Body supports and protectors

Abstract

A support pad that includes a main body section having a front fabric panel and a rear fabric panel between which is disposed a quantity of a soft fluffy material. A central flap and two lateral or side flaps are attached to the main body section along one side thereof, the side flaps being disposed on opposite sides of the central flap. One of the side flaps is spaced from the central flap by a distance which is substantially larger than a spacing between the central flap and another of the side flaps, the distance being sufficiently great to define a cutout or gap for receiving an ancillary pad or pillow support.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A support pad or pillow comprising: 
 a main body section filled with soft fluffy material, said main body section having a front fabric panel and a rear fabric panel, said front fabric panel being adaptable to be placeable against a person's body, said soft fluffy material being disposed between said front and rear panels, said front and rear panels being attached to one another along at least a portion of their respective peripheries; and    a central flap attached to said main body section along one side thereof; and    two side flaps attached to said main body section along said one side of said main body section, said side flaps being disposed on opposite sides of said central flap, one of said side flaps being spaced from said central flap by a distance which is substantially larger than a spacing between said central flap and another of said side flaps, said distance being sufficiently great to define a cutout or gap for receiving an ancillary pad or pillow support.    
     
     
         2 . The support pad set forth in  claim 1  wherein said side flaps are each connected to said main body section along a foldable hinge area, whereby the side flaps may be bent back under said main body section for purposes of enhanced local support.  
     
     
         3 . The support pad set forth in  claim 2  wherein at least one of said side flaps is connected to said main body section along a seam extending in the respective foldable hinge area, said seam attaching said front fabric panel to said rear fabric panel and thereby pinching said front fabric panel and said rear fabric panel together to form a groove along said seam which allows ambient air to flow along said seam between said rear fabric panel and the person's body.  
     
     
         4 . The support pad set forth in  claim 1  wherein said cutout or gap is of a predetermined size so that said cutout or gap receives said ancillary pad or pillow in a cradling or close fit.  
     
     
         5 . The support pad set forth in  claim 1  wherein said central flap has a width extending substantially perpendicularly to said one side of said main body section, said side flaps each having a respective length extending substantially perpendicularly to said one side of said main body section, the lengths of said side flaps being substantially larger than said width of said central flap.  
     
     
         6 . The support pad set forth in  claim 1  wherein said main body section is provided with an extension or flap projecting from said main body section on a side thereof opposite said central flap and said side flaps.  
     
     
         7 . A support pad assembly comprising a first pillow and a second pillow, said first pillow being provided with a cutout removably receiving said second pillow, said first pillow having a front fabric panel and a rear fabric panel, said front fabric panel being adaptable to be placeable against a person's body, soft fluffy material being disposed between said front fabric panel and said rear fabric panel, said front fabric panel and said rear fabric panel being attached to one another along at least a portion of their respective peripheries, said front fabric panel and said rear fabric panel being provided with substantially identical cutout sections aligned with one another, said front fabric panel and said rear fabric panel being attached to one another along edges of said cutout sections to define said cutout.  
     
     
         8 . The support pad assembly set forth in  claim 7  wherein said first pillow includes: 
 a main body section;  
 a central flap attached to said main body section along one side thereof; and  
 two side flaps attached to said main body section along said one side of said main body section, said side flaps being disposed on opposite sides of said central flap, one of said side flaps being spaced from said central flap by said cutout.  
 
     
     
         9 . The support pad assembly set forth in  claim 8  wherein said ancillary pillow comprises a substantially crescent-shaped main body section filled with respective soft fluffy material, said crescent-shaped main body section having a respective front fabric panel and a respective rear fabric panel, said respective front fabric panel being adaptable to be placeable against a person's body, said respective soft fluffy material being disposed between said respective front fabric panel and said respective rear fabric panel, said respective front fabric panel and said respective rear fabric panel being attached to one another along at least a portion of their respective peripheries.  
     
     
         10 . The support pad assembly set forth in  claim 9  wherein said crescent-shaped main body section has a concave side defining a partially enclosed area, said ancillary pillow further comprising a web member disposed in said area and connected to said crescent-shaped main body section along said concave side thereof.  
     
     
         11 . The support pad assembly set forth in  claim 8  wherein at least one of said side flaps is connected to said main body section along a seam extending in the respective foldable hinge area, said seam attaching said front fabric panel to said rear fabric panel and thereby pinching said front fabric panel and said rear fabric panel together to form a groove along said seam which allows ambient air to flow along said seam between said rear fabric panel and the person's body.  
     
     
         12 . The support pad set forth in  claim 8  wherein said central flap has a width extending substantially perpendicularly to said one side of said main body section, said side flaps each having a respective length extending substantially perpendicularly to said one side of said main body section, the lengths of said side flaps being substantially larger than said width of said central flap.  
     
     
         13 . The support pad assembly set forth in  claim 7  wherein said ancillary pillow comprises a substantially crescent-shaped main body section filled with respective soft fluffy material, said crescent-shaped main body section having a respective front fabric panel and a respective rear fabric panel, said respective front fabric panel being adaptable to be placeable against a person's body, said respective soft fluffy material being disposed between said respective front fabric panel and said respective rear fabric panel, said respective front fabric panel and said respective rear fabric panel being attached to one another along at least a portion of their respective peripheries.  
     
     
         14 . The support pad assembly set forth in  claim 13  wherein said crescent-shaped main body section has a concave side defining a partially enclosed area, said ancillary pillow further comprising a web member disposed in said area and connected to said crescent-shaped main body section along said concave side thereof.  
     
     
         15 . A support pad, comprising: 
 a main body section filled with soft fluffy material, said main body section having a front fabric panel and a rear fabric panel attached to one another along at least a portion of their respective peripheries, said front fabric panel being adaptable to be placeable against a person's body, said soft fluffy material being disposed between said front and rear panels;    a central flap attached to said main body section along one side thereof; and    two side flaps attached to said main body section along said one side of said main body section, said side flaps being disposed on opposite sides of said central flap, one of said side flaps being separated from said central flap by a first air gap, another of said side flaps being separated from said central flap by a second air gap substantially larger than said first air gap and sufficiently large to enable reception of an ancillary pillow.    
     
     
         16 . The support pad set forth in  claim 15  wherein said side flaps are each connected to said main body section along a foldable hinge area, whereby the respective side flap may be bent back under said main body section for purposes of enhanced local support.  
     
     
         17 . The support pad set forth in  claim 15  wherein at least one of said side flaps is connected to said main body section along a seam, said seam attaching said front panel to said rear panel and thereby pinching said front and rear panels together to form a groove along said seam which allows ambient air to flow along said seam between said front panel and the person's body.  
     
     
         18 . A relaxation or rest method comprising: 
 providing a support pad assembly comprising a first pillow and a second pillow, said first pillow being provided with a cutout removably receiving said second pillow;    disposing a person's head and upper back on said first pillow;    subsequently inserting said second pillow in said cutout;    after the insertion of said second pillow in said cutout, supporting a breast of the person on said second pillow in said cutout while the person's head and upper back are supported by said first pillow;    removing said second pillow from said cutout; and    disposing an individual's head and upper back on said first pillow after the removing of said second pillow from said cutout.