GB2203628A - Neck cushion - Google Patents

Abstract

A neck cushion (10), for providing cushioning between a neck and a basin, comprises a cushion portion (12) adapted to receive the neck, and two flaps (16) adapted to secure the cushion portion (12) to the neck. A moisture deflector (14) can be provided to deflect moisture. <IMAGE>

Description

NECK SCION This invention relates to a neck cushion, and more particularly relates to a neck cushion for providing cushioning between a neck and a basin.

In hairdressing salons it is usual for a person to lean backwards over a basin when his or her hair is being washed. Usually the back of the person's neck is in engagement with the rim of the basin.

It can be uncomfortable to lean against the basin in this fashion. In order to reduce this discomfort, it is known to provide a padding on the basin. However, this padding is not an ideal solution, because its position is fixed, and the fixed position does not suit all people.

A further problem which is round in basins both silh and without padding is that moisture tends to flow between the neck and the basin; towelling is normally used to prevent this.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a solution to the aforementioned problems.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a neck cushion for providing cushioning between a neck and a basin, comprising a cushion portion adapted to receive the neck, and retaining means adapted to retain the cushion portion on the neck.

Advantageously the neck cushion further comprises a moisture deflector adapted to deflect moisture. This helps to prevent moisture from flowing between the cushion portion and the basin.

Advantageously also, the moisture deflector is a water repellant material such as neoprene. It is preferred that the entire neck cushion is made from water renellant material.

The moisture deflector is desirably arranged so that, in use, it covers the gap between the cushion portion and the basin.

Preferably the retaining means comprises at least one flap provided on the the cushion portion and adapted to extend around the neck. More preferably the retaining means comprises two flaps; the flaps can be provided on opposite ends of the cushion portion.

Each flap may conveniently be provided with securing means to enable the free ends of the flaps to be secured to one another. The securing means may comprise, for example, a velcro strip.

The cushion portion is preferably thicker than the rest of the neck cushion.

Desirably the cushion portion is flexible to enable it to follow the curves of the neck and to be disposed in close contact with the neck. It is also desirable that the flaps and the moisture deflector are flexible.

Sic the neck cushion according to the invention S separate from the basin it can be positioned to suit each individual person's neck.

Furthermore, the provision of the moisture deflector helps to prevent moisture flowing between the neck and the basin.

The moisture repellant nature of the neck cushion acts to protect clothes and towels from damage by shampoo, bleach and perm solution.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a moisture protection device for helping to prevent moisture from flowing between a neck and a basin, comprising a moisture deflector adapted to deflect moisture from between the neck and the basin, and retaining means for retaining the moisture deflector on the neck.

The moisture protection device may comprise a neck cushion as described above.

Reference is now maae to the accompanying drawing which shows a plan view of a neck cushion according to the invention.

In the drawing a neck cushion is generally designated 10.

The cushion 10 comprises a cushion portion 12 to which a moisture deflector 14 is secured, and to which retaining means in the form of two flaps 16 are secured.

The cushion portion 12 comprises a substantially rectangular strip which is of greater thickness than the flaps 16 and the moisture deflector 14.

The cushion 10 has two opposite ends is, to which the flaps 16 are secured. Also, the cushion 10 has a lower edge 20 and an upper edge 22; the moisture deflector 14 is secured to the upper edge 22 along the entire length thereof. The cushion has a necS-receiving surface 24 and a basin-engaging surface 26.

The flaps 16 are provided with securing means in the form of two velcro pads 28 which enable the free ends 30 of the flaps to be secured to one another. Also, each flap 16 includes a recess 32, which helps the flaps 16 to fit around the neck.

The cushion 10 can be made entirely of a water repellant material such as neoprene.

In use, the neck-receiving surface 24 is brought into engagement with a person's neck and the flaps 16 are wrapped around the neck. The free ends 30 are secured to one another by means of the velcro pads 28. This retains the cushion 10 on the neck.

The cushion portion 12 is arranged so that, in use, the upper edge 22 is above the lower edge 20, i.e., the upper edge 22 is nearer to the top of the person's head than the lower edge 20. Thus, the moisture deflector 14 extends upwardly from the upper edge 22. However, the moisture deflector 14 is a flexible material so the end not secured to the upper edge 22 extends downwardly under the influence of gravity.

Usually the cushion portion 12 receives the back of the person's neck, whilst the flaps 16 extend around the front of the neck.

When the cushion 10 has been retained on the neck, the person can lean back to bring the cushion portion 12 into engagement with a basin; the basin may have a recessed portion adapted to receive the neck.

The basin-engaging surface 26 can engage the basin and the cushion portion 12 serves to cushion the neck from the basin. The moisture deflector 18 extends into the basin and covers the gap between the cushion portion 12 and the basin. Thus, the deflector 18 deflects moisture to help to prevent any moisture from flowing between the cushion portion 12 and the basin. The water repellant nature of the cushion 10 also helps with this.

The basin may be any type of basin used for washing including sinks and baths.

The neck cushion can be used for any treatment to a persons hair including perms, adding colours, and so on.

Claims (10)

1. A neck cushion for providing cushioning between a neck and a basin, comprising a cushion portion adapted to receive the neck, and retaining means adapted to retain the cushion portion on the neck.

2. A neck cushion according to Claim 1, further comprising a moisture deflector adapted to deflect moisture, whereby the flow of moisture between the neck and the basin is restricted.

3. A neck cushion according to Claim 2, wherein the moisture deflector is a water repellant material.

4. A neck cushion according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein the moisture deflector is arranged so that, in use, it covers the gap between the cushion portion and the raisin.

5. A neck cushion according to Claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the moisture deflector is flexible.

6. A neck cushion according to any preceding claim, wherein the retaining means comprises at least one flap provided on the cushion portion and adapted to extend around the neck.

7. A neck cushion according to any preceding claim, wherein the retaining means comprises two flaps each adapted to extend around the neck, the flaps being provided at opposite ends of the cushion portion.

8. A neck cushion according to Claim 7, wherein each flap is provided with securing means to enable the free ends of the flaps to be secured to one another.

9. A neck cushion according to any preceding claim, wherein the cushion portion is flexible to enable it to follow the curve of the neck and to be disposed in close contact with the neck.

10. A neck cushion substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.