Cervical Ergonomic Pillow
An ergonomic pillow has a fabric shell with a filler and a central depression that is sewn with a thread at its bottom such that a thickness along a sewing line is only two layers of the fabric and the sewn thread. A corresponding second central depression is sewn and is situated on opposite side of the ergonomic pillow with a central boat shaped cushion containing filler circumscribed by sewn thread attached to the ergonomic pillow. The boat shaped cushion extends outwards from either depression. The central depression has ovoid sides that curve gently down to the boat shaped cushion.
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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTN/A
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BACKGROUND(1) Field of the Invention
Relating to improvements in devices providing support for the head and neck. More particularly, relating to pillows that cushion, support and position the head and neck in such a fashion to drastically reduce aches and pains resulting from the motion of the head and neck.
(2) Pillows are utilized to avoid discomfort to the human head and neck. A standard pillow is a square or rectangular device having an external shell or case enclosing a filler. The filler is surrounded with a cover or shell made of cloth (cotton, polyester, linen, etcetera) or silk etcetera. Typical fillers are made from foam, synthetic fills, feathers, down, viscoelastic foam and or latex. The choice of pillow is determined by various factors unique to the user. For example, a pillow used by a child would not be the same type of pillow for an adult with a sleep disorder. For this kind of user orthopedic pillows have been developed to correct incorrect postures during sleep. Amongst these are pillows designed to help chronic side sleeping, back sleeping and stomach sleeping problems and thereby provide a preventive measure to avoid aches and pains caused by these types of sleep related behaviors. As medicine has improved so has the understanding of the causes of these disorders and more and more attempts to effectively counter these has led other devices such as the following.
In particular, the Arc4life.com website describes two different types of pillows providing varying degrees of support and relief from aches and pains to the human body. A Traction ‘V’ pillow 100 shown in
In addition to the above mentioned website, various other pillows exist but none appropriately handles the head and neck of an individual to avoid the aches and pains of nighttime sleeping or occasional rest. On another site, neckpainsupport.com there are various other pillows shown. For example,
An ergonomic pillow has a shell made of fabric and a filler enclosed therein and a central depression that is sewn with a thread at its bottom such that a thickness along a sewing line is only two layers of the fabric and the sewn thread. A second central depression that is sewn with a thread at its bottom such that a thickness along a sewing line is only two layers of the fabric and the sewn thread wherein the second central depression is situated on the opposite side of the ergonomic pillow. A cushion containing filler circumscribed by sewn thread attached to the ergonomic pillow and is located at the center of the depressions and shaped as a boat that extends out the cavity of the depressions on either side of the pillow. The corresponding depressions are formed in gently curved shapes.
An ergonomic pillow has a shell made of fabric having a filler enclosed therein. Also, a central depression that is sewn with a thread at its bottom such that a thickness along a sewing line is only two layers of the fabric and the sewn thread has a corresponding second central depression that is sewn with a thread at its bottom such that a thickness along a sewing line is only two layers of the fabric and the sewn thread wherein the second central depression is situated on the opposite side of the ergonomic pillow. There is a cushion containing filler circumscribed by sewn thread attached to the ergonomic pillow wherein the cushion containing filler circumscribed by sewn thread is located at the center of the depression and shaped like a boat. The central depressions are lightly curved shapes that move from the top and bottom surface of the pillow to the sewing line of the central cushion.
An ergonomic pillow has a shell made of fabric having a filler enclosed therein and a central depression that is sewn with a thread at its bottom such that a thickness along a sewing line is only two layers of the fabric and the sewn thread. The central depression further has a boat shaped cushion containing filler circumscribed by sewn thread attached to the ergonomic pillow. There is a second central depression that is sewn with a thread at its bottom such that a thickness along a sewing line is only two layers of the fabric and the sewn thread wherein the second central depression is situated on the opposite side of the ergonomic pillow. The ergonomic pillow has a boat shaped cushion containing filler circumscribed by sewn thread attached to the ergonomic pillow and is also shaped in a boat shape from the perspective of the second central depression such that the boat shape extends into both depressions. Also, both of the central depressions are formed in curved shapes.
The following is a detailed description of an Ergonomic Cervical Pillow that overcomes the deficiencies found in the prior art. In particular, the Ergonomic Cervical Pillow taught herein disallows all six vectors of motion that cause discomfort for the cervical spine. Thus, in using the unique teachings of the preferred embodiment the motions of extension, flexion, bilateral (right, left) rotation and bilateral (right, left) lateral flexion are disallowed and thereby prevented from causing a user of the pillow any aches and pains.
Manufacturing Technique:
In order to create the Ergonomic Cervical Pillow of the instant invention a manufacturer uses the following simple steps:
1—Two pieces of fabric (typically cotton, polyester, linen, etcetera) are cut out of a given larger piece of material to form the shell 300. In this exemplary discussion two pieces of fabric that are 37 in×19 in were utilized.
2—The two pieces are sewn on the borders longitudinally and along one side width forming the basic shape of the shell 300.
3—Fold the material so far created inside out so as to create a bag with one opening that is used to insert filler material 310.
4—On the top piece of material that formed one of the two original two pieces of fabric sew a boat shape to the bottom piece of material that formed the other of the two original pieces of material. Care should be taken to insert filler in the boat shape so formed before completely closing the boat shape. Once sufficient material has been inserted in the boat shape then finishing the sewing of the boat shape between the top and bottom of the two original pieces of material. Thus, both sides of the ergonomic pillow now have a central boat 330 shaped sewn and the bottom 360 and top 340 of the shell 300. It is this shape in combination with an appropriate amount of filler 310 that causes a cavity or depression to be formed for reception of the back of the head. The appropriate amount of filler needed to structure the device is dependent upon the filler type utilized and is determined by routine experimentation. Once the filler 310 is inserted in the bag in step five below the contact point (boat shape sewn piece) hangs half way between the top surface 410 and the bottom surface 420 as shown in
5—Load the pillow with sufficient filler 310 (polyester, foam, synthetic fills, feathers, down, viscoelastic foam and or latex) so as to accentuate the bowl shaped cavities on either side of the pillow.
6—Finally, sew together the remaining side width of the pillow to form the completed device.
Dimensions of an Exemplary Implementation:
Pillow length: 33 inches±0.75 in
Pillow width: 13 inches±0.75 in
Pillow height: 6.5 to 7.5 inches
Head Cradle Lower Length: (Long Length of Pillow) 1.75 inches±0.75 in
Head Cradle Lower Width: 3.5 inches±0.75 in
Head Cradle Upper Length (long length of pillow): 11 inches±0.75 in
Head cradle Upper Width: 7 inches±0.75 in
Length of Side Sleeping Area (right and left): 10 inches±0.75 in
Circumference of Cervical Bolster: 15 inches±0.75 in
Central Cushion height: 0.5 inch
Note: It should be understood that as different values for the pillow height range of 6.5 to 7.5 are used then different values are used for the Central Cushion height and the Depth of the Depressions that are reduced or increased accordingly in a proportional manner.
Back Sleeping Position:
The Ergonomic Cervical Pillow of the instant embodiment uses two primary structures as well as an extension bolster portion to prevent aches and pains from developing in the neck and head region of a user. These two structures are namely, a ‘head cradle’ form and a ‘neck bolster’ form. In particular, since the head is positioned in the center of the pillow in a deep depression a head ‘cradling’ effect is created that maintains the head in a neutral position. This localization comfortably maintains the head by disallowing for cervical and upper thoracic lateral flexion or rotation. A critical component of the cradle effect is the deep depth of the cavity or depression formed in the pillow that forbids the aforementioned painful motions. The thickness of the pillow permits all of this as it is much wider then the ordinary pillow being 6.5 in to 7.5 inches. The same bowl shaped depression that serves to cradle the head also serves to have a neck bolster structure as discussed previously. Thus, a sleep can maintain cervical lordorsis and sleep without improperly straightening or bowing of the spine in an incorrect fashion.
Because of the novel teachings of the Ergonomic Cervical Pillow taught herein a user can expect to have little or no aches and pains as a result of improper positioning of the neck and head. This because the improvements taught herein disallow all six vectors of motion that cause discomfort for the cervical spine. Thus, in using the unique teachings of the preferred embodiment the motions of extension, flexion, bilateral rotation and bilateral lateral flexion are disallowed and thereby prevented from causing a user of the pillow any aches and pains.
The invention has thus been described in such clear and precise terms as to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. Further, while there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the instant invention it is to be appreciated that the invention may be embodied otherwise than is herein specifically shown and described and that, within said embodiment, certain changes may be made in the form without departing from the underlying ideas or principles of this invention as set forth in the Claims appended herewith.
Claims
1. An ergonomic pillow comprising:
- a shell made of fabric having
- a filler enclosed therein and
- a central depression that is sewn with a thread at its bottom such that a thickness along a sewing line is only two layers of the fabric and the sewn thread.
2. The ergonomic pillow of claim 1 further comprising:
- a second central depression that is sewn with a thread at its bottom such that a thickness along a sewing line is only two layers of the fabric and the sewn thread wherein the second central depression is situated on the opposite side of the ergonomic pillow.
3. The ergonomic pillow of claim 1 further comprising:
- a cushion containing filler circumscribed by sewn thread attached to the ergonomic pillow.
4. The ergonomic pillow of claim 3 wherein the cushion containing filler circumscribed by sewn thread is located at the center of the depression.
5. The ergonomic pillow of claim 3 wherein the cushion containing filler is formed in the shape of a boat.
6. The ergonomic pillow of claim 2 further comprising:
- a cushion containing filler circumscribed by sewn thread attached to the ergonomic pillow.
7. The ergonomic pillow of claim 6 wherein the cushion containing filler circumscribed by sewn thread is located at the center of the depression.
8. The ergonomic pillow of claim 6 wherein the cushion containing filler is formed in the shape of a boat.
9. The ergonomic pillow of claim 1 such that the central depression is formed in a curved shape.
10. The ergonomic pillow of claim 2 such that the second central depression is formed in a curved shape.
11. An ergonomic pillow comprising:
- a shell made of fabric having
- a filler enclosed therein
- a central depression that is sewn with a thread at its bottom such that a thickness along a sewing line is only two layers of the fabric and the sewn thread and
- a second central depression that is sewn with a thread at its bottom such that a thickness along a sewing line is only two layers of the fabric and the sewn thread wherein the second central depression is situated on the opposite side of the ergonomic pillow.
12. The ergonomic pillow of claim 11 further comprising:
- a cushion containing filler circumscribed by sewn thread attached to the ergonomic pillow.
13. The ergonomic pillow of claim 8 wherein the cushion containing filler circumscribed by sewn thread is located at the center of the depression.
14. The ergonomic pillow of claim 11 wherein the cushion containing filler is formed in the shape of a boat.
15. The ergonomic pillow of claim 11 such that the central depression is formed in a curved shape.
16. The ergonomic pillow of claim 11 such that the second central depression is formed in a curved shape.
17. An ergonomic pillow comprising:
- a shell made of fabric having
- a filler enclosed therein
- a central depression that is sewn with a thread at its bottom such that a thickness along a sewing line is only two layers of the fabric and the sewn thread and
- a boat shaped cushion containing filler circumscribed by sewn thread attached to the ergonomic pillow.
18. The ergonomic pillow of claim 17, further comprising:
- a second central depression that is sewn with a thread at its bottom such that a thickness along a sewing line is only two layers of the fabric and the sewn thread wherein the second central depression is situated on the opposite side of the ergonomic pillow.
19. The ergonomic pillow of claim 18, wherein the boat shaped cushion containing filler circumscribed by sewn thread attached to the ergonomic pillow is also shaped in a boat shape from the perspective of the second central depression and extends into both depression cavities.
20. The ergonomic pillow of claim 19, such that the central depressions are formed in curved shapes.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 2, 2012
Publication Date: Jul 4, 2013
Inventor: Jarrett Grunstein (Palm Harbor, FL)
Application Number: 13/342,195
International Classification: A47G 9/10 (20060101);