NL2004613C2

NL2004613C2 - Body measurement system and method for determining outer dimensions of a person's lower extremity.

Info

Publication number: NL2004613C2
Application number: NL2004613A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Charles Arnoldus Maria Bergmans
Original assignee: Red Boot Holding B V
Priority date: 2010-04-27
Filing date: 2010-04-27
Publication date: 2011-10-28
Also published as: WO2011136646A1

Description

P30225NL00/KHO

Title: Body measurement system and method for determining outer dimensions of a person’s lower extremity

The present invention relates to a body measurement system and method for determining outer dimensions of a persons lower extremity. In particular the invention relates to a lower extremity measurement system for determining outer dimensions of a persons foot and/or leg. The measurement of a persons lower extremity encompasses preferably a 5 measurement of a persons foot ball, cone, heel, ankle and calf. Obtained measurement data may be used to manufacture custom made footwear.

Such a body measurement system is particularly suitable to be used in stores for custom made footwear. Although all people have different feet, the choice of footwear is generally limited. The footwear differs basically only in a length seize of the foot. Many 10 customers have to switch to a certain footwear supplier with a certain trademark to satisfy their needs when their feet have e.g. a relatively large width or a high cone. With regard to boots, the problem is even bigger. The boots have to fit over a larger body part. The boots have to fit around the feet, but also around the ankles and calves. Many people are aware that it is hardly impossible to find footwear which fits properly at so many locations of the 15 foot and lower leg. For that reason people tend to accept new boots which have to much play or cause some painly pressure on the foot. People often think that they will get accustomed to the new boots and only need to overcome a period of time, wherein the boots set to the feet of the customer.

It is possible to use a scanning system to scan a persons feet to adapt footwear to 20 specific properties of an individual measured foot.

W098/18386 discloses such a scanning system as a unit for measuring body parts and reconstructing them in three dimensions. The disclosed unit is particularly for manufacturing custom shoes or other protheses. The unit comprises a measurement subsection for contactless measurement of a body part to be acquired and a subsection for 25 processing the data acquired by the measurement subsection. The subsections are mutually associated by a local or wide-area computer connection network. The measurement subsection comprises, in the case of the acquisition of a foot, a television camera which is rigidly coupled so that it rotates around a base or platform on which the foot rests. The camera is suitable to acquire the trace of the contour of the foot obtained by emitting against 30 the foot a collimated laser beam that exits from a laser emitter. The laser emitter rotates around the foot rigidly with the television camera and is positioned with a preset angle with respect to the television camera.

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Another electronic system for measuring the comfort of footwear is disclosed in W02009/150670. An electronic system is disclosed for measuring comfort of footwear, made-to-measure or otherwise. The system comprises a sock which is adapted to be worn on a person’s foot and an item of footwear to be tested. Either said sock or said item of 5 footwear are provided with electronic sensors. The sensors are adapted to measure a relative distance and/or a pressure between the foot on which the sock is worn and the item of footwear. The data indicating the distances and/or the pressures measured are processed by software so as to provide an objective measurement of the comfort of the item of footwear.

10 A problem to known electronic systems is that these systems are relatively complex.

The electronic system comprises a control unit, at least one sensor which has to be activated and an internal or external power supply. The electronic hardware makes the system rather complex and relatively expensive. The electronic system and corresponding measurement method have usually complex user instructions which need to be read before 15 an operator e.g. a store assistant can help a client. The electronic systems often include software and hardware which require highly skilled store assistants. Measurement data have to be collected and inputted in corresponding software by the store assistants. The store assistants need to be intensively instructed to use the system in a correct way. In practise, only a few of the store assistants are selected for training and for operating the electronic 20 systems. However, the store is often longer open to the public than the working time of these selected store assistants. This means that if these trained store assistants are not available, the electronic system cannot be used. As a result, the measurement systems are often left unused. The less used measurement systems often become unpopular and hard to integrate in the stores way of working. These kind of electronic systems do for that reason 25 not contribute to the stores service level.

Additionally a further problem is that the electronic systems are susceptible of interferences. Those interferences tend to occur mostly at a wrong moment. For instance when it is crowded in the store and a row of customers is waiting to be helped by the store assistant. Customers may get impatient when the scanning system fails. Due to 30 interferences, customers may get frustrated and leave the store without buying anything.

Electronic scanning systems often include batteries. Batteries typically have a limited lifetime and need to be recharged in time. It is a given fact that the batteries always tend to be weak or empty at a wrong moment. Problems with batteries indeed tend to arise halfway a scanning process. As a result of interferences or empty batteries customers have to wait 35 until the problem is solved which may frustrate the customer and may discourage him to buy items from the store.

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It is an object of the present invention to at least partially eliminate the above mentioned drawbacks and/or to provide a useable alternative. In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a simple body measurement system which is easy to operate.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a body measurement system 5 according to claim 1.

According to the invention a body measurement system is provided for determining outer dimensions of a person’s lower extremity. In particular, outer dimensions may be obtained from a person’s lower leg and/or foot. The body measurement system comprises a tight fit cloth which has to be worn at the person’s lower extremity. The tight fit cloth may be 10 a sock or a sleeve element with open ends. The sock may be used to provide measurement data of both a leg and foot. The sleeve element may be used to provide measurement data of a persons calf.

The tight fit cloth comprises at least one indicator to indicate a measurement location at an outer surface of the tight fit cloth. The indicator may be an indicator dot or an indicator 15 line. The indicator may comprise an arrow or text. At the measurement location a length can be measured along the outer surface of the tight fit cloth. The length is preferably an absolute circumferential length around a foot or a lower leg. The length may be measured along the indicator line along the calf of a person.

The body measurement system further comprises a measurement tool to measure 20 the length at the indicated measurement location. The measurement tool is manually operated and may e.g. be a tape measure. Obtained measurement data may be stored on a paper form or in a computer program. The measurement data may subsequently be processed to provide corresponding footwear dimensions. Based on the provided footwear dimensions, footwear may be selected or manufactured which footwear dimensions 25 correspond with the individual outer dimensions of the person’s lower extremity.

The body measurement system according to the invention is advantageous, because it is a very simple and reliable system. The body measurement system according to the invention requires no intensive training of store assistants, which increases the acceptance of the body measurement system in a footwear store. Due to the simplicity, a chance that 30 the body measurement system is left unused in a store may be small.

The body measurement system is so simple to operate that it may even be applied by customers’ their selves. Herewith, the body measurement system provides a great opportunity to sell footwear by internet stores. A footwear supplier can send a tight fit cloth of the body measurement system to a customer by post. The customer can measure his foot 35 and/or lower leg at home and send obtained measurement data back to the footwear supplier by the internet. The footwear supplier will send subsequently a selected item of standard footwear or custom made footwear to the customer. Advantageously, the body -4- measurement system according to the invention may assure the customer before buying the footwear that the supplied footwear will fit. Additionally, a customer with non standard lower extremity sizes may have an opportunity to order non standard footwear.

The body measurement system may comprise just a few components, wherein the 5 use of the components is self-explanatory. The body measurement system comprises a tight fit cloth, in particular a sock, which has to be put at a persons lower extremity. A store assistant or a customer will immediately understand that the tight fir cloth formed as a sock has to be worn at the persons lower extremity. Subsequently, the store assistant will be triggered by the indicators of the tight fit cloth to start a corresponding measurement 10 method. The measurement tool may be a commonly known tape measure which will not give any problems in measuring a length at the measurement location. The store assistant or customer may collect data from the persons lower extremity and may compare these measurement data with at least one default value of an available item of footwear. Herewith, the store assistant receives in a very simple manner valuable information about the lower 15 extremity of a client. The body measurement system supports the store assistant in giving advice about suitable foot wear.

The tight fit cloth is preferably passive in that the tight fit cloth is free from electronic measurement components, like sensors. Advantageously, the body measurement system according to the invention may be arranged without any electronic component. Herewith, the 20 body measurement system may be more reliable and less susceptible to failures as a result of interferences. The body measurement system may be provided without any batteries. No batteries have to be recharged during use, which makes the body measurement system more reliable and user friendly. Electronic interferences, weak or empty batteries do not or hardly not impair the reliability of the body measurement system.

25 In an embodiment of the body measurement system according to the invention, the tight fit cloth may be a disposable tight fit cloth. The cloth can be disposed after a single wearing of the cloth. Advantageously, a customer may always use a clean and hygienic cloth to obtain measurement data.

In an embodiment of the body measurement system according to the invention, the 30 tight fit cloth is a sock, in particular a long sock. The sock comprises at least one indicator to indicate a measurement location for measuring a length along the sock. The length along the outer surface of the sock may be an absolute circumferential length. In particular, the circumferential length extends completely around the persons lower extremity. The sock may comprise a line which circumferences the sock as an indicator line to indicate the absolute 35 length which has to be measured. The measurement tool may be aligned with the line at the outer surface. The measurement tool can be used to measure the length at the indicated measurement location for determining relevant dimensions of a foot and/or leg of a person.

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The lower leg and foot of a person may define a longitudinal direction from the calf and heel to the toes of the person. The length which has to be measured may extend in a substantially transversal direction of the lower extremity.

The sock as a long sock may include a leg part for determining dimensions of a leg, 5 in particular a lower leg, of a person. In an embodiment of the body measurement system according to the invention, the long sock comprises at least one indicator to indicate a measurement location at the end of a persons calf, at a top of a persons calf, at a base of a persons calf, at a persons achilles, at a persons ankle, at a persons cone and/or at a persons foot ball. Advantageously, each of those indicators may provide a relevant 10 parameter to establish whether a standard shoe or boot fits or not. If measurement data differ from default values of an available shoe or boot, it is possible to stretch and form the standard foot wear in correspondence with the measured values. The obtained measurement data may also be used to design personal foot wear.

In an embodiment of the body measurement system according to the invention, the 15 sock comprises a mark element at a heel position and/or at a toe position. The marked element may provide an indication to a person whether the sock fits in the longitudinal direction or not.

The body measurement system may comprise a set of socks of different sizes. For each size the measurement locations at the outer surface of the sock may differ. In the case 20 that a person has put on a sock which does not fit well around his foot, the marked element will be situated above or beneath the heel position. The person will understand that he has to put on another sock of another size. The marked element at the heel position or at the toe position may further give the person an indication whether the sock is twisted around the foot or not. The marked element at the heel position and/or the toe position will stimulate the 25 person to adjust the sock and bring the sock in a right position to start the measurement procedure.

In an embodiment of the body measurement system according to the invention the tight fit cloth comprises at least two types of fibres. One type of fibre is rigid. The rigid fibre extends in the longitudinal direction of the tight fit cloth. The other type of fibre is elastic and 30 extends in the transversal direction of the tight fit cloth. As a result of the combination of fibres, the tight fit cloth has elastic properties in a transversal direction, wherein the tight fit cloth is rigid in the longitudinal direction. When the tight fit cloth is put on at the persons lower extremity, the length of the tight fit cloth remains substantially constant. The tight fit cloth fits tightly around the lower extremity as a result of the elastic fibres in transversal 35 direction. Advantageously, the rigid fibres in the longitudinal direction may provide an accurate indication of the measurement location. Due to the rigid fibres, the measurement location may be more accurate defined. The rigid fibres may keep the indicator positioned at -6- a steady position with respect to the ends of the tight fit cloth. Advantageously, the combination of rigid and elastic fibres may provide a more accurate and relevant measurement of length along the person’s lower extremity.

In an embodiment of the body measurement system according to the invention, the 5 body measurement system comprises further a heel pad for lifting the heel of a persons foot with respect to the toe. The heel pad may advantageously be used to carry out measurements purposed for footwear including a heel. In particular, the heel pad may be used to determine relevant dimensions of a foot and/or a lower leg for high heeled shoes. By using the heel pad, a foot may be brought into a corresponding position, wherein the foot is 10 positioned when the person stands on heeled shoes. Using the heel pad during the measurement procedure may provide a more accurate measurement which allows a more accurate adjustment of the footwear. The more accurate measurement may increase the comfort of footwear.

In an embodiment of the body measurement system according to the invention the 15 heel pad comprises a base portion and at least one lift portion. The lift portion may be releasable connectable to the base portion which allows an easy exchange of lift portions with different heights. The heel pad may comprise a base portion and a set of lift portions, wherein each lift portion is releasable connectable to the base portion. The set of lift portions may include a variety of lift portions, wherein each individual lift portion has an individual 20 height. Advantageously, the heel pad including the set of lift portions provides an opportunity for an operator to build different heel pad heights which may correspond with footwear which a customer desires to buy.

The base portion of the heel pad may have a recess for receiving the lift portion. Advantageously, the lift portion may be stably positioned by the recess. The recess enables 25 an unambiguous positioning of the lift portion.

In an embodiment of the body measurement system according to the invention, the measurement tool is fixedly connected to the tight fit cloth. Herewith, the measurement tool may be integrated in the tight fit cloth. The measurement tool may be a wire or a lace including a scale. The scale may e.g. be printed on the lace. The measurement tool may be 30 wrapped around the tight fit cloth by an operator to determine a relevant length of the person’s lower extremity. When the measurement tool is fixedly connected to the tight fit cloth, the risk of losing a component of the body measurement system is reduced. This, advantageously, may further increase the reliability of the body measurement system. The integrated measurement tool may make the body measurement tool more user friendly.

35 In an embodiment of the body measurement system according to the invention, the measurement tool is a pull strap for measuring the indicated length at the measurement location. The pull strap comprises a strap including a scale for measuring a length and a -7- buckle. The buckle is connected to a proximal end of the strap, wherein a distal end of the strap is connectable to the buckle to close the strap around a person’s lower extremity. Advantageously, the pull strap allows an easy and unambiguous measurement of the lower extremity.

5 In an embodiment according to the invention, the buckle may comprise a buckle eye as a passageway for the strap. The buckle eye may comprise an indicative member, in particular an arrow, to point to a measurement read position of the pull strap. This embodiment of the measurement tool may further simplify the measurement of the lower extremity which may further reduce a risk of wrong measurements.

10 In an embodiment according to the invention, the buckle of the pull strap may comprise a grip portion for holding the pull strap in a person’s hand. The grip portion of the buckle may improve the ergonomics of the pull strap. Additionally, the distal end of the pull strap may also be provided with an auxiliary grip portion for holding the pull strap in a person’s hand. Both grips may provide a convenient measurements tool in that a person 15 may in a simple manner tighten the pull strap around a person’s lower extremity. The grip portion may be flat shaped. The grip portion may include a display window for commercialising purposes. For instance a trademark, like The Red Boot or MYfoot may be displaced on the grip portion.

In an embodiment of the body measurement system according to the invention, the 20 body measurement system further comprises a fill form for storing measurement data. The fill form may be a personal paper size chart or a computer database for storing personal measurement data. The personal measurement data may be used to adjust footwear to make the footwear more comfortable. The personal measurement data may also be used to make customer made footwear, like orthopaedic shoes.

25 The presented various components of the body measurement system may also be advantageous if taken on their own. The tight fit cloth, the pull strap and heel pad may also be of advantage to be used for other purposes.

Further, the invention relates to a method for determining a size of a person’s lower extremity by using a body measurement system. The method according to the invention 30 comprises a first step of putting a tight fit cloth of the body measurement system at the person’s lower extremity. In particular, the tight fit cloth is a sock which can be worn by a person around the foot. In a subsequent step of the method according to the invention a measurement location is determined. An operator of the method looks after an indicator at the tight fit cloth to determine the measurement location. The measurement location 35 represents a predefined location for a measurement of the length along the outer surface of the tight fit cloth. In a further step of the method according to the invention a measurement -8- tool of the body measurement system is used. The measurement tool is used to measure a length of the person’s lower extremity at the indicated measurement location.

Advantageously, the method according to the invention is very simple and self explanatory. The method can be carried out by store assistants who hardly need any 5 training. The few steps of the method are self-explanatory to most of the operators. Advantageously, the method can be used to design custom footwear. Additionally, the method for determining a size of a persons lower extremity according to the invention can be carried out without using any electrical component. This makes the method according the invention more reliable with respect to scanning methods, wherein batteries and sensors are 10 used. The method according the invention comprises hardly any features which might fail as a result of thoughtless use.

In an embodiment of the method according to the invention, the method further comprises a step of comparing at least one measured value with a default value. The default value may originate from standardised shoes or boots. By comparing the measured value 15 with the default value, the store assistant may quickly achieve a well indication of a standardised item of footwear which might fit the best to the customer. Advantageously, the customer does not need to wear different sized footwear items anymore to determine which item fits best to his body. A customer can be assisted more effectively.

In an embodiment of the method according to the invention, the method comprises 20 further the step of checking whether the tight fit cloth fits in a longitudinal direction to the person’s person’s lower extremity. When the tight fit cloth fits in the longitudinal direction, the operator may have a true indication of a person’s length size. In case that the tight fit cloth is a sock, the positioning of the sock may be checked in considering the positioning of the sock with respect to the toe and/or heel. When the tight fit cloth does not meet the 25 dimensions of the person’s lower extremity in the longitudinal direction, the operator may choose to replace the tight fit cloth by another of a different length size from the body measurement system.

In an embodiment of the method according to the invention, a measured length of a persons lower extremity may be noted on a fill form. The measured length may be manually 30 noted with a pen on a paper chart. Alternatively, measurement length data may be inputted in a computer program.

In an embodiment of the method according to the invention, the method may further comprise a step, wherein a person steps on a heel pad for lifting the person’s heel with respect to the persons toe. The operator of the method may instruct a person to step on the 35 heel pad to bring the person’s lower extremity in a correct position before starting the measurement. The correct position may correspond with a desired design of footwear.

Further preferred embodiments are defined in the subclaims.

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Further, the invention relates to a use of the body measurement system in combination with a virtual system. The body measurement system according to the invention is advantageous in use in combination with a footwear display system for displaying virtual footwear. Such a footwear display system is disclosed in W02006/134037. In the disclosed 5 display system a user wears a pair of special footwear items. A camera is used to observe the footwear of the user. An image is photographed of the user wearing said footwear items. Computer means are available which comprise a database containing a catalogue of virtual shoes and software (MMAPP) capable of processing the image coming from the camera and replacing said pair of special footwear items with a pair of virtual shoes which are selected 10 by the user from said catalogue. A real time further image of the user wearing the chosen virtual shoes is generated and displayed at a display.

A combination of such a footwear display system with the body measurement system according to the invention is advantageous. The footwear display system provides an opportunity to a customer to select a footwear item which is not physically available in the 15 store. The customer may select an item of footwear out of a catalogue containing hundreds of different kinds of footwear. By using the body measurement system according to the invention, it may be very easy to determine accurate footwear dimensions corresponding with the customer’s foot and/or leg outer dimensions. Subsequently, the selected item of footwear may be ordered, wherein it is assured that the footwear will fit the customer.

20 Advantageously, the display system provides the customer more possibilities in selecting a specific item of footwear, wherein the body measurement system according to the invention provides the supplier of footwear the possibility to honour individual wishes without risking a production of unsalable items when it appears later that delivered items did not fit the customer.

25 The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the appended drawings. The drawings show a practical embodiment according to the invention, which may not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention. Specific features may also be considered apart from the shown embodiment and may be taken into account in a broader context as a delimiting feature, not only for the shown embodiment but as a common feature 30 for all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims, in which:

Figure 1 shows in a schematic view a body measurement system according to the invention;

Figure 2a shows in a schematic side view a tight fit cloth with several measurement 35 locations;

Figure 2b shows a semi-elastic tight fit cloth which is woven from at least two types of fibres; - 10-

Figure 2c shows a semi-elastic tight fit cloth in three subsequent views to illustrate stretch properties of the sock in different directions;

Figure 3a shows in a schematic view a pull strap as a measurement tool of the body measurement system; 5 Figure 3b shows in a detailed view in perspective a buckle of the pull strap as shown in figure 3a;

Figure 4a shows in three subsequent views a use of a heel pad in a measuring method according to the invention; and

Figure 4b shows a side view of an embodiment of the heel pad according to the 10 invention.

Identical reference numbers used in subsequent drawings refer to similar components of the body measurement system.

In figure 1 the body measurement system is denoted overall by reference number 1. 15 The body measurement system 1 comprises a tight fit cloth 2 and a measurement tool 3.

The measurement tool 3 can be used to measure a persons lower extremity at at least one measurement location. The measurement locations are indicated by at least one indicator 22. The indicator 22 is a indicator line which circumferences the persons lower extremity.

The measurement tool 3 can be aligned with the indicator line to obtain measurement data. 20 The tight fit cloth 2 is a long sock. The long sock comprises at least one marked element 24 to establish whether the tight fit cloth 2 is positioned in right order over the lower extremity. A first marked element 241 is positioned at the heel of the sock and a second marked element 242 is positioned at a toe position of the sock.

An operator of the body measurement system e.g. a store assistant in a shoe store 25 uses the measurement tool 3 to obtain geometric data of the lower extremity. Obtained measurement data can be filled on a form 4. The form 4 can be a paper form with a table to collect the measurement data. The table for measurement data may have as many cells as measurement locations on the tight fit cloth. The form 4 becomes a personal form, a size chart, which presents personal measurement data of a person lower extremity. The 30 measurement data may be used to program a machine to manufacture customer made footwear, in particular customer made boots. In particular for boots, the body measurement system as shown in Fig. 1 is accurate and simple to use.

Figure 2a shows in a schematic side view, a persons lower extremity wearing the tight fit cloth 2. The tight fit cloth 2 is a long sock, wherein at lease one indicator 22,

35 arranged as an indicator dot, is provided at the outer surface to indicate at least one measurement location 23 for measuring a relevant length of the lower extremity. A first indicator 221 is provided at a location corresponding with the ball of a person’s foot. A

-11 - second indicator 222 is provided at a location corresponding with a cone of a person’s foot. A third indicator 223 is positioned at a location in correspondence with an ankle of a person’s foot. A fourth indication 224 is positioned at a location corresponding with an achilles of a person’s lower leg. A fifth indicator 225 is positioned at a location corresponding 5 with a base of a calf of a person’s lower leg. A sixth indicator 226 is positioned at a location in correspondence with a top of a person’s calf. A seventh indicator 227 is positioned at a location at the end of a persons calf.

Figure 2a shows a long sock as an example of a tight fit cloth. The tight fit cloth 2 can also be arranged as a short shock, wherein at least one indicator 22 is provided to measure 10 for example a cone or ball of a person’s foot.

As shown in figure 2a, the heel of the persons lower extremity rests on a heel pad 5. The heel pad 5 brings the lower extremity in a position which corresponds with a position of the person’s lower extremity when the person wears a boot or shoe with a heel.

Figure 2b shows the tight fit cloth 2 as a long sock. The long sock is woven from 15 different types of fibres. The long sock comprises at least two types of fibres, wherein a first type of fibres is a rigid type of fibre and wherein a second type of fibre is an elastic type of fibre. The left upper view shows the sock including rigid fibres 28 in a longitudinal direction of the sock. The rigid fibres 28 of the sock in the longitudinal direction prohibit an undesired stretching of the sock in the longitudinal direction and serve to position the at least one 20 indicator of the sock to a predefined desired measurement location. The right upper view shows the sock including elastic fibres 29 in a transversal direction of the sock. The elastic fibres permit the sock to stretch around a persons lower extremity for a close fit. The lower view shows as a result of a combination of the upper views a semi-elastic sock including both the rigid fibres 28 and the elastic fibres 29. The arrows in the lower view indicate elastic 25 properties in the transversal direction, while the sock 2 is rigid in the longitudinal direction due to the rigid fibres 29. The sock has non-stretch properties in the longitudinal direction and stretch properties in the transversal direction.

Figure 2c shows in three subsequent views the stretch properties of the sock. The left upper view shows a sock with stretch properties indicated by arrows in a transversal 30 direction. The right upper view shows directions of non-stretch indicated by arrows in a longitudinal direction. A direction in between the toe and heel of the sock is indicated as rigid. The length of the sock at the foot may be kept constant to determine a persons shoe size. The mark elements 241 and 242 at the heel and toe may help a person to determine a right shoe size. Further, the sock has a rigid non-stretch property in a longitudinal direction 35 from the toe to the open end of the sock to position the indicator of the sock at a predefined measurement location. The lower view is a combined view of the upper views and includes -12- the corresponding arrows of the upper views to indicate in one view the relevant directions of the sock to obtain a proper measurement.

Figure 3a shows in a schematic view a measurement tool 3 which is arranged as a pull strap. The measurement tool 3 comprises a strap 31 with a scale 311. The scale 311 5 may indicate a length in centimetres. The pull strap is at one end provided with a buckle 32. The buckle 32 is further shown in figure 3b in a detailed view in perspective. The buckle 32 has a grip 321 and a buckle eye 322. At one end, the strap 31 is fixed to the buckle 32. The other end of the strap 31 can be inserted into the buckle eye 332.

As shown in figure 3a the insertion of the strap into the buckle eye 322 can be 10 improved by an auxiliary grip 33. The auxiliary grip 33 is fixed to an end of the strap 31. The auxiliary grip 33 is flat shaped and includes a display surface for commercial purposes. A trademark may be provided at the display surface of the grip 32 or auxiliary grip 33.

The buckle 32 has at the buckle eye 322 a marking 323 to point an operator of the body measurement system at the right location for reading the scale 311. Advantageously, 15 the pull strap 3 is designed such that the risk of wrong measurements is minimised.

Figure 3a shows three subsequent numbered views. The first view shows a normal boot. The boot has a lower part for housing a persons foot and an upper part for housing a persons lower leg. Boots are often provided with a heel. The heel may have a height of 10-50 mm.

20 The body measurement system according to the invention may be arranged such that the geometry of a person’s lower extremity is measured in a position which corresponds with a position of the lower extremity when wearing a selected foot wear. If e.g. a boot is selected which comprises a heel height of 50 mm, the body measurement system may comprise a heel pad 5 which support at least one foot and lifts the heel of the foot to the 25 same height level as done by the selected boot.

An embodiment of the heel pad 5 is shown in the second view of figure 4a. The heel pad 5 comprises a base portion 50 and a heel portion 51. The heel portion 51 may be received in a recess 501 of the base portion 50. The heel portion 51 fits into the recess 501 to achieve a stable heel pad. The heel portion 51 has an outer contour which corresponds 30 with an inner contour of the recess 501. A person whose lower extremity has to be measured can stand on the heel pad in a stable and save manner.

The third view of figure 4a shows a persons foot wearing a tight fit cloth 2 which stands on the heel pad 5. The persons foot and lower leg are brought in the same standing position as the person wearing the selected boot.

35 Figure 4b shows the heel pad 5 together with a set of heel portions 511,512,513.

The heel portions 511,512, 513 have different heights to accomplish to different heel heights of selected boots. The set of heel portions which all fits within the recess 501 enable -13- an easy exchange of the heel portions. An operator of the body measurement system may select quickly one of the heel portions and insert the heel portion into the recess 501. After the selection and insertion, the heel pad 5 is ready to use.

Numerous variants are possible in addition to the embodiments shown in the figures.

5 The embodiment shown, present a long sock as a tight fit cloth. However, the tight fit cloth can also be a short sock, a fabric sleeve element or what at all is interesting for measuring someone's lower extremity. The body measurement system may be advantageous when designing custom made footwear, in particular boots. In addition to the embodiment shown, wherein the tight fit cloth is shown as a sock, the tight fit cloth may be a sleeve element. The 10 sleeve element may have open ends. A user may insert his foot through the sleeve element and may pull the sleeve element over his leg, in particular his lower leg. The sleeve element may be positioned at the lower leg by a stopper band which may be arranged at one end of the sleeve element. The sleeve element comprises further at least one indicator to indicate a measurement location. An operator may measure a length at the indicated measurement 15 location to determine the outer dimensions of a persons lower leg.

In addition to the embodiment shown, in stead of a separate measurement tool, the measurement tool may be fixed to the tight fit cloth. The tight fit cloth may have flexible elongated elements, e.g. laces, at the measurement locations which may be wrapped around a persons lower extremity. The elongated elements may have a scale which can be 20 read by an operator to measure a length which defines the outer dimensions of the person’s extremity.

In addition to the embodiment shown, the heel pad may be just a supporting block which can be positioned under a person’s heel. The heel pad may be shaped as a shoe sole.

25 In addition to the embodiment shown, wherein obtained measurement data are collected on a paper chart, the obtained measurement data may be further processed by software. The software may be web based and embedded at an internet page of a footwear supplier.

Although the invention has been disclosed with reference to particular embodiments, 30 from reading this description those of scale in the art may appreciate changes and modification that may be possible from a technical point of view but which do not depart from the scope of the invention as described above and claimed hereafter. It will be understood by those of scale in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention.

35 Modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed in the above detailed - 14- description, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Thus, the invention provides a body measurement system which provides a simple and convenient self explanatory method to obtain easily measurement data from a persons 5 lower extremity. The disclosed system and method is reliable and risks of mistakes during measurements or failure of the system are minimised.

Claims

A body measurement system (1) for determining the outer dimensions of a person's lower extremity, wherein the body measurement system (1) comprises a close-fitting garment (2) to be applied to the person's lower extremity, the close-fitting garment (2) at least an indicator (22) comprises 5 for indicating a measuring position (23) on an outer surface of the tight-fitting garment (2), the body measuring system (1) further comprising a measuring tool (3) for measuring a length over the outermost surface of the tight-fitting garment (2) at the indicated measuring position (23).

The body measurement system according to claim 1, wherein the close fitting garment (2) is a sock for determining dimensions of a lower extremity of a person.

3. Body measurement system according to claim 2, wherein the sock is a long sock comprising a leg part for determining the dimensions of a leg of a person.

A body measurement system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tight-fitting garment (2) comprises at least one indicator around a measuring position at the end of a person's calf (227); an upper end of a person's calf (226); a base 20 of a person's calf (225); a person's Achilles (224); a single person (223); indicate a person's instep (222) or a ball of a person's foot (221).

5. Body measurement system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tight-fitting garment (2) comprises a marking element (24) at a heel position (241) and / or a toe position (242).

6. Body measurement system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the tight-fitting garment (2) comprises at least two types of fibers, wherein a rigid fiber (28) extends in a longitudinal direction of the tight-fitting garment (2) and an elastic fiber (29). ) extends in a transverse direction on the close-fitting garment.

Body measurement system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the body measurement system further comprises a heel support (5) for lifting the heel relative to the toe. 35

Body measurement system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heel support (5) comprises a base part (50) and at least one lift part (51), the lift part (50) being releasably attachable to the base part.

Body measurement system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring tool (3) is fixedly connected to the tight-fitting garment.

10. Body measurement system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring tool (3) is a measuring tape for measuring a specified length at the measuring position (23), wherein the measuring tape is a ribbon (31) with a scale (311) for includes measuring a length and a buckle (32) connected to the proximal end of the ribbon (31), a distal end of the ribbon being attachable to the buckle (32) to close the ribbon around a person's lower extremity .

Body measurement system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the buckle comprises a clasp (322) as a passage for the ribbon (31), the clasp (322) comprising a pointer (323), in particular an arrow around a measuring reading position of the measuring tape.

Body measurement system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the buckle (32) of the measuring tape comprises a grip part (32) and wherein the distal end of the ribbon (31) is provided with an auxiliary grip part (33) for holding the measuring tape in a hand of a person.

A body measurement system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the body measurement system comprises an entry form (4) for storing the measurement data.

14. Body measurement system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the body measurement system comprises a computer program for entering obtained measurement data.

Method for determining a size of a person's lower extremity with a body measurement system, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of: 35. applying a tight-fitting garment (2) of the body measurement system (1) ) up to the person's lower extremity; looking up an indicator (22) on the close-fitting garment to indicate a measuring position (23) for a measurement of a length over the outer surface of the close-fitting garment; and measuring the length of the lower extremity at the measuring position (23) using a measuring tool (3) of the body measurement system.

The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of comparing at least one obtained measured value with a standard value of a footwear to be selected. 10

A method according to claim 15 or 16, further comprising the step of checking whether the close fitting garment fits lengthwise over the person's foot.

The method of any one of claims 15-17, further comprising the step of recording a measured length of the lower extremity on a thumbnail or entering the measured length in a software program.

19. Method as claimed in any of the claims 15-18, further comprising the step of sending obtained measurement data of external dimensions of a person's lower extremity to a selected supplier of footwear.

A method according to any of claims 15-19, further comprising the step of instructing a person to step on a heel support (5) for lifting the heel 25 relative to the toe.

A close-fitting garment (2), in particular a sock, suitable for use in a body measurement system or method according to one of the preceding claims.

Measuring tool (3), in particular a measuring tape, suitable for use in a body measuring system or method according to one of the preceding claims.

23. Heel support (5) suitable for use in a body measurement system or method according to one of the preceding claims. 35

24. Fill-in form (4) of paper or software suitable for use in a body measurement system or method according to one of the preceding claims.

Use of a body measurement system, in particular a body measurement system according to any of claims 1-14, in combination with a footwear display system for displaying virtual footwear.