Pillow

Abstract

To provide a pillow capable of stably holding a head to prevent the angle of the head from being easily tilted to a great extent.SOLUTION: A main support part planarly applies pressure to support an area between a superior nuchal line and an inferior nuchal line of the occipital bone of a person lying on the back, which includes at least an area from the left side of the part where a trapezius muscle is attached to the occipital bone to the part where a left sternocleidomastoid muscle is attached to the occipital bone, and an area from the right side of the part where a trapezius muscle is attached to the occipital bone to the part where a right sternocleidomastoid muscle is attached to the occipital bone. An auxiliary support part, which supports at a lower height than the main support part, applies pressure to support the head part of a person lying on the back, nearer to the head top than the superior nuchal line. A pillow has a neck support part which is positioned at the position of a neck of a person lying on the back and applies pressure to support the rear face of the neck, and a main regulation part to regulate displacement of the head to the upper side in the person's height direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pillow, and more particularly to the function of a pillow that facilitates the breathing of a user.

Background Art

[0002] It is essential for the quality of sleep that breathing is easy even in the sleeping position. Therefore, a pillow is required to have a function of facilitating the breathing of the user. In particular, in order to facilitate breathing in the supine position, it is necessary to maintain the angle of the head at an appropriate value. If the head is bent forward too much (i.e., if the jaw drops too much), the airway may be compressed, making it difficult to breathe. Conversely, if the head is bent backward too much (i.e., if the jaw rises too much), the root of the tongue may sink into the throat, potentially causing apnea. Therefore, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a pillow that supports from the neck to the back of the head and reduces the supporting force of the back of the head so that the jaw does not drop.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the case of a pillow such as that of Patent Document 1, since the pressure distribution of the pillow extends over a wide range from the back of the head to the neck, displacement movement of the head is likely to occur. In particular, when the displacement movement of the head is in the longitudinal direction (the direction of the body length) of the pillow, the center of the pressure distribution is likely to deviate greatly up and down in the longitudinal direction of the pillow from the center of gravity of the head. Due to the accompanying torque, the angle of the head is greatly inclined, and breathing is hindered. In addition, it becomes easier to turn over the head, so it also becomes easier to sleep in the wrong position. Note that the above "turning over of the head" means that only the neck to the head of a person lying on their back turns in the left and right horizontal directions.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to solve the above problems. By focusing on the stage when the head is likely to shift in the longitudinal direction (height direction) of the pillow and is about to start shifting, and improving this stage, the shifting movement can be effectively suppressed, and the angle of the head can be stably maintained without being greatly inclined. Moreover, it does not have an adverse effect on breathing, but rather makes breathing easier, makes it less likely for the head to turn over, and makes it less likely for the person to sleep in an awkward position. Further, even if the head shifts upward in the longitudinal direction (height direction) of the pillow, this movement can be stopped, and a pillow that does not have an adverse effect on breathing is provided.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The pillow according to the present invention has elasticity, and applies pressure to at least the region between the left end of the portion where the trapezius muscle attaches to the occipital bone and the portion where the left sternocleidomastoid muscle attaches to the occipital bone, and the region between the right end of the portion where the trapezius muscle attaches to the occipital bone and the portion where the right sternocleidomastoid muscle attaches to the occipital bone in the region between the superior nuchal line and the inferior nuchal line of the occipital bone of a person lying on their back, and has a main support portion that supports it in a planar manner. It has elasticity, is set to have a lower support height than the main support portion, and has a sub-support portion that applies pressure to and supports the head on the top of the head side of the person relative to the superior nuchal line. It has elasticity, is located at the position of the person's neck, and has a neck support portion that applies pressure to and supports the back surface of the neck. Furthermore, it is provided with a main restricting portion that is located on the opposite side of the main support portion with respect to the sub-support portion, protrudes higher than the sub-support portion, and restricts the upward shifting movement of the head in the height direction of the person. The pillow is characterized in that the main restricting portion is provided with a concave portion that avoids contact with the center of the person's head at a portion facing the center of the person's head.

[0007] By the way, the "region between the left end of the portion where the trapezius muscle attaches to the occipital bone and the portion where the left sternocleidomastoid muscle attaches to the occipital bone in the region between the superior nuchal line and the inferior nuchal line of the occipital bone of a person lying on their back" is hereinafter referred to as the "left predetermined region". Also, regarding the above-mentioned "region from the right end of the attachment portion of the sternocleidomastoid muscle to the occipital bone to the attachment portion of the right sternocleidomastoid muscle to the occipital bone in the region between the superior nuchal line and the inferior nuchal line of the occipital bone of a person lying on their back", hereinafter, it is referred to as the "right predetermined region". Also, the pillow is usually covered with a pillowcase, but the pillow of the present invention is a pillow that includes both a pillow covered with a pillowcase and a pillow not covered with a pillowcase.

[0008] In the present invention, the "occipital bone" refers to the dish-shaped bone SA that forms the rear and bottom parts of the skull (see FIGS. 1A and 1B). The "external occipital protuberance" refers to the convex portion SA1 located at the central part of the outer surface of the occipital bone SA. The "superior nuchal line" refers to the line SA4 that is arcuately drawn in the left-right horizontal direction from directly below the external occipital protuberance SA1 to the base of the mastoid process SC1 as shown in FIG. 1B. The "inferior nuchal line" refers to the line SA5 that is arcuately drawn in the left-right horizontal direction below the superior nuchal line and to the tip (lower end) of the mastoid process SC1 as shown in the same figure. The "parietal bone" refers to a pair of rectangular bones SB that form the top and the left and right upper side parts of the skull. The "temporal bone" refers to a pair of trapezoidal bones SC that form the lower left and right side parts of the skull. As shown in FIG. 1A, the attachment MB1 of the sternocleidomastoid muscle MB is attached from the superior nuchal line SA4 in the occipital bone SA to the superior nuchal line SA4 in the temporal bone SC and further to the range of the mastoid process SC1 in the temporal bone SC.

[0009] Also, in the present invention, regarding the support height of the sub-supporting portion, the statement that the sub-supporting portion is "set to have a lower support height than the main supporting portion" means that when the corresponding part of the head of a person lying on their back is placed on the main supporting portion and the sub-supporting portion and the support heights of the main supporting portion and the sub-supporting portion after sinking are compared, the support height of the sub-supporting portion is set lower than the support height of the main supporting portion.

[0010] In addition, "support by applying pressure" means that when the weight (body pressure) of the corresponding part of a person lying on their back is applied to the main support part, as a reaction, an elastic pressure (elastic repulsive force) for pushing back is applied to the above-mentioned corresponding part, and this elastic pressure (elastic repulsive force) for pushing back is applied to support (hold up) at a desired height. Therefore, when it is merely in contact or the elastic repulsive force is merely negligible, it does not mean supporting (holding up) at a desired height by applying pressure. In addition, "support in a planar manner by applying pressure" means that when the elastic pressure (elastic repulsive force) for pushing back is applied to support at a desired height, it means supporting (holding up) in a planar manner. Therefore, when it is merely applied linearly in a single line, it does not support in a planar manner and does not provide stable support, so it does not mean supporting in a planar manner by applying pressure. Conversely, when a large number of protrusion groups (dot-like protrusion groups) for making dot-like contact are provided and support is performed by these dot-like protrusion groups, although the contact area is significantly reduced compared to the surface itself, it provides stable support similar to that of a surface, so it belongs to the category of supporting in a planar manner and is included in the meaning of a configuration for supporting in a planar manner.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to the pillow of the present invention, since the support height of the auxiliary support part is set lower than that of the main support part, and the main support part with a higher support height applies pressure to and supports in a planar manner the above-mentioned left and right predetermined regions SA7 (see FIG. 1B) of the occipital bone SA facing obliquely downward, and since the left and right predetermined regions SA7 for this planar support are close to the position of the center of gravity G of the head (see FIG. 6), etc., the weight of the head concentrates on the main support part. Due to this concentration, the situation where the head easily starts to move in the longitudinal direction of the pillow can be blocked, and it is possible to effectively suppress the development into a large displacement movement, and the angle of the head can be maintained more stably. That is, it is possible to effectively prevent the angle of the head, which has been considered difficult, from easily tilting greatly.

[0012] In addition, in the present invention, since the site that applies pressure to support in a planar manner at the main support part is the above-mentioned left and right predetermined regions SA7 in the occipital bone SA, there is no compressive stress, which does not adversely affect breathing. Also, since the weight of the head concentrates on the main support part and the main support part sinks, it becomes difficult for the head to turn over and it also becomes difficult for the head to be misaligned.

[0013] Furthermore, in the present invention, by supporting at three points: the main support part, the sub-support part, and the neck support part, the entire cervical vertebra is maintained in a curved shape (arch shape) similar to that in the upright position, and the airway, the neck muscle group, particularly the sternocleidomastoid muscle MB, the anterior scalene muscle, the middle scalene muscle, and the posterior scalene muscle (not shown) that are respiratory muscles are not compressed. As a result, the airway can be ensured to be the same as in the upright position even when lying on the back, and the respiratory muscles can move smoothly, making breathing easier.

[0014] Also, the present invention is provided with a main restricting part 90 for preventing the head from greatly shifting upward in the longitudinal direction (height direction) of the pillow. When the main restricting part 90 is provided, when the center part HD1 of the top of the head abuts against the main restricting part 90, not only does the center part HD1 of the top of the head come into planar contact with the main restricting part 90, but the center part HD1 of the top of the head also receives a strong repulsive force from the main restricting part 90, and the center part HD1 of the top of the head is prevented from moving upward in the longitudinal direction (height direction) of the pillow in a strongly compressed state. However, if the center part HD1 of the top of the head is strongly compressed by the main restricting part 90 for a long time, the forward and backward movement of the head (that is, the forward and backward movement shown by the arrow BM in FIG. 6, hereinafter referred to as "the nodding movement of the head") that operates along with the expansion and contraction of the lungs during breathing is restricted for a long time, and a new problem has been found that inhalation and exhalation of breath cannot be performed sufficiently. That is, when a person is lying on their back while breathing, when inhaling, the head moves slightly in the in direction (lower side) of BM in FIG. 6, and when exhaling, the head moves slightly in the ex direction (upper side) of BM in FIG. 6. However, if this movement is not allowed and is completely restricted, inhalation and exhalation of breath cannot be performed sufficiently, breathing becomes incomplete, and a good breathing state cannot be achieved. Therefore, in order to ensure good breathing, even in a state where the displacement movement of the head is blocked by the main restricting part, the above-mentioned nodding movement of the head must be allowed so that inhalation and exhalation of breath can be performed sufficiently.

[0015] Regarding the allowance of the nodding motion of the head, in the present invention, a concave portion 93 (see FIGS. 5 and 6 as an example) for avoiding contact with the central portion HD1 of the top of the head is provided at a portion of the main regulating portion 90 facing the central portion HD1 of the top of the head of the above-mentioned person (see FIGS. 1A and 1B). As a result, the central portion HD1 of the top of the head is not subjected to planar strong compression by the main regulating portion 90, the above-mentioned nodding motion of the head is ensured, inhalation and exhalation of breath can be sufficiently performed, and a good breathing state can be achieved. Note that the regulation of the displacement motion upward in the vertical direction (height direction) of the head is performed by the edges on both the left and right sides of the concave portion 93. However, since the contact with this edge is narrow, the nodding motion of the head is not prevented.

[0016] By the way, regarding the vertically downward direction in the concave portion 93, a hole 54 (see FIG. 6) may be provided to expose the thickness surface of the sub-support portion to the outside. With this configuration, there is an advantage that the compression deformation and the return deformation of the sub-support portion become easier, and the above-mentioned nodding motion of the head can be performed more sufficiently.

[0017] In addition, in the above invention, the top center portion HD1 is not strongly pressed by the main restricting portion 90 due to the concave portion 93, allowing the nodding motion of the head and enabling sufficient inhalation and exhalation of breath. However, not limited to this configuration, as another invention, a low-rebound material 930 with a lower resilience than the resilience of the main restricting portion 90 may be provided at the portion of the main restricting portion 90 facing the top center portion HD1 (see FIGS. 7 and 8 for examples). Even with this configuration, strong compression of the top center portion HD1 against the main restricting portion 90 can be avoided, ensuring the above-mentioned nodding motion of the head, enabling sufficient inhalation and exhalation of breath, and achieving a good breathing state. As the low-rebound material 930, low-rebound urethane foam, sponge, low-rebound chips, cotton, low-rebound gel, etc. can be used to avoid strong compression from the main restricting portion 90. Of course, other soft low-rebound materials may also be used. Also, as a method of providing the low-rebound material 930, appropriate means such as fitting or adhesion can be adopted and provided in the concave portion 93. For materials that tend to scatter, such as low-rebound chips and cotton, they can be packed in a bag and the outer surface of the bag can be fitted or adhered to the concave portion 93. In the case of low-rebound urethane foam, it can also be integrally provided by molding.

[0018] Also, a hole 54 (see FIG. 8) may be provided below the low-rebound material 930 in the vertical direction to expose the thickness surface of the auxiliary support portion to the outside. With this configuration, as described above, the compression deformation and recovery deformation of the auxiliary support portion become easier, and there is an advantage that the above-mentioned nodding motion of the head can be performed more sufficiently.

[0019] Furthermore, a low-rebound material 930 may also be provided below the low-rebound material 930 in the vertical direction and configured to face the thickness surface of the auxiliary support portion. Even with this configuration, unlike the resilience of the main restricting portion 90, the resilience of the low-rebound material 930 is weak, so the compression deformation and recovery deformation of the auxiliary support portion become easier, and there is an advantage that the nodding motion of the head can be performed more sufficiently.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020]

Fig. 1A

Fig. 1B

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

Fig. 4

Fig. 5

Fig. 6

Fig. 7

Fig. 8

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0021] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a person's skull, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the back of a person's head. In FIGS. 1A and 1B, HD is a person's head, SA is the occipital bone, SA1 is the external occipital protuberance, SA2 is the region between the superior nuchal line and the inferior nuchal line of the occipital bone, SA3 is the region on the vertex side of the occipital bone, SA4 is the superior nuchal line, SA5 is the inferior nuchal line, SA6 is the lower end line of the occipital bone, SA7 is the region from the left end of the trapezius muscle attached to the occipital bone to the part of the left sternocleidomastoid muscle attached to the occipital bone (left predetermined region) and the region from the right end of the trapezius muscle attached to the occipital bone to the part of the right sternocleidomastoid muscle attached to the occipital bone (right predetermined region), SB is the parietal bone, SB1 is the region on the occipital side of the parietal bone, SC is the temporal bone, SC1 is the mastoid process, MA is the temporal muscle, MB is the sternocleidomastoid muscle, MB1 is the attachment of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, MBP is the left and right sternocleidomastoid muscles attached to the occipital bone, TR is the trapezius muscle, TR1 is the left end of the trapezius muscle, TR2 is the right end of the trapezius muscle, NC is a person's neck, and C1 to C7 are the first cervical vertebra to the seventh cervical vertebra.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pillow 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a front view (front elevation) of the pillow 10, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along the center line CL in the left-right lateral direction of the pillow 10, that is, the cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a rear view (back elevation) showing the correspondence between the pillow 10 and a person's head HD and neck NC, and FIG. 6 is the cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 3 in the state where the pillow 10 is in use.

[0023] The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis shown in FIGS. 2 to 6 are orthogonal to each other. In the present embodiment, the X-axis direction is the vertical up-down direction of the pillow 10 that coincides with the body length direction of a person lying on their back, the X1 direction is the upward direction, and the X2 direction is the downward direction. Further, the Y-axis direction is the left-right lateral direction of the pillow 10, the Y1 direction is the left direction, and the Y2 direction is the right direction. Furthermore, the Z-axis direction is the front-back thickness (height) direction of the pillow 10, the Z1 direction is the front direction, and the Z2 direction is the rear direction.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the pillow 10 (1A) is made of elastic urethane foam, and at least in the region SA2 between the upper nuchal line SA4 and the lower nuchal line SA5 of the occipital bone SA of a person lying on their back, from at least the left end TR1 of the portion where the trapezius muscle TR attaches to the occipital bone SA to the portion where the left sternocleidomastoid muscle MBP attaches to the occipital bone SA in the region (left predetermined region) SA7 and from the right end TR2 of the portion where the trapezius muscle TR attaches to the occipital bone SA to the portion where the right sternocleidomastoid muscle MBP attaches to the occipital bone SA in the region (right predetermined region) SA7, a main support portion 60 that applies pressure and supports in a planar manner; (1B) is made of elastic urethane foam, has a support height set lower than that of the main support portion 60, and applies pressure and supports the head on the top side of the upper nuchal line SA4 of the person; (1C) is made of elastic urethane foam, is located at the position of the neck NC of the person, and includes a neck support portion 150 that applies pressure and supports the rear surface of the neck NC.

[0025] Also, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the pillow 10 (2A) is provided with a lateral regulation portion 95 made of elastic urethane foam that regulates the person's turning over of the head on both left and right outer sides of the mastoid process SC1 of the temporal bone SC of the person.

[0026] Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the pillow 10 (3A) further includes a main regulating portion 90 made of elastic urethane foam that is located on the side opposite to the main support portion 60 with respect to the sub-support portion 80, protrudes higher than the sub-support portion 80, and restricts the displacement movement of the head HD in the upper side (in the X1 direction in the figure) in the person's height direction. (3B) In the main regulating portion 90, a concave portion 93 that avoids contact with the center of the top of the head is provided up to the position of the upper surface of the sub-support portion 80 at a portion facing the center of the top of the person's head. (3C) A hole 54 is provided vertically downward in the concave portion 93 so that the thickness surface of the sub-support portion 80 (the position of the lead-out line of the hole 54 shown in FIG. 6) is exposed to the outside.

[0027] Next, the pillow 10 will be further described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the pillow 10 is in the shape of a flat rectangular plate, and the head HD of a person lying on their back is placed on the central portion of the pillow 10, and the neck NC of the person is placed on the lower side (in the X2 direction in the figure) of the central portion of the pillow 10.

[0028] The pillow 10 includes a front base 20 and a rear base 50 disposed behind the front base 20 (in the Z2 direction in the figure). Both the front base 20 and the rear base 50 are made of elastic urethane foam in the shape of a flat rectangular plate having elasticity, and the rear surface of the front base 20 and the front surface of the rear base 50 facing it are adhered. Between the front base 20 and the rear base 50, the lengths of the long side extending in the left-right lateral direction (Y-axis direction in the figure) of the pillow 10 and the short side extending in the longitudinal direction (height direction) (X-axis direction in the figure) of the pillow 10 are common, and the thickness (height) (dimension in the Z-axis direction in the figure) is also common.

[0029] A hole 21 is provided in the central part of the front base 20 on which the head HD of a person lying on their back is placed. The hole 21 penetrates between the front and rear surfaces of the front base 21, making the thickness of the central part of the pillow 10 thinner than the thickness around it and exposing the central part 51 of the rear base 50. The shape of the hole 21 is formed to match the outer shape of the posterior part of the head on the vertex side from the supraoccipital line SA4 in the head HD of a person lying on their back. Specifically, along the left and right side surfaces in the posterior part of the head on the vertex side from the supraoccipital line SA4, there are linear left and right side edges 211 extending in the longitudinal direction (body length direction) (X-axis direction in the figure) of the pillow 10, and along the central part of the vertex, it curves in an arc shape convex upward in the upper part of the longitudinal direction (X1 direction in the figure) of the pillow 10, connecting the upper ends (in the X1 direction in the figure) of the above left and right side edges 211, an upper side edge 212, and along the supraoccipital line SA4, it curves in a bow shape convex upward in the upper part of the longitudinal direction (X1 direction in the figure) of the pillow 10, connecting the lower ends (in the X2 direction in the figure) of the above left and right side edges 211, a lower side edge 213. It is formed in a closed (hole) shape closed on four sides (in the X1 direction, X2, Y1 direction, and Y2 direction in the figure) of the pillow 10 by these four sides. The width of the hole 21 in the left and right lateral direction (Y-axis direction in the figure) is slightly wider than the width in the left and right lateral direction (Y-axis direction in the figure) of the posterior part of the head on the vertex side from the supraoccipital line SA4, and the length of the hole 21 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction in the figure) is equal to the length in the body length direction (X-axis direction in the figure) of the posterior part of the head on the vertex side from the supraoccipital line SA4.

[0030] Also, regarding the part 22 of the front base 20 between the lower side edge 213 of the hole 21 in the front base 20 and the lower long side (in the X2 direction in the figure) of the front base 20, the length of the part 22 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction in the figure) is set to be longer than the length from the supraoccipital line SA4 of the head HD of a person lying on their back to the lower end line SA6 of the posterior skull on the neck side, that is, longer than the length in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction in the figure) of the posterior part of the head on the neck side from the supraoccipital line SA4 and shorter than the length from the supraoccipital line SA4 to the seventh cervical vertebra C7 of the neck NC exceeding the lower end line SA6 of the posterior skull on the neck side (in this embodiment, it is set to the length from the supraoccipital line SA4 to the fifth cervical vertebra C5 of the neck NC exceeding the lower end line SA6 of the posterior skull on the neck side).

[0031] In the above structure, with the head HD of a supine person placed on the central part of the pillow 10 and the person's neck NC placed below the central part of the pillow 10 (in the X2 direction in the figure) so that the parietal region SA3 of the occipital bone SA is positioned at the center of the hole 21 of the front base 20, the lower side 213 of the hole 21 of the front base, that is, the upper side (in the X1 direction in the figure) edge at the part 22 of the front base 20 corresponds to the supraoccipital line SA4, the posterior part of the head above the supraoccipital line SA4 fits into the hole 21 of the front base 20, and the parietal region SA3 of the occipital bone SA is placed on the central part 51 of the rear base 50 exposed by the hole 21 of the front base 20.

[0032] Also, the upper side (in the X1 direction in the figure) region 23 of the part 22 of the front base 20 faces the posterior part of the head on the neck side from the supraoccipital line SA4 including the left and right predetermined regions SA7 and the left and right mastoid processes SC1 of a supine person, and the posterior part of the head on the neck side from the supraoccipital line SA4 is placed on this region 23.

[0033] Also, the lower side (in the X2 direction in the figure) region 24 of the part 22 of the front base 20 faces from the first cervical vertebra C1 to the fifth cervical vertebra C5 of the neck NC of a supine person, and from the first cervical vertebra C1 to the fifth cervical vertebra C5 of the neck NC is placed on this region 24.

[0034] Therefore, in the pillow 10, the upper (in the X1 direction in the figure) region 23 of the portion 22 of the front base 20 and the portion 52 of the rear base 50 located behind it (in the Z2 direction in the figure) have elasticity, and among the region SA2 between the superior nuchal line SA4 and the inferior nuchal line SA5 of the occipital bone SA of a person lying on their back, at least the left end TR1 of the portion where the trapezius muscle TR attaches to the occipital bone SA to the portion where the left sternocleidomastoid muscle MBP attaches to the occipital bone SA in the region (left predetermined region) SA7 and from the right end TR2 of the portion where the trapezius muscle TR attaches to the occipital bone SA to the portion where the right sternocleidomastoid muscle MBP attaches to the occipital bone SA in the region (right predetermined region) SA7 can apply pressure to support them in a planar manner, function as the main support portion 60, and include the main support portion 60. In the illustrated example, support portions 26 for supporting the mastoid processes, which have the same height as the main support portion 60, are integrally formed on the outer sides of both left and right ends of the main support portion 60. However, the support portions 26 for supporting the mastoid processes may be formed to be higher than the height of the main support portion 60. Furthermore, the support portions 26 for supporting the mastoid processes are not limited to being integrally formed with the main support portion 60 and may be formed separately. By the support portions 26 for supporting the mastoid processes, the attachment portion MB1 of the sternocleidomastoid muscle MB is supported, and for a person lying on their back, not only the attachment portion MB1 but also the tension is relaxed throughout the longitudinal direction of the sternocleidomastoid muscle MB, the movement of the sternocleidomastoid muscle MB during breathing is improved, both exhalation and inhalation become smooth, and breathing becomes easier.

[0035] Also, in the pillow 10, the central portion 51 of the rear base 50 exposed by the hole 21 of the front base 20 has elasticity, and is set to have a lower support height than the main support portion 60 composed of the upper (in the X1 direction in the figure) region 23 of the portion 22 of the front base 20 described above and the portion 52 of the rear base 50 located behind it (in the Z2 direction in the figure). It can apply pressure to support the head of the person above the superior nuchal line SA4 on the cranial side, function as the auxiliary support portion 80, and include the auxiliary support portion 80.

[0036] In addition, in the pillow 10, the region 24 on the lower side (in the X2 direction in the figure) of the portion 22 of the front base 20 and the portion 53 of the rear base 50 located behind it (in the Z2 direction in the figure) have elasticity and are located behind the first cervical vertebra C1 to the fifth cervical vertebra C5 of the neck NC of a person lying on their back. It can apply pressure to and support the rear surface of the first cervical vertebra C1 to the fifth cervical vertebra C5 of the person's neck NC, functions as the neck support portion 150, and is provided with the neck support portion 150.

[0037] In addition, in the pillow 10, both end portions 25 in the left - right lateral direction (in the Y - axis direction in the figure) of the region 23 on the upper side (in the X1 direction in the figure) of the portion 22 of the front base 20 are positioned on the left and right outer sides of the mastoid process SC1 of the temporal bone SC of a person lying on their back, and the portions 26 immediately inside the both end portions 25 face the mastoid process SC1 of the temporal bone SC of the person lying on their back. And, on the both end portions 25, a rectangular parallelepiped - shaped block body 30 made of soft foamed resin is provided, and the rear surface of the block body 30 and the front surfaces of the both end portions 25 facing it are adhered.

[0038] In the above structure, when placing the head HD of a person lying on their back at the central portion of the pillow 10 so that the region SA3 on the vertex side of the occipital bone SA is positioned at the central portion of the hole 21 of the front base 20, and placing the person's neck NC under the central portion of the pillow 10 (in the X2 direction in the figure), the block body 30 restricts the person's head HD from turning over in the left - right lateral direction (in the Y - axis direction) on the left and right outer sides of the mastoid process SC1 of the person's temporal bone SC, preventing turning over. That is, it prevents only these from turning in the left - right lateral direction (in the Y - axis direction) from the person's neck NC to the head HD.

[0039] Therefore, in the pillow 10, the block body 30 functions as a lateral restriction portion 95 that restricts the person's head HD from turning over on the left and right outer sides of the mastoid process SC1 of the person's temporal bone SC, and the lateral restriction portion 95 is provided.

[0040] Note that stoppers 96 made of flat rectangular plate-shaped elastic urethane foam are provided on both left and right outer sides of the portion 22 of the front base 20. The rear surface of the stopper 96 and the front surface of the front base 20 facing it are adhered. The stopper 96 abuts the inner side surface against the outer side surface of the side regulating portion 95 to prevent the side regulating portion 95 from being easily pushed aside to the left and right by the turning pressure of the person's head. Although the side regulating portion 95 and the stopper 96 are provided separately, they may be formed as an integral body.

[0041] Also, the main regulating portion 90 of the pillow 10 is formed of flat rectangular plate-shaped elastic urethane foam disposed in front (in the Z1 direction in the figure) of the front base 20 between the long side on the upper side (in the X1 direction in the figure) of the front base 20 and a straight line parallel to this long side and passing through the upper (in the X1 direction in the figure) ends of the left and right side edges 211 in the hole 21 of the front base 20. The rear surface of the main regulating portion 90 and the front surface of the front base 20 facing it are adhered. The thickness (height) of the main regulating portion 90 is equal to or greater than the thickness (height) of the front base 20 and the rear base 50. The main regulating portion 90 is provided with a notch portion 91 for cutting out a portion overlapping the hole 21 of the front base 20 in a front view, and a main regulating wall 92 is formed that curves in an arc convex upward in the vertical upper side (in the X1 direction in the figure) of the pillow 10 along the upper side 212 of the hole 21 of the base 20 and rises on the front surface of the front base 20.

[0042] The main regulating portion 90 is provided with a recess 93 for avoiding contact with the top center portion HD1 at a portion facing the top center portion HD1 of the head up to the position of the upper surface of the sub-support portion 80. That is, the recess 93 is recessed upward in the body length direction (in the X1 direction in the figure) the portion of the main regulating wall 92 facing the top center portion HD1 of the head of a person lying on their back so as to avoid planar contact with and strong pressure on the top center portion HD1 of the head of the person lying on their back.

[0043] Further, a hole 54 for exposing the thickness surface of the sub-support portion 80 to the outside is provided vertically downward in the concave portion 93 to the position of the lower surface of the rear base 50. That is, the hole 54 exposes the thickness surface of the sub-support portion 80 to the outside by making the portion vertically downward in the concave portion 93 provided in the main restricting portion 90 lower than the upper surface of the sub-support portion 80.

[0044] With the above structure, as described in the above paragraphs

[0014] and

[0015] , even if the main restricting portion 90 for preventing the head HD from greatly deviating upward in the vertical direction (height direction) of the pillow 10 is provided, the center top portion HD1 of the head is not strongly pressed against the main restricting portion 90 in a planar manner. Therefore, the nodding movement of the head during breathing (that is, a slight movement in the front-rear direction shown by the arrow BM in FIG. 6) is not restricted, and inhalation and exhalation can be sufficiently performed, ensuring a good breathing state. Note that the hole 54 is not limited to the through hole shown in the figure, and may be a bottomed hole that does not penetrate.

[0045] In the above-described pillow 10, the concave portion 93 for avoiding contact with the center top portion HD1 of the head is provided at the portion of the main restricting portion 90 facing the center top portion HD1 of the head of a person lying on their back. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a low-rebound material 930 (for example, a low-rebound urethane foam, sponge, low-rebound chip, cotton, low-rebound gel, etc.) lower than the repulsive force of the material of the main restricting portion 90 may be provided from the concave portion 93 to the hole 54 in the vertical direction thereof by appropriate means such as fitting or adhesion. In this case, for materials such as low-rebound chips and cotton that tend to scatter, although not shown, they may be packed in a bag and the outer surface of the bag may be fitted or adhered to the concave portion 93 and the hole 54.

[0046] Even with this configuration, the center top portion HD1 of the head is not strongly pressed against the main restricting portion 90 in a planar manner by the low-rebound material 930. Therefore, the nodding movement of the head during breathing is not restricted, and inhalation and exhalation can be sufficiently performed, ensuring a good breathing state.

[0047] Note that the low-rebound material 930 provided in the concave portion 93 may be provided only up to the concave portion 93 and not provided in the hole 54 (space) vertically below it, or the hole 54 (space) itself vertically below it may not be provided.

[0048] The pillow 10 described above is only an example of the present invention, and the present invention can be implemented with appropriate structural changes within the scope not departing from the claims. For example, the shapes, sizes, and hardnesses of the front base 20, rear base 50, main support portion 60, sub-support portion 80, neck support portion 150, main restricting portion 90, side restricting portion 95, etc. may be changed in various ways.

[0049] Also, although the pillow 10 is configured by assembling a plurality of parts, of course, these plurality of parts may be integrally formed as much as possible.

[0050] Also, in the above pillow 10, the main support portion 60 and the neck support portion 150 are configured as an integral body connected in series, but they may be configured separately. In this case, a space can also be provided between the main support portion 60 and the neck support portion 150, and the neck support portion 150 can support any cervical vertebra among the first cervical vertebra C1 to the seventh cervical vertebra C7 of the neck NC.

[0051] Also, in the above pillow 10, the height of the neck support portion 150 is the same as the height of the main support portion 60, but it may be set lower or higher than the front surface of the main support portion 60.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0052] 54 Hole 60 Main support portion 80 Sub-support portion 90 Main restricting portion 93 Concave portion 95 Side restricting portion 150 Neck support portion 930 Low-rebound material

Claims

【Claim 1】 A main support part that has elasticity and applies pressure to and supports in a planar manner at least the area from the left end of the part where the trapezius muscle attaches to the occipital bone to the part where the left sternocleidomastoid muscle attaches to the occipital bone and the area from the right end of the part where the trapezius muscle attaches to the occipital bone to the part where the right sternocleidomastoid muscle attaches to the occipital bone within the area between the superior nuchal line and the inferior nuchal line of the occipital bone of a person lying supine; A sub-support part that has elasticity, is set to have a lower support height than the main support part, and applies pressure to and supports the head on the vertex side of the superior nuchal line of the person; A neck support part that has elasticity, is located at the neck of the person, and applies pressure to and supports the back surface of the person's neck; and Furthermore, a main regulation part that is located on the side opposite to the main support part with respect to the sub-support part, protrudes higher than the sub-support part, and regulates the displacement movement of the head upward in the longitudinal direction of the person; The pillow is characterized in that a concave part for avoiding contact with the center of the vertex is provided at a part of the main regulation part facing the center of the vertex of the person.

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