Abstract:
Weight restraining pillow has a filled outer perimeter area encompassing a central sling area. The sling is defined in part by two generally parallel outer seams adjacent the outer perimeter, and an inner seam located between the outer seams which help hold the fill of the perimeter in place. When a weighted object is placed on the sling, the perimeter is drawn inward toward the object placed therein.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/063,632, filed Feb. 5, 2008 and entitled “Weight Activated Restraining Pillow”. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to pillows or cushions for adults, children, infants, or animals. More specifically, the present invention relates to pillows having peripheral guards for restraining adults, children, infants, or animals. 
     Pillows have a wide variety of uses. For example, pillows are used almost universally when sleeping to support the head. Pillows may also be used to support other things as well. A variety of cushions, pillows, and pads have been used by both infants and adults which can be conveniently transported and placed on the ground or on a bed to provide a comfortable resting. Because small infants and even toddlers tend to roll off the edge of a bed or other surface without some kind of guard around the periphery, pillows designed especially for use by infants preferably include a raised edge which will block the baby from rolling off the pillow and onto the floor. Rolled up blankets, towels, or pillows are often placed around a small child to prevent the child from falling off a bed unequipped with rails, or similar surface. Traditional adult pillows used singularly are ill suited for such a task and are not recommended for use with babies. 
     SUMMARY 
     An embodiment of the present invention is a weight activated restraining pillow including a peripheral cushion area, fill material located within the peripheral cushion area, and a central sling holding area located inside of the peripheral area. The cushion has a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side. The first side and the second side are substantially parallel and extend between the top and the bottom. The sling is defined in part by a first seam extending substantially parallel to the first side and a second seam extending substantially parallel to the second side. The first seam and the second seam separate the sling from the cushion so that when a weighted object is received into the sling, the first side and the second side of the cushion area draw inward toward the weighted object within the sling. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention is weight activated restraining pillow including a cushion having a padded region and an unpadded region. The padded region generally surrounds the unpadded region. A first longitudinal seam defines a first side of the unpadded region and a second longitudinal seam defines a second side of the unpadded region. When a weighted object is placed centrally within the unpadded region, it draws the first longitudinal seam and second longitudinal seam inwards toward one another. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a weight activated restraining pillow with an infant placed on its back therein. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a weight activated restraining pillow with an infant placed on its stomach therein. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the top of a weight activated restraining pillow. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the pillow illustrated in  FIG. 3  covered with a case. 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view of the bottom of the pillow illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6  is an elevation view of a side of the pillow illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 7  is an elevation view of an end of the pillow generally perpendicular to the side illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIGS. 8A and 8B  are a cross-sectional views of an alternative embodiment of a weight activated restraining pillow. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of weight activated restraining pillow  12  with infant B placed on its back therein. Depicted in  FIG. 1  are: infant B, pillow  12  having cushion  14  and sling  16 . When infant B is placed on its back in sling  16 , cushion  14  moves inward such that pillow  12  gently contacts and comforts infant B. 
     In the embodiment depicted, infant B is lying on its back on top of weight activated restraining pillow  12 . Together, peripheral cushion area  14  and central sling area  16  form pillow  12 , which can be used as a positioning device and/or a sensory stimulant for infant B. Peripheral cushion area  14  is approximately oval shaped, although the invention is not so limited. In  FIG. 1 , pillow  12  is sized for an infant such that sling  16  is located mainly beneath infant B and cushion  14  is drawn slightly inward and surrounding infant B. Cushion or padded area  14  is stuffed with fill material such as but not limited to poly fill. In an alternate embodiment, cushion  14  is a vinyl tube that is inflated with air or filled with common pillow contents such as feathers or Styrofoam beads, which may be flame retardant. Sling or unpadded area  16  is not stuffed with fill and therefore, provides a relatively flat holding area for placement of infant B. When infant B is placed on top of pillow  12 , the weight of infant B causes sling  16  to deform downwards and cushion  14  to move centrally to contact infant B. As depicted in  FIG. 1 , pillow  12  promotes spinal alignment of infant B and can also provide physical comfort through light touch of cushion  14  to infant B. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of weight activated restraining pillow  12 , with infant B placed on its stomach therein. Depicted in  FIG. 2  are: infant B, pillow  12 , cushion  14  and sling  16 . When infant B is placed on its stomach in sling  16 , cushion  14  is pulled inwards toward infant B such that pillow  12  gently contacts and comforts infant B. 
     Cushion  14  and sling  16  remain in the arrangement described above with reference to  FIG. 1  where peripheral cushion area  14  surrounds central sling area  16 . Infant B, however, is now depicted on its stomach, otherwise known as “tummy time” position. When placed on its stomach, a portion of infant B extends over a top of cushion  14  while a remaining portion of infant B is located on top of sling  16 . Less weight is centrally located over sling  16  and therefore, sling  16  deforms less than when infant B is placed completely within sling  16 . Since infant B extends over cushion  14 , cushion  14  also deforms or compresses slightly under infant B. Compression of cushion  14  keeps back of infant B at an angle less than about 45 degrees and therefore, not strained or compressed. Deformation of cushion  14  also keeps infant B close to a surface or floor located beneath pillow  12 , which can be less frightening than being elevated at a great distance above a surface. 
       FIG. 3  is a plan view of the top of weight activated restraining pillow  12 . Depicted in  FIG. 3  are components of pillow  12  as seen from the top: cushion  14 , sling  16 , top  18 , bottom  20 , first side  22 , second side  24 , first seam  26 , second seam  26  and third seam  30 . Pillow  12  is configured to cradle an infant, child, adult, or non-human animal such as a pet. 
     Pillow  12  includes peripheral cushion  14  and center sling  16 . For descriptive purposes, pillow  12  can be divided into top  18 , bottom  20 , first side  22  and second side  24 . As depicted, first side  22  and second side  24  are substantially parallel to each other yet spaced apart and extending between top  18  and bottom  20 . Sling  16  is surrounded by cushion  14  and at least partially defined by first seam  26  extending substantially parallel to first side  22  and second seam  28  extending substantially parallel to second side  24 . First seam  26  and second seam  28  separate sling  16  from cushion  14  so that the fill located within cushion  14  does not significantly spread out into sling  16 . In the embodiment depicted, no seaming separates top  18  and bottom  20  from sling  16 , thereby ensuring that the fill forms a gentle slope between cushion  14  and sling  16  at top  18  and bottom  20 . Located in a center of sling, in between and substantially parallel to first seam  26  and second seam  28 , is third seam  30 . In the depicted embodiment, third seam  30  is slightly longer than first seam  26  and second seam  30 , which have similar lengths. In other embodiments, first seam  26 , second seam  28 , and third seam  30  can have approximately equal lengths. 
     When a weighted object is placed approximately over third seam  30 , first seam  26  and second seam  28  draw inward toward third seam  30 . Depending on the size and weight of the object placed in sling  16 , first side  22  and second side  24  of cushion  14  can be pulled centrally or horizontally such that they hug, cuddle, or cradle the weighted object located in sling  16 . The sensory stimulation provided by contact with cushion  14  can be a source of comfort to fussy and/or premature infants, humans with autism or dementia, and even household pets. Furthermore, the cradling effect or U-shaped nature of sling  16  restricts movement such that objects placed within sling  16  cannot easily turn over or roll out of pillow  12  onto a surrounding surface. The amount of pressure exerted on an object by the sling effect is proportional to the size and weight of the object. 
       FIG. 4  is a plan view of weight activated restraining pillow  12  covered with case  24 . Case  24  completely surrounds and encloses pillow  12 , thereby protecting pillow  12  from spills and stains. Case  24  is easily removed for cleaning. Both pillow  12  and case  24  are washable. Furthermore, case  24  can provide a desired surface texture or design for pillow  12 . 
       FIG. 5  is a plan view of the bottom of weight activated restraining pillow  12 . Depicted in  FIG. 5  are components of pillow  12  as seen from the bottom: cushion  14 B, sling  16 B, top  18 B, bottom  20 B, first side  22 B, second side  24 B, first seam  26 B, second seam  26 B and third seam  30 B. Pillow  12  is configured to place slight peripheral pressure on an infant, child, adult, or non-human animal such as a pet located on top of pillow  12 . 
     Bottom of pillow  12  is similar to top of pillow  12  and thus, cushion  14 B, sling  16 B, top  18 B, bottom  20 B, first side  22 B, second side  24 B, first seam  26 B, second seam  26 B and third seam  30 B are arranged as described above. Pillow  12  can be constructed from a singular piece of cloth material, or alternately two pieces of material such as a top sheet and bottom sheet that are mirror patterns of one another. The cloth or textile material is stitched to create perimeter cushion area  14  and seams  26 ,  28  and  30 . In the embodiment depicted, first seam  26  and second seam  28  have similar lengths between about 10 inches and about 15 inches, more preferably between about 12 inches and 14 inches. Third seam  30  is longer than first seam  26  and second seam  28 . Third seam  30  has a length between about 15 inches and about 20 inches, more preferably between about 16 inches and about 18 inches. A space between third seam  30  and first seam  28 , as well as a space between third seam  30  and second seam  26 , is between about 2 inches and about 5 inches, more preferably between about 3 inches and 4 inches. A small gap is left to stuff perimeter  14  with appropriate fill. Alternately, fill is placed in position and then the material is stitched to create the desired shape. The construction of pillow  12  is described further below with reference to  FIGS. 6-8 . 
       FIG. 6  is an elevation view of first side  22  of pillow  12  and  FIG. 7  is an elevation view of top  18  of the pillow generally perpendicular to the first side  22 . Depicted in  FIG. 6  are: pillow  12 , top  18 , bottom  20 , first side  22  and fourth seam  32 . Depicted in  FIG. 7  are: pillow  12 , top  18 , first side  22 , second side  24  and fourth seam  32 . Pillow  12  cradles objects that are placed centrally on a top surface of pillow  12 . 
     Described below are dimensions of pillow  12  preferable for use with infants, although the invention is not so limited. Top  18  and bottom  20  are substantially parallel to each other and have similar lengths between about 15 inches and about 20 inches, more preferably between about 16 inches and about 18 inches. Since top  18  is similar to bottom  20 , only top  18  is shown in  FIG. 7  although the below discussion relates similarly to bottom  20 . First side  22  and second side  24  are substantially parallel to each other and have similar lengths between about 20 inches and about 30 inches, more preferably between about 24 inches and about 28 inches. Since first side  22  is similar to second side  24 , only first side  22  is shown in  FIG. 6  although the below discussion relates similarly to second side  24 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , fourth seam  32  extends around an approximate center of first side  22  from top  18  to bottom  20 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , fourth seam  32  continues around top  18 . In fact, forth seam  32  extends the length of second side  24  from top  18  to bottom  20  and continues around bottom  20 , such that fourth seam  32  is continuous around an entire perimeter of pillow  12 . Stitching pattern, including fourth seam  32 , keeps filling within cushion  14  and out of sling  16 . In alternative embodiments, fourth seam  32  is partially or wholly omitted. Fourth seam  32  is substantially parallel to a surface on which pillow  12  is resting and maintains fill within cushion  14 . Together, top  18 , bottom  20 , first side  22  and second side  24  are continuous and defined at the periphery by fourth seam  32 , which aids in formation of cushion  14  or the “guard rail” portion of pillow  12 . 
       FIG. 8A  is a cross section of pillow  12  in an un-weighted position.  FIG. 8B  is a cross section of pillow  12  in a weight activated position. Depicted in  FIGS. 8A and 8B  are pillow  12 , cushion  14 , sling  16 , first side  22 , second side  24 , first seam  26 , second seam  28 , third seam  30  and fill  34 . Additionally depicted in  FIG. 8B  is weight W. 
     As described above, pillow  12  includes cushion region  14  surrounding sling region  16 . Cushion  14  is stuffed with fill  34  and is approximately circular in cross section. When pillow  12  is sized for use with infant B, the following dimensions are preferable, although the invention is not so limited and pillow  12  can be sized differently depending on intended use. Cushion  14  can have a diameter between about 3 inches and about 6 inches, more preferably between about 4 inches and about 5 inches. In contrast, sling  16  is not stuffed and is substantially flat. In  FIG. 8A , sling  16  is un-weighted and suspended above a surface on which cushion  14  is resting. Without weight activation from weight W, sling  16  is between about 1 inch and about 4 inches above a surface, more preferably between about 2 inches and about 3 inches. In  FIG. 8B , sling is weighted by weight W, and since weight W is sufficient to deform sling  16  into contact with a surface upon which cushion  14  is resting, there is no longer any vertical distance between sling  16  and the surface. The amount which sling  16  is deformed toward the surface is proportional to the size and weight of weight W. 
     When weight W is placed into and deforming sling  16 , cushion  14  moves centrally or horizontally inwards toward weight W. Usually, weight W is centrally located approximately over third seam  30  such that first seam  26  and second seam  28  place approximately equal tension on first side  22  and second side  24 , respectively. Sling  16  dips in the center when weighted by weight W such that it forms a U-shape. The vertical location of an intersection between first seam  26  and first side  22 , as well as the vertical location of an intersection between second seam  28  and second side  24 , are essentially unchanged between  FIG. 8A  and  FIG. 8B . Maintaining vertical location of first seam  26  and second seam  28  regardless of weight activation ensures that cushion  14  is not moving vertically and therefore, not smothering weight W. The distance that is changed between  FIGS. 8A and 8B , however, is the horizontal distance between first side  22  and second side  24 . In  FIG. 8A , the horizontal distance between first seam  26  and second seam  28  is between about 5 and about 10 inches, more preferably between about 6 and about 8 inches. In contrast,  FIG. 8B  shows a substantially reduced horizontal distance between first seam  26  and second seam, which is between about 2 inches and about 8 inches, more preferably between about 4 inches and about 6 inches. Thus, weight W causes sling  16  to deform downwardly toward a surface on which cushion  14  is resting, thereby bringing first side  22  and second side  24  horizontally closer to one another. Lowering of sling  16  and inward movement of cushion  14  produces a sensory stimulus similar to cuddling, snuggling, or cradling within sling  16 . 
     Pillow  12  can be sized to cradle anyone from a premature infant to a full-sized adult. Furthermore, pillow  12  can be configured to provide the same sensory stimulation to non-human animals such as, but not limited, household pets. Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.