US Patent 11291319 Micro-adjustment of cushions

A method for adjusting a cushioning element, such as a pillow, by adjusting a length and a volume of a cover of the pillow. The cover includes one or more gathering elements that can alter the length and the volume of the cover. Each gathering element may extend around an end of the cover. Each gathering element may enable adjustment of the length and volume of the cover in extremely small increments or even continuously (i.e., in micro adjustments). Micro-adjustment of the length and volume of the cover may enable adjustment of a position and/or an orientation of at least one endpoint of a closed kinematic chain of an individual's spine, which may provide control over a curvature of the spine.