A tie arrangement

Abstract

A tie arrangement for use with a body support unit, the body support unit including a plurality of columns arranged substantially parallel to one another, each column including a plurality of fluid-tillable substantially spherical cells connected together, the tie arrangement including a tie member having at least one retention aperture configured to be releasably connected to a column at point of reduced diameter between two neighbouring cells.

1 . A tie arrangement for use with a body support unit, the body support unit comprising a plurality of columns arranged substantially parallel to one another, each column comprised of a plurality of fluid-fillable substantially spherical cells connected together, the tie arrangement comprising a tie member having at least one retention aperture configured to be releasably connected to a column at a point of reduced diameter between two neighbouring cells. 
     
     
         2 . A tie arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the tie member comprises a retaining sheet having a plurality of retention apertures. 
     
     
         3 . A tie arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the retention aperture is substantially equal to or larger than said reduced diameter of the portion of the column between two neighbouring cells but smaller than the diameter of the cells of the column, such that upon inflation of the column, removal of the tie arrangement is restricted. 
     
     
         4 . The tie arrangement according to  claim 1  comprising a plurality of tie members, each tie member configured to be releasably connected to a first column and having at least one connector for releasably connecting the tie member to a second column of the body support unit. 
     
     
         5 . A tie arrangement according to  claim 4 , wherein the connector is configured to releasably connect the tie member to at least one other tie member removably attachable to a second column. 
     
     
         6 . A tie arrangement according to  claim 4 , releasably connectable to a plurality of other tie members each removably attachable to a respective one of a plurality of neighbouring columns. 
     
     
         7 . A tie arrangement according to  claim 4 , wherein the tie member comprises a ring configured to be releasably connected to a column. 
     
     
         8 . A tie arrangement according to  claim 7 , wherein the ring is a split ring, and where the respective ends of the split ring are releasably attachable to one another. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A tie arrangement according to  claim 4 , wherein the connector is one of a pair of co-operating connectors. 
     
     
         11 . A tie arrangement according to  claim 1 , configured to be removably connected to a neighbouring tie arrangement, wherein said neighbouring tie arrangement is releasably, connectable to the columns of a neighbouring body support unit. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A tie arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the two tie arrangements are connectable to one another by overlapping the respective edges of the two tie arrangements. 
     
     
         14 . A tie arrangement according to  claim 11 , wherein said neighbouring tie arrangement is releasably connectable to the same columns of the same body support unit. 
     
     
         15 . A tie arrangement according to  claim 14 , comprising at least one connector configured to connect the tie arrangement to a parallel tie arrangement retaining the same columns. 
     
     
         16 . A tie arrangement according to  claim 1 , comprising at least one connector, formed integrally with the tie arrangement. 
     
     
         17 . A tie arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the tie arrangement is formed from polypropylene. 
     
     
         18 . A tie arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the tie is flexible but inextensible. 
     
     
         19 . A tie arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the retention apertures are arranged in a lattice across the surface of the tie arrangement. 
     
     
         20 . A tie arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein, the tie arrangement further comprises a plurality of ventilation apertures across its surface. 
     
     
         21 . A body support unit comprising:
 a plurality of columns arranged substantially parallel to one another, each column comprised of a plurality of fluid-fellable substantially spherical cells connected together; and   at least one tie arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the columns are received in the retention apertures and releasably connected to the column at a point of reduced diameter between two neighbouring cells.   
     
     
         22 . A body support platform comprising a plurality of body support units according to  claim 21 .