TRAVEL PILLOW

Abstract

The present invention relates to a neck cushion or travel pillow. In particular, the invention relates to a travel pillow (10), which is designed as an essentially U-shaped neck pillow and has a first leg (12) and a second leg (14), which are connected by a central part (16), the first leg (12) terminating in a first leg tip (22) and the second leg (14) terminating in a second leg tip (24), and the travel pillow (10) having a circumferential inner side and a circumferential outer side and a top side (18), a bottom side (20) and a central plane (M), characterized in that the travel pillow (10) has a reinforcing strip (30) which extends from the first leg (12) through the central part (16) to the second leg (14).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a neck cushion or travel pillow. Such pillows are often used for head positioning on journeys, they are often U-shaped.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

U.S. Pat. No. 7,657,945 reveals a hooded neck cushion which is u-shaped. An opening is provided on the outside of the U through which an inflatable pillow inner part can be inserted into the cover. On the opposite side, a hood is provided on the inside of the U.

The present invention aims to provide a practical and durable travel pillow in a simple and economical way. The outer design of the cushion and, if necessary, its outer cover should be very freely selectable.

This task is solved by a travel pillow according to claim 1. Advantageous further embodiment is indicated in the sub-claims.

More detailed description of features of the invention According to the present invention, a travel pillow should essentially be a U-shaped neck pillow. Such pillows are common as travel pillows, they can of course also be used outside of a trip, as they provide good support for the neck and are therefore generally perceived as comfortable for sitting or sleeping positions. According to its shape, the travel pillow has a first leg and a second leg, which are connected by a middle part. The U-shape also means that there is a circumferential inner side and a circumferential outer side. The outer side and the inner side meet at the end of the legs. In addition, the travel pillow has a top side which is oriented towards the user's head when in use and a bottom side which is oriented towards the shoulders when in use.

Both legs (also referred to as thighs) end in a tip or end portion. These could also be described as a horns. The first leg ends in a first leg tip and the second leg ends in a second leg tip. When the pillow is worn, the thighs partially support the user's head, but the tips of the legs usually protrude freely forward beyond the neck.

The travel pillow also has a central plane, which is essentially located centrally between the top and bottom of the pillow. If the position of the central plane is not directly determined by geometrical considerations, the plane which divides the pillow weight in half should be assumed as the central plane.

The travel pillow should comprise a reinforcing strip. This strip should run from the first leg through the middle part of the pillow to the second leg. Preferably, the strip (also referred to as) band should run from the first leg to the second leg.

The strip should have a width of about 1 to 10 cm, preferably about 2 to 4 cm. The strip typically has a length between 30 and 80 cm. It is useful if the reinforcing strip can at least withstand tensile stress. A textile material is suitable for this, especially a tape or belt. Such a material can be braided or woven or produced in any other appropriate way. A tape is preferably provided as woven tape. It can be produced on a needle loom, for example.

In individual cases, it is also possible to use a stiff or semi-rigid material. Such a material can give the pillow increased dimensional stability, in particular it can preserve the U-shape. Therefore, a material with memory effect is possible, i.e. a material which is flexible, but which returns to a predefined initial shape as soon as the bending forces are no longer applied. As a rule, this will be a U-shape in the context of the present invention.

In the context of the present invention, it is expedient if connecting means are provided on the legs, preferably on the tips of the legs. (The provision of connecting means of the type described herein is also considered for pillows without reinforcing tape). Accordingly, a first fastener may be provided on the first tip of the leg and a second fastener on the second tip of the leg. It should be possible to connect these connecting means with each other. The connection can be direct or indirect. In the case of an indirect connection, an intermediate link could also be used. The means of connection can be mechanical, for example, Velcro fasteners are useful, a hook and eye combination or a mechanical snap fastener is also useful. In general, fasteners are useful, as they are used to connect belts.

Useful fasteners are push-in buckles/buckles. There a male fastener works together with a female fastener. Such buckles are also available as so-called click fasteners, which are easily released by pressing one or two (usually opposite) points and can be quickly connected without exerting such pressure.

It is useful when the reinforcing strap is directly or indirectly connected to the first and/or second fastener.

The connecting means can be used to secure the U-shaped pillow on the neck of the wearer by connecting the tips of the legs in front of the neck. It may also be possible to connect the fasteners together to transport the pillow. In this way a more compact transport form can be achieved. The pillow can even be folded or pressed more tightly than would be appropriate for carrying and the tighter folding and transport shape can be secured by closing the fasteners.

The tensile stress transferred by the connecting means would have to be absorbed by the pillow material itself, i.e. in particular by the pillow filling and/or the pillow cover, without a reinforcing band. This could lead to overloading and damage to the pillow. This is especially true if materials are used which are not very suitable for absorbing tensile force. Loose filling materials such as feathers cannot absorb tensile force. Foam can absorb tensile forces to a certain extent, but is easily damaged or even destroyed/torn. Cushion/pillow covers, which are usually made of soft textile materials, can also only absorb tensile force to a limited extent. It is especially advantageous if the choice of a cushion cover can be made without the need to absorb such tensile forces. This freedom means that softer and more skin-friendly materials can usually be used.

The connection of the reinforcing tape to the first and/or second connecting means can be done in different ways. For example, it is possible to sew the connecting means to the reinforcing band. Adhesive bonding can also be considered. Often a mechanical connection is appropriate. In particular, an anchor element can also be used. Such an anchor element can be designed to create a secure connection with a connecting tape that is not very tear-resistant. For example, the anchor element can have a base plate and a mandrel. The mandrel is passed through the reinforcing tape and connected to the first and/or second connecting element. This creates a sandwich construction in which the base plate of the anchor element lies on one side of the reinforcing tape and the connecting means or a connecting piece for the connecting means lies on the other side of the reinforcing tape. In this way, a secure and good tensile strength connection can be easily made. (The provision of an anchor element of the type described herein for fastening fasteners can also be considered for cushions without reinforcing tape).

The first fastener and the second fastener can be connected directly to each other. It may also be possible to provide an intermediate piece or connecting link. The fasteners can be connected by the connecting link so that the pillow encloses the user's neck. It may be useful to have a connecting link that provides a certain distance between the first and second connectors. A belt, for example, is useful. It is often good if such a section is stretchable and preferably also elastic. For example, a band section, especially a woven band section, is a suitable connecting link. You can also choose a belt section made of leather or silicone.

It is advisable for the connecting link to be connected to the first or the second connecting means in a fixed or difficult to remove way. With the other fastener, the connecting link is easily connected. For easy connection, the connecting link can, for example, have a buttonhole through which a button or a pin or a similar mechanical fastener can be pushed.

Alternatively, the connecting link can also have an intermediate piece so that it is not attached directly to the travel pillow, but at a certain distance from it. The same materials can be chosen as described above for the connecting link. For example, a band can be attached to the tip of one leg of the travel pillow. An anchor plate or other anchorage can be chosen. (The provision of an intermediate piece of the type described here for fastening fasteners is also possible for cushions without a reinforcing band).

Such a band can then support a suitable, for example mechanical, connecting link. A buckle closure is particularly suitable for this purpose. The distance between buckle closure and attachment to the travel pillow can also be variable. In this way a length adjustment can be achieved.

In particular, the first connecting link can be connected to the first leg of the travel pillow with a first strap. The distance between the first connecting means and the first leg of the travel pillow can be adjusted. Usually the length of the strap (or webbing) is varied for this purpose, for example by means of a suitable strap feed-through at the connecting means, e.g. a belt buckle. It can also be useful to connect the second connecting means with a second strap to the second leg of the travel pillow. (The provision of a strap with length adjustment for fastening connecting means can also be considered for pillows without a reinforcing strip).

It is particularly useful if the travel pillow includes an outer cover and a pillow filling. The outer cover gives the pillow support and shape. The cushion filling can be selected independently of the outer cover. This can be used to give the pillow an advantageous feel or color. It is also useful if the receiving space is at least partially enclosed by the cushion filling.

It is also useful if the outer cover has a closable opening. This opening can be closed with a zipper. The opening allows access to the reinforcing tape. This can then be removed or added independently of the filling material.

In the case of a pillow with an outer cover, it is useful if the reinforcing tape is guided inside the outer cover.

The outer cover of the pillow runs on the outside as well as on the inside. It is advisable for the reinforcing tape to run along the outer side. For this purpose, the reinforcing tape can be placed inside the pillow case, adjacent to the outside of the pillow case. The reinforcing tape can also be connected to the inside of the outer cover, for example by gluing or sewing.

The filling of the pillow is then located on the side of the reinforcing tape facing away from the outer cover. The reinforcing tape is usually not connected to the filling.

If the reinforcing tape is led along the outside of the cushion, it is advisable to provide an opening in this area. The opening can be U-shaped on the outside, i.e. it can extend from the first leg of the pillow over the middle part to the second leg of the pillow. The opening follows the U-shape of the cushion. It is also advisable to provide a zipper at an opening of this type, so that the zipper also follows the U-shape over a substantial part of the outside of the outer cover of the pillow.

Further features, but also advantages of the invention, can be seen in the drawings and description below. In the illustrations and the accompanying descriptions, features of the invention are described in combination. However, these features can also be included in other combinations of an object which is subject to the invention. Each disclosed feature must therefore also be considered as disclosed in technically useful combinations with other features. The illustrations are partly slightly simplified and schematic.

FIG. 1 shows a travel pillow according to the present invention in perspective representation;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the travel pillow from FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows the travel pillow from the previous two illustrations in a side view from the opposite side;

FIG. 4 shows a fastening element for fastening a connecting element to the cover of a pillow;

FIG. 5 shows in a top view a suitable connecting element;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of another version of a travel pillow according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a travel pillow according to the invention. It has a U-shape and is therefore well suited as a neck cushion. The travel pillow 10 has a first leg 12, which is the right leg as seen by the person wearing the travel pillow. On the opposite side it has a second leg 14, which is the left leg. Between these two legs lies the middle part 16 of the pillow. The upper side of the pillow has an upper side 18, which faces the head of the wearer when the pillow is worn. Opposite is the bottom side 20 of the cushion 10, which touches the shoulder and/or back of the wearer.

The first leg 12 ends in the first leg tip 22 and the second leg 14 ends in the second leg tip 24.

The two legs are each provided with connecting means in the area of the tips of the legs, namely the first connecting means 26 at the first tip of the leg 22 and the second connecting means 28 at the second tip of the leg 24. The cushion also has a reinforcing band 30. This reinforcing band 30 runs from the first link 26 to the second link 28. The cushion has an outer side 32 and an inner side 34. The inner side 34 faces the wearer's neck when the cushion is worn. It is advisable for the reinforcing tape 30 to run essentially along the outside 32 of the pillow 10. It thus encloses the cushion material in relation to the center of the cushion (in relation to the neck area of the wearer when worn).

Furthermore, it can be seen that a connecting link 36 is provided on the second connecting link 28. The connecting link 36 is designed as a short strap section. This strap section has three unspecified eyelets at one end, which can be connected to the first connecting link 26. By selecting an eyelet, the cushion can be closed further or more tightly. In other words, by selecting the eyelet, the distance between the first leg tip 22 and the second leg tip 24 is determined.

FIG. 2 shows the pillow 10 from FIG. 1 in a side view. The view goes to the outside 32 of the pillow 10, which extends between the top 18 and the bottom 20. In this side view, the second leg tip 24 is visible, in the area of which the second connecting means 28 is provided. The connecting link 36 is attached to the second connecting link 28.

The second connector 28 is attached to the cushion by means of an anchor element 38 whose position is shown in the sketch. The anchor element 38 in turn is connected to the reinforcing strip 30.

FIG. 3 shows the pillow 10 in side view from the opposite direction. The view is again directed to the outside 32 of the pillow. Here, the first leg tip 22 is visible where the first connecting element 26 is provided. The first connecting element 26 is also connected to the pillow by an anchor element 38. The anchor element 38 in turn is connected to the reinforcing tape.

FIG. 4 shows a practical anchor element 38. Such an anchor element comprises the base plate 40 which has a central opening. On one side of the base plate 40 an anchor element 42 can be provided. The shown anchor component 42 is button-shaped and has a pin which can be inserted through the opening in the base plate. This pin can engage in a connecting element 44 and thus establish the connection to it. The connecting element 44 can then serve as a first connecting element or as a second connecting element of the pillow. It is useful if the reinforcing strip 30 is passed in front of or behind the base plate. The reinforcing tape can then also have an opening through which the pin of the anchor element or alternatively the pin of the connecting element 44 is passed. This makes it easy to create a reliable connection. The base plate 40 also ensures that the connecting element 44 is guided stably in the soft pillow. For this purpose, the base plate 40 can nestle against the pillow cover over its entire surface and/or press into the filling material.

FIG. 5 shows an appropriate connecting element 36 which has an anchor eyelet 46. This eyelet can be used to establish a permanent or hardly detachable connection to a connecting element. The connecting link 36 is equipped with additional adjustment eyelets. Three adjustment eyelets 48a, 48b and 48c are provided. Depending on which eyelet is selected for the connection with another connecting link (in FIG. 1 the first connecting link 26), the pillow will be adjusted for a looser or tighter fit.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of another version of a travel pillow according to the invention. The basic shape of the pillow is the same as in FIG. 1, but in this case other connecting means are provided.

In this case, both the first connecting means 26 and the second connecting means 28 are multi-part. The first connecting means 26 comprises a first strap 50. The second connecting means 28 comprises a second strap 52. Both straps are connected with a buckle 54. The strap 50 forms a flap and passes through a first slot (or slotted feed-through) and a second parallel slot. This enables a length adjustment. At least one of the belt guides can be provided with an additional friction surface, which prevents the belt 50 from sliding out of the belt guide of the buckle 54. Opposite the buckle 54 there is a single belt passage. The second strap 52 is led through this passage as a loop. Both ends of the loop are connected with each other. Therefore, on this side, i.e. for the second connecting means 28, the length of the strap cannot be adjusted in relation to the second leg tip 24. The strap can be connected to the second leg 14 of the pillow 10, for example, by sewing or gluing.

A reinforcing plate 56 is also provided here. The ends of the second strap 52 can be attached to this reinforcement plate 56 itself or to the pillow below the reinforcement plate. The reinforcing plate has a slot for the passage of the strap 52. A corresponding reinforcement plate can also be provided on the first leg 12, in particular on the first leg tip 22, and serve to reliably attach the first strap 50. (The provision of a reinforcing plate of the type described herein for fastening fasteners is also possible for pillows/cushions without reinforcing tape).

The buckle 54 is a two-piece buckle. It's one part, for example the male part, together with the first strap 50, forms the first connecting element 26. Its second part, for example the female part, together with the second strap 52, forms the second connecting element 28. As the buckle 54 is only shown in closed condition, the parts of the buckle are not separated and completely visible. A push-in buckle can be equipped with a lateral release device or with a frontal release device.

Instead of a push-in buckle, another typical buckle can be used, for example a clamp buckle or a thorn buckle.

In general, it is useful to use a (webbing) strap and a buckle or buckle part as a fastener. It is also generally useful if at least one of the fasteners has a length adjustment. The length can be adjusted by forming a strap loop and using two slots or similar feed-throughs.

The buckle can be made of plastic or metal. If the buckle is made of metal, it is advisable to use stainless steel, occasionally also brass, aluminium or zinc die-cast. If plastic is used for the buckle, acetal, nylon or polyamide is particularly suitable.

All in all, one can see how a functional and suitable device for mass production can be produced in a cost-effective way, which can be used universally.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

• 10 Neck pillows/travel pillows
• 12 Right leg/first leg
• 14 Left leg/second leg
• 16 Middle section
• 18 Top side
• 20 Bottom side
• 22 First leg tip
• 24 Second leg tip
• 26 First connecting means
• 28 Second connecting means
• 30 Reinforcing strip
• 32 Outer side
• 34 Inner side
• 36 Connecting link
• 38 Anchor element
• 40 Base plate
• 42 Anchor component/anchor knob
• 44 Connecting element
• 46 Anchor eye
• 48 Adjustable eyelet
• 50 First strap
• 52 Second strap
• 54 Plug-in buckle
• 56 Reinforcing plate

Claims

1. A travel pillow (10) configured as a substantially U-shaped neck pillow and having a first leg (12) and a second leg (14) connected by a central portion (16), the first leg (12) terminating in a first leg tip (22) and the second leg (14) terminating in a second leg tip (24), the travel pillow (10) having a circumferential inner side and a circumferential outer side and a top side (18), having a bottom side (20) and a central plane (M), characterized in that the travel pillow (10) has a reinforcing strip (30) which extends from the first leg (12) through the central part (16) to the second leg (14).

2. The travel pillow (10) according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing strip (30) extends from the first leg tip (22) to the second leg tip (24).

3. The travel pillow (10) according to claim 1, in which a first connecting means (26) is provided on the first leg (12) and a second connecting means (28) is provided on the second leg (14), which can be connected to the first connecting means (26), and in which the reinforcing band (30) is connected to the first connecting means (26) and the second connecting means (28).

4. The travel pillow (10) according to claim 1, in which the connection to the reinforcing tape (30) for the first connecting means (26) is made with an anchor element (36).

5. The travel pillow (10) according to claim 1, in which the connection to the reinforcing tape (30) for the second connecting means (28) is made with an anchor element (36).

6. The travel pillow (10) according to claim 1, in which the reinforcing strip (30) is produced as a woven tape.

7. The travel pillow (10) according to claim 1, in which the reinforcing strip (30) is dimensionally stable and has a U-shape.

8. The travel pillow (10) according to claim 1, in which the first connecting means (26) and the second connecting means (28) are connected by the connecting member (36) so that the pillow encloses the neck of a user.

9. The travel pillow (10) according to claim 1, in which the first connecting means (26) is connected to the first leg (12) of the travel pillow (10) by a first strap (50).

10. The travel pillow (10) according to claim 1, in which the distance of the first connecting means (26) to the first leg (12) of the travel pillow (10) is adjustable.

11. The travel pillow (10) according to claim 1, in which the second connecting means (28) is connected to the second leg (14) of the travel pillow (10) by a second strap (52)

12. The travel pillow (10) according to claim 1, comprising an outer cover.

13. The travel pillow (10) according to claim 12, comprising a filling material within the outer cover.

14. The travel pillow (10) according to claim 13, wherein the filling material is foam.

15. Travel pillow (10) according to the claim 13, which comprises a zipper in its outer cover.