Fluid-Inflatable Pillow

Abstract

A pillow for supporting at least one user's head and neck, the pillow having fluid-inflatable first and second chambers disposed about corresponding portions of the perimeter of the pillow. The first chamber has a maximum cross-sectional dimension when inflated that is greater than the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the second chamber when inflated. Preferably, a plurality of fluid-inflatable support chambers extend between the first and second chambers. In one embodiment, the first and second chambers are U-shaped with open ends disposed opposite one another. In another embodiment, the first and second chambers are L-shaped with joined end portions. In yet another embodiment, the first and second chambers extend parallel to one another along opposite sides of the pillow.

1 . A pillow for supporting at least one user's head and neck comprising: 
 a fluid-inflatable first chamber extending continuously a first portion of the perimeter of the pillow, a fluid-inflatable second chamber extending continuously about a second portion of the perimeter of the pillow, wherein said first chamber has a first maximum cross-sectional dimension when inflated and said second chamber has a second maximum cross-sectional dimension when inflated that is larger than said first maximum cross-sectional dimension;    wherein said first and second chambers are L-shaped with joined end portions.    
   
   
       2 . A pillow according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a plurality of fluid-inflatable support chambers that extend from said first and second chambers.    
   
   
       3 . A pillow according to  claim 2 , wherein: 
 said support chambers are realized from a multilayer flexible plastic film that extends between said first and second chambers.    
   
   
       4 . A pillow according to  claim 2 , wherein: 
 said support chambers have respective maximum cross-sectional dimensions that are smaller than said first and second maximum cross-sectional dimensions.    
   
   
       5 . A pillow according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said first and second chambers have annular cross-sectional shapes when inflated, wherein diameter of said second chamber is larger than diameter of said first chamber.    
   
   
       6 . A pillow according to  claim 5 , wherein: 
 the diameter of said second chamber is on the order of 4 inches and the diameter of the first chamber is on the order of 3 inches.    
   
   
       7 . A pillow according to  claim 6 , wherein: 
 the pillow has a total width on the order of 26 inches and a total height on the order of 20 inches.    
   
   
       8 . A pillow according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 at least one inflation port for supplying fluid to said first and second chambers.    
   
   
       9 . A pillow according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said first and second chambers are fluidly connected to one another and filled by a single inflation port.    
   
   
       10 . A pillow according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said first and second chambers are independently inflatable with respect to one another and filled by separate inflation ports.    
   
   
       11 . A pillow according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said first and second chambers are adapted to be filled by air during use.    
   
   
       12 . A pillow according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said first and second chambers are adapted to be filled by water during use.    
   
   
       13 - 19 . (canceled)  
   
   
       20 . A pillow according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a first inflation port for filling at least one chamber of the pillow;    a flexible air bladder disposed within said at least one chamber; and    an inflation port at least for inflating the flexible air bladder with air.