US20020063453A1

US20020063453A1 - Removable pillow attachment for pivoting armrest

Info

Publication number: US20020063453A1
Application number: US09/726,840
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas Terry; Cathy Terry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-11-30
Filing date: 2000-11-30
Publication date: 2002-05-30

Abstract

A removable pillow attachment for pivoting armrests. A cushion, such as a foam or bladder structure is joined to a support. The support may be an elongated board or rod, and in modified form, have an intermediate joint or hinge to permit folding. A cover or sleeve fits over the cushion and support. Elastic bands are deployed to mount the attachment to a pivoting armrest, such as commonly employed in aircraft seating, so that when the armrest is pivoted to the up position, the cushion provides support for the head of the occupant of the seat.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to airplane seating and more particularly to headrest devices employed with such seating.

2. Description of the Related Art

Various types of portable headrests have been developed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 312,019 to Woods et al. discloses a portable headrest or pillow attachment that is strapped over the back of a seat. U.S. Pat. No. 4,900,089 to Alexander discloses a portable headrest comprised simply of a formed piece of resilient foam that is squeezed between two adjacent seats or between a seat and an adjacent structure thereby projecting outwardly against which the user can rest his or her head. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,154,477 and 5,211,696 to Lacy disclose a portable headrest having Velcro® strips on the back side for attaching to a seat back. U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,456 to Rossini discloses a portable headrest that can be strapped or mounted to an existing headrest of a seat thereby projecting outwardly against which the user can rest his or her head. However, none of these patents are directed to attaching a headrest to a pivotable armrest—such as on seats in an aircraft.

Therefore, those familiar with these and other problems recognize the need for apparatus to assist travelers in obtaining comfort particularly in the confines of commercial aircraft, and most particularly during extended travel.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A removable pillow attachment is provided for pivoting armrests. A cushion, such as a foam or bladder structure is joined to a support. The support may be an elongated board or rod, and in modified form, have an intermediate joint or hinge to permit folding. A cover or sleeve fits over the cushion and support. Elastic bands are deployed to mount the attachment to a pivoting armrest, such as commonly employed in aircraft seating, so that when the armrest is pivoted to the up position, the cushion provides support for the head of the occupant of the seat.

Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [0009]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the present invention; [0010]
FIG. 2 is a schematic, perspective view showing the present invention in use on a pivoting armrest; [0011]
FIG. 3 is an elevational view, partly cut away to show internal structure of the present invention; [0012]
FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken along line [0013] 4-4 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken along line [0014] 5-5 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary elevational view showing alternate embodiments of the present invention; [0015]
FIG. 7 is an elevational view showing an additional alternate embodiment of the present invention; and [0016]
FIG. 8 is a transverse sectional view taken along line [0017] 8-8 of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, the removable pillow attachment of this invention is shown generally at ([0018] 10) in FIG. 1. As shown generally in FIG. 2., a seat (12) such as employed in commercial aircraft, includes a seat part (13) (legs not shown), a generally upright backrest part (14), and pivoting armrests (15). The removable pillow attachment (10) is shown deployed on the pivoting armrests (15). The removable pillow attachment (10) more specifically includes a support assembly (18), cushion assembly (20) and attachment assembly (22).
Referring to FIGS. [0019] 1-5, a preferred removable pillow attachment (10) is shown. The support assembly (18) includes an elongated, interior support (24). The support (24) is shown as a board; but an elongated plastic member (24′), FIG. 6, or metal strap or rod (24″), FIG. 7, may be employed as substitute for the board. The interior support (24) preferrably has upper and lower links (25, 26) joined by a hinge (27). In the case of the plastic support (24′), a living hinge structure (27′) may be employed.
Referring to FIGS. [0020] 3-5, the cushion assembly (20) includes an interior foam member (29). The foam member (29) includes first and a second portions (30, 31) which form a channel or chamber area (32) for receiving interior support (24). The foam member (29) is formed to provide a relatively enlarged pillow area (33) and a relatively narrow armrest engagement area (34).
An alternative embodiment of the cushion assembly ([0021] 20) is shown at FIG. 6. More specifically, the foam member (29) is divided into an upper member (35), disposed in the pillow area (33), and a lower member (36) disposed in the armrest area (34).
The cushion assembly ([0022] 20) further includes a cover (37) fitted over the foam member (29).
Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, and [0023] 6, the attachment assembly (22) more specifically includes one or more elastic bands (39). The elastic bands (39) fit around the foam member (29) and cover (37) in the armrest area (34). The bands (39) may be fixed to the cover (37) such as by stitching at seams (40).
An additional alternate embodiment of the removable pillow attachment ([0024] 10) is shown at FIGS. 7 and 8. The cushion assembly (20) more specifically includes an inflatable bladder (42) shaped to form the relatively enlarged pillow area (33) and relatively narrower armrest area (34). The cover (37) further includes an elongated pocket (33) for receiving the support (24, 24′, 24″). The cover (37) further may have an opened end (44). The bladder (42) in the armrest area (34) is shortened to provide a bore or channel (45) for receiving the pivoting armrest (15).
The industrial applicability of this removable pillow attachment for a pivoting armrest is believed to be apparent from the foregoing description. Although only exemplary embodiments of the invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims. [0025]

Claims

We claim:

1. A pillow attachment for a pivoting armrest of a seat, comprising:

a support;

a cushion assembled to said support; and

a connector mounting said assembled cushion and support to the armrest of a seat.

2. The pillow attachment of claim 1 wherein said support is an elongated member, said cushion being assembled around said elongated member.

3. The pillow attachment of claim 2 wherein said elongated member has an intermediate hinge and first and second portions joined by said hinge.

4. The pillow attachment of claim 3 further including a slip cover adapted to receive said assembled cushion and support.

5. The pillow attachment of claim 3 wherein said cushion has an enlarged pillow area assembled around said first portion.

6. The pillow attachment of claim 1 further including a cover fitted over said cushion, a sleeve formed in said cover, said support being received by said sleeve.

7. The pillow attachment of claim 4 wherein said connector includes an elastic band.

8. The pillow attachment of claim 2 wherein said connector is a bore formed into said elongated member, the pivoting armrest being received into said bore.

9. The pillow attachment of claim 3 wherein said elongated member is elastomeric and said hinge is a living hinge.

10. The pillow attachment of claim 6 wherein said cushion includes an inflatable bladder.