Importance

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Abstract

A semi-fluid based body support system using a mass of granular material to support a user has reversible transferring means and fluidizing means to locally control the granular material. The reversible transferring means and fluidizing means are independently controlled at plural locations along a system longitudinal dimension so that each region of the user body may be independently accommodated. The reversible transferring means is used to achieve fitness for natural posture by controlling a distribution of the accumulative height of granular material, and transfers the granular material between a transverse middle portion and transverse side portions of the system reversibly. The fluidizing means is used to achieve reduced partial oppression by controlling a local fluidity of the granular material. In a preferred embodiment, rotary blade devices, placed at spaced locations along the system longitudinal dimension, implement the fluidizing and transferring means by switching between operational modes. The rotary blade devices each include a shaft with blades that is rotatable reversibly. A shaft axis of rotation is oriented at an angle in the approximate range of 60.degree. to 120.degree. relative to a system longitudinal axis. The blades extend over a zone on the shaft, wherein: the length of the zone is larger than 25% of a system transverse dimension; and the zone is located within a complementary half of the system transverse dimension. Blades located within the same zone have the same screw direction. Blades located within mutually opposite transverse halves of the system have opposite screw directions.

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First Claim