 curves when the second pull string
16 is pulled tight even when the third pull string 17 is loose and
not pulled tight. Third pull string 17 is loose in FIG. 2 because
the third cord lock 20 has not been pulled up against the outer
covering 14 as it would be if the third pull string 17 were
taut.
[0026] Body pillow 10 assumes a second J shape when only the first
pull string 15 is pulled tight and held locked by the first cord
lock 18. In the second J shape, the second arm 13 remains straight,
and the first arm 12 is curved. Because the distance between the
first opening and the location 21 at which the first pull string 15
is attached inside the outer covering 14 is longer than the
distance between the second opening and the location at which the
second pull string 16 is attached to the outer covering 14, the
second J shape has a bigger curve than the curve formed when only
the second pull string 16 is pulled and clamped as shown in FIG. 2.
Thus, the diameter of the curved opening of the first J shape is
about 8-10 inches, whereas the diameter of the curved opening of
the second J shape is about 10-12 inches.
[0027] FIG. 3 shows the first arm 12 in more detail. The outer
covering 14 is made by sewing a top fabric layer 23 to a bottom
fabric layer 24. The seam between the top and bottom layers 23-24
is opened by a zipper 25 near the location where the first pull
string 15 exits the outer covering 14. A pouch 26 is formed in the
outer covering 14 that can be opened and closed by the zipper 25.
In one embodiment, the pouch of the outer covering 14 is made of
durable, rip-resistant material that can withstand the pull on the
opening at the bottom of the pouch from the cord lock clamped to a
tight pull string. The first opening in the covering 14 is disposed
at the bottom of the pouch 26. The first cord lock 18 and the
portion of the first pull string 15 that exits the opening can be
stored in the pouch 26. When a pull string is taut, the clamped
cord lock is either pulled against the outside of the covering if
the zipper is closed with the cord lock on the outside or against
the bottom of the pouch if the cord lock is inside the pouch.
Consequently, when the first pull string 15 is pulled taut and the
first cord lock 18 clamps the string and prevents the string from
being pulled back into the opening, the first cord lock 18 can
either push up against the outside of the outer covering 14 if the
zipper 25 is closed around the string 15, or the first cord lock 18
can push against the bottom of the pouch 26 where the opening is
located. In FIG. 2, the zipper has been closed with the second cord
lock 19 on the outside such that the second cord lock 19 is pulled
against the outer covering 14 as the taut portion of the second
pull string 16 pulls on the clamped second cord lock 19. In FIG. 3,
however, the zipper 25 has been opened to allow the first cord lock
18 to be pulled to the bottom of the pouch 26 after the first pull
string 15 is pulled tight, the first cord lock 18 is slid along the
first pull string towards the first opening, and the first cord
lock clamps onto the first pull string. The pouch 26 can then be
zipped closed with the first cord lock 18 and the loose end of the
first pull string 15 inside the pouch. FIG. 3 also indicates the
path 27 (dashed line) of the taut portion of the first pull string
15 between the attachment location 21 and the first opening.
[0028] FIG. 4 is a more detailed view of the first cord lock 18
being inserted into the pouch 26. The first cord lock 18 has a
spring 28 that causes the first cord lock to clamp down on the
first pull string 15 so as to hold the first cord lock in place on
the first pull string. By pressing on opposite sides of the cord
lock 18, the clamp is removed and the cord lock 18 can be slid
along the pull string 15. In order to curve the first arm 12 to
form a J shape, the first pull string 15 is pulled out of the first
opening 29 so as to decrease the length of the string 15 between
the attachment location 21 and the opening 29. The first cord lock
18 is then squeezed to unclamp the lock, and the cord lock is slid
towards the opening 29. The first cord lock 18 is then allowed to
clamp onto the first pull string 15, and the taut pull string is
allowed to pull the first cord lock 18 to the bottom of the pouch
26 as a short length of the string is pulled back towards the
opening 29 by the tension on the portion of the string that is
attached to the attachment location 21. The loose end of the first
pull string 15 can then be inserted into the pouch 26, and the
zipper 25 can be zipped closed. FIG. 4 shows the zipper tab 30 that
is used to close and open the zipper 25.
[0029] FIG. 5 shows a pouch 31 in the central body 11 into which
the third cord lock 20 and the loose end of the third pull string
17 can be inserted. FIG. 5 also shows the path 32 of the taut
portion of the third pull string 17 between the attachment location
21 and the cord lock 20. In this embodiment, the string 17 is not
loose between the inner lining and the outer covering 14 but rather
passes through a tube of fabric formed adjacent to the seam between
the top and bottom layers 23-24. FIG. 5 shows how the fabric of the
outer covering 14 bunches up around the taut portion of string 17
between the third opening and the location 21 on the inside of the
outer covering at which the end of the string 17 is attached.
[0030] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of multiple-shape body pillow
10 that has been configured in a U shape. Body pillow 10 assumes a
U shape when only the third pull string 17 is pulled tight and held
locked by the third cord lock 20 such that the central body 11
becomes curved and the first arm 12 and second arm 13 remain
substantially straight. The U shape is not entirely symmetrical
because the middle of the path 32 between the attachment location
21 and the third opening is closer to the first arm 12 than to the
second arm 13.
[0031] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of multiple-shape body pillow
10 that has a C-shaped configuration. Body pillow 10 assumes a C
shape when both the first pull string 15 and the second pull string
16 are pulled tight and held clamped by the first cord lock 18 and
the second cord lock 19 such that both the first arm 12 and the
second arm 13 are curved. The C shape of body pillow 10 in FIG. 7
has a straighter central body 11 because the third pull string 17
has not been pulled tight and clamped by third cord lock 20. The C
shape with a straight central body 11 is the most commonly used
configuration of the body pillow 10. A rounder C shape can be
formed by pulling third pull string 17 tight and clamping the short
taut portion so that the central body 11 also curves.
[0032] FIG. 8 shows body pillow 10 used by a pregnant woman 33 in
the C-shaped configuration with a straight central body 11. The end
of the curved first arm 12 of body pillow 10 provides back support
to the user 33 who is lying on her side and resting her head in the
curved portion of first arm 12. The user 33 is straddling her legs
around the curved second arm 13. Body pillow 10 is sized for an
average adult female to use in the C-shaped configuration with a
straight central body 11.
[0033] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating steps 35-39 of a method
40 of manufacturing the multiple-shape body pillow 10. In a first
step 35, the elongated body of body pillow 10 is made by inserting
pieces of a resilient filler material into the inner lining. For
example, loose pieces of visco-elastic polyurethane foam in the
form of short cylinders are inserted into a tube made of a durable,
tear-resistance material. The ends of the tube are then sewn
shut.
[0034] In step 36, the pull strings are attached to the outer
covering 14 when the covering is folded inside out. The first end
of first pull string 15 is attached to the inside of the outer
covering 14 at the attachment location 21. In one embodiment, the
first end of the pull string 15 is sewn into the seam that attaches
the top fabric layer 23 to the bottom fabric layer 24 of the outer
covering 14. Ends of the second and third pull strings 16-17 are
also attached to the seam between the top and bottom fabric layers
23-24. The pouches are sewn into the outer covering with small
openings at the bottoms of the pouches. The seam between the top
and bottom fabric layers 23-24 is open at the location of each
pouch.
[0035] In step 37, each pull string is pulled through the
appropriate opening in the outer covering 14. In one embodiment,
while the outer covering is still folded inside out, the second end
of each pull string is pulled through an opening at the bottom of
each pouch such that the second end enters the pouch. Then the
covering is folded right side out such that the second end of each
pull string is now outside the outer covering 14. In another
embodiment, the outer covering 14 is turned right side out after
step 36, and then the second end of each pull string is pulled from
the inside of the covering through an opening at the bottom of each
pouch such that the second end of each pull string exits outside
the outer covering 14.
[0036] In step 38, the generally tubular elongated body that is
covered by the inner lining is inserted into an end of the tubular
the outer covering 14. Then the ends of the outer covering 14 are
sewn shut. The pull strings now pass between the inner lining and
the outer covering between the attachment locations and the opening
through which the pull strings exit the outer covering.
[0037] In step 39, the second end of the first pull string 15 is
pulled through the first cord lock 18 that is adapted to clamp the
first pull string 15 outside of the outer covering 14. The second
ends of the second and third pull strings 16-17 are also pulled
through the second and third cord locks 19-20. When the cord locks
18-20 are slid along the pull strings 15-17 towards the openings in
the outer covering 14 and the cord locks push up against the
covering, but the pull strings are not pulled tight, the body
pillow has the configuration shown in FIG. 1.
[0038] Although certain specific exemplary embodiments are
described above in order to illustrate the invention, the invention
is not limited to the specific embodiments. Accordingly, various
modifications, adaptations, and combinations of various features of
the described embodiments can be practiced without departing from
the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.
* * * * *