CA1238992A - Pillow having special dimensions and configuration adapted for rest and sleep purposes - Google Patents

Pillow having special dimensions and configuration adapted for rest and sleep purposes

Info

Publication number
CA1238992A
CA1238992A CA000472684A CA472684A CA1238992A CA 1238992 A CA1238992 A CA 1238992A CA 000472684 A CA000472684 A CA 000472684A CA 472684 A CA472684 A CA 472684A CA 1238992 A CA1238992 A CA 1238992A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
pillow
convexly curved
head
extending longitudinally
portion extending
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
Application number
CA000472684A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Paul Silver
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
SPRINGWALL SLEEP PRODUCTS Ltd
Original Assignee
SPRINGWALL SLEEP PRODUCTS Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by SPRINGWALL SLEEP PRODUCTS Ltd filed Critical SPRINGWALL SLEEP PRODUCTS Ltd
Priority to CA000472684A priority Critical patent/CA1238992A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1238992A publication Critical patent/CA1238992A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47GHOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G9/00Bed-covers; Counterpanes; Travelling rugs; Sleeping rugs; Sleeping bags; Pillows
    • A47G9/10Pillows
    • A47G9/1081Pillows comprising a neck support, e.g. a neck roll
    • A47G9/109Pillows 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

An improved pillow having dimensions and configuration adapted to relieve muscular tension from the muscles of the head, neck and shoulders of a user comprising a pillow adapted to support the head and cervical vertebrae at at least three predetermined levels respectively in relation to the thoracic vertebrae of the spine while permitting axial rotation of the cervical vertebrae in relation to the thoracic vertebrae, the pillow constructed of a suitable resiliently compressible material of a substantially rectangularly shaped body having at least two top surfaces each surface presenting at least one convexly curved raised portion extending longitudinally along more than one side of the pillow which is placed adjacent to a substantially concavely curved depressed portion extending longitudinally, wherein the at least two parallel convexly curved raised portions extending longitudinally proximate at least two parallel sides of the pillow of different heights are spaced apart by the substantially concavely curved depressed portion extending longitudinally, one of such convexly curved raised portions being larger and of a greater radius of curvature than the oppositely spaced convexly curved raised portion, thereby providing a convexly curved configuration of at least three dimensions suitable for a range of individuals or for a range of comfort for varying positions.

Description

. _ The present invention relates to an improved pillow, having special dimensions, and configuration adapted for rest and sleep purposes.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
A variety of pillows for either therapeutic, or rest and sleep purposes have been proposed for positioning or supporting the head, and cervical vertebrae. More than other regions of the spine, extensive rotation and extension is possible in the cervical region, permitting vertical movement of the head forward and backwards in relation to the chest and back, lateral movement or extension of the head from side to side, and axial rotation of the "neck"
in relation to the rest of the spine. In a normal spine when a person is in the standing position, the cervical vertebrae assume a convex forward curve. It is known in the art that the muscles of the head, neck and shoulder associated with the cervical vertebrae, and the associated sensations of tension or relaxation, are substantially relieved of muscle tension when the cervical vertebrae assume a convex forward position. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that normally when a person is in a lying position, the cervical vertebrae will not assume a convex forward curvature -- as various lying positions are assumed the cervical vertebrae will extend or rotate through the range of possible positions, none of which normally assist in the relief of muscle tension associated with the normal convex forward curvature of the cervical vertebrae. Normal pillows tend to aggravate muscular tension associated with the head, neck and shoulders, for example, ~3~2 1 by supporting the head of a person lying on his/her back so as to straighten the normal convex forward curvature of the cervical vertebrae. A variety of "pillows" have been proposed for either therapeutic or rest and sleep purposes which although they support the convex forward curvature of the cervical vertebrae, substantially immobilize the head and cervical vertebrae in substantially axial alignment with the (thoracic vertebrae) spine through means supporting the convex forward curvature of the cervical vertebrae, preventing lateral extension of the head and neck, and preventing axial rotation of the neck in relation to the rest of the spine. These proposals are useful where a person is resting on the bac]c or side within a substantially immobilized range oE positions.
however, in normal sleep a person is active throughout a range of positions during the night. It is therefore desirable to support the convex forward curvature of the cervical vertebrae, for example when a person is resting on the back, and to prevent the lateral extension of the head, for example when a person is resting on the side while not preventing axial rotation of the neck in relation to the rest of the spine thereby encumbering the active movement of a body resting on a pillow during sleep. until my invention where it has been taught to provide support to the convex forward curvature of the cervical vertebrae it has been taught in combination with a degree of lateral support to the head or neck sufficient to prevent the axial rotation of the neck in relation to the rest of the spine, thereby substantially immobilizing the head. For example, United States Patent 2,700,779 teaches a configuration 1 of transversely disposed pairs of raised and depressed portions adapted to receive and support the head, neck and shoulders of a person in substantially axial alignment with the spinal column.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved pillow for rest and sleep which overcomes the deficiencies of prior art.
Further and other objects of the invention will be realized by those sXilled in the art from the following summary of the invention and detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof.
SUMMARY OF TOE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention, an impxoved pillow having dimensions and configuration adapted lS to relieve muscular tension from the muscles of the head, neck and shoulders of a user is provided comprising an improved pillow adapted to support the head and cervical vertebrae at at least three predetermined levels respectively in relation to the thoracic vertebrae of the spine while permitting axial rotation of the cervical vertebrae in relation to the thoracic vertebrae, the pillow constructed of a suitable resiliently compressible material of a substantially rectangularly shaped body having at least two top surfaces, each surface presenting at least one convexly curved raised portion extending longitudinally along more than one side of the pillow which is placed adjacent to a substantially concavely curved depressed portion extending longitudinally.
According to this aspect of the invention, the convex curved raised portion of the pillow extending longitudinally is of a configuration and at a predetermined level to support 1 the normal convex forward curvature of the cervical vertebrae;
the concavely curved depression of the pillow extending longitudinally adjacent the convex portion and in combination therewith is of a configuration to receive the head at a second predetermined level spaced vertically below that of the convex curved raised portion of the pillow so as to promote the convex forward curvature of the cervical vertebrae. It will be appreciated that, such longitudinally extending raised and lowered portions are of a configuration, as well, to support the head and cervical vertebrae sufficiently that the head and neck do not extend laterally when a person is resting on his/her side. When a person is resting on his/her side, normally the convexly curved raised portion of the pillow, extending longitudinally will support the side of the neck sufficiently to elevate the neck to a position of relative lateral extension substantially coplanar with the shoulder to shoulder axis of the (thoracic vertebrae of the) spine' the concavely curved depressed portion of the pillow will receive and support the side of the head substantially coplanar with the cervical vertebrae. Since it is desireable to support the side of the head such that the head remains oriented laterally in the same plane as the neck, a slight change in elevation between the raised and depressed portions of the pillow is preferable where a person utilizing the pillow is resting on his/her side.
It is, therefore, preferable to support the side of the neck with the lesser of the two convexly raised portions provided in this embodiment of the pillow.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least two parallel convexly curved raised portions extending ~LZ3~92 1 longitudinally proximate two parallel sides of the pillo~l of different heights are spaced apart by the substantially concavely curved depressed portion extending longitudinally.
One of such raised portions is larger and of a greater radius of curvature than the opposite raised portion, thereby providing a convexly curved configuration of at least three dimensions suitable for a range of individuals or for a range of comfort for varying positions.
While these embodiments of the pillow support the vertical and lateral extension of the neck and head, it will be appreciated that the pillow does not in any way restrict the axial rotation of the neck in relation to the rest of the spine so as to immobilize the head, nor does the pillow present a receptive configuration designed for positioning the pillow proximate the head and neck at only one suitable area of the pillow -- the invention provides a configuration suitable for support which extends longitudinally over the length of the pillow thereby adapting the pillow for use by a person sleeping throughout an active range of positions during the night.
The invention will now be illustrated with reference to drawings of an embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Figure l is a perspective view of an improved pillow in one embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 is a side view of the improved pillow shown in Figure l.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the improved pillow shown in Figure l, shown supporting the neck and the back of the head of a person reclining on his/her back.

~23~

1 Figure 4 is a perspective view of the improved pillow shown in Figures 1 and 3, shown presenting one convexly curved raised side, which side is relatively smaller than the oppositely spaced convexly curved raised side, to support the neck and back of the head of a user.
Figure 5 is a side view of the pillow shown in Figure 1, shown supporting the neck and head of a person reclining on the back whereby rotation of the cervical vertebrae unrestricted by the configuration of the pillow presents one side of the head resting on the pillow.
Figure 6 is a side view of the pillow shown in Figure 1, shown supporting the neck and head of a person reclining on one side.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF INVENTION
With reference to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown an improved plllow 11 having dimensions and configuration adapted to relieve muscular tension from the muscles of the head, neck and shoulders of a user by supporting the head 13 and neck (cervical vertebrae) 15 of a user 17 (best shown in Figures 3 and 4) at at least two predetermined levels 21, l9A or 21, l9s in~relation to the thoracic vertebrae 23 of the user's spine 25. Pillow 11, preferably constructed of any suitable resiliently compressible material formed in a substantially rectangularly shaped body, presents two convexly curved raised sides 27, 29 which are spaced apart by a substantially concavely curved depressed portion 31. Convex side 27 is larger and of a greater radius of curvature than oppositely spaced convex side 29, thereby providing a pillow 11 having at least two dimensions which may be presented to support the head 13 and neck 15 of Z3~2 1 a user 17 suitable for a range of individuals or for a range of comfort for varying positions.
With reference to Figures 3 and 2, convex side 27 supports cervical vertebrae 15 at position l9A and depressed middle 31 supports head 13 at position 21. With reference to Figures 4 and 2 convex side 29 supports cervical vertebrae 15 at position l9s and depressed middle 31 supports head 13 at position 21. Position l9A promotes a substantially greater convex forward curvature of the cervical vertebrae 15 in relation to the head 13 and thoracic vertebrae 23, than does position l9B.
With reference to Figures 5, 3 and 4, it will be appreciated that when a user 17 is resting on his/her back, convex sides 27, 29 provide no lateral support to head 13 thereby permitting axial rotation of neck 15 (cervical vertebrae) allowing side of head 33 to rest on depressed portion 31 of pillow 11.
With reference to Figure 6, preferably convexly curved raised side 29 supports neck 15 in a position of lateral extention at a predetermined level l9B which is substantially coplanar with thoracic vertebrae 23. Side of head 33 rests on depressed portion 31 of pillow 11, the slight variation between level l9B and depressed portion substantially corresponding to the natural configuration of the side of the head 33 and the side of the neck 15A.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1. An improved pillow having dimensions and configuration adapted to relieve muscular tension from the muscles of the head, neck and shoulders of a user comprising a pillow adapted to support the head and cervical vertebrae at at least three predetermined levels respectively in relation to the thoracic vertebrae of the spine while permitting axial rotation of the cervical vertebrae in relation to the thoracic vertebrae, the pillow constructed of a suitable resiliently compressible material of a substantially rectangularly shaped body having at least two top surfaces, each surface presenting at least one convexly curved raised portion extending longitudinally along more than one side of the pillow which is placed adjacent to a substantially concavely curved depressed portion extending longitudinally; wherein the at least two parallel convexly curved raised portions extending longitudinally proximate at least two parallel sides of the pillow of different heights are spaced apart by the substantially concavely curved depressed portion extending longitudinally, one of such convexly curved raised portions being larger and of a greater radius of curvature than the oppositely spaced convexly curved raised portion, thereby providing a convexly curved configuration of at least three dimensions suitable for a range of individuals or for a range of comfort for varying positions.
CA000472684A 1985-01-23 1985-01-23 Pillow having special dimensions and configuration adapted for rest and sleep purposes Expired CA1238992A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA000472684A CA1238992A (en) 1985-01-23 1985-01-23 Pillow having special dimensions and configuration adapted for rest and sleep purposes

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA000472684A CA1238992A (en) 1985-01-23 1985-01-23 Pillow having special dimensions and configuration adapted for rest and sleep purposes

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1238992A true CA1238992A (en) 1988-07-05

Family

ID=4129651

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA000472684A Expired CA1238992A (en) 1985-01-23 1985-01-23 Pillow having special dimensions and configuration adapted for rest and sleep purposes

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA1238992A (en)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5016303A (en) * 1989-06-09 1991-05-21 Lumex, Inc. Cervical and head support pillow
US5418991A (en) * 1992-12-10 1995-05-30 Shiflett; Diana C. Therapeutic appliance for spacing legs
EP0811343A1 (en) * 1996-06-05 1997-12-10 Gummo Italia S.R.L. Neck support pillow and pillow core therefor
WO2012015466A3 (en) * 2010-07-30 2012-05-18 William Mihin Orthopedic device
ES2721926A1 (en) * 2018-02-06 2019-08-06 Palestra Terapeutic Solutions S L L Therapeutic Pillow (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)
USD878106S1 (en) * 2017-12-12 2020-03-17 John Marinkovic Pillow

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5016303A (en) * 1989-06-09 1991-05-21 Lumex, Inc. Cervical and head support pillow
US5418991A (en) * 1992-12-10 1995-05-30 Shiflett; Diana C. Therapeutic appliance for spacing legs
EP0811343A1 (en) * 1996-06-05 1997-12-10 Gummo Italia S.R.L. Neck support pillow and pillow core therefor
WO2012015466A3 (en) * 2010-07-30 2012-05-18 William Mihin Orthopedic device
USD878106S1 (en) * 2017-12-12 2020-03-17 John Marinkovic Pillow
ES2721926A1 (en) * 2018-02-06 2019-08-06 Palestra Terapeutic Solutions S L L Therapeutic Pillow (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

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