Pillow

Abstract

To provide a pillow which enables easy attachment / detachment of a portable speaker owned by a user, and has high sound effect.SOLUTION: A pillow has a storage part 3 storing a sound output device 10 that outputs music information or sound information. The storage part 3 is formed from a surface of a pillow body 2 to the inside. The storage part 3 has an inner surface (side surface) 3c that at least partially presses the sound output device 10 stored in the storage part 3. The storage part 3 is formed in a recessed shape having an opening part 3a opened in the surface of the pillow body 2, a bottom surface 3b, and the side surface 3c. The opening part 3a of the storage part 3 is sealed with lid parts 6a, 6b, 6c having substantially the same shape as that of the opening part 3a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pillow capable of incorporating an audio output device such as a portable speaker.

Background Art

[0002] When people start to sleep, they have a desire to fall asleep while listening to sounds that facilitate the introduction of sleep, such as a narration that induces sleep, intrauterine sounds or heart sounds, the sound of waves or a babbling brook, the rocking sound of a train, the whispering of a voice actor or an idol, or music information or voice information such as favorite music. Since a speaker as an acoustic device for reproducing such sounds is not designed to be installed near the pillow, it cannot respond to the desire to listen during sleep and is obstructive during sleep. Also, since the speaker emits a volume exceeding the allowable range, it also bothers people sleeping next to it. Although earphones can be used, they become unnecessary after sleep, are obstructive, and wearing them all the time can cause earache in the morning.

[0003] Conventionally, many pillows incorporating a speaker for listening to music or the like during sleep have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a pillow incorporating a music player having speakers on both sides of the pillow and a player body connected to the speakers on one side. Patent Document 2 describes a pillow with a radio and a cassette recorder on the side part of the pillow, speakers on both sides, and a small item case attached to the other side. These incorporate a speaker and a player inside the pillow.

[0004] Also, Patent Document 3 describes a pillow having an acoustic playback function in which a speaker member is installed inside the pillow body and connected to a music player (MP3) via a USB connector. Patent Document 4 describes a pillow incorporating a speaker device with a cabinet for housing a speaker unit inside the pillow body. Patent Document 5 describes a speaker - incorporated pillow in which a pair of speakers are provided in groove portions formed at both end portions in the width direction of the pillow body. Patent Document 6 describes a bedding that incorporates a speaker at a position close to the user's head and generates a 1 / f 2 fluctuating sound from a controller. In these speaker - incorporated pillows, the speakers are connected by wire to an external player.

[0005] Patent Document 7 describes a safe pillow structure in which an audio output device housed in a storage bag is disposed in a storage space inside the main body, and receives and plays music information or audio information propagated from a mobile device. Patent Document 8 describes a neck pillow that includes speakers corresponding to the positions of both ears of the user, and outputs a brain - wave induction signal for sleep induction and rest using brain - wave induction data received from an external information terminal device. Patent Document 9 describes a smart pillow system in which a speaker is attached to a pillow, senses the brain - wave information of a sleeper and reports it to a smartphone, and receives music or sound most suitable for the deep sleep of the sleeper based on the brain - wave information of the sleeper from the smartphone and provides it to the sleeper through the pillow. These speaker - incorporated pillows play signals or music transmitted from an external portable information terminal with the speakers inside the pillow.

[0006] In the pillows of Cited Documents 1 - 8 and Cited Document 9, since the speakers are fixed so as to face the user's ears and wiring is also done, it has been difficult to adjust the volume and sound quality according to the user's preference. In the pillow of Cited Document 7, although the audio output device is housed in a storage bag and disposed in the storage space inside the cover sleeve, since the position of the audio output device is not fixed, there is a problem that when the position of the audio output device is displaced or the orientation of the user's head changes, it cannot be heard with good sound quality and volume.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a pillow that can easily attach and detach a portable speaker owned by a user and has high acoustic effects. [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0009] As a result of intensive research, the present inventor has found that a speaker can be fixed by the elasticity and fluidity of a material inside a pillow body, and that music or the like can be listened to with good sound quality and volume by passing sound from the speaker through a material such as urethane inside the pillow body, and has thus arrived at the creation of the present invention. The present invention has taken the following means to solve the above problems.

[0010] (1) The present invention is a pillow having a storage portion for storing an audio output device that outputs music information or voice information, wherein the storage portion is formed from the surface of the pillow body toward the inside, The storage part is characterized by having an inner surface that at least partially presses and fixes the voice output device stored in the storage part. In the present invention, by simply inserting the voice output device into the storage part of the pillow body, it is pressed and fixed by the side surface of the storage part, so it can be attached and detached. Also, the sound output from the voice output device passes through the storage part and propagates inside the pillow body, is absorbed by the pillow body and the volume decreases, becoming a sound with good sound quality that is confined inside and diffuses throughout the inside of the pillow body, reaching the ears of the user who is resting with their head on the pillow body.

[0011] (2) In the means of (1) above, The storage part is preferably formed in a concave shape having an opening that opens on the surface of the pillow body, a bottom surface, and side surfaces.

[0012] (3) In the means of (2) above, The opening of the storage part is preferably sealed with a lid having substantially the same shape as the opening.

[0013] (4) In the means of (3) above, A plurality of the lid parts are provided, arranged so as to be separable by overlapping in the depth direction of the storage part, and it is preferable that the number of the lid parts can be selected according to the size of the voice output device stored in the storage part.

[0014] (5) In any of the means from (2) to (4) above, It is preferable that a cover for covering the opening from the outside of the pillow body is detachably provided.

[0015] (6) In any of the means from (1) to (5) above, The pillow body is composed of a body bag filled with a filling material, The storage part is preferably formed in a flexible bag shape.

[0016] (7) In any of the means from (1) to (5) above, The storage part houses a bottomed cylindrical storage component that houses the voice output device. It is preferable that the opening of the storage component is sealed with a lid having substantially the same shape as the opening.

[0017] (8) The present invention It is possible to provide a pillow with a built-in voice output device in which the voice output device is housed in the storage part of the pillow in any one of the means from 1 to 7.

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, by simply inserting the voice output device into the storage part of the pillow body, it is fixed by being pressed by the side surface of the storage part, so that the portable speaker owned by the user can be easily attached and detached. In addition, the sound output from the voice output device passes through the storage part and is propagated inside the pillow body, absorbed by the pillow body, the volume is reduced, and it becomes a sound with good sound quality that is confined inside and diffuses throughout the inside of the pillow body, reaching the ears of the user who is resting with their head on the pillow body. Therefore, the user can listen to good-quality sound at an appropriate volume, and it has the effect of providing a pillow with high acoustic effects.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

Figure 1

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] <First Embodiment> FIG. 1 shows the plan and cross-sectional structures of a storage section 3 formed in a pillow body 2 of a pillow 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, for housing a voice output device 10 (see FIG. 2A).

[0022] The pillow body 2 is preferably made of an elastic molded product (for example, an elastic body) such as low-resilience urethane, high-resilience urethane, polyester, high-resilience fiber, honeycomb gel, latex, or a laminated structure product thereof. A body cover 4 may be attached to the pillow body 2. The pillow body 2 may also be filled with a fluid filling material such as polyester cotton, wool, feathers, fiber materials such as feathers, polyethylene pipes, buckwheat husks, extremely small beads, and granular materials such as cypress in a body bag, but this will be described later.

[0023] The storage part 3 is formed from the surface of the pillow body 2 towards the inside. The storage part 3 is formed in a circular concave shape having an opening part 3a that opens to the surface of the pillow body 2, a bottom surface 3b, and a side surface 3c. In the embodiment, the storage part 3 is formed by punching out a circular concave hole with a diameter of about 8 cm and a depth of about 12 cm on the surface of the pillow body 2, but the dimensions and shape are not limited to this. For example, it can be formed not only in a circular shape but also in a square, rectangular, elliptical, oblong (track type), rhombus, or slit shape. The diameter of the storage part 3 is preferably 4 to 12 cm, and more preferably 6 to 10 cm. The depth of the storage part 3 is preferably 6 to 20 cm, and more preferably 8 to 16 cm.

[0024] The storage part 3 houses a bottomed cylindrical storage part 5 and three lid parts 6a, 6b, 6c in a cylindrical or disc shape. The storage part 5 has an opening part 5a, a bottom surface 5b, and an inner surface 5c. The three lid parts 6a, 6b, 6c are housed inside the storage part 5 and are arranged so as to be separable by being stacked in the depth direction of the storage part 5. Although there are three lid parts 6a, 6b, 6c in the embodiment, the number is not limited to this as long as there are a plurality. These storage part 5 and lid parts 6a, 6b, 6c can be formed by cutting out from what is punched out from the pillow body 2. Alternatively, the storage part 5 and lid parts 6a, 6b, 6c may be formed from an elastic material separately from the pillow body 2. In this case, the lid parts 6a, 6b, 6c preferably have an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the storage part 5 and are closely fitted to the storage part 5.

[0025] The outer diameter of the lid parts 6a, 6b, 6c is, for example, 5 to 12 cm, and the ratio to the inner diameter of the storage part 5 is preferably about 1:1 to 1.4, and more preferably about 1:1 to 1.2. The heights of the lid parts 6a, 6b, 6c may be the same, but it is preferable because they can be adjusted according to the voice output device 10 to be stored by providing a step difference. For example, the ratio of the thinnest to the thickest is preferably about 1:3, and more preferably about 1:2.

[0026] The inner diameter of the side surface 3c of the storage part 3 is formed to be approximately the same as or smaller than the outer diameter of the storage item 5 stored in the storage part 3. When the storage item 5 that houses the voice output device 10 and bulges is accommodated, it deforms, and presses and fixes the voice output device 10 via the storage item 5 with the reaction force. Similarly, the inner diameter of the inner surface 5c of the storage item 5 is formed to be smaller than the voice output device 10 stored in the storage item 5. When the voice output device 10 is stored in the storage item 5, it deforms, and presses and fixes the voice output device 10 with the reaction force. If the inner surface 5c of the storage item 5 is formed to be smaller than the diameter of the smallest commercially available voice output device 10, even if the voice output device 10 is larger, since the storage item 5 has elasticity, the storage item 5 can be expanded and stored by pushing it. The inner surface 5c of the storage item 5, the bottom surface 5b, and the bottom surfaces of the lid parts 6a, 6b, and 6c constitute the inner surface of the storage space that at least partially presses and fixes the voice output device 10.

[0027] The voice output device 10 stored in the storage item 5 of the storage part 3 is a portable speaker having portability, and is connected to a mobile device 11 such as a smartphone via Bluetooth (registered trademark), and receives and plays music information or voice information propagated from the mobile device 11. It includes a Bluetooth speaker, a Wi-Fi speaker, a so-called smart speaker or AI speaker that can be connected to the Internet, recognize the user's voice, and perform voice operations, and a smartphone body.

[0028] Next, a method and operation of storing the voice output device 10 in the storage part 3 formed in the pillow body 2 of the pillow 1 will be described.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2A, take out all the storage parts 5 and the lid parts 6a, 6b, 6c of the storage part 3, and insert the audio output device 10 through the opening 5a into the inside of the storage part 5. When the audio output device 10 is housed in the storage part 3 of the pillow body 2, it is preferable to orient the speaker surface 10a toward the opening 5a side of the storage part 5 so as to face the inside of the pillow body 2. Since the inner diameter of the inner side surface 5c of the storage part 5 is formed smaller than the audio output device 10 housed in the storage part 5, the storage part 5 is deformed so that its inner diameter is expanded by the audio output device 10, and the audio output device 10 is pressed and fixed by the reaction force.

[0030] Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 2B, seal the opening 5a of the storage part 5 with the lid part 6a. Here, since the lid part 6a has an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the storage part 5, it fits tightly into the opening 5a of the storage part 5 and is less likely to come off. One or two of the three lid parts 6a, 6b, 6c can be selected and used according to the size of the audio output device 10 housed in the storage part 5, and by sealing the opening 5a of the storage part 5, the size of the accommodation space inside the storage part 5 can be changed.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, turn over the storage part 5 containing the audio output device 10 so that the lid part 6a is on the bottom, and store it in the storage part 3 of the pillow body 2. Since the inner diameter of the side surface 3c of the storage part 3 is formed to be approximately the same as or smaller than the outer diameter of the storage part 5, it is deformed when accommodating the storage part 5 that has swelled after housing the audio output device 10, and the audio output device 10 is pressed and fixed through the storage part 5 by the reaction force. By using the storage part 5, even an audio output device 10 smaller than the storage part 3 can be firmly fixed, and the effect of expanding the range of applicable audio output devices 10 is achieved. Further, by storing as shown in FIG. 3, the opening 3a of the storage part 3 can be closed by the bottom surface 5b of the storage part 5.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 4, the storage component 5 housing the voice output device 10 may be stored in the storage portion 3 of the pillow body 2 with the lid component 6b on top. In this case, it is preferable that the speaker surface 10a of the voice output device 10 faces the bottom surface 3b side of the storage component 5 so as to face the inside of the pillow body 2 when housed in the pillow body.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 5, when a mobile device 11 connected to the voice output device 10 via Bluetooth is placed beside the pillow and an appropriate application of the mobile device 11 is activated to instruct the reproduction of music information or voice information desired by the user, the music information or voice information is transmitted to the voice output device 10 via Bluetooth. The sound output from the speaker of the voice output device 10 propagates through the storage component 5 and the lid member 6a into the inside of the pillow body 2. Since the pillow body 2 is formed of urethane foam, the sound output from the speaker of the voice output device 10 is absorbed by the pillow body 2, the volume is reduced, and the sound with good sound quality is trapped inside and diffused throughout the inside of the pillow body 2, reaching the ears of the user resting with their head on the pillow body 2. Therefore, the user can hear high-quality sound at an appropriate volume. Also, since the sound is less likely to leak outside the pillow body 2, there is a soundproofing effect that it cannot be heard by people sleeping next to or around.

[0034] Also, by operating the external mobile device 11, music and voice can be selected and the volume can be adjusted. With the sleep function of the mobile device 11, the reproduction can be automatically stopped after a predetermined time, and the connection between the mobile device 11 and the voice output device 10 can be cut off.

[0035] <Second Embodiment> FIG. 6 shows the plan and cross-sectional structures of the storage portion 3 formed in the pillow body 2 of the pillow 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention for housing the voice output device 10 (see FIG. 7). The pillow 1 according to the second embodiment is the same as the pillow 1 of the first embodiment except that there are no stored parts in the storage part 3 and three lid parts 6d, 6e, 6f for sealing the storage part 3 are provided. Therefore, the corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted. Also in the second embodiment, the side surface 3c, the bottom surface 3b of the storage part 3, and the bottom surfaces of the lid parts 6d, 6e, 6f constitute the inner surface of the storage space that at least partially presses and fixes the audio output device 10.

[0036] In the pillow 1 of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, all the lid parts 6d, 6e, 6f of the storage part 3 are taken out, and the audio output device 10 is inserted into the storage part 3 from the opening 3a of the storage part 3. It is preferable that the speaker surface 10a faces the bottom surface 3b side so that the audio output device 10 faces the inside of the pillow body 2 when housed in the storage part 3. Since the inner diameter of the side surface 3c of the storage part 3 is formed smaller than the audio output device 10 stored in the storage part 3, the storage part 3 is deformed so that the inner diameter is expanded by the audio output device 10, and the audio output device 10 is pressed and fixed by the reaction force. Subsequently, the opening 3a of the storage part 3 is sealed with the lid part 6d. Here, since the lid part 6d has an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the side surface 3c of the storage part 3, it fits tightly into the opening 3a of the storage part 3 and is less likely to come off.

[0037] The outer diameters of the lid parts 6d, 6e, 6f are, for example, 5 to 12 cm, and the ratio to the inner diameter of the storage part 3 is preferably about 1:1 to 1.4, and more preferably about 1:1 to 1.2. The heights of the lid parts 6d, 6e, 6f may be the same, but it is preferable to provide a stepwise difference so that it can be adjusted according to the audio output device 10 to be stored. For example, the ratio of the thinnest to the thickest is preferably about 1:3, and more preferably about 1:2.

[0038] Also in the pillow 1 of the second embodiment, a user who is resting with their head on the pillow body 2 can listen to good-quality sound at an appropriate volume.

[0039] <The Third Embodiment> FIG. 8 shows the plan and cross-sectional structures of a storage portion 3 formed in a pillow body 2 of a pillow 1 according to a third embodiment of the present invention for housing an audio output device 10 (see FIG. 7). The pillow 1 according to the third embodiment is the same as the pillow 1 of the second embodiment, except that a cover 7 for covering the opening 3a of the storage portion 3 from the outside of the pillow body 2 is detachably provided. Thus, the corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

[0040] The cover 7 of the third embodiment is detachable by a fixing member 8 such as double-sided tape or a hook-and-loop fastener provided at the edge of the opening 3a of the storage portion 3. After accommodating the audio output device 10 in the storage portion 3 and sealing the opening 3a with any of the lid components 6d, 6e, 6f, attaching the cover 7 can prevent the lid components 6d, 6e, 6f from falling off the pillow body 2.

[0041] <Fourth Embodiment> FIG. 9 shows the plan and cross-sectional structures of a storage portion 9 formed in a pillow body 2 of a pillow 1 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention for housing an audio output device 10 (see FIG. 10). The pillow 1 according to the fourth embodiment is the same as the pillow of the third embodiment, except that the pillow body 2 is filled with a fluid filling material 2a made of polyester lumps, fibers such as wool, feathers, and flakes, polyethylene pipes, buckwheat husks, microbeads, and granular materials such as cypress, and a flexible storage portion 9 for housing the audio output device 10 is attached to the main body bag 2b. Thus, the corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

[0042] The storage part 9 of the fourth embodiment is formed in a bag shape made of a mesh or cloth having a mesh size through which the filling 2a of the pillow body 2 does not pass, and its opening 9a is sewn to the opening edge formed in the main body bag 2b. The size of the storage part 9 is such that the voice output device 10 can be stored therein. It has flexibility to easily deform as the filling 2a of the pillow body 2 flows. When the voice output device 10 is not stored, a plurality of lid parts 6d, 6e, 6f having a size approximately the same as or larger than the opening 9a of the storage part 9 are stored in the storage part 9 in a stacked manner, so the storage part 9 maintains a cylindrical shape.

[0043] In the pillow 1 of the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, all the lid parts 6d, 6e, 6f of the storage part 9 are taken out, and the voice output device 10 is inserted into the storage part 9 from the opening 9a inside the storage part 9. It is preferable that the speaker surface 10a of the voice output device 10 faces the bottom surface side of the storage part 9 so that it faces the inside of the pillow body 2 when housed in the pillow body 2. Since the storage part 9 has flexibility, it is deformed by the flowing filling 2a such as fibrous or granular materials of the pillow body 2, adheres to the outer surface of the voice output device 10, and presses and fixes the voice output device 10. After sealing the opening 9a of the storage part 9 with the lid part 6d, the cover 7 is attached.

[0044] The sound output from the speaker of the voice output device 10 is propagated to the filling 2a of the pillow body 2, absorbed by the filling 2a of the pillow body 2, and the volume decreases. The sound with good sound quality that is confined inside diffuses throughout the inside of the pillow body 2 and reaches the ears of the user who is resting with their head on the pillow body 2. Therefore, the user can hear good-quality sound at an appropriate volume. Also, the sound is less likely to leak to the outside of the pillow body 2, so there is the same effect as in the first to third embodiments in that it cannot be heard by people sleeping next to or around.

[0045] FIG. 11 shows the mounting positions of the storage part 3 or the storage part 9 of the voice output device 10 according to the first to fourth embodiments. The storage part 3 or the storage part 9 of the voice output device may be arranged on either the left or right side surface of the pillow body 2 (FIG. 10(a)), or may be arranged on the upper surface or the bottom surface on the right or left side of the position where the user's head rests (FIG. 10(b)), or may be arranged on the side surface on the head side or the neck side of the pillow body 2 (FIG. 10(c)).

[0046] FIG. 12 shows a body pillow 1a to which the structure of the pillow 1 according to the first to fourth embodiments is applied. The storage part 3 of the voice output device 10 is preferably arranged at the part where the user's head is located when holding the body pillow 1a, that is, at the body part slightly below the head of the body pillow 1a.

[0047] FIG. 13 shows a tsukumogami 1b to which the structure of the pillow 1 according to the first to fourth embodiments is applied. Since the tsukumogami 1b is woven in a cage shape with bamboo or plastic and has a hollow inside, a storage part 3 or a storage part 9 according to any one of the first to fourth embodiments is formed in a cylindrical pillow body 2 that can be accommodated in this hollow, and is inserted from the foot-side opening of the tsukumogami 1b. It is preferable that the storage part 3 or the storage part 9 is arranged at the part where the user's head is located when holding the tsukumogami 1b, that is, at the body part slightly below the head of the tsukumogami 1b. In this case, it is preferable to provide a hole 1c through which the voice output device 10 can be inserted and removed in the bamboo or plastic cage part facing the storage part 3 or the storage part 9.

[0048] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be appropriately modified and changed within the scope of not changing the gist of the invention described in the claims.

[0049] For example, in the above embodiment, the storage part 3 is formed in a circular concave shape, and the side surface 3c of the storage part 3 presses the entire outer surface of the cylindrical voice output device 10 accommodated in the storage part 3 to fix it. However, the storage part 3 may be formed in a rectangular concave shape to partially press the outer surface of the voice output device 10.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0050] 1…Pillow 1a…Body pillow 1b…Bamboo wife 1c…Hole 2…Pillow body 2a…Filling 2b…Body bag 3…Storage part 3a…Opening 3b…Bottom surface 3c…Side surface 4…Body cover 5…Storage parts 5a…Opening 5b…Bottom surface 5c…Inner surface 6a, 6b, 6c…Cover parts 6d, 6e, 6f…Cover parts 7…Cover 8…Fixing member 9…Storage part 9a…Opening 10…Voice output device 11…Mobile device

Claims

1. A pillow having a storage part for storing a voice output device that outputs music information or voice information, wherein the storage part is formed from the surface of the pillow body toward the inside, and the storage part has an inner surface that at least partially presses and fixes the voice output device stored in the storage part.

2. The pillow according to claim 1, wherein the storage part is formed in a concave shape having an opening that opens to the surface of the pillow body, a bottom surface, and side surfaces.

3. The pillow according to claim 2, wherein the opening of the storage part is sealed with a lid part having substantially the same shape as the opening.

4. The pillow according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of the lid parts are provided and are arranged so as to be separable and stacked in the depth direction of the storage part, and the number of the lid parts can be selected according to the size of the voice output device stored in the storage part.

5. The pillow according to claim 2, wherein a cover that covers the opening from the outside of the pillow body is detachably provided.

6. The pillow body is made by filling a main body bag with a filler, and the storage part is formed in a flexible bag shape. The pillow according to claim 1.

7. The storage part houses a bottomed cylindrical storage part item for storing the voice output device, and the opening of the storage part item is sealed with a lid part having substantially the same shape as the opening. The pillow according to claim 1.

8. A pillow with a built-in voice output device, in which a voice output device is stored in the storage part of the pillow according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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