Patents by Inventor Bret Randall

Bret Randall has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10863836
    Abstract: A pillow relies on a shell containing two types of fill material, one comparatively smaller, granular, and characterized by a comparatively larger spring constant, and another comparatively larger, more chunky in shape, and characterized by a comparatively smaller spring constant. Below a threshold level of force (or pressure, which is force per unit area) the larger, softer, second fill material resists flow of the smaller, harder, stiffer fill material. However, upon application of a force (or pressure) above some threshold, the mixture of the two fill materials will flow to conform the pillow to the shape of a user. The pillow will then substantially stabilize in that shape in the absence of forces above the threshold level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Inventor: Bret Randall
  • Patent number: 10835064
    Abstract: A CPAP pillow relies on a shell shaped to provide large reservoirs of fill particles near or against the shoulders of a user and around and under the neck. The system and method uncouple the spring forces supporting a user from the forces used to configure the shape of the pillow in use. Thus, a user can fit the pillow to the body profile in three dimensions with substantially no residual pre-loading to cause discomfort, pressure points, or unsupported regions. The pillow supports, contacts, and cradles the head and neck. It accommodates shoulder intrusion without moving the pillow away from supporting the neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Inventor: Bret Randall
  • Publication number: 20200323369
    Abstract: A pillow relies on a shell containing two types of fill material, one comparatively smaller, granular, and characterized by a comparatively larger spring constant, and another comparatively larger, more chunky in shape, and characterized by a comparatively smaller spring constant. Buckwheat hulls or polymeric granules with concavities or flutes may serve as the smaller granules and chunks of expanded elastomeric polymer may serve as larger granules. Below a threshold level of force (or pressure, which is force per unit area) the larger, softer, second fill material resists flow of the smaller, harder, stiffer fill material. However, upon freefall or else application of greater than threshold pressure, the pillow will conform non-resiliently to the gravity or pressure, and then remain in that shape, even under the pressure of the head and neck of a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventor: Bret Randall
  • Publication number: 20200000255
    Abstract: A CPAP pillow relies on a shell shaped to provide large reservoirs of fill particles near or against the shoulders of a user and around and under the neck. The system and method uncouple the spring forces supporting a user from the forces used to configure the shape of the pillow in use. Thus, a user can fit the pillow to the body profile in three dimensions with substantially no residual pre-loading to cause discomfort, pressure points, or unsupported regions. The pillow supports, contacts, and cradles the head and neck. It accommodates shoulder intrusion without moving the pillow away from supporting the neck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventor: Bret Randall
  • Patent number: 10349765
    Abstract: A CPAP pillow relies on a shell shaped to provide large reservoirs of fill particles near or against the shoulders of a user and around and under the neck. The system and method uncouple the spring forces supporting a user from the forces used to configure the shape of the pillow in use. Thus, a user can fit the pillow to the body profile in three dimensions with substantially no residual pre-loading to cause discomfort, pressure points, or unsupported regions. The pillow supports, contacts, and cradles the head and neck. It accommodates shoulder intrusion without moving the pillow away from supporting the neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Inventor: Bret Randall
  • Publication number: 20180078061
    Abstract: A CPAP pillow relies on a shell shaped to provide large reservoirs of fill particles near or against the shoulders of a user and around and under the neck. The system and method uncouple the spring forces supporting a user from the forces used to configure the shape of the pillow in use. Thus, a user can fit the pillow to the body profile in three dimensions with substantially no residual pre-loading to cause discomfort, pressure points, or unsupported regions. The pillow supports, contacts, and cradles the head and neck. It accommodates shoulder intrusion without moving the pillow away from supporting the neck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventor: Bret Randall
  • Publication number: 20180028352
    Abstract: A CPAP pillow relies on a shell shaped to provide large reservoirs of fill particles near or against the shoulders of a user and around and under the neck. The system and method uncouple the spring forces supporting a user from the forces used to configure the shape of the pillow in use. Thus, a user can fit the pillow to the body profile in three dimensions with substantially no residual pre-loading to cause discomfort, pressure points, or unsupported regions. The pillow supports, contacts, and cradles the head and neck. It accommodates shoulder intrusion without moving the pillow away from supporting the neck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventor: Bret Randall
  • Publication number: 20150000042
    Abstract: A pillow relies on a shell containing two types of fill material, one comparatively smaller, granular, and characterized by a comparatively larger spring constant, and another comparatively larger, more chunky in shape, and characterized by a comparatively smaller spring constant. Below a threshold level of force (or pressure, which is force per unit area) the larger, softer, second fill material resists flow of the smaller, harder, stiffer fill material. However, upon application of a force (or pressure) above some threshold, the mixture of the two fill materials will flow to conform the pillow to the shape of a user. The pillow will then substantially stabilize in that shape in the absence of forces above the threshold level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: Bret Randall
  • Publication number: 20100200001
    Abstract: A CPAP pillow relies on a shell shaped to provide large reservoirs of fill particles near or against the shoulders of a user and around and under the neck. The system and method uncouple the spring forces supporting a user from the forces used to configure the shape of the pillow in use. Thus, a user can fit the pillow to the body profile in three dimensions with substantially no residual pre-loading to cause discomfort, pressure points, or unsupported regions. The pillow supports, contacts, and cradles the head and neck. It accommodates shoulder intrusion without moving the pillow away from supporting the neck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventor: Bret Randall
  • Patent number: D785370
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventor: Bret Randall