Abstract:
A new and improved head and neck support pillow which enables a user to comfortably rest upon his or her stomach. The support pillow is circular with a hole in the center of the pillow which allows the user to insert his or her face. The support pillow also has air holes at the base of the pillow which allows air flow to and from the face for inhalation and exhalation comfort. The support pillow may be completely constructed of PVC plastic with an air valve. The support pillow may be completely inflatable. The support pillow may also be accompanied with a terrycloth or similar fabric cloth which rests on the top of the support pillow for added comfort and is tied to the support pillow around the bottom base of the support pillow. A pocket may be sown in the pillow cover to allow insertion of a fragrance which would give the user an aroma therapy effect and added comfort to the user. A pocket may be sown on the pillow cover that is capable of holding an MP3 player.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of United States Provisional Application No. 61/152,407, filed Feb. 13, 2009, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a padded head rest and, more particularly, to a padded head rest with a support structure allowing air flow. 
         [0004]    2. Discussion of the Background Art 
         [0005]    Head and neck support pillows are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,095,569 to Glenn discloses a face-down pillow having a wedge shape and U.S. Pat. No. 5,546,619 to Braun discloses a head support designed to enable a user to rest upon his or her stomach. However, the face-down pillow of Glenn is cumbersome and lacks simple, compact design, and the head support of Braun has a rigid, horseshoe design that does not allow for compact storage and does not support the entire perimeter of the face. 
         [0006]    Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a need for a new and improved head and neck support device. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention overcomes disadvantages of the prior art by providing a head and neck support device having a simple, easy-to-manufacture design with no rigid structure and fully supporting a user&#39;s head while allowing the user to breath comfortably. Some advantages achieved by various embodiments of the invention include providing a user with the ability to rest comfortably on the user&#39;s stomach without a massage table. Another advantage is the ability to inflate and deflate the head and neck support device and the associated extreme portability and ability to compactly store the head and neck support device in a deflated position. In addition, the closed-loop shape of the head and neck support device provides support for the entire perimeter of a user&#39;s face. Further, airflow grooves provide air circulation for inhalation and exhalation comfort. The simple design using reliable materials also provides durability. Plus, the head and neck support device can also be used for sun tanning to rest comfortably while preventing uneven facial tanning. 
         [0008]    An aspect of the invention is a head and neck support device comprising a closed loop-shaped support pillow. The closed loop-shaped support pillow includes a rounded opening in the center of the support pillow extending through the support pillow from the top of the support pillow, and one or more airflow grooves extending along the base of the support pillow from outside the support pillow to the rounded opening in the center of the support pillow. The head and neck support device does not include a rigid base, does not include a rigid platform, and does not include rigid legs. The head and neck support device may include a closed loop-shaped main body in which the rounded opening is formed in the center thereof, and a plurality of supports extending from the main body. The one or more airflow grooves may be a plurality of airflow grooves extending along the base of the support pillow and formed between the plurality of supports extending from the main body. The head and neck support device may further comprise a support pillow cover covering at least a top surface of the main body and an inner side surface of the main body that forms the rounded opening in the center of the support pillow. The support pillow cover may include a plurality of sets of straps, each set of straps including an inner strap and an outer strap that are capable of being connected around the main body and through one of the plurality of airflow grooves to attach the support pillow cover to the support pillow. The support pillow may be configured to support a user&#39;s head while the user&#39;s face is inserted in the rounded opening. The closed loop-shaped support pillow may have a closed, circular loop shape. The support pillow may be inflatable and may comprise an air inflate nipple configured to allow a user to reversibly inflate and deflate the support pillow. The support pillow may be made of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material. The head and neck support device may further comprise a support pillow cover covering at least a top surface of the support pillow. The support pillow cover may additionally cover a portion of an outer side surface of the support pillow but may not cover any of the one or more airflow grooves. The portion of the support pillow cover that covers the portion of the outer side surface of the support pillow may include a pocket which is capable of holding an MP3 player. The support pillow cover may include a fragrance pocket. The support pillow cover may additionally cover at least a portion of an inner side surface of the support pillow that forms the rounded opening in the center of the support pillow without covering any of the one or more airflow grooves. The support pillow cover may include a fragrance pocket in a portion of the support pillow cover that covers the inner side surface of the support pillow. The support pillow cover may be made of a terrycloth material. The support pillow cover may include a plurality of straps to non-permanently secure the support pillow cover to the support pillow. The plurality of straps may include a plurality of sets of straps, each set of straps including an outer strap and a corresponding inner strap that non-permanently attach to secure the support pillow cover to the support pillow. At least one of the straps may include a fragrance pocket. 
         [0009]    Another aspect of the invention is a support pillow cover for covering a support pillow having no rigid structure. The support pillow cover comprises a top fabric portion for covering a top surface of the support pillow, an inner fabric portion for covering an inner side surface of the support pillow that forms a rounded opening through the support pillow, an outer fabric portion for covering an outer side surface of the support pillow, and a plurality of straps capable of non-permanently securing the support pillow cover to the support pillow. The support pillow cover does not interfere with airflow through airflow grooves located at the base of the support pillow. The outer fabric portion may include a pocket in which an MP3 player is capable of being inserted, and the support pillow cover may include a fragrance pocket in which a fragrance strip is capable of being inserted. 
         [0010]    Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form part of the specification, illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention and, together with the detailed description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. In the drawings, like reference numbers are used to indicate identical or functionally similar elements. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is an applied view showing the head and neck support device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a side view showing the head and neck support device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the head and neck support device according to an embodiment of the present invention 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is an airflow view showing air flow to and from the head and neck support device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is an applied view showing the bottom and side of the head and neck support device according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a side view showing the support pillow of the head and neck support device according to the other embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a bottom view showing the support pillow of the head and neck support device according to the other embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is bottom view showing the support pillow cover of the head and neck support device according to the other embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    A head and neck support device  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . The device  100  includes a support pillow  101  and a support pillow cover  102 . The support pillow  101  has a closed-loop shape with a rounded opening  104  formed through the center of support pillow  101 . Support pillow  101  includes a plurality of airflow grooves  106  extending along a base  101   d  of support pillow  101  from outside of support pillow  101  to opening  104 . The plurality of airflow grooves  106  allow air to flow into and out of opening  104 . 
         [0021]    Head and neck support device  100  does not include a rigid base or rigid platform and does not include rigid legs. Head and neck support device  100  may be completely constructed of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material. The support pillow  101  may be completely inflatable. To enable support pillow  101  to be inflated and deflated, support pillow  101  may include an air valve  107 . 
         [0022]    The support pillow cover  102  includes a fabric cover  108  and straps  109 . Fabric cover  108  covers top surface  101   a  of support pillow  101 . Fabric cover  108  may also include one or both of an inner portion covering at least a portion of inner side surface  101   b  and an outer portion  108   b  covering at least a portion of outer side surface  101   c  of support pillow  101 . No portion of fabric cover  108  covers any of the plurality of airflow grooves  106 . The portions of fabric cover  108  may be separate pieces of fabric sown together or may simply be portions of a single piece of fabric. Fabric cover  108  may be made of terrycloth. Outer portion  108   b  of fabric cover  108  may include a pocket configured to hold an MP3 player. 
         [0023]    Straps  109  enable support pillow cover  102  to be attached to support pillow  101 . Straps  109  may enable support pillow cover  102  to be removably attached to the support pillow  101 . Straps  109  may include sets of straps  109 , where each set of straps  109  includes an inner strap  109   a  and an outer strap  109   b.  The support pillow cover  102  may be attached to support pillow  101  by connecting each inner strap  109   a  to a corresponding outer strap  109   b.  Inner strap  109   a  may be connected to a corresponding outer strap  109   b  by tying the corresponding inner and outer straps  109   a  and  109   b  together or through the use of buttons, hook and loop fastening strips (e.g., VELCRO) or any suitable connecting element at the ends of the inner and outer straps  109   a  and  109   b.  Each inner strap  109   a  may be connected to a corresponding outer strap  109   b  around the base  101   d  of support pillow  101  to attach the support pillow cover  102  to the support pillow  101 . One strap may include a fragrance pocket  111  in which a fragrance, such as a scented oil on a fragrance pad, may be inserted. Alternatively, fragrance pocket  111  may hang from support pillow cover  102  into the rounded opening  104  or may be located on inner portion of fabric cover  208 , which covers inner side surface  101   b  of support pillow  101 . 
         [0024]    In operation, head and neck support device  100  supports a user&#39;s head and enables a user to comfortably rest upon his or her stomach. Support pillow cover  102  removably attaches to support pillow  101  by connecting each inner strap  109   a  to a corresponding outer strap  109   b . Support pillow  101  supports a user&#39;s head while the user&#39;s face is inserted in the rounded opening  104 . The user&#39;s head rests comfortably on fabric cover  108  of the attached support pillow cover  102  while the user&#39;s face is inserted in rounded opening  104  and supported by support pillow  101 . While the user&#39;s face is inserted in the rounded opening  104 , the airflow grooves  106  allow air circulation to rounded opening  104  from outside the head and neck support device  100  for inhalation and exhalation comfort. Fragrance pocket  111  enables insertion of a fragrance for an aromatherapy effect and added comfort to the user. Because the head and neck support device  100  has no rigid structure and support pillow  101  may be inflated and deflated, the user may deflate support pillow  101  for portability and/or compact storage of head and neck support device  100 . 
         [0025]    A head and neck support device  200  according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 5-8 . The device  200  includes a support pillow  201  and a support pillow cover  202 . 
         [0026]    Support pillow  201  includes a main body  203  having a closed-loop shape with a rounded opening  204  formed through the center of the main body  203 . Support pillow  201  also includes a plurality of extensions  205  extending from the main body  203 . The plurality of extensions  205  form a plurality of airflow grooves  206  between the plurality of extensions  205 . The plurality of airflow grooves  206  extend along a base  203   d  of the main body  203  from outside of support pillow  201  to the opening  204 . The plurality of airflow grooves  206  allow air to flow between the plurality of extensions  205  to the opening  204 . 
         [0027]    Head and neck support device  200  does not include a rigid base or rigid platform and does not include rigid legs. Head and neck support device  200  may be completely constructed of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material. The main body  203  and plurality of extensions  205  of support pillow  201  may be completely inflatable. To enable the main body  203  and plurality of extensions  205  to be inflated and deflated, support pillow  201  may include an air valve  207 . 
         [0028]    The support pillow cover  202  includes a fabric cover  208  and straps  209 . Fabric cover  208  includes a central portion  208   a,  an inner portion  208   b  and an outer portion  208   c  that cover top surface  203   a,  inner side surface  203   b  and outer side surface  203   c  of main body  203 , respectively. The central, inner and outer portions  208   a - 208   c  of fabric cover  208  may be separate pieces of fabric sown together or may simply be portions of a single piece of fabric. Fabric cover  208  does not cover any of the plurality of airflow grooves  206 . Fabric cover  208  may be made of terrycloth. Outer portion  208   c  of fabric cover  208  may include pocket  210  configured to hold an MP3 player. 
         [0029]    Straps  209  enable support pillow cover  202  to be attached to support pillow  201 . Straps  209  may enable support pillow cover  202  to be removably attached to the support pillow  201 . Straps  209  may include sets of straps  209 , where each set of straps  209  includes an inner strap  209   a  and an outer strap  209   b.  The support pillow cover  202  may be attached to support pillow  201  by connecting each inner strap  209   a  to a corresponding outer strap  209   b.  Inner strap  209   a  may be connected to a corresponding outer strap  209   b  by tying the inner and outer straps  209   a  and  209   b  together or through the use of buttons, hook and loop fastening strips (e.g., VELCRO) or any suitable connecting element at the ends of the inner and outer straps  209   a  and  209   b.  Each set of straps  209  may correspond to one of plurality of airflow grooves  206 , and each inner strap  209   a  may be connected to a corresponding outer strap  209   b  through the corresponding airflow groove  206 . One strap may include a fragrance pocket  211  in which a fragrance, such as a scented oil on a fragrance pad, may be inserted. Alternatively, fragrance pocket  211  may be located on inner portion  208   b  of fabric cover  208 . 
         [0030]    In operation, head and neck support device  200  supports a user&#39;s head and enables a user to comfortably rest upon his or her stomach. Support pillow cover  202  removably attaches to support pillow  201  by connecting each inner strap  209   a  to a corresponding outer strap  209   b.    
         [0031]    Because the straps  209  are connected through the airflow grooves  206  between the plurality of extensions  205 , the straps  209  are held in place between the extensions  205 . Support pillow  201  supports a user&#39;s head while the user&#39;s face is inserted in the rounded opening  204 . The user&#39;s head rests comfortably on fabric cover  208  of the attached support pillow cover  202  while the user&#39;s face is inserted in rounded opening  204  and supported by support pillow  201 . While the user&#39;s face is inserted in the rounded opening  204 , the airflow grooves  206  formed between extensions  205  allow air circulation to rounded opening  204  from outside the head and neck support device  200  for inhalation and exhalation comfort. Pocket  210  enables an MP3 player to be conveniently held so that a user may listen to soothing music while comfortably relaxing. Fragrance pocket  211  enables insertion of a fragrance for an aromatherapy effect and added comfort to the user. Because the head and neck support device  200  has no rigid structure and support pillow  201  may be inflated and deflated, the user may deflate support pillow  201  for portability and/or compact storage of head and neck support device  200 . 
         [0032]    While the invention has been particularly taught and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments, those versed in the art will appreciate that modifications in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, although the support pillows  101  and  201  were described as being completely constructed of a PVC material, any suitable material or combination of materials may alternatively be used. Also, although support pillow covers  102  and  202  were described as including a fabric cover  108  or  208  that may be made of terrycloth, it is not necessary that the fabric cover  108  or  208  be made of terrycloth and any suitable soft fabric or material or combination of fabrics or materials that would be comfortable to a user&#39;s face may alternatively be used. 
         [0033]    Further, support pillow  101  was shown as including three airflow grooves  106 , but it is not necessary that the number of the plurality of airflow grooves  106  be equal to three. Similarly, main body  203  was shown as being supported by four extensions  205  forming four airflow grooves  206 , but it is not necessary that the number of the plurality of extensions  205  and the number of the plurality airflow grooves  206  be equal to four. In addition, head and neck support device  100  was described as having a plurality of airflow grooves  105 , but the head and neck support device  100  may instead have a single airflow groove  105 . Similarly, head and neck support device  200  was described as having a plurality of extensions  204  and a plurality of airflow channels  205 , but the head and neck support device  200  may instead have a single U-shaped extension forming a single airflow channel  205 . 
         [0034]    Also, although the support pillow covers  102  and  104  were described as having an MP3 pocket  110  or  210  and a fragrance pocket  111  or  211 , neither of the of the pockets are necessary, and the support pillow covers  102  and  104  may have one or neither of the pockets. As yet another alternative, support pillow covers  102  and  104  may have pockets in addition to the MP3 and fragrance pockets described. 
         [0035]    These and other modifications of the present invention are intended to be within the scope of the appended claims.