Portable cushioned support

Abstract

A support comprising a first pillow having a first pillow body comprising a first arm and a second arm, a second pillow comprising a third arm and a fourth arm, the first and third arms being attached to a first joint, and the second and forth arms being attached to a second joint wherein the first and second pillows can be rotated about the joints and optionally the joints are extendable to allow the relative angle and separation of the pillows to be varied. The support provides a user with myriad options for positioning the pillows and supporting their upper body, particularly during long periods of sitting upright, such as during travel in an aircraft or bus.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15 / 479,148, entitled “PORTABLE CUSHIONED SUPPORT,” filed Apr. 4, 2017. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15 / 479,148 is a continuation of International Application No. PCT / AU2016 / 000194, filed Jun. 7, 2016. International Application No. PCT / AU2016 / 000194 claims priority to Australian Patent Application No. 2015902144, filed Jun. 9, 2015. The entire contents of each of the above-referenced applications are incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.FIELD OF INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to the field of pillows or cushions.[0003]In one form, the invention relates to a portable cushion for supporting a user's head, neck, shoulders or upper body to enable comfortable resting or sleeping when the user is sitting in an upright or forward position.[0004]It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the present invention in relatio...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention aims to provide a device that helps people sleep or rest better when seated. This can be beneficial for road, rail, or air travelers who may struggle to get quality rest while traveling.

Problems solved by technology

Many travellers are required to sit upright for long periods of time.

Due to seating arrangements and space constraints they are unable to lay horizontal or near horizontal to facilitate comfortable sleeping.

Often this results in tiredness, pain and discomfort with a negative effect on the traveller's health and wellbeing.

Similarly, the nature and environment of travel provides vibration, bumps, noise and other interruptions to rest or sleep that are not usually experienced in a resting or sleeping environment.

However these devices rely on the head and body to be oriented rearward, resting on the seat back, and they do not stop the head from falling forwards.

This is not sustainable as the arms relax as the traveller falls asleep and the brace collapses.

Similarly a traveller may rest their head on a stack of pillows or other makeshift support items on an outwardly folded tray table, however this position may not be particularly comfortable for a sustainable period.

However these types of devices are often unsuitable in confined spaces, such as the economy section of an aircraft, because they are large in volume and cumbersome.

Furthermore, devices of the prior art that require support from the tray table fixed to the seat of a passenger in front typically move if the passenger in front moves.

This tends to disturb the traveller using the support.

Sustaining a seated position for extended periods is not only uncomfortable but can cause neck injuries or soreness to the traveller.

In particular, sleep or comfortable rest can be difficult to achieve in aircraft when a traveller is required to sit in a relatively upright position in an environment that is noisy, vibrating and punctuated by disturbances due to aircraft movement and the activities of passengers or crew.

Such drugs may cause drowsiness or other unwanted side effects.

In the case of an emergency, such drowsiness or side effects may limit the traveller's ability to react appropriately to avoid injury or life threatening situations.

Travellers often pack such aids into carry-on baggage that is stored in overhead lockers or under their seat making them inconvenient to access.

Furthermore, the aids often become lost, disorganized or are simply inconvenient to carry.

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