WO2018231970A1 - Support cushion - Google Patents

Abstract

A support cushion is provided. The support cushion includes an annular outer surface and an opening extending through the support cushion.

Description

SUPPORT CUSHION

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application no. 62/518,822, filed on June 13, 2017, entitled "SUPPORT CUSHION", which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Field of the Disclosure

[0002] This disclosure is directed to a support cushion, including a support cushion for breastfeeding.

Background

[0003] Conventional breastfeeding and bottle feeding may involve a person supporting the infant with the person's arm. The infant is generally positioned for optimal feeding with the person's arm. However, the person's arm may become fatigued during feeding due to lasting feeding periods and being unable to reposition. Further, infants are generally supported by soft materials in order to provide comfort and safety, and such soft materials may store excessive heat and moisture resulting in discomfort to the person and/or the infant.

[0004] Therefore, there exists a need for a support cushion that is capable of supporting a person's arm and/or an infant, such as during feeding. Further, there exists a need for a support cushion that reduces heat and moisture buildup during feeding. Finally, there exists a need for a support cushion that allows adjustable support of an infant in a position optimal for feeding.

Summary

[0005] In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a support cushion is provided. The support cushion includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, an annular outer surface defining a main axis and extending from the first end to the second end, an opening extending from the first end to the second end and through the support cushion and defining an opening axis that is substantially parallel with the main axis, and a resilient portion extending from the first end to the second end.

[0006] In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a support cushion for infant support during feeding is provided. The support cushion includes an annular outer surface having an upper surface configured to support an infant and a lower surface configured to rest upon a base surface, and an opening extending between the upper surface and the lower surface and being configured to accept a user's arm therethrough such that the user's arm is positioned between the infant and the base surface.

[0007] In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a support cushion is provided. The support cushion includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, an outer surface defining a main axis and extending from the first end to the second end, and an opening extending from the first end to the second end and through the support cushion and defining an opening axis that is substantially parallel with the main axis. The opening further defines an upper side of the support cushion and a lower side of the support cushion. The upper side has an upper side thickness and the lower side has a iower side thickness. The upper side thickness is less than the lower side thickness.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] The embodiments and other features, advantages and disclosures contained herem, and the manner of attaining them, will become apparent and the present disclosure will be better understood by reference to the following description of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: [0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a support cushion according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a support cushion according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; [0011] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of a support cushion according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a support cushion according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates the support cushion according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

[0014] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of this disclosure is thereby intended.

[0015] Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, a support cushion 10 is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The support cushion 10 generally includes a first end 12 and a second end 14 opposite the first end 12. The support cushion 10 of FIGS. 1-3 further includes an annular outer surface 16 extending generally from the first end 12 to the second end 14. The outer surface 16 further defines a main axis 18. The outer surface 16 of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 generally revolves around the main axis 18. The support cushion 10 further includes an opening 20 extending generally from the first end 12 to the second end 14. The opening 20 extends through the support cushion 10 and defines an opening axis 22 that is substantially parallel with the main axis 18.

[0016] The support cushion 10 of FIGS. 1-3 further includes a resilient portion 24 extending from the first end 12 to the second end 14. The resilient portion 24 is a fabric strip in an embodiment comprising a two-way or four-way stretch material, including rayon, spandex, and/or any other material understood by one having ordinary skill in the a t as being resilient or stretchable. In the illustrated embodiment the width of the resilient portion 24 is less than a width or diameter of the opening 20. In an embodiment not illustrated, the width of the resilient portion 24 is equal to or greater than a width or diameter of the opening 20.

[0017] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the opening 20 further defines an upper side 26 of the support cushion 10 and a lower side 28 of the support cushion 10. In the embodiment illustrated, the resilient portion 24 is disposed at the upper side 26 of the support cushion 10. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the upper side 26 has an upper side thickness 30 and the lower side 28 has a lower side thickness 32. In the embodiment illustrated, the upper side thickness 30 is less than the lower side thickness 32. Any or all portion(s) of the support cushion 10 of an embodiment, including the upper side 26 and/or the lower side 28, is/are generally filled with a soft stuffing material, such as cotton, polyester, or any other material understood by one of ordinary skill in the art as being capable of stuffing a cushion or other article. In particular embodiments, the support cushion 10 is stuffed with a first material having a first rigidity, such as a foam material in one non-limiting example, adjacent one or more of the outer surfaces of the support cushion 10, such as the outer surface 16 and/or any other outer surface, and a second material having a second rigidity lower than the first rigidity, such as poly fill and/or another stuffing material known to those with ordinary skill in the art, in the remaining portions of the support cushion 10. The opening 20 has a diameter 48 that may vary along the length of the opening 20. In an embodiment, the diameter 48 of the opening 20 may be larger than the upper side thickness 30 at at least one point of the opening 20. In an embodiment, the diameter 48 of the openi ng 20 may be larger than the upper side thickness 30 along the entire length of the opening 20. In an embodiment, the diameter 48 of the opening 20 may be smaller than the lower side thickness 32 at at least one point of the opening 20. In an embodiment, the diameter 48 of the opening 20 may be smaller than the lower side thickness 32 along the entire length of the opening 20.

[0018] In an embodiment, the opening 20 is formed with an opening material configured to wick moisture. The opening 20 is formed with a breathable synthetic material in an embodiment. In an embodiment, the opening 20 is formed with an opening material configured to wick moisture and is breathable. The opening material includes a synthetic or natural material fabric in one or more embodiments. The opening material may include rayon, polyester, nylon, cotton, cotton jersey, any combination thereof and/or any other material(s) that one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize as having one or more of the characteristics described above. In an embodiment not illustrated, the remaining portions of the support cushion 10 are made from the opening material. In the illustrated embodiment, the remaining portions of the support cushion 10 are made from a material different than the opening material, such as cotton or any other fabric or material. In one or more embodiments, the support cushion 10 is made from one or more materials that is/are machine washable. The opening 20 of one or more embodiments is further stitched, sewn, or otherwise formed using resilient, stretchy, and/or elastic thread, fabric, or material in order to fit snugly on a user's ami and/or accommodate multiple arm sizes.

[0019] The support cushion 10 in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 are configured for positioning to support an infant 40, such as during breastfeedi g or bottle feeding. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the support cushion 10 may be selectively and/or adjustably positioned at an angle 42. As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the outer surface 16 includes an upper surface 34 configured to support the infant 40. The outer surface 16 further includes a lower surface 36 configured to rest upon a base surface 38. The base surface 38 of one or more embodiments includes a person's leg 44, as illustrated in FIG. 5, a chair or bed portion, or any other surface. The opening 20 extends between the upper surface 34 and the lower surface 36 and is configured to accept a user's arm 46 through the opening 20 in the illustrated embodiment. As such, the user's arm 46 is positioned between the infant 40 and the base surface 38 for supporting the infant 40. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the support cushion 10 may be positioned at the angle 42 to support the infant 40 at an optimal feeding position. In an embodiment, the angle 42 is provided such that the upper surface 34 and the lower surface 36 are angled between 10 degrees and 80 degrees from the vertical position illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. The angle 42 is between 20 degrees and 60 degrees from the vertical position in another embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the support cushion 10 is configured to be rolled or otherwise repositioned to form the angle 42 or position the support cushion 10 in any other orientation. Further, the support cushion 10 allows the user's ami 46 to be supported by the lower side 28 of the support cushion 10 such that the user's arm 46 may rest.

[0020] It will be recognized that the support cushion 10 of one or more embodiments disclosed herein compliments and improves current breastfeeding and bottle feeding techniques and solutions. The support cushion 10 allows consistent positioning for feeding, while supporting the infant 40 for countless feeding positions. Further, the support cushion 10 is sized and configured for ease of use and to be travel friendly. One will appreciate that the support cushion 10 and/or any structure or function describe herein is not limited to the application of bottle or breastfeeding, but may be utilized for holding a child, baby, or infant casually and/or closely before or after feeding or any other time.

[0021] While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only certain embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosure are desired to be protected.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is

1. A support cushion comprising:

a first end;

a second end opposite the first end;

an annular outer surface defining a main axis and extending from the first end to the second end;

an opening extending from the first end to the second end and through the support cushion and defining an opening axis that is substantially parallel with the main axis; and

a resilient portion extending from the first end to the second end.

2. The support cushion of claim 1, wherein the opening further defines an upper side of the support cushion and a lower side of the support cushion, the resilient portion being disposed at the upper side of the support cushion.

3. The support cushion of claim 2, wherein the upper side has an upper side thickness and the lower side has a lower side thickness, the upper side thickness being less than the lower side thickness.

4. The support cushion of claim 1, wherein the opening is formed with an opening material configured to wick moisture.

5. The support cushion of claim 1, wherein the opening is formed with a breathable

synthetic material.

6. A support cushion for infant support during feeding, the support cushion comprising: an annular outer surface having an upper surface configured to support an infant and a lower surface configured to rest upon a base surface; and

an opening extending between the upper surface and the lower surface and being configured to accept a user's arm therethrough such that the user's arm is positioned between the infant and the base surface.

7. The support cushion of claim 6, wherein the upper surface and the lower surface are

configured to be aligned with an angle between 10 degrees and 80 degrees from a vertical position.

8. The support cushion of claim 7, wherein the angle is between 20 degrees and 60 degrees from the vertical position.

9. The support cushion of claim 6, wherein:

the annular outer surface defines a main axis and extends from a first end of the

support cushion to a second end of the support cushion; and

the opening extends from the first end to the second end and through the support cushion and defines an opening axis that is substantially parallel with the main axis.

10. The support cushion of claim 9, further comprising a resilient portion extending from the first end to the second end.

11. The support cushion of claim 10, wherein the opening further defines an upper side of the support cushion and a lower side of the support cushion, the resilient portion being disposed at the upper side of the support cushion.

12. The support cushion of claim 1 1, wherein the upper side has upper side thickness and the lower side has a lower side thickness, the upper side thickness being less than the lower side thickness.

13. The support cushion of claim 6, wherein the opening is formed with an opening material configured to wick moisture or a breathable synthetic material.

14. A support cushion comprising:

a first end;

a second end opposite the first end;

an outer surface defining a main axis and extending from the first end to the second end; and

an opening extending from the first end to the second end and through the support cushion and defining an opening axis that is substantially parallel with the main axis, wherein the opening further defines an upper side of the support cushion and a lower side of the support cushion, the upper side having an upper side thickness and the lower side having a lower side thickness, the upper side thickness being less than the lower side thickness.

15. The support cushion of claim 14, further comprising a resilient portion extending from the first end to the second end.

16. The support cushion of claim 15, the resilient portion being disposed at the upper side of the support cushion.

17. The support cushion of claim 14, wherein the opening is formed with an opening material configured to wick moisture.

18. The support cushion of claim 14, wherein the opening is formed with a breathable synthetic material.

19. The support cushion of claim 14, wherein the opening has a diameter that is larger than the upper side thickness.

20. The support cushion of claim 19, wherein the diameter of the opening is smaller than the lower side thickness.