Bolster pillow

A bolster pillow which provides adequate support, without deforming or collapsing, to a user while being lightweight and commercially viable. The bolster pillow includes an internal rigid tube, a cushioned sleeve, an internal cover, and an external cover. The internal rigid tube acts as the structural support element to ensure the overall shape of the bolster pillow and does not change regardless of the number of uses. The internal sleeve envelops the internal rigid tube and extends from a first end to a second end of the internal rigid tube. The cushioned sleeve adds padding to the bolster pillow for increased comfort. The cushioned sleeve is concentrically positioned with the internal rigid tube and is positioned about the internal cover, opposite the internal rigid tube. The external cover tensionably envelops the internal rigid tube, the internal cover, and the cushioned sleeve.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to support pillows. More specifically, the present invention is a bolster pillow with a rigid internal foundation designed to provide firm support without deforming or collapsing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A bolster pillow is a long and thick pillow that is used to provide support, either by itself or under other pillows. The bolster pillow is popular for providing support to the back region of a user, thus propping up the user into a more vertical and comfortable orientation. Additionally, the bolster pillow is often used for rehabilitation purposes. In particular, the bolster pillow is used to elevate the legs or hands of the user to aid in healing processes. Traditional bolster pillows are versatile and have a variety of different uses but lack durability. The majority of bolster pillows deform and collapse after being used for a certain amount of time, thus reducing the support provided to the user. This is the result of the bolster pillow being built with no internal support structure. Thus, there is a need for a bolster pillow capable of providing support throughout its lifetime.

The present invention provides a reliable and firm bolster pillow. The present invention utilizes an internal support structure which prevents deformation and collapsing when exposed to various pressure associated with use and extended use. Additionally, the design of the present invention is innovative and commercially viable.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to support pillows and cushions. More specifically, the present invention is a bolster pillow which provides a firm and rigid support without deforming or collapsing from extended use. Additionally, the present invention is light weight, thus leading to overall lower travel and transportation weight.

Referring toFIG. 1, the present invention comprises an internal rigid tube1, a cushioned sleeve7, an internal cover9, and an external cover10. The internal rigid tube1is an elongated cylinder with a central cavity running along the cylinder. The preferred cross-section of the internal rigid tube1is a circular cross-section to ensure equal pressure is applied onto a user leaning or lying on the present invention. The internal rigid tube1is preferably composed of a rigid and inflexible material such as hard plastic to ensure product longevity. The internal cover9is a piece of fabric sized complimentary to the external dimensions of the internal rigid tube1and provides protection to the internal rigid tube1. More specifically, the internal cover9envelopes the internal rigid tube1, extending from a first end2of the internal rigid tube1to a second end3of the internal rigid tube1. Additionally, the internal cover9acts as an intermediate component for mounting the cushioned sleeve7to the internal rigid tube1. The cushioned sleeve7provides padding for the user. This ensures that the user experiences rigid, even, and comfortable support. The cushioned sleeve7is preferably composed of a foam material that is tubular shaped and is sized complimentary to the internal rigid tube1. Although, alternative materials with similar characteristics may also be utilized for the cushioned sleeve7. The cushioned sleeve7is concentrically positioned with the internal rigid tube1. Additionally, the cushioned sleeve7is positioned about and attached to the internal cover9, opposite the internal rigid tube1. In other words, the internal rigid tube1and the internal cover9are sleeved by the cushioned sleeve7as seen inFIG. 1. It is preferred that an adhesive layer12is used to attach the cushioned sleeve7to the internal cover9. In particular, the adhesive layer12is positioned in between the cushioned sleeve7and internal cover9, thus attaching the cushioned sleeve7to the internal cover9.

Referring toFIG. 1andFIG. 3, to protect the cushioned sleeve7from wear and tear, the external cover10is used. The external cover10is piece of fabric which tensionably envelopes the internal rigid tube1, the internal cover9and the cushioned sleeve7. The external cover10keeps the aforementioned components together. Additionally, the external cover10encloses the first end2and the second end3of the internal rigid tube1, thus preventing any substances from entering the inner area of the internal rigid tube1that could damage the overall structural integrity of the present invention. It is further preferred that a length8of the cushioned sleeve7is greater than a length6of the internal rigid tube1. Thus, when the external cover10envelops the cushioned sleeve7, both ends of the cushioned sleeve7are pushed inwards towards the center of the internal rigid tube1. This positions a portion of the cushioned sleeve7over the rim and edge of the first end2and the second end3of the internal rigid tube1. Resultantly, padding is added to the first end2and the second end3such that a user is not hurt if he or she laterally leans on the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 4, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the present invention further comprises a removable cover sleeve11. The removable cover sleeve11is a piece of fabric with a tubular shape. The removable cover sleeve11is sized to receive the internal rigid tube1, the internal cover9, the cushioned sleeve7, and the external cover10. In general, the removable cover sleeve11acts similar to a pillow case. As such, the removable cover is composed of washable fabric. Although alternative material composition may also be used such as leather. The washable quality allows the user to remove stains from the present invention. To put on the removable cover sleeve11, the removable cover sleeve11is first positioned concentric with the internal rigid tube1and then slid over the external cover10until the removable cover sleeve11is tensionably positioned about the external cover10, opposite the cushioned sleeve7.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the internal rigid tube1is designed specifically to endure extreme uses and remain un-collapsed. Because the present invention is designed to be used as a support device for portions of the user's body, the present invention must be able to withstand a significant amount of pressure over long periods of time. In particular, the internal rigid tube1has a smooth surface without any protrusions, such that equal pressure and support is provided to the user. The internal ridged tube1is the most light means for providing cylindrical support. This design ensures adequate structural integrity while also providing the user with an overall lightweight device.

In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the internal rigid tube1is an elongated tube composed of rigid material such as plastic, wood, metal, and other materials with similar structural characteristics and weight considerations.

In one embodiment, referring toFIG. 1andFIG. 2, the present invention utilizes a novel design which provides an inexpensive and commercially viable manufacturing process. In particular, in this embodiment the present invention further comprises a first zipper13, a first adhesive sealant14, a second zipper15, and a second adhesive sealant16. The first zipper13is positioned along the internal cover9and is mechanically integrated into the internal cover9. The first zipper13provides an opening in the internal cover9which receives the internal rigid tube1. Similarly, the second zipper15is positioned along the external cover10and is mechanically integrated into the external cover10. The second zipper15provides an opening in the external cover10which receives the internal rigid tube1, the internal cover9, and the cushioned sleeve7.

The first step in the manufacturing process includes enveloping the internal rigid tube1by the internal cover9. For this, the internal rigid tube1traverses through the first opening until the internal rigid tube1is fully enveloped by the internal cover9. Next, the first zipper13is positioned into the closed configuration and fastened shut. In particular, the first adhesive sealant14is applied onto and along the first zipper13and left to dry and harden. The next major step in the manufacturing process includes attaching the cushioned sleeve7over the internal cover9and the internal rigid tube1. This process includes first applying the adhesive layer12onto the internal cover9. Then, the cushioned sleeve7is slid over the internal cover9such that a portion of the cushioned sleeve7extends past the first end2and the second end3of the internal rigid tube1.

Afterwards, a similar process is used to attach the external cover10. The cushioned sleeve7, the internal cover9, and the internal rigid tube1are pushed into the opening of the external cover10. Once the cushioned sleeve7, the internal cover9, and the internal rigid tube1are positioned within the external cover10, the second zipper15is fastened closed by the second adhesive sealant16. In particular, the second adhesive sealant16is applied onto and along the second zipper15until and left to dry and harden. The final step includes sliding the removable cover sleeve11over the external cover10, the cushioned sleeve7, the internal cover9, and the internal rigid tube1.