Abstract:
An ergonomic, arm-positioning pillow includes an ornamental design including an upper portion having a top surface for supporting the head of a sleeper and a bottom portion having a lower surface for supporting the arm-positioning pillow and having a first space extending at an oblique angle from a first space located along the lower surface for receiving an arm therein and supporting the sleeper to position the arm for managing the amount of pressure applied to the arm, and a second space located in the lower surface for receiving a second arm or for receiving the second arm to provide for ambidextrous use of the arm-positioning pillow and to obtain improved sleep performance in the form of reduced snoring and sleep apnea.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to an arm-positioning cushion or pillow for improving sleep performance and resting comfort of a person who generally sleeps prone or on their side. 
     Generally, the quality and quantity of sleep affects mental and physical health and feelings of well being. Many individuals prefer to sleep on their side (“side sleepers”) or in a side/prone position rather than in a complete prone or complete supine position. This side sleeper preference is primarily for comfort, although may also be preferred due to improved quality and quantity of sleep which may improve mental and physical health aspects such as obesity, impairment to sleep quality due to mild sleep apnea and/or snoring, habit, or illness among other reasons. Accordingly, there remains a desire to improve the quality and quantity of sleep a person may obtain. In particular there remains a continuing need to provide a sleeper improved and greater flexibility in slide sleeping positions while maintaining and/or improving support and comfort to help a sleeper maintain a sleep position such as by limiting or reducing compression of the sleeper&#39;s upper extremities. 
     Traditional pillows do not adequately provide for a sleeper&#39;s needs or comfort. When a sleeper&#39;s head, or head and pillow, rest on the arm and/or shoulder (especially after extended periods of recumbence) pain, dysesthesias and paresthesias frequently occur. This discomfort and annoyance due to these conditions may cause the side sleeper to change positions frequently, causing the sleeper to awaken, and thereby diminish the quality and quantity of sleep. Chronic restlessness and wakefulness may lead to sleep deprivation with subsequent diurnal fatigue, depression and other side effects. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,484,336 discloses a known embodiment of an ergonomic pillow. While the disclosure of the &#39;336 patent represented an improvement in the state of the art at the time, there remains a continuing need to provide additional comfort devices and especially for an improved arm-positioning pillow or cushion for a side sleeper and those requiring versatility in their sleeping positions. There is a continuing need to provide greater utility when compared to conventional pillows. 
     SUMMARY 
     One exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure relates to ergonomic arm-positioning pillows and cushions that may be used for reducing the pressure on a user&#39;s left or right arm (and both) and may be used in multiple positions. The arm-positioning pillows and cushions position the arm to reduce discomfort and restlessness, and to improve the quality and quantity of sleep. Various positions are considered for accommodating the side sleeper&#39;s head, neck, shoulder and arm to lessen nocturnal compression of the arm and shoulder. It is a further objective to provide arm-positioning, comfortable pillows and cushions which are multi-functional and multi-positionable to accommodate various sleeper positions and recumbent activities. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other features of the exemplary embodiments will become more apparent to one skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings in which: 
       The foregoing and other features of the exemplary embodiments will become more apparent to one skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a side sleeper pillow according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of a side sleeper pillow according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a first end view of a side sleeper pillow according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a second end view of a side sleeper pillow according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  third end view of a side sleeper pillow according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a fourth end view of a side sleeper pillow according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom view of a side sleeper pillow according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom view of a side sleeper pillow having an alternate support base configuration according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  is a bottom view of a side sleeper pillow having a further alternate support base configuration according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10  is a bottom view of a side sleeper pillow having a further alternate support base configuration according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 11  is a bottom view of a side sleeper pillow having a further alternate support base configuration according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 12  is a bottom view of a side sleeper pillow having a further alternate support base configuration according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 13  is a bottom view of a side sleeper pillow having a further alternate support base configuration according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 14  is a bottom view of a side sleeper pillow having a further alternate support base configuration according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 15  is a first perspective view thereof; 
         FIG. 16  is a first side view thereof; 
         FIG. 17  is a first front view thereof; 
         FIG. 18  is a first top view thereof. 
         FIG. 19  is a second side view thereof; 
         FIG. 20  is a rear view thereof; 
         FIG. 21  is a bottom view thereof. 
         FIG. 22  is a first front view thereof; 
         FIG. 23  is a first top view thereof. 
         FIG. 24  is a second side view thereof; 
         FIG. 25  is a rear view thereof; 
         FIG. 26  is a bottom view thereof. 
         FIG. 27  is a first perspective view thereof; 
         FIG. 28  is a first side view thereof; 
         FIG. 29  is a first front view thereof; 
         FIG. 30  is a first top view thereof. 
         FIG. 31  is a second side view thereof; 
         FIG. 32  is a rear view thereof; 
         FIG. 33  is a bottom view thereof. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to generally to all of the figures and in particular to  FIGS. 1 through 13 , a generally rectangular shaped therapeutic pillow  10  is shown, for improving the quality and quantity of sleep of side sleepers. The therapeutic pillow  10  has greater utility. Therapeutic pillow  10  is optimally used by side sleepers who like to position an arm under their head. However, due to discomfort, such side sleepers periodically become restless and are awakened because of arm pain, dysesthesias and paresthesias. 
     With particular reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  4 ,  6  and  7 , the therapeutic pillow  10  may have any known and/or appropriate overall pillow shape, such as the rectangular shape shown in the FIGs, or other shapes including square, round, oblong, elliptical, etc. The pillow  10  is usable by an individual with the right arm, the left arm and both arms as may be desired. Further, the pillow  10  may be used from multiple positions as will be understood from the below description. The pillow  10  may be enclosed in any usual type of slip cover (not shown), which may be opened and closed at one end by a closure such as buttons, VELCRO® or a zipper as is well known. The therapeutic pillow  10  includes a generally resilient but more firm pillow base portion  20  and a generally more resilient pillow top portion  30 . The pillow base portion  20  includes a first front lower portion  21  of the pillow  10  offset inwardly from a front upper portion  22  of the pillow top portion  32 . The lower recessed portion  21  is more fully disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,484,336, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein. The lower recessed portion  21  provides a protected space for the side sleeper&#39;s arms and prevents the sleeper&#39;s head from loading the arm and inducing pain, dysesthesias and paresthesias. The protected space which is parallel to the front surface of the pillow is adapted to accommodate a side sleeper&#39;s arm when the head of the side sleeper is resting on the generally planar top surface  31  of the pillow  10 . This position leads to a relief or reduction of related aches and pains and thereby reduces tossing and turning, allowing the side sleeper improved rest. The pillow  10  may be used with either the left or right arms of the sleeper. 
     With particular reference to  FIG. 7 , the bottom of the pillow  10  is shown wherein a first and second recess  41  and  42 , respectively, are shown as being defined by a plurality of base supports or members  24 ,  25 , and  26 . The first and second recesses  41  and  42 , respectively, define a recess  43  that is shown as being preferably angled (i.e., substantially “v” shaped) in this embodiment and which allows an arm of the side sleeper to pass at an angle of approximately 45 degrees from the X-direction, which may be a direction of sleep of a user of the pillow  10  including a side sleeper, as represented by the line X-X in  FIG. 7 . The direction of sleep X extends substantially perpendicular or normal and through the center of the pillow or offset and substantially aligned therewith. The first and second recesses  41  and  42 , respectively, provide a side sleeper the opportunity to keep the sleeper&#39;s head in the middle area of the top surface  31  while inducing the sleeper to space the sleeper&#39;s head apart from the sleeper&#39;s arm and yet still allowing the side sleeper to have some feel that the sleeper&#39;s head is pressing some on the sleeper&#39;s arm. Alternatively, it should be noted that the sleeper may optionally use the pillow  10  from either side of the direction of sleep X-X thereby providing even greater flexibility in adjusting the performance and comfort of the pillow  10  by providing the sleeper greater flexibility in the position of the sleepers arms. Even more optimally, the sleeper may optionally use the pillow to achieve a better balance of performance factors that will provide a side sleeper with a more optimal sleeping experience and comfort and will provide a more sound and restful sleep. 
     Further, the first and second recesses  41  and  42 , respectively, allow the side sleeper many more sleeping positions than known therapeutic pillows as the sleeper may have a side sleeping arm in either the first recess  41  or the second recess  42  and thus angled in front of or behind the sleeper&#39;s head when it is located in the center portion of the top planar surface  31 . Further, the pillow  10  may alternatively be used by a prone sleeper (front or back) to have the sleeper&#39;s arms in one or both of the first and second recesses  41  and  42 , respectively, to provide alternative comfort sleep positions. 
     In one exemplary embodiment as shown best in  FIG. 8 , the therapeutic pillow  10  further includes a second lower portion  27  of the pillow  10  offset inwardly from a back upper portion  32  of the pillow top portion  30 . The second lower portion  27  is further preferably defined by the base member  26 . It should also be noted that the first lower portion  21  is at least partially defined by the base members  24  and  25 . Further, the base members  24 ,  25 , and  26 , respectively, are each disclosed as having a generally triangular shape but may be selected to have any number of alternative shapes, designs and numbers of sides while still defining the first and second recesses  41  and  42 , respectively, and the first and second lower portions  21  and  27 , respectively. For example, as best shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the shapes of the base members  24 ,  25  and  26  may be circular ( FIG. 8 ) or rectangular (or square as shown in  FIG. 9 ). The pillow  10  may also alternately be provided with more than the three disclosed base members  24 ,  25 , and  26 , while still providing the support and position options as disclosed for the three base members  24 ,  25 , and  26 . For example, as best shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , four base members  24 ,  25 ,  26  and  28  are provided in a configuration for providing support and an arm-positioning, therapeutic pillow  10  which may be used to position and protect either arm of a sleeper. 
     The construction and arrangement of the elements of the therapeutic pillow  10 , including the base members  24 ,  25  and  26 , as shown in the illustrated and other exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited herein. For example, while the three disclosed base members  24 ,  25 , and  26 , described herein are shown as being used in combination with the contoured pillow top portion  30 , it should be understood that any contour, shape or form for the pillow top portion  30  may be utilized. The therapeutic pillow  10  may be constructed from any of a wide variety of appropriate materials that provide sufficient support, comfort and durability and in any of a wide variety of colors, combinations and suitable materials. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design and arrangement of the preferred and exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 12 and 13  further alternate embodiment of the therapeutic pillow  10  is shown. As shown in  FIG. 12 , base members (supports)  24  and  25  are disclosed as having a generally semi-circular shape and base member (support)  26  is disclosed as having a generally rectangular shape. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 13 , base members (supports)  24 ,  25 , and  26  may have a generally semi-circular shape. The base members define first and second recesses  41  and  42  that define a generally v-shaped recess  43  which allows an arm of a sleeper to pass at an angle of approximately 45 degrees from the X-direction, which is the direction of sleep of a user of the pillow  10 . For example, a prone sleeper may position his/the sleeper&#39;s head face down on base member (support)  24  and extend each of his/the sleeper&#39;s arms in the first and second recesses  41  and  42 , respectively. Alternatively, a side sleeper may position his/the sleeper&#39;s head between base members (supports)  25  and  26  and extend his/the sleeper&#39;s arms in either the first or second recesses  41  and  42 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 14  in particular there is shown a bottom view of a side sleeper therapeutic pillow  10  having a further alternate support base configuration similar to that shown in  FIG. 7  but including an additional central channel  33  splitting the base member  24  into first portion  24   a  and second portion  24   b . As shown in  FIG. 14 , base members (or supports)  24   a ,  24   b ,  25  and  26  are disclosed as having a generally triangular shapes. The central channel  33 , together with the first and second recesses  41  and  42 , provides multiple, generally v-shaped recesses in which the arms of a sleeper may pass along the X-direction of the pillow and at angles of approximately 45 degrees from the X-direction. This provides a sleeper with much greater flexibility in obtaining a more comfortable sleep position while still providing the sleeper&#39;s head with adequate support. 
     It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the therapeutic pillow as shown in the preferred and other exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter disclosed. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements show as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength, comfort and/or durability and in any of a wide variety of colors, textures and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.