A Bracing Member

Abstract

A bracing member for use with a body support unit, the bracing member defining a lower surface having a plurality of series of interconnected discrete voids extending substantially vertically from the lower surface into the body, each series of voids to retain a respective column of interconnected fluid-fillable cells, in use.

1 - 44 . (canceled) 
     
     
         45 . A bracing member for use with a body support unit, the bracing member defining a lower surface having a plurality of series of interconnected discrete voids extending substantially vertically from the lower surface into the body, each series of voids to retain a respective column of interconnected fluid-fillable cells, in use. 
     
     
         46 . A bracing member according to  claim 45 , wherein the bracing member is composed of a plurality of bracing components. 
     
     
         47 . A bracing member according to  claim 46 , wherein the bracing components are arranged in substantially horizontal layers to define the bracing member, each bracing component having a substantially horizontal mating face, wherein at least some bracing components further have a plurality of apertures through the component which together define said series of voids. 
     
     
         48 . A bracing member according to  claim 47 , wherein the substantially horizontal mating face passes through at least one void. 
     
     
         49 . A bracing member according to  claim 46 , wherein each bracing component is provided with a matrix of apertures therethrough, wherein the respective apertures of neighboring bracing components are axially aligned, the diameter of the apertures in one bracing component being different to the diameter of the apertures in an at least one neighboring bracing component, such that a series of axially aligned apertures together define said series of interconnected discrete voids. 
     
     
         50 . A bracing member according to  claim 49 , wherein the apertures in the bracing components are substantially cylindrical. 
     
     
         51 . A bracing member according to  claim 45 , further comprising an upper surface including a plurality of protrusions extending therefrom, each protrusion surrounding an uppermost void of a respective series of voids, a top portion of the protrusions collectively defining a body support surface, wherein the upper surface of the bracing member does not contact a user when in use. 
     
     
         52 . A bracing member according to  claim 45 , wherein the bracing member is a unitary item. 
     
     
         53 . A bracing member according to  claim 45 , wherein the voids are substantially spherical. 
     
     
         54 . A bracing member according to  claim 45 , wherein the bracing member is resilient. 
     
     
         55 . A bracing member according to  claim 45 , further comprising at least one ventilation channel fluidly connected between an upper surface and the lower surface of the bracing member. 
     
     
         56 . A body support unit comprising a bracing member according to  claim 45 , further comprising a base, wherein the bracing member is attachable to the base, wherein the base comprises a plurality of air supply ports, each air supply port for fluid connection with a respective column of interconnected fluid-fillable cells, in use. 
     
     
         57 . A body support unit according to  claim 45 , further comprising a column of interconnected fluid-fillable cells received within each respective series of voids. 
     
     
         58 . A body support unit according to  claim 57 , wherein the series of voids are shaped to as to substantially correspond to the columns of interconnected fluid-fillable cells. 
     
     
         59 . A body support unit according to  claim 58 , wherein the voids are shaped so as to substantially correspond to the shape of the cells, wherein the cells are substantially spherical when filled with fluid and the voids are sized so as to correspond substantially to the spherical outer surface of a cell in use, such that there is substantially no gap between the inner surface of the voids and the outer surface of the cells. 
     
     
         60 . A body support platform having a plurality of body support united according to  claim 56 . 
     
     
         61 . A body support unit comprising:
 a bracing member having a plurality of recesses extending from a lower surface into the bracing member; and   a plurality of columns, each comprising a series of interconnected fluid-fillable cells,   wherein each column is retained within a respective recess.   
     
     
         62 . A body support unit according to  claim 61 , wherein the recesses extend from the lower surface through to an upper surface of the bracing member. 
     
     
         63 . A body support unit according to  claim 61 , wherein the cells of each column are substantially spherical when filled with fluid. 
     
     
         64 . A body support unit according to  claim 61 , wherein the diameter of the cells of each column, when filled with fluid, is larger than the diameter of the inner surface of the respective recess, such that the bracing member adjacent the cells is at least partially locally deformed when the column is filled with fluid.