Head support device for use when lying in the prone position

Abstract

A head support device which enables a user to comfortably rest in the prone position. The head support device includes a padded member having a generally horse-shoe shape with a top, arcuate sides spaced apart ends, a first inner side wall and a second inner side wall, a first region for supporting the user's face in the frontal sinus area, a second region adjacent to the eye socket and cheek area for supporting the user's face area, and a third region for support along the sides of the user's mandible. The support device also includes a substantially rigid support member for supporting the padded member. The support member has a pair of upstanding splayed outwardly walls which define an air channel for the free exchange of air when the user inhales or exhales. The support member has a plurality of opposing, substantially parallel zones which provide support for the above described support regions of the padded member when the user is lying in the prone position. The padded member is secured to the support member using an attachment method that does not interfere with said padded member conforming to the facial configuration of the user.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a head support device, such as a headrest or pillow, which provides comfortable facial support while the user is lying face down. More particularly, the head support apparatus is adapted to minimize contact with the user's face while concurrently cushioning the forehead, cheek and maxillary areas of the user's face as well as provide an unrestricted air passageway for breathing. [0003] 2. Background of the Invention [0004] Pillows, head support devices, mattresses have been developed and described in various literature for a variety of applications and particularly addressing a person lying face down or in the prone position. There are a variety of circumstances where a person desires or is required to lie face down, such as for example, during certain types of medical procedures, sunbathing, tanning, physical therapy, massage, or sleeping. [0005] One problem associated with lying in...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017] Briefly, the present invention is a head support device, such as a headrest or pillow, which provides comfortable facial support while the user is lying face down in the prone position. The head support device has a cushion or padded member for contacting and supporting the user's facial region. The padded member is generally horseshoe-shaped having a curved upper area for contacting a user's forehead; gently arcuate sloping sides terminating at distally located spaced apart ends.

[0018] The padded member is supported by a substantially rigid support member. The support member includes a plurality of predetermined regions or zones adapted for engaging the padded cushion and to provide comfortable support to predetermined facial areas of the user. The support member is generally configured in a modified “V” or “U” shape where the upstanding portions are splayed outward relative to vertical so as to provide a breathing air access channel for the free exchange of air when the user inhales or exhales. As viewed from the side, the support member has a gentle incline that rises from a first end of the support member to a distal second end to provide a steady elevation and comfortable support for the user's head and neck while the user is lying in the prone position.

[0019] It is an object of the present invention to provide a comfortable headrest or support device having a padded member for receiving and cushioning the user's face and a substantially rigid support member for supporting the padded member and providing an unobstructed air passageway for easy communication of fresh air to the user when lying in the prone position.

[0020] It is another object of the invention to provide a comfortable headrest or support device wherein the substantially rigid support member has a sufficiently large base surface area so as to prevent sinking of the support into sand, soft ground, or grass when the user is lying in the prone position.

[0021] Another object of the invention to provide a comfortable headrest or support device wherein the substantially rigid support member additionally provides support and stability to substantially prevent lateral movement of the headrest device in sand, soft ground, or grass.

[0022] Another object of the present invention is to provide a headrest having an outer material covering of the upper padded member that is durable in use, easily washed, rinsed and sanitized for repeated use by the user.

Problems solved by technology

One problem associated with lying in the prone position and using a normally flat pillow is the restriction of air passage to the person.

Arching the head results in undesirable and unnatural forces on the spine which may create reduced comfort or possible harm to the spine.

However, if the user turns his or her head to breath and lies in this position, the neck must be turned at an acute angle that invariably causes increased pressure on the structures that support and comprise the neck anatomy, such as the discs, joints, muscles, and ligaments of the upper spinal column.

However, a problem with the support device described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,688,142 is that a substantial amount of pressure is exerted on the user's chin, which is in turn translated to the mandible, which over time can cause misalignment of the jaw.

However, Hartunian teaches that it is critical that the head support device support only the forehead and chin of the patient.

One problem with the design described by Braun is that the supporting legs are of equal height.

However, this device would not be suitable for supporting a user's head when lying in the prone position since the intermediate material would interfere with the user's breathing.

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