LEG STRENGTH MEASURING APPARATUS

• US 20060179938A1
• Filed: 04/25/2006
• Published: 08/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Japana Co., Ltd. (Alpen Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Japana Co., Ltd. (Alpen Company Limited)
• Inventors: Kawai, Shigehiro
• Granted Patent: US 7,442,150 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/379.10
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/22 Ergometry; Measuring muscular strength or the force of a muscular blow exercising apparatus A63B21/00 ; measuring of work or force in general G01L
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/18 for skiing

Abstract

A leg strength measuring apparatus is capable of measuring a gravity center distribution of loads and leg strength which can in turn serve as a reference for the selection of a ski, a snowboard, ski boots, or snowboarding boots appropriate for a user of the apparatus. The leg strength measuring apparatus includes two footplates upon which a person to be measured steps separately with his left and right feet, and load sensors for detecting loads applied to each of the footplates at least at three points.

Claims

1. A leg strength measuring apparatus, comprising:

two footplates onto which a person whose leg strength is measured steps separately with his left and right feet; and

a load sensor operable to detect loads applied to each footplate at at least three points.

3. The leg strength measuring apparatus according to claim 1, and further comprising leg strength calculating apparatus operable to calculate the leg strength of the person whose leg strength is measured by subtracting a weight of the person from a maximum load, wherein the maximum load is detected by the load sensor while the person mounted on the footplates and making bending and stretching movements with his leg.

4. The leg strength measuring apparatus according to claim 3, and further comprising storage apparatus operable to store the maximum load and the weight of the person based upon an output of the load sensor.

5. The leg strength measuring apparatus according to claim 1, and further comprising apparatus operable to adjust a separation gap between the two footplates.

6. The leg strength measuring apparatus according to claim 1, and further comprising a handrail.

7. The leg strength measuring apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the handrail moves together with at least one of the footplates.

8. The leg strength measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the footplates comprises a boot fixing section configured to attach ski or snowboard boots.

9. The leg strength measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the load sensor is operable to detect a plurality of momentary values applied during a bending and stretching movement by the person.

10. The leg strength measuring apparatus according to claim 1, and further comprising an analyzer operable to analyze a planar distribution of loads based upon output values from the load sensor

11. The leg strength measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the footplates is configured to allow a ski or snowboard to be mounted on it.

12. The leg strength measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the footplates is formed of a rigid member that is difficult to deform.

13. The leg strength measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the footplates can be fixed in a state inclined in at least one of a front-to-back or a transverse direction.

2. A leg strength measuring apparatus, comprising:

two footplates onto which a person whose leg strength is measured steps separately with his left and right feet; and

a load sensor operable to detect a vertical load applied to each footplate, and a moment associated therewith.