Field of the Invention

The invention relates to neck supports and is concerned specifically with the kind of neck support for cushioning the back of a person's neck against the rim of a washbasin when the person leans his or her head backwards over the basin to be given a hair wash or other treatment.

State of the Art as known to the applicant The discomfort associated with "back-wash" hair washing is well known. At best, the person's neck is temporarily extended across what is often an un-cushioned hard basin rim of relatively narrow radius. At worst, there have been a number of reported instances in recent years of so-called "beauty parlour syndrome" when (predominantly) middle- aged people with a tendency to high blood pressure have suffered minor strokes, thought to be caused by small tears in the lining of the vertebral arteries (which run from the back of the neck up into the base of the brain) leading to clotting, the clots then breaking off and being swept upstream into the brain.

Whilst a definite link between strokes and back-washing the hair has not been proven at present, many clients and salon proprietors, especially, are becoming concerned. Hairdressing salons are increasingly expected to provide cushioning to allay these fears. Moreover, it is hoped that by cushioning the neck, the client will be afforded extra comfort.

To date, there are only three methods used as far as the applicants are aware. An elongate cylindrical foam tube, split along its length, can be releaseably fitted over a limited length of the basin rim. There also exists a firm, basin rim cover, pre-formed to the shape and size of the rim of a specific wasHbasin. Finally, a towel or cushion could be used instead.

The foam cylinder, unless it is pre-shaped, will tend to spring apart from the rim because of its natural elastic tendency to straighten. The pre-formed rim cover provides little or no cushioning effect, and must be made specifically for a particular design of basin. The wadded towel, or cushion, is relatively incompressible and easily gets soaked. The beneficial effects of each device are limited.

Some hairdressing salons have gone so far as to install special hydraulically tillable chair- and-basin combinations. Quite apart from the capital cost involved, this still does not fully solve the problem if the basin rim remains uncushioned.

Neither does specially shaping the rim itself attack the fundamentals involved. For every other operation except back-washing, the specially shaped rim is either redundant or a positive nuisance.

Summary of the Invention

In a first broad aspect, the invention provides a neck support for cushioning the back of a person's neck against the rim of a washbasin when the person leans his or her head backwards over the basin to be given a hair wash; the neck support comprising a first portion adapted to sit over the rim and a second portion extending, in use, downwardly from the first portion to sit in front of the rim; characterised in that the second portion is shaped in the form of a valley, along the line of a user's spine (in use) so as to embrace, at

least partially, the back of a user's neck. In this way, the support force is directed to the side of a user's neck, and away from the delicate structures surrounding the spine.

Preferably, the second portion has a reduced thickness along the base of the valley compared with the edges. This increases the effect of the force transfer whilst allowing the unit to sit against a washbasin, in use. Preferably also, the second portion increases in thickness towards its end furthest from the first portion. This allows the neck to be supported as a washbasin, in use, cm-ves away from the neck rest area. It is particularly advantageous for the device to have both these features.

In any of the above aspects, it is advantageous if the second portion is provided with one or more grooves orientated substantially perpendicular to the line of a user's spine. This allows the support to grip the rim of a washbasin. Preferably, at least one groove is located on the neck-contacting surface of the second portion. In this way, the groove could serve as a drainage channel to direct excess water away from a user's neck. It is particularly advantageous if at least one groove is wider towards the centre of the second portion than at the edge. This leads to differential flexibility in the device, and further helps to spread the force away from the spinal area. Alternatively, or in combination with a wider central groove portion, it is also advantageous if at least one groove is deeper towards the centre of the second portion than at the edge. This has a similar effect on differential flexibility but increases the area of contact between a user's neck and the device, helping to spread the load.

In any of the above aspects, it is preferable that the second portion is resiliently - preferably elastically - deformable. Whilst it may be desirable - and is within the broadest scope of the invention - for the gels to deform to fit a given patient permanently or semi-permanently, a truly elastically deformable headrest can be used universally.

When the second portion is resiliently - preferably elastically - deformable, it is preferred that the second portion has at least one line of reduced bending resistance orientated substantially perpendicular to the line of a user's spine. This might be achieved by changing the material properties of the device, or by a change in thickness. This also enhances the washbasin rim-gripping properties of the device.

Also when the second portion is resiliency - preferably elastically - deformable, it is preferred that the second portion has at least one line of reduced bending resistance orientated substantially parallel to the line of a user's spine. Either alone, or in combination with perpendicular reduced bending resistance above, this has the effect of allowing the device to deform when a user's neck is pressed against it, to grip the sides os a user's neck and again help with the load transfer.

In any of the aspects described above, it is preferable that the neck-contacting region of the support, at least, consists wholly or partly of gel, and especially so if substantially the whole of the headrest consists of the deformable gel.

The ability to make the headrest as a one-piece item has clear advantages in manufacture and end-cost. More specifically, and again pointing out the inherent inventive nature of such a headrest, the gels — which are typically autoclaved when made for use in their traditional hospital operating theatre environment - are self-skinning once set. A headrest consisting substantially entirely of such gels therefore needs no outer covering to finish it off.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the gel is polyurethane gel. The use of a polyurethane gel is quite out of the ordinary in the context of the invention. These gels are known in the medical world where they are used to support limbs of anaesthetised patients. No one looking to improve a hairdressing headrest would think of seeking inspiration from that specialist environment.

Many advantages flow -from that primary decision to use these polyurethane gels. They can be self-coloured. They are resistant both to heat and to the intrinsically corrosive fluids, shampoos, bleaches and so on which are used in washing, tinting and styling hair. They are water-resistant and can be re-used repeatedly without perishing or losing any of their essential resilience.

Also in any of the aspects described above, it is preferable that the rim-fitting portion of the headrest is so shaped as to extend, in use, into the basin. This gives the headrest an

inherent tendency Io stay in place and lends itself to the incorporation of, for example, suction cups. Where suction cups are used, it is particularly advantageous to use only one. This allows the headrest to swivel about the suction cup connection and so accommodate small movements of the head and neck. But with or without such additional suction means, a back-extended headrest will have advantages as outlined.

More preferably, the portion of the headrest extending into the basin in use is weighted so as to resist any tendency of the headrest to slide off the rim. Especially where there are no suction means in place, this is a neat way of substituting them.

When the device is made using gel, the gel may be more dense in some regions of the headrest than in others, to give a variable cushioning effect and/or to provide or augment the weighted effect just discussed.

Where the portion extending into the basin is weighted, it is preferable that the relatively more dense gel provides or augments the weighted effect.

In the case just outlined, the gel density may specifically vary within the neck-embracing region. Whilst medical studies may be needed to establish whether or not this has advantages in preventing neck vessel stretch and consequent stroke risk, the possibility is there, and this would help to accommodate it.

In gel-formed devices, it is preferable that the gel is sufficiently pliant to afford a limited swivel of the neck-engaging region in response to movements, in use, of the user's head. This allows the device to maintain support for the neck whislt preventing chafing that might occur between a user's neck and the support.

Again for gel-formed devices, it is preferable that the gel is a polyurethane gel. Whilst such gels are known in the medical field, their use in the very different context of hairdressing salons is unknown, and they have been found to be particularly useful for this kind of device.

In any aspect of the invention it is advantageous that the support assumes a washbasin rim-gripping configuration in the absence of any external applied forces. This allows the device to be "clipped" onto the edge of a basin, in the correct orientation, using one hand only, and to remain there even without the use of suction cups.

Again in any aspect of the invention, it is advantageous that the second portion is shaped so as to deform under pressure and embrace, at least partially, the back of the user's neck. This ensures a correct force distribution either side of a user's spine.

Preferably, the first portion comprises at least one flexible arm member and a suction cup. This allows the device to flex to accommodate small movements of a user's head without chafing against the device. It is particularly preferable if the at least one flexible arm member has a cut-away portion to expose the top of the suction cup. This allows easy access to the cup to enable e.g. a hair stylist to release the suction when the device needs to be removed from a washbasin. In an especially preferred aspect, first portion comprises a single suction cup. The use of a single cup adds to the swivelling action, especially is the cup is pivotally mounted. In use there may be a limited swivelling movement of the user's head as his or her hair is being back-washed. If suction means such as cups are pivotally fitted, such movements can be incorporated automatically. With or (especially) without them, however, preferably the headrest is sufficiently pliant to enable limited flexing movements once it is in place on the rim. The inevitable slight but repeated user head movements can then be accommodated without the user's head having to move, to any great extent, in relation to the headrest which instead moves with it.

Included within the scope of the invention is a headrest for cushioning the back of a person's neck against the rim of a washbasin when the person leans his or her head backwards over the basin to be given a hair wash; the head rest comprising a first portion adapted to sit over the rim and a second portion extending, in use, downwardly from the first portion to sit in front of the rim; characterised in that the second portion is shaped so as to deform under pressure and embrace, at least partially, the back of the user's neck; and in that the deforming region, at least, of the headrest consists wholly or partially of a gel.

Such a concept combines the best of the known foam cylinder or cushion ideas whilst avoiding both their drawbacks and also avoiding the expense of either the hydraulically tillable basin-chair combination or the specially moulded indented basin rim construction. None of these known proposals suggests itself as a starting point for the invention as just defined. Nor could they self-evidently be combined, with or without hindsight, in any way which might lead to it.

Also included within the scope of the invention is a neck support substantially as described herein, with reference to and as illustrated by any appropriate combination of the accompanying drawings.

The term 'gel', when used in its broadest context in the present application, relates to materials that provide a cushioning effect when pressure is exerted to them, i.e. the material compresses (i.e. deforms) under pressure. In this broad definition, therefore, the gel might more commonly be referred to as a foam. The material may be resiliently deformable, i.e. compressing under pressure, giving a resistive counter-force, and returning towards its original shape, perhaps incompletely, when the pressure is removed. Alternatively, the material may be elastically deformable, returning reversibly and completely to its original shape when the pressure is removed. In particularly preferred embodiments, the gel comprises a polyurethane compound (known as "polyurethane gel") currently available from S Teasdale (Hospital Equipment) Limited of Stockport, Cheshire SK3 OAN, United Kingdom and other suppliers; but other gels having the required properties are envisaged.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a headrest according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-section through the headrest of figure 1, as indicated;

Figure 3 is a plan view of a headrest according to the present invention;

Figure 4 is a cross-section through the headrest of figure 3, as indicated.

Figure 5 is a front perspective view of a neck rest showing the neck-compacting surface;

Figure 6 is a rear perspective view of a neck support showing a pair of flexible arms;

Figure 7 is a partial cross-section through line D-D' in figure 10;

Figure 8 is a partial cross-section of a neck support through line Ci-CT in figure 9;

Figure 9 are front and rear perspective views illustrating 'uncurling' flexure;

Figure 10 are front and rear perspective views of a neck support illustrating 'gripping' flexure mode;

Figure 11 is the partial cross-section as figure 8, illustrating the flexible arm members; and

Figure 12 illustrates the placement of a neck support over the rim of a wash basin.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments Embodiment 1

One headrest (or "neck support") embodying the invention will now be described with reference to those drawings. It is currently the best way known to the applicants of embodying the invention, but it is not the only form the invention might take. It is integral, for example, but could have detachable neck-embracing pads. It is formed substantially wholly of a polyurethane compound ("polyurethanβ gel") currently available from S Teasdale (Hospital Equipment) Limited of Stockport, Cheshire SK3 OAN, United Kingdom and other suppliers; but other gels having the required properties could be used.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a headrest according to the present invention, generally indicated by 1. The headrest comprises a first portion 2 adapted to sit over the rim of a wash basin, and a second portion 3 extending downwardly from the first portion 2. The second portion 3 is shaped so as to deform under pressure and embrace, at least partially, the back of a user's neck. In this embodiment, this second portion 2 is shaped to include two raised portions 5 that may lie either side of the cervical vertebrae, thus providing the required cushioning and neck-embracing feature.

In this embodiment, the first portion 2, which extends into the wash basin, in use, is weighted so as to resist any tendency of the headrest to slide off the rim. In this embodiment, the weighting is indicated as 4, and is provided as a thickening of the structure in this area. Alternative embodiments could readily be envisaged having more dense material located within the headrest at this point.

This perspective view of such a headrest shows the device in the configuration it would adopt when placed over the rim of a wash basin, in use. The rim of the wash basin would fit in the cleft marked 6. For production, and when not in use on a wash basin, the device would lie essentially flat, the cleft 6 being formed by the action of draping it over the end of the basin.

Figure 2 illustrates a cross-section through a headrest according to the present invention, the section being taken along the line marked A - A in figure 1. Again, this illustrates the headrest in the configuration that it would take when draped over the edge of a wash basin, the rim of the basin sitting in the cleft 6. This section shows the first portion 2 adapted to sit over the rim and the second portion 3 extending downwardly from the first portion to sit in front of the rim. Again, this embodiment is provided with raised panels 5 to sit in either side of the cervical vertebrae. Whilst these are illustrated as separate from the second portion 3, they may conveniently be formed as a single unit. Also illustrated in this embodiment is a weighted portion 4 of the first portion 2. Again, this weighted portion may conveniently be formed merely by a thickening of the gel at this point, or by the inclusion of additional weighted elements.

Figure 3 is a plan view showing the second portion 3 of a headrest according to the present invention to illustrate the overall preferred shape, and the provision of the two raised portions 5 to cushion the neck area of a user, in use.

Figure 4 is a partial cross-section through the headrest of figure 3, as indicated by the line B - B in that figure. Again illustrated, is a section through the second portion 3 with its raised elements 5 to support the neck. In this embodiment, the raised portions are shaped such that in its undeformed configuration, it provides a neck-receiving shape to provide a maximum cushioning effect. In this view, the first portion 2 and the weighted, or thickened portion 4 is illustrated. This is the portion that would extend over the rim of a basin and into the bowl during use.

Embodiment 2

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention where the neck support, generally indicated by 1, has a first portion 2 adapted to sit over the rim of a wash basin, in use, and a second portion 3 that extends, in use, downwardly from the first portion 2 to sit in front of the rim. ^' The second portion 3 is shaped generally in the form of a valley, running along the line of a user's spine (in use) to embrace, at least partially, the back of a user's neck. For clarity, the line of a user's spine is indicated in figure 10 by the dashed line D-D'. Returning to Figure 5, in this embodiment, the first portion 2 is furnished with a pair of suction cups 7 to releaseably fix the support to the inside of a wash basin.

Shaping the neck-contacting region of the neck support, i.e. the second portion, in this fashion is particularly advantageous as the pressure resulting from the weight of the head is distributed predominantly to either side of the cervical vertebrae thus minimising pressure on the spine and the delicate structures surrounding it.

The first portion 3 of the neck support 1 also has a series of grooves 8 orientated substantially perpendicular to the line of a user's spine. One advantage in forming the second portion in this way is that it facilitates an 'uncurling' mode of flexure, to be described more fully below. In this embodiment, the grooves are also wider towards the

centre of the second portion 3 than at the edge, as illustrated by the wider region indicated as 9. This configuration of grooves is especially advantageous as it provides a softer central portion lying adjacent a user's spine, in use, and augments the desirable property of protecting the cervical vertebrae and delicate structures surrounding it.

In this particular embodiment the grooves 8 are illustrated on the neck-contacting surface of the second portion 3. In order to provide the 'uncurling' flexure mode, one or more such grooves could equally be provided on the underside of the second portion 3. However, locating one or more such grooves on the neck-contacting surface of the second portion 3 provides a further advantage, By suitable placement and shaping of the grooves, they could serve as drainage channels down which excess water from a hair-washing operation could drain, away from a user's back, and onto, eg. a towel.

Figure 6 shows a rear perspective view of a neck support, generally indicated by 1 , and again showing a first portion 2 and a second portion 3. The valley-shaped profile of the first portion 3 is particularly evident in this view. The first portion 2 comprises a pair of arm members 10 having a cut-away portion 11 at one edge to allow access to such cup 7.

Figure 7 is a partial cross-section of a neck support along the line of a user's spine, i.e. along the line D-D' in figure 10. The cross-section illustrates a number of advantageous features:

The grooves 8 are deeper in this central location than they are at the edges. It can also be seen that the grooves 8 are wider at this central location than at the edges. Both of these features independently, and especially so when combined in this fashion, lead to a neck support that provides the advantageous differential support to the outside area of a user's neck. Adjacent grooves 8 on the surface define ridges 12 between them. The shaping of the grooves and the general valley-shaped nature of the second portion 3 again leads Io differential support between the central and edge regions of the second portion.

It can be seen also that the second portion is thicker towards its end 13 furthest from the first portion 2. This overall configuration defines a cleft 6 between the first portion 2 and second portion 3 that has a rim-gripping function. If the neck support is made from an

elastically-deformable material (such as a closed cell foam) it is particularly advantageous that its 'at rest' configuration (i.e. its configuration in the absence of any external applied forces) provides this washbasin rim-gripping shape. This allows the device to grip a wash basin, even without the use of suction pads, or should the suction pads fail. When a foam is used to construct the device, the use of closed cell foam is preferable, or a foam with an external "skin", to prevent water absorption into the device.

Figure 8 illustrates a partial cross-section of the device along a line substantially perpendicular to the line of a user's spine, i.e. as illustrated by the line Ci-Ci' in figure 9. This illustrates the feature that the second portion has a reduced thickness along the base of the valley (as compared with the edges).

Three predominant modes of flexure are particularly important for optimum functioning of the neck support. Each alone provides particular advantages, and the combination of any two, or indeed all three modes, adds to the utility of the basic device. The three flexure modes may be characterised as 'uncurling', 'gripping' and 'swivelling' modes, and will be illustrated with reference to figures 9-11.

Figure 9 illustrates a front (a) and rear (b) perspective of a neck support. The provision of grooves in the second portion creates a number of axes of flex shown as dashed lines

Ci-Ci' to C ₃ --C ₃ '. This features leads the device to have an 'uncurling' flexure mode indicated by the arrows in figure 9 and also the arrows in figure 7. This allows the device to be readily uncurled from its rim-gripping configuration shown in figure 7, to easily fit over the rim of a wash basin and then, if the device is made of an elastically-deformable material, to return to that rim-gripping configuration to facilitate placement of the device.

Figure 10 illustrates the 'gripping' mode of flexure. The widening and/or deepening of the grooves towards the central section of the second portion create another line of flex, this time along the line of a user's spine, and illustrated by the dashed line D-D'. This facilitates a flexing of the device as indicated by the arrows in figure 10 and serve to grip - and thus transfer force to - the back of a user's neck as the spine contacts the neck support.

Figure 11 illustrates the "swivelling" mode of flexure. The figure shows the partial cross- section already seen in figure 8. In this instance, the arm members 10 of the first portion 2 are designed to be flexible and to flex along the direction of the dashed lines Ei-E]' to E ₂ -E ₂ ', as indicated by the arrows. In this way, small movements of a user's head can be accommodated by the flexible arrangement thus maintaining the required neck support and avoiding any chafing between the neck and the support.

It is further envisaged that these flexible amis could be replaced by a single arm, not necessarily flexible, and provided with just a single suction cup. In this way, (and especially if the cup is rotatably mounted to the neck support) the rotational or 'swivelling' mode may be mimicked without the use of a flexible arm member.

Figure 11 illustrates the placement of a neck support 1 over the rim of a wash basin 13. In this instance, the rim of the wash basin 13 has a scooped out portion 14 as is commonly found in hairdressing salons and beauty parlours.