Head stabilizing travel pillow

Abstract

A pillow for supporting a user's head includes a frame portion made of a pliable material that conforms to applied pressure while providing support when the user's head rests on the frame portion. A connecting portion extends between the frame portions to form a pillow body with the frame portions. The pillow body is configured to surround a user's head and position the frame portion on front and opposite sides of the user's head. A pair of housings is attached to corresponding frame portions. The pair of housings is made of a robust and pliable material. At least one strap extends from at least one of the pair of housings. The at least one strap is configured to connect one of the frame portions to the other frame portion to stabilize the head of the user within the pillow.

Description

[0001] Priority and Related Applications Claimed

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 422,676, filed on November 4, 2022, entitled "Head-Stabilizing Travel Pillow", the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to pillows and cushions, and more particularly to pillows and cushions that include a structure for supporting a user's chin. The pillows are used by airline passengers and others to provide support for the user's neck and head. Such pillows are typically formed in a shape factor that is easy to carry and that allows them to surround the lower half of the user's head, for example, when the user is sitting on an airplane, in a seat on a passenger train, or as a passenger in a car. Background Art

[0004] The primary goal of providing maximum comfort to the user is to keep the user's head in an upright position, thereby preventing the user's neck from being strained. While many prior art pillows provide support for the user's head, they do not prevent the user's head from tipping forward.

[0005] Travel pillows are typically formed as a U-shaped member having a cushion that is shaped to support the user's head but soft enough to provide a degree of comfort. The U-shaped member can have two side portions that extend along the sides of the user's head, and the two side portions can be connected at the rear by a rear member or at the front by a front member. Pillows that connect the side portions using a front member can provide some support for forward movement of the user. However, such pillows often cause discomfort to many users due to putting pressure on the user's throat or simply pressing upward on the user's chin. Some travel pillows that connect the side portions using a rear member teach connecting the front ends of the side portions together to provide chin support. In many cases, the effect is either similar to the effect of using a front member to support the chin, or connecting the front portions of the side portions together may not provide sufficient support for the user's chin at all.

[0006] Prior art pillows do not provide sufficient support for the user's head and tend to trap heat around the user's neck and head. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In an example implementation described in the present disclosure, a pillow is provided to comfortably stabilize the head in any direction in which the user's head may tip. The user's head typically tips forward because the weight of the head itself causes the head to tip forward in a sitting position. The pillow is designed to support the user's head under the chin on both sides and to support the user's head in three planes (both sides and the front).

[0008] Since the head is held at the front and on both sides and the rear is supported by the backrest of the aircraft seat, the user does not need to take any specific actions such as leaning to one side, etc. The pillow is configured to keep the front of the neck exposed to provide body heat management by allowing ventilation of the neck area. Approximately 25% of the fresh oxygenated blood from the heart passes through the neck area. The pillow also uses as little fabric as possible, especially in the rear of the pillow, to prevent heat from being trapped in this area.

[0009] In an example implementation, a pillow includes a pair of frame portions made of a soft material that conforms to the applied pressure while providing support when the user's head leans against the frame portions. A connecting portion extends between the pair of frame portions to form a pillow body together with the frame portions. The pillow body is configured to surround the user's head and position the frame portions in front of and on opposite sides of the user's head. A pair of housings are configured to fit into corresponding frame portions. The pair of housings are made of a rigid and flexible material. At least one strap extends from at least one of the pair of housings. The at least one strap is configured to connect one of the frame portions to the other frame portion to stabilize the user's head within the pillow.

[0010] In another aspect, the pillow includes a flexible extension between the two frame portions.

[0011] In another aspect, the extension between the frame portions includes air vents to allow air to flow through to achieve a cooling effect.

[0012] In another aspect, the pair of housings have a substantially arrow shape with a slightly wedge-shaped profile and are slightly folded such that the housings are configured to cover the user's cheek and jaw areas when the user wears the pillow.

[0013] In another aspect, the housings are mounted on the outer surface of the frame portions. The pillow further includes an outer fabric to cover the outer surface of the frame portions and the housings mounted in the frame portions.

[0014] In another aspect, an inner fabric is provided to cover the inner surface of the frame portions to provide a soft surface for contact with the user's face.

[0015] In another aspect, the at least one strap includes a pair of straps extending from the corresponding housing towards the front edge of the respective frame portion. The pair of straps are attached to each other in front of the frame portion.

[0016] In another aspect, the extended strap connects each of the pair of straps around the rear of the pillow.

[0017] In another aspect, a pair of housings each have a substantially rectangular shape that is slightly curved to align with a pillow when positioned around a user's neck.

[0018] In another aspect, a pair of housings each include a hollow cup-shaped structure that extends inwardly into a corresponding section of a frame portion.

[0019] In another aspect, the cup-shaped structure includes a ventilation opening.

[0020] In another aspect, a pair of frame portions are made of memory foam.

[0021] In another aspect, the pillow includes an integral extension portion made of memory foam such that the frame portion and the integral extension portion form an integral pillow body.

[0022] In another aspect, a pair of housings each include a hollow cup-shaped structure that extends inwardly into a corresponding section of a frame portion. Each housing has a slot formed in a rear portion of the housing. At least one strap is a single strap that has a first end attached to a first housing of the housings and extends from the first end around the integral extension portion of the pillow body to travel through a slot in a housing of the plurality of housings that is opposite the first housing and extends beyond a front edge of the frame portion by an amount sufficient to mate with an outer surface of the first end of the strap via a hook-and-loop mechanism.

[0023] In another aspect, the pillow further includes a fabric for covering a surface of the integral pillow body.

[0024] In another aspect, the fabric is a first fabric, and the pillow further includes a second fabric and a third fabric for covering each of the plurality of housings, wherein the second fabric and the third fabric are used in combination with the first fabric.

[0025] In another aspect, the fabric is made of a soft material selected from the group consisting of: knitted material, nylon, Lycra, polyester, cotton-polyester blend.

[0026] In another aspect, the second fabric and the third fabric are made of materials selected from the group consisting of: knitted material, nylon, Lycra, polyester, cotton-polyester blend, and mesh material.

[0027] In another aspect, each of a pair of housings is an outer housing, and the pillow further includes a pair of inner housings inserted into the frame portion, the inner housings being configured to receive a corresponding outer housing of the pair of outer housings.

[0028] In another aspect, the inner housings are insert-molded into the foam material forming the frame portion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1AExploded view of an example implementation of a head support pillow.

[0030] Figure 1B is a Figure 1A schematic diagram of a pillow for supporting a user's head.

[0031] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of another implementation of a head support pillow.

[0032] Figure 3 is a Figure 2 top isometric side view of a head support pillow from

[0033] Figure 4 Front isometric side view of an integral pillow body with a pair of inner shells inserted therein.

[0034] Figure 5 is a Figure 4 view of the integral pillow body with the inner shells removed.

[0035] Figure 6 is a Figure 2 top isometric side view of the outer shell of a head support pillow, where a strap surrounds the inner fabric layer of the integral pillow body, but where the integral pillow body is removed.

[0036] Figure 7 is a Figure 2 top isometric side view of the outer shell of a head support pillow, where the strap extends from one shell of the housing to the other shell.

[0037] Figure 8 is a Figure 2 bottom isometric side view of a head support pillow.

[0038] Figure 9 is a Figure 2 bottom isometric view of a head support pillow.

[0039] Figure 10 is an Figure 8 isometric side view of the side opposite to the side shown in

[0040] Figure 11 is a Figure 2 isometric side view of the pillow shown in

[0041] Figure 12 is a Figure 2 isometric top view of the pillow in Detailed Description

[0042] Provides pillows 100, 200 for supporting a user's head, as shown in Figure 1A andFigure 2 As shown. Refer to Figure 1A , the pillow 100 includes two pads or shells (load-bearing structures) 104 made of a rigid and / or flexible material such as, for example, plastic, which are disposed at opposite ends of the pillow 100 and within an outer fabric portion 106 configured to wrap around the user's neck. The shells 104 are configured to provide resistance to the movement of the user's head in terms of their shape, material, and position within the pillow 100 so as to hold the head in a substantially upright position.

[0043] The outer fabric portion 106 can be an elastic material with a desired amount of elasticity or a non-elastic material such as ballistic nylon. In some examples, the non-elastic material can provide a tension force around the back of the neck to allow the pillow 100 to tighten around the user's neck by causing the shells 104 to move towards each other. In some examples, the tension force can be provided by a strap around the pillow and is configured to allow the user to pull the shells 104 towards each other.

[0044] The shells 104 can be flexible or rigid and can be made of any suitable rigid or semi-rigid material such as, for example, but not limited to, plastic, polyurethane, polycarbonate, and ABS. In an example implementation, the shell 104 can have a shape similar to an arrow with a slightly wedge-shaped profile and a slightly folded structure that covers the user's cheek and jaw area. In another shape, the shell has a slightly elongated hollow cup shape that is slightly curved to align with the pillow extending around the user's neck. In one implementation, the shell 104 can be symmetric about a horizontal line. In other implementations, the shell 104 can extend further down or up relative to the user's cheek and jaw area or can be configured to be located under the user's chin. In any example implementation, the shape and size of the shell 104 can depend on its compliance, the desired contour against the user's face, and the degree of support desired from against the user's head or under the user's cheek.

[0045] The outer fabric portion 106 is shown as a transparent layer in Figure 1A for clarity of description, which is separated from the pad or shell 104. The shell 104 and the outer fabric portion 106 can be firmly connected and are configured to create a tension force between the two shells 104. The assembly includes adjustable straps 110 on either side of the pillow.

[0046] The shell 104 and the outer fabric portion 106 can include a frame portion 102 formed as one piece or in several pieces. The frame portion 102 can be configured to provide support for the head in combination with the shell 104 by gently holding the user's head in a substantially upright position. Figure 1AExamples include a frame portion 102 formed as a single piece having a suitable shape formed to surround opposite two portions of a housing 104 to enhance the support provided by the housing 104. In one example, the frame portion 102 may be made of memory foam or other suitable compressible but supportive material. The opposite two frame portions 102 may be connected by a narrowed connecting portion 112 extending between the opposite frame portions 102, where the connecting portion 112 is narrowed to follow the contour of the back of a user's head, while the opposite frame portions 102 cover the user's cheek and / or jaw area, substantially as Figure 1B shown.

[0047] Figure 1B shows the pillow when used on a user's head. The frame portion 102 may be wrapped with a comfortable fabric layer that forms an inner fabric portion 108 facing the user to contact the user's face and neck, as Figure 1B shown. The inner fabric portion 108 may be made of a soft elastic material to provide comfortable contact with the user's face.

[0048] When the pillow is worn as Figure 1B shown, two straps 110 may be temporarily connected. They may be tightened to create an appropriate amount of tension in the assembly, which in turn creates a pressure from the frame portion 102 at the opposite ends to hold the pad against the user's cheek as shown at position A, thereby holding the pillow comfortably in place. The pillow rests against the chest / clavicle at position B. In an example implementation, the pillow is symmetric top and bottom such that position A and position B are the same.

[0049] Figure 2 is a schematic view of another implementation of a head support pillow 200. Referring to Figure 2 , the head support pillow 200 includes: a pair of frame portions 202; a pair of housings 204 mounted on corresponding ones of the frame portions 202; a flexible extension portion 212 located between the two frame portions 202; and a strap 210 attached to one of the housings 204. The frame portions 202 and the flexible extension portion 212 may be made of memory foam as a single integral pillow body 250 (further described below with reference to Figure 5 ). The strap 210 may extend around the rear of the flexible extension portion 212 to pass through the other housing 204. The strap extends beyond the front edge of the frame portion 202 to contact the strap 210 extending from its attachment at the other housing 204 to the rear. In an example implementation, the extending strap portion and the attached strap portion are configured to be connected using a hook and loop mechanism such as Velcro.

[0050] Figure 2The head support pillow 200 therein includes a fabric 206 that covers the integral pillow body 250 to provide a soft surface for the user's face and head. The fabric 206 can be made of a soft material, such as for example, jersey knit, cotton, nylon, Lycra, cotton-polyester blend, polyester, and any other suitable fabric. The housing 204 can also be covered with a second fabric and a third fabric 208. The second fabric and the third fabric 208 can be made of a net or any other suitable material. In other examples, the fabric 206 can be provided with an opening for the housing 204, and thus, the housing can be mounted on the frame portion 202 without a fabric covering.

[0051] Figure 3 is a top isometric side view of the head support pillow 200' without the user's head thereon. Figure 2 from Figures 8 to 12 Described in different views depicting details characterizing the pillow 200' are Figure 3 example implementations of Figure 8 is Figure 2 a bottom isometric side view of the head support pillow 200' of Figure 9 is Figure 2 a bottom isometric view of the head support pillow 200' of Figure 10 is an isometric side view of the side opposite the side shown in Figure 8 from Figure 11 is Figure 2 an isometric side view of the pillow 200' shown in Figure 12 is Figure 2 a top isometric view of the pillow 200' in

[0052] Referencing Figure 3 and Figures 8 to 12 , the pillow 200' is an example implementation similar to the pillow 200 shown in Figure 2 but with straps attached and leaving at opposite ends. A pair of housings 204 each have a hollow cup-shaped structure that extends inwardly into a corresponding section of the frame portion 202 as shown at 205. Each housing 204 includes a slot 216 formed in the rear of the housing. Through Figure 3 the slot 216 shown in Figure 3 and Figures 10 to 12 , the strap 210 wraps around the pillow body 250 and extends out over the housing 204a. The strap 210 is attached at an attachment point 217 located in the front of the opposite housing 204b as shown in

[0053] The housing 204 may include ventilation openings 218 to provide a cooling effect when using the pillow. The ventilation openings 218 may be formed in the bottom surface of the hollow cup-shaped structure of the housing 204.

[0054] Figure 4 is a front isometric side view of the one-piece pillow body 250 with a pair of inner housings 220 inserted therein. The inner housings 220 may be made of a rigid material such as any plastic, such as for example but not limited to polyurethane, polycarbonate, ABS, or a combination thereof. The inner housings 220 may be insert-molded into the frame portion 202 of the one-piece pillow body 250 to provide a secure attachment for the outer housing 204 (see Figure 3 ). The outer housing 204, which may be made of the same material as the inner housings 220, may be configured to snap into the inner housings 220 so as to remain mounted therein. The outer housing 204 and the inner housings 220 may be combined to provide rigidity to support the user's head in an upright position.

[0055] Figure 5 is Figure 4 a view of the one-piece pillow body 250 in which the inner housings 220 (see Figure 4 ) are removed. Figure 4 The one-piece pillow body 250 in shows a hollow depression 225 having a form that matches the inner surface of the inner housings 220 fitted in the hollow depression. The one-piece pillow body 250 includes ventilation openings 218 that match the ventilation openings in the inner housings 220 and the outer housing 204. Figure 5 The one-piece pillow body 250 in may be made of memory foam or other suitable compressible and moldable material.

[0056] Figure 6 is Figure 2 a top isometric side view of the outer housing of the head support pillow in which straps surround the space for the one-piece pillow body 250. For purposes of illustration, the one-piece pillow body is not shown in Figure 6 . That is, Figure 6 the one-piece pillow body 250 shown in is shown as "hollowed out", leaving the inner fabric portion 213 of the fabric 206 that contacts the user's face and head during use. Note that in some examples, the inner fabric portion 213 may be an elastic material that conforms to and surrounds the shape of the one-piece pillow body 250. In other examples, the inner fabric portion 213 may be an inner panel that is attached (e.g., sewn) to the outer panel to form the fabric 206.

[0057] Figure 7 is Figure 3Top isometric side view of the outer shell 204 of the head support pillow 200’, where the strap 210 extends from the right shell 204 (relative to the user's head) to the left shell 202 (relative to the user's head). Figure 7 In the absence of Figure 6 the inner surface of the pillow body 250 shown, the shells 204 and the strap 210 are illustrated. Refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 , the shell 204 can be an outer shell assembled in the Figure 4 inner shell 220 shown, or a shell that can be joined to the surface of the pillow body 250.

[0058] The strap 210 is shown extending from an attachment point 217 at the front end of the right shell 204. The strap 210 wraps around the one-piece pillow body 250 to slide into a slot 216 in the rear of the left (relative to the user's head) shell 204. The strap 210 can be configured to slide within the slot 216 to change the length of the strap around the user's neck, thereby allowing an adjustable tension force around the neck. The strap 210 can be made of a webbing or similar fabric material that preferably has no substantial elasticity to provide the tension force. The strap 210 includes a hook-and-loop surface to enable attachment from one end of the pillow to the other end. Other forms of attachment, such as buckles, hooks, etc., can also be used.

[0059] The shell 204 has a hollow cup-shaped structure that can be elongated and curved to align with the pillow body 250 configured to surround the user's head. The opening of the shell 204 can be wide enough to allow air to flow into the ventilation opening 218 when the strap 210 extends over the opening.

[0060] It should be understood that the various attributes and elements from any one configuration can also be included in other configurations. Although the present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred configurations of the present disclosure, other versions are also possible. The actual scope of the present disclosure covers not only the disclosed configurations but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the present disclosure. While specific configurations and examples of the present disclosure have been described above for illustrative purposes, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the disclosure. The elements and actions of the various configurations described above can be combined to provide additional configurations. In addition, the teachings of the present disclosure provided herein can be applied to other products and systems in addition to travel pillows.

Claims

1. A pillow, comprising: a pair of frame portions made of compressible material that conform to the applied pressure while providing support when a user's head rests against the frame portions; a connecting portion extending between the pair of frame portions to form a pillow body together with the frame portions, wherein the pillow body is configured to surround the user's head and position the frame portions in front of and on opposite sides of the user's head; a pair of housings configured to fit into corresponding frame portions, the pair of housings being made of a rigid and flexible material; and at least one strap extending from at least one of the pair of housings, wherein at least one of the straps is configured to connect one of the plurality of frame portions to another frame portion to stabilize the user's head within the pillow.

2. The pillow according to claim 1, further comprising a flexible extension portion between the two frame portions.

3. The pillow according to claim 2, wherein, the extension portion between the frame portions includes air vents to allow air to flow through for a cooling effect.

4. The pillow according to claim 1, wherein, the pair of housings have a substantially arrow shape with a slightly wedge-shaped profile and are slightly folded such that the housings are configured to cover the user's cheek and jaw areas when the user wears the pillow.

5. The pillow according to claim 4, wherein, the housings are mounted on the outer surface of the frame portions, and the pillow further includes an outer fabric to cover the outer surface of the frame portions and the housings mounted in the frame portions.

6. The pillow according to claim 4, further comprising an inner fabric that covers the inner surface of the frame portions to provide a soft surface for contact with the user's face.

7. The pillow according to claim 4, wherein, at least one of the straps includes a pair of strap ends that extend from the corresponding housing and extend toward the front edge of the respective frame portion, and the pair of straps are configured to attach in front of the frame portions.

8. The pillow according to claim 7, comprising a low-elasticity strap connecting member that connects each of the pair of straps around the rear of the pillow to provide a tension force in the pillow.

9. The pillow according to claim 1, wherein, the pair of housings each have a substantially rectangular shape that is slightly curved to align with the pillow when positioned around the user's neck.

10. The pillow according to claim 9, wherein, the pair of housings each include a hollow cup-shaped structure that extends inwardly into a corresponding section of the frame portion.

11. The pillow according to claim 10, wherein, the cup-shaped structure includes ventilation openings.

12. The pillow according to claim 1, wherein, the pair of frame portions are made of memory foam.

13. The pillow according to claim 12 further comprises an integral extension portion made of memory foam such that the frame portion and the integral extension portion form an integral pillow body.

14. The pillow according to claim 13, wherein: a pair of said housings each comprise a hollow cup-shaped structure extending inwardly into a corresponding section of the frame portion, and each housing has a slot formed in a rear portion of the housing; at least one of said straps is a single strap having a first end attached to a first housing of a plurality of said housings and extending from the first end around the integral extension portion of the pillow body to travel through the slot in a housing of the plurality of housings opposite the first housing and extend beyond a front edge of the frame portion by an amount sufficient to mate with an outer surface of the first end of the strap via a hook-and-loop mechanism.

15. The pillow according to claim 14, wherein, at least one of said straps is made of a material having low elasticity to provide an adjustable tension force around the pillow.

16. The pillow according to claim 13 further comprises a fabric for covering a surface of the pillow body and the housings.

17. The pillow according to claim 16, wherein, the fabric is a first fabric, and the pillow further comprises a second fabric and a third fabric for covering each of a plurality of said housings, and the second fabric and the third fabric are used in combination with the first fabric.

18. The pillow according to claim 16, wherein, the fabric is made of a soft material selected from the group consisting of: knitted material, nylon, Lycra, polyester, cotton-polyester blend.

19. The pillow according to claim 17, wherein, the fabric is made of a material selected from the group consisting of: knitted material, nylon, Lycra, polyester, cotton-polyester blend, and mesh material.

20. The pillow according to claim 10, wherein, each of a pair of said housings is an outer housing, and the pillow further comprises a pair of inner housings inserted into the frame portion, and the inner housings are configured to receive corresponding outer housings of a pair of said outer housings.

21. The pillow according to claim 13, wherein, the inner housings are insert-molded into the foam material forming the frame portion.

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