Configurable Body Pillow That Retains Multiple Shapes

Abstract

A body pillow is configurable into multiple shapes using pull strings and toggles. The tubular pillow has an outer covering with first and second arms extending in opposite directions. First and second pull strings exit the outer covering through a first opening in the first arm and a second opening in the second arm. A first toggle clamps the first pull string after the string is pulled tight and the toggle is pushed up against the covering. A second toggle clamps the second string after the toggle is pushed up against the covering after the second string is pulled tight. The pillow is J-shaped when only the first pull string is pulled tight and clamped such that only the first arm is curved. The pillow is C-shaped when both the first and second pull strings are pulled tight and clamped such that both the first and second arms are curved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a body pillow and, more particularly, to a body pillow that is configurable into multiple shapes.

BACKGROUND

A body pillow is an elongated pillow that can be bent to surround the user and to provide support to both the user's back and front sides. For example, in one configuration, a body pillow provides back support while the user's arms hug a top curved section and while the user's legs straddle a bottom curved section. In another configuration, the body pillow provides back support for pregnant women who sleep on their sides while resting their heads in a curved portion of the pillow. A body pillow can also be configured to support a baby being breast fed by a mother resting in the body pillow. Thus, body pillows are available in many different shapes and configurations to provide these different kinds of support. During use, however, portions of the body pillow can flatten out and fail to maintain the desired support. For example, it can be necessary to reconfigure the body pillow several times during a night's sleep.

One way to maintain a body pillow in a particular configuration is to provide tie strings at the ends of the pillow. The tie strings can be tied to one another in order to hold the body pillow in a toroidal shape. This manner is maintaining the body pillow in a toroidal configuration is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,468,627 to Leach. The toroidal shape is not, however, one of the most commonly used configurations of a body pillow. And the tie strings cannot hold either end of the body pillow in a curved configuration without interfering with the space inside the curve that is meant to be occupied by the user.

Another way to maintain a body pillow in a particular configuration is to attach a strap to an end of the pillow and then to loop the strap around the central section of the pillow. The strap thereby retains the end of the body pillow in a curve. This manner is maintaining the body pillow in a P shape is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,793,371 to Leach. The strap, however, interferes with the space inside the curve that could otherwise be occupied by the user. Forming an open J shape would be preferable to the P shape that is formed by the curved end of the pillow and the strap.

A method is sought for retaining a body pillow in multiple configurations that does not require any portion of the body pillow to be tied or strapped to any other portion of the body pillow.

SUMMARY

A body pillow is configurable into multiple shapes using pull strings and cord locks (toggles). The body pillow has a generally tubular elongated body formed by a central body from which first and second arms extend in opposite directions. The elongated body is covered by an inner lining that contains a resilient filler material. The inner lining is covered by an outer covering. Ends of the first and second pull strings are fixedly attached to locations on the inside of the outer covering. The strings exit the body pillow through first and second openings in the outer covering. The first opening is in the first arm, and the second opening is in the second arm. After the first pull string is pulled tight, a first cord lock can be slid along the string, pushed up against the covering and clamped on the first pull string. Similarly, a second cord lock can be clamped on the second pull string after the cord lock is slid along the second string and pushed up against the covering after the second string is pulled tight. The body pillow has a J-shaped configuration when only the first pull string is pulled tight and held clamped by the first cord lock such that the first arm is curved and the second arm remains straight. The body pillow has a C-shaped configuration when both the first and second pull strings are pulled tight and held clamped by the first and second cord locks such that both the first and second arms are curved.

The body pillow is generally straight when neither the first pull string nor the second pull string is pulled tight and held clamped by the first cord lock and the second cord lock. The configurable body pillow also has a third pull string that exits the body pillow through a third opening in the central body. And end of each of the first and third pull strings is attached on the inside of the outer covering at an attachment location in the central body. A third cord lock is adapted to clamp the third pull string after the third string is pulled tight, the third cord lock is slid along the third pull string towards the third opening, and the third cord lock pushes up against the outer covering. The body pillow has a U-shaped configuration when only the third pull string is pulled tight and held clamped by the third cord lock such that the central body is curved and the first arm and the second arm remain straight. When a pull string is pulled tight and held clamped by a cord lock to curve the central body or an arm of the pillow, the taut portion of pull string travels between the inner lining and the outer covering along the inner perimeter of the curve.

In one embodiment, the first opening in the outer covering is disposed at the bottom of a pouch formed in the covering. The pouch can be closed by a zipper. The first cord lock fits in the pouch when the first pull string is pulled tight, the first cord lock is slid along the first pull string towards the first opening, and the first cord lock clamps onto the first pull string.

A method of manufacturing a configurable body pillow includes attaching ends of pull strings to the inside of an outer covering. An elongated body of the body pillow is made by inserting pieces of a resilient filler material, such as small loose tubes of memory foam, into a tubular inner lining. The ends of the inner lining are then sewn shut. A first end of each pull string is attached to the inside of the outer covering of the body pillow at an attachment location. Each pull string is then pulled through an opening in the outer covering such that a second end of each pull string is outside the outer covering. In one embodiment, the opening is disposed at the bottom of a pouch formed between the top and bottom fabric layers of the outer covering. The tubular elongated body with the inner lining containing the filler material is then inserted into the outer covering. The second end of each pull string that has exited the outer covering is pulled through a cord lock that is adapted to clamp the pull string at a location outside of the outer covering. The body pillow is manufactured in a size that can be used by an average adult female in a C-shaped configuration with both ends of the tubular body curved.

Other embodiments and advantages are described in the detailed description below. This summary does not purport to define the invention. The invention is defined by the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, where like numerals indicate like components, illustrate embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multiple-shape body pillow in a straight configuration.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the body pillow of FIG. 1 that has been configured in a J shape with one arm curved and the other arm straight.

FIG. 3 is a more detailed view of the straight arm of the body pillow of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a more detailed view of a cord lock being inserted into a pouch in the straight arm of the body pillow of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 shows a pouch in the central body of the body pillow into which a cord lock and the loose end of a pull string can be inserted.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the body pillow of FIG. 1 that has been configured in a U shape.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the body pillow of FIG. 1 that has a C-shaped configuration.

FIG. 8 shows the body pillow in the C-shaped configuration of FIG. 7 used by a pregnant woman.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of steps for manufacturing the multiple-shape body pillow of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to some embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multiple-shape body pillow 10 that can be configured to retain multiple shapes. In FIG. 1, the body pillow 10 has a generally tubular elongated body that forms a straight shape. In the straight configuration, the body pillow 10 is about eighty-eight inches long. The body pillow 10 has a cross-sectional diameter of seven to twelve inches. The elongated body has a central body 11, a first arm 12 and a second arm 13. The first arm 12 extends from the central body 11 opposite the second arm 13. Each of the first arm 12, the second arm 13 and the central body 11 has approximately the same length, and thus each makes up a third of the body pillow 10. The elongated body has an inner lining that is covered by an outer covering 14. In one embodiment, the outer covering 14 is made of a soft, woven fabric, and the inner lining is made of a durable, rip-resistant material. The inner lining contains a resilient filler material, such as goose down, synthetic fiber ticking, or pieces of foam. In one embodiment, the filler material is made of tubes of visco-elastic polyurethane foam, also called memory foam.

A first pull string 15 exits the body pillow 10 through a first opening in the outer covering 14 located in the first arm 12. A second pull string 16 exits the body pillow 10 through a second opening in the outer covering 14 located in the second arm 13. And a third pull string 17 exits the body pillow 10 through a third opening in the outer covering 14 in the central body 11. A first cord lock 18 or toggle slides along the first pull string 15 when unlocked. The first cord lock 18 pushes up against the outer covering 14 when the first cord lock is slid along the first pull string towards the first opening. When unclamped, a second cord lock 19 slides along the second pull string 16, and a third cord lock 20 slides along the third pull string 17. The cord locks 18-20 in FIG. 1 have each been slid along the pull strings to push up against the outer covering 14, but the pull strings have not been pulled tight. One end of the first pull string 15 is fixedly attached to the outer covering 14 on the inside of the covering at a location 21 in the central body 11. The other end of first pull string 15 is outside outer covering 14 and is visible in FIG. 1. One end of the third pull string 17 is also fixedly attached to the outer covering 14 on the inside of the covering at the same location 21 at which the first pull string 15 is attached. For example, the ends of the pull strings can be sewn into the seam of the outer covering 14.

Body pillow 10 in FIG. 1 has a generally straight configuration because none of the pull strings is pulled tight. In the straight configuration, both sides of each arm 12-13 are the same length. However, the elongated body is caused to curve when one side of an arm of the elongated body is made shorter than the opposite side by pulling on a pull string and holding more of the string length locked outside the outer covering 14 by a cord lock. Pulling a pull string out of the outer covering 14 and tight so as to pull more of the string from the opening causes the elongated body to curve in the direction of the opening from which the string is pulled. The side of the elongated body becomes shorter as the fabric of the outer covering 14 bunches up around the shorter length of string between the opening and the location on the inside of the outer covering at which one end of the pull string is attached.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of multiple-shape body pillow 10 that has been configured in a first J shape. Body pillow 10 assumes the first J shape when only the second pull string 16 is pulled tight and held locked by the second cord lock 19 such that the first arm 12 forms a straight section and the second arm 13 forms a curved section. FIG. 2 shows that the length of the second pull string 16 that has been pulled from the second opening is longer than the lengths of the first and third pull strings that are outside the outer covering 14. The second arm 13 has an inner perimeter 22 when the second pull string 16 is pulled tight and held locked by the second cord lock 19 to form the curve of the J shape. When the second pull string 16 is taut between the second opening and its attachment location inside the covering 14, the string travels along the inner perimeter 22 between the inner lining and the outer covering 14. As is apparent from FIG. 2, a portion of the central body 11 curves when the second pull string 16 is pulled tight even when the third pull string 17 is loose and not pulled tight. Third pull string 17 is loose in FIG. 2 because the third cord lock 20 has not been pulled up against the outer covering 14 as it would be if the third pull string 17 were taut.

Body pillow 10 assumes a second J shape when only the first pull string 15 is pulled tight and held locked by the first cord lock 18. In the second J shape, the second arm 13 remains straight, and the first arm 12 is curved. Because the distance between the first opening and the location 21 at which the first pull string 15 is attached inside the outer covering 14 is longer than the distance between the second opening and the location at which the second pull string 16 is attached to the outer covering 14, the second J shape has a bigger curve than the curve formed when only the second pull string 16 is pulled and clamped as shown in FIG. 2. Thus, the diameter of the curved opening of the first J shape is about 8-10 inches, whereas the diameter of the curved opening of the second J shape is about 10-12 inches.

FIG. 3 shows the first arm 12 in more detail. The outer covering 14 is made by sewing a top fabric layer 23 to a bottom fabric layer 24. The seam between the top and bottom layers 23-24 is opened by a zipper 25 near the location where the first pull string 15 exits the outer covering 14. A pouch 26 is formed in the outer covering 14 that can be opened and closed by the zipper 25. In one embodiment, the pouch of the outer covering 14 is made of durable, rip-resistant material that can withstand the pull on the opening at the bottom of the pouch from the cord lock clamped to a tight pull string. The first opening in the covering 14 is disposed at the bottom of the pouch 26. The first cord lock 18 and the portion of the first pull string 15 that exits the opening can be stored in the pouch 26. When a pull string is taut, the clamped cord lock is either pulled against the outside of the covering if the zipper is closed with the cord lock on the outside or against the bottom of the pouch if the cord lock is inside the pouch. Consequently, when the first pull string 15 is pulled taut and the first cord lock 18 clamps the string and prevents the string from being pulled back into the opening, the first cord lock 18 can either push up against the outside of the outer covering 14 if the zipper 25 is closed around the string 15, or the first cord lock 18 can push against the bottom of the pouch 26 where the opening is located. In FIG. 2, the zipper has been closed with the second cord lock 19 on the outside such that the second cord lock 19 is pulled against the outer covering 14 as the taut portion of the second pull string 16 pulls on the clamped second cord lock 19. In FIG. 3, however, the zipper 25 has been opened to allow the first cord lock 18 to be pulled to the bottom of the pouch 26 after the first pull string 15 is pulled tight, the first cord lock 18 is slid along the first pull string towards the first opening, and the first cord lock clamps onto the first pull string. The pouch 26 can then be zipped closed with the first cord lock 18 and the loose end of the first pull string 15 inside the pouch. FIG. 3 also indicates the path 27 (dashed line) of the taut portion of the first pull string 15 between the attachment location 21 and the first opening.

FIG. 4 is a more detailed view of the first cord lock 18 being inserted into the pouch 26. The first cord lock 18 has a spring 28 that causes the first cord lock to clamp down on the first pull string 15 so as to hold the first cord lock in place on the first pull string. By pressing on opposite sides of the cord lock 18, the clamp is removed and the cord lock 18 can be slid along the pull string 15. In order to curve the first arm 12 to form a J shape, the first pull string 15 is pulled out of the first opening 29 so as to decrease the length of the string 15 between the attachment location 21 and the opening 29. The first cord lock 18 is then squeezed to unclamp the lock, and the cord lock is slid towards the opening 29. The first cord lock 18 is then allowed to clamp onto the first pull string 15, and the taut pull string is allowed to pull the first cord lock 18 to the bottom of the pouch 26 as a short length of the string is pulled back towards the opening 29 by the tension on the portion of the string that is attached to the attachment location 21. The loose end of the first pull string 15 can then be inserted into the pouch 26, and the zipper 25 can be zipped closed. FIG. 4 shows the zipper tab 30 that is used to close and open the zipper 25.

FIG. 5 shows a pouch 31 in the central body 11 into which the third cord lock 20 and the loose end of the third pull string 17 can be inserted. FIG. 5 also shows the path 32 of the taut portion of the third pull string 17 between the attachment location 21 and the cord lock 20. In this embodiment, the string 17 is not loose between the inner lining and the outer covering 14 but rather passes through a tube of fabric formed adjacent to the seam between the top and bottom layers 23-24. FIG. 5 shows how the fabric of the outer covering 14 bunches up around the taut portion of string 17 between the third opening and the location 21 on the inside of the outer covering at which the end of the string 17 is attached.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of multiple-shape body pillow 10 that has been configured in a U shape. Body pillow 10 assumes a U shape when only the third pull string 17 is pulled tight and held locked by the third cord lock 20 such that the central body 11 becomes curved and the first arm 12 and second arm 13 remain substantially straight. The U shape is not entirely symmetrical because the middle of the path 32 between the attachment location 21 and the third opening is closer to the first arm 12 than to the second arm 13.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of multiple-shape body pillow 10 that has a C-shaped configuration. Body pillow 10 assumes a C shape when both the first pull string 15 and the second pull string 16 are pulled tight and held clamped by the first cord lock 18 and the second cord lock 19 such that both the first arm 12 and the second arm 13 are curved. The C shape of body pillow 10 in FIG. 7 has a straighter central body 11 because the third pull string 17 has not been pulled tight and clamped by third cord lock 20. The C shape with a straight central body 11 is the most commonly used configuration of the body pillow 10. A rounder C shape can be formed by pulling third pull string 17 tight and clamping the short taut portion so that the central body 11 also curves.

FIG. 8 shows body pillow 10 used by a pregnant woman 33 in the C-shaped configuration with a straight central body 11. The end of the curved first arm 12 of body pillow 10 provides back support to the user 33 who is lying on her side and resting her head in the curved portion of first arm 12. The user 33 is straddling her legs around the curved second arm 13. Body pillow 10 is sized for an average adult female to use in the C-shaped configuration with a straight central body 11.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating steps 35-39 of a method 40 of manufacturing the multiple-shape body pillow 10. In a first step 35, the elongated body of body pillow 10 is made by inserting pieces of a resilient filler material into the inner lining. For example, loose pieces of visco-elastic polyurethane foam in the form of short cylinders are inserted into a tube made of a durable, tear-resistance material. The ends of the tube are then sewn shut.

In step 36, the pull strings are attached to the outer covering 14 when the covering is folded inside out. The first end of first pull string 15 is attached to the inside of the outer covering 14 at the attachment location 21. In one embodiment, the first end of the pull string 15 is sewn into the seam that attaches the top fabric layer 23 to the bottom fabric layer 24 of the outer covering 14. Ends of the second and third pull strings 16-17 are also attached to the seam between the top and bottom fabric layers 23-24. The pouches are sewn into the outer covering with small openings at the bottoms of the pouches. The seam between the top and bottom fabric layers 23-24 is open at the location of each pouch.

In step 37, each pull string is pulled through the appropriate opening in the outer covering 14. In one embodiment, while the outer covering is still folded inside out, the second end of each pull string is pulled through an opening at the bottom of each pouch such that the second end enters the pouch. Then the covering is folded right side out such that the second end of each pull string is now outside the outer covering 14. In another embodiment, the outer covering 14 is turned right side out after step 36, and then the second end of each pull string is pulled from the inside of the covering through an opening at the bottom of each pouch such that the second end of each pull string exits outside the outer covering 14.

In step 38, the generally tubular elongated body that is covered by the inner lining is inserted into an end of the tubular the outer covering 14. Then the ends of the outer covering 14 are sewn shut. The pull strings now pass between the inner lining and the outer covering between the attachment locations and the opening through which the pull strings exit the outer covering.

In step 39, the second end of the first pull string 15 is pulled through the first cord lock 18 that is adapted to clamp the first pull string 15 outside of the outer covering 14. The second ends of the second and third pull strings 16-17 are also pulled through the second and third cord locks 19-20. When the cord locks 18-20 are slid along the pull strings 15-17 towards the openings in the outer covering 14 and the cord locks push up against the covering, but the pull strings are not pulled tight, the body pillow has the configuration shown in FIG. 1.

Although certain specific exemplary embodiments are described above in order to illustrate the invention, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments. Accordingly, various modifications, adaptations, and combinations of various features of the described embodiments can be practiced without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A multiple-shape body pillow comprising:

a central body;

a first arm extending from the central body;

a second arm extending from the central body, wherein the first arm extends from the central body opposite the second arm, wherein the first arm, the central body and the second arm together form a generally tubular elongated body that is covered by a covering;

a first pull string that exits the body pillow through a first opening in the covering located in the first arm;

a second pull string that exits the body pillow through a second opening in the covering located in the second arm;

a first cord lock that clamps the first pull string, wherein the first cord lock pushes up against the covering when the first pull string is pulled and the first cord lock is slid along the first pull string towards the first opening; and

a second cord lock that clamps the second pull string, wherein the second cord lock pushes up against the covering when the second pull string is pulled and the second cord lock is slid along the second pull string towards the second opening, wherein in a first configuration the body pillow is generally J-shaped when only the first pull string is pulled tight and held clamped by the first cord lock such that the second arm remains straight and the first arm is curved, and wherein in a second configuration the body pillow is generally C-shaped when both the first pull string and the second pull string are pulled tight and held clamped by the first cord lock and the second cord lock such that both the first arm and the second arm are curved.

2. The multiple-shape body pillow of claim 1, wherein in a third configuration the body pillow is generally straight when neither the first pull string nor the second pull string is pulled tight and held clamped by the first cord lock and the second cord lock.

3. The multiple-shape body pillow of claim 1, further comprising:

a third pull string that exits the body pillow through a third opening in the covering in the central body;

a third cord lock that clamps the third pull string, wherein the third cord lock pushes up against the covering when the third pull string is pulled and the third cord lock is slid along the third pull string towards the third opening.

4. The multiple-shape body pillow of claim 3, wherein in a third configuration the body pillow is generally U-shaped when only the third pull string is pulled tight and held clamped by the third cord lock such that the central body is curved and the first arm and the second arm remain straight.

5. The multiple-shape body pillow of claim 1, wherein the first pull string is fixedly attached at an end to the covering.

6. The multiple-shape body pillow of claim 1, wherein the first pull string has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the covering inside the covering, and wherein the second end remains outside the covering.

7. The multiple-shape body pillow of claim 6, further comprising:

a third pull string that exits the body pillow through a third opening in the covering in the central body, wherein each of the first arm, the second arm and the central body has approximately the same length, and wherein ends of both the first pull string and the third pull string are attached to the covering at a location in the central body.

8. The multiple-shape body pillow of claim 1, wherein the first cord lock has a spring, and wherein the spring causes the first cord lock to clamp down on the first pull string so as to hold the first cord lock in place on the first pull string.

9. The multiple-shape body pillow of claim 1, wherein the first arm has an inner perimeter when the first pull string is pulled tight and held clamped by the first cord lock to curve the first arm, and wherein the first pull string travels along the inner perimeter.

10. The multiple-shape body pillow of claim 1, wherein the first opening in the covering is disposed in a pouch formed in the covering, and wherein the first cord lock fits in the pouch when the first pull string is pulled tight, the first cord lock is slid along the first pull string towards the first opening, and the first cord lock clamps onto the first pull string.

11. The multiple-shape body pillow of claim 1, wherein the pouch can be closed by a zipper.

12. The multiple-shape body pillow of claim 1, further comprising:

a resilient filler material, wherein the covering surrounds an inner lining that contains the resilient filler material.

13. A multiple-shape body pillow comprising:

a central body;

a first arm extending from the central body;

a second arm extending from the central body, wherein the first arm extends from the central body opposite the second arm, wherein the first arm, the central body and the second arm together form a generally tubular elongated body that is covered by an inner lining, wherein the inner lining is covered by an outer covering;

a pull string disposed in the first arm between the inner lining and the outer covering, wherein the pull string exits the body pillow through an opening in the outer covering; and

a cord lock adapted to clamp the pull string outside the outer covering, wherein the cord lock pushes up against the outer covering when the pull string is pulled and the cord lock is slid along the pull string towards the opening, and wherein the body pillow retains a J shape when the pull string is pulled tight and is clamped by the cord lock such that the first arm becomes curved and the second arm remains straight.

14. The multiple-shape body pillow of claim 13, wherein the body pillow is sized for an average adult female.

15. The multiple-shape body pillow of claim 13, wherein the central body has a cross-sectional diameter of seven to twelve inches.

16. The multiple-shape body pillow of claim 13, wherein each of the first arm, the second arm and the central body has approximately the same length, wherein the opening in the outer covering through which the pull string exits the body pillow is disposed in the first arm, and wherein an end of the first pull string is attached to the covering inside the covering at a location in the central body.

17. A method of manufacturing a multiple-shape body pillow, comprising:

attaching a first end of a pull string to an outer covering of the body pillow at an attachment location;

pulling the pull string through an opening in the outer covering such that a second end of the pull string is outside the outer covering;

inserting a generally tubular elongated body covered by an inner lining into the outer covering, wherein the inner lining contains a resilient filler material; and

pulling the second end of the pull string through a cord lock that is adapted to clamp the pull string outside of the outer covering.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the body pillow has three sections of equal length, wherein the attachment location is within a central section of the body pillow, and wherein the opening is outside of the central section of the body pillow.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the opening in the outer covering is disposed in a pouch formed in the outer covering, wherein the cord lock fits in the pouch, and wherein the pouch can be closed by a zipper.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the resilient filler material includes pieces of foam.