Scanner system and method of measuring a surface topography

An apparatus for use in developing a digital topography of a surface of an object, comprising:

• a support structure;
• a pan positioned on the support structure in a first plane;
• a panel coupled to the pan in a second plane;
• first and second pliable, sealed containers positioned respectively on the pan and the panel;
• a deformable material located in the first and second sealed containers;
• a first adjusting mechanism coupling the pan and the panel to adjust a length of the pan extending from the panel;
• a second adjusting mechanism coupling the pan and the panel to adjust an angle therebetween in accordance with the shape or orientation of the object positioned thereagainst;
• a vacuum pump associated with each of the first and second containers to effect a gaseous evacuation of the first and second containers while the object is positioned against the containers and to hold a shape of the containers after the object is removed from against the containers;
• a contact free measuring device connected to a memory device and arranged to measure distances from the measuring device to a plurality of points on a surface of at least one of the containers and to store that distance in the memory device,
• a mounting mechanism coupling one of the pan and the panel to the measuring device, permitting the measuring device to be oriented and held at least temporarily fixed relative to one of the pan and the panel within a predetermined distance range.

An apparatus for use in developing a digital topography of a surface of an object, comprising:

• a container having a flexible outer surface against which the object is to be placed;
• a deformable material located in the container which can be rendered rigid while the object is positioned thereagainst to hold a shape of the outer surface of the container after the object is removed from against the container;
• a contact free measuring device operatively connected to a memory device and arranged to measure distances from the measuring device to a plurality of points on the surface of the container and to store those distances in the memory device in digital form,
• a mounting mechanism for the measuring device, permitting the measuring device to be oriented and at least temporarily held fixed relative to the container within a predetermined distance range.

A method for developing a digital topography of a surface of an object, comprising the steps:

• placing the object against a container having a flexible outer surface;
• rendering a deformable material located in the container rigid while the object is positioned thereagainst to hold a shape of the outer surface of the container after the object is removed from against the container;
• orienting the container relative to a contact free measuring device in such a way as to permit the measuring device to be at least temporarily held fixed relative to the container within a predetermined distance range;
• operatively connecting the contact free measuring device to a memory device;
• using the contact free measuring device to measure distances from the measuring device to a plurality of points on the surface of the container;
• and
• storing data relating to those measured distances in the memory device in digital form.

A method for fabricating a custom shaped cushion to match a shape of a person's back and seat who is to sit on the cushion, comprising the steps:

• having the person sit on and against at least one container having a flexible outer surface;
• rendering a deformable material located in the container rigid while the person is positioned thereagainst to hold a shape of the outer surface of the container after the person has moved away from the container;
• coupling the container to a contact free measuring device in such a way as to permit the measuring device to be oriented and at least temporarily held fixed relative to the container within a predetermined distance range;
• operatively connecting the contact free measuring device to a memory device;
• using the contact free measuring device to measure distances from the measuring device to a plurality of points on the surface of the container;
• storing data relating to those measured distances in the memory device in digital form;
• using the data to fabricate a mold surface corresponding to at least a portion of the person's back and seat;
• introducing a fluid foam material into a mold cavity wherein the mold surface comprises a portion of the mold cavity;
• and
• allowing the foam material to cure.