CN212650640U

CN212650640U - Supporting unit

Info

Publication number: CN212650640U
Application number: CN201921740699.XU
Authority: CN
Inventors: 许章荣
Original assignee: Hotung Investments Ltd
Current assignee: Hotung Investments Ltd
Priority date: 2018-10-16
Filing date: 2019-10-16
Publication date: 2021-03-05
Anticipated expiration: 2029-10-16

Abstract

The utility model discloses a support element (10) for supporting a part of inclined human body, the support element includes flexible shell (1), the flexible shell has first sheet (5) and second sheet (6), first sheet and second sheet limit continuous inner space (7) together, filler (8) are held in inner space (7) for provide elastic support between first sheet (5) and second sheet (6), and restraining device (9) for limiting the distance between first sheet (5) and second sheet (6) at the position department in periphery (2) of support element (10), thereby lead to the inhomogeneous distribution of filler (8), in order to form different region (9a, 9b, 9c) that have different support characteristics.

Description

Supporting unit

Technical Field

The utility model relates to a support unit for supporting a part of a tilted human body. In particular, the present invention relates to a support unit, the firmness or thickness of which can vary in different areas.

Background

On average, a person may spend one third of his lifetime asleep. Sleep plays a vital role in the physical health of humans. Sleep not only promotes healing and repair of body cells, but also supports mental function in cognition, attention, productivity, and performance.

The use of a support unit is essential to provide proper alignment and support for a person's head during sleep. Conventional support units can deform with use and lack varying support characteristics to accommodate different sleeping positions. Usually, the filler inside the support unit is of a homogeneous type and is usually composed of feathers or synthetic fibers, which tend to move within the support unit and cause "sinking". The movement of the filler causes the supporting characteristics of the supporting unit to deteriorate with time.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

According to the utility model discloses, a support element for supporting a part of the human body of slope is provided, it includes: a flexible casing having a first sheet and a second sheet together defining a continuous interior space, a filler contained within the interior space for providing resilient support between the first sheet and the second sheet, the filler being made of a material having elements with edges and/or corners to reduce the flowability of the filler, and a restriction means for restricting the distance between the first sheet and the second sheet at a location within the perimeter of the support unit resulting in an uneven distribution of the filler to form different regions having different support characteristics.

In one embodiment, the restraining means comprise at least one restraint located in an off-centre position, the off-centre position being closer to the first main side than to the opposite second main side of the support unit.

In another embodiment, the restriction device comprises three restrictors, wherein the first restrictor is located at the eccentric position and the second and third restrictors are located at opposite left and right sides of the eccentric position.

Preferably, the second and third limiters are further away from the first main side than the first limiter.

In one embodiment, the at least one restrictor comprises a pair of cooperable members.

In another embodiment, the pair of cooperable members includes a pair of mutually engageable fasteners.

In yet another embodiment, the pair of interengagable fasteners are snap fasteners.

In one embodiment, the support unit has a contoured surface with a recess in the center of the contoured surface.

Preferably, the supporting unit includes a central region and two side regions on opposite left and right sides, the central region having a firmness or thickness lower than that of the side regions.

In one embodiment, the side regions are slightly elevated relative to the central region.

Preferably, the filler has limited flowability to prevent movement over different areas, thereby minimizing variations in support characteristics.

In one embodiment, the filler includes a first material that provides the primary support and a second material that mixes with the first material to reduce the fluidity of the filler.

In another embodiment, the second material comprises a plugging material.

Preferably, the first material is cotton and the second material is a foam fabric material.

More preferably, the first material is in the form of a cotton ball or a cotton wad.

In one embodiment, the foam fabric material includes a foam body having one side laminated with a layer of fabric material.

In another embodiment, the second material comprises shredded chips from a sheet of material.

Preferably, the second material comprises edges and/or corners.

In one embodiment, the restriction device changes the profile of the interior space by abutting at least one location on the first sheet with at least one corresponding location on the second sheet within the interior space such that the filler is unevenly distributed in the shell, thereby forming areas with different support characteristics.

Preferably, the support unit comprises a head support or a pillow.

Drawings

The invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a supporting unit according to the present invention;

fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the supporting unit of fig. 1, in which the restricting device is engaged;

FIG. 3a is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 1, showing a central region of the support unit before the restraining device is engaged;

FIG. 3b is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3a, showing a central region of the support unit with the restraining means engaged;

FIG. 3c is a close-up view of FIG. 3a showing the filling before the restraining device is engaged;

FIG. 3d is a close-up view of FIG. 3b, showing the condition of the filling after the restraining means has been engaged;

FIG. 4a is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 2, showing a recess;

FIG. 4b is a close-up view of FIG. 4a, showing the filler located within the recess; and

fig. 5 is a schematic view of a fill material.

Detailed Description

In order to make the objects, features and advantages of the present invention comprehensible, preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, but only to describe the spirit and nature of the technical solution of the present invention.

Referring first to fig. 1, a support unit 10 according to the present invention is shown for supporting a portion of a tilted human body, such as a head. The support unit 10 is substantially rectangular, having a perimeter 2 consisting of two longitudinal or major sides 3a, 3b and two transverse or minor sides 4. The support unit comprises a first sheet 5 and a second sheet 6, the peripheries of the first sheet 5 and the second sheet 6 being joined together to form the flexible enclosure 1 with a continuous interior space 7.

The housing 1 contains a filler 8 in the inner space 7, which acts as an elastic support between the first sheet 5 and the second sheet 6. A resealable opening (not shown) may be provided in the housing 1 to provide access to the filler 8 in the interior space 7. The first sheet 5 and the second sheet 6 are separated by the filler 8 except at the seam where the peripheries of the first sheet 5 and the second sheet 6 are joined, thereby forming a distance between the two. This distance may vary depending on the amount of filler 8 contained in the housing 1 and generally defines the support characteristics (e.g., thickness and/or firmness) of the support unit 10.

The support unit further comprises limiting means 9, the limiting means 9 being adapted to limit the distance between the first sheet 5 and the second sheet 6 at different positions within the perimeter 2 of the support unit 10.

When the restriction means 9 is engaged, the distance between the first sheet 5 and the second sheet 6 at a specific position is restricted. By limiting the distance at different specific locations, the contour of the inner space 7 is changed, resulting in an uneven distribution of the filling 8 throughout the inner space 7. This creates different regions with different support characteristics.

The limiting means 9 comprise at least one limiter 9a on the support unit 10. Each restraint 9a includes a pair of cooperable members having a pair of interengagable fasteners, such as snap fasteners. The cooperable members are provided on the inward facing sides of the first and second sheets 5 and 6 respectively.

Fig. 1 and 2 show an exemplary embodiment of the invention, wherein the restriction device 9 comprises three restrictors 9a, 9b, 9 c. By engaging the restrainers 9a, 9b, 9c, a particular location of the restrainers 9a, 9b, 9c on the first sheet 5 may be brought into abutment with a corresponding location on the second sheet 6. Thus, the engagement of the limiters 9a, 9b, 9c changes the profile of the inner space 7.

Advantageously, the three limiters 9a, 9b, 9c are positioned eccentrically with respect to a vertical axis a extending across the supporting unit 10, as shown in fig. 1. In particular, the first limiter 9a is located in an eccentric position on the vertical axis a, closer to the first main side 3a than to the opposite second main side 3b of the support unit 10.

Further, the second limiter 9b and the third limiter 9c may be located on opposite left and right sides of the eccentric position where the first limiter 9a is located, respectively. Preferably, the second and third restrainers 9b, 9c may be located further away from the first main side 3a than the first restrainer 9a, as shown in fig. 1 and 2.

Fig. 2 shows the support unit with three limiters 9a, 9b, 9c engaged, preferably by first moving the filling 8 away from the limiters 9a, 9b, 9c to the second main side 3b, thereby providing the clearance needed for engaging the limiters 9a, 9b, 9 c. The supporting unit 10 may be thinly divided into a central area 2a and two lateral areas 2b, 2c according to the different supporting characteristics exhibited in each of the central area 2a and the two lateral areas 2b, 2c to which the respective limiters 9a, 9b, 9c are coupled.

Fig. 3a and 3b show the side profile of the central region 2a before and after the limiter 9a is engaged, respectively. According to fig. 3a, the distribution of the filler 8 is uniform over the entire central area 2a, thus providing a substantially uniform support characteristic (e.g. thickness and/or solidity) over the entire central area 2 a.

As shown in fig. 3b, the confinement chamber 7a is formed with the limiter 9a engaged. By retaining a quantity of filler 8 in confinement chamber 7a (where filler 8 has a volume less than the volume of central region 2a prior to engagement of limiter 9 a), confinement chamber 7a is packed with filler 8 and exhibits increased thickness and/or firmness, thereby providing central region 2a with different support characteristics.

Similarly, in each lateral zone 2b, 2c, the variation of the support characteristics is also exhibited to a greater extent as the respective limiter 9b, 9c engages. In particular, the position of the restrictions 9b, 9c of the side areas 2b, 2c is further away from the first main side 3a than the restriction 9a of the central area 2a, resulting in a narrower restriction chamber (not shown) of the side areas 2b, 2c compared to the restriction chamber of the central area 2 a. This results in the side regions 2b, 2c bulging and exhibiting different support properties, i.e. a greater thickness and/or firmness than the central region 2 a.

Advantageously, the difference in thickness (or height) of the different zones contributes to the formation of a contoured surface on the support unit 10. Specifically, the surface of the support unit 10 may be manually shaped by appropriately applying a pressure or bending force at the central region 2 a. This facilitates the formation of the recess 11 at the central region 2a, as shown in fig. 4. The recess 11 is a desirable option for supporting a person's head in a supine sleeping position (i.e., sleeping with the back lying). Furthermore, if the person switches to a side sleeping position (i.e. sleeps lying on one side), a raised support will be required to support his head in that position. The increased height of the side regions 2b, 2c provides the required support when the person shifts to the lateral sleeping position, as shown in figure 4 a.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, the filler 8 used in the supporting unit has a limited mobility against movements for minimizing the movements of the filler 8 on the different zones 2a, 2b, 2c, thereby minimizing the variations of the supporting characteristics of the zones 2a, 2b, 2 c. As shown in fig. 3c and 5, the filling 8 comprises a first material 8a, for example in the form of a cotton ball or batt, the first material 8a being essentially a fine cotton yarn or fiber which is entangled and packed. The first material provides the support unit 10 with a mainly elastic support and the second material 8b is mixed with the first material 8a for reducing the flowability (movement) of the filler 8. Preferably, the second material 8b may be a plugging material which forms an interlocking effect between elements of the first material 8a, thereby reducing its tendency to flow or move. For example, the second material 8b may be a foam fabric material comprising a foam body having one side laminated with a layer of fabric material. The second material 8b may also be pieces shredded from a larger sheet of material such that they are irregular in their overall shape and the location and orientation of their edges and corners, as shown in fig. 5.

In the case where the second material 8b is mixed into the first material 8a contained in a narrow space (e.g., the restriction chamber), the space 8c between the elements of the first material 8a is filled to some extent, and an interlocking effect is generated between the elements of the first material 8a to prevent the flow. Fig. 3d and 4b both show a filling 8 which exhibits the described properties or effects. The use of the second material 8b in the support unit 10 minimizes movement of the filler 8 that results in deformation or "sink", thus reducing variations in the support characteristics (e.g., firmness and/or thickness) of the support unit.

By the utility model discloses, the support element can be configured to show different support characteristics in different regions to support effect and comfort level that improve generally are provided for the user. The above-described support unit may be used as a head support or a pillow.

Although the foregoing has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example embodiments for purposes of clarity and understanding, it will be recognized that the above-described invention may be embodied in many other specific variations and embodiments without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the invention. Although variations and modifications may be made, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details described above, but is to be defined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A support unit for supporting a portion of a tilted human body, comprising:

a flexible enclosure having a first sheet and a second sheet that together define a continuous interior space,

a filler contained within the interior space for providing resilient support between the first sheet and the second sheet,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the filler is made of a material of an element having edges and/or corners, an

The support unit further comprises limiting means for limiting the distance between the first sheet and the second sheet at different positions within the periphery of the support unit.

2. Support unit according to claim 1, wherein said limiting means comprise at least one limiter in an off-centre position, said off-centre position being closer to the first main side than to the opposite second main side of the support unit.

3. The support unit of claim 1, wherein the limiting means comprises three limiters, wherein a first limiter is located in an off-center position and a second limiter and a third limiter are located on opposite left and right sides of the off-center position of the first limiter, respectively.

4. The support unit of claim 3, wherein the second and third limiters are farther from the first primary side than the first limiter.

5. The support unit of claim 2, wherein the at least one restraint comprises a pair of cooperable members.

6. The support unit of claim 5, wherein the pair of cooperable members includes a pair of inter-engageable fasteners.

7. The support unit of claim 6, wherein the pair of interengagable fasteners are snap fasteners.

8. The support unit of claim 1, wherein the support unit has a contoured surface with a recess in the center of the contoured surface.

9. The support unit of claim 8, wherein the support unit comprises a central region and two side regions on opposite left and right sides, the central region having a firmness or thickness that is lower than the firmness or thickness of the side regions.

10. The support unit of claim 9, wherein the side regions are raised relative to the central region.

11. The support unit of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the filler has limited flowability.

12. The support unit of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the filler comprises a first material providing primary support and a second material mixed with the first material to reduce the fluidity of the filler.

13. The support unit of claim 12, wherein the first material is cotton and the second material is a foam fabric material.

14. The support unit of claim 12, wherein the first material is in the form of a cotton wad.

15. The support unit of claim 12, wherein the first material is in the form of a cotton ball.

16. The support unit of claim 13, wherein the foam fabric material comprises a foam body having a layer of fabric material on one side of the foam body.

17. The support unit of claim 12, wherein the second material comprises irregular fragments.

18. The support unit of claim 12, wherein the shape of the second material comprises a corner.

19. The support unit according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the support unit comprises a head support.

20. Support unit according to any of claims 1-10, characterized in that the support unit comprises a pillow.