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Abstract

An improved anatomical support apparatus including an upper substrate engagable with a body surface of a user, and a support substrate attached to the upper substrate. The upper substrate having a first honeycomb core formed of undulated strips of resilient thermoplastic material, thermal compression bonded together to form cell walls defining a plurality of contiguous regularly shaped cells. Each of the cell walls having an upper extremity and a lower extremity. Each upper and lower extremity of the first core forming either a planar or a contoured surface. The upper substrate further includes means for maintaining the first core in its expanded configuration. A stack having at least one support substrate attached to either the upper or the lower extremity of the first core. A support substrate including a second honeycomb core formed of undulated strips of resilient thermoplastic material, thermal compression bonded together to form cell walls defining a plurality of contiguous regularly shaped cells. Each of the cell walls of the second core having an upper extremity and a lower extremity. Each upper and lower extremity of the second core forming either a contoured or a planar surface. In addition, the support substrate also includes means for maintaining the second core in its expanded configuration. The first and the second cores being anisotropically flexible and capable of stabilizing and spreading a load exerted thereupon by the user of the support apparatus. In a preferred embodiment the support apparatus comprises a seat cushion in which at least the upper substrate defines a contoured surface adapted to support prominences in the body of a seated user.

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First Claim