Head Stabilizing Pillow

Abstract

A pillow for supporting a user's head having comprising a pair of framing portions on opposite ends of a connecting portion to form a pillow body. The pillow body is made of a compressible material that conforms to applied pressure while supporting a user's head. A pair of shell structures fit into the corresponding framing portions. An adjustment strap is affixed at a fixed strap end to a rear end of one of the shell structures and extends along the connecting portion to an adjustable end to adjustably connect to the other shell structure to enable the user to adjust the circumference of the pillow around the user's head. A front closure mechanism attachs to front ends of the shell structures to connect one of the framing portions to the other framing portion.

Description

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates generally to pillows and cushions, and more particularly to pillows and cushions including structure for supporting the user's chin. Pillows are used by airplane travelers and others in order to provide support to a user's neck and head. Such pillows are typically formed in a manner that might make them easy to carry and with a form factor that allows them to fit around a lower part of a user's head while the user sits in a seat on an airplane, passenger train, or as a passenger in an automobile, for example.

A primary objective in providing maximum comfort to users is to maintain the user's head in an upright position thereby preventing strain in the user's neck. While many prior art pillows provide support for a user's head, they do not prevent the user's head from falling forward.

Travel pillows are typically formed as U-shaped members having a cushion suitable for supporting the user's head, but soft enough to provide a measure of comfort. The U-shaped member may have two portions extending along the sides of the user's head and the portions may be joined either in the back by a back member, or in the front with a front member. Pillows with a front member jointing the side portions may provide some forward motion support for the user. However, such pillows tend to be uncomfortable for many users by providing pressure to the user's throat or simply pressing upwards on the user's chin. Some travel pillows having a back member to join the side portions teach bringing the front ends of the side portions together to provide a chin support. In many cases, the effect is either, similar to that of using a front member to support the chin, or the bringing together of the fronts of the side portions may simply not provide sufficient support for the user's chin.

Prior art pillows have not provided adequate support for the user's head and have tended to trap heat around the user's neck and head.

In example implementations described in this disclosure, a pillow is provided to comfortably stabilize a user's head in any direction it could fall. The user's head typically falls in the front as the weight of the head itself will cause the head to fall forward in seated position. The pillow is designed to support the user's head under the jaw on both sides and supports the user's head in all three planes (both sides and forward).

There is no specific action needed by the user, such as for example leaning sideways, etc., as the head is held at the front and sides, and the back is supported by the backrest of the airplane seat. The pillow is configured to keep the front of the neck exposed to provide heat management of the body by allowing ventilation to the neck area. About 25% of newly oxygenated blood from the heart passes through the neck area. The pillow is also made using as little fabric as possible, especially in the back part of the pillow, to prevent heat from being trapped in that area.

In an example implementation, a pillow includes a pair of framing portions on opposite sides of a connecting portion, where the pair of framing portions and the connecting portion form a pillow body made of a compressible material that conforms to applied pressure while supporting a user's head. The pair of framing portions and connecting portion are configured to surround a user's head substantially along a circumference around the user's head to position the framing portions towards the front of and on opposite sides of the user's head. A pair of shell structures are configured to fit in a space formed in corresponding framing portions. Each shell structure has a front end and a rear end, where the pair of shell structures is made of a strong flexible material. A strap is affixed at a fixed strap end to a rear end of one of the shell structures and extends along the connecting portion to an adjustable end to adjustably connect to the other shell structure to enable the user to adjust the circumference of the pillow around the user's head. A front closure mechanism is attached to front ends of the shell structures to connect one of the framing portions to the other framing portion.

In another aspect, the pillow includes a vent opening in each of the two framing portions. The space in each framing portion surrounds the vent opening.

In another aspect, the adjustable end of the strap is configured to slip into a loop on the shell structure configured to receive the adjustable end of the strap.

In another aspect, the shell structures include an inner shell insert molded to fit in the space in each framing portion, and an outer shell configured to fit into the inner shell.

In another aspect, the shell structure is made of a suitable rigid or semi-rigid material including a material selected from a group consisting of plastic, polyurethane, polycarbonate, and ABS. In one example, the inner shell may be made of a softer material such as TPE or suitable alternative.

In another aspect, the loop on the shell structure configured to receive the adjustable end of the strap includes an adjustment strap affixed to the rear end of the shell structure to form a strap loop and an o-ring surrounding the strap loop, where the adjustable end of the strap inserts into the o-ring and loops back to attach to the strap.

In another aspect, the adjustable end of the strap includes a hook or loop surface and an area of the strap facing away from the user's head includes a loop or hook surface for attachment of the adjustable end of the strap to the strap.

In another aspect, the front closure mechanism includes a front closure loop attached to the front of one of the shell structures and a cord having a cord locking mechanism, where the cord is configured to slid in the front closure loop to bring ends of the pillow to a desired proximity to one another.

In another aspect, the pillow body is made of memory foam.

In another aspect, a fabric cover extends over a surface of the pillow body where the fabric cover surrounds the pillow body to cover the strap extending around the connecting portion.

In another aspect, the fabric is made of a material selected from a group consisting of a jersey material, nylon, lycra, polyester, cotton polyester blend, and a mesh material.

In another aspect, the fabric cover includes an opening extending over the strap extending around the connecting portion to enable adjustment of the strap without removing the fabric over.

In another aspect, the opening in the fabric cover includes a closure mechanism.

In another aspect, the closure mechanism is a zipper.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1A is an exploded view of an example implementation of a head-supporting pillow.

FIG. 1B is a schematic view of the pillow of FIG. 1A in use to support a user's head.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of another implementation of a head-supporting pillow.

FIG. 3 is a top, side, isometric view of the head-supporting pillow from FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front, side, isometric view of an integrated pillow body with a pair of inner shells inserted therein.

FIG. 5 is a view of the integrated pillow body of FIG. 4 with the inner shells removed.

FIG. 6 is a top, side, isometric view of the outer shells of the head-supporting pillow of FIG. 2 with the strap surrounding the layer of the inner fabric of the integrated pillow body but with the integrated pillow body removed.

FIG. 7 is a top, side, isometric view of the outer shells of the head-supporting pillow of FIG. 2 with the strap extending from one of the shells to the other shell.

FIG. 8 is a bottom, side, isometric view of the head-supporting pillow of FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is a bottom isometric view of the head-supporting pillow of FIG. 2.

FIG. 10 is a side isometric view of the side opposite the side shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a side isometric view of the pillow shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 12 is a top isometric view of the pillow in FIG. 2.

FIG. 13 is a front isometric view of an other example of a head-supporting pillow.

FIG. 14 is another front isometric view of the pillow in FIG. 13 with the removable sleeve removed to expose a rear adjustment strap.

FIG. 15 is a front isometric view of the pillow in FIG. 13 in which the pillow body is transparent to expose the shell structures and strap.

FIG. 16 is a front isometric view of the pillow in FIG. 13 in which the pillow body and strap are transparent to expose the shell structures.

FIGS. 17A-I are front, back, right side, left side, right front isometric, left front isometric, top front isometric, top rear isometric, and top left isometric views of the pillow in FIG. 13.

FIG. 18 is a top left isometric view of the pillow in FIG. 13 with the removable sleeve removed.

FIG. 19 is a top left isometric view of the pillow in FIG. 13 in which the pillow body is transparent to expose the shell structures and rear adjustment strap.

FIGS. 20A-D are views of the pillow of FIG. 13 in its intended use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A pillow 100, 200 is provided for supporting for a user's head is shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 1A, the pillow 100 includes two pads or shells 104 made of a strong and/or flexible material, such as for example plastic, disposed at opposite ends of the pillow 100 within an outer fabric portion 106 configured to wrap around the user's neck. The shells 104 are configured in their shape, material, and position in the pillow 100, to provide a resistance to the motion of the user's head so as to keep the head in a substantially upright position.

The outer fabric portion 106 may be a stretchy material with a desired amount of elasticity or a non-stretchy material such as a ballistic nylon. In some examples, a non-stretchy material may provide tension around the back of the neck to allow for the tightening of the pillow 100 around the user's neck by bringing the shells 104 towards each other. In some examples, the tension may be provided by a strap that surrounds the pillow and is configured to allow the user to pull the shells 104 towards each other.

The shells 104 may be flexible or rigid, and may be made of any suitable rigid or semi-rigid material, such as for example, but not limited to, plastic, polyurethane, polycarbonate, and ABS. In an example implementation, the shell 104 may have a shape similar to an arrowhead with a slight wedge-like contour and a slight fold that cups the user's cheek and jaw area. In another shape, the shells have a slightly elongated, hollow cup-like, shape with a slight curve aligned with the pillow extending around the user's neck. In one implementation, the shell 104 may be symmetrical about a horizontal line. In other implementations, the shell 104 may extend further downward or upward relative to the user's cheek and jaw area or may be configured to sit under the user's chin. The shape and size of the shell 104 in any example implementation may depend on its conformability, the desired contour against the user's face, and the extent to which support is desired more from against the user's head or under the user's cheek.

The outer fabric portion 106 is shown in FIG. 1A as a transparent layer that is separated from the pads or shells 104 for clarity in the description. The shells 104 and the outer fabric portion 106 may be firmly connected and configured to create tension between the two shells 104. This assembly includes adjustable straps 110 on either side of the pillow.

The shells 104 and outer fabric portion 106 may include a framing portion 102 formed in one or several pieces. The framing portion 102 may be configured to provide, in combination with the shells 104, support for the head by gently holding the user's head in a substantially upright position. The example in FIG. 1A includes the framing portion 102 formed as a single piece with opposing portions formed to surround the shells 104 in a suitable shape that enhances the support provided by the shells 104. In one example, the framing portion 102 may be made of memory foam or other suitable compressible, but supportive material. The opposing framing portions 102 may be connected by a narrowed connecting portion 112 extending between the opposing framing portions 102, where the connecting portion 112 narrows to follow the contour of the back of the user's head, while the opposing framing portions 102 cover the user's check and/or jaw area, substantially as shown in FIG. 1B.

FIG. 1B shows the pillow in use on a user's head. The framing portion 102 may be wrapped with a comfortable layer of fabric forming an inner fabric portion 108 that faces towards the user to contact the user's face and neck as shown in FIG. 1B. The inner fabric portion 108 may be made of a soft stretchy material to provide comfort in contact with the user's face.

When the pillow is worn as shown in FIG. 1B, the two straps 110 can be temporarily connected. They may be tightened to create the right amount of tension in the assembly which in turn creates pressure from the framing portion 102 at the opposite ends holding the pads to the user's cheeks as shown at position A, thereby comfortably holding the pillow in position. The pillow rests on the chest/collar bones in position B. In an example implementation, the pillow is top to bottom symmetrical so that positions A and B are identical.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of another implementation of the head-supporting pillow 200. Referring to FIG. 2, the head-supporting pillow 200 includes a pair of framing portions 202, a pair of shells 204 mounted on corresponding ones of the framing portions 202, a flexible extending portion 212 between the two framing portions 202, and a strap 210 attached to one of the shells 204. The framing portions 202 and the flexible extending portion 212 may be formed of memory foam as a unitary integrated pillow body 250 (described further below with reference to FIG. 5). The strap 210 may extend around the rear of the flexible extending portion 212 to pass through the other shell 204. The strap extends beyond a front edge of the framing portion 202 to contact the strap 210 extending to the rear from its attachment at the other shell 204. In an example implementation, the extending strap portion and the attached strap portion are configured to connect using a hook and loop mechanism (e.g. Velcro™).

The head-supporting pillow 200 in FIG. 2 includes a fabric 206 covering the integrated pillow body 250 providing a soft surface for the user's face and head. The fabric 206 may be made of a soft material such as for example, jersey, cotton, nylon lycra, a cotton polyester blend, polyester, and any other suitable fabric. The shells 204 may also be covered with a second and third fabric 208. The second and third fabrics 208 may be made of mesh or any other suitable material. In other examples, the fabric 206 may be provided with openings for the shells 204, which may then be mounted on the framing portions 202 without a fabric cover.

FIG. 3 is a top, side, isometric view of a head-supporting pillow 200′ from FIG. 2 without the user's head. FIGS. 8-12 depict the example implementation of FIG. 3 in different views that illustrate details for description of the features of the pillow 200′. FIG. 8 is a bottom, side, isometric view of the head-supporting pillow 200′ of FIG. 2. FIG. 9 is a bottom isometric view of the head-supporting pillow 200′ of FIG. 2. FIG. 10 is a side isometric view of the side opposite the side shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 11 is a side isometric view of the pillow 200′ shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 12 is a top isometric view of the pillow 200′ in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIGS. 3, and 8-12, the pillow 200′ is an example implementation similar to the pillow 200 shown in FIG. 2 but with the strap attached and exiting at opposite ends. The pair of shells 204 each have a hollow cup-like structure extending inward as shown at 205 into a corresponding section of the framing portions 202. Each shell 204 includes a slot 216 formed in a rear part of the shell. In the slot 216 shown in FIG. 3, the strap 210 extends out over the shell 204a from around the pillow body 250. The strap 210 is attached at an attachment point 217 positioned in a front part of the opposite shell 204b as shown in FIGS. 3 and 10-12. The opening of the shells 204 allow for the attached end of the strap 210 to extend exposed toward the rear of the pillow body, and for the loose end to exit the slot 216 to extend around the front of the pillow 200 to attach to the attached end of the strap 210.

The shells 204 may each include a vent opening 218 to provide a cooling effect while the pillow is being used. The vent opening 218 may be formed in a bottom surface of the hollow cup-like structure of the shells 204.

FIG. 4 is a front, side, isometric view of an integrated pillow body 250 with a pair of inner shells 220 inserted therein. The inner shells 220 may be made of a firm material, such as any plastic, such as for example, but not limited to, polyurethane, polycarbonate, ABS, or a combination thereof. The inner shells 220 may be insert molded into the framing portions 202 of the integrated pillow body 250 to provide a secure attachment for the outer shells 204 (see FIG. 3). The outer shells 204, which may be made of the same material as the inner shells 220, may be configured to snap into the inner shells 220 thereby remaining mounted in the inner shells 220. The outer shells 204 and inner shells 220 may combine to provide rigidity to support the user's head in an upright position.

FIG. 5 is a view of the integrated pillow body 250 of FIG. 4 with the inner shells 220 (see FIG. 4) removed. The integrated pillow body 250 in FIG. 4 shows a hollow depression 225 having a form matching an inner surface of the inner shells 220 that fit therein. The integrated pillow body 250 includes a vent opening 218 that matches the vent openings in the inner shell 220 and the outer shell 204. The integrated pillow body 250 in FIG. 5 may be made of memory foam or other suitable compressible and formable material.

FIG. 6 is a top, side, isometric view of the outer shells of the head-supporting pillow of FIG. 2 with the strap surrounding a space for the integrated pillow body 250, which is not shown in FIG. 6 for purposes of illustration. That is, the integrated pillow body 250 shown in FIG. 6 is shown “hollowed-out” leaving an inner fabric portion 213 of the fabric 206 that makes contact with the user's face and head in use. It is noted that in some examples, the inner fabric portion 213 may be an elastic material that form-fits to, and surrounds, the shape of the integrated pillow body 250. In other examples, the inner fabric portion 213 may be an inner panel connected (e.g. sown) to an outer panel to form the fabric 206.

FIG. 7 is a top, side, isometric view of the outer shells 204 of the head-supporting pillow 200′ of FIG. 3 with the strap 210 extending from the right-side shell 204 (relative to the user's head) to the left-side shell 202 (relative to the user's head). FIG. 7 illustrates the shells 204 and strap 210 without the inner surface of the pillow body 250 shown in FIG. 6. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the shells 204 may be the outer shells that fit in inner shells 220 shown in FIG. 4, or shells that may be bonded to the surface of the pillow body 250.

The strap 210 is shown extending from an attachment point 217 at a front end of the right-side shell 204. The strap 210 surrounds the integrated pillow body 250 to slip into the slot 216 in a rear part of the left-side (relative to the user's head) shell 204. The strap 210 may be configured to slide within the slot 216 so as to change the length of the strap around the user's neck thereby allowing for adjustable tension around the neck. The strap 210 may be made of a webbing or cloth-like material, preferably without substantial elasticity to provide tension. The strap 210 include hook and loop surfaces to enable attachment of one end of the pillow to the other. Other forms of attachment may be used as well, such as buckles, hooks, etc.

The shells 204 have a hollow, cup-like structure that may be elongated and curved to align with the pillow body 250 configured to surround the user's head. The opening of the shells 204 may be sufficiently wide to permit air flow into the vent opening 218 with the strap 210 extending over the opening.

Another example of a head-supporting pillow is configured to enable adjustment of the tension around the user's head at the rear of the pillow and uses a front closure mechanism to close the pillow in the front of the pillow. The front closure mechanism can also be used to adjust the tension of the pillow around the user's head.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are a front isometric views of a head-supporting pillow 300 having a rear adjustment mechanism and a front closure mechanism. The pillow 300 includes a pair of framing portions 302, 304 on opposite sides of a connecting portion 306. The pillow 300 includes a removable sleeve 308, FIG. 14 is another front isometric view of the pillow in FIG. 13 with the removable sleeve 308 removed to expose a rear adjustment strap 310 and a front closure mechanism 312.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the pair of framing portions 302, 304 and the connecting portion 306 form a pillow body 314 made of a compressible material that conforms to applied pressure while supporting a user's head. The pair of framing portions 302, 304 and connecting portion 306 are configured to surround a user's head substantially along a circumference around the user's head to position the framing portions towards the front of and on opposite sides of the user's head (described below with reference to FIGS. 20A to 20D.

A pair of shell structures 318, 320 are configured to fit in a space 328 formed in corresponding framing portions 302, 304. Each shell structure 318, 320 has a front end 319 and a rear end 321, where the pair of shell structures is made of a strong flexible material. The rear adjustment strap 310 is affixed at a fixed strap end (described below with reference to FIG. 17A) to a rear end (described below with reference to FIG. 16) of one of the shell structures and extends along the connecting portion 306 to an adjustable end 310′ to adjustably connect to the other shell structure to enable the user to adjust the circumference of the pillow around the user's head. The front closure mechanism 312 is attached to front ends 319 of the shell structures 318, 320 to connect one of the framing portions 302 or 304 to the other framing portion 304 or 302.

The pillow 300 includes a vent opening 330 in each of the two framing portions 302, 304. The space 328 in each framing portion surrounds the vent opening 330.

In another aspect, the adjustable end 310′ of the adjustment strap 310 is configured to slip into a loop 332 on the shell structure 320 that receives the adjustable end 310′ of the adjustment strap 310. The loop 332 on the shell structure 320 configured to receive the adjustable end 310′ of the adjustment strap 310 includes a loop strap 336 affixed to the rear end of the shell structure and an o-ring 338 surrounding the loop strap 336, where the adjustable end 310′ of the adjustable strap 310 inserts into the o-ring 338 and loops back to attach to the adjustment strap 310.

The loop strap 336 may form a looped end to receive the O-ring and attach to the shell structures 318, 320. The shell structures may include inner and outer shell portions (described below with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16) and the loop strap 336 may be attached by fitting between the shell structures. Pins may be formed on the inner and/or outer shell structures to secure the loop strap 336. Other attachment mechanisms may be used to attach the loop strap to the shell structures.

It is noted that the loop 332 shown in FIG. 14 is one example of an adjustable connector that allows the user to adjust the circumference of the pillow using the adjustment strap. In another example, a slot may be formed in the shell structures. Those of ordinary skill in the art would understand that other mechanisms may be used as well.

The adjustable end 310′ of the adjustment strap 310 may include a first area 342 of the adjustable end 310′ of the adjustment strap 310 facing the user's head when the adjustable end 310′ extends from the loop 332 includes a hook-or-loop surface, and a second area 340 of the adjustment strap 310 facing away from the user's head on a proximal side of the loop includes a loop-or-hook surface for attachment of the adjustable end of the adjustment strap to the adjustment strap. The hook-and-loop attachment mechanism is only one example of an attachment mechanism that may be implemented to adjustably connect the adjustment strap 310 to the shell structure 320. Other attachment mechanisms include for example, side-release buckles with sliding guides for adjustment of the length of the strap, button release buckles with sliding guides, and any other suitable attachment mechanism.

It is noted that the examples illustrated in the figures depict the adjustable end 310′ of the adjustment strap 310 attaches to the left-side shell structure 320 relative to the user's head. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the adjustable end 310′ of the adjustment strap 310 may also be attached at the right-side shell structure 318.

The shell structures 318, 320 may be implemented as single, molded shell-shaped structure. In the examples depicted in the figures, the shell structures 318, 320 comprises a two-shell assembly comprising an outer shell portion 362 and an inner shell portion 360. FIG. 15 is a front isometric view of the pillow in FIG. 13 in which the pillow body 314 is transparent to expose the shell structures 318, 320 and the adjustment strap 310 extending around the rear side of the pillow 300. FIG. 16 is a front isometric view of the pillow in FIG. 13 in which the pillow body 314 and the adjustment strap 310 are transparent to expose the shell structures 318, 320.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, the inner shell portions 360 may include an inner shell insert molded to fit in the space 328 in each framing portion 302, 304. The outer shell portions 360 are configured to fit into the inner shell portions 362. The outer shell portions 360 and inner shell portions 362 may be configured such that the outer shell portions 360 snap into the inner shell portions 362. In the examples shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the adjustment strap 310 attaches to the outer shell portions 360 via the loop 332 affixed to the outer shell portion 360. The adjustment strap 310 may be attached to the inner shell portions 362 in other example implementations. It is noted that the inner shell portions may be the shell portions that connect to the strap 310, and the outer shell portions would snap into the inner shell portions.

The shell structures 318, 320 may be made of a suitable rigid or semi-rigid material. Examples of such a material include plastic, polyurethane, polycarbonate, and ABS. Other suitable materials may be used as well.

In another aspect, the front closure mechanism 312 includes a front closure loop 348 attached to the front 319 of one of the shell structures 320 and a cord 350 having a cord locking mechanism 352, where the cord 350 is configured to slid in the front closure loop 348 to bring ends of the pillow 300 to a desired proximity to one another.

The pillow body 314 may be made of any suitable compressible material. One example of a compressible material is memory foam.

The removable sleeve 308 covering the pillow body 314 in the example implementation illustrated in FIG. 13 includes a fabric cover 308 extending over the surface of the pillow body 314. The fabric cover 308 surrounds the pillow body 314 to cover the adjustment strap 310 extending around the connecting portion 306. In example implementations, the fabric cover may be made of any suitable material including, for example, a jersey material, nylon, lycra, polyester, cotton polyester blend, and a mesh material.

The fabric cover 308 in FIG. 13 includes an opening extending over the adjustable strap 310 extending around the connecting portion 308 to enable adjustment of the adjustment strap 310 without removing the fabric over 308. The opening 370 in the fabric cover 308 may include a closure mechanism. In one example implementation, the closure mechanism includes a zipper. Other closure mechanisms may include buttons, hook-and-loop (Velcro™), snaps, and any other suitable closure mechanism.

FIG. 17A is a front view of an example head-supporting pillow 300 (FIG. 13).

FIG. 17B is a rear view of the example head-supporting pillow 300.

FIG. 17C is a right side view of the example head-supporting pillow 300.

FIG. 17D is a left side view the example head-supporting pillow 300.

FIG. 17E is a left-side isometric view of the example head-supporting pillow 300.

FIG. 17F is a right side isometric view of the example head-supporting pillow 300.

FIG. 17G is a top front isometric view of the example head-supporting pillow 300,

FIG. 17H is a top rear isometric view of the example head-supporting pillow 300.

FIG. 17I is a top left isometric view of the example head-supporting pillow 300.

FIG. 18 is a top left isometric view of the example head-supporting pillow 300 with the fabric cover 308 in which the pillow body 314 is transparent to expose the adjustment strap 310 connection to the left-side outer shell 360.

FIG. 19 is a top left isometric view of the pillow 300 in FIG. 13 in which the pillow body 314 is transparent to expose the adjustment strap 310 connection to the left-side outer shell 360, the inner shell 362, the loop 332 attached to the outer shell 360, the adjustable strap end 310′ extending from the loop 332, and the adjustment strap 310.

FIG. 20A is a front isometric view of the pillow in use to support a user's head 380.

FIG. 20B is a rear, left side isometric view of the pillow in use to support a user's head 380.

FIG. 20C is a left side view of the pillow in use to support a user's head 380.

FIG. 20D is a front view of the pillow in use to support a user's head 380.

It is understood that various attributes and elements from any one configuration can also be included in other configurations. Although the present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred configurations thereof, other versions are possible. The actual scope of the disclosure encompasses not only the disclosed configurations, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the disclosure. While specific configurations of, and examples for, the disclosure are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the disclosure, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The elements and acts of the various configurations described above may be combined to provide further configurations. Further, the teachings of the disclosure provided herein may be applied to products and systems other than travel pillows.

Claims

1. A pillow comprising: a pair of framing portions on opposite sides of a connecting portion, where the pair of framing portions and the connecting portion form a pillow body made of a compressible material that conforms to applied pressure while supporting a user's head,where the pair of framing portions and connecting portion are configured to surround a user's head substantially along a circumference around the user's head to position the framing portions towards the front of and on opposite sides of the user's head,a pair of shell structures configured to fit in a space formed in corresponding framing portions, each shell structure having a front end and a rear end, where the pair of shell structures is made of a strong flexible material;an adjustment strap affixed at a fixed strap end to a rear end of one of the shell structures and extending along the connecting portion to an adjustable end to adjustably connect to the other shell structure to enable the user to adjust the circumference of the pillow around the user's head; anda front closure mechanism attached to front ends of the shell structures to connect one of the framing portions to the other framing portion.

2. The pillow of claim 1 further comprising a vent opening in each of the two framing portions.

3. The pillow of claim 2 where the space in each framing portion surrounds the vent opening.

4. The pillow of claim 3 where the adjustable end of the adjustment strap is configured to slip into a loop on the shell structure that receives the adjustable end of the adjustment strap.

5. The pillow of claim 4 where the shell structures include an inner shell insert molded to fit in the space in each framing portion, and an outer shell configured to fit into the inner shell.

6. The pillow of claim 5 where the shell structure is made of a suitable rigid or semi-rigid material including a material selected from a group consisting of plastic, polyurethane, polycarbonate, and ABS.

7. The pillow of claim 5 where the loop on the shell structure configured to receive the adjustable end of the adjustment strap includes a loop strap affixed to the rear end of the shell structure and an o-ring surrounding the loop strap, where the adjustable end of the adjustment strap inserts into the o-ring and loops back to attach to the adjustment strap.

8. The pillow of claim 7 where a first area of the adjustable end of the adjustment strap facing the user's head when the adjustable end extends from the loop includes a hook-or-loop surface, and a second area of the adjustment strap facing away from the user's head on a proximal side of the loop includes a loop-or-hook surface for attachment of the adjustable end of the adjustment strap to the adjustment strap.

9. The pillow of claim 1 where the front closure mechanism includes a front closure loop attached to the front of one of the shell structures and a cord having a cord locking mechanism, where the cord is configured to slid in the front closure loop, and where a tension of the pillow around the user's head is adjusted using the cord locking mechanism.

10. The pillow of claim 1 where the pillow body is made of memory foam.

11. The pillow of claim 1 further comprising a fabric cover over a surface of the pillow body where the fabric cover surrounds the pillow body to cover the adjustment strap extending around the connecting portion.

12. The pillow of claim 11 where the fabric is made of a material selected from a group consisting of a jersey material, nylon, lycra, polyester, cotton polyester blend, and a mesh material.

13. The pillow of claim 11 where the fabric cover includes an opening extending over the adjustment strap extending around the connecting portion to enable adjustment of the adjustment strap without removing the fabric over.

14. The pillow of claim 13 where the opening in the fabric cover includes a closure mechanism.

15. The pillow of claim 14 where the closure mechanism is a zipper.