Patent Publication Number: US-2013253575-A1

Title: Apparatus for relieving neck pressure

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/613,852 filed Mar. 21, 2012, entitled “APPARATUS FOR RELIEVING NECK PRESSURE”. The content of the above-identified patent document is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure is generally directed to pressure relief pads and more particularly to an apparatus configured to relieve pressure on the back of the neck caused by a string or strap of a bathing suit, blouse, or other garment. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Upper body garments, such as bathing suits and blouses, often are secured by fastening or tying straps of the garment behind the head of the wearer. If the garment is a supportive garment (i.e., a garment that supports some or all of the weight of the chest of the wearer), the supported weight can pull on the straps of the garment, causing a region of pressure on the back of the neck. This pressure zone can cause discomfort, redness, or even bruising on the back of the neck. The pressure can be particularly pronounced at the knot formed by the tied straps. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a pressure relief pad includes a flexible body configured to be folded into a sleeve. The pressure relief pad also includes at least one fastener configured to secure a first edge of the body over a second edge of the body when the body is folded. The pressure relief pad is configured to be worn on the back of a neck of a person. 
     In another embodiment, a pressure relief pad includes a flexible sleeve comprising a first opening at a first end of the sleeve and a second opening at a second end of the sleeve, the flexible sleeve configured to at least partially ensconce a strap worn around the back of a neck of a person. The pressure relief pad also includes a third opening formed through a layer of the flexible sleeve, the third opening positioned approximately equidistant from the first and second ends of the sleeve. The pressure relief pad is configured to be worn on the back of a neck of a person. 
     In still another embodiment a method of manufacturing a pressure relief pad includes providing a flexible body configured to be folded into a sleeve. The method also includes providing at least one fastener configured to secure a first edge of the body over a second edge of the body when the body is folded. The pressure relief pad is configured to be placed between a person&#39;s neck and a strap worn around the back of the person&#39;s neck that applies pressure to the back of the person&#39;s neck, such that the body of the pressure relief pad distributes the pressure over an area of the body 
     Other technical features may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of this disclosure and its features, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a pressure relief pad according to an embodiment of this disclosure; 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate a top view of another pressure relief pad according to an embodiment of this disclosure; 
         FIGS. 3A through 3C  illustrate top views of yet another pressure relief pad according to an embodiment of this disclosure; 
         FIGS. 4A through 4C  illustrate perspective views of still other pressure relief pads according to embodiments of this disclosure; and 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate a method of using a pressure relief pad, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Pads configured to relieve pressure on the back of the neck are known in the art. A representative example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,698,030. That patent discloses a flat, ellipsoidal foam pad having a series of holes through which the straps of a garment are threaded. In order to use the disclosed pressure relief pad, a wearer must thread the free ends of the garment straps or strings through the multiple holes of the pad while the pad is behind the wearer&#39;s head. Such a maneuver is very awkward and difficult to complete behind one&#39;s head. Furthermore, if the diameters of the holes in the pad are too small or the straps are too large in cross-section, it may be difficult or impossible to feed the free ends of the straps through the holes. 
     The present disclosure provides a pad configured to relieve pressure on the back of the neck caused by one or more strings or straps of a bathing suit, blouse, or other garment. The disclosed pressure relief pad is easily installed without having to remove the garment or untie strings or straps. Moreover, the disclosed pressure relief pad is not limited for use with garments. The disclosed pad can also be used for camera straps, or for any other weighted object worn around the neck and whose strap causes uncomfortable pressure on the back of the neck. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a pressure relief pad according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The embodiment of the pressure relief pad shown in  FIG. 1  is for illustration only. Other embodiments of the pressure relief pad could be used without departing from the scope of this disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the pressure relief pad  100  comprises a body  110 , one or more top fasteners  120   a - 120   c,  and one or more bottom fasteners  130   a - 130   c.  The body  110  of the pressure relief pad  100  is formed of a soft, flexible material, such as neoprene, polyurethane, closed cell foam, or any other suitable material. When one edge of the body  110  is brought over a second edge of the body  110  (as indicated by the curved arrow), the bottom fasteners  120   a - 120   c  and top fasteners  130   a - 130   c  are configured to fit together securely to form the pressure relief pad  100  into a closed sleeve. The sleeve is configured to fit around any strap or string that applies pressure to a person&#39;s neck. In an embodiment, the pressure relief pad  100  may be constructed to include fold lines (indicated by dotted lines) to facilitate the pad  100  to fold flat. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the fasteners  120   a - 120   c,    130   a - 130   c  represent top and bottom portions of multiple snaps. Each top snap portion  120   a - 120   c  snaps onto the corresponding bottom snap portion  130   a - 130   c.  It will be understood that snaps are one representative example of a suitable fastener. The fasteners  120   a - 120   c,    130   a - 130   c  may represent hook-and-loop, buttons, zippers, clips, clasps, or any other suitable fastener(s). While the pressure relief pad  100  is shown with three snaps, other embodiments of the pad  100  may include more or fewer fasteners. For example, if the pressure relief pad  100  includes a hook-and-loop fastener, the hook-and-loop fastener may include a single hook strip and a single loop strip that are disposed along a majority of the length of the pad  100 . 
     In one embodiment, the pressure relief pad  100  is approximately three inches by four inches. However, the pad  100  may be formed in different sizes. For example, the pad  100  may have a smaller or larger width or length. The length of the pad  100  may be determined in part based on the size of the wearer&#39;s neck. In one embodiment, the thickness of the pad  100  is approximately three millimeters. However, the pad  100  may have other thicknesses. The thickness of the pad  100  may be determined in part by the resilience of the material of the pad  100  and the desired amount of pressure relief on the neck. For example, a thinner pad that is formed of a stiffer material may be able to provide as much pressure relief to the neck as a thicker pad formed of a more compliant material. 
     The pressure relief pad  100  may include a decorative or stylish finish. For example, the inner or outer surface of the pad  100  may include one or more decorative features. As a particular example, the outer surface of the pad  100  may be decorated with a design representing a beach theme. Such a design might be desirable when the pad  100  is worn with a bathing suit. In other embodiments, the pad  100  may be usable with a decorative sleeve or sheath that is configured to fit around the pad  100  and conceal all or part of the pad  100 . 
     Although  FIG. 1  depicts one example of a pressure relief pad  100 , various changes may be made to  FIG. 1 . For example, while the pad  100  is depicted as generally rectangular in shape, the pad  100  could include other shapes, such as a rounded rectangle or ellipse. As another example, the surface of the pressure relief pad  100  that is positioned to contact the skin may be a formed of a second material (such as a softer material) to provide even greater comfort for the wearer. As yet another example, the pad  100  may be formed of a plastic that can be manipulated to lay flat but will spring to a roughly cylindrical shape when pressure is applied to certain points on the pad. In such an embodiment, the pad  100  may not need any fasteners to hold the pad  100  in a closed configuration. As still another example, the pressure relief pad  100  may not form a closed sleeve that completely ensconces the strap. Instead, the pad  100  may only partially or substantially ensconce the strap. 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate a top view of another pressure relief pad according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The pressure relief pad  200  includes many of the same or similar elements as the pressure relief pad  100  shown in  FIG. 1 . However, the pressure relief pad  200  has a different shape. As shown in  FIG. 2A , the pressure relief pad  200  comprises an approximately cross-shaped body  210  having a top wing  215  and a bottom wing  225 , a top fastener  220  on the top wing  215  of the body  210 , and a bottom fastener  230  on the bottom wing  225  of the body  210 . To close the pressure relief pad  200  over a strap, the top and bottom wings  215 ,  225  of the pressure relief pad  200  are folded over (as indicated by the arrows), with the top wing  215  overlapping the bottom wing  225 . Then, the top fastener  220  is secured to the bottom fastener  230 , thereby creating a closed pressure relief pad  200 , as shown in  FIG. 2B . 
       FIGS. 3A through 3C  illustrate top views of yet another pressure relief pad according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The pressure relief pad  300  includes many of the same or similar elements as the pressure relief pad  100  shown in  FIG. 1  and the pressure relief pad  200  shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . However, the pressure relief pad  300  is formed in another shape. As shown in  FIG. 3A , the pressure relief pad  300  comprises a body  310  that is approximately in the shape of a capital “I”. The body  310  includes two bottom wings  315   a,    315   b  and two top wings  325   a,    325   b.  Each top wing  325   a,    325   b  includes a top fastener  320   a,    320   b.  Each bottom wing  315   a,    315   b  includes a bottom fastener (not shown) on the reverse side. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3B , a tied bathing suit strap  340  is placed over the body  310 . To close the pressure relief pad  300  over the strap  340 , the top and bottom wings  315   a,    315   b ,  325   a,    325   b  are folded over (as indicated by the arrows), with the top wings  325   a,    325   b  overlapping the corresponding bottom wings  315   a,    315   b.  Then, the top fasteners  320   a,    320   b  are secured to the bottom fasteners, thereby creating a closed pressure relief pad  300 , as shown in  FIG. 3C . The bow and knot of the tied strap  340  project from an opening in the closed pressure relief pad  300  formed between the wings  315   a,    315   b ,  325   a,    325   b.  The embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3A through 3C  is useful when the bow or knot is bulky, thus making it more difficult to close the wings of the pressure relief pad over the bow or knot. 
       FIGS. 4A through 4C  illustrate perspective views of a number of other pressure relief pads according to embodiments of this disclosure. The pressure relief pads  401 - 403  include many of the same or similar elements as the pressure relief pads  100 - 300  shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3C . However, the pressure relief pads  401 - 403  are formed in other shapes. 
     Each of the pressure relief pads  401 - 403  is formed in the shape of an elongated, sleeve  405 , with an opening  410  at each end of the sleeve  405 . The body  405  is formed of a soft, flexible material, such as neoprene, polyurethane, closed cell foam, or any other suitable material. The sleeve  405  may be substantially flat, as shown in  FIG. 4A , or may be substantially cylindrical, as shown in  FIGS. 4B and 4C . The sleeve  405  may have any other suitable shape. 
     Another opening  420  is formed through one wall or layer of the sleeve  405 . The opening  420  is elongate and is positioned approximately equidistant from each end of the sleeve  405 . The opening  420  may be substantially rectangular, as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4C , or may have a more oval shape, as shown in  FIG. 4B . The opening  420  may have any other suitable shape. 
     As discussed above, the pressure relief pad  401  includes a substantially flat sleeve  405 . In some embodiments, the sleeve  405  may be formed of two layers  425 ,  426  that have different thicknesses. In one example embodiment, the top layer  425  is approximately one sixteenth of an inch thick, and the bottom layer  426  is approximately one eighth of an inch thick. The sleeve  405  of the pressure relief pads  402 ,  403  is formed of one cylindrical layer that is approximately one sixteenth of an inch thick. It will be understood that other suitable thicknesses are possible. 
     In one aspect of operation, one free end of a bathing suit strap is threaded into one opening  410  at one end of the sleeve  405  and out the opening  420 . A second free end of a bathing suit strap is threaded into the opening  410  at the other end of the sleeve  405  and out the opening  420 . The two free ends of the bathing suit strap can then be tied or otherwise secured together. 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate a method of using a pressure relief pad, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the pressure relief pad shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B  is for illustration only. Other embodiments of pressure relief pad could be used without departing from the scope of this disclosure. 
     In one aspect of operation, a person wears a bathing suit top, a blouse, or another garment having a support strap  510  that goes around the back side of the person&#39;s neck. The strap  510  may include two separate lengths that are tied together in a knot or bow behind the neck. Alternatively, the strap  510  may be formed of a single length having no tied ends. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5A , an open (i.e., unfastened) pressure relief pad  520  (such as the pressure relief pad  100  shown in  FIG. 1  or the pressure relief pad  200  shown in  FIG. 2 ) is positioned on the back of the neck underneath the strap  510 , such that the pad  520  is between the neck and the strap  510 , and the strap  510  rests over the open pad  520 . Next, as shown in  FIG. 5B , edges of the pad  520  are bent or folded over the strap  510  (and over any bow or knot in the strap  510 ) and secured together with one or more fasteners. Friction causes the closed pad  520  to resist sliding laterally, thus maintaining its position on the back of the neck. 
     The pressure relief pad  520  is easily installed or removed while the person is wearing the strap  510  around the person&#39;s neck. Thus, a person does not need to remove the associated garment or untie the strap  510  to install or remove the pad  520 . 
     It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document. The terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or. The phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like. 
     While this disclosure has described certain embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does not define or constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure, as defined by the following claims.