Travel pillow and methods of use

Abstract

A travel pillow including a collar formed of a reversibly compressible material configured for placement around a user's neck, the collar having opposing ends that open and close the collar, and a mid-section having a rigid support member extending vertically about the height of the collar and a flexible support member extending longitudinally about half the length of the collar and tensioned to bias the collar in an open position; and an elongated strap removably attached at one end to the midsection.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A travel pillow that provides neck and head support in a plurality of seating positions, comprising:
 (a) a collar formed of a reversibly compressible material configured for placement around a user's neck, the collar comprising opposing ends that open and close the collar, and a mid-section comprising a rigid support member extending vertically about the height of the collar and a flexible support member extending longitudinally about half the length of the collar and tensioned to bias the collar in an open position; and   (b) an elongated strap removably attached at one end to the midsection.   
     
     
         2 . The travel pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible support member biases the middle half of the collar outward when the opposing ends are closed, thereby reducing compression along the side of the user's neck. 
     
     
         3 . The travel pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid support member and the flexible support member are each configured as a flattened rod affixed to the collar. 
     
     
         4 . The travel pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid support member is aligned with the elongated strap so that force exerted downward from the strap is applied against the rigid support member, thereby reducing collapse of the collar when the collar is tensioned downward by way of the elongated strap. 
     
     
         5 . The travel pillow of  claim 1 , further comprising of a chin strap that is adjustable in length and configured to span the opposing ends of the collar. 
     
     
         6 . The travel pillow of  claim 1 , further comprising a supplement pad that removably attaches to the midsection to adjust the thickness of the travel pillow, thereby adjusting contour and position of a headrest. 
     
     
         7 . The travel pillow of  claim 6 , wherein the supplement pad is notched to provide a gap for passage of the elongated strap. 
     
     
         8 . A method for using a travel pillow while in a plurality of seated positions, comprising:
 (a) providing the travel pillow according to  claim 1 ;   (b) closing the opposing ends of the collar around the neck of a user;   (c) sitting over the strap while in a seating position and extending a free end of the strap underneath the body; and   (d) pulling the free end to tension the strap, thereby pulling the collar rearwards to a desired position and maintaining the position by weight of the user's body, thereby preventing the head of the user from falling forward.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the collar is fitted beneath the user's chin and jaw but only loosely against or away from the side of the user's neck. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the travel pillow further comprises a chin strap that is adjustable in length and configured to span the opposing ends of the collar, the method further comprising attaching the chin strap around the chin of the user. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 8 , further comprising transitioning to a standing position by detaching the strap from the mid-section before standing, thereby releasing the force exerted by the strap. 
     
     
         12 . A travel kit comprising:
 (a) the travel pillow according to  claim 1 ; and   (b) one or more travel accessories selected from the group consisting of a supplement pad that reversibly attaches to the midsection to adjust the thickness of the travel pillow, a lumbar support pad, a sleeping mask, and a travel bag.