US20040144076A1 - Girth monitor - Google Patents

Girth monitor Download PDF

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Publication number
US20040144076A1
US20040144076A1 US10/476,611 US47661103A US2004144076A1 US 20040144076 A1 US20040144076 A1 US 20040144076A1 US 47661103 A US47661103 A US 47661103A US 2004144076 A1 US2004144076 A1 US 2004144076A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
girth
monitor
person
girth monitor
weight
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US10/476,611
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English (en)
Inventor
Wendy Barker
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of US20040144076A1 publication Critical patent/US20040144076A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/103—Detecting, measuring or recording devices for testing the shape, pattern, colour, size or movement of the body or parts thereof, for diagnostic purposes
    • A61B5/107—Measuring physical dimensions, e.g. size of the entire body or parts thereof
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A44—HABERDASHERY; JEWELLERY
    • A44C—PERSONAL ADORNMENTS, e.g. JEWELLERY; COINS
    • A44C15/00—Other forms of jewellery
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/68—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient
    • A61B5/6801—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient specially adapted to be attached to or worn on the body surface
    • A61B5/6813—Specially adapted to be attached to a specific body part
    • A61B5/6823—Trunk, e.g., chest, back, abdomen, hip
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/68—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient
    • A61B5/6801—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient specially adapted to be attached to or worn on the body surface
    • A61B5/683—Means for maintaining contact with the body
    • A61B5/6831—Straps, bands or harnesses

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an article to be worn by a person; placed around the person's waist, and the invention relates to the fields of human body-weight monitoring and to personal health and fitness.
  • Waist belts or waist chains are also known in the decorative jewellery area Although some of these could be used as substitutes for the instant invention, they are little better suited than a piece of string. Many are intended to be worn outside clothing. None of these have been adapted to act as a girth monitor.
  • this invention provides a girth monitor, for use by a person for tracking one's weight (body composition) and providing the person with both immediate and long-term feedback as to weight reduction or posture control, wherein the girth monitor comprises a substantially inextensible, flexible cord (“cord” being used in its widest sense) provided at a first end with means for reversible yet firm attachment of the first end onto a selected point at or near to the second end of the cord, thereby being capable in use of forming an adjustable closed loop about the waist of a person; the girth monitor being adapted to be worn in contact with the person's body for extended periods of time, and being capable in use of serving, by means of a variation of a perceived pressure under the girth monitor, to immediately indicate to that person any alterations (or trends) in waist circumference thus providing operant conditioning feedback.
  • cord being used in its widest sense
  • the girth monitor being adapted to be worn in contact with the person's body for extended periods of time, and being capable in use of serving
  • the detailed construction (selection of materials, shape, configuration, and proportions) of the girth monitor are specifically made to be attractive or at least acceptable to at least the wearing person, so that the girth monitor will tend to be used over a longer period.
  • the girth monitor comprises a light chain made of links of a rigid material and the means for reversible attachment of the first end of the light chain comprises a catch means capable of being passed through a selected link of the chain, so that the loop formed around the person's waist can be opened from time to time and so that the circumference of the loop can be incrementally altered.
  • the light chain is made of links of metal; preferably one not likely to exhibit corrosion or cause a reaction against a person's skin.
  • the metal is substantially comprised of silver alloyed with an effective amount of at least a second metal; preferably in order to render the silver harder.
  • the metal may be a gold alloy and “9 carat gold” (to use a term common to the jewellery trade) is sufficiently non-ductile.
  • the predominant metal comprising the light chain can be selected from the range of silver, gold, platinum, palladium, rhodium, rhenium, and iridium—or like precious metals.
  • the light chain is made of a plurality of small links regularly interspersed with a lesser plurality of larger links; the larger links being capable of serving as “major-step” measuring points in addition to serving a decorative function, so that the girth monitor is capable of serving as an aid in a weight management programme; whether the programme is formal or not.
  • the larger links are provided with indicia capable of defining an actual length of the girth monitor as taken from the catch means or measuring points in addition to a decorative function and so that the cord serves as an aid to a weight management programme; whether the programme is formal or not.
  • the girth monitor is partially or completely comprised of a non-metallic material.
  • this invention provides an adjustable but otherwise inextensible flexible cord capable in use of forming a close-fitting, closed loop about the waist of a person, adapted to be worn in contact with the person's body for extended periods of time, and capable in use of serving to indicate to that person any alterations in waist circumference and so that the cord serves as an aid to a weight management programme
  • the cord is decorative, so that it is acceptable to the person wearing the cord (and to associated persons) and is hence unlikely to be rejected.
  • the cord is long-lasting.
  • the cord is made of a metal chain.
  • the chain is made of soldered silver links, having at or near a first end a reversible fastener capable of being attached to any link at or near a second end.
  • the inextensible flexible cord may be made of a non-metallic material, preferably leather or one or more of the plastics.
  • the invention provides a method for monitoring the body composition of a person by means of a girth monitor as previously described in this section, wherein (a) the girth monitor is worn constantly, (b) a perceptible loosening of the girth monitor provides instant feedback of a loss of weight by the person; alternatively a perceptible tightening of the girth monitor provides instant feedback of a gain of weight by the person, and (c) the length of the inextensible belt may be adjusted when a change in weight appears to have become stabilised so that the range of circumferences of personal girth which may be monitored is thereby increased.
  • the invention provides an opportunity, on making an incremental change in circumference of the girth monitor, to stage an event with a ceremony thus providing further operant conditioning capable of rewarding the person for having caused their change in girth.
  • FIG. 1 is a typical example of the prior art (posture/girth monitor of Chaillou U.S. Pat. No. 4,871,998)
  • FIG. 2 is an example of the invention.
  • FIG. 3 shows detail of the adjustment process.
  • a posture monitor emits an alarm noise from buzzer unit 34 whenever the tension in the belt 12 exceeds a predetermined limit. Adjustment means are provided at the “Velcro”TM area 21 .
  • the present invention is also a device for providing an indication of waist circumference or girth measurement (even posture as per Chaillou) but does this in a more subtle manner and without active components such as batteries switches or buzzers.
  • This invention provides an occasionally adjustable yet inextensible flexible cord to be worn under clothing and about the waist of a person concerned about their girth as a close-fitting, closed loop.
  • the invention simply indicates (by feeling tighter or looser) whether the person's girth is “about right”, “a bit larger”, or “a bit smaller” in relation to a current setting. It is indicating a trend.
  • the initial setting is usually determined as lightly enclosing suiting the person's waist either at the start of a weight control programme, or simply when the article is first worm. There is no particular need to enter a weight control programme; the item can be beneficial without. Indeed, the item forms its own weight control programme.
  • a goal is to be able to continually link the girth monitor at a shorter position—moving the point where the link 201 is joined, when in use, to the other end of the chain 204 at a link farther from end 205 , as suggested by the arrow 301 in FIG. 3.
  • the wearer is provided with a girth monitor that also serves as a “fatness” or body composition monitor and as a posture improver—(by acting against slouching).
  • a person In use, a person will be able to feel a developing tightness of the cord (which is preferably a light metal chain) about the waist at any time, and if a behavioural response is required, that response can be made immediately. (Imagine for example the wearer, sitting down to a meal at a restaurant. Perceptible tightening of the chain is a signal that the person may not continue to eat or to order another course. There is no perceptible evidence of the girth monitor and/or of its signals to the wearer, to another person). This immediate feedback is regarded in operant conditioning (a branch of psychology) as being valuable, and is also particularly applicable to children.
  • operant conditioning a branch of psychology
  • the chain is normally worn continuously and provides no impediment to normal activity.
  • Salmasian's belt see “Background” there is no intention that there normally be an applied pressure.
  • the present invention is also decorative and its presence can easily be explained as “personal jewellery” if the wearer does not want to acknowledge a weight problem. (This renders the decorative “prior art” an advantage rather than being destructive of novelty).
  • embarrassment issue as cited in prior art documents Myers and in Salmasian.
  • the inventor prefers a light chain 200 made of (usually soldered) silver wire links 202 and 203 , as in FIG. 2, which is a small, hardly visible thing (unlike the prior-art belts as 100 in in FIG. 1) compatible with continuous wearing.
  • the chain will not catch in clothing.
  • the use of a spring-loaded catch 201 at a first end to engage with a selected link 204 at or near the other end provides for removal or occasional, incremental (link by link) adjustment in either direction.
  • the larger figure-8 twists e.g. 202
  • the twist 205 at one end is a useful grip for use when clipping or unclipping the catch 201 in order to attach the chain to one's waist (see FIG. 3).
  • One example starting length for the entire chain 200 is 26 inches (550 mm).
  • the silver wire forming each link may be about 1 mm in diameter. Each link is typically about 5 to 10 mm in length.
  • small and large links can alternate for a decorative effect, although it is preferable that they are all a consistent size at the end farthest from the catch.
  • Alloys of silver with for example copper may confer usefully reduced ductility, as is well known in the art. It would not be useful if the chain could be stretched to a new length.
  • a typical chain made of silver weighs about 35-45 grams.
  • Silver is inert, unlikely to stain the body or clothing, is ornamental, and is an accepted material for jewellery.
  • a chain made of other materials could be used and remain consistent with the spirit of the invention.
  • Other precious metals tend to be very expensive, sometimes heavy, and often soft.
  • the inventor has supplied the girth monitor in 9-carat gold which is sufficiently rigid and fulfils the other characteristics of the girth monitor.
  • Plated gold (for example) chain is a possibility but once the plating has worn through the underlying metal (unless it is inert, like silver) can begin to corrode and stain clothing.
  • a plastics material such as brightly coloured polypropylene, leather, or even a piece of string tied with a knot could be used for a similar purpose, but these materials lack the eye appeal, the longevity, and the incremental adjustability of a chain.
  • the initial length is set to be a loose yet perceptible fit.
  • the monitor will tighten noticeably as soon as the wearer puts on weight, so that it can warn the wearer of for example over-indulgence in food during a meal.
  • the chain serves as a subtle yet immediate reminder of the arrival of excess girth which usually means excess weight, and can form an “early-warning” part of a weight management programme that may be more “user-friendly” than one which has to rely on daily weight measurements that may be too late for an instance of over-indulgence.
  • the wearer is of course free to ignore the message from the girth monitor according to the specific situation. It will of course be appreciated that use of the girth monitor is only loosely indicative of an actual body weight although for a given individual the working length of the girth monitor should remain in proportion to the degree of fatness.
  • the device is a monitor of trends rather than a device for absolute measurement. It must be remembered that body weight itself is only one measure of a person's body composition including the fat, muscle, bone, other tissues and organs, water, gut contents, and the like—and even body composition is compared against a set of desires often based for example on “good fit inside favourite clothing” or a partner's opinion rather than on some idealised numerical specifications such as a preferred weight for a given height, which ideals themselves may be based on suspect data such as population statistics from a less-than-“perfect” population. Many people advise that the “good fit inside favourite clothing” test is to be preferred.
  • plastics materials may be acceptable alternatives to metal chains, such as chains or belts made of a brightly coloured durable substance such as a dyed acrylic or a polycarbonate.
  • the girth monitor is equally suited to monitoring weight loss; it is by no means limited to use by fat people.
  • the invention is expected to make a substantial improvement to the effectiveness of weight reduction programmes, especially when used by women.
  • the usual approach to weight management is to carry out periodic weight measurements on a spring balance or the like. This is very much delayed from potentially weight-raising events such as a big meal.
  • Existing weight reduction programmes can be costly and soon mount up to equal the cost of a girth monitor according to the invention when made in a precious metal.
  • Occasional adjustment can be carried out by the user as required, for which action incremental settings are inherently provided by the use of a catch capable of engaging with any links of a chain.
  • the chain can be worn continuously and invisibly, and its message is made known only to the wearer. It needs no batteries for its function. It is continuously active (some prior art includes on/off switches).
  • the warning of excess girth provided to the wearer by the invention is immediate and quiet (i.e. personal) and immediate feedback of over-eating is given.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Dentistry (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Medical Informatics (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Surgery (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)
  • Outerwear In General, And Traditional Japanese Garments (AREA)
US10/476,611 2001-05-04 2002-05-01 Girth monitor Abandoned US20040144076A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NZ511508A NZ511508A (en) 2001-05-04 2001-05-04 Girth monitor
NZNZ511508 2001-05-04
PCT/NZ2002/000080 WO2002089669A1 (fr) 2001-05-04 2002-05-01 Dispositif de controle du tour de taille

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20040144076A1 true US20040144076A1 (en) 2004-07-29

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ID=19928466

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/476,611 Abandoned US20040144076A1 (en) 2001-05-04 2002-05-01 Girth monitor

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US20040144076A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP1389954A4 (fr)
AU (1) AU2002311697B2 (fr)
NZ (1) NZ511508A (fr)
WO (1) WO2002089669A1 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7150141B1 (en) * 2003-11-14 2006-12-19 Board Of Supervisors Of Louisiana State University Agricultural & Mechanical College Waist chain and related method
US20090119883A1 (en) * 2005-04-12 2009-05-14 Colin Campbell Marshall Moore Serviette support
US20140378785A1 (en) * 2011-01-10 2014-12-25 Bioguidance Llc System and method for patient monitoring
US9324244B1 (en) 2010-05-15 2016-04-26 David Sol Distributed multi-nodal operant conditioning system and method

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU2018300002B2 (en) 2017-07-11 2021-02-18 Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc. Techniques for determining fluid volumes using bioimpedance information

Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4411050A (en) * 1981-08-24 1983-10-25 Guy Couture Jewelry clasp
US4642982A (en) * 1985-07-25 1987-02-17 Gray Danny J Chain belt and method of manufacture
US4846462A (en) * 1988-04-28 1989-07-11 Regnier Bruce E Girth monitoring belt
US5054299A (en) * 1990-02-28 1991-10-08 Maveety Susan C Jewelry, without fasteners, formed by the wearer by bending from a planar configuration into circular and/or other configurations to be worn as a necklace, bracelet, belt, etc, and reformed many times to serve as the same or other jewelry
US5304984A (en) * 1990-04-02 1994-04-19 Roldan Eduardo L Belt tension signalling device
US5666104A (en) * 1995-09-07 1997-09-09 Pollack; Stanley E. Belt for detecting an increase in girth
US5728027A (en) * 1996-05-23 1998-03-17 Sinaiko; Robert J. Biofeedback system for training abdominal muscles
US5732475A (en) * 1995-12-12 1998-03-31 Sacks; Steven M. Circumference monitor
US5857984A (en) * 1997-05-01 1999-01-12 Deboer; James A. Abdominal exercise device & method
US6146312A (en) * 1998-02-12 2000-11-14 Sclichter; Allessandra T. Belt for improving posture and abdominal muscle training
US6260210B1 (en) * 1997-04-12 2001-07-17 Lenimen Ab Measuring means for checking the circumferential size of a body portion

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1596298A (en) * 1977-04-07 1981-08-26 Morgan Ltd P K Method of and apparatus for detecting or measuring changes in the cross-sectional area of a non-magnetic object
IT7923001V0 (it) * 1979-10-31 1979-10-31 Pareto Angelo Vittorio Gioiello costituito da un fermaglio a molla unito ad una catena variamente avvolgibile e disponibile e terminante all'altra sua estremita' con una sferetta.

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4411050A (en) * 1981-08-24 1983-10-25 Guy Couture Jewelry clasp
US4642982A (en) * 1985-07-25 1987-02-17 Gray Danny J Chain belt and method of manufacture
US4846462A (en) * 1988-04-28 1989-07-11 Regnier Bruce E Girth monitoring belt
US5054299A (en) * 1990-02-28 1991-10-08 Maveety Susan C Jewelry, without fasteners, formed by the wearer by bending from a planar configuration into circular and/or other configurations to be worn as a necklace, bracelet, belt, etc, and reformed many times to serve as the same or other jewelry
US5304984A (en) * 1990-04-02 1994-04-19 Roldan Eduardo L Belt tension signalling device
US5666104A (en) * 1995-09-07 1997-09-09 Pollack; Stanley E. Belt for detecting an increase in girth
US5732475A (en) * 1995-12-12 1998-03-31 Sacks; Steven M. Circumference monitor
US5728027A (en) * 1996-05-23 1998-03-17 Sinaiko; Robert J. Biofeedback system for training abdominal muscles
US6260210B1 (en) * 1997-04-12 2001-07-17 Lenimen Ab Measuring means for checking the circumferential size of a body portion
US5857984A (en) * 1997-05-01 1999-01-12 Deboer; James A. Abdominal exercise device & method
US6146312A (en) * 1998-02-12 2000-11-14 Sclichter; Allessandra T. Belt for improving posture and abdominal muscle training

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7150141B1 (en) * 2003-11-14 2006-12-19 Board Of Supervisors Of Louisiana State University Agricultural & Mechanical College Waist chain and related method
US20090119883A1 (en) * 2005-04-12 2009-05-14 Colin Campbell Marshall Moore Serviette support
US9324244B1 (en) 2010-05-15 2016-04-26 David Sol Distributed multi-nodal operant conditioning system and method
US20140378785A1 (en) * 2011-01-10 2014-12-25 Bioguidance Llc System and method for patient monitoring
US10993658B2 (en) * 2011-01-10 2021-05-04 Bodiguide Inc. System and method for patient monitoring

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1389954A4 (fr) 2004-08-18
WO2002089669A1 (fr) 2002-11-14
AU2002311697B2 (en) 2007-04-26
EP1389954A1 (fr) 2004-02-25
NZ511508A (en) 2002-04-26

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