Patent Publication Number: US-2023157457-A1

Title: Apparatus for assisting sleep

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Utility Model Application No. 20-2021-0003567, filed on Nov. 24, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an apparatus for assisting sleep, and more particularly, to an assistive device that helps a baby maintain a consistent sleep position. 
     2. Discussion of Related Art 
     Generally, cushions, pillows, or the like are essential items when sleeping. 
     The cushions or pillows are usually filled with cotton, synthetic resin, or grains and have a cushioning function and a certain height and are configured to support the head or body during sleep. 
     Meanwhile, an example of pillows or cushions for babies include a long pillow or cushion that can be held in the baby&#39;s arms while the baby rests his or her head thereon. Such a pillow or cushion ( 10 ) has a long cylindrical shape as a whole as illustrated in  FIG.  1   . 
     The cylindrical pillow or cushion ( 10 ) has a continuous, elongated cylindrical shape and is placed in front of and behind the baby&#39;s body and simply supports the baby&#39;s body from the front and back when the baby is asleep. 
     That is, the conventional cylindrical pillow or cushion ( 10 ) is simply disposed close to the baby&#39;s body and is not configured to be in close contact with and wrapped around the baby&#39;s body and thus does not realize a stable sleeping environment in which the baby is surrounded as when being held in a mother&#39;s arms. Accordingly, there are problems that the baby may frequently wake up due to the Moro reflex or the like and such a sleep pattern does not help at all for the baby&#39;s sleep education. 
     Further, when the baby continuous to lie on his or her back instead of lying on his or her side, a head deformity in which the back of the head is flattened (flat head syndrome, plagiocephaly, brachycephaly, etc.) occurs, and this actually serves as a fundamental problem in making the head round. However, all of the conventional cushions or pillows for head shape correction have a structure that corrects the head shape only when the baby is lying on his or her back. 
     RELATED ART DOCUMENT 
     [Patent Document]
     Korean Utility Model Publication No. 20-2014-0005410   

     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to providing an apparatus for assisting sleep that allows a baby to sleep while stably lying on his or her side for head shape care and stable sleep without the Moro reflex. 
     An apparatus for assisting sleep according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: a main body which includes two bodies configured to support the body of a baby and configured so that one end portion of one body and one end portion of the other body are connected to each other and two heads formed at the other end portions of the two bodies and stacked while intersecting with each other to support the head of the baby; and a support portion which is formed at the main body and configured to support the head and neck of the baby from a circumference thereof. 
     Here, the support portion may include an occipital region support step which is formed thicker than other parts to protrude upward from one side portion of the head to support the occipital region of the baby from a lateral direction and a lower side in the lateral direction in a state in which the two heads are stacked while intersecting with each other to support the temporal region of the baby. 
     Also, an insertion groove may be formed in a central portion of the head so that a portion of the temporal region is inserted therein. 
     Also, one of the two bodies may include: a support body configured to support the back of the baby&#39;s body from the lateral direction; and a first support formed to protrude in a direction inclined downward from a lower portion of a side of the support body that supports the back of the baby&#39;s body in order to support the spine of the baby from the lower side in the lateral direction. 
     Also, the body may further include a second support formed to protrude in a direction inclined upward from an upper portion of the side of the support body that supports the back of the baby&#39;s body in order to support the spine of the baby from an upper side in the lateral direction. 
     Meanwhile, one of the two bodies may include the support body configured to support the back of the baby&#39;s body from the lateral direction, and the support portion may further include a back neck support step which is formed to extend from the support body to an inner side of the head and formed thicker than the head to protrude upward therefrom in order to support the baby&#39;s back neck from the lateral direction and the lower side in the lateral direction. 
     Here, the back neck support step may be formed in a shape that matches the outer shape of the back neck and may have an edge formed to be curved. 
     Further, the two heads stacked while intersecting with each other to support the baby&#39;s head may have a double step area formed in which a portion of the occipital region support step supports the back neck support step and the occipital region support step and the back neck support step intersect with each other, and in the double step area, the occipital region support step may lift the back neck support step and cause the back neck support step to be in close contact with the back neck of the baby. 
     Also, the two bodies may be formed to have a structure in which connecting portions are attached to and detached from each other by a connecting zipper. 
     Further, each of the bodies and the heads may be filled with a filler, and a zipper opening/closing portion may be formed to allow entry and exit of the filler into and from each of the bodies and the heads. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by describing exemplary embodiments thereof in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a view illustrating a cushion according to the related art; 
         FIG.  2    is a view illustrating a state in which a baby is supported by an apparatus for assisting sleep according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  3    is a view illustrating the apparatus for assisting sleep of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  4    is a view illustrating a state in which the head and neck of the baby are supported from a circumference thereof by the apparatus for assisting sleep of  FIG.  3   ; 
         FIG.  5 A  is a view illustrating a state in which the baby&#39;s back is supported by the cushion of  FIG.  1   ; and 
         FIG.  5 B  is a view illustrating a state in which the baby&#39;s spine is supported by a first support and a second support of the apparatus for assisting sleep of  FIG.  3   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. In assigning reference numerals to components of each drawing, it should be noted that the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals wherever possible regardless of the drawings. Also, in describing the present invention, when detailed description of a related known configuration or function is determined as having the possibility of obscuring the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
       FIG.  2    is a view illustrating a state in which a baby is supported by an apparatus for assisting sleep according to one embodiment of the present invention,  FIG.  3    is a view illustrating the apparatus for assisting sleep of  FIG.  2   , and  FIG.  4    is a view illustrating a state in which the head and neck of the baby are supported from a circumference thereof by the apparatus for assisting sleep of  FIG.  3   . 
     Referring to the drawings, the apparatus for assisting sleep according to the present invention includes a main body  100  and a support portion  200 . 
     The main body  100  includes two bodies B 1  and B 2  and two heads H 1  and H 2 . 
     Here, the bodies are configured to support the baby&#39;s body and have a shape that is elongated to correspond to the length of the baby&#39;s body to support the baby&#39;s body in the longitudinal direction. 
     Also, the heads are connected to the bodies and respectively formed at one end portion of one body and one end portion of the other body and are stacked while intersecting with each other to support the baby&#39;s head. 
     Hereinafter, as a specific example, the two bodies B 1  and B 2  will be described by being referred to as a first body B 1  and a second body B 2 , and the two heads H 1  and H 2  will be described by being referred to as a first head H 1  and a second head H 2 , based on the drawings. 
     The first body B 1  supports the front of the baby&#39;s body (the front of the body including the chest), and the second body B 2  supports the back of the baby&#39;s body (the back of the body including the back). 
     The first body B 1  and the second body B 2  have a shape that is elongated to correspond to the length of the baby&#39;s body to support the baby&#39;s body in the longitudinal direction. 
     Also, one end portion of the first body B 1  and one end portion of the second body B 2  are connected to each other, and connecting portions are disposed between the baby&#39;s legs when the baby is lying on his or her side between the first body B 1  and the second body B 2 . 
     Substantially, as illustrated in the drawings, the baby&#39;s legs are placed on the first body B 1  supporting the front of the baby&#39;s body, and here, the connecting portions of the first body B 1  and the second body B 2  are disposed adjacent to the baby&#39;s crotch. 
     Here, the first body B 1  and the second body B 2  may have a structure in which the connecting portions are attached to and detached from each other by a connecting zipper Z 1 . 
     Thus, the first body B 1  and the second body B 2  may each be utilized as a long body pillow and facilitate storage or washing (laundering) when separated from each other. 
     Further, at least one of the first body B 1  with the first head H 1  or the second body B 2  with the second head H 2  may be utilized as a vehicle seat belt cushion, and in this case, a link portion (not illustrated) having Velcro tape may be included to allow connection to a seat belt. The link portion may be fixed to each of the first body B 1  or the second body B 2 , a seat belt may be inserted into and surrounded by an open portion of the link portion, and the open portion may be closed by the Velcro tape so that the first body B 1  or the second body B 2  is held on the seat belt. 
     Also, the heads include the first head H 1  and the second head H 2 . 
     The first head H 1  is connected to the other end portion of the first body B 1 , and the second head H 2  is connected to the other end portion of the second body B 2 . 
     Here, the first head H 1  and the second head H 2  are stacked while intersecting with each other, and the temporal region of the baby is placed thereon so that the temporal region is supported by the first head H 1  and the second head H 2  stacked while intersecting with each other. That is, as illustrated in the drawings, the baby&#39;s head is placed on the second head H 2 . 
     Further, each of the first body B 1 , the first head H 1 , the second body B 2 , and the second head H 2  is filled with a filler. 
     Here, a zipper opening/closing portion Z 2  may be formed to allow entry and exit the filler into and from the first body B 1 , the first head H 1 , the second body B 2 , and the second head H 2 . 
     The conventional cylindrical cushion or pillow  10  (see  FIG.  1   ) has a continuous, elongated cylindrical shape without a configuration to support the baby&#39;s head and neck from the circumference thereof like the support portion  200  of the present invention which will be described below and is placed in front of and behind the baby&#39;s body and simply supports the baby&#39;s body from the front and back when the baby is asleep. 
     That is, the conventional cylindrical pillow or cushion is simply disposed close to the body of the baby lying on his or her side and is not configured to reliably support the baby&#39;s head and body from the lateral direction, and thus there is a limitation in that the baby is not stably and firmly supported and does not maintain lying on his or her side. Further, since it is not possible to realize a stable sleeping environment in which the baby is surrounded as when being held in a mother&#39;s arms, the baby may frequently wake up due to the Moro reflex or the like, and such a sleep pattern is not beneficial for the baby&#39;s sleep education. 
     Further, newborns need a good head support because they are not yet able to properly control their bodies. Because the development of the neck muscles is immature despite the weight of the baby&#39;s head accounting for about 10% of the baby&#39;s weight, it is very important to support the baby&#39;s neck well. 
     Therefore, in order to overcome the above limitation and to especially support the baby&#39;s head well, the present invention includes the support portion  200 , and the support portion  200  is formed at the main body  100  and configured to support the baby&#39;s head and neck from the circumference thereof. 
     However, an insertion groove g will be described prior to detailed description of the support portion  200 . The insertion groove g may be formed in a central portion of one of the two heads H 1  and H 2  to stably support the temporal region of the baby. In this case, as an example, the insertion groove g may be formed in the first head H 1  as illustrated in the drawings. 
     The insertion groove g is formed in the central portion of the first head H 1  so that the baby&#39;s temporal region is inserted thereinto to a certain extent together with the second head H 2  when placed on an upper portion of the stacked second head H 2 . 
     That is, as the baby&#39;s temporal region moves downward toward the insertion groove g together with the central portion of the second head H 2  due to the structure of the insertion groove g of the first head H 1  as the second head H 2  moves downward, the baby&#39;s head is stably centered. 
     Also, the support portion  200  includes an occipital region support step  210 . 
     The occipital region support step  210  is configured to support the baby&#39;s occipital region. 
     Specifically, the occipital region support step  210  is formed on at least one of the two heads H 1  and H 2  so that the baby&#39;s occipital region is supported from the lateral direction and the lower side in the lateral direction in a state in which the baby&#39;s temporal region is supported by the two heads H 1  and H 2  stacked together. 
     The occipital region support step  210  is formed thicker than other parts of the head to protrude upward from one side portion of at least one of the two heads H 1  and H 2 . 
     As an example, the occipital region support step  210  may be formed thicker than other parts to protrude upward from one side portion of the first head H 1  as illustrated in the drawings. 
     The occipital region support step  210  may push one upper side of the stacked second head H 2  to support the occipital region of the baby&#39;s head, which is supported by the second head H 2 , from the lateral direction and the lower side in the lateral direction. In this way, the baby&#39;s occipital region can be stably and firmly supported while the baby is lying on his or her side. 
     Also, the support portion  200  may further include a back neck support step  220 . 
     The back neck support step  220  is configured to support the baby&#39;s back neck. 
     Specifically, the back neck support step  220  is formed on at least one of the two bodies B 1  and B 2  to support the baby&#39;s back neck from the lateral direction and the lower side in the lateral direction. 
     The back neck support step  220  may be formed to extend from a support body  110  of at least one of the two bodies B 1  and B 2  to an inner side of the head and may be formed thicker than the head to protrude upward therefrom. 
     As an example, as illustrated in the drawings, the back neck support step  220  may be formed to extend from the support body  110  of the second body B 2  to an inner side of the second head H 2  and may be formed thicker than the second head H 2  to protrude upward therefrom. 
     Here, in the second body B 2 , the support body  110  is a portion configured to support the back of the baby&#39;s body from the lateral direction and has a structure that is thick in the up-down direction to have a height relatively higher as compared to the second head H 2 . 
     The back neck support step  220  supports the baby&#39;s back neck that is supported by the second head H 2 . Here, by having a structure that extends from the support body  110  of the second body B 2 , the back neck support step  220  is configured to support the baby&#39;s back neck by the structure connected to the support body  110  of the second body B 2  instead of simply supporting the back neck while being separated from the support body  110 . Accordingly, the back neck support step  220  can stably and firmly support the baby&#39;s back neck while the baby is lying on his or her side. 
     Here, the back neck support step  220  is formed to have a curved edge to correspond to the outer shape of the back neck. 
     That is, by having a structure in which an edge surface that supports the baby&#39;s back neck has a curved shape to correspond to the shape of the baby&#39;s back neck, the back neck support step  220  supports the back neck while in contact with the entire neck instead of partially supporting the back neck. Accordingly, the baby&#39;s back neck can be stably and firmly supported. 
     Further, the back neck support step  220  is disposed so that, when the two heads H 1  and H 2  are stacked while intersecting with each other, a portion of the back neck support step  220  overlaps with a portion of the occipital region support step  210 . In this way, the height at which the back neck support step  220  protrudes is increased, and thus the baby&#39;s back neck can be more stably and firmly supported. 
     As described above, by including the occipital region support step  210  and the back neck support step  220 , the support portion  200  of the present invention can implement a structure that supports the entire occipital region and back neck of the baby along the contour of the baby&#39;s head from the lateral direction and the lower side in the lateral direction when the baby is lying on his or her side. Accordingly, the baby&#39;s head can be stably and firmly supported. 
     Further, the two heads H 1  and H 2  stacked while intersecting with each other to support the baby&#39;s head have a double step area D formed in which a portion of the occipital region support step  210  supports the back neck support step  220  and the occipital region support step  210  and the back neck support step  220  intersect with each other. 
     That is, the double step area D has a double pad structure in which the occipital region support step  210  and the back neck support step  220 , which are two thick pad structures, are sequentially stacked. 
     The double step area D configured as above serves to allow the occipital region support step  210  to lift the back neck support step  220  to cause the back neck support step  220  to be in close contact with the baby&#39;s back neck. That is, the back neck support step  220  which primarily supports the baby&#39;s back neck is further lifted by the occipital region support step  210  and pushed toward the baby&#39;s back neck, and thus the back neck support step  220  comes into close contact with the baby&#39;s back neck and firmly supports the baby&#39;s back neck with a certain pressure. Accordingly, the baby&#39;s back neck can be more stably supported. 
       FIG.  5 A  is a view illustrating a state in which the baby&#39;s back is supported by the cushion of  FIG.  1   , and  FIG.  5 B  is a view illustrating a state in which the baby&#39;s spine is supported by a first support and a second support of the apparatus for assisting sleep of  FIG.  3   . 
     Referring to  FIG.  5 A , the conventional cylindrical cushion  10  has a simple cylindrical structure and simply supports the spinal cord from the lateral direction instead of surrounding and supporting the spinal cord. Further, the conventional cylindrical cushion  10  has a structure in which the spinal cord cannot be firmly supported in the lateral direction unless the cushion is in close contact with the baby&#39;s body. In particular, when the baby attempts to turn leftward in the drawings, the spine enters a space between the floor and the support body  110 , and thus there is a limitation in firmly supporting the baby. 
     On the other hand, as illustrated in  FIGS.  3  and  5 B , the present invention may include a first support  120  configured to support the baby&#39;s spine from the lower side in the lateral direction. 
     That is, according to the present invention, one of the two bodies B 1  and B 2  includes the support body  110  and the first support  120 . As an example, as illustrated in the drawings, the first support  120  may be formed on the second body B 2 . 
     The support body  110  of the second body B 2  supports the back of the baby&#39;s body from the lateral direction, and the first support  120  of the second body B 2  has a structure that protrudes in a direction inclined downward from a lower portion of a side of the support body  110  that supports the back of the baby&#39;s body in order to support the baby&#39;s spine from the lower side in the lateral direction. 
     The first support  120  protrudes from the support body  110  toward a lower side of the spine on the back of the baby lying on his or her side (downward in the drawings) and is disposed to be fitted between the floor and the lower side of the baby&#39;s spine. Accordingly, the first support  120  can stably and firmly support the baby&#39;s spine from the lower side in the lateral direction. In particular, when the baby attempts to turn leftward in the drawings, as the spine is supported by the first support  120  which is present in a space between the floor and the support body  110 , the baby can be firmly supported. 
     For reference, an anti-slip fabric may be utilized for the first support  120 . 
     Also, as illustrated in  FIG.  5 B , the present invention may further include a second support  130  configured to support the baby&#39;s spine from an upper side in the lateral direction. 
     That is, according to the present invention, one of the two bodies B 1  and B 2  includes the second support  130 . As an example, as illustrated in the drawings, the second support  130  may be formed on the second body B 2 . 
     The second support  130  of the second body B 2  has a structure that protrudes in a direction inclined upward from an upper portion of the side of the support body  110  that supports the back of the baby&#39;s body in order to support the baby&#39;s spine from the upper side in the lateral direction. 
     The second support  130  may serve to block turning of the back of the baby&#39;s body toward an upper portion of the second body B 2  with a certain force. That is, when the baby attempts to turn leftward in the drawings, as the spine is supported by the second support  130  from the upper side in the lateral direction, the baby can be stably and firmly supported, and turning of the baby can be prevented. 
     Further, the roles of the first support  120  and the second support  130  may be switched. Although the baby is lying on the left side in the drawings, the baby may lie on the right side for head shape correction or the like, and in this way, the side on which the baby lies may be switched between the left and right. Here, when the baby is lying on the right side unlike in the drawings, the second body B 2  of the present invention is also used after being rotated so that upper and lower surfaces thereof are switched. In this case, the second support  130  supports the baby&#39;s spine from the lower side in the lateral direction, and the first support  120  supports the baby&#39;s spine from the upper side in the lateral direction. 
     For reference, an anti-slip fabric may be utilized for the second support  130 . 
     As a result, due to including the support portion  200  configured to support the baby&#39;s head and neck from the circumference thereof, the apparatus for assisting sleep according to the present invention can stably and firmly support the baby&#39;s head and neck while the baby is lying on his or her side. 
     Further, due to including the first support  120  configured to support the baby&#39;s spine from the lower side in the lateral direction and the second support  130  configured to support the baby&#39;s spine from the upper side in the lateral direction, the present invention can stably and firmly support the baby&#39;s spine and prevent the baby from turning. 
     In this way, by accurately and reliably supporting the three parts, the head, neck, and back (spine) of the baby, the present invention can implement a structure which is the most suitable for the baby to continuously maintain lying on his or her side. 
     Consequently, due to including a support portion configured to support a baby&#39;s head and neck from a circumference thereof, an apparatus for assisting sleep according to the present invention has an effect of stably and firmly supporting the head and neck of a baby lying on his or her side. 
     Further, due to including a first support configured to support the spine of the baby from a lower side in the lateral direction and a second support configured to support the spine of the baby from an upper side in the lateral direction, the present invention has advantages in that it is possible to stably and firmly support the baby&#39;s spine and prevent the baby from turning. 
     In this way, by accurately and reliably supporting the three parts, the head, neck, and back (spine) of the baby, the present invention can implement a structure which is the most suitable for the baby to continuously maintain lying on his or her side, and thus there are advantages in that stable sleep without the Moro reflex is possible and a head deformity such as a flat head can be prevented for the baby. 
     The present invention has been described above using exemplary embodiments and drawings, but the present invention is not limited thereby, and of course, those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains may make various modifications and changes within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention and the attached claims and their equivalents.