Abstract
A pillow supports alternate regions of a user's head depending upon the recumbent position of the user. When a user is in a supine position, the user's head rests on a central neck roll region which supports the occipital region of the user's head, maintaining it centered around a saddle point in the upper surface of the central neck roll region. When a user rolls into a lateral decubitus position, the user's head rolls onto a lateral cranial support region such that the center of gravity of the user's head is positioned approximately at the point on the upper surface of the lateral cranial support region that provides maximal support.
Claims
1. A method for supporting a person's head and neck during sleep comprising: providing a pillow supporting alternate regions of a user's head in response to the user rolling into alternate recumbent positions during sleep comprising: a U-shaped body having a central neck roll region extending between two lateral cranial support regions which extend in a superior direction from the central neck roll region and is defined by a convex external side and a concave internal side which defines a cranial pocket between the lateral cranial support regions; wherein the central neck roll region comprises: an upper surface that curves convexly along a longitudinal axis and concavely along a transverse axis, thereby forming a saddle point at a center the upper surface of the central neck roll, an inferior side surface that is convexly curved along a vertical axis, and a superior side surface that curves concavely along the transverse axis and curves convexly along the vertical axis, thereby forming a saddle point at a center of the superior side surface; wherein each of the two lateral cranial support region comprises: an upper surface that is convex along the longitudinal axis and convex along the transverse axis such that each of the two elevated lateral cranial support regions have a height that is greater than a height of the neck roll region, a bottom surface that is substantially flat, an inferior side surface that is convex along a vertical axis, a superior side surface that is convex along both the vertical and the transverse axes, an internal side surface that is convex along the vertical axis and concave along the longitudinal axis wherein each of the two elevated lateral cranial support regions extend in a superior direction from the central neck roll region and define a U-shaped curved interior side of the pillow; positioning a recumbent person's neck on the central neck roll region such that a person's body extends away from the two elevated lateral cranial support regions.
2. The method for supporting a person's head and neck during sleep of claim 1 wherein the inferior side surface of the central neck roll region is substantially straight along the transverse axis.
3. The method for supporting a person's head and neck during sleep of claim 2 wherein the inferior side surface of each lateral cranial support region curves in a superior direction as it moves laterally along the transverse axis
4. The method for supporting a person's head and neck during sleep of claim 3 wherein each of the lateral cranial support regions has a first extremum located at a position which is superior relative to the saddle point of the upper surface of the central neck roll region.
5. The method for supporting a person's head and neck during sleep of claim 4 wherein the inferior side surface of the pillow has a second extremum located on a top half of the inferior side surface.
6. The method for supporting a person's head and neck during sleep of claim 5 wherein each of the lateral cranial support regions has a third extremum located on a bottom half of the region's superior side surface.
7. The method for supporting a person's head and neck during sleep of claim 6 wherein each of the lateral cranial support regions has a lateral side that is convex along both the vertical axis and the longitudinal axes.
8. The method for supporting a person's head and neck during sleep of claim 7 wherein each of the lateral cranial support regions has an extremal ridge along the region's lateral side which extends from the first extremum to the second extremum.
9. The method for supporting a person's head and neck during sleep of claim 1 wherein a bottom surface of the central neck roll region is substantially flat.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0025] FIG. 1a is a top view of an ergonomic pillow in accordance with the principles of the invention;
[0026] FIG. 1b is a side cross-sectional view of an ergonomic pillow in accordance with the principles of the invention;
[0027] FIG. 2a is a side view of a user laying on his back using an ergonomic pillow in accordance with the principles of the invention;
[0028] FIG. 2b is a side view of a user laying on his back using a prior art ergonomic pillow;
[0029] FIG. 3a is a side view of a user laying on his side using an ergonomic pillow in accordance with the principles of the invention;
[0030] FIG. 3b is a side view of a user laying on his side using a prior art pillow;
[0031] FIG. 4 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of an ergonomic pillow in accordance with the principles of the invention;
[0032] FIG. 5 is a top view of a user laying on his back using an alternative embodiment of an ergonomic pillow in accordance with the principles of the invention;
[0033] FIG. 6 is a is a side view of a user laying on his back using an alternative embodiment of an ergonomic pillow in accordance with the principles of the invention;
[0034] FIG. 7 is a top view of a user laying on his side using an alternative embodiment of an ergonomic pillow in accordance with the principles of the invention;
[0035] FIG. 8 is a side view of a user laying on his side using an alternative embodiment of an ergonomic pillow in accordance with the principles of the invention;
[0036] FIG. 9 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of an ergonomic pillow in accordance with the principles of the invention;
[0037] FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a pillow in accordance with principles of the invention;
[0038] FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a pillow in accordance with the principles of the invention;
[0039] FIG. 12 is an inferior perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a pillow in accordance with principles of the invention;
[0040] FIG. 13 is a side perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a pillow in accordance with principles of the invention;
[0041] FIG. 14 is a superior perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a pillow in accordance with the principles of the invention;
[0042] FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a pillow in accordance with principles of the invention;
[0043] FIG. 16 is a side cutaway view of an alternative embodiment of a pillow in accordance with principles of the invention;
[0044] FIG. 17 is a top cutaway view of an alternative embodiment of a pillow in accordance with principles of the invention;
[0045] FIG. 18 is a superior cutaway view of an alternative embodiment of the pillow in accordance with the principles of the invention;
[0046] FIG. 19 is a side plan view of an alternative embodiment of a pillow in accordance with principles of the invention;
[0047] FIG. 20 is a top cutaway view of an alternative embodiment of a pillow in accordance with principles of the invention;
[0048] FIG. 21 is in a superior cutaway view of an alternative embodiments of the pillow in accordance with principles of the invention;
[0049] FIG. 22 is a top plan view of an insert for an alternative embodiment of a pillow in accordance with the principles of the invention;
[0050] FIG. 23 is an inferior perspective view of an insert for an alternative embodiment of a pillow in accordance with principles of the invention;
[0051] FIG. 24 is a superior perspective view of an insert for an alternative embodiment of a pillow in accordance with principles of the invention;
[0052] FIG. 25 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment an insert of a pillow in accordance with principles of the invention;
[0053] FIG. 26 shows is a top plan view an alternative embodiment of a pillow in accordance with principles of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0054] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0055] Disclosed is an ergonomic pillow that may be used to better align the spine, neck, head and shoulders to facilitate better posture, better sleep and better alignment of air passages that may reduce snoring and allow a person to be more rested. The pillow may provide substantial support at the neck and base of the head while providing little or no support to the middle and top or crown portion of the head. When laying on the side of the body, the pillow may also provide support to the shoulders such that a person is less likely to curve their shoulders forward during sleep, thus improving posture and rest.
[0056] FIGS. 1a and 1b show an embodiment of an ergonomic pillow 10 in accordance with the principles of the invention. The pillow 10 may include a toroidal body 12, which may be defined by an outer circumference 14 and an inner circumference 16. A hole or void 18 may be defined by inner circumference 16 inside the body 12. In this embodiment, the body 12 has a circular cross-section. Alternatively, the body 12 may optionally have an ovoid or polygonal or other cross-sectional geometry. The body 12 may have a height 15, which may optionally be adjustable to accommodate persons having different dimensions. Height 15 may be adjustable by inflating and deflating the pillow, by adding or removing stuffing or other material, or may be adjustable by other mechanisms.
[0057] FIGS. 2a and 2b show the use of ergonomic pillow 10 designed in accordance with the principles of the invention, and a comparative pillow 32 of the prior art. Ergonomic pillow 10 provides support for a user 22, at the base of the skull 24 and the neck. As a result, the spine, shoulders, neck and head align with axis 26, such that the shoulders, neck and head are very close to being parallel with a horizontal plane. In contrast, a typical pillow of the prior art 32 may provide substantial support at the back of the head 36 but little or no support at the neck and base of the skull 24. As a result, the head, spine, neck and shoulders align with axis 34, which has a much greater angle to the horizontal plane. Sleeping in this manner, aligned with axis 34, may contribute to postural/spinal misalignment complication for the user 22. In addition, ergonomic pillow 10 may come into little or no contact with the hair in the back of the head 28. Pillow 32, necessarily contacts much of the hair 28. As a result, user 22 awakes with their hair 28 in the back of the head substantially undisturbed when using ergonomic pillow 10, but awakes with hair 28 having what is referred to as bed head when using pillow 32. Thus pillow 10 may provide the added benefits of not disturbing a person's hairstyling.
[0058] FIG. 3a shows a user 18 lying on his side and sleeping on ergonomic pillow 10. FIG. 3b shows a user 18 sleeping on his side with pillow 32 of the prior art. Here it may be seen that, even when a user is lying on his or her side, ergonomic pillow 10 may support the user 18 at the base of the skull and the neck 24. In contrast, pillow 32 may provide support primarily at the middle of the head 36 and minimal support at the neck 24. Ergonomic pillow 10 aligns the back and head along axis 40. Pillow 32 may take the head substantially out of alignment, as shown by axis 42, which is not substantially parallel to the spine. Pillow 32 bends air passages, promotes poor posture, reduces the effectiveness of sleep and may cause a crick in the neck of user 18.
[0059] As may be seen in FIG. 3a, the height 15 of the pillow 10 is substantially equal to the distance between the shoulder and the ear of user 18 laying on his side. By using an ergonomic pillow 10 having a height 15 that approximates this distance, and provide support at the base of the skull 24, some of the disadvantages of the prior art pillow 32 may be overcome.
[0060] FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of an ergonomic pillow 50. Ergonomic pillow 50 may have a toroidal body 52 defined by an outer circumference 54 and an inner circumference 56. The inner circumference 56 may define a void 58. Ergonomic pillow 50 may have a more ovoid cross-section than ergonomic pillow 10. Nonetheless, ergonomic pillow 50 may still provide substantial support to the base of the skull and minimal support to the middle of the head and the crown area.
[0061] FIG. 5 shows ergonomic pillow 50 with a user 60 resting face up upon it. The base of the neck and shoulder may be substantially flush with outer circumference 54. FIG. 6 shows the base of the skull 64, near the bottom of the occipital lobe may be supported by pillow 50. The middle area of the head 56 may receive little or no support from ergonomic pillow 50.
[0062] FIGS. 7 and 8 show the ergonomic pillow 50 with a user 60 lying on his side. As when a user 60 lies on his side, here, the ergonomic pillow 50 provides support to the base of the skull 64 and neck. While the outer circumference 54 may be substantially flush with the shoulders 62. In this embodiment, ergonomic pillow 50 may provide some support to the temple area of the head, but nonetheless provides little support to the upper portion of the head.
[0063] The size of the hole running through the middle of the pillow may be larger or smaller and the circumference of the toroid itself may be adjusted to provide optimal comfort and support for an individual user. Memory foam or other materials may be used to retain strength, firmness and shape retention.
[0064] FIG. 9 shows an alternative embodiment of an ergonomic pillow 80 in accordance with principles of the invention. Ergonomic pillow 80 is horseshoe or U-shaped and approximately half the size of ergonomic pillow 10 of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. Ergonomic pillow 80 has a body 82 defined by an outer circumference 84 and an inner circumference 86. As may be seen from the previous figures, and ergonomic pillow in accordance with the principles of the invention may substantially support the base of the head and the neck, but may not support the middle of the head or the crown region. Thus, only parts of the pillow may actually be utilized by a user, and ergonomic pillow 80 may be preferable.
[0065] FIGS. 10-24 show an alternative embodiment of a pillow supporting different regions of a user's head depending upon the recumbent position of the user. When the user is in a supine position laying in the center of the pillow, the central neck roll region helps cradle the head from moving or tilting to the left or right. When the head is not aligned with the neck, maximum air flow is restricted and causes sudden bursts of snoring. While sleeping, pillow users often alternate their recumbent position, switching between a supine position lying directly on their backs, to a right or left lateral decubitus position lying on either the left or right side. Each of these positions require a different manner of support. The distance between the head and mattress changes significantly as a recumbent person rolls from a supine position to a lateral decubitus position. The present invention supports only the cranium when a user lies in a lateral decubitus position and provides no substantial support for the cranium when the user is in a supine position. Without being bound by theory, the inventor believes that the present invention provides a moderate amount of traction to the neck when a user lies in a supine position as well as a left or right lateral decubitus position. Thus, even while sleeping, a user may unconsciously desire to switch between positions in order to adjust the type of support provided by the pillow.
[0066] In describing the alternative embodiment of a pillow 100, the terms superior and inferior are used in accordance with their usage as anatomical directions in relation to a pillow's user riding on the pillow in the intended manner. The superior direction is a longitudinal direction oriented upward from the center of a user's body toward and beyond the head. The inferior direction is a longitudinal direction indicating downward from the head toward the body. For example, the two arms of the U-shaped body are said to extend in a superior direction while the bottom of the U-shaped body is on the inferior side of the pillow. The term saddle point is used in accordance with its mathematical definition referring to a point representing a local maxima along one linear coordinate and a local minima along an orthogonal linear coordinate. Similarly, the terms extrema, extremum and extremal are also used in accordance with its mathematical definition. In addition, the alternative embodiment of a pillow 100 has been described in reference to various surfaces. Because the entire surface of the U-shaped pillow body 101 is smooth and the mathematical as well as literal sense, there is no clear boundaries between the various surfaces and the description below should not be construed as clearly delineating distinct surfaces. Rather, the various surfaces may be seen to overlap. The structural features disclosed below that comes closest to being construed mobile as a clear delineation are the inflection lines separating the central neck roll region 106 from the lateral cranial support regions 108.
[0067] A pillow 100 supports alternate regions of a user's head in response to the user rolling into alternate recumbent positions during sleep and has a U-shaped body 101 exhibiting bilateral symmetry along a vertical plane aligned with a longitudinal axis 104. The U-shaped support pillow 100 includes three separate regions, a central neck roll region 106 and two lateral cranial support regions 108. The two lateral cranial support regions 108 which extend in a superior direction from the central neck roll region, thereby forming the two lateral arms of the U-shaped body 101. The U-shaped body 101 has an internal side 109 which curves concavely in the horizontal plane and defines a cranial pocket 110 sized and configured to accommodate an average sized head of a human. An external side 111 is convex overall, being substantially straight in the central neck roll region 106, and curving convexly in the lateral cranial support regions 108 as it travels laterally away from the central neck roll region 106. The external side 111 includes an extremal ridge 113 that is substantially horizontal in the central neck roll region 106 and slopes downward in the lateral cranial support regions 108 as it travels in the superior direction. The bottom surface 124 of the pillow body is substantially flat but may optionally be slightly curved, thereby imparting a more cylindrical shape to the central neck roll region 106 and more ovoid shape to the lateral cranial support regions 108.
[0068] The central neck roll region 106 has an upper surface 112 that curves concavely along a transverse axis 114 as it extends between the two lateral cranial support regions 108. The upper surface 112 of the central neck roll region 106 also curves convexly along the longitudinal axis 104, thereby forming a saddle point 116 on the upper surface 112 which is located closer to the external side 111 then the internal side 109. In this embodiment, the saddle point 116 is located approximately 75% of the way from the internal side 109 to the external side 111. Generally, the saddle point is located between 60% to 90% of the way from the internal side 109 to the external side 111. Preferably, the saddle point is located between 70% and 80% of the way from the internal side 109 to the external side 111.
[0069] FIGS. 11 and 12 shows the central neck roll region 106 having an inferior side surface 107 that is substantially straight along the transverse axis 114 and curves convexly along a vertical axis 118. The inferior side surface 107 is partially coextensive with the external side 111, as shown in FIG. 11. The extremum 105 is located in the top half of the inferior side surface 107. The superior side surface 120 of the neck roll region 106 curves concavely along the transverse axis 114 and curves convexly along the vertical axis 118, thereby forming another saddle point 122 located in the bottom half of the superior side surface 120. The superior side surface 120 is partially coextensive with the internal side 109 of the U-shaped body 101. The two lateral cranial support regions 108 are joined to the central neck roll region 106 on either side at inflection lines 115, and form mirror images of each other. Each of the lateral cranial support regions 108 has an upper surface 130 that is convex along both the longitudinal and transverse axes. The extrema 132 of each of the upper surfaces 130 lateral cranial support regions 108 are located proximal to the inferior side surfaces 138 of the lateral cranial support regions 108 and superior relative to the saddle point 116 of the upper surface 112 of the central neck roll region 106.
[0070] The superior side surfaces 134 of the lateral cranial support regions 108 of this embodiment are convex and include an extrema 135 that converges with the extremal ridge 113 in FIG. 13 of the external side 111 in FIG. 12. Thus it may be seen that the extremal ridge 113 slopes vertically downward as it travels in a superior direction along each of the lateral sides 137 of the lateral cranial support regions 108. The internal sides 136 of the lateral cranial support regions 108 curve concavely in a superior direction along the transverse axis 114, thus continuing the concave curvature of the internal side 109 and form a smooth curve with superior side surface 120 of the neck roll region 106. The lateral sides 137 of the lateral cranial support regions 108 is convex in relation to both the longitudinal axis 104 and the vertical axis 118.
[0071] The inferior side surfaces 138 of the lateral cranial support regions 108 curve convexly along the vertical axis 118 in conformity with the vertical curvature of the neck roll region 106. The inferior side surfaces 138 of the cranial support regions 108 curve in an increasingly superior direction along the transverse axis 114. Thus, although the inferior side 107 of the neck roll region 106 is substantially straight, the overall total inferior side of the U-shaped body 101 is convex along the transverse axis 114. This ensures that when a user rolls into a left or right lateral decubitus position, the user's shoulders is not supported by the pillow body 101.
[0072] Referring to FIG. 15, the internal side 109 of the U-shaped pillow body 101 includes three snap sockets 150 that may be used to removably attach a cranial support insert 170 described in more detail in relation to FIGS. 22-25.
[0073] FIGS. 16-18 show the location of a user's head 154 lying in a supine position and arranged such that the saddle point 116 of the upper surface 120 of the central neck roll region 106 is aligned with the occipital region 156 at the base of the user's head 154. The saddle point 116 as well as the upper surface 120 provides sufficient support to the neck 160 and occipital region 156 at the base of the user's head. The saddle point 116 is the location providing the maximum support to the head and neck. The center of gravity of the user's head is aligned with the vertical line 158. Thus it can be seen that by arranging the user's head 154 such that the occipital region 156 is positioned over the saddle point 116, the center of gravity of the head and neck is in a superior position relative to the location of maximum support. As a result, the head 154 is cantilevered over the saddle point 116, thereby providing mild stretching of the user's neck 160 to bring back the natural curvature of a person's head. This stretching of the neck 160 is mildly therapeutic.
[0074] FIGS. 19-21 show the position of a user's head 154 on one of the lateral cranial support regions 108 as a result of the user shifting position by rolling from a supine position into a right lateral decubitus position. As a result of the user rolling into a new recumbent position, his or her head 154 has moved such that it is supported by the upper surface 130 of one of the lateral cranial support regions 108 such that the center of gravity 158 of the head 154 is aligned with the extremum 132. The extremum 132 is the location of maximum support on the upper surface 130.
[0075] FIGS. 22-25 show an insert 170 that is removably attachable to the U-shaped pillow body 101. Insert 170 has a substantially U-shaped body 172 configured to lie flush against the interior wall 109 (shown in FIG. 10) of the U-shaped pillow body 101. The upper side 180 and the lower side 182 are both substantially flat. The concave internal side wall 174 and convex external side wall 176 are both also substantially flat. The external side wall 176 includes three snap posts 178 complementary to the snap sockets 150 shown in FIG. 15 above. The insert 70 may be removably attached to the interior wall 109 within the cranial cavity 110 defined by the U-shaped pillow body 101. Insert 170 may be used to accommodate persons having heads and/or neck that are above average in size. It is also used to allow for more head elevation for better breathing as more fat is deposited in the neck as a person ages. FIG. 25 shows the insert 170 attached to the U-shaped pillow body 101. The insert 170 is easily attached and detached from the pillow body 101, as desired by a user.
[0076] FIG. 26 shows another alternative embodiment of a pillow 200 for supporting the neck and head depending upon the position of the user. The pillow 200 has a substantially rectangular body 202 that is approximately 56 cm wide, 36 cm deep and 17 cm high to better fit a traditional standard pillow case. A 10 cm wide concave indentation 204 is positioned in the center of its distal side 206. The pillow 200 also includes a 10 cm wide raised edge 208 located along the center region of the proximal side 210 of the pillow 200, opposite to the concave indentation 204 of the distal side 206. Each lateral side 212 includes a semicircular indentation 214. In use, the neck a person lying on his or her back is supported by the raised edge 208 while the upper portion of the head is within the concave indentation 204. When the user turns to either a left or right decubitus position, his or her side face rests within one of the semicircular indentations 214.
[0077] Whereas, the present invention has been described in relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention. Descriptions of the embodiments shown in the drawings should not be construed as limiting or defining the ordinary and plain meanings of the terms of the claims unless such is explicitly indicated.
[0078] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
