US20170172327A1

US20170172327A1 - Pillow with sling

Info

Publication number: US20170172327A1
Application number: US14/976,340
Authority: US
Inventors: Amy Allen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-12-21
Filing date: 2015-12-21
Publication date: 2017-06-22

Abstract

A combination (10) pillow (P) and sling (S) in which respective ends of the sling are secured to corresponding ends of the pillow. The pillow is filled with a cushioning material that supports a wearer's head or neck. The sling is sized to fit about a support for the wearer to rest their head or neck against the pillow when the sling is attached to the support, or to fit over and about an upper portion of the wearer's anatomy to cushion something resting on or against the pillow in front of the wearer.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

N/A

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a combination pillow with an attached sling for use in making oneself comfortable in a variety of situations.
There are a number of life situations where having a pillow on which to rest one's head or arm become both a relaxant and a possible aid to sleeping. Many airline passengers, for example, find that their seat backs are not particularly comfortable to lean and/or recline their heads against, and so try to travel with an inflatable pillow or U-shaped pillow which fits about their necks to cushion and support their neck, upper shoulder area, and head against the back of their seat. This is also true of passengers riding in automobiles, buses, trains, boats, and other vehicles; particularly if they are going long distances.
People who are out and about at playgrounds, parks, and other public venues often like to stop and rest, and having a pillow to support their head against the back of a bench, or when lying on the ground would also be welcome and beneficial. Also, people who need to support an injured limb, or support a baby could often use a support that does not require them to carry “excess baggage” around when they are out in public. Or even at home.
What these people may need is a cushioning device that readily available, easy to carry, and instantly ready for use when needed or desired, but which is lightweight and conveniently out-of-the-way when not needed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to pillow to which a sling is attached. The pillow is filled with a cushioning material that cushions a person's head, neck, or arm when cushioning is needed or desired. The sling fits over and about the person's upper body or waist so to be readily available when needed, but otherwise not affecting the person's movements or activities. A significant advantage of its use is that the wearer will not get kinks in their neck. Also, their head or body will not slump over or develop other pain or soreness when traveling long distances or otherwise resting or wearing the pillow and sling. In addition, the pillow and sling combination provides a lumbar support around the lower portion of the wearer's back.
The pillow/sling combination is lightweight, comfortably fits about the wearer, and is easily moved into position when a person wants or needs to use it, but is otherwise moved to a position where it does not interfere with the person's activities such as walking, shopping, carrying parcels, etc.
In one embodiment, the pillow is filled with a foam or down material that effectively cushions the part of the person's body against whatever object against which it is leaning. In this embodiment, respective ends of the sling are sewn onto respective ends of the pillow.
In other embodiments, the sling, which may be of a stretchy material, is detachable from the pillow for cleaning, repair, or replacement. In addition, the pillow and sling will or can be of different lengths, widths, and shapes, so to provide the user a combination of assemblages that best fits their particular needs or requirements. The sling, as well as the pillow can be cushioned.
Both the sling and pillow can be of the same material and color or pattern, or one piece can be of one material, color, or pattern, and the other piece of a different material, color, and pattern.
Either or both pieces may have an enclosure such as a pouch or pocket for readily storing things the user wants to have readily available.
Other objects of the invention will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, together with detailed description which follows, form part of the specification and illustrate the various embodiments described in the specification.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the sling and pillow;

FIGS. 2A-2D are plan views of different representative shapes of the pillow and FIGS. 3A-3F are plan views of different representative shapes of the sling; and,

FIGS. 4A-4F illustrate different ways in which the sling is attached to the pillow.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. This description clearly enables one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the invention, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the invention. Additionally, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it will be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
Referring to the drawings, a pillow/sling combination indicated generally 10 in the drawings includes a pillow P and a sling S. As shown in FIG. 1, pillow P, which is filled with a cushioning material such foam, polyfiber or down, is generally rectangular in shape, and has closed ends P1, P2. Sling S comprises a generally rectangular strip of material with its ends E1, E2 respectively being attached to corresponding ends of pillow P. As further shown in FIG. 1, pillow P comprises an upper section PU and lower section PL. When pillow P is made, these upper and lower sections are sewn or otherwise attached together with one end being left open. The cushioning material is then inserted into this opening until the pillow is sufficiently full of stuffing after which the open end is then closed to complete forming of the pillow.
Next, as shown in FIGS. 2A-2D, pillow P is available in a number shapes. In FIG. 2A, the pillow is shown to be generally rectangular when viewed in plan. In FIG. 2B, the pillow is shown to have a center portion which is wider than the ends of the pillow. In FIG. 2C, the pillow is shown to have a slender, tubular shape. Those skilled in the art will understand that these shapes are representative only and that pillow P may have other shapes without departing from the scope of the invention. Also, as shown in FIG. 2D, pillow P may have a pouch or pocket formed in it, the pouch or pocket having an opening O which may be zippered or otherwise closable. The pouch or pocket allows the user to store items that they want to have readily accessible such a comb, mirror, lipstick, a pillowcase, etc.
Referring to FIGS. 3A-3F, sling S is also available in different shapes. In FIG. 3A, the sling is generally rectangular when viewed in plan. Also, as indicated by the arrows, the sling may be stretchy. In FIG. 3B, the sling has a concave profile, while in FIG. 3C, its profile is convex. In FIG. 3D, each end E1, E2 of the sling is shown as being split or yoked. Again, those skilled in the art will understand that these shapes are representative only and sling S may have other shapes without departing from the scope of the invention. Further, as shown in FIG. 3E, sling S may have a padded center portion D. This padded section may make the pillow/sling easier to carry. Those skilled in the art will understand that the length of sling S is adjustable by the wearer to make it more convenient for them to use. This is indicated, for example, by the adjustable section J of the sling S shown in FIG. 3A.
Also, and as shown in FIG. 3F, sling S may have a pouch or pocket formed in it, the pouch or pocket having an opening N which may be zippered or otherwise closeable. As with pillow P, the pouch or pocket allows the user to store items that they want to have readily accessible to them.
With respect to the variety of pillow and sling shapes, the slings and pillows are available in different lengths. This allows different combinations of slings and pillows to be made for people of different heights, shapes, arm lengths, etc. so they have a sling/pillow combination most desirable to them. Those skilled in the art will therefore understand that pillow P may be covered with a pillowcase, and that this pillowcase may be removable not only for cleaning, but to also allow the wearer to replace a pillowcase of one design or color with a pillowcase of another design or color.
Referring to FIGS. 4A-4F, in one embodiment of the invention, the ends S1, S2 of sling S are attached to the ends P1, P2 of pillow P by being sewn to the ends of the pillow. This is as shown in FIG. 4A. However, in other embodiments of the invention sling S can be a detachable sling. In an embodiment shown in FIG. 4B, a ring R is connected at each end of pillow P and a clip or climbing type hook C is attached to each end of sling S, the clips being used to attach the sling to the pillow. Alternately, velcro® strips V are attached to each end of the sling and pillow and the ends of the sling are attached to the pillow using these strips. This is as shown in FIG. 4C. In still another embodiment shown in FIG. 4D, snaps A are attached to each end of the pillow and sling for the sling to be snap-fitted to the pillow. In FIG. 4E, a locking clip L is shown in which one portion of the clip attached to sling S lockingly fits into another portion of the clip attached to pillow P. In FIG. 4F, a D-ring clasp comprises two D-rings D which are attached to sling S and engage the outer end of a strap G extending from an end of pillow P.
It will be further understood that other means of attachment may be as, for example, one or two buttons may be are sewn onto each end of the pillow with each of the sling having a buttonhole(s) formed in it through which the button(s) is inserted to attach the pillow to the sling.
This interchangeability allows a damaged or torn sling to be easily replaced; or, a good sling removed from a damaged pillow. Also, this interchangeability allows different colors and patterns of pillows and slings to be easily fabricated.
The pillow/sling combination of the present invention has a variety of uses. For example, on an airplane, or in a car, sling S can be wrapped about the headrest of a seat so the pillow lies against the seat and the user can rest their head against the pillow. In a similar application, the wearer can fit their head between pillow P and the headrest for their chin and neck to slump against the pillow if they fall asleep. In either of these two uses, the sling is sufficiently long as to readily wrap about the headrest; and, if necessary, even be knotted so that the pillow is properly positioned to prevent the wearer from leaning too far forward.
In another application, if the wearer wants to lean against a solid or rigid surface, they can place pillow P behind their neck for it to act as a headrest. In this instance, they can loosely wear the sling about their neck or over their chest and shoulders.
In a third application, the wearer wraps sling S around their neck and under one of their shoulders so pillow P rests against their stomach. Now, pillow/sling 10 acts a cradle for caring for an infant or a small child, or a brace against which to rest a book being read.
As noted, pillow P and sling S are available in different sizes. For example, pillow P may be a size from 18″ long and 15″ around for use with an infant, 24″ long and 17-18″ around for use with a child, and 31-36″ long and 22-24″ around for adult use.
It will also be understood that pillow/sling 10 is lightweight and easily stored either by being worn about the wearer's neck, over their shoulder (like a purse), across their body (like a sling backpack) or tied around their waist; although it will fit into a handbag or piece of luggage if desired.
In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects and advantages of the present disclosure have been achieved and other advantageous results have been obtained.

Claims

1. A combination pillow and sling in which respective ends of the sling are secured to corresponding ends of the pillow, the pillow being filled with a cushioning material that supports a wearer's head or neck, the sling being sized to fit about a support for the wearer to rest their head or neck against the pillow when the sling is attached to the support, or to fit over and about an upper portion of the wearer's anatomy to cushion something resting on or against the pillow in front of the wearer;

a pillow enclosure having an opening; and

a sling enclosure having an opening.

2. The combination of claim 1 in which the pillow has one of a square, tubular, or concave shape.

3. The combination of claim 1 in which the sling has one of a square, convex, or concave shape.

4. The combination of claim 1 in which pillow and sling each are of different lengths and the resulting combination includes a pillow of one length and a sling of a different length.

5. The combination of claim 1 in which a center portion of the sling is padded with a cushioning material.

6. (canceled)

7. The combination of claim 1 in which the respective ends of the pillow and sling are sewn together

8. The combination of claim 1 in which a ring is connected at each end of the pillow and a hook type clip is attached to each end of sling, the clips being used to attach respective ends of the sling to the pillow.

9. The combination of claim 1 in which the respective ends of the pillow and sling each have a Velcro®-type pad attached to them for detachably attaching the respective ends of sling to the pillow.

10. The combination of claim 1 in which the respective ends of the pillow and sling have mating portions of a snap-type fastener attached to them for snap-fitting the respective ends of the sling to the pillow.

11. The combination of claim 1 in which one portion of a locking-type clip attached to each end of the sling lockingly fits into another portion of the clip attached to each end of the pillow to attach the respective ends of the sling to the pillow.

12. The combination of claim 1 in which a D-ring clasp comprising two D-rings are attached to respective ends of the sling and engage an outer end of a strap extending from respective ends of the pillow to attach the sling to the pillow.