US2577595A

US2577595A - Articulated pillow and case

Info

Publication number: US2577595A
Application number: US42677A
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseph J Tobias
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1948-08-05
Filing date: 1948-08-05
Publication date: 1951-12-04
Anticipated expiration: 1968-12-04

Description

Dec. 4, 1951 J. J. TOBIAS 2,577,595

ARTICULATED PILLOW AND CASE Filed Aug. 5, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet l lnvenfor:

s AV/\ Dec. 4, 1951 J, J, TOBlAs 2,577,595

ARTICULATED PILLOW AND CASE Filed Aug. 5, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 2' Dec. 4, 1951 J. J. roams 2 5 'ARTICULATED PILLOW AND CASE Filed Aug. 5, 194a l 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 a M i w 2 a {I F M o V J 0 n p c ,r... W n f a I q Z J Dec. 4, 1951 Filed Aug. 5, 1948 J. J. TOBIAS ARTICULATED PILLOW AND CASE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 brie? I Patented Dec. 4, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ARTICULATED PILLOW AND CASE Joseph J. Tobias, New York, N. Y.

Application August 5, 1948, Serial No. 42,677

7 Claims. 1

This invention relates to pillows, pillow cases or the like and refers particularly to a type having two or more rectangular pillows held in flexibIe alignment by a, tubular pillow, all contained a compartmented pillow case. The main object of my invention is to provide a pillow and case of the general character indicated which is primarily made to properly support the head and which will, in addition, brace the back or the chest and relieve all neck, shoulder and back or chest muscular strains of a sleeper;

Another object is to make a pillow and case which is pleasing in appearance, economical to produce, and easy to change, launder and use.

A further object is to produce a pillow and case: that will be useful in the home as well as in a hospital and that may also be used to prevent children from rolling off a bed- With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain other novel features of construction and combination of parts, whose various advantages accruing from the principles, form and nature of my invention, will appear more fully in the following description and claims.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated several forms of constructing the articulated pillow and pillow case with several forms of openings in the case for admitting and retaining the pillows, embodying the various features of my invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a pillow and case as used by a, sleeping man.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of same showing the preferred form of construction and with the end flap of one pillow extended open.

Figure 3 is an end elevation of same on line 33 of Figure 2, after the end flap is folded over.

Figure 4 is an enlarged section on line 4-4 of Figures 2 and 21.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary cross section on line 5-5 of Figures'2 and 21.. I

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross section on line 55 of Figure 2, showing a modified form of construction at the scams. 4

Figure 7 is a front elevation of a modified form of construction.

Figure 8 is an end elevation on line 8'--8 of Figure-'7.

Figure 9 is a front elevation of another modifled form of construction.

Figure 10 is an end elevation on line Ill-I'll of Figure 9. v

Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmentary section on line ll-H of Figure 10.

Figure 12 isa front elevation of another modified' form of construction of the pillow for use with pillow case shown in Figure 15.

Figure 13' is an end elevation of still another modification of the construction of the pillow and case.

Figure 14 is an end elevation on line |4-l4 of Figure 12.

Figure 15 is a front elevation of another modified form of construction of the pillow case for use with pillow shown in Figure 12.

Figure 16 .is an end elevation on line l6--|6 of Figure 15.

Figure 1'7 is an enlarged fragmentary cross section on line l'l-ll of Figure 15.

Figure 18 is an enlarged fragmentary cross section on line l8l8 of Figure 15, with the fastening tapes untied.

Figure 19 is an enlarged fragmentary section on line I'll-l9 of Figure 15.

Figure 20' is a front elevation of a'modified form of construction.

Figure 21 is a front elevation of a modified form of construction showing three head pillows.

Generally, pillows are made of a filling of firm but yielding material such as feathers, sponge rubber, fiuifed cotton or other vegetable fibers, contained within a suitable fabric envelope usually called tick.

When in use, it is a common practice to place the pillows within a fabric container usually called a pillow case that can be changed often and laundered for cleanliness and sanitation and being of a finer and softer weave and texture it will not irritate the skin. Such pillows and cases are placed on a bed or like sleeping surface and are free to be moved about upon such surface for the purpose of supporting the head and back of a sleeper.

Referring to the drawings, in which similar parts are designated by like letters or numerals.

All pillows and cases are held together by hemming and stitching designated throughout all the drawings by the following letter symbols: S for stitching, S5 for stitched seams, H for hems at free edge of material.

Numeral designations in all figures are as follows: 20 for the left head pillow, 2| for the right head pillow, 22 for the tubular pillow, 25 for the leftpillow case compartment, 25 for the right pillow case compartment, 21 for the tubular pillow case compatment.

other side of their bodies with their head resting on pillows and are very often disturbed in their sleep by lack of an adequate support for their backs or chests. Such persons experience, on arising, uneasy or strained muscles of the neck, shoulders and sides often indicating aches or pain in these members.

With these conditions in mind the invention is designed to provide an articulated pillow having two

standard head pillows

20 and 2!, either one of which may be used for resting the head while the other is used for resting the back or chest,

held in end-to-end and flexible relation to each other by the tubular pillow 22, equaling in length the two end-to-end head pillows, all contained within a compartmented pillow case as shown in Figures 2, 7 and 9 and hereinafter described.

The tubular pillow being of small diameter and firm construction may be flexed to any extent necessary to change the angular relation between the two head pillows, as illustrated by the dash lines in Figure 2.

In a similar manner a group of three pillows held in end-to-end relation to each other by a long tubular pillow and contained within a comp-artmented pillow case as shown in Figure 21 may be used for bedding a child whose head would rest on the center pillow 85 with the end pillows flexed around each side of the body to prevent the child from rolling off the bed.

In the preferred construction shown in Figure 2, the pillow case compartments for the head pillows are closed at the center as shown at 3!! and are open at 3| to admit the pillows.

The pillow cases are made longer than the pillows to provide flaps that can be folded over as shown at 32 to retain the pillows within the cases.

To form the compartment 27 for the tubular pillow 22 and to strengthen the construction at the flexing point 40, the opposite walls of pillow cases are stitched together over a doubled-up tape or webbing 45 of sufficient length to extend beyond the stitched ends at 46 to form a free tietape 41.

A similar tie-tape is provided at the end of tubular pillow 21 which when tied to tie-tape 41 prevents the sliding of the tubular pillow.

With certain types of fabric, these tie-tapes are not necessary and can be cut off.

The flexing of the pillow in preparation for use is shown by dash lines in Figure 2.

A modified construction of the compartment for the tubular pillow is shown. in Figure 6, wherein separate pieces 'of fabric are joined over the reinforcing tape or webbing and stitched to form said compartment.

In the modified form of construction shown in Figure 7, the open end of each of the head pillow case compartments 48 is at the top to admit the pillow and then folded over as shown at 49.

In like manner the open ends of the head pillow case compartments can be provided at the center,

overlapping each other when open, and closed by folding over as shown at 25 and 26' in Figure 20.

Each of the tubular pillows shown in Figures 7 and 20 is held in a compartment having hemmed flaps 50 at one or both ends that can be closed by a draw string to contain said pillow.

In the modified form of construction shown in Figure 9, the open end of the pillow case compartment is at the top to admit both the head pillows and the tubular pillow and then be folded over as shown at 52.

The compartment for the tubular pillow is formed by a diaphragm 55 stitched to the sides of the pillow case in a manner that will leave an opening 56 at each end of said compartment for the insertion of said pillow.

Segmental sections 5'! are stitched to the pillow cases and diaphragms 55 to complete the enclosure of the pillow compartment at the center 30.

The modified form ofthe pillow and case shown in Figures 12 and 14 to 19, inclusive, is quite similar to that shown and described in connection with the preferred construction shown in Figures 2 to 5, inclusive, but an articulated pillow is provided in one piece as shown by Figure 12 that can be contained in the compartmented pillow case shown in Figure 15.

The construction of the articulated pillow is similar to that illustrated for the pillow case in Figure 2, except that it is made up of thick material and all ends are stitched closed to contain the filling.

The pillow case is a compartmented envelope with all marginal edges and articulated edges seamed and provided with a side opening near the bottom, the full length of the case, to admit the articulated pillow.

The closure for the side opening is designed to form an overlapping fiap 6!! to better conceal and protect the pillow and tick.

The flap 5!) is held in place by tie-tapes 6| stitched to the flap and to the case alongside of the fiap as shown in Figures 15 and 18.

The flexing point 65 is reinforced by doublingup the case material and by double stitching.

In Figure 13 is illustrated a further possible modification of my invention wherein the tubular pillow and compartment are replaced by a number of folds of the fabric 10 used for the pillow case stitched together around a reinforcing cord H.

A further modification may be made by replacing the tie-tapes illustrated with other fastenings such as buttons, snaps, buckles, clasps or slide fasteners.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described what I now consider to be the preferred form of the invention and the most evident construction modifications thereof, but since various minor changes may be made by those skilled in the art without varying from the essence of the invention, it is intended that all such variations be included within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An articulated pillow and pillow case comprising a plurality of head pillows disposed endto-end, a tubular pillow equal in length to the combined length of the head pillows and an articulated pillow case snugly enclosing all of the said pillows, maintaining corresponding sides of said head pillows in a row along one side of said tubular pillow and permitting the flexing of the tubular pillow without lifting any of the pillows from the supporting surface, thereby changing the end-to-end relation of the head pillows when a sleeper needs to use one of the head pillows to rest his back.

2. A pillow case having a compartment for holding a tubular pillow and a plurality of independently movable compartments extending normally'in the same direction from the first mentioned compartment and each adapted to receive and hold a head pillow in end-to-end relation with pillows in the adjacent compartments,

and means closing at least a substantial portion of the first mentioned compartment and arranged to cooperate with a tubular pillow in the first mentioned compartment to provide a pivot structure to permit the head pillows to move thereabout from said end-to-end relation.

3. A pillowcase having a compartment for holding a tubular pillow and a plurality of independently movable compartments extending normally in the same direction from the first mentioned compartment and each adapted to receive and hold a head pillow in end-to-end relation with pillows in the adjacent compartments, a seam and a tape reinforcement therein closing at least a substantial portion of the first mentioned compartment and arranged to cooperate with a tubular pillow in the first mentioned com-n partment to provide a pivot structure to permit the head pillows to move thereabout from said end-to-end relation.

4. An articulated'pillow structure, comprising a multicompartment pillow case, a tubular pillow aranged in one of said compartments and a set of head pillows arranged one in each of the remaining compartments, the walls of the last mentioned compartments arranged to hold said head pillows in end-to-end relation and extending in parallelism from the first mentioned compartment, said remaining compartments being separated from each other but being connected to the wall structure of said one compartment, said tubular pillow having a length equal to the combined lengths of the adjacent edges of the other pillows and forming means about which said head pillows may be moved edgewise from said end-toend relation.

5. In an articulated pillow structure, the combination, with a pillow case including a plurality of compartments, of a plurality of pillows, the wall structure of one of said compartments having a folded edgeextending along one side of the case from one end thereof to the other end, a line of stitching with a tape reinforcement therein extending across the pillow case parallel to said edge and forming a closure for said one comgated pillow in the first mentioned compartment,

and other pillows arranged one in each of the other compartments. 7

'6. In an articulated pillow structure, the combination of a plurality of separate head pillows arranged in end-to-end relation with adjacent head pillows, all secured along one edge with a continuous tape reinforcement to a tubular pillow, said tubular pillow having a length equal to the combined lengths of the adjacent pillows andforming means about which said head pillows may be moved edgewise from said end-to-end relation, and a pillow case having a corresponding plurality of compartments removably encasing all of said pillows, said pillow case having an entrance common to all of said compartments and overlapping means for closing said entrance, after the articulated pillow is placed in said articulated pillow case.

7. An articulated pillow structure, comprising a multicompartment pillow case, a set of head pillows arranged one in each of said compartments, the walls of said compartments arranged to hold said pillows in end-to-end relation separated from each other, a multifold having a length equal to the combined lengths of the adjacent edges of said compartments and forming means about which said head pillows may be moved edgewise from said end-to-end relation, said manifold comprising a tape, a reinforcing cord and portions of the walls of said compartments folded and stitched together and to such tape.

JOSEPH J. TOBIAS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 726,164 Hogan et a1 Apr. 21, 1903 1,540,685 Eiband June 2, 1925 2,336,707 Thompson Dec. 14, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 26,072 Great Britain of 1908