Mechanical shape sensor

Abstract

Apparatus for measuring and providing a two-dimensional representation of the contour of a person's thighs and buttocks or the dorsal and lateral surfaces of a person's trunk facilitates the fabrication of custom contoured seat cushions such as for use by wheelchair users. The apparatus includes a frame having a rectangular matrix of compressible, resilient support elements with a generally flat upper surface. Attached to the upper surface of each support element is one end of a flexible, incompressible cable which is inserted through a conduit with a 90.degree. bend for directing the cable toward and beyond a side of the frame. Second end portions of the cable and conduit combinations are in parallel, planar alignment. The cable is free to move within and along the length of the conduit such that downward displacement of the upper surface of a support element and first end of a cable coupled thereto causes the cable's second end to be moved outward from the frame. By arranging the second end portions of the cables in a cyclic manner in accordance with the number of support elements in a given row within the matrix, the three-dimensional contoured support surface of a person sitting on the array of support elements is presented in two dimensions in a format which is easily recorded and reproduced for fabricating a custom contoured seat cushion.