Patent Publication Number: US-6216298-B1

Title: Travel pillow

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to a pillow used to support the head of a child while riding in a motor vehicle, with said child of sufficient age to not require a car seat. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     The prior art demonstrates many attempts to provide for the comfort of older children who ride without a car seat in a motor vehicle with their seat belts fastened. One attempt is the use of a common pillow which is unattached to the vehicle and can be used by children as a head rest while reclining in their seat. While this method provides some comfort and is inexpensive, the use of an unattached pillow does not provide the child with any additional safety in the event of an automobile accident as the pillow will itself be tossed about the passenger cabin in that event. A second attempt to resolve this problem is through the use of various cushioning attachments to seat belts providing a better fitting restraint mechanism for the child&#39;s safety. U.S. Pat. No. 4,619,468 to Spill demonstrates such a padded cover for a shoulder and lap seat belt as does U.S. Pat. No. 4,786,080 to Jay. U.S. Pat. No. 5,016,915 to Perry provides a padding and restraint system for a lap belt. Though all provide comfort to the wearer and appear relatively inexpensive, in the event of an automobile accident the head and neck of the child remain unprotected as there is no direct restraint or padding in the head or neck area. A third attempt are through the use of devices which are directly attached to the head of neck of the child. U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,488 to Camelio and U.S. Pat. No. 4,617,691 to Monti, et al illustrate such devices which are directly attached to the child. While these provide excellent head and neck support they are extremely uncomfortable to any adult let alone to a child whose tolerance is well below the adult standard. 
     Therefore, there exists a need for a travel pillow which can be used by children who no longer use car seats, while providing said children with a means to hold and cushion their heads and necks such that they are supported in the event the child falls asleep or is involved in a traffic accident and yet be tolerable and comfortable by a child so that he or she will accept its use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, a travel pillow having a arch-shaped padded cushion surrounding an inner perimeter containing less padding so that the head of a child may be placed within the larger arch for support, with said cushion contained within a cover having two straps extending downward below the waist of the user to form two end points which attach to each other with one placed under and one over the child&#39;s seat belt. 
     The invention provides support to the head and neck of an older child who no longer uses a car seat. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     FIGS. 1 and 2 are depictions of the invention viewed from the front with different character definitions 
     FIG. 3 depicts the invention as used by a child and as attached to a seat belt. 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-section of the invention while in use, viewed from the side. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, the arch-shaped padded cushion of the invention is generally indicated at  10 , and the semi-circular area which is surrounded by the arch-shaped padded cushion is generally indicated at  11 . The invention is preferably manufactured of a cotton cloth fiber and is shaped in a likeness to the head of an animal or other design  12  which is then screen printed onto the invention as shown in  13 . The padding used within the invention is polyester or any other commonly available stuffing material. However, other shapes and other construction materials are contemplated. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, extensions may be added to the arch-shaped padded cushion as indicated  14  to represent an extension of the character depicted thereon. The two unpadded cloth extensions are attached  15  to the base points of the arch-shaped padded cushion. At the outermost portion of each of the unpadded cloth extensions  16 ,  17  there is installed a method of attachment to attach one to the other. Said installation may include commercially available pieces of a self-adhesive surface which attach to one another or a button and buttonhole. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the method of use of the invention is depicted. A child  18  is seated in a car seat  19  and has placed around his waist and shoulders a seat belt. The head of the child  20  is placed against the semi-circular portion of the invention  11 . One of the unpadded cloth extensions is placed under the seat belt while the other is placed over the top of the seat belt. The two unpadded cloth extensions  15  are attached to each other. In this manner the invention is secured and the child&#39;s head and neck are supported. 
     Referring now to FIG. 4, the depth of the arch-shaped padded cushion is indicated at  21  as well as the depth of the surrounded semi-circular area  22 . A support for the neck may be added  23 . Other proportions and sizes are contemplated to fit differently sized children. 
     While a particular embodiment of the invention is shown, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the invention in its broader aspects and as set forth in the following claims.