Adjustable Pillow Device

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

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STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to pillows and more particularly pertains to a new pillow for adjusting a thickness of a pillow so users can rest their head and neck comfortably and at an ergonomically healthy angle relative to their body.

(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

The prior art relates to pillows. Pillows are used to provide users with a comfortable, padded place for supporting the head and neck of the user while the user is sleeping. Pillows come in many shapes and sizes and are made from many different materials. The wide range of shapes, sizes, and materials are designed to help accommodate users with different body shapes and sleeping position preferences. Some people also fold or roll pillows, to try and achieve a pillow shape that conforms to the curvature of the user's head and neck. However, pillows are not adjustable, meaning that users who prefer to change sleeping positions from night to night must either purchase multiple pillows, or have a pillow that is not optimal for one or more of their preferred sleeping positions. Because the head is the heaviest part of the body, having adequate support for the head is critical to relieving, and preventing, neck pain. For example, when the head is not supported at the ergonomically optimal angle during sleep, the nerves of the neck may become pinched, and muscles within the neck can become strained, causing pain and stiffness for the user. In severe cases, that pain and stiffness can extend to other areas of the body, radiating into the shoulder or even travelling down to the arms and hands. Thus, there is a need in the art for a pillow that will adequately support the head and the neck at an ergonomically appropriate angle for sleep. Ideally, such a device would be adjustable, allowing users to change the height (or thickness) of the pillow based on the user's body shape and preferred sleeping positions.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a base. A stand is coupled to the base. The stand is movably coupled to the base wherein the stand is vertically adjustable relative to the base. The stand is movable between a lowered position and a raised position. A pad is coupled to the stand. The pad includes a resiliently compressible material wherein the pad is configured to cushion a head of a user while the head of the user is supported on the stand. A lift mechanism is actuatable to move the stand between the lowered position and the raised position.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of an adjustable pillow device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a back view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a top view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a back view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a back view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a detail view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 13 is an in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 14 is an in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 14 thereof, a new pillow embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 14, the adjustable pillow device 10 generally comprises a base 12. The base 12 generally includes a lower wall 14 and a peripheral wall 16 that is coupled to and extends upwardly from the lower wall 14 to define an interior space 18. The lower wall 14 may be planar wherein the base 12 is configured to be positionable on a bed 20, or on another surface on which a user 88 is resting.

The peripheral wall 16 may have an upper edge 22 that defines an opening 24 extending into the interior space 18. The peripheral wall 16 also generally includes a rear side 46, a forward side 60, and a pair of lateral sides 84 that extend between the rear side 46 and the forward side 60. The forward side 60 may be parallel to the rear side 46. The forward side 60 may have a length that is equal to a length of the rear side 46. Each lateral side of the pair of lateral sides 84 may have a length that is less than the length of the rear side 46. The pair of lateral sides 84 may be perpendicular to the rear side 46.

A rear cutout 98 may extend through the rear side 46 of the peripheral wall 16. More specifically, the rear cutout 98 may extend upwardly from an intersection between the lower wall 14 and the rear side 46 of the peripheral wall 16 of the base 12. The rear cutout may be centered between the pair of lateral sides 84.

A forward cutout 100 may extend through the forward side 60 of the peripheral wall 16. More specifically, the forward cutout 100 may extend upwardly from an intersection between the lower wall 14 and the forward side 60 of the peripheral wall 16 of the base 12. The forward cutout 100 may therefore be aligned with the rear cutout 98 across the base 12. The forward cutout 100 may have a shape that is the same as a shape of the rear cutout 98, although embodiments in which each of the rear cutout 98 and the forward cutout 100 have a unique shape are also contemplated.

The base 12 may include a rigid material. For example, the base 12 may be made from rigid materials such as wood or plastic. The base 12 may have a height that is between 2.5 inches and 5.5 inches. The base 12 may have a length that is between 10.0 inches and 14.0 inches. The lower wall 14 of the base 12 may have a width that is between 3.0 inches and 5.0 inches. Alternative measurements are also contemplated, based on the desired dimensions on which the user 88 wants to support the head 90 and the neck 92.

A stand 26 is coupled to the base 12. The stand 26 is movably coupled to the base 12 wherein the stand 26 is vertically adjustable relative to the lower wall 14 of the base 12. More specifically, the stand 26 is movable between a lowered position 28 and a raised position 30. The stand 26 may include the same or similar rigid materials, such as wood or plastic, which are used to make the base 12.

The stand 26 may include a top wall 32. The top wall 32 typically has a width that is less than a width of the lower wall 14 of the base 12. A side wall 34 is generally coupled to and extends downwardly from the top wall 32. The side wall 34 generally has a width that is less than a width of the peripheral wall 16 of the base 12 wherein the side wall 34 is positionable within the opening 24 extending into the interior space 18 of the base 12. The side wall 34 may have a bottom edge 36 that is positionable against the lower wall 14 of the base 12 when the stand 26 is in the lowered position 28.

A notch 96 may extend through the side wall 34. More specifically, the notch 96 may extend upwardly through the bottom edge 36 of the side wall 34 toward the top wall 32 of the stand 26. The notch 96 is generally positionable adjacent to one of the rear side 46 and the forward side 60 of the peripheral wall 16 of the base 12. In some embodiments, the notch 96 is one of a pair of notches, wherein each notch of the pair of notches is positionable adjacent to a respective one of the rear side 46 and the forward side 60.

A bumper 38 may be coupled to the top wall 32 of the stand 26. The bumper 38 may have a width that exceeds a width of the top wall 32 of the stand 26. In other words, the bumper 38 may extend outwardly past the top wall 32 of the stand 26. The bumper 38 may accordingly inhibit the stand 26 from being lowered past the upper edge 22 of the peripheral wall 16 of the base 12. The bumper 38 may include an elastomer material, such as rubber, which is softer than the rigid material of the base 12 and the stand 26. The elastomer material of the bumper 38 may be configured to inhibit injury to the user 88, for example when the user 88 bumps the stand 26 while the user 88 is asleep.

A pad 40 is coupled to the stand 26. The pad 40 generally includes a resiliently compressible material wherein the pad 40 is configured to cushion the head 90 of the user 88 while the head 90 of the user 88 is supported on the stand 26. The resiliently compressible material is configured to cushion a head 90 of the user 88 so that the user 88 can comfortably sleep with their head 90 supported on the base 12 and the stand 26. For example, the resiliently compressible material may include a sponge material, a memory foam material, or a polyester material. Alternative resiliently compressible materials, such as down and feathers, latex, wool, cotton, and microfiber are also contemplated. However, the sponge material and the memory foam material may be preferred to provide sufficient cushion between the head 90 and the rigid material of the stand 26.

The pad 40 may have a height that is between 2.5 inches and 4.0 inches. Alternative measurements are also contemplated, based on the desired dimensions on which the user 88 wants to support the head 90 and the neck 92. The pad 40 may have a width is less than a width of the bumper 38 wherein the bumper 38 extends outwardly past the pad 40. For example, the bumper 38 may be positioned between the top wall 32 of the stand 26 and the pad 40. In such embodiments, the elastomer material of the bumper 38 may cushion the rigid material of the stand 26, which may make the pad 40 feel more comfortable to the user 88 while the head 90 of the user 88 is resting on the pad 40.

A lift mechanism 42 is actuatable to move the stand 26 between the lowered position 28 and the raised position 30. The lift mechanism 42 generally releasably secures a position of the stand 26 relative to the base 12 when the lift mechanism 42 is deactivated. For example, the lift mechanism 42 may be motorized, as shown in FIGS. 1-6. Alternatively, the lift mechanism 42 may be manually actuated, as shown in FIGS. 7-12.

In embodiments according to FIGS. 1-6, a platform 102 is generally positioned within the interior space 18 of the base 12. More specifically, the platform 102 is generally coupled to the peripheral wall 16 of the base 12. The platform 102 may extend between the pair of lateral sides 84 of the peripheral wall 16. The platform 102 may have a width that is less than a width of the notch 96 wherein the platform is positionable within the notch 96 while the stand 26 is in the lowered position 28.

The platform 102 is generally spaced from the from the rear side 46 of the peripheral wall 16 wherein the side wall 34 of the stand 26 is positionable between the platform 102 and the rear side 46 of the peripheral wall 16 while the stand 26 is in the lowered position 28. The platform may also be spaced from the forward side 60 of the peripheral wall 16 wherein the side wall 34 of the stand 26 is positionable between the platform 102 and the forward side 60 of the peripheral wall 16 while the stand 26 is in the lowered position 28.

The platform 102 may also be spaced from the lower wall 14 of the base 12. For example, the platform 102 may be positioned between the rear cutout 98 and the upper edge 22 of the peripheral wall 16. In other words, the platform 102 may have a length that is equal to a distance, as measured within the interior space 18, between the pair of lateral sides 84 of the peripheral wall 16 of the base 12. The platform 102 may have a width that is less than a distance, as measured within the interior space 18, between the rear side 46 and the forward side 60 of the peripheral wall 16 of the base 12.

The lift mechanism 42 may further comprise a motor 44 that is generally positioned within the interior space 18 of the base 12. For example, the motor 44 may be coupled to the platform 102.

An arm 48 may be coupled to and extend between the platform 102 and the top wall 32 of the stand 26. The arm 48 is generally extendable upwardly from the platform 102 to move the stand 26 into the raised position 30. The arm 48 is generally retractable downwardly toward the platform 102 to move the stand 26 into the lowered position 28. The arm 48 is operably coupled to the motor 44 wherein the motor 44 is actuatable to selectively extend and retract the arm 48.

In certain embodiments, the arm 48 may include a first shaft 50 that extends upwardly from the platform 102. A second shaft 52 may be nested within the first shaft 50. The second shaft 52 is generally extendable and retractable relative to the first shaft 50. The second shaft 52 is also generally coupled to the top wall 32 of the stand 26 wherein extension of the second shaft 52 urges the stand 26 upwardly and wherein retraction of the second shaft 52 urges the stand 26 downwardly. The motor 44 is actuatable to selectively extend and retract the second shaft 52 relative to the first shaft 50.

As shown in FIG. 2, the arm 48 may be one of a pair of arms. The pair of arms are generally spaced from each other across the length of the platform 102. More specifically, each arm of the pair of arms may be positioned proximate to a respective lateral side of the pair of lateral sides 84 of the peripheral wall 16 of the base 12.

A power cord 56 may be electrically coupled to the motor 44. The power cord 56 is generally configured to transfer power from an external power source to the motor 44. For example, the power cord 56 may be plugged into a wall outlet to transfer power from the electrical grid to the motor 44. The power cord 56 may extend outwardly from the peripheral wall 16 of the base 12. For example, the power cord 56 may be positioned on a first lateral side of the pair of lateral sides 84 of the peripheral wall 16 of the base 12.

A control 58 may be electrically coupled to the motor 44. The control 58 is actuatable to actuate the motor 44. The control 58 may also be electrically coupled to the power cord 56 wherein the power cord 56 is configured to transfer power from the external power source to the control 58. As shown in FIG. 4, the control 58 may include a switch. For example, the switch may have an off position, and the control 58 may deactivate the motor 44 while the switch is in the off position. The switch may have an up position that is actuatable to actuate the motor 44 to extend the second shaft 52 of the arm 48 relative to the first shaft 50, raising the stand 26. The switch may also have a down position that is actuatable to actuate the motor 44 to retract the second shaft 52 of the arm 48 relative to the first shaft 50, lowering the stand 26. The control 58 may be positioned on the peripheral wall 16 of the base 12. For example, the control 58 may be positioned on a second lateral side of the pair of lateral sides 84 of the peripheral wall 16 to inhibit the control 58 from being unintentionally actuated while the user 88 is asleep.

In embodiments according to FIGS. 7-12, a plurality of lobes 62 may be coupled to the peripheral wall 16 of the base 12. The plurality of lobes 62 is generally positioned in the interior space 18 of the base 12. The plurality of lobes 62 may be positioned on the rear side 46 of the peripheral wall 16 of the base 12.

The plurality of lobes 62 are vertically aligned with each other wherein a topmost lobe 64 of the plurality of lobes 62 is positioned proximate to the upper edge 22 of the peripheral wall 16. The plurality of lobes 62 are positioned to extend downwardly toward the lower wall 14 of the base 12. The plurality of lobes 62 may be positioned, or arranged, in a pair of columns 66 on the peripheral wall 16 of the base 12. Each lobe in a first column of the pair of columns 66 is generally horizontally aligned with a respective lobe in a second column of the pair of columns 66.

A pair of cavities 68 may extend upwardly through the bottom edge 36 of the stand 26. The pair of cavities 68 are alignable with the pair of columns 66 of the plurality of lobes 62 wherein the plurality of lobes 62 are positionable within the pair of cavities 68. For example, the pair of cavities 68 may be positioned on a back side 54 of the side wall 34 of the stand 26. Some embodiments may include only a single column of the plurality of lobes 62. Such embodiments generally include a single cavity, rather than the pair of cavities 68, which is alignable with the single column of the plurality of lobes 62.

A plurality of ducts 70 may be coupled to an inner surface 94 of the side wall 34 of the stand 26. The plurality of ducts 70 are generally positioned proximate to the bottom edge 36 of the stand 26. The plurality of ducts 70 are horizontally aligned with each other, for example across the pair of cavities 68. The plurality of ducts 70 are horizontally alignable with a selectable pair of lobes of the plurality of lobes 62. For example, the plurality of ducts 70 may be positioned on the back side 54 of the side wall 34 of the stand 26. The selectable pair of lobes generally includes a first lobe that is positioned in the first column of the pair of columns 66 and the respective lobe in the second column of the pair of columns 66. In embodiments including the single column of the plurality of lobes 62, the plurality of ducts 70 are generally alignable with a selectable lobe of the plurality of lobes 62. The selectable lobe, or the selectable pair of lobes, are generally chosen based on the desired height of the stand 26. In other words, the topmost lobe 64 may be chosen as the selectable lobe to position the stand 26 in the raised position 30, and a bottommost lobe may be chosen as the selectable lobe to position the stand 26 in the lowered position 28.

A pin 72 is generally positionable to extend through the plurality of ducts 70 and the selectable pair of lobes, or the selectable lobe, of the plurality of lobes 62 to secure a position of the stand 26 relative to the lower wall 14 of the base 12. The pin 72 is generally parallel to the lower wall 14 of the base 12 when the pin 72 is positioned to extend through the plurality of ducts 70 and the selectable pair of lobes, or the selectable lobe, of the plurality of lobes 62.

The pin 72 may include a pin shaft 74, which is generally elongated. A pin head 76 may be coupled to and extend outwardly from the pin shaft 74 wherein the pin head 76 is configured to facilitate the user 88 in positioning the pin 72 through the plurality of ducts 70 and the selectable pair of lobes of the plurality of lobes 62.

An aperture 78 may extend through the pin shaft 74 of the pin 72. The aperture 78 may be spaced from the pin head 76 of the pin 72, as shown in FIG. 12. A retainer 80 may be positionable to extend through the aperture 78. The retainer 80 generally has a diameter that is complementary to a diameter of the aperture 78 wherein the retainer 80 is configured to be secured to the pin 72 using a friction fit within the aperture 78. The retainer 80 may be perpendicular to the pin 72 when the retainer 80 is positioned within the aperture 78. The retainer 80 is generally configured to inhibit the pin 72 from being removed from the plurality of ducts 70 and the selectable pair of lobes, or the selectable lobe, of the plurality of lobes 62. The retainer 80 may be elongated. The retainer 80 may be cylindrical.

As shown in FIG. 12, the lift mechanism 42 may be one of a pair of lift mechanisms. Each lift mechanism of the pair of lift mechanisms may be positioned on a respective one of the rear side 46 and the forward side 60 of the peripheral wall 16 of the base 12. More specifically, a respective set of the plurality of lobes 62 may be positioned on each of the rear side 46 and the forward side 60 of the peripheral wall 16. In such embodiments, a respective set of the pair of cavities 68 is positioned on each of the back side 54 and a front side 104 of the side wall 34 of the stand 26. A respective set of the plurality of ducts 70 is also coupled to the inner surface 94 of the side wall 34 of the stand 26 such that each respective set of the plurality of ducts 70 is positioned on one of the back side 54 and the front side 104 of the stand 26.

A respective pin of a pair of pins 72 may be positionable to extend through the respective set of the plurality of ducts 70 and a respective selectable pair of lobes of the respective set of the plurality of lobes 62. Such embodiments can secure a position of the back side 54 of the stand 26 relative to the rear side 46 of the base 12, while simultaneously securing a position of the front side 104 of the stand 26 relative to the forward side 60 of the base 12.

An access 82 may extend through the peripheral wall 16 of the base 12. The access 82 may extend downwardly through the upper edge 22 of the peripheral wall 16 toward the lower wall 14 of the base 12. The access 82 is generally configured to facilitate the user 88 in accessing the interior space 18 while the retainer 80 is positioned within the aperture 78 and while the pin 72 is positioned within the plurality of ducts 70 and the selectable pair of lobes, or the selectable lobe, of the plurality of lobes 62. The access 82 may have a U-shape. The access 82 may be positioned on one lateral side of the pair of lateral sides 84 of the peripheral wall 16. In embodiments according to FIG. 12, the access 82 may be one of a pair of accesses 82, wherein each access of the pair of accesses 82 is positioned on a respective lateral side of the pair of lateral sides 84 of the peripheral wall 16.

A passage 86 may extend into the side wall 34 of the stand 26. The passage 86 is generally vertically aligned with the access 82 wherein the passage 86 is configured to facilitate the user 88 in accessing the interior space 18 while the retainer 80 is positioned within the aperture 78 and while the pin 72 is positioned within the plurality of ducts 70 and the selectable pair of lobes, or the selectable lobe, of the plurality of lobes 62. The passage 86 may have an upside-down U-shape wherein the access 82 and the passage 86 define an oval shape. In embodiments according to FIG. 12, the passage 86 may be a pair of passages that extend into the side wall 34 of the stand. Each passage 86 of the pair of passages 86 is vertically aligned with a respective access of the pair of accesses 82 to facilitate the user 88 in accessing each lift mechanism of the pair of lift mechanisms 42.

In use, the adjustable pillow device 10 can be used to support a head 90 and a neck 92 of a user 88 while the user 88 is resting or sleeping. For example, the adjustable pillow device 10 may be positioned between the bottom of the head 90 and the top of the neck 92 to comfortably support the head 90 without bending the neck 92. While the head 90 is resting on the pad 40, the weight of the head 90 can release stiffness in the neck 92 and may even stimulate pressure points in the neck 92 to relieve pain. The adjustable pillow device 10 should generally be positioned above the shoulders.

More specifically, the adjustable pillow device 10 can be placed at the junction between the base 12 of the skull and the CI joint of the spine when the user 88 is lying on their back as shown in FIG. 13. In another example, the user 88 may be lying on one side, as shown in FIG. 14. When the user 88 is lying on one side, the adjustable pillow device 10 can be placed behind the ears of the user 88, close to the junction between the base 12 of the skull and the CI joint. The adjustable pillow device 10 may be angled to extend from the base 12 of the skull, behind the ear of the user 88, and upwardly along the head 90 toward the crown of the head 90. Other positionings and orientation of the adjustable pillow device 10 are also contemplated and may be chosen based on the comfort and preferences of the user 88.

Using the lift mechanism 42, the height of the pad 40 can be adjusted. Specifically, the lift mechanism 42 can move the stand 26 vertically up and down relative to the base 12. The optimal height of the pad 40, and the stand 26, may be different for the same user 88 depending on whether that user 88 is resting on their back or their side. Accordingly, the user 88 can make adjustments based on their preferred sleeping positions so that their head 90 and neck 92 are comfortably supported to relieve and avoid pain in the neck 92 of the user 88. The stand 26 can be retained in the lowered position 28, the raised position 30, and in intermediate positions that are between the lowered position 28 and the raised position 30.

For example, when the lift mechanism 42 includes the motor 44, the user 88 may electrically actuate the control 58 to move the stand 26 between the lowered position 28 and the raised position 30. When the lift mechanism 42 includes the manually actuatable plurality of lobes 62 and plurality of ducts 70, the user 88 may reach through the access 82 and the passage 86 to remove the pin 72 from the selectable pair of lobes of the plurality of lobes 62 and from the plurality of ducts 70. Once the pin 72 is removed, the user 88 can re-position the stand 26 relative to the base 12. Then, the user 88 can position the pin 72 within the selectable pair of lobes of the plurality of lobes 62 and the plurality of ducts 70 to secure the position of the stand 26 relative to the base 12.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.