Head support device for vertical sleeping position

Abstract

A head support device for a person seeking to rest or sleep in an upright, seated position, primarily during travel or for medical related circumstances, comprising a support frame for the upright positioning of the head. The support frame includes a left side and right side with upper and lower arms, a rear portion, a front portion which includes support legs and chin supports, cushions for contact areas of the user, adjustable strap and fasteners. A method of using such a support is also disclosed.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to travel pillows and more particularly a head and neck support device for better relaxation or sleep while in an upright, seated position by allowing the user's head to stay upright and rearward with even distribution of the weight of the head. The present invention also relates to medical devices where certain medical conditions require patients to support the head and neck while in a seated position.BACKGROUND[0002]Travelers seek support of the head and neck to enable better rest or sleep while in a seated and upright position. People with medical conditions also need to, at times, rest or sleep in a seated and upright position. Prior art proves the many attempts to aid users in achieving comfortable rest and sleep while in the seated position have been made, however the prior art does not sufficiently correct all of the disadvantages of resting in an upright position, most notably: allowing the head to fall forward and / or...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]The present invention seeks to provide solutions to the combined problems associated with resting or sleeping in an upright position by providing a novel device that fully supports the head in a 360° fashion, bears the weight of the head, reduces or eliminates strain and tension on the neck and shoulder muscles, provides natural and comfortable positioning of the head and neck in an upright and rearward fashion, allows for body size adjustment, allows for air flow and reducing body heat, prevents the user's mouth from hanging open, is lightweight and compact, and doesn't constrict the user's throat area. The rigid frame consisting of a coated wire-form, plastic or other suitable material, wrapped in strategic contact / pressure points with a resilient cushioned material, that will limit forward and lateral movement of the head within a small range to keep the head in a comfortable upright position at the same time as fully supporting the weight of the head. The shape of the device does not interfere with the placement of wired or wireless headphones.

Problems solved by technology

Prior art proves the many attempts to aid users in achieving comfortable rest and sleep while in the seated position have been made, however the prior art does not sufficiently correct all of the disadvantages of resting in an upright position, most notably: allowing the head to fall forward and / or laterally, the head being pushed forward instead of rearward, supporting the head in a natural and comfortable position, supporting the weight of the head reducing strain on the neck and shoulder muscles, providing for full 360° support, increasing airflow and reducing body heat, compact and lightweight design, adjustable to different body sizes, allowing for the chin of the user to fall forward and the mouth to hang open, and constriction of the throat area.

Traditional U-shaped travel pillows, such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,230,349 and 4,161,794, attempt to provide comfort and support but often do not provide either.

The traditional U-shaped pillows create a barrier between the user's neck and the seat headrest that doesn't allow the head to lie flat, or nearly flat, on the headrest surface, but instead pushes the user's head forward.

This pushing force combined with the gravitational force of the weight of the user's head causes the head to fall forward or in a lateral direction that increases strain on the neck and shoulder muscles.

In addition to strained muscles, when the head falls forward or laterally gravity often causes the mouth to hang open causing embarrassment, snoring, drooling, and / or dry mouth.

Furthermore, the arms of traditional U-shaped pillows do not incorporate the height needed to support the head when the head rests, or naturally falls, to the left or right side of the body.

However, there are still disadvantages to both.

However, the cushion isn't firm enough and compresses significantly when the weight of the user's head is upon the cushion causing the neck and shoulder muscles to ultimately bear the weight of the head presenting undue strain.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,898,840 is a U-Shaped pillow that incorporates a rigid frame to help support the user's head as well as providing opposing forces to keep the pillow positioned correctly however the height of the arms do not provide adequate support for eliminating strain of the user's neck when the head rests laterally and the user's head is still able to fall in the forward direction.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,101,223 provides sufficient height to support the head laterally, a decreased barrier between the headrest and the back of the user's neck and a place to rest the user's chin however there is no opposing support for the chinrest to effectively keep the user's head from falling in a forward direction causing strain on the back of the neck and shoulder muscles.

Foam or soft fill pillows are often soft to a degree that there is too much compression, causing a lack of support, when the weight of the head is applied which causes undue strain on the neck and shoulder muscles.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,814,106 is a rigid device for holding the chin which prevents the head from falling forward and the mouth of the user from hanging open however there is the disadvantage of the head's ability to fall in a lateral direction.

Prior art shows examples of travel pillows or devices that are compact and lightweight yet prove to be disadvantageous in other ways.

However, when inflated, the cushion is cumbersome and may disturb the person in the seat in front of the user as pressure will be applied to their seat, as well as, making it difficult for people seated in the same row of seats as the user to enter and exit the row.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,962,021 does allow for size adjustments through the use of adjustable straps however, is not necessarily simple and provides other disadvantages as discussed previously in paragraph above.

Many travel pillows are filled with dense material that can trap heat causing the pillow user's to sweat, overheat or become uncomfortable.

However, some of the previously discussed disadvantages of U shaped pillows are still present.

D469,541 incorporates a 360° design around the neck yet still has the disadvantages of the head falling laterally due to lack of proper height for support, lack of airflow, and being enclosed over the throat area which can be constricting and highly uncomfortable to many consumers.

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