HYBRID STRUCTURE HAVING SUSPENSION QUALITY

A hybrid structure having suspension quality, comprises a core member having an outer surface, a reduceable-volume layer associated with the outer surface of the core member and having a reduceable volume at least at a number of regions thereof, and a covering layer having an exterior and an interior surface and connected to the core member via the reduceable-volume layer by a connection arrangement. The reduceable volume can be constituted by air gaps spaced from each other; or such gaps and an elastic foam layer portions accommodated within said gaps; or an elastic foam layer sandwiched between the outer surface of the core member and the covering layer, the elastic foam layer constituting a plurality of said regions free of any spacing therebetween. The covering layer is made of such material and has such thickness between said interior and exterior surfaces that areas thereof overlying the reduceable volume are capable of flexing into the reduceable volume, when a flexing force is applied to such area, while maintaining the thickness of the covering layer at said area, and flexing back when the flexing force is released, thereby providing the suspension quality to the hybrid structure.