Abstract:
A configurable cushion device is provided that protects from injury or discomfort caused by items in contact with a person. In one embodiment, the device includes a cushioned pillow wrapped in a protective case that includes a plurality of fastener straps for attaching the device to an object such as a seat belt. The protective case may include an internal or external pocket and may be made of a frictional material or include one or more grippers that provide additional friction against the object to keep the cushion device in a desired location with respect to the object or the person. The cushion device may also include a strap with a connector to allow the device to be secured around a larger object such as the waist of a person. The device may also include a drape cloth that is secured to the interior of the protective case and can be taken out and draped around an object or a person.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application ser. No. 61/529,774 filed 31 Aug. 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention is generally related to protective devices and is more particularly related to a configurable cushion device that provides protection from injury or discomfort caused by items in contact with a person. 
         [0004]    2. Related Art 
         [0005]    There are many items that come in contact with people during the normal course of everyday living. A large number of these items cause discomfort, physical pain or even injury. If a person happens to already be injured, physical contact by such items can cause severe discomfort and pain and can even cause further injury. Therefore, what is needed is a device that overcomes these significant problems. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    A configurable cushion device is described herein that provides protection from injury or discomfort caused by items in contact with a person. In one embodiment, the device includes a cushioned pillow wrapped in a protective case that includes a plurality of fastener straps for attaching the device to an object such as a seat belt. The protective case may include an internal or external pocket and may have include portions that provide additional friction against the object to keep the device in a desired location with respect to the object or the person. The device may also include a strap with a connector to allow the device to be secured around a larger object such as the waist of a person. The device may also include a drape cloth that is secured to the interior of the protective case and can be taken out and draped around an object or a person. 
         [0007]    In an alternative embodiment, the device includes one or more fasteners to allow a plurality of devices to be connected to each other to adapt the configurable device for a particular use. An angled fastener allows two devices to be connected in an L shape to enable the combined device to attach to the lap portion as well as the torso portion of a seatbelt. Orthogonal fasteners allow three devices to form an H shape to enable the combined device to attach to a seat belt integrated with a child&#39;s car seat. Fasteners on the ends of the device allow connection of external pockets or other devices such as stuffed animals or other comfort devices. 
         [0008]    In an alternative embodiment, the exterior of the protective case includes a custom fastener that is adapted to fit a particular object such as a hand, a foot or a wheel chair arm or leg. The interior of the protective case may also include a lined pocket that houses a compress that can be heated or cooled prior to placing the device in contact with a person. 
         [0009]    In yet another embodiment, the device includes a zipper along the length of the casing that is configured to engage the zipper of a companion device and two companion devices are zippered together to create a large seat cushion device. In additional, the length and width of the device can be configured for specific uses such as protection for c-section injuries, pregnancy, hysterectomy, lap-band surgery, gastric bypass, hernia, appendix, gall bladder, abdominal surgery, chest/heart surgery, other surgery, tummy-tuck, liposuction, car travel, bus travel, train travel, airplane travel, cruise travel, sporting event seating, lumbar support, and the like. 
         [0010]    Fasteners used throughout the device may include snaps, hook-and-loop, zippers, and the like as necessary or desirable for the particular use. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The structure and operation of the present invention will be understood from a review of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like parts and in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an example configurable cushion device according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating an example configurable cushion device for use with a lap and shoulder seat belt according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating an example configurable cushion device for use with a lap and shoulder seat belt according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating an example configurable cushion device according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating an example configurable cushion device for use as a seat cushion according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating an example configurable cushion device for use with an H belt according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram illustrating an example configurable cushion device with a hot or cold compress pocket according to an embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram illustrating an example configurable cushion device with a nursing drape according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    Certain embodiments disclosed herein provide for a configurable cushion device that protects a person from discomfort or injury caused by items that come into contact with the person. For example, one device disclosed herein provides for a configurable cushion device that attaches to a seat belt to protect a person&#39;s abdomen from contact by the seatbelt. After reading this description it will become apparent to one skilled in the art how to implement the invention in various alternative embodiments and alternative applications. However, although various embodiments of the present invention will be described herein, it is understood that these embodiments are presented by way of example only, and not limitation. As such, this detailed description of various alternative embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope or breadth of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an example configurable cushion device  10  according to an embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the device  10  comprises a case  100  having a zipper  110  that when unzipped defines an opening in the case  100  into which pillow  120  can be inserted into the case  100 . 
         [0022]    The case  100  may be made of any of a variety of materials. In one embodiment, the case  100  is made of a stretchable fabric that functions to grip the pillow  120  when the pillow is inserted into the case  100  and also functions to grip the item to which the device  10  is attached. 
         [0023]    The function of the zipper  110  is to open and close the case  100  to allow the user to access the internal cavity of the case  100 . Accordingly, the zipper  100  may be implemented using a zipper, a hook and loop fastener, one or more buttons or snaps or the like, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. 
         [0024]    The pillow  120  can be any of a variety of cushion devices. In one embodiment, the pillow is made of a solid foam material. 
         [0025]    The fastener straps  130  are affixed to the case  100  at a first end and include a fastener  140  at a second end. The fastener  140  is releasably attached to the case  100 . For example, the fastener  140  may be a zipper, a hook and loop, a snap, a button or the like that comprises two portions where one portion is attached to the fastener strap  130  and the other portion is attached to the case  100 . 
         [0026]    The internal pocket is located on the inside surface of the case  100 . In one embodiment, the internal pocket  150  is located on the inside surface of the portion of the case  100  that is furthest away from the person who is using the device  10 . This is referred to as the distal side of the device  10  and advantageously allows the person using the device  10  to be able to conveniently access the pocket  150 . In an alternative embodiment, the picket  150  can be located on the inside surface of the portion of the case  100  that is nearest to the person who is using the device  10 . This is referred to as the proximal side of the device  10 . 
         [0027]    In one embodiment, the pocket  150  is configured to be closed using the fastener  160 . Advantageously, the fastener  160  may comprise any of a variety of fasteners including a zipper, a hook and loop, a snap, a button and the like. 
         [0028]    In one embodiment, one or more grippers  170  are located on the same side of the case  100  as the fastener straps  140 . The one or more grippers  170  are configured to grip the item to which the device  10  is attached. One example of a gripper  170  is a strip of rubberized material that frictionally engages the item to which the device  10  is attached. Other materials that serve to grip the item to which the device  10  is attached may also be used for the one or more grippers  170  as will be understood by those skilled in the art. 
         [0029]    The connector straps  180  and  190  are each affixed to a separate end of the case  100  and are configured to interconnect in order to allow the device  10  to be strapped around an object. In one embodiment, the connector straps  180  and  190  function to strap the device  10  around the waist or other body part of a person. 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating an example configurable cushion device  20  for use with a lap and shoulder seat belt according to an embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the device  20  comprises a first case  100  and a second case  102 . The first case  100  and the second case  102  are attached to each other by way of angled zipper  200 . 
         [0031]    The first and second cases  100  and  102  may include any or all of the additional elements previously described with respect to  FIG. 1 . As shown, the first case  100  includes a zipper  100  that defines an opening into which a pillow  120  can be inserted. The case  100  additionally includes at least one fastener strap  130  that is attached to the case  100  at a first end of the fastener strap  130  and comprises a fastener  140  at a second end of the fastener strap  130 . As previously described, the fastener  140  may comprise a zipper, a hook and loop, a button, a snap or any of a variety of other fasteners as will be understood by those skilled in the art. 
         [0032]    Similarly, the second case  102  comprises a zipper  230  that defines an opening into which a pillow  122  can be inserted. The second case  102  additionally includes at least one fastener strap  210  that is attached to the second case  102  at a first end of the fastener strap  210  and comprises a fastener  220  at a second end of the fastener strap  210 . As previously described, the fastener  220  may comprise a zipper, a hook and loop, a button, a snap or any of a variety of other fasteners as will be understood by those skilled in the art. 
         [0033]    As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the angled zipper  200  is advantageously positioned to orient the second case  102  at a particular angle with respect to the case  100 . This angle advantageously approximates the angle at which the shoulder belt is positioned with respect to the lap belt in a lap and shoulder seat belt. This angle allows the device  20  to attach to both the lap belt and the shoulder belt of a lap and shoulder seat belt such that person wearing the seat belt is protected from each of the belts in the lap and shoulder seat belt. 
         [0034]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating an example configurable cushion device  30  for use with a lap and shoulder seat belt according to an embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the device  30  comprises many of the same elements as previously described with respect to  FIG. 2 . Accordingly, only the additional elements will be described with respect to  FIG. 3 . In the illustrated embodiment, the device  30  includes an extension zipper  310  that is located on a first end of the case  100  that is closest to where the angled zipper  200  is positioned on the case  100 . The extension zipper  310  secures an attachment  320  to the device  30 . In the illustrated embodiment, the attachment  320  comprises a buckle opening  300  and a fastener strap  330  that includes a fastener  340 . Advantageously, in operation the device  30  can be attached to a seat belt with the fastener straps  130  and  220  and the buckle on the seat belt can pass through the buckle opening  300  to further secure the device  30  to the seat belt in combination with the fastener strap  330 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating an example configurable cushion device  40  according to an embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the device  40  comprises a case  100  that includes a zipper  110  that defines an opening in which a pillow  120  can be inserted. The device  40  additionally includes one or more fastener straps  130  that each include a fastener  140  as previously described. In the illustrated embodiment, the device  40  includes at least one attachment zipper  410  that is locate on an end of the device  40 . The attachment zipper  410  allows an attachment  420  to be connected to the device  40 . For example, the attachment  420  can be any of a variety of attachments such as an external pocket  430 , a toy (not shown), a stuffed animal, and the like. 
         [0036]    In addition, the device  40  may also include an adaptor  400  that is attached to the case  100 . The adaptor  400  is advantageously sized and shaped to receive a particular body part or component of the item to which the device  40  is attached. For example, the adaptor  400  may be in the shape of a glove or a sock in order to snugly receive a hand or foot of a person that is wearing the device  40 . In one embodiment a sock shaped adaptor  400  is open on both ends. 
         [0037]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating an example configurable cushion device  50  for use as a seat cushion according to an embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the device  50  comprises a first case  100  and a second case  102 . Each case defines an opening into which a pillow  120  or  122  can be inserted. Advantageously, a zipper on each case may define the respective openings, whereby the zipper on the first case and the zipper on the second case are each configured to mate with a portion of the zipper on the opposing case in order form a dual zipper  500  that secures the first and second cases together into a single larger case. In alternative embodiments, the zipper  500  can be an actual zipper, a hook and loop, a snap or a button, just to name a few. In one embodiment, a first portion  520  of a logo  510  is presented on the first case  100  while a second portion  530  of the logo  510  is presented on the second case  102 . When the first and second cases are secured together into a single larger case, the two portions align to create the complete logo  510 . In one embodiment, the first and second cases  100  and  102  can be independent and complete devices that when secured together create the device  50  that can be used as a seat cushion. 
         [0038]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating an example configurable cushion device  60  for use with an H belt according to an embodiment of the invention. The H belt can be part of an amusement park ride or a child&#39;s car seat or any other apparatus that employs a similar style of safety system. In the illustrated embodiment, the device  60  comprises a plurality of cases  100 ,  102  and  104  that each include a pillow  120 ,  122  and  124 , respectively. The pillows  120 ,  122  and  124  are positioned in an internal cavity of their respective cases  100 ,  102  and  104 . 
         [0039]    The first case  100  and a first end of the third case  104  each include a portion of a zipper  600  that functions to secure the first end of the third case  104  to the first case  100 . Similarly, the second case  102  and a second end of the third case  104  each include a portion of a zipper  602  that functions to secure the second end of the third case  104  to the second case  102 . Advantageously, when the third case  104  is secured to the first case  100  and the second case  102 , the device  60  can be secured to an H belt using a plurality of fastener straps with fasteners as previously described above. 
         [0040]    As will be understood by those skilled in the art, certain modifications to the zippers  600  and  602  will allow the device  60  to be configured in a plurality of shapes. Furthermore, the addition or subtraction of case and pillow units will also allow the device  60  be adapted to a variety of items that may come into contact with a person. Each of these alternative shapes and sizes are contemplated by the broadest scope of the present invention. 
         [0041]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram illustrating an example configurable cushion device  70  with a hot or cold compress pocket according to an embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the device  70  comprises a case  100  that includes a zipper  110  that defines an opening into which a pillow  120  can be inserted. The case  100  has a proximal side that is positioned closer to a person that is using the device  70  and a distal side that is positioned further away from a person that is using the device  70 . 
         [0042]    On the inside portion of the proximal side of the case  100 , the device  70  includes an internal pocket  700 . The internal pocket  700  may extend along substantially the entire length of the proximal side of the inside portion of the case  100  or it may only extend along a portion of the inside portion of the proximal side of the case  100 . The internal pocket  700  may also include one or more fasteners  710  that function to close the internal pocket  700 . The one or more fasteners  710  may include a zipper, a hook and loop, a button or a snap, just to name a few. 
         [0043]    In one embodiment, the proximal side internal pocket  700  is configured to receive a hot or cold compress (not shown) and secure the hot or cold compress against the body of a person that is using the device  70 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram illustrating an example configurable cushion device  80  with a drape  800  according to an embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the device  80  includes a case  100  that comprises a zipper  110  that defines an opening into which a pillow  120  can be inserted into an internal cavity defined by the case  100 . The drape  800  is releasably secured to the inside portion of the device  80  using one or more fasteners  810 . The one or more fasteners  810  may include a zipper, a hook and loop, a button or a snap, just to name a few. In one embodiment, the device  80  can be used as a nursing pillow for support and the drape  800  can be used as a screen for privacy. Alternative uses for the device  80  that combines the pillow  120  and drape  180  will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. 
         [0045]    The above description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles described herein can be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is to be understood that the description and drawings presented herein represent a presently preferred embodiment of the invention and are therefore representative of the subject matter which is broadly contemplated by the present invention. It is further understood that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments that may become obvious to those skilled in the art and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly not limited.