Beds – Support means for discrete portion of user – useable with bed... – Simultaneous support for multiple body portions
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-04
2001-05-08
Grosz, Alexander (Department: 3628)
Beds
Support means for discrete portion of user, useable with bed...
Simultaneous support for multiple body portions
C005S636000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06226817
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are many disclosures of pillows in the prior art, all of which are aimed at providing an aid to deep, prolonged, satisfying sleep. Although there are many sleep disorders or conditions that hinder satisfying sleep, one category is known by the common name of reflux or acid reflux which is a simplification of the term gastroesophageal or laryngopharyngeal reflux. Basically, stomach contents are periodically belched upwardly into the esophagus, leaving an uncomfortable or burning sensation behind the breast bone, as high as at the base of the throat or even up to the mouth. Acid reflux occurs in a wide spectrum of symptoms, the more acute of which hinder or prevent satisfying sleep.
Although drugs are available to treat persistent acid reflux, one of the first suggested treatments is to elevate the head during sleep. It is not sufficient simply to put two pillows under the person's head. Both the head and thorax of the person must be elevated with any hope of alleviating the symptoms of acid reflux. But, properly done, this simple approach is effective, to a greater or lesser extent, with a large number of people suffering from acid reflux. It is accordingly not surprising that a number of pillow constructions have been proposed to aid in overcoming the symptoms of acid reflux and thereby promote deep, prolonged, satisfying sleep. It is this type device to which this invention most nearly relates.
Disclosures relevant to the disclosure of this invention are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,648,308; 4,850,067; 4,850,068; 4,853,993; 4,918,774; 5,479,667; 5,581,831; 5,797,154; 6,003,177; 6,006,381 and 6,052,849.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In this invention, a pillow of complex shape is provided. A central part of the pillow is designed to elevate the user's head and thorax while supporting the user's back when the person lies supine on the pillow. Lateral portions of the pillow are designed to support the user's head and shoulder when the user turns on one side.
To these ends, a central section of the pillow provides a wedge shaped ramp leading upwardly to a head support assembly. The head support assembly includes a central bulge adjacent the ramp for supporting the user's head when lying supine on the ramp for elevating the head and minimizing or eliminating any acid reflux reaching the mouth. The head support assembly extends laterally of the ramp and provides a pair of laterally extending wings, below the bulge, for supporting the user's head when lying on one side or the other. The pillow also provides a shoulder support section on each side of the ramp for supporting the shoulder of a user when the person lies on one side.
It is an object of this invention to provide an improved pillow.
It is an object of this invention to provide a pillow of complex configuration for supporting a person during sleep to minimize the symptoms of acid reflux.
A further object of this invention is to provide a pillow having a central ramp for elevating the upper thorax and head of a person lying supine on the pillow.
Another object of this invention is to provide a pillow having shoulder support sections laterally from a central ramp.
These and other objects and advantages of this invention will become more apparent as this description proceeds, reference being made to the accompanying drawings and appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2700779 (1955-02-01), Tolkowsky
patent: 3648308 (1972-03-01), Greenawalt
patent: 4850067 (1989-07-01), Latorre
patent: 4850068 (1989-07-01), Waldin
patent: 4853993 (1989-08-01), Walpin
patent: 4918774 (1990-04-01), Popitz
patent: 5479667 (1996-01-01), Nelson
patent: 5581831 (1996-12-01), Xiang
patent: 5797154 (1998-08-01), Contreras
patent: 5987675 (1999-11-01), Kim
patent: 6003177 (1999-12-01), Ferris
patent: 6006381 (1999-12-01), Tandrup
patent: 6052849 (2000-04-01), Dixon
Grosz Alexander
Moller G. Turner
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