"The Side Sleeper" Contoured Leg Support Pillow

Abstract

A contoured leg support pillow that extends from the knee to the foot. “The Side Sleeper” contoured leg support pillow uses a contoured channel that extends from top to bottom for a leg to rest in, and optionally, a flat plank at the top and bottom for the foot to rest on. The contoured leg support pillow changes from thinner near the knee to thicker near the foot such that it elevates the upper leg and keeps it parallel to the lower leg while sleeping.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A contoured leg support pillow for aligning an individual's legs while the individual is sleeping on the individual's side, comprising:
 a central plank, the central plank having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end positioned near an individual's feet, and the proximal end positioned near and the individual's knee;   the distal end of the central plank is thicker than the proximal end, such that when worn, the individual's legs are substantially parallel near the distal end of the central plank when the individual is sleeping on the individual's side;   the central plank further having first and second sides, each having a set of side walls extending along at least a portion of each opposing side edge, the side edges together providing an opposing channel for each individual's leg to rest therein; and   at least a first attachment strap secured to the contoured leg support pillow and only one of the individual's legs, such that the contoured leg support pillow is secured to one of the individual's legs and individual is able to walk without removing the contoured leg support pillow;   the attachment straps are not secured to the other leg of the individual, allowing the individual to get up and walk without having to remove the contoured leg pillow;   whereby the contoured leg support pillow is secured to only one of the individual's legs such that the individual's legs are held in substantially parallel alignment while the individual is sleeping on the individual's side, such that stress on internal structures, including the sacral iliac joints, the hip acetabulum, lumbar spine, and iliotibial band is reduced.   
     
     
         2 . A contoured leg support pillow, as in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the attachment strap has first and second ends, and extending from the first side to the second side such that one of the individual's legs is securely attached to the contoured leg support pillow; and   at least one end of the attachment strap is detachably attached to the contoured leg support pillow;   whereby the attachment strap, when detached a one end, releases the individual's leg from the contoured leg support pillow.   
     
     
         3 . A contoured leg support pillow, as in  claim 2 , wherein the securing means further comprises:
 at least a second attachment strap having first and second ends, and extends from the first side to the second side such that one of the individual's legs is securely attached to the contoured leg support pillow;   the first attachment strap positioned near the distal end of the contoured leg support pillow, and the second attachment strap positioned near the proximal end of the contoured leg support pillow.   
     
     
         4 . A contoured leg support pillow, as in  claim 3 , wherein:
 a first and second attachment straps each permanently attached at first end to the side of the contoured leg support pillow, and detachably attached at the second end by hook and loop material that removably attaches to hook and loop material on the opposing side of the contoured leg support pillow.   
     
     
         5 . A contoured leg support pillow, as in  claim 2 , wherein each attachment strap is sized such that it is adjustable for attachment to differing leg sizes. 
     
     
         6 . A contoured leg support pillow, as in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the proximal end of the central plank is rounded.   
     
     
         7 . A contoured leg support pillow, as in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the distal end of the central plank extends past the side walls, is wider than the proximal end, and is sized to accommodate the length of an individual's foot.   
     
     
         8 . A contoured leg support pillow, as in  claim 1 , wherein the central plank and sidewalls are fabricated from foam material. 
     
     
         9 . A contoured leg support pillow, as in  claim 1 , wherein the central plank further comprises a medial malleolus indentation near the distal end of the central plank.