Abstract
A head support apparatus provides support to a persons head while the person is seated. A seat strap passes around the seat back of a seat and is adjusted tightly enough to maintain itself in position. A support strap attaches in a least one place to the seat strap at the back side of the seat back. The support strap passes up over the top of the seat back and presents a sling at the front side of the seat back to support a user's head. The seat strap, support strap, and sling are adjustable at several locations to place the sling where the user wants it. The sling may be positioned to engage a person's mandible, or forehead, as desired. The sling may also be adjusted to allow the person's head to lay a little to the side.
Claims
1. An apparatus for supporting a person's head while the person is seated in a seat having a seat back, the seat back having a back side, a top, and a front side, said apparatus comprising: a seat strap configured to form a loop and encircle the seat back of a seat; and a support strap having a first end and a second end, said first end and said second end of said support strap attaching to said seat strap at the back side of the seat, said support strap being long enough to reach over the top of the seat back and hang down in the front of the seat back and present a sling at the front of the seat back.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said support strap is of a length to present a sling to engage the forehead of a person seated in the seat.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said support strap is of a length to present a sling to engage the mandible of a person seated in the seat.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said sling has a distal surface and a proximal surface, said distal surface contacting the head of a person seated in the seat and said distal surface being padded.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said support strap is adjustable in length.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: at least one of said first end and said second end of said support strap is removably attached to said seat strap.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said seat strap is adjustable to change the size of said loop.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a sleeve on said support strap, said sleeve being slidable along said support strap, and said sleeve being padded.
9. An apparatus for supporting a person's head while the person is seated in a seat having a seat back, the seat back having a back side, a top, and a front side, said apparatus comprising: a seat strap configured to form a loop and encircle the seat back of a seat; a sling having a first end, a second end, a distal surface, and a proximal surface; a first sling strap having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end of said first sling strap attaching to said first end of said sling and said distal end of said first sling strap attaching to said seat strap at the back side of the seat; and a second sling strap having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end of said second sling strap attaching to said second end of said sling and said distal end of said second sling strap attaching to said seat strap at the back side of the seat; wherein, said first sling strap and said second sling strap being of sufficient lengths to pass over the top of the seat back and hang down at the front side of the seat, suspending said sling at the front side of the seat.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein: said first sling strap and said second sling strap are of lengths that present said sling at a height to engage the forehead of a person seated in the seat.
11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein: said first sling strap and said second sling strap are of lengths that present said sling at a height to engage the mandible of a person seated in the seat.
12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein: said sling contains padding.
13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein: at least one of said distal end of said first sling strap and said distal end of said second sling strap is removably attached to said seat strap.
14. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising: a first spring driven reel attached to said first end of said sling; and, a second spring driven reel attached to said second end of said sling; said proximal end of said first sling strap terminating in said first spring driven reel and said proximal end of said second sling strap terminating in said second spring driven reel.
15. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising: a first spring driven reel attached to said first end of said sling; and, a second spring driven reel attached to said second end of said sling; said proximal end of said first sling strap terminating in said first spring driven reel and said proximal end of said second sling strap terminating in said second spring driven reel.
16. A method of supporting a person's head while the person is seated in a seat having a seat back, the seat back having a back side, a top, and a front side, the method comprising: encircling the seat back of a seat with a seat strap and adjusting the seat strap tight enough to maintain its location on the seat back; attaching a first end of a support strap to the seat strap at the back side of the seat back and attaching a second end of said support strap to the seat strap at the back side of the seat back, so that said support strap forms a sling; and, passing said support strap over the top of the seat back to the front side of the seat back, so that said support strap presents said sling at the front side of said seat back.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] Additional utility and features of the invention will become more fully apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the following drawings, which illustrate some of the primary features of embodiments of the head support apparatus.
[0029] FIG. 1 is a pie graph of responses to the survey question, “How did your back/neck feel after the flight?”
[0030] FIG. 2 is a pie graph of responses to the survey question, “What type of pain did you have after a typical flight.”
[0031] FIG. 3 is a pie graph of responses to the survey question, “Would you be willing to pay extra if airlines offered a special seat for back/neck pain sufferers?”
[0032] FIG. 4 is a pie graph of responses to the survey question, “How much will you be willing to pay?”
[0033] FIG. 5 shows a front view of a seat back with an embodiment of a head support installed on it.
[0034] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a head support installed on a seat back and a person using the apparatus.
[0035] FIG. 7 shows a pad slidable along a support strap.
[0036] FIG. 8 shows the back of a seat having an embodiment of a head support installed on it.
[0037] FIG. 9 shows the back of a seat with an embodiment of a head support installed on a seat back where the end of a support strap attaches to a seat strap.
[0038] FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of a head support installed on a seat and a person using the apparatus adjusted to allow the head to lay to the side.
[0039] FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of a seat strap by itself.
[0040] FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of a sling portion and support strap of a head support.
[0041] FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a head support installed on a seat back.
[0042] FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of a head support installed on a seat back.
[0043] FIG. 15 shows an embodiment of a sling portion of a head support, the sling portion having spring powered reels containing support straps.
[0044] FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a head support installed on a seat back.
[0045] FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of a head support installed on a seat back.
[0046] FIG. 18 shows an embodiment of a head support installed on a seat and a person using the apparatus adjusted to contact the forehead.
[0047] FIG. 19 shows an embodiment of a sling portion of a head support, the sling portion having spring powered reels within the ends of the sling.
[0048] FIG. 20 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a head support installed on a seat back.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0049] FIG. 5 shows a front view of a seat back 100 with an embodiment of head support 10 installed on it. Seat strap 20 of head support 10 passes around seat back 100. Seat strap 20 is sized to be snug enough to maintain its desired location on seat back 100. D-rings 21 allow seat strap 20 to be sized as needed. Support straps 30 pass over the top 102 of seat back 100 and present sling 40 at the front side 104 of seat back 100. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, sling 40 is contiguous with support straps 30 and may be a section of a strap, or multiple straps combined. The strap may run from a first end to a second end, each end attached to seat strap 20 at the back side 106 of seat back 100. D-rings 31 allow the length of the strap to be adjusted and may operate to combine multiple straps. In FIG. 5, pad 50 is located on sling 40, and its location on sling 40 is adjustable.
[0050] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a head support 10 installed on seat back 100 and a person using the apparatus 10. Seat strap 20 of head support 10 passes around seat back 100 and is adjusted tight enough to maintain itself in position on seat back 100. A section of support strap 30 passes over the top 102 of seat back 100 to present sling 40 at the front side 104 of seat back 100. Pad 50 of sling 40 provides greater comfort, especially for embodiments having a narrower support strap. In FIG. 6, support strap 10 is arranged to present sling 40 centered with the person and at height to engage the person's mandible.
[0051] FIG. 7 shows pad 50 slidable along support strap 30. Pad 50 has end apertures 52 at each end 51 and buckle apertures 53 on its bottom 54. Buckles 55 are located at buckle apertures 53. Pad 50 receives support strap 30 through end apertures 52. Support strap 30 passes into one end of pad 50 and through buckles 55 and out the opposite end. Buckles 55 provide adjustment points for pad 50 while maintaining pad 50 in position on support strap 30 once adjustment is made.
[0052] FIG. 8 shows the back side 106 of a seat back 100 having an embodiment of a head support 10 installed on it. Seat strap 20 runs across the back side 106 of seat back 100. A first end 32 of support strap 30 attaches to seat strap 20, and support strap 30 runs from there up and over the top 102 of seat back 100. A second end 33 of support strap 30 attaches to seat strap 20, and support strap 30 runs from there up and over the top 102 of seat back 100.
[0053] FIG. 9 shows the back side 106 of a seat back 100 with an embodiment of a head support 10 installed on the seat back where an end of a support strap 30 attaches to a seat strap 20. Buckle loop 22 attaches buckle 23 to seat strap 20. First end 32 of support strap 30 passes through buckle 23. Buckle 23 provides a point of adjustment for support strap 30.
[0054] FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of head support 10 installed on a seat back 100 and a person using the apparatus adjusted to allow the head to lay to the side. In FIG. 6, support strap 10 is arranged to present sling 40 centered with the person and the persons head is held in a generally vertical alignment. However, over longer periods of time, a person may want to change positions. Staying in one position for an extended period of time may become uncomfortable. Alternatively, for individual persons, vertical alignment may not be the best position. Support strap 30 passes over the top 102 of seat back 100, using the full height of seat back 100. This, along with the several locations where support strap 30 can be adjusted, and the ability to slide pad 18 along sling 40, allows the head to be supported while having a sideward tilt.
[0055] FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of a seat strap 20 by itself In this embodiment, seat strap 20 can be essentially separate from sling 40 and support strap 30 of head support 10, and may even be stored in sling 40 of head support 10. In FIG. 11, seat strap 20 is a single linear cord 24 with both ends 25 of cord 24 being inserted through spring loaded cord lock 26 to form a loop 27. The loop 27 of seat strap 20 can be adjusted to fit a seat back by squeezing cord lock 26 to open it and then pulling either end 25 or both ends 25 of cord 24 through cord lock 26. In this way, loop 27 can be adjusted to fit a seat back tightly enough to maintain its location on the seat back.
[0056] FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of a sling portion 40 and support straps 30 of a head support. Sling 40 has appendages 42 at each of its ends 41. Support straps 30 attach to appendages 42 on the ends 41 of sling 40. In the embodiment of FIG. 12, appendages 42 have apertures 43 through which the ends 32, 33 of support strap 30 are inserted. Adjustable loops 34 are formed at each end 32, 33 of support strap 30 by further passing ends 32, 33 through spring loaded cord locks 35 proximal to each end of support strap 30. In all, support strap 30 passes through a cord lock 35, an aperture 43 in an appendage 42 on sling 40, and back through a respective cord lock 35 to form adjustable loop 34. Cord locks 35 can be manually released to adjust the length of support strap 30 extending between apertures 43 of sling 40.
[0057] Still referring to FIG. 12, clips 36 have an aperture through which support strap 30 passes. Clips 36 attach support strap 30 to seat strap 20 at the back side 106 of seat back 100. From clips 36 support strap 30 extends over the top 102 of seat back 100. Clips 36 can be moved along support strap 30 to different positions to change the specific height of sling 40 and the relative height of ends 41 of sling 40 when it is installed on a seat back 100.
[0058] In FIG. 12, pouch 46 is partially open. Seat strap 20 is stored in pouch 46 when head support 10 is not installed on a seat back. Pouch 46 is sealable by hook and loop material, but could be sealable by any preferred method, such as a zipper, snaps, buttons, clasps, or hooks.
[0059] FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a head support 10 installed on a seat back 100. Seat strap 20 passes around seat back 100 and is adjusted and sized to maintain its position by cord lock 26. Sling 40 is suspended from support strap 30 at appendages 42 at ends 41. Support strap 30 pass up over the top 102 of seat back 100. On the back side 106 of seat back 100, support strap 30 attaches to seat strap 20.
[0060] FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of head support 10 installed on a seat back 100. Support strap 30 comes down from the top 102 of seat back 100 and clips 36 attach support strap 30 to seat strap 20. In FIG. 14, some slack may be seen in support strap 30 between clips 36. Adjusting the locations of clips 36 on seat strap 20 effects the spacing and locations of where support strap 30 passes over the top 102 of seat back 100. This can be used to alter where sling 40 is positioned in relation to the center of seat back 100 and can allow a person's head to lay a little to the side. By passing over the top 102 of seat back 100, support strap 30 make use of the full height of seat back 100, allowing a greater range of positions for a person using head support 10.
[0061] FIG. 15 shows an embodiment of a sling portion 40 of a head support 10. In the embodiment of FIG. 15, appendages 42 at ends 41 of sling 40 are spring powered reels 44 which contain support straps 30. Clips 36 are attached to the ends 32 of support straps 30. In FIG. 15, support straps 30 are fully retracted within spring powered reels 44. Button 45 is moved to lock and unlock spring powered reel 44. In some embodiments, button 45 defaults to locking spring powered reel 44 and is pressed, or moved, to unlock spring powered reel 44. The length of support strap 30 is then adjusted to the desired length. Button 45 is released to lock spring powered reel 44 and maintain the length of support strap 30. In other embodiments, button 45 defaults to an unlocked configuration. In those embodiments, support straps 30 are adjusted and then button 45 is moved to lock spring powered reel 45 to hold the adjusted length of support straps 30.
[0062] FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a head support 10 installed on a seat back 100. Seat strap 20 passes around seat back 100 and is adjusted and sized to maintain its position by cord lock 26. Sling 40 is presented at the front side 104 of seat back 100. Support straps 30 extend from spring powered reels 44 at ends 41 of sling 40. Support straps 30 pass up over the top 102 of seat back 100. On the back side 106 of seat back 100, support straps 30 attached to seat strap 20.
[0063] FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of a head support installed on a seat back. Support straps 30 come down from the top 102 of seat back 100 and clips 36 attach support straps 30 to seat strap 20. Adjusting the locations of clips 36 on seat strap 20 effects the spacing and locations of where support straps 30 passes over the top 102 of seat back 100. This can be used to alter where sling 40 is positioned in relation to the center of seat back 100 and can allow a person's head to lay a little to the side. By passing over the top 102 of seat back 100, support strap 30 make use of the full height of seat back 100, allowing a greater range of positions for a person using head support 10.
[0064] FIG. 18 shows an embodiment of a head support 10 installed on a seat back 100 and a person using the apparatus adjusted to contact the forehead. In FIG. 18, seat strap 20 is arranged to pass near the top 102 at the back side of seat back 106. Clip 36 on the end of support strap 30 may be seen. Head support 10 provides sufficient tension to maintain the person in an upright neutral position.
[0065] FIG. 19 shows an embodiment of a sling portion 40 of a head support 10, the sling portion 40 having spring powered reels 44 within the appendages 42 at the ends 41 of the sling 40. In FIG. 19, at the right end of sling 30, appendage 42 is partially opened to show spring powered reel 44 located inside. Button 45 on spring powered reel 45 is pressed to unlock spring powered reel 45 and allow support strap 30 to be adjusted. Button 45 is accessible through the covering of appendage 42 when appendage 42 fully encloses spring powered reel 44.
[0066] FIG. 20 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a head support 10 installed on a seat back 100. Seat strap 20 passes around seat back 100 and is adjusted and sized to maintain its position by cord lock 26. Sling 40 is presented at the front side 104 of seat back 100. Support straps 30 extend from spring powered reels 44 hidden within appendages 42 at ends 41 of sling 40. Buttons controlling spring powered reels 44 are accessible through the covering of appendages 42. Support straps 30 pass up over the top 102 of seat back 100. On the back side 106 of seat back 100, support straps 30 attached to seat strap 20.
[0067] It may be noticed in FIGS. 13, 16, and 20 that sling 40 runs horizontally across the front 104 of seat back 100. This a result of sling 40 in those embodiments comprising foam filling, or padding, of sufficient rigidity to maintain their linear shape when not under load. However, sling 40 in those embodiments is pliable and will conform to a users face. A similar effect may also be seen in FIG. 5, although with less appearance of rigidity. In embodiments, sling 40 may be differently comprised and therefore may not have the same appearance when not in use. For example, some gel cushions may sag under their own weight, etc.
[0068] It is to be understood that the embodiments and arrangements set forth herein are not limited in their application to the details of construction and arrangement of the components set forth in the description and illustrated in the drawings. Rather, the description and the drawings provide examples of the embodiments envisioned, but the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments. The embodiments disclosed herein are further capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways, including various combinations and sub-combinations that may not have been explicitly disclosed. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting the claims.
[0069] Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which the application and claims are based may be readily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the embodiments and claims presented in this application. It is important, therefore, that the invention be regarded as including such equivalent constructions.
