A head supporting device

Abstract

A head supporting device comprising a head engagement section 1,2 and a body securement portion 5; wherein the head engagement section comprises a flexible headband 2, and the body securement portion

Description

28 08 25 Field of the Invention 5 The present invention relates to a head supporting device, in particular a device for supporting the head of a sleeper, or person napping in a chair. Background 10 Increasing levels of tiredness are a factor in many societies, due to increased stress and work loads. As a result it can be frequent for people to seek sleep in unusual situations, such as during travelling or similar seated experiences. 15 However falling asleep whilst seated can lead to uncomfortable and / or unpleasant experiences, where the person’s head may fall forward suddenly and wake the person up, or their neck may become strained from their head hanging during sleep as their body remains upright. 20 Prior Art US 2017 0 320 413 (KNAPP) discloses an adjustable head and neck system comprises a locking upright brace and a forehead support. The forehead support is 25 coupled to the locking upright brace. The forehead support is configurable to support a user's forehead. US 2014 0 325 741 (ZAOUK et al) discloses a head supporting device comprising: a first member configured to be at least partially sandwiched between a user and a seat; 30 a support apparatus configured to at least partially support the head of the user relative to the first member; and a coupling member configured to couple the support apparatus to the first member, the coupling member further configured to enable positioning of the support apparatus with respect to the first member, wherein the coupling member connects to the support apparatus at a first joint and the coupling member connects to 35 the first member at a second joint. 28 08 25 US 4 183 583 (ZUESSE) discloses a head-support for use in combination with a partially-reclining seat, to prevent the seat-occupant's head from falling forward, comprising: a forehead-engagement means for positioning in such manner as to engage the forehead of the seat-occupant; a connecting means extending from said 5 forehead-engagement means; a back-plate extending from said connecting means and engaging and sandwiched between the seat-occupant's back and the back-rest of the seat. The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing 10 devices. Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided head supporting device comprising 15 a head engagement section and a body securement portion that has an anchor that includes a weight; wherein the head engagement section comprises a flexible headband, and the body securement portion is a flexible elongated extension from the headband arranged to be placed between a user’s body and a seat, wherein the body securement portion comprises an elongate tail substantially of woven fabric, and the 20 tail comprises lateral strengthening parts facilitating the tail to be rolled. In this way the anchor may be envisaged to be placed in use behind the user when they are seated and the flexible headband placed around the user’s head. 25 This in turn enables the user to place and engage the device with the body, and allows the user to prevent their head dropping uncomfortably when sleeping. It may be envisaged that the body securement portion may be substantially inelastic such that movement of the head pulls directly against the anchor, wherein should the 30 anchor be held between the body and seat the headband is unable to move. In some embodiments the headband or other part of the head engagement section may be envisaged to be elastic or otherwise adjustable. 28 08 25 For example in some embodiments the headband may be substantially elastic in part or whole so as to allow some movement of the head, and / or so as to allow for the engagement of multiple dimensions of head. 5 In some embodiments the headband or head engagement section may comprise an adjustable mechanism. For example in some embodiments the headband may connect to a closure mechanism, which may comprise for example buckles, clips, hook and loop material such as Velcro (RTM) and / or hook and eyes, or similar. 10 In some embodiments the headband or head engagement section may comprise padding so as to provide a more comfortable headband. Such padding may be envisaged to provide some resilient deformation in use so as to allow for small movement. 15 In some embodiments the body securement portion comprises an elongated portion, or tail. Such portion may be rigid, inflexible or inelastic. In some embodiments the tail or portion may comprise structural strengthening means. The anchor may comprise an enlarged end to said portion. For example the anchor 20 may comprise a wide, and / or substantially flat part, which may be envisaged to be comfortably placed behind the user’s body in use. In other embodiments it may be envisaged that the anchor may be placed in use under the user’s bottom. 25 In some embodiments the device may be formed as a whole, for example in fabric or similar flexible material. The anchor comprises a weight. Such weight may be envisaged to be embedded in 30 the anchor. For example in some embodiments the weight may comprise a lead weight embedded in the anchor. In some embodiments the anchor may comprise a refillable or temporary weight. For example in some embodiments the anchor or body securement portion may comprise 35 a bladder, which bladder may be envisaged to be filled with fluid in use so as to provide a deformable anchor and weighted anchor. 28 08 25 The body securement section may comprise a structural strengthening part, for example a skeleton, so as to ensure the anchor is not compromised, stretched or deformed in use. 5 This skeleton may additionally or alternatively enable the device to be more effectively rolled or minimised for transport or storage. In some embodiments the head engagement section may comprise a headband and 10 headband support, for example wherein the support forms a connection with the body securement portion, and the headband extends therefrom. In some embodiments the head engagement portion may comprise further parts to the headband, for example a strap arranged to pass over the user’s head, which strap may 15 be envisaged to hold the headband in place, locate the headband, and / or distribute forces on the head. In some embodiments the headband may serve a dual purpose as an eye mask. 20 A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Description of Figures 25 Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention, in use; Figure 2 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, 30 in a storage position; Figure 3 shows a top view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; and 35 Figure 4 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1. Detailed Description of Figures 28 08 25 With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of the device 99 according 5 to the present invention comprising a head supporting device 99 generally comprising a head engagement section 44 and a body securement portion 45; wherein the head engagement section 44 comprises a flexible headband 2, and the body securement portion is an elongated extension from the headband to a distal end forming an anchor, which anchor is arranged to be placed between a user’s body and a seat. 10 In particular reference to the pictured embodiment the embodiment comprises a unitary fabric embodiment, formed with a headband 2 providing the head engagement portion 44 and an elongate tail 5 forming the body securement section 45. 15 The headband is placed around the user’s head in use and the tail 5 is placed behind the user’s body, that is between the body and a seat on which the user is seated, or even under their bottom, between the bottom and the seat-pad of the seat on which they are seated. 20 In this way the user’s head is tethered to their body, such that when the user’s head is liable to drop forward uncomfortably, for example when the user falls asleep, the head will be held up, relieving stress and discomfort on the user’s neck. The head engagement portion comprises the headband 2 which has a main outer 25 fabric of a soft jersey fabric which will have a fair amount of stretch in form, be lightweight and durable. The body securement section 45 comprises an elongate substantially rectangular tail 5 of woven fabric of an appropriate weight and durability, with minimal elasticity. 30 The body securement section 45 comprises an elongate tail 5 extending away from a loop 4. The loop 4 provides a topmost connecting section for the tail 5 to the head engagement portion 44. 35 The user of the device 99 in use is envisaged to sit on the tail 5 so as to secure the device with their bodily weight. 28 08 25 As the tail 5 is thin material this does not cause discomfort and the tail’s length ensures that the body securement section has maximal seating comfort and flexibility to suit the user’s seating habits. 5 The headband 2 is a flat substantially oblong form arranged to extend around the user’s head, substantially from ear to ear. At the ends of the headband, extends a headband support 3, which comprises an 10 elastomeric strap, contained within a loose and collapsible fabric sleeve so as to enable stretching and contraction without any chance of capturing the user’s hair during contraction. The support 3 passes through the loop 4 of the body securement section. 15 A crown strap 1 passes from near the ends of the headband over the top of the user’s head in use. In this way the crown strap acts to seat the headband on the head and distribute forces 20 in use. Plastic dowels (not shown) are inserted into horizontal channel seams to create rigidity and structure for the tail to also allow for the embodiment to be rolled up vertically. 25 The embodiment is a single part, soft, lightweight and able to roll up effectively as shown in Figure 2 for easy storage within luggage or carry-on bags. The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing 30 from the scope of invention as defined by the claims, in particular but not solely combination of features of described embodiments.

Claims

28 08 251. A head supporting device comprising a head engagement section and a body securement portion that has an anchor that includes a weight; wherein the head5 engagement section comprises a flexible headband, and the body securementportion is a flexible elongated extension from the headband arranged to be placed between a user’s body and a seat, wherein the body securement portion comprises an elongate tail substantially of woven fabric, and the tail comprises lateral strengthening parts facilitating the tail to be rolled.

102. A device according to claim 1 wherein the head engagement section comprises an elastomeric headband support.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the body securement portion 15 comprises a loop for passage of the head engagement section.

4. A device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the head engagement section comprises a crown strap, arranged to pass over the top of a user’s head.20 5. A device according to any preceding claim the device is formed entirely offabric.

6. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the anchor is refillable.25 7. A device according to any preceding claim including plastic dowels insertedinto horizontal channel seams on the tail.

8. A device according to any preceding claim wherein from ends of the headband, extends a headband support, which comprises an elastomeric strap, contained30 within a loose and collapsible fabric sleeve so as to enable stretching andcontraction without any chance of capturing the user’s hair during contraction.

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