Pillow

• US 5,926,879 A
• Filed: 05/01/1997
• Issued: 07/27/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Banyan Licensing LLC
• Original Assignee: Banyan Licensing LLC
• Inventors: Davis, E. Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): GROSZ, ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US08/848,815
• Time in Patent Office: 817 Days
• Field of Search: 5/636, 5/645, 5/639, 5/640, 5/643, 5/632, 5/630, D 6/601
• US Class Current: 5/636
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2009/1018 Foam pillows
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 9/1081 comprising a neck support, e.g. a neck roll

Abstract

The present invention provides a pillow with an insert and lobe of sufficient curvature to enable the user to obtain the intended firmness effects. The pillow includes a compressible and resilient body having a top portion and a bottom portion and a rounded lobe which upwardly protrudes from the bottom portion. Formed within the lobe is an opening which has an insert shaped and dimensioned for snug contact therein. The radius of curvature of the opening is at least 60% of the radius of curvature of the lobe. Inserts of varying compressibility, texture, and contour may be employed in single or multiple openings. Additionally, the pillow may be reversible, offering the user increased versatility.

Claims

1. A pillow comprising:

a compressible and resilient body having a top portion, a bottom portion, and a first rounded lobe and a second rounded lobe, both lobes upwardly protruding from said bottom portion and extending across the width of said body;

at least one opening formed in said first lobe and extending accross the width of said body, said at least one opening being defined by a pair of opposed walls and a connecting surface extending continuously across the distance between the opposed walls;

a compressible and resilient insert positioned within said opening, said insert having a radius of curvature which is at least 80% of the radius of curvature of said lobe;

said opening being shaped and dimensioned for snug contact of said insert therein;

a second opening formed in said second lobe and extending across the width of said body wherein said second opening and extending from the outer surface of said body and into said body and being defined by a pair of opposing walls and a connecting surface extending continuously across the distance between said opposed walls; and

a second compressible and resillient insert positioned within said second opening, said second insert having a radius of curvature which is at least 80% of the radius of curvature of said second lobe shaped and dimiensioned for snug contact therein.

2. The pillow according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of said bottom portion has a series of perforations extending from the surface of said bottom portion into said body.

3. The pillow according to claim 1, wherein said at least one opening is accessed from said bottom portion.

4. A pillow comprising:

a compressible and resilient body having a top portion wherein at least a part of said top portion has a series of closely spaced, upwardly protruding rounded ribs on the surface thereof, a bottom portion wherein at least a part of said bottom portion has a series of perforations extending from the surface of said bottom portion into said body, a rounded rear lobe and a rounded front lobe, said lobes protruding upward from said bottom portion at opposing ends of said body defining a trough therebetween;

a pair of opening located in said lobes and extending across the width of said body;

a pair of compressible and resilient inserts positioned within said openings, said inserts each having a radius of curvature which is at least 80% if the radius of curvature or the lobe wherein each opening is located and each opening being shaped and dimensioned for snug contact of said insert therein;

wherein each of said openings extend from the surface of said bottom portion and into said body, each of said openings being defined by a pair of opposing walls and a connection surface extending continuously across the distance between the opposed walls.

5. The pillow according to claim 4, wherein said inserts are of different predetermined compressibilities.

6. The pillow according to claim 4, wherein said pillow is reversed with respect to said top portion and said bottom portion, and further comprising a mating pillow wedge positioned between the trough formed between said lobes.