US2305173A - Headrest - Google Patents

Description

J. s. LEEB HEAD REST Dec. l5, 1942.

2 Sheets-Sheet l kFiled Sept. 18, 1941 www Dec. l5, 1942. s. LEEB` 2,305,173

HEAD REST Filed Sept. 18, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 aa M 'vwe's (./OHN S, EEB

.latented Dec. 15, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE nnanaas'r John s. Leen. Baltimore, Ma.

Applicaties september 1s, 1941, semi No. 411,214,

(ci. s-sis) BClalms.

The present invention relates to an improved type of head rest and vessel or hollow receptacle particularly adapted for medicinal use for increasing the diffusion of medicated vapors and odors into the atmosphere from volatile oils or powders, and its combination with a head rest having means particularly adapted for use with the said vessel.

The beneficial eiiects derived from the inhalation of medicated vapors and odors, as amedicinal remedy, is well known. In this respect where it is desired to obtain relief from pain and discomfort due to irritation or iniiammation ofthe varied and intricate anatomy identiiid with breathing, such as the nose, throat, lungs, etc., it is a common practice to pour various types of volatile medicinal oils upon the head rest or pillow of the sufferer for purposes of enabling him to constantly inhale these beneficial vapors while sleeping or in a recumbent position.

This method has proven to be indeed a very beneiicial one and also very effective. However, this method of use tends to stain and soil the head rest and is Asomewhat wasteful, due to the necessity of pouring portions of the oil at various points over'most of the upper face of the head rest to make certain the suierer in moving his head from one treated zone will be certain to move his head to another equally effective medicated zone.

Another method ofy treatment is to use the well known medicated steam vapor treatment. The preparation for this treatment is very inconvenient, tiresome and somewhat precarious due to the inhalation of the hot vapors opening the pores of both the breathing passages and the external skin surface coming into contact with the hot vapors. Due to the variation between the hot vapor and atmospheric temperatures, unless this particular type of treatment is handled with great care, the results may prove negative and highly unsatisfactory, causing increased irritation and discomfort to the suerer.

It is the purpose and object of the present invention to overcome these diilculties by providing means whereby a suierer or patient as identiiied above may have means for the inhalation of medicated vapors at substantially body temperature, emanating from a head rest or pillow without the inconvenience, undue exposure and T precarious results as set forth above and also with other crude methods and involved apparatus.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide an improved type of vessel to hold volatile oils and liquids or dry medicinal compounds or powders in single or double compartments in the same vessel; convenient self-closing stoppels for said vessels; a highly porous body structure for the vessel, preferably sponge or aerated rubber; means within the vessel compartment to support the volatile oils.

Additional objects of the present invention are to provide head rests having means particularly adaptable for acceptance and use of the said vessel in combination therewith the head rests having means for supporting and positioning the vessels at or near their long edge structures or near the upper longitudinal center oi' the head rests for a specific purpose to be hereinafter described; means for increasing the diffusion. of vapors through the combined body structures of the head rest and vessel; means for retaining the vessels in separate compartments in the head rest structure.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a head rest for aerated or sponge rubber, having a vessel for carrying a volatile oil or liquid, positioned Within the body structure of the head rest, the said vessel being comprised of aereated or sponge rubber with expanding and contracting means for retaining thevessel within the said head rest structure.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a head rest having means in the form of an enclosing cover provided wtih means for retaining the vessel in a position in juxtaposition to one of the long edges of the head rest structure or near the upper longitudinal center of the head rest.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain other novel features of construction and combination of parts as will be specifically described in the following description and claims.

In the accompanying drawings Ihave illustrated several forms of volatile oil, liquid'or dry compound containing vessels with several forms of head rests for supporting and retaining the said vessels, embodying the various features of my invention.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of my combined novel head rest structure and medicinal vapor vessels, illustrating the position of the vessels within the head rest structure. l

Fig. 2 is a front elevation `of the same.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 of the drawings, illustrating the internalv construction of 'my head rest and vapor vessel and the location of the vessel at one of the long edges of the head rest.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation of a p0rtion of the head rest, illustrating the outside appearance of the self closing or sealing opening through which the medicinal vapor vessel is passed when being inserted in its respective compartment.

Fig. 5 is afragmentary sectional view taken on a line parallel to the long axis of the head rest and one of the medicinal vapor vessel compartments illustrating a slightly modified form of head rest structure.

Fig. 6 is a view in elevation of my medicinal vapor vessel, a portion of the upper structure being shown broken away and in section for purposes of disclosing the vessel and self closing stoppel structures at this point.

Fig. '1 is a view in elevation of a slightly modined form of medicinal vapor vessel illustrating a double or dual form of vessel structure.

Fig. 8 is a detail view of a piece of rolled or packed fibre or felt used as an insert within the vessel chamber for purposes of holding by absorption and saturation predetermined quantities of volatile oils or liquids.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a head rest having an enclosing cover, provided with means for retaining the medicinal vapor vessels either in juxtaposition to one of the long edges of the head rest, or near the top longitudinal center area of the head rest.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line llli0 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is also a fragmentary sectional view, taken on the line II--II of Fig. 8.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary detailview, in perspective of one end of the head rest cover, illustrating the Ahem or tubular edge portion of the cover into which the vessel is inserted and the ties used to close the open ends of the hem portion.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view of a medicinal vapor vessel as used in the hem or.

tubular portion of the cover.

Fig. 14 is a detail view of a fibre or felt insert used in the vessel.

Referring to the drawings by reference numerals, each of which represents or refers to the same or similar parts throughout the various views, the invention consists of a head rest l;

preferably made of sponge or aerated rubber,

and having a substantially elliptical formation as shown in cross section in Fig. 3; having elongated tubular or cylindrical hollow portions 2, 2', 3 and 3', formed therein, the axes of which in the present invention are preferably horizontal and parallel to the long axis of the head rest, and in which the medicinal vapor vessels l may be readily and conveniently inserted through the yielding or self closing opening closure-5. t

The closure element 5, in the present instance, being an integral part of the sponge or aerated rubber hea-d rest and being split or separable on the line 6 and at its tongue and groove formation l. It may be readily seen the elasticity of the material will allow the split portion 5 and its respective tongue and groove structures to be easily separated by stretching suiiiciently to conveniently insert the medicinal vapor vessel l into any one of the respective chambers 2, 2', 3 and 3. The purpose of this type of elastic and resilient closure is to provide means for keeping the vapor chambers 2, 2', 3 and 3' normally closed the chamber by way of the respective chamber openings compelling the vapors to filter through the pores of the sponge or aerated rubber particularly to the upper surface .of the head rest where the medicated vapors may readily be inhaled and breathed in a substantially direct manner from their original source of supply, thus, when using the head rest to support the incumbent or head in a; normal reclining position, also when using the head rest during sleeping periods, the medicated vapors constantly emanating and ascending from the head rest surface enables the sleeper to constantly inhale the vapors from the volatile oils within vapor vessels 4, positioned within the head rest structure.

Another purpose of using this type of sponge rubber closure is to prevent any discomfort to a sleeper should his head rest directly over the sponge rubber closure structure. It will be noted in this respect in view of the planes of the upper and lower surfaces of the split portion of the tongue and groove structures of the closure 5 being substantially in a horizontal plane, upon a sleeper resting his head directly over or near the closure structure 5 the head weight will tend to cause these parts to close to a tighter degree of interengaging contact thereby increasing the effectiveness of this closure sealing means to prevent the vapors escaping from the head rest vessel chambers.

It will be noted that there are two sets of vessel positioning chambers 2, 2' and 3, 3', one set vbeing near the lower edge and the other set being near the upper longitudinal axis of the head rest, thus providing means for varying the location of the vapor vessels according to the desires of the user.

For purposes of increasing the diffusion of the vapors and to enable the user to inhale the same at substantially body temperatures, the vessels at all times so as to keep the vapors from leaving vessel chamber.

are preferably positioned at the lower edge of the head rest as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. In this instance, when resting the head on the head rest in the usual manner, the lower edge of the head rest and vessels would be substantially in line with the lower part of the neck and shoulders, thereby causing the vapors toy arise from the lower portion of the structure at body temperature when the shoulders and upper portion of the body are well protected with bed covers.` The body heat tending to increase the volatile action of the oils in throwing off their vapors and enabling the user to breathe these vapors at body temperature with a maximum of effectiveness as they arise from under the bed covers directly to the nasal and throat passages.

Fig. 5 of the drawings discloses a slightly modified form of head rest as to means for increasing the speed of release of the vapors from the In this respect the head rest and vessel chambers are provided with openings 8, as shown, whereby the released vapors from the vessel member may move to the upper area of the head rest with less resistance through these openings 8 as well as by the slower process of passing through the porous structure of the head rest.

Referring to Figs. 6 and l of the drawings illustrating single and double chambered medicinal vapor, aerated or sponge rubber vessels respectively. The chamber 9 of the single chambered rubber vessel 4 is shown as having an insert or filler of felt Il, or any suitable type of fibrous material. for the purpose of providing means when liquids or highly volatile oils are introduced into the vessel chamber 3 the felt insert II `will take up the liquid by absorbtion or capillary action thereby tending to distribute the liquid evenly throughout the area of the chamberand tending to hold it in a suspended state, giving a much more even distribution of the vapors through the porous structure oi' the vessel with a longer period of effectiveness and also preventing saturated spottiness in the head rest structure.

'I'he materials used in the present invention are not only eiective as to their inherent physical functions but also as to'cleanliness and sanitation.v The various units of the invention may be readil'yfffwashed without harmful effects to either function or structure.

The opening I2 of the vessel 4 is providedwith a yielding-and self closing rubber stoppel I3, having means for positioning and retaining the same at the opening I2 of the vessel 4, comprising an annular extending rib or raised portion I4, positioned in an annular recessed portion i5' in the vessel structure, and a ilanged head structure I6. A rubber band I1 may be used and positioned near the open end of the vessel as shown for purposes of providing additional means for retaining the stoppel in fixed relation to the opening I2 of the vessel.

The bottom I8 of the stoppel I3 is provided with a slit portion I9, which remains normally closed, thus providing means whereby the stoppel chamber 20 may be used to measure the quantity of medicated solution it is desired to introduce within the vessel 4. After illing the chamber 20, it is only necessary to exert a slight squeezing pressure on each end of the slit portion I9 whereby the same will be caused to open, thereby releasing the contents of the chamber 20 into the vessel chamber proper. Upon releasing this squeezing pressure, the slit portion will return to a substantially closed position, thereby preventing any undue escape of the medicated vapors from the vessel by way of the respective stoppel and opening structures, and causing these vapors to be released through the porous wall structure of the vessel.

Referring to Fig, 7 of the drawings a vapor vessel 2I having two separate chambers 22 and 23 respectively with their respective openings 24 and 25 at the respective opposite ends 26 and 2l of the vessel, these openings are each provided with the hereinbefore described stoppels I3. The purpose of the separate chambers is to provide means whereby two different kinds of medicants may be used in the one vessel without the necessity of mixing the elements where it would not be desirable, particularly where a. combined dry compound, such as spices or medicinal herbs, etc., in powder form and a medicated liquid as volatile oils such as oil of camphor, pine oil, etc. were used.

Referring to Figs. 9 to 12 and particularly to Fig. 9 of the drawings, the head rest 25 may be provided with a cover 26 having means whereby the vapor vessels 4 may be positioned at various points in relation to the upper surface 21 of the head rest. In this respect the cover v26 is provided with front edge pockets 28 and 23' and upper surface pockets 29 and 29'. These respective sets of pockets are separated and formed by the double row of stitching 30 and 30' and may each be provided with closure ties 3|, 3|' and 32, 32' at each of their respective openings 33, 33', 34

and 34' as shown particularly in detail in Fig. 12 of the drawings.

The edge pockets 23 and 28 are otherwise formed by stitching the respective upper and lower cover portions 35 and 33 together by the line of stitching 3l as shown.

The upper surface pockets 29 and 23' are otherwise formed by stitching the longitudinal edges of the elongated i'abric, strip 33 to the upper portion 35 of the cover by stitching as indicated at 39 and 39'.

It is understood that a ap type of closure might be used at the respective openings to each of the vessel pockets for purposes of completely sealing these openings against the escape of vapor at these points. However, it is felt, in view of the low resistance and high porosity of the fabric used for this type of cover, that the vapors from the vessels will readily pass directly through the fabric without any perceptible losses through the respective pocket openings. However, if it should be desirable to decrease the resistance of the passage of the vapors from the pockets to the atmosphere, small Ventilating openings 40 may be provided as shown identified with pockets 28 and 23'.

It is understood only a limited number of medicated vapor vessels and their pockets have been shown in the various figures of the drawings, particularly Figs. 1, 3 and 9, it should be fully understood it is the intention of the inventor to distribute these pockets over the upper exposed surl face of the head rest wherever desirable and in numbers suitable to meet demands.

I have thus described my invention in detail in order that its operation and structure may be fully comprehended, however, it is understood the terms used herein are used in a descriptive manner and not intended to be applied in a limiting sense; the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A pillow for use as a head rest comprising an integral block of resilient porous material, said block having pockets beneath a surface thereof and containers having porous walls and composed of similarly resilient material fitting in said pockets, said pockets having openings for the introduction o1' aromatic material and closures for said pockets composed in their substantial entirety of similarly resilient material said closures having means whereby the pocket openings are normally closed to retain the aromatic material for release through the porous block and hence from a surface of the head rest.

2. A head rest comprising an integral body of resilient porous material, said body having pockets beneath a surface thereof and containers for aromatic material having porous walls in said pockets, said containers being of material of resilient quality similar to that of the said body, said pockets having openings leading through a surface of said head rest for the insertion of said containers and means integral with the body and composed of similarly resilient material normally closing said openings to prevent free escape of the aromatic material but adapted to admit and release the containers.

3. A head rest, comprising a body of highly resilient material of sponge like porosity having pockets distributed beneath a surface of the head rest lwith openings leading outwardly from said pockets through a surface of the head rest and resilient means integral with said body and of similarly resilient quality closing said openings,

. said openings and said closing means being adaptfumes from said aromatic material, to be gradually released through said body and other portions of said head rest.

4. A head rest composed of a highly resilient material of sponge like porosity, said head rest having pockets distributed beneath a surface thereof, with openings leading outwardly from said pockets through a surface of the head rest and a plurality of containers having porous Walls and composed of similarly resilient material and adapted to contain and discharge aromatic material, said containers iltting in said pockets and being adapted to be admitted and withdrawn through said openings, said containers each having an opening to admit the aromatic material and a closure for said openings composed of material of a resiliency similar to that of the container.

5. A head rest comprising a block of resilient material of sponge like porosity said block having pockets distributed beneath a surface thereof with openings leading outwardly from the pockets to a surface of the head rest and removable closures for said openings, and a plurality of containers having porous walls and composed of material of a resiliency similar to that of the pillow said containers tting in said pockets.

6. A head rest comprising an integral block of resilient material of sponge like porosity said block having pockets distributed beneath a surface of the head rest with openings leading outwardly from the pockets to a surface of the head rest and means of a resiliency approximately similar to that of the block for closing said openings, and a plurality of containers having porous walls and composed of material of a resiliency similar to that of the block said containers having closing means of resilient quality approximating the resiliency of the block.

JOHN S. LEEB.

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