Patent Publication Number: US-7909406-B2

Title: Resting apparatus

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to the field of headrests, and in particular to a resting apparatus which is secured by a user&#39;s seat and provides frontal resting support during use. 
     BACKGROUND 
     There have also been attempts in the art to create travel pillows that provide frontal support so that a traveler may lean forward to rest. U.S. Pat. No. 6,647,573 (Corbin &#39;573) teaches a travel pillow designed to provide support from the front with an inflatable pillow that sits on a typical airline tray to provide a resting area for the front of a user&#39;s head. 
     Thus, it is well recognized among regular passengers on commercial carriers that it is often difficult to relax in the seats provided. In particular, economy class seating on aircraft and buses typically provides closely-spaced forward facing seats in rows separated by a very small space. These seats severely restrict the passenger&#39;s movement out of the sitting position, causing fatigue and discomfort during the journey. Other closely-spaced seating arrangements in confined spaces, such as classrooms, emergency shelters or other spaces, encounter similar problems 
     There are many devices known in the prior art directed towards providing a surface for persons to comfortably rest while in a sitting position. However, these devices do not adequately solve the problem of providing comfort and support for persons desiring to rest. Most traditional pillows do not allow the user to optimally use all available space in a semi-confined group-seating situation. The spaces immediately in front of or side to side of a sitting user has not been adequately used for providing a comfortable resting area. 
     Those devices aimed towards providing a headrest are limited and not adjustable for the anthropometric proportions of different users to provide maximum comfort and support. Traditional pillows are helpful, but they can be bulky and not easily storable. They also offer limited head and neck support for typically sitting user because the angles at which a user sits even in most reclinable chairs do not provide adequate support for a user&#39;s neck and back in a resting position. 
     It is thus desirable to have a resting apparatus that efficiently, economically and safely addresses both space constraints in travel and group seating situations, and which can be easily stored and transported. 
     Glossary 
     As used herein, the term “resting apparatus” refers to a cushion that is securely supported by one or more upward angular forces that are sufficient to bear the leaning weight. 
     As used herein, the term “leaning weight” refers to weight of a sitting or partially sitting person placed upon an object so that the person may rest the head or other body parts comfortably during sleep. 
     As used herein, the term “resting platform” refers to a platform with an inner support structure to support the leaning weight of a person, which may include padding, foam, fabric, heating elements, scented components, textured components, vibrating components, audio components, sound buffering components or other features, materials and components to assist in rest. 
     As used herein, the term “strap system” refers to a configuration of straps to create a sufficient upward and/or diagonal force to support a leaning weight. 
     As used herein, the term “securing component” refers to structure or material used to secure a strap, including but not limited to Velcro, elastic rubber, buckles, hooks, snaps, suction cups, ties, ropes or other closure devices known in the art. 
     As used herein, the term “inner support structure” refers to a portion of a resting platform that provides rigid or semi-rigid support and may be constructed of wood, plastic, hardboard, fiberglass or any other material known in the art. 
     As used herein, the term “panels” refer to one embodiment of an inner support structure. 
     As used herein, the term “resting platform attachment points” refers to one or more locations on an inner support structure that securely or detachably connects to a strap system. 
     As used herein, the term “support loop straps” refers to one embodiment of resting platform attachment points that provide secure support to a strap system. 
     As used herein, the term “single release side adjust buckle” means a buckle which is configured to allow a strap length to be adjusted by pulling the strap through a structural configuration on one or both sides of the buckle. 
     As used herein, the term “cushion layers” refers to a portion of a resting platform containing one or more layers of foam or padding including but not limited to wool, hair, feathers, fibers, non-woven materials, paper, high-density foam, heating elements, scented components, textured components, vibrating components, audio components, sound buffering components or other features, materials and components to assist in rest. 
     As used herein, the term “removable cover” refers to an optional cover, which may be washable or may include additional components including but not limited to heating elements, scented components, textured components, vibrating components, audio components, a storage pocket components, sound buffering components or other features, materials and components to assist in rest. 
     As used herein, the term “buckle strap” refers to a strap which is part of a resting platform and which is slidably connected on one end to a support loop strap and on another end connected to a female buckle end. 
     As used herein, the term “buckle” refers to any snap closure, adjustable strap configuration, clasp or mechanical device to connect a resting platform to a suspension strap component and contains a male buckle member that is removably and adjustably secured to a female buckle member. 
     As used herein, the term “female buckle end” refers the portion of a buckle that accepts a complimenting buckle end. 
     As used herein, the term “supporting object” means a chair back or any structure that can accommodate a chair strap to support a suspension strap. 
     As used herein, the term “male buckle end” refers to the portion of a buckle that enters a complimenting buckle end. 
     As used herein, the term “suspension strap” refers to a strap which provides one upward and diagonal forces to resting platform and in various embodiments may be combined with a chair strap. 
     As used herein, the term “enveloping components” refers to fabric or other material which is secured, fastened, closed or sewn on two ends to provide a channel that slidably accepts a suspension strap. At least one outer surface of enveloping components contains a pressure resistant attachment substance to provide an attachment portion for a chair strap. 
     As used herein, the term “chair strap” refers to a strap that is removably attachable to a chair by means of pressure resistant attachment substance. When attached, the outer surface of a chair strap contains a pressure resistance attachment substance to provide an attachment portion for the enveloping components of a strap system. 
     As used herein, the term “pressure resistant attachment substance” refers to any sliding engaging fasteners or hook and loop fasteners and may include stitching, adhesives, interlocking components, or other connecting components known in the art. 
     As used herein, “anthropometric” or “anthropometrically” means contoured to adapt or accommodate the structure and physiology of the human body. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention disclosed herein is securely supported resting apparatus that includes a resting platform sufficient to support the leaning weight of the user and a configuration of straps to provide support in a limited or enclosed space. In various embodiment, the apparatus contains a detachable chair strap that is secured to a chair and provides stability to the apparatus in use by a Velcro connection to the enveloping components of the suspension strap. The apparatus may also be configured to allow a user to slidably move the suspension strap to position the resting platform at a comfortable position and angle relative to the upper body of the user. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows one embodiment of an assembled Resting Apparatus in use. 
         FIG. 2  shows a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an inner support structure as used in a Resting Apparatus. 
         FIG. 3  shows a freestanding view of one embodiment of an assembled Resting Apparatus 
         FIG. 4  shows one embodiment of an assembled chair strap as used in a Resting Apparatus. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the present invention, references are made in the text hereof to embodiments of a resting apparatus, only some of which are described herein. It should nevertheless be understood that no limitations on the scope of the invention are thereby intended. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that modifications such as the dimensions of a resting apparatus, alternate but functionally similar material(s) from which the resting apparatus described is comprised. The inclusion of additional elements may be deemed readily apparent and obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those described in the written description do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Some of these possible modifications are mentioned in the following description. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed apparatus or manner. 
     It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In addition, in the embodiments depicted herein, like reference numerals in the various drawings refer to identical or near identical structural elements. 
     Moreover, the term “substantially” or “approximately” as used herein may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. For example, one embodiment of the resting apparatus as disclosed herein may be comprised of a single, multi-dimensional and/or textured component, while others may include multiple multi-dimensional and/or textured component. 
     Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows one embodiment of resting apparatus  100  in use that includes resting platform  10  and strap system  12 . In the embodiment shown, resting platform  10  is comprised of panels  20  (not shown), cushion layers  40  (not shown) and removable cover  35 . In the exemplary embodiment, strap system  12  is also shown, which is comprised generally of optional support loop straps  30   a  and  30   b ; buckle straps  50 ; suspension strap  60 ; optional enveloping components  70   a ,  70   b  and  70   c ; and chair strap  80 . 
     Also visible in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  are additional strap system  12  components female buckle end  55  and male buckle end  58  which, when connected as shown, secure buckle straps  50  to suspension strap  60 . Additionally, the embodiment of resting apparatus  100  shown in  FIG. 1  includes enveloping components  70  and chair strap  80 , which help to secure suspension strap  60  to a user&#39;s chair. 
     The embodiment in  FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of inner support structure  200  as used in resting apparatus  100 . In the embodiment shown, inner support structure  200  includes panel  20  and optional support loop straps  30   a  and  30   b , which are resting platform attachment points. In the exemplary embodiment, panel  20  is a substantially rigid board made from two connected sheets of ⅛ th  inch hardboard. In alternate embodiments, panel  20  may be made from hardboard, plastic, fiberglass or any other material known in the art, and may be flat, as in  FIG. 2 , contoured, curved, and include ridges or other contours for additional user comfort. In other embodiments, panel  20  may contain at least one panel, but may include multiple panels when appropriate, each panel being no more than ¼ inch in thickness. 
     Various embodiments of resting apparatus  100  may further include a component selected from a group consisting of an audio component, a storage pocket component, a sound buffering component, a heating component, an aromatic component, a specifically contoured shape to anthropometrically conform to user&#39;s body. Resting apparatus  100  may also be sold with a storage case and optional detached pillow. 
     As shown in the embodiment in  FIG. 2 , support loop straps  30   a  and  30   b  are securely affixed to the sides of panel  20  to create loops of fabric. In the embodiment in  FIG. 2 , loop straps  30   a  and  30   b  are made from 1-inch nylon fabric, but may be made from other fabrics known in the art. 
     The embodiment in  FIG. 2  also illustrates a cushion layer  40  surrounding panel  20 . Cushion layer  40  bonds, in the embodiment in  FIG. 2 , to panel  20  with contact adhesive and completely surrounds panel  20 . In various embodiments panel  20  may included rounded, contoured or chamfered corners. In the embodiment in  FIG. 2 , cushion layer  40  is made from high density foam known in the art, but may be made from other materials known in the art that provide cushion for a leaning weight (e.g., head, torso, neck and/or upper body). 
     The embodiment in  FIG. 3  shows a freestanding view of one embodiment of an assembled resting apparatus  100 . In the exemplary embodiment, buckle straps  50 , which are movably connected to optional loop straps  30   a  and  30   b  by a retaining loop of strap material. In the exemplary embodiment, buckle straps  50  are made from 1-inch nylon webbing fabric, but may be made from other material known in the art (including polyester webbing, nylon webbing, plastic, leather, rubber, fabric, and combinations thereof. Buckle straps  50  can be connected to loop straps  30   a  and  30   b , in other embodiments, by molded plastic, metal or other material to allow movement, formed in a buckle, clip, clasp, circle, or other shape to enclose loop straps  30   a  and  30   b . In alternate embodiments without loop straps  30   a  and  30   b , buckle straps  50  may be directly attached to lightweight panel  20 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , buckle straps  50  are assembled, with one end connected to loop straps  30   a  and  30   b , and the other end connected to suspension strap  60 . The embodiment in  FIG. 3  shows female buckle  55  affixed to the terminal end of buckle straps  55 . Female buckle  55  accepts male buckle  58 , which is attached to each terminal end of suspension strap  60 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3  enveloping components  70   a ,  70   b  and  70   c  are also shown, attached to suspension strap  60 . Enveloping components  70   a ,  70   b  and  70   c  are, in the embodiment shown, two pieces of fabric attached along both long ends to allow suspension strap  60  to slide between both pieces. In the embodiment shown, the surface facing the user on enveloping components  70   a ,  70   b  and  70   c  contains a pressure resistant attachment substance and, when assembled attached securely to chair strap  80  to prevent suspension strap  60  from sliding up or down chair. Thus envisioned, suspension strap  60  will be secured to chair, but a user may still slide suspension strap  60  through enveloping components  70   a ,  70   b  and  70   c  to position resting apparatus  100  in a desirable angle and/or position. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , chair strap  80  is shown disassembled from resting apparatus  100 . Chair strap  80  is a separate strap that securely fastens around a chair. A pressure resistant attachment substance runs along the entire length of one surface of chair strap  80 . The opposite surface contains at least one quarter of the entire surface a pressure resistant attachment substance, which serves to fasten chair strap  80  securely to a chair.