Abstract
A support travel cushion that attaches to the bucket seat back of
an automobile or other vehicle which primarily supports the users
upper back or neck during travel. An attached strap is used to secure
the cushion to the bucket siat, preferably a stretchy strap with a
buckle for girth adjustment. The support cushion consists of a soft
pliable material encased in an outer fabric, ideally both of which
are washable.
Claims
1. What is claimed is: a travel cushion supporting the upper back
and neck of a person which consists of: a padded body member containing
a soft pliable material encased in a resilient fabric; a strap attached
to said body member, attaching it around a vehicle bucket seat back,
allowing said cushion to adjust up or down; said strap is adjustable
in girth by means of a buckle.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is entitled to the benefit of Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/277,859 filed Mar. 22nd 2001.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to support cushions that attach primarily
to bucket seat backs in automobiles, supporting the users posture
where the curvy bucket seats may not otherwise conform to the users
back or neck area causing discomfort or pain.
[0004] 2. Description of Prior Art
[0005] There have been a small number of inventions which support
the users head or back, and attach to the seat during travel, but
are designed for only the passenger or head of the passenger. They
cannot be used to support the posture of the driver for safety reasons,
or are designed only for sleep. Loose pillows will not work effectively
because they do not stay in position. The following is a list of
patents that are related to this present invention, but fail to
serve the main purpose of it. U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,640 appears to
be a good tension reducer for the upper back and neck area, but
is bulky for travel and cannot be used for the driver of an automobile.
Head and arm movement would be greatly constricted. U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,345,633 and D428,295 is a cushion support unit that attaches itself
to the headrest already in the automobile itself. It does not attach
around a bucket seat back, and is solely confined to supporting
the users neck. U. S. Pat. Nos. 6,010,192, and 5,211,696, are supporting
devices for the users head only, attaching to the automobiles in
unique ways. U.S. Design Pat. No. D341,053 attaches to the headrest
in the existing automobile only, and adds a lever to adjust the
thickness. The use for this device is very limited. U.S. Design
Pat. No. 399,382 is a lumber supporting device for an office chair.
How it attaches is questionable and it is also limited to specifically
support the lumber area.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a support
cushion for the spinal area that will stay in place during travel.
It is designed primarily for bucket seats in automobiles, providing
support and comfort where the modem curvy bucket seats may otherwise
not conform to our body shape, causing discomfort or pain. This
support cushion will fill in a gap created around the upper back
or neck, allowing for a more comfortable spinal position. It will
stay secured to the bucket seat in the desirable location by means
of a strap. It is especially good for people prone to upper back
and neck tension. This invention could also be used for the head
and lower back if so desired. Though it is primarily designed for
use in cars and trucks, it can be used on the bucket seats in airplanes,
buses, or trains. This invention is ideal for travel being flexible,
lightweight, and easy for storage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a side view of the invention attached to a bucket
seat.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a frontal view of the invention attached to a
bucket seat.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a front view of the invention unsecured to a bucket
seat, showing the straps unsecured.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0010] Referring to FIG. 1, it illustrates the cushion 1 support,
attached to the bucket seat. The outer casing material, holding
the cushioning material together, can be made up of a number of
materials, depending on the makers choice. Good washable materials
are polyester, cotton, or a combination of the two. Other possibilities
are rayon, acrylic, or velour fabric. The cushioning material on
the inside can also be made up of a variety of materials including
polyester, cotton, acrylic, foam, and rayon. Washable materials
likewise being preferred. The outer casing is stitched 3 together
around the outsides of the cushioning material, as is common in
the making of pillows. The two straps 2 are stitched into the right
and left sides of the seam of the pillow. As seen in FIG. 3, attached
to one strap is a buckle 4 which fastens to the other strap, securing
it around a bucket seat. The straps must consist of a durable material
such as an elastic strap, a vinyl strap, or a backpack style strap.
In place of the buckle, velcro or snaps may be used. The straps
may also be of one continuous elastic strap, stretching to fit around
the bucket seat back. It is important that the straps be adjustable
in girth since different bucket seats have different girths, and
this also allows the invention to move up or down on one particular
bucket seat, in which the girth changes. To adjust the firmness
of the support cushion, a drawstring may also be implemented.
[0011] Having described the subject matter of the present invention,
it should be apparent that those skilled in the art will recognize
that variations may be made without departing from the true scope
of the invention. Therefore it is not to be limited to the embodiments
explained and illustrated, but is to be determined by the claims
appended hereto. |