WO2003047474A1 - Head, neck and chin support device - Google Patents

Head, neck and chin support device Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2003047474A1
WO2003047474A1 PCT/GB2002/005408 GB0205408W WO03047474A1 WO 2003047474 A1 WO2003047474 A1 WO 2003047474A1 GB 0205408 W GB0205408 W GB 0205408W WO 03047474 A1 WO03047474 A1 WO 03047474A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
neck
user
head
resiliently
deformable
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2002/005408
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Mark Andrew Dearlove
Original Assignee
Mark Andrew Dearlove
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Mark Andrew Dearlove filed Critical Mark Andrew Dearlove
Priority to GB0411824A priority Critical patent/GB2397518B/en
Priority to AU2002365657A priority patent/AU2002365657A1/en
Priority to EP02804288A priority patent/EP1460979A1/en
Publication of WO2003047474A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003047474A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F5/00—Orthopaedic methods or devices for non-surgical treatment of bones or joints; Nursing devices; Anti-rape devices
    • A61F5/01—Orthopaedic devices, e.g. splints, casts or braces
    • A61F5/04—Devices for stretching or reducing fractured limbs; Devices for distractions; Splints
    • A61F5/05—Devices for stretching or reducing fractured limbs; Devices for distractions; Splints for immobilising
    • A61F5/055—Cervical collars

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a head, neck and chin support device.
  • Such devices are used worldwide, by all age groups, using many forms of transport, in an attempt to alleviate neck strain whilst drowsing or sleeping.
  • This invention aims to provide a device that supports the head, neck and chin of the user, as one unit, in any situation where there is a tendency for the head to fall sideways, backwards or forwards, especially when sleeping in a sitting position.
  • the present invention provides a device for supporting the head, neck and chin of a user, the device comprising:
  • a second resiliently-deformable portion of generally parallelepiped configuration integrally attached to said first portion (i) and adapted in use to be in contact with the upper chest, upper shoulders or back of the head of the user, thereby to support said first portion (i) about the neck of the user.
  • said portions (i) and (ii) may comprise a flexible envelope adapted to be inflated.
  • either or both of said portions (i) and (ii) may comprise a flexible envelope adapted to be filled with a resiliently-deformable material.
  • the resiliently-deformable material may comprise a foam or beads of plastics material (for example, beads of polystyrene) .
  • the resiliently-deformable material may comprise a gel (such as a silicone-based gel) .
  • the reversible closure member comprises complementary portions of a hook-pile material, e.g. the material available as VELCRO ® .
  • the reversible closure member is located in a position substantially diametrically opposite the second portion (ii) of the device.
  • support is always provided to the sides of the neck.
  • the device can be reversed to give support to the nape of the neck and the back of the head or upper shoulders.
  • Figure 1 is a side view of a device according to the invention, shown in a normal position;
  • Figure 2 is a front view of the device of Figure 1.
  • Figure 3 is a side view of a device according to the invention, shown in a reclining position.
  • the device according to the invention comprises a first, generally annular, inflatable portion 10 which in use is adapted to fit under the chin and extend around the neck of a user, leaving a gap of 10-15 cm closeable by means of a NELCRO ® closure member 11.
  • the overall dimensions of portion 10 are such that, in use, the device rests on the shoulders of the user.
  • the device further comprises a second, generally parallelepiped, inflatable portion 20 which is attached to the first portion 10 at a position substantially diametrically opposite the closure member 11.
  • the second portion 20 can, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, contact the upper chest of the user, thereby supporting the first portion 10, which in turn holds the head and neck of the user in a stable position.
  • the second portion 20 can, as shown in Figure 3, contact the back of the head (20A) or the upper shoulders (20B) of the user.
  • the device of the present invention has been illustrated herein with reference to its use by an adult, it will be appreciated that the device would be capable of adaptation so as to be suitable for use by infants, for example in connection with a car seat, pushchair or the like.

Abstract

A device for supporting the head, neck and chin of a user is provided. The device comprises a first resiliently-deformable portion of generally annular configuration which is adapted in use to be removably fastened about the neck of the user by means of a reversible closure-member. The device further comprises a second resiliently-deformable portion of generally parallelepiped configuration which is integrally attached to the first portion and adapted in use to be in contact with the upper chest, upper shoulders or back of the head of the user.

Description

HEAD, NECK AND CHIN SUPPORT DEVICE
This invention relates to a head, neck and chin support device.
Such devices are used worldwide, by all age groups, using many forms of transport, in an attempt to alleviate neck strain whilst drowsing or sleeping.
Different types of support are used to relieve different symptoms. No one support is designed to deal effectively with all possible head movement, in particular the convulsive jerking of the head that often occurs when falling asleep. Consequently, some form of discomfort is still likely to result.
This invention aims to provide a device that supports the head, neck and chin of the user, as one unit, in any situation where there is a tendency for the head to fall sideways, backwards or forwards, especially when sleeping in a sitting position.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a device for supporting the head, neck and chin of a user, the device comprising:
(i) a first resiliently-deformable portion of generally annular configuration, adapted in use to be removably fastened about the neck of the user by means of a reversible closure-member; and
(ii) a second resiliently-deformable portion of generally parallelepiped configuration, integrally attached to said first portion (i) and adapted in use to be in contact with the upper chest, upper shoulders or back of the head of the user, thereby to support said first portion (i) about the neck of the user. Suitably, either or both of said portions (i) and (ii) may comprise a flexible envelope adapted to be inflated.
Alternatively, either or both of said portions (i) and (ii) may comprise a flexible envelope adapted to be filled with a resiliently-deformable material.
Suitably, the resiliently-deformable material may comprise a foam or beads of plastics material (for example, beads of polystyrene) . Alternatively, the resiliently-deformable material may comprise a gel (such as a silicone-based gel) .
Preferably, the reversible closure member comprises complementary portions of a hook-pile material, e.g. the material available as VELCRO®.
In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reversible closure member is located in a position substantially diametrically opposite the second portion (ii) of the device.
In using the device of the present invention, support is always provided to the sides of the neck.
Where there is little risk of the head falling forwards, i.e. semi reclined, the device can be reversed to give support to the nape of the neck and the back of the head or upper shoulders.
A specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described, merely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a device according to the invention, shown in a normal position;
Figure 2 is a front view of the device of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a side view of a device according to the invention, shown in a reclining position.
In the drawings, like numerals denote like parts.
The device according to the invention comprises a first, generally annular, inflatable portion 10 which in use is adapted to fit under the chin and extend around the neck of a user, leaving a gap of 10-15 cm closeable by means of a NELCRO® closure member 11. The overall dimensions of portion 10 are such that, in use, the device rests on the shoulders of the user.
The device further comprises a second, generally parallelepiped, inflatable portion 20 which is attached to the first portion 10 at a position substantially diametrically opposite the closure member 11.
The second portion 20 can, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, contact the upper chest of the user, thereby supporting the first portion 10, which in turn holds the head and neck of the user in a stable position.
Alternatively, the second portion 20 can, as shown in Figure 3, contact the back of the head (20A) or the upper shoulders (20B) of the user.
While the device of the present invention has been illustrated herein with reference to its use by an adult, it will be appreciated that the device would be capable of adaptation so as to be suitable for use by infants, for example in connection with a car seat, pushchair or the like.

Claims

1. A device for supporting the head, neck and chin of a user, the device comprising:
(i) a first resiliently-deformable portion of generally annular configuration, adapted in use to be removably fastened about the neck of the user by means of a reversible closure-member; and
(ii) a second resiliently-deformable portion of generally parallelepiped configuration, integrally attached to said first portion (i) and adapted in use to be in contact with the upper chest, upper shoulders or back of the head of the user, thereby to support said first portion (i) is about the neck of the user.
2. A device according to Claim 1, in which either or both of said portions (i) and (ii) comprises a flexible envelope adapted to be inflated.
3. A device according to Claim 1, in which either or both of said portions (i) and (ii) comprises a flexible envelope adapted to be filled with a resiliently-deformable material.
4. A device according to Claim 3, in which the resiliently-deformable material comprises a foam.
5. A device according to Claim 3, in which the resiliently-deformable material comprises beads of a plastics material.
6. A device according to Claim 3, in which the resiliently-deformable material comprises a gel.
7. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the reversible closure-member comprises complementary portions of a hook-pile material.
8. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the reversible closure-member is located in a position substantially diametrically opposite the second portion (ii) of the device.
9. A device for supporting the neck, head and chin of a user, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
PCT/GB2002/005408 2001-11-28 2002-11-28 Head, neck and chin support device WO2003047474A1 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0411824A GB2397518B (en) 2001-11-28 2002-11-28 Head neck and chin support device
AU2002365657A AU2002365657A1 (en) 2001-11-28 2002-11-28 Head, neck and chin support device
EP02804288A EP1460979A1 (en) 2001-11-28 2002-11-28 Head, neck and chin support device

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0128426A GB0128426D0 (en) 2001-11-28 2001-11-28 Head neck and chin support device
GB0128426.4 2001-11-28

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2003047474A1 true WO2003047474A1 (en) 2003-06-12

Family

ID=9926560

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2002/005408 WO2003047474A1 (en) 2001-11-28 2002-11-28 Head, neck and chin support device

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1460979A1 (en)
AU (1) AU2002365657A1 (en)
GB (2) GB0128426D0 (en)
WO (1) WO2003047474A1 (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2405088A (en) * 2003-08-22 2005-02-23 Brendan O'neill Inflatable head rest pillow
WO2009009696A1 (en) * 2007-07-10 2009-01-15 Biomed Db Design Pillow to provide direct head, neck, jaw, and chin support, and to relax cervical and shoulder muscles
EP2524621A1 (en) 2011-05-20 2012-11-21 Weisel, Niklas Fluid packaging for persons with reduced mobility

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2165762A (en) * 1984-10-18 1986-04-23 Arthur Jacob Helfet Neck support

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2165762A (en) * 1984-10-18 1986-04-23 Arthur Jacob Helfet Neck support

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2405088A (en) * 2003-08-22 2005-02-23 Brendan O'neill Inflatable head rest pillow
WO2009009696A1 (en) * 2007-07-10 2009-01-15 Biomed Db Design Pillow to provide direct head, neck, jaw, and chin support, and to relax cervical and shoulder muscles
EP2524621A1 (en) 2011-05-20 2012-11-21 Weisel, Niklas Fluid packaging for persons with reduced mobility

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2397518B (en) 2005-05-04
GB0128426D0 (en) 2002-01-16
GB2397518A (en) 2004-07-28
AU2002365657A1 (en) 2003-06-17
EP1460979A1 (en) 2004-09-29
GB0411824D0 (en) 2004-06-30

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