Patent Application
20240122318
The disclosure of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/417,059, filed on Oct. 18, 2022, is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if presented herein in its entirety.
The present disclosure relates to a carrier for a body support. In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a travel carrier for an orthopedic pillow.
Body supports, such as pillows, cushions, pads, wedges, and the like, can be used for a variety of purposes. Typically, such supports are positioned between a portion of a user's body and an at least partial load-bearing surface (e.g., a seat, backrest, bed, platform, etc.) for the comfort of the user and/or to maintain a beneficial positioning/alignment of one or more portions of a user's body.
In some instances, body supports can be provided for the remediation of an injured or compromised body part, e.g., so as to maintain such body part in a comfortable and beneficially aligned arrangement relative to the rest of the user's body, e.g., for comfort, to avoid further injury, to promote bloodflow and/or other healing, etc. Such instances in which a body support is provided for supporting an injured or compromised body portion can be particularly important aboard conveyances such as cars, buses, trains, airplanes, boats, motorcycles, bicycles, scooters, etc., as such modes of transportation can be subject to jostling and other movement that could exacerbate preexisting conditions/injuries on the part of a user.
During some such modes of transportation, e.g., commercial or public transportation such as airplanes, trains, and buses, body supports such as body pillows can present unique challenges through passenger corridors, terminals, stations, waiting areas, etc., as well as during boarding of a particular mode of transportation.
As one example, body supports such as those described above can be heavy, cumbersome/bulky, asymmetrically weighted, and/or otherwise unwieldy so as to make navigating through crowded and/or narrow passageways difficult. This can be particularly burdensome to users that are carrying the body support for a pre-existing injury, which can paradoxically be aggravated by carrying the body support through busy thoroughfares.
As another example, the specialized configuration, e.g., shape, density, etc., of some body supports can render them susceptible to deformation due to external forces. This can be particularly troublesome during travel situations, in which cramped storage and/or passenger compartments can cause unwanted compression or other stresses to be applied to body supports than can alter their performance. Such environments can also present surfaces that can pass dirt, debris, microbes, etc., to a body support that can be a hygienic concern.
Further still, the specialized nature/appearance of some body supports can draw unwanted attention by passers-by, whose curiosity may be piqued by the device and the associated condition of the user for which it is being used. Such glances in public spaces can contribute to feelings of vulnerability, stigmatism, and other psychological challenges that can compound a user's physical injury or ailment.
In this regard, it can be seen that a need exists for a carrier for body supports that provides a hygienic enclosure, that provides ease of transport, and that is fashionable/unassuming so as to blend easily with common passenger or travel containers. The present disclosure addresses these and other related and unrelated problems in the art.
According to one aspect, a carrier for a body support comprises a body extending at least partially around an interior of the carrier, the body comprising a top side, a bottom side, a front side, a back side, a first end, and a second end, closure features for reconfiguring the carrier between an open configuration, in which the interior of the carrier is accessible from an outside environment, and a closed configuration in which the body generally encloses the interior of the carrier, user engagement features attached to the body of the carrier to facilitate carrying of the carrier by a user, accessory storage features for holding one or more items separately from the interior of the carrier, and container engaging features for at least partially receiving a portion of a travel container.
According to another aspect of the disclosure, a system comprises a carrier and a body support. The carrier comprises a body extending at least partially around an interior of the carrier, the body comprising a top side, a bottom side, a front side, a back side, a first end, and a second end, closure features for reconfiguring the carrier between an open configuration, in which the interior of the carrier is accessible from an outside environment, and a closed configuration in which the body generally encloses the interior of the carrier, user engagement features attached to the body of the carrier to facilitate carrying of the carrier by a user, accessory storage features for holding one or more items separately from the interior of the carrier, and container engaging features for at least partially receiving a portion of a travel container. The body support is at least partially received in the interior of the body of the carrier.
According to another aspect of the disclosure, a carrier for at least partially receiving a body support comprises a body, closure, and shape retaining features. The body comprises a top side, a bottom side opposite the top side, a front side extending between the top side and the bottom side, a back side opposite the front side, a first end extending between the front side, the back side, the top side, and the bottom side, and a second end opposite the first end. The top side, the bottom side, the front side, the back side, the first end, and the second end extend at least partially around an interior configured to at least partially receive a body support therein. The closure interrupts the top side for transitioning the carrier between an open configuration, in which the interior is accessible through the top side, and a closed configuration, in which the interior is enclosed by the top side, the bottom side, the front side, the back side, the first end, and the second end. The shape retaining features at least partially maintain the arrangement of top side, the bottom side, the front side, the back side, the first end, and the second end. The shape retaining features are configured to resist deformation of a body support when a body support is at least partially received within the interior of the carrier.
According to another aspect of the disclosure, a carrier for at least partially receiving a body support comprises a body, a closure, and shape retaining features. The body includes a plurality of sides extending at least partially around an interior configured to receive at least a portion of a body support therein. The body has an open configuration in which the interior is accessible through at least one side of the plurality of sides and a closed configuration in which the carrier interior is enclosed by the plurality of sides. The closure interrupts at least one side of the plurality of sides for transitioning the body between the open configuration and the closed configuration. The shape retaining features at least partially maintain the arrangement of the plurality of sides relative to each other. The shape retaining features are configured to maintain a profile of a body support when a body support is at least partially received within the carrier interior of the carrier.
According to another aspect of the disclosure, a method of using a carrier for a body support comprises placing the carrier in an open configuration thereof such that an interior of the carrier is accessible, inserting a body support into the carrier interior such that shape retaining features of the carrier are positioned to resist deformation of a body support by external forces acting on the carrier and supports a profile of a body support, and placing the carrier in a closed configuration thereof such that the interior of the carrier is enclosed with a body support therein.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate the benefits of various additional embodiments reading the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the below-listed drawing figures. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that the above-discussed embodiments be provided both individually and in various combinations.
According to common practice, the various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale. Dimensions of various features and elements in the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the disclosure.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate and understand that, according to common practice, the various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale, and that the dimensions of various features and elements of the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present disclosure as described herein.
The present disclosure generally relates to carriers for body supports, for example, a travel carrier for an orthopedic pillow.
Referring to
The body 103 of the carrier 101 can define a front side 107, a back side 109 opposite the front side 107, a first end 111 extending between the front side 107 and the back side 109, a second end 113 (
One or more of the ends and sides of the carrier 101 can be at least partially formed by one or more panels, sheets, sections, etc. of material. In some embodiments, the body 103 of the carrier 101 can be formed from multiple joined sections of material. In some embodiments, the body 103 can be formed from a generally continuous section of material that is interrupted by the closure features of the carrier 101.
In the illustrated embodiment, the body 103 of the carrier 101 can be formed from a plurality of sections of material that are joined at a generally central seam 119 that extends at least partially along the ends 111, 113 and bottom side 117, and which intersects seams 121, 123, 125, 127 (broadly, “first seam”, “second seam”, “fourth seam”, “third seam”, respectively) which are positioned between the top side 115 and the first end 111, the first end 111 and the bottom side 117, the second end 113 and the top side 115, and the bottom side 117 and the second end 113, respectively. In this regard, in some embodiments, the body 103 of the carrier 101 can at least partially bifurcated into joined halves along the seam 119.
In some embodiments, the seams 119, 121, 123, 125, 127 can be configured so as to provide rigidity to the body 103 of the carrier 101 so as to at least partially maintain a desired arrangement of the body 103 and the interior 105 of the carrier 101 defined therein, for example, that of a rectangular box. In this regard, one or more of the seams 119, 121, 123, 125, 127 can be considered shape retaining features of the carrier 101 for at least partially maintaining the arrangement of the front side 107, the back side 109, the top side 115, the bottom side 117, and the ends 111, 113 of the carrier 101. In some embodiments, the central seam 119, the first seam 121, the second seam 123, the third seam 127, and the fourth seam 125 at least partially maintain a generally rectangular arrangement of the front side 107, the back side 109, the first end 111, the second end 113, the top side 115, and the bottom side 117. For example, one or more of the seams 119, 121, 123, 125, 127 can have a reinforced, e.g., thicker arrangement, tufted arrangement, etc., relative to the remainder of the body 103 of the carrier 101.
It will be understood that the body 103 of the carrier 101 can have a different arrangement of seams without departing from the disclosure. For example, the body 103 may have a plurality of seams including the first seam 121, the second seam 123, the third seam 125, and the fourth seam 127, or more than four seams joining a plurality of sides and ends to each other. The plurality of seams may at least partially maintain the arrangement of the plurality of sides relative to each other. The arrangement of the plurality of sides and ends may be an arrangement other than a generally rectangular arrangement. In some embodiments, the central seam 119 may intersect all seams of the plurality of seams or less than all of the plurality of seams.
Accordingly, in one construction, the carrier 101 can have a plurality of corners C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8 formed at the intersection of a respective plurality of edges E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6, E7, E8, E9, E10, E11, E12. In some embodiments, the first end 111 and the top side 115 intersect to form a first edge, e.g., the edge E9, with the first seam 121 therebetween. The first end 111 and the bottom side 117 intersect to form a second edge, e.g., the edge E12, with the second seam 123 therebetween. The second end 113 and the top side 115 intersect to form a third edge, e.g., the edge E10, with the fourth seam 125 therebetween. The second end 113 and the bottom side 117 intersect to form a fourth edge, e.g., the edge E11, with the third seam 127 therebetween. In such embodiments, the first seam 121, the second seam 123, the fourth seam 125, and the third seam 127 may correspond to a respective edge E9, E10, E11, or E12. In some embodiments, the central seam 119 may intersect each seam 121, 123, 125, 127 corresponding to an edge E9, E10, E11, E12.
In some embodiments, additional or alternative shape retaining features can include one or more of at least partially rigid rods, tubes, wires, etc. positioned adjacent one or more of the corners and/or edges of the carrier 101 so as to maintain the generally rectangular box shaped configuration of the body 103 thereof.
In some embodiments, one or more at least partially rigid frames can be positioned in the interior 105 of the carrier 101 to maintain a desired shape/configuration of the body 103 of the carrier 101. For example, a frame having the form of a generally rectangular box with an open top can be positioned in the interior 105 of the carrier 101.
It will be understood that the carrier 101 can be formed from materials that include one or more of polymeric, composite, and/or metallic materials. Such materials can be provided as a fabric. In some embodiments, the carrier 101 can be comprised of a polymeric material such as marine vinyl. It will be understood that the carrier 101 can be comprised of one or more materials selected with desirable properties such as, but not limited to, fluid resistance, antimicrobial properties, textured surfaces (e.g., to facilitate gripping), reflective materials, resilient materials, etc.
With momentary reference to
The body support B can have a fill material that includes one or more of polymeric, composite, and/or metallic materials, e.g., foam (such as memory foam, open cell foam, and/or closed cell foam), gels, feathers, padding, etc., suitable for stably and comfortably supporting a user's head, neck, and/or other body portions. In some embodiments, the body support B can be a SpineAlign® pillow available from SpineAlign of Phoenix, AZ. In some embodiments, the carrier 101 can be provided together with the body support B as a system.
With continued reference to
In some embodiments, shape retaining features of the carrier 101 can include one or more features that conform to the shape of the body support B. For example, in some embodiments, a shape retaining feature disposed in the interior 105 of the carrier 101 can be an at least partial frame have one or more curved portions that protrude toward the middle portion M/recessed region R of the body support B, e.g., so as to support and/or maintain the overall profile of the body support B. Such shape retaining features can have one or more openings/apertures formed therealong, e.g., so as to have a mesh or grid-like configuration so as to minimize the overall weight of such a shape retaining feature(s) while providing the aforementioned support/protection for the body support B.
In some embodiments, the carrier 101 can be provided with insulating features for protecting the body support B from heat sources that might tend to cause deformation of one or more portions of the body support B.
As described above, the carrier 101 can be provided with closure features for at least partially closing a portion of the carrier 101, e.g., so as to maintain a barrier between the interior 105 of the carrier 101 and the contents therein and an exterior environment. In the illustrated embodiment, the closure can be a zipper Z, e.g., parallel tracks of interlocking teeth, interrupting the top side 115 of the carrier 101, though the closure can include one or more of buttons, snaps, magnetic closures, hook-and-loop engaging surfaces, etc. without departing from the disclosure. In this regard, the top side 115 of the carrier 101 can be opened or closed via movement of a slider or other engagement mechanism along the tracks of the zipper Z.
In this regard, the closure can facilitate reconfiguration of the carrier 101 between an open configuration, in which the interior 105 is accessible through the top side 115, and a closed configuration, in which the interior is enclosed by the top side 115, the bottom side 117, the front side 107, the back side 109, the first end 111, and the second end 113.
In some embodiments, such closure can maintain a hygienic condition of the body support B and/or inhibit the passage of one or more materials, e.g., moisture, from an exterior environment into the interior 105 of the carrier 101. Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment, the zipper Z can be a waterproofed or water-resistant zipper structure, or another type of waterproof or water-resistant closure.
With continued reference to
The carrier 101 can also include user engagement features for facilitating grasping and/or carrying of the carrier 101 by one or more users. In the illustrated embodiment, the user engagement features can include a pair of handle straps 133 (broadly, “first handle” and “second handle”) attached to the body 103 of the carrier 101, though it will be understood that a different number, arrangement, and/or configuration of user engagement features can be provided without departing from the disclosure. In some embodiments, each handle 133 of the pair of handle straps 133 may be attached to a respective one of the front side 107 or the back side 109. For example, a first handle may be attached to the front side 107 and a second handle may be attached the back side 109.
For example, in some embodiments, handle straps can be attached to one of the front side 107 and/or the back side 109 of the carrier 101 so as to enable a user to insert his or her arms through the respective straps and carry the carrier 101 on his or her back. In some embodiments, handle straps can have a modular configuration, allowing for attachment at multiple optional points through the use of releasable attachment features such as buckles, snaps, etc.
Further still, the carrier 101 can include one or more container engaging features for engaging a travel container or other protruding structure. As shown, the container engaging features can include a layer or panel 135 attached to the body 103 of the carrier 101 so as to define a sleeve 137 therebetween through which a structure can be at least partially received to attach the carrier 101 to another container or supportive structure.
With additional reference to
As shown, the suitcase body SB can have a top portion that defines a supportive surface or shelf upon which the carrier 101 can be placed in order to allow the carrier 101 to conveniently roll along with the suitcase SC. To avoid relative movement of the carrier 101 and the suitcase SC and/or to prevent the carrier 101 from falling off the suitcase SC during movement, the carrier 101 can be positioned such that the handle H of the suitcase SC extends upwardly through the sleeve 137 to attach the carrier 101 to the suitcase SC and to maintain the positional relation thereof.
When a body support such as body support B is positioned in the interior 105 of the carrier 101, the handle H of the suitcase SC can nest in the recessed region between the outer surface of the side portions S1, S2 and the middle portion M of the body support B. In some embodiments, shape retaining features of the carrier 101 can stably maintain such recessed region along which the handle H of the suitcase SC can be positioned, e.g., to provide a minimized profile, to take up free space in the interior 105 of the carrier 101 so as to avoid unwanted movement between the carrier 101 and the handle H/suitcase SC, etc.
It will be understood that the carrier 101 (with or without the body support B) can be provided together with a suitcase such as SC as a system.
The carrier 101 described herein can have a different shape, size, and/or configuration without departing from the disclosure. For example, in some embodiments, the carrier 105 can be provided with an at least partially rigid handle, such as a retractable handle similar to the handle H of the suitcase SC. In such embodiments, the carrier 105 can be provided with a plurality of wheels to facilitate tiling/rolling of the carrier 105 itself, similar to the tilting and/or rolling of the suitcase SC described above, independently of a suitcase SC.
In some constructions, a carrier for a body support can comprise a body extending at least partially around an interior of the carrier, the body comprising a top side, a bottom side, a front side, a back side, a first end, and a second end, closure features for reconfiguring the carrier between an open configuration, in which the interior of the carrier is accessible from an outside environment, and a closed configuration in which the body generally encloses the interior of the carrier, user engagement features attached to the body of the carrier to facilitate carrying of the carrier by a user, accessory storage features for holding one or more items separately from the interior of the carrier, and container engaging features for at least partially receiving a portion of a travel container.
In some embodiments, the closure features of the carrier can comprise a zipper.
In some embodiments, the user engagement features of the carrier can comprise a plurality of handles attached to the body of the carrier.
In some embodiments, the accessory storage features of the carrier can comprise one or more pockets attached to the body of the carrier.
In some embodiments, the container engaging features of the carrier can comprise a panel attached to the body of the carrier to define a sleeve through which a handle of a travel container can be at least partially received.
In some embodiments, the carrier can further comprise shape retaining features for maintaining a desired arrangement of the body of the carrier. In some embodiments, the shape retaining features can comprise a plurality of seams positioned along the body of the carrier. In some embodiments, the shape retaining features can comprise an at least partially rigid frame positioned in the interior of the carrier.
In some constructions, a system comprises a carrier and a body support. The carrier comprises a body extending at least partially around an interior of the carrier, the body comprising a top side, a bottom side, a front side, a back side, a first end, and a second end, closure features for reconfiguring the carrier between an open configuration, in which the interior of the carrier is accessible from an outside environment, and a closed configuration in which the body generally encloses the interior of the carrier, user engagement features attached to the body of the carrier to facilitate carrying of the carrier by a user, accessory storage features for holding one or more items separately from the interior of the carrier, and container engaging features for at least partially receiving a portion of a travel container. The body support is at least partially received in the interior of the body of the carrier.
In some embodiments, the closure features of the carrier can comprise a zipper.
In some embodiments, the user engagement features of the carrier can comprise a plurality of handles attached to the body of the carrier.
In some embodiments, the accessory storage features of the carrier can comprise one or more pockets attached to the body of the carrier.
In some embodiments, the container engaging features of the carrier can comprise a panel attached to the body of the carrier to define a sleeve through which a handle of a travel container can be at least partially received.
In some embodiments, the carrier can further comprise shape retaining features for maintaining a desired arrangement of the body of the carrier. In some embodiments, the shape retaining features can comprise a plurality of seams positioned along the body of the carrier. In some embodiments, the shape retaining features can comprise an at least partially rigid frame positioned in the interior of the carrier. In some embodiments, the shape retaining features can at least partially contour to a shape of the body support.
In some constructions, a carrier for at least partially receiving a body support comprises a body, a closure, and shape retaining features. The body comprises a top side, a bottom side opposite the top side, a front side extending between the top side and the bottom side, a back side opposite the front side, a first end extending between the front side, the back side, the top side, and the bottom side, and a second end opposite the first end. The top side, the bottom side, the front side, the back side, the first end, and the second end extend at least partially around an interior configured to at least partially receive a body support therein. The closure interrupts the top side for transitioning the carrier between an open configuration, in which the interior is accessible through the top side, and a closed configuration, in which the interior is enclosed by the top side, the bottom side, the front side, the back side, the first end, and the second end. The shape retaining features at least partially maintain the arrangement of top side, the bottom side, the front side, the back side, the first end, and the second end. The shape retaining features are configured to resist deformation of a body support when a body support is at least partially received within the interior of the carrier.
In some embodiments, the shape retaining features comprise a first seam between the top side and the first end, a second seam between the first end and the bottom side, a third seam between the bottom side and the second end, a fourth seam between the second end and the top side, and a central seam a central seam extending at least partially along the first end, the second end, and the bottom side. The central seam may intersect the first seam, the second seam, and the third seam. The first seam, the second seam, the third seam, the fourth seam, and the central seam may at least partially maintain a generally rectangular arrangement of the top side, the bottom side, the front side, the back side, the first end, and the second end.
In some embodiments, the first end and the top side intersect to form a first edge with the first seam therebetween. The first end and the bottom side may intersect to form a second edge with the second seam therebetween. The second end and the top side may intersect to form a third edge with the third seam therebetween. The second end and the bottom side may intersect to form a fourth edge with the fourth seam therebetween.
In some embodiments, the arrangement of the top side, the bottom side, the front side, the back side, the first end, and the second end is generally rectangular. The closure may include a zipper. The carrier may further comprise a first handle attached to the front side and second handle attached to the back side for being grasped by a user. The carrier may further comprise a panel attached to the front side or the back side to form a sleeve therebetween for at least partially receiving a portion of a travel container therethrough.
In some embodiments, a carrier system for a body support comprises a carrier and a body support disposed within the carrier. The carrier system may further comprise a travel container. The carrier of the carrier system may further comprise a panel attached to the front side or the back side to form a sleeve therebetween. The sleeve may be configured to receive a portion of the travel container therethrough such that the carrier is secured to the travel container.
In some constructions, a carrier for at least partially receiving a body support comprising a body, a closure, and shape retaining features. The body includes a plurality of sides extending at least partially around an interior configured to receive at least a portion of a body support therein. The body has an open configuration in which the interior is accessible through at least one side of the plurality of sides and a closed configuration in which the carrier interior is enclosed by the plurality of sides. The closure interrupts at least one side of the plurality of sides for transitioning the body between the open configuration and the closed configuration. The shape retaining features at least partially maintain the arrangement of the plurality of sides relative to each other. The shape retaining features are configured to maintain a profile of a body support when a body support is at least partially received within the carrier interior of the carrier.
In some embodiments, the shape retaining features comprise a plurality of seams joining the plurality of sides to each other. The plurality of seams may join the plurality of sides to each other such that the plurality of seams at least partially maintain the arrangement of the plurality of sides relative to each other. The plurality of seams may join the plurality of sides to each other to form a plurality of edges between respective side of the plurality of sides. A seam of the plurality of seams may correspond to each edge of the plurality of edges formed by joining of the plurality of sides to each other. The plurality of seams may comprise a central seam extending at least partially along the plurality of sides such that the central seam intersects each seam corresponding to an edge of the plurality of edges.
In some embodiments, the shape retaining features are configured to maintain a generally rectangular arrangement of the plurality of sides. The closure may be configured to maintain a hygienic condition of a body support disposed within the interior when the carrier is in the closed configuration.
In some constructions, a method of using a carrier for a body support comprises placing the carrier in an open configuration thereof such that an interior of the carrier is accessible, inserting a body support into the carrier interior such that shape retaining features of the carrier resists deformation of a body support by external forces acting on the carrier and supports a profile of a body support, and placing the carrier in a closed configuration thereof such that the interior of the carrier is enclosed with a body support therein.
In some embodiments, the method further comprises inserting a portion of a travel container through a sleeve of the carrier to attach the carrier to the travel container.
The foregoing description generally illustrates and describes various embodiments of the present disclosure. It will, however, be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the above-discussed construction of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure herein, and that it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as being illustrative, and not to be taken in a limiting sense.
Furthermore, the scope of the present disclosure shall be construed to cover various modifications, combinations, additions, alterations, etc., above and to the above-described embodiments, which shall be considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure. It therefore will be understood by those skilled in the art that while the present disclosure has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, numerous variations, modifications, and additions can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the following claims. Accordingly, various features and characteristics of the present disclosure as discussed herein may be selectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments of the disclosure, and numerous variations, modifications, and additions further can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the appended claims.
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/417,059, filed on Oct. 18, 2022.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63417059 | Oct 2022 | US |
