Beds – Support means for discrete portion of user – useable with bed... – For head or neck
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-16
2001-09-18
Trettel, Michael F. (Department: 3628)
Beds
Support means for discrete portion of user, useable with bed...
For head or neck
C005S644000, C005S637000, C297S393000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06289538
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a variable contour cushion for supporting a user's head when he is in a seating or partially reclining position.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Attempting to relax in a seated or semi-reclining position for an extended period of time can be fatiguing for the muscles of the neck and shoulders. This is particularly true when one is seated in an airplane, bus or automobile. The attempt at relaxation of muscles on one side of the mid-saggital plane of the head causes the head to droop in the opposite direction. Similarly, relaxation of the muscles in the back of the head and shoulders causes the head to droop forward which may result in muscle and skeletal pain and a general discomfort particularly when one is attempting to relax or sleep.
One method of dealing with this problem is to use head pillows or cushions to attempt to support the head with respect to the rest of the body. However, because such devices are soft to the degree that they do not retain a particular required shape, they do not support a user's head well. As a consequence, even though the head may be supported somewhat, muscle soreness and neck strain often result.
Devices in the prior art have attempted to deal with this problem in a number of ways. Some prior art head support devices are cushions which rely on their bulk and deformability to provide support for the head. However, they do not conform acceptably to fit the contours of the human head, neck and shoulder area. Like common bed pillows and cushions, such devices lack the shape retention necessary for proper head support. U.S. Pat. No. 4,679,262 to Davis et al., discloses a cushion for supporting the head of the user comprising a relatively stiff body constituting a segment of a torus. The device of Davis, et al. is shaped such that its body extends from a location adjacent to the mastoid process behind the user's ear forwardly under the chin to a point beyond the mid-sagittal plane to the mental terminus of the user's mandible. The invention of Davis et al., however, requires that the head recline at a relatively acute angle in order to pin the device between the head and shoulder of a user. As a consequence, a user's head is not held in a comfortable position. U.S. Pat. No. 4,617,691 to Monti et al. discloses a generally rectangular support pillow adapted to be removably secured circumjacent a user's neck. The device of Monti et al., has wedge-shaped pillow segments intended to support a user's head in a number of different positions. Disadvantageously, the collar-like shape of the device is cumbersome while not providing sufficient vertical support so that the head is in an acceptably upright position.
Other devices rely on a horseshoe-shaped configurations in order to provide support to a particular anatomical portion of the head and or neck. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,345,347 to Cantor discloses a C-shaped cushion having a thickened central portion contoured to fit behind the neck of a user as high as a user's occipital ridge wherein the arms of the “C” are configured to fit on either side of the user's neck. The device of Cantor provides little lateral support, however, and therefore requires the user's neck muscles to continue supporting the weight of the head.
Many people prefer an adjustable head support which permits the user to change the relative position of the head to the neck and shoulders. Adjustability allows an individual to vary critical dimensions of a support and thereby help to further avoid fatigue, particularly when the support is being used for a long period. Similarly, the ability to reduce the size of a support for transport and storage is of particular advantage especially when the support will be carried in luggage when not being used. There is therefore a need for a cushioned head support that will permit the user to hold the head in a reasonably upright position while resting the muscles of both sides of the neck and shoulders. There is also a need for a support having variable dimensions and contours so that it me be variably adjusted by a user and can be transported and stored with relative ease.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to cushions and devices for supporting the head with respect to the body and, more specifically, pertains to a contoured pillow which is selectively positionable adjacent a person's head, neck and shoulders such that it provides a comfortable support for the person's head and neck. In addition, the present invention provides means for adapting other devices, such an alarm clock, portable radio, headphone or other audio device, to use therewith.
This invention provides a resilient cushion means having contoured surfaces that fit comfortably on the shoulder and side of the face of a user. In some preferred embodiments, the resilient cushion extends upwardly at least to the level of the user's ear in order to comfortably support the head and to provide an aural, that is, auditory, connection between the user's ear and an audio device disposed within a pocket on the resilient cushion. In some preferred embodiments, an air-inflatable bladder is provided as one means to vary the shape and compressibility of the device while in use. The resilient cushion is provided with one or more means for helping it maintain its position with respect to portions of the user's body and with respect to a chair in which the user may be sitting.
The resilient cushion portion of the invention includes optionally one or more pockets for retaining an one or more audio devices such as a radio, alarm, or tape player to provide entertainment or soothing sounds to a user. Alternatively, a pocket may be used to house an alarm clock or clock radio. An attachment strap can also be provided for attaching the headphones of, for example, an airline radio or television so that a user of the present device can relax while listening to entertainment having an audio aspect. The present invention also provides a positioning scrim constructed and arranged to be interposed between the user's back and a chair in which he is sitting in order to position the resilient cushion with respect to the head, neck and shoulders of a user. In some preferred embodiments of the invention, an attachment strap can be positioned around the neck of a user for connecting opposite portions of the resilient cushion. Optionally, an ear hollow is provided in the resilient cushion element of the invention for comfort of the user and to allow transmission of sound which may be generated by an audio device used with the invention.
Furthermore, the present invention is compressible for transport and storage using one or both of the positioning scrim and attachment strap to provide means for holding the cushion in a compressed state.
In some preferred embodiments, the present invention is provided with a fabric body casing whose maximum dimensions can be used to control the shape and maximum size of the resilient cushion. Thus, the present invention provides a variably contoured pillow means that can provide adequate support for a user's head and be compacted for easy transport and storage.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a contoured resilient head support that can be comfortably and easily maintained in position on at least one side of a user's head.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide means for varying the size and relative conformation of the head support so that it may be adjusted by the user to fit comfortably.
It is a similar object of the invention to provide means for incorporating one or more audio devices into the head support so that music, soothing sounds or other audible noises may be communicated to at least one ear of the user.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a head support of resilient material so that it may be compressed for transport or storage.
In accordance with these and other objects of the invention,
Anderson Chad C.
Shaffer Gary L.
Trettel Michael F.
Venable
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