US20220079360A1

US20220079360A1 - Therapeutic side and back sleep position pillow

Info

Publication number: US20220079360A1
Application number: US17/533,963
Authority: US
Inventors: Colin J. Broadbelt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-02-07
Filing date: 2021-11-23
Publication date: 2022-03-17

Abstract

A therapeutic pillow provides an adjustable configuration for supporting a plurality of user and user positions. The pillow comprises a center chamber having an inner volume and is adjustable. First and second adjustable side chambers each including inner volumes may be affixed to sides of the center chamber to allow supportive fill to be moveable between each of the chambers so that the configuration of the pillow may be adjusted.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This United States Nonprovisional patent application claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 120 as a continuation of U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/679,542, entitled “THERAPEUTIC SIDE AND BACK SLEEP POSITION PILLOW”, filed Feb. 7, 2019, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and made part of the present United States Nonprovisional patent application for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure relates generally to therapeutic pillows, and more specifically to therapeutic pillows providing side and back position support for a user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The pillow industry has been driven to provide pillows to consumers that have limited functionality (limited functionality) that may only provide support or even partial support for a single resting or sleeping position. The shape of a pillow may strongly affect an individual's ability to sleep comfortably on their backs, sides, and/or the quarter turn position between the back and side sleeping positions. Individuals that prefer to utilize more than one of these positions may have trouble finding a pillow that works for them.
Neck and shoulder pain can often be aggravated by an individual's sleep position. Many pillows come short when attempting to provide support for an individual's head, neck, and shoulders typically due to the lack of support from an inability to alter the shape of the pillow to customize the pillow to conform to the individual's body. This may reduce the ability for an individual to comfortably sleep or rest on their back, sides and/or in the quarter turn position between the back and side positions. Specifically concerning sleeping positions, it is encouraged that an individual have a sleep posture that allows a neutral spine sleep position (or roughly neutral) and/or a neutral or mid-way position of the neck; this position may allow an individual's body to heal and restore during sleep.
In general, spinal articular joints like to be in their mid-range positions most of the time when an individual is in a back sleeping position. When required, the spinal articular joints should be able to comfortably position themselves in their end-range positions. An example of poor joint posture may include a situation where articular joints are forced to stay at end-ranges for prolonged periods of time. When the spinal articular joints are in their mid-range position, soft-tissue structures that cross the joints (such as joint capsules, ligaments, and muscles) are more relaxed and the joint surfaces are less compressed.
Assuming that a person doesn't have a significantly flexed upper thoracic spine issue (such as Dowager's hump), the neutral cervical spine posture may be maintained with a thinner pillow while sleeping in the supine position. A somewhat thicker pillow may be needed for the supine lying position for individuals (usually older) who have a more extended cervical spine with a flexed thoracic spine. When sleeping in a side-lying position, a thicker pillow may be required, especially for large framed and/or broad-shouldered individuals. Overall, a pillow's design should encourage healthy resting positions that don't aggravate neck and shoulder pain; this may promote rest and allows an individual's body to heal optimally.
For a pillow to be dynamic, it needs to be customizable in relation to the amount of fill. The pillow should be able to accommodate different body types and builds as well as accommodate different types of beds. Depending on how soft or firm a mattress is determines how far an individual sinks into the mattress, which in turn, affects the necessary thickness and/or height of the pillow to support an individual. Preferably, the pillow may be adjustable so that it may confirm to a person's ideal resting position and may keep this conformation for hours. For example, an individual may want to sleep on their side so they may want to create an ideal resting configuration for their ear (such as a divot shape) so that the individual doesn't have to sleep with pressure being applied to their ear. As another example, an individual may want to increase the support for their neck so they may want to configure a customized neck roll in the pillow so that their neck is supported when the individual is resting in the supine position.
A pillow is needed that overcomes the aforementioned shortcomings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed subject matter provides a therapeutic pillow having an adjustable configuration for supporting a plurality of user positions such as, for example, side and back sleeping positions. The pillow comprises a center chamber having an inner volume and is adjustable. First and second adjustable side chambers each including inner volumes may be affixed to sides of the center chamber to allow supportive fill to be moveable between each of the chambers so that the configuration of the pillow may be adjusted.
An additional embodiment may include sections of the pillow that are configured in a plurality of forms. As an example, corners of the pillow may each comprise a rounded configuration embodying a curvature greater than the embodiment described in the previous paragraph.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosed subject matter, objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 displays a perspective view of a therapeutic side and back sleep position pillow, as shown and described herein.

FIG. 2 displays a top view of a therapeutic side and back sleep position pillow, as shown and described herein.

FIG. 3 displays a bottom view of a therapeutic side and back sleep position pillow, as shown and described herein.

FIG. 4 displays a side view of a therapeutic side and back sleep position pillow, as shown and described herein.

FIG. 5 displays an additional side view of a therapeutic side and back sleep position pillow, as shown and described herein.

FIG. 6 displays a front view of a therapeutic side and back sleep position pillow, as shown and described herein.

FIG. 7 displays a rear view of a therapeutic side and back sleep position pillow, as shown and described herein.

FIG. 8 displays a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a therapeutic side and back sleep position pillow, as shown and described herein.

FIG. 9 displays a bottom view of an alternative embodiment of a therapeutic side and back sleep position pillow, as shown and described herein.

FIG. 10 displays a front view of an alternative embodiment of a therapeutic side and back sleep position pillow, as shown and described herein.

FIGS. 11-17 display views of a therapeutic neck and shoulder sleep pillow similar to those found in FIGS. 1-7 that include dotted lines representing undefined portions, as shown and described.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now should be made to the drawings, in which the same reference numbers are used throughout the different figures to designate the same components.
It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. Thus, a first element discussed below could be termed a second element without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising” or “includes” and/or “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
FIG. 1 displays a perspective view of a therapeutic side and back sleep position pillow 100, as shown and described herein. Pillow 100 may have an adjustable configuration for accommodating a user in multiple resting positions. As shown, pillow 100 includes a body defining a continuous compartment having multiple chambers, known more specifically as center chamber 110, first side chamber 120, and second side chamber 130. Each of the chambers 110,120,130 may include an inner volume and are adjustable in order to allow supportive fill to be moveable between each of the connected chambers 110,120,130 so that the configuration of pillow 100 may be adjusted by a user. First and second side chambers 120,130 may each extend outward perpendicularly from center chamber 110 and may each terminate at side ends 150. For typical use, first and second side chambers 120,130 may define areas of pillow 100 on which a user may be positioned on their side while center chamber 110 may define an area of pillow 100 on which a user may be positioned on their back.
When being used by a user, pillow 100 may support specific resting positions of a user that may include, but are not limited to a back position, a side position and a quarter turn position. The shape of pillow 100 may allow for an easy transition of a user from one resting position to another. In embodiments, a user may shift the supportive foam within pillow 100 so that pillow 100 may be configured to allow a user to rest in a neutral spine position that supports the cervical spine/neck and head (which may also be know as a healing position during sleeping since the body is not being contorted) when positioned on center chamber 110. More specifically, a user may mold pillow 100/supportive foam in an area of center chamber 110 adjacent upper inner edges 190 in order to create a neck roll configuration that may extend roughly from left upper inner edge 190 to right upper inner edge 190; this configuration may provide additional support for a user's neck when the user is resting in a neutral spine position on their back. In further embodiments, any portion of center chamber that is positioned between upper inner edges 190, lower inner edges 195, first side chamber 120, and second side chamber 130 may be configured as a neck roll, depending on where specifically a user would prefer to place their neck on pillow 100.
In further embodiments, supportive foam may be shifted within pillow 100 so that a user may be able to rest in a neutral spine position whether resting on their back (on center chamber 110) or on their side (on first or second side chamber 120,130).
In embodiments, pillow 100 may comprise a configuration that may provide support at the transitions of the thoracic spine to the cervical spine. The portion of pillow 100 that may assist this configuration may include the center chamber 110, and more specifically the top end of center chamber 110.
In embodiments, an outer surface of pillow 100 may comprise one or more flexible materials including, but not limited to knit and woven textiles and elastic polymers. In further embodiments, the one or more flexible materials may comprise a two-way stretch. In further embodiments, pillow 100 may comprise an interior cover and an exterior cover. Utilizing multiple covers may provide additional rigidity to the pillow so that it may be adjusted into a desired configuration.
In embodiments, the configuration of pillow 100 may be manipulated by a user to suppress noise. For example, this may be carried out by having a user rest in a side position on either one of the first and second side chambers 120,130 and then having the user pull the other of the first and second side chambers 120,130 over their exposed ear.
In embodiments, a user may typically position portions of their body in the following manner on center chamber 110: a user's head on center chamber 110 adjacent top end 140, a user's cervical spine on center chamber 110 between upper inner edges 190 and lower inner edges 195, and a user's thoracic spine on center chamber 110 adjacent bottom end 160. In additional embodiments, users may position portions of their body on pillow 100 in positions other than those stated above.
FIGS. 2 and 3 display top and bottom views of a therapeutic side and back sleep position pillow 100 depicting top and bottom ends 140,160, as shown and described herein. As shown, front surface 134 and rear surface 136 may extend to and terminate at top ends 140, side ends 150, and bottom ends 160 of pillow 100. Both surfaces 134 and 136 may also be substantially similar in thickness when measured from either top end 140, middle end 150, and/or bottom end 160 (and when in reference to either center chamber 110, first side chamber 120, and/or second side chamber 130). As further shown, top end 140 of center chamber 110 may be positioned roughly in the middle of center chamber 110. Depending on the amount of neck support preferred by users, top end 140 of center chamber 110 may be shifted upward or downward and/or may comprise a larger or smaller thickness (manufacturing changes). In addition, top end 140 of center chamber 110 may be malleable by a user in order to be properly configured for a user's resting position.
The thickness of pillow 100 may be created from supportive fill inserted into pillow 100. In order to fill pillow 100 with supportive foam, pillow 100 may include a reclosable orifice (not depicted) having one or more components for opening and closing the orifice, such as, but not limited to, a zipper. Depending on the stature and physical condition of a user using pillow 100, supportive fill may be added, removed, or adjusted in order to properly accommodate the user in a comfortable and/or healthy resting position. For example, a user that weighs more than the average adult (for example, 300 pounds) may want to utilize more supportive fill than the average adult in order to be supported in a resting position on pillow 100 since the extra weight would need additional supportive fill to keep the user in a comfortable and/or healthy resting position. Additional views of the thickness of pillow 100 may be found in FIGS. 4 and 5.
In embodiments, pillow 100 may include a zipper (not depicted) that may be positioned along the width (side end 150 of first side chamber 120 to side end 150 of second side chamber 130) of pillow 100. In this zipper configuration, it may be easier for a user to customize and fill the center chamber 110, first side chamber 120, and second side chamber 130 with a desired amount of fill, as opposed to having a zipper on either of side end 150 of first side chamber 120 and side end 150 of second side chamber 130. In other embodiments, pillow 100 may comprise multiple zippers.
As further shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the construction of first and second side chambers 120,130 may be intended to be substantially similar in thicknesses. The thicknesses may be adjusted accordingly based on how a user is utilizing pillow 100.
FIGS. 6 and 7 display front and rear views of a therapeutic side and back sleep position pillow 100 depicting front and rear surfaces 134,136, as shown and described herein. As shown, top end 140 of center chamber 110 may be separated from the top ends 140 of first and second side chambers 120,130 via a pair of upper inner edges 190. The upper inner edges 190 may help to define the top end 140 of center chamber 110 that may receive a user's upper cervical neck and/or back of head. A pair of lower inner edges 195 may be positioned wider than upper inner edges 190 and may help to define the bottom end 160 of center chamber 110 that may receive a user's thoracic spine. Left and right passage zones 170,180 may be positioned between upper inner edges 190 and lower inner edges. Left and right passage zones 170,180 may define transition areas in pillow 100 where a user may transfer supportive foam from the center chamber 110 to one or more of first and second side chambers 120,130, and vice versa.
As further shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in embodiments, the concavity of lower inner edges 195 may be less than the concavity of upper inner edges 190. The lesser concavity may provide pillow 100 with the outward sloping shape of manipulatable appendage 197, which may be utilized by a user to pull the pillow towards and/or under certain parts of a user's body for additional support. When a user is laying in a supine position on center chamber 110 and the user decides that they would prefer to lay on their side in a side position on either one of the first and second side chambers 120,130, the user may decide to perform a roll in order to maneuver from the back position to the quarter turn position. Before rolling over to the quarter turn position, a user may first manipulate a portion of first/ second side chambers 120,130 to create a divot that may conform to the user's ear once they position themselves in the quarter turn position. After rolling over into the quarter turn position (laying in the quarter turn position on either of the first/second side chambers 120,130), user may position their ear in the divot and may pull manipulatable appendage 197 toward their body and down so that the apex of the lower inner edge 195 of first/ second side chamber 120,130 is pulled downward and adjacent the user's shoulder and body, providing maximal support for the user's head and neck. In addition, user may pull down on the other of the first/second side chamber 120,130 (or only its manipulatable appendage 197) so that at least a portion of the other of the first/second side chamber 120,130 (or only its manipulatable appendage 197) is positioned under the shoulder blade not being laid upon (upper shoulder blade when the user is in the quarter turn position). It is noted that the shape of positioning gaps 198 located between center chamber 110 and first/ second side chambers 120,130 may allow a user to grab an interior side of any of the center chamber 110 and first/ second side chambers 120,130 so that they may easily manipulate (push, pull, squeeze, etc.) the shape of the pillow for maximal comfort.
Before rolling over into the side position, a user may first manipulate a portion of first/ second side chambers 120,130 to create a divot that may conform to the user's ear once they position themselves in the quarter turn position. After rolling over into the side position (laying in the side position on either of the first/second side chambers 120,130), user may position their ear in the divot and may pull manipulatable appendage 197 toward their body and down so that the apex of the lower inner edge 195 of first/ second side chamber 120,130 is pulled downward and adjacent the user's shoulder and body, providing maximal support for the user's head and neck.
It is understood that for the purposes of this disclosure, a quarter turn may be defined as a user laying on pillow 100 at a roughly 45-degree angle rotated from the supine position and a side position may be defined as a user laying on pillow 100 at a roughly 90-degree angle rotated from the supine position. It is further noted that when a user is in the quarter turn position, they may need additional support for their upper shoulder, which pillow 100 may provide (as described above).
It is noted that in embodiments, manipulatable appendages 197 may be considered to be portions of first and second side chambers 120,130 positioned below apexes of the lower inner edges 195.
FIG. 8 displays a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a therapeutic side and back sleep position pillow 100, as shown and described herein. As shown, bottom end 160 of center chamber 110 may comprise a substantially square/rectangular configuration similar to the shape of top end 140 of center chamber 110. FIG. 9 displays bottom end 160 of center chamber 110 positioned roughly in the middle of center chamber 110. Depending on the amount of thoracic spine support preferred by users, bottom end 160 of center chamber 110 may be manufactured with an increased length and/or width other than as shown. In addition, bottom end 160 of center chamber 110 may be malleable by a user in order to be properly configured for a user's resting position.
As shown in FIG. 10, this configuration may provide additional support to the thoracic region of the spine, especially when a user transitions from a supine position to a side position and the user is turning their bodies and moving them from center chamber 110 to either first or second side chamber 120,130.
In further embodiments, the apexes of upper inner edges 190 and lower inner edges 195 may be aligned along a left and right passage axes (not depicted) each positioned within left and right passage zones 170,180. As an example using FIG. 10, the left passage axis may extend outward from the apex of left upper inner edge 190 to left lower inner edge 195 while the right passage axis may extend outward from the apex of right upper inner edge 190 to right lower inner edge 195. In additional embodiments, left and right passage axes may be parallel with an axis that extends the height of pillow 100 (from bottom end 160 to top end 140).
FIGS. 11-17 display views of a therapeutic neck and shoulder sleep pillow similar to those found in FIGS. 1-7 that include dotted lines representing undefined portions, as shown and described. It is noted that the broken lines depicting corners and the bottom of the therapeutic back and shoulder sleep pillow shown in FIGS. 1-7 of the drawings represent undefined portions of pillow 100. Undefined portions may include, but are not limited to upper and lower corners of first side chamber 120 and second side chamber 130, top edges of center chamber 110, and bottom end 160 of center chamber 110.
It is noted that the embodiments of pillow 100 found in FIGS. 11-17 may comprise features and elements similar to those found in FIGS. 1-7, unless otherwise noted.
For the purposes of this disclosure, it is noted that pillow 100 may be defined specifically in terms of orientation. As shown in FIG. 2A, pillow 100 may be defined as having a top end 140 that may refer to the top ends 140 of center chamber 110, first side chamber 120, and second side chamber 130. As shown in FIG. 2B, pillow 100 may be defined as having a bottom end 160 that may refer to the bottom ends of center chamber 110, first side chamber 120, and second side chamber 130.
It is noted that pillow 100 may be used by a user right side up, such as the configurations found in FIGS. 6, 7, 10, 16, and 17, or upside down, which would be a 180 degree rotation of the configurations found in FIGS. 6, 7, 10, 16, and 17. For example, using the configuration in FIG. 10, a user may utilize pillow upside down so that a user's head rests on center chamber 110 adjacent top end 140, a user's cervical spine rests on center chamber 110 between upper inner edges 190 and lower inner edges 195, and a user's thoracic spine rests on center chamber 110 adjacent bottom end 160. It is noted that whether upside down or right side up, a user may be capable of resting in a supine, quarter turn, and side position.
In additional embodiments, pillow 100 may be utilized in positions/orientations other than upside down or right side up. For example, user may lay in a side position with the pillow's bottom end 160 facing the front of their body. Pillow 100 may be slightly rotated toward user (between 20 and 45 degrees) so that the user's head may be positioned roughly in the middle of one of the first/ second side chambers 120,130. In addition, user may position their bottom arm under pillow 100 so that their arm extends away from their body and through the area adjacent upper inner edges 190, lower inner edges 195 and the top/bottom of center chamber 110; the user's top arm may lie on the pillow in a similar orientation as the lower arm. The shape of pillow 100 may allow a user to perform this common comfortable sleeping position while also providing support for the user's top arm (which may additionally provide shoulder support for the user).
It is noted that in embodiments, a “top” of center chamber 110 may be considered to be positioned above apexes of the upper inner edges 190. In other embodiments, it is noted that a “bottom” of center chamber may be considered to be positioned below apexes of the lower inner edges 195.
It is noted that in embodiments, the outer configuration of pillow 100 may be configurable to where at least one of first side chamber 110 and second side chamber 120 are flat. In order to create that configuration, a user may adjust the supportive foam inside of pillow 100 accordingly.
In embodiments, the outer configuration of pillow 100 may be configurable to where center chamber 110 comprises a thickness that is less than that of first and second side chambers 120,130. This may allow a user to comfortably rest in a supine position on center chamber 110 and then be comfortably supported by at least one of first and second side chambers 120,130 when the user transitions to a resting position on at least one of the first and second side chambers 120,130.
In embodiments, pillow 100 may be utilized upside down in relation to how pillow 100 has been described as being utilized previously. In other embodiments, pillow may be utilized in a direction perpendicular in relation to how pillow 100 has been described as being utilized previously.
In embodiments, pillow 100 may be configurable to receive a user in any number of resting positions that may be understood by one skilled in the art.
In embodiments, pillow 100 may comprise any type of supportive fill that may efficiently carry out the functions and may effectively support the structure of pillow 100. A proper supportive fill may be easily recognized by one skilled in the art.
In embodiments, supportive fill may include but are not limited to latex, Talalay latex, Dunlop latex, memory foams, polyurethane foam, various deniers of polyester fill, kapok fiber, buckwheat hulls, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, pillow 100 may be filled with various sizes of chopped or shredded Talalay latex or Dunlop latex and/or various sizes of chopped or shredded memory foam or polyurethane foam. In certain embodiments, pillow 100 may be filled with a molded foam made of at least one of latex, memory foam, and polyurethane foam. In certain embodiments, pillow 100 may be filled with a mixture of Talalay latex and kapok fiber. This configuration may help to prevent the supportive fill from clumping that may occur with shredded or chopped foam, which may alleviate the lumpiness in pillow 100. In further embodiments, supportive fill may include more than one material.
It is noted that similar to shredded pieces of Talalay latex, other shredded or chopped foams (such as, but not limited to Dunlop latex, memory foams, and polyurethane foams) tend to have a bonding attraction to one another due to the increased exposed surface area of the materials. This may create a clumping effect of the materials, which may help to prevent the migration of supportive fill at left and right passage zones 170,180. In additional embodiments, pillow 100 may include chopped foam and a fibrous filler. The fibrous filler may provide additional malleability to pillow 100.
In embodiments, the supportive fill may be distributed throughout pillow 100 as follows: the center chamber 110 may contain approximately 10-20% of the supportive fill and each of the first and second side chambers 120,130 may contain 40-45% of the supportive fill.
For the purposes of this disclosure, apexes of upper inner edges 190 and lower inner edges 195 may be referred to as “apexes” regardless of the orientation of pillow 100.
For the purposes of this disclosure, it is noted that any user resting or sleeping positions disclosed in this disclosure may be considered either one of a “sleep position” and an “awake resting position” of a user.
For the purposes of this disclosure, it is noted that the term “therapeutic pillow” and title “therapeutic side and back sleep position pillow” may not limit the disclosed pillow in terms of scope and usability. It is further noted that any of the disclosed embodiments may be utilized in any situation or circumstance that calls for the use of a regular pillow.
For the purposes of this disclosure, the terms “resting position” and “sleeping position” may be synonymous.
For the purposes of this disclosure, the terms “user” and “individual” may be synonymous.

LISTING OF ELEMENTS

- pillow/therapeutic pillow—100
- center chamber—110
- first side chamber—120
- second side chamber—130
- front surface—134
- rear surface—136
- top end—140
- side end—150
- bottom end—160
- left passage zone—170
- right passage zone—180
- upper inner edge—190
- lower inner edge—195
- manipulatable appendage 197
- positioning gap—198

A plurality of additional features and feature refinements are applicable to specific embodiments. These additional features and feature refinements may be used individually or in any combination. It is noted that each of the following features discussed may be, but are not necessary to be, used with any other feature or combination of features of any of the embodiments presented herein.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as are commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Although methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present disclosure, suitable methods are described herein.
All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will prevail. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims and includes both combinations and sub-combinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as variations and modifications thereof, which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description.

Claims

I claim:

1. A pillow having an adjustable configuration, the pillow comprising:

one or more chambers, the one or more chambers configured for receiving supportive fill; and

wherein the one or more chambers are configured such that the supportive fill is moveable between the one or more chambers to adjust a configuration of the pillow.