Head and neck stabilizer for travel

Abstract

A head and neck support device includes first and second head support members that may be positioned in complimentary opposing locations to a rear area of the head. Each head support member comprises a substantially rectangular shaped pillow that may be affixed to headwear (e.g., hat) or a headband. The first and second head support members are configured to complimentarily support and distribute a weight of the head to substantially bypass a neck of the wearer and effectuate translation of the forces of gravity (somewhat equally) to the sides of the head of the wearer.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A head support device:
 a headband for encircling a head of a wearer; and   a first head support member and a second head support member, the first and second head support members being attached at complimentary opposing positions on the headband;   wherein an interior edge of the first head support is spaced apart from an interior edge of the second head support and wherein the first and second head support members are positioned on the headband such that an unpadded section of the device is positioned at an occiput of the head of the wearer when the device is worn encircling the head of the wearer.   
     
     
         2 . The head support device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first head support and the second head support comprise contoured pillows. 
     
     
         3 . The head support device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an eye panel extending from the headband.   
     
     
         4 . The head support device of  claim 3 , wherein a free edge of the eye panel furthest from the headband is contoured for positioning about a face of the wearer. 
     
     
         5 . The head support device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second head support members engage the head of the wearer and further engage a head rest surface, thereby restricting rotation of the head of the wearer about an axis parallel to a neck of the wearer. 
     
     
         6 . A head support device:
 a headband for encircling a head of a wearer;   a first head support member and a second head support member, the first and second head support members being attached at complimentary opposing positions on the headband; and   at least one unpadded section positioned at an occiput of the head of the wearer when the device is worn encircling the head of the wearer.   
     
     
         7 . The head support device of  claim 6 , wherein an interior edge of the first head support is spaced apart from an interior edge of the second head support and wherein the first and second head support members are positioned on the headband to enable the at least one unpadded section of the device to be positioned at an occiput of the head of the wearer when the device is worn encircling the head of the wearer. 
     
     
         8 . The head support device of  claim 6 , wherein each of the first head support and the second head support comprise contoured pillows. 
     
     
         9 . The head support device of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 an eye panel extending from the headband.   
     
     
         10 . The head support device of  claim 9 , wherein a free edge of the eye panel furthest from the headband is contoured for positioning about a face of the wearer. 
     
     
         11 . The head support device of  claim 6 , wherein the first and second head support members engage the head of the wearer and further engage a head rest surface, thereby restricting rotation of the head of the wearer about an axis parallel to a neck of the wearer. 
     
     
         12 . A head support device:
 a headband for encircling a head of a wearer; and   a first head support member and a second head support member, the first and second head support members being attached at complimentary opposing positions on the headband;   wherein the head support device does not comprise a head support member positioned at an occiput of the head of the wearer when the device is worn encircling the head of the wearer.   
     
     
         13 . The head support device of  claim 12 , wherein each of the first head support and the second head support comprise contoured pillows. 
     
     
         14 . The head support device of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 an eye panel extending from the headband.   
     
     
         15 . The head support device of  claim 14 , wherein a free edge of the eye panel furthest from the headband is contoured for positioning about a face of the wearer. 
     
     
         16 . The head support device of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second head support members engage the head of the wearer and further engage a head rest surface, thereby restricting rotation of the head of the wearer about an axis parallel to a neck of the wearer.