Leu's Pillow
INVENTION TITLE: Leu's Pillow
Inventor: Alexandre Leu
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Ref to: Utility application serial No. 15/044,087 filed on February 15, 2016. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ergonomically designed pillow for supporting a person, more particularly to provide support for the head, neck, and back.
(2) BACKGROUND
Numerous techniques have been developed previously by way of efforts to discourage supine or prone position sleeping. They include the positioning of uncomfortable objects in the area of the back.
Many factors can contribute to resting comfort and overall sleep quality. In terms of sleep satisfaction, sleep positions appear to be related to the quality of sleep one receives. On average, poor sleepers spend more time on their back with their head straight whereas good sleepers occupy more periods of immobility on their sides, commonly referred to as the semi-fetal position. The sleep position of these poor sleepers also appears to correspond with the normal position of sleepers who complain of respiratory problems. Sound sleepers spend more sleep time immobile than poor sleepers while poor sleepers tend to have more movement patterns which seem to disrupt their sleep.
It has been observed that sound sleep is characterized by eight to twelve postural shifts per night (an eight hour period), which occur in harmony with the cycles of sleep. These shifts commonly coincide with brief moments of consciousness which, while detectable, go unnoticed by the subject. It is believed that this postural shifting during sleep naturally occurs to stimulate blood flow which works to avoid muscle tension. For these reasons it is believed that some minimal number of postural shifts cannot be avoided. In contrast, research has shown that some poor sleepers may undergo well over a hundred postural shifts in a typical eight hour sleep period. It is believed that these excessive movements are in response to physical stresses on the body commonly referred to as pressure points. A pressure point occurs when an exceptional amount of pressure is applied for an extended period on a nerve or blood vessel resulting in numbness or pain.
In response, the body adjusts to alleviate the pressure. Accordingly, it has been concluded that the quality of sleep is directly related to the comfort level one is able to achieve.
As such, there is a need for a pillow designed to support the entire back body of an individual user to thus provide optimum comfort and support for the user by relieving pressure on the spine, thereby providing the user with improved and high quality sleep.
(D) BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A primary technical advantage of the invention is to provide an economically designed multifunctional body pillow that provides support for the head, neck, and back.
Another important technical advantage of the invention is to provide a multifunctional body pillow that that provides aids people with back problems, which is additionally characterized by its minimum number of parts, its reduced cost to manufacture, its maneuverability, and its effectiveness in providing comfort.
Another important technical advantage of the invention is the invention is designed to relieve tension build up in the back by mimicking the human body structure.
Another important technical advantage of the invention is the invention is designed to allow use by more than one individual at a time if desired.
Another important technical advantage of the invention is the invention is designed to also be a cushion which helps to relieve tension around the tailbone.
Another important technical advantage of the invention is the invention is designed to prevent babies from falling off furniture such as beds and couches.
These together with other technical advantages of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
The summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
(E) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.
FIG.1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional elevation of the embodiment from FIG. 1.
(F) DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION
The following is a detailed description of example embodiments of the invention depicted in the accompanying drawings. The example embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the invention. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; but, on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a multifunctional body pillow 100 is shown. The shape of pillow 100 is rectangular with a rectangular opening formed centrally therethrough 108. The preferred length and width of the pillow is substantially 68.6 cm X 34.3 cm with the opening formed centrally therethrough 108 have a length and width substantially 43.2 cm X 8.9 cm. The preferred height of pillow 100 is 5 cm. It is contemplated the dimensions of pillow 100 may be changed to fit a desired individuals body or group of individuals with similar dimensions based on age, race, gender, or other desirable criteria. Further, the pillow comprises a plurality of arms that form the rectangular shape of the pillow, including at least two longer arms 102 of approximately equal dimensions, including diameter, and at least two shorter arms 104 of approximately equal dimensions, including diameter. It is preferred longer arms 102 and shorter arms 104 are tubular in shape along their lengths, but may be any desired shape, such as rectangular or square, and with or without rounded corners. Further, the preferred the diameter of each longer arm 102 and each shorter arm 104 is 5 cm, but the diameter of each longer arm 102 and each shorter arm 104 can vary as desired. Further, it is preferred the length and width of longer arms 102 is substantially 68.6 cm x 25.4 cm and the preferred length and width of shorter arms 104 is substantially 34.3 cm x 25.4 cm, but any desired length and width may be used as long as the rectangular shape of the pillow is maintained. The pillow 100 is formed by the joining of the longer arms 102 and shorter arms 104 at 90 degree angles to form the rectangular shape. Longer arms 102 and shorter arms 104 may be formed together as one piece or individual pieces. The individual pieces may be sewn together, adhered together by adhesive material, or other methods commonly known in the art. The outer corners 106 of pillow 100 are tapered or rounded but could be pointed if desired based on factors such as aesthetic appeal or ease of manufacturing.
Referring to FIG. 2, the longer arms 102 and shorter arms 104 of pillow 100 further comprise a covering material 110 enclosing a filler material 120 that is a stuffing of supporting material inside the covering material 110, and a removable cover 130 which enclosed covering material 110 and filler material 120. The filler material is ideally memory foam, polyester, or soft foam but can be any natural or synthetic material commonly used in the art, such as latex, polyurethane, wool, cotton, and microbead material, or a combination thereof. The filler material 120 may be one entire piece of material or comprised of multiple pieces of material. It is preferable the filler material 120 is smooth and continuous, however it is contemplated the filler material may be textured or loose material if desired for functional or aesthetic desires. The covering material 110 and cover 130 may comprise any natural or synthetic material commonly used in the art, such as cotton or microfiber and sewn closed or have an opening and closing mechanism 140 such as a zipper, button, or other known manner. Further, covering material 110 and cover 130 may contain any design, ornamentation, and texture desirable to a user. Further, it is contemplated an embodiment of pillow 100 may not include a cover 130.
The basic structure of the pillow and material used to create pillow 100 is meant to allow enough resistance to support and relieve pressure on the back. The density of filler material 120 is substantially consistent throughout the pillow, but pillows with different densities of filler material 120 are contemplated to accommodate different needs and preferences of individuals. Further, the density of filler material 120 may vary between each longer arm 102 and each shorter arm 104 if desired.
The pillow 100 provides a way to align a spinal cord of a human body as the pillow 100 automatically adapts to the shape of the human body structure that is in contact of the pillow, thereby supporting the spinal column while relieving the pressure normally experienced on it while lying down. Further, pillow 100 operates as a cushion which relieves stress around the tailbone of a sitting user. Further, pillow 100 provides security to support babies and small children from falling off furniture.
Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement, which is calculated to achieve the same purpose, may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.