Patent Application
20050210590
This invention relates generally to the field of pillow construction, and more specifically concerns a pillow having interior chambers.
Generally, pillows have a “permanent” construction, i.e. most pillows are not configured or arranged to accommodate a change in fill or interior arrangement after manufacture. Such pillows thus have a fixed support characteristic, from soft to firm, although in some cases, they have other support features or characteristics which are intended to address particular concerns or desires of various users.
However, there are some pillows which have a construction which permits change in support. One such pillow, shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,415,466 to Laiso, includes pockets on the outside of the pillow to receive different inserts which change to an extent the support characteristics of the pillow. There are also other pillows, such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,953,777 to Buck, which show pillow inserts which change the pillow characteristics. Those pillows, however, do not provide a reliable, convenient “adjustable” support capability. It would be desirable to have a pillow which is capable of being adjusted with different inserts or filling to provide different support characteristics.
Accordingly, the present invention is a pillow kit, comprising: a cover assembly which includes substantially identical top and bottom portions, the top and bottom portions including spaced longitudinal sides and end sides, wherein the top and bottom portions are secured around the peripheries thereof except for one side, means for selectively opening and closing said one side; at least one chamber section located interiorly of the cover assembly; filling located interiorly of the cover assembly; and at least one core member, constructed to be insertable into and removable from the chamber section, for selectively changing the support characteristics of the pillow.
Extending between inner layer portions 20 and 24 are two baffle walls 30 and 32, defining three internal chambers, which, in the embodiment shown, extend for the full length of the pillow, although the baffle walls can, alternatively, extend for less than the full length of the pillow, if so desired.
In the embodiment shown, baffle walls 30, 32 are identical, are approximately 5 inches high, and are made from polyester or other slick material, although they could be cotton or other fabric as well. For a pillow 20 inches wide and 26 inches long, as shown, baffle walls 30, 32 are positioned 6.75 inches from the longitudinal edges 34, 36 of the pillow, leaving a separation of 6.5 inches between the two baffle walls. This spacing, however, can be altered to define different size chambers.
In the embodiment shown, the two baffle walls 30, 32 define chambers 40, 42 and 44. The chambers are adapted to receive core inserts 46 shown in
To complete the pillow, the top and bottom layer assemblies 12 and 14 are secured around their longitudinal edges 34, 36 and one end 52, with the remaining end 54 being closable and openable by a closing member 56, which when open reveals the interior chambers 40, 42 and 44. Appropriate core inserts 46 may be inserted and removed, depending upon the desires of the user.
The number of chambers can be varied, as well as their respective sizes, by varying the number and location of the baffle members. Each chamber is adapted to receive a core insert 46, shown in
As indicated above, the top and bottom layer assemblies 12 and 14 are secured together, such as by stitching along the two longitudinal edges 34 and 36 and one end 52. The other end 54 has a closing member 56, such as a zipper, or Velcro® members, or similar member. In use, closing member 56 is first opened, revealing an open end of the receiving chambers. One or more core inserts are then positioned in one or more (typically all) of the chambers to provide a desired support characteristic. The closing member 56 is then closed, resulting in a pillow having a particular support characteristic. A significant advantage of the disclosed structure is that the support characteristic of the pillow can be changed by removing an existing core insert and replacing it with another with a different characteristic, e.g. a different size or kind of fill or fill weight. Further, one or more of the receiving chambers can remain without an insert, with just filling 48 in the chamber.
Accordingly, a pillow kit has been disclosed which provides an adjustable support capability. This is accomplished by a pillow with a plurality of interior chambers, which are accessible for insertion and removal of core inserts, each of which typically includes a core cover and interior filling.
Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it should be understood that various changes, modifications and substitutions may be incorporated in the embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention which is defined by the claims which follow.
