Body pillow

A body pillow is provided for enfolding the body of a user at rest. The body pillow is typically an elongated flexible member having an upper section adapted to enfold the upper body and arms of the user and a lower section adapted to lie between and enfold the legs of the user. The upper body section comprises a flexible material forming an enclosure having a generally oval configuration in the vertical plane and having a filling of sufficient cushioning material whereby the upper section readily conforms to the contour of the body and embracing arms of the user. The lower leg section also comprises a flexible material forming an enclosure having a generally oval configuration in the horizontal plane and a filling of sufficient cushioning material whereby the lower section holds the legs of the user in spaced relationship and readily conforms to the contour of the legs. In one embodiment a body pillow cover is employed to provide protective and decorative features.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to pillows and more particularly to a body pillow. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Pillows have long been used for support of the head during sleeping. The 
common pillow in widespread use today for sleeping and for some time past, 
generally has a rectangular shape and is generally formed of upper and 
lower panels of flexible material such as fabric, or the like, which are 
attached together about their corresponding edges and which enclose a 
flexible resilient material, formed from natural or synthetic materials, 
to comfortably support the head during sleep. One example of such prior 
art pillow is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,555,580. Such pillows are 
generally provided with pillow covers which are provided with an opening 
for insertion and removal of the pillow. Such pillow covers provide 
protection against soiling as well as a decorative appearance. 
Another type of pillow of the prior art is a generally smaller pillow whose 
principal function is to provide a decorative appearance. Such decorative 
pillows are generally constructed in the same manner as bed pillows and 
because of their smaller size are formed in various shapes. 
Another type of prior art pillow is the posture pillow which is used for 
exercise and therapy in posture maintenance and correction and formed of a 
core of rigid material and having a flexible material around the core and 
a cylindrical cover of flexible material. Such a posture pillow is 
illustrated and described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,842,453. 
Prior art pillows are currently designed for use under the head during 
sleep and are generally constructed in fairly specific and standard 
widths, lengths, thicknesses and degrees of softness (i.e. firm, medium, 
and soft). While there are some small variations between manufacturers 
usually resulting more from the stuffing or filling material used, such 
pillows are for the most part quite standard and relatively 
interchangeable from one manufacturer to another, as exemplified by pillow 
covers or cases; usually made by a different group of manufacturers, 
fitting all of such pillow products quite adequately. The approximate 
dimensions of these typical prior art pillows commonly referred to as 
standard, queen and king sizes are illustrated in Table 1. 
TABLE 1 
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Unfilled (inches) Filled (inches) 
Std. Queen King Std. Queen King 
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Length 26 30 36 23 27 33 
Width 20 20 20 17 17 17 
Thickness 
-- -- -- 8 8 8 
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While such prior art pillows are useful in providing a head rest or are of 
decorative or therapeutic value, none of the prior art provides a body 
pillow which is constructed and arranged to provide the novel features of 
the present invention including a cushioning support for the entire body 
of the user, separating and cushioning of the arms and legs of the user, 
all while providing an overall enfolding or embosoming effect to the user. 
Accordingly it is a desirable object of the present invention to provide a 
pillow for the body of the user which promotes more restful and 
comfortable sleep. 
Another desirable object of the present invention is to provide a body 
pillow which cushions and enfolds the entire length of the body of the 
user while comfortably providing a cushioned separation of the arms and 
legs from each other. 
A still further desirable object of the present invention is to provide a 
body pillow having the above-described desirable objects which accomodates 
various sizes, is easy to manufacture and low in cost. 
The above and other desired objects, apparent from the drawings and 
following description, may be attained by the apparatus, construction, 
arrangements and combinations, subcombinations and parts which comprise 
the present invention, preferred embodiments of which are illustrative of 
the mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principal, being 
set forth in detail in the following description and illustrated in the 
accompanying drawings. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention provides a novel body pillow for enhancing sleep or 
rest which is constructed and arranged to cushion and enfold the entire 
length of the body while providing a comfortable cushioned separation of 
the arms and legs of the user. More particularly, in accordance with the 
present invention, the body pillow comprises a generally elongated 
structure having an upper portion, hereinafter sometimes referred to as 
the body portion, designed and contoured to be positioned or lie adjacent 
the chest of the user while separating and cushioning the arms and a lower 
portion, hereinafter sometimes referred to as the leg portion, designed 
and contoured to be positioned or to lie between the legs of the user and 
to thereby separate and cushion the legs from each other. The body portion 
preferably has a generally oval or eliptical configuration but can be 
formed with a generally cylindrical shape and additionally can also 
provide for gently tapering to the leg portion. The leg portion is 
contiguous with the body portion and constructed and arranged to provide a 
generally horizontal rectangular cushion support allowing the upper leg 
(when the user is sleeping on one side) to be comfortably cushioned in 
spaced relationship from the lower leg. The body pillow is formed of a 
flexible material such as fabric or the like which encloses a cushioning 
material which may be any suitable flexible material such as down, natural 
or synthetic materials in foam or particulate form, and the like. Suitable 
body pillow covers are also provided.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1-3, there is 
shown generally at 10 a body pillow in accordance with the invention. The 
body pillow 10 includes an upper portion or section 12, hereinafter 
sometimes referred to as the body portion, and a lower portion or section 
14, hereinafter sometimes referred to as the leg portion. The upper body 
portion 12 is generally cylindrical in shape and has a length of 
approximately one half of the total length of the body pillow 10. The 
lower leg portion 14 which is contiguous with the body portion 12, has a 
relatively flat generally rectangular or eliptical configuration and forms 
the lower half of the body pillow 10. In the embodiment illustrated, the 
body portion preferably tapers gently toward the center of the body pillow 
10. Similarly, the leg portion 14 preferably tapers laterally toward the 
center of the body pillow. Additionally the end of the body portion 12 can 
be provided with an inward curvalinear portion 16 to accomodate the knees 
of the user when drawn to a bent position as hereinafter described with 
respect to FIG. 8. The body portion 12 and leg portion 14 can be formed of 
opposing panels or covers 18, l8A and 20, 20A respectively and sewn 
together by suitable stitches 22 (shown by dotted lines) well known to 
those skilled in the art. The panels 18, l8A, 20, 20A are formed of 
flexible material such as fabrics, and the like. Disposed within the panel 
covers 18, l8A, 20 and 20A is a suitable cushioning material 24 such as 
down feathers, cotton, and other natural or synthetic foams, fibers, 
particulates, and the like. It is to be understood that different 
cushioning materials can be used for the leg portion and the body portion 
of the body pillow. For example, down feathers can be used for the 
cushioning material 24 in the body portion 12 while using foam rubber for 
the cushioning material 26 in the leg portion 14. When different 
cushioning materials are used a suitable barrier 28 is preferably provided 
to maintain separation of the cushioning materials within their respective 
areas of the body pillow. 
Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5 there is illustrated an alternate embodiment 
of the body pillow of the present invention. The body pillow shown 
generally at 30 is provided with an upper body portion 32 which is 
provided with a generally elliptical or oval configuration having the 
longest dimension in the vertical plane. The lower leg portion 34 which is 
provided with a generally elliptical or oval configuration having its 
longest dimension in the horizontal plane can also be constructed and 
arranged to taper from a greater thickness at the upper end 36 to a lesser 
thickness at the foot or lower end 38. In other respects the body pillow 
30 is constructed and arranged in the same manner as the body pillow 10. 
The optimum length of the body pillow is one which extends from just below 
the chin to the bottom of the feet of the user. This optimum length has 
been determined and reported by Henry Dreyfuss in his work entitled: "The 
Measure of Man", Whitney Library of Design 1960. As reported therein, the 
length from the bottom of the chin to the bottom of the feet is set forth 
in Table 2. 
TABLE 2 
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21/2 50 971/2 
Subject percentile 
percentile percentile 
______________________________________ 
Adult American Female 
50.2 in. 55.4 in. 59.6 in. 
Adult American Male 
56.4 in. 60.4 in. 64.2 in. 
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Thus, the optimum length of the body pillow in order to accomodate more 
than 95% of the adult American male and female population would have an 
actual filled length of approzimately 64 inches and, in tests, such a 
length has been found to behave as desired. The shortest length that would 
be satisfactory for just 50% of the adult American female population would 
be 55 inches. Therefore the length of the body pillow would range from 
between about 45 inches to 72 inches filled length with a preferable 
length of between about 55 inches to 68 inches in filled length. It is to 
be understood that shorter lengths can be made to accommodate children. 
The overall width of the adult American at the shoulders (as derived from 
the Henry Dreyfuss reference previously mentioned) and including 95% of 
the adult population is set forth in Table 3. 
TABLE 3 
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21/2 50 971/2 
Subject percentile 
percentile percentile 
______________________________________ 
Adult American Female 
14.2 in. 15.7 in. 16.8 in. 
Adult American Male 
16.2 in. 17.9 in. 19.8 in. 
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The difference between these overall widths and the width of just the chest 
is approximately 6 inches in adult males and 31/2 inches in adult females. 
Therefore from these measurements it was determined that a suitable 
vertical width of the body portion of of a filled body pillow as measured, 
for example, along the line A--A of FIG. 4 can be from between about 14 
inches to 26 inches, while a preferred width was found to be between about 
16 inches to 22 inches. 
The horizontal width of the leg portion 34 as measured, for example, along 
the line B--B of FIG. 4 can be from between about 14 to 26 inches and 
preferably between about 16 to 22 inches as described with respect to the 
body portion to accommodate the majority of users. 
The horizontal thickness of the body portion 32 as measured at its greatest 
width, for example along the line C--C of FIG. 5, can be from 3 to 8 
inches and is preferably from 4 to 7 inches to thereby accommodate the 
majority of users. Similarly the vertical thickness of the leg portion 34 
as measured, at its greatest width, for example, along the line D--D of 
FIG. 5 can be from 3 to 8 inches as described with respect to the body 
portion, the main requirement being that the width or thickness be 
sufficient to maintain the users legs in spaced comfortable relationship. 
While the formation of the body pillow of the present invention has been 
described above with respect to dimensions which have been found suitable 
for the most prevalent or common size range of users, it is to be 
understood that the present invention contemplates body pillows having 
dimensions of greater or lesser size dimensions to accommodate other sizes 
and/or desires of users. 
Referring now to FIG. 6 of the drawing, a modified embodiment of the 
invention is illustrated wherein the body pillow, shown generally at 44, 
is fabricated from a separate body portion 48 and a separate leg portion 
46 which are joined by adjustable fastening means shown generally at 50 to 
form a single unitary structure. In this embodiment the leg portion 46 and 
body portion 48 are provided with mating ends 47 and 49 respectively each 
of which are provided with a generally concave configuration (not shown) 
to thereby mate with each other. The concave configuration of the mating 
end 49 being generally in the vertical plane while the concave 
configuration of the mating end 47 is generally in the horizontal plane to 
thereby be in register with each other when joined together. The 
adjustable fastening means as illustrated comprise a first upper collar 
element 52 associated with the body member 48 and a second upper collar 
element 54 associated with the leg member 46. The collar members 52 and 54 
are provided with suitable mating frictional fasteners 56 for releasably 
attaching the body member 48 and leg member 46 together. Corresponding 
lower collar members (shown in phantom) are provided on the other or lower 
side of the body pillow 44. It is believed apparen then that by selection 
of the position of the fastening means 56 a change in length of the body 
pillow structure 44 can be effected. As further illustrated in FIG. 6 the 
body pillow 44 is enclosed with a suitable flexible cover 58 constructed 
to conform generally to the shape of the body pillow 44 and is provided 
with a transverse opening 60 which preferably extends in substantially the 
length of the body pillow 44 to facilitate insertion and removal of the 
body pillow 44. The opening 60 is suitably provided with a closure means 
such as zipper means 62. 
In the modified embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 7 the leg member 
46 and body member 48 are the same as illustrated in FIG. 6. A cover means 
for enclosing the body member and leg member to form the body pillow is 
preferably comprised of two cover sections 64 enclosing the leg member 46 
and 66 enclosing the body member 48. Each cover section 64 and 66 is 
provided with openings 68 and 70 for insertion and removal of the leg 
member 46 and the body member 48. Disposed adjacent to the openings 68 and 
70 of the cover sections are fastening means for attaching the cover 
section together. As illustrated the fastening means comprise frictional 
fasteners 72 disposed on cover section 64 adjacent the opening 68 and 
mating fasteners 74 disposed on cover section 66 adjacent opening 70 to 
secure the cover sections together and form a unitary body pillow 
structure. 
It is to be understood that additional fastener means (not shown) may be 
provided on the cover section to provide for limited adjustment of the 
overall length of the cover section and thereby serve to provide length 
adjustment of the body pillow, as desired, in lieu of or in addition to 
the internal fasteners 50 of FIG. 6. 
It should also be understood that the adjustment of the position of the 
fasteners 72 and 74 separately or together with fasteners 54 and 56 
provide a limited adjustment of the firmness of the body pillow since a 
change in length, shorter for example, will effect a general firming up of 
the cushioning material. 
It is to be understood that the degree of softness of firmness of the body 
pillow can be selectively controlled by varying the type and amount of 
cushion filler employed as is well known in the art of head pillows. While 
the amount and type of cushioning material can be varied the main 
requirements are that the body pillow be relatively easily deformed to the 
contour of the user particularly with respect to the body portion; and, 
that with respect to the leg portion, the legs be maintained in spaced 
relation to each other so that one leg does not sharply feel the other 
leg. Excessive filling and resulting hardness of the body pillow will 
result in a body pillow which feels too thick and uncomfortable both 
between the legs and next to the chest of the user. 
It has been found that between about 25% to 75% and preferably between 
about 35% to 65% of the amount of cushion material filling used in a 
medium firmness comparable size by area of a head pillow provides a 
suitable cushioning effect. 
Referring now to FIG. 8 there is illustrated one manner of using a body 
pillow of the type described and shown in FIG. 1 for example. As 
illustrated the body pillow 10 may be used on a bed 40 with the user lying 
on his left side with his head on a bed pillow 42. The body portion 12 
enfolds the upper body and is embraced by the arms of the user. The lower 
leg portion 14 lies between the legs of the user and holds them in 
cushioned comfortable spaced relationship to each other. The curvalinear 
portion or groove 16 provides a natural receptacle for the users knees 
when moved to the position illustrated. 
The cushion materials having utility in the practice of the invention are 
numerous and varied and can be selected from a wide group. They may be 
natural or synthetic in origin and may be in various forms including down. 
fibers, particulates, foams and the like. One particularly suitable 
product is a polyester fiber filling sold under the trademark "HOLLOFILL 
II" (E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company) which is reported to be washable 
and quick drying. Additionally a combination or mixture of filler cushion 
materials can be used as well as different filler materials for the body 
portion and the leg portion of the body pillow. Similarly the body pillow 
cover may be selected from a wide variety of flexible fabric materials 
having both protective and decorative features. 
In a still further embodiment contemplated by the present invention, the 
cushioning material can, if desired, be a fluid material such as air or 
water. In such embodiments the flexible cover enclosing the cushioning 
material is formed from fluid impervious materials such as rubber and 
plastics well known to those skilled in the art. 
While the invention has been described with respect to preferred 
embodiments it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes 
and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the 
invention herein involved in its broader aspects. Accordingly, it is 
intended that all matter contained in the above description, or shown in 
the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrated and not in 
limiting sense.