Security Pillow

Abstract

A pillow is disclosed having a main body portion having an outer fabric with a first side and a second side that define therebetween a space for receiving pillow filling, a first elongated arm attached to the a main body portion having an open access slit for receiving a user's arm that opens into a cavity, and a second elongated arm attached to an opposite side of the main body portion as the first elongated arm, wherein the second elongated arm includes an open access slit for receiving a second user's arm.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates generally to cushions or pillows and more particularly to pillows for children for aiding sleep by promoting feeling of security and safety.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

Cushions and pillows are common, nearly ubiquitous household objects. Most traditional pillows are made of fabric and are filled with materials such as feathers, down and/or polyester fiber. Traditional pillows generally take on an elliptical shape, but nontraditional-shaped pillows are also offered for added or different support to a user's head, neck and shoulder(s) during sleep.

Further, it is well known that often times a young child will become attached to a small, personal object as a means of coping with stress, e.g., a “security” object. Sometimes this security object can be a favorite doll or a blanket and can provide substantial psychological and physiological benefits to the child. For example, studies have found that if a child undergoes medical treatment without parents present, the child will be much calmer and more cooperative, and will actually have a reduced heart rate and blood pressure level, if the child has a security blanket or other object in his or her possession.

Nighttime can be a particularly challenging time for some children. In some cases children can develop a fear of darkness or being alone. Accordingly, there is a need for objects that help children feel secure and safe.

SUMMARY

A pillow is disclosed having a main body portion having an outer fabric with a first side and a second side that define therebetween a space for receiving pillow filling, a first elongated arm attached to the a main body portion having an open access slit for receiving a user's arm that opens into a cavity, and a second elongated arm attached to an opposite side of the main body portion as the first elongated arm, wherein the second elongated arm includes an open access slit for receiving a second user's arm.

This summary is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and not to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A shows a front view of a pillow, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B shows a front view of the pillow illustrating arms in an extended position, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a back view of the pillow illustrating inserts for a user's arms, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1B depicting interior cavities for the user's arms, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1B for illustrating a pillow cover, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1B for illustrating padded arms, in accordance with the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1B illustrating an embodiment of the arms each having an open end, in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, where like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the claimed invention.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspect described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as exclusive, preferred or advantageous over other aspects.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein the depictions are for the purpose of illustrating certain exemplary embodiments only and not for the purpose of limiting the same, FIGS. 1-3 show a pillow 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The pillow 10 comprises a main portion, or middle section 12, a first arm 14, and a second arm 16. The main portion comprises a first side 21 and a second side 23 that defines space therebetween for pillow or inner filling.

The main portion 12 may be formed in various thicknesses and firmness and of various outer fabrics 15 and inner filling 13 comprising resilient material. In one embodiment, the pillow 10 is constructed by stitching the first and second arms 14 and 16 to the main portion 12 along edges 17 and 19, respectively. In various embodiments the arms 14 and 16 may be removeably attached using, e.g., a zipper. In further embodiments, other types of mechanisms for attachment may be provided such as press-studs, hook and loop fasteners, buttons or clips.

The outer fabric 15 may be formed of a knit fabric, a woven fabric, a non-woven fabric, a needle-punched fabric, or a stitch-bonded fabric. It may be made of natural fibers such as cotton, synthetic fibers such as polyester, or a combination of natural fibers and synthetic fibers. The outer fabric may be a removeable cover in various embodiments.

The inner filling 13 is formed of one or more resilient materials such as feathers, e.g., down feathers, polyester fiber, fiberfill, latex foam, viscoelastic foam, or any other material known in the art suitable for filling a pillow. In various embodiments synthetic foam material such as polyurethane foam or latex foam, for example, may be used as the inner filling. In various embodiments, the suitable materials may be selected based upon density and resiliency or firmness as will be described herein. In one embodiment, the synthetic foam material is formed of open cell polyurethane foam material having a density appropriate for a pillow, and it is readily available in appropriate degrees of firmness or resilience.

In various embodiments, the inner filing can also include an agent or compound that has antimicrobial properties. Such fabrics are known in the art to provide antimicrobial activity. An antimicrobial agent includes, but is not limited to, an antimicrobial, an antibiotic, an antifungal agent, and an antiviral agent. Some metals are useful as antimicrobial agents in the fabric such as silver, platinum, gold, zinc, copper, cerium, gallium, osmium, and the like. The antimicrobial agent can be impregnated within the inner filling or by applying a coating of material that includes an antimicrobial agent to the inner filling.

The main portion 12 can be formed to any desired or suitable shape. Traditional pillows generally take on an elliptical or rectangular shape, but nontraditional-shaped pillows are also offered for added or different support to a user's head, neck and shoulder(s) during sleep. It is contemplated herein that the main portion 12 could be generally elliptical or rectangular in form, but most any desired shape may be incorporated into the teachings here. In one embodiment, the main portion 12 is a conventionally shaped pillow. In various embodiments, ergonomic contours may be incorporated. In embodiments utilizing foam filling, the foam or other suitable material such as latex foam may be shaped to provide desired support.

FIG. 2A shows a back side of the pillow 10. As FIG. 2 shows, each of the arms 14 and 16 includes a slit 24 and 26, respectively. Each insert 14 and 16 opens into a fold or cavity 34 and 36, respectively as shown in exemplary FIG. 3. It is contemplated by the disclosure herein that a user of the pillow 10 may insert hands and arms into the slits 24 and 26 during use. In this way, the hands pull the main portion 12 toward the user and may additionally be used as to control positioning of the padding associated with the arms. A user may then rest their head on the main portion 12 and/or one or more of the arms 14 and 16.

In one embodiment, the slits 24 and 26 are encircled by stitching edges 25 and 27, respectively, by folding or using other material. In one embodiment elastic material is used along the slit edges. The elastic bands 25 and 27 provide a sufficient grip on the arms, when inserted, to inhibit the pillow 10 from shifting or rotating on the arms and for more of a tight or firm grip.

FIG. 2B shows an exemplary embodiment of the pillow 10 having an opening at the arms 14 and 16 and each covered by a removable flap 39 and 37, respectively. The flaps 39 and 37 may be secured with a fastener such as buttons 35 and 38 as shown in the exemplary pillow 10 of FIG. 2B. The flap shown in FIG. 2B may be used to cover an embodiment of the pillow 10 shown in FIG. 6 where each arm has an opening such as openings 31 and 33.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of the pillow 10 having a cover 30. It is contemplated that the pillow 10 may be used in various applications in conjunction with a fabric cover 30. The cover 30 may be formed to conform to the shape of the pillow 10, having the arms 14 and 16. The cover 30 preferably includes three foldover portions A, B, and C. Fold over portions A and C permit access by a user's hand and arm into the cavity 34 and 36 of the pillow 10. Fold over portion B may be used to insert the pillow 10 into the cover 30. In various embodiments the fold over portions A, B, and C are arranged as accessible by unfolding overlapping portions of the cover fabric to access the open access slits or main body portion.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of the pillow 10 utilizing padding 44 and 46 within each of the arms 14 and 16. As FIG. 5 shows, the padding 44 and 46 may be adhered to a top side of the interior cavities 34 and 36. In this way, the arms 14 and 16 function as additional cushioning for a user. The padding 44 and 46 may be formed of similar material as the inner filling 13 described herein above. In one embodiment, the padding 44 and 46 is stitched to the surface of the interior cavities 34 and 36, respectively.

The disclosure has described certain preferred embodiments and modifications thereto. Further modifications and alterations may occur to others upon reading and understanding the specification. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed for carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A pillow comprising:

a main body portion having an outer fabric having a first side and a second side that define therebetween a space for receiving pillow filling;

a first elongated arm attached to the a main body portion having a first open access slit for receiving a user's arm, wherein the first open access slit opens into a cavity; and

a second elongated arm attached to an opposite side of the main body portion as the first elongated arm, wherein the second elongated arm comprises a second open access slit for receiving a second user's arm.

2. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the first and second arms each have an open end.

3. The pillow of claim 2, wherein the first and second arms each have a flap for covering the open end.

4. The pillow of claim 1, further comprising:

a cover formed to fit over the main body portion and the first and second arms.

5. The pillow of claim 4, wherein the cover comprises a first fold over portion positioned over the first open access slit, a second fold over portion positioned over the second open access slit, and a third fold over portion positioned over a center of the main body portion.

6. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the first and second arms comprise padding attached to a first interior side of an inner cavity, wherein an opposite side of the inner cavity is unpadded.

7. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the first and second arms are removeably attached.

8. A pillow comprising:

a main body portion having an outer fabric having a first side and a second side that define therebetween a space for receiving pillow filling having at least one antimicrobial agent;

a first elongated arm attached to the a main body portion having a first open access slit for receiving a user's arm, wherein the first open access slit opens into a cavity;

a second elongated arm attached to an opposite side of the main body portion as the first elongated arm, wherein the second elongated arm comprises a second open access slit for receiving a second user's arm; and

a cover formed to fit over the main body portion and the first and second arms.

9. The pillow of claim 8, wherein the first and second arms each have an open end.

10. The pillow of claim 9, wherein the first and second arms each have a flap for covering the open end.

11. The pillow of claim 8, wherein the cover comprises a first fold over portion positioned over the first open access slit, a second fold over portion positioned over the second open access slit, and a third fold over portion positioned over a center of the main body portion.

12. The pillow of claim 8, wherein the first and second arms comprise padding attached to a first interior side of an inner cavity, wherein an opposite side of the inner cavity is unpadded.

13. The pillow of claim 8, wherein the first and second arms are removeably attached.

14. A pillow comprising:

a rectangular-shaped main body portion having an outer fabric having a first side and a second side that define therebetween a space for receiving pillow filling having at least one antimicrobial agent;

a first elongated arm attached to the a main body portion having a first open access slit for receiving a user's arm, wherein the first open access slit opens into a cavity padded on a top side and unpadded on a bottom side;

a second elongated arm attached to an opposite side of the main body portion as the first elongated arm, wherein the second elongated arm comprises a second open access slit opens into a second cavity padded on a top side and unpadded on a bottom side; and

a cover formed to fit over the main body portion and the first and second arms; and

wherein the main body portion, the first arm, and second arm are each substantially a same length and wherein a width of the first and second arms is less than a width of the main body portion.

15. The pillow of claim 14, wherein the width of the first and second arms is between a ratio of one half of the width of the main body portion to three-quarters of the width of the main body portion.

16. The pillow of claim 15, wherein the first and second arms each have an open end and a flap for covering the open end.

17. The pillow of claim 14, wherein the cover comprises a first fold over portion positioned over the first open access slit, a second fold over portion positioned over the second open access slit, and a third fold over portion positioned over a center of the main body portion.

18. The pillow of claim 14, wherein the first and second arms are removeably attached.

19. The pillow of claim 14, wherein the slits are encircled by stitching.

20. The pillow of claim 19, wherein the main body portion and the first and second arms are formed of a resilient material.