PILLOW

Abstract

A pillow comprising two wings, a bridging section connecting the wings so that the wings and bridging section form a substantially U-shaped shape, and support arms. The pillow has a first configuration in which the support arms are provided in the bridging section, and a second configuration in which the support arms are removed from the bridging section, thereby reducing the thickness of the thinnest portion of pillow in the bridging section. In the second configuration, the thickness of the thinnest portion of pillow in the bridging section is less than the thickness of the thickest portion of the pillow in the wings.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to pillows, and more particularly to travel pillows.

Description of the Related Art

Pillows are known that are particularly suitable for use during travel. Such pillows often are substantially U-shaped in plan view so that the pillow can be wrapped around the back and sides of the neck of the user to support the user's head. Some such pillows are inflatable. Others contain a particulate material.

The present invention aims to provide an improved pillow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Pillows comprising two wings and a bridging section connecting the wings so that the wings and bridging section form a substantially U-shaped shape are well known. The inventors have realised that it is advantageous to provide such pillows with, in addition, a support means so that the pillow has a first configuration in which the support means is provided in the bridging section, and the pillow has a second configuration in which the support means is removed from the bridging section thereby reducing the thickness of the thinnest portion of pillow in the bridging section. In this way, the thickness of the pillow in the bridging section can be changed by the user as desired. It is particularly advantageous a) if the support means is provided only in the bridging section, or b) if the removal of the support means from the bridging section also reduces thickness of the thinnest portion of pillow in the bridging section in comparison to the thickness of the thickest portion of the wings.

In this specification the term “thickness” refers to the depth dimension when the pillow is viewed in plan view and the wings and bridging section form a substantially U shaped shape (i.e. in the direction of view). This dimension is in the direction perpendicular to the surface on which the pillow is resting in normal use. The thinnest part, correspondingly, is the thinnest in the same depth dimension.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a pillow comprising two wings; a bridging section connecting the wings so that the wings and bridging section form a substantially U-shaped shape, and a support means, wherein the pillow has a first configuration in which the support means is provided in the bridging section, and the pillow has a second configuration in which the support means is removed from the bridging section thereby reducing the thickness of the thinnest portion of pillow in the bridging section, and wherein, in the second configuration, the thickness of the thinnest portion of pillow in the bridging section is less than the thickness of the thickest portion of the pillow in the wings.

The first aspect of the present invention provides a pillow that can be reconfigured by the user as desired. In particular, the pillow can be reconfigured from the first configuration (in which the support means provides support for the user's head in the bridging section) to the second configuration (in which the support means is removed from the bridging section, thereby allowing the user's head to move closer to the surface on which the pillow is resting). Hence the first aspect of the present invention provides a pillow in which the support provided in the bridging section for the user's head can be adjusted by the user as desired.

Preferably, in the first configuration, the support means is provided only in the bridging section.

Preferably, in the second configuration, the support means is provided in one or both wings.

By providing, in the second configuration, the support means in one or both wings, the support means can conveniently be moved from the bridging section to one or both wings. This means that, in the second configuration, the support means provides additional support for the user's head around the user's neck.

Preferably, in the second configuration, the bridging section is substantially flat.

Preferably, the support means comprises two support members, each fixed or removably attached to a respective wing. Alternatively, the support means may comprise one support member fixed or removably attached to a wing, or more than two support members fixed or removably attached to a wing. The reference to each support member hereinafter includes the case where there is one support member.

Preferably, each support member has a corresponding shape to the wing to which it is fixed or removably attached. For example, each support member may have substantially the same shape as, but be smaller than, the wing to which it is attached.

Each support member may be elongate. Each support member may be fixed or removably attached at one of its ends to the respective wing. This allows the each support member to rotate about the point of fixing or removable attachment between the first and second configurations. Preferably, each support member is fixed or removably attached adjacent to the bridging section and/or at one end of the respective wing.

Preferably, each support member is fixed or removably attached in a line at one of its ends to the respective wing. Suitably, each support member may be fixed by stitching.

Preferably, in the second configuration, each support member is removably attached at another of its ends to the respective wing, preferably, at another end of the respective wing.

Preferably, one or more of the wings and bridging section contains particulate material.

Preferably, the support means contains particulate material. Preferably, the support means is flexible.

Preferably, the pillow comprises means for fixing the support means in the first configuration, the second configuration, or both. The means for fixing the support means may comprise any suitable means for example a pocket, a clip, a fastener, a popper or snap fastener, or the like. In the case of a pocket, the support means may be tucked into the pocket or pockets.

Preferably, in the first configuration, the support means is provided in the bridging section in a pocket in the bridging section. Preferably, the support members, free ends thereof or the whole thereof can be tucked into the pocket.

Preferably, the pocket is formed between an outer layer of material of the bridging section and an inner layer of material of the bridging section. Here “outer” and “inner” are with respect to a direction normal to the surface of the bridging section.

Preferably the wings and bridging section form a substantially U-shaped shape in plan view, and the bridging section has a peripheral surface in elevation view, and the pillow comprises at least one gripping member provided on and fixed to the peripheral surface of the bridging section, to improve grip between the bridging section and a surface which the bridging section contacts.

Preferably, the peripheral surface is formed by the outer layer of material of the bridging section that forms the pocket.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a pillow comprising two wings; a bridging section connecting the wings so that the wings and bridging section form a substantially U-shaped shape in plan view, and the bridging section has a peripheral surface in elevation view; and at least one gripping member provided on and fixed to the peripheral surface of the bridging section, to improve grip between the bridging section and a surface which the bridging section contacts. Here the peripheral surface of the bridging section defines part of the outline of the bridging section when seen in elevation view.

Preferably, the at least one gripping member comprises silicone.

Preferably, a pocket is formed between an outer layer of material of the bridging section and an inner layer of material of the bridging section. Here “outer” and “inner” are with respect to a direction normal to the surface of the bridging section.

Preferably, the peripheral surface is formed by the outer layer of material of the bridging section that forms the pocket.

Preferably, there is a plurality of gripping members.

Preferably, the gripping members are substantially equally spaced in plan view.

Preferably, the gripping members are each substantially circular in plan view. Preferably, the gripping members are each substantially hemispherical.

Preferably, in the first configuration, the thickness of the bridging section (for example the thickness of the thinnest portion of the bridging section) is about the same as the thickness of one or both wings.

Preferably, in the second configuration, the thickness of one or both of the support members is at least 20% of the thickness of one or both of the wings, more preferably, 50%, more preferably still 70%.

Preferably, in the second configuration, the thickness of the thinnest portion of pillow in the bridging section is less than 50% of the thickness of the thinnest portion of pillow in the bridging section in the first configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, purely by way of example, with reference to the drawings in which:

FIGS. 1-7 are, respectively, front (plan), left (elevation), right (elevation), rear (plan), top (elevation), bottom (elevation) and perspective views of a pillow according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in a second configuration;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the pillow of FIGS. 1-7;

FIG. 9 is a side (elevation) view of the pillow of FIGS. 1-7;

FIG. 10 is a rear (plan) view of the pillow of FIGS. 1-7;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the pillow of FIGS. 1-7 showing the pocket;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the pillow of FIGS. 1-7 showing an arm being tucked into the pocket;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the pillow of FIGS. 1-7 in a first configuration;

FIGS. 14-20 are, respectively, front (plan), left (elevation), right (elevation), rear (plan), top (elevation), bottom (elevation) and perspective views of a pillow of FIGS. 1-7 in the first configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1-7, the pillow 1 comprises two wings 2, 3; a bridging section 4 connecting the wings 2, 3 so that the wings 2, 3 and bridging section 4 form a substantially U-shaped shape, and a support means in the form of support members or arms 5, 6.

The pillow 1 has a first configuration (see FIGS. 13-20) in which the arms 5, 6 are provided in the bridging section 4. This is explained in more detail below.

The pillow 1 also has a second configuration, as shown in FIGS. 1-7, in which the arms 5, 6 are removed from the bridging section 4 thereby reducing the thickness of the thinnest portion of pillow 1 in the bridging section 4. In the second configuration, the thickness of the thinnest portion of pillow 1 in the bridging section 4 is less than the thickness of the thickest portion of the pillow 1 in the wings 2, 3.

In the present embodiment, the wings 2, 3, bridging section 4 and the arms 5, 6 contain particulate material. In the present embodiment, the bridging section comprises a cushioning means 7 containing a substance or material different from the particulate material. For example, the material may be foam. The cushioning means has a substantially trapezoidal shape in plan.

In the present embodiment, a pair of popper fasteners 8, 9 are provided, each at a free end of a wing 2, 3. By fastening the fasteners 8, 9 while the pillow is worn around the neck, a snug fit around the neck of the user is provided. The fasteners 8, 9 can also be used to secure the pillow 1 to other items during travel, for example the handle of a suitcase.

Referring to FIGS. 2-6 in particular, the bridging section 4 has a peripheral surface in elevation view (as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 6). The peripheral surface of the bridging section 4 defines part of the outline of the bridging section 4 when seen in elevation view. The pillow 1 comprises a plurality of gripping members 20 provided on and fixed to the peripheral surface of the bridging section 4, to improve grip between the bridging 4 section and a surface (for example of a chair) which the bridging section 4 contacts. The gripping members 20 improve grip whether the pillow is in the first or second configuration.

In the present embodiment, the gripping members 20 are silicone hemispheres.

A loop 11 is fixed to the bridging section 4 by which the pillow 1 can be carried or hung. The arms 5, 6 are fixed by stitching along a line to respective arms 2, 3 adjacent to the bridging section 4. In the second configuration, as shown in FIGS. 1-7, the arms 5, 6 are also removably attached to respective wings 2, 3. The free ends of arms 5, 6 are each provided with a popper fastener 12, 13 which can be fastened to a respective popper fastener 14, 15 at the end of respective wings 5, 6 (see FIG. 10).

When changing the configuration of the pillow 1 from the second configuration to the first configuration, the arms 5, 6 are tucked into a pocket 10 provided in the bridging section 4. Referring to FIG. 11, the pillow 1 is shown in a state in which arm 6 has been tucked into the pocket 10 but arm 5 has not. FIG. 11 shows the pocket 10 ready to receive the arm 5. FIG. 12 show arm 6 being tucked into the pocket 10.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described purely by way of example, and various modifications, additions and/or omissions will present themselves to one skilled in the art, all of which form part of the invention, together with their equivalents.

Claims

1. A pillow comprising:

two wings;

a bridging section connecting the wings so that the wings and bridging section form a substantially U-shaped shape, and

a support means,

wherein the pillow has a first configuration in which the support means is provided in the bridging section, and the pillow has a second configuration in which the support means is removed from the bridging section thereby reducing the thickness of the thinnest portion of pillow in the bridging section, and

wherein, in the second configuration, the thickness of the thinnest portion of pillow in the bridging section is less than the thickness of the thickest portion of the pillow in the wings, and

wherein, in the second configuration, the support means is provided in one or both wings.

2. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein, in the first configuration, the support means is provided only in the bridging section.

3. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the support means comprises two support members, each fixed or removably attached to a respective wing.

4. A pillow according to claim 3, wherein each support member has a corresponding shape to the wing to which it is fixed or removably attached.

5. A pillow according to claim 3, wherein each support member is elongate.

6. A pillow according to claim 5, wherein each support member is fixed or removably attached at one of its ends to the respective wing.

7. A pillow according to claim 6, wherein each support member is fixed or removably attached in a line at one of its ends to the respective wing.

8. A pillow according to claim 6, wherein, in the second configuration, each support member is removably attached at another of its ends to the respective wing.

9. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the wings and bridging section contains particulate material.

10. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the support means contains particulate material.

11. A pillow according to claim 1, comprising means for fixing the support means in the first configuration, the second configuration, or both.

12. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein, in the first configuration, the support means is provided in the bridging section in a pocket in the bridging section.

13. A pillow according to claim 12, wherein the pocket is formed between an outer layer of material of the bridging section and an inner layer of material of the bridging section.

14. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the wings and bridging section form a substantially U-shaped shape in plan view, and the bridging section has a peripheral surface in elevation view, and the pillow comprises:

at least one gripping member provided on and fixed to the peripheral surface of the bridging section, to improve grip between the bridging section and a surface which the bridging section contacts.

15. A pillow according to claim 13, wherein the wings and bridging section form a substantially U-shaped shape in plan view, and the bridging section has a peripheral surface in elevation view, and the pillow comprises at least one gripping member provided on and fixed to the peripheral surface of the bridging section, to improve grip between the bridging section and a surface which the bridging section contacts, and

wherein the peripheral surface is formed by the outer layer of material of the bridging section that forms the pocket.

16. A pillow comprising:

two wings;

a bridging section connecting the wings so that the wings and bridging section form a substantially U-shaped shape in plan view, and the bridging section has a peripheral surface in elevation view; and

at least one gripping member provided on and fixed to the peripheral surface of the bridging section, to improve grip between the bridging section and a surface which the bridging section contacts.

17. A pillow according to claim 16, wherein the at least one gripping member comprises silicone.

18. A pillow according to claim 16, wherein a pocket is formed between an outer layer of material of the bridging section and an inner layer of material of the bridging section.

19. A pillow according to claim 18, wherein the peripheral surface is formed by the outer layer of material of the bridging section that forms the pocket.

20. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein, in the first configuration, the thickness of the bridging section is about the same as the thickness of the wings.