FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to devices for promoting back sleeping. More specifically, a device is described that, when worn on a user's head during sleep, encourages the user to sleep on her back by comfortably restricting lateral movement of the head during sleep and/or elevating the user's face with respect to the sleep surface.

BACKGROUND

Sleeping on one's back, or back sleeping, is recommended by many as a preferred position for various health and cosmetic reasons. For example, back sleeping is often recommended as a way to help promote proper alignment of the body, benefitting the spine and neck. Back sleeping is also identified by some as one way to minimize the formation of facial wrinkles known in the skin care industry as "sleep wrinkles."

When one is asleep, it is often difficult to control one's movement. Individuals who are sleeping often change positions, roll over to one side or another, and turn over without consciously being aware of such movements. Thus, for many, remaining on one's back while sleeping may be difficult, especially for people who tend to move around during their sleep cycle or for those who have a natural tendency or preference for sleeping on their stomach or side.

Accordingly, there is a need for a device for promoting back sleeping that is comfortable, easy to use, portable, and attractive. BRIEF SUMMARY

A device is therefore provided in accordance with an example embodiment for promoting back sleeping that is simple, attractive, lightweight, and inexpensive.

Embodiments of the device described below allow for comfortable, but limited, lateral movement of the head and body, while avoiding the need for elaborate pillows and other bulky conventional items that are designed to position the body in a fixed position. In contrast with conventional body positioning aids, which may be moved out of position during sleep and/or require repositioning if sleep is interrupted, and which at the same time are difficult to take along on vacations and business travel due to their size and appearance, embodiments of the device described herein are comfortably secured to the user's head and are lightweight and portable. In addition to promoting back sleeping, the device, according to embodiments of the invention, is designed to avoid direct contact with the wearer's face for the entire night's sleep. Moreover, if the wearer does turn onto her side while sleeping, embodiments of the device continue to remain off the face and reduce or prevent contact of the face with the sleep surface, thereby avoiding putting pressure on the facial area to reduce the risk of forming sleep wrinkles.

In particular, embodiments of a device configured to be worn on a user's head during sleeping are described, where the device includes first and second stabilizers and a connecting member extending at least between the first and second stabilizers. Each of the first and second stabilizers comprises a head engaging surface configured to be disposed proximate the user's head and a bulge portion extending outwardly from the head engaging surface. The first and second stabilizers are supported by the connecting member such that, when the device is worn by the user and the user is positioned with the user's back on a sleep surface, the first and second stabilizers are disposed on opposite sides of the user's head and limit lateral movement of the user's head to promote back sleeping.

In some embodiments, the first and second stabilizers may comprise a closed cell compressed foam. Each of the first and second stabilizers may comprise a body and a protruding portion. In some cases, the body may define a channel and the protruding portion may comprise a protruding insert that is received by and secured within the channel. In other cases, the protruding portion may be formed integrally with the body. In either case, the protruding portion may extend outwardly past an outer surface of the body.

The connecting member may, in some cases, comprise a closed loop of material configured to be worn around the user's head. The connecting member may comprise an elastic material and/or may comprise multiple layers. The first and second stabilizers may be configured to be movably secured to the connecting member, such that a position of each of the first and second stabilizers is adjustable with respect to the connecting member. Thus, the first and second stabilizers may be configurable to be positioned proximate the user's parietal or temporal bone in some cases, while the first and second stabilizers may be configurable to be positioned proximate the user's cervical neck area in others.

Each of the first and second stabilizers may be encased within a covering, and the covering may be removable. The covering may, in some cases, comprise a sleeve configured to receive a portion of the connecting member therethrough for attaching a respective stabilizer to the connecting member. Moreover, the stabilizers may have various different shapes. In some embodiments, for example, each of the first and second stabilizers may comprise a triangular prism shape.

In other embodiments, a method of manufacturing a head accessory to promote back sleeping is provided, where the method includes forming a first stabilizer and a second stabilizer. Each of the first and second stabilizers may comprise a head engaging surface configured to be disposed proximate the user's head and a bulge portion extending outwardly from the head engaging surface. The method further includes engaging a connecting member to the first and second stabilizers such that the first and second stabilizers are supported by the connecting member. In this way, when the device is worn by a user and the user is positioned with the user's back on a sleep surface, the first and second stabilizers are disposed on opposite sides of the user's head and limit lateral movement of the user's head to promote back sleeping.

In some cases, forming each of the first stabilizer and the second stabilizer may comprise forming a body and a protruding portion. Forming each of the first stabilizer and the second stabilizer may, for example, comprise defining a channel within the body and securing a protruding insert within the channel to form the protruding portion. The method may further comprise applying a covering to at least one of the first or second stabilizers, and applying the covering may comprise defining a sleeve that is integral with or attached to the covering, wherein the sleeve is configured to receive at least a portion of the connecting member for engaging the connecting member to the first and second stabilizers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a user showing the bones of the human head;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective representation of a device for promoting back sleeping in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a user wearing the device in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of a user wearing the device while back sleeping in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a stabilizer having a protruding insert with a covering removed in accordance with another example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows an elevation view of an end of the stabilizer of FIG. 5; FIG. 7 shows a side view of the stabilizer of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a stabilizer having a protruding portion that is integral with a body of the stabilizer, with the covering removed, in accordance with another example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 shows an elevation view of an end of the stabilizer of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 shows a side view of the stabilizer of FIG. 8;

FIG. 1 1 shows a close-up perspective view of a hook and loop fastener for removably securing the stabilizers to a connecting member in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 shows a schematic representation of different positions in which the first and second stabilizers can be arranged along a connecting member to support different areas of the user's neck are in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 13 shows a close-up perspective view of a stabilizer having a covering that includes a sleeve for passing a connecting member therethrough in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, various embodiments of the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

As mentioned above, back sleeping is often recommended as a preferred sleeping position for many reasons. In some cases, back sleeping is seen as conducive to proper neck and spinal alignment. In other cases, back sleeping is encouraged as a way to avoid creating facial wrinkles that may otherwise result when a person habitually sleeps with part of his or her face pressed against the sleep surface (e.g., a mattress or pillow). For example, sleep wrinkles, which are different from the wrinkles that may be cause by facial expressions, can be created and augmented when a person's face is pushed against a pillow or other sleep surface, such as in the side sleeping position or the stomach sleeping position. Such wrinkles typically appear in similar positions from person to person due to the presence of underlying muscle in the face (e.g., the superficial musculoaponeurotic system, or SMAS). Moreover, sleep wrinkles have a tendency to deepen and become more permanent over time with repeated side and stomach sleeping.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an easily transportable, generally inexpensive device that is designed to be worn on the head of an individual to promote remaining on the back while sleeping, resting, or in other situations where a person is seeking to avoid or minimize the pressure that may otherwise be applied to certain areas of the face, such as the cheek(s) and forehead.

As described in greater detail below, and with reference to Fig. 1 , which shows a representation of the bones forming the head of a typical user 10, embodiments of the device are designed to have stabilizers that are configured to be disposed on or close to the parietal 20 and/or temporal 30 bones of the head or the cervical area 40 of the neck. The stabilizers may be in a fixed position or adjustable with respect to the device to provide for individual placement and positioning in some cases. Overall, embodiments of the device are designed to deter an individual who desires to stay in a back sleeping position from rolling to a side sleeping position. Moreover, if side sleeping should occur while the user is wearing the device, the stabilizers are designed to elevate the user's face with respect to the sleep surface to prevent and/or reduce the contact between the face and the sleep surface, and in so doing decrease any resulting pressure that may otherwise cause wrinkles to form.

At the same time, while generally deterring an individual from rolling from a back sleeping position to a side sleeping position, the stabilizers of the device are also designed to allow for comfortable (albeit limited) lateral movement of the head and body while maintaining back sleeping. In addition, the device is configured to stay in place on the user's head in the event that the user gets out of bed for any reason (e.g., to use the bathroom or get a glass of water) and does not require readjustment upon the user's return to bed, thereby promoting a quick and easy return to sleep for the user.

Although the examples described herein relate to a user who is sleeping on a flat, horizontal sleep surface, such as a bed, mattress, or floor, embodiments of the device may be used for limiting lateral movement of the user's head when sleeping on other, non-horizontal sleep surfaces. Embodiments of the device may, for example, be worn by a user who is sleeping in a chair, such as a recliner, a sofa, a car seat, an airplane seat, or other chairs or seating surface. In such cases, the stabilizers described above would make engaging contact with the surface of the chair on which the user is resting his or her head to limit movement of the head. Thus, the lightweight and portable design of the device as described herein facilitates a user's sleep on a variety of surfaces and in a variety of lower body positions (e.g., lying down or sitting), as well as facilitating a user's transition between different sleep surfaces while wearing the device without requiring readjustment of the device (e.g., as the user moves from a recliner in which he dozed off while watching television to his bed, or vice versa).

A device 100 is shown in Fig. 2 according to an example embodiment, with the device being worn by a user 10 in Figs. 3 and 4. The device 100 includes first and second stabilizers 105, 1 10 and a connecting member 120 that extends at least between the first and second stabilizers, such that the first and second stabilizers are supported by the connecting member. The first and second stabilizers 105, 1 10 may be made of a single material or a combination of materials. For example, in some embodiments, the first and second stabilizers 105, 1 10 may be formed of a material that resists deformation, but at the same time is not rigid or uncomfortable when worn. For example, the first and second stabilizers 105, 1 10 may be formed of closed cell compressed foam in some cases, gel or silicone material in other cases, or combinations of these and/or other materials.

Similarly, the connecting member 120 may be made in various configurations (e.g., sizes and shapes) and may use various materials in its construction. In the example depicted in Fig. 2, for instance, the connecting member 120 comprises a closed loop of material that is configured to be worn around the user's head, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. In Figs. 3 and 4, the user's hair covers the bottom portion of the closed loop forming the connecting member 120 and is, thus, not visible. In such cases, the connecting member 120 may comprise an elastic material, such as Lycra® fabric, spandex fabric, elastane, or other materials that can be stretched to fit around the wearer's head, then allowed to contract and securely (and comfortably) engage the head to hold the device in place.

In some embodiments, the connecting member 120 may comprise multiple layers and/or multiple portions. For example, in some cases, the connecting member 120 may comprise an inner layer and an outer layer. The inner layer may be a layer of material that is configured to contact the user's skin and/or hair. As such, the inner layer may be made of a smooth material, such as velvet. The outer layer, which may be positioned so as to face away from the user's skin/hair while in use, may be made of a more sturdy material, such as a grosgrain material. Other materials, including cotton, nylon, and other woven and non-woven fabrics made of cellulosic and/or synthetic fibers and/or recycled or recyclable materials, may also be used, alone or in combination with the materials described above, in a single-layer or a multi-layer configuration. In addition, in some cases, the connecting member 120 may include a single- or multi-layer portion(s) connected to the first and/or second stabilizers 105, 1 10 and having respective free ends that are connected to each other to form the closed loop of material via a portion of elastic material. The use of at least a portion of elastic material may thereby allow the size of the connecting member 120 to have some degree of adjustability to fit different head sizes, while still securely engaging the user's head.

In other embodiments, not shown, the connecting member 120 may only extend between the first and second stabilizers 105, 1 10, rather than all the way around the user's head. In such cases, the connecting member 120 may be made of a more rigid material, such as a polymer material (plastic) or other suitable material that is configured to remain in place on the user's head without extending 360° around the head. In still other embodiments, the connecting member 120 may be made of the same or similar material as the first and second stabilizers 105, 1 10, such as out of closed cell compressed foam, gel, silicone, etc. Regardless of whether the connecting member 120 is formed in a partial or continuous loop, the connecting member may be configured to have different widths and/or lengths, such as to accommodate different head sizes and/or different user comfort preferences.

Each of the first and second stabilizers 105, 1 10 may comprise a head engaging surface 130 (the underside in the view shown in Fig. 2) that is configured to be disposed proximate the user's head and a bulge portion 140 extending outwardly from the head engaging surface. Because of the outward extension of the bulge portion 140, when the device 100 is worn by the user 10 and the user is positioned with his or her back resting on a sleep surface (e.g., bed and pillow 50 shown in Fig. 4), the first and second stabilizers are disposed on opposite sides of the user's head and can limit lateral (e.g., side-to-side) movement of the user's head so as to promote back sleeping.

The first and second stabilizers 105, 1 10 may, in some cases, be configured in the shape of a triangular prism, as depicted in the figures. In other embodiments, however, the first and second stabilizers 105, 1 10 may be formed in any shape that includes a bulge portion and is conducive to discouraging lateral movement of the user's head and/or otherwise elevating the user's face from the sleep surface in the event the user assumes a side sleeping position. For example, the first and second stabilizers 105, 1 10 may, in some cases, have a dome shape, a semi-circular shape, a trapezoidal prism shape, a pyramidal shape, and so on.

In Fig. 2, the first and second stabilizers 105, 1 10 of the device 100 are encased within a covering 150. The covering 150 may extend from the connecting member 120 in some cases, such as when the covering is woven or knit from the same material. The covering 150 may be, for example, a fabric made out of cellulosic or synthetic fiber and/or recycled or recyclable materials or, in some cases, may be made of a polymeric material. In some cases, the covering 150 may include an antimicrobial material. The material for the covering 150 may be selected to provide the wearer with comfort, as well as to give the device 100 an appealing look. Although in some cases the covering 150 may be designed to permanently encase the first and second stabilizers 105, 1 10, in other cases the covering may be designed such that it is removable. In this way, the covering 150 may be removed and washed, or different colors and styles of coverings 150 may be used to change the look of device 100 for aesthetic reasons, as desired by the user.

Turning now to Figs. 5-7, one of the first or second stabilizers 105, 1 10 is shown, where the covering 150 depicted in Fig. 2 is removed. Fig. 5 provides a perspective view of the stabilizer 105, 1 10, whereas Fig. 6 shows an end view and Fig. 7 shows a side view. In some embodiments, as shown in Figs. 5-10, each of the first and second stabilizers 105, 1 10 may comprise a body 160 and a protruding portion 170. With reference to Figs. 5-7, in some embodiments the body 160 may define a channel 162, and the protruding portion 170 may be in the form of a protruding insert 172 that is formed separately from the body 160. In this regard, the channel 162 may be configured (e.g., sized and shaped) to receive and secure the protruding insert 172 within the channel, as shown. For example, the protruding insert 172 may be press fit and/or adhered within the channel 162.

The protruding insert 172 may, in such cases, be made of the same material as the body 160, while in other cases may be made of a different material. For example, in some embodiments, both the body 160 and the protruding insert 172 may be made of closed cell compressible foam, but may still be formed separately and attached as described above. In other cases, however, the material of the protruding insert 172 may be selected to impart additional support and/or extension of the respective stabilizer 105, 1 10, such as to elevate the user's face to keep it from contacting the sleep surface (e.g., should side sleeping occur) and/or to decrease the range of lateral head motion available to the user. The protruding insert 172 may, for example, be made of a woven plastic mesh material that is more rigid and less deformable than the body 160, which may be made of closed cell compressible foam. Moreover, in some embodiments, the protruding insert 172 may be configured such that it extends outwardly past an outer surface 164 of the body 160, thereby increasing the overall height H of the stabilizer 105, 1 10.

With reference to Figs. 8-10, in still other cases the protruding portion 170 may be integrally formed with the body 160, rather than formed separately and affixed to the body. For example, the body 160 and the protruding portion 170 may both be made from the same material, such as both cut together from a piece of closed cell compressed foam, as shown. Again, however, the protruding portion 170 may be configured (e.g., sized and shaped) such that it extends outwardly past the outer surface 164 of the body 160, thereby increasing the overall height H of the stabilizer 105, 1 10 to provide additional support and/or extension of the respective stabilizer 105, 1 10. In some embodiments the first and second stabilizers 105, 1 10 may be configured to be movably secured to the connecting member 120, such that a position of each of the first and second stabilizers is adjustable with respect to the connecting member. For example, hook and loop fasteners may be used in some cases to secure the connecting member 120 to the first and second stabilizers 105, 1 10, as shown in Fig. 1 1 . A loop portion 180 of a hook and loop fastener, for example, may be attached (e.g., via stitching or adhesive) to a respective one of the first or second stabilizers 105, 1 10. The user may be able to position the respective stabilizer 105, 1 10 at the desired position on the connecting member 120 by adjusting the position of the loop portion 180 (with attached stabilizer 105, 1 10) along a length of the connecting portion 120. Once at the desired position, the hook portion 182 of the hook and loop fastener may be attached to the loop portion 180, such that the connecting member 120 is sandwiched therebetween.

In other embodiments, such as the embodiment depicted in Fig. 13, the first and second stabilizers 105, 1 10 may be secured, either fixed or moveably, to the connecting member 120 by threading the connecting member through a sleeve 152 defined in each stabilizer. For example, as shown in Fig. 13, two slits 154 may be cut or formed in the covering 150, through which the connecting member 120 may be passed. Alternatively, a sleeve (e.g., a loop of material) may be formed separately from the covering 150 and may be affixed to the outer surface of the covering (e.g., through adhesive or stitching), and the connecting member 120 may be passed through the sleeve to attach it to the covering 150. In still other embodiments, each stabilizer 105, 1 10 may be molded or formed to include a hole therethrough (not shown), and the connecting member 120 may be passed through the hole to movably or fixedly attach the connecting member to the stabilizers 105, 1 10. In such cases, the connecting member 120 may be passed through the hole prior to applying the covering 150, in which case the covering may include slits or openings allowing the covering to be applied with the connecting member already in place, or the connecting member 120 may be inserted through the hole after the covering 150 is in place, such as by being threaded through slits 154 in the covering 150 and into the hole, similar to the embodiment shown in Fig. 13. In cases in which the connecting member 120 is fixedly attached to the stabilizers 105, 1 10, the connecting member 120 may be stitched, adhered, or otherwise clamped or fastened to the sleeve 152. For example, in some cases, the connecting member 120 may be provided in portions having free ends, and one portion may be attached at one end to an end of one stabilizer 105 (e.g., stitched to the covering 150 of the stabilizer) and at the other end to an end of the other stabilizer 1 10. Likewise, a second portion of the connecting member 120 also having two ends may be attached at its ends to the opposite ends of the two stabilizers, thereby forming a continuous loop with the stabilizers 105, 1 10 spanning the distance between adjacent ends of the two portions of the connecting member 120.

In other embodiments, the first and second stabilizers 105, 1 10 may be movably secured to the connecting member 120 in other ways, such as using snaps, buttons, hooks, or other fastening mechanisms. In such cases, regardless of how they are secured, by allowing each stabilizer 105, 1 10 to be positionable at various locations along the connecting member 120, as desired by the user, the first and second stabilizers may be configurable to be positioned proximate the user's parietal bone 20 or temporal bone 30 in some cases, while in other cases the first and second stabilizers may be

configurable to be positioned proximate the user's cervical neck area 40 (see Fig. 1 ). In this regard, the user may be able to adjust the location of the first and second stabilizers to customize the support provided by the device to meet the individual user's needs in a way that is most comfortable to the user.

With reference to Fig. 12, for example, the first and second stabilizers 105, 1 10 may be movably secured to the connecting member 120 (as described above), such that the user may be able to position the stabilizers in a first position A, which, when the device is worn about the user's head, results in the first and second stabilizers being positioned proximate the user's parietal bone 20 (Fig. 1 ). In the same way, the user may be able to position the stabilizers 105, 1 10 in a second position B, which, when the device is worn about the user's head, results in the first and second stabilizers being positioned proximate the user's temporal bone 30 (Fig. 1 ). Still further, the user may be able to position the stabilizers 105, 1 10 in a third position C, which, when the device is worn about the user's head, results in the first and second stabilizers being positioned proximate the user's cervical neck area 40 (Fig. 1 ). Although three positions of the first and second stabilizers 105, 1 10 are shown in Fig. 12, the user may place the stabilizers in any position along the connecting member 120, as desired, to avoid moving out of a back sleeping position and/or otherwise promote the comfort of the wearer during sleeping. Moreover, although the first and second stabilizers 105, 1 10 are shown in Fig. 12 as being symmetrically disposed with respect to the user's head, in other cases the user may choose different, asymmetric positions for the stabilizers. For example, one stabilizer 105 may be positioned in position A, whereas the other stabilizer 1 10 may be placed in position C, so as to accommodate the particular anatomy, sleeping preferences, or other needs or preferences of the user.

In still other embodiments, as described above, the positions of the first and second stabilizers 105, 1 10 may be fixed with respect to the connecting member 120, such that the user purchases the device 100 knowing that it is specifically designed to support the user's head and face via first and second stabilizers 105, 1 10 positioned proximal the parietal bone, the temporal bone, or the cervical bones, etc., but without the ability to switch between such positions. For example, the first and second stabilizers 105, 1 10 may, in some cases, be manufactured with the connecting member 120, such as in one continuous piece, or may be permanently attached to the connecting member 120, such as by stitching, application of heat, application of pressure, adhesive, or hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro® fastener), as described above.

Various modifications and/or additional features may be provided with or as part of the device 100 described above without departing from the scope of this invention. For example, the first and second stabilizers may be manufactured using (at least in part) a disposable nonwoven material and/or a reusable or recyclable item.

Moreover in some cases, the device may have additional fragrance added, such as for purposes of soothing the user, providing a more pleasant sleep experience, providing a therapy, etc. As noted above, one or more of the materials used to make the device 100 may be washable; some of the materials may be disposable; and at least some of the materials may be antimicrobial. The device may be manufactured using a variety of textures, colors, and styles, so as to allow for individual preferences and styles, as well as for specialized use, such as in hospitals.

Embodiments of the device described above may thus provide a lightweight, sleek design that is attractive, yet small to allow heat to escape from the user's head. As a result, embodiments of the device may be able to be worn comfortably by men and women experiencing hot flashes due to menopause, cancer treatments or hormone imbalances, as well as other conditions.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.