Neck and head support

Abstract

Embodiments disclose a head and neck support cushion. The cushion includes a selectively inflatable cushion having: a central elongate portion having a first end opposite a second end, a first side portion extending from the first end of the central elongate portion, and a second side portion extending from the second end of the central elongate portion, wherein the first side portion is substantially parallel to the second side portion; one or more inflation actuators coupled to the cushion and operable to remotely inflate the cushion; at least two fastening members, wherein a first fastening member is coupled to the first side portion and a second fastening member is coupled to the second side portion; and wherein the first and second fastening members are operable to fasten to each other. A method of operating the same is provided, as are other aspects.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a selectively inflatable cushion having: a central elongate portion having a first end opposite a second end, a first side portion extending from the first end of the central elongate portion, and a second side portion extending from the second end of the central elongate portion, wherein the first side portion is substantially parallel to the second side portion and designed with an appropriate distance between the first side and second side to allow positioning around an intended user's neck;   one or more inflation actuators coupled to the cushion and operable to inflate the cushion;   at least two fastening members, wherein a first fastening member is coupled to the first side portion and a second fastening member is coupled to the second side portion; and   wherein the first and second fastening members are operable to fasten to each other.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the inflation actuator comprises a conduit configured to couple the inflation actuator to the cushion. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the inflation actuator is controlled remotely. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the elongate portion, the first side portion and the second side portion are integrally formed in substantially a U-shape. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising one or more inflatable bladders positioned within the cushion, and coupled to the one or more inflation actuators. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the one or more inflation actuators is a manual air pump. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the one or more inflation actuators is an electric air pump. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a pressure sensor coupled to the cushion and adapted to sense a pressure inside of the cushion. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the pressure sensor is configured to control operation of the inflation actuators. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a first side support extending from the first side portion, the first side support substantially perpendicular to a surface of the first side portion; and 
 a second side support extending from the second side portion, the second side support substantially perpendicular to a surface of the second side portion, wherein the first side support is substantially parallel to the second side support. 
 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein each of the central elongate portion, the first side portion, the second side portion, the first side support and the second side support are individually selectively inflatable. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a pressure relief valve. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a selectively removable cover operable to receive the cushion. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein at least one of the cushion and the removable cover are formed from a washable material. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein at least one of the cushion and the removable cover further comprises one or more pockets. 
     
     
         16 . A method comprising:
 fastening a first fastening member of a selectively inflatable cushion to a second fastening member of the selectively inflatable cushion behind a neck of a user, wherein a central elongate portion of the selectively inflatable cushion is positioned in front of the neck of the user;   inflating the selectively inflatable cushion with a remote inflation actuator;   sensing a pressure level in the inflated selectively inflatable cushion; and   determining whether the sensed pressure level exceeds a threshold value.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising:
 adjusting the pressure level in the inflated selectively inflatable cushion based on the sensed pressure level. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein adjusting the pressure level further comprises:
 actuating a release valve of the remote inflation actuator to deflate the selectively inflatable cushion. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising:
 adjusting a fastened position of the first fastening member relative to the second fastening member. 
 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein determining whether the sensed pressure level exceeds the threshold value further comprises:
 comparing the sensed pressure level to a pressure level stored in a memory.