Field of Search:
5/337,338,345,355,361A,361B,361 297/DIG.1,DIG.2
Claims:
What is claimed as new is as follows
1. A noise absorbing pillow construction comprising a thick panel-like body having upper and lower surfaces, said body being constructed of soft, shape-retentive and resilient cellular material, the upper and lower surfaces of said body including longitudinally and transversely spaced outwardly opening blind recesses formed therein of substantially the same width, said recesses each having a minimum width of more than one inch and a maximum width of less than three inches, said recesses being substantially two inches in width and disposed on centers spaced apart both transversely and longitudinally of said body substantially three inches, said recesses extending approximately one third through the thickness of the body and the recesses opening outwardly of the upper surface of the body being vertically registered with the recesses opening outwardly of the lower surface of the body, and a cloth cover loosely enclosing said body.
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Occasionally, when persons are attempting to go to sleep, they become aware of the pulsating sound of their heart beat and in some instances the awareness of one's heart beat results in insomnia.
In addition, some persons ears are sensitive to pressures thereon while their heads are lying on pillows and other persons become aware of excessive warmth of the side of their heads resting on pillows.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The pillow of the instant invention may be rectangular in plan shape, although other shapes may also be utilized, and is constructed of soft, shape-retentive and resilient cellular material. The upper and lower surfaces of the pillow body are provided with vertically registered upwardly and downwardly opening recesses of approximately two inches in diameter spaced over the upper and lower surfaces of the pillow body. The soft construction of the pillow in conjunction with the specifically shaped and arranged recesses function to dampen the pulsating sound of one's heart beat while his or her head is lying on the pillow and registry of a sleeper's ear with one of the upwardly opening recesses will relieve substantially all pressures from the ear. Further, the registry of one's ear with one of the upwardly opening recesses in the pillow body and various spaced adjacent portions of one's head with adjacent recesses in the upper surface of the pillow body functions to prevent a buildup of heat at the side of that person's head resting upon the pillow.
The main object of this invention is to provide a pillow which will effectively dampen the sound of a pulsating heart beat while the user of the pillow has his or her head resting thereon.
Another object of this invention, in accordance with the immediately preceeding object, is to provide a pillow which may function to effectively reduce the pressure offered by the pillow on the ear of the user of the pillow resting thereon.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a pillow which will more readily dissipate heat from the side of the user's head resting upon the pillow.
A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide a pillow in accordance with the preceding objects and which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to use so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble-free in operation.
These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the pillow body of the instant invention;
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the pillow body illustrated on somewhat of an enlarged scale; and
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 3--3 of FIG. 1 and with a flexible cloth covering secured over the pillow body preparatory to the pillow body and cloth covering being inserted in a pillow case.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates a pillow body constructed in accordance with the present invention. The body 10 comprises a generally rectangular panel which may be approximately 22 inches in length and 14 inches in width. The body 10 is approximately four inches in thickness and includes upper and lower surfaces 12 and 14, respectively.
The upper portion of the body 10 has four transversely spaced longitudinal rows of longitudinally spaced upwardly opening recesses 16 formed therein. The recesses 16 are approximately one and one-half inches in depth and are cylindrical having a diameter of two inches. In addition, the under or lower surface 14 of the body 10 includes recesses 18 corresponding to and in vertical registry with the recesses 16. Inasmuch as the recesses 16 and 18 are one and one-half inches in vertical extent, they extend slightly more than one third of the distance through the vertical thickness of the body 10.
The body 10 is constructed of soft, shape-retentive and resilient cellular material such as foam rubber and includes beveled upper and lower peripheral edges 20 and 22. Still further, the body 10 is enclosed within a somewhat loosely fitting cloth cover 24 and the covered body 10 may be readily placed within any conventional pillow slip or case.
In operation, a person using the pillow places his or her head thereon with the lower ear in registry with one of the recesses opening upwardly through the upper surface of the body 10. In this manner, the pulsating sound of that person's heart beat is dampened and is not as readily transmitted to the ear. Also, the pressure of the person's head pressing down on the body 10 is substantially reduced in the area of that person's ear resting upon the body because of the ear being registered with one of the upwardly opening recesses and the underside of the person's head resting upon the body has less tendency to experience a buildup of body heat. Accordingly, the body 10 may be utilized in the construction of a pillow which greatly reduces at least three causes of insomnia.
While some persons do not experience insomnia and are substantially always able to quickly fall asleep, other persons are more susceptible to insomnia and the pillow of the instant invention is constructed in a manner whereby at least three major causes of insomnia are reduced.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation ahown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.