Zoned cushions

Abstract

A zoned cushion includes areas, or zones, that differ in firmness from one another. The zoned cushion may have a gel grid configuration in which interconnected walls define an array of buckling columns, with the buckling columns and any connecting walls in different zones having different wall thickness to impart the different zones with different firmnesses. Methods of designing zoned cushions, methods of manufacturing and / or selecting a zoned cushion, and associated systems are also disclosed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This disclosure relates generally to cushions and, more specifically, to zoned cushions that include areas, or zones, that differ in firmness from one another. More specifically, this disclosure relates to zoned cushions that have gel grid configurations in which interconnected walls define an array of buckling columns, with the buckling columns and any connecting walls in different zones having different wall thickness to impart the different zones with different firmnesses. Methods of designing zoned cushions, methods of manufacturing and / or selecting a zoned cushion, and associated systems are also disclosed.SUMMARY

[0002] A method for designing a cushion (e.g., a cushion of a mattress, a pillow, a seat cushion, etc.) for an individual includes obtaining a pressure map of the individual and converting the pressure map to a zoned cushion design. The cushion may be designed to meet the requirements (e.g., needs, preferences, etc.) of a single individual; thus, the cushion may be custom made for the individual. Alternatively, the cushion may be designed to meet the requirements of a group of individuals with similar characteristics (e.g., demographics, resting (e.g., lying, sitting, etc.) positions, medical conditions, etc.).

[0003] In embodiments where the cushion comprises the cushion of a mattress, the pressure map may include a pressure map of at least one individual in at least one sleeping position. In some embodiments, the pressure map may include a pressure map of the at least one individual in two or more (i.e., a plurality of) sleeping positions. Examples of suitable sleeping positions may include a back sleeping position, in which the individual rests on their back, a side sleeping position, in which the individual rests on one of their sides (e.g., hips, shoulder, etc.), a front sleeping position, in which the individual rests on their chest and stomach, or a preferred sleeping position, which may comprise one of the front, side, and back sleeping positions or some other sleeping position.

[0004] Data from the pressure map may be converted to a zoned cushion design. The zoned cushion design includes a plurality of zones from a head of the cushion to a foot of the cushion, with each zone extending across the cushion, or from one side of the cushion to an opposite side of the cushion. One zone of the zoned cushion design may be designed to have a firmness that differs from a firmness another zone of the zoned cushion design is designed to have.

[0005] Conversion of the data from the pressure map to the zoned cushion design may include designing one or more zones of the zoned cushion design to have a firmness that corresponds to a load, or an average pressure, applied to a corresponding zone of the pressure map. For example, a shoulder zone of a zoned cushion design may be designed to have a firmness that corresponds to a load, or an average pressure, applied by an individual's shoulders. As another example, a hip zone of a zoned cushion design may be designed to have a firmness that corresponds to a load, or an average pressure, applied by the individual's hips. As other examples, loads, or average pressures, applied by one or more of the individual's head, back, legs, and feet may dictate the firmness of one or more correspond zones of the zoned cushion design. For example zones of the zoned cushion design that will be subjected to the greatest loads (e.g., a shoulder zone, a hip zone, etc.), or average pressures, may be designed to be softer than other zones the zoned cushion design. As another example, zones of the zoned cushion design that will be subjected to the greatest loads, or average pressures, may be designed to be firmer than other zones of the zoned cushion design. At least some zones of the zoned cushion design, including one or more zones that will be subjected to the smallest loads (e.g., a head zone, a lumbar (i.e., lower back) zone, a leg zone, a foot zone, etc.), or average pressures, may be designed to have a baseline firmness. The zoned cushion design may be designed to have a baseline firmness that is soft, medium, or firm.

[0006] In some embodiments, the zoned cushion design may include a plurality of interconnected walls defining an array of buckling columns. Without limitation, each buckling column of the array of buckling columns may have a circular or substantially circular cross-sectional shape and connecting walls between adjacent buckling columns of the array of buckling columns. Designing the firmness of each zone of such a zoned cushion may include designing the interconnected walls within that zone to have a thickness that corresponds to the load, or average pressure, to be applied to that zone of the zoned cushion, as indicated by the pressure map. As an example, a firmer zone of the zoned cushion may have walls that are thicker than the walls of a softer zone of the zoned cushion.

[0007] Optionally, the method may include collecting demographic data from each individual for whom a pressure map is obtained. The demographic data may include one or more of a height, a weight, a body type, an age, a gender, and / or a preferred sleeping position of each individual. Optionally, the demographic data may include health information about each individual, such as information about where the individual experiences musculoskeletal pain (e.g., a shoulder, their back, a hip, a knee, etc.), as well as a type of musculoskeletal pain experienced by the individual.

[0008] A method for selecting a cushion (e.g., a mattress, a pillow, a seat cushion, etc.) for an individual includes obtaining a pressure map of the induvial, collecting demographic information from the individual, comparing the pressure map and the demographic data to a collection of pressure maps and corresponding demographic information of a group of other individuals, and identifying a zoned cushion that will accommodate the loads, or average pressures, identified by the pressure map and demographic preferences based on the demographic information.

[0009] Obtaining the pressure map may include obtaining pressure data from the individual in one or more positions (e.g., one or more sitting positions, one or more lying positions, etc.). In embodiments where the zoned cushion is a cushion of a mattress, obtaining the pressure map may include obtaining the pressure map with the individual in at least one sleeping position or in a plurality of sleeping positions. Suitable sleeping positions included the back sleeping position, a side sleeping position, the back sleeping position, and a preferred sleeping position for the individual.

[0010] Collecting the demographic information may include collecting one or more of a height, a weight, a body type, an age, a gender, and a preferred sleeping position from each individual of the plurality of individuals. Optionally, collecting the demographic information may include collecting information about a medical condition experienced by the individual, such as location and / or type of musculoskeletal pain experienced by the individual. As another option, the demographic information may include collecting perceptible data (e.g., imaging, such as photos, thermal imaging data, etc.) for one or more (e.g., each, etc.) individuals.

[0011] Comparing data from the pressure map and the demographic information of the individual may identify individuals in the group of other individuals with similar characteristics, as well as the types of zoned cushions that are most suitable for those individuals. For example, in embodiments where the zoned cushion is a cushion of a mattress, the comparison may reveal the types of zone cushions that provide similar individuals with the most restful sleep, provide those individuals with the best experience while awakening and after restful sleep, or the like. Thus, by comparing the pressure map and demographic information of an individual to the pressure maps and demographic information of other individuals (e.g., hundreds of other individuals, thousands of other individuals, etc.), the method may reliably identify a zoned cushion that will provide the individual with an optimal cushioning experience. Such a comparison may be accompanied by machine learning, which may increase the reliability with which the comparison will identify an appropriate zoned cushion for the individual, as well as recognize and account for trends from certain demographic groups.

[0012] The zoned cushion identified by such a method may be selected from a group of available, mass-produced zoned cushions. A zone of the zoned cushion may have a firmness that differs from an adjacent zone of the zoned cushion. Such a zoned cushion may comprise a plurality of interconnected walls that define buckling columns. Optionally, the zoned cushion may include buckling columns with circular or substantially circular cross-sectional shapes, as well as connecting walls between adjacent buckling columns. The thickness of the interconnected walls in a zone of the zoned cushion may dictate a firmness of that zone.

[0013] A system for determining an appropriate zoned cushion for an individual may include a pressure sensor, a user interface, a database, and a processor. The zoned cushion may comprise a cushion of mattress, a cushion of a pillow, a seat cushion, or the like.

[0014] The pressure sensor obtains a pressure map of the individual while the individual is in at least one position (e.g., at least one sitting position, at least one sleeping position, etc.). In embodiments where the system determines an appropriate mattress for the individual, the pressure sensor may obtain the pressure map with the individual in at least one sleeping position or in a plurality of sleeping positions. Suitable sleeping positions included the back sleeping position, a side sleeping position, the back sleeping position, and a preferred sleeping position for the individual.

[0015] The user interface may enable the collection of demographic information from the individual. The demographic information may include one or more of a height, a weight, a body type, an age, a gender, and a preferred sleeping position from the individual. Optionally, the demographic information may include information about a medical condition experienced by the individual, such as location and / or type of musculoskeletal pain experienced by the individual.

[0016] The database may include pressure maps and demographic information for each individual of a group of individuals (e.g., a large group of individuals, such as hundreds of individuals, thousands of individuals, etc.). The database may also include a preferred mattress type for each individual of the group of individuals.

[0017] The processor compares the pressure map and the demographic information for the individual to the pressure maps and demographic information for the group of individuals. The processor may compare an average applied pressure from each zone of a plurality of zones of the pressure map of the individual to average applied pressures from corresponding zones of the pressure maps for the group of individuals.

[0018] Upon identifying individuals with similar characteristics from the group of individuals, the processor may identify one or more types of zoned cushions preferred by the similar individuals and identify and output a recommendation of at least one type of zoned cushion suitable for the individual. The recommendation of the at least one zoned cushion may comprise a recommendation of a zoned cushion with a plurality of zones of different firmnesses that correspond to the average applied pressure from each zone of the pressure map of the individual. More specifically, the recommendation of the at least one zoned cushion may comprise a recommendation of a zoned cushion with a plurality of interconnected walls defining an array of buckling columns, with walls of one zone of the plurality of different zones of different firmnesses having a different thickness than walls of another zone of the plurality of different zones of different firmnesses. Even more specifically, the buckling columns of the recommended zoned cushion may have substantially circular cross-sections and connecting walls extending between adjacent buckling columns of the array of buckling columns, although zoned cushions with buckling columns that have other cross-sectional configurations (e.g., other geometric shapes, etc.) are also within the scope of this disclosure.

[0019] Other aspects of this disclosure, as well as features and advantages of various aspects of this disclosure, should become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art through consideration of the ensuing description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] In the drawings:

[0021] FIG. 1 schematically depicts an embodiment of a system for designing a zoned cushion, which system includes pressure mapping system and a processor; the processor defines pressure zones from a pressure map generated by the pressure mapping system and uses data from the defined pressure zones and, thus, from the pressure map, to a design for a zoned cushion;

[0022] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment for workflow consistent with the method depicted by FIGS. 1A-1C;

[0023] FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating the correlation of data from one or more pressure maps to possible parameters of a zoned cushion based on the pressure map(s);

[0024] FIG. 4 is a graph depicting the average pressures applied by different parts of an individual's body (or a group of individuals' bodies) while in various sleeping positions;

[0025] FIG. 5 depicts use of the graph shown in FIG. 4 to design a zoned cushion that includes an array of buckling columns with connecting walls between adjacent columns of the array; and

[0026] FIGS. 6-8 are diagrams that include a graph of the average pressures applied by various portions of a subject's body while the subject is in a supported position and possible approaches for using the data from the graph to design a zoned cushion to provide the subject with an optimal cushioning experience while in the depicted supported position.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] With reference to FIG. 1, system for designing a zoned cushion (e.g., a cushion of a mattress, a pillow, a seat cushion, etc.) are depicted. The system includes a pressure mapping system 10 that generates a pressure map 10 of one or more individuals in one or more supported positions. A processor 15 uses the pressure data from the pressure mapping system 10 (i.e., the pressure map) to generate defined pressure zones 20 and convert the defined pressure zones 20 to a zoned cushion design 30. The zoned cushion design 30 may include a plurality of zones 32a, 32b, 32c, etc., which may differ from one another in firmness.

[0028] In a specific embodiment, the zoned cushion design 30 may comprise a so-called “gel grid,” which may include a plurality of interconnected walls 34 defining an array of buckling columns 36, with the interconnected walls 34 in each zone 32a, 32b, 32c, etc., having a thickness that defines the firmness of that zone 32a, 32b, 32c, etc. The zoned cushion design 30 may be based on the configuration of cushion described by U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18 / 528,273, filed on Dec. 4, 2023 and titled ELASTOMERIC CUSHIONING ELEMENTS WITH SUBSTANTIALLY CYLINDRICAL COLUMNS (“the '273 application”), the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein. Alternatively, the zoned cushion 30 may be configured similar to any of the cushions of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,749,111, 6,026,527, and 7,060,213 or have any other suitable configuration, such as another design with buckling columns that have substantially circular cross-sections, buckling columns that have polymeric cross-sections, and the like.

[0029] Such a gel grid may be formed from any suitable material. The material from which the gel grid is made may comprise a compressible, resilient material. Some non-limiting examples of compressible, resilient materials that are suitable for forming the gel grid are disclosed by U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,994,450, 6,797,765, and 7,964,664, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. The compressible, resilient material used to form the gel grid may comprise a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). The thermoplastic elastomer may comprise a block copolymer (e.g., a triblock copolymer, such as an A-B-A triblock copolymer, etc.). The thermoplastic elastomer may be part of an elastomeric gel. The elastomeric gel may comprise a plasticizer-extended block copolymer. These plasticizer-extended block copolymers include plasticizer-extended A-B-A block copolymers, such as oil-extended styrene-[ethylene-(ethylene-propylene)]-styrene (SEEPS) block copolymers, oil-extended styrene-(ethylene-butylene)-styrene (SEBS) block copolymers, and other oil extended A-B-A block copolymers. Alternatively, the gel grid may be formed from other materials, such as rubber (e.g., natural latex, polyurethane, silicone, butyl rubber, etc.), foam rubber (e.g., natural latex, polyurethane, viscoelastic foams, etc.), or any other suitable material.

[0030] FIG. 2 illustrates the process flow of an embodiment of the method 40 for designing a zoned cushion. The method 40 of FIG. 2 includes obtaining pressure data at reference 42, collecting and / or assigning relevant data at reference 44, generating the defined pressure zones from the pressure data at reference 46, designing a zoned cushion based on the defined pressure zones at reference 48, and manufacturing the zoned cushion based on the zoned cushion design at reference 50.

[0031] The pressure data may be obtained at reference 42 by any suitable method known in the art. Without limitation, the pressure data may comprise a map of forces applied by different parts of a body over an area that has been divided into smaller units (e.g., in terms of pounds per square inch (psi), kilopascals (kPa), etc.), which may be obtained using known pressure mapping technology. Alternatively, the pressure data may comprise a force deflection map obtained using a standardized cushion (e.g., a cushion configured as described by the '273 application, etc.).

[0032] The relevant data collected at reference 44 may include demographic data (e.g., height, weight, body type, age, gender, etc.), information about a medical condition experienced by an individual (e.g., locations of musculoskeletal pain, etc.), and the like. The relevant data collected at reference 44 may also include information about the position(s) in which an individual was oriented while the pressure data was obtained at reference 42 (e.g., a back sleeping position, a side sleeping position, a front sleeping position, a preferred sleeping position, etc.). The relevant data assigned at reference 44 may include information about a type or a configuration of zoned cushion to be designed, parameters of the zoned cushion, such as wall thicknesses to be used with various ranges of pressures, and the like.

[0033] Generation of the defined pressure zones at reference 46 may include determining an average pressure applied by various portions of an individual's body, such as the individual's head, shoulders, lumbar region (i.e., lower back), hips, legs, and feet. As illustrated by FIG. 1B, the defined pressure zones obtained from the pressure data may be visualized as a rectangle, such as the top surface of a mattress, with a plurality of zones corresponding to various portions of the individual's body arranged from a top of the rectangle to a bottom of the rectangle and with each zone extending across a width of the rectangle. Such an embodiment of defined pressure zones may be used to design a zoned cushion that will accommodate the individual regardless of where they position themselves relative to the sides of the zoned cushion. The defined pressure zones may be based on pressure data obtained while the individual was in a single position (e.g., a preferred sleeping position, etc.) or on pressure data obtained while the individual was in a plurality of different positions (e.g., two or more sleeping positions, etc.).

[0034] Designing a zoned cushion based on the defined pressure zones, which occurs at reference 48, may include converting the average pressure of each zone of the defined pressure zones to a firmness of a corresponding region of the zoned cushion design. In embodiments where the zoned cushion comprises a gel grid that includes a plurality of interconnected walls defining an array of columns, the firmness of each zone of the zoned cushion design may correspond to a thickness of the interconnected walls in that zone of the zoned cushion. In some embodiments, softer zones may be included in the zoned cushion design at locations where higher pressures were applied by portions of the individual's body (e.g., their shoulders, hips, etc.), while firmer zones may be included in the zoned cushion design at locations where lower pressures were applied by a portion of the individual's body (e.g., their lumbar region, their legs, etc.). In other embodiments, firmer zones may be included in the zoned cushion design at locations where higher pressures were applied by portions of the individual's body (e.g., their shoulders, hips, etc.), while softer zones may be included in the zoned cushion design at locations where lower pressures were applied by a portion of the individual's body (e.g., their lumbar region, their legs, etc.).

[0035] Manufacturing the zoned cushion at reference 50 may employ any suitable process for manufacturing a zoned cushion with varied firmnesses. For example, a zoned cushion that comprises a gel grid may be manufactured as a single unit by known injection molding processes. Alternatively, such a zoned cushion may be made by assembling pre-manufactured zones of different firmnesses with each other.

[0036] The firmness (or softness) of a zone of a zoned cushion may be manipulated or defined in any of a variety of ways during the design and / or manufacture of the cushion. Without limitation, in embodiments where a zone of a zoned cushion comprises a gel grid, one or more of wall thickness, wall shape (e.g., tapered walls, recesses in walls, windows in walls, etc.), cross-sectional dimensions of a cavity or void of each buckling column of the gel grid, heights of the buckling columns of the gel grid, geometric shapes of the buckling columns of the gel grid, and formulation of the material from which walls of the gel grid are defined may have an affect on the firmness of the zone.

[0037] Such a method 40 may be used to design and manufacture a custom zoned cushion for a particular individual. Alternatively, the method 40 may be used to manufacture mattresses for groups of similar individuals; for examples, individuals with similar sizes, demographics, and / or medical conditions, etc.

[0038] The ensuing description provides further detail as to various aspects of the embodiment of the method schematically depicted by FIG. 1 and described in reference to FIG. 2.

[0039] FIG. 3 is a graph showing force deflection data of an embodiment of cushion having the configuration shown in FIG. 1C and described in the '273 application. Specifically, each curve of the graph of FIG. 3 represents a particular wall thickness and its displacement (x-axis), or deflection, as various loads (y-axis) are applied to circular buckling columns and connecting walls having that wall thickness. Each curve rises, peaks, and then decreases before increasing again. The initial peak represents the buckling point of each buckling column. FIG. 3 shows that as the thickness of the walls that define the buckling columns and connect adjacent buckling columns increase, their buckling point, or the load under which the buckling columns buckle, also increases, indicating that greater wall thicknesses correspond to firming cushioning. Moreover, the data illustrated by the graph of FIG. 3 enables one of ordinary skill in the art to determine how a buckling column with a particular buckling point will respond to certain loads applied to an end of the buckling column, which may be used to determine the wall thickness to impart a zone of a zoned cushion with a particular firmness to accommodate a pressure that will be applied to the zone by a corresponding portion of an individual's body.

[0040] FIG. 4 is a graph showing the average pressures that may be applied by various locations of an individual's body to a surface, such as a cushion, from the head of the individual to their feet. Each line of the graph of FIG. 4 represents a particular position (e.g., a back sleeping position, a side sleeping position, a preferred sleeping position, etc.). FIG. 5 illustrates how the average pressure information of FIG. 4 may be used, based on information such as that provided by the graph of FIG. 3, to design the various zones 32a, 32b, 32c, etc., of a zoned cushion 30.

[0041] FIGS. 6-8 illustrate examples of the manner in which the defined pressure zones 20 may be used to design a zoned cushion 30 (FIG. 1). FIG. 6 shows an embodiment in which the wall thickness of each zone 32b, 32d, 32f of a zoned cushion 30 that will be subjected to greater loads, or average pressures (e.g., by an individual's shoulders, hips, and feet, respectively), is less than (i.e., thinner than) the wall thicknesses of other zones 32a, 32c, 32e the zoned cushion 30. Thus, the zones 32b, 32d, and 32f that will be subjected to higher loads are softer, or less firm, than the zones 32a, 32c, and 32e that will be subjected to smaller loads. FIG. 8 shows an embodiment that is similar to that depicted by FIG. 8, but with a greater baseline firmness than the zoned cushion 30 of FIG. 6; in particular, the wall thickness of zones 32a″ and 32e″ that will be subjected to intermediate or smaller loads in the zone cushion of FIG. 8 is greater than the wall thickness of corresponding zones 32a and 32e in the zoned cushion 30 of FIG. 6. FIG. 7 shows another embodiment, in which zones 32b′ and 32d′ of the zoned cushion 30, which will be subjected to the greatest loads, or average pressures, may have greater wall thicknesses and, thus, be firmer than other zones 32a′, 32c′, 32e′ of the zoned cushion 30.

[0042] With returned reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the system for designing a zoned cushion 30 for an individual or a group of individuals may also be used to identify and, optionally, manufacture a zoned cushion that will provide a particular individual with optimal cushioning. Once the pressure mapping system 10 has generated a pressure map of the individual in at least one position, the processor 15 may generate defined pressure zones 20 for the individual. The processor 15 may then compare the defined pressure zones 20, as well as other information about the individual (e.g., the demographic information, the medical information, etc.), and access a database 25 to identify one or more mass produced zoned cushions 30 that may provide the individual with an optimal cushioning experience. The processor 15 may then output information about the zoned cushion(s) 30 recommended for the individual. Alternatively, the processor 15 may direct the custom assembly or manufacture of a zoned cushion 30 from the individual.

[0043] Although the disclosure provides many specifics, the specifics should not be construed as limiting the scope of any of the claims, but merely as providing illustrations of some embodiments of elements and features of the disclosed subject matter that fall within the scopes of the claims. Other embodiments of the disclosed subject matter may be devised that are also within the scopes of the claims. Accordingly, the scope of each claim is limited only by its plain language and the legal equivalents thereto.

Claims

1. A method for designing a mattress, comprising:obtaining a pressure map of an individual in at least one sleeping position; andconverting the pressure map to a zoned cushion design with a plurality of zones of different firmnesses from a head of the cushion to a foot of the cushion, each zone of the plurality of zones extending from a first side of the cushion to a second side of the cushion.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the pressure map comprises obtaining a pressure map of the individual in a plurality of sleeping positions.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the plurality of sleeping positions include two or more of a back sleeping position, a side sleeping position, a front sleeping position, and a preferred sleeping position.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the pressure map comprises obtaining pressure maps from a plurality of individuals.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:collecting demographic data from the plurality of individuals.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein collecting the demographic data comprises collecting one or more of a height, a weight, a body type, an age, a gender, and a preferred sleeping position from each individual of the plurality of individuals.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein converting the pressure map to the zoned cushion design with the plurality of zones of different firmnesses comprises converting the pressure map to a zoned cushion design with at least two of a head zone, a shoulder zone, a lumbar zone, a hip zone, and a foot zone.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein converting the pressure map to the zoned cushion design with the plurality of zones of different firmnesses comprises converting the pressure map to a zoned cushion design that comprises a plurality of interconnected walls defining an array of buckling columns.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein converting the pressure map to the zoned cushion design with the plurality of zones of different firmnesses comprises converting the pressure map to a zoned cushion design in which the plurality of interconnected walls define an array of buckling columns with circular cross-sectional shapes and connecting walls between adjacent buckling columns of the array of buckling columns.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein converting the pressure map to the zoned cushion design with the plurality of zones of different firmnesses comprises:determining an average pressure to be applied to each zone of the plurality of zones; anddesigning the plurality of interconnected walls in the zone to have a thickness that corresponds to the average pressure.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the thickness of the plurality of interconnected walls increases with the average pressure.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the thickness of the plurality of interconnected walls decreases with the average pressure.

13. A method for selecting a mattress for an individual, comprising:obtaining a pressure map of the individual in at least one sleeping position;collecting demographic information from the individual; andcomparing the pressure map and the demographic information to a database of pressure maps and corresponding demographic information for a group of other individuals; andbased on comparing the pressure map and the demographic information, identifying a zoned cushion that will accommodate pressures identified by the pressure map and demographic preferences based on the demographic information.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein obtaining the pressure map comprises obtaining a pressure map of the individual in at least one of a back sleeping position, a side sleeping position, a front sleeping position, and a preferred sleeping position.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein obtaining the pressure map comprises obtaining the pressure map of the individual in at least two of the back sleeping position, the side sleeping position, the front sleeping position, and the preferred sleeping position.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein collecting the demographic information includes collecting one or more of a height, a weight, a body type, an age, a gender, and a preferred sleeping position from each individual of the plurality of individuals.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein collecting the demographic information further includes collecting information about musculoskeletal pain experienced by the individual.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein identifying the zoned cushion comprises identifying the zoned cushion from a plurality of available zoned cushions.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein identifying the zoned cushion comprises identifying a zoned cushion comprising a plurality of interconnected walls defining an array of buckling columns.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein identifying the zoned cushion comprising the plurality of interconnected walls defining the array of buckling columns comprises identifying a zoned cushion comprising an array of buckling columns with circular cross-sections and connecting walls extending between adjacent buckling columns of the array of buckling columns.

21. A system for determining an appropriate mattress for an individual, comprising:a pressure sensor that obtains a pressure map of the individual in at least one sleeping position;a user interface that collects demographic information about the individual;a database that includes pressure maps, demographic information, and preferred mattress types of a group of individuals; anda processor that compares the pressure map and the demographic information for the individual to the pressure maps and demographic information for the group of individuals to output a recommendation of at least one mattress type suitable for the individual.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the demographic information includes one or more of a height, a weight, a body type, an age, a gender, and a preferred sleeping position from each individual of the plurality of individuals.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the demographic information further includes information about musculoskeletal pain experienced by the individual.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein processor compares an average applied pressure from each zone of a plurality of zones of the pressure map of the individual to average applied pressures from corresponding zones of the pressure maps for the group of individuals.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the recommendation of the at least one mattress type comprises a recommendation of a mattress with a zoned cushion with a plurality of zones of different firmnesses that correspond to the average applied pressure from each zone of the pressure map of the individual.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the zoned cushion comprising a plurality of interconnected walls defining an array of buckling columns, with walls of one zone of the plurality of different zones of different firmnesses having a different thickness than walls of another zone of the plurality of different zones of different firmnesses.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the zoned cushion includes buckling columns of the array of buckling columns with circular cross-sections and connecting walls extending between adjacent buckling columns of the array of buckling columns.

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