DEFLECTION AND TOPOGRAPHY ASSESSMENT MECHANISM ANTHROPOMORPHICALLY NATURAL

摘要

An apparatus particularly suited for measuring the shape or contour of a surface under load, such as a mattress, is comprised of a humanoid having body limb extremities which are movable in a manner similar to the movement of comparable human extremities. Sensors are placed at joints, such as the knees and hips, to measure the amount of relative movement, i.e. deflection, that occurs at these joints when the humanoid is placed upon a mattress surface. The sensors provide an indication of the shape or contour of the mattress surface by correlation of the relative movement that occurs at these joints caused by the underlying mattress shape. In its preferred form, a movable frame is provided to raise and lower the humanoid in relation to the mattress surface to be tested. A "spine" is also advantageously provided with associated sensors to measure deflection, and thus surface contour, in the lower torso/abdominal region.