GB2389521A

GB2389521A - Travellers head support that attaches to a seat and engages the chin

Info

Publication number: GB2389521A
Application number: GB0227320A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Timothy John Hughes Williams
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-06-14
Filing date: 2002-11-22
Publication date: 2003-12-17
Also published as: GB0227320D0; GB0213723D0

Abstract

A head support for passengers of aeroplanes, coaches, trains or the like is provided. The head support comprises a chin engaging member which surrounds the chin of a passenger so as to support it and thereby prevent the head lolling sideways or forwards. The chin engaging member is coupled to the seat of the aeroplane, train etc. by a seat attachment means. In preferred embodiments, the chin engaging member includes a cavity for supporting the chin and the seat attachment means includes a pair of hooks which hook over the seat back and are each attached to ends of the chin engaging member.

Description

-1 HEAD SUPPORT

/;?: Hi to À The present invention relates to means for supporting the heads of human 5 passengers while travelling. More particularly, the invention provides a head support designed to prevent the head from lolling forwards/and or sideways.

On long journeys where passengers occupy a seated position for a long time on planes, trains, coaches etc., passengers often like to sleep during the journey. To assist in this, reclining seats haste been developed which provide a more comfortable 10 sleeping position. However, due to the need to have the seats close together in order to fit as many passengers onto the transportation vehicle as possible, the seats recline typically by only a small amount. When a passenger attempts to sleep in such seats, it has been found that, as their neck muscles relax, their head lolls forward and then sideways. This head lolling either serves to wake the passenger up or gives the 15 passenger a painful wry neck (torticolhs). The present invention is aimed at alleviating the problem of head lolling.

There have been previous attempts at solving this problem.

In one known prior art solution, an inflatable U-shaped cushion is provided

which fits around the back of the neck of the passenger. This cushion is designed to 20 push the neck forward from the back of the seat in an attempt to make sleeping more comfortable. It has been found that such cushions do not support the head and do not prevent the head lolling forward during sleep.

Another previously proposed solution is to provide "wings" on the sides of the seat which extend forward and prevent the head from falling sideways off the seat 25 should it loll sideways. Again, these wings do not prevent the head from lolling forwards. A third, but less well-known, solution has been developed for third-class flights in Japan in which the seats are not upholstered. The solution comprises a headband which is worn around the forehead and has a suction cup on the back. The 30 suction cup sticks to the non-upholstered plastic seat and thereby prevents the

-2 forehead from moving forwards. This device does not however provide much support In the sideways direction and the neck is capable of bending into uncomfortable orientations during its use. The problem of very neck is therefore not solved. Also, the device cannot be used with upholstered seats.

5 The present invention addresses the above mentioned problems and accordingly provides a head support according to claim 1. The chin engaging member of the head support is preferably manufactured according to the method of claim 18.

The chin engaging member preferably comprises a cavity which supports the 10 chin from underneath and the front. Such a cavity can be formed by the non-parallel intersection of two originally planar members, these members being preferably made from the foam and possibly having reinforcing netting attached to one side thereof.

The straps can be provided either integral with the chin engaging member or attached thereto using suitable fastening means such as Velcro. The seat attachment 15 means typically Includes two hooks which are attached to straps that couple with the chin engaging member. Alternatively, the chin engaging member can be directly coupled to the hooks. Of ' r' C it Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example 20 only, by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows the head support of the present invention being worn by a passenger travelling in ante seat; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the chin engaging member of the head support; 25 Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the chin engaging member as viewed from the top and the rear; Figure 4 shows a side view of a passenger wearing the head support of the present invention while travelling; Figure 5 is a top view of the passenger of Figure 4 wearing the head support, 30 Figure 6 is a front view of a passenger wearing the head support of the present

-3 invention; Figure 7 is a side view of the head support showing its manufacture from to o originally planar members and the Velcro (TM) fastening means; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the top of a coach/train/aeroplane seat 5 showing Velcro fastening members; Figure 9 shows an alternative embodiment of the head support of the present . Invention. a, I,: In Figure 1 a passenger is shown seated on an aeroplane seat whilst wearing 10 the head support 1 of the present invention. The head support comprises two components; a chin engaging member 2 that fits around and surrounds the chin of the passenger and a seat attachment means 3 which couples the chin engaging member to the seat. As can be seen from Figure 1, the chin engaging member 2 is shaped to fit around the chin and lower jaw of the passenger so as to support the head both from 15 the front and from below and thereby prevent the head lolling forward. The chin engaging member 2 also supports the head along the cheeks at the sides to prevent the head lolling sideways. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the chin engaging member is extended at the sides for longer than it needs to be in the rearward direction so as to provide hanging ends 4. The hanging ends 4 extend down below 20 the point at which the chin engaging member 2 is attached to straps 5 of the seat attachment means 3. The hanging ends 4 may be used by the passenger to quickly release the chin engaging member from the seat attachment means.

The seat attachment means in this embodiment comprises a hook 6 preferably made of plastics material and preferably havmg a non-slip coating on the inner 25 surface thereof. The hook is designed to slip over the top of the seat back (see Figure 4). Attached to the hook 6 is a strap 5 which at its other end attaches to the chin engaging member 2. In this embodiment the seat attachment means comprises two hooks 6 and two corresponding straps 5 for attachment with each end of the chin engaging member 2. If desired, one of the straps 5 can be permanently attached to 30 the chin engaging member 2 with the other strap 5 being removably attached to the

-4 othcr end of the chin engaging member 2. Alternatively, both of the connections between the straps and the chin engaging member 2 can be releasable or both can be non-releaseable, with the head support being removed by pulling the hooks 6 from the top of the seat back.

5 In the most preferred embodiment, the chin engaging member 2 is attached to each strap 5 by the well-known Velcro (I) fastening method. The attachment can be adjustable in that long lengths of Velcro can be applied along the straps 5 or the end portions of the chin engaging member 2 so that the Velcro fasteners can be positioned in multiple selective positions to provide an adjustable releaseable l O attachment.

In order to optimize comfort, it is preferable that the "soft" side of the Velcro is provided to the inside of the chin engaging member 2 and the ''hook" side of the Velcro is provided to the outside of the straps 5. In this way, the user's face will be much less likely to come into contact with the "hooked" Velcro side which could 15 cause irritation or annoyance.

Figure 2 shows an alternate embodiment wherein the straps 5 are connected to the outside of the ends 9 of the chin engaging member 2 rather than to the inside of the ends 9 of the chin engaging member 2 as shown in Figure 1. In this case, it is preferred that the straps 5 caky the "soft" Velcro fastener and the chin engaging 20 member 2 carries the "hooked" Velcro fastener on its outside surface.

In embodiments where Velcro is not used, the straps 5 can be sewn to the chin engaging member or the ends of the chin engaging member 2 can be directly connected to the hooks 6.

As can be seen from Figures 2 and 3, the chin engaging member 2 comprises 25 a cavity formed by attaching two sheets of foam 7, 8 together. A sheet of foam 8 is cut to the shape substantially as is shown in Figure 3 and remains in a generally planar configuration during use. Sheet of foam 7 is larger than sheet 8 and is also cut from a planar sheet of foam. However, one surface of the sheet of foam 7 is bent and attached to the curved side edge of sheet of foam 8. This provides a cavity having a 30 curved apex to as shown m Figure 3. The user's chin is intended to be inserted into

-5 this cavity.

The sheet of foam 8 is designed to support the chin from underneath whereas the sheet in foam 7 is designed to support the chin from the front and also to support the sides of the face. This is clearly shown in Figure 6 which is a front view of the 5 head support in use.

The sheets of foam 7 and 8 are preferably attached together by stitching and, once they are stitched together, they can be covered in a material such as satin, silk or any other suitable covering material. The covering material enhances the appearance of the chin engaging member and also provides protection for the foam sheet 7, S. 10 The covering material should preferably be permeable to air such that when the chin engaging member extends over the mouth of the user (as is shown in Figure 6), the user's breathing is not impeded.

In order to provide further strength to the foam sheets, a reinforcing netting may be applied to one of the surfaces. The netting can be formed from a network of 15 cotton threads. The foam sheets having such reinforcing netting already applied are commercially available and are sold by the company Bultex. The reinforcing netting can provide a nonisotropic reinforcing function in which the netting prevents the foam being pulled apart (extended) in one direction but allows Emoted extension in a direction perpendicular to that direction. In such a case, it is preferred that the sheet 20 7 shown in Figure 3 allows limited foam extension in the vertical direction but substantially prevents foam extension in the circumferential direction (i.e. the direction parallel to the direction of extension of both the end extensions 9 of the chin engaging member 2). It is also preferred that any netting prevents the extension of the foam sheet 8 in the forward and backward direction (up and down on the page 25 as viewed in Figure 3) but allows limited extension in the left to right direction (left to right as viewed on the page in Figure 3).

For ease of manufacture the netting reinforcing is placed on the external surfaces of the foam, although it could, if necessary, be placed on the internal surfaces. 30 The foam is preferably made of latex, which is hypoallergenic. lOmm or

-6 I Smm thick sheets have been found to be effective.

Figure 7 shows a preferred embodiment in which the end extensions 9 of the chm engaging member 2 each have a Velcro strip 10 attached along their length. The Velcro strip 10 can extend down the cheek section of the chin engaging member for a 5 considerable distance. In this manner, when the straps of Figure 2 are used with the chin engaging member, the relatively small piece of Velcro 11 on the straps 5 can be engaged anywhere along the strip 10 and so provide an adjustable length to the head support. Furthermore, as also shown in Figure 2, the straps 5 can have a length of strap I w hich hangs down below the Velcro fastener 11 on the strap 5. The length 10 of strap 12 assists m quickly releasing the strap 5 from the chin engaging member 2.

Instead of the long piece of Velcro being on the chin engaging member 2, it may be on the strap 5 such that a small piece of Velcro can be used on the chin engaging member. As already shown in Figure 1, the chin engaging member may have the quick release handles 4 mstead of the straps 5.

1' The hooks shown in Figures 1, 4, 5 and 6 are not essential to the invention.

Any other means of attaching a strap-like structure to a seat may be used. One advantageous embodiment is to use the Velcro that is already found on many airline seats and which is supplied in order to support the antimaccassa sheets that adorn the top of the seat back. The straps 5 shown in Figure 2 can be simply connected to 20 the Velcro strips 13 shown in Figure 8. If it is necessary to have an anti-maccassa sheet as well, this may be provided with extra Velcro for attaching to the straps 5.

The straps 5 are also themselves not essential to the invention since they can be replaced by merely extending the length of the extension 9 on the chin engaging member 2 (see Figure 7).

25 An alternative embodiment is shown in Figure 9. In this embodiment, the chin engaging member 20 has two parts 21, 22 that are fastened together at the front by, Velcro fastening means 23. The torso parts overlap near the mouth region of the user. Each part 21, 22 of the chin engaging member has an extension region 90 which leads to either a strap 5, a hook 6 or pieces of Velcro 13 as described in 3Q relation to the other embodiments. This embodiment has the advantage that the chin

engaging member can be released from the front but has the disadvantage that two separate support panels are required to make up the chin engaging member.

Ventilation holes may be provided in the chin engaging member 2 of all of the previous embodiments in order to aid air flow through the device. It is not 5 necessary that the device covers the mouth as shown in Figure 6 since the top sheet 7 can be made smaller, or with an indentation so that the user's mouth is not covered.

An embodiment which does not cover the mouth is shown in Figure 1. The advantage of having a larger front panel 7 is that the weight of the head is spread over a larger part of the face so there is less pressure on the face as a result. Another 10 advantage of the configuration shown in Figure 3 is that the chin engaging member can be "reversed" (turned upside down) such that the panel 8 is at the front and the panel 7 supports the chin from below. This provides more support from the bottom and less support from the front which users may find more comfortable.

The angle of the extension portions 9 and the straps 5 is preferably such that 15 they follow a line which, in use, points to the apex of the chin. This has been found to provide comfortable support.

Since the chin engaging member 2 of the head support I is soft and flexible, it can be easily folded up for packaging purposes and the chin engaging member 2 and seat attachment means 3 can be made to occupy very little space when not in use.

Claims

-8 CLAIMS

]. A head support for supporting the head of passengers while travelhng In a seat, said head support comprising: 5 a chin engaging member that fits around at least the chin of a passenger; and seat attachment means for coupling said chin engaging member to said seat.

2. A head support according to claim 1, wherein said chin engaging member comprises a cavity which, in use, supports said chin from underneath and 10 from the front.

3. A head support according to claim 2, wherein said cavity is formed by the non-parallel intersection of two originally planar members, at least one of which has been curved and joined to the other along one of its edges.

4. A head support according to any one of claims I to 3, wherein said chin engaging member comprises straps that are disposed to extend upwardly and rearwardly in use, toward the top of said seat.

20 5. A head support according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said L arms) seat attachment means comprises Velcro,directly or indirectly attached to said seat terra) and corresponding mating Velcro,attached to said chin engaging member.

6. A head support according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said 25 seat attachment means comprises at least one hook capable of being hooked over the top of said seat.

7. A head support according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said chin engaging member is made out of foam members covered in an outer material.

-9 - 8. A head support according to claim 6, wherein said foam members are reinforced on at least one side.

9. A head support according to any one of claims I to 8, wherein said 5 seat attachment means comprises straps that, in use, extend forward and downwardly towards the point of the chin of the user.

10. A head support according to claim 4, any one of claims S to 8 when appendant to claim 4 or claim 9, wherein said straps are longer than is necessary for 10 supporting the chin so that a distal section of said straps extends past a coupling point and thereby aids in uncouphng said straps.

I 1. A head support according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said chin engaging member is upholstered.

12. A head support according to claim 6, wherein said at least one hook has a non-slip coating on its inner surface.

13. A head support according to claim 6 or 12, wherein there are two 20 hooks, said head support further compnsmg a flexible band Joining the two hooks together to prevent the hooks slipping off the top of the back of the seat.

14. A combination of packaging and the head support of any one of claims I to 13, said chin engaging member of said head support being folded up and 25 enclosed In said packaging.

15. A combination of a seat and the head support of any one of claims 1 to 13, said seat attachment means of said head support being attached to said seat.

30 16. A combination according to claim 15, wherein said seat is an

-10 aeroplaneseatjt f, i/v,. r ccft > 17. An aeroplane including a head support according to any one of claims 1 to 13 or a combination according to claim 14 15 or 16.

18. A method of manufacturing a chin engaging member for a head support comprising: cutting two planar foam members to shape; attaching said members together; and 10 covering said members inmaterial.$ it' to All A} - it- ' ' 19. A method according to claim 18, wherein said attaching step comprising stitching.

15 20. A method according to claim 18 or 19, further comprising: attaching Velcro to the outer surface of the chin engaging member.

21. A head support constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described or with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.

22. A method of manufacturing a chin engaging member substantially as hereinbefore described.