Patent Publication Number: US-6666426-B1

Title: Pillow hold for use on an adjustable surface of a bed

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a Continuation in Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/400,984, filed Sep. 22, 1999, now abandoned, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a mechanism for holding a pillow on an adjustable surface and more particularly, a mechanism for holding a pillow (or other support) in a desired position when an adjustable surface of a bed is raised and lowered. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There are many types of adjustable beds and other furniture in the market that raise and lower the feet and head sections of reclining furniture. Many people enjoy sitting up on their beds to watch TV, eat a meal, read a paper or relax. These beds provide comfort and relief for sore backs and tired feet. However, it is difficult to keep a pillow at a particular position when the bed is raised and lowered. When the user gets up momentarily or shifts to a different position, the pillow will often fall off the bed or move to a position that is uncomfortable to the user. This is particularly inconvenient for patients or people with injuries, as movement may be difficult. Thus, there is a need for a device that holds the pillow or other resting aid in place when an adjustable bed is raised or lowered to a comfortable position. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, a pillow holding device for use on an adjustable surface member comprises a first elastic strap member having a first end removeably attachable to a pillow member and a second end removeably attached to an adjustment clip; a second elastic strap member having a first end removeably attachable to an adjustable surface member and a second end removeably attached to the adjustment clip wherein the adjustment clip adjusts a length of the pillow holding device; a first metal clip attached to the first end of the first elastic strap member wherein the first metal clip comprises a first plastic insert and a second plastic insert for engaging the pillow member; and a second metal clip attached to the first end of the second elastic strap member for attaching to the adjustable surface member. 
     Another aspects of the present invention include an additional strap member wherein the second metal clip wraps around a frame of a bed supporting the adjustable surface member and attaches to the additional strap member of the second elastic strap member; the first plastic insert comprising a plurality of protrusions in a first pattern and the second plastic insert comprising a plurality of protrusions in a second pattern, wherein the first pattern and the second pattern are complementary; the first pattern comprising four protrusions located at four corners of the first plastic insert having a rectangular shape; the second pattern comprising four protrusions located at a middle portion of four sides of the second plastic insert having a rectangular shape; and wherein the adjustable surface member is supported on a hospital bed. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a diagram of a pillow hold mechanism, in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIGS. 2A-2D are detailed views of the clips of a pillow hold mechanism, in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIGS. 3A and 3B are side views of a pillow hold mechanism as used on an adjustable surface, in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a pillow hold mechanism  100 , in accordance with the present invention. The pillow hold mechanism  100  may include a first elastic strap  110  and a second elastic strap  112 . In another embodiment of the present invention, the pillow hold mechanism may include a single elastic strap or a plurality of elastic straps. The straps may be made of an elastic material, cloth, flexible material or other durable material. A first metal clip  120  may be connected to a pillow or other support member, e.g., a cushion. A second metal clip  124  may be connected to a mattress, mattress cover or other adjustable surface capable of reclining, e.g., bed, armchair, sofa, etc. A third clip  122  may connect first elastic strap  110  and second elastic strap  112 . Third clip  112  may be used to adjust the overall length of the pillow hold mechanism  100 . Other adjustment mechanisms may be implemented in accordance with the present invention. 
     The pillow hold mechanism  100  may be used with an adjustable bed, such as a typical hospital bed with metal frames. In this case, second clip  124  may wrap around a metal frame (or other similar structure) and connect to strap  114 . 
     FIGS. 2A-2D are detailed views of the clips of a pillow hold mechanism, in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 2A shows a detailed view of first clip  120 . Clip member  230  may be used to open and close clip members  210  and  220 . Clip member  210  may include a plastic insert  212  with protrusions having a first pattern. Clip member  220  may also include a plastic insert  222  with protrusions in a complementing second pattern. 
     FIG. 2B shows clip member  210  with plastic insert  212  having protrusions with a first pattern. In this example, the protrusions are located in the four corners of a rectangular plastic insert. FIG. 2C shows clip member  220  with plastic insert  222  having protrusions with a complementing second pattern. In this example, the protrusions are located in a middle portion of the four sides of a rectangular plastic insert. Therefore, when clip member  230  is in a closed position, clip member  210  and clip member  212  may securely grip a pillow member. In particular, plastic inserts  212  and  222  may securely engage the pillow member. 
     FIG. 2D shows a second clip  124  for securely gripping a mattress, mattress cover or other adjustable surface. FIG. 2D also illustrates a third clip  122 . Clip member  240  may be used to open and close clip members  242  and  244 . Clip members  242  and  244  may include groove members which securely attach to a mattress, mattress cover or other adjustable surface. In another embodiment of the present invention, second clip  124  may engage strap  114 . 
     FIGS. 3A and 3B are side views of a pillow hold mechanism as used on an adjustable surface, in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 3A illustrates an embodiment of the present invention, in which a pillow  310  is attached to a pillow hold mechanism  100  that is attached to an adjustable surface  320  of a bed. A first clip  120  may be attached to the pillow  310  and a second clip  124  may be attached to the adjustable surface  320 . A third clip  122  may be used to adjust the overall length of the pillow hold mechanism as well as the position of pillow  310 . 
     FIG. 3B illustrates another embodiment of the present invention, in which a pillow  310  is attached to a pillow hold mechanism  100  that is attached to an adjustable surface  320  of a bed. A first clip  120  may be attached to the pillow  310 . A second clip  124  may be wrapped around a metal frame  322  (or other frame portion of a bed) and attached to strap  114  of the pillow hold mechanism  100 . 
     In accordance with the present invention, the pillow  310  may represent a cushion or other support member. Clip members may also include a fastener, snaps, velcro or other similar attachment devices. The present invention may also be used to hold a foot support at a foot portion of an adjustable surface. In addition, two or more pillows with two or more separate attachment elements for each pillow may also be implemented in accordance with the present invention. 
     Other embodiments and uses of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention. For instance, the pillow hold may be used on other types of reclining furniture, such as sofas, recliners, chairs or FUTONS®. Also, the scope of the invention is not restricted to pillows. Other types of support elements may also be used such as cushions, head rests, back rests, feet rests and other elevating supports. The specification and examples should be considered exemplary only. The scope of the invention is intended to be limited only by the appended claims.