Physical capacity assessment system

• US 6,186,961 B1
• Filed: 11/06/1998
• Issued: 02/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bte Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Reed Hanoun
• Inventors: Hanoun, Reed
• Primary Examiner(s): Mulcahy, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): HWANG, VICTOR KENNY
• Application Number:
  US09/186,616
• Time in Patent Office: 830 Days
• Field of Search: 600/587, 600/594, 600/595, 733/790.1, 733/790.8, 733/790.9, 482/900, 482/3, 482/4, 482/6, 482/8, 482/9
• US Class Current: 600/587
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1038 Measuring plantar pressure during gait
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1121 Determining geometric values, e.g. centre of rotation or angular range of movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1126 using a particular sensing technique
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/224 Measuring muscular strength
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/90 Ergometer with feedback to load or with feedback comparison

Abstract

A testing apparatus of a physical capacity assessment system has a support base, a column extending upwardly from the base and a workstation to which load is applied by an individual being tested on the apparatus. The workstation is supported by and adjustable in a number of different planes relative to the column. Also provided are an indicator which shows positioning of the workstation and a measuring device which measures the load placed on the workstation.

Claims

1. A physical capacity assessment system including a testing apparatus at which physical tasks are performed, said apparatus having a support base, a column extending upwardly from said base, a first workstation to which load is applied when the tasks are performed, said workstation being supported by and being adjustable in a number of different planes relative to said column, position indicating means which shows positioning of said workstation, said position indicating means including electronic sensors which accurately determine vertical positioning of said workstation on said column and means which measures load placed on said workstation.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, including an arm extending from said collar, said arm having first and second arm portions, said first arm portion being supported by said collar, said second arm portion being pivotally supported by said first arm portion remotely of said collar.

3. A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said workstation includes a load receiving member which is selected from a group of members all of which are interchangeably fittable with said second arm portion of said arm of said workstation.

4. A system as claimed in claim 3, including a load cell in said second arm portion, said load cell providing an electronic sensing of any load placed on said load receiving member.

5. A system as claimed in claim 3, including a second workstation having a construction the same as that of said first workstation, said first and second workstations being at different heights on said column and adjustable independently of one another.

6. A system as claimed in claim 5, including a counterbalancing system common to both of said first and second workstations for counterbalancing weight thereof, said counterbalancing system comprising a single cable passing around a series of pulleys on said first and second workstations and a weight on said cable, said weight being located within and movable vertically of said column.

7. A system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said load receiving member comprises a flat table and wherein said system includes a weight receiving container which removably seats atop said table.

8. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said workstation includes an elongated bar having spaced apart hand tools thereon and, wherein said bar is rotatably held within a first collar which is provided on a first end of a post of said workstation, said post having a second end which is secured by a second collar to said column.

9. A system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said second collar includes an adjustable clamp for loosening and tightening of said second collar to adjust height setting and rotational positioning of said workstation on said column and said first collar includes an adjustable clamp for rotating and tightening said bar in said first collar.