Head Support

Abstract

A head support made from an adjustable loop of bendable material comprising a top and a bottom portion, the bottom portion being connected to the top portion for supporting the top portion when the bottom portion is disposed against a user's chest. The top portion comprising two side portions, each side portion having a length sufficient to extend rearward from a user's chin at least as far as the user's cheekbone and at least partially extending above a bottom portion of the user's jaw.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of the filing of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/575,917, entitled “The NAPP BUDDEE”, filed on Aug. 31, 2011, and the specification and claims thereof are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention (Technical Field)

The present invention relates to portable head supports, and more particularly to a head support that supports a user's head in an upright, ergonomically correct, comfortable position, preventing the user's head from falling forward or laterally while sleeping in a sitting position. Additionally, embodiments of the present invention are shock absorbent, since a user's head and vertebrae can align properly, providing a feeling of weightlessness and aid in stabilizing a user's head in any type of shock or sudden velocity change.

2. Description of Related Art

Head support devices are widely used by travelers. However, none of the head support devices currently in the market effectively prevent the user's head from tilting forward or laterally at the same time, which naturally occurs while sleeping in a sitting position, or avoid putting pressure on the carotid arteries, jugular veins, or the trachea. In addition, most known devices are held in place with the aid of a neck strap that puts forward pressure on the user's upper neck region causing discomfort and possibly injuring the vertebrae. Also, most devices interfere with the user's carotid arteries, jugular veins, or trachea such that when the user falls asleep, the devices put pressure against them.

Embodiments of the present invention solve this problem by providing apparatuses that comprise a shape that folds around a user's chin with sides having a length sufficient to extend rearward from a user's chin at least as far as a user's cheekbone and at least partially extending above a bottom portion of the user's jaw, effectively preventing the user's head from tilting forward or laterally while sleeping in a sitting position. Additionally, embodiments of the present invention comprise one or more straps attached to the apparatuses, which extend over the user's back and hold the apparatuses in place when the user reclines against a seat pressing against the straps.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention comprise head supports comprising an adjustable loop comprising a bendable material comprising a top and a bottom portion, the bottom portion being connected to the top portion for supporting the top portion when the bottom portion is disposed against a user's chest. The top portion comprises two side portions, each side portion having a length sufficient to extend rearward from a user's chin at least as far as the user's cheekbone and at least partially extending above a bottom portion of the user's jaw.

In one embodiment, the head support comprises one or more straps for extending behind the user's back. The one or more straps can be disposable over a user's back for holding the head support in place when the user reclines against a seat, thereby pressing against the one or more straps. The one or more straps can be between approximately 10 inches and approximately 80 inches in length and can optionally comprise a grip-like material to inhibit them from slipping when the user is reclining against them. Further, the one or more straps can comprise a weight disposed at an end of the strap that enables the strap to be dropped into place behind a user's back.

In one embodiment, the head support's bendable material can comprise a wire of between approximately 7 gauge and approximately 14 gauge. The wire can be covered with a polymer foam material or other type of material that can be between approximately 0.5 inches and approximately 5 inches in diameter. The material can be resilient, and/or wipeable, and/or moisture impermeable. Alternatively, the material can be covered with a washable fabric cover.

In one embodiment, the head support's bendable material can be between approximately 30 inches and approximately 48 inches in length. Optionally, an embodiment of the head support can comprise shoulder resting extensions to hold the head support in place.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will be set forth in part in the detailed description to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating one or more preferred embodiments of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective side view of the embodiment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 2, with the opposite side being significantly similar;

FIG. 5 is a perspective back view of the embodiment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a back view of the embodiment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is another embodiment of back straps for holding a head support;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a chin pocket; and

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the loop showing a foam material surrounding a wire core.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of embodiments of the invention, not limitation of the invention.

As used throughout this specification and claims, the term resilient means returning to the original form or position after being bent, compressed, or stretched. As used throughout this specification and claims, the term “grip-like” means a material that possesses a sufficient degree of friction that confers to the material the property of being non-slippery.

Moreover, as used throughout this specification and claims, the term wire means a slender, string-like piece or filament, either of a single filament or of several filaments woven or twisted together, of relatively rigid or flexible metal, usually circular in section, manufactured in a great variety of diameters and metals depending on its application.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, a head support 10 is shown comprising chin area 12, sides 14, base 16, and one or more straps 18. Head support 10 may be formed from looped bendable material. The loop is bent at its top portion to form chin area 12, wherein chin area 12 is capable of receiving a user's face and maintaining the user's head in an upright position, preventing the user's head from falling forward while the user sleeps in a sitting position. Optionally, chin area 12, or a portion of it can be distinctly shaped to create chin pocket 13 to improve comfort. The loop does not interfere with a user's hair or make up on a user's face. The loop is adjustable and moldable to any type of head or face.

Sides 14 bending a length sufficient to extend rearward from a user's chin at least as far as a user's cheekbone, and at least partially extending above a bottom portion of the user's jaw to prevent the lateral movement of the user's head.

The bottom portion of the loop can preferably be shaped to form base 16. Base 16 is preferably connected to the top portion for supporting the top portion preferably when the bottom portion is disposed against a user's chest.

In one embodiment, the flexible material can comprise a wire, preferably between approximately 7 gauge and approximately 14 gauge.

In one embodiment the wire is preferably covered with a polymer or other type of foam material. The material can be applied through injection molding, or extrusion, or any other appropriate manner, or simply placed around the wire. The material can preferably be resilient. In one embodiment the foam material is between approximately 0.5 inches and approximately 5 inches in diameter. The material can be wipeable and impermeable to moisture, and can preferably be manufactured in a variety of colors. Chin pocket 13 can optionally be manufactured of the same or a similar material for comfort. FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of chin pocket 13 that can be manufactured separately and then combined with the head support. FIG. 10 shows one embodiment of the present invention where wire 15 is surrounded by material 17.

In another embodiment, a washable, removable fabric cover is disposed on top of the material.

One embodiment of the invention comprises one or more straps 18 that are connected to the loop, preferably to sides 14, and that are extendable over the user's back for holding the apparatus in place when the user reclines against a seat, thereby pressing against the one or more straps. Straps 18 can preferably be between approximately 10 inches and approximately 80 inches in length.

Straps 18 are placed over the user's back and hold the apparatus in place when the user reclines against a seat pressing against straps 18. Straps 18 can be covered with a grip-like material, or a grip-like material can be adhered to straps 18 to help prevent straps 18 from slipping while the apparatus is being used.

In one embodiment, straps 18 are sewn together beginning at between approximately 5 and approximately 60 inches from their side most proximate to the loop, in order to create a wider single strap 18 for improved contact at its most distal end from the loop, between a user's lower back and a seat.

In yet another embodiment, a small weight disposed at an end of the strap to enable the strap to be dropped into place behind a user's back. The strap itself can be manufactured from a weighed material or material can be added to the strap that has a grip like property.

FIG. 8 illustrates a different embodiment of the straps where two straps can attached to the sides of a head support and then join to make a wide joint whereon a user can recline to hold a head support in place. A large joint like the one illustrated in FIG. 8 can have, but does not necessarily need, weights added to it because of the weight of the material.

In another embodiment, head support 20 comprises backward extensions at the sides of base 22, forming shoulder resting extensions 24 to hold support 20 in place. See FIG. 7. Shoulder resting extensions 24 can optionally be formed of the same material employed to form the loop of head support 20. Optionally, resting areas 24 can be made of a material that is bendable and so that they can be shaped to best fit the user.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The invention is further illustrated by the following non-limiting examples.

Example 1

A head support was manufactured by shaping a loop made with approximately forty two inches of 9 gauge wire covered with a resilient polymer foam/rubber material approximately 2 inches in diameter. A removable micro-fiber cover with sewn Velcro was secured on top of the foam. The loop's top portion was shaped to form a chin area, where the chin area was capable of receiving a user's face and maintain the user's head in an upright position, preventing the user's head from falling forward while sleeping in a sitting position. The sides of the top portion of the loop were extended rearward from a user's chin above the user's jaw to the cheekbone to prevent the lateral movement of the user's head. The loop's bottom portion was shaped to form a wide base capable of resting on the user's upper chest between the clavicle area.

Fifty five inch straps were sewn to the sides of the top portion, and sewn together twenty six inches from their bottom ends to create a wider strap toward the user's lower back. A small weight was placed at the end of this wider strap at the farthest point from the loop.

The head support was very comfortable and provided a feeling of weightlessness when sleeping in an upright position. The head support did not interfere with the hairdo or make up of the users. When used during road traveling, the head support was shock absorbent when the vehicle hit a bump or during a sudden stop. Because the head support did not interfere with the user's carotid arteries, jugular veins, or trachea, the user's did not experience any adverse effects such as dizziness, or headaches.

The preceding examples can be repeated with similar success by substituting the generically or specifically described reactants and/or operating conditions of this invention for those used in the preceding examples.

Note that in the specification and claims, “about” or “approximately” means within twenty percent (20%) of the numerical amount cited.

Although the invention has been described in detail with particular reference to these preferred embodiments, other embodiments can achieve the same results. Variations and modifications of the present invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications and equivalents. The entire disclosures of all references, applications, patents, and publications cited above are hereby incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. A head support comprising:

an adjustable loop comprising a bendable material comprising a top and a bottom portion, said bottom portion connected to said top portion for supporting said top portion when said bottom portion is disposed against a user's chest; and

said top portion comprising two side portions, each side portion having a length sufficient to extend rearward from a user's chin at least as far as said user's cheekbone and at least partially extending above a bottom portion of said user's jaw.

2. The head support of claim 1 further comprising one or more straps for extending behind the user's back.

3. The head support of claim 2 wherein said one or more straps are disposable over said user's back for holding said head support in place when said user reclines against a seat, thereby pressing against said one or more straps.

4. The head support of claim 1 wherein said bendable material comprises a wire.

5. The head support of claim 4 wherein said wire has a size between approximately 7 gauge and approximately 14 gauge.

6. The head support of claim 4 wherein said wire is covered with a polymer foam material.

7. The head support of claim 6 wherein said polymer foam material is between approximately 0.5 inches and approximately 5 inches in diameter.

8. The head support of claim 6 wherein said polymer foam material is resilient.

9. The head support of claim 6 wherein said polymer foam material is wipeable.

10. The head support of claim 6 wherein said polymer foam material is moisture impermeable.

11. The head support of claim 1 wherein said bendable material is between approximately 30 inches and approximately 48 inches in length.

12. The head support of claim 2 wherein said one or more straps are between approximately 10 inches and approximately 80 inches in length.

13. The head support of claim 12 wherein said one or more straps comprise a grip-like material to inhibit them from slipping when said user is reclining against them.

14. The head support of claim 10 wherein each of said one or more straps comprises a weight disposed at an end of said strap that enables said strap to be dropped into place behind a user's back.

15. The head support of claim 1 wherein said head support comprises a washable fabric cover.

16. The head support of claim 1 further comprising shoulder resting extensions to hold said head support in place.