US3480976A - Headrest - Google Patents

Description

S. YAVNER Dec. 2, 1969 HEADREST 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 1, 1968 FIG. i

INVENTOR. SYLVAN YAVNER ATTORNEY S. YAVNER Dec. 2, 1969 HEADREST 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 1, 1968 INVENTOR.

SYLVAN YAVNER United States Patent 3,480,976 HEADREST Sylvan Yavner, 412 Bradford Ave., Norfolk, Va. 23505 Filed Apr. 1, 1968, Ser. No. 717,849 Int. Cl. A47c 7/38, 1/10 U.S. Cl. -338 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A headrest including a substantially U-shaped, upwardly arcute neck supporting frame heavily padded over the inner, upwardly curving surface thereof; a heavily padded and downwardly sloping spinal support projection extending perpendicularly from one side of the central protion of the inner arcuate surface of the frame; and a head support assembly resiliently interconnected with the central portion of the inner arcuate surface of the frame and projecting from the other side thereof. The head support assembly includes a head support element provided with a plurality of comb-like teeth having downwardly curving free ends extending upwardly and outwardly from the vicinity of the frame and insertable into the hair of the user of the head rest.

This invention relates generally to a headrest, and more particularly to a headrest for feminine use during the hours of repose when the hair may be rolled on curlers disposed substantially over the entire scalp area.

Before retiring for the night, a substantial number of ladies roll their hair on conventional curlers which, being formed of metal or a relatively unyieldable plastic and having certain fairly sharp edges, make the use of conventional pillows and the like extremely uncomfortable as the weight of the head thereupon presses the curlers into the scalp. Even when curlers and the like are not placed in the hair before retiring, many ladies consider the use of conventional pillows undesirable due to the fact that the pressure of the head thereagainst in various attitudes during repose will readily seriously disturb their carefully arranged coiffures. Accordingly, those concerned with the provision of solutions for the problems outlined hereinbefore have heretofore contemplated the use of a variety of headrests in lieu of the conventional pillow. Along these lines, headrests such as those disclosed, by Way of example, in U.S. Patent No. 3,009,172 granted on Nov. 21, 1961, to F. H. Eidarn; U.S. Patent No. 3,283,344 granted on Nov. 8, 1966, to F. W. Blanchard; and U.S. Patent No. 3,296,634 granted on Jan. 10, v1967, to T. L. Rusnak have been proposed for the nocturnal use of ladies desirous of supporting their heads substantially out of contact with relatively firm and continuous supports. While the devices shown in each of the hereinbefore mentioned prior art references may function quite well in the attainment of the objectives contemplated therein, it is nevertheless considered that more satisfactory results than those obtainable with such prior art devices are possible. The headrest for nocturnal feminine use herein disclosed is, therefore, deemed to adequately fill a need not completely satisfied by the prior art and to overcome certain of the drawbacks thereof.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is the provision of a simplified and operatively effective headrest for feminine use.

Another object of the instant invention is the provision of a headrest for nocturnal feminine use adapted to prevent the head of the user from contacting any continuous, relatively firm surface.

According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects are attained by providing a headrest in- 3,480,976 Patented Dec. 2, 1969 cluding a substantially U-shaped, upwardly arcuate neck supporting frame component heavily padded over the inner arcuate surface thereof and adapted to support the nape of the users neck and extend up around the sides thereof. The headrest also includes a heavily padded and downwardly sloping projection extending substantially perpendicularly from one edge of the central portion of the inner arcuate surface of the frame to provide spinal support. The headrest further includes a head support element resiliently interconnected with the central portion of the inner arcuate surface of the frame and normally disposed somewhat thereabove and projecting out wardly from the opposite edge thereof; the head support element being provided with a plurality of comb-like teeth having downwardly curving free ends extending outwardly from the vicinity of the frame and insertable into the users hair between the scalp and curlers which may be disposed therein. The arcuate shape of the frame component permits the user to roll the head and the headrest from side to side without disturbing the positioning of the head therein, and the headrest, except for the head support element and mount therefor, is covered with a readily removable cover element made of a washable fabric.

A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily apparent as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the headrest in use;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the headrest with the outer fabric cover element removed therefrom and the inner fabric covering therefor partially broken away to show the structural details thereof;

FIG. 3 is a sectional, side elevational view of the headrest with the outer fabric cover element removed therefrom and the inner fabric covering therefor partially broken away, taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the headrest;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the headrest with the fabric cover element and the inner fabric covering therefor removed and the padding thereof partially broken away to show the structural details thereof; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the outer fabric cover element of the headrest removed therefrom for laundermg.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate the same or identical parts throughout the several. views, and more specifically to FIGS. 1 and 4, there is shown a headrest, generally designated by the reference numeral 11, intended for feminine use during the hours of repose. Headrest 11 includes a substantially U-shaped neck support section, generally designated by the reference numeral 12, adapted to support the nape of the users neck and extend up around the sides thereof, as well as a spinal support section, generally designated by the reference numeral 13, and a head support assembly, generally designated by the reference numeral 14. The headrest 11, with the exception of the head support assembly 14, is normally covered by a readily removable cover element, generally designated by the reference numeral 15, formed of a suitable washable fabric.

The neck support section 12 of headrest 11, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 5, is substantially constituted by an upwardly arcuate frame component including an elongated strip 16 of light, strong, and ductile metal such, for example, as aluminum. The metallic strip 16 is provided with a substantially flat, normally horizontally disposed, central portion 17 symmetrically situated with respect to the longitudinal midpoint thereof, as well as upwardly curving portions 18 extending from each side of central portion 17 through about a quarter of a circle. The upper surface of central portion 17 and the contiguous surfaces of curving portions 18 of metallic strip 16 may aptly be referred to as the inner upwardly arcuate or curving surface of the frame component of neck support section 12 of head rest 11, and the use of such terminolog herein is intended as descriptive of these surfaces of portions 17 and 18 of metallic strip 16. The metallic strip 16 is further provided with a substantially fiat portion 19 normally projecting substantially vertically upwardly from each curved portion 18 thereof, and a downwardly arcuate portion 21 extending from the upper extremity of each of the upwardly projecting portions 19 thereof upwardly, outwardly, and then downwardly through substantially half of a circle. The metallic strip 16 similarly is provided with a substantially flat portion normally projecting substantially vertically downwardly from the outer extremity of each of the downward arcuate portions 21 thereof terminating at an inwardly and downwardly curving portion 22 substantially concentrically situated with respect to the adjacent curving portion 18 of metallic strip 16. The free ends of the metallic strip 16 situated at the lower extremities of the portions 22 thereof are each connected, as by welding or riveting, to a substantially flat metallic connector element 23 underlying the central portion 17 of the metallic strip 16 in spaced, substantially parallel relation. The lower surface of connector element 23 and the contiguous surfaces of curving portions 22 of metallic strip 16 may aptly be referred to as an outer upwardly arcuate or curving surface of the frame component of neck support section 12 of headrest 11, and the use of such terminology herein is intended as descriptive of these surfaces of the connector element 23 and the metallic strip 16.

A centrally disposed metallic channel element, generally designated by the reference numeral 24, extends between the substantially flat lower surface of the central portion 17 of metallic strip 16 and the substantially flat upper surface of the metallic connector element 23. The web section 25 of channel element 24 is disposed in the plane of that edge of the upwardly arcuate frame component of neck support section 12 of headrest 11 adjacent the head support assembly 14 thereof, and the upper flange 26 of channel element 24, which is substantially equal in depth to the width of metallic strip 16, contacts the lower surface of the central portion 17 of metallic strip 16 and is suitably connected thereto as by welding or riveting. The lower flange 26 of channel element 24 is in contact with the similarly connected to the upper surface of the metallic connector element 23.

It will be immediately apparent that, if desired, the metallic connector element 23 of the upwardly arcuate frame component of neck support section 12 could be eliminated by merely elongating the metallic strip 16 in each direction from the longitudinal midpoint thereof until the ends thereof came into 'direct contact with the lower surface of the lower flange 26 of the channel element 24 sufiicient to permit their connection to the lower flange 26 of channel element 24 as by welding or riveting.

The metallic channel element 24 serves to brace the upwardly arcuate frame component of neck support section 12 of headrest 11 and maintain the hereinbefore set forth configuration thereof, particularly when the weight of the users head and neck is placed thereon. The upwardly arcuate frame component of neck support section 12 of headrest 11 is further internally braced by the provision therein of another pair of channel elements 27; each of which is disposed between the channel element 24 and one of the downwardly arcuate portions 21 of the metallic strip 16. Each channel element 27 includes a web section 28 and a pair of flanges 29 each substantially equal in depth to the width of the metallic strip 16. The outer surface of one of the flanges 29 of each channel element 27 contacts a substantially flat portion 19 of metallic strip 16 and is suitably connected thereto as by welding or riveting, while the other flange 29 of each channel element 27 similarly contacts and is similarly connected to the adjacent flat portion of the metallic strip 16 extending between the adjacent arcuate portion 21 and the adjacent curving portion 22 thereof. The web section 28 of each of the channel elements 27 is preferably situated in the plane of that edge of the upwardly arcuate frame component of neck support section 12 of headrest 11 remote from the head support assembly 14 thereof, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5; the positioning of the web sections of the channel element 24 and the channel elements 27 at the opposite edges of the upwardly arcuate frame component of neck support section 12 serving to maximize the rigidity thereof. The provision of the channel elements 27 is considered to be especially advantageous in maintaining the configuration of the metallic strip 16 hereinbefore set forth when the user of headrest 11 rolls her body and head from side to side in her sleep.

The headrest 11 includes an elongated element, generally designated by the reference numeral 31, formed of a suitable strip of sheet metal substantially equal in width to the width of channel element 24. Elongated element 31 is disposed substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis of metallic strip 16 of the upwardly arcuate frame component of neck support section 12, and includes a substantially flat portion 32 contacting the upper surface of the substantially flat central portion 17 of metallic strip 16 and suitably connected thereto as by welding or riveting. Other portions of the elongated element 31 project beyond the edges of the upwardly arcuate frame component of neck support section 12, as more fully set forth hereinafter.

Neck support section 12 of headrest 11 further includes a thick strip of padding material 33 such, for example, as a highly resilient, cellular plastic, or a sponge rubber, disposed over the inner upwardly arcuate surface of the frame component thereof as well as the inner halves of the downwardly arcuate portions 21 of the metallic strip 16. The padding strip 33 is preferably adhesively bonded to the indicated surfaces of the upwardly arcuate frame component of neck support section 12, and is substantially uniform in thickness except where it overlies the downwardly arcuate portions 21 of the metallic strip 16, where it smoothly tapers from the substantially uniformly thick portions thereof down to nothing at about the midpoint of each arcuate portion 21 of metallic strip 16. The resulting upwardly arcuate outer surface of padding strip 33 is proportioned to substantially embrace the nape and sides of the users neck.

The spinal support section 13 of head rest 11 includes a substantially flat and downwardly sloping portion 34 of the elongated element 31 which, at its upper extremity, is interconnected with the portion 32 thereof through the medium of the step 35 formed therein. The lowermost terminus of the sloping portion 34 of element 31 is somewhat upwardly curved at 36 to eliminate the bearing of a relatively sharp edge against the surface upon which the head rest 11 is placed. The upper surface of the element 31 projecting beyond the edge of the upwardly arcuate frame component of the neck support section 12 of head rest 11 is also heavily padded with a strip of material 37 similar to the material 33 and which may also be adhesively bonded thereto; the step 35 in element 31 permiting the padding strips 33 and 37 to be formed from material of the same original thickness and cut to assure juxtapositioning of the upper surfaces thereof at their line of abutment.

A length of element 31 also projects beyond the edge of the upwardly arcuate frame component of the neck support section 12 in the direction opposite the projection of spinal support section 13 therefrom. This length of element 31, which is shorter than the height of the web section 25 of channel element 24, is provided with a pair of narrow longitudinal slots extending inwardly from the free end thereof towards neck support section 12; each such slot being situated a distance from the adjacent side edge of element 31 equal to about a third of the width thereof. The portions 38 of this length of element 31 lying between each such slot and the adjacent side edge thereof are coplanar with the portion 32 thereof, while the portion 39 of this length of element 31 lying between the two slots is bent downwardly at about an angle of 90 to contact the web section 25 of channel element 24.

The head support assembly 14 of headrest 11, in addition to the portions 38 of element 31, further includes a strip of highly resilient or springy sheet metal 41 having a lower length about as wide as the portion 39 of element 31. This lower length of metallic strip 41 is vertically placed over the outer surface of portion 39 of element 31; and the strip 41, the portion 39 of element 31, and the web section 25 of channel element 24 are mutually interconnected by means of the vertically spaced rivets 42, or the like. An upper length of the metallic strip 41 projects upwardly between the portions 38 of element 31 in the vicinity of the upwardly arcuate frame component of neck support section 12 of headrest 11; the upper length of the metallic strip 41 commencing to become progressively and symmetrically wider than the portion 39 of element 31 beginning at a point situated substantially at the upper surface of the portions 38 of element 31. The resilient metallic strip 41, at the point where it commences to become wider, is permanently bent at such an angle that the upper length thereof proceeds upwardly and outwardly from the vicinity of the fixed ends of the portions 38 of element 31.

The head support assembly 14 of headrest 11 also includes a head support element, generally designated by the reference numeral 43, closely resembling a conventional curved comb. Head support element 43 is provided with an elongated and upwardly arcuate body section 44 which is positioned transversely to the upper length of the metallic strip 41; the body section 44 of element 43 being suitably connected to the metallic strip 41 near the free end of the upper length thereof. Head support element 43, which may be formed of a relatively unyieldable substance such as a hard rubber or plastic, is also provided with a plurality of teeth 45 projecting upwardly and outwardly from one edge of the body section 44 in the direction that the upper length of resilient metallic strip 41 projects. The teeth 45 of head support element 43 are straight throughout the greater part of the lengths thereof; however, a short portion 46 of the length of each tooth 45 adjacent the free end thereof is curved somewhat downwardly.

The neck support section 12 and the spinal support section 13 of headrest 11 may be entirely permanently covered with a suitable fabric 47, partially shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings, cut and sewn to fit these sections of headrest 11. These sections of headrest 11, as set forth hereinbefore, are further covered with the readily removable fabric cover element which may be removed therefrom for laundering and then replaced. Cover element 15, as seen in FIG. 1 and more particularly in FIG. 6, includes a section 49 shaped to fit the headrest neck support section 12, except for a lower area of the central portion thereof, having a pair of conventional slide fasteners 51 operable to closely secure this cover element section about the headrest neck support section 12. Cover element 15 further includes a section 52 shaped to fit the headrest spinal support section 13 having a pair of conventional slide fasteners 53 operable to closely secure this cover element section about the headrest spinal support section 13. Cover element 15 also includes a flap section 54 interconnected with the section 52 thereof adapted to complete the enclosure of the headrest neck support section 12.

When the slide fasteners 51 and 53 of cover element 15 are not closed and the flap section 54 thereof is not secured, as substantially shown in FIG. 6, the cover element 15 is drawn downwardly over the headrest sections 12 and 13. A slide fastener 51 is then closed downwardly adjacent each of the outer arcuate surfaces of the up wardly arcuate frame component of headrest section 12, and a slide fastener 53 is then closed on each side of the headrest section 13 from the free end thereof towards the headrest section 12. The flap section 54 interconnected with the cover element section 52 is then passed downwardly beneath the lower central portion of the headrest section 12 and upwardly towards the head support assembly 14 of headrest 11 where it is secured to the cover element section 49 by means of conventional snap fasteners.

The use of the headrest 11 is illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings. The user thereof lies on her back in an upwardly facing position with the upper end of her spinal column resting upon the padded spinal support section -13 of headrest 11, and the nape of her neck upon the padded central portion of the inner arcuate surface of the neck support section 12 thereof. As the back of the users head meets the head support assembly 14 and sinks lower when the resilient, metallic strip 41 deforms downwardly, the teeth 45 of head support element 43 move into the hair covering the back of the users head. The downward curvature of the free end portions 46 of the teeth 45, as hereinbefore set forth, provides assurance that the points of the teeth 45 will not contact and lacerate the users scalp. If the user of headrest 11 has hair curlers positioned in the hair upon the back of her head, the teeth 45 will slide between her scalp and these curlers. The head support element 43 will not sink lower than a position in which the teeth 45 thereof are disposed substantially horizontally, as shown in FIG. 1, due to the inablhty of the upper length of the resilient, metallic strip 41 to pass through the narrower space between the proectlng portions 38 of element 31, assuring firm and adequate support of the users head above the surface upon WhlCh the headrest 11 is placed. The outer upwardly arcuate surfaces of the neck support section 12 of headrest 1-1, moreover, premits the user to roll in her sleep in a natural manner; the extension of the inner arcuate surface of neck support section 12 of headrest 11 upwardly around the srdes of the users neck serving to prevent the separation of her head and headrest 11.

What is claimed as new and desired. to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A headrest for feminine use during the hours of repose adapted to support the back of the users head ad acent the scalp, comprising:

(A) a neck support section having a substantially rigid upwardly arcuate frame component padded over the inner surface thereof adapted to support the nape andkextend upwardly around the sides of the users nec (B) a spinal support section having a padded, elongated upper surface projecting perpendicularly outwardly from one edge of a central portion of said inner surface of said upwardly arcuate frame component of said neck support section and sloping downwardly towards the level occupied by the lowermost extremity of said upwardly arcuate frame component of said neck support section, said padded spinal support section being adapted to support the upper end of the spine of the user of said headrest; and

4C) a head support assembly, including:

(a) a resilient, metallic member projecting perpendicularly upwardly and outwardly when no downwardly directed pressure is applied thereto from a location adjacent the other edge of said central portion of said inner surface of said upwardly arcuate frame component of said neck support section, the free end of said metallic member being moveable downwardly when a downwardly directed pressure is applied thereto from a first position to a second position yet returnable upon the removal of said pressure to said first position;

(b) means for limiting the downward movement of said free end of said resilient, metallic member; as well as (c) a head support element having a body section transversely connected at substantially the longitudinal midpoint thereof to said resilient, metallic member in the vicinity of said free end thereof, said head support element having a plurality of teeth projecting from one edge of said body section substantially in the direction in which said resilient, metallic member projects away from said central portion of said inner surface of said upwardly arcuate frame component of said neck support section, said teeth having downwardly curving free ends and being adapted to penetrate the hair and support the head of the user of said headrest.

2. The headrest according to claim 1, wherein said body section of said head support element curves substantially upwardly from each side of said longitudinal midpoint thereof.

3. The headrest according to claim 1, wherein said upwardly arcuate frame component of said neck support section includes at least one strip of metal defining the outer upwardly arcuate and the inner upwardly arcuate surfaces thereof, and wherein metallic bracing elements are connected between said outer upwardly arcuate and said inner upwardly arcuate surfaces thereof.

4. The headrest according to claim 3, wherein said body section of said head support element curves substantially upwardly from each side of said longitudinal midpoint thereof.

5. The headrest according to claim 4, wherein said neck support section and said spinal support section are covered by a readily removable, washable fabric cover element.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,283,344 11/1966 Blanchard 5338 3,296,634 1/1967 Rusnak 5-338 BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner ANDREW M. CALVERT, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

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