Abstract:
A comfort enhancing assembly for providing abdominal and back support is formed of a first pillow and a second pillow which are connected by two overlapped flexible connector panels by a plurality of hook and loop type connector strips on each panel.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is in the field of comfort enhancing items and is more specifically directed to a unique pillow assembly of particular benefit for enhancing the comfort of pregnant women and for aiding persons with back problems requiring a stabilized support of the body. 
     Women in the advanced stages of pregnancy frequently suffer from extreme discomfort and inability to sleep as a consequence of their condition. It has been found that the positioning of a pillow against the back and abdomen provides a certain amount of relief from the foregoing problems; however, it is extremely difficult to maintain loose pillows in such a position so that the relief is normally transitory. Similarly, persons suffering from a variety of back problems, such as pinched nerves, slipped discs, and the like also require a similar type of support in order to obtain comfort with the problems of maintaining the position of the pillows being generally the same as those encountered by pregnant women. It has been proposed in Canadian Patent No. 483,837 to provide two spaced pillows connected by a thinner intermediate pillow; however, the spacing between the outer pillows cannot be adjusted so that such a pillow must be specifically manufactured for a person of a particular size. Moreover, a pregnant women would require several such pillows during the course of a pregnancy as her size increases. 
     Spaced apart pillows connected by a reduced size intermediate member as well as other constructions have been suggested for alleviating the foregoing and other problems as shown or suggested in the know prior art which comprises U.S. Pat. Nos. 428,819; 716,752; 941,043; 2,765,480; 3,118,152; 3,763,509; and 3,775,785 and Canadian Patent No. 483,837. However, none of the prior art patents disclose a thin comfortable flexible pillow connection which has a smooth surface and is fully adjustable in an infinite number of positions. 
     Therefore, there has been an unmet need for a versatile pillow assembly capable of adjustment of for accommodating persons of different size. 
     It is consequently the primary object of the present invention to provide a new and improved therapeutic pillow assembly which is easy to use, adjustable, and trouble free. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Achievement of the foregoing object is enabled by the preferred embodiment of the invention which includes first and second pillow members of generally oval shaped configuration with each pillow member including a flexible connector panel extending from one side of the pillow member. Each flexible connector panel has three strips of Velcro connector material attached to one of its sides with the three strips on the panels being alignable with each other to permit the connector panels to be connected to each other. Since the Velcro connectors strips are of substantial length, the distance between the pillows can be infinitely adjusted to provide optimum comfort for a user. Additionally, each of the pillows includes a handle member attached to the side of the pillow opposite the side connected to the connector panel so as to permit easy carrying and storage of the pillow by hanging if desired. 
     A better understanding of the construction and use of the preferred embodiment will be obtained when the following detailed description is considered in conjunction with the appended drawings in which like reference numerals are used for the same parts as illustrated in the different drawing figures. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating usage of the preferred embodiment by a pregnant woman; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment illustrating the pillow components in separated condition; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2 but illustrating the components in assembled connected condition; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the preferred embodiment in a folded carrying condition; 
     FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the preferred embodiment; and 
     FIG. 6 is a bisecting sectional view illustrating the connector panel of one of the pillow components. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The preferred embodiment, as best shown in FIG. 2, comprises a first pillow 10 and a second pillow 12 of generally oval configuration and transverse cross-section each of which pillow is identical to the other. Pillows 10 and 12 are filled with foam or other similar conventional pillow stuffing material 13 which is held in position by cover member 15. A first connector panel 14 extends from one side of first pillow 10, midway its height and along a major portion of its length, and a second connector panel 16 similarly extends from the second pillow 12. Connector panel 14 includes a central stiffener panel constituent 18 formed of cloth, batting, or the like which maintains the connector panel in its desired shape but without a loss of flexibility. Each connector panel includes three parallel hook/loop (i.e., Velcro brand) connector strips 20 and outer fabric coverings 21 with the Velcro connector strips of one connector panel being alignable with the Velcro connector strips of the other connector panel. 
     Additionally, pillow 10 includes a first handle 22 attached to its side opposite the side connected to the connector panel 14 whereas the second pillow member 12 includes a second handle 24 connected to its side opposite the connection to the second connector panel 16 as best shown in FIG. 2. The pillow assembly can be carried by folding it as shown in FIG. 4 so as to permit the grasping of handle members 22 and 24 in the hand of the user in an obvious manner. 
     In use, one pillow is positioned against the abdomen of a user whereas the other pillow is positioned against the back of the user as shown in FIG. 1. This relationship provides both back and abdominal stabilization for the user and is extremely comfortable with the pillows being held in position by the connection between the Velcro strips 20. Moreover, the relatively thin and smooth nature of the connector panels 14 and 16 results in a flexible yet comfortable relationship with respect to the user. In fact, the weight of the user tends to pull the pillow members together toward the user so as to snugly sandwich the user between the pillow members. However, it should be appreciated that the distance between the pillow members can be easily adjusted as required by the size of the particular individual user. Moreover, this adjustment is universal so as to permit obtainment of maximum comfort from the assembly. 
     Numerous modifications of the preferred embodiment will undoubtedly occur to those of skill in the art; however, it should be understood that the spirit and scope of the invention is to be limited solely by the appended claims.