Portable Pillow Support With Flexible Seat or Wearable Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing portable head supports for seated individuals lack versatility and ease of use, as they are often limited to specific attachment methods and do not accommodate varying user preferences for head and upper body positioning during travel or rest.

Innovation Solution

A portable support system featuring an elongated pillow with adjustable, flexible retention members and connector structures that allow for attachment to a seat back or wearable configuration, enabling adjustable positioning to provide support for the head and upper body, with options for loop configurations to suit different uses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a portable support is designed with fixed attachment methods, then the structure is simple, but the adaptability and versatility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment configurationVSAvoidretention structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retention member is designed as an adjustable, flexible element that can be configured in multiple loop arrangements (first loop configuration wrapping around upper corner, second loop configuration extending downward along body). This dynamic reconfigurability allows the same structure to adapt to different attachment scenarios without adding multiple fixed attachment mechanisms, thereby improving versatility while controlling complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The single retention member with pair of spaced fasteners serves multiple functions: it can attach to upper corner of seat back in first loop configuration, or extend downward to provide body support in second loop configuration. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate attachment mechanisms for different use cases, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If a portable support provides fixed positioning, then the device complexity is low, but the ease of operation and user comfort are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition adjustmentVSAvoidadjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retention member allows dynamic adjustment of the pillow position and orientation by reconfiguring the loop arrangements. Users can easily transition between first loop configuration (attached to upper corner) and second loop configuration (extending downward), providing position adjustment capability through simple reconfiguration rather than complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the pillow is designed to attach to seat back, then lateral support is provided, but the device cannot be used when seat attachment is unavailable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveusage scenarioVSAvoiddual configuration system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retention structure with adjustable retention member provides universal applicability by supporting both seat attachment mode (first loop configuration wrapping around upper corner) and standalone wearable mode (second loop configuration extending downward along body). The same structural elements serve both functions, enabling use in any situation where seated individual wishes to rest head, whether seat attachment is available or not.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2276378B1Portable support including a pillow
Publication Date: 2014.08.27 MITTELSTADT JOHN
  • EP2276378B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2276378B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8
  • EP2276378B1 patent drawingFigure 9~14

AI summary

A portable support for providing support for the head of a seated individual includes an elongated pillow having an enlarged upper end portion and a lower pillow end portion. Connector structure is provided to position the larger pillow end portion above the shoulder of a seated individual.