SUPPORT PILLOW

Abstract

A support pillow for supporting the head of a person. The pillow includes a base portion having opposing front and rear edge portions, opposing first and second side peripheral portions and a central curved portion configured to round upward from the front and rear edge portions to support against a back of the person's head. First and second opposing supporting members, respectively extending from the opposing first and second side end peripheral portions of the base portion are provided. Each first and second opposing supporting member extends angularly and upwardly respectively from the opposing first and second side end peripheral portions of the base portion. Each first and second opposing supporting member is separated from one another such that a majority portion of the central curved portion of the base portion is disposed within a region extending between each first and second supporting members. A detachable and adjustable elongated neck support member is provided having opposing first and second ends configured for engagement with the base portion whereby the elongated neck support member extends between the first and second side peripheral portions of the base portion.

Claims

1. A pillow for supporting the head of a person to promote a back-resting position, the shaped pillow comprising: a base portion having opposing front and rear edge portions, opposing first and second side peripheral portions and a central portion; and first and second opposing supporting members, respectively extending from the opposing first and second side end peripheral portions of the base portion wherein each first and second opposing supporting member extends angularly and upwardly respectively from the opposing first and second side end peripheral portions of the base portion whereby each first and second opposing supporting member is separated from one another such that a majority portion of the central portion of the base portion is disposed within a region extending between each first and second supporting members, and whereby a portion of each first and second supporting member respectively overlaps with the opposing first and second side peripheral portions of the base portion.

2. The pillow of claim 1, wherein each first and second opposing supporting member is shaped with a crescent configuration.

3. The pillow of claim 2, wherein the central portion of the base portion is curved and configured to round upward from the front and rear edge portions to support against a back of the person's head and wherein the front edge portion is configured to support against the top of the shoulder area of the person.

4. The pillow of claim 3, wherein each first and second supporting member is configured to accommodate to a shape of the person's head and support the side region of the person's head so as to support the person's head while limiting the turning of the head while the back of the person's head is disposed adjacent the curved base portion.

5. The pillow of claim 4, wherein the base portion is formed with a flared configuration at the front edge portion dimensioned and configured to support against a top of a shoulder area of the person.

6. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the base portion and the first and second opposing supporting members are contoured and rounded and wherein the flared configuration is triangular in cross-section.

7. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the base portion and the two side portions comprise a unitary structure having a cavity in the base portion and the two side portions.

8. The pillow of claim 1, wherein each of the base portion and each first and second supporting member are filled with variable filler.

9. The pillow of claim 1, wherein each first and second support members are detachably engaged with the base portion.

10. The pillow of claim 1, further including an elongated neck support member having opposing first and second ends configured for engagement with the base portion whereby the elongated neck support member extends between the first and second side peripheral portions of the base portion.

11. The pillow of claim 10, wherein the elongated neck support member overlaps with a portion of the front edge portion of the base portion.

12. The pillow of claim 10, whereby the first end of the elongated neck support member is engaged with a portion of the first peripheral portion of the base portion, and the second end of the elongated neck support member is engaged with a portion of the second peripheral portion of the base portion.

13. The pillow of claim 12, wherein the elongated neck support member is configured for detachably engagement with the base portion.

14. The pillow of claim 13, whereby each of the first and second peripheral portions of the base portion include an engagement member extending from the first and second peripheral portions of the base portion whereby each engagement member is configured for selective engagement along a plurality of positions of the engagement member with a respective first or second end portion of the elongated neck support member.

15. The pillow of claim 14, further including a snap button assembly provided on each engagement member extending from the first and second peripheral portions and the first and second end portions of the elongated neck support member for providing the detachably engagement of the elongated neck support member with the base portion.

16. The pillow of claim 10, further including a pocket member provided on a surface portion of the elongated neck support member, wherein the pocket member has an open end defining an inner cavity of the pocket member configured for insertion of a thermodynamic pack member therewithin.

17. The pillow of claim 10, wherein the elongated neck support member is provided with an open seam portion for insertion and/or removal of variable filler material.

18. A pillow for supporting the head of a person to promote a back-resting position, the shaped pillow comprising: a base portion having opposing front and rear edge portions, opposing first and second side peripheral portions and a central curved portion configured to round upward from the front and rear edge portions to support against a back of the person's head and wherein a front edge portion is configured to support against the top of the shoulder area of the person; first and second opposing supporting members, respectively extending from the opposing first and second side end peripheral portions of the base portion wherein each first and second opposing supporting member extends angularly and upwardly respectively from the opposing first and second side end peripheral portions of the base portion whereby each first and second opposing supporting member is separated from one another such that a majority portion of the central curved portion of the base portion is disposed within a region extending between each first and second supporting members, whereby a portion of each first and second supporting member respectively overlaps with the opposing first and second side peripheral portions of the base portion; and an elongated neck support member having opposing first and second ends configured for engagement with the base portion whereby the elongated neck support member extends between the first and second side peripheral portions of the base portion.

19. The pillow of claim 18 wherein the elongated neck support member is configured for detachably engagement with the base portion.

20. A pillow for supporting the head of a person to promote a back-resting position, the shaped pillow comprising: a base portion having opposing front and rear edge portions, opposing first and second side peripheral portions and a central curved portion configured to round upward from the front and rear edge portions to support against a back of the person's head and wherein a front edge portion is configured to support against the top of the shoulder area of the person; first and second opposing supporting members, respectively extending from the opposing first and second side end peripheral portions of the base portion wherein each first and second opposing supporting member is shaped with a crescent configuration which extends angularly and upwardly respectively from the opposing first and second side end peripheral portions of base portion whereby each first and second opposing supporting member is separated from one another such that a majority portion of the central curved portion of the base portion is disposed within a region extending between each crescent configured first and second supporting members, whereby a portion of each first and second supporting member respectively overlaps with the opposing first and second side peripheral portions of the base portion and wherein each first and second supporting members is configured to accommodate to a shape of the person's head and support the side region of the person's head so as to support the person's head while limiting the turning of the head while the back of the person's head is disposed adjacent the curved base portion, wherein the base portion is formed with a flared configuration at the front edge portion dimensioned and configured to support against a top of a shoulder area of the person; and an elongated neck support member having opposing first and second ends configured for detachable engagement with the base portion whereby the elongated neck support member extends between the first and second side peripheral portions of the base portion whereby the elongated neck support member overlaps with a portion of the flared configuration of the front edge portion when detachably engaged with the base portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The accompanying appendices and/or drawings illustrate various non-limiting, example, inventive aspects in accordance with the present disclosure:

[0013] FIG. 1 is a top view of a support pillow in accordance with an illustrated embodiment;

[0014] FIG. 2 is a top-side perspective view from a front edge portion of the support pillow of FIG. 1;

[0015] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view from a rear edge portion of the support pillow of FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 4 is a disassembled view of the support pillow of FIG. 1;

[0017] FIG. 5 is a top-side perspective view from a front edge portion of the support pillow in accordance with another illustrated embodiment depicting inclusion of a neck roll ember; and

[0018] FIG. 6 is a disassembled view of the support pillow of FIG. 6 illustrating the neck roll member detached from the base portion of the support pillow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

[0019] The illustrated embodiments are now described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural/functional features. The illustrated embodiments are not limited in any way to what is illustrated as the illustrated embodiments described below are merely exemplary, which can be embodied in various forms, as appreciated by one skilled in the art. Therefore, it is to be understood that any structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representation for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the discussed embodiments. Furthermore, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the illustrated embodiments.

[0020] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the illustrated embodiments, exemplary methods and materials are now described. It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0021] An illustrated embodiment of a support pillow is shown in FIGS. 1-3 preferably consisting a head support pillow 10, constructed and configured for supporting the head of a person lying on a sleep surface (e.g., a pillow, mattress or any other surface a person may rest their head upon). As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the support pillow 10 preferably consists of a central base portion 20 and two oppositely and parallel arranged head side support members 30, 40. Extending between the head side support members 30, 40 is the central base portion 20 defining a head support region having a width “A”. The head support region having the width “A” preferably accommodates/supports the head of a person lying on their back whereby the back of person's head rests against the head support region having the width “A” while portions of right and left side regions of a person's head respectively rests against a portion of the side support members 30, 40. As best shown in FIG. 1, each first and second opposing supporting member 30, 40 is separated from one another such that a majority portion of the central portion of the base portion 20 (i.e., the width “A” of the head support region) is disposed within a region extending between each first and second supporting members 30, 40, thus defining the aforesaid head support region. As best shown in FIG. 2, each head side support member 30, 40 respectively extends from opposing first and second side end peripheral portions 24, 26 of the base portion 20.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the head support pillow 10 is defined by a front edge portion 12 and a rear edge portion 14. It is to be understood the front edge portion 12 is preferably configured to support the upper neck/bottom head portion of a person while the rear edge portion 14 is configured to be disposed in proximity to the top head portion of a person while lying in a back position. The head support members 30, 40 are generally configured to envelope the side and back of the head for supporting and maintaining a back-sleeping position.

[0023] As further described below, the head support pillow 10 preferably has a contoured and rounded shape configured to accommodate (follow) the natural shape of a head and neck portion of a person. As shown in FIG. 1, the front edge portion 12 may be configured to flair its base portion 20 to accommodate the top of the shoulder portion of a person. The two head support members 30, 40 angularly extend from the base portion 20 are specifically angled (relative to the base portion 20) for securely, and comfortably, supporting the back head portion of a person while in a back-sleeping or lying position. More specifically, the head support members 30, 40 are configured and angularly extend from the base portion 20 to support sideways movement of the head so it remains in an upright, restful position of a person while in a back-sleeping or lying position.

[0024] In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the support pillow 10 is preferably a unitary structure having an inner cavity portion filled with a suitable filler material, such as an hypoallergenic polyester material, gel or any other suitable filler material providing a padded soft support surface while also providing firmness functional enough to support sideways movement of a head so it remains in an upright, restful position. Alternatively, the support pillow 10 which is curved, light and flexible, may also be formed to have an inflatable inner cavity portion making it particularly suitable for travel. Additionally, while the illustrated embodiment of the support pillow 10 depicts the two head support members 30, 40 formed unitary with the base portion 10, it is to be understood the two head support members 30, 40 may separately attach to base portion 20 through any know means (e.g., a Velcro assembly) so as to be adjustable relative to one another.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 4, the support pillow 10 may include a removable fitted pillow cover 100. The fitted cover 100 may be formed of spandex, satin, velvet or any suitable material having sufficient stretch qualities. An advantage of a fitted cover 100 is it is separately washable and replaceable relative to the pillow 10. The removable fitted pillow cover 100 may further be provided with pocket/sleeve member that faces towards a person's head when disposed upon the support pillow 10. The pocket member preferably defines an open end defining an inner cavity portion. Preferably, the inner cavity portion of the pocket member is configured for removable insertion of a thermodynamic pack member therewithin (e.g., a hot or cold pack). It is to be further appreciated and understood that such a pocket member may be provided directly on the support pillow 10, hence a support pillow does not need to include a separate fitted cover 100 for providing a pocket member defining an inner cavity portion configured for removable insertion of a thermodynamic pack member therewithin. Preferably, the pocket member is provided on a base portion 20 of the support pillow 10.

[0026] With returning reference to FIGS. 1-3, the front edge portion 12 of the base portion 20 is provided with a flared shape (e.g., a partial triangular cross-section) 22 configured to the support the top of the shoulder area of a person while lying on a back position. The back edge portion 14 of the base portion 20 is shape in a curved configuration. The base portion 20 preferably curves/slopes so as to round upward to a central portion 16 from each front 12 and rear edge portion 14.

[0027] With respect to each head support member 30, 40 they are preferably shaped to have a crescent configuration and extend angularly from base portion 20, in opposing directions, so as to accommodate and form (envelope) to the shape of a person's head disposed therebetween to comfortably support a person's head while preventing the head from turning too far in either direction. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the flared shaped 22 front edge portion 12 of the base 20 extends beyond a terminating front edge portion 32, 42 of each head supporting member 30, 40 while a terminating rear edge portion 34, 44 of each head supporting member 30, 40 lays in a plane substantially parallel to that of the rear edge portion 14 of the base 10 whereby a portion of each head supporting member 30, 40 overlaps opposing first and second side end peripheral portions 24, 26 of the base portion 20, as best shown in FIGS. 2-4.

[0028] It is to be appreciated that support pillow 10 may have other various configurations, such as configuring the head supporting members 30, 40 to accommodate an acoustic speaker component (e.g., self-powered and sound programmed, or Bluetooth or corded coupled to a sound generating device) for providing sound or meditation therapy. Additionally, one or more panel members may be affixed to one or more portions (e.g., base 20, side members 30, 40) of the support pillow 10 for accommodation of aromatherapy components. Still further, the support pillow 10 may be configured to include a technology port to facilitate electronic communication coupling to an external device, such as a medical device, for enabling a medical device to receive medical data from a patient's head region, preferably via various medical sensors provided in the support pillow 10 that are communicatively coupled to the technology port.

[0029] With a preferred embodiment of the support pillow 10 being described above with reference to FIGS. 1-4, with reference now to FIGS. 5 and 6, another preferred embodiment of a support pillow designated generally by reference numeral 200 will now be described. It is to be appreciated and understood support pillow 200 is substantially similar to support pillow 10 described above as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, thus the description of support pillow 10 provided above is to be incorporated with regards to support pillow 200 in accordance with the illustrated embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The substantial difference being support pillow 200 includes a neck roll pillow member 250 to provide additional support for a person's neck region.

[0030] It is to be appreciated and understood it is widely recognized that conventional pillows do not adequately support the neck region of a person, especially the cervical spine, during sleep. This is because when a person lays his head on the pillow and the neck is in a neutral position with respect to the torso, there is a gap between the neck and the mattress/pillow end. The gap between the neck and mattress when the head is in a neutral position with respect to the spine is greater than the gap between the head and mattress. Whether a person sleeps in the lateral position or in the supine position, this does not change. Pillow padding material is usually moved by the weight of the head and neck, or nearly flat, i.e., the head and neck are moved significantly from a neutral position. Traditional pillows generally do not adequately compensate for the height difference between the neck and the mattress, with less padding at the ends of the pillow in the area of the neck than in the center of the pillow on which the head rests. Therefore, little support is given to the neck.

[0031] The lack of neck support provided by traditional pillows often leads to neck, shoulder, and back pain due to the neck's unnatural posture during sleep, especially when the subject is sleeping in a lateral position and the neck and mattress. When the gap between the ends of the pillow is maximized, shift the spine and apply continuous load to the weak part of the torso.

[0032] Accordingly, as described below with reference to support pillow 200 of FIGS. 5 and 6, further provided to support pillow 10 (FIGS. 1-4) is inclusion of a neck roll pillow member 250 configured to overcome the above mentioned deficiencies associated with lack of neck support in a pillow. With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the neck roll pillow member 250 preferably is formed by an elongate body portion 252 defined by opposing first 254 and second ends 256 configured for engagement with the base portion 20 of the support pillow 200. As discussed further below, the neck roll pillow member 250 is preferably formed to have a cylindrical configuration suitable for supporting the back neck region of a person's head. However, the neck roll pillow member 250 is not to be understood to be limited to such a cylindrical configuration as other configurations (e.g., an oval configuration) may be utilized suitable for the intended purpose. It is to be further understood the neck roll member 250 may be fabricated from any suitable material, including those discussed above with regard to support pillow 10 of FIGS. 1-4.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 6, the neck roll member 250 is configured and operable to preferably detachably engage to the base portion 20 of support pillow 200 such that a user detachably engages it to support pillow 200 when neck support is desired, and detaches it from support pillow 200 when not desired. However, the neck roll member 250 is not to be understood to be limited to detachable engagement with support pillow 200, as it may be fixedly attached to the base portion 20 of support pillow 200.

[0034] As best shown in FIG. 5, when the neck roll member 250 is detachably engaged to the base 20 of the support pillow 200, it preferably extends between the first and second side peripheral portions 24, 26 of the base portion 20 of the support pillow 200, whereby neck roll member 200 overlaps with a portion of the front edge portion 12 of the base portion 20 (FIG. 5). When attached to the support pillow 200, the neck roll member 250 is configured to have its first end 254 detachably engaged with a portion of the first peripheral portion 24 of the base portion 20, with the second end 256 of the neck roll member 200 being detachably engaged with a portion of the second peripheral portion 26 of the base portion 20 of support pillow 200.

[0035] In accordance with the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, to facilitate the aforesaid detachable engagement of the neck roll member 250 to the support pillow 200, each of the first and second peripheral portions 24, 26 of the base portion 20 preferably includes a respective engagement member 260, 262 extending from the first and second peripheral portions 24, 26 of the base portion 20. Preferably, each engagement member 260, 262 is configured for selective positioning engagement along a plurality of positions (e.g., 264, 266) defined by each engagement member 260, 262 with a respective pillow engagement member 270, 272 provided on the first and second opposing ends 254, 256 of the neck roll member 250. It is to be appreciated this selective positioning engagement of the neck roll member 250 to the support pillow 200 enables a user to affix the neck roll member 250 at a desired location along the longitudinal axis “B” of the base portion 20 defined along the front edge portion 12 of the support pillow 200. Thus, positioning of the neck roll member 250 relative to the support pillow 200 is not to be understood to be limited to the two positions (e.g., 264, 266) shown by each engagement member (260, 262), as this is only to be understood to be an exemplary embodiment. A noted advantage of this aforesaid selective position engagement of the neck roll member 250 relative to the support pillow 200 is a user can position the neck roll member 250 at a desired location along the front edge portion 12 of the support pillow 200 that is optimal for supporting a user's particular neck/head.

[0036] In accordance with the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, the cooperating neck roll engagement members 260, 262 and pillow engagement members 270, 272 preferably utilize a cooperating snap member arrangement for facilitating the detachable engagement of the neck roll member 250 to the support pillow 200. For instance, the snap members 280, 282 shown respectively on each pillow engagement member 270, 272 of the neck roll member 250 may selective engage a cooperating snap member 284, 286 provided on each pillow engagement member 260, 262 of the support pillow 200 to facilitate the aforesaid selective positioning of the neck roll member 250 at a desired location along the front edge portion 12 of the support pillow 200. As shown in FIG. 6, when detachably engaging the neck roll member 250 to the support pillow 200, a user merely deflects the opposing side support members 30, 40 towards one another to gain access to the neck roll engagement members 260, 262 provided on the base portion 20 of the pillow 200 so as to snap fit a snap member provided 280, 282 provided on the neck roll member 250 with a cooperating snap member 284, 286 provided on each neck roll engagement member 260, 262 extending from the pillow 200.

[0037] It is to be appreciated that while the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 utilize cooperating snap members (e.g., 280-286) to facilitate the detachable engagement of the neck roll member 250 to the support pillow 200, the illustrated embodiments are not to be understood to be limited to cooperating snap members as any suitable affixation means may be used including, but not limited to, a detachable strap member that extends from each end 254, 256 of the neck roll member 250 and around the bottom portion of the support pillow 200. Additionally, other suitable affixation means may be used such as Hook-and-loop fasteners, buttons, zippers and the like.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the neck roll member 250 may preferably be provided with a pocket member 290 on an outer surface portion of the neck roll member 250 that faces towards a user's neck region when a user's head is disposed upon the support pillow 200. The pocket member 290 preferably defines an open end 292 defining an inner cavity of the pocket member 290. Preferably, the inner cavity portion of the pocket member is configured for removable insertion of a thermodynamic pack member therewithin (e.g., a hot or cold pack).

[0039] Additionally, a back portion of the neck roll member (e.g., faces toward the support pillow 200 when affixed thereto) is preferably provided with an open seam portion for insertion of variable filler materials. The variable filler materials may be user selected. For instance, the variable fillers may consist of different sizes (e.g., both in width and diameter) for defining the size of the neck roll member 250 to support a particular size/configuration of a user's neck region. Further, the variable filler material may be of chosen to have a particular material density (e.g., ranging from soft to firm) to accommodate a user's particular desired need. The variable filler material may consist of any suitable filler (e.g., foam based, gel, polyster fiberfill, shredded latex, compressed air, and the like). It is to be appreciated that in another embodiment, the aforesaid variable filler material may be inserted (or removed) from a separate sleeve member (e.g., a cylindrical tubular member) which in turn is inserted into the back portion of the neck roll member 250 (e.g., via the open seam portion) for personalizing the neck roll member 250, as mentioned above.

[0040] It is to be appreciated and understood the variable filler material may consist of a unitary fill or a loose fill. For instance, when a unitary fill, the variable filler (e.g., having a cylindrical memory foam body) may be provided in various sizes (e.g., both in circumference and length) and having various material densities (e.g., from hard to soft). Thus the user may swap one unitary variable fill roller (via the open seam provided on the neck roll member 250) having a certain dimension and/or firmness with another unitary variable fill roller having a different dimension and/or firmness to accommodate a particular user's neck region and/or a user's current need with regard to firmness. And when the variable filler material consists of loose fill material (e.g., lucid shredded memory foam particles), a user merely adds more fill material to increase size and/or firmness, or removes such loose fill material (via the open seam provided on the neck roll member 250) to decrease size and/or firmness. It is thus to be appreciated that filler material may be added and/or removed from the neck roll member 250 such that the neck roll member 250 is adjustable in both its size and/or firmness so as to be personalized for particular user.

[0041] With the support pillows 10 and 200 of the certain illustrated embodiments being described above relative to exemplary illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 1-6, it is to be appreciated it is advantageous in that the function of its shape (with its head supporting members) supports a head in a novel way to promote back-sleeping as well as for medical and cosmetic purposes. It is preferably supportive and soothing, flexible and light, can be rolled or folded, making it very transportable. It can be used by itself or placed on a regular pillow for additional elevation if required.

[0042] With certain illustrated embodiments described above, it is to be appreciated that various non-limiting embodiments described herein may be used separately, combined or selectively combined for specific applications. Further, some of the various features of the above non-limiting embodiments may be used without the corresponding use of other described features. The foregoing description should therefore be considered as merely illustrative of the principles, teachings and exemplary embodiments of this invention, and not in limitation thereof.

[0043] It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the illustrated embodiments. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the illustrated embodiments, and the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements.