Headrest for protecting a hairstyle

Abstract

A headrest for protecting a hairstyle of a user including a base portion and a head-supporting portion extending substantially horizontally from an upper surface of the base portion. The head-supporting portion includes a support surface and at least three finger members that extend substantially vertically from a peripheral edge of the support surface. The first and second finger members are located opposite one another and extend upward past the cheeks of the user. The third finger member extends upward from the distal end of the support surface past the back of the head of the user.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/128,454 filed May 21, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

People often spend large amounts of time and/or money to have their hair styled in a particular manner. However, sleeping can be a difficult act for a person after recently having his or her hair styled, particularly if the person wishes to protect and maintain the recent hair styling. Sleeping on traditional pillows can quickly and easily mess up a person's hair, thus ruining the new style on which the person may have spent much time and/or money.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for protecting and maintaining a person's hair style while the person sleeps.

To attain the above object, according to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a headrest for protecting a hairstyle of a user including a base portion and a head-supporting portion extending substantially horizontally from an upper surface of the base portion. The head-supporting portion includes a support surface and at least three finger members that extend substantially vertically from a peripheral edge of the support surface. The first and second finger members are located opposite one another and extend upward past the cheeks of the user. The third finger member extends upward from the distal end of the support surface past the back of the head of the user.

Preferably, the head-supporting portion is deflectable in relation to the base portion.

The deflection is preferably achieved by connecting the head-supporting portion to the base portion by at least one spring element.

Preferably, the deflection may also be achieved by portions of the headrest comprising a material that permits elastic deflection of the head-supporting portion in relation to the base portion. The material is preferably a polymer or rubber.

Preferably, the finger members of the head-supporting portion are flexible.

The support surface of the head-supporting portion is preferably shaped to comport with the back of the head of the user, and preferably further comprises cushioning material.

Preferably, the head-supporting portion and the base portion are integrally formed.

The base portion preferably comprises at least two support members and a supportive pillow.

These and other exemplary features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other exemplary purposes, aspects and advantages will be better understood from the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 illustrating the flexibility of the finger-like extensions of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows a user resting her head on the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 shows a user after lifting her head from the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 with her hairstyle intact.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1-6, there are shown exemplary embodiments of the apparatus according to the present invention.

FIGS. 1-6 show an exemplary embodiment of the headrest 10 for protecting and maintaining a hairstyle. The headrest 10 includes a head-supporting portion 12 and a base portion 14. Preferably, the head-supporting portion 12 and base portion 14 are integrally formed together to embody a unitary apparatus.

The base portion 14 provides a sturdy and durable support for the head-supporting portion 12. Preferably, the base portion 14 includes at least two support members 16a, 16b and a supportive pillow 18 to support the neck and back of the user 24.

The support members 16a, 16b maintain the head supporting portion 12 at a height above the sleeping surface that is anatomically appropriate and may be designed to maximize the aesthetic appeal of the headrest 10. For example, as shown in the figures, the support members 16a, 16b may have an oval shape.

The supportive pillow 18 is designed to properly support the neck and back of the user 24 when utilizing the headrest 10. Preferably, as shown in the figures, the supportive pillow is wedge-shaped and tapers upwardly toward the head-supporting portion 12 to improve such support. The supportive pillow 18 may made of any appropriate material. Preferably, the supportive pillow 18 is made of soft and comfortable, yet supportive, material to enhance the comfort of the user 24.

The head-supporting portion 12 extends substantially horizontally from an upper surface of the base portion 14. Preferably, the head-supporting portion 12 is deflectable in relation to the base portion 14 for enhanced comfort and adjustability. For example, the head supporting portion 12 may sit on spring elements integrated into the base portion 14 and/or head-supporting portion 12 to allow for movement. Also, by way of example, portions of the headrest 10 may be made of a bendable, rubber or polymeric material that permits the desired amount elastic deflection of the head-supporting portion when the headrest 10 is used.

The head-supporting portion 12 provides the necessary support for the user's head when the headrest 10 is being used. Preferably, the head supporting portion 12 includes a support surface 20 and at least three finger members 22a, 22b, 22c extending substantially vertically from the peripheral edge of the support surface 20.

The support surface 20 is preferably shaped to comport with the back of a human head to maximize comfort. The support surface may also include additional cushioning to increase the comfort of the user 24.

The finger members 22a, 22b, 22c provide further support for the user's head and maintain the position of the user's head while they sleep. Two finger members 22a and 22b are located opposite one another and extend upward past where the user's cheeks would be, in order to provide lateral support to the user's head. The third finger member 22c extends from the distal end of the support surface 20 with respect to the base portion 14 and provides additional support to the back of the user's head. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 4, all the finger members 22a, 22b, 22c are flexible and enable the device to accommodate and properly support a wide range of users and hairstyles.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the headrest being utilized by a user 24. The headrest 10 is set on a bed or other surface upon which the user 24 intends to sleep. The user 24 then lies on her back and places her head inside of the head-supporting portion 12 of the headrest 10. The support surface 20 and finger members 22a, 22b, 22c head supporting portion 12 gently maintain the user's head is a substantially fixed position, and the support pillow 14 provides support to the user's neck and back. In this manner, the headrest 10 allows the user 24 to sustain a comfortable sleeping position while maintaining the look and style of her hair.

While the invention has been described in terms of several exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Further, it is noted that, Applicant's intent is to encompass equivalents of all claim elements, even if amended later during prosecution.

Claims

1. A headrest for protecting a hairstyle of a user comprising:

a base portion;

a head-supporting portion extending substantially horizontally from an upper surface of said base portion; and

said head supporting portion comprising a support surface and at least three finger members, said finger members extending substantially vertically from a peripheral edge of said support surface;

wherein a first and second finger member are located opposite one another and extend upward past the cheeks of said user, and a third finger member extends upward from the distal end of said support surface past the back of the head of said user.

2. The headrest of claim 1, wherein said head-supporting portion is deflectable in relation to said base portion.

3. The headrest of claim 2, wherein said head-supporting portion is connected to said base portion by at least one spring element.

4. The headrest of claim 2, wherein portions of said headrest comprise a material that permits elastic deflection of the head-supporting portion in relation to said base portion.

5. The headrest of claim 4, wherein said material comprises a polymer or a rubber.

6. The headrest of claim 1, wherein said finger members are flexible.

7. The headrest of claim 1, wherein said support surface is shaped to comport with the back of the head of said user.

8. The headrest of claim 1, wherein said support surface further comprises cushioning material.

9. The headrest of claim 1, wherein said head-supporting portion and said base portion are integrally formed.

10. The headrest of claim 1, wherein said base portion comprises at least two support members.

11. The headrest of claim 1, wherein said base portion comprises a supportive pillow.