Patent ID: 6163971
Filing Date: 2000-12-26
Classification: A43D,A61B

Abstract:
A powered device for automatically measuring at least one foot to determine shoe size comprising:a base for placement thereon of the foot being measured;a switch means mounted on said base in a disposition to be proximate the ball of the foot when placed on said base, said switch means being activated by proximity of the ball of the foot;a motor means mounted on said base, said motor means comprising a first and second stepper motor;at least three panels movably mounted on said base, said at least three panels including a heel engagement panel for engaging the heel, a toe engagement panel for engaging the toe projecting forwardmost from the foot, and an edge engagement panel for engaging the outer edge of the foot, said heel engagement panel and said edge engagement panel being driven by said first stepper motor and said toe engagement panel being driven by said second stepper motor;distance determining means associated with each of said panels for producing data representing the distance each of said panels travels from a known starting position until engaging the heel, the forwardmost toe, and the outer edge of the foot;a microprocessor in communication with said switch means, said motor means, and said distance determining means for detecting activation of said switch means by the ball of the foot, for controlling said motor means, for receiving the distance-representing data from said distance determining means, and for converting said distance-representing data into a shoe size; andwherein said heel engagement panel and said toe engagement panel are each moved by a first panel control mechanism and said edge engagement panel is moved by a second panel control mechanism,said first panel control mechanism comprising:a first roller rotatably mounted a predetermined distance above the surface of said base;a second roller mounted to a drive shaft rotatably driven by said first stepper motor;an endless belt disposed around said first and second rollers for movement in response to rotation of said second roller; anda support bracket mounted on one end thereof to said endless belt and connected at the other end thereof to one of said heel and toe engagement panels for extension thereof in response to movement of said endless belt from said known starting position until engaging the foot; andsaid second panel control mechanism comprising:at least one gear mounted to said drive shaft rotatably driven by said first stepper motor;a support structure mounted on said base proximate the outer edge of the foot;a slider moveably mounted to said support structure, said edge engagement panel fixedly connected to one end of said slider; anda mechanical link system mounted at one end thereof to said slider and eccentrically mounted at the other end thereof to said at least one gear, said mechanical link system converting the rotating movement of said at least one gear into a linear movement of said slider whereby said edge engagement panel is extended from said known starting position until engaging the outer edge of the foot in response to rotation of said at least one gear.