Configurable Body Pillow That Retains Multiple Shapes

Abstract

A body pillow is configurable into multiple shapes using pull strings and toggles. The tubular pillow has an outer covering with first and second arms extending in opposite directions. First and second pull strings exit the outer covering through a first opening in the first arm and a second opening in the second arm. A first toggle clamps the first pull string after the string is pulled tight and the toggle is pushed up against the covering. A second toggle clamps the second string after the toggle is pushed up against the covering after the second string is pulled tight. The pillow is J-shaped when only the first pull string is pulled tight and clamped such that only the first arm is curved. The pillow is C-shaped when both the first and second pull strings are pulled tight and clamped such that both the first and second arms are curved.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A multiple-shape body pillow comprising:
 a central body;   a first arm extending from the central body;   a second arm extending from the central body, wherein the first arm extends from the central body opposite the second arm, wherein the first arm, the central body and the second arm together form a generally tubular elongated body that is covered by a covering;   a first pull string that exits the body pillow through a first opening in the covering located in the first arm;   a second pull string that exits the body pillow through a second opening in the covering located in the second arm;   a first cord lock that clamps the first pull string, wherein the first cord lock pushes up against the covering when the first pull string is pulled and the first cord lock is slid along the first pull string towards the first opening; and   a second cord lock that clamps the second pull string, wherein the second cord lock pushes up against the covering when the second pull string is pulled and the second cord lock is slid along the second pull string towards the second opening, wherein in a first configuration the body pillow is generally J-shaped when only the first pull string is pulled tight and held clamped by the first cord lock such that the second arm remains straight and the first arm is curved, and wherein in a second configuration the body pillow is generally C-shaped when both the first pull string and the second pull string are pulled tight and held clamped by the first cord lock and the second cord lock such that both the first arm and the second arm are curved.   
     
     
         2 . The multiple-shape body pillow of  claim 1 , wherein in a third configuration the body pillow is generally straight when neither the first pull string nor the second pull string is pulled tight and held clamped by the first cord lock and the second cord lock. 
     
     
         3 . The multiple-shape body pillow of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a third pull string that exits the body pillow through a third opening in the covering in the central body;   a third cord lock that clamps the third pull string, wherein the third cord lock pushes up against the covering when the third pull string is pulled and the third cord lock is slid along the third pull string towards the third opening.   
     
     
         4 . The multiple-shape body pillow of  claim 3 , wherein in a third configuration the body pillow is generally U-shaped when only the third pull string is pulled tight and held clamped by the third cord lock such that the central body is curved and the first arm and the second arm remain straight. 
     
     
         5 . The multiple-shape body pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the first pull string is fixedly attached at an end to the covering. 
     
     
         6 . The multiple-shape body pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the first pull string has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the covering inside the covering, and wherein the second end remains outside the covering. 
     
     
         7 . The multiple-shape body pillow of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a third pull string that exits the body pillow through a third opening in the covering in the central body, wherein each of the first arm, the second arm and the central body has approximately the same length, and wherein ends of both the first pull string and the third pull string are attached to the covering at a location in the central body.   
     
     
         8 . The multiple-shape body pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the first cord lock has a spring, and wherein the spring causes the first cord lock to clamp down on the first pull string so as to hold the first cord lock in place on the first pull string. 
     
     
         9 . The multiple-shape body pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the first arm has an inner perimeter when the first pull string is pulled tight and held clamped by the first cord lock to curve the first arm, and wherein the first pull string travels along the inner perimeter. 
     
     
         10 . The multiple-shape body pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the first opening in the covering is disposed in a pouch formed in the covering, and wherein the first cord lock fits in the pouch when the first pull string is pulled tight, the first cord lock is slid along the first pull string towards the first opening, and the first cord lock clamps onto the first pull string. 
     
     
         11 . The multiple-shape body pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the pouch can be closed by a zipper. 
     
     
         12 . The multiple-shape body pillow of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a resilient filler material, wherein the covering surrounds an inner lining that contains the resilient filler material.   
     
     
         13 . A multiple-shape body pillow comprising:
 a central body;   a first arm extending from the central body;   a second arm extending from the central body, wherein the first arm extends from the central body opposite the second arm, wherein the first arm, the central body and the second arm together form a generally tubular elongated body that is covered by an inner lining, wherein the inner lining is covered by an outer covering;   a pull string disposed in the first arm between the inner lining and the outer covering, wherein the pull string exits the body pillow through an opening in the outer covering; and   a cord lock adapted to clamp the pull string outside the outer covering, wherein the cord lock pushes up against the outer covering when the pull string is pulled and the cord lock is slid along the pull string towards the opening, and wherein the body pillow retains a J shape when the pull string is pulled tight and is clamped by the cord lock such that the first arm becomes curved and the second arm remains straight.   
     
     
         14 . The multiple-shape body pillow of  claim 13 , wherein the body pillow is sized for an average adult female. 
     
     
         15 . The multiple-shape body pillow of  claim 13 , wherein the central body has a cross-sectional diameter of seven to twelve inches. 
     
     
         16 . The multiple-shape body pillow of  claim 13 , wherein each of the first arm, the second arm and the central body has approximately the same length, wherein the opening in the outer covering through which the pull string exits the body pillow is disposed in the first arm, and wherein an end of the first pull string is attached to the covering inside the covering at a location in the central body. 
     
     
         17 . A method of manufacturing a multiple-shape body pillow, comprising:
 attaching a first end of a pull string to an outer covering of the body pillow at an attachment location;   pulling the pull string through an opening in the outer covering such that a second end of the pull string is outside the outer covering;   inserting a generally tubular elongated body covered by an inner lining into the outer covering, wherein the inner lining contains a resilient filler material; and   pulling the second end of the pull string through a cord lock that is adapted to clamp the pull string outside of the outer covering.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the body pillow has three sections of equal length, wherein the attachment location is within a central section of the body pillow, and wherein the opening is outside of the central section of the body pillow. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the opening in the outer covering is disposed in a pouch formed in the outer covering, wherein the cord lock fits in the pouch, and wherein the pouch can be closed by a zipper. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the resilient filler material includes pieces of foam.