Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
  • B60N2/80—Head-rests
  • B60N2/882—Head-rests detachable
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
  • A47C16/00—Stand-alone rests or supports for feet, legs, arms, back or head
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
  • A47C7/00—Parts, details, or accessories of chairs or stools
  • A47C7/36—Supports for the head or the back
  • A47C7/38—Supports for the head or the back for the head, e.g. detachable
  • A47C7/383—Detachable or loose head- or neck-supports, e.g. horse-shoe shaped

Definitions

• the present invention concerns a head support, and more specifically a device for supporting a user's head whilst in a sitting position, for example whilst travelling on a train or an aircraft.
• Other devices comprise pillows which attach to or rest on a structure in front of the user's seat, such as a tray-table on the back of the seat in front of the user on an aircraft.
• a structure in front of the user's seat such as a tray-table on the back of the seat in front of the user on an aircraft.
• Such devices also provide inadequate support to the user, and generally result in over-arching of the user's back, which can cause lower back pain during extended periods of sleep.
• Such devices also cannot be used in the absence of a suitable support structure, such as when sitting in a seat without a table on which to rest the pillow.
• What is needed, therefore, is a device which can provide adequate support to a user's neck and back such that they can maintain a comfortable posture whilst sleeping in a sitting position.
• the present invention attempts to address this need by providing a device for supporting a user's head in a sitting position, the device comprising: upper and lower loop portions, wherein the device may be located such that in use said lower loop portion rests in the user's lap and said upper loop portion supports the user's head while in a sitting position.
• the device according to the present invention supports the user's head in a natural forward position, thus preventing the user from 'slumping' into an unsupported position.
• the inventive device therefore eliminates the need for the user's neck and back to support the user's upper bodyweight whilst sleeping and reduces pressure on the vertebrae by lengthening the spine, thus reducing or eliminating neck and back pain which can otherwise result from sleeping in a sitting position.
• the device may also help to reduce snoring by preventing the user's tongue from dropping to the back of the mouth, as can occur with the head in a reclined position.
• the device can be used in any situation where the user is sitting down.
• the device does not require an external support structure, such as a table in front of the user's seat.
• the device provides a self-contained support structure for supporting a user's head whilst in a sitting position.
• the device is portable.
• the user and the device take up the same 'footprint' as the seat, thus maintaining the personal space of the user and those around them and allowing the freedom of movement of other passengers and cabin crew.
• the upper loop portion is preferably sized to receive a user's face.
• the upper loop portion is preferably smaller than the lower loop portion.
• the device may define only upper and lower loop portions, i.e. the device may comprise no additional loops or loop portions.
• the device may comprise or be defined by one or more loop members which provide the upper and lower loop portions, and optionally means for retaining the loop members in an upper and lower loop configuration.
• the device comprises a single loop member defining the upper and lower loop portions.
• the device comprises a pair of loop members each defining one of the upper and lower loop portions.
• the or each loop member is a flexible and preferably resilient loop member, for ease of construction.
• the or each loop member is formed of a single piece construction.
• the or each loop member may be a continuous member.
• the device may be resiliently coilable, such that said upper and lower loop portions can be twisted in opposite directions so as to fold the device from an erect state to a collapsed state.
• the upper and lower loop portions overlap when in the collapsed state and do not overlap when in the erect state.
• the device comprises one or more resiliently coilable loop members defining the upper and lower loop portions.
• the device is preferably self erecting such that the device is arranged to return to the erect state when not retained in the collapsed state.
• the resiliency of the coilable member may be such that the device will automatically erect itself when released from the collapsed state.
• Materials for forming suitable resilient coilable members are known, for example in the field of pop-up tent structures.
• the loop member may be discontinuous and comprise a first end and a second end.
• the first and second ends are arranged to overlap, wherein the degree of overlap is adjustable so as to expand or contract the loop member between expanded and contracted states.
• the device comprises a tube member provided on each of the first and second ends, wherein a portion of the loop member adjacent the first end is slidably received through the tube member attached to the second end, and wherein a portion of the loop member adjacent the second end is slidably received through the tube member attached to the first end.
• the loop member can be expanded or contracted by sliding the tube members away from each other or towards each other.
• the device may be constructed so as to naturally maintain a configuration which defines the upper and lower loop portions, e.g. by shaping the or each loop member appropriately.
• the device preferably further comprises means for retaining opposed portions of the device in an abutted relationship to thereby define the upper and lower loop portions. More preferably, the means for retaining is releasable so as to release said opposed portions of the device from said abutted relationship.
• the releasable means for retaining can comprise a strap, preferably wherein at least a portion of the strap comprises a hook and loop fastener material.
• one side of the strap might comprise a hook material and the other side might comprise the loop landing material. To ensure that the strap does not become separated from the device and lost, one end of the strap may be secured to the device.
• the means is moveable to as to adjust the relative sizes of the upper and lower loop portions.
• the device may comprise upper and lower loop portions joined together by a pivot joint such that the device can be folded and unfolded about the pivot joint.
• the upper and lower loop portions are preferably separately formed (e.g. from separate loop material).
• the device is then converted between collapsed and erect states by folding or unfolding the device about the pivot joint.
• the upper and lower loop portions may be made of different materials.
• Each loop portion may comprise one or more materials.
• the pivot joint may be releasable when the device is in the collapsed state to provide an opening.
• the collapsed device preferably defines a horseshoe shape. This may be useful in allowing the device to be used as a neck pillow when in a collapsed state as defined below. The user's neck may be inserted through the opening defined by releasing the pivot joint.
• the lower loop portion may be arranged such that it may adjusted in length telescopically.
• the lower loop portion comprises a first member connected to a lateral end of the pivot joint, and a second member slidably disposed with respect to the first member for adjusting the length of the lower loop portion.
• the second member may slidably receive or be received by the first member.
• the device may comprise means for releasably retaining the first and second members in a given position relative to one another. This may be achieved using an external retaining means, a friction fit or stop, etc.
• the second member may also be slidably disposed with respect to an opposite lateral end of the first member, or to a further member connected to the opposite lateral end of the pivot joint.
• a first and further member may be connected to respective ends of the pivot joint, or a single first member may be connected to both ends of the pivot joint and extending therebetween to define at least a part of the pivot joint.
• the upper loop portion is arranged to nest within the lower loop portion when the device is in the collapsed state.
• the device is preferably transformable between an erect state and a collapsed state, or an expanded state and a contracted state.
• the device In the collapsed/contracted state, the device is easier to store and transport.
• the device is transformable between the erect/expanded state for use in supporting the user's head and the collapsed/contracted state for storage and transport.
• the erect state is preferably a state in which the upper and lower loop portions do not overlap
• the collapsed state is preferably a state in which the upper and lower loop portions do overlap.
• the device may only define the upper and lower loop portions when in the erect/expanded state.
• the device may comprise a releasable retaining means for retaining the loop member in a configuration which defines the upper and lower loop portions when in the erect/expanded state.
• the retaining means can be released so that the loop member no longer defines the upper and lower loop portions but instead defines a single loop which can be collapsed/contracted.
• the device can comprise an in- use configuration and a storage configuration.
• the in-use configuration can comprise an in-use configuration and a storage configuration.
• the storage configuration can include the previously described collapsed/contracted state.
• the device can define a figure- of-eight shape comprising the upper and lower loop portions, at least in the erect/expanded state.
• the device can have a length from the top of the upper loop portion to the bottom of the lower loop portion of less than 1 metre, preferably less than 0.75 metres.
• the length may be at least 0.25 metres.
• the device has a length of about 0.5 metres.
• the upper and lower loop portions it is not necessary for the upper and lower loop portions to define closed loops. However, in some embodiments, at least one of the upper and lower loop portions can form a closed loop. In other embodiments, both loop portions each form a closed loop.
• the upper and lower loop portions form the only support means of the device.
• the device may further comprise support means extending across said lower loop portion.
• the support means may comprise an elastic mesh attached to at least a portion of an inner circumference of said lower loop portion.
• the elastic mesh is flexible enough to permit folding of the device, whilst providing added strength to help prevent the lower loop portion from collapsing if significant weight is applied to the device in use.
• the device may further comprise means for storing the device in a collapsed state, such as a pouch into which the collapsed device is inserted.
• a collapsed state such as a pouch into which the collapsed device is inserted.
• the elastic mesh can form the pouch.
• the device preferably further comprises means for adjusting the width of the lower loop portion so as to adjust the length of the device.
• This arrangement therefore permits adjustment of the device to accommodate user's of different heights. For example, to accommodate a tall user, the width of the lower loop portion can be narrowed, which lengthens and increases the height of the device.
• the means for adjusting comprises at least one cord connected to the first and second sides of the lower loop portion, and a cord lock moveable along the at least one cord to adjust the width of the lower loop portion.
• the at least one cord could be a single cord having first and second ends attached to the first and second sides of the lower loop portion respectively.
• a central portion of the cord is looped through the cord lock and can be lengthened or shortened to adjust the width of the lower loop portion accordingly.
• first and second ends of a single cord could be passed through apertures on the first and second sides of the lower loop portion respectively, and then passed through the cord lock.
• the means for adjusting comprises first and second cords each having a free end and an attached end, wherein the attached ends of the first and second cords are attached to said first and second sides of the lower loop portion respectively, wherein the free ends pass through the cord lock.
• the device in any of the embodiments described above further comprises a cushion positioned about at least a portion of the upper loop portion, most preferably about the entire upper loop portion.
• the upper loop portion thus comprises a cushion.
• a cushion provides a comfortable surface for the user's face to rest against whilst their head is being supported by the device.
• the cushion is selected from one of: an inflatable cushion; a foam cushion; or a microbead-filled cushion.
• the cushion is a foam cushion.
• the cushion preferably has a soft surface for extra comfort, such as a fleece-like surface.
• the cushion is horseshoe shaped.
• the upper loop portion may be defined by the cushion in embodiments in which the upper loop portion comprises a cushion, or may comprise a cushion and a reinforcing structure.
• the cushion may then be positioned around at least a portion of the reinforcing structure.
• the reinforcing structure may be horseshoe shaped.
• the device may further comprise a cushion positioned about at least the bottom of the lower loop portion, so as to reduce the pressure on the user's lap when the device is in use.
• the cushion can be selected from one of: an inflatable cushion; a foam cushion; or a microbead-filled cushion.
• the device comprises a cushion that is detachable from a remainder of the device by a user to enable the cushion to be used separately from the remainder of the device.
• the cushion may be horseshoe shaped.
• the cushion is preferably a foam cushion in these embodiments, although may be of any other suitable material, including the other materials mentioned above.
• the cushion is preferably usable as a neck pillow.
• a neck pillow as used herein refers to a pillow configured to be placed around a user's neck to support a user's head.
• a neck pillow comprises an opening for receiving a user's neck and is preferably horseshoe shaped.
• the upper loop portion comprises the cushion.
• the cushion may be detachably mounted to the remainder of the device, and preferably to the upper loop portion thereof, in any suitable manner when used with the device.
• the cushion may be detachably mounted to a reinforcing structure of the upper loop portion.
• the cushion is arranged to receive, or is received by a reinforcing structure of the upper loop portion.
• the cushion may be detachable from a lower loop portion of the device at a pivot joint connecting the upper and lower loop portions. The cushion may then be detachably mounted to the pivot joint. In these arrangements it would not be necessary to provide a reinforcing structure.
• the cushion may provide the upper loop portion which is detachable as a whole from the lower loop portion.
• the upper loop portion may comprise a cushion connected to the lower loop portion at the base of the cushion with free ends of the cushion being located remote from the pivot joint.
• the cushion may be horseshoe shaped and/or may be detachably mounted to the lower loop portion for use as a neck pillow. In these embodiments the cushion may or may not be detachable from a remainder of the upper loop portion e.g. a reinforcing structure thereof in any of the manners described.
• a cushion could alternatively be detachably arranged with respect to the lower loop portion.
• the device is transformable between an erect state for supporting the user's head in a sitting position and a collapsed state in which the device is usable as a neck pillow.
• the device comprises a cushion.
• the lower loop portion forms part of the device when providing the neck pillow in the collapsed state.
• the upper loop portion of the device preferably comprises a cushion when the device is in the erect state.
• the entire device may be used a neck pillow.
• the device is preferably transformable into a horseshoe shaped pillow when in the collapsed state to enable it to be located around a user's neck.
• the device preferably comprises upper and lower portions that are connected by a pivot joint to enable the device to be transformed between the erect and collapsed states. The pivot joint may be releasable to provide an opening for the user's neck.
• the upper loop portion comprises a cushion when in the erect state which is arranged to receive the lower loop portion when the device is in a collapsed state to transform the device into a neck pillow in the collapsed state.
• the upper loop portion may comprise a cushion having a refastenable opening extending circumferentially therearound for receiving the lower loop portion.
• the lower loop portion might alternatively be arranged to be located adjacent a cushion of the upper loop portion.
• the lower loop portion is received by the cushion to provide greater comfort to the user.
• the pivot joint may be releasable to provide an opening for receiving the user's neck when the device is in the collapsed state and used as a neck pillow.
• the device is preferably arranged to be additionally usable as, or to comprise a neck pillow. This may be by means of the device being transformable into a neck pillow, or by means of the device including a detachable neck pillow. In preferred embodiments the device is either transformable into a neck pillow, or comprises a detachable neck pillow.
• the neck pillow is a pillow having an opening of receiving a user's neck and is preferably horseshoe shaped.
• the free ends of the pillow may be fastenably attachable to one another for retaining the pillow around the neck.
• the device may be formed of any suitable material or materials enabling it to function in the manner described i.e. to be able to support a user's head in a sitting position (without the need for an external support structure).
• the upper and/or lower loop portions are not inflatable. This may facilitate providing the required degree of support.
• the upper loop portion comprises a cushion and a reinforcing structure
• at least the reinforcing structure is not inflatable.
• the upper and/or lower loop portions may comprise a resilient foam material, or a plastics material.
• One or both of the upper and lower loop portions may comprise a reinforcing structure.
• the reinforcing structure may be an internal structure with an outer-facing e.g. cushion being provided to enhance user comfort.
• the upper loop portion comprises a cushion and an internal reinforcing structure.
• the cushion may be a foam cushion.
• the present invention also extends to the use of a device as described above in any of its embodiments for supporting a user's head in a sitting position.
• a method of using the device in accordance with any of the embodiments of the invention comprising a user locating the bottom of the lower loop portion on the lap of the user and resting their head against the upper loop portion.
• Figure 1 shows a device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention unfolded and ready for use
• Figure 2 shows how the position of the lower portion of the device in the user's lap affects the posture of the user
• Figure 3 shows how the height of the device can be adjusted by altering the width of the lower portion of the device
• Figures 4 to 6 show the steps for collapsing and folding the device for storage
• Figure 7 shows a device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 8 shows a device in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 9A is a view of the top of a device in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 9B is a view of the underside of the device of Figure 9A when in its erect configuration
• Figures 10A and 10B are views of the top of a device in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention, when the device is in a collapsed state;
• Figures 10C to 10E are views of the top of the device of Figures 10A and
• a device 2 in accordance with the present invention comprises a flexible loop member 4 which can be deformed and maintained in a generally figure-of-eight shape by a retaining means, such as a strap 6.
• the figure- of-eight shape defines an upper loop portion 8 for supporting a user's head by receiving the user's face through the central opening 9 in the upper loop portion 8.
• the figure-of-eight shape also defines a lower loop portion 10 which is received in the user's lap during use.
• an upper cushion 12 is provided about the upper loop portion 8, and a lower cushion 14 is provided about the bottom of the lower loop portion 10.
• Each cushion can be provided by any suitable material, such as a foam or fabric pouch filled with microbeads.
• the cushions could be inflatable.
• the top cushion at least is covered in a soft material, such as a fleece-like material, which feels comfortable on the user's face.
• FIG. 2 shows that the user's face is received in the upper loop portion 8 so as to support the user's head 16, whilst the lower loop portion (shown as a dashed line) is received in the user's lap so as to support the user's back in a slightly forward posture.
• moving the lower loop portion 10 further towards the user's knees causes the device 2 to flex more under the user's bodyweight, resulting in a more forward posture.
• the user can therefore move the lower loop portion 10 to achieve a posture which they find most comfortable.
• This flexibility is also permits the user to assume a more upright posture in situations where space is limited, for example where another seat is located very close in front of the user.
• the device 2 preferably comprises means for adjusting the width of the lower loop portion 10.
• the adjustment means comprises a cord 18 (Figure 3) which extends between first and second sides of the lower loop portion 10.
• the cord 18 passes through an aperture (not shown) on each side of the lower loop portion 10, and the two ends of the cord 18 are gathered and passed through a cord lock 20. Therefore, the width of the lower loop portion 10 can be adjusted by sliding the cord lock 20 along the free ends of the cord 18, thus adjusting the length of the portion of the cord extending between the first and second sides of the lower loop portion 10. This is shown most clearly in
• Figure 3 which shows a slackened configuration on the left which results in a wider lower loop portion 10, and a tightened configuration on the right which results in a narrower lower loop portion 10.
• the width of the lower loop portion 10 By adjusting the width of the lower loop portion 10, the overall height of the device (from the top of the upper loop portion 8 to the bottom of the lower loop portion 10) can be adjusted. In particular, narrowing the lower loop portion 10 increases the height of the device, whereas widening the lower loop portion 10 reduces the height of the device. Accordingly, the height of the device can be adjusted as appropriate for the height of the user.
• the adjustment means comprises a single cord having a first end attached to one side of the lower loop portion 10 and a second end attached to the other side of the lower loop portion 10. In this case, a central portion of the cord is looped through the cord lock.
• the adjustment means comprises first and second cords each having a free end and an attached end, wherein the attached end of the first cord is attached to one side of the lower loop portion 10, and wherein the attached end of the second cord is attached to the other side of the lower loop portion 10. The free ends of both cords are passed through the cord lock.
• the device can include support means for providing added rigidity to the lower loop portion 10 to enhance the support of the user's bodyweight.
• the device may comprise a flexible elastic mesh connected to and extending across at least a portion of the lower loop portion 10.
• the device is arranged so as to be foldable to aid storage and transportation of the device.
• the flexible loop member 4 is arranged to be coilable such that the device can be collapsed into a folded, approximately circular shape.
• the retaining means 6 is released as shown in Figure 4. The user then grasps the upper loop portion 8 in one hand and the lower loop portion 10 in the other hand, and twists the two loop portions in opposite directions, as shown in Figure 5. The action of twisting the two loop portions in opposite directions causes the device to collapse such that the upper and lower loop portions 8 and 10 overlay each other as shown in Figure 6.
• the retaining means 6 can then be re-secured about the upper and lower loop portions 8 and 10 so as to retain the device in the folded
• a pouch can be provided into which the folded device can be inserted to retain the device in the folded configuration.
• a pouch also provides protection to the device when it is not being used, and can make the device easier to carry.
• the pouch can be provided with a carry handle.
• the pouch can be provided as an integral part of the device 2.
• the pouch can be connected to and extend across the lower loop portion 10, such that in the unfolded configuration the pouch functions as the support means described above. Upon collapsing the device, the device will fold into the integral pouch for storage.
• the flexible loop member 4 is formed from a resilient material, such that when the device is released from the folded configuration it will automatically unfold itself into the unfolded configuration, thus only requiring the user to secure the retaining means 6 about the device.
• Suitable materials are known, for example, from the field of "pop-up" tents and the like.
• the device When in the unfolded configuration and ready for use (i.e. before the device has been positioned between the user's head and lap), as shown in Figure 1 , the device has a length, L, from the top of the upper loop portion to the bottom of the lower loop portion.
• the length is less than 1 metre, e.g. 0.5 metres.
• the device 102 comprises a flexible member 103 having a first end 105 and a second end 107 which overlap.
• the first and second ends 105, 107 each have a tube member 109 attached thereto, wherein a portion of the flexible member 103 adjacent the first end 105 passes through the tube member 109 attached to the second end 107, and wherein a portion of the flexible member 103 adjacent the second end 107 passes through the tube member 109 attached to the first end 105.
• the flexible member 103 therefore forms a flexible loop member 104.
• the diameter of the flexible loop member 104 can be increased by decreasing the amount of overlap of the first and second ends 105, 107, as shown in Figure 7.
• sliding the tube members 109 away from each other increases the overlap and decreases the diameter of the flexible loop member 104.
• the device 102 can be transformed between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration by sliding the tube members 109 towards each other or away from each other.
• the device 102 includes a strap 106, a cord 1 18 and a cord lock 120 such that once the flexible loop member 104 has been expanded by moving the tube members 109 towards each other, the device 102 operates in the same way as the device 2 described above with respect to Figure 1 to 6.
• Figure 8 shows a device 202 in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention.
• the device 202 comprises upper and lower loop portions 208, 210 which together define a loop structure.
• the upper and lower loop portions 208, 210 are connected by a pivot joint 206.
• the device can be transformed between the unfolded and folded configurations by pivoting the upper and lower loop portions 208, 210 about the pivot joint 206, as shown in Figure 8.
• the device 202 also includes a pouch 219 extending across the lower loop portion 210 when the device is unfolded, the pouch 219 storing the device 202 when the device is in the folded configuration.
• the pouch 219 also provides extra support and rigidity to the lower loop portion 210 when the device 202 is in the unfolded configuration.
• the pouch is preferably formed from an elastic mesh.
• the upper and lower loop portions 208, 210 can be formed from a rigid material
• the lower loop portion 210 at least is preferably formed from a flexible material as used to form the flexible loop member of the first embodiment.
• a flexible lower loop portion 210 also permits adjustment of the height of the device, as explained above with respect to the first embodiment.
• the device 202 includes a cord 218 and a cord lock 220 which function as described previously.
• the cord 218 and the cord lock 220 can be provided as part of the pouch 219 such that the cord 218 and the cord lock 220 can be used to retain the device 202 in the pouch 219 when in the folded configuration.
• Figures 9A and 9B show a device 302 in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention.
• the device 302 comprises upper and lower loop portions 308, 310 that together define a loop structure, wherein the upper and lower loop portions 308, 310 are connected by a pivot joint 306 to enable the device to be transformed between collapsed and erect configurations.
• the upper loop portion 308 comprises a horseshoe-shaped cushion 340 that is detachable from a remainder of the upper loop portion 308.
• the remainder of the upper loop portion 308 is provided by a horseshoe-shaped reinforcing structure comprising a pair of arms that are received by respective internal cavities 344 ( Figure 9B) extending along the limbs of the cushion.
• the cushion 340 is freely attachable and removable from the reinforcing structure by a user, by inserting or removing the free ends of the arms of the structure into the internal cavities 344 of the cushion.
• the lower loop portion 310 When in a collapsed state, as shown in Figure 9A, the lower loop portion 310 surrounds the cushion 340 such that the upper loop portion 308 (including the cushion 340) nests within the lower loop portion 310.
• the device is unfolded about the pivot joint to its erect state, as shown in Figure 9B, and the cushion 340 attached to the reinforcing structure of the upper loop portion 310 to support a user's head .
• the cushion 340 can be removed from the reinforcing structure and used alone as a neck pillow.
• the lower loop portion 308 comprises first and second portions 381 and 382.
• the first portion 381 is connected to the pivot joint 306 and thus the remainder of the device 302.
• the second portion 382 is slidably received within the first portion 381 , wherein adjustment clips 385 are provided to allow or prevent relative movement of the first and second portions 381 , 382.
• the length of the device 302 can be adjusted by relative movement of the first and second portions 381 , 382, wherein the length of the device 302 can be fixed by operation of the adjustment clips 385.
• Figures 10A to 10E show a device 402 in accordance with a fifth
• the device 402 comprises upper and lower loop portions 408, 410 that together define a loop structure, wherein the upper and lower loop portions 408, 410 are connected by a pivot joint 406 to enable the device to be transformed between the collapsed and erect states.
• the device comprises a cushion 440 which forms part of the upper loop portion 308 when the device is in the erect state, together with a reinforcing structure e.g. a plastic loop.
• a reinforcing structure e.g. a plastic loop.
• both of the upper and lower loop portions can be inserted into the cushion 440 when the device is in a collapsed state.
• Fastening means 444 in this case a zip, are provided around the circumference of the cushion 440, such that one-half of the cushion 440 can be opened, as shown in Figures 10A and 10B.
• the lower loop portion 410 can be folded out of the cushion 440, as shown in Figure 10C, whilst the reinforcing structure of the upper loop portion 408 remains within the cushion 440.
• the fastening means 444 can be closed, as shown in Figures 10D and 10E, such that the cushion 440 encompasses the reinforcing structure to provide the upper loop portion 410.
• the opposed sides of device 402 can be separated at the pivot joint 406 to convert the loop structures to horseshoe-shaped loops to allow a user to insert their head easily into the opening formed by the upper loop portion 408.
• Clips can be provided in the vicinity of the pivot joint 406 to allow such separation to occur.
• a fold-over pad 407 can be provided in the region of the pivot joint, to cover the joint when the device is in either its collapsed or erect state.
• the lower loop portion 408 comprises first and second members 481 and 482.
• the first member 481 is connected to the pivot joint 406 and thus the remainder of the device 402.
• the second member 482 is slidably received within the first member 481 , wherein adjustment clips 485 are provided to allow or prevent relative movement of the first and second portions 481 , 482.
• the length of the device 402 can be adjusted by relative movement of the first and second portions 481 , 482, wherein the length of the device 402 can be fixed by operation of the adjustment clips 485.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
• Transportation (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Mattresses And Other Support Structures For Chairs And Beds (AREA)
• Bedding Items (AREA)
• Special Chairs (AREA)

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• 2012
  • 2012-02-02 GB GB1201844.6A patent/GB2499006B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2013
  • 2013-02-04 WO PCT/GB2013/050252 patent/WO2013114143A2/fr not_active Ceased

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