ACCESSORY FOR HEAD REST IN LYING POSITION

Abstract

The present invention relates to an accessory (1) for supporting the head (T) of a recumbent individual (I), in particular while said individual is sleeping, said accessory being characterized in that it comprises a base (2) that is substantially rigid and that supports at least one first cushion (3) for resting the head in the supine position, and at least one second cushion (4, 5) for resting the head in the laterally recumbent position, said second cushion being positioned on a substantially rigid plate (8, 9) that is carried by a coupling arm (6, 7) extending from the base (2) along an axis that is perpendicular to the base and to the plate (8, 9), the plate being mounted on the arm (6, 7) in a manner suitable for being pivotable about the axis of the arm, which arm maintains a spacing (E, E′) between the plate (8, 9) and the base (2), making it possible for an arm (B) of the individual to pass between the base and the plate when the head (T) of the individual is placed on the second cushion (4, 5) carried by the plate (8, 9).

Description

The present invention relates to an accessory for supporting the head of an individual in a recumbent posture, in particular while the individual is sleeping. The accessory of the invention finds a preferred application in the field of comfort while sleeping, and of preventing and of easing certain pathologies related to positions being taken up that are uncomfortable and/or traumatizing for certain portions of the spine or of the shoulders, in particular.

Initially, such pathologies are generally mild and localized, but if they are not treated, or in relatively elderly people, they can become genuinely traumatic, both during and after sleep.

By way of example, mention might be made of neck pain, e.g. wryneck, or indeed contusion of muscle or of cartilage in the shoulder, or even sleep apnea, snoring, or lumbar trouble.

Numerous accessories are already known from the state of the art for addressing and treating such problems. In particular, a large number of pillows are known, of various shapes, structures, and materials, some even being referred to as “ergonomic” or as “shape-memory” pillows. By way of example, mention might be made, in particular, of pillows as described in Documents WO-0238013 Al, FR 2 825 602, or indeed EP 0 373 520.

Unfortunately, those various pillows are ineffective in relieving joint pain, in particular of the cervical vertebrae and of the shoulder, because they do not adapt sufficiently or correctly to match the morphologies of the individuals who use them in all of the positions taken up during sleep, in particular in the two main sleeping positions constituted by the supine position and the laterally recumbent position, sometimes curled up in the “fetal” position. In particular, existing pillows do not make it possible to support the head appropriately in an on-the-side sleeping position because their heights are often insufficient, thereby causing a misalignment or angulation at the cervical vertebrae relative to the remainder of the spine. For this reason, it is frequent for sleeping individuals to pass one arm under their pillow in order to raise it to an appropriate height, thereby generally giving rise to uncomfortable positions, and to shoulder pain due to crushing and contortion of those joints during sleeping.

In view of the drawbacks of the prior art head-supporting devices and accessories, a first object of the invention is to propose an accessory for resting and supporting the head of an individual in a recumbent position, in particular while the individual is sleeping, that procures ergonomic support for the head and for the individual, regardless of the recumbent sleeping position, in particular regardless of whether the individual is sleeping on his or her back or on his or her side.

Another object of the invention is to procure an accessory that makes it possible to hold the head in a satisfactory sleeping position, regardless of the successive changes of position of the individual while he or she is sleeping.

Another object of the invention is also to procure an accessory that not only offers excellent comfort and holds the head ergonomically during sleep, but also makes it possible to reduce the phenomena of the shoulder being crushed in the laterally recumbent position and to reduce the pain related thereto.

Another object of the invention is to provide an accessory for holding the head that can adapt to match the morphologies of the individuals who use it, while also preserving identical holding and ergonomic qualities.

To achieve these various objects, the invention provides an accessory for supporting the head of a recumbent individual, in particular while said individual is sleeping, said accessory being characterized in that it comprises a base that is substantially rigid and that supports at least one first cushion for resting the head in the supine position. The accessory further comprises at least one second cushion for resting the head in the laterally recumbent position, said second cushion being positioned on a substantially rigid plate that is carried by a coupling arm extending from the base along an axis that is perpendicular to the base and to the plate. Advantageously, the plate of the second cushion is mounted on the arm in a manner suitable for being pivotable about the axis of the arm, which arm maintains a spacing E between the plate and the base, making it possible for an arm of the individual to pass between the base and the plate when the head of the individual is placed on the second cushion carried by the plate.

The head-supporting accessory of the invention thus procures not only a first cushion that is of small thickness, and thus that is suitable for receiving the head and for sleep in the supine position without painful stressing of the cervical vertebrae, but also a side cushion that is raised and that is angularly positionable relative to the first cushion. Said second cushion procures comfortable and ergonomic support for the head in the laterally recumbent position, the fact that the second cushion is raised making it possible both to compensate for the height of the shoulder so as to maintain the head in alignment with the spinal column, but also, if the user so desires, for the user to pass an arm under the second cushion so as to find a comfortable sleeping position without having the head pressing on the shoulder.

According to a first characteristic of the invention, the accessory is particularly advantageous when it further comprises adjustment means for adjusting the spacing E between the plate for supporting the second cushion and the base of the accessory. Said adjustment means make it possible, in particular, to adjust the spacing between the plate and the base over the range 5 centimeters (cm) to 25 cm, and preferably over the range 5 cm to 15 cm, so as to adjust the position of the second cushion relative to the first cushion, so that said second cushion can support the head properly in alignment with the remainder of the spinal column when the individual using the accessory while sleeping is in a laterally recumbent position, his or her shoulder giving rise to an offset between the axis of the spinal column of the individual and the plane in which the body of the individual is resting on the bed, which offset is then compensated by adjusting the height of the second cushion on its plate.

According to another preferred characteristic of the invention, the coupling arm of the plate supporting the second cushion is secured to or integral with the base, and is disposed tangentially to one side of a first cushion resting on the base.

Also according to the invention, the adjustment means for adjusting the spacing E between the base and the plate carrying the second cushion are, preferably, incorporated in the coupling arm for coupling the plate to the base, thereby making it possible to improve the simplicity of construction, the complexity, and the weight of the accessory of the invention.

More particularly, in a preferred embodiment, the adjustment means for adjusting the spacing E between the base and the plate for supporting the second cushion comprise screw means that are coaxial with the coupling arm for coupling the plate to the base, the screw means simultaneously constituting means for pivoting the plate relative to the first cushion and to the base about the axis of the coupling arm for coupling the plate to the base.

Such screw means thus make it possible, simply and directly in the coupling arm between the base and the plate for supporting the second cushion, to achieve two of the essential functions of the accessory of the invention, namely adjusting the height of the second cushion for supporting the head in the laterally recumbent position relative to the first cushion positioned on the base, and procuring a space between the base and the second cushion so as to enable an arm to pass through, while also enabling the second cushion to be angularly positionable relative to the base and to the first cushion, in such a manner as to enable the head and the cervical vertebrae to be aligned with the remainder of the spinal column, regardless of the laterally recumbent position of the individual using the accessory.

In a variant embodiment, the coupling arm for coupling the plate to the base may also be a telescopic arm, the adjustment means for adjusting the spacing E between the base and the plate then comprising snap-fastening or cottering means suitable for co-operating with orifices formed in the telescopic portions of the coupling arm. In which case, it is also necessary to provide means for enabling the plate to move in rotation relative to the base in order to allow the second cushion to be suitably angularly positioned relative to the first cushion for excellent comfort of the individual using the accessory of the invention.

In yet another variant embodiment, the adjustment means for adjusting the spacing E may also comprise at least one actuator that is preferably a pneumatic or an electric actuator and that co-operates with suitable control and drive means, such as, for example, a manual remote control making it possible to act reversibly on the actuator.

According to another preferred characteristic of the invention, the head-supporting accessory has two cushions positioned symmetrically on either side of the first cushion, and positioned on respective ones of two plates themselves carried above the base by respective ones of two coupling arms extending perpendicularly to the base and to the plates, each coupling arm holding the respective plate at a spacing relative to the base, each of the two plates also being mounted on its respective coupling arm in a manner suitable for being pivotable about the axis of said coupling arm relative to the first cushion and to the base.

The accessory of the invention then has a three-part structure having three cushions, a central first cushion laid flat on the base, for the purpose of a supporting the head of an individual lying on the back, and two side cushions that are raised on respective plates, each plate being spaced apart from the base and from the first cushion, and being mounted to pivot relative to the base and to the first cushion, the two side cushions being dedicated to supporting the head of an individual when said individual is placed in the laterally recumbent position, optionally in the fetal position, the two side cushions enabling the head and the cervical vertebrae to be aligned with the remainder of the spine, while also enabling an arm to pass between the base and one of the side pillows.

In this three-part embodiment of the accessory of the invention, said accessory further comprises adjustment means for adjusting the spacing between the base and each of the plates for supporting the two side cushions, in particular adjustment means as defined above, of the screw type or of some other type.

Also advantageously, it is also desirable for those portions of the base and of the plates that carry cushions for supporting the head to be provided with perforations suitable for enabling the cushions to sink partially into the base and/or into the plate(s), when the head of an individual is pressing on the cushion in question, thereby markedly improving the flexibility and the comfort of the support procured by the cushions.

Other characteristics and advantages of the accessory of the invention appear from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the accessory of the invention, given with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an accessory of the invention for supporting the head of an individual in a recumbent position;

FIG. 2 is a view that is analogous to the FIG. 1 view and that is an exploded view showing the accessory of the present invention for supporting the head of an individual in a recumbent position;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the accessory of FIGS. 1 and 2 in an in-use configuration, showing the head of an individual supported on the accessory and on the cushions thereof in the various recumbent posture sleeping positions of the individual, lying on the back or on the side;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the accessory of FIGS. 1 and 2, showing the possibility for angular mobility of the side cushions of the accessory of the invention relative to the central cushion for supporting the head in the supine position;

FIG. 5 shows a variant embodiment of the accessory of the invention including dividers-type coupling arms for the side cushion plates;

FIG. 6 shows a variant embodiment of the accessory of the invention including linkage-type coupling arms for the side cushion plates;

FIG. 7 shows a variant embodiment of the accessory of the invention including coupling arms mounted in slideways for the side cushion plates;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the position for resting the head of an individual in the supine position on the support accessory of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the in-use position of the accessory as used for supporting the head of a sleeping individual in a laterally recumbent position;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a recumbent individual in the fetal position with the head resting on a side cushion of the accessory of the invention; and

FIG. 11 is a side view of a recumbent individual in the fetal position with the head resting on a side cushion of the accessory of the invention.

A head-supporting accessory of the present invention is shown in a preferred embodiment in FIGS. 1 and 2 respectively as assembled, and in an exploded view.

The accessory 1 constitutes a kind of three-body cushion comprising, on a stabilization base 2, a central first cushion 3 resting on a central portion 2₁ of the base 2 and flanked symmetrically by two side cushions 4, 5, each of which is raised relative to the central cushion 3 by means of a respective coupling arm 6, 7 that, via its bottom end, is secured to or integral with a respective end portion 2₂ of the stabilization base of the accessory 1, and, via its top end, is secured to or integral with a respective plate 8, 9 for supporting a respective one of the side cushions 4, 5 and to which said side cushion 4, 5 is fastened by any suitable means.

The base 2, the coupling arms 6, 7, and the support plates 8, 9 of the side cushions are preferably made of a material presenting sufficient rigidity not to bend, twist, or indeed break under the repeated forces applied by the head of an individual resting against one of the cushions 3, 4, 5 of the accessory 1 while the individual is sleeping. By way of example, the base 2, the coupling arms 6, 7, and the plates 8, 9 of the accessory 1 may be made of a metal material, e.g. steel, or preferably aluminum or indeed, in preferred manner, of a thermoplastic material such as, for example, polypropylene, high-density polyethylene, or indeed acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

The central cushion 3 and the right and left side cushions 4 and 5 are preferably of thickness e that is relatively small in comparison to conventional cushions and pillows as known in the state of the art. This thickness e advantageously lies in the range 5 cm to 10 cm at the maximum, the component material of the cushions preferably being a synthetic material foam whose density and flexibility properties, in particular, may be variable and chosen as a function of the preferences of the various individuals who use the accessory. However, the foam used and the thickness thereof should be chosen to be sufficient to avoid the individual perceiving any contact with the base 2 or with the side plates 8, 9 through the cushions when the individual rests his or her head on one of the cushions 3, 4, 5 of the accessory 1.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the base 2 and the plates 8, 9 for supporting the side cushions 4, 5 are of substantially plane and rectangular shape, and of small thickness compared with the thickness of the cushions 3, 4, 5 of the accessory 1. Such a plane rectangular shape for the base 2 is particularly advantageous, although not essential, for procuring good stability for the accessory 1 while in use, such use taking place in the majority of cases on a mattress that, by definition, presents a certain amount of flexibility. Thus, in order to present appropriate stability on all types of mattress, the base 2 of the accessory 1 of the invention in the preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying figures preferably has a length L measured between the opposite ends of the two end portions 2₂ of the base 2 that lies in the range 500 millimeters (mm) to 900 mm, and a width k measured in a direction perpendicular to the length L of the base that preferably lies in the range 140 mm to 220 mm.

Such a length L of the base 2 makes it possible both to obtain an accessory having optimum stability while in use for supporting the head of a recumbent individual, and also to make the accessory easy to place and adaptable to accommodate any type of “standard” single or double mattress, the widths of such “standard” mattresses conventionally lying in the range 70 cm to 200 cm.

In addition, it should be noted that, in the invention, the width k of the base 2 is not necessarily constant everywhere along the base. Said width k may, in particular, differ between the central portion 2₁ of the base 2 on which the central cushion 3 rests and the end portions 2₂ that support the right and left side cushions 4 and 5 via the coupling arms 6, 7 and via the plates 8, 9. However, even if the width of the end portions 2₂ and the width of the central portion 2₁ of the base 2 differ depending on the chosen implementation of said base, it is preferable, for each of the portions 2₁, 2₂ of the base 2 to comply with a width l lying in the above-defined range of 140 mm to 200 mm.

In accordance with a first essential characteristic of the accessory of the invention, the coupling arms 6, 7 support the plates 8, 9 at some distance above the base 2, so that the two right and left side cushions 4, 5 are situated higher than the central cushion 3 of the accessory 1 in a manner such that, when an individual is lying on one side, as shown, for example, in FIG. 3 in ghost lines and in FIG. 9 in uninterrupted lines, the higher situations of the side cushions compensate for the height of the shoulder so as to support the head T at a height sufficient to maintain the cervical vertebrae of the spine in alignment with the remainder of the spinal column of the individual I. Said coupling arms 6, 7 thus holding the first plate 8 on which the right side cushion 4 rests at a spacing E, and holding the second plate 9 supporting the left side cushion 5 at a spacing E′ relative to the base 2 of the accessory 1, the spacing values E, E′ preferably lying in the range 5 cm to 25 cm, and more preferably lying in the range 5 cm to 15 cm.

In particularly advantageous manner and in accordance with a preferred characteristic of the invention, the coupling arms 6, 7 have adjustment means for adjusting the heights E, E′ of the plate 8 for supporting the right side cushion and of the plate 9 for supporting the left side cushion, thereby enabling the two side cushions 4, 5 dedicated to supporting the head T of an individual lying on one side to be moved vertically as indicated, for example, by the double-headed arrow Fl in FIG. 3.

As shown in particular in FIGS. 3, 10, and 11, said adjustment means make it possible to adjust the spacing E, E′ so that, when a user I lying in a recumbent posture on one side with the head T pressed against the right or the left one of the side cushions 4, 5 of the accessory 1, the head T of said user is properly aligned on the axis Dc of his or her spinal column without there being any misalignment in the neck of the individual that might cause neck pain.

Such adjustment means are adapted to adjust the spacing E, E′ appropriately to leave a space between the base 2 and each of the side cushions 4, 5, which empty space makes it possible, as shown in FIG. 6, for an arm B of the individual to pass under the side cushion 4, 5 on which the individual is resting his or her head.

In addition, in accordance with another essential characteristic of the invention, and as shown in FIG. 4, the plates 8, 9 for supporting the right and left side cushions 4, 5 of the accessory 1 are mounted on their respective coupling arms 6, 7 suitably for enabling them to pivot about the respective longitudinal axes of said arms, as indicated by the double-headed arrows F2 and F3 in FIG. 4, in a manner such as to enable the side cushions to be angularly positioned relative to the base 2 of the accessory 1, and also relative to the central cushion 3. The side cushions should be allowed to be angularly positioned by pivoting in this way through an angular sector from 0° and ±45° relative to the normal position of the side cushions. This advantageously makes it possible for a user individual to choose the optimum position for support by the side cushions 4, 5 of the user's head when the user is lying on one side, regardless of the relative positioning of the remainder of the user's body relative to the accessory, and, in particular, regardless of the contortions of the user's body, such as, for example, when the individual I is in a “fetal” position. Thus, the possibility of angular positioning of the side cushions enables the individual to present an area of his or her head being supported that is sufficient to be able to maintain a comfortable position while he or she is sleeping, even in the “fetal” position.

In a preferred embodiment, the adjustment means for adjusting the spacing E, E′ formed by the coupling arms 6, 7 between the base 2 and the support plates 8, 9 of the side cushions 4, 5 are advantageously incorporated in the coupling arms and make it possible simultaneously to adjust the side cushions 4, 5 angularly in rotation relative to the longitudinal axes of said coupling arms 6, 7.

To this end, the adjustment means are advantageously constituted by screw means constituting, for example, a nut-and-bolt system comprising, for example, a tapped tubular sleeve 10, 11 secured to or integral with one of the end portions 2₂ of the base 2 and co-operating with a threaded rod 12, 13 that, via one of its ends, is secured to or integral with one of the plates 8, 9 for supporting the side cushions 4, 5. In this configuration, it is then possible to screw the threaded rods 11, 12 into the tubular sleeves 10, 11 or to unscrew said threaded rods therefrom by turning the plates 8, 9 and the cushions that they support respectively clockwise and anticlockwise in order to adjust the spacing E, E′ between the base 2 and the plates 8, 9, and, simultaneously, in order to adjust the angular positioning of the plates and thus of the cushions that they support in order to obtain support for the head T that is appropriate as a function of the recumbent position of an individual I who is a user of the accessory 1.

It should be noted that, in the above-described embodiment, in which the adjustment means for adjusting the spacing E, E′ are constituted by screw means 10, 11, 12, 13 that are secured either to the base 2 or to the plates 8, 9, both the tapped tubular sleeves 10, 11 that are secured to or integral with the end portions 2₂ of the base 2, and also the threaded rods 12, 13 that are secured to or integral with the plates 8, 9 are mutually associated by any suitable means known to the person skilled in the art, and may, in particular, be formed integrally, e.g. by molding, or else be made up of individual parts that are assembled together, e.g. by welding, screw-fastening, or indeed interfitting engagement, and the embodiment shown in the exploded view of FIG. 2 is not limiting on the various embodiments of the invention.

In addition, it is quite possible to consider using other means of adjusting the spacing E, E′ between the base and the plates 8, 9, and other means for pivoting the plates and the side cushions about the longitudinal axes of the coupling arms between the base 2 and the plates 8, 9. By way of example, as means for adjusting the length of the coupling arms 6, 7 and thus for adjusting the spacing E, E′, it is possible, in particular, to use single-acting or double-acting mechanical or electrical actuators associated with suitable control means, or indeed arms made up of short telescopic rods of length that can be set by cotter pins or pegs, e.g. inserted into orifices provided for this purpose inside the various sections of the telescopic rods making up the coupling arms.

In the same way, as means for pivoting the side cushions 4, 5 and their plates about the axes of their respective coupling arms 6, 7, it is also possible to consider using any types of means for assembling the plates in rotation to their coupling arms, or indeed means for assembling the coupling arms in rotation to the base 2, and in particular pivot-mount means optionally associated with means for guiding in rotation such as rolling or other bearings that are optionally lubricated.

In order to procure greater mobility for the side cushions 4, 5 relative to the base 2 and to the central cushion 3, it is also possible to provide other variants for mounting the plates 8, 9 for supporting said side cushions 4, 5 onto their coupling arms 6, 7.

In a first variant, it is possible, in particular, to provide a dividers-type coupling hinge, or indeed, if the variant has a plurality of branches, to provide a linkage-type hinge, between the top end of the coupling arm 6, 7 and the plates 8, 9, as shown respectively in FIGS. 5 and 6.

It is possible, as shown in FIG. 7 and as a variant to or in addition to the above-described constructions, to make provision to install the bases of the coupling arms 6, 7 of the plates 8, 9 in straight or circular slideways formed in the end portions 2₂ of the base 2 so as to enable the coupling arm to be positioned appropriately as a function of the comfort of the user of the accessory 1 of the invention.

In accordance with another preferred characteristic of the invention, it is also possible to make provision for the central cushion and for the right and left side cushions 4, 5 to be mounted removably on the central portion 2₁ of the base 2 of the accessory 1 of the invention, and on the support plates 8, 9. This makes it possible, advantageously, to replace each of the cushions 3, 4, 5 as a function of their state of wear, or indeed as a function of their damping flexibility properties, depending on the desires of the individuals who use the accessory of the invention. For example, it is possible to make provision to supply different kits of cushions having different properties at the time of sale or independently of the sale of the accessory of the invention, each user choosing a particular type of cushion as a function of what he or she prefers for his or her own comfort.

Although not shown in the accompanying figures, it is also possible and advantageous to provide central recesses in the central portion 2₁ of the base for supporting the central cushion 3 and in the middles of the support plates 8, 9 for supporting the side cushions 4, 5, in order to improve further the comfort properties of the accessory 1 of the invention by enabling the cushions 3, 4, 5 to sink partially into the central portion of the base 2₁ and into the plates 8, 9 so as to procure improved flexibility of support of the head for a user individual, regardless of the recumbent position and of the rest position of his or head on the cushions of the accessory of the invention.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show, more particularly, in detail, how the accessory of the invention for supporting the head 1 is used. FIG. 8 shows an individual I lying on his or her back in a sleeping position. In this position, the head T of the individual should be supported and held substantially flat in alignment with the back of the individual in order to avoid excessive stress on the cervical vertebrae in the neck. That is why, in this position, the head T of the individual is then placed on the central cushion 3 of the accessory 1 of the invention, which central cushion 3 has a small thickness such that, once the head is resting on it, the individual I is not subjected to any force from the cushion 3 on the head that tends to urge said head to pivot towards the chest, but rather said head is held flat with a normal curve of the cervical spine relative to the remainder of the spinal column, thereby making it possible to avoid both neck pain and sleep apnea and/or snoring in the individual lying on his or her back in this way.

Conversely, if the individual prefers to lie on one side while sleeping, as shown in FIG. 9, said individual then rests his or her head on one of the raised side cushions 4, 5 carried by their plates 8, 9 with a spacing E, E′ relative to the base of the accessory 1 of the invention. As a function of the morphology of the individual I, said individual may, before falling asleep, use the adjustment means to adjust the spacing E, E′ between the side cushions 4, 5 and the base, so that the position of the individual is as comfortable as possible for sleeping, the spacing E, E′ generally corresponding to the width of the individual from the shoulder to the head. The individual I may also adjust the angular positioning of the side cushions 4, 5 as shown in FIG. 4 by pivoting the cushions about the longitudinal axes of the coupling shafts 6, 7 of the plates for supporting the side cushions, in order to be able to place his or her head exactly in alignment with the remainder of his or her spinal column, while also lying on one side, optionally curled up in the “fetal” position. In addition, the space formed by the spacing E, E′ between the base 2 of the accessory of the invention and the side cushions 4, 5 also makes it possible for the individual to pass his or her arm B under the side cushion on which he or she is resting his or her head (under the cushion 4 in FIG. 9), thereby enabling the individual to lighten considerably the forces due to the weight of his or her body on his or her shoulder, and thus to reduce considerably the potential pain in his or her shoulder.

It should also be noted that, during the same sleeping phase, it is possible for an individual I to go without difficulty from a supine position, with the head T resting on the central cushion 3 of the accessory 1, to a laterally recumbent position with the head resting on one of the side cushions 4, 5. Even if there is no material continuity between the central cushion 3 and the side cushions 4, 5, going from one to the other is entirely natural when the individual I pivots from a supine position to a laterally recumbent position and vice versa by a lever effect of the shoulder on which the individual presses in order to go from one position to another. This change of position is much easier than with conventional pillows because of the relative rigidity of the various portions of the accessory 1 that constitute bearing surfaces for the head, against which surfaces the head can roll on going from a supine position to a lateral position and vice versa, whereas usually, the head tends to remain sunk into the pillow while only the body pivots from one position to the other.

The accessory 1 of the present invention thus enables a user to obtain support for the head during sleep that offers performance and is ergonomic regardless of the sleeping position, while also guaranteeing that the head is held appropriately relative to the remainder of the spinal column of the user, and that any forces that the head and the body apply against the shoulders and the arms in the laterally recumbent position are lightened, thereby making it possible to reduce very significantly the pain and injuries due to uncomfortable sleeping positions in the cervical vertebrae and in the shoulders, in particular.

Claims

1. An accessory (1) for supporting the head (T) of a recumbent individual (I), in particular while said individual is sleeping, said accessory being characterized in that it comprises a base (2) that is substantially rigid and that supports at least one first cushion (3) for resting the head in the supine position, and at least one second cushion (4, 5) for resting the head in the laterally recumbent position, said second cushion being positioned on a substantially rigid plate (8, 9) that is carried by a coupling arm (6, 7) extending from the base (2) along an axis that is perpendicular to the base and to the plate (8, 9), the plate being mounted on the arm (6, 7) in a manner suitable for being pivotable about the axis of the arm, which arm maintains a spacing (E, E′) between the plate (8, 9) and the base (2), making it possible for an arm (B) of the individual to pass between the base and the plate when the head (T) of the individual is placed on the second cushion (4, 5) carried by the plate (8, 9).

2. An accessory according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises adjustment means for adjusting the spacing (E, E′) between the plate for supporting the second cushion and the base of the accessory.

3. An accessory according to claim 1, characterized in that the spacing (E, E′) between the plate (8, 9) and the base (2) is adjustable over the range 5 cm to 25 cm, and preferably over the range 5 cm to 15 cm.

4. An accessory according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling arm (6, 7) for coupling the plate to the base is secured to or integral with the base, and is disposed tangentially to one side of a first cushion (3) resting on the base.

5. An accessory according to claim 2, characterized in that the adjustment means for adjusting the spacing (E, E′) are incorporated in the coupling arm (6, 7) for coupling the plate to the base.

6. An accessory according to claim 2, characterized in that the adjustment means for adjusting the spacing (E, E′) comprise screw means (10, 11, 12, 13) that are coaxial with the coupling arm (6, 7) for coupling the plate to the base, the screw means simultaneously constituting means for pivoting the plate relative to the first cushion (3) and to the base (2) about the axis of the coupling arm for coupling the plate to the base.

7. An accessory according to claim 2, characterized in that the coupling arm (6, 7) for coupling the plate (8, 9) to the base (2) is a telescopic arm and in that the adjustment means for adjusting the spacing (E, E′) between the base and the plate comprise snap-fastening or cottering means suitable for co-operating with orifices formed in the telescopic portions of the coupling arm.

8. An accessory according to claim 2, characterized in that the adjustment means comprise at least one actuator that is preferably a pneumatic or an electric actuator and that co-operates with suitable control and drive means.

9. An accessory according to claim 1, characterized in that it has two cushions (4, 5) positioned symmetrically on either side of the first cushion (3), and positioned on respective ones of two plates (8, 9) themselves carried above the base (2) by respective ones of two coupling arms (6, 7) extending perpendicularly to the base and to the plates, each coupling arm (6, 7) holding the respective plate (8, 9) at a spacing (E, E′) relative to the base (2), each of the two plates (8, 9) also being mounted on its respective coupling arm (6, 7) in a manner suitable for being pivotable about the axis of said coupling arm relative to the first cushion (3) and to the base.

10. An accessory according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises adjustment means for adjusting the spacing (E, E′) between the base (2) and each of the plates (8, 9) for supporting the two side cushions (4, 5), and further wherein the adjustment means for adjusting the spacing (E, E′) comprise screw means (10, 11, 12, 13) that are coaxial with the coupling arm (6, 7) for coupling the plate to the base, the screw means simultaneously constituting means for pivoting the plate relative to the first cushion (3) and to the base (2) about the axis of the coupling arm for coupling the plate to the base, and/or the coupling arm (6, 7) for coupling the plate (8, 9) to the base (2) is a telescopic arm and in that the adjustment means for adjusting the spacing (E, E′) between the base and the plate comprise snap-fastening or cottering means suitable for co-operating with orifices formed in the telescopic portions of the coupling arm, and/or the adjustment means further comprise at least one actuator that is preferably a pneumatic or an electric actuator and that co-operates with suitable control and drive means.

11. An accessory according to any claim 1, characterized in that portions of the base (2) and of the plate(s) (8, 9) are provided with recesses suitable for enabling the cushions (3, 4, 5) to sink partially into the base and/or into the plate(s) when the head of an individual is pressed on one of said cushions.

12. An accessory according to claim 1, characterized in that the base (2) presents a length L lying in the range 500 mm to 900 mm, and a width l lying in the range 140 mm to 200 mm.

13. An accessory according to claim 1, characterized in that each cushion (3, 4, 5) is removable from the base (2) or from the plate (8, 9) on which it rests.