Multi-purpose body pillow with insert panel and method of using the same

Abstract

A body pillow including an elongate cushion having first and second ends. The cushion includes an arcuate first portion and an arcuate second portion, and a mid-portion extending therebetween. The cushion is configurable between a relaxed configuration and a coiled configuration. In the relaxed configuration the first portion extends arcuately in a first direction about a majority of a circumference of a circle and the second portion extends arcuately in a second direction different than the first direction about less than a majority of a circumference of a circle. In the coiled configuration the second portion is congruent with a least some of the first portion. The body pillow may further include an interior panel joined to an inner periphery of the first portion for retaining the first portion in its arcuate position.

1 . A body pillow, comprising:
 an elongate cushion having first and second ends, said cushion including an arcuate first portion, an arcuate second portion, and a mid-portion extending therebetween, said cushion configurable between:
 a. a relaxed configuration wherein said first portion extends arcuately in a first direction about a majority of a circumference of a circle, and said second portion extends arcuately in a second direction different than the first direction about less than a majority of a circumference of a circle; and 
 b. a coiled configuration wherein said second portion is congruent with at least some of said first portion. 
   
     
     
         2 . A body pillow according to  claim 1  further comprising an interior panel joined to an inner periphery of said first portion, said interior panel for retaining the first portion in its arcuate position. 
     
     
         3 . A body pillow according to  claim 2  wherein said interior panel has a teardrop shape and is releasably fastened to said first portion. 
     
     
         4 . A body pillow according to  claim 3  including a zipper for releasably fastening said interior panel to said first portion. 
     
     
         5 . A body pillow according to  claim 4  including a cover flange attached to said inner periphery for covering said zipper. 
     
     
         6 . A body pillow according to  claim 1  wherein said cushion includes a filler material selected from the group consisting of feathers, fibrous material, foam, and beads. 
     
     
         7 . A body pillow according to  claim 6  wherein said cushion has a roundish cross-section. 
     
     
         8 . A body pillow according to  claim 1  including a casing enclosing said elongate cushion. 
     
     
         9 . A body pillow according to  claim 8  wherein said casing is a removable fabric. 
     
     
         10 . A body pillow, comprising:
 a. an elongate cushion having first and second ends, said cushion including an arcuate upper portion, a lower portion, and a mid-portion extending therebetween, said cushion constructed to assume a relaxed configuration wherein said upper portion extends arcuately in a first direction about a majority of a circumference of a circle, said lower portion extends arcuately in a second direction different than the first direction about less than a majority of a circumference of a circle, and said mid-portion extends linearly therebetween, whereupon said body pillow can support an adult in a reposed position; and   b. an interior panel joined to an inner periphery of said upper portion, said interior panel for retaining said upper portion in its arcuate position.   
     
     
         11 . A body pillow according to  claim 10  further comprising a casing enclosing said elongate cushion. 
     
     
         12 . A body pillow according to  claim 10  wherein said interior panel has a teardrop shape and is releasably fastened to said upper portion. 
     
     
         13 . A body pillow according to  claim 12  including a zipper for releasably fastening said interior panel to said upper portion. 
     
     
         14 . A body pillow according to  claim 12  including cooperative hook and loop fastener materials for releasably fastening said interior panel to said upper portion. 
     
     
         15 . A body pillow, comprising:
 a. an elongate cushion having first and second ends, said cushion including an arcuate upper portion, a lower portion, and a mid-portion extending therebetween, said cushion configurable into a coiled configuration wherein said lower portion is congruent with at least some of said upper portion; and   b. an interior panel joined to an inner periphery of said upper portion for retaining the upper portion in its arcuate position.   
     
     
         16 . A body pillow according to  claim 15  further comprising a casing enclosing said elongate cushion. 
     
     
         17 . A body pillow according to  claim 16  including a zipper for releasably fastening said interior panel to said upper portion. 
     
     
         18 . A body pillow according to  claim 17  including a cover flange attached to said inner periphery for covering said zipper. 
     
     
         19 . A method for supporting a person in a reposed position comprising:
 providing a body pillow with an elongate cushion having arcuate first and second end portions, and a mid-portion extending therebetween;   placing said body pillow on a support surface;   configuring said body pillow such that said first portion extends arcuately in a first direction about a majority of a circumference of a circle; and   placing the person so that their head and abdomen are supported by the first end portion and the person's back is in close confronting relation to said mid-portion.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19  including retaining the first portion in its arcuate configuration. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 20  including placing the person so that their legs straddle said second portion. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 20  including subsequently reconfiguring the body pillow into a coiled configuration by positioning said second portion congruently with said first portion. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 22  wherein the body pillow is positioned into a coiled configuration by overlapping said first portion with said second portion. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 22  wherein the body pillow is positioned into a coiled configuration by encircling said first portion with said second portion.