Title of Invention

INTEGRATED COMPOSITE ANTHROPOMETER

Abstract

An integrated composite anthropometer adapted to measure multiple body parameters of a large population in a short span of time. The integrated composite anthropometer is reliable and portable and capable of measuring multiple dimensions of large population. The easily adaptable, portable, integrated composite anthropometer comprises a base platform(10); an adjustable backrest plate (1) and adjustable sitting means (3) selectively disposed with respect to various measuring units such as to facilitate measuring dimensions both in standing as well as sitting posture; and a linkage mechanism assembly adapted for strength measurement.

Full Text

Field of Invention The present invention relates to an integrated composite anthropometer adapted to measure multiple body parameters of a large population in a short span of time. Tn particular the invention relates to an integrated composite anthropometer which would be reliable and portable apart from measuring multiple dimensions of large population. Background of the Invention / It is presently known to measure human body dimensions using different pieces of/ graduated scale bars. Such known devices .suffer from lack of a self-contained arrangement for measurement of body dimensions in standing as well as seated posture. Further such equipment does not provide any arrangement for measurement of strength parameters of a standing or seated subject. Also there is no provision for weighing subjects which is also essential in such conventional anthropometer devices presently in use.. Moreover the need for adjustable backrest and seat for measurement of back dimensions and other seated dimensions are not provided for and made available to the user in such conventional devices. Moreover such systems do not provide for integrated arrangement of other measuring devices such as foot size measurement, elbow angle measurement in a forehand working posture. Further such equipment, apart from being available in discreet forms also suffer from problems of comfortable disposition of subjects for effective measurement. In view of the above shortcomings of the known art of anthropometric measurements, in particular the absence of a composite anthropometer which would provide for measuring of various dimensions/strength related characteristic of human body the need was felt in the art to develop a versatile system which would take care of the above limitations of the known art and facilitate easy and comfortable as well as reliable measurement of various parameters under an integrated composite anthropometer. Moreover, the need was felt for the development of a composite anthropometer which would be capable of measuring 2 various dimensions of the body in sitting and standing posture, registering the body weight and at the same time evaluating the strength measurements Moreover apart from complexity involved in measuring various body parameters/characteristics using discreet and unrelated measuring devices the same also resulted in substantial expenses. Thus while several measuring devices serving purposes of anthropometer had been known over the years it was important to develop a composite anthropometer integrating various measuring devices which would apart from being user friendly would also be cost effective. Importantly and preferably the need was felt for a composite anthropometer, which apart from serving the above purposes would also be portable and easily transported/ carried from one place to other. Objects of the Invention It is thus the basic object of the present invention to provide an integrated composite anthropometer which would provide for multiple measurements of various body dimensions and / or strength in sitting as well as standing posture. It is thus the object of the present invention to provide an integrated composite anthropometer that is simple, versatile, easily adaptable and portable equipment for measurement of a large number of human body dimensions both in a seated as well as standing posture. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an integrated composite anthropometer which apart from serving the above said objectives would also have provisions for measuring foot dimensions, finger dimensions palm dimensions, and weight. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an anthropometer which would be cost effective and simple to assemble and dissemble. 3 Summary of the Invention Thus according to the present invention there is provided an easily adaptable, portable, integrated composite anthropometer comprising: (i) a base platform; (ii) an adjustable backrest plate and adjustable sitting means selectively disposed with respect to various measuring units such as to facilitate measuring dimensions both in standing as well as sitting posture; and (iii) a linkage mechanism assembly adapted for strength measurement Detailed Description of the Invention The integrated composite anthropometer of the present invention is a multipurpose equipment performing varied functions in a user friendly manner. It provides by way of a composite measuring system various measurements comfortably by simple variation in orientation/ disposition of the units such as carrying out the hand strength measurement, grip dimensions, finger diameter, hand stretch length and by altering the position of the various components the same can provide leg strength measurements. Measurements of various body dimensions in standing and sitting posture can be achieved from the system by adjusting the components. The said system can measure also foot dimensions, weight, skin thickness. Moreover the system of the invention is advantageously developed to facilitate easy assembling and disassembling of the various units to thereby provide for the much required portability of the unit. Importantly, the frequent switching between the bending and standing postures as adopted by conventional method for data recording is avoided by the new system. Hence it is useful in anthropometric survey of a large sample group within a short span of time. Moreover engineers and designers can utilize the generated anthropometric database for optimum design of workplace and controls for agricultural tool and machinery intended to be used by agricultural workers. Additionally the anthropometer of the present invention is cost effective. 4 The linkage assembly of the integrated composite anthropometer of the present invention comprises of a handle bar, adjustable frames, hinge connected frames, spring dynamometer. The handle bar of the linkage assembly is adjustable to identify the hand stretch length of the subjects. The linkage assembly may be optionally provided with grip diameter measuring device. Additionally the linkage assembly comprises of a carrying bracket, a foot pedal frame and a lever for strength measurement. These along with the handle bar and the spring dynamometer are adjusted for strength measurement of hand and leg. The pushing strength can be measured with the spring dynamometer fitted to the handle bar. The arrangement, with minor modifications, can be used to measure pulling strength and foot strength of the subjects in sitting posture The backrest plate of the integrated composite anthropometer of the present invention is adjustable by means of a pulley and rope arrangement and is provided with a transverse scale. The frame supporting the backrest plate is provided with small outside calipers for skin fold thickness measurement and the frame also supports a hinged side frame carrying a running vertical scale for measuring dimensions of the body. The graduated seat of the said integrated composite anthropometer is foldable and its height and position is adjustable to take various measurements in sitting posture. The base platform of the integrated composite anthropometer of the present invention is provided with grip diameter measuring cone and a finger diameter measuring device. The base platform is further provided with a graduated foot measuring arrangement in the middle in the form of a T shaped scale and a weighing machine. Provisions are also made to measure various breadths and girths of the body. The present invention is further explained with reference to non-limiting illustrative exemplary embodiments as per the accompanying figures: 5 Brief Description of Drawings Fig. 1. A side elevation view of the integrated composite anthropometer of the invention. Fig. 2. A back view of the integrated composite anthropometer of the invention. Fig. 3. A top view of the integrated composite anthropometer of the invention. Fig.4. A side elevation view of the hand pull strength measuring arrangement of the invention. Fig. 5. A side elevation view of the hand push strength measuring arrangement of the invention. Fig. 6. A side elevation view of the foot push strength measuring device of the invention. Detailed Description of Drawings Reference is drawn to Fig. 1 where it is illustrated that the base platform (10) holds the two pole frame (2). The backrest plate (1) is fixed to the said frame (2), the lower portion of the backrest plate (1) is foldable seat plank (3) which is adjustable via telescopic support (8). The support frame (12) is fixed on the base platform (10) at outer end carrying adjustable frames (13), hinge connected frames (16) and lever (14) wherein a spring dynamometer (17) is attached and all together constitute the linkage assembly. The backrest plate (1) can be raised or lowered using a special arrangement as further illustrated in Fig. 2. As is illustrated in said Fig. 2, the arrangement comprises of a pulley and rope arrangement carrying a bracket frame (4) joining the two pole frame, carrying backrest plate (1) and seat plank (3). The side frame (5) carries a running scale (6) hinged at (7) 6 and all these frames are supported at the base platform (10). Further data collection arrangements are illustrated in Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 3, a T-shaped scale is fixed in a circular area (11) cut into the base platform (10). Also attached are frame (16) carrying bracket (15) and a pedal (18) and a lever (14) for strength measurement. For strength measurement the arrangement as illustrated in Fig. 4 is employed. As illustrated in Fig. 4, the lever (14) is fixed to adjustable frame (13) which is telescopic along with frame (16) which carries spring dynamometer (17) and the said adjustable frame (13) is carried in support (12) provided with pedal (18) together forming the linkage assembly and is fixed at the outer end of the base platform (10). For pulling strength measurement the lever (14) as illustrated in Fig. 4 is employed. For pushing strength measurement, Fig. 5 is employed. As illustrated in Fig. 5,lever (14) is parallel to the ground and spring dynamometer (17) as shown. For leg strength measurement this arrangement is modified and looks like as illustrated in Fig. 6. As illustrated in Fig. 6,lever (14) is not used but pedal (18) is employed and it is connected to spring dynamometer (17) via frame (16). We claim: 1. A portable, integrated composite anthropometer comprising: (i) a base platform; (ii) an adjustable backrest plate and adjustable sitting means selectively disposed with respect to various measuring units such as to facilitate measuring dimensions both in standing as well as sitting posture; and (iii) a linkage mechanism assembly adapted for strength measurement 2. The integrated composite anthropometer as claimed in claim 1 wherein the linkage assembly comprises of a handle bar adapted for various measurements, adjustable frames, hinge connected frames and spring dynamometer. 3. The integrated composite anthropometer as claimed in anyone of claims lor 2 wherein the linkage assembly comprises of a grip diameter measuring device. 4. The integrated composite anthropometer as claimed in anyone of preceding claims wherein the handle bar of the linkage assembly is adapted to measure the hand stretch length of the subjects. 5. The integrated composite anthropometer as claimed in anyone of preceding claims wherein the linkage assembly further comprises a carrying bracket, a foot pedal frame and a lever for strength measurement. 6. The integrated composite anthropometer as claimed in anyone of preceding claims wherein the linkage assembly comprises means for strength measurement of hand and leg. 8 7. The integrated composite anthropometer as claimed in anyone of preceding claims wherein the backrest plate is supported by a frame fixed to the main platform. 8. The integrated composite anthropometer as claimed in anyone of preceding claims wherein the backrest plate is adjustable by means of a pulley and rope arrangement. 9. The integrated composite anthropometer as claimed in anyone of preceding claims wherein the frame supporting the backrest plate also supports a side frame that is hinged and carries a running vertical scale. 10. The integrated composite anthropometer as claimed in anyone of preceding claims wherein the frame supporting the backrest plate is also provided with a transverse scale. 11. The integrated composite anthropometer as claimed in anyone of preceding claims wherein the frame supporting the backrest plate is also provided with small_outside calipers. 12. The integrated composite anthropometer as claimed in any of preceding claims wherein the seat is graduated, foldable and its height and position are adjustable. 13. The integrated composite anthropometer as claimed in anyone of preceding claims wherein the base platform comprises of a grip diameter measuring cone and a finger diameter-measuring device. 14. The integrated composite anthropometer as claimed in anyone of preceding claims wherein the base platform is further provided with a graduated foot measuring arrangement in the middle. 9 15. The integrated composite anthropometer as claimed in anyone of preceding claims further comprising a weighing machine. 16. The integrated composite anthropometer as claimed in claim 15 wherein the weighing machine is present in the base platform. 17. The integrated composite anthropometer as claimed in anyone of preceding claims wherein the base platform further comprises of a T -shaped scale for measuring foot dimensions. 18. The integrated composite anthropometer substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings. An integrated composite anthropometer adapted to measure multiple body parameters of a large population in a short span of time. The integrated composite anthropometer is reliable and portable and capable of measuring multiple dimensions of large population. The easily adaptable, portable, integrated composite anthropometer comprises a base platform(10); an adjustable backrest plate (1) and adjustable sitting means (3) selectively disposed with respect to various measuring units such as to facilitate measuring dimensions both in standing as well as sitting posture; and a linkage mechanism assembly adapted for strength measurement.

Documents:

00284-kol-2004 abstract.pdf

00284-kol-2004 claims.pdf

00284-kol-2004 correspondence.pdf

00284-kol-2004 description(complete).pdf

00284-kol-2004 drawings.pdf

00284-kol-2004 form-1.pdf

00284-kol-2004 form-18.pdf

00284-kol-2004 form-2.pdf

00284-kol-2004 form-3.pdf

00284-kol-2004 letters patent.pdf

00284-kol-2004 p.a.pdf

00284-kol-2004 reply f.e.r.pdf

284-KOL-2004-FORM-27.pdf