Patent Application
20240343173
The present disclosure relates generally to head rest covers. More particularly the present disclosure relates to a device which may removably cover a head rest and have a smooth fabric which prevents damage to the hair and scalp, including preventing hair loss by extended rubbing of the hair and head against the head rest.
Chairs and seats, particularly vehicle seats, typically include a head rest to provide a comfortable area to lean one's head and to encourage proper posture while driving. However, the surface of these head rests are often formed of leather, imitation leather, or a durable and high friction fabric. However, friction caused by rubbing of hair against a surface over time can lead to hair loss (alopecia). This is a particular problem for aging people already experiencing thinning hair and hair loss which make hair more susceptible to frictional alopecia. Extended driving with proper posture and resting the head against a head rest thus can cause hair loss on the back of the head.
Therefore, what is needed is a device which can be attached to a headrest such as a vehicle headrest which can reduce friction and prevent hair loss from extended use of the head rest.
The subject matter of this application may involve, in some cases, interrelated products, alternative solutions to a particular problem, and/or a plurality of different uses of a single system or article.
In one aspect, a headrest cover is provided. The headrest cover comprises a silk strip which is positioned covering a front of the head rest, and an elastic strip having a first end attached to a first widthwise edge of the silk strip, and having a second end attached to a second widthwise edge of the silk strip. As such, this forms the headrest cover as a loop.
In another aspect, a seat having a headrest cover is provided. The seat has a base, a back, and a headrest on a top of the back. A headrest cover is attached around an outer perimeter of the headrest. The headrest cover comprises a silk strip which is positioned covering a front of the head rest, and an elastic strip having a first end attached to a first widthwise edge of the silk strip, and having a second end attached to a second widthwise edge of the silk strip. As such, this forms the headrest cover as a loop. The elastic strip positioned in a partially stretched position around sides and a rear of the head rest, the elastic strip applying a force to the head rest by being in the partially stretched position.
In another aspect, a method of constructing a hair-protective headrest cover is provided. The method involves folding opposite widthwise edges of a first and second silk strips inward and baste stitching the folded portion inward from the folded edges. Then, the first and second silk strips are placed together and a seam is straight stitched along a top and bottom of edges of the strips, joining them together. A first edge of an elastic strip is fitted into a pocket on a first widthwise edge of the connected first and second strips, and then connected to the silk strips using a stitch in the ditch. Similarly, a second edge of an elastic strip is fitted into a pocket on a second widthwise edge of the connected first and second strips, and then connected to the silk strips using a stitch in the ditch.
The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and does not represent the only forms in which the present disclosure may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments.
Generally, the present disclosure concerns a headrest cover which can be attached to a headrest. The headrest cover provides a low friction surface on which a user may rest their head which limits or eliminates hair loss due to friction alopecia. Typically, the low friction surface is formed of a material such as natural or artificial silk which is particularly effective for providing low friction against hair. The headrest cover further comprises an elastic material connected to the low friction surface which is able to stretch around all or a part of the headrest. Typically, the elastic material is a stretchable fabric, though any stretchable material may be used. In some embodiments, the headrest cover may be reversible such that the low friction material has a front and a back which may have a different color or pattern for variable style options.
The low friction surface may be formed of a low friction fabric or membrane such as silk, artificial silk, satin, smooth plastic sheeting, and the like. As discussed herein, the term “silk” or “silk strip” is used to generally refer to the material forming the low friction surface but may apply to materials other than silk. The elastic material, also referred to as an “elastic strip” may be formed of any material which can stretch around and/or over a headrest so as to hold the headrest cover in place on the headrest. Typically, the elastic strip is formed of a stretchable fabric. In a particular embodiment the elastic strip may be formed of a stretchable polyester and rubber fabric. The elastic strip is formed of a different material than the low friction (silk) strip. In some cases, the low friction strip may be stretchable, and in such an embodiment, the elastic strip could be omitted. As discussed in embodiments having both an elastic strip and low friction material, it is to be understood that they refer to different materials.
As discussed herein, the headrest is a pad or support attached to or formed into a top of a seat such as a chair, vehicle seat, any other area where a person may be seated, and the like. The headrest extends from a top of the seat back and is an area intended for a user to rest or lean their heads.
The headrest cover may be formed in a number of different manners as can be understood by one skilled in the art. In a particular embodiment, an embodiment of the headrest cover may be formed as follows. Widthwise edges of a first silk strip and second silk strip may be folded inward and then baste stitched to form a double layered folded portion at the widthwise edges of the two silk strips. The two silk strips are then placed together with the folded portions facing away from each other (i.e. the “finished” sides are facing each other, and then a straight seam is stitched along top and bottom edges to form a reversible low friction surface. The assembly can then be flipped inside out for the operational configuration having the “clean” sides facing outward. In some embodiments, a cotton layer may be positioned between the first silk strip and second silk strip. This may provide more body to the combined silk layers, and help it retain its shape, and generally provide a more resilient and long lasting headrest cover. A first edge of an elastic strip, which is, in most embodiments between 2-5 times longer than the silk strip, is fitted into a pocket defined by the widthwise edges of the first and second silk strip. In one embodiment, the elastic strip may be approximately three times as long as the silk strip. The edge of the elastic strip is then connected to at least one of the two silk strips by a stich-in-the-ditch. A second opposite edge of the elastic strip is then fitted into a second pocket on the opposite side of the two silk strips, and again held to at least one by a stich-in-the-ditch. The forms the headrest cover as a loop of both the silk low friction surface and the elastic strip.
Turning now to
It should be understood that the vehicle seat may be in any vehicle such as a car, truck, train, airplane, construction vehicle, and the like. Accordingly, it should be understood that the present disclosure further contemplates, includes, and covers any of these vehicles, and any other vehicles, having a seat 30 with the headrest cover 10 of the present disclosure therein.
While several variations of the present disclosure have been illustrated by way of example in preferred or particular embodiments, it is apparent that further embodiments could be developed within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, or the inventive concept thereof. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations are within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and are inclusive, but not limited to the following appended claims as set forth.
