AU2013100263A4 - Jet Set Sleeper Neck, Head and Arms Support Travel Pillow - Google Patents

Abstract

The 'Jet Set Sleeper' Neck, Head & Arms Support Travel Pillow 5 The present invention relates to a portable self-contained Neck, Head & Arms Support Travel Pillow of innovative design and functional performance comprising an inflatable cell attached to a fabric sash by way of an incorporated pouch formed by a second sash flap positioned perpendicularly on the first sash. The first sash can be laid across either shoulder of the user. The sash is placed by the user over their shoulder in order to lie in the desired position being from the user's rear waist to the user's front waist. 0 The tail end of the front section of sash forms a pocket for the comfortable cradling of the users arms. The created pocket is secured at the user's Clavicle position. The position of the pocket, and therefore the position of the user's arms, is adjustable for personal comfort. The inflatable cell has its own hermetically sealed nipple for inflation/deflation. The cell inflation can be via mechanical means using a hand pump or orally. The Neck, Head & Arms Support Travel Pillow can be deflated entirely for flat packing and re 5 use during the next travel occasion. The Neck, Head & Arms Support Travel Pillow is ideally suited for use during any extended period of travel including but not limited to air travel, car, bus or train. It is also ideal for any person needing to sleep or just relax whilst restricted to a seated position. Fig 2 26--_ Fig 3 22

Description

1 The 'Jet Set Sleeper' Neck, Head & Arms Support Travel Pillow FIELD OF THE INVENTION [001] The present invention primarily relates to a portable self-contained inflatable neck support travel pillow for neck and head support incorporating an arm cradle. In particular, the invention provides a comfortable head and neck pillow for travellers on any seated travelling occasion where sleep or rest is desired, that is cheap to manufacture and has the versatility and adaptability to conform to the needs of travellers of any shape and size, and on various seat types. The pillow could be used during virtually any form of seated situation including plane, train, automobile and bus but also any long time seated scenario. Most importantly the present invention, by virtue of the arm cradling facility, also attends to one other factor in maintaining undisturbed sleep or rest on nearly any type of transport and that is the issue of the shared armrest. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [002] One of the most stressful forms of travel is in the economy-class airline seat. Nearly every traveller will try to sleep to while away the time stuck in the plane. The neck and head will invariably need support if sleep or rest is desired. As traveller nods off, their head will typically lean to one side or the other at an unnatural angle. This causes the muscles in the neck, usually the sternocleidomastoid and shoulders to tighten up, and neck pain results. [003] Neck support pillows are generally divided into two types being either a "solid" pillow which is filled with soft product, or, inflatable. Many of the solid non-inflatable neck support pillows are better suited to travelling by car, bus or train. Despite their reasonably small size they can still pose a packing problem for those with limitations of luggage space. Due to the space constrictions, the inflatable pillow is the preferred option for air travel in that such pillows are able to be deflated and packed away flat. [004] The most common inflatable Neck support travel pillow available is the horseshoe shape. Most of these have a number of negative characteristics. One in particular is the single inflatable cell that does not allow for the variation of support usually needed in different areas where the pillow contacts the body. For example most users would want substantial support at the area of the jaw/cheekbone/side of the head to assist in moderating head incline. The reason being the 2 user needs the pillow to keep their head in as negligible an incline as possible to avoid over stretching the other side of their neck. In order to achieve this, the common horseshoe type pillow needs to be fully inflated. This high pressure may be too uncomfortable for some users. Additionally the full inflation will have the 'nape of the neck' area of the pillow at full size which most users will find too large to allow them to recline their head back into their seat. [005] Similarly the solid neck support travel pillow stuffed with beans or other product has to be manipulated to achieve the two most important requirements i.e. to reduce the size (or volume of stuffing product) at the back (nape area) to help the leaning back angle, and to move the stuffing to the jaw/cheekbone area for head and neck angle support. Unfortunately the pillow will often lose that manipulated shape within a short period of time leading to discomfort and restlessness. [006] One of the other most common reasons to lose sleep/rest on a plane is the problem of the shared armrest. Whether the person sitting alongside you uses the front of the armrest or the rear of the armrest or their edge of the armrest, you can count on being bumped or at least touched incessantly during your trip. It may well be you doing the bumping, but in any event you will have your sleep disturbed. The answer to this is the "Jet Set Sleeper" Neck, Head and Arms Support Travel Pillow and its innovative design incorporating the adjustable arm cradle. [007] The rear sash of the "Jet Set Sleeper" Neck Support Travel Pillow is sufficiently long to drape over the shoulder of the user and reach down approximately to their waist at the back and the front sash lays down across their front to their waist and then loops back up approximately to their sternum area where the Velcro® attachments are located thus creating an 'arm cradle'. By using the arm cradle the user will never have to be disturbed by their fellow passengers bumping them at the shared arm rest. [008] It is a critical feature of the "Jet Set Sleeper" Neck, Head & Arms Support Travel Pillow that the back section of the sash draped over the shoulder of the user traps the sash in situ while the front section of the sash is held in place by virtue of the user's arms in the formed cradle. It is the inherent tension on the sash between the back of the user and the arms cradle that keeps the Travel Pillow in place on the user's shoulder, secure up against their neck, holding the user's head at a very slight but very comfortable angle. Even as the user falls asleep the pillow will not drift away from the key neck support position due to this designed tension on the sash. In addition the cradled arms will likewise not drift out of position.

3 [009] It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome at least some of the aforementioned problems or to provide the public with a useful alternative. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [010] The preferred embodiment being a portable self-contained inflatable Neck Support Travel Pillow to assist the user during any extended seated travelling period where sleep or rest is desired, said Neck, Head & Arms Support Travel Pillow including: an inflatable cell usually known as a neck support travel pillow capable of being inflated to a desired pressure within its manufactured limits; and an inflatable cell usually known as a neck support travel pillow made of PVC or other such inflatable materials; and an inflatable cell known as a neck support travel pillow attached to a length of fabric forming a sash; and an inflatable cell known as a neck support travel pillow with attached said sash that lays over the user's shoulder with the back section of the sash trapped between the user's back and the back rest of the users seat; and an inflatable cell known as a neck support travel pillow with attached said sash that sits over the user's shoulder with front section of the sash being draped across the user's chest with the facility incorporated to cradle the user's arms in a comfortable crossed position by virtue of the front section of the sash wrapping around the user's arms and attaching back to itself approximately around the sternum or upper chest position via Velcro® or some other such common method; and [011] Preferably said portable self-contained neck support travel pillow according to claim 1 wherein the said pillow can be inflatable. [012] Preferably said portable self-contained neck support travel pillow according to claim 1 wherein the said pillow is designed to be substantially round in end profile.

4 [013] In another embodiment the said portable self-contained neck support travel pillow according to claim 1 wherein the said pillow is designed to be substantially oval in end profile. [014] In another embodiment the said portable self-contained neck support travel pillow according to claim 1 wherein the said pillow is designed to be substantially triangular in end profile. [015] A portable self-contained neck support travel pillow according to claim 1 wherein the said pillow can be used on either side of the user's neck. [016] A portable self-contained neck support travel pillow according to claim 1 wherein the said pillow is designed to be substantially cylindrical in side profile. [017] A portable self-contained neck support travel pillow according to claim 1 wherein the said pillow can be made with solid material stuffing such as beads, beans or other common pillow stuffing. [018] Preferably said cell is attached during manufacture to the fabric forming the sash. [019] In preference said cell includes its own outlet and associated nipple to facilitate inflation and deflation. [020] In another embodiment the said pillow cell could be separate to the sash; in this embodiment the said pillow cell would be inserted into a cylindrical pouch incorporated into the sash and formed at the top-of-the-shoulder position with a second sash attached perpendicularly. The pouch could be formed by the use of Velcro®. [021] A portable self-contained neck support travel pillow according to any one of the above claims where the said pillow is attached to the fabric sash by insertion into an open fabric cylinder creating a pouch incorporated into the manufacture of the sash. The said cylinder of fabric is attached and positioned in the user's top-of-the-shoulder position along the sash. The cylinder is designed to create a pouch to accept the deflated or partially inflated pillow which when inflated to a reasonable pressure forms the desired shape and strength to hold the user's head at a stable angle.

5 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES [022] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several implementations of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the first sash front section 8 and the rear section of the first sash rear section 10 with Velcro® hook 16 and loop 18 sections shown. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the "Jet Set Sleeper" Neck, Head & Arms Support Travel Pillow, with the substantially round end profile pillow 26 made up from cylinder piece 25 welded to end pieces 15 with inflation/deflation nipple 14, attached to the sash 8 and 10 by virtue of second sash 4 being wrapped and secured by Velcro® hook 16 and loop 18. Fig. 3 is a rear view of a user 22 of the "Jet Set Sleeper" Neck, Head & Arms Support Travel Pillow, with substantially round end profile pillow 26, attached to the first sash front section 8 and first sash rear sectionl0; placed on the user's left side. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the "Jet Set Sleeper" Neck, Head & Arms Support Travel Pillow with the second sash 4 closed and attached to the first sash 8 and 10. The second sash 4 is secured to the underside of the first sash 8 and 10 with Velcro® hooks 16 to create the pouch for the inflated pillow 26 to be inserted as indicated by the arrows. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the "Jet Set Sleeper" Neck Support Travel Pillow with the second sash 4 as yet unsecured, attached to the first sash front section 8 and first sash rear section 10. The second sash 4 with the Velcro® hook 16 then creates a pouch when attached to Velcro® loop 18, which is then ready for the inflated pillow 26 to be inserted as indicated by the arrows. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the "Jet Set Sleeper" Neck Support Travel Pillow with the second sash 4 attached to the first sash front section 8 and rear section 10. The second sash 4 is shown partially moved towards the closed secured position. Also 6 note the Velcro® sections hook 16 and loop 18 (situated on the underside unseen). Fig. 7 is a front view of the user 22 wearing the Jet Set Sleeper (on their right hand side). The cylindrical inflated pillow 26 is secured within the second sash 4 which in turn is attached to the first sash 8 and 10. The arm cradle 24 is secured near the user's upper chest by Velcro® hook 16 and loop 18. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [023] The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Although the description includes exemplary embodiments, other embodiments are possible, and changes may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the embodiments and the following description to refer to the same and like parts. [024] The present invention relates to an inflatable neck/head support travel pillow 26 adapted to provide a user 22 with a simple cheap and flat packaged pillow that is adjustable to fit nearly any sized person who is travelling seated for any distance. While the present invention is intended for use in economy-class airline seats, it could equally well be used in any other seat and any other travelling scenario. [025] An important feature of the invention is that the neck support pillow 26 is attached to the sash 8 &10. In a preferred embodiment, the pillow would be inflatable for easy packing. [026] The inflatable cell is hermetically sealed and inflatable via inflation nipple 14. [027] The neck support pillow 26 can be made from inflatable PVC or from fabric stuffed with beans or the like. [028] The present invention allows for use on either side of the users neck. [029] A Velcro® 16 strip is fixed at the tail end position and on the outer face of the front section of the sash 8.

7 [030] A Velcro® 18 strip is fixed at the sternum position and on the outer face of the front section of the sash 8. [031] A possible method of attachment of pillow 26 to sash 8/10 would be during manufacture. [032] The preferred method of inflating the pillow cell 26 would be orally however mechanical means are also possible. [033] In summary the pillow 26 of the invention offers the user a neck support travel pillow with the adaptability for inflation to the users' desired pressure along with the versatility to be used on either side of the head without the said neck support pillow 26 losing its key position alongside the neck to ensure minimum head incline angle. Also provided is the use of the arms cradle 24 within the sash design, not only giving the neck support pillow its inherent tension and stability but also allowing the users arms the ideal position for comfort and support and undisturbed rest during extended travel. [034] Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope and spirit of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus. [035] In any claims that follow and in the summary of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprising" is used in the sense of "including", i.e. the features specified may be associated with further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims (5)

1. The preferred embodiment being a portable self-contained Inflatable Neck, Head and Arms Support Travel Pillow known here as an inflatable travel pillow, to assist the user during any extended seated travelling period where sleep or rest is desired, said Inflatable Travel Pillow including: 0 an inflatable cell capable of being inflated to a desired pressure within its manufactured limits; and an inflatable cell made of PVC or other such inflatable materials; and an inflatable cell made of PVC or other such inflatable materials and covered with a soft outer product usually known as flocking for faux suede; and 5 an inflatable cell attached to a length of fabric sash known here as the first sash; and an inflatable cell made of PVC or other such inflatable materials that is held in place within a pouch created by a fabric sash known here as the second sash; and an inflatable cell with attached said first sash that lays over the user's shoulder with the back section of the said first sash trapped between the user's own back and the backrest of the users 20 seat; and an inflatable cell with attached said first sash that sits over the user's shoulder with front section of the said first sash being draped across the user's chest with the ability to cradle the user's arms in a comfortable crossed position by virtue of the front section of the said first sash wrapping around the user's arms and attaching back to itself approximately around the upper chest or 25 sternum position via Velcro® or some other such common method; and

2. A portable self-contained neck support travel pillow according to claim 1 wherein the said pillow can be inflatable. 2

3. A portable self-contained neck support travel pillow according to claim 1 wherein the said pillow is designed to be substantially round in end profile; and, a portable self-contained neck support travel pillow according to claim 2 wherein the said pillow is designed to be substantially oval in end profile ; and 5 a portable self-contained neck support travel pillow according to claim 1 wherein the said pillow is designed to be substantially triangular in end profile ; and a portable self-contained neck support travel pillow according to claim 1 wherein the said pillow is designed to be substantially cylindrical in shape; and

4. A portable self-contained neck support travel pillow according to claim 1 wherein the said pillow 0 is attached to a length of fabric forming a sash that is long enough to reach from the user's rear waist over their shoulder down to their front waist line and then back up to their sternum area; and a portable self-contained neck support travel pillow according to any one of the above claims where the said pillow is attached to the fabric sash by insertion into an open fabric cylinder or 5 pouch incorporated into the manufacture of the sash. The said cylinder or pouch of fabric is attached and positioned in the 'on top of the user's shoulder position' along the sash. The pouch is designed to accept the uninflated pillow which when inflated to a reasonable pressure forms the desired shape and strength to hold the user's head at a comfortable angle.

5. A portable self-contained neck support travel pillow according to claim 1 wherein the said pillow 1-0 can be utilised on either side of the user's neck.