U.S. patent application number 16/401248 was filed with the patent office on 2019-12-19 for neck pillow.
The applicant listed for this patent is Cynthia Martin, David Martin. Invention is credited to Cynthia Martin, David Martin.
Application Number | 20190380517 16/401248 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 68838880 |
Filed Date | 2019-12-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20190380517 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Martin; David ; et
al. |
December 19, 2019 |
Neck Pillow
Abstract
A neck pillow. The neck pillow has an annular padded body with a
central aperture adapted to receive and encircle an individual's
head and neck. The central aperture defines the interior
circumference of the annular body. The annular body has a lower
side configured to rest on the shoulders of the individual and an
upper side configured to align with each side of the individual's
jaw. The rear upper portion of the annular body is configured to
align with the occipital portion of the individual's head, such
that the head is cushioned and the neck and spine is aligned in a
proper position.
Inventors: |
Martin; David; (Scott Depot,
WV) ; Martin; Cynthia; (Scott Depot, WV) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Martin; David
Martin; Cynthia |
Scott Depot
Scott Depot |
WV
WV |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
68838880 |
Appl. No.: |
16/401248 |
Filed: |
May 2, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62684336 |
Jun 13, 2018 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 7/383 20130101;
A47G 9/1081 20130101; A47G 2009/1018 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47G 9/10 20060101
A47G009/10 |
Claims
1) A neck pillow, comprising: an annular padded body having a
central aperture adapted to receive and encircle an individual's
head and neck therethrough; the central aperture defining an
interior circumference of the annular body; the annular body having
a first appendage and a second appendage; the annular body having a
lower side, configured to rest on the shoulders of the individual;
the annular body having a front upper side, configured to align
with each side of the individual's jaw; the annular body having a
rear upper side, configured to align with the occipital portion of
the individual's head, such that the head is cushioned and the neck
aligned in a proper position.
2) The neck pillow of claim 1, wherein the first appendage is in
union with the second appendage.
3) The neck pillow of claim 1, wherein the padding is comprised of
a filler material.
4) The neck pillow of claim 3, wherein the filler material is
polyester, goose down, cotton or memory foam.
5) The neck pillow of claim 1, further comprising an adjustable
strap disposed on the annular body.
6) The neck pillow of claim 5, wherein the adjustable strap is
disposed on the first appendage of the annular body, the adjustable
strap is configured to extend circumferentially over the first
appendage and the adjustable strap is configured to be removably
securable to the second appendage of the annular body.)
7) The neck pillow of claim 6, wherein the adjustable strap
comprises a hook and loop fastener.
8) The neck pillow of claim 1, wherein the body comprises an
arcuate configuration, wherein the height of the front upper
portion of the body progressively increases and terminates at the
rear upper portion of the body.
9) The neck pillow of claim 8, wherein the rear upper portion of
the body comprises an elevated height configured to abut flush
against the occipital portion of the individual's head.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/684,336 filed on Jun. 13, 2018. The above
identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference
in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to neck pillows. More
particularly, the present invention provides a neck pillow
configured to align with the individual's jaw and give additional
support to the occipital portion of the individual's head, such
that the head is cushioned and the neck and spine is aligned in a
proper position.
[0003] Many individuals frequently travel for business or pleasure
where it is difficult for them to attain adequate rest. While
traveling on vehicles such as an planes, trains, or buses, such
individuals may be forced to sit, or fall asleep while sitting, in
an awkward position, which can lead to a stiff neck and sore
shoulder, neck and back muscles. The pain associated with this
stiffness and soreness can linger for days. In addition, sleeping
in an uncomfortable position typically results in short bursts of
sleep and difficulty in staying asleep. If the individual is able
to attain any sleep, the quality of sleep is often inadequate and
non-restorative.
[0004] Although devices have been disclosed in the known art that
relate to neck pillows, either these devices do not provide
adequate cushioning to the occipital portion of the individual's
head, or do not maintain proper alignment of the individual's neck
and spine without internal support frames or by means of attaching
the individual's head to a support structure, such as a chair, via
the pillow. Accordingly, a portable neck pillow configured to align
with the individual's jaw and give additional support to the
occipital portion of the individual's head, such that the head is
cushioned and the neck and spine is aligned in a proper position,
allowing the individual to comfortably sit or sleep in a wide
variety of positions, thereby preventing stiff and sore muscles is
desired.
[0005] The present invention substantially diverges in design
elements from the known art and consequently it is clear that there
is a need in the art for an improvement to existing neck pillow
devices. In this regard the present invention substantially
fulfills these needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known
types of neck pillows now present in the prior art, the present
invention provides a neck pillow configured to align with the
individual's jaw and give additional support to the occipital
portion of the individual's head, such that the head is cushioned
and the neck and spine is aligned in a proper position. The present
neck pillow comprises an annular padded body with a central
aperture adapted to receive and encircle an individual's head and
neck. The central aperture defines the interior circumference of
the annular body. The annular body has a lower side configured to
rest on the shoulders of the individual and an upper side
configured to align with each side of the individual's jaw. The
rear upper portion of the annular body is configured to align with
the occipital portion of the individual's head, such that the head
is cushioned and the neck and spine is aligned in a proper
position.
[0007] Other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Although the characteristic features of this invention will
be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and
manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood
after a review of the following description, taken in connection
with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are
provided throughout.
[0009] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the neck
pillow without a strap attached, wherein the pillow consists of one
continuous unit.
[0010] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the neck
pillow with an adjustable strap attached, in a closed
configuration.
[0011] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the neck
pillow with an adjustable strap attached, in an open
configuration.
[0012] FIG. 4 shows a frontal view of an embodiment of the neck
pillow with an adjustable strap attached, in use.
[0013] FIG. 5 shows a side view of an embodiment of the neck pillow
with an adjustable strap attached, in use.
[0014] FIG. 6 shows a rear view of an embodiment of the neck pillow
with an adjustable strap attached, in use.
[0015] FIG. 7 shows an additional side view of an embodiment of the
neck pillow with an adjustable strap attached, in use.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like
reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like
or similar elements of the neck pillow. For the purposes of
presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention,
a preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for the neck
pillow. The figures are intended for representative purposes only
and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
[0017] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view
of an embodiment of the neck pillow. The neck pillow comprises an
annular padded body 100. The annular padded body 100 can be
configured to accommodate a variety of sizes according to an
individual's user's head and neck size. Additionally, the annular
padded body 100 can be filled with filler material including, but
not limited to polyester, goose down, cotton, memory foam or other
suitable material and can be filled to accommodate a variety of
firmness options. In one embodiment the exterior of the annular
padded body 100 is encased by a cover material composed of
materials including, but not limited to cotton, microfiber or any
other suitable material. In such embodiment, the exterior
circumference may incorporate any suitable indicia thereon, such as
a logo or a pattern.
[0018] The annular padded body is further comprised of a central
aperture. The central aperture 110 defines the interior
circumference of the annular padded body and is adapted to receive
and encircle an individual's head and neck.
[0019] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view
of an embodiment of the neck pillow with an adjustable strap
attached, in a closed position. In the shown embodiment the annular
padded body is further comprised of a first appendage 210 and a
second appendage 220. An adjustable strap 200 is disposed along the
length of the lower exterior portion of the first appendage 210 and
received along the length of the lower exterior portion of the
second appendage 220 of the annular padded body. It should be
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that various types
of fasteners may be used to secure the adjustable strap 200 to the
annular padded body.
[0020] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view
of an embodiment of the neck pillow with a strap attached, in an
open configuration. In the shown embodiment the adjustable strap
200 is comprised of, and received by, a complementary hook and loop
fastening system 300. In this shown embodiment the adjustable strap
200 is configured to extend circumferentially around the first
appendage 210 and the second appendage 220 such that an individual
can selectively unfasten or secure the apparatus to a desired
tightness.
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a frontal view of an
embodiment of the neck pillow in use. In the preferred embodiment,
the adjustable strap 200 is configured to extend just below the
individual's chin 440 of the individual without fitting tightly
against the individual's neck. The annular padded body 100 has a
lower side 400 that is configured to rest on the shoulders 410 of
the individual. The annular padded body 100 also has an upper side
420 that is configured to align with each side of the individual's
jaw 430. In the preferred embodiment, the annular padded body 100
cradles the individual's jaw 430. Additionally, in the preferred
embodiment, the top of the first appendage 210 and the top of the
second appendage 220 will abut and support the individual's chin
440. In this embodiment, the top of the first appendage 210, along
the length thereof, and the top of the second appendage 220, along
the length thereof, will run alongside and support the sides of the
jaw 430, up to the lower check 450.
[0022] Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, there are shown side elevation
views and a rear view of an embodiment of the neck pillow in use.
The rear upper portion 500 of the annular body is configured to
align with the occipital portion of the individual's head 510, such
that the head 520 is cushioned and the neck aligned in a proper
position. A proper position is a position where the neck and head
are aligned relative to the spine.
[0023] In the shown embodiment, the neck pillow comprises an
arcuate configuration, wherein a height of a front upper portion
540 of the annular padded body 100 progressively increases and
terminates at a rear upper portion 550 of the annular padded body
100. The rear upper portion 550 comprises an elevated height
configured to abut flush against the occipital portion 510 of the
individual's head, such that the individual's head is cushioned and
the individual's neck and spine are aligned in a proper
position.
[0024] It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has
been shown and described in what is considered to be the most
practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however,
that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and
that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the
art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be
realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts
of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape,
form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are
deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and
all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings
and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed
by the present invention.
[0025] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only
of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly,
all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to,
falling within the scope of the invention.
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