Abstract:
A neck rest includes a first body member and a second body member. The first body member has a first recess for receiving a user&#39;s neck and defines a cushion extending around the recess for at least partially surrounding the user&#39;s neck. The second body member is different from the first body member and connected to the first body member. The second body member defines a second recess for receiving at least a lower portion of the user&#39;s head. The second body member defines a cushion extending around the second recess for at least partially surrounding the lower portion of the user&#39;s head.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a neck rest. 
   Neck rests are among the common appurtenances of air travelers and other people who are constrained to a more or less sitting position, even when they wish to sleep. 
   OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved neck rest. 
   A more particular object of the present invention is to provide a neck rest that is lightweight and easily transportable. 
   A further object of the present invention is to provide such a neck rest that is inexpensive to manufacture. 
   These and other objects of the present invention will be apparent from the drawings and descriptions herein. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention generally provides a neck rest with an attached head support. The head support serves to restrain the head from lolling too far to either side. Optionally the head support may include a headband serving to restrain the head from bobbing or falling forward. 
   A neck rest assembly in accordance with the present invention comprises a first body member and a second body member. The first body member has a first recess for receiving a user&#39;s neck and defines a cushion extending around the recess for at least partially surrounding the user&#39;s neck. The second body member is different from the first body member and connected to the first body member. The second body member defines a second recess for receiving at least a lower portion of the user&#39;s head. The second body member defines a cushion extending around the second recess for at least partially surrounding the lower portion of the user&#39;s head. 
   Preferably, at least one of the first body member and the second body member is an inflatable balloon or bladder. In one embodiment of the invention, both body members are separately inflatable and have respective air inlet ports. In another embodiment of the invention, one of the body members is a bag at least partially filled with flowable solid particles, such as artificial or natural beans. In the latter case, it is preferably the first body member that is a bag at least partially filled with the flowable solid particles, while the second body member is an inflatable balloon or bladder 
   Pursuant to another feature of the present invention, one body member may extend generally in a plane, while the other body member includes a plurality of support ribs extending substantially perpendicularly to the plane. The support ribs may take the form of seams dividing the second body member into a plurality of compartments. The compartments may have concave surfaces along an inner side of the second body member, facing into the second recess. In any event, for purposes of adding strength, the second body member may take a fluted, scalloped, or ribbed configuration. 
   In one embodiment of the present invention, both the first body member and the second body member are inflatable balloons or bladders. The first body members preferably have respective gas inlets so that the first body member and the second body member are separately inflatable. Thus, the neck rest assembly can be used only with the neck rest portion operational or with both the neck rest and the head support functional. 
   In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the first body member is a C-shaped member having a first height, while the second body member having a semi-cylindrical shape with a second height greater than the first height. 
   In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the first body member and the second body member are detachably connected to one another. 
   In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the first body member and the second body member are inflatable and share a single gas inlet so that the body members are jointly inflatable. 
   A combined head and neck rest in accordance with the present invention enables resting travelers to sleep longer, since the combined head and neck rest prevents the head from falling suddenly, waiting the user, or gradually, which might result in neck strain. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a combined neck rest and head support in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of a combined neck rest and head support in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic perspective view of a third embodiment of a combined neck rest and head support in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a combined neck rest and head support in accordance with the present invention, showing the combined neck rest and head support in a deflated or collapsed storage configuration. 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , showing the combined neck rest and head support in a first partially expanded use configuration. 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , showing the combined neck rest and head support in a second partially expanded use configuration. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1  depicts a neck and head rest assembly  10  including a neck rest  12  with an attached head support  14  each in the form of a generally U- or C-shaped body member defining a respective recess or cutout  16  and  18 . Neck rest  12  is configured to sit on a user&#39;s shoulders and surround the sides and back of the user&#39;s neck. Head support  14  is attached to neck rest  12  along one side thereof so as to be disposed generally coextensively therewith and parallel thereto. During use, head support  14  receives and substantially surrounds at least a lower portion of the user&#39;s head. Head support  14  serves to restrain the user&#39;s head from lolling too far to either side. Optionally the head support may include a headband (not shown) serving to restrain the head from bobbing or falling forward. 
   As depicted in broken-away view in  FIG. 1 , neck rest  12  and head support  14  may be filled with a fluidic particulate material such as natural or artificial beans  19 . The artificial material may be polymeric foam material. 
   Neck rest  12  and head support  14  may be detachably connected to one another, for instance via hook and fabric loop members, snap fasteners, one or more zippers, etc. 
     FIG. 2  shows a neck and head rest assembly  20  including a neck rest  22  with an attached head support  24 . Neck rest  22  takes the form of a generally U- or C-shaped body member defining a recess or cutout  26  for receiving a user&#39;s neck. Head support  24  is attached to neck rest  22  along one side thereof and comprises an inflatable balloon or bladder body member that has a fluted, scalloped, or ribbed configuration that provides reinforcement or added strength for enhanced support. More particularly, head support  24  includes, in an inflated or expanded configuration, a series of cylindrically arcuate segments  23  that are concave either on an inwardly or outwardly facing side, the arcuate segments being connected to one another along vertical (during use) seams or ribs  25 . 
   Neck rest  22  extends generally in a plane, while seams or ribs  25  of head support  24  extend substantially perpendicularly to that plane. Seams or ribs  25  divide head support  24  and form compartmentalized cylindrically arcuate segments  23 .  FIG. 2  shows segments  23  as being concave on an inward side, defining a recess  28  that receives at least a lower portion of a user&#39;s head. Alternatively, compartments or segments  23  may be convex in an inner side facing the user&#39;s head and concave or convex on an outer side facing away from the user&#39;s head. 
   As depicted in broken-away view in  FIG. 2 , neck rest  22  is filled with a fluidic particulate material such as natural or artificial beans  29 . The artificial material may be polymeric foam material. In addition, head support  24  is provided with an inflation tube  27  for enabling a user to pressurize compartments or segments  23 . To that end, each or rib  25  is formed with a gap (not shown) that enables communication between adjacent compartments or segments  23 , so that one inflation tube  27  suffices for the entire head support  24 . 
   Generally, head support  24  has a height (equivalent to the lengths of seam or ribs  25 ), measured transversely to the plane of neck rest  22 , that is greater than the height of neck rest  22 , also measured transversely to the plane of neck rest  22 . This is to provide an enhanced degree of support for the user&#39;s head. 
     FIG. 3  shows an alternate embodiment that is essentially an inversion of the embodiment of  FIG. 2 . Thus, a neck and head rest assembly  30  as shown in  FIG. 3  includes a neck rest  32  and a head support  34 , where the head support is a generally U- or C-shaped body member defining a recess or cutout  38  for receiving at least a lower portion of a user&#39;s head and where the neck rest  32  comprises an inflatable balloon or bladder body member that has a fluted, scalloped, or ribbed configuration. More particularly, neck rest  32  includes a series of cylindrically arcuate segments  33  that are concave either on an inwardly or outwardly facing side, the arcuate segments being connected to one another along vertical (during use) seams or ribs  35 . 
   Head support  34  extends generally in a plane, while seams or ribs  35  of neck rest  32  extend substantially perpendicularly to that plane. Seams or ribs  35  divide neck rest  32  and form compartmentalized cylindrically arcuate segments  33 .  FIG. 3  shows segments  33  as being concave on an inward side, defining a recess  36  that receives a user&#39;s neck. Alternatively, compartments or segments  33  may be convex in an inner side facing the user&#39;s head and concave or convex on an outer side facing away from the user&#39;s head. 
   Head support  34  may be filled with a fluidic particulate material such as natural beans or artificial beans  30  of polymeric foam material. In addition, neck rest  32  is provided with an inflation tube  37  for enabling a user to pressurize compartments or segments  33 . To that end, each or rib  35  is formed with a gap (not shown) that enables communication between adjacent compartments or segments  33 , so that one inflation tube  39  suffices for the entire neck rest  32 . 
     FIGS. 4-6  illustrate an embodiment of the invention where both body members are inflatable and have respective air inlet ports. 
   Per  FIGS. 4-6 , a neck and head rest assembly  40  includes a neck rest  42  with an attached head support  44 . Neck rest  42  has a balloon or bladder body member (not separately designated) that is inflatable from a collapsed configuration  52  ( FIGS. 4 and 6 ) to an expanded U- or C-shape that defines a recess or cutout  46  for receiving a user&#39;s neck. Head support  44  is attached to neck rest  42  along one side thereof and substantially coextensively therewith along the U- or C-shaped extent of the neck rest. Head support  44  comprises an inflatable balloon or bladder body member (not separately designated) that has a fluted, scalloped, or ribbed configuration that provides reinforcement or added strength for enhanced support. More particularly, head support  44  includes, in an inflated or expanded configuration ( FIG. 6 ), a series of cylindrically arcuate segments  43  that are concave either on an inwardly (depicted) or outwardly facing side, the arcuate segments being connected to one another along substantially vertical (during use of the device) seams or ribs  45 . 
   The inflated configuration of neck rest  42  ( FIG. 5 ) extends generally in a plane, while seams or ribs  45  of head support  44  extend substantially perpendicularly to that plane. Seams or ribs  45  divide head support  44  and form compartmentalized cylindrically arcuate segments  43 .  FIG. 6  shows segments  43  as being concave on an inward side, defining a recess  48  that receives at least a lower portion of a user&#39;s head. Alternatively, compartments or segments  43  may be convex in an inner side facing the user&#39;s head and concave or convex on an outer side facing away from the user&#39;s head. 
   Head support  44  is provided with an inflation tube  47  for enabling a user to pressurize compartments or segments  43 . To that end, each or rib  45  is formed with a gap (not shown) that enables communication between adjacent compartments or segments  43 , so that one inflation tube  47  suffices for the entire head support  44 . 
   Similarly, neck rest  42  is provided with an inflation tube  49  for enabling a user to pressurize and expand the body member of the neck rest to an inflated configuration as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
   Generally, head support  44  has a height (equivalent to the lengths of seam or ribs  45 ), measured transversely to the plane of neck rest  42 , that is greater than the height of neck rest  42 , also measured transversely to the plane of neck rest  42 . This is to provide an enhanced degree of support for the user&#39;s head. 
   As indicated in  FIG. 4 , the neck and head rest assembly  40  has a completely deflated configuration for storage and transport.  FIG. 5  shows neck rest  42  in an inflated configuration and head support  44  in a deflated or collapsed configuration. The partially expanded configuration of  FIG. 5  is useful where the user desires only neck support, for instance, when watching a video or film during an airplane flight.  FIG. 6  shows neck rest  42  in a collapsed state and head rest  44  in an expanded state. The partially expanded configuration of  FIG. 6  provides an alternative neck rest. 
   Inflation tubes  47  and  49  are provided with respective tethered plugs  51  and  53  for stopping up the tubes in the case that the user wished to have neck rest  42  and/or head support  44  in an inflated configuration. Similar plugs or stoppers (not shown) are provided for inflation tubes  27  and  37 . 
   Although the invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments and applications, one of ordinary skill in the art, in light of this teaching, can generate additional embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit of or exceeding the scope of the claimed invention. For instance, the head supports  14 ,  24 ,  34 , and  44  may be detachably connected to the respective neck rests  12 ,  22 ,  32 , and  42 . The separable couplings may be implemented by snap-lock connectors, hook-and-loop fasteners, releasable adhesive strips, magnets, etc. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawings and descriptions herein are preferred by way of example to facilitate comprehension of the invention and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof.