A METHOD FOR COUPLING TO A CHAIR A NECK PILLOW AND A NECK PILLOW FOR USE IN THE METHOD

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for clamping a neck pillow to a chair with a backrest and a headrest, comprising the step of providing a neck pillow with a deformable coupling element and placing the coupling element clampingly in an opening between the backrest and the headrest. The present invention also relates to a neck pillow for use in a method according to the present invention, comprising a deformable coupling element for placing in an opening between a backrest and a headrest of a chair.

Claims

1-16. (canceled)

17. A method for clamping a neck pillow to a chair with a backrest and a headrest, comprising the steps of providing a neck pillow with a deformable coupling element and placing the coupling element clampingly in an opening between the backrest and the headrest.

18. The method according to claim 17, the deformable coupling element comprising at least one of: a compressible material; and a gas-tight chamber.

19. The method according to claim 18, the deformable coupling element comprising a gas-tight chamber with a valve for supplying gas into the chamber or extracting gas from the chamber.

20. The method according to claim 19, additionally comprising the step of placing the coupling element in the opening and supplying gas to the gas-tight chamber via the valve.

21. The method according to claim 17 wherein the deformable coupling element comprises at least one gas-tight chamber with a valve for supplying gas to the chamber or extracting gas from the chamber and wherein the method additionally comprises the step of placing the coupling element in the opening and supplying gas to the at least one gas-tight chamber via the valve.

22. The method according to claim 17 wherein the coupling element has a circumference with two opposite wall parts, at least one of the wall parts comprising a notch directed towards the other wall part.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein both opposite wall parts comprise a notch.

24. The method according to claim 17, wherein the neck pillow comprises a support element with fastening element which abuts at least a part of the headrest, the method further comprising the step of fastening the fastening element around the headrest.

25. The method according to claim 17, wherein the neck pillow comprises a first side support for positioning near a first side of the headrest and a second side support for positioning near an opposite second side of the headrest.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the two side supports are coupled to a fastening element, and the method further comprises the step of fastening the fastening element around the headrest.

27. A neck pillow for use in the method according to claim 17, comprising a deformable coupling element for placing in an opening between a backrest and a headrest of a chair.

28. The neck pillow according to claim 27, wherein the deformable coupling element comprises at least one of: a compressible material; and a gas-tight chamber.

29. The neck pillow according to claim 28, wherein the deformable coupling element comprises a gas-tight chamber with a valve for supplying a gas to the chamber or extracting gas from the chamber.

30. The neck pillow according to claim 28, wherein the coupling element has a circumference with two opposite wall parts, at least one of the wall parts comprising a notch directed towards the other wall part.

31. The neck pillow according to claim 30, wherein both opposite wall parts comprise a notch.

32. The neck pillow according to claim 28, additionally comprising a fastening element for attachment around the head rest.

33. The neck pillow according to claim 28, additionally comprising a first side support for positioning near a first side of the headrest and a second side support for positioning near an opposite second side of the headrest.

34. The neck pillow according to claim 33, wherein the two side supports are coupled to a fastening element for attachment around the headrest.

Description

[0025] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing. The drawing shows in:

[0026] FIG. 1 a schematic side view of a neck pillow according to the invention during use on a car seat,

[0027] FIG. 2 a schematic top view in partial view of a neck pillow according to the invention during use on a car seat,

[0028] FIG. 3 a schematic front view in partial view of a neck pillow according to the invention during use on a car seat.

[0029] In the figures, the same parts are indicated by the same reference numerals. However, the parts necessary for a practical implementation of the invention are not all shown, due to the simplicity of the drawing.

[0030] FIG. 1 shows a neck pillow 1 which is coupled to a car seat 2. The car seat 2 comprises a backrest 3 and a headrest 4. As usual, an opening is present between the backrest and the headrest 4 in that the headrest 4 by means of two rods 5, 6 (see also FIG. 2 and FIG. 3) is movably attached to the backrest 3. The neck pillow 1 comprises a coupling element 7 which is passed through the opening which is defined by the two rods 5, 6, the backrest 3 and the headrest 4. The neck pillow 1 shown in the figures also comprises two side supports 8, 9 which respectively extend at a left side and a right side of the head of a user (not shown). This makes the head well supported when a user wants to rest or sleep.

[0031] The side supports 8, 9 extend from a front side of the head support 4 so that the head of the user will be at least partly between the two side supports 8, 9.

[0032] FIG. 2 shows that a rear side 10 and a front side 11 of the coupling element 7 are wider than the distance between the two rods 5, 6. As a result, a suitable clamping of the coupling element between the two rods 5, 6 and therefore in the opening, be obtained. Therefore, the neck cushion 1 will not simply be able to come out of the opening or otherwise shift. An intermediate part 12 located between the front side 11 and rear side 10 preferably clamps between the two rods 5, 6 with some compressive force.

[0033] In FIG. 3 a schematic, partially transparent front view of the combination of neck pillow 1 and seat 2 according to FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown. Clearly the side supports 8, 9 can be seen between which a user can place his head. Furthermore, a fastening element 13 in the form of a belt 13 with a buckle 14 is shown, also shown in FIG. 1, which ensures that the side supports 8, 9 do not fall away from the headrest. The side supports are coupled to the coupling element 7 and, due to their weight, however slight it may be, they could tilt slightly forward which could hinder a user. The belt 13 prevents this movement.

[0034] Preferably, the parts of the neck pillow 1 which come into contact with the head of a user, in particular the parts 8, 9, 11, may have a lower hardness than the parts which contact the seat 2, such as the parts 7 and 12. This provides a great degree of comfort to the user while the coupling with the chair is very good which further contributes to a great comfort.

[0035] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the figures. The invention is only limited by the appended claims.

[0036] The invention also extends over any combination of measures which are described independently in the above description.