PATENT OF THE WEEK – NECK SUPPORT DEVICE

Invented by Ravi Shamaiengar, the invention was granted patent and was published on 21-10-2014 with the patent no. US8863335B2. The invention pertains to a neck support device designed to alleviate discomfort and provide proper cervical spine positioning while traveling. This device consists of a bendable, padded disk with cuts that partially separate different portions of the disk. The user can manipulate the disk by bending it at the edges and within each portion.

The device comprises three main portions: a head portion, a neck portion, and a shoulder portion. The user shapes the head portion to cradle their head, adjusts the shoulder portion to rest on their shoulder, and positions the neck portion against their neck. The weight of the user’s head is then transferred through the device from the head portion, down the neck portion, and onto the shoulder portion, effectively relieving the neck of the head’s weight while maintaining proper cervical spine alignment.

The head portion is padded, possibly with foam or discrete pads, and this padding may be evenly distributed, unevenly distributed, or contoured to provide extra support in specific areas. Additional comfort pads may also be added to support various regions, such as the mandibular bodies and mentum, angles of the mandible, mastoid processes, and the skull base, enhancing comfort during use.

One of the device’s objectives is to offer neck and head support to users during travel. The device features an inner core that starts flat for compact storage but can be manually bent into a desired shape by the user, remaining in that shape to support the weight of the user’s head without unintentional deformation. The material of the inner core allows for easy bending without tools. Overall, this neck support device serves as a versatile and adjustable travel companion, addressing the need for head and neck comfort and alignment.