Multi-Chamber Adjustable Pillow
An embodiment of a multi-chambered, adjustable pillow consisting of top and bottom main panels, internal baffles, and a closable access mechanism, assembled together so as to define a multi-chambered, internal space for receiving suitable pillow filling. The pillow may further include at least one gusset panel, wherein the gusset panels are assembled perimetrically between the top and bottom panels. In an embodiment, at least three internal baffles are installed to define four parallel, internal chambers. In another embodiment, at least two baffles are arranged orthogonally to form a combination of edge chambers and side-by-side chambers. In all embodiments a closable access mechanism, such as, but not limited to, a zipper, is provided to allow access to each internal chamber so that a user may selectively adjust the fill density or material to suit the user's support preferences. Other embodiments are described and shown.
Provisional Patent Application No. 62/769,786
Provisional Patent Application Filed Date: Nov. 20, 2018
Provisional Patent Application Title of Invention: Multi-Chamber Adjustable Pillow
TECHNICAL FIELDThe invention generally pertains to the field of pillows, and more particularly concerns pillows with more than one interior chamber.
BACKGROUNDEver since the first standard rectangular, stuffed pillow was created to support a user's head and neck while sleeping, inventors have recognized that the standard pillow does not meet the comfort and support needs of everyone equally. The drawback of a standard, single chambered pillow is the majority of support is provided in the center of the pillow where the pillow filling is thickest, and little support at the edge of the pillow under the neck area, where most support is needed.
To that end, many pillow designs have been employed in an attempt to offer better support and comfort to the user. Despite all these new designs, millions of people in the United States still suffer from neck and back pain while sleeping, because existing designs still lack a suitable option that provides both the type of support and adjustability users seek. Further, while there are designs that may offer relief for some sufferers, many people refuse to use them because the pillows do not have their preferred aesthetic form or shape. There remains a need for a better pillow that can meet the comfort and support needs of a wide range of people, is user adjustable for firmness and contour, but retains the rectangular pillow shape.
SUMMARY Solution to ProblemAccordingly, a first embodiment of the present disclosure is a multi-chambered pillow, comprising: top and bottom panels each having a set of opposing longitudinal edges and a set of opposing lateral edges defining a perimeter, at least three baffles each with a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis, and at least one closable access mechanism, such as a zipper, button, flap, snap, Velcro, clip, magnet, and so on; wherein said top and bottom panels, and said closable access mechanisms are assembled so as to define an internal space for receiving suitable pillow filling, and wherein said baffles are extending between and secured to said top and bottom panels, and secured with said longitudinal axes substantially parallel to each other, thereby dividing said internal space into at least four substantially independent internal chambers of sufficient dimensions to permit filling of each said chamber with said filling, and wherein said closable access mechanisms provide access to each of said chambers whereby a user may selectively adjust the amount of said filling in said chambers.
A second embodiment of the present disclosure is a multi-chambered pillow wherein said baffles are arranged as a first set of at least one and not more than two baffles each with a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis, and a second set of at least one baffle each with a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis, and wherein said first set of baffles are assembled so as to form one or two parallel edge chambers, and wherein said second set of baffles are secured substantially orthogonal to said first set of baffles forming a plurality of support chambers adjacent to or between said edge chambers, thereby dividing said internal space into at least three substantially independent internal chambers of sufficient dimensions to permit filling of each said chamber with said filling; and wherein said closable access mechanisms provide access to each of said chambers whereby a user may selectively adjust the amount of said filling in said chambers.
A third and fourth embodiment of the present disclosure further including at least one gusset panel having a predetermined length of at least a portion of said perimeter; wherein said top and bottom panels, said closable access mechanisms, and said gusset panels are assembled so as to define an internal space for receiving pillow filling, and wherein said gusset panels are assembled between said top and bottom panels along said perimeter.
Advantageous Effects of InventionAccordingly, several advantages of one or more aspects of the pillow are as follows. The user is able to alter the contour and firmness of the pillow to their individual support needs by selectively adjusting the fill density levels or fill type within each internal chamber. The manufacturer is able to vary the relative height and contour of the pillow by adjusting the height or contour of the gusset panels, by adjusting the height, quantity, orientation, or contour of the baffle panels, or by any combination of these adjustments, to meet the needs of a multitude of users with minimal effort or cost (for example, a person with narrow shoulders, may prefer a pillow of less height than someone with wider shoulders). The manufacturer is able to restrict the maximum and minimum heights of the pillow by adjusting the height of either the gusset panels, the baffle panels, or both. The pillow maintains the relative positioning of the interior pillow filling. The pillow may provide increased support of a user's head and neck. The pillow offers a relatively simple construction while providing a similar level of support and adjustability to the user versus more complex designs. It is to be understood that the advantages described are merely illustrative of the multitude of advantages of the invention and not an exhaustive list.
It is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention herein described are merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Reference herein to details of the illustrated embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the claims to any specific embodiment described or illustrated.
In this embodiment, the pillow has internal longitudinal baffles 11, 12 and 13 which are secured to top panel 26 at 32, 33, and 34, and secured to bottom panel 27 at 35, 36, and 37 to form four substantially distinct internal chambers 15, 16, 17, and 18 which may be independently filled with any suitable fill material to varying densities or with different fills in each chamber to provide varying levels of support. Varying the density or fill of each chamber may also vary the lateral contour of the pillow to the comfort and support needs of the user. The internal baffles may also be seen in an elevation view in
In this embodiment, chambers 15, 16, 17, and 18 may be accessed at lateral edge 22 by means of a closing mechanism shown at 14 as a zipper, however, any suitable closing mechanism may be substituted for the zipper, such as fabric flaps, Velcro, buttons, snaps, clips, etc., so long as access is provided to each chamber. It is noted that in other embodiments, a distinct closing mechanism may be provided to each chamber to allow access individually, or in any combination of chambers, as long as all chambers may be accessed. In other embodiments, the closing mechanism may be located anywhere on the pillow, as long as each chamber is provided access to allow independent adjustment of fill.
In this embodiment, the height and contour of the pillow is controlled by the uniform height and uniform contour of the gusset panels, the uniform height and uniform contour of the internal baffles, the varied spacing between baffles, and the density of fill in each chamber.
While the above descriptions contain many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations of the scope, but rather as exemplification of several embodiments thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example, another possible embodiment may include cover panels on the top and bottom of the pillow, substantially similar in shape to top and bottom main panels 26 and 27 (
While the baffles in the embodiments described above and shown in the figures extend to near the vicinity of the gusset panels at the pillow edges, in other embodiments the baffles may alternatively be secured or attached at the edges, or the baffles may alternatively be held back a small distance from the edges. Further, while the baffles are shown in the figures as taller than the gusset panels, in another embodiment the baffles and gusset panels may be the same height, the baffles may be shorter than the gusset, or the baffles and gussets may be made with any combination of heights.
While the baffles in the embodiments described above and shown in the figures are shown substantially orthogonal to the top and bottom main panels to form a chamber of uniform width on both the top and bottom main panels, in other embodiments the baffles may be secured in a non-orthogonal manner to form a chamber with a different width on the top and bottom main panels to offer the user a larger variety of support options to choose from. For example, longitudinal baffle 11 in
Other embodiments of the pillow may be made with or without a gusset on any edge. For example, in an embodiment, a gusset may be included on the longitudinal edges, but not the lateral edges. In another embodiment, a gusset may be included on one longitudinal edge and one lateral edge, but not the others. In another embodiment, a gusset may be included on only part of the length of any edge.
Accordingly, the scope should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
CITATION LISTThe following is a tabulation of some prior art that presently appears relevant:
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patents
From the foregoing, it should also be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.
Although an example embodiment of the invention has been disclosed here for the purposes of illustration, it should be understood that various changes, modifications and substitutions may be incorporated in the embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention, which is defined by the following claims.
Claims
1. A pillow, comprising:
- top and bottom panels each having a set of opposing longitudinal edges and a set of opposing lateral edges defining a perimeter, and
- at least three baffles each with a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis, and
- at least one closable access mechanism, such as a zipper, button, flap, snap, Velcro, clip, magnet, and so on; and
- wherein said top and bottom panels, and said closable access mechanisms are assembled so as to define an internal space for receiving pillow filling, and
- wherein said baffles are extending between and secured to said top and bottom panels, and secured with said longitudinal axes substantially parallel to each other, thereby dividing said internal space into at least four substantially independent internal chambers of sufficient dimensions to permit filling of each said chamber with said filling, and
- wherein said closable access mechanisms provide access to each of said chambers whereby a user may selectively adjust the amount of said filling in said chambers.
2. The pillow of claim 1 wherein at least one of said baffles is substantially rectangular in shape.
3. The pillow of claim 1 wherein at least one of said baffles varies in height across the length of the baffle.
4. The pillow of claim 1 further including:
- at least one gusset panel having a predetermined length of at least a portion of said perimeter; and
- wherein said top and bottom panels, and said closable access mechanisms, and said gusset panels are assembled so as to define an internal space for receiving pillow filling, and
- wherein said gusset panels are assembled between said top and bottom panels along said perimeter.
5. The pillow of claim 4 wherein at least one of said baffles is substantially rectangular in shape.
6. The pillow of claim 5 wherein at least one of said gusset panels is substantially rectangular in shape.
7. The pillow of claim 5 wherein at least one of said gusset panels varies in height across the length of the baffle.
8. The pillow of claim 4 wherein at least one of said baffles varies in height across the length of the baffle.
9. The pillow of claim 8 wherein at least one of said gusset panels is substantially rectangular in shape.
10. The pillow of claim 8 wherein at least one of said gusset panels varies in height across the length of the baffle.
11. A pillow, comprising:
- top and bottom panels each having a set of opposing longitudinal edges and a set of opposing lateral edges defining a perimeter, and
- a first set of at least one and not more than two baffles each with a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis, and
- a second set of at least one baffle each with a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis, and
- at least one closable access mechanism, such as a zipper, button, flap, snap, Velcro, clip, magnet, and so on; and
- wherein said top and bottom panels, and said closable access mechanisms are assembled so as to define an internal space for receiving pillow filling, and
- wherein said first set of baffles are extending between and secured to said top and bottom panels, and secured with said longitudinal axes substantially parallel to each other and to one said set of edges, and extending substantially near opposing other said set of edges, and
- wherein said second set of baffles are secured substantially orthogonal to said first set of baffles, and extending between and secured to said top and bottom panels, and wherein if said first set of baffles comprises one baffle, said second set of baffles extending from substantially near said first baffle to substantially near an opposing edge, and wherein if said first set of baffles comprises two baffles, said second set of baffles extending between and substantially near opposing said first set of baffles and thereby dividing said internal space into at least three substantially independent internal chambers of sufficient dimensions to permit filling of each said chamber with said filling; and
- wherein said closable access mechanisms provide access to each of said chambers whereby a user may selectively adjust the amount of said filling in said chambers.
12. The pillow of claim 11 wherein at least one of said baffles is substantially rectangular in shape.
13. The pillow of claim 11 wherein at least one of said baffles varies in height across the length of the baffle.
14. The pillow of claim 11 further including:
- at least one gusset panel having a predetermined length of at least a portion of said perimeter; and
- wherein said top and bottom panels, and said closable access mechanisms, and said gussets are assembled so as to define an internal space for receiving pillow filling, and
- wherein said gusset panels are assembled between said top and bottom panels along said perimeter.
15. The pillow of claim 14 wherein at least one of said baffles is substantially rectangular in shape.
16. The pillow of claim 15 wherein at least one of said gusset panels is substantially rectangular in shape.
17. The pillow of claim 15 wherein at least one of said gusset panels varies in height across the length of the baffle.
18. The pillow of claim 14 wherein at least one of said baffles varies in height across the length of the baffle.
19. The pillow of claim 18 wherein at least one of said gusset panels is substantially rectangular in shape.
20. The pillow of claim 18 wherein at least one of said gusset panels varies in height across the length of the baffle.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 13, 2019
Publication Date: May 21, 2020
Inventor: Ryan Joseph Del Balso (Platteville, WI)
Application Number: 16/683,118