Abstract:
A rotatable circular crossection cervical pillow is manually rotated in a continuous fashion as desired by a person whenever a fresh clean contact spot is sought, or a contact spot of variable support is sought, while the pillow is still attached to a seat back. The rotatable pillow is a cylinder of medium and/or firm high density polyurethane foam. An axial through-hole in the center permits the snug insertion of a rigid length of tubing to give the pillow axial rigidity. Swivel fixtures are attached at each end of the pillow by virtue of the central tube. A fabric cover with an opening closure covers the entire polyurethane cylinder snugly. Optionally the cover may carry therapeutic imparting elements therein. Straps with adjustable buckles are attached to each swivel fixture. Therefore, the cervical pillow rotates easily while still strap-attached to the seat back.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a combination-in-part of application Ser. No. 13/065,257 filed on Mar. 17, 2011, and claims priority under 35 USC. 120 therefrom. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to rotatable cervical collar pillows for use by operators of heavy equipment and other vehicles. It can also be used with stationary household furniture seats. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Cervical or neck support pillows or bolsters are used by seated individuals for comfort and to prevent neck strain. They are especially useful for heavy equipment operators exposed to large amplitude vibrations and shock on uneven ground. 
     Cylindrically shaped cervical pillows for attachment to chairs or to vehicle seats are well known in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,484,355 of Gilbert is a pillow apparatus attachable to the back of a lawn chair by VELCRO® straps. Tiedemann, in his U.S. Pat. No. 6,748,615, describes a neck support pillow attachable to a vehicle seat back via adjustable straps. Other head support pillows include U.S. Design Pat. D445,506 of Vinson et al. and U.S. Design Pat. D382,164 of Hays. 
     Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 4,391,438 of Heffington describes a rotatable surgical thigh support panel 14 which is rectangular in crossection. Heffington &#39;438 is not cylindrical in crossection, so it could not be manually adjusted while still behind the neck of the user, in that the longer longitudinal side edge axis of Heffington &#39;438&#39;s rectangular padded support panel would, when rotated in the position directly behind a neck (if modified as a neck pillow), compel the user to awkwardly move the user&#39;s neck forward away from the rectangular padded support panel, to try and accommodate the longer longitudinal side axis of the support panel. Furthermore, if the user were to rotate the rectangular panel 90° to the short end, the short end would only contact a small portion of the user&#39;s neck and would therefore be contraindicated for supporting the neck. Also, Heffington &#39;438 has clamps to fix the support panel in position, which could not be user operable while the user is sitting in position with the panel behind the neck of the user. 
     The seat back rest of U.S. Pat. No. 4,822,093 of Kawai does not rotate in a horizontal axis; instead it rotates in a vertical axis. Kawai &#39;093 is not “manually adjustable”. Moreover, the abdominal support movable cushion of U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,542 of Kometani is repositionable, but not internally axially rotatable, because it has to be picked up and physically placed in position, since it does not have an internally rotatable axis member. Kometani &#39;542 also is not circular in crossection. 
     The rigors of heavy equipment use often are associated with perspiration of the operator and with dusty or grimy environments. If a cervical pillow is used in such a vehicle, it can be appreciated that it will quickly become soiled or wet and uncomfortable. The prior art does not reveal a rotatable cervical pillow which can mitigate these problems. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a rotatable, horizontally deployed cervical collar pillow for use by vehicle operators or passengers, especially for heavy equipment operators exposed to large amplitude vibrations and shock on uneven ground. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a rotatable horizontally deployed cervical collar pillow which rotates axially, so that a user can rotate the pillow away from the back of the neck to another area of the pillow which is not encumbered by body heat and sweat. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to allow users to freely rotate the horizontally deployed cervical collar pillow without moving out of the seated position and without significantly moving the neck away from the pillow while it is being rotated. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide a cervical collar pillow with multiple neck accommodating regions. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to improve over the disadvantages of the prior art. 
     Other objects which become apparent from the following description of the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The rotatable circular crossection cervical pillow of this invention can be manually rotated several degrees in a continuous fashion as desired by the operator of a heavy equipment vehicle, for providing alternate levels of firmness for neck support or whenever a fresh clean contact surface spot is sought, while the pillow is still attached to the vehicle seat back. After it is soiled around the periphery, the fabric cover can preferable be easily removed for laundering. 
     The rotatable pillow of this invention is based on the use of a cylinder cushion of medium or firm high density polyurethane foam (approximately 6″ in diameter and 12″ long, although the range of the diameter and length can vary). Foam material of this type in the desired shape can be obtained from suppliers, such as eFoamstore.com in Wilkes Barre, Pa. An axial through-hole in the center permits the snug insertion of a rigid length of tubing (preferably ½″ or ¾″ OD PVC) to give the pillow axial rigidity. Swivel fixtures are attached at each end of the pillow by virtue of the central tube. The respective washers of the cervical fixtures are preferably made of plastic or rubber, such as NEOPRENE® brand of polychloroprene rubber. The swivel fixture washers are preferably 1½″ to 2½″ in diameter. The hook and joining portions of the swivel fixtures are preferably plastic, although other suitable materials can be use. 
     A fabric cover with a closure, such as a VELCRO® opening closure, covers the entire polyurethane cylinder snugly. Other conventional closures such as zippers or buttons can be used. Straps with adjustable buckles, such as luggage strap buckles, cam buckles or parachute buckles, are attached to each swivel fixture. The strap ends terminate in compatible connectors, such as buckles or snap latch halves. Thus the horizontally deployed cervical pillow rotates easily while still strap-attached to the vehicle seat back. 
     The fabric cover can be made of fabric such as cotton, polyester, nylon or denim, or from special perspiration wicking fabrics, such as microfiber fabric made of ultrafine synthetic fibers which are soft, stretchy and stain resistant and which wick away moisture. The fabric cover can also be preferably made of other liquid resistant fabrics, such as sport nylon and other flexible fabrics, such as tear resistant ripstop nylon. 
     In general, the user rotatable cervical collar pillow includes a horizontally deployed cylindrical cushion assembly including a cylindrical cushion which is freely rotatable on a horizontal member along an axis of rotation of the cushion. The cylindrical cushion has a central axis and an outer surface extending between respective circumferential edges of respective opposite circular end edge surface portions, whereby the outer surface of the cylindrical cushion is radially spaced apart from the central axis of the cylindrical cushion at a constant distance with equal radial lengths extending from the central axis. 
     The rotatable cushion assembly is used in combination with a seat back of a seat, wherein it is mounted on the seat back of the seat so that the cylindrical cushion is positioned to contact and support the neck and head of the user sitting in the seat. In use, the user rotates a previously used segmented cushion surface portion of the cylindrical cushion away from the back of the head and neck of the user, whereby a cooler, cleaner and dryer segmented cushion surface portion, or of a different firmness, of the cylindrical cushion supports the neck and back of the head of the user on the cooler, cleaner and dryer cushion surface portion thereof. 
     The cylindrical cushion is optionally encased within the removable fabric cover to permit replacement and/or cleaning of the cover. Optionally, the cover can be non-removable. The cylindrical cushion is preferably mounted on a rigid, removable axially located hollow tube, having an elastic cord extending through the tube, wherein a swivel assembly is attached to each end of the elastic cord, thereby holding the elastic cord under elastic tension. 
     The swivel assemblies include the aforementioned elastic cord extending through the tube, or just an internal tube without an elastic cord, and the swivel assembly hook clasp attached to each end of the elastic cord, so that the elastic cord is under elastic tension by the swivel assemblies abutting opposite ends of the rigid axially extending tube. As a result, the cylindrical cushion and/or elastic cord have 360 degrees of rotation allowed by the swivel assemblies. In an alternate embodiment, the cushion is rotatable around fixed tubing and strap engaging end members. 
     A strap assembly is attached to the swivel assemblies for removably attaching the cylindrical cushion to the seat back of the user&#39;s seat. For example, a strap is attached to each opposite end of the swivel assemblies, and each distal end of each strap has respective engageable/releasable latches. Therefore, the cylindrical neck support cushion has 360 degrees of user operable rotation, with swivel assemblies having mechanisms to allow the rotation. 
     The rotatable therapeutic cervical neck support pillow can also be used as a travel pillow for automobiles, planes, trains, buses and other motor vehicles, as well as for use with stationary household furniture seats with high back rests. 
     Although primarily used for cervical neck support and therapy, in an alternate embodiment, the rotatable, therapeutic pillow can be attached lower on a seat back of a vehicle seat or chair seat for contacting the mid back thoracic region or low back lumbar region. 
     In an alternate embodiment, the therapeutic rotatable cervical neck support pillow includes at least one region portion accommodating one or more therapeutic imparting elements, such as, for example, elastomeric massage members, electronic stimulator pads, a heat pack or a cold pack therein. The elements can be held within pockets on the outer cover, may be carried by the cover itself or may be removably attachable to the cylindrical cushion. 
     In yet another alternate embodiment, the cylindrical cushion is made of a plurality of sections, such as a pair of half cylindrical sections, with one of the half sections being a firmer foam than the other half section of a softer foam. Optionally, the firmer section can be a smaller section than one-half of the foam cushion, or can be a smaller insert member insertable in a recessed portion of the cylindrical cushion. 
     In yet another alternate embodiment, the central support tube within the cylindrical cushion, as well as the attached swivel fixtures, are of a different type which are permanently attached by attachments, such as by press fitting or threaded mating. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention can best be understood in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown in drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevation showing the rotatable pillow of this invention strapped to a vehicle seat back below the headrest illustrating the position relative to a vehicle operator; 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a pillow of this invention with a dashed line illustrating the rotating feature; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the components of the rotatable cervical pillow of this invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a close-up cutaway view of the rotatable crossection subassembly thereof; 
         FIG. 5  is a detail view of an alternate embodiment, showing pockets in the cover for heat and/or cold packs to be inserted therein; 
         FIG. 6  is a detail view of a further embodiment for dual use foam cushion pillow, with a massage region, such as a plurality of axially extending ribbing rods therein; 
         FIG. 7  is another alternate embodiment wherein the foam cushion pillow comprises two half cylindrical portions, one made of firm foam and another one of softer foam; 
         FIG. 8  is a detail view of yet another embodiment for a foam cushion pillow with neck massaging transducers for vibrating massage; 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of the components of the rotatable cervical pillow of an alternate embodiment; without an internal elastic cord, whereby respective swivel assemblies are attached at opposite ends of rigid tube within the rotatable pillow. 
         FIG. 10  is a close-up cutaway view of the rotatable cross section subassembly thereof; 
         FIG. 11  is a local close-up view of a threaded embodiment for the end clasps; and, 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a small auxiliary external firm massaging member, which has elastic connecting cables  71  with hooks  72  at each end, engageable with strap loops  64  on each side. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The cervical pillow  1  of this invention is shown supporting operator&#39;s  31  neck in  FIG. 1 . It is strapped on at the interface between seat back  32  and headrest  33 . 
       FIG. 2  shows the major components of pillow  1  as assembled. Cushion section  2  is a fabric covered polyurethane circular cylinder with a circular crossection and a central bore, whereby the cylindrical cushion has equal radii extending from a central hole  18  extending end to end axially within cylindrical cushion  2 . Swivel fixtures  3  (one of two shown) attach straps  4  with adjusting buckles  5  to cylindrical cushion section  2 . Male latch end  6  is at the distal end of one strap  4  while female latch end  7  is at the other strap  4 . 
     Although other methods can be used to assemble the components,  FIGS. 3 and 4  show an effective method using inexpensive components. Polyurethane foam cylinder  17  has central hole  18  sized to snugly accept rigid hollow portion, such as, for example, a PVC tube  20  of equal length. The internal diameter (“ID”) of tube  20  is large enough to house the snap hook section  10  of swivel assembly  3 . The other parts of swivel assembly  3  are a large washer  11  and strap attachment  12  which can swivel freely relative to snap hook  10 . Elastic cord (such as a bungee cord)  15  preferably has attachments for the connector snap hooks, such as loops, located at each end to be engaged with the snap hooks  10  of the swivel assemblies at each end. Cord  15  with formed end loops is shorter than tube  20  so that it holds both swivel fixtures  3  with washers  11  at the respective ends of tube  20  by virtue of its elastic tension. 
     Because the cylindrical cushion  2  rotates 360° about elastic cord  15  within central hole  18 , it can be rotated without significantly moving the neck and head away from the cushion  2 , to rotate the portion of the cushion  2  contacting the back of the head and neck of the user away, so that a cooler, cleaner portion of the cylindrical cushion  2  can then support the neck and back of the head of the user on a dryer, cooler cushion surface environment. 
     After rigid assembly of all of the parts, fabric cover  22 , which has an opening along its length is fitted over polyurethane foam cylinder  17  (which may itself be covered by an inner fabric sleeve), and the long opening is sealed via fasteners, such as a VELCRO® strip  23  and a mating strip  24  on the inside surface of the outer flap. The ends of cover  22  are similarly tucked around the ends of cylinder  17  and held closed with optional snaps. The cover  22  is also optionally tucked under washers  11 . 
     As an alternate embodiment as shown in  FIG. 5 , the cover  22  of foam cushion cylinder  17  can have one or more optional pockets  25  to accommodate therapeutic imparting elements, such as heat packs  26  and/or cold packs  27  inserted therein, for therapeutic use upon the neck and/or back of the head of the user. 
       FIG. 6  shows another alternate embodiment with an optional detachable therapeutic imparting element such as massage segment region portion  40 , attached by VELCRO® straps  41 , along a segment of the surface of the foam pillow cushion  17  with massage elements  42 , such as a plurality of axially (horizontally) extending ribbing rods  42 , provided thereat. Each massage element  42  preferably has a thickness shown by the arrows “T-T”. Other massage elements, such as beads or other massage imparting units (not shown) can be provided along the designated massage segment region portion  40 , so that the user can use these massage elements  42 , and rotate them out of the way to use the foam-only segmented portion on other regions of pillow  1 . Preferably, massage elements  42  are made of a firm closed cell or open cell foam, such as in cylindrical “backer rods” or are made of rubber or other elastomeric material. Optionally, for persons who desire a firmer set of massage elements, massage elements  42  can be made of form or a soft flexible plastic or wood, such as cork. 
     Also, in a further alternate embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the pillow cushion  17  can be provided in a pair of foam halves  17 A and  17 B, where one half segment  17 A is a firm polyurethane foam and the other half segment  17 B is a softer, medium polyurethane foam. In that manner the user can rotate the pillow cushion  2  from a firm half to a softer half as desired, and vice versa. It is noted that the segments need not be limited to half sections, but rather the foam cushion  17  can be divided into thirds or quarter sections (not shown) of varying firmness and softness. 
     In yet a further alternate embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , the pockets  25  of the cover  22 , or the confines of the cover  22  itself, can also carry electronic therapeutic imparting elements, such as electronic neck massaging elements, such as one or more vibration pads/transducers  52  for vibrating or other nerve stimulation massage, such as associated with a transcutaneal electronic nerve stimulation (T.E.N.S) unit  53 . The T.E.N.S unit  53  has a remote power pack, such as is typically carried in a pocket or worn upon a user&#39;s belt, with wires  54 , connected to the vibration pads, such as transducers  52 , which are carried in pockets  25  of the cover  22 , or within the confines of the cover  22  itself. Power can be provided with a low voltage battery or battery pack, such as, for example, a 9 volt “D” battery, or by connection to a vehicle cigarette lighter or cell phone jack. 
     In yet another alternate embodiment of cervical pillow  100  shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , centrally located elastic cord  15  ( FIG. 3 ) is not used in the swivel support assembly of the cervical pillow of this invention. 
     While  FIGS. 9 and 10  show cylindrical cushion  17  formed of two halves  17 A and  17 B, such as shown in  FIG. 7  herein, it is contemplated that cylindrical cushion can have a single radial slit extending only to the center of cushion  17 , such as disclosed in  FIG. 6  here. 
     It is also contemplated that cylindrical cushion  17  can be a once piece unit with no slits, where access to central tube  60  is through the ends of the hollow region  61  of cushion  17  accommodating tube  60 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , a rotatable horizontal member, such as a semi-rigid tube  60  with attached rigid bushings  62  securely fitted at each end of tube  60 , such as by crimping or heat welding. The rotatable cushion is used with handles such as washers  63  and swivel strap loops  64  which have rod extensions  65 . Tube  60  may be of PVC or material such as ⅜″ PEX tubing which is usually used in plumbing. Since this tube  60  no longer requires an internal diameter large enough to accommodate a snap hook, it can be of smaller diameter than tube  20  shown in  FIG. 3 . Similarly, through hole  61  in foam cushion  17  can also be smaller commensurate with tube  60  outer diameter. Rod extensions  65  are simply press fit into the ends of tube  60  to retain the swivel strap loops  64 . If rigid bushings  62  were not used at each end of tube  60 , there would be too much radial expansion of the ends to retain swivel strap loops  64  with adequate force to resist withdrawal. Bushings  62  can be fabricated from short lengths of copper, aluminum, steel tubing or non-metallic plastic, such as PVC, of proper size. The end swivel fixtures or strap loops  64  therefore rotate in unison but are not connected by an elastic cord in this embodiment. As shown in the close-up view of  FIG. 10 , for removal of strap  4 , strap  4  is preferable provided with a snap hook  66  engageable with strap loop  64 . 
       FIG. 11  is a shows an alternate threaded embodiment for a rotatable cushion  200  with central tube  260  having at opposite ends respective end clasp handles  263 . 
     In the alternate embodiment shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12  of cervical pillow  200 , centrally located elastic cord  15  ( FIG. 3 ) is also not used in the swivel support assembly of the cervical pillow  200  of this invention. As shown in  FIG. 11 , a rotatable horizontal member, such as a semi-rigid tube  260  has attached rigid bushings  262  securely fitted at each end of tube  260 , such as by crimping or heat welding. The rotatable cushion  200  is used with threaded handles  263  with integral swivel strap loops  264  which have threaded extensions  265 , which are threaded into bushings  262 , or else threaded directly into a threaded end of rod  260 , without the necessity of intermediary threaded bushings  262 . Tube  260  may also be of PVC or material such as ⅜″ PEX tubing which is usually used in plumbing. Since this tube  260  no longer requires an internal diameter large enough to accommodate a snap hook, it can also be of smaller diameter than tube  20  shown in  FIG. 3 . Similarly, through hole  261  in foam cushion  17  can also be smaller commensurate with tube  260 &#39;s outer diameter. Threaded rod extensions  65  are simply threaded into the threaded ends of bushing  262 , or directly into a threaded end of tube  260 , to retain the swivel strap handles  263 . Bushings  62  can be fabricated from short lengths of copper, aluminum, steel tubing or non-metallic plastic, such as PVC, of proper size. The end swivel fixtures  263  with strap loops  264  and threaded extensions  265  therefore rotate in unison but are not connected by an elastic cord in this embodiment. For removal of strap  4  from handle  263 , strap  4  is preferable provided with a snap hook  66  engageable with strap loop  64 , such as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  also shows a small auxiliary external firm massaging member  270 , which has end caps  274  having elastic connecting cables  271  with hooks  272  at each distal end, engageable with strap loops  264  of handles  263  on each side of rotatable cushion  17 . 
     It is contemplated that auxiliary external firm massaging member  270  can also engage cervical pillow  1  with rotatable cushion  17  shown in  FIGS. 1-8  by attachment of hooks  272  to attachment  12  of swivel assemblies  3  therein. 
     Auxiliary external firm massaging member  270  can also engage cervical pillow  100  with rotatable cushion  17  shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10  by attachment of hooks  272  to attachment loops  63  of the swivel assemblies  66  therein. 
     Bushings  62  are shown external to tube  60  in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . However, it is contemplated that bushings  62  can alternately be internal to tube  60 , with rod extension  65  press fit therein. In an alternate embodiment in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , rod extension  65  can be threaded, mating with optional internal threads within an internally mounted busing  62 . As a further option, tube  60  can be provided with internal threads for a threaded rod extension  66 , without the need for a threaded bushing  62 . 
     Additionally, while cover  22  is shown with a major axis slit and partial end slits in  FIGS. 3 and 9 , for ease of removing the cover  22  for cleaning, optionally cover  22  can be provided with only a major axis slit but no end slits, for removing the cover for cleaning. Not having the end slits helps prevent any binding of the end material while the end swivel assemblies are rotating for user comfort. 
     In the foregoing description, certain terms and visual depictions are used to illustrate the preferred embodiment. However, no unnecessary limitations are to be construed by the terms used or illustrations depicted, beyond what is shown in the prior art, since the terms and illustrations are exemplary only, and are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention. 
     It is further known that other modifications may be made to the present invention, without departing the scope of the invention, as noted in the appended Claims.