U.S. patent application number 15/963093 was filed with the patent office on 2018-10-25 for pad for supporting head while lying on side.
The applicant listed for this patent is Terry L. Glatt. Invention is credited to Terry L. Glatt.
Application Number | 20180303259 15/963093 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63852936 |
Filed Date | 2018-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180303259 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Glatt; Terry L. |
October 25, 2018 |
Pad for Supporting Head while Lying on Side
Abstract
A side sleeping pad has a laterally running channel for
receiving an ear and eyeglass temple of a person. A person can use
the pad to watch distant objects, like a television, without the
pain caused by pressure on the head from eyeglass temple that is
caused when sleeping with a traditional pad. The channel can
include laterally receding walls to provide a wider channel
laterally. The widening channel allows a sleeper to rotate his or
head up and down while slide sleeping and not risk contacting the
eyeglass lens with the channel wall. The pad can include a
rear-sleeping section. Sleepers can roll between a side sleeping
position and rear sleeping position while wearing eyeglasses,
earphones, earrings, hearing aids without having to adjust or move
the pad.
Inventors: |
Glatt; Terry L.; (Lighthouse
Point, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Glatt; Terry L. |
Lighthouse Point |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
63852936 |
Appl. No.: |
15/963093 |
Filed: |
April 25, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62490026 |
Apr 25, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 9/10 20130101; A47G
9/0223 20130101; A47C 20/00 20130101; A47G 2009/1018 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47G 9/10 20060101
A47G009/10 |
Claims
1. A pad for supporting a head of a person wearing an object,
around, or in an ear of the person while side sleeping, comprising:
a superior section having a superior-section anterior surface for
supporting a temple of the head, said superior section having an
inferior super-section wall; and an inferior section having an
inferior-section anterior surface for supporting a jaw of the head,
said inferior section having a superior inferior-section wall; a
medial section interconnecting said superior section and said
inferior section; and having a medial-section anterior surface,
said medial-section anterior surface being recessed relative to
said superior-section anterior surface and said inferior-section
anterior surface; said inferior super-section wall being spaced
from said superior inferior-section wall at least as far as a
height of an ear of the head; and said receding wall section of
said inferior super-section wall receding laterally relative to
said receding wall section of said superior inferior-section
wall.
2. The pad according to claim 1, wherein: said inferior super
section wall having a receding wall section; and said superior
inferior-section wall having a receding wall section.
3. The pad according to claim 1, wherein said inferior section,
said superior section, and said medial section are each made of
foam.
4. The pad according to claim 3, wherein said inferior section,
said superior section, and said medial section are formed from only
one piece of foam.
5. The pad according to claim 3, wherein one piece of foam forms at
least a part of said inferior section, said superior section, and
said medial section.
6. The pad according to claim 2, wherein: said inferior
super-section wall has a further receding wall section; said
superior infer-section wall has a further receding wall section;
and said further receding wall section of said inferior
superior-section wall recedes laterally relative to said further
receding wall section of said superior inferior-section wall.
7. The pad according to claim 1, wherein said medial section
anterior surface is at least lower than a width of the ear than
said super-section anterior surface and said inferior-section
anterior surface.
8. The pad according to claim 1, further comprising a back-of-head
section being connected to said superior section, said medial
section, and said inferior section, said back-of-head section
having a back-of-head anterior surface for supporting a rear of the
head, said back-of-head-section surface being even with said
superior-section anterior surface and said inferior-section
anterior surface.
9. The pad according to claim 1, wherein said inferior section,
said medial section, and said superior section include an anterior
layer made of a lower density foam and a posterior layer made of a
higher density foam.
10. The pad according to claim 1, further comprising a block, said
block being as wide as a distance between said superior wall of
said inferior section and said inferior wall of said superior
section, and said block being as tall as said superior wall.
11. The pad according to claim 10, wherein said block is made from
flexible resilient foam.
12. A pad for supporting a head of a person wearing an object on an
ear of the person while lying on a side, comprising: a left side
section including: a left superior section having a left
superior-section anterior surface for supporting a temple of the
head, said left superior section having a left inferior
super-section wall; and a left inferior section having a left
inferior-section anterior surface for supporting a jaw of the head,
said left inferior section having a left superior inferior-section
wall; a left medial section interconnecting said left superior
section and said left inferior section; and having a left
medial-section anterior surface, said left medial-section anterior
surface being recessed relative to said left superior-section
anterior surface and said left inferior-section anterior surface;
said inferior super-section wall being spaced from said superior
inferior-section wall at least as far as a height of an ear of the
head; said left inferior super section wall having a left receding
wall section; said left superior inferior-section wall having a
left receding wall section; and said left receding wall section of
said inferior super-section wall receding laterally relative to
said left receding wall section of left said superior
inferior-section wall; a right side section including: a right
superior section having a right superior-section anterior surface
for supporting a temple of the head, said right superior section
having a right inferior super-section wall; and a right inferior
section having a right inferior-section anterior surface for
supporting a jaw of the head, said right inferior section having a
right superior inferior-section wall; a right medial section
interconnecting said right superior section and said right inferior
section; and having a right medial-section anterior surface, said
right medial-section anterior surface being recessed relative to
said right superior-section anterior surface and said right
inferior-section anterior surface; said inferior super-section wall
being space from said superior inferior-section wall at least as
far as a height of an ear of the head; said right inferior super
section wall having a right receding wall section; said right
superior inferior-section wall having a right receding wall
section; and said right receding wall section of said inferior
super-section wall receding laterally relative to said right
receding wall section of right said superior inferior-section wall;
and a back section interconnecting said left side-sleeping section
and said right side section, said back sleeping section having an
back-section anterior surface for supporting a rear of the head,
said back-section surface being even with said left
superior-section anterior surface, said left inferior-section
anterior surface, said right superior-section anterior surface, and
said right inferior-section anterior surface.
13. A pad assembly for supporting a head of a person wearing an
object on an ear of the person while lying on a side, comprising: a
headrest; and a pad resting on said headrest, said pad including: a
superior section having a superior-section anterior surface for
supporting a temple of the head, said superior section having an
inferior super-section wall; and an inferior section having an
inferior-section anterior surface for supporting a jaw of the head,
said inferior section having a superior inferior-section wall; a
medial section interconnecting said superior section and said
inferior section; and having a medial-section anterior surface,
said medial-section anterior surface being recessed relative to
said superior-section anterior surface and said inferior-section
anterior surface; said inferior super-section wall being spaced
from said superior inferior-section wall at least as far as a
height of an ear of the head; said inferior super section wall
having a receding wall section; said superior inferior-section wall
having a receding wall section; and said receding wall section of
said inferior super-section wall receding laterally relative to
said receding wall section of said superior inferior-section
wall.
14. The pad assembly according to claim 13, wherein said headrest
is selected from the group consisting of a pillow, an armrest, a
folded blanket, a sofa cushion, and a mattress.
15. A method for sleeping while wearing an object on an ear while
side sleeping, which comprises: providing a headrest; resting a pad
on said headrest, said pad including: a superior section having a
superior-section anterior surface for supporting a temple of a
head, said superior section having an inferior super-section wall;
and an inferior section having an inferior-section anterior surface
for supporting a jaw of the head, said inferior section having a
superior inferior-section wall; a medial section interconnecting
said superior section and said inferior section; and having a
medial-section anterior surface, said medial-section anterior
surface being recessed relative to said superior-section anterior
surface and said inferior-section anterior surface; said inferior
super-section wall being spaced from said superior inferior-section
wall at least as far as a height of an ear of the head; said
inferior super section wall having a receding wall section; said
superior inferior-section wall having a receding wall section; and
said receding wall section of said inferior super-section wall
receding laterally relative to said receding wall section of said
superior inferior-section wall; and resting the temple on said
superior-section anterior surface, while resting the jaw on said
inferior section; and placing the ear between said superior section
and said inferior section and above said medial section.
16. The pad assembly according to claim 15, wherein said headrest
is selected from the group consisting of a pillow, an armrest, a
folded blanket, a sofa cushion, and a mattress.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/490,026, filed Apr. 25, 2017.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
THE NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT
[0003] Not Applicable
INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT
DISC
[0004] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0005] The invention relates to pads and, more specifically, to
pads and contoured pillows for supporting one's head while lying on
one's side.
Description of the Related Art
[0006] Nearsighted people have difficulty lying on their sides
(i.e. sleeping on one's side) while watching television because
they cannot simultaneously solve two problems: 1) nearsighted
people need to wear their eyeglasses to see the television
correctly; and 2) wearing eyeglasses while lying on their sides
using a traditional pillow leads to uncomfortable pressure from the
eye frames against the people's temples or even bent eye frames.
So, if the person removes his or her eyeglasses, the person cannot
see the television, which can promote the process of falling
asleep. Lying on one's back is often not possible due to the
arrangement of a couch parallel to the television. In such an
arrangement, a person lying on his or her back only would see the
ceiling clearly and not the television.
[0007] In some cases, lying on one's side while wearing eyeglasses
can lead to pressure between the side of one's head against the eye
frame, which can cause the bending and distortion of eye frames.
The pressure even can damage and deform the eye frame. The pressure
of one's head on the eye frame also results in discomfort.
[0008] Wearing earphones on one's ears also males side sleeping
uncomfortable because the weight of the head on a traditional
pillow presses the earphone against the outer ear.
[0009] The left sleeping position is known as the left lateral
decubitus (LLD). The right sleeping position is known as the right
lateral decubitus (RLD).
[0010] Pillows with cavities in lower corners are known for the
purpose of accommodating a continuous positive airway pressure
(CPAP) mask while a wearer side sleeps. Such pillows have cavities
in the pillow that are aligned with a wearer's jaw, not ear line.
In addition, CPAP pillows do not provide support for the lower head
for sleepers who are not wearing CPAP masks.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] An object of the invention is to provide a pad for
supporting a head of a person wearing eyeglasses or earphones or
other objects around one's ears and temples while lying on his or
her side that overcomes the disadvantages of the devices of this
general type and of the prior art.
[0012] With the foregoing and other objects in view there is
provided, in accordance with the invention, a pad for supporting a
head of a person wearing eyeglasses while lying on his or her side.
The pad can be used on any surface, for example, a traditional
pillow, sofa, armrest, folded blanket, sofa cushion, mattress or
others. The pad includes a superior section, an inferior section,
and a medial section. The superior section has a superior-section
anterior surface for supporting a temple of the head when a person
(i.e. a sleeper) is lying on his or her side. The inferior section
has an inferior-section anterior surface for supporting a jaw of
the head of the person. The medial section interconnects the
superior section and the inferior section. The medial section has a
medial-section anterior surface that is recessed (i.e. lower)
relative to the superior-section anterior surface and the
inferior-section anterior surface. The medial section can be
recessed by an appropriate amount to comfortably receive eyeglasses
and/or earphones and the like thereby minimizing or reducing
pressure against the face.
[0013] To use the pad, the user places his or her ear above the
medial section and between the superior section and the inferior
section. The medial section is at least as tall as the height of
the ear of the user. The medial section is lower than the superior
section and the inferior section by a distance that is at least as
deep as the width of the user's ear and preferably deep enough to
receive eyeglasses or earphones, and the like. The depth of the
anterior surface of the medial section relative to the depth of the
anterior of the superior section and the inferior section can be
increased to prevent the user's ear from contacting the anterior
surface of the medial section even when the superior section and
the inferior section are compressed by the weight of the user's
head.
[0014] By placing the ear of the user above the medial section and
between the superior section and the inferior section, the user's
eyeglasses can be worn while lying on the pad without putting
pressure on the eyeglass frame.
[0015] By using the pad, a person can be wearing eyeglasses or
earphones while watching the television without fear of waking
himself or herself or fear of bending the eyeglasses or earphones,
in case the person falls asleep (i.e. takes a nap) while watching
the television. The channel also allows for audio to reach the
downward ear (i.e. the ear being placed on the pad) with less
impedance than an ear placed against a traditional pillow; this
allows better enjoyment of sound.
[0016] The pad according to the invention can include one or more
receding walls. That is, the channel above the medial section
widens laterally. Another way to describe this is that the channel
is formed by an inferior superior-section wall and an opposing
superior inferior-section wall. At least a lattermost portion of
the inferior superior-section wall and/or a section of the superior
inferior-section wall recede relative to each other. The wider
opening allows a user to rotate his or her head up and down (i.e.
nodding) without having his or her eyeglass lenses contacting
either the superior section or the inferior section. In addition,
the wider opening allows a slightly wider field of view that
otherwise would be obstructed by the walls. The ability to allow
rotation allows a user to adjust him or herself while sleeping
without having to move the pad itself.
[0017] The inferior section, the superior section, and the medial
section, each, can be made of foam. A preferred type of foam is
polyurethane foam with additional chemicals increasing its
viscosity and density. Foam with characteristics of foam with
.about.13ILD and 1.2 pound polyurethane makes a satisfactory
pillow.
[0018] The density of the foam is selected for comfort. The density
of the foam can be chosen to adjust the firmness of the pad. A more
dense foam provides a firmer pad. A less dense foam provides a
softer pad.
[0019] A different density of foam can be used in each section of
the pad.
[0020] The inferior section, the superior section, and the medial
section can have a piece of foam that forms at least a part of the
superior section, the medial section, and the inferior section. The
sections stay connected by having at a layer of foam that is shared
across the sections. The foam can be made from a single piece of
foam with the channel routed to specification.
[0021] The invention includes a pad that can be used for supporting
a right cheek of the user and a pad for supporting a left cheek of
the user, which does not require the pad to be rotated to
accommodate sleeping on the other side. The pad includes a medial
section that runs across the pad from the right edge to the left
edge.
[0022] To use such a pad, the user chooses on which side to rest.
If the sleeper chooses the left side, the user places his or her
left ear in the channel above the medial section and faces
leftward. If the sleeper chooses the right side, the user places
his or her right ear in the channel above the medial section and
faces rightward. The pad can be made to be wide enough that a
sleeper can roll from one side, onto the back of his or her head,
and then onto the other side.
[0023] In pads with a channel transversing the width of the pad,
both the left and right side of the channel can widen (i.e. flare).
This allows the user to rotate his or head up and down, while lying
on his or her right side or left side without contacting his or her
eyeglasses on the superior or inferior section.
[0024] The pad can include a section for supporting the rear of a
user's head. This section allows users of the pad to lie on his or
her back, with the back of the user's head resting on the anterior
of this section. This section allows the user to avoid resting the
back of his or her head in the channel.
[0025] In the case of a pad with a channel formed on only one side
(for this example, the channel is on the left), the head section is
on the right side. The head section has an anterior surface that is
even in thickness with the anterior face of the superior section
and the anterior face of the inferior section. A sleeper can roll
from left-side sleeping to back sleeping without needing to adjust
the pad.
[0026] In the case of a pad with two side channels, one on the left
and one on the right, the head section is disposed between the left
channel and the right channel. The anterior surface of the head
section is at the same height as both superior sections and both
inferior sections. A user can roll from a right side sleeping
position, to a back sleeping position with the back of his or her
head on the head section, to the left side sleeping position.
[0027] The pad can include two layers. An anterior layer is made
from a softer, low-density foam. A posterior layer is made from a
harder, high-density foam. Using an increasingly harder, posterior
layer allows for the pad to be soft yet more supportive if
needed.
[0028] The pad can be made in different sizes. A small size could
have dimensions approximately twenty centimeters wide, twenty
centimeters tall, and five centimeters thick (.about.20 cm.times.20
cm.times.5 cm). A large size replaces bed-sized pillows, which for
a standard bed pillow are approximately fifty centimeters by
sixty-six centimeters.
[0029] The invention includes a pad assembly. The pad assembly
includes a pillow and a pad as described previously resting on the
pillow. The pad can be small and thin to act as an additional layer
that allows users to wear eyeglasses, earphones, earrings, hearing
aids, and other objects while side-sleeping on a traditional
pillow. The pad can be used with other headrests such as a couch
armrest or a folded blanket.
[0030] In accordance with the objects of the invention, a method is
provided for side sleeping while wearing an object on an ear. The
method begins with a traditional headrest such as a pillow,
armrest, or folded blanket. Next, a pad such as those described
previously is placed on the pillow. The pad is thin enough and
compressible enough to retain the comfort of the original headrest.
Then the sleeper places his head on the pad, which is in turn
resting on the headrest.
[0031] Other features that are considered as characteristic for the
invention are set forth in the appended claims.
[0032] Although the invention is illustrated and described herein
as embodied in a pad, the invention should not be limited to the
details shown in those embodiments because various modifications
and structural changes may be made without departing from the
spirit of the invention while remaining within the scope and range
of equivalents of the claims.
[0033] The construction and method of operation of the invention
and additional objects and advantages of the invention is best
understood from the following description of specific embodiments
when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0034] FIG. 1 is a top, right, inferior perspective view of a first
embodiment of a pad according to the invention.
[0035] FIG. 2 is a top side view of the embodiment of the pad shown
in FIG. 1.
[0036] FIG. 3 is a right side sectional view of the first
embodiment taken along line III-III in FIG. 2.
[0037] FIG. 4 is a right side view of the embodiment of the pad
shown in FIG. 1, showing a sleeper positioned on the pad.
[0038] FIG. 5 is a right side section view of a dual foam bilateral
embodiment of the pad shown in FIG. 2 taken along line III-III.
[0039] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a unilateral embodiment of
the pad according to the invention.
[0040] FIG. 7 is a top side view of the unilateral embodiment of
the pad shown in FIG. 6.
[0041] FIG. 8 is a right side view of the unilateral embodiment of
the pad shown in FIG. 6.
[0042] FIG. 9 is a top side view of a bilateral embodiment with
central landing zone according to the invention.
[0043] FIG. 10 is a top side view of a bilateral embodiment as
shown in FIG. 1 with a block in a lateral position.
[0044] FIG. 11 is a top side view of a bilateral embodiment as
shown in FIG. 10 with a block in a medial position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0045] FIGS. 1-4 show a bilateral pad 1 for side sleeping. The pad
1 includes an inferior section 2, a superior section 3, and a
medial section 4. The inferior section 2 has an anterior surface 21
for supporting a cheek 72 of a sleeper as shown in FIG. 4. The
superior section 3 has an anterior surface 31 for supporting a
lateral superior section 73 of the head. The medial section 4 is
disposed between the inferior section 2 and the superior section 3
and has an anterior surface 41 that is recessed relative to the
anterior surface 21 of the inferior section 2 and the anterior
surface 31 of the superior section 3 to define a channel
transversing the pad 1.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 4, the channel receives an ear 71 of the
head 70 and the temples 51 of eyeglasses 50 being worn on the head
70. The channel is formed by a superior wall 24 of the superior
section 2, an inferior wall 34 of the inferior section 3, and the
anterior surface 41 of the medial section 4.
[0047] The channel widens laterally; that is the channel is wider
at the channel's left opening and right opening than at the
channel's center. On the left side of the pad 1, a receding section
22 of the inferior wall 24 recedes laterally relative to a receding
section 32 of the superior wall 34. On the right side of the pad 1,
a receding section 23 of the inferior wall 24 recedes laterally
relative to a receding section 33 of the superior wall 34.
[0048] A width of the channel at a narrowest point is greater than
a height of the ear 71. That is, the superior wall 24 is spaced
from the inferior wall 34 greater than a height of the ear 71. In a
preferred embodiment, the superior wall 24 is spaced from the
inferior wall 34 at least a distance equaling the average
anatomical height of an ear plus two standard deviations. In an
alternative embodiment, a layer of soft, low-density foam can be
provided along the anterior surface that is forgiving enough that
minor contact of the top of the ear or the bottom of the ear lobe
will not prevent a user from sleeping.
[0049] The depth of the channel is greater than a width of the ear
71. That is, the superior wall 24 and the inferior wall 34 have a
height greater than a width of the ear 71. In a preferred
embodiment, the superior wall 24 and the inferior wall 34 have a
height greater than the average anatomical width of an ear plus two
standard deviations.
[0050] The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is made of a single piece of
foam.
[0051] FIG. 4 shows a person (i.e. a sleeper) left side sleeping on
the pad. The left cheek 72 of head 70 rests on the anterior surface
21 of the inferior section 2. The lateral superior section 73 of
the head 70 rests on the anterior surface 31 of the superior
section 3. The left ear 71 and left eyeglass temple 51 are placed
above the anterior surface 41 of the medial section 4. The left ear
71 is between the superior wall 24 and the inferior wall 34. The
eyeglass lens 52 is disposed between the receding wall 23 and the
receding wall 33. The sleeper can tilt his or her head 70 up and
down without the eyeglass lens 52 contacting either receding wall
23 and receding wall 33.
[0052] Although it is not shown in the figures, the sleeper can
right side sleep on the pad 1. The right cheek 75 of head 70 rests
on the anterior surface 21 of the inferior section 2. The right
lateral superior section 76 of the head 70 rests on the anterior
surface 31 of the superior section 3. The right ear 77 and right
eyeglass temple 53 are placed above the anterior surface 41 of the
medial section 4. The right ear 77 is between the superior wall 24
and the inferior wall 34. The eyeglass lens 52 is disposed between
the receding wall 22 and the receding wall 32. The sleeper can
rotate his or her head 70 up and down without the right eyeglass
lens 54 contacting either receding wall 23 and receding wall
33.
[0053] FIGS. 5 shows a dual foam bilateral pad. The pad is
generally shaped like the pad shown in FIGS. 1-4. The pad 1 is
formed from two layers of different density foam. A higher density
layer 82 is made from a higher density viscoelastic foam. A lower
density layer 81 is disposed on the anterior of the higher density
layer 82. The lower density layer 81 is made from a lower density
viscoelastic foam than the foam used in the higher density layer
82.
[0054] FIGS. 6-8 show a unilateral embodiment of the pad 1. One
side of the pad 1 is similar to the pad shown in FIGS. 1-3 with an
inferior section 2, superior section 3, and a medial section 4. The
pad includes a back-sleeping section 6, which is shaped like a
traditional pillow and can be used for back sleeping while wearing
eyeglasses.
[0055] In the unilateral embodiment, the back-sleeping section 6 is
connected to the inferior section 2, the superior section 3, and
the medial section 4. The back sleeping section 6 has an anterior
surface 61 that is level with the anterior surface 21 of the
inferior section and the anterior surface 31 of the superior
section 3. A medial section wall 63 connects the medial edge of the
anterior surface 41 of the medial section 4 to the anterior surface
61.
[0056] A sleeper uses the unilateral embodiment by side sleeping
with his or her bottom ear in the channel above the medial section
4. The sleeper can rotate to a back sleeping position with the back
of his or her head resting on the anterior surface 61 without
needing to move or adjust the pad 1.
[0057] If the sleeper chooses to sleep on his or her other side,
the pad 1 is rotated one-hundred-and-eighty degrees
(180.degree.).
[0058] FIGS. 9 shows a bilateral pad with back-sleeping section 6.
In this embodiment, a back sleeping section 6 is located medially
in the pad. On the left side of the back sleeping section 6 is an
inferior section 2A, superior section 3A, and medial section 4A. In
addition, on the right side of the back sleeping section 6 is an
additional inferior section 2B, superior section 3B, and medial
section 4B.
[0059] A sleeper can use the bilateral pad with back-sleeping
section, to move between a left side-sleeping position, a
back-sleeping position, and a right side-sleeping position without
moving the pad. To sleep in the left side-sleeping position, the
sleeper places his or her ear above the medial section 4A and
between the inferior section 2A and the superior section 3A. To
sleep in the right side-sleeping position, the sleeper places his
or her ear above the medial section 4B and between the inferior
section 2B and the superior section 3B. To sleep in the back
sleeping position, the sleeper sleeps with the back of his or her
head resting on the anterior surface 61 of the back-sleeping
section 6.
[0060] In an embodiment that is shown in FIGS. 10-11, a block 6 can
be inserted into the channel of a bilateral pad like the pad shown
in FIGS. 1-5. The block 6 acts as a back sleeping section. As shown
in FIG. 10, the block 6 can convert the bilateral embodiment into a
unilateral embodiment similar to FIGS. 6-8. As shown in FIG. 11,
the block 6 can covert the bilateral embodiment into a
back-sleeping embodiment similar to FIG. 9.
* * * * *