Chin Pillow
Embodiments may generally relate to a device for supporting the head of a human subject and may comprise a wearable chin pillow. Such an embodiment may include a chin support member having a major axis defining a first end and a second end, and an orthogonal minor axis. The chin support member may have a positive curvature in a direction parallel to one or more of the major axis or the minor axis. Embodiments may further include at least one mounting strap attached to at least one of the first end or the second end of the chin support member. The mounting strap may be adapted to engage the neck of a wearer in a retaining relation.
A. Field of Invention
Embodiments of the present invention may generally relate to the field of wearable devices for supporting the human head in an upright orientation.
B. Description of the Related Art
Devices for supporting the head are generally known; however, known devices have certain shortcomings. For example, it is known to provide a neck brace which snuggly encircles the neck thus restricting movement. While effective, such devices are not suitable for casual use. So called travel pillows and neck pillows are known in the art for non-medical use. While such devices provide side-to-side support they generally have no support at all in the chin area. Still other devices support the entire circumference about the head similar to a neck brace; however, some users find this overly restrictive and also find the device more difficult to carry while traveling due to its increased bulk. It is also known to have a supportive structure which is contoured to fit the chin of a wearer; however, while this may seem like an optimal shape at first glance, it has the effect of distributing the load over the surrounding areas of the chin including the face and cheeks of the wearer.
What is missing is a device which focuses support on the chin, rather than spreading a load over the entire base of the head, or the face and cheeks. Some embodiments of the present invention may provide one or more benefits or advantages over the prior art.
II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONSome embodiments may relate to a chin pillow, comprising: a chin support member having a major axis defining a first end and a second end, and an orthogonal minor axis, the chin support member having a positive curvature in a direction parallel to one or more of the major axis or the minor axis; and at least one mounting strap attached to at least one of the first end or the second end of the chin support member, the mounting strap being adapted to engage the neck of a wearer in a retaining relation.
According to some embodiments the chin support member has a positive curvature in a direction parallel to the major axis.
According to some embodiments the chin support member defines a shape having Cn rotational symmetry about its major axis where n is an integer between 2 and ∞.
According to some embodiments the chin support member defines a shape selected from one or more of cylindrical, elliptical, ellipsoidal, prolate spheroidal, spheroidal, or oblate spheroidal.
According to some embodiments the chin support member is adapted to simultaneously engage the chin and chest of a wearer while supporting the head of the wearer in a generally upright orientation.
According to some embodiments the chin support member comprises a pliable material adapted to conform to the shape of a wearer's chin as the chin applies a load to the chin support member, and wherein the chin support member is adapted to spring back into its original shape after the load is removed.
According to some embodiments the at least one mounting strap is permanently attached to at least one if the first end or the second end of the chin support member.
According to some embodiments the at least one mounting strap comprises two mounting straps adapted to reversibly engage each other in a fastened relation using a fastening means selected from one or more of a buckle, a hook-and-loop fastener, a snap, a clasp, or a tie.
Embodiments may relate to a chin pillow, comprising: a chin support member adapted to simultaneously engage the chin and chest of a wearer while supporting the head of the wearer in a generally upright orientation, the chin support member having a major axis defining a first end and a second end, and an orthogonal minor axis, the chin support member having a positive curvature in a direction parallel to the major axis, and wherein the chin support member has a positive curvature in a direction parallel to the minor axis; and at least one mounting strap attached to at least one of the first end or the second end of the chin support member, the mounting strap being adapted to engage the neck of a wearer in a retaining relation.
Embodiments may relate to a chin pillow, comprising: a pliable chin support member adapted to simultaneously engage substantially only the chin and chest of a wearer while supporting the head of the wearer in a generally upright orientation, the chin support member having a major axis defining a first end and a second end, and an orthogonal minor axis, the chin support member having a positive curvature in a direction parallel to the major axis, wherein the chin support member has a positive curvature in a direction parallel to the minor axis, and wherein the chin support member defines a shape selected from one or more of cylindrical, elliptical, ellipsoidal, prolate spheroidal, spheroidal, or oblate spheroidal; and two mounting straps each permanently attached to one of the first end or the second end of the chin support member, the mounting strap being adapted to engage the neck of a wearer in a retaining relation.
Other benefits and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.
The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:
Embodiments of the invention may comprise a pliable chin support member and a means for mounting the chin support member about the neck of a wearer. A suitable chin support member may define a major axis and an orthogonal minor axis, and may have a positive curvature about at least the major axis. Some embodiments may have a positive curvature about the minor axis in addition to or instead of the major axis. A suitable means for mounting the chin support member may include a mounting strap, for instance.
With specific regard to the chin support member, suitable members may comprise overall shapes which tend to provide supportive resistance to a chin applying a vertical load to the member. As used herein the term overall shape includes a silhouette outline of an object capturing only the most global pattern and neglecting smaller structures. Shapes having a positive curvature are particularly suitable for this purpose because they provide a supportive arch structure. Thus, cylindrical, elliptical, ellipsoidal, prolate spheroidal, spheroidal, or oblate spheroidal are all suitable shapes because each includes a major and minor axis, and each has a positive curvature parallel to at least one of these axes.
Turning to the mounting means, a suitable means can comprise a mounting strap. As used herein the term mounting strap can include any ligature adapted to engage the neck of a wearer. For instance, a mounting strap can comprise a generally flat ribbon, a cord, a rope, a band, or other similar structure. According to some embodiments of the invention, a mounting strap may be attached permanently or reversibly to opposing ends of the chin support. Generally, the attachment points may be approximately 90 degrees from points of contact with the chin and chest. Thus, if the chin support comprises an ellipsoidal shape then the attachments points may be at the ends of the chin support's major axis; however, the precise point of attachment is not critical and may vary.
Where the mounting strap is permanently attached to the chin support, the strap may be attached according to known means such as, without limitation, sewing, bonding, thermal fusing, or the strap may be a continuous part of the chin support, i.e. made from the same piece of starting material. In some embodiments the mounting strap may comprise a pair of straps attached to opposing ends of the chin support. In such embodiments, the free ends of the mounting straps may be adapted to reversibly engage each other through the incorporation of buckles, cinches, clasps, snaps, hook-and-loop fasteners, and other fasteners known in the art. Where the mounting straps are reversibly attached to the chin support, similar fastening means may be incorporated to reversibly attach the mounting straps to the chin support. In still other embodiments, the mounting strap may comprise a single strap and may be elastomeric, and/or may incorporate a length adjusting means at one or both attachment points to the chin support member.
Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating embodiments of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same,
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods and apparatuses may be changed or modified without departing from the general scope of the invention. The invention is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.
Claims
1. A chin pillow, comprising:
- a chin support member having a major axis defining a first end and a second end, and an orthogonal minor axis, the chin support member having a positive curvature in a direction parallel to one or more of the major axis or the minor axis; and
- at least one mounting strap attached to at least one of the first end or the second end of the chin support member, the mounting strap being adapted to engage the neck of a wearer in a retaining relation.
2. The chin pillow of claim 1, wherein the chin support member has a positive curvature in a direction parallel to the major axis.
3. The chin pillow of claim 1, wherein the chin support member defines a shape having Cn rotational symmetry about its major axis where n is an integer between 2 and ∞.
4. The chin pillow of claim 1, wherein the chin support member defines a shape selected from one or more of cylindrical, elliptical, ellipsoidal, prolate spheroidal, spheroidal, or oblate spheroidal.
5. The chin pillow of claim 1, wherein the chin support member is adapted to simultaneously engage the chin and chest of a wearer while supporting the head of the wearer in a generally upright orientation.
6. The chin pillow of claim 1, wherein the chin support member comprises a pliable material adapted to conform to the shape of a wearer's chin as the chin applies a load to the chin support member, and wherein the chin support member is adapted to spring back into its original shape after the load is removed.
7. The chin pillow of claim 1, wherein the at least one mounting strap is permanently attached to at least one if the first end or the second end of the chin support member.
8. The chin pillow of claim 7, wherein the at least one mounting strap comprises two mounting straps adapted to reversibly engage each other in a fastened relation using a fastening means selected from one or more of a buckle, a hook-and-loop fastener, a snap, a clasp, or a tie.
9. A chin pillow, comprising:
- a chin support member adapted to simultaneously engage the chin and chest of a wearer while supporting the head of the wearer in a generally upright orientation, the chin support member having a major axis defining a first end and a second end, and an orthogonal minor axis, the chin support member having a positive curvature in a direction parallel to the major axis, and wherein the chin support member has a positive curvature in a direction parallel to the minor axis; and
- at least one mounting strap attached to at least one of the first end or the second end of the chin support member, the mounting strap being adapted to engage the neck of a wearer in a retaining relation.
10. The chin pillow of claim 9, wherein the chin support member defines a shape having Cn rotational symmetry about its major axis where n is an integer between 2 and ∞.
11. The chin pillow of claim 9, wherein the chin support member defines a shape selected from one or more of cylindrical, elliptical, ellipsoidal, prolate spheroidal, spheroidal, or oblate spheroidal.
12. The chin pillow of claim 9, wherein the chin support member comprises a pliable material adapted to conform to the shape of a wearer's chin as the chin applies a load to the chin support member, and wherein the chin support member is adapted to spring back into its original shape after the load is removed.
13. The chin pillow of claim 9, wherein the at least one mounting strap is permanently attached to at least one if the first end or the second end of the chin support member.
14. The chin pillow of claim 13, wherein the at least one mounting strap comprises two mounting straps adapted to reversibly engage each other in a fastened relation using a fastening means selected from one or more of a buckle, a hook-and-loop fastener, a snap, a clasp, or a tie.
15. A chin pillow, comprising:
- a pliable chin support member adapted to simultaneously engage substantially only the chin and chest of a wearer while supporting the head of the wearer in a generally upright orientation, the chin support member having a major axis defining a first end and a second end, and an orthogonal minor axis, the chin support member having a positive curvature in a direction parallel to the major axis, wherein the chin support member has a positive curvature in a direction parallel to the minor axis, and wherein the chin support member defines a shape selected from one or more of cylindrical, elliptical, ellipsoidal, prolate spheroidal, spheroidal, or oblate spheroidal; and
- two mounting straps each permanently attached to one of the first end or the second end of the chin support member, the mounting strap being adapted to engage the neck of a wearer in a retaining relation.
16. The chin pillow of claim 15, wherein the chin support member defines a shape having Cn rotational symmetry about its major axis where n is an integer between 2 and ∞.
17. The chin pillow of claim 15, wherein the chin support member comprises a pliable material adapted to conform to the shape of a wearer's chin as the chin applies a load to the chin support member, and wherein the chin support member is adapted to spring back into its original shape after the load is removed.
18. The chin pillow of claim 15, wherein the at least one mounting strap comprises two mounting straps adapted to reversibly engage each other in a fastened relation using a fastening means selected from one or more of a buckle, a hook-and-loop fastener, a snap, a clasp, or a tie.
Type: Application
Filed: May 21, 2013
Publication Date: Nov 27, 2014
Inventor: Lance Davis (Akron, OH)
Application Number: 13/898,634
International Classification: A47G 9/10 (20060101);