GB2389509A

GB2389509A - A head restraint

Info

Publication number: GB2389509A
Application number: GB0209546A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Norman Ratchford
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-04-26
Filing date: 2002-04-26
Publication date: 2003-12-17
Also published as: GB0209546D0

Abstract

A head restraint adapted to be worn about the head, to support the head of the wearer that is sleeping or sitting upon a seat. The restraint comprises a first part such as a headband or cap 13 & (21, Fig 6) worn on the head of the wearer and a second part such as an apron 14, adapted to be attached onto the first part, where the second part is of a sufficient length to become trapped between the wearer's back and shoulders and the back of the seat 12 the wearer is sat on. The headband/cap may be adjustable in size and incorporate an eye mask 15 that may be folded away from the users eyes when not in use. The restraint may also incorporate a chin strap 17 and ear muffs.

Description

A PERSONAL HEAD RESTRAINT

THIS INVENTION concerns a personal head restraint adapted to be worn about the head and to support the head while the wearer is sitting upon a seat.

The head restraint is intended to act as a sleeping aid to prevent the head from lolling forwards or sideways when the wearer is sleeping, for example in a vehicle such as a coach, train or aeroplane, but alternatively may be used while the wearer is awake, to support the head, for example, in the event of a neck injury. The head restraint is of simple construction and readily usable in many different situations yet foldable to be sufficiently compact to be carried in the wearer's pocket.

The head restraint requires no fastening either to the wearer or to the seat and therefore presents no health or safety hazard in the event of a fire or a crash.

According to the present invention, a personal head restraint comprises a first part capable of being worn in contact with a part of wearer's head, and a second part attached or attachable to the first part and of such dimensions as to depend from the first part to a sufficient extent to become trapped between the wearer's back or shoulder region and a backrest of a seat with the wearer seated thereon.

-2- The first part may be a head band.

The first part may be a cap.

The second part may be an apron.

The apron may be of diverging width downwards from the first part.

The head band may incorporate an eye mask.

The eye mask may be foldable away from the wearer's eyes when not required.

The first part may include a chin strap.

The second part may be of such a length as to extend down at least as far as the wearer's waist.

The apron may be of such width in its attachment to the first part as to extend around the back of the wearer's head regions above the wearer's ears respectively.

The second part may include ear muffs.

-3 Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a side view of a personal head restraint when worn, and showing the wearer seated; Fig. 2 is a rear view with the seat omitted; Fig. 3 is a front view with the seat omitted; Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a second embodiment; Fig. 5 is a front view of the second embodiment; and Fig. 6 is a side view of a third embodiment.

Referring now to drawings, a wearer 10 is shown seated on a seat 11 having a back rest 12.

In this embodiment the personal head restraint is in the form of a head band 13 from which depends, at the rear, an apron 14 of sufficient width at its upper end to extend to above the wearer's ears and, as can be seen in Figs. 2 and 3, of diverging width downwards having a

-4 hem approximately at the height of or just below the wearer's waist. Thus, typically, the length of the apron 14 will be in the region of 65cm.

Again, in this embodiment, there is attached to the frontal region of the head band an eye mask 15 which can be folded up over the head band when not required.

Optionally, a chin strap 17 with chin cup 18 may be attached to the head band or to the upper side regions of the apron thus to support the wearer's chin. Ear muffs may be attached to the head band or to the apron such that they become located over the wearer's ears.

As can be seen particularly from Fig. 1, if the wearer should fall asleep, his/her head is prevented from lolling forwards or to one or other side by the presence of the apron which is trapped between the wearer's back and the back rest 12 of the seat. The chin strap 17 and cup 18 then prevent the wearer's mouth from falling open.

The head restraint is particularly useful when the wearer is seated in a coach, train or aeroplane and falls asleep, thus maintaining a dignified yet comfortable stance for the wearer.

Referring now to Fig. 4, in an alternative embodiment, the head band 20 is of sufficient depth that it can be worn selectively to cover

or uncover the wearer's eyes thus avoiding the need for an additional eye mask. Fig. 5 illustrates this embodiment as a frontal view.

Referring now to Fig. 6, although the embodiments of Figs. 1 to 5 show the first part of the head restraint in the form of a head band, and this is often preferable, particularly for ladies, in ensuring minimal disturbance to the wearer's hair, nevertheless this may be replaced by a full cap 21, in this case a peaked cap, or any other form of head gear.

In use, the head restraint is placed over the wearer's head and pulled down snugly onto the lower forehead. The apron 14hangs down against the wearer's back and so the wearer simply leans forwards and allows the apron to fall to its full length. It may then be grasped at the sides to be spread widely as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. Once positioned comfortably, the wearer simply leans back and the apron becomes trapped between the wearer's back and the back rest 12 of the seat. In this way, the head is held comfortably and cannot loll from side to side or drop forwards. There are no fastenings required so that the article is worn entirely free of the seat and thus presents no health or safety hazard in the event of a fire or crash. The article may be made in a number of sizes and/or may be adjustable in size and, if required, of a

-6 slightly elastic fabric so that the head is held gently in place without discomfort. The chin cup 18 may be padded for additional comfort.

Once in place the article allows the wearer to change his/her body position readily, requiring only a readjustment of the apron.

The wearer is reassured that he/she may sleep comfortably without the head falling forwards or one side and without the mouth dropping open.

The article is particularly useful for the elderly or infirm for whom a sudden involuntary movement of the head and neck can be extremely uncomfortable and possibly dangerous.

It is envisaged that the article may be made from an attractive material thus ensuring, for the wearer, a certain degree of elegance. When not required, the article is easily folded and stowed in a pocket or bag.

In modern times there are many instances in which a person remains seated for long periods for example in airports or on aircraft or other vehicles in transit, and a personal head restraint in accordance with the invention enables the wearer to sleep comfortably and elegantly.

Claims

_ L ^, fly > 7 Garment construction and fitting instructions.

There are three parts to the garment, a headband, an apron and a stabilizing strip 1. The headband is adjustable to ensure a snug fit.

2 The headband is non-stretch to ensure stability.

3 The headband is lightly padded for extra comfort.

Fred) 4 The rear apron is made from an elasticated material such as Lycra* to allow a degree of head movement sideways for maximum comfort.

5. lathe stabilizing strip is sewn vertically onto the centre of the apron' is of non-stretch material, and is connected to the headband and to the bottom edge of the apron. This non-stretch strip and the non- stretch headband holds the head firmly and prevents it from dropping forward.

6. The bottom edge of the apron also has a non-stretch strip with loops for the wearer to grasp when making the initial adjustment.

Wearing instructions.

Please also refer to enclosed diagrams A Sit in your seat (ó, B. Undo the headband velcrofastening.

C. Hold the two ends of the headband, lean forward and place the garment behind your back, as you would wear a cloak.

D Place the headband around the head, low on the neck at the rear and high on the forehead. E. Grasp the apron at the tags on each side, behind your back.

F. Move your head to the desired position.

G. Pull the apron down and apart, until the head prevents any further movement.

Keep the tension on.

H Lean backward whilst maintaining the desired position of the head, until the apron Is gripped firmly between your body and the seat.

1. Release the tension and let go of the apron. The head is now restrained from dropping forward, and held firmly but gently from lolling from side to side.

It may be necessary to repeat the operation to obtain the most comfortable position With a very upright seat, where the head cannot be inclined backwards, then the head is held forward. The head is lowered to its lowest possible position, on the chest, and then raised about 20 degrees, before tensioning the apron and leaning back End