Patent ID: 7624462

Claim:
A support system for mattresses, cushions, upholstery, and seat backs comprising: A. a plurality of separate and independent load bearing, cushioning, and supporting elements each comprising: a. a hollow profile defined by an outer surface, an inner surface, and a central passageway longitudinally extending therethrough with each of said hollow profiles comprising a substantially smooth, continuous, outer surface and a substantially smooth continuous inner surface, and b. a plurality of indentations formed in the outer surface of the profile and extending inwardly toward the central axis thereof, said plurality of indentations being formed about the outer surface of the profile while being spaced from the inner surface, and being in sufficient quantity and position to impart repeatable and predictable deformation and recovery to the profile in response to the application of a compressive force and the release of said force; B. said plurality of separate and independent load bearing, cushioning, and supporting elements being positioned in juxtaposed, spaced, adjacent parallel relationship to each other with the longitudinally extending central passageway of each element being aligned to be substantially parallel to each other element; and C. said plurality of separate and independent load bearing, cushioning, and supporting elements being cooperatively associated with each other for supporting loads placed thereon which exert a compressive force thereto, with the loads being applied substantially coaxially to the central axis of each element for causing the entire length of each hollow profile to be longitudinally compressed in a manner which causes the plurality of indentations formed on each of said load bearing, cushioning, and supporting elements to be deformed in the predictable and repeatable manner; whereby a support system is achieved which is capable of providing cushioning, shock absorbing, and load bearing capabilities.