Method for supporting and positioning the human anatomy

Claim 1

A method for fitting to an individual an apparatus for supporting and positioning the individual's anatomy, said method comprising the steps of: (1) selecting a support module adapted to support a specific portion of an individual's anatomy in three dimensions, said support module having at least two support portions that are separated by a relatively deformable, shape retainable portion; (2) fitting the support module to conform to the specific portion of the individual's anatomy by bending the relatively deformable, shape retainable portion of the support module; (3) positioning the fitted support module in space by clamping the support module to a chassis with the spacial positioning of the support module being related to the specific portion of the individual's anatomy when the support module is used to position said anatomy portion; and, thereafter (4) loosening the clamped support module on the chassis to reposition the support module in space through rotational and/or translational movement in at least one plane with respect to said chassis in order to produce desired changes in positioning of the specific portion of the individual's anatomy, and reclamping the support module to the chassis to maintain the support module in its new spacial position.

Claim 2

A method for fitting to an individual an apparatus for supporting and positioning the individual's anatomy, said method comprising the steps of: (1) selecting a support module adapted to support a specific portion of an individual's anatomy in three dimensions, said support module having at least two support portions that are separated by a relatively deformable, shape retainable portion; (2) fitting the support module to conform to the specific portion of the individual's anatomy by bending the relatively deformable, shape retainable portion of the support module; (3) positioning the fitted support module in space by clamping the support module to a chassis with the spacial positioning of the support module being related to the specific portion of the individual's anatomy when the support module is used to position said anatomy portion; and, thereafter (4) loosening the clamped support module on the chassis to reposition the support module in space through rotational and/or translational movement in at least one plane with respect to said chassis in order to produce desired changes in positioning of the specific portion of the individual's anatomy, and reclamping the support module to the chassis to maintain the support module in its new spacial position.

Claim 3

A method for fitting to an individual an apparatus for supporting and positioning the individual's anatomy, said method comprising the steps of: (1) securing at least one support module to a chassis by clamping the support module to the chassis, said support module being adapted to support a specific portion of an individual's anatomy in three dimensions and having at least two support portions that are separated by a relatively deformable, shape retainable portion; (2) fitting the support module to conform to the specific portion of the individual's anatomy by bending the relatively deformable, shape retainable portion of the support module; (3) positioning the fitted support module in space by loosening and then reclamping the support module to the chassis with the specific positioning of the support module being related to the specific portion of the individual's anatomy when the support module is used to position said anatomy portion; and, thereafter (4) loosening the clamped support module on the chassis to reposition the support module in space through rotational and/or translational movement in at least one plane with respect to said chassis in order to produce desired changes in position of the specific portion of the individual's anatomy, and reclamping the support module to the chassis to maintain the support module in its new spacial position.

Claim 4

A method for fitting to an individual an apparatus for supporting and positioning the individual's anatomy, said method comprising the steps of: (1) securing at least one support module to a chassis by clamping the support module to the chassis, said support module being adapted to support a specific portion of an individual's anatomy in three dimensions and having at least two support portions that are separated by a relatively deformable, shape retainable portion; (2) fitting the support module to conform to the specific portion of the individual's anatomy by bending the relatively deformable, shape retainable portion of the support module; (3) positioning the fitted support module in space by loosening and then reclamping the support module to the chassis with the specific positioning of the support module being related to the specific portion of the individual's anatomy when the support module is used to position said anatomy portion; and, thereafter (4) loosening the clamped support module on the chassis to reposition the support module in space through rotational and/or translational movement in at least one plane with respect to said chassis in order to produce desired changes in position of the specific portion of the individual's anatomy, and reclamping the support module to the chassis to maintain the support module in its new spacial position.

Claim 5

A method for fitting to an individual an apparatus for supporting and positioning the individual's anatomy, said method comprising the steps of: (1) selecting a plurality of independently positionable support modules each adapted to support a specific portion of the individual's anatomy in three dimensions, said support modules each having at least two support portions that are separated by a relatively deformable, shape retainable portion; (2) fitting the support modules to conform to the corresponding specific portion of the individual's anatomy by bending the relatively deformable, shape retainable portion of each support module; (3) independently positioning the fitted support modules in space by clamping the support modules to a chassis with the spacial positioning of the support modules being related to the specific portion of the corresponding individual's anatomy when the support module is used to position said anatomy portion; and, thereafter (4) loosening the clamped support modules on the chassis to reposition the support modules in space through rotational and/or translational movement in at least one plane with respect to said chassis in order to produce desired changes in positioning of the corresponding specific portion of the individual's anatomy, and reclamping the support modules to the chassis to maintain each support module in its new spacial position.

Claim 6

A method for fitting to an individual an apparatus for supporting and positioning the individual's anatomy, said method comprising the steps of: (1) selecting a plurality of independently positionable support modules each adapted to support a specific portion of the individual's anatomy in three dimensions, said support modules each having at least two support portions that are separated by a relatively deformable, shape retainable portion; (2) fitting the support modules to conform to the corresponding specific portion of the individual's anatomy by bending the relatively deformable, shape retainable portion of each support module; (3) independently positioning the fitted support modules in space by clamping the support modules to a chassis with the spacial positioning of the support modules being related to the specific portion of the corresponding individual's anatomy when the support module is used to position said anatomy portion; and, thereafter (4) loosening the clamped support modules on the chassis to reposition the support modules in space through rotational and/or translational movement in at least one plane with respect to said chassis in order to produce desired changes in positioning of the corresponding specific portion of the individual's anatomy, and reclamping the support modules to the chassis to maintain each support module in its new spacial position.

Claim 7

A method for fitting to an individual an apparatus for supporting and positioning the individual's anatomy, said method comprising the steps of: (1) securing a plurality of independently positionable support modules to a chassis by clamping the support modules to the chassis, said support modules each being adapted to support a specific portion of an individual's anatomy in three dimensions and said support modules each having at least two support portions that are separated by a relatively deformable, shape retainable portion; (2) fitting the support modules to conform to the corresponding specific portion of the individual's anatomy by bending the relatively deformable, shape retainable portion of the support module; (3) independently positioning the fitted support modules in space by loosening and then reclamping the support modules to the chassis with the specific positioning of the support modules being related to the corresponding specific portion of the individual's anatomy when the support module is used to position said anatomy portion; and, thereafter (4) loosening the clamped support modules on the chassis to reposition the support modules in space through rotational and/or translational movement in at least one plane with respect to said chassis in order to produce desired changes in position of the corresponding specific portion of the individual's anatomy, and reclamping the support modules to the chassis to maintain each support module in its new spacial position.

Claim 8

A method for fitting to an individual an apparatus for supporting and positioning the individual's anatomy, said method comprising the steps of: (1) securing a plurality of independently positionable support modules to a chassis by clamping the support modules to the chassis, said support modules each being adapted to support a specific portion of an individual's anatomy in three dimensions and said support modules each having at least two support portions that are separated by a relatively deformable, shape retainable portion; (2) fitting the support modules to conform to the corresponding specific portion of the individual's anatomy by bending the relatively deformable, shape retainable portion of the support module; (3) independently positioning the fitted support modules in space by loosening and then reclamping the support modules to the chassis with the specific positioning of the support modules being related to the corresponding specific portion of the individual's anatomy when the support module is used to position said anatomy portion; and, thereafter (4) loosening the clamped support modules on the chassis to reposition the support modules in space through rotational and/or translational movement in at least one plane with respect to said chassis in order to produce desired changes in position of the corresponding specific portion of the individual's anatomy, and reclamping the support modules to the chassis to maintain each support module in its new spacial position.

Claim 9

A method for fitting to an individual an apparatus for supporting and positioning the individual's anatomy, said method comprising the steps of: (1) selecting a support module adapted to support a specific portion of an individual's anatomy in three dimensions, said support module having at least two support portions that are separated by a relatively deformable, shape retainable portion; (2) fitting the support module to conform to the specific portion of the individual's anatomy by bending the relatively deformable, shape retainable portion of the support module; (3) loosely clamping the fitted support module to a first chassis; (4) clamping the first chassis with the loosely clamped fitted support module thereon to a second chassis; and thereafter, (5) positioning the fitted support module in space through rotational and/or translational movement of the support module with respect to the chassis in a plane in order to produce the desired positioning of the specific portion of the individual's anatomy, and then tightly clamping the support module to the first chassis to maintain the support module in its new spacial position.

Claim 10

A method for fitting to an individual an apparatus for supporting and positioning the individual's anatomy, said method comprising the steps of: (1) selecting a support module adapted to support a specific portion of an individual's anatomy in three dimensions, said support module having at least two support portions that are separated by a relatively deformable, shape retainable portion; (2) fitting the support module to conform to the specific portion of the individual's anatomy by bending the relatively deformable, shape retainable portion of the support module; (3) loosely clamping the fitted support module to a first chassis; (4) clamping the first chassis with the loosely clamped fitted support module thereon to a second chassis; and thereafter, (5) positioning the fitted support module in space through rotational and/or translational movement of the support module with respect to the chassis in a plane in order to produce the desired positioning of the specific portion of the individual's anatomy, and then tightly clamping the support module to the first chassis to maintain the support module in its new spacial position.

Claim 11

A method for fitting to an individual an apparatus for supporting and positioning the individual's anatomy, said method comprising the steps of: (1) selecting a support module adapted to support a specific portion of an individual's anatomy in three dimensions, said support module having at least two support portions that are separated by a relatively deformable, shape retainable portion; (2) fitting the support module to conform to the specific portion of the individual's anatomy by bending the relatively deformable, shape retainable portion of the support module; (3) clamping the fitted support module to a first chassis; (4) loosely clamping the first chassis with the clamped fitted support module thereon to a second chassis; and, thereafter (5) positioning the fitted support module in space through rotational and/or translational movement of the first chassis in a plane with respect to the second chassis in order to produce the desired positioning of the specific portion of the individual's anatomy, and then tightly clamping the first chassis to the second chassis to maintain the support module in its spacial position.

Claim 12

A method for fitting to an individual an apparatus for supporting and positioning the individual's anatomy, said method comprising the steps of: (1) selecting a support module adapted to support a specific portion of an individual's anatomy in three dimensions, said support module having at least two support portions that are separated by a relatively deformable, shape retainable portion; (2) fitting the support module to conform to the specific portion of the individual's anatomy by bending the relatively deformable, shape retainable portion of the support module; (3) clamping the fitted support module to a first chassis; (4) loosely clamping the first chassis with the clamped fitted support module thereon to a second chassis; and, thereafter (5) positioning the fitted support module in space through rotational and/or translational movement of the first chassis in a plane with respect to the second chassis in order to produce the desired positioning of the specific portion of the individual's anatomy, and then tightly clamping the first chassis to the second chassis to maintain the support module in its spacial position.

Claim 13

A method for fitting to an individual an apparatus for supporting and positioning the individual's anatomy, said method comprising the steps of: (1) selecting a support module adapted to support a specific portion of an individual's anatomy in three dimensions, said support module having at least two support portions that are separated by a relatively deformable, shape retainable portion; (2) fitting the support module to conform to the specific portion of the individual's anatomy by bending the relatively, shape retainable deformable portion of the support module; (3) loosely clamping together the fitted support module, a first chassis and a second chassis with said fitted support module being clamped to the first chassis and the first chassis being clamped to the second chassis; and, thereafter (4) positioning the support module in space through rotational and/or translational movement of the support module and first chassis in at least one plane in order to produce desired positioning of the specific portion of the individual's anatomy, and then tightly clamping the support module to the first chassis and the first chassis to the second chassis in order to maintain the support module in this spacial position.

Claim 14

A method for fitting to an individual an apparatus for supporting and positioning the individual's anatomy, said method comprising the steps of: (1) selecting a support module adapted to support a specific portion of an individual's anatomy in three dimensions, said support module having at least two support portions that are separated by a relatively deformable, shape retainable portion; (2) fitting the support module to conform to the specific portion of the individual's anatomy by bending the relatively, shape retainable deformable portion of the support module; (3) loosely clamping together the fitted support module, a first chassis and a second chassis with said fitted support module being clamped to the first chassis and the first chassis being clamped to the second chassis; and, thereafter (4) positioning the support module in space through rotational and/or translational movement of the support module and first chassis in at least one plane in order to produce desired positioning of the specific portion of the individual's anatomy, and then tightly clamping the support module to the first chassis and the first chassis to the second chassis in order to maintain the support module in this spacial position.

Claim 15

A method for fitting to an individual an apparatus for supporting and positioning the individual's anatomy, said method comprising the steps of: (1) selecting a support module adapted to support a specific portion of an individual's anatomy in three dimensions, said support module having at least two support portions that are separated by a relatively deformable, shape retainable portion; (2) fitting the support module to conform to the specific portion of the individual's anatomy by bending the relatively deformable, shape retainable portion of the support module; (3) mounting the fitted support module to a chassis by loosely clamping the fitted support module to the chassis; and, thereafter (4) positioning the fitted support module in space through rotational and/or translational movement of the fitted support module in at least one plane with respect to said chassis in order to produce the desired positioning of the specific portion of the individual's anatomy, and then tightly clamping the fitted support module to the chassis to maintain the fitted support module in this spacial position.

Claim 16

A method for fitting to an individual an apparatus for supporting and positioning the individual's anatomy, said method comprising the steps of: (1) selecting a support module adapted to support a specific portion of an individual's anatomy in three dimensions, said support module having at least two support portions that are separated by a relatively deformable, shape retainable portion; (2) fitting the support module to conform to the specific portion of the individual's anatomy by bending the relatively deformable, shape retainable portion of the support module; (3) mounting the fitted support module to a chassis by loosely clamping the fitted support module to the chassis; and, thereafter (4) positioning the fitted support module in space through rotational and/or translational movement of the fitted support module in at least one plane with respect to said chassis in order to produce the desired positioning of the specific portion of the individual's anatomy, and then tightly clamping the fitted support module to the chassis to maintain the fitted support module in this spacial position.

Claim 17

A method for fitting to an indivdual an apparatus for supporting and positioning the individual's anatomy, said method comprising the steps of: (1) securing a support module to a chassis by tightly clamping the support module to the chassis, said support module being adapted to support a specific portion of an individual's anatomy in three dimensions and having at least two support portions that are separated by a relatively deformable, shape retainable portion; (2) fitting the support module to conform to the specific portion of the individual's anatomy by bending the relatively deformable, shape retainable portion of the support module; (3) loosening the clamped fitted support module; and, thereafter (4) positioning the fitted support module in space through rotational and/or translational movement of the fitted support module in at least one plane with respect to said chassis in order to produce the desired positioning of the specific portion of the individual's anatomy, and then tightly reclamping the fitted support module to the chassis to maintain the fitted support module in this spacial position.

Claim 18

A method for fitting to an indivdual an apparatus for supporting and positioning the individual's anatomy, said method comprising the steps of: (1) securing a support module to a chassis by tightly clamping the support module to the chassis, said support module being adapted to support a specific portion of an individual's anatomy in three dimensions and having at least two support portions that are separated by a relatively deformable, shape retainable portion; (2) fitting the support module to conform to the specific portion of the individual's anatomy by bending the relatively deformable, shape retainable portion of the support module; (3) loosening the clamped fitted support module; and, thereafter (4) positioning the fitted support module in space through rotational and/or translational movement of the fitted support module in at least one plane with respect to said chassis in order to produce the desired positioning of the specific portion of the individual's anatomy, and then tightly reclamping the fitted support module to the chassis to maintain the fitted support module in this spacial position.

Claim 19

A method for fitting to an individual an apparatus for supporting and positioning the individual's anatomy, said method comprising the steps of: (1) selecting a plurality of independently positionable support modules each adapted to support a specific portion of the individual's anatomy in three dimensions, said support modules each having at least two support portions that are separated by a relatively deformable, shape retainable portion; (2) fitting the support modules to conform to the corresponding specific portion of the individual's anatomy by bending the relatively deformable, shape retainable portion of each support module; (3) mounting the fitted support modules to a chassis by loosely clamping the fitted support modules to the chassis; and, thereafter (4) independently positioning the fitted support modules in space through rotational and/or translational movement of the fitted support modules in at least one plane with respect to said chassis in order to produce the desired positioning of the corresponding specific portion of the individual's anatomy, and then tightly clamping the fitted support modules to the chassis to maintain each fitted support module in its spacial position.

Claim 20

A method for fitting to an individual an apparatus for supporting and positioning the individual's anatomy, said method comprising the steps of: (1) selecting a plurality of independently positionable support modules each adapted to support a specific portion of the individual's anatomy in three dimensions, said support modules each having at least two support portions that are separated by a relatively deformable, shape retainable portion; (2) fitting the support modules to conform to the corresponding specific portion of the individual's anatomy by bending the relatively deformable, shape retainable portion of each support module; (3) mounting the fitted support modules to a chassis by loosely clamping the fitted support modules to the chassis; and, thereafter (4) independently positioning the fitted support modules in space through rotational and/or translational movement of the fitted support modules in at least one plane with respect to said chassis in order to produce the desired positioning of the corresponding specific portion of the individual's anatomy, and then tightly clamping the fitted support modules to the chassis to maintain each fitted support module in its spacial position.

Claim 21

A method for fitting to an individual an apparatus for supporting and positioning the individual's anatomy, said method comprising the steps of: (1) securing a plurality of independently positionable support modules to a chassis by tightly clamping the support modules to the chassis, said support modules each being adapted to support a specific portion of an individual's anatomy in three dimensions and said support modules each having at least two support portions that are separated by a relatively deformable, shape retainable portion; (2) fitting the support modules to conform to the corresponding specific portion of the individual's anatomy by bending the relatively deformable, shape retainable portion of the support module; (3) loosening the clamped fitted support modules; and, thereafter (4) independently positioning the fitted support modules in space through rotational and/or translational movement of the fitted support modules in at least one plane with respect to said chassis in order to produce the desired positioning of the corresponding specific portion of the individual's anatomy, and then tightly clamping the fitted support modules to the chassis to maintain each fitted support module in its spacial position.

Claim 22

A method for fitting to an individual an apparatus for supporting and positioning the individual's anatomy, said method comprising the steps of: (1) securing a plurality of independently positionable support modules to a chassis by tightly clamping the support modules to the chassis, said support modules each being adapted to support a specific portion of an individual's anatomy in three dimensions and said support modules each having at least two support portions that are separated by a relatively deformable, shape retainable portion; (2) fitting the support modules to conform to the corresponding specific portion of the individual's anatomy by bending the relatively deformable, shape retainable portion of the support module; (3) loosening the clamped fitted support modules; and, thereafter (4) independently positioning the fitted support modules in space through rotational and/or translational movement of the fitted support modules in at least one plane with respect to said chassis in order to produce the desired positioning of the corresponding specific portion of the individual's anatomy, and then tightly clamping the fitted support modules to the chassis to maintain each fitted support module in its spacial position.

Claim 23

A method for fitting to an individual an apparatus for supporting and positioning the individual's anatomy, said method comprising the steps of: (1) selecting a support module adapted to support a specific portion of an individual's anatomy in three dimensions, said support module having at least two support portions that are separated by a yieldable and resilient portion; (2) mounting the support module to a chassis by loosely clamping the support module to the chassis; and, thereafter (3) independently positioning the support module in space through rotational and/or translational movement of the support module in at least one plane with respect to said chassis in order to produce the desired positioning of the specific portion of the individual's anatomy when said yieldable and resilient portion and said two support portions conform to the specific portion of the individual anatomy in response to pressure therefrom, and then tightly clamping the support module to the chassis to maintain the fitted support module in this spacial position.

Claim 24

A method for fitting to an individual an apparatus for supporting and positioning the individual's anatomy, said method comprising the steps of: (1) selecting a support module adapted to support a specific portion of an individual's anatomy in three dimensions, said support module having at least two support portions that are separated by a yieldable and resilient portion; (2) mounting the support module to a chassis by loosely clamping the support module to the chassis; and, thereafter (3) independently positioning the support module in space through rotational and/or translational movement of the support module in at least one plane with respect to said chassis in order to produce the desired positioning of the specific portion of the individual's anatomy when said yieldable and resilient portion and said two support portions conform to the specific portion of the individual anatomy in response to pressure therefrom, and then tightly clamping the support module to the chassis to maintain the fitted support module in this spacial position.

Claim 25

A method for fitting to an individual an apparatus for supporting and positioning the individual's anatomy, said method comprising the steps of: (1) selecting a plurality of independently positionable support modules each adapted to support a specific portion of the individual's anatomy in three dimensions, said support modules each having at least two support portions that are separated by a yieldable and resilient portion; and, thereafter (2) mounting the support modules to a chassis by loosely clamping the support modules to the chassis; and, thereafter (3) independently positioning the fitted support modules in space through rotational and/or translational movement of the fitted support modules in at least one plane with respect to said chassis in order to produce the desired positioning of the corresponding specific portion of the individual's anatomy when said yieldable and resilient portion and said two support portions conform to the specific portion of the individual's anatomy in response to pressure therefrom, and then tightly clamping the fitted support modules to the chassis to maintain each fitted support module in its spacial position.

Claim 26

A method for fitting to an individual an apparatus for supporting and positioning the individual's anatomy, said method comprising the steps of: (1) selecting a plurality of independently positionable support modules each adapted to support a specific portion of the individual's anatomy in three dimensions, said support modules each having at least two support portions that are separated by a yieldable and resilient portion; and, thereafter (2) mounting the support modules to a chassis by loosely clamping the support modules to the chassis; and, thereafter (3) independently positioning the fitted support modules in space through rotational and/or translational movement of the fitted support modules in at least one plane with respect to said chassis in order to produce the desired positioning of the corresponding specific portion of the individual's anatomy when said yieldable and resilient portion and said two support portions conform to the specific portion of the individual's anatomy in response to pressure therefrom, and then tightly clamping the fitted support modules to the chassis to maintain each fitted support module in its spacial position.

Claim 27

A method for fitting to an individual an apparatus for supporting and positioning the individual's anatomy, said method comprising the steps of: (1) selecting a support module adapted to support a specific portion of an individual's anatomy in three dimensions, said support module having at least two support portions that are separated by a yieldable and resilient portion; (2) loosely clamping the support module to a first chassis; (3) clamping the first chassis with the loosely clamped support module thereon to a second chassis; and thereafter, (4) positioning the support module in space through rotational and/or translational movement of the support module in at least one plane with respect to said first chassis in order to produce the desired positioning of the specific portion of the individual's anatomy when said yieldable and resilient portion and said two support portions conform to the specific portion of the individual anatomy in response to pressure therefrom, and then tightly clamping the support module to the first chassis to maintain the support module in this spacial position.

Claim 28

A method for fitting to an individual an apparatus for supporting and positioning the individual's anatomy, said method comprising the steps of: (1) selecting a support module adapted to support a specific portion of an individual's anatomy in three dimensions, said support module having at least two support portions that are separated by a yieldable and resilient portion; (2) loosely clamping the support module to a first chassis; (3) clamping the first chassis with the loosely clamped support module thereon to a second chassis; and thereafter, (4) positioning the support module in space through rotational and/or translational movement of the support module in at least one plane with respect to said first chassis in order to produce the desired positioning of the specific portion of the individual's anatomy when said yieldable and resilient portion and said two support portions conform to the specific portion of the individual anatomy in response to pressure therefrom, and then tightly clamping the support module to the first chassis to maintain the support module in this spacial position.

Claim 29

A method for fitting to an individual an apparatus for supporting and positioning the individual's anatomy, said method comprising the steps of: (1) selecting a support module adapted to support a specific portion of an individual's anatomy in three dimensions, said support module having at least two support portions that are separated by a yieldable and resilient portion; (2) clamping the support module to a first chassis; (3) loosely clamping the first chassis with the clamped support module thereon to a second chassis; and, thereafter (4) positioning the fitted support module in space through rotational and/or translational movement of the first chassis in at least one plane with respect to the second chassis in order to produce the desired positioning of the specific portion of the individual's anatomy when said yieldable and resilient portion and said two support portions conform to the specific portion of the individual anatomy in response to pressure therefrom, and then tightly clamping the first chassis to the second chassis to maintain the support module in this spacial position.

Claim 30

A method for fitting to an individual an apparatus for supporting and positioning the individual's anatomy, said method comprising the steps of: (1) selecting a support module adapted to support a specific portion of an individual's anatomy in three dimensions, said support module having at least two support portions that are separated by a yieldable and resilient portion; (2) clamping the support module to a first chassis; (3) loosely clamping the first chassis with the clamped support module thereon to a second chassis; and, thereafter (4) positioning the fitted support module in space through rotational and/or translational movement of the first chassis in at least one plane with respect to the second chassis in order to produce the desired positioning of the specific portion of the individual's anatomy when said yieldable and resilient portion and said two support portions conform to the specific portion of the individual anatomy in response to pressure therefrom, and then tightly clamping the first chassis to the second chassis to maintain the support module in this spacial position.

Claim 31

A method for fitting to an individual an apparatus for supporting and positioning the individual's anatomy, said method comprising the steps of: (1) selecting a support module adapted to support a specific portion of an individual's anatomy in three dimensions, said support module having at least two support portions that are separated by a yieldable and resilient portion; (2) loosely clamping together the support module, a first chassis and a second chassis with said support module being clamped to the first chassis and the first chassis being clamped to the second chassis; and, thereafter (3) positioning the support module in space through rotational and/or translational movement of the support module and first chassis in at least one plane in order to produce desired positioning of the specific portion of the individual's anatomy when said yieldable and resilient portion and said two support portions conform to the specific portion of the individual anatomy in response to pressure therefrom, and then tightly clamping the support module to the first chassis and the first chassis to the second chassis in order to maintain the support module in this spacial position.

Claim 32

A method for fitting to an individual an apparatus for supporting and positioning the individual's anatomy, said method comprising the steps of: (1) selecting a support module adapted to support a specific portion of an individual's anatomy in three dimensions, said support module having at least two support portions that are separated by a yieldable and resilient portion; (2) loosely clamping together the support module, a first chassis and a second chassis with said support module being clamped to the first chassis and the first chassis being clamped to the second chassis; and, thereafter (3) positioning the support module in space through rotational and/or translational movement of the support module and first chassis in at least one plane in order to produce desired positioning of the specific portion of the individual's anatomy when said yieldable and resilient portion and said two support portions conform to the specific portion of the individual anatomy in response to pressure therefrom, and then tightly clamping the support module to the first chassis and the first chassis to the second chassis in order to maintain the support module in this spacial position.