US20050091748A1

US20050091748A1 - Pillow capable of regaining automatically its original shape

Info

Publication number: US20050091748A1
Application number: US10/699,215
Authority: US
Inventors: Tun-Jen Ku
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-10-31
Filing date: 2003-10-31
Publication date: 2005-05-05

Abstract

A pillow is formed of a memory member, an adjustment member, and a support member. The memory member is made of an artificial sponge having a memory. The adjustment member is provided with a plurality of air sacs which are inflatable and deflatable. The adjustment member is fitted into a hollow interior of the memory member. The support member is made of an artificial sponge and is fitted into a hollow interior of the adjustment member.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a pillow, and more particularly to a pillow having a memory similar to the so-called “plastic memory”. The pillow is adjustable in height and hardness and is capable of regaining its original form after being deformed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1, a prior art pillow 1 is made of an artificial sponge 11 capable of providing a comfortable support to the head, the neck, and the cervical vertebra of a user thereof. The artificial sponge 11 has a memory.
As shown in FIG. 2, another prior art pillow 2 is made of an artificial sponge 21 having a memory, and an artificial sponge 22 without a memory. This prior art pillow 2 is similar in function to the prior art pillow 1 described above, even though they are somewhat different in construction. These two prior art pillows are not provided with means to adjust the height, the hardness, and the softness of the pillows.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a pillow which has memory and means to adjust the thickness and the hardness of the pillow.
The pillow of the present invention comprises a first artificial sponge layer, a second artificial sponge layer, and an adjustment layer. The first artificial sponge layer has a memory. The second artificial sponge layer is devoid of a memory and is fitted into the adjustment layer which is provided with means to inflate or deflate the pillow. The adjustment layer is fitted into the first artificial sponge layer.
The features and the advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood upon a thoughtful deliberation of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a prior art pillow at work.
FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of another prior art pillow at work. FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention in combination.
FIG. 5 shows a sectional schematic view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention at work.
FIG. 7 shows a sectional schematic view of the adjustment mechanism of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention at work.
FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 shows a sectional schematic view of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention in combination.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIGS. 3-7, a pillow 3 embodied in the the present invention comprises a memory member 31, an adjustment member 32, and a support member 33.
The memory member 31 is of a hollow construction and is made of an artificial sponge having a memory. The memory member 31 is provided at one of two open ends with a zipper 311.
The adjustment member 32 is of a hollow construction and is dimensioned to fit into the hollow interior of the memory member 31. The adjustment member 32 is formed of an air duct 321, a plurality of air sacs 322, an air valve 323, and a valve plug 324. The air sacs 322 are in communication with the air duct 321 which is connected with the air valve 323. The adjustment member 32 can be inflated or deflated so as to adjust the thickness and the hardness of the pillow 3. The air is injected into the air sacs 322 via the air duct 321 and the air valve 323, thereby resulting in expansion of the air sacs 322. On the contrary, the air is let out of the air sacs 322 via the air valve 323, thereby resulting in contraction of the air sacs 322. The thickness and the hardness of the pillow 3 are adjusted by inflating or deflating the adjustment member 32.
The support member 33 is made of an artificial sponge and is fitted into the hollow interior of the adjustment member 32. The support member 33 serves to bear the pressure exerting on the memory member 31 and the adjustment member 32.
In light of the memory member 31 coming in a direct contact with an external force exerting on the pillow 3, the pillow 3 is capable of regaining its original form upon being relieved of the external force.
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a pillow 3 of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a memory member 31, an adjustment member 32, and a support member 33.
The memory member 31 is of a hollow construction and is made of an artificial sponge having a memory. The memory member 31 is provided at one end with a zipper 311.
The adjustment member 32 is provided in the interior with an air sac 322, and at one end with an inflation valve 323, which is provided with a valve plug 324 and is connected with the air sac 322. The adjustment member 32 is expanded or contracted by inflating the air sac 322 via the inflation valve 323, or by deflating the air sac 322 via the inflation valve 323.
The support member 33 is of a hollow construction and is made of an artificial sponge. The support member 33 has a hollow interior in which the adjustment member 32 is accommodated. The support member 33 is fitted into a hollow interior of the memory member 31 along with the adjustment member 32.
The pillows of the present invention provide a comfortable support to the head, the neck, and the cervical vertebra of a user of the pillows of the present invention. In addition, the pillows of the present invention are simple in construction and cost-effective.
The embodiments of the present invention described above are to be regarded in all respects as being illustrative and nonrestrictive. Accordingly, the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without deviating from the spirit thereof. The present invention is therefore to be limited only by the scopes of the following claims.

Claims

1. A pillow comprising:

a memory member of a hollow construction and made of an artificial sponge having a memory;

an adjustment member of a hollow construction and formed of at least one air duct, a plurality of air sacs in communication with said air duct, an inflation valve connected to said air duct, and a valve plug engaged with said inflation valve whereby said adjustment member is fitted into a hollow interior of said memory member; and

a support member fitted into a hollow interior of said adjustment member.

2. The pillow as defined in claim 1, wherein said memory member is provided at one end with a zipper.

3. The pillow as defined in claim 1, wherein said support member is made of an artificial sponge.

4. A pillow comprising:

a support member of a hollow construction and fitted into a hollow interior of said memory member; and

an adjustment member formed of an air sac located in an interior thereof, an inflation valve connected to said air sac, and a valve plug engaged with said inflation valve whereby said adjustment member is fitted into a hollow interior of said support member.

5. The pillow as defined in claim 4, wherein said memory member is provided at one end with a zipper.

6. The pillow as defined in claim 4, wherein said support member is made of an artificial sponge.