Patent Publication Number: US-7216387-B2

Title: Arched pillow assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to pillows. More specifically, the present invention is an arched pillow assembly that allows a user to comfortably sleep with an arm underneath his or her head without disrupting the circulation of blood through the arm. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Conventional pillows provide a cushioned support in which the degree of cushioning and comfort varies depending on what material is used to make the pillow. People typically use pillows to support their heads in a comfortable position, especially during slumber. This can be problematic when the user places an arm beneath the pillow with his or her head directly above the arm. In such a resting position, the circulation of blood in the arm is hindered, as the weight of the resting head alone or in conjunction with a pillow occludes the flow of blood. Disrupting the circulation of blood in the arm may result in numbness or other problems that can materially affect the quality of sleep and health of the user. 
   Although various pillows on the market are designed to address the aforementioned loss of circulation in the arm during sleep or other activities, such pillows are often shaped oddly, aesthetically unpleasing, and incompatible with existing pillows and bedroom decor. Thus, a pillow assembly solving the aforementioned problems is desired. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The arched pillow assembly allows a user to comfortably sleep with an arm underneath his or her head and a pillow without disrupting the circulation of blood through the arm. The arched pillow assembly includes a pillowcase that holds a conventional pillow and has two spaced apart pockets permanently or releasably attached to the bottom of the pillowcase for snugly receiving and holding a generally rigid arch support. The generally rigid arch support is comprised of a rigid arcuate component that is covered with a thin layer of cushioning material 
   Once placed on a resting surface, the arch support has an interior radius sufficient enough to create a channel thereunder for accommodating the passage of an extended arm. Moreover, the generally rigid arch is sturdy enough to support the head of the user and the pillow in an elevated position above the extended arm and the resting surface, thereby preventing the weight of the head and pillow from hindering proper circulation of blood through the extended arm. In addition, the user reaps maximum respiratory and orthopedic comfort when the user sleeps with his or her head on the portion of the pillow supported just above the apex of the arch support. 
   The arched pillow support can also readily be used as a backrest when sitting up in bed or as an infant support on or above the lap of a person feeding the infant while seated. Moreover, the arched pillow assembly can be manufactured in different sizes to accommodate persons of varying size. The pillowcase can be made in a vast assortment of colors, styles, and patterns to appeal to the tastes of users. 
   These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an environmental, perspective view of the arched pillow assembly according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an arch support of the arched pillow assembly according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a partial side view of the pillowcase of the arched pillow assembly according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a partial side view of the pillowcase showing insertion of one end of the arch support in one of the pockets of the pillowcase of the arched pillow assembly according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of the pillowcase showing both ends of the arch support received in the pockets of the pillowcase of the arched pillow assembly according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a top perspective view of the arched pillow assembly of the present invention with the pillowcase broken away to show a pillow. 
       FIG. 7  is a bottom perspective view of the arched pillow assembly according to the present invention. 
   

   Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The present invention is an arched pillow assembly, designated generally as  10  in the drawings, that allows a user to comfortably sleep with either arm underneath the head. In contrast to a conventional pillow, the arched pillow assembly  10  elevates and supports the head above the mattress and arm, thereby preventing the weight of the head from restricting circulation through the arm. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1–3 , the arched pillow assembly  10  includes a pillowcase  15  having pockets  25   a ,  25   b  that are attached to the bottom of the pillowcase  15  and designed to receive the opposing ends of the arch support  20 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , once placed on a mattress or other sleeping surface, the arched pillow assembly  10  elevates and comfortably supports the head of a user over his or her arm to ensure proper circulation. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1–2 , the arch support  20  provides a channel of sufficient width and height beneath a user&#39;s head through which a user may extend his or her arm once the arched pillow assembly  10  is placed on a sleeping surface. The arch support  20  has a rigid arch component  21  covered with a thin layer of cushioning material  22 . The arch component  21  has a radius of curvature that is of sufficient width and height to accommodate an arm that is passed through the arch support  20  once the arched pillow assembly  10  is placed on a sleeping surface. The arch component  21  is made from a material, such as plastic, that is rigid and strong enough to support the head of the user in an elevated position above the arm. A thin layer of foam or like cushioning material  22  covers and protects the entire arch component  21 . The arch component  21  can be manufactured in a range of sizes to accommodate children, adolescents, and adults of varying sizes. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , pillowcase  15  has dimensions and a configuration similar to a conventional pillowcase, but with two pockets  25   a ,  25   b  permanently affixed to the bottom of the pillowcase  15 . The pillowcase  15  has an open end  16 , like conventional pillowcases, for receiving a conventional pillow to be held within the pillowcase  15 . The pillowcase  15  is made from fabric, either natural or synthetic. The pillowcase  15  can be manufactured in a variety of colors, styles, and patterns to suit the tastes of users. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , the top edge  27   a  of the opening of a first pocket  25   a  is attached to the bottom of the pillowcase  15  at a point approximately midway between one end and the center of the pillowcase  15 . The top edge  27   b  of the opening of a second pocket  25   b  is attached to the bottom of the pillowcase  15  at a point approximately midway between the opposing end and the center of the pillowcase  15 . The pockets  25   a ,  25   b  are stitched to the bottom of the pillowcase in the preferred embodiment, but other suitable methods of fastening may be used. For example, the pockets  25   a ,  25   b  can be releasably attached to the pillowcase  15  using various fastening systems, such as a hook and loop fasteners. Resilient fabric, nylon, or like material with sufficient stretching qualities to facilitate receiving the arch support  20 , which will be explained momentarily, can be used to construct the pockets  25   a ,  25   b , if desired. 
   As best seen in  FIG. 4 , a first end of the arch support  20  is placed in pocket  25   a . The opening of the pocket  25   a  expands to receive one end of the arch support  20 , which is inserted until it completely fills the pocket  25   a . Referring to  FIG. 5 , the opposing end of the arch support  20  is subsequently placed through the opening in pocket  25   b  and held therein. Once the ends of the arch support  20  are snugly received in the pockets  25   a ,  25   b , the pillowcase  15  and arch support  20  can be moved in unison without worry of separation. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 6–7 , a conventional pillow  17  placed inside the pillowcase  15 . The pillow  17  provides a comfortable cushion between the head of the user and the arch support  20 , thereby enhancing the quality of sleep. As seen in  FIG. 1 , the user sleeps with his or her head on the portion of the pillow  17  above the apex of the arch support  20 . The pillow  17  and arch support  20  can be easily removed from the pillowcase  15  when the user desires to launder or store the pillowcase  15 . 
   Alternatively, the arched pillow assembly  10  can be propped up against a headboard or wall and used as a backrest when a user desires to sit up in bed for the purposes of reading and the like, thereby reducing stress on the back of the user while enhancing comfort. Moreover, the arched pillow assembly  10  can also be used to comfortably support an infant on or above the lap of person feeding the infant, thereby relieving the caregiver from the necessity of holding the infant in his or her arms. 
   The arched pillow assembly may be provided as an original equipment manufacture, or existing pillowcases may be retrofitted with releasably attached or permanently attached pockets  25   a ,  25   b  to receive and hold the arch support  20 . 
   It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.