Pressure equalizing mesh

Abstract

A pressure equalizing mesh has a plurality of connectors each resiliently connected to at least one other connector, or a plurality of displaceable cells and a plurality of resilient cell connectors, each of the cells being attached to at least one other cell by at least one of the cell connectors. The mesh distributes an applied force over an area of the mesh that increases as the applied force increases.

1 . A mesh for reacting to an applied force, said mesh comprising a plurality of displaceable cells and a plurality of cell connectors resiliently connecting said cells, each of said cells being connected to least one other cell by at least one of said connectors, said mesh equalizing said applied force over an area of said mesh that increases as said applied force increases.  
     
     
         2 . The mesh of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of cells and said plurality of cell connectors are arranged so that when pressure is applied to one or more cells, the one or more pressured cells may become displaced.  
     
     
         3 . The mesh of  claim 2 , wherein said plurality of cells and said plurality of cell connectors are arranged so that cells adjacent to the one or more pressured cells do not become displaced to the extent that the one or more pressured cells become displaced.  
     
     
         4 . The mesh of  claim 1 , wherein two or more cell connectors of the plurality of cell connectors offer different degrees of elastic resistance.  
     
     
         5 . The mesh of  claim 4 , wherein said different degrees of elastic resistance provide one or more regions of said mesh with varying support characteristics to enhance comfort.  
     
     
         6 . The mesh of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of said plurality of cells are shaped as a cylinder.  
     
     
         7 . The mesh of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of said plurality of cells are shaped as a parallelepiped.  
     
     
         8 . The mesh of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of said plurality of cells are shaped as a prism.  
     
     
         9 . The mesh of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of cells and said plurality of cell connectors are formed as a single integrated unit.  
     
     
         10 . The mesh of  claim 9 , wherein said plurality of cells and said plurality of cell connectors are formed by injection molding, compression molding, or rolling.  
     
     
         11 . The mesh of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of cells and said plurality of cell connectors form a planar matrix.  
     
     
         12 . The mesh of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of cells and said plurality of cell connectors form a contoured matrix.  
     
     
         13 . The mesh of  claim 12 , wherein said contoured matrix is ergonomically contoured.  
     
     
         14 . The mesh of  claim 1 , wherein said mesh is formed as a chair seat.  
     
     
         15 . The mesh of  claim 1 , wherein said mesh is formed as a chair back.  
     
     
         16 . The mesh of  claim 1 , wherein said mesh is air-permeable.  
     
     
         17 . The mesh of  claim 1 , wherein said mesh is weather resistant.  
     
     
         18 . The mesh of  claim 1 , wherein said mesh is incorporated into a seat or back of a means for supporting a human body in a seated position.  
     
     
         19 . The mesh of  claim 18 , wherein said means is selected from the group consisting of a chair, a wheelchair, a couch and a bench.  
     
     
         20 . The mesh of  claim 1 , wherein said mesh is formed as a bed surface.  
     
     
         21 . The mesh of  claim 1 , wherein said mesh is formed as a shoe sole.  
     
     
         22 . A mesh for reacting to an applied force, said mesh comprising a plurality of connectors, each of said connectors being resiliently connected to least one other connector, said mesh distributing said applied force over an area of said mesh that increases as said applied force increases.