US20110277243A1

US20110277243A1 - Comfort sleeper

Info

Publication number: US20110277243A1
Application number: US13/099,902
Authority: US
Inventors: Walt Crompton; Nancy Miceli; Phillip Crompton; Jennifer Morales
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-05-03
Filing date: 2011-05-03
Publication date: 2011-11-17

Abstract

An upper body support device with a top surface, a bottom surface, a sidewall, a central axis, and an outer edge. The support device further contains a first support area, a second support area, and twin third support areas. The second support area includes a cross element. A bridge area links the first support area and the second support area along the central axis. A width of the first support area and a width of the second support area are substantially greater than the width of the bridge area. There are two extensions emanating from the cross element, leading to a third support area, to lift the lower torso at the anterior superior iliac spine protrusions.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 61/330,476 filed May 3, 2010, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an accessory for improving sleep quality and comfort.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention proposes a body positioning system that would allow most people to lay down safely and comfortably for several hours, with the front of their trunk and head in a face down position that supports spinal wellness, and reduces the tendency to snore. This is achieved by using uniquely sculpted compliant material to suspend the fully overturned body without pain or spinal distress. The device is used with or without unique cranial pillows that allow the user to comfortably point their face directly forward, or support the head when it is mildly tilted from forward.
Supine, lateral and prone positions all have advantages and disadvantages in improving the quality of one's sleep. In general, supine and lateral positions are the only choices available with standard beds and mattresses. A prone position offers an alternative to a supine and lateral position, especially if a pressure relief on back and shoulders is desired. However, a prone position is usually uncomfortable to most people since it results in the craning of one's neck, excessive arching of the lower back, and discomfort at the breast and genital areas. Special mattresses and other devices have been available in past but these are usually very costly or unsuitable for home use.
The present invention is designed to make a prone sleeping position comfortable alternative by elevating the prone trunk sufficiently to relieve lower back and neck stresses. This spongy device lifts the sleeper up and provides cutouts at just the right spots, allowing hygienic rest in which the usual points of morning pain are relieved, breathing is made easy, and gravity is manipulated to keep key snoring contributors out of the airway. It is simple in concept, and comfortable.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

U.S. Pat. No. 7,536,735 discloses a system configured to ensure a sleeping person remains in a desired position. The system includes a head pillow and a leg pillow. The head pillow includes a locating area configured to receive a portion of the head of the sleeping person. In addition, the head pillow includes a receiving area configured to receive a portion of an arm of the sleeping person. The leg pillow includes a receiving area configured to receive a portion of the leg of a sleeping person. The leg pillow is generally located between the legs of the person and maintains the legs in a substantially parallel and spaced relationship.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,185,768 discloses A cushion support to be placed on a bed or other horizontal support surface which allows a woman to lie or sleep in a face-down position without exerting pressure on the breasts. The cushion support includes an elongated block of foam material, the front section of which is horizontally oriented and supports the upper rib cage and the sternum of the user, and a wedge-shaped lower section which supports the torso of the user. Vertically oriented arcuate recesses are provided to accommodate the breasts. When lying in a face-down position, the breasts of the user depend downwardly into the recesses without contacting the underlying support surface or the cushion support. The device is particularly designed to be used after surgical procedures to the breasts, such as breast implantations or breast reductions. A second preferred embodiment includes a substantially wedge-shaped elongate portion of foam rubber material having a planar lower face to be placed on a horizontal surface, a vertically oriented front face, two vertically oriented side faces, and a planar top face inclined at an angle of approximately 45 degree. Contoured recesses are provided in the front face to support the breasts.
Various implements are known in the art, but fail to address all of the problems solved by the invention described herein. One embodiment of this invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and will be described in more detail herein below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed is a body support device with a top surface, a bottom surface, a sidewall, and cutouts. The support device further contains a first support area and a second support area. The second support area includes a cross element. A bridge area links the first support area and the second support area along the central axis. The width of the first support area and the width of the second support area are substantially greater than the width of the bridge area. The first support area lifts one's chest, while the second support area, including the extensions, provides support for the rest of the torso.
Therefore, the present invention succeeds in conferring the following, and others not mentioned, desirable and useful benefits and objectives.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a sleeping device that is functional for prone sleeping.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a sleeping aid that is ergonomically contoured to support a person's body without spinal stress in a substantially face-down position.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sleeping aid that offloads the usual sleep surfaces, which may assist a natural healing process involving these areas.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a cushion that is made from the best available hypoallergenic foam, and sturdy, comfortable fabrics.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device that is a decorative and fanciful conversation piece.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sleeping aid that is smaller and lighter than most pillows.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a pillow that easily fits in bed, stores and travels well, and can be used as an alternative pillow for other sleeping positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred invention.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the preferred invention, showing a person utilizing the disclosed pillow.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals.
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto.
FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of the present invention. Shown is an upper body support device 10, a top support surface 20, a convex sidewall 40, a central axis 50, an upper, outer edge 60, a lower outer edge 62, a substantially symmetrical, upper chest support 70 (shown in FIG. 3), a substantially symmetric, lower rib support 80, a cross element 90, a bridge area 100, side cutouts 105, extensions 140, distal ends 150, two hip support extensions 160, a narrow area 170, an inner edge 180, an inner side of the extensions 190, a rear facet of the cross element 200, a tapered edge 210, a frontal portion 230, and a lower recessed area 240.
The device 10 may be made from soft, spongy material suitable for sleeping, such as, but not limited to foam, gel, synthetic fills, feathers, or down. Other filler varieties may include organic or granular particles or plastic imitations. A foam filler may be made from polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, polyethylene, or another polymeric variety material. The gel filler may be made from a thermoplastic elastomer, of a different elastic material. The device may be inflatable or filled with water or other fluid. Any combination of the above named materials may also be suitable, or different portions of the invention may be made from different materials.
The bottom surface is not shown, but is identical to the top surface 20. The top and bottom surfaces 20, and the sidewall 40 form a shell around the filler. The sidewall 40 may have a puffy or circular appearance. This may be done to create tapered edge 210 that provides increased comfort. The tapered edge 210 may be present along the side cutout 105, along the oval of the lower recessed area 240. The terms tapered edge or beveled edge may be used interchangeably. The shell may contain a re-sealable slit or an opening to access the filler. The shell may be made out of hypoallergenic materials, since some types of fillers may cause allergic reactions. Other materials may include, but are not limited to natural and synthetic cloth or silk. A pillow case or a pillow slip may be included, which may be made from the same or different materials as the shell. The pillow case, if included, may preferably be shaped in form of a support device 10. In another alternative, the filler may include cavities that can be inflatable or fillable with liquids, such as water. There may be several independent or proportionally related fillable sacks or chambers. The filler would then be introduced from the outside through a valve. There may be valves for each independent sack or chamber or there may be at least one common valve for proportionally related chambers. Proportionally related chambers may be controllably filled to a level that would preserve the general proportions of the device 10. This way, comfort in one area of the device 10 may be improved without skewing the anatomic proportionalities of other areas.
The upper chest support 70 is intended to support a person's upper chest. The corners 72 extend to the point of allowing free movement of the person's shoulders, while the middle area 74 provides support for the clavicle, manubrium and upper Sternum bones as well as for upper chest muscles. The middle area 74 may also be recessed in comparison to the corners 72. The recess here may be desirable to accommodate a greater curvature of the aforementioned skeletal and muscular areas.
The bridge or sternum bone support region 100 is intended to provide support for the Sternum bone and for the Pectoralis major muscle formation. The bridge area 100 may also be somewhat recessed in the middle 102, or may filled with softer materials than surrounding areas 104. The middle area 102 may be convex in shape, with lowest point of the arch converging within the middle area 102. The convex shape or softer area 102 may be desirable to accommodate rib cage expansions and contractions during breathing. Alternatively the middle area 102 may be raised with respect to the surrounding area 104 and form a ridge-like area to firmly support the muscle tendons terminating in or about the Sternum.
The present invention may be used in combination with a conventional head pillow to support the head, or a specialized forehead pillow that may extend to the sides of the face. Alternatively, a support for the upper jaw bone may also be provided. In another alternative, the frontal portion 230 may contain a recess. This recess may be utilized to accommodate a person's neck and head.
The sternum bone support region 100 may be oriented along the central axis 50 and may be substantially narrower than the upper chest support 70 (also referred to as the first support area) or the lower rib support region 80 (also referred to as the second support area). The bridge area 100 is oriented along the central axis 50. This setup creates a pair of side cutouts 105. The side cutouts provide space for breasts. During prone sleeping, chest and breast would bear most of the torso weight, causing pain and discomfort. However, the layout of the present invention eliminates this by having breast cutouts 105.
The substantially symmetric, lower rib support 80 is intended to support the lower ribs. A main component of the lower rib support region 80, or second support area, is the cross element 90. The cross element 90 may be triangular, trapezoidal, or arching. These shapes provide the outmost support for the intended areas, without encroaching on the side cutouts 105 and the lower recessed area 240. It is preferable that the lower rib support region 80 may be wider than the upper chest support 70, since no allowance is needed to allow shoulder movement, as in the upper chest support 70.
There are two hip support extensions 160 emanating from the rear facet 200 of the cross element 90. The hip support extensions 160 may be integral with the overall support device 10. The hip support extensions 160 may be formed at the distal ends 150 of the cross element 90 of the lower rib support region 80. The extensions may be opposite each other and may run substantially substantially parallel with the central axis 50. However, the legs may also be emanating at a slight angle, creating an outwardly spreading, or inwardly contracting terminuses 165.
The narrow areas 170 combine with the arching rear facet 200 to create an oval abdominal recess region 240 (also referred to as the lower recessed area). The lower recessed area 240, is preferably a cutout, and is intended to eliminate pressure on the area covered by the rectus abdominis muscle complex, commonly known as the stomach, and allowing movement of the diaphragm for free breathing. Prior art devices provided a lower recessed area for male genital areas, while a stomach area is accommodated by a slight recess, if at all. This is the case because the prior art devices are made predominantly for spa use, where a person using the device is awake and does not require the same comfort level for the abdomen, nor requiring extended periods of unconsciousness and associated impaired breathing ability.
The width of the hip support extensions 160 may also be uniform. In such an alternative, it would be preferable to set the hip support extensions 160 as wide apart as possible to still create a comfortable abdominal recess region 240. In another alternative, the hip support extensions 160 may be linked, but recessed at the area 240. In such an alternative embodiment, the lower recessed area 240 may have an internal blow up chamber. Such a chamber may be filled with liquid or air, which may be released to create or increase a recess or reintroduced to eliminate the recess.
FIG. 2 refers to the top view of the preferred invention. Shown are a body support device 10, a top surface 20, a central axis 50, an outer edge 60, a first support area 70, a second support area 80, a cross element 90, a bridge area 100, side cutouts 105, a width of the first support area 110, a width of the second support area 120, a width of the bridge area 130, extensions 140, distal ends 150, third support areas 160, a narrow area 170, an inner edge 180, an inner side of the extensions 190, a rear facet of the cross element 200, a tapered edge 210, a frontal portion 230, and a lower recessed area 240. The outer edge 60 encircles the entire device 10. The device 10 may be viewed as two symmetrical halves that are split by an abstract central axis 50. The first support area 70, a second support area 80, and a bridge area 100 combine in forming an hourglass shaped device with extensions 140 providing a third support area.
The dimensions of the preferred embodiment are listed below. However, a device representing the present invention may be formed using alternative dimensions. The outer edge 60 encircles the corners 72, creating arches between 2.4 and 3.4 radians around abstract reference points 72 a and 72 b. The outer edge 60 then forms diagonal sections 72 d and 72 e, which may be between 2 and 5 inches in length. The opposite sidewalls 40 of the bridge area 100 are preferably convex arches 72 f and 72 g that are between 2.0 and 3.2 radians, and which lead into the cross element 90. The cross element 90 preferably contains corners 72 h and 72 i that are preceded by substantially straight portions 90 a and 90 b that are between 3.0 and 5.0 inches in length. The outer edge 60 preferably forms arcs between 1.4 and 1.6 radians about the abstract points 90 c and 90 d. These arcs lead into the straight sides 72 j and 72 k that are preferably between 13.0 inches and 15.0 inches in length. The width 160 k of the third support areas 160 may preferably be between 2.5 inches and 4.5 inches, with the length 160 l between 4.0 inches and 6.0 inches. The width 170 w of the narrow areas 170 may preferably be between 1.0 and 2.0 inches; with the length 170 l between 5.0 inches and 8.0 inches. The outer edge 60 and the lower outer edge 62 (FIG. 1) preferably have equal measurements.
The rear facet 200 of the cross element 90, preferably forms and inner edge 180 with an arch of 14″ and 3.1 radians, such that the lower recessed area 240 preferably contains a substantially oval area of approximately 13×8 inches, with the center 240 r at point between 13 and 15 inches from the frontal portion 230. The preferred width 120 of the second support area 80 may be between 14.5 inches and 17 inches, with the preferred width 110 of the first area between 8.0 inches and 11.0 inches, and preferably between 4.0 and 6.0 inches for the width 130 of the bridge area 100. The inner sides of the extensions 190 preferably form arcs 180 a and 180 b of 1.6 radians between the narrow areas 170 and the wide areas 160. The overall width 260 of the device 10 may preferably be between 20 and 25 inches.
The narrow area 170 is a connector to third support area 160, with minimal support function of its own. The third support area 160 is intended to provide support for the anterior superior iliac spine. The lower recessed area 240 provides a relaxation cavity for the rectus abdominis muscle and internal organs protected by it, and allows free movement of the diaphragm for breathing while asleep. The sidewall 40 (FIGS. 1 and 4) may preferably be between 1.0 and 4.0 inches in height, at the terminal ends 165. However, when in use, the extent of the compression of the sidewall 40 depends upon the filler material utilized. Thus the top surface 20 would be sufficiently elevated at this point to enable a relaxed downward position for the thighs and a normal, discomfort-free sexual arousal for men. Preferably, the device 10 contains two extensions 140.
The outer edge 60 and the inner edge 180 may preferably be tapered, especially in areas 210. The tapering or beveling is needed for a more rounded or reduced joint between the sidewall 40 and the top surface 20. This reduced joint is less likely to cause discomfort or interfere with circulation. The joint may be created with an adhesive or stitching. The top and bottom surfaces 20 and 30 may be of different sizes. Either the top surface 20 or the bottom surface 30 may contain frictional or fuzzy fabric to prevent slippage and to improve comfort.
Still referring to FIG. 2, illustrated is another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Shown is a top surface 20 of a body support device 10 with a central axis 50. Also shown is an outer edge 60, a first support area 70, a second support area 90, a bridge area 100, extensions 140, distal ends 150, two third support areas 160, terminuses 165, a narrow area 170, an inner edge 180, an inner side of the extensions 190, a rear facet of the cross element 200, a tapered edge 210, a frontal portion 230, and a lower recessed area 240.
FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the side view of the present invention. The sidewall 40 may be uniform in height throughout the present invention. The sidewall 40 may be completely soft and flexible, or may be springy and resilient, to provide a minor degree of structural integrity. The sidewall 40 may contain a plurality of openings (not shown) to expel any captured air as a result of a sudden downward pressure exerted by a person's body. Also illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 is a body support device 10, a top surface 20, a bottom surface 30, a sidewall 40, an outer edge 60, a lower outer edge 62, a first support area 70, a corner 72, a second support area 80, a bridge area 100, and an extension 140. The preferred height 250 of the sidewall 40 may preferably range between 1 and 4 inches, when in use. The sidewall 40 is required to lift a person 270 off of a flat surface, which presumably is a top of a mattress (not shown). This lift, along with the side cutouts 105 and a lower recessed area 240 (FIGS. 1, 2), is needed to provide a hygienic rest, in which the usual points of morning pain are relieved, breathing is made easy, and gravity is manipulated to keep key snoring contributors out of the airway.
FIG. 4 demonstrates the prone position of a person 270 who is resting on the device 10. The person's chin and head may be resting on a pillow (not shown), while the torso is being lifted off a support surface 290 by the device 10. Alternatively, the chin may rest on the support surface 290 as well. The breasts are relaxed and suspended within the side cutout 105. The genital areas and legs are in a relaxed position. The arms are laying along side the device 10 on the mattress, and are also not bearing any weight, except their own. The main pressure is now on areas that are most capable of tolerating it without discomfort, such as the rib cage, the Sternum, the oblique muscles and the pelvic bones. The present invention may thus serve as a novel device for permitting safe, hygienic and comfortable alternative position to the more traditional supine and lateral positions.
The present invention is designed to relieve or alleviate multiple problems associated with prone sleeping. For example, older or overweight people are likely to achieve better oxygen absorption primarily due to abdominal relief that allows for easy diaphragm movement. Side cutouts 105 and avoid impinging upon the breasts while the abdominal recess region 240 between the hip support extensions 160 may also provide genital relief.
Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An upper body support device, comprising:

a shaped layer of a soft, spongy material having a substantially contiguous top support surface, a substantially contiguous bottom surface, a convex sidewall joining said top and bottom surfaces and a central axis, and wherein said upper body support device is substantially minor symmetric about a plane through said central axis; and

wherein said shaped layer comprises:

a substantially symmetrical, upper chest support region situated at a top end of said upper body support device and having a mid chest support area recessed with respect to a first corner support region located in a vicinity of a left end of the upper chest support and a second corner support region located in a vicinity of a right end of the upper chest support;

a substantially symmetric, lower rib support region extending laterally to the left and right beyond the corresponding ends of said upper chest support; and connected to said upper chest support by a sternum bone sport region, oriented along the central axis and shaped so as to form two breast cutouts on either side of said sternum bone support region; and

two hip support extensions located in a vicinity of a bottom of said upper body support device and wherein said hip support extensions are mirrors of each other about a plane along the central axis and are separated by an abdominal recess region and joined to said lower rib support region in a vicinity of the left and right outer regions of said lower rib support region.

2. The body support device of claim 1, wherein said hip support extensions contain a wide area and a narrow area, said narrow area connecting said hip support extensions to said lower rib support region.

3. The body support device of claim 1 wherein said substantially contiguous bottom surface substantially identical in shape to said top support surface.

4. The body support device of claim 3, further comprising an inner edge, said inner edge running along an inner side of said extensions, and said inner edge running along a rear facet of said lower rib support region.

5. The body support device of claim 4, wherein said inner edge is beveled.

6. The body support device of claim 1, further comprising a recess, said recess disposed in a frontal portion of said upper chest support.

7. The body support device of claim 1, further comprising a lower recessed area, said lower recessed area framed by said hip support extensions and said lower rib support region.

8. The body support device of claim 1, wherein said upper chest support is narrower than said lower rib support region.

9. The body support device of claim 4, wherein said outer edge is elliptical.

10. A body support device comprising:

a top surface, a bottom surface, a sidewall, a central axis, and an outer edge;

a first support area;

a second support area, said second support area having a cross element;

a bridge area, said bridge area linking said first support area and said second support area along said central axis;

a width of said first support area and said second support area substantially greater than the width of said bridge area;

at least one extension emanating from said cross element, said at least one extension running parallel to said central axis; and

a lower recessed area, said lower recessed area framed by said extension and said cross member.

11. The body support device of claim 10, further comprising a recess, said recess disposed in a frontal portion of said first support area.

12. The body support device of claim 10, further comprising at least two extensions, said extensions issuing from distal ends of said cross element and running substantially opposite each other.

13. The body support device of claim 10, wherein said extension contains a third support area and a narrow area.

14. The body support device of claim 13, further comprising an inner edge, said inner edge running along an inner side of said extension, and said inner edge running along a rear facet of said cross element.

15. The body support device of claim 14, wherein said inner edge is beveled.

16. The body support device of claim 10, wherein said first support area is narrower than said second support area.

17. The body support device of claim 10, wherein said first support area, said second support area and said bridge area form side cutouts.