Patent ID: 12245713

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As seen inFIG.1, a body pillow100according to a first embodiment of the invention is formed around a longitudinal axis X. An outer cover102of pillow100defines the limits of a body104thereof, and extends from a first end106to a second end108remote from the first end106. Ends106,108are positioned on axis X. In overall dimensions, the body pillow is much longer than it is either wide or tall. For example, a length of body pillow100, from end106to end108measured in parallel to axis X, can be about 54 inches. A height, as measured in a vertical plane when the pillow is put in use, can be consistent along most of the pillow's length. However, and as seen inFIG.5, the pillow100is tapered, in a horizontal direction between an outer side110to an inner side112, as one proceeds from the second end108to the first end106. A greatest diameter of the second end108, in a plane orthogonal to axis X, may be about 10 inches. Herein, I use “inner side” to mean the side that in use faces the torso of the mother, and “outer side” to mean the opposed side that in use faces away from the torso of the mother. But as seen inFIGS.3and4, in a horizontal plane, the pillow100is not tapered throughout most of its length, but just rounded on the ends.

Stated another way, and referring toFIGS.3-5, the inner side112has an imaginary midline116that extends between ends106,108and bisects inner side112. The outer side110likewise has an imaginary midline118that likewise extends between ends106and108, and bisects outer side110. The inner side112is joined to the outer side110, as by stitching, at a top seam or margin120, and also at an opposed, bottom seam or margin122. As one proceeds along the pillow body104from second end108to first end106, the distance between outer midline118and inner midline116decreases, but the distance between top margin120and bottom margin122does not, except near either end106,108.

A circumferential band114of material is disposed around axis X, at a location between ends106and108. In the embodiment seen inFIGS.1-16D, this location is closer to the first end106than it is to the second end108. For example, one edge of band114may be disposed at about 16½ inches from end106. The width of band114, as measured in a direction parallel to axis X, can be less than a tenth of the overall length of pillow100, and in this illustrated embodiment is about three inches. The width of band114is selected to be the minimum necessary to allow at least a 360 degree helical twisting of the pillow100around axis X at the band114.

To accommodate this degree of helical twisting, the circumferential band114is made of a stretchy material. In one embodiment, this can be a stretchy material with a soft pile, such as a nylon/Spandex jersey. The rest of outer side110preferably is composed of a smooth, soft but nonstretch material, such as a TENCEL® weave. TENCEL® is a trademark for a rayon fabric made of lyocell and modal fibers. In one embodiment, the remaining panels of stretchy fabric described herein are made of nylon/Spandex jersey, and the remaining panels of nonstretch fabric described herein are made of TENCEL®.

In the illustrated embodiment, a first panel124of nonstretch material extends from band114to end106, and extends between seams120and122. A second panel126of nonstretch material extends from band114to end108, and between seams120and122. As more clearly seen inFIGS.2and3, a second panel128of stretch material extends between band114and end106, and between seams120and122. A third panel130of stretch material extends between band114and end108and between seams120and122. The result is that, in the illustrated embodiment, all of inner side112is a soft stretch material, while most of the outer side110is composed of nonstretch material. As constructed of the preferred materials, the inner side112conforms to the user's body and particularly her belly, will be inherently cool to the touch, and is highly breathable and comfortable. The outer side110will be smooth, will absorb moisture better than cotton, and regulates heat. The outer side110keeps the pillow100's support and shape.

The outer cover102is completed by an end panel200(FIG.2), which can be made of a nonstretch material and which can take the shape of an oval or disk. It is preferred that all panels recited herein be joined together by stitching at hidden (interior facing) seams. A zipper202may be placed along the seam or margin120to permit the user to insert and extract the inner pillows, described below. The zipper202should be provided with a covering flap (not shown).

In one embodiment, the panels of the outer cover102are color-coded. For example, the color of the circumferential band114can be made to be in a color different from the rest of the panels of the cover. This is to provide the user a visual clue as to where to twist the pillow. In another embodiment, stretch panels114,128and130may be provided in a first color, while nonstretch panels124,126and200may be provided in another color. In a third embodiment, the color of circumferential band114may be chosen to be different from the color of nonstretch panels124,126and200, and also to be different in color from the rest of the stretch panels128and130. In a fourth embodiment, the color of all panels is the same.

In the embodiment of the invention where circumferential band114is closer to end106than it is to end108, two inner pillows1000,1300are provided to be of different lengths. A first, smaller, inner pillow1000is shown inFIGS.10-12. Pillow1000has a first end1002that, in use, will be adjacent to outer cover end106. A second end1004is remote from first end1002and, in use, will be disposed near or under circumferential band114. Inner pillow1000can be tapered from second end1004to first end1002. Preferably, the taper is selected such that it conforms to the degree and type of taper of the outer cover102.

In the illustrated embodiment, a cover1006of the first inner pillow1000is made from an inner panel1008that extends from end1002to end1004and from a bottom seam1010to a top seam1012; an outer panel1014that also extends from end1002to end1004and from top seam1012to bottom seam1010; and a preferably elliptical end panel1016, the margins of which are stitched to inner panel1008and outer panel1014. Panels1008,1014and1016can be made of nonstretch fabric. A zipper1018is located on seam1010(alternatively but not shown, on seam1012) to permit access to the interior of first inner pillow1000. The zipper may have its pull removed and covered by a flap of fabric (not shown) to reduce irritation to the user. First inner pillow1000may be about eighteen inches long. Its end panel1016may take the form of an ellipse in which a major axis is disposed vertically in use and which may be about nine inches. A minor axis of end panel1016is disposed horizontally in use and may be about five inches. In conformance with the nature of the taper of outer cover102, first inner pillow1000is tapered in a horizontal plane but not in a vertical plane, as is evident inFIGS.11and12.

The second inner pillow1300is illustrated inFIGS.13-15. The second inner pillow1300extends from a first end1302, which in use is disposed near or under the circumferential band114of outer cover102, to a second end1304, which in use is disposed to be adjacent the second end108of outer cover102. In this illustrated embodiment, a cover1306of second inner pillow1300is made up of four fabric panels: an inner panel1308, an outer panel1310, a first end panel1312and a second end panel1314. The inner panel1308extends from first end1302to second end1304and from a top seam1316to a bottom seam1318. The outer panel1310likewise extends from first end1302to second end1304and from top seam1316to bottom seam1318. First end panel1312is disposed at first end1302and may take the form of an ellipse, such as one having a major axis of about nine inches and a minor axis of about five inches. Second end panel1314is disposed at second end1304and may take the form of a disc with a diameter of about nine inches. An axial length of second inner pillow may be about 36 inches, in the embodiment illustrated inFIGS.1-16D(in which the lengths of the first and second inner pillows are different from each other and in which circumferential band114is positioned closer to first end106than to second end108).

The second inner pillow1300may be tapered from second end1304to first end1302. The degree of taper preferably conforms to that of outer cover102. Also to this end, the second inner pillow is tapered in a horizontal plane, as seen inFIG.15, but not in a vertical plane, as seen inFIG.14, except near ends1302,1304. Panels1308,1310,1312and1314may be made of a nonstretch fabric. A zipper1320may be positioned along seam1316(alternatively, along seam1318) to afford access to the interior of second inner pillow1300. Ideally the zipper1320should have its pull removed and should be covered by a fabric flap (not shown), so as to not be a source of irritation to the user.

First and second inner pillows1000,1300may be filled with a fill700(FIGS.7-9) such as expanded polystyrene (EPS) microbeads. The micro EPS beads may have an average diameter of about 1 mm. A micro EPS bead fill is easily adjustable and adaptable, is breathable, does not get hot, is lightweight and easy to maneuver, and feels plush and soft to the user.

FIGS.7-9show pillow100in a nontwisted configuration (FIG.7), a twisted configuration (FIG.9) and a transitional state between these configurations (FIG.8). InFIG.7, the second end1004of first inner pillow1000is adjacent or even touching first end1302of second inner pillow1300, at a location underneath circumferential band114. InFIG.8, the user has pushed the fill700in first inner pillow1000away from the fill700in second inner pillow1300, leaving a region800through which the outer cover is not supported by fill700at all. This region800should include circumferential band114. InFIG.9, the user has helically twisted outer cover102about axis X at circumferential band114. The outer cover102may, for example, be twisted by a full 360 degrees, such that stretch panels128and130of the inner side112again face the torso of the user. This twisting will increase the separation of first inner pillow end1004from second pillow end1302. The twisting also has the effect of increasing the firmness of fill700in pillows1000,1300. Helically twisting pillow100about its axis X keeps the inner pillows1000,1300separated when the pillow100is in use.

FIGS.16A-16Ddepict use of the pillow100in various configurations. Note that while the pillow100, and its inner pillows1000,1300, are formed along a straight, longitudinal axis X, in use they don't stay that way. InFIG.16A, the pillow100is being used in an untwisted configuration. The first, smaller end106is positioned near the upper chest of mom M. The pillow100has been curved to conform to the torso of mom M's body, and the lower end108may be positioned between her legs. The utility of this configuration is enhanced because the pillow100is wider where it is inserted between the mom's legs, and is not as wide at that portion facing mom M's belly. InFIG.16B, mom M is using pillow100in a similar way, but only after she has twisted pillow100at circumferential band114. Since mom M has twisted the pillow through 360°, both of the stretchy inner panels128,130remain proximate to her body. This increases the firmness and level of support contributed by inner pillows1000,1300. InFIG.16C, the pillow100has been helically twisted at circumferential band114so as to increase the firmness of inner pillows1000,1300. As so configured, pillow100is used to support mom M's back. Finally, inFIG.16D, pillow100is used in an untwisted configuration, but mom M is laying partially on top of it, with the lower end108padding mom M's knees and legs.

FIGS.17-19illustrate an alternative embodiment, in which a circumferential band1700is located approximately equidistantly between a first end1702of the outer cover1704, and a second end1706thereof. A first inner pillow1800is longer than the first inner pillow1000of the first embodiment, and a second inner pillow1900is commensurately shorter than the second inner pillow1300. The materials from which alternative body pillow1708and its inner pillows1800,1900are made otherwise can be the same, as can the overall degree and type of taper and the composition of the inner and outer sides1710,1712of the outer cover1704. First pillow1800has enough volume and length for arm support and belly support. Second inner pillow1900still has enough volume and length for knee and leg support. The degree of taper from second end1706to first end1702remains the same as that of the first illustrated embodiment, so that the user's belly can have low profile support but wider support for the user's knees and legs. The pillow1708remains helically twistable from a nontwisted configuration to a twisted configuration (seeFIG.20) and back, at circumferential band1700, so that the user may adjust the firmness and/or placement of inner pillows1800and1900.

FIG.21depicts steps in a method of using either pillow100or pillow1708. The pillow may presently be in ether an untwisted configuration2100, as seen inFIG.7, or a twisted configuration2102, seen inFIG.9. If the pillow is presently in the untwisted configuration, the user only has to use it at step2104. But the user may want to increase the firmness in the inner pillows. To do this, and at step2106, she separates the inner pillows, and more particularly the fill700in those inner pillows, as seen inFIG.8. Then, at step2108, she helically twists the outer cover102,1704, possibly through about 360 degrees so that the stretchy material is again presented for conformance to her body. Doing this places the pillow in a twisted configuration at2102, and the user may choose to use the pillow in this configuration at step2110. To return the pillow to an untwisted configuration, the user simply untwists it at step2112. The ability to so easily reconfigure the pillow makes it ideal as a sleeping aid for different stages or times during pregnancy.

In summary, a body pillow has been shown and described that is particularly suited as a sleeping aid during pregnancy. The user may helically twist the pillow at a stretchy circumferential band to increase the firmness of inner pillows disposed inside of the outer cover, or use the pillow in an untwisted configuration. The pillow is thus adaptable for use during different times during pregnancy.

While illustrated embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated in the appended drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto but only by the scope and spirit of the appended claims.