Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the field of vehicular accessories. More particularly, the invention relates to a headrest for use in vehicles by sleeping travelers.

Background of the Invention

Today, vehicle travel by air, sea, and/or by land, form part of almost everybody's daily life. Whether the travel is by airplane, car, bus, train, or boat, most vehicles require that the traveler be seated during the whole journey.

During travel while seated in the vehicle, a traveler may fall asleep. This is frequently the case during long trips, although it may also occur during short trips. Despite most seats having a headrest on which the traveler places the head, frequently the head drops to a side or forward due to the motion of the vehicle and/or the traveler being in a non- reclining position. Dropping of the head frequently causes the traveler to wake up. It may also cause the traveler to experience neck discomfort, and in some instances, even a sore neck. Numerous devices are known in the art which attempt to solve the problem of the head tossing around and/or to make vehicle travel more comfortable for the sleeping traveler, a few of which are described below.

US Patent No. 6122784 "TRAVEL HEADREST" relates to "A travel headrest, having first and second head cushions each having a top portion, a bottom portion and opposite sides and being elongate from the top portion to the bottom portion. The second head cushion portion includes an intermediate portion between its top and bottom portions and a flexible connecting portion interconnects the first head cushion and the intermediate portion, the top and bottom portions of the second head cushion projecting upwardly and downwardly, respectively, from the intermediate portion and from the connecting portion. The cushions may be stuffed or inflatable." US Patent No. 6648416 "HEADREST" relates to "In one embodiment, the headrest includes a support member having a center portion and an end portion which is integrally formed and which extends angularly from the center portion. A wing member is coupled to the end portion by a hinge mechanism that has sufficient friction to maintain any of a plurality of positions under a load of a human head leaning against said wing member, yet yields when a greater load is applied."

US Patent No. 6033023 "HEADREST" relates to "A portable, compact, flexible and inflatable headrest for securing to one or two vehicle seats having a separately inflatable headrest section contoured for optimal head support and a separately inflatable base for inserting in the space between adjoining seats of a passenger vehicle or in the space between the top of a vehicle seat provided with an extendible seat head rest and the bottom of the extended seat head rest to optimize rest comfort for a passenger using the headrest." Summary of the Invention

In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a headrest (l), comprising:

- a pillow (10) for resting thereon a user's head (40);

- a head support (16), to be worn on a user's head;

- attaching means (12, 14), for securing the head support (16) to the pillow (10);

- a pillow fastener (29) for securing the pillow (10) to the seat (36);

thereby retaining the user's head (40) in an upright position while sitting in the seat (36).

The seat (36) may be an airplane seat, a road vehicle seat, a train seat, a wheelchair seat, and so on.

The headrest (l) may further comprise an inflator (26), for inflating the pillow (10), and an inflation-tube (20), for conducting air from the inflator (26) to the pillow (10).

The inflator (26) may comprise a manual pump, an electric pump, an air outlet, and so on.

The headrest (l) may further comprise a release valve (24), for releasing air from the pillow (10). The head support (16) may be configured to be fastened to the pillow (10) by a head support fastener (14).

The head support (16) may be fastened by a hook and loop fastening mechanism, by stitching, by a hook / clip mechanism, by an elastic headband, by a non-elastic headband, and so on.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the head support (16) is adjustable to the size of the user's head (40).

The headrest (l) may further comprise a shade (18) for covering the eyes of the user (38). The shade (18) may be detachable.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the pillow fastener (29) comprises an adjustable strap (30) configured to be fitted around a backrest (42) of the seat (36). The adjustable strap (30) may comprise an adjustment clasp (32), for adjusting the size of the strap (30). The adjustable strap (30) is elastic.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the pillow fastener (29) is configured to be hooked over a top of a backrest According to one embodiment of the invention, the pillow fastener (29) is configured to be adhered to a fabric of a backrest (42) of the seat (36).

According to one embodiment of the invention, the seat is a wheelchair.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the headrest (l) is embedded in a backrest (42) of a vehicular seat.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments and features of the present invention are described herein in conjunction with the following drawings^

FIG 1 schematically illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary headrest, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG 2 schematically illustrates an isometric view of the pillow in headrest attached to a seat in a vehicle, according to some embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG 3 schematically illustrates a side view of a seated traveler using the headrest, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

The present invention will be understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, which are meant to be descriptive and not limiting. For the sake of brevity, some well ^~ known features, methods, systems, procedures, components, circuits, and so on, are not described in detail.

An aspect of some embodiments of the present invention relates to a headrest configured to maintain a user's head in an upright position while sitting in a seat. Optionally, the headrest includes a pillow on which the user rests the back of the head. Optionally, attached to the pillow is a head support which secures the users head against the pillow by supporting the user's forehead so that the head does not drop to a side and/or forward. Optionally, the pillow is attached to the seat so as to maintain the headrest stationary relative to the seat and the user.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the headreast is a portable headrest configured to be carried by a user. Optionally, the headrest may be made of lightweight materials and may be designed to be folded into a relatively small volume, for example, for easy transport inside a bag. A user wishing to use the headrest simply pulls the headrest out of the bag and attaches it to a backrest of the seat by fastening the pillow to the backrest. The pillow may be attached to the backrest with an adjustable strap, hooked over the top of the backrest, or attached to the fabric of the backrest. Optionally, the pillow is inflatable, and may include an inflator with a pump, allowing the user to inflate the pillow when required. Optionally, other inflation mechanisms are included in the pillow such as, for example, an adapter to connect to an air outlet, a blow valve, and the like. Once use of the headrest is no longer required, the user may deflate the pillow by opening a deflation valve and letting the air out. Optionally, the user removes the headrest by opening the adjustable strap or releasing other fastening mechanisms. The headrest may then be folded and placed inside the bag. Optionally, the headrest may be left attached to the seat.

In some embodiments of the invention, the headrest is configured to be used in numerous types of vehicles such as, for example, airplanes; road vehicles including cars, buses, and trucks; trains! and boats; among other forms of vehicular transport. Optionally, the headrest is configured to be used with wheelchairs and other sitting transport means which may require support of a user's head in an upright position due to a disability.

Reference is now made to FIG 1 which schematically illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary headrest 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Headrest 1 includes a head support 16 attached to a pillow 10, and a pillow fastener 29 which attaches the pillow to a seat.

In some embodiments of the present invention, head support 16 secures a user's head against pillow 10 by means of a headband worn across the user's forehead and attached to the pillow. Optionally, the headband may be elastic so that it may be worn by different users with different head sizes. Optionally, the headband is non-elastic and is adjustable to the head size of the user. Additionally or alternatively, size adjustment may be done by joining two ends of the headband using a fastening system such as , for example, a hook and fastener system (Velcro™), snap fasteners, and the like. Optionally, head support 16 includes shades 18 for covering the eyes of the user, for example, if the user desires to block out light.

In some exemplary embodiments, head support 16 is attached to pillow 10 by a head support fastener 14 configured to allow removal and reattachment of the head support to the pillow. Optionally, the attachment of head support 16 to pillow 10 is behind the user's head. Additionally or alternatively, head support fastener 14 is part of a head support fastening system which includes a head support fastening 12 in pillow 10. Optionally, head support fastener 14 attaches to head support fastening 12. Optionally, the head support fastening system includes a hook and fastener system. Optionally, the head support fastening system includes snap fasteners. Additionally or alternatively, head support fastener system may include hook fasteners, adhesive tape, a zipper, or the like. Optionally, head support 16 may be permanently fastened to pillow 10 using permanent fastening means such as, for example, stitching, an adhesive glue, mechanical fasteners (for example, bolts and the like), or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments of the present invention, pillow 10 is an inflatable pillow. Optionally, pillow 10 includes an inflator 26 connected to the pillow through an inflation tube 20 for inflating the pillow. Optionally, inflation of pillow 10 may include full inflation or partial inflation of the pillow. Optionally, inflator 26 comprises a pump manually operated by the user. Optionally, inflator 26 comprises an electric pump, for example a battery operated pump, which may be activated by the user for inflating pillow 10. Additionally or alternatively, pillow 10 includes an adaptor connected to an end of inflation tube 20 for inflating the pillow by connecting the adapter to an air outlet, for example, such as may be found in air conditioning (a/c) systems in vehicles; for example, an a/c outlet nozzle in an aircraft or an a/c vent in a car, and the like. Optionally, pillow 10 includes an inflation valve to which an inflation system including a small pump and a tube may be connected for inflating the pillow. Optionally, pillow 10 may be inflated through a blow valve by the user blowing air into the valve. Additionally or alternatively, the inflation valve and the blow valve may be a same valve. Optionally, pillow 10 may be inflated by the user blowing air into tube 20.

In some embodiments of the present invention, pillow 10 includes an air release valve 24 for deflating the pillow. Optionally, air release valve 24 is attached to pillow 10 through a deflation tube 22. Optionally, air release valve 24 may be connected on tube 20 between inflator 26 and pillow 10, thereby eliminating deflation tube 22. In an exemplary operation, air release valve in tube 20 is closed when pillow 10 is inflated, and is opened when the pillow is deflated.

In some embodiments, pillow 10 is non-inflatable and is filled with a material for shaping the pillow. The filling material may be of a type which allows pillow 10 to assume a contour for supporting the user's head. The filling material may include a foam, a polyester material, a down material such as feathers, and the like. Optionally, the filling material may include a gel.

In some embodiments of the present invention, headrest 1 includes a pillow fastener 29 for removably attaching pillow 10 to the backrest. Pillow 10 may be fastened to the seat by an adjustable strap 30 configured to be fitted around the back rest. Optionally, strap 30 includes an adjustment clasp 32 for manually adjusting a size of the strap for securely tightening it to the backrest. Additionally or alternatively, strap 30 includes a clasp 28 for opening and/or closing the strap depending on whether the strap is being attached or removed. Optionaly, strap 30 may be elastic and is fit over and around the backrest, securing headrest 1. Optionally, pillow 10 is hooked over a top of the backrest. Optionally, pillow 10 may be adhered to fabric in the backrest by using a hook and fastener system. Additionally or alternatively, snap fasteners are used to attach pillow 10 to the backrest. Optionally, a zipper mechanism may be used to fasten pillow 10 to the backrest. Optionally, permanent attachments include stitiching pillow 10 to the backrest, or attaching the pillow with mechanical fasteners to the backrest, among other possible ways of permanently affixing the pillow.

Reference is now also made to FIG 2 which schematically illustrates an isometric view of pillow 10 in headrest 1 attached to a seat 36 in a vehicle 34, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Vehicle 34 may include an airplane, a bus, a train, or other form of vehicular transport comprising a plurality of seats 36 arranged in rows. In some embodiments of the present invention, pillow 10 is affixed to an upper portion of backrest 42 by adjustable strap 30. Optionally, pillow 10 is positioned at a height on backrest 42 corresponding with the back of the user's head. Optionally, pillow 10 is in a deflated state and is only inflated when the user sits. Optionally, pillow 10 is inflated.

Reference is now also made to FIG 3 which schematically illustrates a side view of a seated traveler 38 using headrest 1, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Optionally, traveler 38 is seated in seat 36 with his back against backrest 42.

In some embodiments of the present invention, traveler 38 wears head support 16 which is attached to pillow 10, for keeping head 40 upright while sleeping. Additionally or alternatively, headrest 1 is secured on to backrest 42 using strap 30. Optionally, strap 30 is secured at a height on backrest 42 so that pillow 10 corresponds with a back of the head of traveler 38. Optionally, traveler 38 covers the eyes with shades 18 to keep out light from the eyes while sleeping.

In some embodiments of the present invention, traveler

38 may first place head support 16 across the forehead prior to attaching the head support to pillow 10. Optionally, head support 16 is prior attached to pillow 10.

In some embodiments of the present invention, traveler 38 inflates pillow 10 after sitting down and placing head support 16 across the forehead. Optionally, head support 16 is attached to pillow 10. Optionally, traveler 38 inflates pillow 10 following resting back of head 40 on pillow 10. Alternatively, traveler 38 inflates pillow 10 prior to placing head support 16 on forehead. Optionally, inflating of pillow 10 is done by a person other than traveler 38. Optionally, inflation of pillow 10 is automatically done by an inflation system included in vehicle 34. Additionally or alternatively, headrest 1 includes a sensing mechanism for sensing when traveler 38 places the back of head 40 against pillow 10 for automatically inflating pillow 10. Optionally, headrest 1 senses when head support 16 is worn by traveler 38 for allowing automatic inflation. Optionally, headrest 1 includes a sensing mechanism for notifying traveler 38 and/or preventing automatic inflation of pillow 10 if incorrect securing of strap 30 and/or head support 16.

Fig. 4 depicts the headrest of Fig. 1 according to another embodiment.

Headrest 1 according to this embodiment includes an additional plate 44, having a plate fastener 46. Rods 48 adhere pillow 10 to to plate 44. According to another embodiment rods 48 are foldable. Figs. 5 and 6 depicts the headrest of Fig. 4 attached in two different positions.

Headrest according to this embodiment may be attached to seat 36 at a position that pillow 10 is disposed above plate 14 as depicted by Fig. 5, or below plate 14 as depicted by Fig. 6.

The position of Fig. 5 locates pillow 10 higher, in relation to the top of seat 36, than the position of Fig. 6. Thus headrest 1 may fit tall or short users, and may fit long or short backrests 42 of seats.

At the position of Fig. 5 both pillow fastener 29 and plate fastener 46 may fasten headrest 1 to seat 36. Typically, at the position of Fig. 6 only pillow fastener 29 may fasten headrest 1 to seat 36.

In the figures and/or description herein, the following reference numerals have been mentioned: headrest

Pillow

head support fastening

head support fastener

head support

eye shade

inflation tube

deflation tube

air release valve

Inflator

Clasp

pillow fastener

pillow adjustable strap

pillow strap adjustment

clasp

Vehicle

Seat

User

user head

Backrest

Plate

Plate fastener One object of the present invention is to fix head 40 to seat 36, without further adjustment. The way the present invention achieve the object is a detachable connection between pillow 10 and head support 16. The detachable connection is obtained when these components are already fixed in their location, i.e., pillow 10 is attached to seat 36, and head support 16 is attached to head 40. The detachability is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. Thus, the connection between pillow 10 and head support 16 is carried via a connector comprising components 12 and 14, which makes adjusting the vertical position adjustment unnecessary. A preferable connector is a Velcro fastener (hook and loop).

JP9168450 discloses a passenger pillow in which "Belts 6A, 6B for fastening the forehead of the user are provided on the front face of the pillow 1.", i.e., are not detachable from the pillow, in contrast to the present invention. As such, the device disclosed in this publication doesn't allow securing a pillow to a seat, wearing a head support on a user's head, and leaning the head on the pillow with no further adjusting the location of the head support with reference to the pillow. Thus, from a technical point of view, while the present invention allows a passenger to place the pillow in any height of the seat, and the head support in a desired height (preferable at the forehead) with no dependency to the user's height, the passenger's pillow of JP9168450 requires adjusting the device to a desired height.

US6047425 discloses a velvet-type fastener web which also is absent the above mentioned component. The foregoing description and illustrations of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the above description in any form.

Any term that has been defined above and used in the claims, should to be interpreted according to this definition.

The reference numbers in the claims are not a part of the claims, but rather used for facilitating the reading thereof. These reference numbers should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any form.