Patent Publication Number: US-2009222986-A1

Title: Cover for face cradle

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS 
     Applicant claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/035,063, filed 10 Mar. 2008, by the present inventor. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The invention relates generally to covers for cushioned body supports and particularly to a cover for a face cradle, which cover may be easily installed and removed to provide a sanitary surface for resting the face of an individual who is positioned to receive a body massage. 
     Massage is typically administered to various parts of an individual&#39;s body for relaxation and for therapy. The neck and back may receive relatively vigorous treatment and conventional massage tables and massage chairs are used to comfortably support the individual, while receiving massage. The table and chair are typically topped by a cushion, on which an individual may lie or sit. The table or chair may be provided with a face cradle, for supporting the face of the individual. The face cradle is a “U” shaped cushioned frame having a central portion and two arms extending from the central portion, defining an open space between them. The face cradle is mounted on the table or chair such that the face of the individual may rest on the face cradle, while the individual is lying prone, on the table, or sitting in a forward leaning posture, on the chair. In both positions, the nose and jaw are received into the open space, the arms support the cheeks, and the central portion supports the forehead. The individual may receive a relatively vigorous massage of the neck and back, while being comfortably supported by the face cradle. 
     It is common practice to place a flexible cover on the cushioned table top and on the face cradle to provide a sanitary and pleasing surface on which the individual may rest. A cover is particularly important for the face cradle, because the skin of the face comes into direct contact with the face cradle. In addition to providing a sanitary and pleasing surface for the face, the cover protects the face cradle from becoming soiled. It is common practice to remove and replace the cover between uses by different individuals; therefore, it is desirable that the face cradle cover be designed for easy installation and removal. The face cradle cover must also be shaped to accommodate the open space of the face cradle, to avoid applying pressure to the nose or jaw and to avoid blocking the airways. Conventional face cradle covers are formed in a shape complementary to the shape of the face cradle and have various securing means for releasably retaining the cover on the face cradle. Securing means are required in order to prevent shifting of the cover when an individual repositions his or her face. Exemplary securing means include a run of elastic material on all or a substantial portion of the peripheral edge of the cover. Alternatively, securing means, may include buttons, snaps or zippers adapted to join opposing peripheral edges of the cover, on the underside of the face cradle. Covers having an elastic periphery require a massage therapist to use both hands to spread the cover over the face cradle and fasten the cover in place. Covers with other conventional securing means also require the use of two hands to install and remove. There is a need for a face cradle cover, which may be installed and removed with one hand so that a massage therapist may simultaneously make use of another hand. 
     Conventional face cradle covers also include sewn seams which cross the portion of the cover intended for receiving the face of the individual. Even in seamless designs, elastic or other securing means closely conform the cover to the shape of the face cradle and cause the cover to wrinkle or pucker, while installed on the face cradle. The seams, wrinkles, and puckered areas concentrate pressure on the face of the individual causing discomfort and frequently leaving temporary indentations on facial skin, which are considered unsightly. There is a need for a face cradle cover, which will remain smooth, in the areas contacting the face, of an individual, while installed on the face cradle. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The face cradle cover of the present invention provides a cover for a “U” shaped face cradle. The cover may be easily installed on, and removed from, a “U” shaped face cradle, having a central portion and generally parallel arms, in a one-handed operation. The cover may be releasably retained on the face cradle and remains smooth for a comfortable feel. The face cradle cover includes securing means and a flexible panel having a medial region and two opposed lobes defining a notch between them. An outer periphery bounds outer aspects of the lobes and medial region. An inner periphery, adjacent to the notch, bounds inner aspects of the lobes and medial region. The panel includes an obverse surface and a reverse surface. The securing means releasably retains the cover on the face cradle. The panel may be draped on the face cradle with the reverse surface adjacent to the face cradle and with the obverse surface presented for receiving the face of an individual. The securing means may be manipulated to retain the panel on the face cradle. 
     The securing means may comprise two pockets, on the reverse surface, with one pocket on each of the lobes and each pocket being adapted for partially receiving one of the arms, in sliding engagement. The securing means may also include one or more weights suspended from the outer periphery adjacent to the medial region. The cover may, with the use of one hand, be draped on the face cradle with the arms of the face cradle being partially received within the pockets and with the weights suspended proximate to the central portion of the face cradle, such that the pockets retain the lobes on the arms of the face cradle and the suspended weights draw the cover taught to present a smooth obverse surface for receiving the face of an individual. The notch lies adjacent to the open space between the arms, leaving the open space uncovered. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a face cradle cover which may be easily installed on, and removed from, a face cradle, in a one-handed operation. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a face cradle cover which includes securing means for releasably retaining a face cradle cover on a face cradle. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a face cradle cover which remains smooth when installed on a face cradle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features and advantages of the present invention will be better appreciated with reference to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings, where: 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of the obverse surface of the cover of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2   a  is a perspective view showing the reverse surface of the cover of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2   b  is a perspective view showing the reverse surface of a first alternative embodiment cover of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2   c  is a perspective view showing the reverse surface of a second alternative embodiment cover of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a face cradle with a cover of the present invention in position for being installed. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a face cradle with a cover of the present invention installed. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an individual in position on a massage table with a face cradle and cover of the present invention in place. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The face cradle cover  10  is depicted in  FIGS. 1-5  and provides a convenient and effective way to provide a replaceable and sanitary cover for the face cradle of a conventional massage table or chair. The cover  10 , shown in  FIG. 1 , includes a flexible panel consisting of a medial region  15  and two opposed lobes  20 . The lobes  20  extend from the medial region  15  and define a notch between them. An outer periphery  25  bounds the outer aspect of the lobes  20  and the outer aspect of the medial region  15 . An inner periphery  30  is adjacent to the notch and bounds the inner aspect of the lobes  20  and the inner aspect of the medial region  15 . The panel has an obverse surface, displayed in  FIG. 1  and a reverse surface, displayed in  FIG. 2   a.    
     Securing means are provided for releasably retaining the cover  10  on a face cradle. Securing means preferably include two pockets  35  formed on the reverse surface of the panel and located one on each of the lobes  20 , as shown in  FIG. 2   a.  The pockets  35  are attached, preferably by sewing, along portions of the inner periphery  30  and the outer periphery  25 , while having an access opening adjacent to the reverse surface of the panel. The pockets  35  are configured to partially receive the arms of the face cradle to retain the lobes  20  on the arms of the face cradle. The medial region  15  may be draped onto the central portion of a face cradle. The cover  10  is shown in the process of being installed on an exemplary face cradle  100 , in  FIG. 3 . 
     It is preferred that securing means also include one or more weights  40  suspended from the outer periphery  25  adjacent to the medial region  15 , as shown in  FIG. 2   a.  The weights  40  may be suspended from the outer periphery  25  by any conventional means but, for aesthetic purposes, it is preferred that a flap  45  be attached to the outer periphery  25  and that the weights  40  be retained within the flap  45 , in the manner of a conventional drapery weight.  FIG. 2   a  shows the flap  45  partially cut away to reveal the weights  40 , within the flap  45 . The flap  45  may be folded and sewn to retain the weights  40 , and it is preferred that an access opening be provided to allow removal of the weights  40 , to facilitate laundering. An opening (not shown) may be provided in the flap  45 , with selective fastening means, such as a hook and loop closure, buttons, or a zipper, to facilitate removal of the weights  40 . 
     It is preferred that the panel, the pockets  35  and the flap  45  be formed of fabric and that the fabric be selected to be washable. Cotton, cotton flannel, wool, linen, satin, polyester, polyester fleece, acrylic, acetate, aramid, olefin, ingeo, velour, and combinations thereof, are suitable fabrics. Fabric may be woven or knit. Alternatively, the panel, the pockets  35 , and the flap  45  may be formed of paper or plastic so as to be more suitable for use in a disposable mode. Fabrics may be solid colored or patterned prints, for a decorative appearance. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that the weights  40 , in the flap  45 , may be one or more pieces of relatively dense material, such as a metal. The pieces may be separate or may be joined, so as to be articulated, so that the flap  45 , with weights  40  inserted, may conform to the general shape of the outer periphery  25 . 
     In a first alternative embodiment cover  10 ′, shown in  FIG. 2   b,  the securing means may include an elastic strip  46  attached to the outer periphery  25  adjacent to the medial region  15 . In the first alternative embodiment cover  10 ′, the elastic strip  46  is intended to replace the weights  40 . In other respects, the first alternate embodiment cover  10 ′ is like the cover  10 , having lobes  20 , pockets  35  and an inner periphery  30 . The alternate embodiment cover  10 ′ is particularly suited for use in a disposable mode. In a second alternate embodiment cover  10 ″, shown in  FIG. 2   c,  the securing means may include a flexible strap  50 , attached to the outer periphery  25  adjacent to the medial region  15 . The second alternate embodiment cover  10 ″ is like the cover  10 , having lobes  20 , pockets  35 , and an inner periphery  30 . The flexible strap  50  extends from the outer periphery  25  and has a distal end which is releasably attached to the pockets  35  by fastening means, such as a hook and loop closure (not shown). Other fastening means, for releasably attaching the strap  50  to the pockets  35 , such as buttons, snaps, or pins are also suitable. 
     In use, the cover  10  may be draped onto a face cradle, so that the reverse surface is adjacent to the face cradle and the arms of the face cradle are partially received into the pockets  35 , as described above.  FIG. 4  shows the cover  10  positioned for installation on an exemplary face cradle  100 . The medial region  15  may be adjacent to the central portion of the exemplary face cradle  100 , such that the flap  45  overhangs the edge adjacent to the central region, suspending the weights  40  from the outer periphery  25 , as indicated in  FIG. 4 . The overhanging weights  40  apply tension to draw the cover  10  so as to present a smooth obverse surface for receiving the face of an individual. The pockets  35  and the suspended weights  40  cooperate to retain the cover  10  smoothly spread over the exemplary face cradle  100 . The first alternative embodiment cover  10 ′ may be draped onto a face cradle, in the same manner, so that the arms of the face cradle are partially received within the pockets  35 , and the elastic strip  46  may be stretched over the edge of the central region of the face cradle, to secure the first alternative embodiment cover  10 ′ in place, also smoothly spread over the face cradle. The cover  10  and the alternative embodiment cover  10 ′ may each be installed using one hand only. Likewise, the second alternative embodiment cover  10 ″ may be draped onto a face cradle, in the same manner, so that the arms of the face cradle are partially received into the pockets  35 , and the strap  50  may be extended adjacent to the underside of the face cradle and attached to the pockets  35 . 
     The appearance and durability of the cover  10 , the alternative embodiment cover  10 ′, and the second alternative embodiment cover  10 ″ may be improved by finishing the inner periphery  30  and the outer periphery  25  with a sewn hem or with fabric piping. In order to provide a smooth and seamless obverse surface, for receiving the face of an individual, it is preferred that the panel be formed with appropriate dimensions so as to overlap the edges of the exemplary face cradle  100 , and with the notch aligned with the open space, as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     An individual, lying on the exemplary massage table  110  and resting his or her face on the exemplary face cradle  100 , with nose and jaw in the open space and forehead and cheeks supported on the exemplary face cradle  100 , is shown in  FIG. 5 . The face cradle cover  10 , of the present invention provides a comfortable, smooth, and sanitary surface in contact with the skin of the face. It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that various other changes in the details, materials, and arrangements of the parts and method steps which have been described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of this disclosure, may be made without departing from the principles and scope of the disclosure as expressed in the subjoined claims. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of the claims be interpreted to encompass such changes.