THERAPEUTIC SLEEPING PILLOW

Abstract: The present invention provides a therapeutic pillow (15) with enhanced ability to support the head, neck and upper back of the user when the user is sleeping either on his or her back or side positions, referred to in this disclosure as the back sleeping and side sleeping positions, respectively. In one embodiment the invention provides a generally rectangular shaped section (16) of suitable resilient form-retaining material, having a centrally disposed cavity in its upper surface which cavity is adapted to support the head of the sleeper. The cavity merges with the forward edge of the pillow (15) and through a smooth arcuate neck supporting section into a generally wedge shaped extension (17) or boss which extends substantially beyond the front edge of the pillow (15) and which is adapted to support the upper back of the user.

Description: THERAPEUTIC SLEEPING PILLOW TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a therapeutic pillow that is adapted to provide support to the head, neck and upper back ofthe user in a horizontal resting position, and more particularly relates to such pillows that are adapted to provide proper support to the head, neck and upper back of the user, both when the user is sleeping on his or her back, and when the user is sleeping on his or her side. BACKGROUND ART One ofthe objects of a well designed pillow is to support and maintain the neck and head ofthe user in substantially the same position relative to the body as when the user is standing or sitting. Many conventional pillows consist of fabric enclosures filled with feathers, down or chipped foam, and may be shaped by the user to provide reasonably adequate support for the user while the user falls asleep. However, many people suffer from an uncomfortable night's sleep because of inadequate support provided to their neck and upper back by these conventional pillows. Chronic neck pain or stiffness and a tense upper back often result from insufficient support ofthe neck and upper back from the pillows during sleep. This pain or stiffness is believed to be the result of having the head or neck held in an incorrect position during sleep. Although such pillows can be shaped to provide comfortable support in the position in which the users fall asleep, these pillows do not retain that shape, however, and do not provide the desired support throughout the entire sleeping period. This problem is exacerbated by movement ofthe user during sleep. Furthermore, it appears to be important to apply gentle but relatively uniform forces to the head and neck region to support the head, spine and neck muscles ofthe user, which assists in preventing or reducing neck and spinal stresses and in inducing more restful sleep. One approach to improve the support ofthe sleeper's head over that of conventional pillows has been the use of a form retaining pillow, which may be made of resilient foam, often manufactured with a concave cavity extending along the entire center section of the pillow. The sides of such pillows have heretofore been moulded to be thicker than the center ofthe pillow, although in some cases, the center cavity has been formed by removing foam from the center of a moulded pillow. The concave cavity allows the sleeper ' s head to be supported in the center ofthe cavity, at the desired level, anywhere along the length ofthe pillow. The longitudinal edges of the pillow are higher above the mattress or other sleeping surface than the center of the pillow and provide support to the neck ofthe sleeper from the middle of the neck to the head. In some instances, each side of such a pillow has been made to be of different height than the other, thus providing the user with two different heights to accommodate the juncture between the neck and head, although this requires the user to turn the pillow around to achieve the benefit ofthe different elevations. It is also known to i . manufacture such moulded pillows with inserts in the center cavity to provide a softer support for the user's head than foam alone, or with inserts in the longitudinal edges to modify the resilience ofthe foam, for example, to make one side ofthe pillow firmer than the other. It is generally intended in the design of these pillows ofthe prior art that the spine is supported in a generally straight line when the sleeper is lying on his or her back, or on his or her side. However, there are shortcomings with each ofthe designs ofthe prior art that make them ineffective in providing support through a wide range of sleeping positions and habits, and that are intended to be overcome by the pillow ofthe present invention. Such moulded pillows ofthe prior art are intended to be used for a wider range of users, and for both side and back sleeping. This has necessarily involved some compromise in the design of these pillows, as such pillows must be designed to be comfortable in almost any position in which they may be used. Such pillows are commonly designed to support the neck of the user while the user is lying on his or her back, but do not provide adequate support for the upper back in that position. Furthermore, when the user is resting in the side position, these pillows do not provide sufficient support for proper alignment ofthe spine, as the sleeper's head and neck must be supported at a greater distance from the mattress or other sleeping surface, than when the sleeper is lying on his or her back, and the pillow edges are too low to provide the necessary support. It is important to maintain proper alignment of the user's spine during sleep and there are different support requirements for back and side sleeping positions. One example of such a prior art pillow is disclosed in U.S. Patent 4.218.792, which discloses an orthopedic pillow intended to support the head and neck of a user. That pillow, however, suffers from a number of defects which are overcome by the pillow of the present invention. For example, the pillow disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. Patent has one central concavity which is adapted to support the head ofthe user whether the user is lying on his or her back or side, and a protruding boss which is adapted to support only the cervical vertebrae in either position. Furthermore, the pillow ofthe prior art slopes upwardly from its front to back edge, failing to account for the distortion ofthe mattress of other sleeping surface by the shoulder ofthe user. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a therapeutic pillow with enhanced ability to support the head, neck and upper back ofthe user when the user is sleeping either on his or her back or side positions, referred to in this disclosure as the back sleeping and side sleeping positions, respectively. In particular, the present invention provides a therapeutic pillow with enhanced ability to support the head, neck and upper back and, in one embodiment provides, a generally rectangular shaped section of a suitable resilient form-retaining material, having a centrally disposed cavity in its upper surface which cavity is adapted to support the head ofthe sleeper. The cavity merges with the forward edge ofthe pillow and through a smooth arcuate neck supporting section into a generally wedge shaped extension or boss which extends substantially beyond the front edge ofthe pillow and which is adapted to support the upper back ofthe user. In this first embodiment, the rectangular shaped section has a concave upper surface bounded by rounded edges that is adapted to conform generally to the shape of the user's head. The center portion of this concave section is the thinnest point ofthe pillow, and is adapted to hold the sleeper's head at a distance from the mattress to maintain the spine in a generally aligned position during sleep. Unlike some ofthe pillows ofthe prior art which provide a concave, front to back surface creating a uniform cavity along the length ofthe pillow, the pillow ofthe present invention provides a relatively deep central concavity in form of a centrally located, generally bowl-shaped cavity to provide full, comfortable support for the user's head. (In this disclosure, the width of the pillow refers to the dimension generally parallel to that ofthe user ' s body, and length refers to that dimension generally peφendicular to the user ' s body). The rear end ofthe cavity, ie., the end ofthe cavity adjacent to the top of the use's head forms a concave surface along the rear edge ofthe pillow to provide the desired degree of support at that edge. The front edge ofthe cavity, ie., the edge adjacent to the user's neck is concave along the lower edge ofthe pillow, and convex across the front edge ofthe pillow, to provide support along the neck ofthe user. This neck supporting front edge ofthe front merges smoothly with a generally wedge-shaped extension that extends from the front side of the pillow to provide support for the upper back of the user. In another embodiment ofthe invention. the therapeutic pillow includes a rectangularly- shaped center section of resilient form-retaining material. as described above, having the same deep concavity in the upper surface and merging through a smooth arcuate neck supporting section into a generally wedge shaped extension that supports the upper back ofthe user. On either side ofthe center section are generally rectangular left and right side sections, which are provided with slightly concave upper surfaces, adapted to receive and support the side ofthe user's head which merge smoothly into the center section. The center of each ofthe concave upper surfaces ofthe side sections is significantly higher than the center ofthe center section. The side extensions are. as stated, intended to support the head and neck ofthe user in a side sleeping position and thus, are generally thicker at their respective centers than is the center section. Consequently, when the sleeper is on his or her side, the side extensions ofthe pillow raise the head of the user to a higher level to accommodate the user's shoulder and to allow the user to sleep comfortably in the side position. The edges of both side extensions facing the sleeper may be undercut to permit the user's shoulder to extend slightly underneath the upper surface ofthe side section, and the upper surface of the pillow's side extensions supports the head and neck ofthe user when side sleeping. Each ofthe side portions ofthe pillow ofthe present invention have an overall downwardly slope from the front edge to the rear edge ofthe pillow. This compensates for the lowering of the front edge ofthe pillow resulting from the weight ofthe user's shoulder on the mattress or other sleeping surface, and assists in maintaining the proper alignment of the head, neck and spine of the user. The upper surfaces of each ofthe center and side sections, including the wedge-shaped extension, may be slightly grooved to improve the comfort ofthe user and to improve air circulation under the head ofthe user. In either ofthe two embodiments described above, the lower surface ofthe pillows may be provided with channels or grooves to reduce the thickness ofthe foam at desired locations, and to improve the distribution of forces over the surface ofthe pillow, thus distributing the supporting forces more uniformly over the head and neck ofthe user. This provides a pillow with, when in use, a general uniform firmness over the entire surface ofthe pillow in contact with the head, neck and back of the user. In a preferred embodiment ofthe invention, the therapeutic pillow may be made entirely of high resilience polyurethane foam. The therapeutic pillow may be formed by means of conventional moulding processes, and in addition, may provide the desired density and stability to the foam. The proportions ofthe components ofthe polyurethane are selected and blended to provide a cured foam, which is preferably a cold cured foam, pillow having the desired degree of resilience. Although polyurethane foam is the preferred material for the pillow ofthe present invention. any resilient form retaining material providing suitable comfort to the user may be used. The pillow of this embodiment may contain lateral grooves along its side edges to provide a softer side edge for the side of the user's face. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a plan view ofthe upper surface of a first preferred embodiment of a therapeutic pillow according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view ofthe lower surface ofthe first preferred embodiment of a therapeutic pillow according to the present invention; Figure 3 is a plan view ofthe upper surface of a second preferred embodiment of a therapeutic pillow according to the present invention; Figure 4 is a front elevation view ofthe second preferred embodiment of a therapeutic pillow according to the present invention; Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 in Figures 1 and 3; Figure 6 is a plan view ofthe lower surface ofthe second preferred embodiment of a therapeutic pillow according to the present invention; Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 in Figure 3; Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the top surface and front side ofthe second preferred embodiment ofthe present invention; and Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the bottom surface and front side of the second preferred embodiment ofthe present invention. MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Referring to the first preferred embodiment ofthe invention as shown in Figures 1 and 2. there is shown in Figure 1 a therapeutic pillow generally designated 1 with enhanced ability to support not only the head and neck ofthe user, but the upper back as well while the user is sleeping on his or her back. In this embodiment, the pillow ofthe present invention. as seen from the top, is a generally rectangularly-shaped section 2 of resilient, form-retaining material. Centrally located on the upper surface having a relatively deep concavity centrally disposed on its upper surface 2a and merging through a smooth arcuate neck supporting ridge 2b (Shown in Figure 5) into a generally wedge shaped extension 3 which supports the upper back ofthe user. Referring first to Figure 1, the therapeutic pillow 1 comprises a major portion 2 having a generally rectangular horizontal cross-section and a concave upper surface 2a, which is integrally moulded with a minor portion wedge-shaped extension or boss 3. The deep concave upper surface 2a is intended to conform to the shape ofthe user's head, and is shaped to provide generally uniform support for the user's head when the user is sleeping on his or her back. As may be seen in the drawing ofthe second preferred embodiment in Figure 4, the top edge 4 ofthe center section is less concave than the center 5 ofthe concave upper surface ofthe rectangular shaped section. The upper front edge 6 ofthe rectangular shaped section may be slightly concave and is integrally moulded with the wedge extension 3 to provide a smooth transition between the centrally located concavity 2a and the wedge-shaped extension, and to provide support for the cervical vertebrae of the user. The upper surface 2a may have ridges or channels 7 running along its concave surface to enhance circulation of air between the surface ofthe pillow and any covering placed on it. The wedge-shaped extension 3 may have ridges or channels 9 running longitudinally down the upper surface 8 ofthe wedge extension 3. The crests ofthe ridges or channels 9 may be higher at the top ofthe wedge extension 3 than at its lower, forward end to improve the support of the upper neck ofthe user. The crests ofthe ridges or channels 9 at the bottom 10 of the wedge extension 3 may be tapered to enhance the support of the lower neck and the upper back. The center crest ofthe grooves 9a may be shaφly tapered to provide a small cavity at the midpoint ofthe center groove 9b. adapted to accommodate the slight protrusion ofthe vertebrae at the top ofthe user's back. As can be seen in Figure 2, the bottom surface 11 ofthe pillow 1 may contain shallow grooves or channels 13 that assist in the circulation of air between the pillow and any pillow cover used with it. and that may effectively reduce the thickness ofthe foam above the channel, thus increasing softness ofthe therapeutic pillow 1 when the back of the head is placed in the center ofthe deep concave portion ofthe rectangular shaped section 5. The locations and sizes ofthe channels 13 may be selected to provide a pillow with a generally uniform degree of softness over the entire surface of the pillow or to provide generally uniform support to the head and neck of the user. The crests of the channels 13a may be higher at the top ofthe channels 13b and may gradually taper down to their lowest points at the mid-point ofthe length ofthe channel 13c. The bottom ofthe wedge extension 14 may be solid as shown in Figure 2 and may have a generally smooth surface. Referring to a second embodiment of he invention as shown in Figures 3 to 9. there is shown in Figure 3 a therapeutic pillow generally designated as 15 with an enhanced ability to support the head and neck, as well as the upper back ofthe user. In this embodiment, the invention comprises a generally rectangular shaped section 16 integrally moulded and smoothly merging with a generally wedge shaped extension 17. The rectangular shaped section 16 may be the center section ofthe therapeutic pillow, as shown in Figure 3. and may be integrally moulded on each longitudinal side with a generally rectangular side section 18. Referring first to Figure 3, the therapeutic pillow 15 includes a generally rectangular shaped section 16 which is integrally moulded with a generally wedge shaped extension or boss 17 as described with respect to the first preferred embodiment. The wedge extension or boss 3 in both this embodiment and in the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 extends substantially beyond a line drawn between the front corners ofthe pillow to provide support not only to the neck but the upper back ofthe user. The rectangular center section 16 may have integrally moulded on each of its left and right sides, a rectangular side section 18. The upper surface 19 of each ofthe side sections 18 may be slightly concave in their respective centers to conform to the shape of, and uniformly support, the head and the neck ofthe user when he or she is sleeping on his or her left or right side. The rectangular side sections 18 are greater in height than the rectangular center section 16 to accommodate height ofthe user's shoulder when the user is on his or her side, and to permit the user to lay comfortably in a side position. This assists in providing proper alignment ofthe spine in the side sleeping position. As noted above, and as shown in more detail in Figure 5. the upper surfaces 19 have a general downwards slope from the front to the rear ofthe pillow to compensate for any depression or deformation ofthe mattress or other sleeping surface on which the pillow rests resulting from the weight ofthe user's shoulder. Such a depression or deformation would normally result in a lowering ofthe front edge ofthe pillow; the front to rear downward slope ofthe pillow's side sections 18 is intended to maintain the head, neck and spine ofthe user in proper alignment when sleeping. The upper surface on both side sections may have U-shaped grooves or channels 20 to permit air circulation across the surface of the therapeutic pillow 15. The front edges 21a of both side sections may be slightly under-cut to provide room and support for the shoulder when the user rests on either the left or right side. As best seen in Figure 6 and Figure 9. the bottom of the therapeutic pillow 22 may include grooves or channels 23 which are intended to provide more uniform softness across the surface ofthe pillow. The crests 24 ofthe channels 23 may be highest at the mid-point of the length ofthe channels 24a on the side sections. The crests may taper gradually on either side ofthe mid-points 24b, to provide extra softness for the head when the user is sleeping on his or her side. The therapeutic pillow 1 and 15 may be made from high resilience polyurethane foam. The components ofthe foam may be selected to provide the desired degree of resilience in the foam once the moulding process is completed. The selection ofthe components ofthe foam is within the competence of those skilled in that art, may contribute to the ability to mold the pillow 1 and 15 successfully, and may contribute to the ease of cleaning the pillow 1 and 15. The resilience ofthe foam provides the support and comfort for the head, neck and upper back of the user when sleeping in the back or side positions. The method used for the moulding and cold curing processes are both well known in the art. The ridges or channels 8 and 20 in both embodiments may facilitate air flow or circulation across the surface ofthe therapeutic pillows 1 and 15 when in use. The ridges or channels 8 and 20 may facilitate the smooth appearance ofthe surface ofthe pillows 1 and 15 when covered with a pillow case or other casing. In practice, the user ofthe therapeutic pillow in the first preferred embodiment will place the back of his or her head in the deep concave portion ofthe rectangular shaped section 5. The wedge-shaped extension 3, and more specifically the crests ofthe ridge between the deep concavity and the wedge shaped section 9 will support the junction between the user's neck and head, while the downward extension ofthe wedge provides support for the upper back ofthe user. In the second preferred embodiment, the user will have the option to utilize the therapeutic pillow as described for the first embodiment, or the user will be able to place the side ofthe head on either ofthe side sections 18. The side sections 18 are elevated in height to allow for the comfortable placement ofthe shoulder at the under-cut of the front upper edge ofthe side section 21a when resting on either the right or the left side. The nature of the pillow and its use are such that the user ' s head, neck and upper back are supported at all times when resting on either the side or the back positions. In practice, the use ofthe therapeutic pillow allows for more relaxed and restful side and back sleeping positions. By providing both a contoured center section that provides support for the head and neck and upper back ofthe sleeper when sleeping on his or her back, in combination with side sections that support the head and neck ofthe sleeper at a higher elevation when the sleeper is sleeping on his or her side, the pillow ofthe present invention overcomes many of the problems associated with pillows ofthe prior art. The pillow ofthe present invention may be manufactured in a range of sizes to compensate for varying sizes of users. The thickness of the pillow may be modified to compensate for different user shoulder sizes, and the thickness ofthe center section adjusted to provide for proper lift ofthe neck and head ofthe user.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An orthopedic pillow of generally rectangular configuration having two longer sides and two relatively shorter sides, said pillow comprising: a center portion having a centrally disposed relatively deep cavity on its upper surface adapted to receive and support the rear of a user's head; a neck-supporting ridge formed on the front edge of said pillow, said ridge merging smoothly with said cavity and being concave along the length of the pillow and convex across the said front edge of said pillow; a wedge shaped extension merging smoothly with said front edge and projecting forwardly from the front edge of said pillow to support the upper back of said user; at least one side extension disposed on at least one ofthe two sides of said center portion; each such side extension having a generally centrally disposed relatively shallow cavity on its upper surface adapted to receive and support the user's head, and a front edge adapted to support the user's neck; and the upper surface of each such said side extension sloping generally downwardly from the front to the rear of the pillow. 2. A pillow according to claim 1 in which at least one of the center and side portions have shallow channels or depression formed therein. 3. A pillow according to claim 1 in which the bottom ofthe pillow has shallow channels or depressions formed therein. 4. A pillow according to claim 1 , further comprising a lateral groove in at least one side of such side extensions. 5. A pillow according to claim 4 in which said lateral groove is in the side opposite said center section. 6. An orthopedic pillow of generally rectangular configuration having said pillow comprising: a centrally disposed cavity on its upper surface adapted to receive and support the rear of a user's head; a neck-supporting ridge formed on the front edge of said pillow, said ridge merging smoothly with said cavity and being concave along the length of the pillow and convex across the said front edge of said pillow: a wedge shaped extension merging smoothly with said ridge and projecting forwardly from the front edge of said pillow to support the upper back of said user; 7. A pillow according to claim 5 in which said centrally disposed cavity has shallow channels or depressions formed therein. 8. A pillow according to claim 5 in which the bottom ofthe pillow has shallow channels or depressions formed therein.

Inventors: KEILHAUER ED, KEILHAUER, ED
Applicants: KEILHAUER ED, KEILHAUER, ED
Application year: 1996
Main classification: A47G9
IPC codes: A47G9