Chin Pillow

Abstract

Embodiments may generally relate to a device for supporting the head of a human subject and may comprise a wearable chin pillow. Such an embodiment may include a chin support member having a major axis defining a first end and a second end, and an orthogonal minor axis. The chin support member may have a positive curvature in a direction parallel to one or more of the major axis or the minor axis. Embodiments may further include at least one mounting strap attached to at least one of the first end or the second end of the chin support member. The mounting strap may be adapted to engage the neck of a wearer in a retaining relation.

I/We claim:  
     
         1 . A chin pillow, comprising:
 a chin support member having a major axis defining a first end and a second end, and an orthogonal minor axis, the chin support member having a positive curvature in a direction parallel to one or more of the major axis or the minor axis; and   at least one mounting strap attached to at least one of the first end or the second end of the chin support member, the mounting strap being adapted to engage the neck of a wearer in a retaining relation.   
     
     
         2 . The chin pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the chin support member has a positive curvature in a direction parallel to the major axis. 
     
     
         3 . The chin pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the chin support member defines a shape having C n  rotational symmetry about its major axis where n is an integer between 2 and ∞. 
     
     
         4 . The chin pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the chin support member defines a shape selected from one or more of cylindrical, elliptical, ellipsoidal, prolate spheroidal, spheroidal, or oblate spheroidal. 
     
     
         5 . The chin pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the chin support member is adapted to simultaneously engage the chin and chest of a wearer while supporting the head of the wearer in a generally upright orientation. 
     
     
         6 . The chin pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the chin support member comprises a pliable material adapted to conform to the shape of a wearer's chin as the chin applies a load to the chin support member, and wherein the chin support member is adapted to spring back into its original shape after the load is removed. 
     
     
         7 . The chin pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one mounting strap is permanently attached to at least one if the first end or the second end of the chin support member. 
     
     
         8 . The chin pillow of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one mounting strap comprises two mounting straps adapted to reversibly engage each other in a fastened relation using a fastening means selected from one or more of a buckle, a hook-and-loop fastener, a snap, a clasp, or a tie. 
     
     
         9 . A chin pillow, comprising:
 a chin support member adapted to simultaneously engage the chin and chest of a wearer while supporting the head of the wearer in a generally upright orientation, the chin support member having a major axis defining a first end and a second end, and an orthogonal minor axis, the chin support member having a positive curvature in a direction parallel to the major axis, and wherein the chin support member has a positive curvature in a direction parallel to the minor axis; and   at least one mounting strap attached to at least one of the first end or the second end of the chin support member, the mounting strap being adapted to engage the neck of a wearer in a retaining relation.   
     
     
         10 . The chin pillow of  claim 9 , wherein the chin support member defines a shape having C n  rotational symmetry about its major axis where n is an integer between 2 and ∞. 
     
     
         11 . The chin pillow of  claim 9 , wherein the chin support member defines a shape selected from one or more of cylindrical, elliptical, ellipsoidal, prolate spheroidal, spheroidal, or oblate spheroidal. 
     
     
         12 . The chin pillow of  claim 9 , wherein the chin support member comprises a pliable material adapted to conform to the shape of a wearer's chin as the chin applies a load to the chin support member, and wherein the chin support member is adapted to spring back into its original shape after the load is removed. 
     
     
         13 . The chin pillow of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one mounting strap is permanently attached to at least one if the first end or the second end of the chin support member. 
     
     
         14 . The chin pillow of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one mounting strap comprises two mounting straps adapted to reversibly engage each other in a fastened relation using a fastening means selected from one or more of a buckle, a hook-and-loop fastener, a snap, a clasp, or a tie. 
     
     
         15 . A chin pillow, comprising:
 a pliable chin support member adapted to simultaneously engage substantially only the chin and chest of a wearer while supporting the head of the wearer in a generally upright orientation, the chin support member having a major axis defining a first end and a second end, and an orthogonal minor axis, the chin support member having a positive curvature in a direction parallel to the major axis, wherein the chin support member has a positive curvature in a direction parallel to the minor axis, and wherein the chin support member defines a shape selected from one or more of cylindrical, elliptical, ellipsoidal, prolate spheroidal, spheroidal, or oblate spheroidal; and   two mounting straps each permanently attached to one of the first end or the second end of the chin support member, the mounting strap being adapted to engage the neck of a wearer in a retaining relation.   
     
     
         16 . The chin pillow of  claim 15 , wherein the chin support member defines a shape having C n  rotational symmetry about its major axis where n is an integer between 2 and ∞. 
     
     
         17 . The chin pillow of  claim 15 , wherein the chin support member comprises a pliable material adapted to conform to the shape of a wearer's chin as the chin applies a load to the chin support member, and wherein the chin support member is adapted to spring back into its original shape after the load is removed. 
     
     
         18 . The chin pillow of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one mounting strap comprises two mounting straps adapted to reversibly engage each other in a fastened relation using a fastening means selected from one or more of a buckle, a hook-and-loop fastener, a snap, a clasp, or a tie.