Pillow

Abstract

A pillow may include a first arm and a second arm, and a connecting portion may be connected to the first arm and the second arm. The connecting portion may be sized and configured to allow the first arm and second arm to move independently. For example, the first arm may be rotatable relative to the connecting portion by at least about 30°, at least about 45°, at least about 60°, at least about 75°, at least about 90°, or more. The second arm may be rotatable relative to the connecting portion by at least about 30°, at least about 45°, at least about 60°, at least about 75°, at least about 90°, or more.

Claims

1. A pillow comprising: a first arm disposed in a generally cylindrical configuration, the first arm including a proximal end and a distal end, the first arm having a length measured between the proximal end and the distal end, the proximal end forming a base that is disposed generally perpendicular to an outer surface of the generally cylindrical first arm; a second arm disposed in a generally cylindrical configuration, the second arm including a proximal end and a distal end, the second arm having a length measured between the proximal end and the distal end, the proximal end forming a base that is disposed generally perpendicular to an outer surface of the generally cylindrical second arm; and a connecting portion having a generally linear configuration with a first end attached at least proximate the connection of the base and the outer surface of the first arm and a second end attached at least proximate the connection of the base and the outer surface of the second arm, the connecting portion sized and configured to allow the first arm and second arm to move independently from one another, the connecting portion having a length measured between the connection to the first arm and the connection to the second arm, the length of the connecting portion being at least two times smaller than a length of the first arm or a length of the second arm, the connecting portion having a thickness or diameter at least two times smaller than a thickness or diameter of the first arm or a thickness or diameter of the second arm; wherein the connecting portion is configured to not push a user's head upwardly when the user is in a generally horizontal or prone position; and wherein the connecting portion is configured to not push the head forwardly when the user is in a generally upright or sitting position.

2. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the connecting portion is at least three times smaller than the diameter of the first arm or the diameter of the second arm.

3. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the length of the connecting portion is at least three times smaller than the length of the first arm or the length of the second arm.

4. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the first arm is rotatable relative to the connecting portion by at least ninety degrees; and wherein the second arm is rotatable relative to the connecting portion by at least ninety degrees.

5. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is aligned with the proximal end of the first arm when the pillow is in a generally U-shaped configuration; and wherein the connecting portion is aligned with the proximal end of the second arm when the pillow is in a generally U-shaped configuration.

6. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the connecting portion is at least four times smaller than the diameter of the first arm or the diameter of the second arm.

7. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the length of the connecting portion is at least four times smaller than the length of the first arm or the length of the second arm.

8. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the connecting portion is at least five times smaller than the diameter of the first arm or the diameter of the second arm.

9. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the length of the connecting portion is at least five times smaller than the length of the first arm or the length of the second arm.

10. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the first arm is rotatable relative to the connecting portion by at least forth-five degrees; and wherein the second arm is rotatable relative to the connecting portion by at least forth-five degrees.

11. A pillow comprising: a first arm having a generally cylindrical configuration with a rounded outer surface and a base; a second arm having a generally cylindrical configuration with a rounded outer surface and a base; and a connecting portion including a first end attached at least proximate a connection of the outer surface and the base of the first arm and a second end attached at least proximate a connection of the outer surface and the base of the second arm, the first arm movable relative to the connecting portion, the second arm movable relative to the connection portion, the connecting portion having a length at least two times smaller than a length of the first arm or a length of the second arm, the connecting portion having a thickness at least two times smaller than a diameter of the first arm or a diameter of the second arm; wherein the first arm and the second arm are movable between a generally U-shaped configuration, an angled configuration, and a generally aligned configuration; wherein the connecting portion is configured to not push a user's head upwardly when the user is in a generally horizontal or prone position; and wherein the connecting portion is configured to does not push the head forwardly when the user is in generally upright or sitting position.

12. The pillow of claim 11, wherein the length of the connecting portion is at least three times smaller than the length of the first arm or the length of the second arm.

13. The pillow of claim 11, wherein the thickness of the connecting portion is at least three times smaller than the diameter of the first arm or the diameter of the second arm.

14. The pillow of claim 11, wherein the length of the connecting portion is at least three times smaller than the length of the first arm or the length of the second arm; and wherein the thickness of the connecting portion is at least three times smaller than the diameter of the first arm or the diameter of the second arm.

15. The pillow of claim 11, wherein the first arm is rotatable relative to the connecting portion about a first axis; wherein the second arm is rotatable relative to the connection portion about a second axis; wherein the first axis is spaced apart from the second axis by a distance; and wherein the first axis is disposed generally parallel to the second axis.

16. The pillow of claim 11, wherein the first arm and the second arm are generally symmetrical.

17. The pillow of claim 11, wherein the first arm and the second arm are generally aligned along parallel axes when the first arm and the second arm are disposed in the generally U-shaped configuration.

18. The pillow of claim 11, wherein the first arm and the second arm are generally aligned along an axis when the first arm and the second arm are disposed in the generally aligned configuration.

19. The pillow of claim 11, wherein the thickness of the connecting portion is less than one-half a width of the first arm; wherein the thickness of the connecting portion is less than one-half a width of the second arm; wherein the length of the connecting portion is less than the width of the first arm; and wherein the length of the connecting portion is less than the width of the second arm.

20. The pillow of claim 11, wherein the connecting portion has a thickness less than one-half a radius of the first arm; and wherein the connecting portion has a thickness less than one-half a radius of the second arm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The appended drawings contain figures of preferred embodiments to further illustrate and clarify the above and other aspects, advantages, and features of the present invention. It will be appreciated that these drawings depict only preferred embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit its scope. Additionally, it will be appreciated that while the drawings may illustrate preferred sizes, scales, relationships, and configurations of the invention, the drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a pillow, illustrating the pillow in an exemplary configuration;

(3) FIG. 2 is a top view of the pillow;

(4) FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the pillow;

(5) FIG. 4 is a left side view of the pillow;

(6) FIG. 5 is a right side view of the pillow;

(7) FIG. 6 is a rear view of the pillow;

(8) FIG. 7 is a front view of the pillow;

(9) FIG. 8 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the pillow, illustrating the pillow in an exemplary configuration;

(10) FIG. 9 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the pillow, illustrating the pillow in an exemplary configuration;

(11) FIG. 10 is an upper perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the pillow, illustrating the pillow in an exemplary configuration; and

(12) FIG. 11 is an upper perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the pillow, illustrating the pillow in an exemplary configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

(13) The present invention is generally directed towards a pillow. The principles of the present invention, however, are not limited to pillows. Additionally, to assist in the description of the pillow, words such as top, bottom, front, rear, right and left are used to describe the accompanying figures. It will be appreciated, however, that the pillow can be located in a variety of desired positions or orientations, including various angles, sideways, and even upside down.

(14) The pillow shown in the accompanying figures and described in more detail below, which are exemplary embodiments of the pillow, may support various portions of the user's body. In addition, the pillow may be used in various environments and locations, such as at home or while traveling.

(15) The pillow shown in the accompanying figures may be to scale and/or one or more parts or components of the pillow shown in the accompanying figures may be to scale. The drawings, however, are not necessarily to scale. Thus, while the pillow shown in the accompanying figures may illustrate exemplary shapes, sizes, configurations, and/or arrangements, and these exemplary shapes, sizes, configurations, and/or arrangements may be to scale, the pillow may have other appreciate shapes, sizes, configurations, and/or arrangements depending, for example, upon the intended use of the pillow.

(16) One of ordinary skill in the art, after reviewing this disclosure, will understand that the pillow may have a variety of shapes, sizes, configurations, and arrangements depending, for example, upon the intended use of the pillow. One of ordinary skill in the art, after reviewing this disclosure, will also understand that the pillow may include any suitable number and combination of features, components, aspects, and the like. Additionally, while the pillow illustrated in the accompanying figures may have particular structures, styles, and configurations, it will be appreciated that the pillow may have a variety of suitable structures, styles, and configurations. Further, while the accompanying drawings may be to scale and may show the relationship between various parts and components, the pillow may have other shapes, sizes, configurations, and arrangements.

(17) One of ordinary skill in the art, after reviewing this disclosure, will understand that different embodiments may have one or more different parts, components, features, and aspects. Further, these different parts, components, features, and aspects may not be required in different embodiments. Additionally, it will be understood that different embodiments may include various combination of these parts, components, features, and aspects, varying upon the intended use of the pillow. A detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the pillow now follows.

(18) As shown in FIG. 1, an exemplary pillow 10 may include a first portion 12, such as a first arm, and a second portion 14, such as a second arm. The first arm 12 may include a proximal end 16 and the second arm 14 may include a proximal end 18. The first arm 12 may also include a distal end 20 and the second arm 14 may include a distal end 22.

(19) The pillow 10 may include a third portion 24, such as a connecting portion. The connecting portion 24 may be connected to the first arm 12 and the second arm 14. In greater detail, the connecting portion 24 may be disposed between the first arm 12 and the second arm 14, and the connecting portion may form at least a portion of a medial region of the pillow 10. For example, the connecting portion 24 may be connected to the proximal end 16 of the first arm 12 and the proximal end 18 of the second arm 14. If desired, the connecting portion 24 may be generally aligned with the proximal end 16 of the first arm 12 and the proximal end 18 of the second arm 14. The connecting portion 24 may also be connected to other suitable portions of the pillow 10.

(20) The pillow 10 may include a fastener or closure 26, which may be used to secure the pillow in a desired position and/or arrangement. The fastener 26 may be adjustable and that may increase the versatility of the pillow 10. For example, the fastener 26 may be adjustable in length. The fastener 26 may allow the pillow 10 to be used by people of different sizes and the fastener may allow the pillow to be adjusted as desired by the user. The fastener 26 may also allow the pillow 10 to be disposed in different configurations and/or arrangements. In an exemplary embodiment, the fastener 26 may be connected to the distal end 20 of the first arm 12 and the distal end 22 of the second arm 14. If desired, the fastener 26 may be generally aligned with distal end 20 of the first arm 12 and the distal end 22 of the second arm 14. The fastener 26 could also be connected to other suitable portions of the pillow 10.

(21) In addition, the pillow 10 may include an outwardly extending portion 28 such as a connector, tab, loop, hanging component, or the like. The connector 28 may facilitate movement, use, and/or storage of the pillow. For example, the connector 28 may allow the pillow 10 to hang from a structure such as a hook.

(22) As shown in the accompanying figures, an exemplary embodiment of the pillow 10 may include the first and second arms 12, 14 and the first and second arms 12, 14 may have a similar shape, size, configuration, and/or arrangement. For example, the first and second arms 12, 14 may have a generally cylindrical configuration with an outer diameter of about two (2) inches, about two and one-half (2.5) inches, about three (3) inches, about three and one-half (3.5) inches, about four (4) inches, or more. The first and second arms 12, 14 may have a length of about six (6) inches, about eight (8) inches, about ten (10) inches, about twelve (12) inches, or more. The ends of the first and second arms 12, 14 may be rounded or curved. The first and second arms 12, 14 may also have different shapes, sizes, configurations, and arrangements. For example, the first arm 12 and the second arm 14 may vary in length and one arm may be longer and/or have a different width, diameter, radius of curvature, configuration, arrangement, and the like than the other arm. Thus, it will be appreciated that the first arm 12 and the second arm 14 may vary in size, shape, configuration, and/or arrangement.

(23) The first arm 12 and the second arm 14 may be filled or stuffed with a material that is sufficiently dense to support various body parts of a user, such as memory foam, cotton, microbeads, beanbag filler, foam, wool, feathers, polyester, polyester pellets, seeds, silk, or the like. The first and second arms 12, 14 may also have different densities depending, for example, upon the intended use of the pillow 10. The type and/or amount of material may allow the first and/or second portions of the pillow to generally maintain their shape during use. The type and/or amount of material may also allow the first and/or second portions of the pillow to deform and/or resiliently deform during use. One skilled in the art, after reviewing this disclosure, will appreciate that different types and/or amounts of material may be used depending, for example, upon the intended use of the pillow 10.

(24) The first arm 12 and the second arm 14 may be movably connected by the connecting portion 24. For example, the first arm 12 may be movable relative to the second arm 14. In addition, the first arm 12 may be movably connected to the connecting portion 24 and the second arm 14 may be movably connected to the connecting portion 24.

(25) Advantageously, the movable connections may allow the pillow 10 to be disposed in a variety of configurations. For example, the first arm 12, the second arm 14, and/or the connecting portion 24 may be generally aligned in a straight line, disposed in an angled position, or disposed in a generally U-shaped configuration.

(26) In greater detail, the first arm 12 may be connected to the connecting portion 24 by a hinge-like feature 30 and the second arm 14 may also be attached to the connecting portion 24 by a hinge-like feature 32. Thus, the first arm 12 may pivot or rotate relative to the connecting portion 24 about a first axis of rotation and the second arm 14 may pivot or rotate relative to the connection portion 24 about a second axis of rotation. The first axis of rotation may be spaced apart from the second axis of rotation by a distance. In addition, the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation may be disposed in a generally parallel configuration.

(27) As shown in the accompanying figures, the proximal end 16 of the first arm 12 and the proximal end 18 of the second arm 14 may have generally the same size and shape. In addition, the proximal end 16 of the first arm 12 and the proximal end 18 of the second arm 14 may be separated by the connecting portion 24. Additionally, when the pillow 10 is in the generally U-shaped configuration, the proximal end 16 of the first arm 12 and the proximal end 18 of the second arm 14 may be generally aligned and/or aligned in the same plane.

(28) The distal end 20 of the first arm 12 and the distal end 22 of the second arm 14 may have generally the same size and shape. It will be appreciated that the distal end 20 of the first arm 12 and the distal end 22 of the second arm 14 may vary in shape or size. When the pillow 10 is in the generally U-shaped configuration, the proximal end 16 of the first arm 12 and the proximal end 18 of the second arm 14 may be generally aligned and/or disposed in the same plane.

(29) The connecting portion 24 may be filled or stuffed with a material that is sufficiently dense to support and/or provide cushioning to a portion of the user, such as the back of the head or neck. The material may be memory foam, cotton, microbeads, beanbag filler, foam, wool, feathers, polyester, polyester pellets, seeds, silk, or the like. The type and/or amount of material may allow the connecting portion 24 to generally maintain its shape during use. The type and/or amount of material may also allow the connecting portion 24 to deform and/or resiliently deform during use. One skilled in the art, after reviewing this disclosure, will appreciate that different types and/or amounts of material may be used to make the connecting portion 24 depending, for example, upon the intended use of the pillow 10

(30) The hinge-like features 30, 32 may allow one or more portions of the pillow 10 to fold, pivot, rotate, or bend. The hinge-like features 30, 32 may also allow the first arm 12 and the second arm 14 to move independently from one another. These hinge-like features 30, 32 may also allow the user to arrange the pillow 10 in a variety of positions in order to best support the user's various body parts.

(31) The fastener 26 may include two or more parts or components. For example, a first part may be attached to the distal end 20 of the first arm 12 and a second part may be attached to the distal end 22 of the second arm 14. The first and second parts of the fastener 26 may be selectively connected. For example, the first and second parts of the fastener 26 may be connected by a buckle, snaps, hook and loop fasteners such as Velcro®, tying, hooks, buttons, pins, zippers, magnets, and the like. The fastener 26 may be adjustable in length, which may increase the versatility of the pillow 10.

(32) The pillow 10 may be used to support the neck and/or head of a user sitting in a vertical, or near vertical position, while traveling or at home. Additionally, the pillow 10 may be used to support the neck and/or head of a user laying in a horizontal, or near horizontal position, while traveling or at home. The pillow 10, when used to support the neck and/or head of a user, may not force the neck and/or head in a forward or upward direction, which may significantly increase the comfort of the pillow 10. In particular, when the pillow 10 is in the generally U-shaped configuration and disposed about the neck and/or head of the user, the distal end 20 of the first arm 12, the distal end 22 of the second arm 14, and the connecting portion 24 may be generally aligned and/or disposed in a flush configuration. Because the thickness of the connecting portion 24 may be relatively small, such as two, three, four, five, or more times smaller than the diameter or thickness of the first arm 12 and/or the second arm 14, the connecting portion 24 may not push the user's head forwardly in the sitting position or upwardly in generally horizontal position.

(33) Advantageously, the pillow 10 may be used for the support of various body parts for a user sitting in a vertical, or near vertical position while traveling or at home. The pillow 10 may additionally or alternatively be used to support various body parts of a user laying in a horizontal/near horizontal position, or vertical/near vertical position while traveling or at home. The pillow 10 may support body parts such as the feet, legs, back, and the like. For example, all or a portion of the pillow 10 may be positioned below one or both feet of the user, which may allow one or both feet to be elevated. In an exemplary embodiment, the pillow 10 may be placed between the legs of the user. In another exemplary embodiment, the pillow 10 may be placed behind the back of the user. After reviewing this disclosure, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the pillow 10 may support, provide cushioning, increase comfort, and the like. Additionally, after reviewing this disclosure, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the pillow 10 can be placed in various locations and/or in different configurations. For example, the pillow 10 may be placed in a generally parallel, angled, aligned, or other configuration depending, for example, upon the user and the pillow 10 may be positioned in a desired arrangement proximate the feet, legs, torso, arms, neck, and/or head of the user. Further, a user may use more than one pillow 10, if desired. For instance, a user may use one pillow 10 to support a first portion of the user's body and a second pillow 10 to support a second portion of the user's body.

(34) Beneficially, two or more pillows 10 may be connected together, if desired. For example, the fastener 26 may allow multiple pillows 10 to be connected. This may increase the functionality and/or potential uses of the pillow 10.

(35) Although this invention has been described in terms of certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art are also within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is intended to be defined only by the claims which follow.