Abstract:
A method of making an article of footwear includes obtaining a girth measurement of the article of footwear. The girth measurement device includes an expandable and retractable ribbon. The girth measurement device may be used to measure samples from a production run to ensure consistency of the run with a standard. The girth measurement device may also be used to measure an article of footwear post-production to determine an accurate size.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/383,530, titled “Girth Measurement Device”, and filed on May 16, 2006. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to shoe sizing, and in particular to a device for quantifying the interior girth of a shoe. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   Shoe design is an iterative process that often involves many changes in materials, patterns, and even the overall design. At each stage in the process, shoe samples are produced and evaluated visually for proper fit. If time permits, a shoe sample may also be evaluated for proper fit by fit testing. At any stage in the development process, changes to the shoe design may result in changes to the fit of the shoe, some of which may be intentional and some not. 
   Additionally, once a shoe enters production, production errors may result in the production of shoes of irregular sizes. Production errors can also result in irregularities in the dimensions of a shoe, including the internal length, width, and girth of the shoe. 
   Therefore, a device is needed that can quickly and accurately measure a shoe and provide sizing information. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In one aspect, the invention provides a process for making an article of footwear comprising the steps of: providing an article of footwear standard, wherein the article of footwear standard includes a standard girth measurement; producing a quantity of articles of footwear according to the article of footwear standard; selecting a sample article of footwear from the quantity of articles of footwear; placing a measuring module generally inside the sample article of footwear; moving a measurement ribbon associated with the measuring module from a retracted position to an expanded position; sensing contact of the measurement ribbon with the sample article of footwear to obtain a sample girth measurement; determining a consistency of the quantity of articles of footwear by comparing the sample girth measurement with the standard girth measurement. 
   In another aspect, the measurement ribbon is moved from the retracted position to the expanded position by a rotary motor. 
   In another aspect, the step of sensing contact includes sensing a resistance of the rotary motor. 
   In another aspect, the rotary motor is a motor that can provide angular position information. 
   In another aspect, the angular position information is used to determine a girth measurement for the article of footwear. 
   In another aspect, the process further comprises the step of winding the measurement ribbon around an output shaft of a rotary motor. 
   In another aspect, rotation of the output shaft causes the measurement ribbon to unwind and a portion of the measurement ribbon to pass through a stationary slot. 
   In another aspect, one end of the measurement ribbon is received in a slot associated with the output shaft of the rotary motor. 
   In another aspect, a computer controls at least one of the steps of moving the measurement ribbon, obtaining the sample girth measurement, and determining a sample consistency. 
   In another aspect, the invention provides a process for making an article of footwear comprising the steps of: producing the article of footwear; placing a measuring module generally inside the article of footwear; moving a measurement ribbon associated with the measuring module from a retracted position to an expanded position; sensing contact of the measurement ribbon with the article of footwear to obtain an article of footwear girth measurement; and assigning a size to the article of footwear according to the article of footwear girth measurement. 
   In another aspect, the measurement ribbon is moved by an electric motor. 
   In another aspect, the step of sensing contact comprises the step of sensing a resistance of the electric motor. 
   In another aspect, the step of sensing contact includes the step of retrieving angular position information related to the electric motor. 
   In another aspect, the measurement ribbon is moved by an instruction provided by a computer. 
   In another aspect, a computer obtains the article of footwear girth measurement from an electric motor associated with the measurement ribbon. 
   In another aspect, the size comprises width sizing information. 
   In another aspect, a process for making an article of footwear comprises the steps of: providing an article of footwear standard, wherein the article of footwear standard includes a standard girth measurement; producing a group of articles of footwear comprising at least two articles of footwear; randomly selecting one article of footwear from the group; placing a measuring module generally inside the selected article of footwear; moving a measurement ribbon associated with the measuring module from a retracted position to an expanded position; sensing contact of the measurement ribbon with the selected article of footwear to obtain a sample girth measurement; verifying a consistency of the group of articles of footwear with the standard article of footwear by comparing the sample girth measurement with the standard girth measurement. 
   In another aspect, the selected article of footwear is obtained from a full-scale production cycle. 
   In another aspect, a new article of footwear is selected at random intervals throughout the production cycle, and wherein a new girth measurement is determined for each new article of footwear. 
   In another aspect, each new article of footwear is obtained from a different production source. 
   Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be, or will become, apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description and this summary, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the following claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a girth measurement device according to one embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the girth measurement device of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of a human foot; 
       FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the girth measurement device of  FIG. 1 , shown within a shoe; 
       FIG. 5  is a partial front elevational view illustrating the girth measurement device of  FIG. 1  in a retracted position; 
       FIG. 6  is a partial front elevational view illustrating the girth measurement device of  FIG. 1  in a measuring position; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the girth measurement device as installed in a testing station; 
       FIG. 8  is a side elevational perspective view of the testing station of  FIG. 7 , illustrating the girth measurement device in an elevated position; and 
       FIG. 9  is a schematic illustration of a software program for controlling the girth measurement device. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a girth measurement device, generally indicated at  10 , according to one embodiment of the invention. Girth measurement device  10  includes a first portion  12  and a second portion  14 . 
   First portion  12  is preferably adapted to simulate some aspects of the shape and size of the proximal portion of the human foot. In particular, first portion  12  includes a heel contact portion  16 . The shape, size, and curvature of heel contact portion  16  are preferably shaped to approximate the shape, size, and curvature of the human heel, although the degree of fidelity with which they do so may vary from embodiment to embodiment. However, unlike a human heel, heel contact portion  16  is preferably generally symmetric, so as to fit both right- and left-handed shoes. Although shown in  FIG. 1  as having a generally curved shape, in other embodiments, heel contact portion  16  need not be curved or have any particular shape, as long as it is capable of being seated securely in the heel portion of a right or left shoe. 
   First portion  12  is generally L-shaped and, preferably, is formed of a material such as plastic or metal. An upper surface  18  of first portion  12  provides an opening  20  that extends into the interior of first portion  12  and receives a rod  22 , thus allowing girth measurement device  10  to be mounted in a testing station, as will be described below in more detail. A rod fastener  24 , which is a machine screw in the illustrated embodiment, is inserted through the side of first portion  12  in order to secure rod  22  within opening  20 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , a top plan view of girth measurement device  10 , rod fastener  24  passes through first portion  12  and is secured by a nut  26  on the opposite side. 
     FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of girth measurement device  10  in position within a shoe, indicated in phantom in  FIG. 4  at  900 . Certain shoe-positioning features illustrated in  FIG. 4  will be described below in more detail with respect to  FIGS. 7 and 8 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 , the lower portion  28  of the generally shaped first portion  12  is adapted to rest against the interior bottom or insole of shoe  900 . First portion  12  terminates at a point located at about half the length of shoe  900 . At its farthest distal extent, first portion  12  connects with second portion  14 . 
   In some embodiments of the invention, a girth measurement device may be made using essentially one contiguous, integral bracket to define its overall shape and extent, such that the first and second portions  12 ,  14  would be integral portions of the device, rather than separate parts. However, it may be preferable to make girth measurement device  10  with separate first and second portions  12 ,  14 . 
   Shoes may differ in overall length from one model to the next, and girth measurement device  10 , being made of separate first and second portions  12 ,  14 , provides a mechanism for adjusting to the lengths of different shoes  900 . In the illustrated embodiment, at the distal end of first portion  12 , first portion  12  has a generally rectangular cross-section, and is hollow so as to form a channel. At that point, second portion  14  is shaped and sized to be received within first portion  12  and to slide within first portion  12  so as to vary the overall length of girth measurement device  10 . Along its lateral edge, second portion  14  includes a number of length adjustment holes  30 , each of which defines a particular overall length of girth measurement device  10 . First and second portions  12 ,  14  are secured together by a releasable length adjustment fastener  32  that inserts into a corresponding hole (not shown) in the side of first portion  12  and passes through one of a set of length adjustment holes  30  in second portion  14 , one on each side of second portion  14 . 
   At its distal end, second portion  14  includes an end piece  34  that is sized and adapted to fit against the toe portion of shoe  900 . End piece  34  of the preferred embodiment is generally trapezoidal in overall shape, as shown in the top plan view of  FIG. 1 , and is mounted on a bracket  36  of the second portion  14  that raises end piece  34  off the bottom of shoe  900  so that end piece  34  is in contact with the middle height of the toe portion of shoe  900 . In the illustrated embodiment, bracket  36  is also pivoted about a horizontal axis of rotation such that it can swing upwardly if necessary. In other embodiments, end piece  34  may have any shape and any vertical position, so long as it allows girth measurement device  10  to fit snugly within shoe  900 . 
   Girth, as the term is used here, refers to the entire circumference along the interior wall of a shoe. Preferably, girth measurement device  10  includes a girth measurement module  38  mounted at some point along the first and second portions  12 ,  14  of girth measurement device  10 . Girth measurement module  38  may be positioned at any point along the first and second portions  12 ,  14  that will allow a consistent and reproducible girth measurement to be taken among a plurality of shoes. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the girth measurement actuator may be placed in a position along first and second portions  12 ,  14  of girth measurement device  10  that coincides with anatomical landmarks of the human foot. 
   In the embodiment shown in the figures, girth measurement module  38  is preferably mounted on second portion  14  in a position to take an angled girth measurement along the entire circumference of the inside wall of shoe  900 . As shown in the top plan view of  FIG. 2 , girth measurement module  38  is preferably angled from a longitudinal axis extending from heel contact portion  16  to end piece  34 . The angle is preferably determined using certain preselected anatomical landmarks disclosed below. 
   In an exemplary embodiment, shown in  FIG. 4 , girth measurement module  38  is positioned to take a girth measurement along a line  106  that extends at an angle across foot  100  in a position that roughly corresponds with the position of the tarsometatarsal joint in the foot, from the tuberosity of the first metatarsal bone  102  on the medial aspect of the foot to the tuberosity of the fifth metatarsal bone  104  on the lateral aspect of the foot. Comparing line  106  with a horizontal line  108 , experiments for certain sizes of the human foot reveal an angle of about 11 degrees. Of course angle  110  may vary with different sizes and between male and female feet. It is also possible to relate these anatomical landmarks with the overall length of foot  100 . In one example, where foot  100  is a size 9 male foot, anthropometric measurements have shown that girth measurement module  38  is positioned to take a measurement along a line between a lateral position  104  that is about 59% of the length of the foot to a medial position  102  that is about 72% of the length of the foot. These relative lengths will vary depending on the size of the foot and the gender of the foot. 
   Girth measurement module  38  comprises a motor  40  and a housing  42 . Motor  40  is preferably a rotary motor, such as an electric motor. In preferred embodiments, motor  40  may be a specialized electric motor that can report its angular position, such as a stepper motor. Preferably, motor  40  is adapted to communicate with and be connected to a measurement system. To that end, motor  40  includes a cable  44 , through which it draws power and communicates with a measurement system, indicated generally at  200  in  FIG. 7 . The cable  44  may terminate in a connector for easy connection to a measurement system. For example, in one preferred embodiment, the connector may be a DB9 male connector and motor  40  may use the RS-232/EIA-232 serial communication protocols to communicate with the measurement system (EIA232F— Interface Between Data Terminal Equipment and Data Circuit—Terminating Equipment Employing Serial Binary Data Interchange , Electronic Industries Association, Washington, D.C., United States, 1997). other details of the use of girth measurement module  38  with a measurement system will be described below in more detail. 
   Housing  42  and its interior components are best seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , which are partial front elevational views of the girth measurement device  38  installed in a shoe in retracted and measuring positions, respectively. At the center of housing  42  is a generally cylindrical actuator  46 . Actuator  46  is mounted on a shaft  48  connected to and driven by motor  40 , such that when motor  40  is caused to move shaft  48 , actuator  46  is caused to rotate. 
   Actuator  46  includes a first slot  50  that, in the illustrated embodiment, is slightly arcuate and extends from the edge of actuator  46  toward its interior. One end of a measurement ribbon  52  is received and secured within first slot  50 . The securement of measurement ribbon  50  within first slot  50  may be by fastener, adhesive, interference fit, or some other suitable means. Measurement ribbon  52  extends out of slot  50  and is wound around actuator  46 . 
   Surrounding actuator  46  is a fixed portion  54  that, in the illustrated embodiment, is secured by a set of four fasteners  56  to a non-moving portion of housing  42 . Fixed portion  54  includes a fixed-position second slot  58  that extends from its interior proximate to actuator  46  to its exterior and is sized and contoured to create a passage for measurement ribbon  52  to pass through to the exterior of housing  42 . 
   Measurement ribbon  52  extends from first slot  50  in actuator  46 , is wound around actuator  46 , transits and emerges from second slot  58 , and extends over the arcuate top exterior surface of housing  42 . The end of measurement ribbon  52  is secured to fixed portion  54  on a lower exterior part of fixed portion  54 . 
   Thus, the entire arrangement of measurement ribbon  50  is such that a first portion of measurement ribbon  50  is within housing  42  and is essentially wound around shaft  48 , since actuator  46  is fixed to shaft  48 . Measurement ribbon  50  passes through the fixed second slot  58  and a second portion of measurement ribbon  50  is thus disposed outside of housing  42 . Rotation of shaft  48  causes measurement ribbon  50  to unwind and a portion of measurement ribbon  50  to move through the fixed second slot  58 , effectively decreasing the length of the first portion of measurement ribbon  50  inside housing  42  and increasing the length of the second portion of measurement ribbon  50  outside of housing  42 . Measurement ribbon  50  is thus positioned to be moved between retracted and measuring positions, the retracted and measuring positions being radially different and offset from one another. Both positions will be described in more detail below. 
   Preferably, measurement ribbon  52  is made of a strong but flexible material. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, measurement ribbon  52  may be a metal ribbon, such as a steel ribbon, although other metals and plastics may be used. Regardless of the particular material of which measurement ribbon  52  is made, measurement ribbon  52  is preferably of a known length, such that the length of measurement ribbon  52  that is unwound from actuator  46  and caused to extend outside housing  42  can be quantified and directly or indirectly correlated with the amount that actuator  46  is caused to rotate by motor  40 . 
     FIG. 5  illustrates the retracted position of measurement ribbon  52 . In this position, a substantial portion of measurement ribbon  52  is wound around actuator  46  and/or positioned within housing  42 . When a girth measurement is desired, girth measurement device  10  is seated within shoe  900  and actuator  46  is caused to rotate in a direction that causes measurement ribbon  52  to unwind, forcing measurement ribbon  52  out of second slot  58  and causing it to expand radially outward within shoe  900  until it touches the interior walls of shoe  900 . This measurement position of measurement ribbon  52  is illustrated in  FIG. 6 . In the measurement position, where measurement ribbon  52  has been fully extended and has contacted the inner portion of shoe  900 , position information can be retrieved and taken as the girth of shoe  900 . This position information can be related to the measurement position of ribbon  52  as shown in  FIG. 5 . Returning to  FIG. 5 , a counterclockwise rotation of shaft  48  is shown to cause measurement ribbon  52  to unwind; however, the sense of the motion may be reversed in other embodiments. 
   Depending on the type of motor  40 , there are a number of ways in which the girth measurement provided by measurement ribbon  52  may be sensed and captured electronically. For example, if motor  40  is a conventional electric motor, the girth measurement could be detected by connecting the motor to a timer and an ammeter. When measurement ribbon  52  meets the interior walls of shoe  900 , it will generate resistance to movement that will increase the amount of current drawn by the motor as the motor attempts to overcome the resistance. That additional current draw can be detected, and if the length of time that the motor was rotating at a given rotational speed before the additional current draw is recorded, the data can be converted to an arc length/girth measurement by one of skill in the art. 
   However, in a preferred embodiment, if motor  40  is a stepper motor, the stepper motor may be instructed to advance until a certain level of resistance is experienced, stop, and report its angular position. 
   The particular method of girth measurement detection using the mechanism illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6  will vary by embodiment. For example, in other embodiments, particular sensors, such as an angular position sensor on shaft  48 , may be used. The particular method of girth measurement detection is not critical so long as it is easy to implement, mechanically robust, and produces accurate, reproducible results. 
     FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating the girth measurement device  10  as installed in a testing station, generally indicated at  60 . Although girth measurement device  10  may be installed in a testing station alone, testing station  60  includes a shoe size testing device, generally indicated at  300 . Shoe size testing device  300  is described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,192,593, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. In general, girth measurement device  10  may be used with any other devices. In preferred embodiments, as in the illustrated embodiment, girth measurement device  10  may be used in integrated testing stations without other measuring and testing devices that complement its functions. 
   In order to connect girth measurement device  10  to testing station  60 , rod  22  extends into and is received slidably in a height adjustment block  62 . Height adjustment block  62  secures girth measurement device  10  releasably, for example, by means of a set screw that extends through height adjustment block  62  and contacts rod  22  when tightened, in such a way that the position of rod  22  within height adjustment block  62  may be changed as needed. 
   Height adjustment block  62  is attached to and forms one end of an shaped lever structure  64 . Lever structure  64  is mounted on and pivots about a lever pivot  66 . Lever pivot  66  comprises a bar mounted between two vertical support members  68 . One end of lever structure  64  includes a handle  69  that allows a tester to pivot the lever structure  64 . Some embodiments include provisions that help to counterbalance the weight of lever structure  64 . Any mass-spring-damper system can be employed to provide a counterbalance. In some embodiments, a spring is used, in other embodiments, a damper is used and in other embodiments, a combination of a spring and damper is used. it is also possible to use a fluid strut or cylinder. In one embodiment, a gas cylinder  70  is pivotally attached to a base  72  on one end, and is attached to lever portion  64  at its other end by way of an attachment plate  73 , thus providing support, counterbalancing some of the weight of lever structure  64  with attached girth measurement device  10 , and providing for a smoother movement when lever structure  64  is pivoted. While gas cylinder  70  is shown in the illustrated embodiment, it should be kept in mind that other systems or provisions could also be used, including systems that include springs. 
   Also included in testing station  60  are two features that ensure that a shoe is placed in an appropriate position during girth measurement. Specifically, a heel plate  74  is mounted by way of a spring  76  to a fixed-position support  75  located between the two vertical support members  68 . Heel plate  74  is thus positioned to support and brace a shoe snugly between it and heel contact portion  16 . When shoe  900  is placed between heel plate  74  and heel contact portion  16 , the toe of shoe  900  can move transversely and pivot to a limited extent. This limited movement generally does not affect the performance or accuracy of the girth measurement. This is because, regardless of the transverse position or pivot angle of shoe  900 , the girth measurement will occur at a consistent axial position long the longitudinal axis of shoe  900 . 
   Toe stop  78  includes a transverse wall  80  that is arranged to prevent shoe  900  from moving excessively in a forward-rearward direction and pairs of side stops  82  arranged to prevent shoe  900  from moving excessively side to side. Toe stop  78  engages and slides along a rail  84  and can be releasably locked using a thumbscrew  86  into any one of a number of positions defined by a series of positioning holes  88  sized and adapted to engage the thumbscrew  86 . In addition to all of those features, base  72  provides a fixed bottom surface against which shoe  900  bears during testing. 
   When a user wishes to place shoe  900  onto girth measurement device  10  for testing, handle  69  is pulled in order to pivot girth measurement device  10  into the elevated view illustrated in the side elevational view of  FIG. 8 . Shoe  900  is then placed on first and second portions  12 ,  14  of girth measurement device  10  much as shoe  900  would be placed on a human foot. A placement tool, such as a shoehorn, may be used if necessary to increase the ease of shoe  900  placement. 
   Once shoe  900  is placed on girth measurement device  10 , handle  69  is used to pivot girth measurement device  10  down, such that it is once again proximate to base  72 . At that point, the heel of shoe is pinched between heel plate  74  and heel contact portion  16 . The toe of shoe  900  can pivot and move slightly in a transverse direction (this is, side to side). If necessary, toe stop  78  can be adjusted so that the movement of the toe of shoe  900  is limited. In some cases, the toe of shoe  900  is placed in contact with toe stop  78 . However, these toe adjustments are merely optional and not essential. If additional vertical clearance is needed so that the sole of shoe  900  can rest properly on base  72 , the position of rod  22  within height adjustment block  62  can be adjusted appropriately. After the initial adjustments are complete, shoe  900  is fixed in position between heel plate  74  and heel contact portion  16 , and the heel of shoe  900  cannot move once girth measurement begins. 
   When shoe  900  is properly fixed in position for testing, testing can be initiated by starting motor  46  to move measurement ribbon  50  from the retracted to an expanded measuring position, sensing contact with shoe  900 , and then detecting and recording the girth measurement that is produced. Although a measurement based on a single expansion to the measuring position can be used in some embodiments, a reconditioning step is preferred. In the pre-conditioning step, measurement ribbon  50  is expanded and retracted a number of times to provide an initial stretch to the materials of the shoe. Pre-conditioning of the shoe has also been found to better simulate the actual performance and response of the shoe when worn. After the pre-conditioning step, a number of girth measurements can be taken, and those multiple girth measurements can then be averaged to arrive at a final girth measurement for the shoe. In one embodiment, measurement ribbon is expanded and retracted about 30 times inside the shoe. The first  20  or so expansions and retractions are used to pre-condition the shoe and the final  10  or so expansions and retractions are averaged to arrive at a final girth measurement. Of course, any number of pre-conditioning expansion and retraction cycles can be used, and any desired number of measuring expansion and retractions can be gathered and averaged. After testing, shoe  900  can be released from girth measurement device  10  much as it was placed on girth measurement device  10 . 
   In the description above, several methods of detecting the girth measurement generated by girth measuring device  10  were described and any one of those methods may be used. More generally, the girth measurement may be read manually or using analog or digital electronics. However, in preferred embodiments, measurement system  200  is a computing system in communication with girth measurement device  10  through cable  44 . 
   The term computing system is a general one, and may include any electronic system capable of performing the described functions, including general purpose computing systems, such as personal computers, and more specialized computing systems. Moreover, although in a preferred embodiment, girth measurement device  10  may be connected directly with measurement system  200  by means of cable  44 , in other embodiments, cable  44  may be connected to additional signal conditioning and data acquisition hardware which is, in turn, connected to measurement system  200  itself. 
   With an arrangement such as that described above, measurement system  200  preferably includes a program that gathers and records girth measurements from girth measuring device  10 . In one particular preferred embodiment, girth measurement device  10  is software-controlled, in that it is able to accept commands to begin gathering girth measurements from measurement system  200 , activate motor  46  as necessary, sense contact of measurement ribbon  50  with shoe  900 , gather the measurement or measurements, and report them back to measurement system  200 . 
   Any interface or control system can be used to operate girth measuring device  10 . In some embodiments, a computer is used to control and operate girth measuring device  10 .  FIG. 9  is a schematic illustration of an example user interface, generally indicated at  202 , of a software program that may be used with measurement system  200  and girth measuring device  10 . Preferably, user interface  202  is easy to use. In the illustrated embodiment, user interface  202  includes a model number selection box  204  or the model number of shoe  900 , a size selection box  206  for the size of shoe  900 , and a results window  208 , in which the measurements or results of the test are displayed. With interface  202 , a user would select the model number and size of shoe  900  using the appropriate selection boxes  204 ,  206  and then toggle start button  210  to begin taking measurements from shoe  900 , which has presumably been placed on girth measurement device  10 . Results would be displayed in results window  208 . If the testing station has multiple testing devices, like testing station  60 , results from all devices may be displayed in results window  208 . The exemplary user interface shown in  FIG. 8  is an example. Other software applications and/or user interfaces can also be used to control and operate girth measuring device  10 . 
   While various embodiments of the invention have been described, the description is intended to be exemplary, rather than limiting and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. Also, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the attached claims.