CA1231787A - Therapeutic pillow set - Google Patents
Therapeutic pillow setInfo
- Publication number
- CA1231787A CA1231787A CA000519250A CA519250A CA1231787A CA 1231787 A CA1231787 A CA 1231787A CA 000519250 A CA000519250 A CA 000519250A CA 519250 A CA519250 A CA 519250A CA 1231787 A CA1231787 A CA 1231787A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- pillow
- pillows
- case
- thick
- edges
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G9/00—Bed-covers; Counterpanes; Travelling rugs; Sleeping rugs; Sleeping bags; Pillows
- A47G9/10—Pillows
- A47G9/1081—Pillows comprising a neck support, e.g. a neck roll
- A47G9/109—Pillows comprising a neck support, e.g. a neck roll adapted to lie on the side and in supine position
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Otolaryngology (AREA)
- Pulmonology (AREA)
- Bedding Items (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
There is provided a new and useful head and neck rest or pillow which provides therapeutic benefits comprising a pillow case; first and second pillows within the case, each pillow being of generally wedge shape and truncated toward the thin edge of the wedge shape, the truncated edges of the pillows being of substantially equal thickness, and the thick edge of the first pillow being substantially greater than the thick edge of the second pillow; and wherein the pillows are arranged in the case such that the thin edges of both pillows lie along one side of the case and the thick edges of both pillows lie along an opposite side of the case.
There is provided a new and useful head and neck rest or pillow which provides therapeutic benefits comprising a pillow case; first and second pillows within the case, each pillow being of generally wedge shape and truncated toward the thin edge of the wedge shape, the truncated edges of the pillows being of substantially equal thickness, and the thick edge of the first pillow being substantially greater than the thick edge of the second pillow; and wherein the pillows are arranged in the case such that the thin edges of both pillows lie along one side of the case and the thick edges of both pillows lie along an opposite side of the case.
Description
This application relates to an improved head and neck rest or pillow which provides therapeutic benefits.
B~C~GROU~D OF T~ I~VE~TIO~
Various types of head and neck rests and supports have been used since earliest times to support a person's head and neck while sleeping. A wide variety of configurations oE such supports have been devised, and an equally wide choice of materials have been utilized in their construction. These have varied from wooden supports which may or may not have been padded in various ways and contoured to fit the head and neck of a resting person to classic feather pillows. The latter are generally not shaped as such but are intended to adapt to the pressure points of the sleeper to provide support where necessary.
To date none of the support methods and devices have been entirely successfull. Those of wood and similar materials have generally been too unyielding to permit sufficient comfort or to be adaptable in size and shape to even relatively small differences in the anatomy of different people.
The feather pillows do not provide proper support in the areas where it is particularly necessary. For example~ such pillows provide very little support under the neck and rather tend to either support only the head or support the head and neck but in a position of curvature of the upper part of the spine.
~L23~'7~3'7 More recently various types of foams have been utilized to construct pillows and these offer a very attractive advantage of being able to be shaped and to hold their shape reasonably well, while at the same time being sufficiently resilient. Even with the advent of foams, pillows have generally been constructed in the well known and long utilized conventional "pillow shape".
This is no doubt due to the fact that the normal pillow shape does result in some degree of comfort over a variety of different positions of the head and neck.
One of the key concerns in the manufacture of a really effective pillow arises from anatomical considerations. It can be deduced that the si~e and shape of support necessary to conform with the anatomy of a person lying on his or her back is substantially different from that required where the person is lying on one or other of his or her sides. In the former case the head ought to have very little thickness of support, and the back of the neck ought to have somewhat but not a great deal more. At the same time, the interposing o~ the shoulder when a person is sleeping on one side results in the side of the head and the neck being a rather greater distance abo~e the surface upon which the person is lying. In that case, therefore, the support ought to be somewhat thicXer.
Clearly, this factor must be addressed in providing an adequate pillow or support.
3~3 e~'~3~7 PRIOR ART
The only prior art of which applicant is aware is Canadian Patent 524,694, wherein the inventor appears to appreciate that different thicknesses of pillows are desirable for different sleeping positions~ Othèrwise, the invention described in that patent is not similar to that of the present invention.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF T~ NTIO~
It has now been discovered that a wedge-shaped configuration for a head rest wherein the thicker part of the wedge shape is in the direction of a sleeper's body can meet the dual height requirement for support as between the head and neck. Furthermore, a pillow comprising two such wedge shapés best meets the criteria of the requirement of different heights for different body positions.
Accordingly, there is provided a pillow set comprising a pillow case; first and second pillows within the case, each pillow being of generally wedge shape and truncated toward the thin edge of the wedge shape, the truncated edges of the pillows being of substantially equal thickness, and the thick edge of the first pillow being substantially greater than the thick edge of the second pillow; wherein the pillows are juxtaposed in the case such that the thin edges of both pillows lie along one side ~3~
of the case and the thick edges oE both pillows lie along an opposite side of the case; and wherein the thick edge of the first pillow approximates the height of an individual's neck above a surface on which the individual is lying on his or her side and the thick edge of the second pillow approximates the height of an individual's neck above a surface on which the individual i5 lying on his or her back.
BRI~F D~SCRIPTIO~ OF THE DRAWINGS
In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention:
FIGURE l is a perspective view of a pillow set according to the invention;
FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the pillow set of FIGURE 1 with the case removed;
FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of one pillow of a pillow set according to the invention;
FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a second pillow of a set according to the invention;
FIGURE ~ illustrates one position in which the invention is utilized; and FIGURE 6 illustrates a second position in which the invention is utilized.
While the invention will be described in conjunction with illustrated embodiments, it will be understood that it is ~2~7~7 not intended to limit the ;.nvention to such embodiments. On the ; contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modif.ications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
.
_ - 4a -~;~3~
D~T~ILED DESCRIPTION OF T~E PREFERRED EMBODIMFNTS
In the following description, similar features in the drawings have been given similar reference numerals.
The pillow set 10 comprises the case 12 and, preferably a pair of pillow inserts 14 and 16. The insert could comprise a set of three pillows or an integral unit to replace the two or three inserts. The relative advantages and disadvantages will be discussed below.
Each of the pillow inserts 14 and 16 is substantially wedge shaped, with the thin edge of the wedge being truncated as at 18 and 20 respectively. The upper corners of the thick edges 22 and 24 of the wedges are preferably rounded of~ in smooth curves as at 30 and 32 respectively.
While the truncated thin edges 18 and 20 of the two inserts 14 and 16 are substantially the same thickness, one of the inserts 16 is of substantially greater thickness at the thick end than is the other.
The two inserts 14 and 16 are placed end to end in the case 12 so that the thin edges 18 and 20 lie along one longitudinal side of the case, and the thick edges 26 and 28 lie along an opposite longitudinal side of the case.
While all dimensions of the inserts can be varied somewhat to suit a range of cases, typically the thin edges of the inserts 14, 16 will be about one inch in thickness; and the thick edges 26 and 28 will be respectively about three inches and ~3~ 7 five inches in thickness. The length of the pillow i,5 not of great concern, apart from a preferred situation where the pair of inserts will fit into the standard pillow case. As well, the distance between the thick and thin edges is less critical than the heights, but a ~ypical distance would be fifteen inches.
As indicated above, one could utilize three inserts - comprising two of the thicker ones and the central thinner one or one could utilize an integral unit incorporating either the two insert or three insert case. The advantage of ~he two insert case is that it can readily be fitted into a standard pillow case and can be rearranged with the thicker insert on which ever side is desired of the thinner insert. This positioning is determined by the fact that most people are known to have a preferred side for sleeping. Thus, the thinner insert would be in a "central'!
position in which a sleeper is lying on his or her back, and the thicker insert would be placed to one side of the thinner one, the side dictated by the direction in which the person would roll to move into the position of his or her preferred side.
Clearly, with the three insert case, a thicker insert would be located to aach side of the thinner one.
The resting position utilizing the pillow set of the present case is illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 6, where it can be seen that the shapes and positions of the inserts conform to natural anatomical lines.
Thus it is apparent that there has been provided in accordance with the invention a head and neck rest or pillow which provides therapeutic benefits that fully satisfies the ~3~'7~37 objects, aims and advantages set forth above. While the invention has been desribed in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it it evident that many alternat.ives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly~ it is intended to embrace all such alternàtives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the invention.
B~C~GROU~D OF T~ I~VE~TIO~
Various types of head and neck rests and supports have been used since earliest times to support a person's head and neck while sleeping. A wide variety of configurations oE such supports have been devised, and an equally wide choice of materials have been utilized in their construction. These have varied from wooden supports which may or may not have been padded in various ways and contoured to fit the head and neck of a resting person to classic feather pillows. The latter are generally not shaped as such but are intended to adapt to the pressure points of the sleeper to provide support where necessary.
To date none of the support methods and devices have been entirely successfull. Those of wood and similar materials have generally been too unyielding to permit sufficient comfort or to be adaptable in size and shape to even relatively small differences in the anatomy of different people.
The feather pillows do not provide proper support in the areas where it is particularly necessary. For example~ such pillows provide very little support under the neck and rather tend to either support only the head or support the head and neck but in a position of curvature of the upper part of the spine.
~L23~'7~3'7 More recently various types of foams have been utilized to construct pillows and these offer a very attractive advantage of being able to be shaped and to hold their shape reasonably well, while at the same time being sufficiently resilient. Even with the advent of foams, pillows have generally been constructed in the well known and long utilized conventional "pillow shape".
This is no doubt due to the fact that the normal pillow shape does result in some degree of comfort over a variety of different positions of the head and neck.
One of the key concerns in the manufacture of a really effective pillow arises from anatomical considerations. It can be deduced that the si~e and shape of support necessary to conform with the anatomy of a person lying on his or her back is substantially different from that required where the person is lying on one or other of his or her sides. In the former case the head ought to have very little thickness of support, and the back of the neck ought to have somewhat but not a great deal more. At the same time, the interposing o~ the shoulder when a person is sleeping on one side results in the side of the head and the neck being a rather greater distance abo~e the surface upon which the person is lying. In that case, therefore, the support ought to be somewhat thicXer.
Clearly, this factor must be addressed in providing an adequate pillow or support.
3~3 e~'~3~7 PRIOR ART
The only prior art of which applicant is aware is Canadian Patent 524,694, wherein the inventor appears to appreciate that different thicknesses of pillows are desirable for different sleeping positions~ Othèrwise, the invention described in that patent is not similar to that of the present invention.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF T~ NTIO~
It has now been discovered that a wedge-shaped configuration for a head rest wherein the thicker part of the wedge shape is in the direction of a sleeper's body can meet the dual height requirement for support as between the head and neck. Furthermore, a pillow comprising two such wedge shapés best meets the criteria of the requirement of different heights for different body positions.
Accordingly, there is provided a pillow set comprising a pillow case; first and second pillows within the case, each pillow being of generally wedge shape and truncated toward the thin edge of the wedge shape, the truncated edges of the pillows being of substantially equal thickness, and the thick edge of the first pillow being substantially greater than the thick edge of the second pillow; wherein the pillows are juxtaposed in the case such that the thin edges of both pillows lie along one side ~3~
of the case and the thick edges oE both pillows lie along an opposite side of the case; and wherein the thick edge of the first pillow approximates the height of an individual's neck above a surface on which the individual is lying on his or her side and the thick edge of the second pillow approximates the height of an individual's neck above a surface on which the individual i5 lying on his or her back.
BRI~F D~SCRIPTIO~ OF THE DRAWINGS
In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention:
FIGURE l is a perspective view of a pillow set according to the invention;
FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the pillow set of FIGURE 1 with the case removed;
FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of one pillow of a pillow set according to the invention;
FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a second pillow of a set according to the invention;
FIGURE ~ illustrates one position in which the invention is utilized; and FIGURE 6 illustrates a second position in which the invention is utilized.
While the invention will be described in conjunction with illustrated embodiments, it will be understood that it is ~2~7~7 not intended to limit the ;.nvention to such embodiments. On the ; contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modif.ications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
.
_ - 4a -~;~3~
D~T~ILED DESCRIPTION OF T~E PREFERRED EMBODIMFNTS
In the following description, similar features in the drawings have been given similar reference numerals.
The pillow set 10 comprises the case 12 and, preferably a pair of pillow inserts 14 and 16. The insert could comprise a set of three pillows or an integral unit to replace the two or three inserts. The relative advantages and disadvantages will be discussed below.
Each of the pillow inserts 14 and 16 is substantially wedge shaped, with the thin edge of the wedge being truncated as at 18 and 20 respectively. The upper corners of the thick edges 22 and 24 of the wedges are preferably rounded of~ in smooth curves as at 30 and 32 respectively.
While the truncated thin edges 18 and 20 of the two inserts 14 and 16 are substantially the same thickness, one of the inserts 16 is of substantially greater thickness at the thick end than is the other.
The two inserts 14 and 16 are placed end to end in the case 12 so that the thin edges 18 and 20 lie along one longitudinal side of the case, and the thick edges 26 and 28 lie along an opposite longitudinal side of the case.
While all dimensions of the inserts can be varied somewhat to suit a range of cases, typically the thin edges of the inserts 14, 16 will be about one inch in thickness; and the thick edges 26 and 28 will be respectively about three inches and ~3~ 7 five inches in thickness. The length of the pillow i,5 not of great concern, apart from a preferred situation where the pair of inserts will fit into the standard pillow case. As well, the distance between the thick and thin edges is less critical than the heights, but a ~ypical distance would be fifteen inches.
As indicated above, one could utilize three inserts - comprising two of the thicker ones and the central thinner one or one could utilize an integral unit incorporating either the two insert or three insert case. The advantage of ~he two insert case is that it can readily be fitted into a standard pillow case and can be rearranged with the thicker insert on which ever side is desired of the thinner insert. This positioning is determined by the fact that most people are known to have a preferred side for sleeping. Thus, the thinner insert would be in a "central'!
position in which a sleeper is lying on his or her back, and the thicker insert would be placed to one side of the thinner one, the side dictated by the direction in which the person would roll to move into the position of his or her preferred side.
Clearly, with the three insert case, a thicker insert would be located to aach side of the thinner one.
The resting position utilizing the pillow set of the present case is illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 6, where it can be seen that the shapes and positions of the inserts conform to natural anatomical lines.
Thus it is apparent that there has been provided in accordance with the invention a head and neck rest or pillow which provides therapeutic benefits that fully satisfies the ~3~'7~37 objects, aims and advantages set forth above. While the invention has been desribed in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it it evident that many alternat.ives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly~ it is intended to embrace all such alternàtives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the invention.
Claims (5)
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A pillow set for support of the head and neck comprising:
a pillow case;
first and second pillows within said case, each said pillow being of generally wedge shape and truncated toward the thin edge of the wedge shape, the truncated edges of said pillows being of substantially equal thickness, and the thick edge of said first pillow being substantially greater than the thick edge of said second pillow:
wherein said pillows are juxtaposed in said case such that the thin edges of both pillows lie along one side of said case and the thick edges of both pillows lie along an opposite side of said case: and wherein said thick edge of said first pillow approximates the height of an individual's neck above a surface on which said individual is lying on his or her side and said thick edge of said second pillow approximates the height of an individual's neck above a surface on which said individual is lying on his or her back.
a pillow case;
first and second pillows within said case, each said pillow being of generally wedge shape and truncated toward the thin edge of the wedge shape, the truncated edges of said pillows being of substantially equal thickness, and the thick edge of said first pillow being substantially greater than the thick edge of said second pillow:
wherein said pillows are juxtaposed in said case such that the thin edges of both pillows lie along one side of said case and the thick edges of both pillows lie along an opposite side of said case: and wherein said thick edge of said first pillow approximates the height of an individual's neck above a surface on which said individual is lying on his or her side and said thick edge of said second pillow approximates the height of an individual's neck above a surface on which said individual is lying on his or her back.
2. The pillow set of claim 1 in which the upper corners of said thick edges are rounded.
3. The pillow set of claim 2 wherein said first and second pillows are integral parts of a single pillow.
4. The pillow set of claim 1 in which the thin edge of said pillows is about one inch thick and the thick edges of said first and second pillows are about five inches and three inches thick respectively.
5. The pillow set of claim 4 wherein the radius of the upper rounded corner of said first pillow is about 2.5 inches;
and of said second pillow, about 1.5 inches.
and of said second pillow, about 1.5 inches.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000519250A CA1231787A (en) | 1986-09-26 | 1986-09-26 | Therapeutic pillow set |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000519250A CA1231787A (en) | 1986-09-26 | 1986-09-26 | Therapeutic pillow set |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1231787A true CA1231787A (en) | 1988-01-19 |
Family
ID=4134036
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000519250A Expired CA1231787A (en) | 1986-09-26 | 1986-09-26 | Therapeutic pillow set |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1231787A (en) |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5418991A (en) * | 1992-12-10 | 1995-05-30 | Shiflett; Diana C. | Therapeutic appliance for spacing legs |
| EP0672372A1 (en) * | 1994-03-15 | 1995-09-20 | Instituto Vesalio S.L. | A cervical reclination cushion |
| US20150208812A1 (en) * | 2014-01-29 | 2015-07-30 | Colin Fenton | Body support and alignment pillow |
| USD878807S1 (en) * | 2017-12-12 | 2020-03-24 | John Marinkovic | Pillow |
-
1986
- 1986-09-26 CA CA000519250A patent/CA1231787A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5418991A (en) * | 1992-12-10 | 1995-05-30 | Shiflett; Diana C. | Therapeutic appliance for spacing legs |
| EP0672372A1 (en) * | 1994-03-15 | 1995-09-20 | Instituto Vesalio S.L. | A cervical reclination cushion |
| US5743271A (en) * | 1994-03-15 | 1998-04-28 | Instituto Vesalio S.L. | Cervical reclination cushion |
| US20150208812A1 (en) * | 2014-01-29 | 2015-07-30 | Colin Fenton | Body support and alignment pillow |
| USD878807S1 (en) * | 2017-12-12 | 2020-03-24 | John Marinkovic | Pillow |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |