US20110271453A1

US20110271453A1 - Adjustable cradle pillow systems

Info

Publication number: US20110271453A1
Application number: US13/101,705
Authority: US
Inventors: Chimanlal Gandhi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-05-07
Filing date: 2011-05-05
Publication date: 2011-11-10

Abstract

An adjustable cradle pillow system providing support for a cervical region and spine alignment for a human user during at least one resting period thereby providing the human with a more comfortable and restful night's sleep. The adjustable cradle pillow may include: a primary pillow; a cradle pillow; and a slab pillow. Due to the three-piece construction (primary pillow, cradle pillow, and slab pillow) of the adjustable cradle pillow system, different filling densities of the primary pillow, cradle pillow, and slab pillow may be used thereby provide varying degree of firmness. The primary pillow, cradle pillow, and slab pillow of adjustable cradle pillow system in modular-related-combination comprise a cervical region support assembly. The cervical region support assembly provides support for a cervical region and spine alignment for a human user during resting periods.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 61/332,274, filed May 7, 2010 which application is incorporated herein by reference.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of pillows and more specifically relates to an adjustable cradle pillow that provides support for a cervical region and spine alignment for a human user during at least one resting period. The pillow system is modular.
2. Description of the Related Art
A pillow is a large cushion support for the head, usually used while sleeping in a bed, or for the body as used on a couch or chair. Internally, a pillow typically comprises a filler made from foam, synthetic fills, feathers, or down or combination thereof. A pillow is designed to provide support and comfort to the body and head, although this is not often the case.
A significant amount of pillows including standard commercial, contour, and cervical designs do not provide consumers with adequate support for the neck and head. Due to this inadequate neck and head support, muscle aches, stiffness, headaches, and a poor night's sleep may result. Pillow designs that do offer support may not be adjustable and are often only beneficial in certain sleeping positions. If consumers prefer their pillows to be higher, they may stack additional pillows on top of one another. Unfortunately, this stacking arrangement is not stable and is likely to shift around during the night leading to poor sleeping conditions.
Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,777,678; 4,987,625; 5,632,050; 4,494,261; 5,360,017; and 6,006,380. This prior art is representative of pillows. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed.
Ideally, adjustable cradle pillow systems should be modular, user-friendly and, yet would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable adjustable cradle pillow system that can be adjustably placed onto a primary pillow to avoid the above-mentioned problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known pillow art, the present invention provides a novel adjustable cradle pillow system(s). The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an adjustable cradle pillow system that provides support for a cervical region and spine alignment for a human user during resting period(s).
The present invention, adjustable cradle pillow systems, as disclosed herein preferably comprises: at least one primary pillow comprising a bottom, a middle and a top (graduated in relation to each other and discussed as in reference to the top planar surface); at least one cradle pillow; and at least one slab pillow. The primary pillow, the cradle pillow, and the slab pillow in modular-related-combination comprise a cervical region support assembly. Further, the modular adjustable cradle pillow system provides support for the cervical region and spine alignment for a human user during at least one resting period. In this way the present invention promotes healthy and restful sleep for its users.
The primary pillow, the cradle pillow and the slab pillow may comprise fabric covers having hook and loop fasteners or other suitable fastening means. The hook fasteners on the cradle pillow can be attached towards at least one outer edge with a middle portion of the cradle pillow left unattached. The hook fasteners are preferably located on at least the planar bottom surface on the slab pillow and are securable to a mattress. The mattress may also comprise mated loop fasteners such that the mattress may be used within and/or in conjunction with the present system.
The primary pillow preferably comprises a rectangular profile (or other shapes in alternate embodiments) and a recessed, concave frontal curvature providing a shoulder-shaped portion. The primary pillow may be arched widthwise, creating at least one free space at the bottom and a rising slope that reaches a highest point in the middle of the primary pillow. The concave shape of recessed concave frontal curvature can be self-molded by the shoulder of the individual when adjustable cradle pillow system comprises microbead or gel type filler (or other suitable equivalent.) In this way the present invention is able to have a preformed concave recess as compared to versions using factory fabricate.
The cradle pillow preferably comprises a similar length to the primary pillow and may comprise hook fasteners on the fabric cover that connects with the loop fasteners on the primary pillow (providing modular assembly.) Further, the cradle pillow comprises an arch-profile and a neck-conforming contour in preferred embodiments that may be semi-circular or semi-elliptical. The cradle pillow may be attached to be positioned within the shoulder-shaped portion of the primary pillow, as per user-preference.
The slab pillow comprises a substantially planar top surface (graduated from the bottom) and a substantially planar bottom (underside) surface. The slab pillow comprises the hook fasteners which may be located on the planar bottom surface (for stabilized attachment to mattress or other resting surface.) The slab pillow is locatable under the primary pillow to create an increased height of the cervical region support assembly to provide spine alignment while resting.
A kit is also embodied herein for the adjustable cradle pillow system preferably comprising: at least one primary pillow; at least one cradle pillow; at least one slab pillow; hook and loop fasteners; and a set of user-instructions for installation and use.
In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention a preferred method of use is disclosed herein comprising: installing a set of loop fasteners on a mattress top surface; arranging at least one primary pillow, at least one cradle pillow, and at least one slab pillow in a user-preferred alignment thereby creating a modular-related-combination for providing support for a human user's cervical region and spine during at least one resting period; and height-adjusting the modular adjustable cradle pillow system to a user-preferred position.
The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as an adjustable cradle pillow system. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, adjustable cradle pillow system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view illustrating an adjustable cradle pillow system in an ‘in-use’ condition according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view illustrating human cervical region in relation to the embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2A shows a perspective view illustrating a vertebral column of a human-user the cervical region and relative spine alignment in relation to the embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view illustrating a primary pillow of the adjustable cradle pillow system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is perspective view illustrating a cradle pillow (in its normal orientation) of the adjustable cradle pillow system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4B is perspective view illustrating a ‘wrapped’ orientation of the cradle pillow of the adjustable cradle pillow system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the cradle pillow being removably-attachable to the primary pillow of the adjustable cradle pillow system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is perspective view illustrating a slab pillow of the adjustable cradle pillow system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is perspective view illustrating a modular adjustable cradle pillow, slab pillow and primary pillow of the adjustable cradle pillow system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is perspective view illustrating a stackable arrangement of the adjustable cradle pillow system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to pillows and more specifically relates to an adjustable cradle pillow that provides support for a cervical region and spine alignment for a human user during at least one resting period.
Referring now to FIGS. 1-2A showing perspective views of adjustable cradle pillow system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, adjustable cradle pillow system 100 provides support for a cervical region and spine alignment for human-user 180 during at least one resting period thereby providing human-user 180 with a more comfortable and restful night's sleep. As shown, spine of human-user 180 is in a user-preferred position. Adjustable cradle pillow system 100 preferably is adjustably placed with primary pillow 110 as shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 2 & 2A, vertebral column 200 of human user 180 is shown along with proportions of human user 180. The present invention, as used according to method of use (mentioned subsequently) serves to promote natural curvature and alignment in a comfortable position while human-user 180 is resting as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7. Thus, a supported, healthy sleeping period may be realized by at least one human user 180.
In human anatomy, vertebral column 200 (cervical region 210 and thoracic region 220) is a column usually consisting of 24 articulating vertebrae, and 9 fused vertebrae in the sacrum and the coccyx. Vertebral column 200 is preferably situated in the dorsal aspect of the torso, separated by intervertebral discs and vertebral column 200 houses and protects the spinal cord in its spinal cana.
There are normally thirty-three (33) vertebrae in human-user 180, including the five that are fused to form the sacrum (the others are separated by intervertebral discs) and the four coccygeal bones that form the tailbone. The upper three regions comprise the remaining 24, and are grouped under the names cervical region 210 (7 vertebrae), thoracic region 220 (12 vertebrae) and lumbar region (5 vertebrae), according to the regions they occupy as shown in FIG. 2A. This number is sometimes increased by an additional vertebra in one region, or it may be diminished in one region, the deficiency often being supplied by an additional vertebra in another. The number of cervical vertebrae is, however, very rarely increased or diminishes.
There are seven (7) cervical bones (but 8 cervical spinal nerves) that make up cervical region 210 and these bones are, in general, small and delicate. Their spinous processes are short (with the exception of C2 and C7, which have palpable spinous processes). Numbered top-to-bottom from C1-C7, atlas (C1) and axis (C2), are the vertebrae that allow the neck and head so much movement. For the most part, the atlanto-occipital joint allows the skull to move up and down, while the atlanto-axial joint allows the upper neck to twist left and right. The axis also sits upon the first intervertebral disk of the spinal column.
The twelve thoracic bones that make up thoracic region 220 and their transverse processes have surfaces that articulate with the ribs. Some rotation can occur between the thoracic vertebrae, but their connection with the rib cage prevents much flexion or other excursion. They may also be known as ‘dorsal vertebrae’, in the human context. It is ideal that these bones would be aligned during non-rest and rest periods. The present invention because of its modular construct and assembly is able to provide user-preferred fit customized to the individual user to promote spine alignment and health and minimize misalignment and resulting discomfort(s). Adjustable cradle pillow system 100 is able to be rigidly secured as a modular assembly such that spine maintains its normal preferred position and doesn't move in relation to adjustable cradle pillow system 100 (as traditional pillows move in relation to each other and to human-user 180. These features provide that the proper cervical curve be maintained.
Consumers of various ages with different neck, head and shoulder dimensions can minimize the risk of developing neck, cervical and adjoining body pain problems experienced with other pillows, due to the benefits of using adjustable cradle pillow system 100. FIG. 1 shows relative proportions and alignment of human-user 180 in relation to adjustable cradle pillow system 100 (in-use.) Further, adjustable cradle pillow system 100 permits human-user 180 to customize their pillow arrangement due to the ability to change and rearrange a height and relative position of adjustable cradle pillow system 100 at virtually any time as discussed below.
Referring now to FIGS. 3-8 showing perspective views of adjustable cradle pillow system 100 according to embodiment(s) of the present invention. Adjustable cradle pillow 100 preferably includes: at least one primary pillow 110; at least one cradle pillow 130; and at least one slab pillow 150. Due to the three-piece (or more in other embodiments) construction (primary pillow 110, cradle pillow 130, and slab pillow) of adjustable cradle pillow system 100, different filling densities of primary pillow 110, cradle pillow 130, and slab pillow 150 may be strategically used thereby providing varying degree of firmness (to provide suitable support means.) Human-user 180 may select any combination of the firmness to a support level as comfortable for the head and neck of human-user 180. In alternate embodiments synthetic and non-synthetic fills may be used within adjustable cradle pillow system 100 comprising gels, microbead fillers, organic materials and the like.
Primary pillow 110, cradle pillow 130, and slab pillow 150 of adjustable cradle pillow system 100 in modular-related-combination comprise a cervical region support assembly 160 as shown best in FIGS. 1 and 7. Cervical region support assembly 160 provides support for a cervical region and spine alignment for human user 180 during at least one resting period. Primary pillow 110 further comprises fabric cover 112 having top loop fastener 114 and bottom loop fasteners 115 as shown in FIG. 3. Cradle pillow 130 further comprises fabric cover 132 having hook fasteners 134 as shown in FIGS. 4A-4B. Slab pillow 150 also comprises fabric cover 152 having top hook fasteners 154 and bottom hook fasteners 155 as shown in FIG. 6. Hook and loop fasteners 114, 115, 134, 154, and 155 are preferably placed in complimentary locations for attaching and detaching primary pillow 110, cradle pillow 130, and slab pillow 150 to form adjustable cradle pillow system 100. It should be appreciated that other suitable equivalent fastening means may be used.
Primary pillow 110 is preferably the ‘first’ pillow of adjustable cradle pillow system 100. Primary pillow 110 may comprise a substantially rectangular profile, similar to conventional pillows as shown in FIG. 3. Further, primary pillow 110 may comprise a recessed, concave frontal curvature providing shoulder-shaped portion 116 to best accommodate human dimensions illustrated in FIG. 2. Primary pillow 110 also includes bottom 118, middle 120, and top 122. Primary pillow 110 may be arched widthwise, creating at least one free space 124 at bottom 114 and a rising slope that reaches a highest point in middle 116 of primary pillow 110. Further primary pillow 110 preferably comprises top loop fasteners 114 and bottom loop fasteners 115 for removably attaching to cradle pillow 130 and slab pillow 150, as shown in FIG. 1.
Cradle pillow 130 is preferably the ‘second’ pillow of adjustable cradle pillow system 100 as shown best in FIGS. 4A and 4B. Cradle pillow 130 may be similar in length to primary pillow 110 and may include an arch-profile. Cradle pillow 130 may be oriented in natural orientation illustrated in FIG. 4A or self-formed to wrap around neck and shoulder as shown in FIG. 4B. Hook fasteners 134 on fabric cover 132 of cradle pillow 130 preferably connects with top loop fasteners 114 of primary pillow 110 as shown best in FIGS. 1 and 8.
Cradle pillow 130 may have a semi-circular, semi-elliptical, or other suitable shape and cross section of dimensions that conforms and self-wraps to a neck and shoulder region of human user 180 (shown in FIG. 1.) Hook fasteners 134 on cradle pillow 130 may be removably-attached towards outer edges with a middle potion of cradle pillow 130 left unattached if desired. Cradle pillow 130 may be removably-attached to be positioned within shoulder-shaped portion 116 of primary pillow 110 as shown best in FIGS. 1 & 7. However, cradle pillow 130 may be removably-attached via hook fasteners 134 in virtually any location along top loop fasteners 114 on primary pillow 110 as shown best in FIG. 5. These and other features make the present invention useful for human users 180 of different heights, cervical profiles and also provides that the system is manipulatable between various contortions to fit user-preference for personal comfort.
Slab pillow 150 is preferably the ‘third’ pillow (component) of adjustable cradle pillow system 100. Slab pillow comprises planar top surface 156 and planar bottom surface 158. Top hook fasteners 154 of slab pillow 150 are preferably located on planar bottom surface 158 and mate with bottom loop fasteners 115 of primary pillow 110 while bottom hook fasteners 155 of slab pillow 150 preferably mate with loop fasteners 810 of mattress 800 (user-installed.) Slab pillow 150 is preferably locatable under primary pillow 110 to create an increased height of cervical region support assembly 160 to accommodate cervical profile shown in FIG. 2. In certain embodiments there may be an optional compression device comprising a coil spring or compression tube, internal or external to primary pillow 110.
Adjustable cradle pillow system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-8 may comprise kit 840. Kit 840 may comprise the following parts: at least one primary pillow 110; at least one cradle pillow 130; at least one slab pillow 150; hook and loop fasteners; and a set of user-instructions for installation and use. In certain circumstances kit 840 may not include slab pillow 150 which may be optionally purchased separately. Additionally, kit 840 may be sold in individual components depending on wholesaler/retailer-preference.
Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different color combinations, parts may be sold separately.
A method of using adjustable cradle pillow system 100 may comprise the steps of: (optionally) installing a set of loop fasteners on top surface of mattress 800; arranging and securably-connecting at least one primary pillow 110, at least one cradle pillow 130; and at least one slab pillow 150 in a user-preferred alignment thereby creating a modular-related-combination for providing support for a cervical region of human-user 180 and spine during at least one resting period; and height-adjusting adjustable cradle pillow system 100 to a user-preferred position.
It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient.
The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

Claims

1. An adjustable cradle pillow system comprising:

at least one primary pillow;

at least one cradle pillow; and

at least one slab pillow;

wherein said primary pillow, said cradle pillow, and said slab pillow in modular-related-combination comprise an adjustable cervical region support assembly; and

wherein said adjustable cradle pillow system provides support for said cervical region and spine alignment for a human user during at least one resting period.

2. The adjustable cradle pillow system of claim 1 wherein said primary pillow, said cradle pillow and said slab pillow comprise fabric covers having hook and loop fasteners.

3. The adjustable cradle pillow system of claim 1 wherein said primary pillow comprises a substantially rectangular profile.

4. The adjustable cradle pillow system of claim 3 wherein said primary pillow comprises a recessed, concave frontal curvature providing a shoulder-shaped portion.

5. The adjustable cradle pillow system of claim 1 wherein said primary pillow comprises a bottom, a middle and a top, wherein said primary pillow is arched widthwise, creating at least one free space at said bottom and a rising slope that reaches a highest point in said middle of said primary pillow.

6. The adjustable cradle pillow system of claim 2 wherein said cradle pillow comprises a similar length to said primary pillow and comprises said hook fasteners on said fabric cover that connects with said loop fasteners on said primary pillow.

7. The adjustable cradle pillow system of claim 2 wherein said cradle pillow comprises a neck-conforming contour that is semi-circular.

8. The adjustable cradle pillow system of claim 2 wherein said cradle pillow comprises a neck-conforming contour that is semi-elliptical.

9. The adjustable cradle pillow system of claim 1 wherein said slab pillow comprises a planar top surface.

10. The adjustable cradle pillow system of claim 9 wherein said slab pillow comprises a planar bottom surface.

11. The adjustable cradle pillow system of claim 10 wherein said slab pillow comprises said hook fasteners located on said planar bottom surface.

12. The adjustable cradle pillow system of claim 11 wherein said hook fasteners located on said planar bottom surface on said slab pillow are securable to a mattress, said mattress comprising mated said loop fasteners.

13. The adjustable cradle pillow system of claim 11 wherein said slab pillow is locatable under said primary pillow to create an increased height of said cervical region support assembly.

14. The adjustable cradle pillow system of claim 1 wherein said cradle pillow comprises an arch-profile.

15. The adjustable cradle pillow system of claim 1 wherein said hook fasteners on said cradle pillow can be attached towards at least one outer edge with a middle portion of said cradle pillow left unattached.

16. The adjustable cradle pillow system of claim 4 wherein said cradle pillow can be attached to be positioned within said shoulder-shaped portion of said primary pillow.

17. A modular adjustable cradle pillow system comprising:

at least one primary pillow comprising a bottom, a middle and a top;

at least one cradle pillow; and

at least one slab pillow;

wherein said primary pillow, said cradle pillow, and said slab pillow in modular-related-combination comprise a cervical region support assembly;

wherein said primary pillow, said cradle pillow and said slab pillow comprise fabric covers having hook and loop fasteners;

wherein said primary pillow comprises a rectangular profile;

wherein said primary pillow comprises a recessed, concave frontal curvature providing a shoulder-shaped portion;

wherein said primary pillow is arched widthwise, creating at least one free space at said bottom and a rising slope that reaches a highest point in said middle of said primary pillow;

wherein said cradle pillow comprises a similar length to said primary pillow and comprises said hook fasteners on said fabric cover that connects with said loop fasteners on said primary pillow;

wherein said cradle pillow comprises an arch-profile;

wherein said cradle pillow comprises a neck-conforming contour that is semi-circular or semi-elliptical;

wherein said hook fasteners on said cradle pillow can be attached towards at least one outer edge with said middle portion of said cradle pillow left unattached;

wherein said cradle pillow can be attached to be positioned within said shoulder-shaped portion of said primary pillow;

wherein said slab pillow comprises a planar top surface;

wherein said slab pillow comprises a planar bottom surface;

wherein said slab pillow comprises said hook fasteners located on said planar bottom surface;

wherein said hook fasteners located on said planar bottom surface on said slab pillow are securable to a mattress, said mattress comprising mated said loop fasteners;

wherein said slab pillow is locatable under said primary pillow to create an increased height of said cervical region support assembly; and

wherein said modular adjustable cradle pillow system provides support for said cervical region and spine alignment for a human user during at least one resting period.

18. The modular adjustable cradle pillow system of claim 17 further comprising a kit including said at least one primary pillow; said at least one cradle pillow; said at least one slab pillow; said hook and loop fasteners; and a set of user-instructions for installation and use.

19. A method of using a modular adjustable cradle pillow system comprising the steps of:

installing a set of loop fasteners on a mattress top surface; and

arranging at least one primary pillow, at least one cradle pillow; and at least one slab pillow in a user-preferred alignment, securably-connecting said at least one primary pillow, said at least one cradle pillow; and said at least one slab pillow thereby creating a modular-related-combination for providing support for a human user's cervical region and spine during at least one resting period.

20. The method of using a modular adjustable cradle pillow system of claim 19 further comprising a step of height-adjusting said modular adjustable cradle pillow system to a user-preferred position.