EP3815578A1 - Travel pillow - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a neck pillow or travel pillow. In particular, the invention relates to a travel pillow (10) which is designed as a substantially U-shaped neck pillow and has a first leg (12) and a second leg (14) which are connected by a central part (16), the first leg (12) ends in a first leg tip (22) and the second leg (14) ends in a second leg tip (24) and the travel pillow (10) has a circumferential inside and a circumferential outside and a top (18), a bottom (20) ) and a central plane (M), characterized in that the travel pillow (10) has a reinforcing band (30) which runs from the first leg (12) through the central part (16) to the second leg (14).

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a neck pillow or travel pillow. Such pillows are often used to support the head when traveling, they are often U-shaped.

Background of the invention

U.S. Patent 7,657,945 discloses a hooded neck pillow which is U-shaped. An opening is provided on the outside of the U through which an inflatable inner cushion part can be guided into the cover. Opposite, a hood is provided on the inside of the U.

The present invention seeks to provide a practical and durable travel pillow in a simple and economical manner. The external design of the cushion and, if applicable, its outer shell should be very freely selectable.

This object is achieved by a travel pillow according to claim 1. Advantageous further developments are given in the subclaims.

Detailed description of features of the invention

A travel pillow according to the present invention is intended to be essentially a U-shaped neck pillow. Such pillows are common as travel pillows, they can of course also be used outside of a trip, since they offer good support for the neck and are accordingly generally perceived as comfortable for a sitting sleeping position. According to its shape, the travel pillow has a first leg and a second leg, which are connected by a central part. The U-shape also requires that there is a circumferential inside and a circumferential outside. The circumferential outside and the circumferential inside converge at the end of the legs. In addition, the travel pillow has an upper side which, when in use, is oriented towards the head of the user, and an underside which, when used, is oriented towards the shoulders.

Both legs each end in a leg tip. This could also be described as a horn. The first leg thus ends in a first leg tip and the second leg ends in a second leg tip. When wearing the pillow, the thighs partially provide support for the head of the user, but the thigh tips usually protrude freely forward over the neck.

The travel pillow also has a central plane which is arranged essentially centrally between the top and bottom. If the position of the central plane does not result directly from geometrical considerations, the plane that divides the weight of the cushion in half should be assumed as the central plane.

The travel pillow usually has a reinforcement band. This band should run from the first leg through the middle part of the pillow to the second leg. The band preferably runs from the first leg tip to the second leg tip.

The band should have a width of about 1 to 10 cm, preferably about 2 to 4 cm. The tape is typically between 30 and 80 cm in length. It is useful if the reinforcement band can at least be subjected to tensile loads. A textile material is suitable for this, especially a tape or a belt. Such material can be braided or woven or made in any other suitable manner. A tape is preferably used as a woven ribbon provided. It can be made on a needle loom, for example.

In individual cases it is also possible to use a rigid or semi-rigid material. Such a material can give the cushion increased dimensional stability, in particular it can preserve the U-shape. A material with a memory effect therefore comes into question, that is to say a material that is flexible, but which returns to a predefined initial shape as soon as there are no more bending forces applied. As a rule, this will be a U-shape in the context of the present invention.

In the context of the present invention, it is expedient if connecting means are provided on each of the legs, preferably the leg tips. (The provision of connecting means of the type described herein is also possible for cushions without a reinforcing tape.) Accordingly, a first connecting means can be provided on the first leg tip and a second connecting means can be provided on the second leg tip. These connecting means should be able to be connected to one another. The connection can be direct or indirect. In the case of an indirect connection, an intermediate link could also be used. The connecting means can, for. B. be mechanical. Velcro fasteners are useful, a hook / eye combination or a mechanical snap fastener is also useful. In general, fasteners such as those used to connect belts are useful.

Appropriate fasteners are buckles / buckles. A male connector interacts with a female connector. Such buckles are also available in particular as so-called click fasteners, which can be easily released by pressing on one or two (mostly opposite) points and can also be quickly connected without such pressure being exerted.

It is particularly expedient if the reinforcement band is connected directly or indirectly to the first and / or the second connecting means.

The connecting means can serve to secure the U-shaped pillow on the neck of the wearer by connecting the tips of the thighs in front of the neck. It can also be considered to connect the connecting means to one another for transporting the cushion. A more compact form of transport can be achieved. The pillow can even be folded or pressed more tightly than would be useful when it is carried, and the narrower folding and transport form can be secured by closing the connecting means.

The tensile stress that is transmitted by the connecting means would have to be absorbed by the cushion material itself, in particular by the cushion filling and / or the cushion cover, without the reinforcement tape. Doing so could overload and damage the pillow. This is especially true when materials are used that are not very suitable for absorbing tensile force. Loose filling materials such as feathers cannot absorb any tensile force. Foam can absorb tensile forces to a certain extent, but is easily damaged or even destroyed / torn in the process. With the cushion covers, which are usually made of soft textile materials, the absorption of tensile force is also only possible to a limited extent. In particular, it is also advantageous if the selection of a cushion cover can be made free of the requirement of having to absorb such tensile forces. This freedom means that, as a rule, softer and more skin-friendly materials can be used.

The connection of the reinforcement band to the first and / or the second connection means can be carried out in various ways. For example, it is possible to sew the connecting means to the reinforcement tape. Gluing is also possible. A mechanical connection is often useful. In particular, an anchor element can also be used here. Such an anchor element can be designed to establish a secure connection with a connection band that is not very tear-resistant. For example, the anchor element can have a base plate and a mandrel. The mandrel is passed through the reinforcement band and connected to the first and / or the second connecting means. This creates a sandwich construction in which the base plate of the anchor element lies on one side of the reinforcement strip and the connecting means or a connecting piece for the connecting means lies on the other side of the reinforcement strip. In this way, a secure connection with good tensile strength can easily be established. (The provision of an anchor element of the type described herein for fastening connecting means is also possible for cushions without a reinforcement tape.)

The first connecting means and the second connecting means can be connected directly to one another. It can also be considered to provide an intermediate piece or connecting link. The connecting means can be connected by the connecting member so that the pillow encloses the neck of a user. In this case, a connecting member can be expedient which ensures a certain distance between the first connecting means and the second connecting means. For example, a belt or a section of tape are useful. It is often good if such a section is stretchable and preferably also elastic. For example, a band section, in particular a woven band section, can be used as the connecting link. You can also choose a silicone leather strap section.

The connecting member is expediently connected to the first or to the second connecting means in a fixed or difficultly detachable manner. The connecting member can easily be connected to the other connecting means. For easy connection, the connecting member can have a type of buttonhole, for example, through which a button or a pin or a similar mechanical fastening means can be pushed.

Alternatively, the connecting means can also have an intermediate piece so that it is not attached directly to the travel pillow, but at a certain distance from it. For this purpose, the same materials can be selected as described above for the connecting link. For example, a band can be attached to a thigh tip of the travel pillow. An anchor plate or other anchoring can be selected for this. (The provision of an intermediate piece of the type described here for attaching connecting means is also possible for cushions without a reinforcement tape.)

Such a band can then carry a suitable, for example mechanical, connecting link. A buckle fastener is particularly suitable for this purpose. The distance between the buckle fastener and the attachment to the travel pillow can also be variable. A length adjustment can be achieved in this way.

In particular, the first connecting means can be connected to the first leg of the travel pillow with a first belt strap. The distance between the first connecting means and the first leg of the travel pillow can be adjustable. For this purpose, the length of the belt strap is usually varied, somewhat by means of a suitable belt leadthrough on the connecting means, for example a belt buckle. It can also be expedient for the second connecting means to be connected to the second leg of the travel pillow with a second belt strap. (The provision of a belt bath with length adjustment for attaching fasteners is also possible for cushions without reinforcement tape.)

It is particularly useful if the travel pillow comprises an outer cover and a pillow filling. The outer cover gives the pillow support and shape. The pillow filling can be chosen independently of the outer cover. This can be used to make the pillow haptically or in terms of color advantageous. It is also useful if the receiving space is at least partially enclosed by the pillow filling.

It is also useful if a closable opening is provided in the outer shell. This can in particular be closed with a zipper. The opening allows access to the reinforcement tape. This can then be removed or added independently of the filler material.

In the case of a cushion with an outer cover, it is useful if the reinforcing tape is guided within the outer cover.

The outer shell of the pillow runs on the outside as on the inside. It is useful if the reinforcement tape runs along the outside. For this purpose, the reinforcement band can be provided within the cushion cover adjacent to the outside of the cushion cover. For this purpose, the reinforcing tape can also be connected to the inside of the outer shell, for example by gluing or sewing.

The filling of the cushion is then located on the side of the reinforcement tape facing away from the outer cover. As a rule, the reinforcement tape is expediently not connected to the filling.

When the reinforcing tape is guided along the inside of the outside of the cushion cover, it is expedient to provide an opening in this area. The opening can run in a U-shape on the outside, that is, it can extend from the first leg of the cushion over the middle part to the second leg of the cushion. The opening follows the U-shape of the pillow. It is also expedient to provide a zip fastener at an opening of this type, so that the zip fastener also runs in a U-shape over a substantial stretch of the outside of the outer shell of the pillow.

Fig. 1

zeigt einen in perspektivischer Darstellung ein erfindungsgemäßes Reisekissen;

Fig. 2

zeigt in einer Seitendarstellung das Reisekissen aus Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

zeigt in einer Seitendarstellung von der gegenüberliegenden Seite das Reisekissen aus den vorherigen beiden Abbildungen;

Fig. 4

zeigt in ein Befestigungselement zur Befestigung eines Verbindungselements an der Hülle eines Kissens;

Fig. 5

zeigt in der Aufsicht ein zweckmäßiges Verbindungsglied;

Fig. 6

zeigt in perspektivischer Darstellung eine andere Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Reisekissens.

Further features, but also advantages of the invention, emerge from the drawings listed below and the associated description. Features of the invention are described in combination in the figures and in the associated descriptions. However, these features can also be included in other combinations of an object according to the invention. Each feature disclosed is therefore also to be regarded as disclosed in technically meaningful combinations with other features. Some of the illustrations are slightly simplified and schematic.

Fig. 1

shows a travel pillow according to the invention in a perspective representation;

Fig. 2

shows the travel pillow in a side view Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3

shows the travel pillow from the previous two images in a side view from the opposite side;

Fig. 4

Figure 13 shows a fastening element for fastening a connecting element to the shell of a pillow;

Fig. 5

shows in plan a useful link;

Fig. 6

shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a travel pillow according to the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a travel pillow according to the invention in a perspective view. This has a U-shape and is therefore well suited as a neck pillow. The travel pillow 10 has a first leg 12, which is the right leg when viewed from the perspective of a wearer of the travel pillow. Opposite it has a second leg 14, which is correspondingly the left leg. The central part 16 of the cushion lies between these two legs. The pillow has a top 18 which faces the head of the wearer when the pillow is worn. Opposite is the underside 20 of the cushion 10, which touch the shoulder and / or back of the wearer.

The first leg 12 ends in the first leg tip 22. Correspondingly, the second leg 14 ends in the second leg tip 24.

Connection means are provided on each of the two legs in the region of the leg tips, namely the first connection means 26 on the first leg tip 22. The second connection means 28 is provided on the second leg tip 24. The cushion also has a reinforcement tape 30. This reinforcing band 30 runs from the first connecting means 26 to the second connecting means 28. The pillow has an outer side 32 and an inner side 34. The inner side 34 faces the neck of the wearer when the pillow is worn. The reinforcement band 30 expediently runs essentially along the outside 32 of the cushion. So it encloses in relation to the center of the pillow (when worn in relation to the neck area of a wearer) the pillow material.

It can also be seen that a connecting member 36 is provided on the second connecting means 28. The connecting link 36 is designed as a short strap section. At one end, this belt section has three eyelets (not designated in more detail), which can be connected to the first connecting means 26. By selecting an eyelet, the cushion can be closed wider or closer; in other words, the distance between the first leg tip 22 and the second leg tip 24 is determined by the selection of the eyelet.

Fig. 2 shows the cushion 10 from Fig. 1 in a side view. The view goes to the outer side 32 of the cushion 10, which extends between the upper side 18 and the lower side 20. In this side view, the second leg tip 24 can be seen, in the area of which the second connecting means 28 is provided. The connecting member 36 is attached to the second connecting means 28.

The second connecting means 28 is fastened to the cushion with the aid of an anchor element 38, the position of which is shown in outline. The anchor element 38 is in turn connected to the reinforcement band 30.

Fig. 3 shows the cushion 10 in side view from the opposite direction. The view is again on the outside 32 of the pillow. The first leg tip 22 can be seen here, on which the first connecting means 26 is provided. The first connecting means 26 is also connected to the cushion by an anchor element 38. The anchor element 38 in turn is connected to the reinforcement band.

Fig. 4 shows an expedient anchor element 38. Such an anchor element comprises the base plate 40. This base plate has a central opening on. An anchor component 42 can be provided on one side of the base plate 40. The anchor component 42 shown is button-shaped and has a pin which can be guided through the opening in the base plate. This pin can engage in a connecting element 44 and thus establish the connection to it. The connecting element 44 can then serve, for example, as a first connecting element or as a second connecting element of the cushion. It is useful if the reinforcing tape 30 is guided along in front of or behind the base plate. The reinforcement band 30 can then also have an opening through which the pin of the anchor element or alternatively also the pin of the connecting element 44 is passed. This makes it easy to establish a reliable connection. The base plate 40 also ensures that the connecting element 44 is guided in a stable manner in the soft cushion. For this purpose, the base plate 40 can cling to the cushion cover approximately over its entire surface and / or press into the filling material.

Fig. 5 shows an expedient connecting link 36. This connecting link has an anchor eye 46. This anchor eyelet can be used to establish a permanent or difficult-to-detach connection to a lanyard. The connecting member 36 also has adjustment eyes; three adjustment eyes 48a, 48b and 48c are provided here. Depending on which eyelet is used to connect to another lanyard (in Fig. 1 the first connecting means 26) is selected, the result is a wider or closer fit of the cushion.

Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a travel pillow according to the invention. The basic shape of the pillow is the same as in Fig. 1 . In this case, however, other connecting means are provided.

In this case, both the first connecting means 26 and the second connecting means 28 are in several parts. The first connecting means 26 comprises a first belt strap 50. The second connecting means 28 comprises a second belt strap 52. Both belt straps are connected with a buckle 54. The webbing 50 forms a tab and is passed through a first webbing feed-through and a second webbing feed-through arranged in parallel. This enables length adjustment. In this case, a friction surface can additionally be provided on at least one of the belt feedthroughs, which prevents the belt 50 from sliding out of the belt feedthrough of the buckle 54. Opposite, the buckle 54 has a single belt opening. The second belt strap 52 is guided through this passage as a loop. Both ends of the loop are connected to each other. Therefore, on this side, that is to say for the second connecting means 28, the length of the belt strap relative to the second leg tip 24 cannot be adjusted. The belt strap can be connected to the second leg 14 of the cushion 10 by sewing or gluing, for example.

In addition, a reinforcement plate 56 is provided here. The ends of the second webbing 52 can be attached to this reinforcement plate 56 itself or to the cushion below the reinforcement plate. The reinforcement plate has a slot for the strap 52 to pass through. A corresponding reinforcement plate can also be provided on the first leg 12, in particular on the first leg tip 22, and serve to reliably fasten the first belt strap 50. (The provision of a reinforcement plate of the type described herein for attaching connecting means is also possible for cushions without reinforcement tape.)

The buckle 54 is in two parts. One part of it, for example the male part, together with the first belt strap 50, forms the first connecting element 26. Your second part, for example the female part, together with the second belt strap 52 forms the second connecting means 28. Since the quick release 54 is only shown in the locked state, the parts of the quick release buckle are not separated and completely visible here. A buckle can be equipped with a side release device or with a front release device.

Instead of a snap buckle, another typical buckle can also be used, for example a clamp buckle or a pin buckle.

In general, it is expedient if a belt strap and a buckle or a buckle part are used as the connecting means. It is also generally expedient if at least one of the connecting means has a length adjustment. The length can be adjusted by forming a belt loop and using two belt openings.

The buckle can be made of plastic or metal. In the case of manufacture from metal, for example, manufacture from stainless steel, and occasionally also manufacture from brass or from aluminum or die-cast zinc. If plastic is used for the buckle, acetal, nylon, or polyamide is particularly useful.

Overall, it can be seen how an expedient device that is suitable for mass production and can be used universally can be produced in an inexpensive manner.

List of reference symbols

10

Neck pillow / travel pillow

12th

right leg / first leg

14th

left thigh / second thigh

16

Middle part

18th

Top

20th

bottom

22nd

first thigh tip

24

second thigh tip

26th

first lanyard

28

second lanyard

30th

Reinforcement tape

32

Outside

34

inside

36

Connecting link

38

Anchor element

40

Base plate

42

Anchor component / anchor button

44

Connecting element

46

Anchor eye

48

Adjustable eyelet

50

first webbing

52

second webbing

54

Buckle

56

Reinforcement plate

Claims (15)

Travel pillow (10), which is designed as a substantially U-shaped neck pillow and has a first leg (12) and a second leg (14) which are connected by a central part (16), the first leg (12) in a first leg tip (22) ends and the second leg (14) ends in a second leg tip (24) and the travel pillow (10) has a circumferential inside and a circumferential outside and an upper side (18), an underside (20) and a central plane ( M), characterized in that the travel pillow (10) has a reinforcing band (30) which runs from the first leg (12) through the middle part (16) to the second leg (14). The travel pillow (10) of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing tape (30) extends from the first leg tip (22) to the second leg tip (24). Travel pillow (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which a first connecting means (26) is provided on the first leg (12) and a second connecting means (28) is provided on the second leg (14), which connects to the first connecting means (26) leaves and in which the reinforcing band (30) is connected to the first connecting means (26) and the second connecting means (28). Travel pillow (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the connection to the reinforcement band (30) for the first connecting means (26) is established with an anchor element (36). Travel pillow (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the connection to the reinforcement band (30) for the second connecting means (28) is established with an anchor element (36). Travel pillow (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the reinforcing band (30) is manufactured as a woven band. Travel pillow (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the reinforcing band (30) is dimensionally stable and has a U-shape. The travel pillow (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the first connecting means (26) and the second connecting means (28) are connected by the connecting member (36) so that the pillow encloses the neck of a panel. Travel pillow (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the first connecting means (26) is connected to the first leg (12) of the travel pillow (10) by a first belt strap (50). Travel pillow (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the distance between the first connecting means (26) and the first leg (12) of the travel pillow (10) is adjustable. Travel pillow (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the second connecting means (28) is connected to the second leg (14) of the travel pillow (10) by a second belt strap (52) The travel pillow (10) of any preceding claim comprising an outer cover. The travel pillow (10) of the preceding claim comprising a filler material within the outer cover. Travel pillow (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the filling material is foam. Travel pillow (10) according to the preceding or preceding claim, in the outer cover of which a zip fastener is provided.

Images