Traction Pillow System

Abstract

A neck traction device is designed to provide gentle neck tensioning stress with the body in a resting, horizontal position. The device includes a wedge-shaped head pillow angled away from the torso whereby the angle of the wedge promotes force of the head away from the body, promoting neck tension. The device also includes a wedge-shaped body pillow, positioned to properly align the head and spine in all resting positions, and to relieve shoulder compression for side resting positions.

1 . A neck-traction pillow system for supporting a resting human body, said neck-traction system comprising:
 a head pillow and a body pillow;   wherein said head pillow volume is defined by a right triangular area that defines the pillow volume as the area is swept through the width of the pillow, wherein the base leg of said triangular area is the base, the vertical leg of the triangle is the thick end of the pillow, and the included angle end of the pillow is the narrow end, with said thick end positioned under the base of the head and neck, and said narrow end positioned near the top of the head, said pillow volume positioned with its width transverse to the center spinal axis of the reclined user;   wherein said head pillow integrates an optional base-shaped lifting volume to achieve optimal height;   wherein said head pillow wedge angle is selected to pull the head away from the body by generating gentle neck tension;   wherein said body pillow is a wedge-shaped volume formed by sweeping an isosceles triangular area to the full width of the pillow, said width generally matching the width of the head pillow, said body pillow with its thick end adjacent to the thick end of the head pillow and its thin end tapered down towards the midsection of the user's body, said body pillow providing a gentle transition from the mattress or support surface up from the thin end to the thick end;   wherein said body pillow lifts the torso of the body to provide shoulder relief when the user is positioned on their side;   wherein said body pillow is sufficiently thick at its thick end to ensure straight spinal alignment in all resting positions.   
     
     
         2 . A neck-traction pillow system of  claim 1 ;
 wherein the head pillow included angle may vary between 45 and zero degrees, the nominal right angle may vary by +/−20 degrees, the overall height may vary from 2.54 to 25.4 cm (1 to 10 inches), the width may vary from 15 to 40.6 cm (6 to 16 inches), and the overall width may vary from 25.4 to 101.6 cm (10 to 40 inches);   wherein the body pillow may be defined by the swept area of a right triangle as well as an isosceles triangle, said body pillow may be an overall height from 2.54 to 25.4 cm (1 to 10 inches), a width to facilitate comfortable transition to its height, 25 cm to 100 cm (9.8 to 39.4 inches), and a length to match the head pillow, 15 to 40.6 cm (6 to 16 inches).   
     
     
         3 . A neck traction pillow system of  claim 1  composed from:
 viscoelastic polyurethane foam; 
 polyurethane foam; 
 latex foam; 
 solid latex; 
 feathers or down; 
 batting material; 
 horse hair; 
 shredded foam; 
 or any other suitable pillow fill material known to those skilled in the art of pillow fabrication. 
 
     
     
         4 . A neck traction system of  claim 1  comprised of single blocks or multiple materials;
 wherein single block pillows may be cut from larger buns of foam; 
 wherein single block pillows may be molded from foam; 
 wherein multiple materials may be multiple layers of the same material but of different hardness or softness; 
 wherein pillow construction may be layers of different suitable materials, such as a harder material on the inside wrapped by softer material on the outside. 
 
     
     
         5 . A neck traction system of  claim 1 , wherein the head pillow and the body pillow are separately covered with a relatively thin material layer or layers;
 wherein said cover layer is a fabric, weave, felt, or composite, said cover layer serving the purpose of protecting the core material, facilitating easy cleaning, providing for cooling or warming, providing for ventilation between the head and the core material, or providing a surface texture preferable to individual users;   wherein said cover fabric has a zipper or opening for easy removal;   wherein said cover layer is single or multi-layered;   wherein said cover layer covers the entire pillow, or selectively covers a portion, such as the top surface.