Patents by Inventor W. Preston Willingham

W. Preston Willingham 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: 11583115
    Abstract: A cover for a cushioning element, such as a pillow, volume adjustable. The cover includes one or more gathering elements that can alter a length and a volume of the cover. Each gathering element may extend around an end of the cover (e.g., circumferentially, helically around a circumference of the cover, etc.). Each gathering element may enable adjustment of the length and volume of the cover in extremely small increments or even continuously (i.e., in micro adjustments). The length and volume of the cover may be adjusted in a manner that limits or prevents migration of a cushioning element (e.g., an infill material, etc.) within the cover. A cushion, such as a pillow, may include a volume-adjustable cover with a cushioning element therein. Methods for adjusting the manner in which a cushioning element supports, molds around, underfills, and/or backfills a load and its form are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Inventor: W Preston Willingham
  • Patent number: 11291319
    Abstract: A method for adjusting a cushioning element, such as a pillow, by adjusting a length and a volume of a cover of the pillow. The cover includes one or more gathering elements that can alter the length and the volume of the cover. Each gathering element may extend around an end of the cover. Each gathering element may enable adjustment of the length and volume of the cover in extremely small increments or even continuously (i.e., in micro adjustments). Micro-adjustment of the length and volume of the cover may enable adjustment of a position and/or an orientation of at least one endpoint of a closed kinematic chain of an individual's spine, which may provide control over a curvature of the spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Inventor: W. Preston Willingham
  • Publication number: 20210378424
    Abstract: A cover for a cushioning element, such as a pillow, volume adjustable. The cover includes one or more gathering elements that can alter a length and a volume of the cover. Each gathering element may extend around an end of the cover (e.g., circumferentially, helically around a circumference of the cover, etc.). Each gathering element may enable adjustment of the length and volume of the cover in extremely small increments or even continuously (i.e., in micro adjustments). The length and volume of the cover may be adjusted in a manner that limits or prevents migration of a cushioning element (e.g., an infill material, etc.) within the cover. A cushion, such as a pillow, may include a volume-adjustable cover with a cushioning element therein. Methods for adjusting the manner in which a cushioning element supports, molds around, underfills, and/or backfills a load and its form are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventor: W Preston Willingham
  • Publication number: 20210298498
    Abstract: A method for adjusting a cushioning element, such as a pillow, by adjusting a length and a volume of a cover of the pillow. The cover includes one or more gathering elements that can alter the length and the volume of the cover. Each gathering element may extend around an end of the cover. Each gathering element may enable adjustment of the length and volume of the cover in extremely small increments or even continuously (i.e., in micro adjustments). Micro-adjustment of the length and volume of the cover may enable adjustment of a position and/or an orientation of at least one endpoint of a closed kinematic chain of an individual's spine, which may provide control over a curvature of the spine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventor: W. Preston Willingham
  • Patent number: 11033126
    Abstract: A cover for a cushioning element, such as a pillow, volume adjustable. The cover includes one or more gathering elements that can alter a length and a volume of the cover. Each gathering element may extend around an end of the cover (e.g., circumferentially, helically around a circumference of the cover, etc.). Each gathering element may enable adjustment of the length and volume of the cover in extremely small increments or even continuously (i.e., in micro adjustments). The length and volume of the cover may be adjusted in a manner that limits or prevents migration of a cushioning element (e.g., an infill material, etc.) within the cover. A cushion, such as a pillow, may include a volume-adjustable cover with a cushioning element therein. Methods for adjusting the manner in which a cushioning element supports, molds around, underfills, and/or backfills a load and its form are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Inventor: W. Preston Willingham
  • Patent number: 5887951
    Abstract: An orthopedic device intended to be contacted by the lower pelvic region of a seated user, the device principally involving a foundation member comprising a central bowl portion serving to receive the lower pelvic region of the seated user. The central bowl portion is integrally connected to a front lip-like portion intended to be contacted by the under thighs of the seated user. The central bowl portion is also bounded by an upwardly inclined rear portion and a pair of upwardly curving side portions closely related with the central bowl portion. The side portions curve upwardly somewhat higher than the central bowl portion and serve to interconnect the rear portion with the front, lip-like portion. The weight of the seated user causes the side portions to move inward and upward so as to cup around the lower pelvic region of the seated user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Inventor: W. Preston Willingham
  • Patent number: 5111366
    Abstract: A cap for displaying information on the front thereof, this cap comprising a crown portion adapted to be worn on the head of the user and having a front section, with the front section having an opening therein. Adjacent this opening is a panel-supporting arrangement, with this panel-supporting arrangement being configured to receive a panel of transparent material and to support same adjacent the opening. The transparent panel is illuminated from its edge, with a battery supplying the power for the illumination arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: Gift Asylum, Inc.
    Inventors: Guerin D. Rife, W. Preston Willingham
  • Patent number: 4709928
    Abstract: A circular game board foldable into thirds for storage, comprising a circular playing surface bounded by a generally tubular member affixed around the periphery of the playing surface. An elongate spring-like member is disposed in the tubular member, and an appropriate device is used for securing the ends of the spring-like member together so as to create an endless ring. This spring-like member is preferably in the form of a length of thin metal or plastic, whose ends have been joined together after insertion into the tubular member to form the endless ring serving to keep the playing surface taut. Quite advantageously, the game board is readily foldable into a smaller configuration for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1987
    Inventor: W. Preston Willingham