Patent ID: 7037278

Claim:
A cushion apparatus for distributing pressure over spaced points on a body area, the apparatus comprising: a cushion including a first surface, a second surface spaced from the first surface, the second surface having a plurality of holes formed therethrough, and a plurality of elongate members resiliently supported relative to the first surface and disposed at least partially within the holes, the plurality of elongate members having distal ends, each distal end extending at least partially through one of the holes to project beyond the second surface, wherein in the absence of pressure the plurality of elongate members are located at a neutral position, and wherein pressure applied to the distal ends by the body area causes the plurality of elongate members to be displaced axially along the holes away from the neutral position and toward the first surface without deformation; a cover for enclosing the cushion, the cover having an upper layer for engaging the distal ends of the plurality of elongate members and cooperating with the second surface to define a cavity disposed adjacent to the plurality of elongate members; and an air circulation system having a pressurized air inlet and at least one air oulet, the pressurized air inlet providing air flow solely between the second surface and the upper layer of the cover and around the plurality of eleongate members.