FR3119232A3 - Measuring device for determining the length and/or size of an object to be worn on a person's body - Google Patents

Abstract

Measuring device for determining the length and/or size of an object to be worn on a person's body. Measuring device for determining the length and/or size of an object to be worn on the body of a person, comprising at least one elongated measuring element to be applied to the body which consists of a flexible material and has a defined length or at least one marking arranged in a position of defined length and which is provided with a mark associated with the length or associated with the position of length indicating the length to be chosen and/or the size of the object. Figure for abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Measuring device for determining the length and/or size of an object to be worn on a person's body

The present invention relates to a measuring device for determining the length and/or size of an object to be worn on a person's body.

In order to treat various clinical signs, it is often necessary for a person to wear a body-defined therapeutic or medical aid that supports the therapeutic process due to its configuration or action or at least alleviates the disease. One can quote for example the orthopedic diseases, therefore the diseases affecting the maintenance or the displacement of the body.

For a correct treatment adapted to the patient, it is often necessary to choose an object or respectively an auxiliary means adapted in its length and/or its size to the anatomical characteristics of the person who lies well against the body in the position considered, so as to to be able to carry out his duties as intended. A non-limiting example is a back brace used to support the spine. Such an orthosis comprises on the one hand belts at the level of the shoulders as well as a belt at the level of the stomach or the pelvis but on the other hand also a stabilization section at the level of which a corresponding stabilization element, elongated and adapted to the body anatomy in the dorsal region that supports the trunk or the spine. It is obvious that the size of this back orthosis or respectively its length and in particular that of the stabilizing or holding element must be chosen appropriately. If the back orthosis is too short, the stabilizing element or respectively the rail can slip upwards when worn. If it is too long, the rail can stick out in the pelvic area and cause unpleasant slipping or pressure or gaping in the neck area.

To determine the size of, for example, such a back orthosis, a defined length is usually measured on a person using a measuring tape and then using this measured length is calculated which length and/or which height specific to the respective object or auxiliary means to choose with the help of a table of measures.

To calculate the size of a back orthosis, one must, for example, measure the length of the spine or the distance between two defined vertebrae, which makes it possible to define a distance and thus the size of the orthosis. There are a whole series of possible errors that can ultimately lead to choosing the wrong size. It is possible to misapply the tape measure by placing the tape measure in the wrong place as the starting point or not measuring to the defined end point. It is also possible not to start the measurement at point 0 or to use the wrong length scale, since many measuring tapes offer a graduated scale in centimeters and a graduated scale in inches. Errors can also occur when reading or consulting the size chart, which can also take the form of reading errors. This means that the whole calculation process is relatively error-prone.

The problem of the present invention is therefore to propose a measuring device improved in these aspects.

A solution to this problem is to provide, according to the present invention, a measuring device for determining the length and/or size of an object to be worn at the level of a person's body, comprising at least one elongated measuring element to be applied against the body which is made of a flexible material and has a defined length or a marking arranged at a defined position of the length and with a feature associated with the length and/or at an associated length position which indicates the length and/ or the size to choose from the object.

The measuring element of the measuring device according to the invention allows simple, correct and direct determination of the correct length and/or size of the object to be used or of the auxiliary processing means. The measuring element itself is elongated and flexible, so that it can be applied either entirely or at least to a certain part of the body following the shape of the body. Although it is flexible, it is however preferably made from a non-stretchable material or only in a reduced way, that is to say that its length does not vary in a situation of usual handling, or only in a negligible.

This measuring element now has either a defined length corresponding ultimately to the length to be chosen of the object or to that of the auxiliary means, which ultimately corresponds to the size to be chosen. If the measuring element is applied in the corresponding position on the body, it is immediately possible to perceive whether the measuring element of defined length which represents the object in its worn position "fits" or does not fit, to so that in the presence of a not really suitable measuring element, a smaller or larger measuring element can be applied and checked, to see if the smaller or larger size is suitable. When determining the size of a back orthosis, this elongated measuring element is placed on the back along the spine, relatively exact positioning taking place already at the beginning due to the shape of the measuring element. measurement, either on the upper end at the level of the cervical vertebra C7, or on the lower end at the level of the sacrum (S1). Once the measuring element is installed, it can be checked whether it extends correctly as required between the sacrum and the C7 cervical vertebra, or whether it is too short or too long.

Alternatively, at least one marking provided at a position of defined length may be provided at the level of the elongated measuring element, this marking corresponding in turn to the defined length of the object represented. In this case, the measuring element may be slightly longer than the length to be chosen or the size of the object or the auxiliary means. However, the marking is placed exactly at the specific length position corresponding to the length or the size studied. If the measuring element is applied here, for example with a corresponding end at the level of the sacrum, it can be checked whether the marking is positioned correctly in the region of the cervical vertebra C7 or higher or lower. If the positioning is correct, then the corresponding size is correct. Otherwise, another measuring element must be used.

The two configurations explained below make it possible to respectively determine a spacing or a length. In order also to be able to determine directly, when the correct length has been calculated, the correct length or the size of the object and/or the associated aid without having to consult a table of measurements or its equivalent, provision is made according to this invention at the level of the measuring element a mark associated with the length or the length position which indicates the length to be chosen or the size of the object. This means that an unambiguous association of the calculated length or the length position already gives exactly at the level of the measuring element a defined reference length or size of the object. The user can thus read this marking directly on the measuring element and thus the length/size of the auxiliary means to be selected, even while still in the measuring position.

The respective measuring device according to the present invention thus makes it possible to determine in a simple and error-free manner with the measuring element according to the invention the length or the size of an object to be chosen, therefore for example of a back orthosis. or its equivalent, even when the determination is made by a person without special training. Indeed, the application of the measuring element in the correct position is not only simplified but in addition, the cumbersome step of reading the actual measured length as well as the cumbersome association with a corresponding object size in a separate measurement table is no longer necessary.

A central feature of the measuring device according to the invention is the marker uniquely associated with a defined length/size of the object. This can be for example a numeric code, so for example (I, II, III, IV…). It is also possible to consider using a letter code, for example A, B, C, D… or already known letter codes from the clothing sector such as XS, S, M, L, XL… It is also possible to use color codes distinguished by visible color gradients, for example red, orange, yellow, green, light blue, dark blue or the like. Regardless of the code used, it just has to make it possible to unequivocally avoid making a mistake in the choice of product.

It is also useful for the measuring device to additionally comprise a length scale, therefore for example a measurement in centimeters. In particular, this allows trained people to carry out a second check using it if necessary, in particular when the real effective length is almost between 2 defined sizes, in order to calculate, using this length scale, the real length by example of the C7-S1 spacing or the difference with the following smaller or larger orthosis size then choose either the smaller size or the larger size depending on which is the most suitable.

As explained, the measuring element according to the invention comprises in a variant of the invention at least one marking applied at the level of a position of defined length, defined for example with respect to a lower or upper end, said marking being in turn associated with a defined object size. To allow the measuring device or the measuring element to also determine different sizes and thus to allow almost universal use on people of different sizes, an advantageous improvement of the present invention provides that the measuring element comprises several markings arranged at defined length positions distributed over its entire length, a specific mark being associated with each marking. The measuring element is therefore designed with a corresponding length and therefore has at least the length of the largest length or the size of the associated object. Corresponding markings provided along the entire length of the measuring element are then placed at different length positions corresponding to the available individual sizes of the aid. There is therefore a marking starting at the level of the position of the shortest length, equivalent to the smallest size of the object, as well as several positions of length of specific sizes all following each other. The user can now determine exactly, once this measuring element is positioned, which of the multiple markings best corresponds to the anatomical reading position, thus for example in the event of application of the lower extremity at the level of the sacrum, to the C7 cervical vertebra, and can then read the corresponding mark.

As a variant, it is conceivable that the measuring device comprises a plurality of measuring elements of different lengths respectively associated with a specific associated marker. In this variant of the invention, each measuring element is defined exactly in its length and precisely associated with a corresponding object size. The user only needs to choose the most suitable corresponding measuring item to determine the most suitable size.

An advantageous improvement of the present invention provides that the measuring element or elements are provided with at least one window-type opening. This window-like opening allows viewing through the measuring element for inspection purposes as long as it is not already made from a transparent material. This makes it possible to check whether the measuring element is positioned correctly, for example along the spine or the like.

If the measuring element is provided with several markings arranged in different length positions, a separate opening is associated with at least one part, preferably with each marking.

The measuring element(s) can also have a width varying at least partially along their length. This allows an almost two-dimensional geometric adaptation of the shape of the measuring element to the part of the body to be measured. In the case of measurement of the vertebral column, the element or elements are for example made in such a way as to widen in an increasing manner towards the lower end arranged at the level of the sacrum. The end to be applied to the upper end located in the region of the C7 cervical vertebra can in turn widen somewhat correspondingly at the shoulder part. This makes it easy to identify the orientation in which to place the measuring element.

It is furthermore possible according to the present invention for the measuring element(s) to have a three-dimensional shape representing the part of the body to which they are to be applied. The elongated measuring element can thus be preformed three-dimensionally, which is made directly possible by a flexible configuration. This means that the measurement element presents the 3D shape of the anatomy of the section of the body to which it is applied. In the case of a measuring element for measuring the spine, the measuring element has a double S-shape known from the spine. This allows an even simplified application and in particular positioning in the correct position, given that the measuring element naturally applies by complementarity of shapes or compatibility of shapes to the shape of the back on the basis of this pre-moulding.

The measuring element(s) can be made from different materials. It is possible to make them out of paper and, for example, to only use them once. A manufacture in plastic material, for example a plastic film, is possible. The plastic embodiment has the advantage of being a measuring element that can be cleaned and wiped off and therefore can be used as often as desired.

A measuring element can be an individual part and can therefore be manufactured by its nature as a separate part. However, it is also possible to combine several measuring elements which can then be separated from each other. For example, several measuring elements can be arranged one behind the other and be connected to each other in a tearable or cuttable manner and be rolled up between them so as to form a roll from which they can be detached. This is possible without any problem with a paper or plastic configuration. The measuring elements all having the same length in this case are therefore produced from a strip of corresponding length and, for example, perforated at the tear point and then rolled up into a roll that a user can easily unroll and tear. Alternatively, it is possible to design several measuring elements that can be detached from a common support block made from the same material. The measuring elements are therefore arranged here like a detachable block and can be detached if necessary. The measuring elements here also all have the same length. This means that measuring elements of different length, if necessary, come from separate rolls or separate support blocks, whereas in the case of a "universal" measuring element provided with a plurality of markers we naturally need to provide a roller or a support block.

As preferably described, the one or more measuring elements are designed to determine the length and/or size of a spinal orthosis. However, it is also possible to choose to measure with this measuring element the length of other auxiliary means, for example, compression stockings or other objects of a specific length or size that require a specific choice.

Other advantages and peculiarities of the present invention emerge from the embodiments described below as well as with the aid of the drawings, in which:

illustrates a representation in principle of a measuring device according to the invention comprising six different measuring elements separated from a first embodiment;

illustrates a principle representation similar to the with the measuring elements of a second embodiment;

illustrates a principle representation of a measuring device, designed to determine the different sizes of the reference object;

illustrates a schematic representation of a measuring device designed to determine the different sizes of the reference object of another embodiment; and

illustrates a schematic representation of a measuring device designed to determine the different sizes of the reference object of another embodiment provided with a length scale.

The illustrates a representation of principle of a measuring device according to the invention of a first embodiment. The measuring device 1 comprises, in the example illustrated, 6 separate measuring elements 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e and 2f respectively made, for example, of paper or plastic material or else from a plastic film and cut out. They are on the whole flexible, therefore flexible, so as to be able to adapt by virtue of their geometric shape to a part of the body placed underneath. However, they are not extensible in length and therefore have a constant length in a conventional handling situation.

Each measuring element 2a-2f has a lower end 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f made wider. Each measuring element 2a-2f tapers somewhat along the length until widening again somewhat towards the upper end 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f respectively. Each measuring element 2a-2f is used to determine the size of a back orthosis and therefore represents approximately by its shape the back part of the spine, back side. The lower end 3a-3f is applied in the region of the sacrum (S1) to determine the size. The upper extremity 4a-4f must thus end in the region of the cervical vertebra C7, thus making it possible to determine the corresponding correct size.

The measuring elements 2a-2f are distinguished by their length. Each measuring element 2a-2f has a defined length corresponding exactly to a defined length of the associated object to be chosen, therefore here the back orthosis. The different lengths of the individual measuring elements 2a-2f are indicated on the with the lengths La, Lb, Lc, Ld, Le and Lf.

Each measuring element 2a-2f is provided with a defined marking 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f which is associated on the one hand with the length of the measuring element but on the other hand defines the exact length to choose and/or the size of the object, therefore of each back orthosis. In the example shown, a letter code is provided for the formation of the marks 5a-5f, including the size codes known from the clothing industry XS, S, M, L, XL and XXL. This unambiguous letter code allows the user, when he positions the measuring element exactly accordingly and determines the correct measuring element with respect to the actual distance between the sacrum and the cervical vertebra, to determine immediately and with accuracy of the corresponding orthosis size.

The embodiment example according to corresponds to the exemplary embodiment according to , that is to say that here too, six different length measuring elements 2a-2f respectively provided with a lower end 3a-3f and an upper end 4a-4f or else with marks 5a-5f of unique specific length, here again in the form of the previously mentioned letter code, are provided. These measuring elements 2a-2f are here also made of paper or of plastic material or else of plastic film which can be transparent or non-transparent.

A length scale 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e and 6f is further provided here at each measuring element 2a-2f here using a scale in centimeters. It starts at the lower end 3a-3f and ends at the upper end 4a-4f.

All the information, therefore on the one hand the marks 5a-5f, on the other hand the length scales 6a-6f, if they are provided, are printed in a corresponding manner on the paper or the plastic material and can in particular be wiped and therefore often reused so as to have a long life for the case of plastic material.

The illustrates a first embodiment of a measuring device 1 in the form of a measuring element 2 which can be used as a universal individual measuring element in order to accurately determine the different sizes of the back orthosis. This means that there are not provided here 6 separate measuring elements but only one measuring element integrating almost the six different measuring possibilities. It has a basic shape corresponding to an element for measuring or 2, so with a wider lower end 3 and a wider upper end 4 again, the measuring element narrowing somewhat between the two ends 3, 4.

Corresponding markings 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 and 7.5 are provided over the entire length at the various length positions L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, here in the form of corresponding lines extending in a transverse plane. These markings in turn define exact length measurements corresponding in turn to the various individual lengths of the separate measuring elements shown in Figures 1 and 2. The length positions L.1-L.5 thus correspond to the lengths La-Le of Figures 1 and 2 while the total length of the measuring element 2 of the corresponds to the length Lf according to the .

A marker 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4 and 5.5 is in turn associated with each marking 7.1-7.5, a separate marker 5.6 (here XXL) thus being associated with the upper end 4 which defines the measurement of the maximum length and thus her size. These markers are again corresponding XS, S, M, L, XL and XXL letter codes.

To perform the measurement, simply place the measuring device 1 or the measuring element 2 on the back with the lower end 3 at the level of the sacrum and then guide it along the spine. The user now checks which respective marking 7.1-7.5 is in the region of the cervical vertebra C7 or whether the upper end 4 reaches this vertebra or not in order to then respectively read the associated marker 5.1-5.6 according to the determined marking or of the upper extremity and determine the correct orthosis size using these.

Here too, the corresponding markings and references are naturally printed in an appropriate manner on the initial material.

The configuration of the measuring device 1 or of the measuring element 2 of the corresponds to the variant of . Here too, a total of six measuring possibilities are integrated in a common measuring element 2 and here too the corresponding markings 7.1-7.5 are provided at the level of the corresponding length positions L1-L5 in the form of transverse lines, a mark corresponding 5.2-5.5 being in turn associated with each marking 7.1-7.5 and the marker 5.6 being associated with the upper end 4.

Almost every partial measuring element here is provided with a window-like opening 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5 and 8.6 respectively arranged under the respective marker 5.1-5.6 and next to it. This respective opening 8.1-8.6 allows the underside of the body to be seen for control purposes and to check whether the orientation is correct or whether a corresponding vertebra is in the region etc.

The configuration shown on the corresponds to the measuring device 1 in the form of a measuring element 2 with integrated separate measuring elements of the variant of the , which is why reference is made to this concrete embodiment.

A length scale 6 is still provided, with a scale in centimeters that extends over the entire length from the lower end 3 to the upper end 4.

Claims (13)

Measuring device for determining the length and/or size of an object to be worn on a person's body, comprising at least one elongated measuring element (2, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f) to be applied to the body which consists of a flexible material and has a defined length (La, Lb, Lc, Ld, Le, Lf) or at least one marking (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5) arranged in a length position (L1, L2, L3, L4, L5) defined and which is provided with an associated marker (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6) to the length (La, Lb, Lc, Ld, Le, Lf) or associated with the length position (L1, L2, L3, L4, L5) indicating the length to choose and/or the size of the object. Measuring device according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the mark (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6) is a numerical code, a letter code or a color code. Measuring device according to Claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that
the measuring device (1) has a length scale (6, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f). Measuring device according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the measuring element (2) comprises several markings (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5) arranged in length positions (L1, L2, L3, L4, L5) defined and distributed over its entire length, a clean separate marker (5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6) being associated with each marking (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5). Measuring device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3,
characterized in that it
comprises several measuring elements (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f) of different lengths respectively provided with their own associated mark (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f). Measuring device according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the measuring element(s) (2, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f) are provided with at least one window-like opening (8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6). Measuring device according to claim 6,
characterized in that
at a measuring element (2) having several markings (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5) arranged at different length positions (L1, L2, L3, L4, L5), an opening (8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6) separated is associated with at least one part, preferably with each marking (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5). Measuring device according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the measuring element or each measuring element (2, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f) has a width varying at least partly along its length. Measuring device according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the measuring element or each measuring element (2, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f) has a three-dimensional shape representing the part of the body to which it is to be applied. Measuring device according to claim 9,
characterized in that
the measuring element or each measuring element (2, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f) takes the form of a section of the spine. Measuring device according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the or each measuring element (2, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f) consists of paper or plastic. Measuring device according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
several measuring elements (2, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f) arranged one behind the other and interconnected so as to be able to be cut or torn are rolled up to form a roll and can be detached therefrom or in that several measuring elements (2, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f) are arranged in such a way that they can be torn from a common support block made from the same material. Measuring device according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the measuring element or each measuring element (2, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f) is designed to allow the length and/or size of a spinal orthosis to be determined.