Abstract:
A pillow that provides support for an infant, especially during feeding. The pillow is preferably adjustable to accommodate for the varying lengths and thicknesses of different caretakers&#39; arms. Further preferably, the pillow is also adjustable to help secure the pillow about the upper portion of the caretaker&#39;s arm. Still further preferably, the pillow is adjustable to help secure the pillow about the lower portion of caretaker&#39;s arm.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention pertains in general to pillows and pertains in particular to an adjustable pillow for providing support to an infant.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     When feeding an infant, a caregiver usually cradles the infant in his/her arm to hold the infant upright. Oftentimes, the caregiver may sit in a chair or couch and will rest his/arm upon the chair&#39;s arm for support. However, during a prolonged feeding period, the infant may experience discomfort from the caregiver&#39;s arm and the caregiver may experience fatigue. Further discomfort may arise from the build-up of perspiration on the caregiver&#39;s arm. Several attempts have been made to address these issues.  
         [0003]     For example U.S. Pat. No. 5,239,717, issued to Sue, appears to disclose a pillow for a caregiver&#39;s arm for supporting the head of a baby. The pillow is comprised of two side-by-side interconnected layers which lie flat and are juxtaposed relative to each other. The pillow forms a tube when a part of the arm of a caregiver is inserted between the two layers. While wearing this tube about his/her arm, the caregiver and the infant are provided with cushioning for a more comfortable feeding. A problem arises, however, when the caregiver is young and has a thinner and shorter arm than an adult caregiver would. The Sue invention does not provide any adjustability to accommodate for the different arm lengths that caregivers may have. Furthermore, the Sue invention is not secured about the caregiver&#39;s arm, therefore creating the possibility that the pillow may accidentally slip down the caregiver&#39;s arm.  
         [0004]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,381,786, issued to Cadden, discloses an infant pillow feeding sleeve. The sleeve is slipped over the arm of the caregiver and when the arm is bent to position the baby for feeding, the sleeve props the infant&#39;s head up, thereby reducing fatigue and increasing the comfort of the caregiver and the child. Like the Sue invention, the Cadden infant pillow feeding sleeve does not account for the varying arm lengths of different caregivers. And the Cadden invention also lacks any sort of securing device to ensure that the pillow feeding sleeve is held firmly in place. Furthermore, the Cadden device discloses a reduced thickness at both ends, which could cause an infant&#39;s head to accidentally slip off of the pillow.  
         [0005]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,440,769, issued to Thomas, appears to disclose another cylindrical pillow for supporting a baby&#39;s head. The pillow is slipped onto the caregiver&#39;s arm like a sleeve and has elastic bands to hold the pillow in place around the caregiver&#39;s arm. Although these elastic bands help provide security, they are rough and may cause abrasions on the highly sensitive skin of the infant. And again, the Thomas invention fails to provide any adjustability for the varying arm lengths of different caregivers.  
         [0006]     Therefore a need existed to provide a pillow for supporting an infant that is adjustable to accommodate for the varying lengths of different caretakers&#39; arms. Preferably the pillow will also be adjustable to help secure the pillow about the upper portion of the caretaker&#39;s arm. Further preferably, the pillow will be further adjustable to help secure the pillow about the lower portion of caretaker&#39;s arm.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a pillow for supporting an infant that is adjustable to accommodate for the varying lengths of different caretakers&#39; arms.  
         [0008]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a pillow for supporting an infant that is adjustable to help secure the pillow about the upper portion of the caretaker&#39;s arm.  
         [0009]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a pillow for supporting an infant that is adjustable to help secure the pillow about the lower portion of the caretaker&#39;s arm.  
       BRIED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0010]     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a pillow for supporting an infant is disclosed. The pillow comprises: a substantially tubular body having a substantially uniform width and having a first open end and a second open end and defining a bore therebetween, the bore being dimensioned to retain an arm of a user inserted through either the first open end or the second open end so that the substantially tubular body covers substantially all of the arm of the user, and the substantially tubular body having a length sufficient to support a substantial portion of a body of an infant. The pillow also comprises at least one adjustment device coupled to at least one of the first open end and the second open end, the at least one adjustment device allowing at least one of the first open end and the second open end to be securely coupled about at least one of an upper portion of the arm of the user and a lower portion of the arm of the user. And the substantially tubular body comprises: an inner surface, an outer surface coupled to the inner surface to form a void defined by and located between the inner surface and the outer surface, and filling inserted within and distributed substantially equally between the inner surface and the outer surface of the substantially tubular body thereby providing the substantially tubular body with a substantially uniform thickness.  
         [0011]     In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a pillow for supporting an infant is disclosed. The pillow comprises: a substantially tubular body having a substantially tapered width and having a first open end and a second open end and defining a bore therebetween, the bore being dimensioned to retain an arm of a user inserted through one of the first open end and the second open end so that the substantially tubular body covers substantially all of the arm of the user and the substantially tubular body having a length sufficient to support a substantial portion of a body of an infant. The substantially tubular body comprises: an inner surface, an outer surface coupled to the inner surface to form a void defined by and located between the inner surface and the outer surface, and filling inserted within and distributed substantially equally between the inner surface and the outer surface of the substantially tubular body thereby providing the substantially tubular body with a substantially uniform thickness.  
         [0012]     In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a pillow for supporting an infant is disclosed. The pillow comprises: a substantially tubular body having a substantially tapered width and having a first open end and a second open end and defining a bore therebetween, the bore being dimensioned to retain an arm of a user inserted through one of the first open end and the second open end so that the substantially tubular body covers substantially all of the arm of the user and the substantially tubular body having a length sufficient to support a substantial portion of a body of an infant. The pillow also comprises a first annular elastic strip coupled to the inner surface of the substantially tubular body and coupled proximate the first open end such that a portion of the substantially tubular body extends beyond the first annular elastic strip, the portion of the substantially tubular body extending beyond the first annular elastic strip being capable of folding back upon itself and thereby shortening a length of the substantially tubular body. The pillow further comprises a second annular elastic strip coupled to the inner surface of the substantially tubular body and coupled proximate the second open end such that a portion of the substantially tubular body extends beyond the second annular elastic strip, the portion of the substantially tubular body extending beyond the second annular elastic strip being capable of folding back upon itself and thereby shortening the length of the substantially tubular body, wherein the outer surface and at least a portion of the inner surface comprising a substantially soft material so that when at least one of the portion of the substantially tubular body extending beyond the first annular elastic strip and the portion of the substantially tubular body extending beyond the second annular elastic strip is folded back upon itself, the substantially soft material of the at least a portion of the inner surface being exposed. In addition, the pillow comprises at least one pocket coupled to the outer surface of the substantially tubular body, the at least one pocket being oriented such that an opening defined by the at least one pocket being proximate the second open end and the at least one pocket coupled at a distance from the second open end such that the at least one pocket being accessible to the user despite any length adjustment of the substantially tubular body. The pillow also comprises at least one loop coupled to the outer surface of the substantially tubular body, the loop being dimensioned such that an infant feeding accessory may be passed therethrough and secured to the pillow. And the substantially tubular body comprises: an inner surface, an outer surface coupled to the inner surface to form a void defined by and located between the inner surface and the outer surface, and filling inserted within and distributed substantially equally between the inner surface and the outer surface of the substantially tubular body thereby providing the substantially tubular body with a substantially uniform thickness.  
         [0013]     The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular, description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a pillow for supporting an infant consistent with the present invention. The pillow is shown in use with a caregiver supporting an infant.  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the pillow of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an open end of the pillow of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a pillow for supporting an infant consistent with the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a perspective, partially cut-away view of an open end of the pillow of  FIG. 4 . The pillow is shown as having a portion of the substantially tubular body folded back upon itself.  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of an open end of a third embodiment of a pillow for supporting an infant consistent with the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an open end of the pillow of  FIG. 6 . The pillow is shown as having a portion of the substantially tubular pillow gathered and held in place by two straps.  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  is a perspective, partially cut-away view of an open end of a fourth embodiment of a pillow for supporting an infant consistent with the present invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 9  is a side view of a fifth embodiment of a pillow for supporting an infant consistent with the present invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a second open end of the pillow of  FIG. 9 . The pillow is shown as having a portion of the substantially tubular body folded back upon itself.  
         [0024]      FIG. 11  is a side view of the pillow of  FIG. 9 . The pillow is shown as having a loop and an infant feeding accessory passed therethrough and secured to the pillow. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0025]     The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrated embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals and symbols represent like elements.  
         [0026]     Referring to  FIGS. 1-11 , a pillow for supporting an infant  104  (shown in  FIG. 1 ), referred to generically as pillow  10 , is disclosed. The pillow  10  comprises a substantially tubular body  12  and at least one adjustment device  38 .  
         [0027]     The substantially tubular body  12  may have either a substantially uniform width or a substantially tapered width (shown in  FIG. 9 ). The substantially tubular body  12  has a first open end  14   a  (shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 ,  4 , and  9 ), referred to generically as open end  14 , and a second open end  14   b  (shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 ,  4 ,  9 , and  10 ), referred to generically as open end  14 . The substantially tubular body  12  defines a bore  28  (shown in  FIGS. 2-6 ,  FIG. 8 , and  FIG. 10 ) between the first open end  14   a  and the second open end  14   b.  The bore  28  is preferably dimensioned to retain an arm  98  (see  FIG. 1 ) of a user  96  (see  FIG. 1 ) that is inserted through the first open end  14   a  so that the substantially tubular body  12  covers substantially all of the arm  98  of the user  96 . Further preferably, the substantially tubular body  12  has a length sufficient to support a substantial portion of a body  106  (see  FIG. 1 ) of the infant  104 . The substantially tubular body  12  comprises an inner surface  30  (shown in  FIGS. 2-6 ,  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 10 ), an outer surface  32 , and a void  34  (see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ) defined by and located between the inner surface  30  and the outer surface  32 . The void  34  contains filling  36  (see  FIG. 5 ) that is distributed substantially equally between the inner surface  30  and the outer surface  32 , thereby providing the substantially tubular body  12  with a substantially uniform thickness.  
         [0028]     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , preferably, the pillow  10  has at least one adjustment device, referred to generically as adjustment device  38 , coupled to either one of the first open end  14   a  and the second open end  14   b.  Or, the pillow  10  may have two adjustment devices  38 , one coupled to the first open end  14   a  and another coupled to the second open end  14   b  (see  FIG. 2 ). An adjustment device  38  coupled to the first open end  14   a  would allow for the first open end  14   a  to be securely coupled about an upper portion  100  of the arm  98  of the user  96 , and an adjustment device  38  coupled to the second open end  14   b  would allow the second open end  14   b  to be securely coupled about a lower portion  102  of the arm  98  of the user  96 .  
         [0029]      FIGS. 2 and 3  show a first embodiment of the pillow  10 , hereinafter referred to as pillow  10   a,  of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 3 , either open end  14  may define a slit  44  that extends substantially perpendicularly from the open end  14  towards a middle area  26  (also shown in  FIGS. 4 and 9 ) of the substantially tubular body  12  proximate the open end  14 . On the other hand,  FIG. 2  shows the first open end  14   a  as defining a slit  44  that extends substantially perpendicularly from the first open end  14   a  towards the middle area  26  of the substantially tubular body  12  proximate the first open end  14   a  and also shows the second open end  14   b  as defining a slit  44  that extends substantially perpendicularly from the second open end  14   b  towards the middle area  26  of the substantially tubular body  12  proximate the second open end  14   b.    
         [0030]     In  FIGS. 2 and 3 , one embodiment of the adjustment device  38 , referred to as adjustment device  38   a,  is shown. The adjustment device  38   a  comprises a band  50 . One edge  52  of the band  50  is coupled to the open end  14  of the substantially tubular body  12  so that a first end  54  of the band  50  is proximate a first edge  16  proximate the slit  44  and a second end  56  (see  FIG. 3 ) of the band  50  is proximate a second edge  18  proximate the slit  44 .  FIG. 2  shows that the adjustment device  38   a  may be coupled to each of the first open end  14   a  and the second open end  14   b  of the pillow  10 . The adjustment device  38   a  has a first coupling mechanism  58   a  (see  FIG. 3 ), referred to generically as coupling mechanism  58 , coupled to the first end  54  of the band  50  and also has a second coupling mechanism  58   b  (see  FIG. 3 ), referred to generically as coupling mechanism  58 , coupled to the second end  56  of the band  50 . The second coupling mechanism  58   b  is dimensioned to mate with the first coupling mechanism  58   a  in order to maintain a desired circumference of the band  50 .  
         [0031]     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , another embodiment of the pillow  10 , hereinafter pillow  10   b,  is shown. The pillow  10   b  uses another type of adjustment device  38   b,  referred to generically as adjustment device  38 . The adjustment device  38   b  comprises at least one annular elastic strip  68 . The annular elastic strip  68  is coupled to the inner surface  30  of the substantially tubular body  12  and is coupled proximate the open end  14  such that a portion  74  of the substantially tubular body  12  extends beyond the annular elastic strip  68 .  FIG. 4  shows that an adjustment device  38   b  may be coupled to each of the first open end  14   a  and the second open end  14   b  of the substantially tubular body  12 . Although not shown, it should be clearly understood that further substantial benefit may be derived from at least another annular elastic strip  68  being coupled to the inner surface  30  of the substantially tubular body  12  proximate the middle area  26  of the substantially tubular body  12 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the portion  74  of the substantially tubular body  12  extending beyond the annular elastic strip  68  may be folded back upon itself, thereby shortening a length of the substantially tubular body  12 .  
         [0032]     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , an alternative embodiment of the pillow  10 , hereinafter pillow  10   c,  is shown. The pillow  10   c  is essentially the same as the pillow  10   b,  although the pillow  10   c  comprises two straps  80  that are used to adjust the length of the pillow  10   c.  Each of the two straps have a first end  82  coupled to the substantially tubular body  12  proximate the open end  14  and each having a second end  84  disposed opposite the first end  82  of the strap  80  and extending beyond the open end  14  of the substantially tubular body  12 . A first coupling mechanism  58   a  is coupled to a bottom surface  86  of each strap  80  proximate the second end  84  of each strap  80 . A second coupling mechanism  58   b  is coupled to the outer surface  32  of the substantially tubular body  12  proximate the open end  14 . The first coupling mechanism  58   a  and the second coupling mechanism  58   b  are dimensioned to be mated such that the portion  74  of the substantially tubular body  12  extending beyond the annular elastic strip  68  may be gathered and held in place, thereby shortening the length of the substantially tubular body  12 . Although it is preferred that two straps  80  be used, it should be clearly understood that an alternate number of straps  80  may be used so long as the straps  80  gather and hold the portion  74  of the substantially tubular body  12  extending beyond the annular elastic strip  68  in place.  
         [0033]     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , another embodiment of the pillow  10 , referred to herein as pillow  10   d,  is shown. Like pillow  10   a,  the open end  14  of pillow  10   d  may define a slit  44  that extends substantially perpendicularly from the open end  14  towards a middle area  26  of the substantially tubular body  12  proximate the open end  14 . And like pillow  10   b,  the adjustment device  38   b  comprises at least one annular elastic strip  68  coupled to the inner surface  30  of the substantially tubular body  12  and coupled proximate the open end  14  such that a portion  74  of the substantially tubular body  12  extends beyond the annular elastic strip  68 . The pillow  10   d,  however, has a zipper  62  that is used to adjust the length of the substantially tubular body  12  of the pillow  10   d.  A first half  64  of the zipper  62  is shown coupled along the first edge  16  proximate the slit  44  and a second half  66  of the zipper  62  is shown coupled along the second edge  18  proximate the slit  44 . As the zipper  62  is unzipped, the portion  74  of the substantially tubular body  12  extending beyond the annular elastic strip  68  may be folded back upon itself, thereby shortening the length of the substantially tubular body  12 .  
         [0034]     Referring now to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , an alternative embodiment of the pillow  10 , hereinafter pillow  10   e,  is shown. The pillow  10   e  is essentially the same as the pillow  10   b,  although the outer surface  32  and at least a portion of the inner surface  30  proximate the annular elastic strip  68  preferably both comprise a substantially soft material  108  so that when the portion  74  of the substantially tubular body  12  extending beyond the annular elastic strip  68  is folded back upon itself, the substantially soft material  108  of the portion of the inner surface  30  will be exposed. Although this is preferred, it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may be derived if the entire inner surface  30  or none of the inner surface  30  were comprised of the same substantially soft material  108  that the outer surface  32  is comprised of. The pillow  10   e  further differs from the previous embodiments in that the pillow  10   e  has a substantially tapered width (see  FIG. 9 ). A tapered width is preferable because the upper portion  100  of a user&#39;s  96  arm is typically wider than the lower portion  102  of the user&#39;s  96  arm.  
         [0035]      FIGS. 9-11  also show that the soft material  108  has a plurality of protuberances  110 . Such protuberances  110  are present in cloth materials such as Minkey Dot polyester. These protuberances  110  allow for greater comfort and support for the infant  104 . Although it is preferred to use Minkey Dot polyester, it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may be derived from using alternative types of material so long as the material is not uncomfortable to the infant  104 .  
         [0036]     Referring now to  FIG. 2  and  FIGS. 9-11 , the pillow  10  is shown as having at least one pocket  88  that is coupled to the outer surface  32  of the substantially tubular body  12 . Although it is preferred that the pillow  10  have a pocket  88 , substantial benefit may still be derived from a pillow  10  without a pocket  88 . Preferably, the pocket  88  is oriented such that an opening  90  of the pocket  88  is proximate the second open end  14   b  of the substantially tubular body  12 . Further preferably, the pocket  88  is coupled at a distance from the open end  14  such that the pocket  88  remains accessible to the user  96  despite any length adjustment of the substantially tubular body  12 . Preferably, the pillow  10  may also have at least one loop  92  coupled to the outer surface  32  of the substantially tubular body  12 . Although it is preferred that the pillow  10  have a loop  92 , substantial benefit may still be derived from a pillow  10  that does not have a loop  92 . Preferably, the loop  92  is dimensioned such that an infant feeding accessory  94  (see  FIG. 11 ), such as a burp rag  95  (see  FIG. 11 ), may be passed therethrough and secured to the pillow  10 . Although the infant feeding accessory  94  is shown to be a burp rag  95 , it should be clearly understood that the loop  92  may be used to secure any infant feeding accessory  94  to the pillow  10 , such as a toy set of rings, a pacifier, or some other toy or accessory.  
         [0037]     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, although the coupling mechanisms  58  in  FIGS. 2, 3 ,  6 , and  7  are shown as being snaps  60 , it should be clearly understood that further substantial benefit may be derived from using an alternate type of coupling mechanisms  58 , such as hooks, Velcro® fasteners, and buttons. As a further example, although it is preferred that the outer surface  32  comprise a substantially soft material  108 , such as polyester, and that the inner surface  30  comprise an alternate material, such as cotton flannel, it should be clearly understood that any type of materials may be used so long as the material is comfortable to both the user  96  and to the infant  104 . It should also be clearly understood that it is not required that certain types of adjustment devices  38  be used for any particular embodiment of the pillow  10 . The type of adjustment device  38  selected for the pillow  10  may vary so long as the pillow  10  is adjustable to accommodate for the different arm sizes of different caregivers.