Abstract:
The present invention encompasses a measuring tape for measuring the torso girth of a user, the tape comprising a separable fastening that, when fastened, creates a loop of tape that extends in use around the user&#39;s torso without support from the user&#39;s hands, a link co-operable with the tape allowing the circumference of the loop to be adjusted or varied when around the user&#39;s torso, and girth indicia co-operable with the link to indicate the circumference of the loop. The link maintains a securing tension on the loop to secure the loop around the torso but allows expansion of the loop when the user expands her torso during said measurement, and resists variation of the loop circumference when the fastening is unfastened after use. In this way, the circumference of the loop can be read by the user after use with reference to the girth indicia A method for measuring the torso girth of a user by means of the present invention is also contemplated.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a device and method of self-measurement for the fitting of bras and other close-fitting clothing. In exemplary embodiments, the invention relates to the accurate measurement of a torso underneath or around the breasts for the correct fitting of a bra. 
     In this specification, the term ‘bra’ will be used conveniently to encompass all clothing designed closely to fit a wearer&#39;s breasts, thus including other forms of lingerie such as body suits, as well as swimwear and other sportswear such as leotards. However, although bras will be referred to herein to exemplify the invention, the invention is not limited to measurement of breast size for the purpose of fitting bras but instead enjoys wider application to other body measurement, especially around the torso at chest, waist or hip level, around the neck, or around the limbs. 
     It is important for a bra to fit correctly, not only for comfort, but because an ill-fitting bra can cause a variety of health problems, including muscle ache, irritable bowel syndrome and even spinal injuries. 
     Unfortunately, bra fitting is bedevilled by problems, including variations in size, shape and disposition of the breasts, by the amorphous nature of the breasts themselves, and by the fact that many women are never measured for bra size, either professionally or otherwise. Nevertheless, when buying a bra, most women know from previous experience roughly the size that is required This is always an approximation as changes in chest size, as well as changes to the size and shape of breasts, occur at different times during the menstrual cycle and as the years progress. Also, substantial and often irreversible changes in breast size and shape can occur during and after pregnancy. 
     A typical way to chose a bra is either by choosing a favourite style or make, regardless of the accuracy of the fit, or to try on a selection of styles in a range of sizes and makes. In this way, best fit is ascertained by trial and error. Both processes take time, are dependent on available stock and do not always result in the purchase of a properly fitting bra. 
     For women who are unsure of their size, some retail outlets provide a bra measuring service whereby measurements are taken either with or without a bra being worn. Apart from the advantage of obtaining expert advice or at least a second opinion as to fit, professional measuring services have many drawbacks. For example, if the measurement is taken with a bra on, there is the advantage that the breasts are supported but the resulting measurement may be inaccurate if the bra is not an accurate fit to start with. If the measurement is taken without a bra being worn, the measurement will also be inaccurate since the breasts are unsupported and therefore are of a different shape and volume compared to when they are supported. 
     The significance of support is that a breast is largely constituted of fatty tissue having a resiliently compressible, gelatinous consistency whose shape and volume will adapt to some extent to suit a receptacle such as a bra cup in which the breast is contained. When there is no such support, gravity will change both the shape and volume of the breast, obviously with increasing effect the greater the size and weight of the breast. 
     Even a professional measuring service is not immune from the drawback that the accuracy of breast and torso measurement for fitting a bra will usually depend on the level of training and experience of the person doing the measuring. It is also true that bra-fitting experts apply an element of subjectivity to their work. The aim of such experts is not to arrive at a universal bra size measurement that the user can apply with confidence to bras in general, but instead to fit the consumer to one of the bras available in stock, the purpose of measurement therefore being to select a limited range of bras that the user can try on and select from. Such trial and error is all well and good in a store environment if the consumer has the time and inclination to visit the store, but it does not suit the mail order and Internet shopping methods that many consumers increasingly prefer. 
     A further problem with professional measuring services is that many women feel uncomfortable about being measured in a semi-naked state by a stranger. As a result, the measurement/fitting may be hurried and incorrect advice given. 
     Self-measuring guides are therefore available. These generally involve measuring the circumference of the torso under the breasts to obtain a torso measurement, followed by taking a measurement across the breasts at the largest point, i.e. across the nipples in an ‘over-bust’ measurement. Then, these measurements are put into a formula to work out a nominal torso and bra cup size. The bra cup size is related to torso size and also to the difference between torso size and over-bust measurement. In other words, the difference between torso size and over-bust measurement imputes a cup size for a given torso size. However, the product of the formula is only as good as the measurements that are put into the formula, and unfortunately those measurements are often inaccurate. 
     For example, as noted above, a certain level of expertise is required to achieve any degree of accuracy; one could hardly expect an inexpert woman, usually working on her own, to match the accuracy of measurement of an experienced bra-fitter. In particular, it is difficult to be sure that a measuring tape is held at an appropriate tension and in the correct position, which is especially difficult to ascertain across the back, either with or without the aid of a mirror. Also, the cross-nipple or over-bust measurement introduces an inherent inaccuracy because it does not take proper account of the effect of the varying depth and width of the cleavage between the breasts. The measuring tape bridges the cleavage rather than following the contour, and so cannot accurately tell if a particular apparent breast size is due to the degree of separation and protrusion of the breasts rather than the overall breast size. 
     Furthermore, the final measurement will be dependent on the type of bra being worn, it being noted that measurement often takes place while wearing a bra and that different bras impose different shapes upon the breasts that they support. A particular source of inaccuracy arises where the bra is designed to flatten the breast or maximise cleavage because such distortion of the breasts gives a misleading over-bust measurement. In general, there is a tendency to overestimate torso size and to underestimate over-bust measurement: as cup size is imputed from t he difference between those measurements and with regard to the torso size, the combination or sum of errors in these critical measurements magnifies errors in apparent cup size. 
     Consequently, many women wear ill-fitting bras that are uncomfortable and provide insufficient support, which has adverse effects on posture and shape in later years. The correct fitting of a bra is especially important while breasts are developing during the teenage years and incorrect fitting during this time can lead to complications in later years. 
     Torso girth measurement is typically obtained by passing a tape measure around the torso underneath the breasts, holding the tape measure between a finger and thumb, tensioning the tape until it feels comfortably tight, and noting the resulting measurement. A fixed margin is added to the measurement to give the chest size required, adding further vagaries to the measurement. In the United Kingdom, such a measurement is usually obtained in inches, while in Europe, centimetres are the common unit. In the UK imperial scale, bra chest sizes increment in even-numbered two-inch steps e.g. 32 inches, 34 inches, 36 inches and so on. Accordingly, a margin of four inches (10 cm) is added if the measured chest size is an even number and a margin of five inches (12.5 cm) is added if the measured chest size is an odd number. 
     It will be appreciated that it is not easy to ensure that the tape measure is correctly aligned and indeed correctly tensioned. Nor is it easy to handle a flexible tape measure whose overlapping ends must be held accurately during measurement. In particular, difficulties of reading from the scale of the tape measure are compounded by the use of a mirror or, if direct viewing is attempted, by the presence of the user&#39;s breasts, which tend to get in the way. In view of that, many women attempt to measure their torso size by pinching an overlapping portion of the tape measure between thumb and forefinger and keeping hold of the appropriate portion of the tape when the tape is removed from around the torso. There is a risk that the tape will slip in the user&#39;s grasp during that movement and so give a false reading. There is also the certainty that the width of the user&#39;s thumb and fingers precludes a fully accurate measurement. 
     Alignment of a measuring tape is difficult to ascertain, and more difficult to ensure. Checking alignment of the tape across one&#39;s back requires peering into a mirror and this involves movement of the torso that may in itself disturb correct alignment. 
     Tension in the tape around the torso is especially important yet more difficult to gauge correctly: specifically, consistency of girth measurement is difficult to achieve when encircling a compressible body such as a torso, especially when there is a significant depth of body fat. The problem is that pulling on a strap or tape to ensure that it is taut compresses the body encircled by the strap or tape, and so the girth of the body will change as a result of the measurement process. This introduces self-defeating inaccuracy. 
     It has been shown that bras that fit too loosely around the torso do not properly support the breasts, while bras that fit too tightly around the torso compress the rib cage and diaphragm causing a number of complications, including poor digestion and constipation. Unless a woman is being measured professionally, she is unlikely to know the required tension, and even professional measurers may have difficulty in achieving the correct tension. Indeed, it is customary for professional measurers to tension a tape so it is tight around the woman&#39;s chest and then to ask her to breathe in or raise her shoulders to expand her chest. This causes the tape to relax to an extent necessary to ensure comfort in all modes of use. For the aforementioned reasons, this method of measurement is difficult for a woman to perform on her own. It is also difficult to perform objectively. 
     It is against this background that the present invention has been made. Accordingly, the invention aims to provide an accurate measurement of a torso which facilitates the selection of the correct bra size to suit an individual&#39;s requirements. In this way, a measurement made by a woman in her own home will be as accurate as one made by a professional measurer in a retail outlet. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     From one aspect, the invention encompasses a measuring tape for measuring the girth of any part of a user&#39;s body and especially any part of the user&#39;s torso such as the waist, chest (including around the user&#39;s breasts) or hips. In the example of torso measurement, the tape comprises a separable fastening that, when fastened, creates a loop of tape that extends in use around the user&#39;s torso without support from the user&#39;s hands, a link co-operable with the tape allowing the circumference of the loop to be adjusted or varied when around the user&#39;s torso, and girth indicia co-operable with the link to indicate the circumference of the loop, wherein the link maintains a securing tension on the loop to secure the loop around the torso but allows expansion of the loop when the user expands her torso during said measurement, and resists variation of the loop circumference when the fastening is unfastened after use so that the circumference of the loop can be read by the user after use with reference to the girth indicia. Thus, torso girth measurement is simple, quick, easy and accurate. 
     For simplicity and ease of manufacturing, it is preferred that the link is integral with the fastening. 
     Whilst it is further preferred that the girth indicia are situated on the tape, the link may be separate from the fastening and connected to the fastening by a strip movable with respect to the link. In which case, the girth indicia, such as numerals, icons or colours, may be situated on the strip. 
     Advantageously, the link includes a display area, such as a window or cut-out, with which indicia can align to be displayed. It will be apparent that the size and shape of the display area will be tailored to allow the whole indicia to be displayed. For example, a window may be rectangular or oval in shape. 
     It is further preferred that the link is a slipping link that allows slippage of the tape to allow expansion of the loop while maintaining the securing tension, but grips the tape to an extent necessary to prevent slippage of the tape when the fastening is unfastened after use. This allows the user to adjust the tape without having to hold it herself under the correct tension. 
     Conveniently, the slipping link includes a holding bar around which the tape is looped and one or more gripping formations bearing upon the tape looped around the bar. In this way, the tape follows a tortuous path and is restricted from slipping by friction between the holding bar, the one or more gripping formations and the tape. 
     Optionally, the link may be a store of tape that retracts tape on contraction of the loop and pays out tape on expansion of the loop. It is advantageous if the store of tape is a reel biased to retract the tape. Such an embodiment allows the tape to be stored compactly predisposing it, for example, for multiple use by a professional measurer in a retail outlet, or to be sent by mail for an individual to use in the comfort of her own home. 
     In a further embodiment, or in addition, the link may be adapted for indexible movement of the tape between discrete detent positions. The detent positions ideally correspond to the spacing between successive indicia Indexing movement may be achieved by a notch and tooth arrangement, a sprung arm or pawl mechanism, for example. 
     In order to gauge accurately when the correct tension in the loop has been reached, a further advantage is seen if the tape includes a tension indicator for indicating tension in the loop. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the tension indicator comprises first and second parts linked by resilient bias means for relative movement against bias when the loop is under circumferential tension. Advantageously, a visual indicator responsive to the extent of said relative movement is included. It will be appreciated that the resilient bias means may be in the form of a tension spring or any other suitable means. 
     Preferably, the visual indicator comprises tension indicia associated with one of said parts of the tension indicator being relatively movable into alignment with a window, cut-out or indicating indicia on the other of said parts of the tension indicator. For clear instructions to the user, the tension indicator indicia may be in the form of confirmatory indicia, such as a tick and/or green colour. 
     Advantageously, the tension indicia is situated on a portion of tape attached to one of said parts of the tension indicator. 
     From another aspect, the invention resides in a method for measuring the girth of any part of a user&#39;s body, especially any part of the user&#39;s torso such as the waist, chest (including around the user&#39;s breasts) or hips. In the example of torso measurement, the method comprises fastening a loop of tape around the user&#39;s torso without support from the user&#39;s hands, creating and maintaining a securing tension on the loop to secure the loop around the torso, permitting expansion of the loop when the user expands her torso during said measurement, unfastening the loop while maintaining the loop circumference, and reading the circumference of the loop after use. 
     Preferably, the method further comprises viewing a visual indication of the tension in the loop and advantageously further comprises the step of responding to the visual indication by adjusting the tension in the loop to achieve an indicated predetermined tension. 
     References in this specification to any part of the user&#39;s body are to be construed broadly as encompassing the neck and limbs as well as parts of the user&#39;s torso. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In order that the invention may be more easily understood, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of a first embodiment of the invention, showing the clasp portions connected (FIG. 1A) and disconnected (FIG.  1 B); 
     FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-section view along line II—II of FIG. 1A; 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment that works in a manner akin to the first embodiment; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-section view along line V—V of FIG. 4; 
     FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views of a fourth embodiment of the invention, showing the clasp portions connected (FIG. 6A) and disconnected (FIG.  6 B); 
     FIGS. 7A and 7B are perspective views of a fifth embodiment of the invention, being an exploded view (FIG. 7A) and an assembled view (FIG.  7 B); 
     FIGS. 8A,  8 B,  8 C and  8 D are perspective views of a sixth embodiment of the invention, FIG. 8A showing the strap fastened around a user&#39;s torso, FIG. 8B showing the strap being tensioned, FIG. 8C showing the tension increasing to a predetermined level and FIG. 8D showing the strap unfastened while displaying the measured torso girth; 
     FIGS. 9A and 9B are longitudinal cross-section views along line IX—IX of FIGS. 8B and 8C showing how tension indicating means act during the increasing tension illustrated in FIGS. 8B and 8C; 
     FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a seventh embodiment of the invention; and 
     FIG. 11 is a detail plan view of an eighth embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring firstly to FIG. 1A, FIG.  1 B and FIG. 2, a torso measuring device  1  has a torso strap  2  just over 1 meter in length. The strap  2  bears indicia  3  marked, for example by printing or stamping, at regular intervals along part or all of the length of the strap  2 . The indicia  3  represent a scale that runs from one end of the strap  2  towards the other. 
     A clasp  4  comprises two interconnecting portions, namely a male portion  5  and a female portion  6 , both of which are attached to respective portions of the strap  2 . The male portion  5  is slidably attached to an intermediate portion of the strap  2  whereas the female portion  6  is fixed to an opposed end of the strap  2 . 
     The male portion  5  of the clasp  4  is moulded to incorporate a resilient tongue  7 , a window  8 , a holding bar  9  disposed below the window  8 , a gripping formation  10  opposed to the holding bar  9 , and two lugs  11 , one disposed each side of the tongue  7 . As best shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2, the strap  2  loops back on itself within the male portion  5 . Specifically, the strap  2  enters the male portion  5  via a distal aperture  12 , loops around the holding bar  9 , between the holding bar  9  and the gripping formation  10 , and back out through the distal aperture  12 . Between them, the holding bar  9  and the gripping formation  10  provide sufficient friction to hold together the male portion  5  and the strap  2  when the strap  2  is under overall tension but allow the strap  2  to slip within the male portion  5  when a free end  13  of the strap  2  is pulled. 
     It will be noted that when the strap  2  is threaded within the male portion  5  as described, the holding bar  9  acts as a platen that supports a portion of the strap  2  for viewing through the window  8 . In use, the appropriate indicia  3  can be read off by looking in the window  8 . 
     The female portion  6  is moulded to complement the male portion  5  and has a hole  14  that receives an enlarged free end of the interconnecting tongue  7  in a snap-fit arrangement when the male and female portions  5 ,  6  are brought together and the former is inserted into the latter. The lugs  11  of the male portion  5  locate within corresponding recesses  16  moulded in the female portion  6 . To disconnect the two portions, the enlarged free end of the tongue  7  protruding within the hole  14  is depressed and pushed clear of the female portion  6 . 
     A fixing bar  17  within a distal aperture  18  of the female portion  6  fixes an end of the strap  2  to the female portion  6 . As shown in FIG. 2, that end of the strap  2  loops around the fixing bar  17  and can simply be sewn or bonded back on itself to secure the loop. 
     In use of the measuring device  1 , the strap  2  is passed around the user&#39;s torso and underneath the breasts in such a way that the clasp  4  can be fastened at the front of the user&#39;s torso. Once fastened in this way, the free end  13  of the strap  2  protruding from the male portion  5  is pulled away from the clasp  4  until the strap  2  is tensioned tightly around the torso. The tension on the strap  2  is then increased by the user expanding her rib cage, for example by taking in a large breath. This causes the strap  2  to slide over the holding bar  9  so that the loop of strap  2  around the user&#39;s torso is allowed to lengthen to an extent necessary to ensure a comfortable fit of a bra in all modes of use. That done, the clasp  4  is unfastened, the strap  2  is removed from around the torso and the indicia  3  on the strap  2  shown in the window  8  of the male portion  5  is noted. 
     In this way, the measuring device  1  makes torso girth measurement simple, quick, easy and accurate. The user merely has to fasten together the two portions of the clasp  4  and then has both hands free to adjust the alignment of the strap  2  around the torso, to tension it appropriately and to make sure that the alignment of the strap  2  remains correct while the torso is expanded. The measuring device  1  is configured to maintain an appropriate degree of tension throughout the measuring process, even through the slippage necessary to allow torso expansion. 
     Referring now to FIG. 3 of the drawings, the second embodiment shown therein has features akin to those of the first embodiment and so like numerals will be used for like parts. The clasp  4  shown in FIG. 3 has a generally flat, oblong male portion  5  moulded to define a holding bar  9  around which the strap  2  is looped and tensioned with the aid of gripping formations  10  on each side of the holding bar  9 , as indicated by the adjacent arrows. Unlike the first embodiment, the indicia  3  (not shown) on the strap  2  are not read through a window but merely where the strap  2  is exposed as it passes over the holding bar  9 . 
     The tongue  7  is integral to the male portion  5  and includes a raised convex button  15  corresponding to the enlarged portion of the tongue  7  of the first embodiment. The tongue  7  is resiliently movable in relation to the reminder of the male portion  5  by virtue of a U-shaped slot  19  penetrating the male portion  5 . The button  15  locates within a hole  13  of the female portion  6  as will be explained. 
     The female portion  6  has a base  20  to which a lid  21  is integrally attached by a flexible web  22  acting as a hinge, the female portion  6  being completed by closing the lid  21  over the base  20  as indicated by the arrow. The lid  21  is held closed by a snap-fit between co-operating elongate lip and recess formations  23 ,  24  on the lid  21  and the corresponding part of the base  20 . The lid  21  includes a hole  13  through which the button  15  on the tongue  7  protrudes when the male and female portions  5 ,  6  are connected together, to which end the base  20  includes a channel  25  for receiving the proximal end  26  of the male portion  5 , including the tongue  7 . 
     The channel  25  terminates in a transverse partition  27  upstanding from the base  20 , on the other side of which is a fixing pillar  28  also upstanding from the base  20 . The end of strap  2  to be connected to the female portion  6  has a fixing hole  29  that receives the fixing pillar  28 , as indicated by the adjacent arrow. The strap  2  is secured within the female portion  6  when the lid  21  is snap-fitted closed onto the base  20 , with the fixing pillar  28  held within the fixing hole  29 . 
     A third embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 shows a measuring device  1  with a clasp which is similar to the clasp  4  shown in FIG.  3 . Again, therefore, like numerals are used for like parts. It will be noted in particular that the female portion  6  is identical to the female portion  6  of FIG. 3 (save that the lid  21  is closed onto the base  20 ) and that the proximal end  26  of the male portion  5 , with its integral tongue  7  and button  15 , is the same as the corresponding part in FIG.  3 . As best shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 5, the first end of the strap  2  is anchored within the female portion  6  in the same manner as the embodiment of FIG.  3 . 
     In the third embodiment, the male portion  5  of the clasp  4  is defined by a first end of a semi-rigid strip  30  that passes slidably through a sleeve  32  to which the second end of the strap  2  is fixed. As shown in cross-section in FIG. 5, the second end of the strap  2  is looped around a fixing bar  17  in a distal aperture  33  in the sleeve  32 , akin to the fixing bar  17  shown in FIG.  2 . The strip  30  also extends through this distal aperture  33 . 
     The sleeve  32  includes a window  8  and indicia  3  are marked at regular intervals along the strip  30  instead of the strap  2 , so that appropriate indicia  3  will be displayed in accordance with the position of the strip  30  with respect to the sleeve  32 . This accords to the size of the loop defined by the strap  2  and the portion of the strip  30  protruding proximally from the sleeve  32 . 
     The measuring device  1  of the third embodiment is used in much the same way as described above, in that the strap  2  is passed around the torso and underneath the breasts so the clasp  4  is fastened at the front of the user&#39;s torso. The strip  30  is pulled in the direction shown by the arrow until the strap  2  is tensioned tightly around the torso. As before, the tension is increased by expanding the rib cage, causing the strip  30  to slide proximally within the sleeve  32 . The final torso girth measurement is read through the window  8  in the sleeve  32  once the clasp  4  has been undone. 
     A fourth embodiment of the measuring device, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, has a clasp  4  that works like the clasp  4  shown in FIG. 1, in that a tongue  7  and lugs  11  co-operate with a corresponding hole  14  and recesses  16  when the male and female portions  5 ,  6  are fastened together. However, a strip  30  is fixed inside the male portion  5  by fixing means (not shown) that can, for example, correspond to the fixing bar  17  shown in the female portion  6  in FIG.  2 . 
     As with the measuring device  1  shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, indicia  3  borne by the strip  30  are read through a window  8  in a sleeve  32  within which the strip  30  can slide. However, the strip  30  and the sleeve  32  of FIGS. 6A and 6B include the further refinement of detent means that encourage indexible movement of the strip  30  in relation to the sleeve  32 . Specifically, in the embodiment shown, the strip includes transverse notches  34  that temporarily and resiliently interlock with corresponding tooth formations (not shown) inside the sleeve  32 . In this way, the strip  30  slides in a stepwise manner through the sleeve  32  so that the strip  30  rests at predetermined equi-spaced positions. This ensures that the indicia  3  of the strip  30  are displayed in their entirety, rather than partially, within the window  8  in the sleeve  32 . So, for example, where the indicia  3  is a series of numerals, the measurement is always expressed within the window  8  as a whole numeral rather than as a portion of a numeral, which could be unreadable. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the notch and tooth arrangement may take many forms, such as a sprung arm or pawl mechanism. 
     In a fifth embodiment shown in FIGS. 7A and B, the strap  2  is stored in a coil around a central spindle  35  within a housing  36  that emulates a retractable tape measure. Indeed, the spindle  35  includes spring means (not shown) for retracting a length of strap  2  deployed from the housing  36 . The spindle  35  is capped by a button  37  which, when depressed, locks the strap  2  by engaging a ratchet mechanism (not shown) and prevents the strap  2  from being lengthened or retracted. The strap  2  is unlocked by tugging the free end of the strap  2  sharply away from the housing  36  to unlock the ratchet mechanism. 
     While one end of the strap  2  is fixed to the spindle  35 , the other end of the strap  2  has a locating means in the form of a cylindrical peg  38 . This peg  38  slots into a correspondingly-shaped groove  39  in the housing  36 . The groove  39  is disposed at one end of a generally flat or shallowly concave surface  40  of the housing  36 , the other end of which has an opening  41  communicating with the interior of the housing  36 , through which the strap  2  passes on its way to and from the spindle  35 . This surface  40  of the housing  36  lies against the user&#39;s torso in use of the measuring device  1 . 
     To use the measuring device  1  of FIGS. 7A and B, the strap  2  is pulled out of the housing  36  through the opening  41  and passed around the torso and underneath the breasts. The peg  38  is slotted into the corresponding groove  39  against the retracting tension generated by the sprung spindle  35  and the strap  2  is further lengthened by the user expanding her rib cage. When the user&#39;s rib cage has been expanded to a suitable degree, the button  37  is depressed, locking the strap  2  at the length to which it has been extended. The peg  38  is removed from the groove  39  so that the measuring device  1  can be removed from the torso, and the appropriate indicia  3  borne by the strap  2  is read through a window  8  in the housing  36 . 
     The measuring device  1  can easily be stored by pulling on the strap  2  to release the ratchet and thereby to allow the spring tension of the spindle  35  to retract the strap  2  into the housing  36 . The peg  38  is larger than the opening  41  and so prevents the free end of the strap  2  from disappearing irretrievably into the housing  36 . 
     The sixth embodiment of the invention, shown in FIGS. 8A,  8 B,  8 C,  8 D,  9 A and  9 B includes an indicator that tells the user when the correct tension has been applied to the strap  2 . As before, the measuring device  1  comprises a torso strap  2  with indicia  3  and a clasp  4  having a male portion  5  and a female portion  6 . The male portion  5  has a resiliently flexible tongue  7  having a protruding button  15  that engages within a hole  14  in the female portion  6 , and a window  8  through which girth indicia  3  on the strap  2  may be read. Also, as shown in the sectional views of FIGS. 9A and 9B, the strap  2  is looped around a holding bar  9  inside the male portion  6 . The holding bar  9  lies behind the window  8  where it is hidden by the strap  2 , and interacts with gripping formations  10  defined by the opposed sides of the window aperture  8 . In this way tension is maintained in the strap  2  but the strap  2  can slide within and with respect to the male portion  5  under pressure of an expanding torso. 
     The female portion  6  is in two main parts, namely a body  42  and a carriage  43  that are movable longitudinally with respect to each other. The body  42  is fixed to an end of the strap  2  by the fixing pillar  28  shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, which pillar  28  is situated some distance in from the end of the body  42 , and the carriage  43  defines the hole  14  that, in use, receives the button  15  on the tongue  7  of the male portion  6 . The body  42  is generally of U-section and the carriage  43  is generally of T-shape, and the parts are assembled such that the stem  44  of the T-shaped carriage  43  is embraced by the arms  45  of the U-section body  42 . Sliding movement between the body  42  and the carriage  43  is possible along the longitudinal axis defined by the stem  44  of the T-shaped carriage  43  and is effected by means of co-operating interlocking slider formations  46  on the carriage  43  and in the body  42 , the stem  44  of the carriage  43  sliding within the arms  45  of the body  42 . 
     The longitudinal axis defined by the stem  44  of the carriage  43  is aligned with the strap  2 . It will therefore be evident that when the strap  2  is under tension and the male and female portions  5 ,  6  are fastened together in use, the female portion  6  defined by the assembly of the body  42  and the carriage  43  tends to extend in length. This extension can be appreciated by comparing the clasp  4  in FIGS. 8B and 8C. 
     Referring now also to the sectional detail views of the female portion  6  in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the stem  44  of the carriage  43  overlies the central portion of the U-section body and conceals a tension spring  47  that is anchored at one end to a first pillar  48  moulded integrally with the carriage  43  and a second pillar  49  moulded integrally with the body  42 . The tension spring  47  stretches as the female portion  6  extends under tension from the strap  2  as aforesaid, and biases the female portion  6  closed when strap tension is released. 
     As mentioned, the carriage  43  defines the hole  14  that, in use, receives the button  15  on the tongue  7  of the male portion  5  when the male and female portions  5 ,  6  of the clasp  4  are fastened together. This hole  14  is situated at the intersection between the stem  44  and cross-bar  50  of the T-shaped carriage  43 . The carriage  43  also includes a window  51  through which tension indicia  52  on the strap  2  may be read, the tension indicia  52  extending from the end of the strap  2  that is fixed to the fixing pillar  49  in the body part  42  of the female portion  6 , or being situated near the end of that strap  2 . Thus, as the female portion  6  expands in use and hence the carriage  43  slides with respect to the body  42 , the window  51  defined by the carriage  43  traverses the short portion of the strap  2  that is situated between the fixing pillar  49  and the end of the body  42 , and either traverses an array of tension indicia  52  extending along that portion of the strap  2  or aligns with tension indicia  52  spaced from the end of the strap  2 . 
     The elongation characteristic of the spring  47  is selected so that when the load reaches a predetermined level corresponding to a tension within the strap  2  that is deemed to be consistent with comfort, the window  51  is aligned with specific tension indicia  52  to indicate this comfort point to the user. Accordingly, when the strap  2  has been fastened around the user&#39;s torso and placed under appropriate tension, the indicia  52  confirms that there is comfortable tension in the device  1  as a whole. 
     The measuring device  1  of FIGS. 8A,  8 B,  8 C,  8 D,  9 A and  9 B is used in much the same way as the measuring devices of the preceding Figures. The strap  2  is passed around the torso and underneath the breasts, the clasp  4  is fastened at the front of the user and the device  1  is loosely tensioned by pulling the free end  13  of the strap  2  away from the male portion  5  of the clasp  4 . Once the device  1  is loosely tensioned, the user breathes normally while gently pulling on the free end  13  until the tension indicia  52  shown in window  51  indicates that the correct tension has been reached. Once this point is reached, the user stops tensioning the strap  2  (which is then held by friction by the holding bar  9  in the male portion  5  of the clasp  4 ), releases the clasp  4  and reads the indicia  3  indicated in window  8 . In this way, the rib cage is not expanded to an arbitrary degree and the comfort of the torso strap  2  can be ascertained while the chest is in a normal state. 
     The tension indicia  52  may be in the form of confirmatory indicia, such as a tick () and/or green colour. If the strap  2  is tensioned too tightly, the indicia  52  may change from being confirmatory to inhibitory, for example by way of a cross (X) and/or red colour. Alternatively, the female portion  6  may include a stop (not shown) which prevents the strap  2  from being pulled any tighter. 
     In addition to ensuring comfort, the device illustrated in this embodiment very simply provides consistency of girth measurement that is difficult to achieve when encircling a compressible body such as a torso. As mentioned above, the problem is that pulling on a strap  2  to ensure that it is taut compresses the body encircled by the strap  2 , and so the girth of the body will change as a result of the measurement process. This introduces self-defeating inaccuracy unless a consistent degree of compression is created and allowed for. The device also considers and takes into account the effect of bra elasticity, thereby ensuring the comfort and support required of a bra. 
     However, it will be appreciated that the body  42  and carriage  43  may be embodied in different forms, for example as shown in FIG.  10 . While the U- and T-shapes of the body  42  and carriage  43  in FIGS. 8A,  8 B,  8 C,  8 D,  9 A and  9 B are simple to manufacture, assemble and use, there is a small risk that the user&#39;s flesh may become trapped between the moving parts, thus pinching the user in a potentially sensitive place. Therefore, the seventh embodiment, shown in FIG. 10, is designed to alleviate this problem. 
     FIG. 10 shows a measuring device  1  with a clasp  4  that is similar to the clasp shown in FIGS. 8A,  8 B,  8 C,  8 D,  9 A and  9 B. As before, like numerals are used for like parts. It will be noted that the male portion  5  is akin to the male portion  5  of FIG. 8, having a resiliently flexible tongue  7  with a protruding button  15  that engages within a hole  14  in the female portion  6 , two lugs  11  disposed one each side of the tongue  7  and a window  8  through which girth indicia  3  on the torso strap  2  may be read. As in the sixth embodiment, the strap  2  is fixed around a fixing bar (not shown) located behind the window  8  inside the male portion  5 . Tension in the strap  2  is maintained by gripping formations  10  defined by opposite sides of the window aperture. 
     Like the sixth embodiment, the female portion  6  of the seventh embodiment has a body  42  and a carriage  43  that are movable longitudinally with respect to each other. However, in the seventh embodiment, the body  42  is in two parts having a base  54  and a lid  55  that, when assembled, surround the carriage  43 , being held together by tabs  56  extending from the lid  55  that snap-fit into slots  57  in the base  54 . The base  54  and the lid  55  comprise co-operating peripheral walls  58  defining respective hollow interiors divided by a transverse partition  27  upstanding from the base. Thus, when assembled by snap-fit as described, the base  54  and lid  55  define two cavities disposed end-to-end, divided by the partition. The first of these cavities  59  is adapted to receive the proximal end of the male portion S (i.e. the tongue  7  flanked by the two lugs  11 ), with an enlarged button  15  on the free end of the tongue  7  engaging within the hole  14 . The second of these cavities  60  is adapted to receive, house and support the carriage  43  for reciprocal movement within that second cavity  60 . 
     The first cavity  59  includes a pair of longitudinal partitions  61  also upstanding from the base  54  that, together with the opposed part of the peripheral wall  58 , define respective channels  62  for receiving the respective lugs  11  on the male portion  5 . The gap between the partitions defines an aperture  63  that receives the tongue  7  of the male portion  5 . 
     The second cavity  60  also has a pair of longitudinal partitions  64  upstanding from the base  64 , in this case defining a central longitudinal groove  65  extending along the length of the second cavity  60 . The longitudinal groove  65  receives a compression spring  66  acting on the carriage  43  and the body  42  and, together with the partitions  64 , co-operates with guide formations  67  on the carriage  43  so as to guide its reciprocal movement with respect to the body  42 . 
     The carriage  43  is shaped to fit within the second cavity  60  and is generally flat and oblong, save for the aforementioned guide formations  67  on a first face of the carriage and a pair of fixing pillars  28  upstanding from each corner of the proximal end on a second opposed face  69  of the carriage, namely the face facing the lid  55  of the body  42 . The fixing pillars  28  are received within corresponding holes  29  at the end of the strap  2  to be connected to the female portion  6 : the end of the strap  2  is surrounded by a crimped metal reinforcement  70  to prevent the strap  2  tearing around the holes  29 . When the strap  2  is secured to the fixing pillars  28  in this way, the strap  2  is secured within the body  42  when the lid  55  is snap-fitted closed onto the base  54 . 
     The guide formations  67  on the first face of the carriage  43 , the face that faces the base  54  of the body  42 , comprise two longitudinal flanges  71  and a transverse projection  72 . The longitudinal flanges  71  extend along the length of the carriage  43  and, on assembly, slidingly embrace the pair of longitudinal partitions  64  that define the central groove  65 . The transverse projection  72  depends from the proximal end of the carriage  43  and is shaped to fit closely into the central groove  65 . A compression spring  66  lying in the central groove  65  acts between the projection  72  and a closed distal end  73  of the groove  65 . The closed end  73  of the groove  65  co-operates with the spring  66  to prevent the carriage  43  being pulled out of and disconnected from the body  42 . 
     When the device  1  is fastened around the user&#39;s torso by inserting the male portion  5  into the female portion  6 , it will be noted that a distal extension  74  of the female portion  6  extends behind the window part  8  of the male portion  5 . As such, the distal extension  74  lies between the user&#39;s torso and the portion of the strap  2  that is threaded into the male portion  5 . In this way, the distal extension  74  prevents that portion of the strap  2  pinching the user&#39;s flesh as the strap  2  moves with respect to the male portion  5 . It will also be noted that the free end of the distal extension terminates in an enlarged lip  75 . When the clasp  4  is fastened together, this lip  75  bears against the portion of the strap  2  threaded into the male portion  5  to resist slippage of the strap  2  with respect to the male portion  5 . 
     In use, when the strap  2  is under tension, the strap  2  causes the carriage  43  to slide with respect to the body  42  against the bias of the compression spring  66  until indicia  52  on the end of the strap  2  aligns with a window  51  in the lid  55  of the body  42  to indicate the tension in the strap  2 . As described for the tension spring  47  in the sixth embodiment, the compression characteristic of the compression spring  66  in the seventh embodiment is selected so that when the compression reaches a predetermined level corresponding to a tension within the strap  2  that is deemed to be consistent with comfort, the window  51  is aligned with specific tension indicia  52  to indicate this comfort point. As FIG. 10 shows, the indicia  52  can comprise inhibitory indicia  76 , in this case in the form of arrows, on each side of confirmatory indicia  77 , in this case in the form of a tick. The arrows  76  indicate the direction in which the strap  2  must move in order to display the tick  77 , thereby to confirm that there is comfortable tension in the device as a whole. 
     As has been made clear, the measuring tape of the invention has wide application in that it can be used to measure the circumference of different parts of the body. This presents a challenge in variants of the invention that employ a tension indicator, because the tension deemed to be correct for measuring one part of the body might be different to that deemed to be correct for measuring another part of the body. Accordingly, the tension indicators may be adapted to indicate different levels of tension as being correct. There are two principal ways of doing so. 
     One way of adapting a tension indicator to indicate different levels of tension is to have a series of indicia corresponding to successively increasing or decreasing tensions (for example, different lengths of the spring), each of the indicia being marked as appropriate. Preferably, the indicia represent the part of the body for which the corresponding tensions are appropriate, such as the words ‘chest’, ‘neck’, ‘arm’ or ‘leg’, or associated pictograms. 
     Another way of adapting a tension indicator to indicate different levels of tension is to change the characteristics of the spring so that different tensions display the same indicia. For example, the effective length of the spring can be varied so that different tensions result in the same extension. This can be achieved by providing one or more pawls that selectably engage the spring, the or each pawl being movable inwardly from beside the spring to lie between successive coils of the spring when selected. The or each pawl can be moved inwardly into engagement with the spring by one or more user-operable push-buttons on the housing that surrounds the spring. In this way, when selected by pressing a corresponding button, a pawl prevents extension of the part of the spring blocked by the pawl, while allowing the remainder of the spring to extend, thus shortening the effective length of the spring. 
     Where a plurality of pawls are provided, these may be spaced along the length of the spring so that each represents a different effective spring length, each being selectable by pressing a respective button. Again, preferably, the buttons have associated indicia representing the part of the body for which the corresponding tensions are appropriate, such as the words ‘chest’, ‘neck’, ‘arm’ or ‘leg’, or associated pictograms. When it is desired to change the effective spring length, a button can be pulled out to disengage its pawl from the spring and another button pushed in, or the spring can be left with its full effective length by leaving all pawls disengaged. 
     In general, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential attributes. For example, while it is preferred that the strap  2  is made from extruded plastics, it may be manufactured from other suitable materials including fabric. Such plastics or fabrics may be elastic and/or of non-slip characteristics. 
     It will be appreciated that the attachment of the strap  2  to the male and female portions  5 ,  6  of the clasp  4  need not necessarily be in the order described. Also, although not ideal, the clasp  4  may be done up behind the user&#39;s back. 
     It will also be clear to those skilled in the art that an elastic band or other resilient bias means could be used in place of a spring. 
     Also, the indicia  3  are generally shown as being numeric in the preceding Figures. However, the numerals need not correspond to any specific units, such as inches or centimetres. Furthermore, colours, characters or icons could be used in place of numerals. For example, the indicia could be a series of coloured regions, each colour corresponding to a particular torso size. Intermediate regions of the sequence may be a combination of colours in the neighbouring blocks, e.g. red, red/blue stripes, blue. 
     It is notable in this respect that colour-based indicia will work well whether viewed over one&#39;s shoulder with one or two mirrors or from above. Conversely, numerals or other characters would only work properly when viewed with two mirrors or with a device that is fastened at the front of the user, because unless themselves expressed in mirror writing, numerals depend upon the mirror-image reversal of one mirror to be corrected by the other mirror. 
     An example of a torso strap suitable for rear fastening and having a colour scale is illustrated in the eighth embodiment of the invention shown in FIG.  11 . The device  1  comprises opposed first and second strap portions  78 ,  79  whose ends can be fastened together by hook-and-eye pads such as Velcro®  80  when the ends are in overlapping relation as shown. The strap portions  78 ,  79  have indicia  81 , in this case a series of coloured rectangles disposed along the first strap portion  78 , that can be read by a user to indicate the length of the fastened strap  2  when a rectangle  81  is aligned with the free end of the second strap portion  79 . 
     FIG. 11 shows a technique for colouring an intermediate block among the indicia  81 . This is to divide such a block into two regions, the colour of each region corresponding to the colour of each respective neighbouring block. This can be achieved in different ways, one way (shown by block  82  in FIG. 11) being to divide the block into oblong halves divided by a longitudinal border and another way (shown by block  83  in FIG. 11) being to divide the block into triangular halves divided by a diagonal border. An advantage of the latter arrangement is that the proportion of one colour to another exposed in use varies in accordance with the longitudinal relative positions of the strap portions  78 ,  79 . 
     One of the strap portions  79  is itself divided into portions. These latter portions will be described as upper and lower portions  84 ,  85  in this instance because these portions, too, overlap, albeit in a manner that permits the upper portion  84  to slide over the lower portion  85 . The lower portion  84  is marked with a rectangular indicator  86  and the upper portion  84  is penetrated by a rectangular window  87  of similar size through which the whole of the indicator  86  can be viewed when the window  87  and the indicator  86  are aligned with each other. When the window  87  and the indicator  86  are slightly misaligned, only part of the indicator  86  is visible in the window  87  together with some neighbouring background of the lower portion  85 . This indicates the direction of relative movement necessary to achieve proper alignment. 
     The free end of the upper portion  84  is linked to an intermediate part of the lower portion  85  by a spring  88  that transmits a tensile load from the upper portion  84  to the lower portion  85  when the second strap portion  79  is pulled taut. The spring  88  acts in the same way as described for the sixth embodiment of the invention, namely that when the load reaches a predetermined level corresponding to a tension within the second strap portion  79  that is deemed to be consistent with comfort, the indicator  86  is aligned with the window  87  to indicate this comfort point to the user. 
     Although shown in FIG. 11 with the free ends of the straps  78 ,  79  fixed to one another by hook-and-eye pads such as Velcro®  80 , those skilled in the art will see how a slipping link or fastening of the type described in any of the preceding Figures can be applied to the strap of FIG.  11 . 
     In view of these and other variants, reference should be made to the appended claims and other general or conceptual statements herein rather than to the foregoing specific description as indicating the scope of the invention.