Patent Application
20130036554
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to sleep aids, and more specifically to sleep aids that provide support for a women during pregnancy.
2. Background Information
While a standard pillow is often sufficient to accommodate the sleep comfort of most individuals, sometimes additional devices are used or needed. There are various sleep aid devices on the market. However, there is always room for improvement.
The sleep aid as described in this specification is a device designed to help individuals who need to comfortably accommodate a larger abdominal area, especially when sleeping. The device is especially helpful for pregnant women. The pregnancy sleep aid device needs to be adjustable to fit various sizes of women and should be easily adjustable for different sizes or growth of the abdominal area. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the device is directed toward a sleep aid that is adjustable to individual needs. Generally, the inventive device includes a strap or straps with hook-and-loop, i.e., Velcro® brand strips, fixed at the ends of a strap that connects to pads or pillows that may easily be removed and/or affixed.
Applicant appreciates that it is often advisable or preferable for a pregnant mother to avoid laying on her back. In operation, an embodiment of the invention may include sliding a strap through an opening of a foam pad. Once the foam pad is in place a second foam pad may slide onto the strap through an opening of the second foam pad. The two movable foam pads can then be positioned into place to provide support for the abdomen area of the mother while the mother is lying on her side.
Further, the device and method may take on any configuration that is capable of being retrofitted onto an abdominal area so as to connect the strap or straps with the foam pads in a manner that provides comfort for the pregnant woman while lying on her side.
An object of the invention is to provide a device that allows for comfortable rest for persons having a large abdomen.
A further object of the invention is to provide a device that allows for comfortable rest for a pregnant women while lying on her side.
An object of the invention is to provide a device that is simply and easily fitted onto the abdominal area and simply and easily adjusted to fit the size of the abdominal area.
A further object of the invention is to provide a device that is comfortable for a user to wear.
The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment, aspect, or every implementation of the present invention. The figures and detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify these and other embodiments and further aspects of the invention.
The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not necessarily to limit the invention of the particular embodiments described.
Referring now to
Generally, device 20 comprises a first pad 22 and a second pad 24. Pad 22 and pad 24 may be identical or may be of different shapes or made of different materials. A first strap 26 connects first pad 22 to second pad 24. Preferably a second strap 28 is also provided to connect first pad 22 to second pad 24. Preferably pads 22, 24 are of a “memory foam” variety in that they retain their shape after being compressed or stretched. A cover may be placed over pads 22, 24. Different types of materials may be used for pads 22, 24. Preferably pads 22, 24 have a curved portion 50 which allows for different comfort orientations to be achieved by a user. Curved portion 50 may have a thickness greater than a narrower opposite end.
As shown in
A channel 30, 31, 32, 33 may be sized to accommodate a variety of different styles of straps 26, 28. A channel may also be present as a sleeve positioned upon pad 22, 24, such as created in a space between a cover and the pad 22. Preferably, however, channel 30 runs through the body of a pad 22.
The first strap 26 and second strap 28 as shown in
First pad 22 shown in
A pad 22, 24 may be of many sizes. In one aspect pad 22 may have a width of about 10 inches (running from a left perimeter edge to a right perimeter edge) and a length running from a front perimeter edge 48 to a rear curved portion of about 8 to 9 inches (preferably about 9 inches, and preferably about 8 inches as measured from the thickest portion of pad 22 to front perimeter edge 48). A thickness of pad 22 at curved portion may be about 4-5 inches (preferably about 4¾ inches, and a narrower thickness at an opposite end of about 3 inches). The particular dimensions of pads 22, 24 may vary as desired.
A third pad may also be used. Third pad may be positioned at middle portion 52. Third pad may be a pad or pillow that is similar to pads 22, 24. Third pad may be used to assure the wearer does not continue to lie on her back; instead the wearer will be coaxed to lay on her side. Pads 22, 24 are preferably positioned and configured to support the belly area of the person. In the case of a pregnant mother, pads 22, 24 assist in support of the baby.
An extension strip 54 shown in
One aspect of the invention includes a method of using the device 20 by affixing the device 20 to the abdomen of a person. The pads 22, 24 help the wearer obtain a comfortable sleeping position.
The terms and descriptions used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims, and their equivalents, in which all terms are to be understood in their broadest possible sense unless otherwise specifically indicated. While the particular SLEEP AID AND METHOD as herein shown and described in detail is fully capable of attaining the above-described aspects of the invention, it is to be understood that it is the presently preferred embodiment of the present invention and thus, is representative of the subject matter which is broadly contemplated by the present invention, that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” Moreover, it is not necessary for a device or method to address each and every problem sought to be solved by the present invention, for it to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. section 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.”
