HEAD STABILIZING TRAVEL PILLOW

Abstract

A pillow for supporting a user's head having comprising framing portions made of a soft material that conforms to applied pressure while providing support when a user's head leans against the framing portions. A connecting portion extends between the framing portions to form a pillow body with the framing portions. The pillow body is configured to surround a user's head and to position the framing portions in front of and on opposing sides of the user's head. A pair of shells are attached to corresponding framing portions. The pair of shells are made of a strong flexible material. At least one strap extends from at least one of the pair of shells. The at least one strap is configured to connect one of the framing portions to the other framing portion thereby stabilizing the user's head within the pillow.

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.

SUMMARY

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 made of a soft material that conforms to applied pressure while providing support when a user's head leans against the framing portions. A connecting portion extending between the pair of framing portions to form a pillow body with the framing portions. The pillow body is configured to surround a user's head and to position the framing portions in front of and on opposing sides of the user's head. A pair of shells is configured to fit in corresponding framing portions. The pair of shells made of a strong flexible material. At least one strap extends from at least one of the pair of shells. The at least one strap is configured to connect one of the framing portions to the other framing portion thereby stabilizing the user's head within the pillow.

In another aspect, the pillow includes a flexible extending portion between the two framing portions.

In another aspect, the extending portion between the framing portions includes a vent to permit air to flow through for a cooling effect.

In another aspect, the pair of shells have a substantially arrowhead shape with a slight wedge-like contour and a slight fold such that the shells are configured to cup the user's cheek and jaw area when the user wears the pillow.

In another aspect, the shells are mounted on an outer surface of the framing portions. The pillow further includes an outer fabric to cover the outer surface of the framing portions and the shells mounted therein.

In another aspect, an inner fabric is provided to cover an inner surface of the framing portions thereby providing a soft surface to contact the user's face.

In another aspect, the at least one strap includes a pair of straps extending from corresponding shells towards a front edge of each framing portion. The pair of straps attach to one another in front of the framing portions.

In another aspect, an extending strap connects each of the pair of straps around a rear of the pillow.

In another aspect, the pair of shells each have a substantially rectangular shape with a slight curve aligned with the pillow when positioned around the user's neck.

In another aspect, the pair of shells each comprise a hollow cup-like structure extending inward into a corresponding section of the framing portions.

In another aspect, the cup-like structure includes vent openings.

In another aspect, the pair of framing portions are made of memory foam.

In another aspect, the pillow includes an integrated extending portion made of memory foam such that the framing portions and the integrated extending portion form an integrated pillow body.

In another aspect, the pair of shells each comprise a hollow cup-like structure extending inward into a corresponding section of the framing portions, each shell having a slot formed in a rear part of the shell. The at least one strap is a single strap having a first end attached to a first one of the shells and extending from the first end around the integrated extended portion of the pillow body to run through the slot in the shell opposite the first one of the shells to extend beyond a front edge of the framing portion a sufficient amount to mate via a hook and loop mechanism with an outer surface of the first end of the strap.

In another aspect, the pillow further includes a fabric to cover a surface of the integrated pillow body.

In another aspect, the fabric is a first fabric, the pillow further includes a second and third fabric to cover each of the shells, where the second and third fabrics are combined with the first fabric.

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

In another aspect, the second and third fabrics are 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, each one of the pair of shells is an outer shell, the pillow further comprising a pair of inner shells inserted in the framing portions, the inner shells configured to receive the corresponding ones of the pair of outer shells.

In another aspect, the inner shells are insert molded into a foam material that forms the framing portions.

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.

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.

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 made of a compressible material that conforms to applied pressure while providing support when a user's head leans against the framing portions;a connecting portion extending between the pair of framing portions to form a pillow body with the framing portions where the pillow body is configured to surround a user's head and to position the framing portions in front of and on opposing sides of the user's head;a pair of shells configured to fit in corresponding framing portions, the pair of shells made of a strong flexible material; andat least one strap extending from at least one of the pair of shells, where the at least one strap is configured to connect one of the framing portions to the other framing portion thereby stabilizing the user's head within the pillow.

2. The pillow of claim 1 further comprising a flexible extending portion between the two framing portions.

3. The pillow of claim 2 where the extending portion between the framing portions includes a vent to permit air to flow through for a cooling effect.

4. The pillow of claim 1 where the pair of shells have a substantially arrowhead shape with a slight wedge-like contour and a slight fold such that the shells are configured to cup the user's cheek and jaw area when the user wears the pillow.

5. The pillow of claim 4 where the shells are mounted on an outer surface of the framing portions, the pillow further comprising an outer fabric to cover the outer surface of the framing portions and the shells mounted therein.

6. The pillow of claim 4 further comprising an inner fabric covering an inner surface of the framing portions thereby providing a soft surface to contact the user's face.

7. The pillow of claim 4 where the at least one strap includes a pair of strap ends extending from corresponding shells and extending towards a front edge of each framing portion, the pair of straps configured to attach in front of the framing portions.

8. The pillow of claim 7 comprising a strap-connecting member of low elasticity connecting each of the pair of straps around a rear of the pillow to provide a tension in the pillow.

9. The pillow of claim 1 where the pair of shells each have a substantially rectangular shape with a slight curve aligned with the pillow when positioned around the user's neck.

10. The pillow of claim 9 where the pair of shells each comprise a hollow cup-like structure extending inward into a corresponding section of the framing portions.

11. The pillow of claim 10 where the cup-like structure includes vent openings.

12. The pillow of claim 1 where the pair of framing portions are made of memory foam.

13. The pillow of claim 12 further comprising an integrated extending portion made of memory foam such that the framing portions and the integrated extending portion form an integrated pillow body.

14. The pillow of claim 13 where: the pair of shells each comprise a hollow cup-like structure extending inward into a corresponding section of the framing portions, each shell having a slot formed in a rear part of the shell;the at least one strap is a single strap having a first end attached to a first one of the shells and extending from the first end around the integrated extended portion of the pillow body to run through the slot in the shell opposite the first one of the shells to extend beyond a front edge of the framing portion a sufficient amount to mate via a hook and loop mechanism with an outer surface of the first end of the strap.

15. The pillow of claim 14 where the at least one strap is made of a material with low elasticity to provide an adjustable tension around the pillow.

16. The pillow of claim 13 further comprising a fabric to cover a surface of the pillow body and the shells.

17. The pillow of claim 16 where the fabric is a first fabric, the pillow further comprising a second and third fabric to cover each of the shells, the second and third fabrics being combined with the first fabric.

18. The pillow of claim 16 where the fabric is made of a soft material selected from a group consisting of a jersey material, nylon, lycra, polyester, cotton polyester blend.

19. The pillow of claim 17 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.

20. The pillow of claim 10 where each one of the pair of shells is an outer shell, the pillow further comprising a pair of inner shells inserted in the framing portions, the inner shells configured to receive the corresponding ones of the pair of outer shells.

21. The pillow of claim 13 where the inner shells are insert molded into a foam material that forms the framing portions.