Articulating neck pillow

Abstract

An articulating neck pillow ( 100 ) is provided. The neck pillow ( 100 ) may include a pillow portion ( 102 ) adapted, in use, to fit at least partially around a user's neck and an articulating frame ( 104 ) coupled to the pillow portion ( 102 ). The frame ( 104 ) may be coupled to the pillow portion ( 102 ) such that movement of the frame ( 104 ) causes corresponding movement of the pillow portion ( 102 ). The frame ( 104 ) may include a pair of frame arms ( 144 ) pivotably connected together by a hinge ( 142 ) to articulate towards and away from each other. A rear end portion ( 154 ) of each frame arm ( 144 ) may project more rearwardly than the hinge ( 142 ) such that when the rear end portions ( 154 ) of each frame arm ( 144 ) are pressed against a surface ( 106 ), the frame arms ( 144 ) pivot thereby together towards each other and more closely around and toward the user's neck.

1 . A neck pillow for use in supporting the head and/or neck of a user, the neck pillow comprising:
 a pair of pillow arms connected together by a central pillow portion; and   a pivoted frame operably connected to the pillow arms and operable to move the pillow arms towards and away from each other about a pivot;   wherein a rear end of each pillow arm projects more rearward than the pivot of the frame to move the pillow arms inwards in use when the rear end of each pillow arm is pressed against a surface and a user's neck presses against the central pillow portion.   
     
     
         2 . The neck pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the frame is centrally pivoted between the rear ends of the pillow arms. 
     
     
         3 . The neck pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the pivot is defined adjacent the central pillow portion. 
     
     
         4 . The neck pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the central pillow portion is adapted to abut against the nape of a user's neck in use. 
     
     
         5 . The neck pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the pillow arms and the central pillow portion form a U-shaped pillow. 
     
     
         6 . The neck pillow of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the frame comprises:
 a central frame portion coupled to the central pillow portion; and 
 a pair of frame arms extending from opposite ends of the central frame portion, the frame arms coupled to the pillow arms; and 
   the pivot is defined by a vertically oriented hinge defined centrally in the central frame portion of the frame.   
     
     
         7 . The neck pillow of  claim 6 , wherein the frame arms extend from the opposite ends at an angle to the central frame portion but in the same plane to each other. 
     
     
         8 . The neck pillow of  claim 6 , wherein the central frame portion comprises a plate-like element. 
     
     
         9 . The neck pillow of  claim 6 , wherein the opposite ends of the central frame portion pivot about the hinge to move the frame arms towards each other and position the pillow arms more closely around a user's neck. 
     
     
         10 . The neck pillow of  claim 6 , wherein the central frame portion defines an exterior surface on the rear of the neck pillow. 
     
     
         11 . A neck pillow for use in supporting the head and/or neck of a user, the neck pillow comprising:
 a pillow portion adapted, in use, to fit at least partially around a user's neck; and   an articulating frame coupled to the pillow portion such that movement of the frame causes corresponding movement of the pillow portion, the frame including a pair of frame arms pivotably connected together by a hinge to articulate towards and away from each other;   wherein a rear end portion of each frame arm projects more rearwardly than the hinge such that when the rear end portions of each frame arm are pressed against a surface, the frame arms pivot thereby together towards each other and more closely around and toward the user's neck.   
     
     
         12 . The neck pillow of  claim 11 , wherein the frame is at least partially rigid and at least partially covered by padding. 
     
     
         13 . The neck pillow of  claim 11 , wherein:
 each frame arm includes a first part and a second part at an angle to the first part; and   the first parts of the pair of frame arms are hingedly connected together.   
     
     
         14 . The neck pillow of  claim 13 , wherein the first and second parts define an L-shaped arm. 
     
     
         15 . The neck pillow of  claim 13 , wherein the first part of each frame arm is enlarged as compared to the second part extending therefrom. 
     
     
         16 . The neck pillow of  claim 15 , wherein:
 each of the first and second parts of each frame arm defines a respective plane;   the plane defined by the first part of each frame arm extends orthogonally to the plane defined by the second part of each frame arm; and   the first parts are enlarged in the direction of their respective planes.   
     
     
         17 . The neck pillow of  claim 16 , wherein the respective planes defined by each second part of the pair of frame arms are substantially parallel. 
     
     
         18 . A neck pillow for use in supporting the head and/or neck of a user, the neck pillow comprising:
 an articulating frame, the frame including a central frame portion including a hinge centrally defined therein, and a pair of frame arms extending from opposite ends of the central frame portion, the frame arms adapted, in use, to fit around the user's neck;   wherein in a first position, the opposite ends of the central frame portion project further away from the user's neck than the hinge such that when the user's neck is pressed against the central frame portion and the opposite ends of the central frame portion are pressed against a surface, the opposite ends of the central frame portion pivot about the hinge to move the frame arms towards each other and more closely around the user's neck.   
     
     
         19 . The neck pillow of  claim 18 , wherein the frame is an internal frame. 
     
     
         20 . The neck pillow of  claim 18 , wherein a portion of each frame arm extends along an outer side of the neck pillow. 
     
     
         21 . The neck pillow of  claim 18 , wherein the frame arms curve convexly towards each other to position the neck pillow closely around the user's neck. 
     
     
         22 . The neck pillow of  claim 18 , wherein the central frame portion and the frame arms define a generally W-shape. 
     
     
         23 . The neck pillow of  claim 18 , wherein the central frame portion is defined by a plate including a concave shape facing to the outer surface of the neck pillow. 
     
     
         24 . The neck pillow of  claim 23 , wherein the central frame portion resiliently flexes about a vertically oriented hinge.