Self contained dual inclinometer system

• US 5,459,676 A
• Filed: 12/01/1993
• Issued: 10/17/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Livingston J. Tracy
• Original Assignee: Livingston J. Tracy
• Inventors: Livingston, J. Tracy
• Primary Examiner(s): Cosimano, Edward R.
• Application Number:
  US08/160,391
• Time in Patent Office: 685 Days
• Field of Search: 33/511, 33/512, 33/534, 73/865.4, 364/550, 364/559
• US Class Current: 700/296
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0209 adapted for power saving
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/103 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for testing the shape, pattern, colour, size or movement of the body or parts thereof, for diagnostic purposes A61B5/08 takes precedence; measuring aids for tailors A41H1/00; measuring instruments specially adapted for dentistry A61C19/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 2009/066 optical
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 9/06 Electric or photoelectric indication or reading means
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 9/16 by using more than one pendulum

Abstract

First and second incline sensing devices measure the bending motion of the first body region and the second body region, respectively, in relation to gravity to provide range of motion determinations. With the incline sensing devices held against their respective body regions, a practitioner zeros a digital display provided on the device and the patient performs a range of motion exercise while the practitioner notes the angular value which is continuously updated on a display. The device is small, easily handled, and self contained. Numerous structures are provided to extend the useful life of an internal battery which provides power to all the components. The device utilizes programmed array logic components, which are reliable and consume very little power, to calculate the different between the orientation with respect to gravity of the two incline sensing devices. The difference is shown on a liquid crystal display.

Claims

1. A system for reducing the power required by an differential inclinometer system comprising:

battery means;

first housing means containing the battery means;

first incline sensing means, contained within the first housing means, for measuring the angle at which the first housing means is disposed in relation to gravity and for generating a first signal which changes its state as each increment of incline is encountered, the first incline sensing means receiving power from the battery means;

second housing means for housing a second incline sensing means, contained within the second housing means, for measuring the angle at which the second housing means is disposed in relation to gravity and for generating a second signal which changes its state as each increment of incline is encountered;

calculation means for manipulating the second signal and the first signal to arrive at a third signal, the third signal representing the difference between the first incline sensing means and the second incline sensing means;

interconnection means for conveying the first signal and the second signal to the calculation means; and

means for strobing the power received by the first incline sensing means from the battery means, the power being strobed at a rate greater than the expected state changes of the signal generated by the incline sensing means.

2. A system for reducing the power required by an inclinometer as defined in claim 1 wherein the incline sensing means comprises:

an encoder wheel comprising a plurality of optically readable indicia;

means for pivotally mounting the encoder wheel to allow rotation of the encoder wheel in a first plane;

means for directing the encoder wheel in a downward orientation with respect to gravity; and

means for optically sensing the passage of the optically readable indications as said indications pass by a first location as the encoder wheel rotates in the first plane.

3. A system for reducing the power required by an inclinometer as defined in claim 1 wherein the rate is at least as great as ten thousand per second.

4. A system for reducing the power required by an inclinometer as defined in claim 1 wherein the housing means comprises a housing having dimensions not greater than about four inches high, about 2.5 inches wide, and about 0.75 inches thick.

5. A system for reducing the power required by an inclinometer as defined in claim 1 wherein the battery means comprises a single dry cell having a nominal output voltage of 1.5 volts.