# US 2023/0057583 A1 · Mattress evaluation system and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2023/0057583 A1 - Document ID: US20230057583A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 18/045,333 - Filed: 2022-10-10 - Published: 2023-02-23 - Earliest claimed: 2016-05-19 - Assignees: Chapelglade Limited - Applicants: Chapelglade Limited - Inventors: Duncan Bain; John Bain; David Woolfson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20230057583A1 ## CPC - G01N 3/42: by performing impressions under a steady load by indentors, e.g. sphere, pyramid (G01N3/54 takes precedence) - A47C 31/123: {for beds or mattresses} - G01M 99/001: {Testing of furniture, e.g. seats or mattresses} - G01M 99/007: {by applying a load, e.g. for resistance or wear testing (G01M99/001 takes precedence; testing the elasticity of structures G01M5/00)} - G01N 3/068: {with optical indicating or recording means} - G01N 3/48: by performing impressions under impulsive load by indentors, e.g. falling ball (G01N3/54 takes precedence) - G01N 33/0078: {Testing material properties on manufactured objects} - G01N 2203/0033: Weight - G01N 2203/0075: Strain-stress relations or elastic constants - G01N 2203/0085: Compressibility - G01N 2203/0647: Image analysis - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - A47C: CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS - G01M: TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A system for simultaneously measuring the indentation hardness properties, span properties, and resilience properties of a mattress includes a first indentation means and a second indentation means, and means for urging the first indentation means and the second indentation means into the mattress with a predetermined force, and also includes laser means for projecting a laser line configured to map, preferably by photographic triangulation, the amplitude, shape, and time-dependency of the resultant deflection of the mattress surface between the first indentation means and the second indentation means. A method for simultaneously measuring the indentation hardness properties, span properties, and resilience properties of a mattress is also provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for simultaneously measuring indentation hardness properties, span properties, and resilience properties of a mattress, comprising: a first indentation means and a second indentation means, each configured for being urged into the mattress with a predetermined force and causing an indentation in the mattress in a region of each of the first and second indention means and creating a curve on a surface of the mattress between the first indentation means and the second indentation means; and laser means for projecting a laser line onto the curve on the surface of the mattress spanning between the first indentation means and the second indentation means and configured for mapping an amplitude, shape, and time-dependency of resultant deflection of the surface of the mattress between the first indentation means and the second indentation means; wherein the span properties of the mattress are measured by determining a minimum distance away from the first indentation means or the second indentation means where there is no substantial indentation caused by either the first indentation means or the second indentation means; and wherein the laser means is configured for measuring a maximum amplitude of the curve on the surface of the mattress between the first indentation means and the second indentation means. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mapping is carried out by photographic triangulation. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first and second indentation means are operable independently of each other. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first and second indentation means are operable together. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first and second indentation means are operable together and are rigidly connected together so as to facilitate simultaneous operation. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein lower edges of the first indentation means and the second indentation means are arranged non-parallel, so that spacing between them varies across the mattress surface. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the laser means is configured for capturing a succession of timed images as the first indentation means and the second indentation means are urged into the mattress. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the laser means is configured to determine creep of the deflection of the surface of the mattress between the first indentation means and the second indentation means under a full load of the first indentation means and the second indentation means on the mattress using multiple timed images. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) A system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the laser means is configured to measure time constants of deflection of the surface of the mattress after loading of the first indentation means and the second indentation means on the mattress using multiple timed images to identify dynamic components of properties of the mattress. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) A system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the laser means is configured to use a loading and unloading cycle of the first indentation means and the second indentation means on the mattress to establish a hysteresis loop in deflection of the surface of the mattress using multiple timed images. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the laser means is configured to project a plurality of laser lines to project a grid onto the surface of the mattress. ### Claim 12 A system for simultaneously measuring indentation hardness properties, span properties, and resilience properties of a mattress, comprising: an indentation assembly comprising first and second masses connected together by a rigid member; a vertical member connected to the indentation assembly, the vertical member capable of being raised or lowered to raise or lower the indentation assembly; a horizontal member connected to the vertical member; a laser apparatus configured to emit a laser line, the laser apparatus being mounted to the horizontal member and positioned so that the laser line is projected to span between the first and second masses; and a camera mounted to the horizontal member in a position that is horizontally offset from the laser line emitted by the laser, thereby permitting visualization by oblique triangulation of a distance of a surface on which the laser line is projected; wherein the first and second masses of the indentation assembly are configured to be urged into the mattress with a predetermined force to thereby cause an indentation in the mattress in a region of each of the first and second masses and create a curve of the laser line on a surface of the mattress between the first and second masses corresponding to a deformed shape of the mattress between the first and second masses; wherein the camera is configured to capture images of the laser line on the surface of the mattress between the first and second masses, such that an amplitude, shape, and time-dependency of the curve of the laser line on the surface of the mattress between the first and second masses can be mapped, and a maximum amplitude of the curve of the laser line on the surface of the mattress between the first and second masses can be measured; and wherein the span properties of the mattress are measured by determining a minimum distance away from the first mass or the second mass where there is no substantial indentation caused by either the first mass or the second mass. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the indentation assembly is configured to be lowered onto the mattress under its own weight to cause indentation of the first and second masses into the mattress under load. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) A system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the indentation assembly is configured to be driven into the mattress by an actuator until a prescribed load or a prescribed deformation by the first and second masses into the mattress is achieved. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) A system as claimed in claim 12 wherein lower edges of the first and second masses are flat and are arranged parallel to each other. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) A system as claimed in claim 12 wherein lower edges of the first and second masses are arranged non-parallel to each other, so that spacing between them varies across the mattress surface. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) A system as claimed in claim 12 further comprising a hoisting apparatus operable to raise and lower the indentation assembly relative to the mattress. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) A system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the camera is configured to capture a succession of timed images as the first and second masses are urged into the mattress. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) A system as claimed in claim 18 wherein the multiple timed images captured by the camera include images from which creep of the deflection of the surface of the mattress between the first and second masses under a full load of the first and second masses on the mattress can be determined. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) A system as claimed in claim 18 wherein the multiple timed images captured by the camera include images from which time constants of deflection of the surface of the mattress after loading of the first and second masses on the mattress can be measured to identify dynamic components of properties of the mattress. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) A system as claimed in claim 18 wherein the multiple timed images captured by the camera include images from which a loading and unloading cycle of the first and second masses can be used to establish a hysteresis loop in deflection of the surface of the mattress.