Head and neck stabilizing device and related systems and methods

Abstract

A head and neck stabilizing device having an elongate flexible or malleable arm and a flexible strap. The device helps to stabilize the head and neck of the user while sleeping or resting in a seated position and does not require a high backed seat or chair to function. The device is designed such that the elongate arm is positioned between the user and the back of a seat/chair so that the device is stabilized when the user leans back onto the back of the seat or chair such that the elongate arm is disposed therebetween. Additionally, the elongate flexible or malleable arm may be configured in such a way to be used as a smart phone, tablet or book holder or to support a semi rigid surface to be used as a portable table.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A head and neck stabilizing device comprising:
 (a) an elongate manipulable arm configured to be disposed adjacent to and along a neck and back of a user; and   (b) a flexible strap operably coupled to one end of the manipulable arm, wherein the flexible strap is configured to be removably positioned around a head of the user.   
     
     
         2 . The head and neck stabilizing device of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible strap comprises two ends, wherein the two ends are removably attachable to one of (i) each other; and (ii) to another part of the flexible strap via an attachment mechanism. 
     
     
         3 . The head and neck stabilizing device of  claim 2 , wherein the attachment mechanism comprises hook and loop material, snaps, buttons, hooks, magnets, or buckles. 
     
     
         4 . The head and neck stabilizing device of  claim 1 , wherein the manipulable arm comprises a first arm segment and a second arm segment, wherein the second arm segment is removably coupled to the first arm segment. 
     
     
         5 . The head and neck stabilizing device of  claim 1 , wherein the manipulable arm comprises a first arm segment and a second arm segment, wherein the second arm segment is rotatably coupled to the first arm segment. 
     
     
         6 . The head and neck stabilizing device of  claim 5 , wherein the second arm segment is rotatably coupled to the first arm segment via a hinge. 
     
     
         7 . The head and neck stabilizing device of  claim 1 , wherein the manipulable arm comprises:
 (a) a core structure comprising a malleable material; and   (b) an external cover comprising a pliable cushion material.   
     
     
         8 . The head and neck stabilizing device of  claim 1 , wherein the manipulable arm is configured to be disposed between the back of the user and a backrest of a seat during use. 
     
     
         9 . The head and neck stabilizing device of  claim 8 , wherein the manipulable arm is maintained in stabilized position when the manipulable arm is disposed between and in contact with the back of the user and the backrest of the seat. 
     
     
         10 . The head and neck stabilizing device of  claim 1 , wherein the manipulable arm comprises an external surface comprising a sufficient coefficient of friction to be maintained in stabilized position by frictional contact between the manipulable arm, the back of the user, and the backrest of the seat. 
     
     
         11 . The head and neck stabilizing device of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible strap comprises a mask attached thereto, wherein the mask can be disposed over eyes of the user during use. 
     
     
         12 . The head and neck stabilizing device of  claim 1 , wherein the manipulable arm comprises cut out flaps which may be used to support at least one of a smartphone, a smart tablet, and a book. 
     
     
         13 . A method of stabilizing the head of a user resting in an upright position, the method comprising:
 placing a manipulable arm of a head and neck stabilizing device between a back of a user and a backrest of seat;   attaching a flexible strap operably coupled to an upper end of the manipulable arm to the head of the user by positioning the flexible strap around the head of the user such that the manipulable arm is disposed adjacent to and along the neck and back of the user; and   positioning the back of the user against a backrest of a seat such that the manipulable arm is maintained in a stabilized position between the back of the user and the backrest of the seat, whereby the head of the user is maintained in a stabilized position by the flexible strap.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising reversibly shaping the manipulable arm to follow contours of the neck and the back of the user. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 removing the flexible strap from the head and neck stabilizing device; and   folding the manipulable arm into an acute angle and folding out at least one cut out flap to support at least one of a smartphone, a smart tablet, and a book.   
     
     
         16 . A head and neck stabilizing device comprising:
 (a) a manipulable arm comprising:
 (i) a usable configuration, wherein the manipulable arm is in an elongate form and is configured to be disposed adjacent to and along a neck and back of a user; and 
 (ii) a stowable configuration, wherein the manipulable arm is configured to be manipulated such that a length of the manipulable arm is reduced by at least half of an overall length in the usable configuration; and 
   (b) a flexible strap removably couplable to one end of the manipulable arm.   
     
     
         17 . The head and neck stabilizing device of  claim 16 , wherein the manipulation of the manipulable arm comprises at least one of (i) folding the manipulable arm; and (ii) detaching an upper portion of the manipulable arm from a lower portion of the manipulable arm. 
     
     
         18 . The head and neck stabilizing device of  claim 16 , wherein the manipulable arm comprises an upper arm and a lower arm. 
     
     
         19 . The head and neck stabilizing device of  claim 18 , wherein the upper arm and lower arm are operably coupled by a tongue disposed on one of the upper arm and the lower arm, and wherein the tongue is configured to fit through a slot on the other of the upper arm and the lower arm. 
     
     
         20 . The head and neck stabilizing device of  claim 19 , wherein the tongue is configured to interact with the other of the upper arm and the lower arm to exert a force thereon to provide more stability to a user of the head and neck stabilizing device.