BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Pillows and cushions are used around the home and elsewhere for a number of different purposes. In certain instances, pillows are used on the floor as a floor pillows for lounging, sitting and playing, and are often different shapes and sizes. Pillows can also be used on beds, for instance as a wedge or back pillow for reading or a sit-up pillow for studying. Parents may also from time to time desire to place pillows around a family room or play room for blocking toddlers from otherwise falling into hard objects, or creating a cozy play or sitting space. However, it is often difficult to find a pillow structure that not only meets your particular functional need, but also dimensionally fits your space.
There have been suggestions for pillow systems which allow users to customize pillow structures. For instance, some pillow systems utilize square floor pillow sections that push together like a sectional couch, providing for numerous configurations. Other pillow systems feature zipper connections. However, these zipper connectable systems have many limitations. First, these systems typically only feature square pillows, and an opposing half-zipper on only 2 perimeter sides. Thus, these square cushions only allow for a top-to-bottom and aligned connection. They are limited regarding possibilities for configurations because they cannot allow for (among others) a stacked connection, an off-center connection, alternate side-by-side connections, or more than two pillows being secured at a single connection point (i.e. the zipper only allows a first and second half-zipper connection, and further only when they are the correct opposing zipper halfs e.g. a male-female/positive-negative connection, and only when they are properly aligned).
Accordingly, there is a need for a pillow system that allows for greater customization for building custom pillow structures of various shapes and sizes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one embodiment, a pillow cover includes a flexible fabric configured to hold a cushioning material, a first, second, third and fourth connection element each positioned at a different corner of the flexible fabric, and a fifth and sixth connection element positioned along a central axis of the flexible fabric. In one embodiment, the connection element includes a cord configured in a loop that extends through a toggle and a cord stop. In one embodiment, the toggle is positioned between the cord stop and the flexible fabric. In one embodiment, a perimeter of the flexible fabric forms an oblong rectangle. In one embodiment, the cover includes an opening for the insertion and removal of a cushioning material. In one embodiment, the opening is configured to be closed by a zipper. In one embodiment, the cover is sewn shut to contain a non-removable cushioning material.
In one embodiment, a system for building pillow structures includes multiple of pillow covers, each pillow cover comprising a flexible fabric having multiple of connection elements positioned along a perimeter of the flexible fabric; wherein the connection elements are positioned so that at least two of the multiple pillow covers can connect in each an aligned-adjacent orientation, a staggered-adjacent orientation, an aligned-stacked orientation, and a staggered-stacked orientation. In one embodiment, the connection elements are positioned to allow a first of the multiple pillow covers to connect to a second of the multiple pillow covers while the first pillow cover is oriented laterally and the second of the multiple pillow covers is oriented longitudinally. In one embodiment, each pillow cover includes a first, second, third and fourth connection element positioned each positioned at a different corner of the flexible fabric, and a fifth and sixth connection element positioned along a central axis of the flexible fabric. In one embodiment, each of the multiple connection elements includes a cord configured in a loop that extends through a toggle and a cord stop. In one embodiment, the toggle is positioned between the cord stop and the flexible fabric. In one embodiment, the perimeter of the flexible fabric forms an oblong rectangle. In one embodiment, each of the multiple pillow covers forms an opening for the insertion and removal of a cushioning material. In one embodiment, the opening is configured to be closed by a zipper. In one embodiment, each of the multiple pillow covers is sewn shut to contain a non-removable cushioning material. In one embodiment, each connection element is configured for each of a closed and extended connection state. In one embodiment, the multiple pillow covers can be stacked and connected with at least one pillow of a bottom row of the stack having a first portion entirely in-plane with the stack and a second portion extending out-of-plane with the stack. In one embodiment, the at least one pillow of the bottom row is dimensionally the same as the multiple pillow covers in the stack. In one embodiment, the connection elements are positioned so that a single connection point comprises multiple pillow covers having at least two or more different orientations selected from the group aligned-adjacent, staggered-adjacent, aligned-stacked, and staggered-stacked.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing purposes and features, as well as other purposes and features, will become apparent with reference to the description and accompanying figures below, which are included to provide an understanding of the invention and constitute a part of the specification, in which like numerals represent like elements, and in which:
FIG. 1A is a top view of a pillow according to one embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a side view of the pillow shown in FIG. 1A.
FIG. 2A is a top view of a first and second pillow in an aligned-adjacent orientation according to one embodiment; FIG. 2B is a top view of a first and second pillow in an staggered-adjacent orientation according to one embodiment; FIG. 2C is a top view of a first and second pillow in a staggered-adjacent orientation according to one embodiment; FIG. 2D is a top view of a first and second pillow in an aligned-adjacent orientation according to one embodiment; and FIG. 2E is a top view of a first and second pillow in a staggered-stacked orientation according to one embodiment.
FIG. 3A is a side view of a first and second pillow in an aligned-adjacent orientation according to one embodiment; FIG. 3B is a side view of a first, second and third pillow with a first row in an aligned-adjacent orientation and the second row in a staggered-stacked orientation with the first row according to one embodiment; and FIG. 3C is a side view of a first, second, third and fourth pillow with a first row in an aligned-adjacent orientation, a second row in an aligned-adjacent orientation, and the first and second rows in an aligned-stacked orientation according to one embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a pillow cover without cushioning according to one embodiment.
FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a first and second pillow cover connected in an aligned-adjacent orientation according to one embodiment; FIG. 5B is a perspective view of a first and second pillow cover connected in an staggered-adjacent orientation according to one embodiment; FIG. 5C is a perspective view of a first and second pillow cover connected in a staggered-adjacent orientation according to one embodiment; and FIG. 5D is a perspective view of a first and second pillow cover connected in an aligned-adjacent orientation according to one embodiment.
FIG. 6A is a top view of a first and second connection element with toggles cinched against their respective pillow covers according to one embodiment; FIG. 6B is a top view of a first and second connection element with toggles uncinched and separated from the pillow cover according to one embodiment; FIG. 6C is a top view of a first and second connection element with toggles released from against the pillow cover, and the toggle from the second connection element inserted into the loop of the first connection element according to one embodiment; FIG. 6D is a top view of a first and second connection element connected with toggles cinched back against their respective pillow covers according to one embodiment; and FIG. 6E is an alternate perspective view of a first and second connection element connected with toggles cinched back against their respective pillow covers according to one embodiment.
FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a triangular pillow structure according to one embodiment, and FIG. 7B is a side view of the triangular pillow structure shown in FIG. 7A. FIG. 7C is a perspective view of a triangular pillow structure connected to a layout structure, forming a triangular lounger structure according to one embodiment; and FIG. 7D is a side view of a triangular pillow structure having an additional bottom pillow in an aligned-stacked connection with the bottom pillow of the triangular pillow structure, adding additional height to the triangular pillow structure according to one embodiment.
FIG. 8A is a side view of a first and second connection element (top) connected and cinched, and a third connection element (bottom) uncinched and disconnected according to one embodiment; and FIG. 8B is a side view of a first and second connection element (top) connected and cinched, and a third connection element (bottom) uncinched and connected to the first and second connection element (top) according to one embodiment.
FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a freestanding pillow structure according to one embodiment; FIG. 9B is a front view of the freestanding pillow structure shown in FIG. 9A; FIG. 9C is a side view of the freestanding pillow structure shown in FIG. 9A; and FIG. 9D is a back view of the freestanding pillow structure shown in FIG. 9A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a more clear comprehension of the present invention, while eliminating, for the purpose of clarity, many other elements found in pillows, pillow covers, and systems and methods of building custom pillow structures. Those of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that other elements and/or steps are desirable and/or required in implementing the present invention. However, because such elements and steps are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussion of such elements and steps is not provided herein. The disclosure herein is directed to all such variations and modifications to such elements and methods known to those skilled in the art.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are described.
As used herein, each of the following terms has the meaning associated with it in this section.
The articles “a” and “an” are used herein to refer to one or to more than one (i.e., to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article. By way of example, “an element” means one element or more than one element.
“About” as used herein when referring to a measurable value such as an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, is meant to encompass variations of ±20%, ±10%, ±5%, ±1%, and ±0.1% from the specified value, as such variations are appropriate.
Ranges: throughout this disclosure, various aspects of the invention can be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Where appropriate, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 2.7, 3, 4, 5, 5.3, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.
Referring now in detail to the drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate like parts or elements throughout the several views, in various embodiments, presented herein are pillows and pillow covers for building custom pillow structures.
With reference now to FIGS. 1A and 1 B, a pillow 309 is shown according to one embodiment. The pillow 309 includes a flexible fabric 307, for example a cotton, polyester or polyester blend. Four connection elements 301, 303, 304, 306 are positioned at each corner of the fabric 307, which in this case is shaped as an oblong rectangle. The central axis longitudinally bisects the rectangle, and also marks the position of a fifth 302 and sixth 305 connection element. In one embodiment, the perimeter distance between connection elements 301-302, 302-303, 303-306, 305-306, 304-305 and 301-304 is the same or substantially the same for allowing connections in various configurations as described herein. As described throughout, embodiments may be for example a pillow cover for later insertion of a pillow insert having cushioning material, or embodiments may be pillows with the cushioning permanently sewn into the fabric of the pillow. Embodiments of the invention may also for example include a strap of positioning system that disposes necessary connection elements to a standard pillow at the proper position as described herein.
With reference now to FIG. 2A, a first 310 and second 320 pillow are connected in an aligned-adjacent orientation according to one embodiment. The pillows in this instance are aligned laterally, and connected connection elements 330 are connected together to form a tight connection. Unconnected connection elements 335 are available for connection to aligned elements, but do not require a connection. Connected connection elements 330 can receive additional connections, as more than two connection elements (e.g. three, four or more connection elements) can form a single connection point. Connection elements are universal, so they do not require alignment with a particular type of opposing connection, and connection elements do not require an opposing male/female mating connection. Connection elements can be for example include Velcro, straps, hook and loop fasteners, buckles, buttons, slits, or other types of fasteners known in the art specially configured for a universal opposing connection. Specific embodiments of connection elements are provided in further detail below. FIG. 2B shows a first 310 and second 320 pillow connected in an staggered-adjacent orientation according to one embodiment. Each pillow is oriented longitudinally, however even though the pillows are offset, the consistent and modular spacing between connected connection elements 330 allows for proper alignment for connecting pillows even when staggered or offset. FIG. 2C shows a first 310 and second 320 pillow connected in an alternate staggered-adjacent orientation according to one embodiment, where the first pillow 310 is oriented longitudinally, and the second pillow 320 is oriented laterally. Again, the spacing between connected connection elements 330 allows for the staggered and offset connection to have proper alignment for connecting pillows. FIG. 2D shows a first 310 and second 320 pillow connected in an aligned-adjacent orientation according to one embodiment. FIG. 2E shows a first 310 and second 320 pillow in a staggered-stacked according to one embodiment. The first pillow 310 is stacked above the second pillow 320, and four aligned connection points form points for connected connection elements 330.
Various embodiments of stacked pillow orientations are shown now with reference to FIGS. 3A-3C. The first 310 and second 320 pillow can stack in an aligned-stacked configuration as shown in FIG. 3A. FIG. 3B shows first 310 and second 320 pillows in an aligned-adjacent configuration in a bottom row, and a third pillow 313 stacked above the first row in a staggered-stacked configuration. FIG. 3C shows a four pillow stacked embodiment. The first 310 and second 320 pillows are aligned-adjacent in a bottom row, and the third 313 and fourth 314 pillows are aligned-adjacent in a top row. The bottom row and top row are in a aligned-stacked configuration relative to each other.
EXPERIMENTAL EXAMPLES
The invention is now described with reference to the following Examples. These Examples are provided for the purpose of illustration only and the invention should in no way be construed as being limited to these Examples, but rather should be construed to encompass any and all variations which become evident as a result of the teaching provided herein.
Without further description, it is believed that one of ordinary skill in the art can, using the preceding description and the following illustrative examples, make and utilize the present invention and practice the claimed methods. The following working examples therefore, specifically point out the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and are not to be construed as limiting in any way the remainder of the disclosure.
With reference now to FIG. 4, a pillow cover 9 without cushioning is shown according to one embodiment. The pillow cover 9 includes a flexible fabric 7, for example a cotton, polyester or polyester blend. The pillow cover 9 has a side zipper 8 (not shown) for allowing the insertion of a cushion material, such as a pillow insert. Four connection elements 1, 3, 4, 6 are positioned at each corner of the fabric 7, which in this case is shaped as an oblong rectangle. The central axis longitudinally bisects the rectangle, and also marks the position of a fifth 2 and sixth 5 connection element. In one embodiment, the perimeter distance between connection elements 1-2, 2-3, 3-6, 5-6, 4-5 and 1-4 is the same or substantially the same for allowing connections in various configurations as described herein. As described throughout, embodiments may be for example a pillow cover 9 for later insertion of a pillow insert having cushioning material, or embodiments may be pillows with the cushioning permanently sewn into the cover. Embodiments of the invention may also for example include a strap of positioning system that disposes necessary connection elements to a standard pillow at the proper position.
With reference now to FIG. 5A, a first 10 and second 20 pillow cover are connected in an aligned-adjacent orientation according to one embodiment. The pillows in this instance are aligned laterally, and connected connection elements 30 are cinched together to form a tight connection. Unconnected connection elements 35 are available for connection, but do not require a connection. Connected connection elements 30 can receive additional connections, as more than two connection elements can form a single connection. FIG. 5B shows a first 10 and second 20 pillow cover connected in an staggered-adjacent orientation according to one embodiment. Each pillow is oriented longitudinally, however even though the pillow covers are offset, the consistent and modular spacing between connected connection elements 30 allows for proper alignment for connecting pillows even when staggered or offset. FIG. 5C shows a first 10 and second 20 pillow cover connected in an alternate staggered-adjacent orientation according to one embodiment, where the first pillow cover 10 is oriented longitudinally, and the second pillow cover 20 is oriented laterally. Again, the modular spacing between connected connection elements 30 allows for the staggered and offset connection to have proper alignment for connecting pillows. FIG. 5D shows a first 10 and second 20 pillow cover connected in an aligned-adjacent orientation according to one embodiment.
With reference now to FIG. 6A, a first 50 and second 70 connection element with toggles 42, 62 cinched against their respective pillow covers 10, 20 is shown according to one embodiment. The first connection element 50 includes a cord 40 forming a loop 55, and the cord 50 is attached to the pillow cover 10. The cord 40 has a toggle 42 positioned between the pillow cover 10 and a cord stop 44. The second connection element 70 includes a cord 60 forming a loop 75, and the cord 60 is attached to the pillow cover 20. The cord 60 has a toggle 62 positioned between the pillow cover 20 and a cord stop 64. Connection elements can be cinched when not in use to maintain toggles and cord stops close to the pillow and prevent them from flailing and being a nuisance. As shown in FIG. 6B, in preparation for connection, the first 50 and second 70 connection elements are uncinched and the toggles 42, 62 are separated from their pillow covers 10, 20. The position of the loops 55, 75 can shift depending on the position of the toggles 42, 62 and cord stops 44, 64. Nonetheless, one (or more) loop will remain at each connection element even as the toggles 42, 62 and cord stops 44, 64 slide across the cord 40, 60. As shown in FIG. 6C, the toggle 62 from the second connection element 70 is inserted into the loop 55 of the first connection element 50. In certain instances, it is sufficient and even desired to simply connect connection elements without re-cinching the toggles tight against the pillow case (e.g. in stacked configurations, an uncinched connection if often desirable since aligned connection elements are naturally spaced apart by the bulk of the pillow height, and keeping the connection uncinched can account for the natural separation between stacked connection elements). As shown in FIGS. 6D and 6E, first and second connection elements 50, 70 are now tightly connected, with toggles 42, 62 cinched against their respective pillow covers 10, 20 by drawing the cord stops 44, 64 and consequently toggles 42, 62 back towards against the covers 10, 20.
With reference now to FIGS. 7A and 7B, a triangular pillow structure 100 is shown according to one embodiment. A first, 102, second 104 and third 106 pillow covers are connected along top and bottom long-sides to form the 3-dimentional triangle shape. Any connection point 120 can be used to connect additional pillow structures as shown in FIGS. 4C. and 4D. Shown in the structure 100′ of FIG. 7C, a triangular pillow structure 100 is connected to a layout structure 101 of three aligned covers, forming a triangular lounger structure 100′ according to one embodiment. As sown in FIG. 7D, to add more height to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, a triangular pillow structure 150 having an additional bottom pillow 108 in an aligned-stacked connection with the bottom pillow 106 of the triangular pillow structure. As shown in this embodiment (FIG. 7D), in stacked configurations, an extended or uncinched connection 120′ is often desirable since aligned connection elements are naturally spaced apart by the bulk of the pillow height, and keeping the connection uncinched can account for the natural separation between stacked connection elements while still providing a secure connection. This is shown in more detail in FIG. 8A. A first and second connection element (top) 152 are connected and cinched, connecting two pillow covers 104, 106. This connection includes a loop 154 that is available for additional connection of additional connection elements. A third connection element (bottom) 156 is shown uncinched and disconnected. This third connection element 156 can be connected to the loop 154 as shown in FIG. 8B. The third connection element (bottom) 156 remains uncinched, yet the connection to the first and second connection element (top) 152 is nonetheless secure since the connection points are naturally spaced by the bulk height of the pillows. If a tighter connection was desired, third connection element (bottom) 156 could be closed or cinched.
With reference now to FIG. 9A, a freestanding pillow structure 200 is shown according to one embodiment. The multiple pillow covers can be stacked into a first row 201, 202, 203, a second row 204, 205, and a third row 206, 207 like building blocks. The pillow covers can be connected with at least one pillow of a bottom row of the stack having a first portion entirely in-plane with the stack and a second portion extending out-of-plane with the stack. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9A-9B, pillow covers 201 and 203 each have a first portion entirely in-plane with the stack, and a second portion extending out-of-plane with the stack (see specifically FIG. 9C). This is advantageous and made possible by embodiments described herein, which allow for oblong rectangular pillows to connect and stack into different orientations, even though the pillow covers are all the same dimension. This also allows for free-standing structures, where certain pillow covers (e.g. 201, 203) act as an foot for anchoring and balancing stacked or tall structures. Also, FIGS. 9A-9D demonstrates that all orientations including aligned-adjacent orientation, a staggered-adjacent orientation, an aligned-stacked orientation, and a staggered-stacked orientation are easily incorporated into a single pillow structure, and more than one of these orientations can easily be incorporated into a single connection point. For example, FIG. 9C shows a connection 210 of pillow covers 201, 204, 206 where pillow covers 204, 206 are aligned-stacked, yet pillow covers 201, 204 are staggered-stacked, and nonetheless all three pillow covers 201, 204, 206 form a singular connection point 210. FIG. 9D shows various connections such as connection point 211 of pillows 205, 207 aligned-stacked, connection point 212 of pillows 202, 203 staggered-adjacent, and connection point 213 of pillows 202, 204, 205 staggered-stacked (while pillows 204, 205 are simultaneously aligned-adjacent).
The disclosures of each and every patent, patent application, and publication cited herein are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. While this invention has been disclosed with reference to specific embodiments, it is apparent that other embodiments and variations of this invention may be devised by others skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.
Patent Application
20180153319
