Cross-Reference to Related Applications

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application Serial No. 15/811,483 having a filing date of November 13, 2017, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Background of the Invention

A head restraint for positioning the head of a traveler, even when sleeping, is provided. Oftentimes, as an occupant of a vehicle, such as an automobile or an airplane for example, falls asleep while travelling, the head becomes relatively unsupported. As a result, the head may be canted toward one or the other side of the occupant and may strain the neck. Furthermore, from a safety enhancement standpoint, it is desirable to ensure that the head is maintained in a certain position to better absorb any energy from bumps in the road or perhaps, from an impending or actual accident. Accordingly, the present invention improves the state of the art by providing a head restraint for a traveler that provides a substantial improvement in the support of the head of the occupant.

Summary of the Invention

The above-referenced concerns are resolved by providing a head restraint system as described herein. The various embodiments of the system include a head restraint frame containing a first side for fitting to a first side of the face of the user and a second side for fitting to a second side of the face of the user; a first restraint attached to the first side of the frame and to an associated head rest; and a second restraint attached to the second side of the frame and to the associated head rest. In general, the head restraint system is attached to an associated seat, and more particularly, to an upper portion of an associated seat. Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a seat and neck pad for a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an open mask and head restraint for a second embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

In a first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a head restraint system 100 contains a head restraint or mask 10. The head restraint or mask 10 contains two slits or apertures 10a and 10b, in a median or other portion 10c of the mask 10, and thereby facilitates the vision of the occupant through the two apertures 10a, 10b. The mask/head restraint 10 is designed as a mask not only for comfort, but also for the enjoyment of an infant or toddler that might use the head restraint 10. The mask 10 contains an inner portion lOg and an outer portion lOh, and may be made in a known manner and from materials typically used for masks, such as plastics, cloth, or other synthetic material such as a nylon or polyester-based material. The mask should preferably be flexible and yet contain a moderate amount of rigidity, again, much the same as is known in the mask-making art. A nose protrusion lOd may be formed in the mask if desired, and may provide a third aperture or pair of apertures lOdl for respiration through the mask 10 and nose of the occupant. A first side portion or wing lOe of the mask 10 is formed on the side of the mask and is relatively rigid, thereby providing leverage when tightening an associated strap 12a as explained below. A second side portion or wing lOf of the mask 10 is formed on a side of the mask opposite to the first wing lOe, and is also relatively rigid, thereby providing leverage when tightening an associated second strap 12b as explained below.

A back portion 14 of the head restraint 10 may be formed from a soft but firm material, such as memory foam or perhaps as an inflatable cushion, for resting the occupant's head there against. At least one hook 16, and preferably a pair of hooks 16a and 16b, may be fastened to and extend from a rear side 14a of the back portion 14, or alternatively, may be fastened to and extend from a front side 14b of the back portion 14, whereby the hooks 16 may be saddled or placed over a top portion of a vehicular seat.

A first adjustable strap 12a may contain a first portion 12al fixed to the back portion 14 and a second portion 12a2 fixed to the first wing lOe above the eye aperture 10a. A latching mechanism 12a3 is fixed to the free ends of strap portions 12al and 12a2, and may for example, contain a quick disconnect mechanism for easy connection and disconnection of strap portions 12al and 12a2. A second adjustable strap 12b may contain a third portion 12bl fixed to the back portion 14, on a side opposite to the location of the first portion 12al, and a fourth portion 12b2 fixed to the second wing lOf above the eye aperture 10b. A latching mechanism 12b3 is fixed to the free ends of strap portions 12bl and 12b2, and may for example, also contain a quick disconnect mechanism for easy connection and

disconnection of strap portions 12bl and 12b2. If desired, a third adjustable strap

12c may contain a fifth portion 12cl fixed to the back portion 14 and a sixth portion 12c2 fixed to the first wing lOe below the eye aperture 10a. A latching mechanism 12c3 is fixed to the free ends of strap portions 12cl and 12c2, and may for example, contain a quick disconnect mechanism for easy connection and disconnection of strap portions 12cl and 12c2. If desired, a fourth adjustable strap 12d may contain a seventh portion 12dl fixed to the back portion 14, on a side opposite to the location of the first portion 12cl , and an eighth portion 12d2 fixed to the second wing 1 Of below the eye aperture 10b. A latching mechanism 12d3 is fixed to the free ends of strap portions 12dl and 12d2, and may for example, also contain a quick disconnect mechanism for easy connection and disconnection of strap portions 12dl and 12d2.

It will be appreciated that the first and third straps 12a and 12c taken alone or together may be referred to as a first restraint 22. A first side lOe of the mask 10 is fixed to the first restraint 22 whereby the first side lOe may be snugged up against the face of the user during use of the head restraint/mask 10. In the same way, the second and fourth straps 12b and 12d taken alone or together may be referred to as a second restraint 24. A second side lOf of the mask 10 is fixed to the second restraint 24 whereby the second side lOf may be snugged up against the face of the user during use of the head restraint/mask 10.

A first cushion portion 18a may be formed on the inner portion lOg of the mask 10, in an area that will contact the forehead of the occupant when the mask is strapped to the occupant. If desired, a rigid member 18b may first be fixed to the inner portion 1 Og of the mask 10 and then the first cushion portion 18a may be fixed to the rigid member 18b, such that the rigid member 18b is sandwiched between the inner portion lOg and the first cushion portion 18a. A second cushion portion 18c may be formed on the inner portion lOg of the mask 10, in an area that will contact the bridge of the nose of the occupant when the mask is strapped to the occupant. A third cushion portion 18d may be formed on the inner portion lOg of the mask 10, in an area that will contact the left cheek of the occupant when the mask is strapped to the occupant. A fourth cushion portion 18e may be formed on the inner portion lOg of the mask 10, in an area that will contact the right cheek of the occupant when the mask is strapped to the occupant. The various cushion portions may be formed separately from each other, or, if desired, the cushion portion may be one monolithic section of foam that is shaped to accommodate the shape of the inner portion lOg of the mask 10. The various cushion portions may be formed from a firm but soft material such as memory foam. In operation, the mask 10 may be attached to the back portion 14 by first attaching straps 12a and 12c, or, straps 12b and 12d.on either strap 12a or 12b, by connecting the respective latching mechanisms. A pair of the straps 12a and 12c or 12b and 12d is left disconnected so that the mask 10 may be placed over the eyes and nose and face of the occupant. Once the mask is in place the remaining straps are connected by securing the respective latching mechanisms. If desired, the straps 12a-12d may be resiliently stretched to accommodate different sizes of a head, or, the straps 12a-12d may be adjustable in length by modifying the length of the strap in a known way.

As the mask 10 is tightened over the face of the occupant, leverage is provided by the first and second rigid wings lOe and lOf, as they are conformed to the sides and cheeks of the face of the occupant.

In a second embodiment of a head restraint system 100 as shown in FIGS. 3 - 4, an exemplary seat 20 employs a head restraint 10. Accordingly, a head restraint system 100 may contain a seat 20 for housing or fixing a head restraint 10 thereto. An open mask or head restraint 10 is provided and fixed to the rear 20a of the seat 20. In contrast to the first embodiment, the open mask provides unobstructed viewing for the user of the head restraint 10, and may be formed in the shape of underwater goggles, for example. A first restraint 22 is fixed to a first side 26 of the mask/head restraint 10 for biasing the mask 10 against a first side of the face of the user (not shown). A second restraint 24 is fixed to a second side 28 of the mask/head restraint 10 for biasing the mask 10 against a second side (opposite to the first side) of the face of the user (not shown).

A first restraint member 22a and a second restraint member 22b combined with the first restraint member 22a, form the first restraint 22. The first and second restraint members may for example, be slidably engaged with each other wherein one of the two members is telescoped within the other member to permit adjustment of the length of the first restraint 22. In the same way, a third restraint member 24a and a fourth restraint member 24b combined with the third restraint member 24a, form the second restraint 24. The third and fourth restraint members may for example, be slidably engaged with each other wherein one of the two members is telescoped within the other member to permit adjustment of the length of the second restraint 24.

A first hook member 32 is contiguous with and connected to first restraint member 22a and may be removably fixed to the back of the seat 20, by sliding the first hook member 32 within a first sleeve 34 attached or fixed to the back of the seat, thereby holding the head restraint 10 in place. Along with the first hook member 32, a second hook member 36 is contiguous with and connected to third restraint member 24a and may be removably fixed to the back of the seat 20, by sliding the second hook member 36 within a second sleeve 38 attached or fixed to the back of the seat, again thereby holding head restraint 10 in place. A first hinge 40 is provided on the first restraint 22 and provides pivoting of the head restraint above the sleeve 34, for docking or removing the mask 10 upon the face of the user. In the same way, and in cooperation with the first hinge 40, a second hinge 42 is provided on the second restraint 24 and provides pivoting of the head restraint 10 above the second sleeve 38, for docking or removing the mask 10 upon the face of the user. A third hinge 44 may if desired be provided on the first restraint 22 to pivot the mask 10 above the face of the user. A fourth hinge 46 may if desired be provided on the second restraint 24 to pivot the mask 10 above the face of the user, in conjunction with hinge 44.

The various components of the head restraint system 100 may be formed by known manufacturing and/or molding processes, such as foam mold processes or injection mold processes. The various components may be made from plastic, foam, or other suitable materials. The seat 20 may be formed as known in the art. Accordingly, seats for infant carriers, for automotive application, and/or for aeronautic application, but no limited thereto, are contemplated as useful in the present invention.

It will be understood that the foregoing descriptions of various embodiments of the present invention is for illustrative purposes only. As such, the various structural and operational features herein disclosed are susceptible to a number of modifications, none of which departs from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.