Device for supporting a user's body

Abstract

The invention provides a variety of devices for supporting at least a portion of a user's body. In some embodiments, the invention provides a support device which includes a bladder capable of containing a fluid and a post adjacent the bladder. The bladder may form a rolling diaphragm portion with the post such that when a force is applied to the bladder, the rolling diaphragm portion of the bladder rolls along the post decreasing the volume of the bladder. In some embodiments, the invention provides a post which includes a reduced cross-sectional area in comparison to an adjacent region of the post such that the resistance of the rolling diaphragm portion of the bladder to rolling movement along the post due to the applies force decreases as the bladder rolls along the reduced cross-sectional area region. In some embodiments, the support device includes a plurality of bladders and/or a plurality of posts.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for supporting at least a portion of a user's body, the device comprising:
 a plurality of bladders capable of containing a fluid, the plurality of bladders including at least a first bladder and a second bladder; and   a plurality of posts adjacent to and supporting the plurality of bladders, such that at least one post is positioned adjacent to and supports each of the plurality of bladders, the plurality of posts including at least a first post and a second post, with the first post positioned adjacent to and supporting the first bladder and the second post positioned adjacent to and supporting the second bladder, wherein the first and second bladders each forms a rolling diaphragm portion with the first and second posts, respectively, such that when a force is applied to the first bladder, the rolling diaphragm portion of the first bladder rolls along the first post decreasing the volume of the first bladder, and when a force is applied to the second bladder, the rolling diaphragm portion of the second bladder rolls along the second post decreasing the volume of the second bladder.   
     
     
         2 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A device for supporting at least a portion of a user's body, the device comprising:
 at least one bladder capable of containing a fluid; and   a plurality of posts adjacent the at least one bladder, the plurality of posts including at least a first post and a second post, wherein at least a portion of the at least one bladder forms a first and second rolling diaphragm portion with the first and second posts, respectively, such that when a force is applied to the at least one bladder at a location adjacent the first post, the first rolling diaphragm portion of the at least one bladder rolls along the first post decreasing the volume of the at least one bladder, and when a force is applied to the at least one bladder at a location adjacent the second post, the second rolling diaphragm of the at least one bladder rolls along the second post decreasing the volume of the at least one bladder.   
     
     
         17 .- 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A device for supporting at least a portion of a user's body, the device comprising:
 a bladder capable of containing a fluid;   a post adjacent the bladder, wherein the bladder forms a rolling diaphragm portion with the post such that when a force is applied to the bladder, the rolling diaphragm portion of the bladder rolls along the post decreasing the volume of the bladder; and   wherein the post includes at least one region having a reduced cross-sectional area in comparison to an adjacent region of the post such that the resistance of the rolling diaphragm portion of the bladder to rolling movement along the post due to the applied force decreases as the bladder rolls along the at least one region having the reduced cross-sectional area.   
     
     
         29 .- 34 . (canceled)