US2239003A - Headrest - Google Patents

Description

S. R. JONES April 22, 1941.

HEADREST Filed July 18, 1939 gwumvlm annual mJ'o/was W Maw M435.

Patented Apr. 22, 1941 UNETED STATES ATENT ()FEIQE 2 Claims.

This invention has relation to headrests of the type for supporting the head by engagement with the face of a person while lying on the stomach with the face down.

Among the objects of the device are the provision of a headrest which is constructed and arranged so as to afford the maximum degree of comfort and ease in supporting the head while the person is resting upon the stomach, and, as an object, the invention has in view means for so supporting the head at the proper height while the body rests upon pillows or other supports, thus providing comfort for the person while resting in such position.

Among the various uses of t. e device may be mentioned that of providing relaxation for those desiring to sleep or repose face downward in bed, and Where this is desired pillows may be placed crosswise under the torso, thus raising the body to a position compatible with that of the headrest. In addition to affording a comfortable rest for the head for a person who desires to sleep on the stomach, when a face downward position is desirable, the invention is also useful in cases of sinus, tonsil, or other ailments, when the patient is receiving treatment from osteopaths, chiropractors, masseurs, and also its use would be found as an aid in the operating room where the neck and back of the patient needs to be kept at a uniform level. In the latter case, for office or operating room, a small table of appropriate height to support the headrest, could be used in conjunction with and at the head of the regular treatment or operating table.

A further use of the invention would be found in acquiring sun tan at home or at the beach, and in the latter case, the beach sand could be so elevated under the body as to support the latter at the appropriate height so that the face and head would be supported by the headrest, and in proper relationship to the body.

An additional use of the device will be found in its application as a protector to newly groomed coiffeurs, and in beauty parlors, where tables are provided so that one might relax and sleep, with the face down while having the hair treated, dried, etc.

Other uses of the invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art who are familiar with devices of a similar nature.

Among the features of importance of the head rest is the provision for a lateral adjustment of the two members comprising the rest, in a simple and efficient manner, so as to vary the width of the opening which receives the face, in accordance with the size appropriate for each individual using the rest.

Another important feature of the invention is found in the capacity of the rest for vertical adjustment relative to its base, so as to position the head at that elevation which is appropriate for the particular person using the rest, and in a further self-adjusting feature whereby the headrest will assume an inclination relative to the base upon which. it is supported, which is appropriate for the inclination of the face while in engagement with the rest, such latter adjustment being automatic.

Other important features of the invention, including valuable details of construction and combinations of parts will be better understood from the following detailed description, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which- Fig. 1 is a plan view illustrating an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a front view in elevation thereof, and

Fig. 3 is a side view of the headrest in elevation, showing a tilted position in dotted lines.

A base member 6, composed of any suitable material and constructed to support the device is adapted to rest upon a bed or other surface, and two upstanding, herein shown as U-shapsd, brack ets 5 have their spaced supporting legs provided with feet 5 which may be fastened to the base 5 by screws, bolts, or other suitable fastening means. The upper horizontal portions of the brackets 5 are provided with apertures 8', shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2, and through said apertures the supporting threaded stems I extend, the upper portions of which stems are herein shown as secured to plates l3, which latter are adjustably secured by bolts M to the two-part headrest frame As shown in Fig. 1, slots I3 are provided in the plates I3 through which the bolts M pass loosely. The two parts of the headrest frame I are hingedly connected at their rear terminals by a hinge 3, permitting the two parts of the frame to swing laterally for adjustment of the size of the face-receiving aperture or opening defined by the frame to accommodate different widths of faces of the users of the device.

A strengthening plate l0 provided with inclined slots and screw or bolt connections passing through said slots and headrest members, acts as a stiffening member for the rear hingedly connected terminals of the headrest members, as shown in Fig. 2 and by dotted lines in Fig. 1.

The frame members I have their inner curved faces covered by suitable textile or other enclosing material or fabric 4 which is stufied by any soft material to provide a continuous cushioned surface which is presented to the face of the user, and serves as a soft and comfortable rest therefor. Any suitable material may be used for the covering 4 of the pad which is best adapted for the purpose, such material being preferably moisture-proof. If desired this cush- 'ion or pad may be of cloth, felt or the like, filled with down, wool, capok, or any soft padding substance which may or may not be covered witha Washable slip of cotton, silk or any of the various moisture resisting materials, or, said cushion or pad may, if desired, be made of rubber tubing inflated in the manner of inflatable life preservers, instead of being of cloth with an interior stufiing, as stated.

In use the device is suitably supported. upon a bed, table or other surface, but when used on a bed to permit the person to sleep while reclining on his or her stomach, the elevation of the rest above the base 6 a suitable distance is accomplished by the change in position of the nuts 8, 9 which are in threaded engagement with the stems l. The apertures 8' through which the threaded members I extend, are of sufficient size nection at their extreme outer ends with the rearmost surface of the frame members I. The turning of this turn-buckle, to the right or to the left, will increase or decrease the width of the opening 20 between the members of the headrest to accommodate the size of such rest to the face of the particular person using it, that is, as to the width thereof, as will be evident. In this lateral adjustment the two members of the headrest are permitted to swing laterally about the hinge 3 as a center, the slots in the plates 10 and I3 permitting such movement.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a base, inverted U-shaped brackets secured thereto and provided at their upper portions with enlarged apertures, a laterally adjustable headrest, cushioning means on said headrest, adjusting screws extending from said headrest downwardly through said apertures, and adjusting nuts threaded to said members, and arranged upon opposite sides of the upper portions of said brackets through which said screws pass.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a base, inverted U-shaped brackets secured thereto and provided at their upper ends with enlarged apertures, a laterally adjustable headrest composed of two members constructed and arranged to fit and support the face of the user when lying in a position facing downwardly, cushioning means on said headrest, adjusting screws extending from said headrest downwardly through said apertures, adjusting nuts threaded to said screws and arranged upon opposite sides of the upper portions of said brackets through which said screws pass, and means for adjusting laterally the two members of the headrest comprising a turnbuckle and screws connected therewith, and hinge means connecting said members at their rear portions, said hinge means being located forward of the turnbuckle.

SAMUEL R. JONES.

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