Measuring device for determining an uneven loading of the human body in the upright position

• US 6,962,568 B1
• Filed: 03/05/2000
• Issued: 11/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Otto Morger
• Original Assignee: Otto Morger
• Inventors: Morger, Otto
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg, Max F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SZMAL, BRIAN SCOTT
• Application Number:
  US10/220,869
• Time in Patent Office: 2,074 Days
• Field of Search: 600/587, 600/300, 600/594, 600/595, 335/15
• US Class Current: 600/595
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1036 Measuring load distribution, e.g. podologic studies
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4528 Joints A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence

Abstract

The present invention relates to a measuring device for determining an uneven loading of the human body in the upright position, comprising a base element with two balances, and an adjustment unit for positioning individual points or regions of the body of the person to be measured. The adjustment unit comprises two vertical struts fixed to a base element, on which measuring and fixing elements are arranged in a vertically displaceable manner. A first measuring and fixing element is provided for measuring and fixing the knee with a transverse edge for the sides of the feet, together with a second measuring and fixing element for measuring and fixing the hips, and a third measuring and fixing agent element for measuring and fixing the shoulder region, are provided.

Claims

1. A measuring device for determining an incorrect posture and/or uneven loading of a human body in an upright posture, comprising:

(a) a base element comprising two weight balances, the base element being provided with at least one abutment for positioning heels of a person to be measured, wherein the at least one abutment defines a rear frontal plane; and

(b) an adjustment unit for positioning individual body points or regions of a person to be measured, the adjustment unit comprising;

(i) at least two vertical struts which define a positioning axis for the definition of a middle body line of the person to be measured; and

(ii) a first vertically displaceable fixation element and a second vertically displaceable fixation element positioned on the at least two vertical struts for fixing a hip region and a shoulder region, wherein each of said first and second fixation elements comprises a first and a second displaceable transverse strut and a first and a second sagittal rod displaceably attached to said first and second transverse struts, and wherein a first and a second pivotable and displaceable measuring bar are provided on said first and second saggital rods,

whereby the position of a body point to be measured may be determined in a transverse plane defined by the first and second transverse struts and the first and second sagittal rods.

2. A measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment unit further comprises a third vertically displaceable fixation element positioned on the at least two vertical struts for fixing and measuring a knee region, the third fixation element comprising at least one transverse strut, at least one sagittal rod displaceably fastened attached to said transverse strut, a frontal rod attached to said sagittal rod, and at least one displaceable measuring bar attached to the frontal rod in a pivotably movable manner.

3. A measuring device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein each of said transverse struts is held displaceably on said vertical struts by a base block and each of said sagittal rods is held displaceably on said transverse struts by an angle element.

4. A measuring device according to claim 1, wherein each of said measuring bars is provided with at least one terminal bore for receiving the saggital rod.

5. A measuring device according to claim 2, wherein the at least one measuring bar is provided with a terminal bore for receiving the saggital rod.

6. A measuring device according to any one of claims 4 and 5, wherein the at least one terminal bore is surrounded by an angle scale, and wherein each of said saggital rods is provided with a reference line.

7. A measuring device according to claim 2, wherein a length scale is provided on at least one of the vertical struts, at least one of the saggital rods and the frontal rod.

8. A measuring device according to claim 7, wherein the length scale may be read visually.

9. A measuring device according to claim 7, wherein the length scale may be read electromagnetically.

10. A measuring device according to claim 7, wherein each of said transverse struts is held displaceably on said vertical struts by a base block, and wherein the base block is provided with a reading means for reading off the length scales, the means being selected from the group consisting of:

optical means; and

electronic means.

11. A measuring device according to claim 7, wherein each of said sagittal rods is held displaceably on said transverse struts by an angle element, and wherein the angle element is provided with a reading means for reading off the length scales, the means being selected from the group consisting of:

optical means; and

electronic means.

12. A measuring device according to claim 1, wherein an access aid is movably attached to the vertical struts in a region above the first fixation element.

13. A method for determining an incorrect loading of a human body using a measuring device according to claim 1, comprising:

a) positioning the feet of a freely standing test person on the abutments;

b) fixing the hip and shoulder regions of the test person by means of the sagittal rods; and

c) measuring rotation in the hip and shoulder regions by means of measuring points which are determined using the measuring bars.

14. A method for determining an incorrect loading of a human body using a measuring device according to claim 1, comprising:

a) positioning the feet of a freely standing test person on the abutments;

b) fixing the hip and shoulder regions of the test person by means of the sagittal rods; and

c) determining a deviation of the spinal column with respect to a median plane by means of a pin.