Support surface and method of consruction thereof

Abstract

A support surface, comprising a first, substantially planar rigid surface connected to a second substantially hemispherical, substantially non-rigid portion, wherein the support surface is arranged to be positionable in at least two orientations, wherein at least one orientation provides a substantially planar support surface, and at least one other orientation provides a seating surface.

1 . A support surface, comprising a first, substantially circular, substantially planar rigid surface having a plurality of support elements, the first surface being connected to a second substantially hemispherical, substantially non-rigid portion having at least two sections proximate each other, each one of the at least two sections cooperating with a proximate section to control the amount of cushioning provided by the surface, wherein the support surface is arranged to be positionable in at least two orientations, wherein at least one orientation provides a substantially planar support surface, and at least one other orientation provides a seating surface. 
     
     
         2 . A support surface in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the at least two sections are one of hemispherical wedges and planar slices. 
     
     
         3 . A support surface in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the at least two sections are composed of a compressible solid foam material. 
     
     
         4 . A support surface in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the non-rigid portion includes at least one cavity. 
     
     
         5 . A support surface in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the non-rigid portion further includes a surface material. 
     
     
         6 . A support surface in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the surface material includes a pattern including two or more gores integrally formed at the apex of the support surface. 
     
     
         7 . A support surface, comprising a first, substantially planar rigid surface connected to a second substantially hemispherical, substantially non-rigid portion, wherein the support surface is arranged to be positionable in at least two orientations, wherein at least one orientation provides a substantially planar support surface, and at least one other orientation provides a seating surface. 
     
     
         8 . A support surface in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein the substantially hemi-spherical non-rigid portion further comprises at least two sections proximate each other, wherein each section cooperates with a proximate section to control the amount of cushioning provided by the surface. 
     
     
         9 . A support surface in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the at least two sections are hemispherical wedges. 
     
     
         10 . A support surface in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the at least two sections are planar slices. 
     
     
         11 . A support surface in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the at least two sections comprises twelve wedges, to form a shape that approximates a hemisphere. 
     
     
         12 . A support surface in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein the substantially planar rigid surface is substantially circular. 
     
     
         13 . A support surface in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein the substantially planar rigid surface includes a plurality of support elements. 
     
     
         14 . A support surface in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein the non-rigid portion comprises a compressible solid foam material. 
     
     
         15 . A support surface in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein the foam material is a polyurethane foam. 
     
     
         16 . A support surface in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein the non-rigid portion includes at least one cavity. 
     
     
         17 . A support surface in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein the non-rigid portion further includes a surface covering material. 
     
     
         18 . A support surface in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein the surface covering material is textured. 
     
     
         19 . A support surface in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein the surface material includes a pattern including two or more gores integrally formed at the apex of the support surface. 
     
     
         20 . A support surface in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein the surface material is one of a woven material, a vinyl or plastics material and a surface of synthetic fibres. 
     
     
         21 . A method of constructing a support surface, comprising the steps of shaping and attaching one or more sections of solid foam material into a substantially hemispherical portion, attaching the substantially hemispherical portion to a substantially rigid surface, and attaching a surface material that substantially covers the hemispherical portion. 
     
     
         22 . A method in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein the step of shaping the one or more sections of solid foam comprises the step of shaping at least two hemispherical wedges. 
     
     
         23 . A method in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein the step of shaping the one or more sections of foam comprises the step of shaping at least two spherical slices. 
     
     
         24 . A method in accordance with  claim 23 , wherein the step of attaching one or more sections of foam material comprises the step of chemically bonding the one or more sections. 
     
     
         25 . A method in accordance with any one of  claims 21 , wherein the step of attaching the hemispherical portion to the rigid portion comprises the step of chemically bonding the hemispherical portion to the rigid portion. 
     
     
         26 . A method in accordance with any one of  claims 21 , wherein the step of attaching the surface material to the hemispherical portion comprises the step of chemically bonding the surface material to the hemispherical portion.