HEAD SUPPORT

Abstract

A head support generally including a support structure and a platform. The support structure includes an upper portion and a lower portion that are coupled to each other at an acute angle. The platform includes a guide path configured to receive a fastener at least partially therethrough. The platform is further coupled to the support structure with the threaded fastener. The platform is configured to engage a chin of a user, while the lower power of the support structure is configured to engage the chest of the user so as to support the user's head. The platform is also configured to move along the upper portion of the support structure through a range of motion defined at least in part by the guide path. The fastener is configured to selectively prevent sliding of the platform relative to the support structure.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/602,744, filed Feb. 24, 2012. The contents of this application are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to the orthotic devices and, more particularly, to a head support. Many existing head support are limited in their ability to adjust for different people having different physical characteristics (e.g., height, weight, strength, etc.). This lack of adjustability may be problematic, for example, by causing discomfort to a user or by requiring that manufacturers provide different sized or custom fit supports to accommodate different users.

SUMMARY

According to an exemplary embodiment, a head support generally includes a support structure and a platform. The support structure includes an upper portion and a lower portion that are coupled to each other at an acute angle. The platform includes a slot, channel or similar pathway configured to receive a threaded fastener at least partially therethrough. The platform is further coupled to the support structure with the threaded fastener. The platform is configured to engage a chin of a user, while the lower power of the support structure is configured to engage the chest of the user so as to support the user's head. The platform is also configured to move along the upper portion of the support structure through a continuous range of motion defined at least in part by the pathway. The threaded fastener is configured to selectively prevent sliding of the platform relative to the support structure.

The foregoing is a summary and thus by necessity contains simplifications, generalizations, and omissions of detail. Consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of the devices and/or processes described herein, as defined solely by the claims, will become apparent in the detailed description set forth herein and taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of a head support according to an exemplary embodiment positioned on a user.

FIG. 2 is an upper perspective view of the head support according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a lower perspective view of a portion of the head support according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a portion of the head support according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring generally to the Figures, and according to an exemplary embodiment, a wearable support 10 is configured to support a person's head, while still allowing the person to move their head relative to other portions of their body (e.g., left to right, up and down, etc.). More particularly, the wearable head support 10 includes a support structure or frame 20 and a platform or chin plate 40, the platform 40 being configured to engage the person's chin and the support structure 20 being configured to flex and distribute at least a portion of the weight of the person's head to the person's chest.

The support structure 20 includes an upper portion 22 and a lower portion 32, the two of which are arranged at an acute angle relative to each other. The upper portion 22 is configured to support the platform 40 and to be positioned generally under the user's chin, while the lower portion 32 is configured to engage the upper portion of a user's chest to distribute weight thereto.

The upper portion 22 of the support structure includes a left upper member 24 and a right upper member 26, each of which are configured to extend generally forward in a parallel manner from positions adjacent each side of a person's neck and which are connected by a laterally-extending intermediate upper member 28. The lower portion 32 includes a left lower member 34 and a right lower member 36, which are configured to extend generally forward and downward in a parallel manner from positions adjacent each side of the person's neck. The left lower member 34 and the right lower member 36 may further be interconnected and/or covered with padding 38. The left upper member 24 and left lower member 34 are interconnected by a left spring hinge 37, and the right upper member 26 and right lower member 36 are interconnected by a right spring hinge 39, such that the upper portion 22 and lower portion 32 are arranged at an acute angle and may flex relative to each other (i.e., the upper portion 22 and the lower portion 32 are arranged in a spring relationship).

The support structure 20 comprises a unitary bent wire formed from a spring steel, with the spring hinges 37, 39 being formed from one or more coils of the spring steel. According to other exemplary embodiments, the support structure 20 may be configured in other manners including, for example, with multiple components (e.g., non-unitary members and/or spring hinges interconnected with fasteners, adhesives, welding, or other mechanisms), different materials (e.g., other metals, plastics, composites, etc.), different manufacturing methods (e.g., molding, stamping, etc), and the like.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the platform 40 is positioned on the upper portion 22 of the support structure 20 so as to be positionable below the chin of a user. The platform 40 is a generally planar, rigid structure of sufficient size and shape to support a user's chin through a range of motion (i.e., as the user turns his or her head left to right). For example, the platform 40 may be crescent-shaped to provide a posterior recess to accommodate the user's neck or throat and to reduce anterior material to minimize cumbersomeness, while still providing a surface for supporting the user's chin. The platform 40 may be cut from an extruded sheet of plastic material, and the platform may also be configured to couple to a similarly-shaped cushion or pad 71, such as with hook and loop fasteners 72. According to other exemplary embodiments, the platform 40 may be configured in other manners including, for example, with a different profile (e.g., contoured to receive a user's chin, or otherwise non-planar), different shape, different material (e.g., metal, composite, wood, etc.), different manufacturing process (e.g., molding, stamping, etc.), and the like.

The platform 40 is configured to adjustably mount to the upper portion 22 of the support structure 20, so as to accommodate different users according to their size, shape, comfort, and other considerations. More particularly, the platform 40 is configured to slide toward or away from the user's neck along the support structure 20.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the platform 40 is mounted to the upper portion 22 of the support structure 20 using one or more brackets or clips and one or more corresponding threaded fasteners. More particularly, the platform 40 is coupled to the support structure 20 by way of a left bracket 54, a right bracket 56, and an intermediate bracket 58, which are configured to couple to the left upper member 24, right upper member 26, and intermediate upper member 28, respectively, of the support structure 20.

As depicted in FIG. 3, the left bracket 54 and the right bracket 56 are each configured to be coupled to the platform 40 in a predefined position and to slide axially relative along the support structure 20 (i.e., along the left upper member 24 and right upper member 26 toward or away from the user). Furthermore, the left bracket 54 and the right 56 may generally prevent lateral movement (i.e., left and right) between the platform 40 and the support structure 20. The intermediate bracket 58 is configured to slide relative to the platform 40 and to be coupled to a generally constant position on the intermediate member 28. Furthermore, the intermediate bracket 58 may be held or locked into position relative to the platform 20 (as discussed in further detail below) to prevent axial movement (i.e., forward and backward) between the platform 40 and the support structure 20. Collectively, the brackets 54, 56, and 58 may also be configured to prevent rotation of the platform 40 relative to the upper portion 22 of the support structure.

Taking left bracket 54 as a representative example of brackets 54, 56, 58 (i.e., right and intermediate brackets 56 and 58 are configured in a similar manner), the left bracket 54 includes a guide slot or guide aperture 54a configured to receive the corresponding upper left member 24 of the support structure 20 therein and to slide relative thereto. The left bracket 54 also includes one or more extensions (e.g., 54b and 54c) configured to be coupled to the platform 40. For example, the left bracket 54 may be cut from a plastic extrusion having a lower extension or tab 54b and an upper extension or tab 54c positioned adjacent each other so as to define the guide slot 54a therebetween. The extensions 54b, 54c of the left bracket 54 may be spread apart so as to receive the left upper member 24 of the support structure 20 within the guide slot 54a thereof. Furthermore, the extensions or tabs 54b, 54c may include holes (not shown) configured to receive at least a portion of the threaded fastener 64a, 66a and/or a corresponding threaded grommet or nut 64b, 66b therein. According to other exemplary embodiments, the left, right and intermediate brackets 54, 56, and 58 may be configured in other manners including, for example, with different materials (e.g., metals, composites, etc.), different manufacturing methods (e.g., molding, stamping, bending, etc.), non-identical form (e.g., different shape, size, materials, etc. for left, right, and intermediate brackets 54, 56, and 58), different coupling methods (e.g., without a grommet, direct engagement with a fastener, adhesives, etc.), and the like.

In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-4, the platform 40 includes left fixed position apertures 44 and right fixed position apertures 46. Taking a left fixed position aperture 44 as a representative example (with the right fixed position aperture 46 being configured in a similar manner), the left fixed position apertures 44 are configured to receive the corresponding threaded fastener 64a and cooperatively threaded grommet or nut 64b at least partially therethrough for coupling the corresponding left bracket 54 to the platform 40 in a fixed position. According to other exemplary embodiments, the left bracket 54 and the right bracket 56 may be configured to be coupled to the platform 40 in fixed positions in other manners including, for example, with direct engagement of the threaded fasteners 54a, 56a with the platform 40 (e.g., without a grommet or nut), permanent fasteners (e.g., rivets), adhesives, etc. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the platform 40 may include more than one left and right fixed position aperture 44, 46 on each side, such that the corresponding left and right bracket 54, 56 may be decoupled and re-coupled to a different pre-defined location on the platform 40. Alternatively, a single left fixed position aperture 44 and a single right fixed position aperture 46 may be included. In a still further embodiment, the left and right fixed position apertures 44, 46 could each be replaced by a single channel or slot (such as the channel or slot 48 discussed below).

According to an exemplary embodiment, the platform 40 includes a guide path, for example in the form of a channel or slot 48, that is generally parallel with the left upper member 24 and right upper member 26 of the support structure 20. The slot 48 is configured to receive a fastener (a threaded fastener 68a as depicted in the Figures) and cooperatively threaded grommet 68b at least partially therethrough. The slot 48, threaded fastener 68a, and threaded grommet 68b are cooperatively configured to allow the threaded fastener 68a and grommet 68b to slide or otherwise move within the slot, such that the intermediate upper member 28 and intermediate bracket 58 may move in unison relative to the platform 40 (i.e., along the slot 48). Simultaneously, the left bracket 44, right bracket 46, and platform 40 will move in unison relative to the support structure 20 (i.e., along the left upper member 24 and right upper member 26).

For example, the threaded grommet 68b may include a flange configured to engage the upper surface of the platform 40 proximate the slot 48, and an interior threaded portion configured to extend at least partially into the slot 48. The interior threaded portion of the grommet 68b may further include a smooth outer surface configured to engage inner surfaces of the slot 48, while also allowing sliding therebetween. The threaded fastener 68a may, for example, be a thumb screw having a head portion configured to engage the lower extension 58b of the intermediate bracket, and an exterior threaded portion configured to extend through the hole of the extensions of the intermediate bracket 58 and at least partially into the slot 48 so as to engage the grommet 68b. The threaded fastener 68a may be tightened (e.g., turned by hand or with an allen wrench) to the grommet 68b so as to compress the platform 40 and the intermediate bracket 58 between the head of the threaded fastener 68a and the flange of the grommet 68b. This action enables the holding of the platform 40 in a fixed position relative to the support structure 20. Similarly, the threaded fastener 68a may be loosened from the grommet 68b to allow the platform 40 to slide or otherwise move relative to the support structure 20 inwardly (i.e., toward the user) or outwardly (i.e., away from the user). This permits for very fine adjustment of the platform 40 relative to the support structure 20, thereby enabling a more comfortable and customized fit for the user. This is in contrast, for example, to a system where a user can only select one of several individual holes for use in positioning the platform 40 relative to the support structure 20, in which case the wearable support 10 may have a poorer and less comfortable fit for the user.

According to other exemplary embodiments, the slot 48, threaded fastener 68a, and grommet 68b may be configured in other manners including, for example, using a different type of fastener head (e.g., flat head, Philips head, etc.), providing more than one slot, inverting the fastener orientation (e.g., having the head of a screw engage the upper surface of the platform 40 and the flange of the grommet engage the intermediate bracket), using different types of fasteners (e.g., a wing nut instead of a thumb screw).

According to an exemplary embodiment, the range of motion of the platform 40 relative to the support structure 20 may be configured according to the length and position of the slot 48, size and orientation of the intermediate bracket 58, and the size of the grommet 68b. For example, the slot 48 may be biased forward between the forward and rearward edges of the platform 20, and the intermediate bracket 58 may be oriented with the guide slot positioned rearward of the extension, such that a central portion of the intermediate upper member 28 is always positioned directly below a portion of the platform 20 (i.e., such that the user's chin will may not contact the intermediate upper member 28 during normal usage). According to other exemplary embodiments, the range of motion of the platform may be configured in other manners including, for example, with a different sized or shaped grommet (e.g., larger or longer to reduce travel within the slot 48), different bias of the slot 48 (e.g., centrally biased, rearward biased, biased by a different amount, etc.), different orientation or configuration of the bracket 58 (e.g., forward orientation of the guide slot, or central positioning of the guide slot in the bracket 58), etc.

The wearable support 10 may further include a strap 73 configured to hold the wearable support 10 in position on the user. The strap 73 is couple to the support structure 20 at the left and right spring hinges 37, 39 and is configured to engage the posterior portion of the user's neck. Furthermore, the pads 74, 75 may be coupled to the interior sides of the hinge joints 37, 39 to prevent direct contact between the user's neck and the hinge joints 37, 39.

The foregoing description of embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the present invention. The embodiments were chosen and described to explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the present invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1. A head support, comprising:

a support structure having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion and the lower portion coupled to each other so as to form an acute angle therebetween, the lower portion of the support structure configured to engage the chest of the user so as to support a head of the user; and

a platform having a guide path configured to receive a fastener at least partially therethrough, the platform being coupled to the support structure with the fastener, the platform configured to engage a chin of a user,

wherein the platform is configured to move along the upper portion of the support structure in a range of motion defined at least in part by the guide path, and wherein the fastener is configured to selectively inhibit movement of the platform relative to the support structure.