GB2492588A

GB2492588A - A method of supporting a person's head, and a head support

Info

Publication number: GB2492588A
Application number: GB201111660A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Ravenscroft
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-07-08
Filing date: 2011-07-08
Publication date: 2013-01-09
Also published as: GB201111660D0

Abstract

A head support 10, suitable for supporting a person's head whilst sleeping in a sitting position, comprises a head mounting part 12 for mounting on the head, and at least one support part 18, 20. The support part 18, 20 comprises means for surrounding at least one shoulder joint and/or part of a torso below the shoulder joint and means for connecting it to the head mounting part 12. The support part may be in the form of one piece of material 18 connected to another piece of material 20 by a detachable fastening means 22. In use the support 18, 20 limits movement of a person's head with respect to at least one shoulder joint and/or a torso during sleep. The invention also describes a method of supporting a person's head.

Description

A METHOD OF SUPPORTING A PERSON'S HEAD, AND A HEAD SUPPORT The invention relates to a method of supporting a person's head, and a head support.

Seats in aeroplanes, trains and cars tend to be fairly upright so as to maxirnise space. Some seats, for example aeroplane seats in "business class" or "first-class", and some ear seats, can be reclined backwards to some extent, but many do not. When people travel on an aeroplane, train. ear, or other mode of transport, in a non reclining seat, it can be difficult to get any meaningful sleep. As an individual attempts to sleep in one of these upright seats, it can be quite easy for that individual to initially fall into a light sleep in an upright position with the head resting back on the seat headrest. However, a problem arises, usually within just a few minutes. when the individual begins to fall into a deeper sleep state and the neck muscles which have been h&ding the head in an upright position begin to relax. When this happens, the head stumps forwards or sideways and the individual is immediately jolted awake. This whole process then repeats itself again and again -the individual begins again to fall into a deeper sleep state, the neck muscles begin to relax, the head slumps forwards or sidewards and the individual is jolted awake again. This repeating process can leave the individual exhausted and sleep deprived, especially on long journeys.

There are several types of products on the market which attempt to solve this problem. They fall into the following categories: A travd pillow can be positioned behind the head or neck to provide a cushioning effect.

Some travel pillows are air inflatable. Travd pillows do not prevent the user's head from tilting forward.

A travel headband can be considered as a variation of a travel pillow, but instead of having the cushioning effect behind the head or neck, the cushioning materials, pads or mini-cushions are incorporated within a headband that goes around the head. The travel headband does not prevent the user's head from tilting forward.

A travel collar is similar to a surgical collar. Some models are inflatable, The travel collar does not prevent the user's head from tilting forward, may be uncomfortable in use for the user, and raise safety concerns.

A headband that encircles the user's head and the seat rest behind the user's head, is described in GB2434302. Such a headband may raise safety concerns, in that the user is "attached to" the seat.

GB2389509 and GB2434302 both disclose head restraints.

In GB2389509, the head restraint comprises a headband 13 or cap 21, and an apron t4. where the apron is of a sufficieat length that it becomes trapped between the wearer's back and shoulders and the back of the seat the wearer is sat on.

In GB2434302, the head restraint comprises a headband I and an apron 2, the head restraint working in a similar way to the head restraint in GB2389509.

Critically, the reader will appreciate that the effectiveness of the head restraints in GB2389509 and GB2434302 depend on the spatial relationship between the user and the seat,

I

If a seat back support has an irregular profile, the part refelTed to as an apron may not be fully trapped between the user and the seat as intended. Consequently, the apron may work loose, and the head restraint may not perform its intended function.

Moreover, if the user leans their upper body foiward, away from the seat back support. as can offer occur during sleep, the apron will not remain trapped between the user and the seat as intended. When the apron 14 is free to move, so is the user's head.

GB2450960 discloses a cervical spine and neck support device. Again, the effectiveness of the support device in GB2450960 depends on the spatial relationship between the user and the seat.

A further problem with the support device in GB2450960 is that a user must stand up. to release tension in the back flap before sitting down again. Such standing may be tiresome for a user, and standing can be impractical in some situations, for example on an aeroplane.

US4560201 discloses a headrest. The headrest has on'y one strap, which runs from the uscr's head, behind the user's back (see Figure 2), behind the user's shoulder joint, i.e. the joint where the arm meets the shoulder, and onto the user's forearm. The headrest is suitable for preventing the user's head tilt forward (see column 1, line 34). However, the headrest is not designed to prevent the user's head tilting to the side (i. e. tilting to the right, from the perspective of a viewer of Figure 1). or indeed backwards. Also, critically, if the user intendonally or unintentionally (perhaps whilst asleep) moves the forearm, the headrest can be rendered ineffective.

An aim of the present invention is to provide an alternative method of supporting a person's head, and an alternative head support.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method of supporting a person's head in accordance with Claim 1.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a head support in accordance with Claim 17.

In the head support of Claim 17, or any compatible dependent claim, or as defined in the description, the support part may be designed to extend from the armpit to the head support (directly or otherwise) on one side of the armpit, e.g. at the front of the armpit. and the support part may be designed to extend from the armpit to the head support (directly oi otherwise) on the other side of the armpit, e.g. the rear of the armpit. In the method of Claim 1, or any compatible dependent claim, or as defined in the description, the support part may be designed to extend from the armpit to the head support (directly or otherwise) on one side of the armpit, e.g. at the front of the armpit, arid the support part may be designed to extend from the armpit to the head support (directly or otherwise) on the other side of the armpit, e.g. the rear of the aniipit.

Other opfional and preferred features of the invention are set out in the dependent claims, and the description, below. It will be appreciated that the features of the independent claims can be combined in any complimentary manner, with one or more features of the dependent claims, and/or with one or more features of the description, where such a combination of features would provide a working embodiment of the invention.

By using the head support andlor the method of supporting a person's head in accordance with the invention, potential movement of a person's head with respect to at least one shoulder joint, i.e. the joint where the arm meets the shoulder, and/or part of a torso is limited during sleep, without the requirement of a seat. The invention can prevent forward motion, andlor backward motion, and/or sideways motion towards a first and second side of a head, with respect to at least one shoulder joint and/or part of a torso.

Various head supports, and methods of supporting a person's head, will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which.

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a head band of a head support, Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a head band, with a cross band, Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a head support, from a direction which would be the front of the head support in use, Figure 41s a schematic plan view of the head support of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a schematic front view of a head support in a first embodiment of the invention, Figure 6 is a schematic rear view of the head support of Figure 5, Figure 7 is a schematic side view of the head support of Figure 5, Figure 8 is a schematic front view of a head support in a second embodiment of the invention, Figure 9 is a schematic rear view of the head support of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a schematic side view of the head support of Figure 8, Figure 11 is a schematic front view of a head support in a third embodiment of the invention, Figure 12 is a schematic rear view of the head support of Figure 11, Figure 13 is a schematic side view of the head support of Figure ii.

Figure 14 is a schematic front view of a head support in a fourth embodiment of the invention, Figure 15 is a schematic rear view of the head support of Figure 14, Figure 16 is a schematic side view of the head support of Figure 14.

Figure 17 is a schematic front view of a head support in a fifth embodiment of the invention, and Figure 18 is a schematic rear view of the head support of Figure 14.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, a head support 10 comprises a head mounting part such as a headband 12 (or head garment), one or more than one suppoit pail, such as a sing'e loop support part 14.

Referring to Figure 2, the headband 12 (and any headband mentioned in the following embodiments) can incorporate a single cross band 16 which fits over the top of the head to stop the headband 12 from slipping down over the face in use. Furthermore, the headband can incorporate two cross bands which fit over the top of the head at different angles to each other to stop the headband from slipping down over the face (not shown for conciseness).

Referring to Figure 1), a headband 12 may not incorporate any cross bands at all. Such a headband 12 may rely on friction to stay in situ on the head in use.

The headband 12 and any cross hands 16 can be fully adjustable to accommodate different head sizes.

Another model variation will be a range of head garments that cover all or most of the top of the head. Such a head garment may be similar to an adjustable baseball cap, which, in effect, has an integral band of material like the aforementioned headband.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the single ioop support part 14 comprises two loop forming lengths of material, a first length of material 18 and a second length of material 20. attached to a point or points on the headband 12 or head garment. The first length of material 18 and the second length of material 20 may be of varying length, width and thickness, and of varying materials.

Figure 4 shows a plane A through the centre of the headband 12. Plane A is designed to pass vertically through the centre of a person's face in use. The first length of matenal 18 and the second length of materia' 20 are connected to the headband 12, in such a way that the angle a between the inbound edge of the first length of material 18 and plane A, is about 40 degrees, and the angle I between the outbound edge of the first length of material 18 and the plane A is about 50 degrees, and the angle a between the inbound edge of the second length of material 20 and the plane A is about -40 degrees, and the angle J3 between the outbound edge of the second length of material 20 and the plane A is about -50 degrees.

Referring to Figure 5, the first length of material 18 and the second length of material 20 may be attachable by suitable detachable fastening means 22, such as snap fastening means or hook and ioop fastening means (such as Velcro®), ananged towards the free ends of the first and second lengths of material.

In use, refelTing to figures 5 to 7, the first length of material 18 follows a path from the wearer's head down over the back of one of the wearer's shoulder joints, i.e. the joint where the arm meets the shoulder, and then passes underneath the armpit to the front of the wearer, and across the chest. The second length of material 20 follows a path from the wearer's head down over the back of the other shoulder joint, and then passes underneath the armpit to the front of the wearer, and across the chest. The free ends of the first length of material 18 and the second length of matenal 20 are then secured in place by detachable fastening means 22 located on the wearer's chest. In Figure 7, the second length of material 20 is hidden from view.

Referring to Figures 8 to 10, in another embodiment of the invention, a head support 30 comprises a headband 32 with a first length of material 38 and a second length of material 40 fitted to it. The first length of material 38 and the second ength of material 40 are sized and designed accordingly for the following use. Referring to Figure 8, the first length of material 38 follows a path from the wearer's head down over the back of one of the shoulder joints (in this case over the person's right shoulder joint), and then passes underneath the armpit to the front of the wearer, and across their chest. The second length of material 40 follows a path from the wearer's head down over the front of the other shoulder joint (in this case the person's left shoulder joint), and then passes underneath the armpit to the back of the wearer, back over the top of the shoulder joint, (in bound of the part of the second length that extends from the wearer's head to the front of the front of the shoulder joint), and down and across the chest. The free ends of the first length of material 38 and the second length of material 40 are then secured in place by detachable fastening means 52 located on the wearer's chest. This embodiment of the invention can allow a sing'e loop forming length of material to prevent forward, backwards and sideways movement.

In another embodiment of the invention, referring to Figures ii to 13, a head support 60 comprises a headband 62 with two loop support parts, fitted to it. Each loop support part comprises a 1oop forming length of material, a first length of material 68 and a second length of material 70. The first length of material 68 and the second length of material 70 are sized and designed accordingly for the following use. The first length of material 68 foflows a path from the wearer's head down over the back of one of the shoulder joints, and then passes underneath the armpit to the front of the wearer, and upwardly. so that the first length of material 68 is secured onto itself by detachable fastening means 72 (fonming an enclosed loop around one of the wearer's shoulder joints). Similarly, the second length of material 70 follows a path from the wearer's head down over the back of the other of the shoulder joints, and then passes underneath the armpit to the front of the wearer, and upwardly, so that the second length of material 70 is secured onto itself by detachable fastening means 72 (forming an enclosed loop around the other of the wearer's shoulder joints).

In another embodiment of the invention, refelTing to Figures 14 to 16. a head support 80 comprises a headband 82 with two loop support parts, each loop support part comprising a loop forming length of material, i.e. a first length of material 88 and a second length of material 90, fitted to it, The first length of material 88 and the second length of material 90 are sized and designed accordingly for the following use. The first length of material 88 follows a path from the wearer's head down over the back of one of the shoulder joints, and then passes underneath the armpit to the front of the wearer, and upwardly. so that the first length of material 88 is secured to the headband by detachable fastening means 92 (forming an enclosed loop around one of the wearer's shoulder joints). In symmetrical manner, the second length of material 90 follows a path from the wearer's head down over the back of the other of the shoulder joints, and then passes underneath the armpit to the front of the wearer, and upwardly, so that the second length of material 90 is secured to the headband 82 by detachable fastening means 92 (forming an enclosed loop around the other of the wearer's shoulder joints).

Referring to Figures 17 and 18, in a further embodiment of the invention, a head support 100 comprises a headband 102 with two loop support parts, each loop support part comprising a loop forming length of material, i.e. a first length of material 108 and a second length of material 110, fitted to it. The first length of material 108 and the second length of material are sized and designed accordingly for the following use. The first length of material 108 follows a path from the wearers head down over the back of the remote shoulder joint, and then passes underneath the armpit to the front of the wearer, and upwardly, so that the first length of material 108 is secured is secured onto itself by detachable fastening means 112 (forming an enclosed loop around one of the wearer's shoulder joints). Similarly, the second length of material 110 follows a path from the weai*ers head down over the back of the remote other shoulder joint, and then passes underneath the armpit to the front of the wearer, and upwardly, so that the second length of material 110 is secured onto itself by detachable fastening means 112 (forming an enclosed loop around the other of the wearers shoulder joints). In this embodiment, the lengths of material 110, 112 crossover, as viewed from the rear in Figure 18.

Once fitted to the wearer, the head support 10, 30, 60, 80, 100 in accordance with the invention keeps the head in an upright static position so that it does not slump forwards or sideways. Some embodiments also prevent the user's head slumping rearwards, which can be useful if the height of the person's seat is below head height. It will be appreciated that the head support works totally independently of a seat, i.e. it does not require connection to the seat, or interaction with the seat. In other words, it is connected to just the wearer and nothing else.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a head support for supporting a person's head whilst sleeping in a sitting position, wherein the head support is designed to be wholly user mounted, the head support comprises a head mounting part for mounting on the head, and at least one support part, wherein the support pail comprises means for connecting the head mounting pail to a person's clothing adjacent at least one shoulder joint and/or a person's clothing adjaccnt part of a torso, fixing the distance between the head and a person's clothing adjacent at least one shoulder joint and/or part of a torso, so as to limit movement, in at least one direction, of the head with respect to a person's clothing adjacent the at least one shoulder joint and/or part of a torso.

According to a still further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of supporting a person's head whilst the person is sleeping in a sitting position, the method comprising the following steps, in no particular sequence, providing a wholly user mounted head support, which comprises a head mounting part for mounting on the head, and at least one support part, the support part comprising means for connecting the head mounting pail to a person's clothing adjacent at east one shoulder joint and/or a person's clothing adjacent part of a torso, fixing the distance between the head and a person's clothing adjacent at least one shoulder joint and/or part of a torso, so as to limit movement, in at least one direction, of the head with respect to a person's clothing adjacent the at least one shoulder joint and/or part of a torso, and connecting the head mounting part to a person's clothing adjacent at least one shoulder joint and/or part of a torso, fixing the distance between the head and a person's clothing adjacent at least one shoulder joint and/or part of a torso, so as to limit movement, in at least one direction, of the head with respect to a person's clothing adjacent the at least one shoulder joint and/or part of a torso.

The terms "support" or "supporting" should be understood to mean "restrain" or "restraining".

The term "length of material" means any suitable length of material, for example, but not limited to, a strap or a cord.

The invention described here wiJi enable many people to get some meaningful sleep, not just in travel situations, but in other situations including those at home. It will be especially helpful to people who are old, ill or infirm who often need to sleep sitting. substantially upright, in a chair. It will also be helpful to people with chest and breathing problems who cannot rest or sleep in horizontal positions. Furthermore, it will be a useful aid to people with diseases that affect muscular movement.

Claims

<claim-text>CLAIMS1. A method of supporting a person's head whilst the person is sleeping in a sitting position, the method comprising the following steps, in no particular sequence. providing a wholly user mounted head support, which comprises a head mounting part for mounting on the head, and at least one support part. the support part comprising means for sulTounding at least one shoulder joint and/or part of a torso below the shoulder joint, and means for connecting the means for surrounding at least one shoulder joint and/or part of a torso below the shoulder joint to the head mounting part, surrounding at least one shoulder joint andior part of a torso with the means for surrounding, connecting the surrounded at least one shoulder joint and/or part of a torso to the head mounting part using the means for connecting. so as to limit movement of a person's head with respect to at least one shoulder joint andlor part of a torso during sleep.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A method of supporting a person's head according to Claim 1, wherein the method further comprises providing a support part in the form of at least one loop support part, the or each loop support part comprising at least one loop forming length of material, mounting the head mounting part on the head, arranging the at least one loop forming length of material to form at least one loop extending from the head mounting part downwardly to the level of an armpit, extending the at least one loop under at least one armpit of the person, extending the at least one loop forming length of material upwardly above at least one shoulder of the person, and connecting the at least one loop forming length of material to itself or to the head mounting part or to another loop forming length of material, so as to form at least one loop support part of substantially fixed length surrounding at least one shoulder joint and/or pail of a torso below the shoulder joint, under tension, which limits potential movement of the head with respect to at least one shoulder joint and/or part of a torso during sleep.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A method of supporting a person's head according to Claim 2, the method further comprising arranging the at least one ioop support part so as to limit forward motion and sideways motion towards a first and second side of a head with respect to the shou'der region.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A method of supporting a person's head according to Claim 3, wherein the method further comprises, providing a single loop support part. the single ioop support part comprising at least one loop forming length of material, extending the at least one ioop forming length of material from the head mounting part downwardly under a first armpit region of a person whose head is to be supported, under the first armpit region, across the torso, and under the second armpit region, and extending the single loop forming length of material from the second armpit region to the head mounting part.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A method of supporting a person's head according to Claim 4, wherein the method further comprises, extending the loop forming length of material from the head mounting part to the back of the first armpit, and under the armpit, across the chest region, under the second armpit, to the back of the second armpit, and back to the head mounting part.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A method of supporting a person's head according to Claim 2, the method further comprising arranging the at least one loop support part so as to limit forward and backward motion of a head with respect to the shoulder region and sideways motion towards a first and second side of a head with respect to the shoulder region.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A method of supporting a person's head according to Claim 6, wherein the method further comprises, extending the loop forming length of material from the head mounting part to the back of the first shoulder, under the first armpit, across the torso of a person whose head is to be supported, and over the top of the second shoulder, down behind the second shoulder, under the second armpit, and to the head mounting pail.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. A method of supporting a person's head according to Claim 5 or 7, wherein the method further comprises, providing a single loop support part comprising a first length of material, a second length of material, and a detachable fastening means, and detachably fastening the first and second lengths of material together.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. A method of supporting a person's head according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the method further comprises providing two oop support parts, each loop support part comprising a loop forming ength of material, a first loop forming length of materia' and a second loop forming length of materiaL extending the first loop forming length of material from the head mounting part, under one armpit region of a person whose head is to be supported, and connecting the first loop forming length of material to itself or to the head mounting part or to the second loop forming length of material, so as to forming a first loop of fixed length, extending the second loop forming length of material from the head mounting part, under the other armpit region of' a person whose head is to be supported, and connecting thc sccond loop forming length of matcrial to itself or to thc hcad mounting part or to the first loop forming length of material, so as to forming a second loop of fixed length.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. A method of supporting a person's head according to Claim 9, the method further comprising arranging the two loop support parts so as to limit forward and backward motion of a head with respect to the shoulder region and sideways motion towards a first and second side of a head with respect to the shoulder region.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. A method of supporting a person's head according to Claim 9 or 10, wherein the method further comprises forming the first and/or second loop of fixed length by connecting the first andlor second loop forming length of material to the first andlor second ioop forming length of material.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. A method of supporting a person's head according to Claim 9 or 0, wherein the method further comprises forming a fixed first loop by connecting the first and/or second loop forming length of material to the head mounting part.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. A method of supporting a person's head according to Claim 9, wherein the method further comprises extending the first loop forming length of material from the head mounting part. under an adjacent armpit of a person whose head is to be supported, extending the second loop forming length of material from the head mounting part, under an adjacent armpit of a person whose head is to be supported.</claim-text> <claim-text>14. A method of supporting a person's head according to Claim 9, wherein the method further comprises extending the first loop forming length of material from the head mounting part. across the body, under a remote armpit of a person whose head is to be supported, extending the second loop forming length of material from the head mounting part, across the body, under a remote armpit of a person whose head is to be supported.</claim-text> <claim-text>15. A method of supporting a person's head according to Claim 7, wherein the method further comprises providing a head mounting part which comprises a band of material designed to encircle the head in a substantially horizontal planar manner, the first loop forming length of material being connected to a first side of the band of material, the second loop forming length of material being connected to a second side of the band of material.arranging the first side towards a first ear of the user, and alTanging a second side towards a second ear of the user, preferably an-anging the head mounting part so that the connections between the head mounting part and, respectively, the first loop forming length of material, and the second loop forming length of material are symmetrically located about a vertical plane, through the centre of the face and from the front to the back of the head..</claim-text> <claim-text>16. A method of supporting a person's head according to Claim 13, wherein the method further comprises, arranging the band of material on the head so that the connections between the head mounting part and the first loop forming length of material, and the second loop forming length of material are arranged towards the rear of the head.</claim-text> <claim-text>17. A head support, for supporting a person's head whilst sleeping in a sitting position, wherein the head support is designed to be wholly user mounted, the head support compnses a head mounting part for mounting on the head, and at least one support part, wherein the support part comprises means for surrounding at least one shoulder joint and/or part of a torso below the shoulder joint, and means for connecting the means for surrounding at least one shoulder joint andlor part of a torso below the shoulder joint to the head mounting part, so as to limit movement of a person's head with respect to at least one shoulderjoint and/or a torso during sleep.</claim-text> <claim-text>18. A head support according to Claim 17. wherein the at least one support part support part comprises at least one loop support part.</claim-text> <claim-text>19. A head support according to Claim 18, wherein the or each ioop support part comprises at least one loop forming length of matenal, the at least one ioop forming length of material being sized and designed to extend from the head mounting part, downwardly to the level of an armpit, to extend under at least one armpit region of a person whose head is to be supported, upwardly above at least one shoulder of the person, and to connect to itself or to the head mounting part or to another loop forming length of material, so as to form at least one loop support part of substantially fixed length surrounding at least one shoulder joint and/or part of a torso below the shoulder joint, under tension, which can limit movement of a head with respect to at least one shoulder joint andlor a torso during sleep.</claim-text> <claim-text>20. A head support according to Claim 18 or 19, wherein the at least one loop support part comprises a single oop support part.</claim-text> <claim-text>21. A head support according to Claim 20, wherein the single loop support part comprises a single loop forming length of material being sized and designed to extend from the head mounting part, under at least one armpit of a person whose head is to be supported, across the torso of a person whose head is to be supported, and under the other armpit of a person whose head is to be supported, and connect to the head mounting part.</claim-text> <claim-text>22. A head support according to Claim 20, wherein the single oop forming length of material is sized and designed to extend from the head mounting part, behind one shoulder, under at least one armpit of a person whose head is to be supported, across the torso of a person whose head is to be supported, and over the top of the opposing shouder, down behind that shoulder, under that armpit, and connect to the head mounting part.</claim-text> <claim-text>23. A head support according to Claim 20, 21 or 22, wherein the single ioop forming length of material comprises two lengths of material and a detachable fastening means which joins the two lengths of material.</claim-text> <claim-text>24. A head support according to Claim 23, wherein the two lengths of material are sized and designed so that the detachable fastening means locate in use about a user's chest region.</claim-text> <claim-text>25. A head support according to Claim 18 or 19, wherein the at east one loop support part comprises two loop support parts.</claim-text> <claim-text>26. A head support according to Claim 25, wherein each loop support part comprises a oop forming length of material, a first loop forming length of matenal and a second loop forming length of material, the first loop forming length of material being sized and designed to extend from the head mounting part, under one aimpit region of a person whose head is to be supported, and connect to itself, or to the head mounting part, or to the second ioop forming length of material, the second loop forming length of material is designed to extend from the head mounting part, under the other armpit region of a person whose head is to be supported, and connect to itself, or to the head mounting part. or to the first ioop forming length of material.</claim-text> <claim-text>27. A head support according to Claim 26, wherein the first loop forming length of material is sized and designed to extend from the head mounting part, under an adjacent armpit of a pci-son whose head is to be supported. the second ioop forming length of material is sized and designed to extend from the head mounting part, under an adjacent aimpit of a person whose head is to be supported.</claim-text> <claim-text>28. A head support according to Claim 26, wherein the first loop forming length of material is sized and designed to extend from the head mounting part, across the torso, under a remote armpit of a person whose head is to be supported, the second loop forming length of material is sized and designed to extend from the head mounting part, across the torso, under a remote armpit of a person whose head is to be supported.</claim-text> <claim-text>29. A head support according to Claim 26, wherein the first and/or second loop forming length of material has a positive detachable fastening means which permit the first andlor second loop forming length of materia' to connect to itself.</claim-text> <claim-text>30. A head support according to Claim 26, wherein the head mounting part comprises a positive detachable fastening means which permit the first andlor second loop forming length of material to connect to the head mounting part.</claim-text> <claim-text>31. A head support according to Claim 29, wherein the positive detachable fastening means is located towards a free end of the first and/or second ioop forming length of material.</claim-text> <claim-text>32. A head support according to Claim 23 or 26, wherein the head mounting part comprises a band of material designed to encircle the head in a substantially horizontal planar manner, a first length of material being connected to a first part of the head mounting part at a first connection, and a second length of material being connected to a second part of the head mounting part at a second connection, wherein the first connection is circumferentiafly spaced from the second connection by between 0 and 180 degrees, preferably by between 45 degrees and 135 degrees, and optimally by between about 80 to about 100 degrees.</claim-text> <claim-text>33. A head support according to Claim 26, wherein each loop forming length of material comprises a single length of material.</claim-text> <claim-text>34. A head support substantially as described herein and/or with reference to one or more of the drawings.</claim-text> <claim-text>35. A method of supporting a person's head substantially as described herein and/or with reference to one or more of the drawings.</claim-text>