US20160100701A1

US20160100701A1 - Pillow

Info

Publication number: US20160100701A1
Application number: US14/509,416
Authority: US
Inventors: Tonya McKnight
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-10-08
Filing date: 2014-10-08
Publication date: 2016-04-14

Abstract

A pillow operable to provide support to a user facilitating an axial alignment of the neck vertebrae in a first position and a second position so as to provide improved comfort to the user. The pillow includes a first section, second section and a third section oriented in a linear manner. The second section includes a contoured upper surface and a first support element and second support element integrally formed therewith located on opposing ends of the second section. The first support element includes an upper surface portion having a specific radius operable to facilitate improved support of a user's head and neck. The first section and third section are on opposing sides of the second section and have an interior volume filled with a loose material. The upper surface of the first section and third section is higher than that of the upper surface of the second section.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to bedding, more specifically but not by way of limitation a pillow having three compartments wherein each compartment is operable to facilitate improved comfort and spinal alignment and accommodate at least two user positions while delivering the improved comfort.

BACKGROUND

Therapeutic pillows are sought after by millions of consumers each year. These specialized therapeutic pillows are operable to provide numerous remedies to common issues such as headaches, snoring and neck pain. For example, it has been estimated that the majority of all headaches are muscular tension related. The muscular tension can increase the pressure on the greater occipital nerve, which has been shown to be a contributing factor to headache pain.
It has also been shown in numerous studies that various medical issues associated with soft tissue are exacerbated by restricted blood flow. Restrictions in blood flow result from many conditions experienced by people one of which can be poor positioning of the head and neck during sleep. While massage therapy can provide some relief, this is not cost effective for many and an improvement in head and neck positioning during sleep can greatly benefit a person and alleviate headache pain and other maladies associated with improper positioning of the head and neck during sleep.
Numerous types of pillows have been designed to assist in the alleviating of the aforementioned issues. Pillows of various shapes and materials have been developed in an attempt to provide relief to a user. Most pillow design focus on supporting an area of the user in a particular position such as but not limited to a supine position. These pillow designs are typically shape and size limited and further fail to accommodate a user that wishes to engage the pillow in more than one position. It is very common for a user of a pillow to position their body in at least two positions during sleep. The configuration of existing pillows lack the ability to accommodate a user in more than one position and provide the intended therapeutic effect.
Accordingly, there is a need for a therapeutic pillow that is operable to inhibit the development of muscular tension during use thereof wherein the therapeutic pillow is further operable to provide effective support for the user in at least two positions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide a therapeutic pillow that is operable to relieve muscular tension wherein the therapeutic pillow includes a first, second and third compartment.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a therapeutic pillow operable to provide improved comfort to a user wherein the second compartment is intermediate the first and third compartment.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a therapeutic pillow operable to inhibit muscular tension development wherein the first, second and third compartment are laterally oriented.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a therapeutic pillow operable to provide increased comfort to a user in at least two positions wherein the first compartment and third compartment are filled with the same material.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a therapeutic pillow operable to provide improved support to a user in at least two positions wherein the second compartment is manufactured from a different material than the first and third compartment.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a therapeutic pillow operable to provide improved comfort to a user wherein the second compartment includes a raised forward edge and a raised rear edge wherein the raised forward edge is operable to engage and support a user's neck.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a therapeutic pillow operable to provide improved support of a user in at least two positions wherein the upper surface of the second compartment is lower than that of the forward edge and rear edge.
Yet an additional object of the present invention is to provide a therapeutic pillow operable to provide improved support of a user in at least two positions wherein the contour of the upper surface of the second compartment proximate the forward edge has a specific radius so as to provide improved spinal alignment of the user's neck vertebrae when a user is in a supine position.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a therapeutic pillow operable to provide improved comfort wherein the center portion of the second compartment is of sufficient length so as to facilitate the avoidance of contact between the crown of a user's head and the raised rear edge.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a therapeutic pillow operable to provide improved comfort in at least two positions wherein the first, second and third compartment are releasably secured.
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional diagrammatic view of the second compartment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional diagrammatic view of the second compartment of the present invention having an exemplary head and neck illustrated engaged therewith; and

FIG. 3 is a top view of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a pillow 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention.
Referring in particular to FIG. 3 herein, the pillow 100 includes a first section 10, second section 20 and third section 30. The first section 10, second section 20 and third section are housed within outer covering 5. Outer covering 5 includes an wall member 7 manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but not limited to cotton or silk and is structured to form an interior volume 8 being of suitable size to accommodate the first section 10, second section 20 and third section 30. The outer covering 5 is rectangular in shape and is manufactured to a suitable size so as to surroundably mount the first section 10, second section 20 and third section 30. While no particular size is required for the outer covering 5, good results have been achieved utilizing an outer covering 5 that is approximately twenty inches in width and thirty-six inches in length. The outer covering 5 includes zipper 11 integrally formed therewith. The zipper 11 provides access to the interior volume 8 so as to remove the second section 20 for cleaning and the like. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the first section 10, second section 20 and third section 30 are releasably secured utilizing suitable durable techniques. Additionally, while the zipper 11 is illustrated herein as being placed adjacent to the second section 20, it is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the zipper 11 could be constructed so as to extend the length of the outer covering 5 or be secured proximate the first end 2 or second end 3 of the outer covering 5. It should also be recognized that other fasteners or techniques could be employed in addition to and/or in conjunction with the zipper 11 in order to facilitate access to the interior volume. Furthermore, while the embodiment illustrated herein shows three sections 15 being linearly adjacent to each other, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the pillow 100 could be constructed so as to include wall members dividing the interior volume 8 into the three sections 15.
Illustrated in FIG. 2 herein is a cross sectional view of the second section 20. The second section 20 is intermediate the first section 10 and third section 30 and is manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but not limited to open cell memory foam. The second section 20 includes an upper surface 21 that is contoured in manner. Proximate end 22 is support element 23. Support element 23 is operable to provide support to a user's neck when a user is engaged with the pillow 100 in a supine position wherein the user's head is superposed the second section 20. As illustrated in FIG. 2 herein, the support element 23 is constructed so as to ensure the axial alignment of the vertebrae of the neck of the user. This is accomplished by the specific construction of the support element 23. The radius of the upper surface portion 25 of the support element 23 intermediate point 27 and point 28 is such so as to facilitate the supported engagement of the occipital bone of the exemplary head 99 and the posterior portion of the parietal bone. This support is further facilitated by the height of the support element 23. The preferred height of the support element from the base 51 to the top 52 is four inches. This height accommodates the average adult human. While a height of four inches is disclosed for the preferred embodiment, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the support element 23 could be manufactured having a height within the range of three inches to four and a half inches so as to accommodate individuals of different sizes. As previously mentioned the radius of the upper surface portion 25 is also fundamental in achieving the desired functionality discussed herein. The radius of the upper surface portion 25 between point 27 and 28 is approximately 1.96 inches inside radius. The aforementioned height of the support element 23 and the radius of the upper surface portion 25 ensure contact between the upper surface 21 and the occipital bone and posterior portion of the parietal bone of the exemplary head 99. While an inside radius of 1.96 inches has been disclosed herein for the upper surface portion 25, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the inside radius for the upper surface portion 25 could be manufactured within the range of 1.88 inches to 1.98 inches.
The second section 20 extends approximately seventeen inches from end 22 to end 29. Integrally formed into the second section 20 proximate end 29 is a second support element 35. The length of the second section 20 intermediate end 22 and end 29 is to facilitate the accommodation of the exemplary head 99 wherein the second support element 35 does not engage the crown of the exemplary head 99. This is to ensure no disruption of the orientation of the exemplary head 99 when the user is engaged with the second section 20 in a supine position as shown herein in FIG. 2. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the length of the second section 20 intermediate end 22 and end 29 could be manufactured in various lengths in order to accomplish the aforementioned objective. The center portion 36 of the second section 20 is constructed to have a height that is approximately one and one quarter inch when utilizing a closed cell memory foam to construct the second section 20. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the center portion 36 could be manufactured in numerous different heights depending upon the compressibility of the material utilized to manufacture the second section 20.
Illustrated in particular in FIG. 1, the third section 30 includes upper surface 37 that is higher than that of the upper surface 21 of the second section 20. As previously discussed herein, the second section 20 is operable to provide support for a user in a supine position and provide axial alignment of the vertebrae of the neck. As is common with most individuals during sleep, some users may rotate ninety degrees to either side from supine to a lateral laying position commonly know as sleeping on a side (either right side or left side of the body). The first section 10 and third section 30 are constructed and adjacent the second section 20 on opposing sides thereof so as to accommodate this transition. The first section 10 and third section 30 are filled with a loose and less dense material such as but not limited to feathers. As is shown in FIG. 1, the difference in height between upper surface 37 and upper surface 21 is to accommodate the greater compression of the loose fill material of the third section 30. As a user transitions from the exemplary supine position shown in FIG. 2 to a side position, the greater height of the upper surface 37 allows the material disposed therein to compress such the axial alignment of the spine is substantially maintained. The difference in height between the upper surface 21 and upper surface 37 is dependent upon the material utilized to fill the third section 30. The desired objective of the present invention is to utilize a different material for the fill of the first section 10 and third section 30 wherein the material is a loose fill material and wherein the height of the upper surface 37 (and the upper surface of the first section not particularly illustrated herein) is greater than that of the upper surface 21 of the second section 20 to provide improved comfort to the user in a side position and to maintain the axial alignment of the neck vertebrae. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the first section 10 and second section 30 could be filled with numerous types of materials. While the first section 10, second section 20 and third section 30 could be manufactured in numerous different widths, good results have been achieved utilizing a pillow 100 having a first section 10 and third section 30 that are approximately thirteen inches in width and a second section 20 that is approximately ten inches in width.
In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A pillow comprising:

a body, said body being rectangular in shape, said body including a first section, second section and third section, said first section, said second section and said third section oriented in a adjacent linear manner, said second section being intermediate said first section and said third section, said second section having a first end and a second end, said second section having an upper surface, said second section being contoured in shape having a first support element and a second support element, said second section having a center portion intermediate said first support element and said second support element, said center portion of said second section being lower in height than said first support element and said second support element; and

wherein said first section and said third section include an upper surface, said upper surface of said first section and said third section being greater in height than the upper surface of said second section.

2. The pillow as recited in claim 1, and further including an outer compartment, said outer compartment surroundably mounted to said first section, said second section and said third section.

3. The pillow as recited in claim 2, wherein the distance between said first support element and said second support element is such that subsequent a user engaging the second section in a supine position said second support element does not engage a crown portion of a user's head.

4. The pillow as recited in claim 3, and further including an access member, said access member formed into said outer compartment.

5. The pillow as recited in claim 4, wherein said first support element includes an upper surface portion, said upper surface portion having a radius 1.88 to 1.98 inches.

6. The pillow as recited in claim 5, wherein said second section is manufactured from a memory foam.

7. The pillow as recited in claim 6, wherein said first section and said third section are filled with a loose material.

8. A pillow operable to provide support to a user in a first position and a second position wherein the pillow is operable to provide substantial axial alignment of the vertebrae of the neck of the user comprising:

a first section, said first section having an interior volume substantially filled with a loose material, said first section having an upper surface, said first section having a first side and a second side,

a second section, said second section being adjacent to said second side of said first section, said second section having a contoured upper surface, said second section having a first end and a second end, said second section having a first support element proximate said first end, said first support element being integrally formed into said second section, said second section having a second support element proximate said second end, said second support element being integrally formed into said second section, said second section having a center portion intermediate said first support element and said second support element, said center portion having an upper surface;

a third section, said third section being adjacent to said second section opposite said first section, said third section having an interior volume substantially filled with a loose material, said third section having an upper surface; and

an outer compartment, said outer compartment surroundably mounting said first section, said second section and said third section.

9. The pillow as recited in claim 8, wherein said center portion of said second section is lower in height than that of said first support element and said second support element.

10. The pillow as recited in claim 9, wherein the upper surface of said center portion is lower than that of the upper surface of said first section and said third section.

11. The pillow as recited in claim 10, wherein said second section is approximately seventeen inches intermediate said first end and said second end and wherein said second support element is configured not to engage a crown of a head of a user ensuing a user engaging said second section in a supine position.

12. The pillow as recited in claim 11, and further including an access member, said access member formed into said outer compartment.

13. The pillow as recited in claim 12, wherein said first support element includes an upper surface portion, said upper surface portion having a radius 1.88 to 1.98 inches as said upper surface portion extends towards said center portion.

14. The pillow as recited in claim 13, wherein said second section is manufactured from a material that has a greater density than the loose material disposed within the interior volume of said first section and said third section.

15. A pillow operable to provide support to a user in a first position and a second position wherein the pillow provides axial alignment of the neck vertebrae of a user comprising:

a body, said body being rectangular in shape, said body including a first section, second section and third section, said first section, said second section and said third section oriented in a adjacent linear manner, said first section and said third section having an interior volume substantially filled with a loose material, said first section and said third section having an upper surface, said second section being intermediate said first section and said third section, said second section having a first end and a second end, said second section having an upper surface, said second section being contoured in shape having a first support element and a second support element, said first support element being integrally formed in said second section proximate said first end, said second support element being integrally formed in said second section proximate said second end thereof, said second section having a center portion intermediate said first support element and said second support element, said center portion of said second section having an upper surface, said upper surface of said center portion being lower than the height of said first support element and said second support element;

an outer compartment, said outer compartment surroundably mounting said first section, said second section and said third section; and

wherein the upper surface of said first section and said third section is higher than the upper surface of said second section.

16. The pillow as recited in claim 15, wherein the pillow is operable to maintain general axial alignment of vertebrae of a user's neck during transition from a first supine position wherein a user's head is engaged with said second section to a lateral position such that a user's head is engaged with the upper surface of said first section or said third section.

17. The pillow as recited in claim 16, wherein said first support element includes an upper surface portion, said upper surface portion having a radius 1.88 to 1.98 inches as said upper surface portion extends towards said center portion.

18. The pillow as recited in claim 17, wherein said second section is approximately seventeen inches intermediate said first end and said second end and wherein said second support element is configured not to engage a crown of a head of a user ensuing a user engaging said second section in a supine position.

19. The pillow as recited in claim 18, wherein said second section is manufactured from a material that has a greater density than the loose material disposed within the interior volume of said first section and said third section.

20. The pillow as recited in claim 19, and further including an access member, said access member formed into said outer compartment, wherein said access member is a zipper.