HEAD SUPPORTING DEVICE

Abstract

A head supporting device is attachable to a stationary back support using deformable flexible support members for securing the device in place. The device includes a pair of padded member to laterally support the user's head while minimizing strain on the user's neck. The flexible support members may be coupled to the padded members. Further, a cover may be configured to provide a maximum spaced apart distance of the flexible members. In addition, the cover may include sewn pockets and channels to receive the padded members and flexible support members, respectively.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/254,991 filed on Oct. 26, 2009, the subject matter of each application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a head supporting device that includes a pad coupled to a flexible support member, and more specifically where the flexible support member is easily securable and removable from an item of furniture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pillows and other cushioning or head supporting devices come in a variety of shapes and sizes with many designed for particular purposes. Some pillow devices address the problem of falling asleep while seated in an upright position (e.g., while traveling in a car or plane), but these conventional pillow devices have various drawbacks.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,387,886 shows a headrest mounted on a pair of brackets made of spring steel and forming a V-shaped enclosure. The brackets snap over the uppermost portion of an automobile seat. As wing nuts on the brackets are tightened, the resulting increased spring tension against the seat locks the headrest in place. The brackets provide a semi-rigid structure against which the head can rest, but does not support the neck or the head laterally.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,488 shows an adjustable headrest with an elongated tab with a fastener to hang the adjustable headrest from the back of a seat or to hold the headrest in a doubled-over position to function as a neck support. The headrest includes a U-shaped bolster or pillow with an elongated tab with connection strips and is fastened to a flexible fabric panel, but does not appear to provide adequate lateral support for the neck while the user is sleeping in the upright position.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,254,189 discloses a body support device that allows the user to modify the density of specific parts of the device by redistributing filler material through a continuous hollow chamber. The device contains a hollow housing member that has a hollow neck portion and bulbous housing elements on opposite sides of the hollow neck portion which combine to form a continuous hollow chamber. The hollow chamber is partially filled with filler material that can be redistributed throughout the hollow chamber to vary the firmness and density of the bulbous housing elements. Similar to the aforementioned device, this device does not provide adequate lateral support to the neck.

Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 6,030,034 describes a lounge chair accessory for behind the head support, U.S. Pat. No. 6,938,958 describes a pad for attaching to a back of chair via a wire, U.S. Pat. No. 6,484,335 describes a pillow with straps connecting the pillow to the back of a seat, U.S. Pat. No. 6,748,615 describes a neck supporting cushion for behind the neck, U.S. Pat. No. 7,204,557 describes a pad with lateral headrest attaching to a chair back, U.S. Pat. No. 7,393,057 describes a pad that is attached to back of chair via a U-shaped bracket, U.S. Patent Application Nos. 2006/0279122 and D598,230 both describe maternity pillows for supporting the back of head, neck and/or the back in alternative configurations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred and alternative examples of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top, perspective view of a head supporting device in a detached configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the head supporting device of FIG. 1 in an attached configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top, plan view of an inner, close fitting cover that may be received by a cover of the head supporting device of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of a head supporting device positioned on a piece of furniture and movable from a detached configuration to an attached configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Conventional pillow devices have been constrained by considerations such as portability, adjustability, cost and size, and have not addressed the problem of supporting the neck comfortably while remaining affixed to the seat, allowing ease of hands free ingress and egress. In one embodiment, the present invention takes the form of a head supporting device that cooperates with a back support portion of a seat to laterally support a user's head. The head supporting device includes a cover; a pair of padded members arranged within the cover and spaced apart by a desired distance; and a pair of flexible support members laterally spaced apart by a distance that is greater than or equal to the desired distance of the padded members. At least a portion of each flexible support member is cooperatively coupled to each padded member, for example using sewn channels that receive the padded and flexible support members. Preferably, each flexible support is fully covered by the cover, but in one embodiment a portion of each flexible member extends out of the cover. The flexible support members are independently and manually deformable to be attachably received by the back support portion of the seat or other furniture to which it is affixed.

In another embodiment, a head supporting device cooperates with a back support portion of a seat and includes a cover; a pair of padded members arranged within the cover and spaced apart by a desired distance, wherein the padded members are positioned in the cover to extend over a left shoulder and a right shoulder, respectively, of a user, such that when the user is in a seated position the padded members support at least portions of the user's head and neck; and a pair of flexible support members laterally spaced apart by a distance that is greater than or equal to the desired distance of the padded members, at least a portion of each flexible member cooperatively coupled to each padded member, at least a portion of each flexible member received within the cover, wherein the flexible support members are independently and manually deformable to be attachably received by the back support portion of the seat.

In yet another embodiment, a cover for a head supporting device that cooperates with a back support portion of a seat includes a pair of pockets sewn into the cover for receiving a pair of padded members, the pockets separated by a desired distance; a pair of channels sewn into the cover for receiving a pair of flexible support members, the channels spaced apart by a distance that is greater than or equal to the desired distance of the pockets; and a center portion extending between the sewn pockets and sewn channels, wherein the center portion and the sewn pockets and channels have approximately an H-shape configuration.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a head supporting device 100 that provides lateral support pads 102, also referred to as padded members or pillows, and flexible support members 104 arranged in a cover 106, which may also take the form of uniquely shaped pillow case. The head supporting device 100 permits a person to rest their head without undesired strain on their neck muscles when in a seated or upright position. The seat may take the form of a chair, a rocker, a couch or some other piece of furniture. The head supporting device 100 may also permit the person to sleep in the upright position with their head adequately supported.

The cover 106 for the head supporting device 100 may be stitched or otherwise connected to form a variety of compartments, which may take the form of internal channels or pockets. In the illustrated embodiment, a stitching arrangement 108 of the cover 106 forms channels 110 to receive the flexible support member 104, forms pockets 112 to receive the lateral support pads 102, forms a lower center pocket 114 to receive a head cushioning pad 116, and forms an upper center webbing portion 118 that maintains a maximum spaced apart distance 120 between the flexible support members 104. The cover 106 may be manufactured such that the flexible support members 104, after being inserted, are substantially parallel to one another. In addition, the flexible support members 104 and lateral support members 102 may be respectively oriented to be aligned in a direction approximately parallel to a longitudinal axis 122 of the flexible support members 104. The cover 106 may be made from a variety of materials and include aesthetic patterns.

In one embodiment, the flexible support members 104 are positioned within channels 110 that have a width of about 1.75 inches and are spaced apart by the distance 120, which may be no less than about 13.5 inches. The overall height of the cover may be about 19.0 inches. The upper center webbing portion 118 may have a height of about 7.0 inches to receive the head of the user. The flexible support members 104, in turn, may have a total height of about 13.0 inches with a bottom portion of each support member 104 positioned adjacent on outer portion of the lateral support members 102. The aforementioned dimensions are for exemplary purposes only. It is appreciated the cover 106 and other components may have different dimensions. The cover 106 may be H-shaped, but may take other shapes as well.

The lateral support members 102 may be made from a variety of compressible materials to include, but not limited, open cell foam, natural or synthetic down material, feathers, etc. Alternatively, the lateral support members 102 may take the form of inflatable devices.

FIG. 2 shows the head supporting device 100 in an operable configuration. The flexible support member 104 may be manually deformed (i.e., bent) into a U-shaped configuration to receive a furniture back (not shown). The flexible support members 104 are made from a bendable material that substantially retains its shape after deformation. In one embodiment, the flexible support members 104 take the form of elastomeric rods that may be bent, manipulated and conformed to attachingly secure to the furniture back.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of an inner cover 124 having a complementary shape as that of the outer cover 106 and closely receives the lateral support members 102 and flexible support members 104. The outer cover 106 fits over the inner cover 124.

In alternate embodiments, the cover 106 may be open and closed with a zipper or a hook and loop fastener system. The various compartments may have their own openings to remove and replace lateral support members, other padded members or pillows, or the flexible support members, whichever is desired. In yet another embodiment, removable heating or cooling devices may be placed in the cover to provide comfort and relieve stress in the neck of the user. In yet another embodiment, a communication device, an audio device, music playing device and other electronic equipment may be positioned within the cover and may be coupled to the flexible supporting members for stability.

FIG. 4 shows the head supporting device 100 cooperating with a back rest portion 126 of a chair 128. The head supporting device 100 is movable from a detached configuration to an attached configuration (dotted lines). When in the attached configuration, the primary left and right lateral support members 102 of the head supporting device 100 may be positioned over the user's shoulders (not shown) while the user is seated. The flexible support members 104 are positioned over the back rest portion of the chair 126 for securing the head supporting device 100 to the chair. The secure arrangement of the head supporting device 100 may advantageously provide the user with a desired amount of head support without inducing unwanted strain in the neck while the user is upright, and even while the user is upright and potentially asleep. The flexible support members 104 are sufficiently deformable and pliable to fit over different sizes of back rests, such as hardback rocking chairs, gliders, couches, patio chairs, high backed chairs, recliners, headboards for beds and likely other types of chairs or furniture, any of which may be padded or unpadded. The device may be adjustable for persons of different heights and may allow the user to rise from a seated position completely hands-free while the device remains securely attached to the back rest portion 126.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A head supporting device cooperable with a back support portion of a seat, the device comprising;

a cover;

a pair of padded members arranged within the cover and spaced apart by a desired distance; and

a pair of flexible support members laterally spaced apart by a distance that is greater than or equal to the desired distance of the padded members, at least a portion of each flexible member cooperatively coupled to each padded member, at least a portion of each flexible member received within the cover, wherein the flexible support members are independently and manually deformable to be attachably received by the back support portion of the seat.

2. The head supporting device of claim 1 wherein the desired distance is at least as wide as a person's head.

3. The head supporting device of claim 1 wherein the cover is an outer cover encompassing the padded members and flexible support members.

4. The head supporting device of claim 1 wherein the cover is an inner cover having stitched channels for receiving the padded members and flexible support members.

5. The head supporting device of claim 1 wherein the cover is a one-piece cover.

6. The head supporting device of claim 1 further comprising another padded member located within the cover.

7. The head supporting device of claim 6 wherein the another padded member includes a head support pillow located between the padded members.

8. The head supporting device of claim 1 wherein the cover is approximately H-shaped.

9. The head supporting device of claim 1 wherein the padded members are approximately aligned longitudinally with the flexible support members.

10. The head supporting device of claim 1 wherein the pair of padded member are positioned substantially parallel with respect to each other within the cover.

11. The head supporting device of claim 1 wherein the pair of flexible support members are positioned substantially parallel with respect to each other within the cover.

12. The head supporting device of claim 1 wherein the flexible support members are deformable into a U-shaped configuration.

13. A head supporting device cooperable with a back support portion of a seat, the device comprising;

a cover;

a pair of padded members arranged within the cover and spaced apart by a desired distance, wherein the padded members are positioned in the cover to extend over a left shoulder and a right shoulder, respectively, of a user, such that when the user is in a seated position the padded members support at least portions of the user's head and neck; and

a pair of flexible support members laterally spaced apart by a distance that is greater than or equal to the desired distance of the padded members, at least a portion of each flexible member cooperatively coupled to each padded member, at least a portion of each flexible member received within the cover, wherein the flexible support members are independently and manually deformable to be attachably received by the back support portion of the seat.

14. The head supporting device of claim 13 wherein the desired distance is at least as wide as a person's head.

15. The head supporting device of claim 13 wherein the cover is an outer cover encompassing the padded members and flexible support members.

16. The head supporting device of claim 13 wherein the cover is an inner cover having stitched channels for receiving the padded members and flexible support members.

17. A cover for a head supporting device that cooperates with a back support portion of a seat, the device comprising;

a pair of pockets sewn into the cover for receiving a pair of padded members, the pockets separated by a desired distance;

a pair of channels sewn into the cover for receiving a pair of flexible support members, the channels spaced apart by a distance that is greater than or equal to the desired distance of the pockets; and

a center portion extending between the sewn pockets and sewn channels, wherein the center portion and the sewn pockets and channels have approximately an H-shape configuration.

18. The cover of claim 17 further comprising zippered openings for access to an interior portion of the cover.

19. The cover of claim 17 further comprising aesthetic patterns carried by the cover.