WO2006054490A1

WO2006054490A1 - Foot grasping power measuring device, and weighing machine or height meter with overturning degree display function

Info

Publication number: WO2006054490A1
Application number: PCT/JP2005/020703
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kazuo Aoki; Kunio Horiuchi; Sachiko Handa
Original assignee: Nihon University
Priority date: 2004-11-19
Filing date: 2005-11-11
Publication date: 2006-05-26
Also published as: JPWO2006054490A1; JP4665118B2

Abstract

A foot grasping power measuring device simply operable, capable of quantitatively measuring a toe grasping power, eliminating a need for a measured person to be accustomed with measurement, and easily measurable and a weighing machine or a height meter with an overturning degree display function utilizing the foot grasping power measuring device. The foot grasping power measuring device comprises a foot positioning device positioning a foot, a foot position fixing device restricting the movement of the foot in the horizontal and vertical directions, a toe pressing force detection device detecting the pressing force of a toe in the lower direction, and a measured value display device displaying the detected pressing force. The weighting machine with the overturning degree display function comprises the foot grasping power measuring device and a calculation part calculating the degree of risk of overturning by using numerical data on toe holding muscle force and height or weight measured by the foot grasping power measuring device.

Description

Specification

Foot grip strength measuring device and weight scale or height meter with a fall degree display function using this device

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a foot grip force measuring device that measures and displays numerically the strength of the flexor muscles of the toes and a weight scale with a fall degree display function that displays the risk level of the subject to fall using the device. Regarding height meter.

Background art

[0002] Falling is one of the reasons that elderly people are bedridden, and countermeasures for falling elderly people are a notable issue. In order to prevent the fall of elderly people, accidents such as stumbling and slipping, and once the posture is disturbed, the balance adjustment ability to recover and the defense reaction are often not exhibited properly. Therefore, it is important to maintain and improve the motor function and posture adjustment ability of the lower limbs. It has been reported that strengthening the strength of the flexor muscles of the toes can maintain and improve the locomotor function and posture adjustment ability. Regarding the correlation with functions and posture adjustment ability, there are many unexplained parts due to lack of data.

[0003] The inventor of the present application is studying how the flexor muscles of the toes are related to the lower limbs' motor function and posture adjustment ability, and data collection of the toe flexors is an indispensable element. is there. Therefore, although a foot grip strength measuring device was required, an appropriate foot grip strength measuring device was not commercially available, and it was decided to develop a foot grip strength measuring device that is easy to use and easy to use.

In addition, we decided to develop a weight scale or height meter with a fall degree display function that displays the risk of fall of the subject using this device.

[0004] As a prior art related to a foot gripping force measuring device, there is an invention disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-360550. FIG. 14 shows a foot grip force measuring device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-360550. The outline of the disclosed technique will be described with reference to FIG.

[0005] The foot gripping force measuring device 100 includes a pedestal member 110, a measuring means 120, and a foot movement restricting means 130, and a foot movement restricting means 1 that abuts at least a part of a portion of the foot up to the shin. The force that restricts the forward movement of the foot by 30 and the grasping member 121 that can be grasped by at least one of the toes is held by the toes. Measuring means 120 for measuring The foot movement restricting means 130 is composed of a pillar member 131 and a hoof joint nore 132, 132 force!

[0006] In addition, a panel member 122 is connected to the gripping member 121, and the surface of the gripping member 121, which is a rod-shaped body having a convex shape that is convex in the direction of the spring member 122 in a side view, is formed. When gripping with the toes and pulling the gripping member 121 with the toes in the heel direction, a load is applied to the load cell 123 via the panel member 122, and the numerical value of this load is displayed on the measurement display device 124.

Patent Document 1: JP 2002-360550 A

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] The gripping force measuring device 100 described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-360550 is a pull type gripping force measuring device. However, this type of gripping force measuring device is easy to operate. It is simple and can measure the grip strength of the foot quantitatively, but it is difficult to grip with 5 toes due to the shape of the gripping member, and there is some degree of habituation and practice that it is difficult to grip the gripping member On the other hand, there was a problem that repeating the measurement to the same person hurts the toes and makes it difficult to measure the exact grip strength of the foot.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention has the advantage of being easy to operate and capable of quantitatively measuring the grip strength of the foot of the conventional pull-type grip strength measuring device, and does not require familiarity in measurement and is simple. An object is to provide a device for measuring the grip strength that can be measured.

[0009] Further, in order to achieve the above object, the inventor of the present application collected and analyzed the toe grasping muscle strength and various physical known data of a large number of subjects. The difficulty of falling is closely correlated with the toe grasping muscle strength and height, or the toe grasping muscle strength and weight! /, Based on the knowledge! /, And the fall degree display function according to the present invention is provided. I came up with a scale or height scale.

[0010] Based on this knowledge, the present invention is based on data measured by the foot gripping force measuring apparatus according to the present invention and physical data of the person to be measured, for example, age, sex, height, weight, and the like. Therefore, it is an object to provide a weight scale or a height scale with a fall level display function for judging the risk of the subject's fall.

Means for solving the problem

That is, the foot gripping force measuring device according to the invention of claim 1 of the present application includes a foot positioning device that positions a foot so that a toe is positioned at a predetermined location on a footrest, and the foot positioning device. After positioning, the foot position fixing device that restricts the movement of the foot and fixes the foot to the footrest so that the toe is free, and the pressing force of the toe in the state fixed by the foot position fixing device And a measured numerical value display device force for displaying the pressing force detected by the toe pressing force detection device.

The foot gripping force measuring device according to the invention of claim 2 of the present application is the foot gripping force measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the foot positioning device is erected from the footrest and has a first footpad. It consists of a rod-like standing rod that abuts the base of the second heel to position the foot, and the foot position fixing device is provided with the above-mentioned footrest support force and winds the instep of the foot near the ankle. It consists of a bendable belt that is fixed, and the toe pressure detection device is slightly installed in all directions at the same level as the footrest at the position where the footpad contacts the footrest. A movable pressing force receiving plate, a pressing force receiving plate support that supports the pressing force receiving plate with a certain resistance from below, and the pressing force receiving plate support is allowed to move only in the vertical direction. Resistance that applies a certain resistance to the movement direction regulating device and the pressing force receiving plate support And applying device is configured pressure detector force detecting the pressing force of the toes from the pressing force receiving plate support of the movement displacement.

The foot gripping force measuring device according to the invention of claim 3 of the present application is the foot gripping force measuring device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the movement direction regulating device is vertically fixed to the footrest. A first vertical member, a second vertical member whose upper end is connected to the pressing force receiving plate support, and an intermediate region between the upper end of the first vertical member and the second vertical member are connected by pin joining. A first horizontal member, and a second horizontal member connecting the lower end of the first vertical member and the lower end of the second vertical member by a pin joint, the first vertical member, the first vertical member Two vertical members, the first horizontal member and the second horizontal member are joined together The quadrilateral formed by connecting pin joints is a parallelogram, and is a four-link structural force. The resistance applying device has a fixed end that is fixed to the first vertical member and a free end. The end is made of an elastic cantilever that abuts against the pressing force receiving plate support, and the pressing force detecting device is disposed in the vicinity of the fixed end of the cantilever to support the pressing force receiving plate support. A strain detection sensor force for detecting the strain of the cantilever due to the movement is configured. Further, the foot gripping force measuring device according to the invention of claim 4 of the present application is the foot according to any one of claims 1 to 3. In the gripping force measuring apparatus, the standing bar penetrates a foot placing plate placed on the footrest, and a central portion in the length direction of the standing rod is fixed to the foot placing plate. The pressing force receiving plate is slightly omnidirectional in the pressing force receiving plate through-hole formed in the foot placement plate. Is Tsunagigi the dynamic ready to become integral with the foot mounting plate, one face of the foot mounting plate and the other surface is used for the right foot has a configuration that is used for the left foot.

Further, the weight scale or height meter with a fall degree display function according to the invention of claim 5 includes a measuring device for measuring the height or weight of the person to be measured, and numerical data of the height or weight measured by the measuring device. The risk of falling (E) is calculated from the input unit where (X) is input, the numerical data (X) input to the input unit, and the numerical data (y) measured by the grip strength measuring device. The calculation unit includes a calculation unit, and a display unit that displays the fall risk level (E) calculated by the calculation unit.

Further, the weight scale or height meter with a fall degree display function according to the invention of claim 6 of the present application is the weight scale or height scale with a fall degree display function according to claim 5, wherein the fall risk frequency (E) Is represented by the following formula (1).

E = y / (ax + b) (a ゝ b is a constant) —— (1)

Further, the weight scale or height meter with a fall degree display function according to the invention of claim 7 of the present application is the weight scale or height scale with a fall degree display function according to claim 6, wherein E in the above formula (1) The following formula (2) when = 1 indicates that the numerical data (X of the sampling survey consisting of the parameter n on the graph with the numerical data (X) as the X coordinate and the numerical data (y) as the Y coordinate ((X , y, y

1), (X, y

2 2), ... (X,

nn;) is a linear regression line when plotting) The

y = ax + b (a and b are constants) (2)

In the invention according to claim 8 of the present application, in the weight scale or height scale with a fall degree display function according to any one of claims 5 to 7, the toe pressure is arranged at least on the toe portion of the subject. The toe sensor to detect is arrange | positioned.

The invention's effect

As described above, according to the invention according to claim 1 of the present application, the pressing force of the toes is detected in a state of being fixed by the foot position fixing device. The device is a push-type grip measuring device. For this reason, the measurement of the toe grip force is possible even for people of all ages because it is not necessary to hold the foot by simply pressing it with the toe.

In this case, the correlation between the measured values of the foot gripping force measuring device according to the present invention and the conventional pull-type foot gripping force measuring device becomes a problem. Therefore, since the present inventor does not have a commercially available pull-type foot gripping force measuring device, a trial of a pull-type foot gripping force measuring device with an improved hand grip strength meter has been made, and the push-type foot gripping force according to the present invention has been developed. A comparative test with a measuring device was performed. As a result of this comparative test, a high correlation was shown between the measured value of the pull-type grip strength measuring device and the measured value of the push-type grip strength measuring device according to the present invention. It has been confirmed that such a push-type grip strength measuring device is suitable for practical use. This comparative test will be described later.

[0013] According to the invention of claim 2, the foot positioning device has a rod-like standing bar force that comes into contact with the roots of the first and second heels of the toes, and has a very simple structure. However, the position of the foot can be determined accurately.

In addition, the foot position fixing device is firmly fixed on the footrest by a foldable belt that winds and fixes the instep of the foot in the vicinity of the ankle, while the toe moves freely.

The toe pressing force detection device includes a pressing force receiving plate that is slightly movable in all directions, that is, a vertical and horizontal direction, and a pressing force receiving plate support that supports the pressing force receiving plate with a certain resistance from below. A movement direction regulating device that allows movement of the pressing force receiving plate support table only in the vertical direction, and a resistance force applying device that applies a certain resistance force to the pressing force receiving plate support table. The pressing force detector detects the pressing force in the downward direction of the toes from the displacement of the pressing force receiving plate support. For this reason, the pressing force receiving plate transmits the force applied by the toes to the pressing force receiving plate support. The transmitted toe pressing force is composed of vertical (V direction) force and horizontal (H direction) force. To accurately measure the toe pressing force, the V direction force However, it is possible to extract only the force in the V direction by the movement direction regulating device. Then, the pressing force receiving plate support is pressed only by the extracted force in the V direction, and the grasping muscular strength of the toes can be accurately measured by measuring the amount of movement of the pressing force.

[0014] According to the invention of claim 3 of the present application, the movement direction regulating device is based on a 4-link structure. For this reason, the first vertical member and the second vertical member are always parallel, and the first vertical member is fixed to the footrest vertically, so the second vertical member always moves only in the vertical direction. The pressing force receiving plate support connected to the upper end of the second vertical member always moves only in the vertical direction. The resistance applying device is composed of an elastic cantilever. If the free end of this cantilever is to be pressed, a predetermined resistance determined by the cantilever's Yang coefficient and the moment of inertia of the cross-section will work.

Furthermore, in the invention according to claim 3 of the present application, the pressing force detection device is configured to have a strain detection sensor force arranged near the fixed end of the cantilever. This strain detection sensor uses a strain gauge, measures the strain of the cantilever beam from the change in electrical resistance, and detects the force acting on the cantilever beam by the strain, thereby applying pressure to the pressure receiving plate. It measures the pressing force in the vertical direction (V direction) of the acting toe.

[0016] In the invention according to claim 1 of the present application and claim 3 of the present application, the movement direction regulating device is a ball slide that supports one end or both ends of the pressing force receiving plate support base, and has resistance. The application device may be configured to have a compression panel force that supports the center portion of the pressure receiving plate support. Even in this case, the pressing force receiving plate support base always moves only in the vertical direction, and a predetermined resistance force due to the panel number of the compression panel acts on the downward movement of the pressing force receiving plate support base. become.

[0017] In the inventions according to Claims 1 to 3 of the present application, the pressing force detection device measures the amount of movement of the pressing force receiving plate support arranged immediately below the pressing force receiving plate support. It is good also as a structure which consists of a movement displacement sensor. In this case, load cells, eddy current displacement sensors, and laser displacement sensors are used as the displacement measurement sensors. The amount of movement of the pressure receiving plate support is the amount of stagnation at the fixed end of the cantilever or the amount of contraction of the compression panel. If the amount of shrinkage is known, it is possible to measure the Young's modulus of the cantilever and the second moment of section, or the pressing force in the V direction of the toe acting on the pressing force receiving plate of the compression panel.

[0018] According to the invention of claim 4 of the present application, the foot placement plate, the pressing force receiving plate, and the standing bar are integrated. For example, when measuring the grasping muscle strength of the right footpad, the foot Place the board on the footrest with the front side facing up and measure the muscle strength of the left footpad with the back side facing the front. can do. For this reason, it is possible to measure both the grasping strength of the right toe and the grasping strength of the left footpad with a single foot gripping force measuring device.

[0019] Further, according to the weight scale or height meter with a fall degree display function of the invention according to claims 5 to 8 of the present application, the measuring device for measuring the height or weight of the person to be measured, and the claim of the present application The foot grip force measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, an input unit, a calculation unit, a display unit, and a forceful configuration, wherein the person to be measured gets on the instrument and measures his height or weight. By inputting the data, the height or weight data of the person being measured is input, and the risk of falling is displayed as a numerical value, so you can know the degree of ease of falling and the difficulty of falling. be able to.

[0020] Here, the fall risk level E is a numerical value when the measured physical data of the person to be measured is X, and a toe grasping muscle strength measured by the foot grip strength measuring device according to the present invention is y. The fall risk frequency E is a numerical value represented by E = y / (ax + b). That is, when (X, y) is plotted on a graph in which the X-axis is the known physical data of the person being measured and the Y-axis is the toe-holding muscle strength measured by the toe strength measuring device, When it is located below the straight line on the graph shown by equation (2) (y = ax + b) (when E <1.0), it is judged that it is easy to fall, and the above equation ( 2) When it is located above the line on the graph (y = ax + b) (when E≥1.0), it is judged as “not easy to fall”.

Brief Description of Drawings FIG. 1 (a) is a plan view of a foot gripping force measuring apparatus according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 1 (b) is a side view of the foot gripping force measuring apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the grip strength measuring apparatus according to the first embodiment, and is a plan view of the grip strength measuring apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1 (b) is related to the present embodiment. It is a side view of a foot grip force measuring device.

[FIG. 2] FIG. 2 (a) is a view taken along the arrow I I in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2 (b) is a view taken along the arrow II II in FIG.

[FIG. 3] FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view taken along arrow III-III in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the foot gripping force measuring apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a toe pressing force detection device of the foot gripping force measuring device according to the first embodiment.

[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a comparison graph of the measured value obtained by the pull-type grip strength measuring device and the measured value obtained by the foot grip strength measuring device 1 according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a toe pressure detection device of a foot gripping force measuring device according to a second embodiment.

[FIG. 8] FIG. 8 is a graph showing muscle strength for grasping a height and a pair of toes.

[FIG. 9] FIG. 9 is a weight-muscle strength graph for grasping a pair of weights.

[FIG. 10] FIG. 10 shows an outline of a weight scale with a fall degree display function in which a foot gripping force measuring device 1 according to claims 1 to 4 is incorporated in a weight scale as Embodiment 3 of the present application.

[FIG. 11] FIG. 11 shows an outline of a height meter with a fall degree display function in which the foot grip strength measuring device 1 according to claims 1 to 4 is incorporated in the height meter as Example 4 of the present application.

[FIG. 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a state in which the scale is extended and fixed to a nearby pillar or the like with a pin (not shown) during height measurement.

[FIG. 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart for calculating the degree of risk of falling in a weight scale with a function of displaying the degree of falling.

FIG. 14 shows a foot grip force measuring device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-360550. Explanation of symbols

[0022] One-foot grip strength measuring device

2 Weight scale with the function of falling

20 Footrest container

Lid

Positioning pin

Foot positioning device

Foot placement board

Standing stick

Positioning hole

Connecting cloth

Foot position fixing device

Benoleto

Example 1 toe pressing force detecting device pressing force receiving plate

Pressure receiving plate support

Cantilever

4-link structure

Strain gauge

Footpad pressure detecting device according to embodiment 2 compression panel

Ball slide

Laser displacement sensor

Measurement value display

Input section

Display section

Weight scale

Input section

Display section

Benole Pass

364 fasteners 400 Height meter

402 Tape measure scale

403, 404 display

409 The top of the head

410 pillars

462 Benole

463, 464 fasteners

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0023] Hereinafter, Examples 1 to 3 according to the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described.

First, Example 1 and Example 2 will be described. The first embodiment and the second embodiment have the same configuration in appearance, and the difference between the first embodiment and the second embodiment is a difference in the toe pressure detection device housed in the footrest. . Therefore, the first embodiment will be described in detail, and the second embodiment will be described only for parts different from the first embodiment. Also, a plan view, a side view, and an exploded view of the foot grip force measuring device according to the second embodiment are omitted.

First, Example 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. Fig. 1 (a) is a plan view of the foot gripping force measuring device according to the first embodiment, Fig. 1 (b) is a side view of the foot gripping power measuring device according to the first embodiment, and Fig. 2 (a) is a side view of Fig. 1 (a). Fig. 2 (b) is a view taken along the line II II in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a partially enlarged view taken along the line III-III in Fig. 1. FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the foot gripping force measuring apparatus according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the toe pressing force detecting device of the foot gripping force measuring apparatus according to the first embodiment.

In FIGS. 1 to 4, reference numeral 1 denotes a gripping force measuring apparatus according to the first embodiment, reference numeral 20 denotes a footrest, reference numeral 22 denotes a container, reference numeral 24 denotes a lid, reference numeral 26 denotes a recessed portion, reference numeral 28. Is an opening, reference numeral 30 is a positioning pin, reference numeral 40 is a foot positioning device, reference numeral 42 is a foot placing plate, reference numeral 44 is a standing bar, reference numeral 46 is a pressing force receiving plate insertion hole, reference numeral 47 is a positioning hole, reference numeral 48 is a connecting cloth, 50 is a groove, 60 is a foot position fixing device, 62 is a belt, 64 is a belt fixing device, 66 is a belt fastener, and 80 is a foot clamp according to the first embodiment. Pressure detector, code 82 Pressure receiving plate, reference numeral 83 is a pressing force receiving plate support, reference numeral 84 is a cantilever, reference numeral 842 is a fixed end, reference numeral 844 is a free end, reference numeral 85 is a four-link structure, reference numeral 852 is a first vertical member, Reference numeral 854 denotes a second vertical member, reference numeral 856 denotes a first horizontal member, reference numeral 858 denotes a second horizontal member, reference numeral 86 denotes a strain gauge, and reference numeral 98 denotes a measurement numerical value display device.

[0027] The foot gripping force measuring device 1 is roughly composed of a footrest 20, a foot positioning device 40, a foot position fixing device 60, a toe pressure detection device 80, and a measured numerical value display device 98. Here, the toe side of the footrest 20 in a state where the foot is placed is referred to as a front portion of the footrest 20, and the heel side is referred to as a rear portion of the footrest 20.

[0028] The footrest 20 is composed of a container 22 and a lid 24. The lid 24 is a flat plate and is screwed to the container 22. Then, when the lid body 24 is screwed onto the container 22, a rectangular parallelepiped housing having a length of approximately 330 mm, a width force of approximately 200 mm, and a height of approximately 50 mm is formed. The main part of the pressing force detection device 80 is accommodated. Further, when the lid body 24 is screwed onto the container 22, the peripheral edge portion of the container 22 is raised about 2 mm from the surface of the lid body 24, and a recess 26 is formed. In other words, a rising portion having a height of about 2 mm is formed on the outer peripheral edge of the recess 26. In addition, an opening 28 that is convex toward the toe direction and symmetrical with respect to the center line in the front-rear direction of the footrest 20 is formed in the toe portion of the lid 24 in a state where the foot is placed. Thus, the opening 28 communicates the inside and outside of the footrest 20.

[0029] The foot positioning device 40 includes a foot placement plate 42 and a standing rod 44. The footrest plate 42 is a metal plate with a thickness of approximately 2 mm. The shape of the footrest plate 42 is rectangular on the toe side and is substantially trapezoidal on the ankle side, and the approximate trapezoidal force is on the toe side. The width gradually decreases toward the ankle side. In FIG. 1, the overall planar shape is the shape of the right foot deformed. The footrest plate 42 is accommodated in a recess 26 formed by the lid 24 and is installed at a predetermined position by a positioning pin 30 screwed to the lid 24. That is, the positioning pin 30 is inserted into the positioning hole 47 and fixes the footrest plate 42 in a fixed position. Further, when the foot placement plate 42 is fixed to the lid 24, the rising portion formed on the outer peripheral edge of the recess 26 and the foot placement plate 42 are flush with each other.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, the footrest plate 42 is slightly larger than the shape of the pressing force receiving plate 82. The pressing force receiving plate through hole 46 having a flexible shape is drilled, and the pressing force receiving plate 82 is inserted into the pressing force receiving plate through hole 46 in all directions via the stretchable connecting cloth 48. It is connected to a state where it can move a little! This pressing force receiving plate 82 is a plate made of a synthetic resin (a polycarbonate resin plate in the first embodiment), and is located in front of the shape corresponding to the shape of the first toe and fifth toes of the toes. It has a convex shape. The connecting cloth 48 stretched between the pressing force receiving plate through hole 46 and the pressing force receiving plate 82 may be gently stretched across the entire periphery of the pressing force receiving plate 82. Alternatively, it may be in the form of a tape that is gently stretched around the periphery of the pressing force receiving plate 82 with a predetermined interval.

In the first embodiment, a groove 50 is formed in the fore edge of the foot placement plate 42 and the pressing force receiving plate 82 to which the connecting cloth 48 is adhered, and the foot mounting plate 42 and the pressing force receiving plate 82 are connected to each other. Even if the gap is narrow, the pressing force receiving plate 82 can move a predetermined distance in all directions.

[0031] The standing bar 44 is a metal round bar having a diameter of 6 mm and a length of about 40 mm. The standing bar 44 penetrates through the footrest plate 42 and its central portion in the length direction is connected to the footrest plate 42. Screwed. The standing bar 44 is positioned on the left side and the front side of the center line force in the front-rear direction of the footrest plate 42 with respect to the footrest plate 42. This is because when the standing rod 44 is brought into contact with the base of the first and second heels of the right foot, the center line of the right foot to the toe force heel This is to make the center line substantially coincide with the center line, and to determine the front and rear positions so that the footpads properly come into contact with the pressing force receiving plate 82. In the first embodiment, the foot placement plate 42 has a reversible structure that can be used on both the front and back surfaces. FIG. 1 shows the foot gripping force measuring device 1 in a state of measuring the toe grasping muscle strength of the right foot. However, if the foot placement plate 42 is turned over and installed in the recess 22 of the footrest 20, the foot gripping force measuring device 1 becomes a device for measuring the toe grasping muscle strength of the left foot. When the footrest plate 42 is installed at a fixed position of the recess 22 of the footrest 20, the pressing force receiving plate 82 is supported by a pressing force receiving plate described later by the connecting cloth 48 that is gently stretched. Adheres to stand 83.

[0032] The foot position fixing device 60 includes a belt 62, a belt fixing member 64, and a belt fastening member 66. The belt 62 is a cloth belt having a width of about 30 mm, and the belt fixing tool 64 and the belt fastening tool 66 are bent at both ends of a metal round bar having a diameter of about 10 mm to reduce its length. It is an approximately 130mm portal type. The belt fixing device 64 and the belt fastening device 66 are in a target position with respect to the center line in the front-rear direction of the footrest 20 and in the shape of a letter “C” reversed in a plan view toward the front. It is fixed to 20. When the footrest plate 42 is installed on the footrest 20, the belt fixture 64 and the belt fastener 66 are positioned outside the footrest plate 42.

[0033] One end of the belt 62 is wound and sewn on a portal-shaped horizontal portion of the belt fixture 64, and the belt 62 is rotatable and slidable with respect to the belt fixture 64. It is free. A female hook-and-loop fastener is attached to the belt fixture 64 side of the surface of the belt 62, and a male hook-and-loop fastener is attached to the vicinity of the tip of the belt 62.

[0034] The toe pressing force detection device 80 includes a pressing force receiving plate 82, a pressing force receiving plate support base 83, a cantilever 84, a four-link structure 85, and a strain gauge 86.

Since the pressing force receiving plate 82 has been described above, the description thereof will be omitted. The pressing force receiving plate support base 83 is a plate made of synthetic resin (in this example, a polycarbonate resin plate) and is located in the opening portion 28 formed in the footrest 20. The second vertical member 854 described later is supported. The shape is substantially the same as the shape of the opening 28, but when the foot placement plate 42 is placed on the lid 24 screwed to the foot placement base 20, it protrudes downward from the foot placement plate 42. The part is wrapped up like a hindrance to the standing bar 44.

Here, the resistance applying device and the movement direction regulating device will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 5, the right side of the drawing corresponds to the front portion of the footrest 20 and the left side of the drawing corresponds to the rear portion of the footrest 20, and the pressing force F acts from the upper side to the lower side of the drawing.

The resistance applying device is composed of a metallic cantilever 84, and the fixed end 842 of the cantilever 84 is a force fixed to a first vertical member 852 described later. The first vertical member 852 is a footrest. The fixed end 842 is fixed to the footrest 20 via the first vertical member 852 because it is fixed to the pedestal 20. The free end 844 of the cantilever 84 is positioned below the pressing force receiving plate support base 83, and the tip of the free end 844 is in contact with the pressing force receiving plate support base 83. For this reason, the vertical movement of the pressing force receiving plate support base 83 pushes down the free end 844, and the cantilever 84 becomes a resistance force to push back the pressing force receiving plate support stand 83. Work. [0036] The movement direction restricting device is a four-link structure 85, and the four-link structure 85 includes a first vertical member 852, a second vertical member 854, a first horizontal member 856, and a second horizontal member 858. It is configured. These four members are connected to each other at joints O, O, O and O.

1 2 3 4 Pin joints that are pivotable with respect to each other and can be formed by joining joints o, o, o, and o.

1 2 3 4

The side is a parallelogram. Therefore, the second vertical member 854 always moves in the vertical direction while maintaining a parallel state with respect to the first vertical member 852. Further, since the first vertical member 852 is fixed to the footrest 20 vertically, the first vertical member 852 always maintains a vertical state.

Since the upper end of the second vertical member 854 is connected to the pressing force receiving plate support base 83, the pressing force receiving plate support table 83 always moves only in the vertical direction. In this way, the first vertical member 852, the second vertical member 854, the first horizontal member 856, and the second horizontal member 858 are also configured. Is always restricted to move only in the vertical direction.

[0037] The pressing force detection device includes a cantilever 84 and a strain gauge 86, and in the first embodiment, the pressing force is detected by the strain gauge method. The strain gauge 86 is disposed in the vicinity of the fixed end 842, measures the strain of the cantilever 84 by a change in electric resistance, and measures the pressing force F acting on the cantilever 84.

[0038] As described above, the fixed end 842 of the cantilever 84 is fixed to the footrest 20, and the free end 844 can move only in the vertical direction. Then, the vertical movement of the pressing force receiving plate support base 83 is transmitted to the free end 844 of the cantilever 84 and the cantilever 84 is pinched downward by the pressing force F. For this reason, distortion occurs in the cantilever beam 84, and this distortion is detected by the strain gauge 86 installed in the vicinity of the fixed end 842, and the pressing force F is measured. The detection result is displayed on the monitor of the measured numerical value display device 98.

[0039] Next, the measurement method of the foot gripping force measuring apparatus 1 will be described taking measurement of the toe grasping muscle strength of the subject's right foot as an example.

First, the foot placement plate 42 is placed on the lid 24 of the footrest 20 with the surface facing up, and the positioning pin 30 screwed to the lid 24 is inserted into the positioning hole 47 of the foot placement plate 42. Fix it. The standing bar 44 screwed to the fixed footrest plate 42 is the center of the footrest 20 in the front-rear direction. It will be on the left side of the line. If you want to measure the toe-holding muscle strength of the left foot, install it with the back side of the footrest plate 42 facing up.

[0040] Place the subject's right foot on the footrest plate 42 installed on the footrest 20, and place the standing rod 44 in contact with the base of the first and second heels to position the right foot Decide. By determining the position of the right foot, the first toe force and the fifth toe of the toe of the subject are in contact with the pressing force receiving plate 82. The person to be measured may be standing or sitting, but in the sitting position, when the position of the right foot is determined, the position and height of the chair should be such that the right foot and the shin are substantially perpendicular. Adjust the position of the footrest 20.

[0041] After that, the belt 62 is slid with respect to the belt fixture 64, the belt 62 is positioned near the ankle of the right foot of the person to be measured and brought into contact therewith, and the tip of the belt 62 is fixed to the belt fastener. 66. The male hook-and-loop fastener near the tip of the belt 62 is pressed against the female hook-and-loop fastener attached to the surface of the belt 62 to fix the position of the right foot of the person being measured. . In this case, since only the ankle portion of the right foot of the measurement subject is fixed, the toe portion is free for vertical movement.

[0042] Then, the measurement subject depresses the pressing force receiving plate 82 with his / her right footpad. At this time, if the subject is standing, be careful not to move the center of gravity of the body on the heel and move forward. Further, when the pressing force receiving plate 82 is pressed with the toes, the pressing direction of the toes may act obliquely rearward and downward. In this case, as a reaction, the force that the foot tries to move forward The belt fixing device 64 and the belt fastening device 66 have a reverse “C” shape. With this structure, the belt 62 spreads to the left and right of the foot, so that the foot is tightened downward more strongly and prevents forward movement.

[0043] As described above, when the pressing force receiving plate 82 is pressed with the toes, the pressing direction of the toes may act diagonally backward and downward. It can be broken down into a direction, a force in the H direction, and a force in the vertical or V direction. Since the pressing force receiving plate 82 is in close contact with the pressing force receiving plate support 83 and the pressing force receiving plate support 83 is allowed to move only in the V direction, the force in the H direction supports the pressing force receiving plate. It is consumed as a sliding of the pressure receiving plate 82 against the table 83. Therefore, since the force only in the V direction is applied to the pressure receiving plate support base 83 and no couple is applied, the measurement accuracy Will be improved.

[0044] The pressing force F in the V direction acting on the pressing force receiving plate 82 presses the free end 844 of the cantilever beam 84, and this appears as a stagnation of the cantilever beam 84. Thus, a strain corresponding to the pressing force F is generated in the cantilever beam 84, and this strain is detected by the strain gauge 86.

Next, a comparison test between the foot gripping force measuring device 1 and the pull-type toe gripping force measuring device conducted by the present inventor will be described.

First, the inventor of the present application manufactured a pull-type toe grip force measuring device with an improved hand grip force meter because a pull-type toe grip force measuring device is commercially available! A Smedley type grip strength meter (manufactured by Takei Kikai Kogyo Co., Ltd.) was used as the grip strength meter. This Smedley type grip strength meter is composed of a display part and a grasping part, and the grasping part is composed of a fixed part that comes into contact with the palm and a slide part that comes into contact with the finger of the hand. Then, the grip strength meter with the fixing portion removed was laid down on the footrest and fixed so that the level of the place where the subject's feet rested and the level of the slide portion were substantially the same. In addition, on the footrest, a footrest plate with a support column slidable in the front-rear direction with respect to the grip force meter is installed, and the measurement subject's lower leg is fixed to this strut. A fixing for is installed.

[0047] First, the person to be measured determines the position of the foot mainly by contacting the first to third joints of the toes to the slide part of the grip strength meter, and the determined position of the toes of the foot The lower leg of the person to be measured was fixed by bringing the footrest plate into contact with the footrest plate. Then, the person to be measured grasped the slide part with his toes, pulled the slide part in the heel direction, and read the numerical value shown on the display part of the grasping meter. The results are shown in Fig. 6. FIG. 6 is a comparison graph of the measured values obtained by the pull-type grip strength measuring device and the measured values obtained by the foot grip strength measuring device 1 according to claims 1 to 4 of the present invention.

[0048] In FIG. 6, the X-axis (horizontal axis) indicates the numerical value (unit: Newton) read by the pull-type grip strength measuring device, and the Y-axis (vertical axis) indicates the grip strength measurement according to the present invention. Show the value (unit:-Yuton) read by device 1! / Speak. The arrow indicates the measured value in the standing position, and the X indicates the measured value in the sitting position! /

[0049] As can be seen from Fig. 6, there is a high correlation between the measured value of the grip strength measuring device 1 according to the invention of claims 1 to 4 of the present application and the measured value of the pull-type grip strength measuring device. And that The correlation coefficient R is 0.857 in the standing position and 0.766 in the sitting position. When the value of the pull-type grip strength measuring device is x and the value of the grip-force measuring device 1 according to the present invention is y, the measured value of the grip-force measuring device 1 according to the present invention and the pull-type grip strength measurement The relational expression with the measured value of the device may be standing.

y = 0.721x + 48.5 (3)

In the sitting position,

y = 0.495x + 17. 2 (4)

Therefore, the mutual conversion between the measured value by the grip strength measuring device 1 and the measured value by the conventional pull-type grip strength measuring device is performed by substituting the value into X or y in the above formula (3) or (4). It can be easily obtained.

[0050] Next, Example 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a toe pressure detection device of the foot gripping force measuring device according to the second embodiment.

As described above, the second embodiment has the same configuration as the first embodiment. The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is the difference in the toe pressure detection device housed in the footrest. It is in. Therefore, only the toe pressure detection device according to the second embodiment will be described here. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 90 denotes a toe pressing force detecting device according to the second embodiment, reference numeral 83 denotes a pressing force receiving plate support, reference numeral 92 denotes a compression panel, reference numeral 93 denotes a ball slide, and reference numeral 94 denotes a laser displacement. A sensor, symbol 98, is a measured numerical value display device.

[0052] In FIG. 7, the right side of the drawing corresponds to the front portion of the footrest 20 and the left side of the drawing corresponds to the rear portion of the footrest 20, and the pressing force F acts from the upper side to the lower side of the drawing. .

The toe pressing force detecting device 90 includes a pressing force receiving plate 82, a pressing force receiving plate support base 83, a compression panel 92 as a resistance applying device, a ball slide 93 as a moving direction restricting device, and a laser as a pressing force detecting device. It consists of a displacement sensor 94.

In FIG. 7, the pressing force receiving plate 82 is omitted, but is placed on the pressing force receiving plate support 83.

The resistance applying device is composed of a metallic compression panel 92, the upper end of the compression panel 92 is connected to the pressing force receiving plate support base 83, and the lower end of the compression panel 92 is a direct part of the footrest 20. It is in a state of being fixedly attached to the bottom plate of the rectangular housing. The upper end of the compression panel 92 connected to the pressing force receiving plate support base 83 is located immediately below where the pressing force F acts. For this reason, the vertical movement of the pressing force receiving plate support base 83 presses the compression panel 92, and the compression panel 92 acts as a resistance force to push the pressing force receiving plate support table 83 back. .

[0054] The movement direction regulating device is composed of ball slides 93, 93 that support both ends of the pressing force receiving plate support base 83. From the ball slides 93, 93, the pressing force receiving plate support base 8 3 Is always regulated to move in the vertical direction without changing the position on the plane parallel to the bottom plate of the rectangular parallelepiped housing constituting the footrest 20. Note that a ball slide 93 is disposed at one end of the pressing force receiving plate support base 83, and the pressing force receiving plate support base is constituted by the ball slide 93 and a compression panel 92 disposed immediately below the pressing force F. Only 83 vertical movements may be allowed. In addition, BWU8-10 manufactured by Nippon Thompson Co., Ltd. is used for the ball slide 93 in Example 2.

The pressing force detection device includes a laser displacement sensor 94 as a movement displacement sensor and a compression panel 92. In Example 2, LX-010 manufactured by Keyence Corporation is used for the laser displacement sensor 94. In addition to this moving displacement sensor, an eddy current displacement sensor can be used if the lower surface of the load cell (for example, LM-A manufactured by Kyowa Denki Co., Ltd.) or the pressing force receiving plate support base 83 is made of a metal member. (For example, EX-614V manufactured by Keyence Corporation) can also be used.

The laser displacement sensor 94 irradiates the pressing force receiving plate support table 83 with the semiconductor laser beam ( _a ), and the displacement amount of the pressing force receiving plate support table 83 by the movement of the image by the reflected light beam, that is, the moving amount. Is to measure.

[0056] Since the amount of movement of the pressing force receiving plate support base 83 is the amount of contraction of the compression panel 92, the amount of movement of the pressing force receiving plate support base 83 is measured to compress it to the panel constant of the compression panel 92. The pressing force F can be calculated by multiplying the shrinkage of panel 92. The detection result can be displayed on the monitor of the measured numerical value display device 98.

Note that the measuring method of the foot gripping force measuring apparatus according to the second embodiment is exactly the same as the measuring method of the foot gripping power measuring apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted. [0057] Further, instead of the strain gauge 86 constituting the toe pressing force detection device 80 according to the first embodiment, the laser displacement sensor 94 or the load cell according to the second embodiment or the load cell directly under the free end 844 of the cantilever 84 or Of course, the pressing force F can also be measured by arranging a displacement sensor such as an eddy current displacement sensor and measuring the amount of movement of the free end 844.

[0058] The inventor of the present application conducted a sampling survey of the toe grasping muscle strength of the subject measured by the above-described gripping force measuring apparatus 1 and the physical, known data of the subject, age, sex, height, and weight, and the sampling. From the survey, the following correlation was found. We will explain these correlations.

The inventor of the present application has found that human ease of falling, that is, “falling” is closely related to a person's toe-holding muscle strength and body weight, or toe-holding muscle strength and height. Therefore, by deriving the concept of “risk risk level” from the toe-holding muscle strength and weight, or from the toe-holding muscle strength and height, numerically indicate “ease of falling” or “difficulty of falling”. We obtained the knowledge that this was possible.

In the following, the process of deriving the “risk of falling” will be explained based on FIG. 8 and FIG. FIG. 8 is a height-to-foot grasping strength graph, and FIG. 9 is a weight-to-foot grasping strength graph. The measurement by the foot gripping force measuring device 1 was performed in a standing position.

[0060] In the graphs of FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the X axis (horizontal axis) is the height (unit: m) or the body weight (unit: kg), respectively, and the Y axis (vertical axis) is the measurement of the grip strength according to the present invention. This is the toe-holding muscle strength (unit: N) measured by device 1. A thumbprint indicates an inexperienced person, and an X indicates an experienced person who has fallen.

Explaining the composition of the subjects who were the population of the above survey, the total number of subjects was 97, 46 men and 51 women. In terms of age structure, the youngest subject is 20 years old, the oldest subject is 84 years old, 19 in the 20s, 25 in the 30s, 10 in the 40s, 16 in the 50s, 60 There are 15 teenagers and 12 people over 70 years old. In addition, of the 97 people, 90 people have never fallen and 7 have fallen.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 8, there is a high correlation between toe-holding muscle strength and height, and the correlation number R is 0.618. And the linear regression equation is

y = a X + b = 322x 419 It can be expressed as. When the above linear regression equation is dropped onto the graph of FIG. 8, all the X marks representing the experienced fallers are located below the above linear regression equation.

That is, the fall risk level (E) is

E = y / (a x + b) = y / (322x —419) —— (1— 1)

H H H H H H

Then all X marks are located at E <1.0. Therefore, when the “falling risk frequency” is obtained from the toe grasping muscle strength and height, the above linear regression equation is used, and the result is extremely reasonable.

[0062] As shown in Fig. 9, there is still a correlation between the toe grasping muscle strength and the weight, although not as shown in Fig. 8, and the correlation coefficient R is 0.423. It has become. And the linear regression equation is

y = a X + b = 1. 89x —11.5

W W w w

It can be expressed as. And when the above linear regression equation is dropped on the graph in Fig. 9, all the X marks that represent those who have fallen are located below the above linear regression equation, so "footpad grasp muscle strength and height" Similarly, when the risk of falling is E,

E = y / (a x + b) = y 89x —11.5)

w w w w w w

(1-2)

Then all X marks are located at E <1.0. Therefore, when the “falling risk frequency” is obtained from the toe-holding muscle strength and weight, the above linear regression equation can be used to obtain a very reasonable result.

Next, the case of numerical values measured by the sitting position of the foot gripping force measuring apparatus 1 will be described.

There is a very high correlation coefficient between the two in both sitting and standing positions, and the correlation coefficient is very close to 1.000. It has become. For this reason, the above equation (1 1)

E = y / (193x-251) (1-3)

H H

And the above equation (1 2)

E = y 13x -6. 90) (1—4)

W W

E) can be calculated.

[0064] That is, (1) Toe grip muscle strength measured by standing (x) (unit: N) and height (y) (unit: m)

H H

When calculating the fall risk level (E),

E = y / (322x —419) (1— 1)

H H

Calculated by

(2) From toe grasp muscle strength (X) (unit: N) and weight (y) (unit: kg) measured by standing

W W

To find the fall risk level (E),

E = y 89x 11. 5) —— (1— 2)

W W

Calculated by

(3) Toe grip strength measured by sitting position (X) (unit: N) and height (y) (unit: m)

H H

When calculating the fall risk level (E),

E = y / (193x-251) (1-3)

H H

Calculated by

(4) Toe grip strength (X) (unit: N) and body weight (y) (unit: kg) and force measured by sitting position

H H

When calculating the fall risk level (E),

E = y 13x -6. 90) —— (1—4)

W W

It can be calculated by

[0065] Next, based on the above knowledge of the inventor of the present application, and using the invention according to claims 1 to 4 of the present application, the body weight with a fall degree display function in which this is incorporated into a scale or a height meter. Devised a total or height meter.

[0066] FIG. 10 attached herewith shows an outline of a weight scale 300 with a fall degree display function in which the foot gripping force measuring device 1 according to claims 1 to 4 is incorporated in a weight scale as Embodiment 3 of the present application. The scale 300 with a fall degree display function shown in the third embodiment incorporates the foot gripping force measuring device 1 shown in the first or second embodiment. Therefore, the footrest, foot positioning, which are the components thereof, are incorporated. The device, foot position fixing device, toe pressing force detection device, measurement numerical value display device, etc. are the same as those used in Example 1 or 2. Therefore, the explanation is omitted.

[0067] The scale 300 with a fall degree display function includes an input / output device (not shown) integrated with the foot gripping force measuring device 1 in addition to a weight scale (not shown) for measuring a normal weight. And This input / output device includes an input unit 302 for inputting numerical data on the height or weight of the person being measured, numerical data input outside the normal weight display, and a footpad measured by the toe strength measuring device 1. It consists of a display unit 303 that displays grasp muscle strength or the number of falls risk calculated by a calculation unit not shown.

[0068] Further, in Example 1 or 2, the foot position fixing device 60 constituted by the belt 62, the belt fixing member 64, and the belt fastening member 66 force is fixed between both feet in the third example. A female hook-and-loop fastener 363 and a male hook-and-loop fastener 364 are attached to both ends of the belt 362 and both sides of the weight scale 2 with a fall degree display function according to the third embodiment. It is comprised so that both feet including may be fixed.

Note that the weight scale 300 with a fall degree display function of the third embodiment is assumed to be a standing type that is measured by a person standing on the meter, but this is a separate chair not shown. It may be a weight scale with a sitting type fall degree display function in which the person to be measured sits down and measures both feet on the measuring instrument.

[0069] Further, in the first or second embodiment, the toe press composed of the pressing force receiving plate 82, the pressing force receiving plate support base 83, the cantilever 84, the four link structure 85, and the strain gauge 86. The force detection device 80 is used, and the pressure detection device is composed of a strain gauge cantilever 84 and a strain gauge 86 for detecting the pressure, and the strain of the cantilever 84 is changed in electric resistance. It was explained that the pressing force F acting on the cantilever beam 84 was measured by measuring the toe sensor for the toes (not shown) and the heel sensor for the heels (not shown). (Outside) A total of four pressure sensors are arranged, and after fixing both feet, the toes are bent and the pressing force F is detected by the toe sensors (not shown), and the result is measured as the grip force. In addition, the above four sensors are always at a constant pressure. The sensed detection result is memorized as the average foot pressure, and then the toe is bent and detected by the toe sensor, so that the two-foot fixing belt 362 used in this Example 3 is not necessary. You may do it.

[0070] Also, as described above, deriving the concept of “frequency of falling” from the toe-holding muscle strength and height, this indicates “ease of falling” or “difficulty of falling” as a numerical value. Based on the knowledge that this is possible, Example 4 of the present invention relates to claims 1 to 4 above. The company has come up with a height meter 400 with a tipping degree display function that incorporates the foot grip strength measuring device 1 into the height meter.

[0071] FIG. 11 attached herewith shows an outline of a height meter with a fall degree display function in which the foot gripping force measuring device 1 according to claims 1 to 4 is incorporated in the height meter as Example 4 of the present application.

The height meter 400 with a fall degree display function shown in the fourth embodiment incorporates the foot gripping force measuring device 1 shown in the first or second embodiment, and therefore, the footrest, the foot positioning, which are the components thereof, are incorporated. The device, foot position fixing device, toe pressing force detection device, measurement numerical value display device, etc. are the same as those used in Example 1 or 2, and input / output integrated with the foot grip force measurement device 1 Since Example 3 in which an apparatus (not shown) is incorporated has the same configuration, its description is omitted.

[0072] However, unlike the weight scale 300 with a fall degree display function of the third embodiment, the height scale 400 with a fall degree display function according to the fourth embodiment includes a measuring tape scale 402 for height measurement. It is stored. In FIG. 11, reference numeral 402 denotes a scale that is normally wound inside the height meter 400 and extended during use.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a state in which the scale 402 is extended and fixed to a nearby pillar 410 or the like with a pin (not shown) during height measurement. In FIG. 12, 409 is a top of the head that is normally stored in the height meter 400 with a fall degree display function, taken out at the time of height measurement, and placed on the head of the subject.

[0073] When measuring the height of the person being measured, after extending the scale and extending the scale 402 to the nearby column 410 or the like and holding the tip with a pin or the like, Extend the spine up to a total of 400, stand upright along the pillar 410, push the head, place the top 409 on the head, keep it level and straight, and press the end against the scale 402 Read the scale.

In this case, if the tip of the scale 402 is adjusted and the zero point of the scale 402 is aligned with the bottom of the top 409, the height of the person being measured can be detected by detecting the amount of extension of the scale 402. Can be easily measured.

[0074] Further, the height meter 400 with a fall degree display function according to the fourth embodiment is also a belt 462 fixed between both feet in the same manner as the weight scale 300 with the fall degree display function according to the third embodiment. , A female hook-and-loop fastener 463 and a male hook-and-loop fastener 464 are attached to both ends of the belt 462 and both sides of the height meter 400 with a fall degree display function according to the fourth embodiment. It is configured so that both feet including it are fixed.

[0075] Further, as in the third embodiment, a toe press composed of a pressing force receiving plate 82, a pressing force receiving plate supporting base 83, a cantilever 84, a four-link structure 85, and a strain gauge 86. The force using the pressure detection device 80 As shown in Example 3, this is because of the toe sensor for toes (not shown) and the load sensor for weight measurement (not shown) under both feet. A total of four pressure sensors are arranged, and after fixing both feet, the toes are bent and the force F is detected by the toe sensor (not shown), and the result is measured as the grip force. However, the both-foot fixing belt 462 used in the fourth embodiment may be unnecessary.

[0076] It should be noted that the weight scale 300 with a fall degree display function according to the third embodiment and the height scale 400 with a fall earthing function according to the fourth embodiment are configured by combining the foot gripping force measuring device 1 and the input / output device (not shown). Although it is a body shape, it can also be a separate body. As described above, the height meter and weight scale and the grip strength measuring device 1 are integrated, and the height meter and weight strength data are automatically input to the input unit 402. Of course, it may be possible to input it to.

Further, as Example 5 of the present application, the above-described weight scale 300 and the height scale 400 may be integrated into a weight height scale with a fall degree display function, so that the height is measured and the weight is measured. Then, by performing a predetermined calculation after performing force, the measured subject's degree of fall, that is, “ease of falling” or “difficulty of falling” can be expressed numerically or “no fear of falling” "Or" There is a risk of falling ".

Next, a method for measuring the degree of falls using the weight scale 300 with a fall degree display function or the height scale 400 with a fall degree display function will be described with reference to FIG. Fig. 13 is a flowchart for calculating the degree of risk of falling on a weight scale or a height scale with a fall level display function.

[0078] (1) First, depending on whether the measurement of the toe-holding muscular strength by the foot gripping force measuring device 1 is performed in the sitting position or in the standing position, the “sitting position” installed or displayed on the input / output device (not shown) "Press the" standing position "button 171 (Sl).

(2) Subject's known physical “height” · “weight” data is input to height input button 372 or Input with the “weight” input button 473 (S2).

(3) The weight scale with a fall degree display function according to the third embodiment The two feet of the person to be measured are placed on the measuring device 1 and the toes are bent and the toe grasping muscle strength is measured (S3). Since the method for measuring the strength of grasping the toes using the built-in foot gripping force measuring device 1 has been described above, the description thereof will be omitted.

(5) The calculation unit calculates the risk of falls from the input physical known data of the measured subject and the measured value of the grip strength of the toe grip by the foot gripping force measuring device 1, and displays the result on the display unit 303. Or it is displayed on 403 (S4).

As the display format, numerical values may be displayed as they are. If the risk of falling is 1.0 or more, “No risk of falling” is displayed, and the risk of falling is less than 1.0. May display “Possibility of falling”.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] a foot positioning device for positioning the foot so that the toes are positioned at predetermined positions on the footrest;

A foot position fixing device that, after positioning the foot with the foot positioning device, regulates the movement of the foot and fixes the foot to the footrest so that the toes are free;

A toe pressing force detection device for detecting a pressing force of the toe in a state of being fixed by the foot position fixing device;

A foot gripping force measuring device comprising a measurement numerical value display device for displaying the pressing force detected by the toe pressing force detecting device.

[2] The foot positioning device is a rod-like standing bar force that stands from the footrest and makes contact with the bases of the first and second toes to position the foot,

The foot position fixing device comprises a foldable belt that protrudes from the footrest and winds and fixes the instep near the ankle,

The toe pressing force detection device includes a pressing force receiving plate that is installed at substantially the same level as the footrest at a position where the footpad on the footrest contacts, and is slightly movable in all directions. A pressing force receiving plate support that supports the pressing force receiving plate from below with a certain resistance, a movement direction regulating device that allows the pressing force receiving plate support to move only in the vertical direction, and the pressing force receiving plate. The resistance force applying device that applies a certain resistance force to the support base, and the displacement force of the pressing force receiving plate support base. The pressing force detection device force that detects the pressing force of the toes. measuring device.

[3] The movement direction regulating device includes a first vertical member that is vertically fixed to the footrest, a second vertical member whose upper end is connected to the pressing force receiving plate support base, and a first vertical member. The first horizontal member connecting the upper end of the vertical member and the intermediate region of the second vertical member by pin connection, and the lower end of the first vertical member and the lower end of the second vertical member connected by pin connection. Two horizontal members, and connecting the pin connection point where the first vertical member, the second vertical member, the first horizontal member and the second horizontal member are bonded to each other. The resulting quadrilateral is a parallelogram.

The resistance applying device has one end which is a fixed end fixed to the first vertical member and is The other end, which is the leading end, is a cantilever force of an elastic material that abuts against the pressing force receiving plate support. The pressing force detection device is disposed near the fixed end of the cantilever and receives the pressing force. The foot gripping force measuring device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the strain detecting sensor force detects a strain of the cantilever as the plate support is moved.

[4] The standing bar penetrates a foot placing plate placed on the foot rest, and a center portion in a length direction of the standing rod is fixed to the foot placing plate.

The pressing force receiving plate is connected to the pressing force receiving plate through hole formed in the foot placing plate so as to be slightly movable in all directions, and is integrated with the foot placing plate.

The foot gripping force measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein one surface of the footrest plate is used for a right foot and the other surface is used for a left foot.

[5] a measuring device for measuring a subject's height or weight;

An input unit for inputting numerical data (X) of height or weight measured by the measuring device; and

A calculation unit for calculating the risk of falling (E) from the numerical data (X) input to the input unit and the numerical data (y) measured by the grip strength measuring device;

A display unit that displays the fall risk level (E) calculated by the calculation unit, and a scale or height meter with a powerful fall level display function.

[6] The weight scale or height meter according to claim 5, wherein the fall risk level (E) is represented by the following formula (1).

E = y / (ax + b) (a ゝ b is a constant) —— (1)

[7] In the above equation (1), when E = l, the following equation (2) is expressed as follows: the numerical data (X) is the X coordinate and the numerical data (y) is the Y coordinate. The numerical data (, y,

1 1), (X, y

2 2), ... (X, y

7. The weight scale or height meter according to claim 6, wherein the scale is a linear regression line when plotting n n;)).

y = ax + b (a and b are constants) (2)

[8] The fall degree display according to any one of claims 5 and 7, characterized in that a toe sensor for detecting toe pressure is arranged at least on the toe portion of the subject. Function scale or height scale.