WO2014084719A1

WO2014084719A1 - Device for measuring balance of shoulders or hips

Info

Publication number: WO2014084719A1
Application number: PCT/MY2013/000235
Authority: WO
Inventors: Osman NOOR AZUAN ABU; Yusof ASHRIL; Goodarzy VAHID
Original assignee: Universiti Malaya
Priority date: 2012-11-28
Filing date: 2013-12-06
Publication date: 2014-06-05

Abstract

The present invention provides a measurement device [10] to measure the balance of shoulders and hips in terms of postural evenness. The device [10] consists of a horizontal body [20], two extended arms [22], and a protractor scale [24] with spirit level [28] along the scale to show angle difference in degree. Once set up, the measurement device [10] can be used for easy and accurate measurement of uneven shoulders or hips of any men or women from all ages. Measurement of shoulders is conducted by placing the device arms [22] on the acromial process of subject while measurement of hips is conducted by placing the device arms [22] on the anterior superior iliac spine of the subject. The measurement can be easily compared with standard norms to assess the level or degree of severity and the evaluation will provide useful information to medical practitioners, physical educators and fitness instructors in reducing or controlling postural abnormalities.

Description

DEVICE FOR MEASURING BALANCE OF SHOULDERS OR HIPS

The present invention relates to a device which is used to measure the balance of shoulders or hips in terms of postural evenness.

BACKGROUND ART

Human posture changes with time and these abnormalities may go unnoticed if not periodically monitored. These changes are influenced by many factors, especially lifestyle choice. For example, a woman who wears high heel shoes on a long term basis may result in foot abnormalities which in turn may affect the stability and balance of her body, including shoulders and hips.

Medical professionals recognise that few body illnesses are due to the result of incorrect posture and have devised various diagnostic methods for correct body posture. A prior art has listed a device where the body posture of a subject may be determined for analysis. The device uses a rigid frame with a number of indicating devices which are adjustably mounted. These devices may be moved quickly and easily positioned to corresponding points of body contours. The device requires the subject to stand in a rigid position for a short period of time where indicators are adjusted rapidly and accurately.

Another prior art provided the use of a measuring device to determine the uneven load of the human body from his body posture. The device consists of a base body with two pivotable limbs or nibs and a linear spirit level. To determine the body posture, the person measured must placed himself upright in his natural posture. The person carrying out the diagnosis then from the rear holds the hip spirit level at the height of the hip onto the body. The pivotable limbs at the same time are placed on the hipbone on both sides. By monitoring the deviation of the bubble tube of the spirit level horizontally one may diagnose whether and to what extend the patient maintains the pelvis in an oblique presentation, described as leg shortening.

Two of the above prior art focuses on the body posture measurement and uneven loading of the body weight measurement via the use of big rigid frames. Although adjustable limbs or nibs are used, the devices are complex and require extensive setting up. The use of spirit level bubble tube in one prior art is in linear horizontal form to measure the extend of pelvic imbalance. The present invention is made to allow easier diagnosis of uneven shoulders and hips via the use of simple tools which does not require complex setup and large footprint. The use of this device may provide measurement of the human postural abnormalities and the measurement can be easily compared with standard norms to assess the level or degree of severity. The evaluation will provide useful information to medical practitioners, physical educators and fitness instructors in assisting reduction or control of postural abnormalities.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The present invention discloses a device using a protractor scale with spirit level along the scale for measuring the balance of shoulders or hips in terms of postural evenness. The tool includes a horizontal body, two arms extended from the body, and a protractor scale with bubble displacement showing angle difference in degrees. The scale is provided with angle measurement from the vertical axis of the protractor. Once set up, the device can be used for easy and accurate measurement of uneven shoulders or hips of any men or women. The evaluation will provide useful information in reducing or controlling postural abnormalities.

The scale has a left and right indicator and provides measurement from left 40 degrees to right 40 degrees. The deviation of angle from the protractor vertical angle is same as the deviation of angle from the shoulder's horizontal axis. The scale could have a transparent background, and imprinted with angle measurement.

The arms are parallel. The body is provided with groove slot, said slot to be fitted with protractor scale. The body and extended arms could have a predetermined length to fit most people's shoulder length. In some embodiment, the arms can be extended horizontally along the horizontal body to fit most people's shoulder length. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a drawing of parts used to form a device for measuring the balance of shoulders or hips.

Fig. 2 is a drawing of assembled device for measuring the balance of shoulders or hips. Fig. 3 is a drawing of shoulder balance measurement via the use of the device.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention is described in detail.

The invention is a device for measuring balance of shoulders or hips [10] comprising of a horizontal body [20], two arms [22] extended from the body [20], and a protractor scale [24] with spirit level [28] along the scale. The parts are shown individually in Figure 1 while Figure 2 shows the assembled measurement device [20].

The scale [24] is transparent with measurable degree lines imprinted on it. Along the scale [24] is a transparent curved tube with a bubble [28] which displaces bubble to show changes in degree. At even level, when the shoulders are even, the bubble [28] will be at the centre at 0°. The scale [24] is provided with angle measurement from the vertical axis of the protractor. Bubble [28] displacement will show degree of difference leaning towards the upwards of left or right of subject measured. The deviation of angle from the protractor vertical angle is same as the deviation of angle from the shoulder's horizontal axis. The scale is provided with left [L] and right [R] indicator. A typical scale can provide measurement from left 40° to right 40°. The spirit level [28] can also be implemented using accelerometer and electronic means. Even a hand phone with built in accelerometer and spirit level program can be used to determine the balance.

The horizontal body [20] with extended arms [22] can be fixed with predetermined length or extended horizontally along the horizontal body to fit most peoples' shoulders or hips. This is important because the side of the shoulders or hips will be used as a guide. The main body [20] has a groove slot [26] in the middle for the protractor scale [24] to fit in vertically. Once fitted in the body [20] the device is ready for use. To measure the balance of shoulders, each arm [22] of the body is placed on the acromial process of each shoulder of subject [30]. The bubble [28] displacement inside the scale [24] tube will then show the angle of difference from vertical axis of protractor. The angle of vertical axis of protractor is ideally equal to the angle of horizontal axis of shoulders. Normal balanced shoulders will not show any displacement of bubble along the vertical axis of protractor scale. If a shoulder is inclined upwards left or right at a particular angle, the spirit level will show the displacement of bubble at the same left or right angle. As for hip measurement, each arm [22] of the body [20] is placed on the anterior superior iliac spine, both left and right, of the subject. Similarly the bubble [28] displacement inside the scale [24] tube will then show the angle of difference in degree should there be any detected. Accordingly, the invention disclosed a shoulder or hip balance measurement device [20]. Once set up, the measurement device [20] can be used for easy and accurate measurement of uneven shoulders or hips of any men or women from all ages. Measurement of shoulders is conducted by placing the device arms [22] on the acromial process of subject while measurement of hips is conducted by placing the device arms

[22] on the anterior superior iliac spine of the subject. The measurement can be easily compared with standard norms to assess the level or degree of severity and the evaluation will provide useful information in reducing or controlling postural abnormalities.

Claims

1. A device [10] for measuring balance of shoulders or hips, comprising:

a horizontal body [20]; and

two arms [22] extended from the body [20], said arms are parallel,

characterised in that,

the body [20] is provided with a protractor scale [24] using a spirit level [28] along the scale.

2. A device according to claim 1 , wherein the scale [24] is provided with angle measurement from the vertical axis of the protractor.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the scale [24] is provided with left and right indicator.

4. A device according to claim 2, wherein the scale [24] is provided with measurement from left 40 degrees to right 40 degrees.

5. A device according to claim 1 , wherein the spirit level [28] is implemented using accelerometer and electronic means.

6. A device according to claim 1 , wherein the body [20] is provided with a groove slot

[26], said slot to be fitted with protractor scale [24].

7. A device according to claim 1, wherein the scale [24] has transparent background, and imprinted with angle measurement.

8. A device according to claim 1 , wherein the body [20] and extended arms [22] have a predetermined length to fit most people's shoulder length.

9. A device according to claim 1 , wherein the extended arms [22] can be extended horizontally along the horizontal body to fit most people's shoulder length.