Anatomical head and neck restraining sleep aid and related products and methods

Abstract

The invention provides head and neck support sleep aid devices and methods for securely restraining the head of fatigued and sleeping travelers seated in a constrained, upright position, to prevent involuntary forward or lateral head flexion. The devices and methods of the invention employ a rigid elongate lever member adapted to be interposed between a user's back and an upright seat surface and head bracing means connected to the lever member to restrain the user's head against forward and lateral flexion.

1 . A travel sleep aid device for stably and comfortably restraining a head position of an upright seated human user, comprising:
 A rigid elongate lever member sized and dimensioned for placement between a thoracic spinal region of a user's back and an upright seatback surface, the lever member having front and back surfaces and comprising upper and lower lever arms, wherein a width dimension of the upper lever arm is less than a width dimension of the lower lever arm, and wherein a midsection of the lever member defines an angular or arcuate longitudinal anatomical load displacement bend of the frontal surface between the upper and lower lever arms; and   Head-bracing means attached to the upper lever arm adapted to positionally secure a user's head relative to the upper lever arm, whereby rearward forces against the upper lever arm are transmitted through the head-bracing means to oppose frontal flexion loads of the user's head.   
     
     
         2 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal anatomical load displacement bend comprises at least a 5-degree angle or curve of the frontal surface between the upper and lower lever arms, whereby a frontal longitudinal axis of the upper lever arm diverges frontally at least 5 degrees from a frontal longitudinal axis of the lower lever arm. 
     
     
         3 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal anatomical load displacement bend comprises an angle or curve of the inner surface no greater than 30 degrees between an upper end of the upper lever arm and a lower end of the lower lever arm, whereby a frontal longitudinal axis of the upper lever arm diverges frontally no more than 30 degrees from a frontal longitudinal axis of the lower lever arm. 
     
     
         4 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal anatomical load displacement bend comprises an angle or curve of the inner surface within a range of 10-20 degrees between an upper end of the upper lever arm and a lower end of the lower lever arm, whereby a frontal longitudinal axis of the upper lever arm diverges frontally within a range of 10-20 degrees from a frontal longitudinal axis of the lower lever arm. 
     
     
         5 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal anatomical load displacement bend comprises an angle or curve of the inner surface within a range of 12-18 degrees between an upper end of the upper lever arm and a lower end of the lower lever arm, whereby a frontal longitudinal axis of the upper lever arm diverges frontally within a range of 12-18 degrees from a frontal longitudinal axis of the lower lever arm. 
     
     
         6 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal anatomical load displacement bend comprises an angle or curve of the inner surface of approximately 16 degrees between an upper end of the upper lever arm and a lower end of the lower lever arm, whereby a frontal longitudinal axis of the upper lever arm diverges frontally about 16 degrees from a frontal longitudinal axis of the lower lever arm. 
     
     
         7 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal anatomical load displacement bend is a sharp angular bend disposed over a short distance of between about 0-0.5 inches between the upper and lower lever arms, defining a sharp angled bend of the frontal surface between the upper and lower lever arms. 
     
     
         8 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal anatomical load displacement bend is a tight arcuate bend disposed over a distance of between about 0.25-0.75 inches between the upper and lower lever arms, defining a tight curved frontal surface bend between the upper and lower lever arms. 
     
     
         9 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal anatomical load displacement bend is a relaxed arcuate bend disposed over a distance of between about 0.75-4.0 inches between the upper and lower lever arms, defining a shallow-arc curved frontal surface bend between the upper and lower lever arms. 
     
     
         10 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 1 , wherein terminal segments of the upper and lower lever arms above and below the angled or curved longitudinal anatomical load displacement bend are substantially linear along their frontal, longitudinal axes 
     
     
         11 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 1 , wherein the head-bracing means comprises a strap or harness permanently or removably attached to the upper lever arm sized and configured to surround the user's head and comfortably secure and restrain the user's head relative to the upper lever arm. 
     
     
         12 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 1 , wherein the head-bracing means comprises a flexible textile strap or closure that anchors to an upper, brace-anchoring segment of the upper lever arm and extends therefrom to surround the user's head in secure contact with at least a frontal portion of the user's head. 
     
     
         13 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 1 , wherein the head-bracing means comprises an elastic strap in the form of a loop sized and dimensioned to elastically fit over and firmly embrace the user's head, permanently or removably affixed to the upper lever arm. 
     
     
         14 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 1 , wherein the head bracing means comprises a flexible textile strap or closure attached to an upper, brace-anchoring segment of the upper lever arm and extending therefrom, sized and dimensioned to surround the user's head in secure contact with at least a frontal portion of the user's head. 
     
     
         15 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 1 , wherein the head bracing means comprises a flexible textile strap or closure positioned, sized and dimensioned to comfortably and securely seat against a forehead of the user. 
     
     
         16 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 15 , wherein the flexible textile strap or closure is between about 1-3 inches in width to seat comfortably and securely seat against the forehead. 
     
     
         17 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 1 , wherein the head bracing means comprises a flexible textile strap or closure made of a woven, knitted or braided natural or synthetic fiber material. 
     
     
         18 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 17 , wherein the fiber material is selected from cotton, wool, hemp, bamboo or another natural textile fiber. 
     
     
         19 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 17 , wherein the fiber material is selected from nylon, polyester, polypropylene or other synthetic fiber. 
     
     
         20 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 1 , wherein the head bracing means comprises a flexible, elastic or semi-elastic strap or closure. 
     
     
         21 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 1 , wherein the head bracing means comprises a flexible, elastic or semi-elastic strap or closure formed at least in part of latex, natural rubber or neoprene (polychloroprene). 
     
     
         22 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 21 , wherein the strap or closure comprises a latex, natural rubber or neoprene layer covered on at least one surface with a bonded textile layer for comfort and breathability. 
     
     
         23 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 21 , wherein the head bracing means comprises a flexible, semi-elastic strap or closure formed of nylon 1 neoprene or nylon 2 neoprene covered on one or both sides of the strap or closure with nylon fabric bonded to the neoprene for comfort. 
     
     
         24 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 21 , wherein the head bracing means comprises a flexible, semi-elastic strap or closure having at least a portion of an inner surface of the strap or closure adapted for contacting and engaging a user's forehead comprising open celled neoprene for improved breathability and enhanced friction to securely engage and restrain the forehead. 
     
     
         25 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 1 , wherein the head-bracing means comprises an adjustable-length strap or closure that can be tensioned or loosened to accommodate different sized user's heads, and to increase or decrease friction forces mediating secure contact of the strap or closure with the user's head. 
     
     
         26 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 1 , wherein the head-bracing means comprises a flexible strap and strap-length adjustment means integral to a strap assembly or mounted to or integrated within the upper lever arm. 
     
     
         27 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 25 , wherein the strap length adjustment means comprises a cam buckle or tri-glide slide anchored to one end of a strap assembly, the buckle or slide adapted to adjustably receive and secure a free strap end to mediate secure shortening and lengthening of the strap to adjust fit and tension of the strap relative to the user's head. 
     
     
         28 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 1 , wherein the head-bracing means comprises left and right closure strap ends anchored to the upper lever arm, the strap ends respectively sized and dimensioned to surround a portion of the user's head and to meet or overlap alongside or in front of the user's head, and having adjustable coupling means to secure the strap ends together to form a secure, length-adjustable closure. 
     
     
         29 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 27 , wherein the left and right strap ends incorporate terminal strap segments of mating hook and loop material on opposing faces that interlock securely when the strap ends are overlapped, the left and right strap ends and terminal hook and loop segments being sized and dimensioned to afford a range of closed strap circumferences to accommodate different head sizes and strap tensions. 
     
     
         30 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 1 , wherein the head bracing means comprises a flexible textile strap or closure anchored to the upper lever arm at one or more side or rear brace anchor point(s), whereby in use left and right anchoring segments of the strap or closure are secured or tensioned against left and right sides of the upper lever arm, affording improved comfort and positional stability. 
     
     
         31 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 29 , wherein the upper lever arm has a width of from 1 inch to 6 inches at a height corresponding to a height of the brace anchor point(s), mediating separation of the left and right anchoring segments of the strap or closure by a corresponding width of 1-6 inches. 
     
     
         32 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 29 , wherein the upper lever arm has a width of from 2 inches to 5 inches at a height corresponding to a height of the brace anchor point(s), mediating separation of the left and right anchoring segments of the strap or closure by a corresponding width of 2-5 inches. 
     
     
         33 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 29 , wherein the upper lever arm has a width of from 3 inches to 4 inches at a height corresponding to a height of the brace anchor point(s), mediating separation of the left and right anchoring segments of the strap or closure by a corresponding width of 3-4 inches 
     
     
         34 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 1 , further comprising head brace height adjustment means for repositioning the head bracing means to different brace anchor points along a longitudinal axis of the upper lever arm to accommodate height variation among different users. 
     
     
         35 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 33 , wherein the head brace height adjustment means provides alternate, user selectable brace anchor points over a height adjustability range of between 1-7 inches along the longitudinal axis of the upper lever arm. 
     
     
         36 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 33 , wherein the head brace height adjustment means provides alternate, user selectable brace anchor points over a height adjustability range of between 2-5 inches along the longitudinal axis of the upper lever arm. 
     
     
         37 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 33 , wherein the head brace height adjustment means provides alternate, user selectable brace anchor points over a height adjustability range of between 3-4 inches along the longitudinal axis of the upper lever arm. 
     
     
         38 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 33 , wherein the head brace height adjustment means operates by detachment and reattachment of the head bracing means to different brace anchor points along the longitudinal axis of the upper lever arm. 
     
     
         39 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 33 , wherein the head brace height adjustment means by positional re-adjustment of the head bracing means along the longitudinal axis of the upper lever arm without detaching the head bracing means from the upper lever arm. 
     
     
         40 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 33 , wherein the head brace height adjustment means comprises an elongate, adjustable anchoring interface of hook and loop material affixed to the rear surface of the upper lever arm and a segment of mating hook and loop material affixed to a frontal surface of an opposing attachment interface of the head bracing means. 
     
     
         41 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 39 , wherein the head bracing means comprises a flexible strap with a rear attachment interface of the strap having a segment of mating hook and loop material affixed to a frontal surface of the strap. 
     
     
         42 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 33 , wherein the head brace height adjustment means comprises a series of anchoring holes, receptacles or detachable fastener elements arranged at different heights along the longitudinal axis of the upper lever arm, and wherein the head bracing means comprises complementary anchoring holes, receptacles or removable fastener elements to allow adjustable anchoring of the head bracing means to the upper lever arm at different brace anchor points over a height adjustment range of between 3-7 inches along the longitudinal axis of the upper lever arm. 
     
     
         43 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 41 , wherein the detachable fastener elements are selected from screws, bolts, brads, pop fittings, snap fasteners, molly fasteners, wire and thread. 
     
     
         44 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 33 , wherein the head brace height adjustment means comprises a series of anchoring slots arranged at different heights along the longitudinal axis of the upper lever arm, and wherein the head bracing means comprises a strap portion threadable through the anchoring slots to allow adjustable anchoring of the head adjustment means to the upper lever arm at different brace anchor points over a height adjustment range of between 3-6 inches along the longitudinal axis of the upper lever arm. 
     
     
         45 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 1 , wherein front surfaces of the upper and lower lever arms, above and below the angular or arcuate longitudinal anatomical load displacement bend, are substantially planar. 
     
     
         46 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 1 , wherein a front surface of the lower lever arm is transversely concave, defining a thoracic load distributing transverse arc having a radius of curvature of from 10 inches to 40 inches over at least a portion of the lower lever arm. 
     
     
         47 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 1 , wherein a front surface of the lower lever arm is transversely concave, defining a thoracic load distributing transverse arc having a radius of curvature of from 15 inches to 30 inches over at least a portion of the lower lever arm. 
     
     
         48 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 1 , wherein a front surface of the lower lever arm is transversely concave, defining a thoracic load distributing transverse arc having a radius of curvature of from 16 inches to 25 inches over at least a portion of the lower lever arm. 
     
     
         49 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 1 , wherein a front surface of the lower lever arm is transversely concave, defining a thoracic load distributing transverse arc having a radius of curvature of from 18 inches to 22 inches over at least a portion of the lower lever arm. 
     
     
         50 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 47 , wherein the front surface of the lower lever arm is concave at a bottom terminus of the lower lever arm to securely and comfortably engage a mid-lower thoracic portion of a user's back and provide optimal mid-lower thoracic load distribution. 
     
     
         51 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 47 , wherein the front surface of the lower lever arm is concave substantially throughout its length, from an upper terminus of the lower lever arm adjacent to or coincident with the longitudinal anatomical load displacement bend to a bottom terminus of the lower lever arm, to securely and comfortably engage both mid-thoracic and mid-lower thoracic portions of a user's back and provide optimal thoracic load distribution to optimally mediate application and transmission of lever and fulcrum forces throughout the lower lever arm and midsection in use to comfortably generate rearward force against the upper lever arm transmitted through the head-bracing means to oppose frontal flexion loading of the user's head. 
     
     
         52 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 51 , wherein the front surface of the lower lever arm is uniformly transversely concave throughout its length, defining a thoracic load distributing transverse arc having a radius of curvature of from 18 inches to 22 inches extending from the upper terminus of the lower lever arm adjacent the longitudinal anatomical load displacement bend to the bottom terminus of the lower lever arm. 
     
     
         53 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 47 , wherein the rigid elongate lever member is additionally concave at the midsection between the upper and lower lever arms, coincident with the angular or arcuate longitudinal anatomical load displacement bend, whereby the midsection of the rigid elongate lever member is frontally concave in both longitudinal and transverse dimensions. 
     
     
         54 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the rigid elongate lever member is substantially uniform throughout, whereby the front and rear faces are profiled substantially parallel throughout. 
     
     
         55 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 47 , wherein the front surface of the rigid elongate lever member is additionally concave at the midsection between the upper and lower lever arms, coincident with the angular or arcuate longitudinal anatomical load displacement bend, and wherein a thickness of the rigid elongate lever member is substantially uniform throughout, whereby the front and rear faces are profiled substantially parallel throughout, whereby the rear surface of the midsection of the lever member is convex in both longitudinal and transverse dimensions, or substantially dome-shaped, providing enhanced comfort, rigidity and durability of the device. 
     
     
         56 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 47 , wherein the upper lever arm is substantially flat, having no less than a 50-inch radius of curvature. 
     
     
         57 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 1 , wherein the lower lever arm and midsection of the rigid lever member define a contoured frontal contact surface of the lever member, wherein a width dimension at a midpoint of the midsection corresponding to a midpoint of the longitudinal anatomical load displacement bend, is less than a width dimension at a bottom terminus of the lower lever arm, whereby the contoured frontal contact surface is profiled and dimensioned to engage a narrow, mid-thoracic portion of a user's back to fit between medial borders of opposing scapulae, and to engage a wider, mid-lower thoracic portion of a user's back, to optimally mediate application and transmission of lever and fulcrum forces throughout the lower lever arm and midsection of the rigid lever member in use to comfortably generate rearward force against the upper lever arm transmitted through the head-bracing means to oppose frontal flexion loading of the user's head. 
     
     
         58 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 57 , wherein the width of the rigid elongate lever member at the midsection midpoint is within a range of from 3-7 inches. 
     
     
         59 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 57 , wherein the width of the rigid elongate lever member at the midsection midpoint is within a range of from 5-6 inches. 
     
     
         60 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 57 , wherein the width of the rigid elongate lever member at the midsection midpoint is within a range of from 4 inches to 10 inches. 
     
     
         61 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 57 , wherein the width at the bottom terminus of the lower lever arm is within a range of from 5 inches to 9 inches. 
     
     
         62 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 57 , wherein the width at the bottom terminus of the lower lever arm is within a range of from 5.5 inches to 8 inches. 
     
     
         63 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 57 , wherein the width at the bottom terminus of the lower lever arm is between about 6.5-7.0 inches. 
     
     
         64 . A travel sleep aid device for stably and comfortably restraining a head position of an upright seated human user, comprising:
 A rigid elongate lever member sized and dimensioned for placement between a thoracic spinal region of a user's back and an upright seatback surface, the lever member having front and back surfaces and comprising upper and lower lever arms, the lower lever arm comprising a frontally curved section of the lever member having the front surface transversely concave, defining a thoracic load distributing transverse arc having a radius of curvature of from 16 inches to 24 inches over at least a portion of the lower lever arm, wherein the lower lever arm and an adjacent midsection of the rigid lever member define a contoured frontal contact surface of the lever member having a width dimension at the midsection less than a width dimension at a bottom terminus of the lower lever arm, whereby the contoured frontal contact surface is profiled and dimensioned to engage a narrow, mid-thoracic portion of a user's back to seat between medial borders of opposing scapulae and engage a wider, mid-lower thoracic portion of a user's back to optimally mediate application, distribution and transmission of lever and fulcrum forces between a user's back and an opposing, upright seat surface through the lower lever arm and midsection of the rigid lever member during use; and   Head-bracing means attached to the upper lever arm adapted to positionally secure a user's head relative to the upper lever arm, whereby rearward work forces generated and transmitted by the lower lever arm and midsection disposed between the user's mid and mid-lower thoracic back and the upright seat surface bias the upper lever arm with finely balanced, rearward force that responsively opposes frontal flexion loading by the user's head during neck muscle relaxation and sleep.   
     
     
         65 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid elongate lever member has an overall length dimension of less than 30 inches. 
     
     
         66 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid elongate lever member has an overall length dimension of between 12-25 inches. 
     
     
         67 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid elongate lever member has an overall length dimension of between 14-22 inches. 
     
     
         68 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid elongate lever member has an overall length dimension of between 16-20 inches. 
     
     
         69 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid elongate lever member has an overall length dimension of about 18 inches. 
     
     
         70 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 1 , wherein a midpoint of the anatomical load displacement bend is biased toward the lower lever arm, being positioned below a longitudinal midpoint of the rigid elongate lever member, whereby the upper lever arm is longer than the lower lever arm. 
     
     
         71 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 70 , wherein the lower lever arm has a length, from the anatomical load displacement bend midpoint to a bottom terminus of the lower lever arm, that is less than 45% of a total length dimension of the rigid elongate lever member. 
     
     
         72 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 70 , wherein the lower lever arm has a length, from the anatomical load displacement bend midpoint to a bottom terminus of the lower lever arm, that is between 25% to 40% of a total length dimension of the rigid elongate lever member. 
     
     
         73 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 70 , wherein the lower lever arm has a length, from the anatomical load displacement bend midpoint to a bottom terminus of the lower lever arm, that is between 34% to 38% of a total length dimension of the rigid elongate lever member. 
     
     
         74 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 70 , wherein the lower lever arm has a length, from the anatomical load displacement bend midpoint to a bottom terminus of the lower lever arm, that is about 36% of a total length dimension of the rigid elongate lever member. 
     
     
         75 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid elongate lever member further comprises one or more stiffening member(s). 
     
     
         76 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 75 , wherein the stiffening member(s) is/are selected from integral steel, glass fiber, or other rigid support elements fabricated within or inserted into the rigid elongate lever member. 
     
     
         77 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 75 , wherein the stiffening member(s) is/are constructed from stiffening ribs, stiffening channels, stiffening creases, stiffening grids or stiffening honeycomb structural elements disposed within the rigid elongate lever member or integrated with one or both of the front and/or back surfaces of the rigid elongate lever member. 
     
     
         78 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 75 , wherein the stiffening member(s) is/are constructed and oriented for longitudinal stiffening of the rigid elongate lever member. 
     
     
         79 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 75 , wherein the stiffening member(s) comprise(s) one or more longitudinal rib(s) extending from at least a portion of the back face of the rigid elongate lever member. 
     
     
         80 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 75 , having multiple longitudinal stiffening ribs extending from at least a portion of the back face of the rigid elongate lever member. 
     
     
         81 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 75 , having longitudinal stiffening ribs extending from left and right sides of the back face of the rigid elongate lever member, at least throughout a midsection of the rigid elongate lever member corresponding to a longitudinal span of the anatomical load displacement bend. 
     
     
         82 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 81 , having longitudinal stiffening ribs extending rearward from left and right sides of the back face of the rigid elongate lever member. 
     
     
         83 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 82 , wherein the longitudinal stiffening ribs extend from 35% to 100% of a full length of the left and right sides of the back face of the rigid elongate lever member. 
     
     
         84 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 83 , wherein the longitudinal stiffening ribs extend from substantially the entire length of the left and right sides of the back face of the rigid elongate lever member. 
     
     
         85 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 82 , wherein the longitudinal stiffening ribs are highest at a midpoint of the midsection of the rigid elongate lever member and diminish in height from said midpoint in an angular or gradual curved height reduction profile toward top and bottom termini of the upper and lower lever arms respectively where they are of a substantially lesser height than at the midsection midpoint, or absent. 
     
     
         86 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 85 , wherein the longitudinal stiffening ribs are between about 0.3 inches to 1.8 inches in height at the midsection midpoint. 
     
     
         87 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 85 , wherein the longitudinal stiffening ribs are between about 0.5 inches to 1.5 inches in height at the midsection midpoint. 
     
     
         88 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 85 , wherein the longitudinal stiffening ribs are between about 0.7 inches to 1.0 inches in height at the midsection midpoint. 
     
     
         89 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 85 , wherein the longitudinal stiffening ribs are between about 0.8 inches to 0.9 inches in height at the midsection midpoint. 
     
     
         90 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 82 , wherein the longitudinal stiffening ribs extend perpendicularly or nearly perpendicularly rearward from left and right sides of the back face of the rigid elongate lever member for maximum stiffening effectiveness. 
     
     
         91 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 85 , wherein at their highest points corresponding to the midsection midpoint the stiffening ribs extend rearward and laterally from the back surface at an obtuse angle of at least 100 degrees relative to a horizontal stacking axis of the rigid elongate member, said horizontal stacking axis defined as a line drawn between lateral seating edges of a planar or curved front surface of the rigid elongate lever member, providing for stable, compact nested stacking of multiple elongate lever members for efficient storage and shipping without unacceptable loss of rigidity provided by the stiffening ribs. 
     
     
         92 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 91 , wherein at their highest points the stiffening ribs extend rearward and laterally from the back surface at an obtuse angle of between 110 degrees and 120 degrees relative to the horizontal stacking axis of the rigid elongate member. 
     
     
         93 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 91 , wherein at their highest points the stiffening ribs extend rearward and laterally from the back surface at an obtuse angle of between 105 degrees and 115 degrees relative to the horizontal stacking axis of the rigid elongate lever member. 
     
     
         94 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 91 , wherein at their highest points the stiffening ribs extend rearward and laterally from the back surface at an obtuse angle of between 110 degrees and 115 degrees relative to the horizontal stacking axis of the rigid elongate member. 
     
     
         95 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 91 , wherein at the top terminus of the upper lever arm the stiffening ribs extend rearward from the back surface at a perpendicular or nearly perpendicular angle of between about 90 degrees to 99 degrees relative to the horizontal stacking axis to afford substantial stiffening to adjust for the lesser height of the stiffening ribs at this portion of the lever member compared to the rib height at the midsection midpoint, and wherein a height of the stiffening ribs at the top terminus of the upper lever arm corresponds approximately to a separation distance between opposing surfaces of nested lever members at the midsection midpoint, whereby the stiffening ribs at the top terminus of one stacked lever member seat stably atop a corresponding back surface of a lower-stacked lever member to further secure multiple nested lever members in a compact, stable stacked array for improved storage and shipping. 
     
     
         96 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 95 , wherein the height of the stiffening ribs at the top terminus of the upper lever arm and corresponding separation distance between opposing surfaces of nested lever members at the midsection midpoint are each within a range of between 0.10 inches and 0.30 inches. 
     
     
         97 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 95 , wherein the height of the stiffening ribs at the top terminus of the upper lever arm and corresponding separation distance between opposing surfaces of nested lever members at the midsection midpoint are each within a range of about 0.15 inches to 0.25 inches. 
     
     
         98 . A travel sleep aid device for stably and comfortably restraining a head position of an upright seated human user, comprising:
 A rigid elongate lever member sized and dimensioned for placement between a thoracic spinal region of a user's back and an upright seatback surface, the lever member having front and back surfaces, wherein a width dimension at a top terminus of the lever member is less than a width dimension at a bottom edge of the lever member;   Head-bracing means attached to an upper, brace-anchoring segment of the rigid elongate lever member adapted to positionally secure a user's head relative thereto; and   Longitudinal stiffening ribs extending rearward from right and left sides of the back surface of the rigid elongate lever member, the stiffening ribs highest at a middle region of the rigid elongate lever member and diminishing in height from the middle region in an angular or gradual curved height reduction profile toward the top and bottom edges where they are of substantially lesser height than at the middle region, or absent, wherein at their highest points corresponding to the lever member middle region the stiffening ribs extend rearward and laterally from the back surface at an obtuse angle of at least 100 degrees relative to a horizontal stacking axis of the rigid elongate member, said horizontal stacking axis defined as a line drawn between lateral seating edges of a planar or curved front surface of the rigid elongate lever member, whereby the stiffening ribs mediate stable, compact stacking of multiple elongate lever members for efficient storage and shipping without unacceptable loss of rigidity provided by the stiffening ribs.   
     
     
         99 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 98 , wherein at their highest points the stiffening ribs extend rearward and laterally from the back surface at an obtuse angle of between 100 degrees and 120 degrees relative to the horizontal stacking axis of the rigid elongate member. 
     
     
         100 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 98 , wherein at their highest points the stiffening ribs extend rearward and laterally from the back surface at an obtuse angle of between 105 degrees and 115 degrees relative to the horizontal stacking axis of the rigid elongate lever member. 
     
     
         101 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 98 , wherein at their highest points the stiffening ribs extend rearward and laterally from the back surface at an obtuse angle of between 110 degrees and 115 degrees relative to the horizontal stacking axis of the rigid elongate member. 
     
     
         102 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 98 , wherein at the top terminus of the lever member the stiffening ribs extend rearward from the back surface at a perpendicular or nearly perpendicular angle of between about 90 degrees to 99 degrees relative to the horizontal stacking axis to afford substantial stiffening to adjust for the lesser height of the stiffening ribs at this portion of the lever member compared to the rib height at the middle region, and wherein a height of the stiffening ribs at the top terminus of the lever member corresponds approximately to a separation distance between opposing surfaces of nested lever members at the middle region, whereby the stiffening ribs at the top terminus of one stacked lever member seat stably atop a corresponding back surface of a lower-stacked lever member to further secure multiple nested lever members in a compact, stable stacked array for improved storage and shipping. 
     
     
         103 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 95 , wherein the height of the stiffening ribs at the top terminus of the upper lever arm and corresponding separation distance between opposing surfaces of nested lever members at the middle region are each within a range of between 0.10 inches and 0.30 inches. 
     
     
         104 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 95 , wherein the height of the stiffening ribs at the top terminus of the upper lever arm and corresponding separation distance between opposing surfaces of nested lever members at the middle region are each within a range of about 0.15 inches to 0.25 inches. 
     
     
         105 . A method for restraining the head of a fatigued or sleeping person seated in an upright position to prevent involuntary forward and lateral flexion of the head, comprising:
 Positioning a rigid elongate lever member between a thoracic spinal region of the person's back and an upright seatback surface, the lever member having front and back surfaces and comprising upper and lower lever arms, wherein a width dimension of the upper lever arm is less than a width dimension of the lower lever arm, and wherein a midsection of the lever member defines an angular or arcuate longitudinal anatomical load displacement bend of the frontal surface between the upper and lower lever arms;   Adjusting lower lever arm and fulcrum positions of the rigid elongate lever member in height relative to the user's thoracic spine to a comfortable, optimum force balancing position, wherein the longitudinal anatomical load displacement bend is positioned between the seat surface and a mid-thoracic portion of the person's back, and the lower lever arm is positioned between the seat surface and a mid-lower-thoracic portion of the person's back; and   Engaging head-bracing means attached to the upper lever arm to positionally secure the person's head relative to the upper lever arm, whereby rearward forces against the upper lever arm are transmitted through the head-bracing means to oppose frontal flexion loads of the user's head when neck muscles are relaxed during fatigue or sleep.   
     
     
         106 . The method of  claim 105 , wherein the longitudinal anatomical load displacement bend is positioned between the seat surface and an optimal anatomical fulcrum position spanning or disposed between the person's fourth-seventh thoracic vertebrae. 
     
     
         107 . The method of  claim 105 , wherein the longitudinal anatomical load displacement bend is positioned between the seat surface and an optimal anatomical fulcrum position spanning or disposed between the person's fifth-sixth thoracic vertebrae. 
     
     
         108 . The method of  claim 105 , wherein the longitudinal anatomical load displacement bend is positioned between the seat surface and an optimal anatomical fulcrum position disposed between the person's fifth-sixth thoracic vertebrae. 
     
     
         109 . The method of  claim 105 , wherein the rigid elongate lever member makes contact with the person's back spanning positions of at least fifth through ninth thoracic vertebrae. 
     
     
         110 . The method of  claim 105 , wherein contact between the rigid elongate lever member is restricted to between the person's back between the third and eleventh thoracic vertebrae. 
     
     
         111 . A travel sleep aid device for stably and comfortably restraining a head position of an upright seated human user, comprising:
 A rigid elongate lever member sized and dimensioned for placement between a thoracic spinal region of a user's back and an upright seatback surface, the lever member having front and back surfaces and comprising upper and lower lever arms, wherein a width dimension of the upper lever arm is substantially the same as a width dimension of the lower lever arm, and wherein a midsection of the lever member defines an angular or arcuate longitudinal anatomical load displacement bend of the frontal surface between the upper and lower lever arms; and   Head-bracing means attached to the upper lever arm adapted to positionally secure a user's head relative to the upper lever arm, whereby rearward forces against the upper lever arm are transmitted through the head-bracing means to oppose frontal flexion loads of the user's head.   
     
     
         112 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 111 , wherein the longitudinal anatomical load displacement bend comprises at least a 5-degree angle or curve of the frontal surface between the upper and lower lever arms, whereby a frontal longitudinal axis of the upper lever arm diverges frontally at least 5 degrees from a frontal longitudinal axis of the lower lever arm. 
     
     
         113 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 111 , wherein the longitudinal anatomical load displacement bend comprises an angle or curve of the inner surface no greater than 30 degrees between an upper end of the upper lever arm and a lower end of the lower lever arm, whereby a frontal longitudinal axis of the upper lever arm diverges frontally no more than 30 degrees from a frontal longitudinal axis of the lower lever arm. 
     
     
         114 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 111 , wherein the longitudinal anatomical load displacement bend comprises an angle or curve of the inner surface within a range of 10-20 degrees between an upper end of the upper lever arm and a lower end of the lower lever arm, whereby a frontal longitudinal axis of the upper lever arm diverges frontally within a range of 10-20 degrees from a frontal longitudinal axis of the lower lever arm. The travel sleep aid device of  claim 75 , having multiple longitudinal stiffening ribs extending from at least a portion of the back face of the rigid elongate lever member. 
     
     
         115 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 111 , having longitudinal stiffening ribs extending from left and right sides of the back face of the rigid elongate lever member, at least throughout a midsection of the rigid elongate lever member corresponding to a longitudinal span of the anatomical load displacement bend. 
     
     
         116 . The travel sleep aid device of  claim 115 , having longitudinal stiffening ribs extending rearward from left and right sides of the back face of the rigid elongate lever member.