PORTABLE HANDHELD DEVICE FOR MEASURING THE FORCE OF A JOINT OF A PERSON

A portable handheld device for measuring the force of a joint of a person of interest, POI, the device including a force measuring body, enclosed in a housing, having at least one connector arranged on a side, called upper side, of the body for removably attaching to the body an accessory provided to be pressed towards the top side during for measurement; and a cup shaped bottom case having a bottom surface and an open side opposite to the bottom surface, for removably receiving the body with the upper side of the body positioned on the open side, and provided to be in contact with a part of a body of the POI during force measurement.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a portable handheld device for measuring the force of a joint of a person.

The field of the invention is the field of handheld devices for measuring the force of a joint of a person, also called device for measuring the force of a muscle of a person.

In various situations, handheld devices are needed for measuring the force of a person, and especially the force of a joint of a person. For example, practitioner, such as doctors or physiotherapist, need to measure the force of a joint of a person during a diagnosis, or a period of rehabilitation. These devices may also be used by trainers for measuring the performance of an athlete, and optionally monitoring said performance over time during a training period for example.

There are a variety of handheld devices for measuring the force of a joint, or of a muscle, of a person. In a non-limitative example of use, the measuring device is in contact with a part of the body of a person of interest under measurement, for example a thigh of said person of interest. The person of interest exerts a force against the device in a given direction while a third person, a practitioner or a trainer, exerts a pressure on said device in the opposite direction. A sensor is arranged in the device for measuring the force applied on said device.

Despite all efforts, current handheld devices are not user friendly and complicated to use. Plus, the usability of the current handheld devices is very limited, not to mention that they are not flexible to use.

A purpose of the present invention is to overcome at least one of these drawbacks.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a portable handheld device for measuring the force of a joint of a person that is more user friendly and more simple to use.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a portable handheld device for measuring the force of a joint of a person, the usability of which is improved.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a portable handheld device for measuring the force of a joint of a person, more flexible in use.

SUMMARY

The invention makes it possible to achieve at least one of these aims by a portable handheld device for measuring the force of a joint of a person of interest, POI, said device comprising:a force measuring body, enclosed in a housing, comprising at least one connector arranged on a side, called upper side, of said body for removably attaching to said body an accessory provided to be pressed towards said top side during for measurement,a cup shaped bottom case having an open side and a bottom surface opposite to said open side, for removably receiving said body on the opposite side to said upper side, and provided to be in contact with a part of a body of said POI during force measurement.

The present invention thus proposes portable handheld device for measuring the force of a joint of person comprising a force measuring body, also called body in the following, which is the main part of the device.

The device according to the invention also comprises a bottom case that is provided to be in contact with a part of the body of the POI. The invention proposes that the bottom case is attached in a removable fashion to the measuring body. Thus, the device according to the invention may be adapted to different parts of the body of the POI, by changing said bottom case. Thus the device according to the invention is simpler to use, but also more flexible and more ergonomic. Also, allowing the device according to the invention to adapt to different parts of the POI makes the device more usable because it can be used for measuring the force of different joints of the body of a POI. Moreover, the detachable bottom case allows easy cleaning of the device.

Also, according to the invention, an accessory may be attached in a removable manner to the measuring body, said accessory being provided to be pressed by a third person, such as a practitioner or a trained, during force measurement. Thus, the device according to the invention may be adapted to different third persons, and to different force measurement techniques, by changing the accessory. Thus, the device according to the invention is simpler to use, but also more flexible and more usable. Moreover, the detachable accessory allows easy cleaning of the device.

For these reasons, the device according to the invention provides more accurate measurements, is simpler to use, more flexible, more usable, and more ergonomic, compared to prior art devices.

In the present document, the terms “bottom” and “upper” are used to indicate relative relationships between the components of the device, seen from de point of view of the third person. A “bottom” side/surface is closer to the POI compared to the third person. Conversely, an “upper” side/surface is closer to the third person compared to the POI.

The device according to the invention may comprise at least one battery for providing electrical energy to said device.

At least one battery of the device may be placed in the measuring body.

At least one battery may be rechargeable.

The connector may be any type of mechanical connector,

For example, the connector may be a male-female type connector. The female part of the connector may be arranged on the body and the male part of the connector may be arranged on the accessory, and vice versa.

According to some embodiments, the connector may allow attachment of the accessory in a direction perpendicular to the upper side.

In other words, the connector may allow attachment of the accessory in the direction the pressure is applied to the accessory. Thus, an unintentional or undesired detachment of the accessory is prevented during use of the device according of the invention.

In some embodiments, the connector may allow attachment of an accessory at a first level not allowing rotation of said accessory around a direction perpendicular to the top side.

In this case, when the accessory is placed at said first level, the rotation of the accessory is prevented and a pressure may be applied to the accessory without a risk of twisting the accessory. This allows a more secured manipulation of the device.

In some embodiments, the connector may allow attachment of an accessory in a second level allowing rotation of said accessory around a direction perpendicular to the top side.

In this case, when the accessory is placed at said second level, the rotation of the accessory is authorised, making it possible to modify the orientation of the accessory relatively to the measuring body. This enhances the usability of the device according to the invention. For example, it allows a more flexible positioning of the hand of the third person, and consequently of the position of said third person, when exerting a pressure on said accessory.

The rotation of the accessory may be limited to a predetermined angle, such as 90°. Alternatively, the angle of rotation of the accessory may not be limited and the accessory may be rotated over 360°.

The rotation of the accessory may be authorised continuously so that the accessory may be placed at any desired angle. For example, if the rotation of the accessory is limited to 90°, the accessory may be authorized to be placed at any angle between 0° and 90°. Alternatively, the rotation of the accessory may be authorized so that the accessory may be placed only at predetermined discrete values. For example, if the rotation of the accessory is limited to 90°, the accessory may be authorized to be placed only at the following angles: 0°, 45°, 90°.

When the connector allows attachment of the accessory to a first level and a second level, the first level may be below the second level, in the direction the pressure/force is applied to the accessory, so that when a pressure is applied the accessory, said accessory is put in the first level of attachment preventing rotation of the accessory as long as a pressure is exerted on the accessory.

When the connector allows attachment of the accessory to several levels, the connector or the accessory may comprise a mean for positioning the accessory to one of said levels, for example to the first level, especially when no pulling is applied to said accessory and the accessory is at rest. For example, the positioning mean may comprise retaining means, or similar, positioning the accessory always to the first level. In this case, the accessory is, in particular always, placed in the first level when no pressure is exerted on said accessory and is in the second level when a pulling pressure is applied to the accessory.

In some embodiments, the device may comprise a retaining means for retaining the accessory with the body when no pressure is exerted on said accessory.

Thus the accessory is held with the measuring body even if a pressure is not applied to said accessory. This allows a more ergonomic and easier manipulation of the device according to the invention.

The retaining means may be arranged in the measuring body, and more particularly in the connector.

The retaining means may of any type.

For example, the retaining means may carry out magnetic retaining of the accessory. In this case, at least one magnet may be arranged in the measuring body, respectively in the accessory, said magnet cooperating with a magnet or a metallic member, arranged in said accessory, respectively said measuring body, for retaining the accessory secured to the measuring body.

The bottom case may be attached to the body by any attachment means, as long as the attachment is carried out in a removable fashion, especially manually, and more particularly without use of a tool for attaching and detaching said bottom case.

According to some embodiments, the attachment of the bottom case to the body may be carried out by magnetic attachment means, adhesive attachment means, by screwing, etc.

In some embodiments, the bottom case may be attached to the body by clipping. In this case, one or several clips may be provided on one of the bottom case and the body. When the body is inserted in the cup shaped bottom case, each clip lodges in a hole, or a recess, provided in the other one of the bottom case and the body. Thus the bottom case may be attached to the body manually, without use of a tool.

In some embodiment, the clip(s) may be provided on the bottom case, and especially at the level of the border of the open side of the bottom case. The recess(es) or hole(s) may thus provided on the housing of the body at corresponding locations.

According to some embodiments, the bottom case may comprise at least one detaching means allowing a user to detach the bottom case from the body, in particular manually, and more particularly without using any tool.

In some embodiments, the detaching means may comprise, or may be, a detaching leap, provided to be pulled for detaching said bottom case from the measuring body. Thus, the user holds the detaching lip and pulls on it in order to detach the bottom case from the body.

The detaching means, and in particular the detaching lip, may be placed at any location on the bottom case. In a particular and non-limitative example, the detaching means, and in particular the detaching leap, may be arranged at the level of the border of the open side of said bottom case. This facilitate the manipulation of the bottom case for detaching it from the body. Plus, the detachment of the bottom case from the body may be done with less effort from the user.

The bottom case may comprise a lateral face that is stiffer than the bottom face.

Thus, the bottom case may securely be attached to the body, while the bottom face, provided to be in contact with a part of a body of the POI, may be more ergonomic to use and more user friendly.

Of course, the device according to the invention may comprise only one bottom case.

In some embodiments, there might be provided, or the device according to the invention may comprise, several interchangeable bottom cases, that are removably attachable to the measuring body, one at a time. This allows adapting the form and the outer dimensions of the bottom case to a specific POI or to a specific body part of the POI, rendering the device according to the invention more flexible and more usable.

For example, at least one of the following characteristic of the bottom case may vary from one bottom case to another: the width, the length, the height, the overall form, the form of the bottom surface, the type of the material, the stiffness and elasticity, etc.

For example, at least one bottom case may have a concave bottom surface allowing better positioning on thighs of a POI, whereas another bottom case may have a generally flat bottom surface.

Of course, the device according to the invention may comprise only one accessory.

In some embodiments, there might be provided, or the device according to the invention may comprise, several interchangeable accessories, that are removably attachable to the measuring body, one at a time. This allows adapting the accessory to a specific practitioner, or to a specific exercise, or to a specific force measurement technique, rendering the device according to the invention more flexible and more usable.

For example, at least one of the following characteristic of the accessory may vary from one accessory to another: the width, the length, the height, the overall form, the type of the material, etc.

For example, at least one accessory may have a generally flat form, whereas another accessory may have one or several handles to be hold by the practitioner during force measurement. Of course other types of accessories may be used.

In some embodiments, the device according to the invention may further comprise at least one command button arranged on the top side of the force measuring body.

Thus, the device according to the invention allows access to said command button during force measurement, and more general during use of the device.

The command button may be used to command at least one function, such as at least one the following functions: starting/stopping the device, changing an exercise, changing a force measurement technique, triggering data transmission from the device to an external apparatus, etc.

In some embodiments, the device according to the invention may further comprise a display means arranged on the top side of the force measuring body.

Thus, the device according to the invention allows access to said display during force measurement, and more general during use of the device.

The display may comprise at least one led, or at least one screen.

The display means may display information/data regarding the status of the device, notifications regarding the device, notifications regarding the POI, notifications regarding the measurement force, etc.

The device according to the invention may further comprise an electrical interface.

Advantageously, the electrical interface may be arranged on the top side of the force measuring body, and more particularly on the top surface of the force measuring body. Thus, the electrical interface is accessible any time, especially during use of the device.

The electrical interface may be of any type. Preferably, the electrical interface may be an electrical port, and especially a USB port.

The electrical interface may be used for charging the device, and especially a battery of the device.

Alternatively, or in addition, the electrical interface may be used for wired communication between said device and an external apparatus, such as a computer, a tablet, a server, etc.

Of course, the measuring body comprises a force sensor for measuring the force exerted by the POI on said device, i.e. on the bottom case that is in contact with a part of the body of the POI.

Such a sensor is known and its architecture in the device may be done according to known techniques. Such a sensor may use a measuring technique for example strain gauge resistive electric sensors, or capacitive load sensors The architecture may be that of any type, preferably that of a bending beam, or compression body.

The measuring body may also comprise an inertia sensor, and/or an angle sensor, and/or an accelerometer.

Such sensor(s) allow controlling and proper positioning the measuring device during use, enhancing the usability of the device according to the invention.

Plus, such sensor(s) allows efficient and proper use of the device according to the invention for measurement(s)/exercise(s) involving movement from the POI and/or the third person, such as isokinetic measurement(s)/exercise(s).

Such sensor(s) also allow controlling and proper positioning the measuring device when the POI has to exert pressure at a given angle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is well understood that the embodiments that will be described below are in no way limitative. In particular, it is possible to imagine variants of the invention comprising only a selection of the characteristics described hereinafter, in isolation from the other characteristics described, if this selection of characteristics is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention with respect to the state of the prior art. Such a selection comprises at least one, preferably functional, characteristic without structural details, or with only a part of the structural details if this part alone is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention with respect to the prior art.

In the FIGURES, elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

FIGS.1-3are diagrammatic representations of a non-limitative example of a device according to the invention, according to different points of view.

FIG.1is a diagrammatic representation of the device according an isometric view.

FIG.2is a diagrammatic representation of the device in an exploded isometric view.

FIG.3is a diagrammatic representation of the device, from the top side of the device.

The device100, shown inFIGS.1-3, may be used for example for measuring the force of a joint of a person of interest, POI, such as a knee, an elbow, an ankle, a hip, a wrist, a shoulder, etc.

The device100comprises a first side102, called top side, and a second side104, called bottom side, opposite to the top side102. In use, the bottom side104of the device is placed on a part of the body of a person of interest, POI, also called a user. A third person, such as a practitioner or a trainer, exerts a pressure on the top side102of the device100, for example in a direction106perpendicular to the device100, or to the top side102. The POI applies an opposing force on the bottom side104of the device100in order to balance the pressure applied by the third person on the top side102. The force applied by the POI is thus measured and corresponds to the force applied by a joint of said POI in contact with the bottom side104. For example, if the body part in contact with the bottom side104is a shin of the POI, the joint of the person for which the force is measured may be the knee of the person.

The device100ofFIGS.1-3comprises a force measuring body110, also called body in the following, comprising components for measuring the force of a joint of a POI. For example, the measuring body102comprises force measuring sensor(s), a battery for supplying electrical energy to the device100, an electronic board, etc. These components are not shown in the FIGURES since they are standard components.

The body110comprises a top face112. An accessory120, as it will be described further, is intended to be attached to the body110, in a removable way, at the side of the top face112. Thus, the body110comprises, on the side of the top face112, a connector for attaching said accessory to the body110, in a removable manner. In the example shown inFIGS.1and2, the connector comprises a trench114provided to receive a lip that is provided on the accessory. In a non-limitative example, the trench114may be a circular trench as shown inFIG.2. Of course the trench114may have another form. In other embodiments, the connector provided on the body110may not comprise a trench. For example, the connector may comprise clip(s), hole(s), etc.

The body110may also comprise retaining means for retaining the accessory120attached to the body110, when said accessory120is connected to the body110. In some examples, the retaining means may comprise one or several magnets (not shown) arranged in/on the body110and provided to cooperate with magnet(s), or metallic members, arranged in/on the accessory120for retaining the accessory120with the body110when said accessory120is attached to said body110.

Moreover, the body110may comprise means for authorising rotation of the accessory120with respect to the body110, especially around the direction106. Thus, the accessory120may be placed in different configurations, rendering the device100according of the invention more flexible and more usable. The rotation of the accessory120may be limited to a predetermined angle, such as 90°. Alternatively, the angle of rotation of the accessory120may not be limited and the accessory may be rotated over 360° around the direction106. The rotation of the accessory120may be authorised continuously so that the accessory120may be placed at any desired angle. For example, if the rotation of the accessory120is limited to 90°, the accessory120may be authorized to be placed at any angle between 0° and 90°. Alternatively, the rotation of the accessory120may be authorized so that the accessory120may be placed only at predetermined discrete values. For example, if the rotation of the accessory120is limited to 90°, the accessory120may be authorized to be placed only at the following angles: 0° and 90°.

In the example ofFIGS.1-3, without loss of generality, the accessory120may be connected to the body110and authorised to be positioned at two different angular positions around the direction106, for example separated by an angle of 90°. To allow positioning of the accessory in these different angular positions, the trench114comprises holes116arranged at the bottom of the trench114. Each hole116is intended to receive a tooth provided on the accessory120when the accessory is in an angular position. For example, holes116may be arranged so that at least one of them receives a tooth provided on the accessory120when the accessory is in a first angular position corresponding to a 0° angle, another tooth one in a second position corresponding to a 90° angle. Of course, other means than those described above may be used to allow positioning of the accessory in different angular positions with respect to the body110. For example, holes116may be replaced by grooves and the teeth may be replaced by wedges. In other examples, the accessory120may be screwed and thus allowed to be positioned at different angular positions. The invention is thus not limited to the specific example.

At rest, i.e. when no solicitation is applied to the accessory120, the accessory is attracted/pulled towards the body110, for example by the retaining means, i.e. magnet(s) placed in the portion118, to a level, called first level, so that the accessory120is not authorized to rotate. When a solicitation in the form of a pulling force is applied to the accessory120, the accessory120is placed into a level, called second level, at which the accessory120may be rotated For example, in this first level of attachment, the tooth/teeth provided on the accessory120may engage in the hole(s)116and the accessory locked in position around the direction106. Here again, the invention is not limited to the use of a spring. For example, the rotation of the accessory120may be authorized by pulling said accessory120slightly away from the body.

As indicated above, in some embodiments, the retaining means, i.e. the magnet(s), may be arranged inside the portion118.

The device100ofFIGS.1-3may further comprise an accessory120, as shown inFIGS.1-3.

The accessory120is attached to the body110, in a removable manner, so that said accessory120may be detached from the body manually, and more particularly without use of a tool. Thus the accessory120may be changed and replaced easily in order to adapt the device100to specific exercise(s) or force measurement technique(s), or in order to clean the accessory120, or for maintenance, etc.

The accessory120is intended to be manipulated by, directly or indirectly, by a third person, such as a practitioner or a trainer.

FIG.4shows a non-limitative example of an accessory that may be used with a device according to the invention, and more particularly the accessory120equipping the device ofFIGS.1-3.

The accessory120comprises a connector for attaching said accessory120to the body110, on the top side of the body110. In the example shown, and without loss of generality, the connector comprises a lip122engaging in the trench114provided on the top side112of the body110. The lip122has a form that is complementary to the form of the trench114. In the example shown, the lip122has a generally circular form. Of course, the invention is not limited to a connector in the form of lip. The accessory120may comprise other types of connectors, such as a threaded bore, a screw type member, a male or a female connector, clip(s), a scratch, a suction cup, etc. as long as it is adapted to attach, in a removable fashion, the accessory120to the measuring body110.

Moreover, in the example shown, the accessory120, and more particularly the lip122, has at least one tooth124provided to engage with the hole(s)116provided at the bottom of the trench114in order to place the accessory120in different angular positions. Again, the invention is not limited to the use of a tooth on the accessory120and other means may be used for carrying out the same function.

The device100also comprises a bottom case130, on the bottom side104of the device100.

The bottom case130is intended to be in contact with the body of the POI during force measurement.

The bottom case130is attached to the body, in a removable manner, so that said bottom case130may be detached from the body110manually, and more particularly without use of a tool. Thus the case130may be changed and replaced easily in order to adapt the device100to specific exercise or force measurement technique, or in order to adapt the device100to a specific body part of the POI, or in order to clean the case, or for maintenance, etc.

The bottom case130is intended to receive at least the bottom part of the body110.

In the example shown, the bottom case130has a generally cup shaped form, with an open side, and defines an inner space132for receiving at least the bottom part of the body110. Thus, when attached to the body110the bottom case130covers at least part of the body110. In the non-limitative example shown onFIGS.1-3, the bottom case130receives the bottom and the lateral portion of the body110, and envelops the body110until the edges of the top surface112of the body110, as shown inFIG.1

As indicated above, the bottom case130is attached to body100in a removable way. Such an attachment may be done in various ways, for example by magnetic attachment means, by suction attachment means, by Velcro® type attachment means, etc. In the non-limitative example shown inFIGS.1-3, best seen inFIG.2, the bottom case130is clipped to the body110. More particularly, the bottom case130comprises several clips134, for example placed at the level of the upper edge of the bottom case130. Each of the clips is intended to engage with a recess136provided on the body110, for example placed at the level, or just under, the edge of the upper face112of the body110. Of course, alternatively, the clips134may be placed on the body110and the recesses136may be placed on the bottom case130. Thus, the body110is inserted in the inner space132of the bottom case130and a slight pressure is applied on the body110, and/or the bottom case130, for engaging the clips134in the recesses136, in order to attach the bottom case130to the body110.

According to an advantageous feature, the bottom case130may comprise a lateral face that is stiffer than its bottom face. Thus, the bottom case130may securely be attached to the body, while the bottom face, provided to be in contact with a part of a body of the POI, may be more ergonomic to use.

In some embodiments, the bottom case130may comprise at least one detaching means allowing a user to detach the bottom case130from the body110, in particular manually, and more particularly without using any tool.

In the non-limitative example shown in theFIGS.1-3, the detaching means comprises a detaching lip138provided to be pulled for detaching the bottom case130from the body110. Thus, the user holds the detaching lip130and pulls on it in order to detach the bottom case130from the body. By pulling the detaching lip130, the clips13disengage from the recesses136and the bottom case130may be removed.

The detaching means, and in particular the detaching lip138, may be placed at any location on the bottom case130. In a particular and non-limitative example, as shown in the example, the detaching leap138is arranged at the level of the border of the open side the bottom case130. This facilitates the manipulation of the bottom case130for detaching it from the body110. Plus, the detachment of the bottom case130from the body110may be done with less effort from the user.

Alternatively, or in addition, a detaching means may be placed on the body110.

The device100also comprises a command button142arranged on the top surface112of the body110. Thus the command button142is accessible any time when the device100is in use.

The command button142may be used to command at least one function, such as at least one the following functions: starting/stopping the device, changing an exercise, changing a force measurement technique, triggering data transmission from the device to an external apparatus, etc.

The device100further comprises a USB port144arranged on the top surface112of the body110. Thus, the USB port144is accessible at any time, especially during use of the device100.

The USB port may be used for charging the device100, and especially a battery of the device100. Alternatively, or in addition, the USB port may be used for wired communication between said device100and an external apparatus, such as a computer, a tablet, a server, etc. for data transmission.

In the non-limitative example shown inFIGS.1-3, the device100also comprises a light indicator146, such as a led. The light indicator146is placed on the top surface106so that the user has visual access to said indicator at any time, and especially during use of the device100.

The light indictor146may display information/data regarding the status of the device100, the status of the battery of the device100, notifications regarding the device100, notifications regarding the POI, and/or notifications regarding the measurement force, etc.

As indicated above, the device comprises a bottom case that is attached to the body in a removable manner so that it may be changed easily in order to adapt the device to the POI. For example, several bottom cases may be used interchangeably with the device according to the invention, one at a time.

At least two bottom cases may have different sizes, i.e. different heights, different widths, different lengths, different forms, different bottom surfaces, etc. Thus the device according to the invention may be adapted to different body parts of the POI.

At least two bottom cases may be made of different material(s).

FIGS.5a-5care diagrammatic representations of non-limitative examples of bottom cases that may be used with the device according to the invention.

The bottom cases502-506, shown on theFIGS.5a-5cmay be used with any device according to the invention, and more particularly with the device100ofFIGS.1-3.

FIGS.5a-5cshow three different bottom cases502-506.

The case502differs from the cases504and506by its bottom surface. The bottom surface of the case502is flat, whereas cases504and506have an incurved bottom surface.

The case506differs from the cases504and502by its external height. The case506has an external height that is greater than the external height of the cases504and502.

Or course, these are only non-limitative examples. At least two bottom cases may be identical. Alternatively, or in addition, at least two bottom cases may differ from each other, for example may have different architectures, sizes, materials, etc.

As indicated above, the device may comprise an accessory that is attached to the body in a removable manner so that it may be changed easily in order to adapt the device to a third person, such as a practitioner, a trainer, etc. or to a force measuring exercise/technique. For example, several accessories may be used interchangeably with the device according to the invention, one at a time.

At least two accessories may differ from one another, for example may have different sizes, i.e. different heights, different width, different lengths, different forms, etc. Thus the device according to the invention may be easily personalized/adapted.

At least two accessories may be made of different material(s).

FIG.4, described above, shows a first non-limitative example of an accessory120that may be used with a device according to the invention.

FIG.6shows another non-limitative example of an accessory that may be used with a device according to the invention.

The accessory600ofFIG.6may be used with a device according to the invention, and more particularly with the device100ofFIGS.1-3.

The accessory600is larger than the accessory120and has a center portion602for attaching it to the body of the device. The accessory600also has handles604and606, at each side of the center portion602, so that it may be handed more easily by a POI or a third person, during use of the device. The handles604and606, and thus the accessory600, allow exerting a higher pressure compared to the accessory120for example.

FIG.7shows another non-limitative example of a device according to the invention.

The device700ofFIG.7comprises all the components of the device100ofFIGS.1-3, except that the accessory120is replaced by the accessory600ofFIG.6, in the device700.

FIGS.8aand8bare diagrammatic representations of the non-limitative example ofFIGS.1-3.

More particularly,FIG.8ashows the device100of theFIG.1-3in a further exploded isometric view andFIG.8bshows the device100of theFIG.1-3in a further exploded lateral view.

As shown in the non limitative example ofFIGS.8aand8b, the measuring body110is composed of a first part802, called upper part, in contact with the accessory110and a second part804, called bottom part, in contact with the bottom case130. The upper part802and the bottom part804are assembled together and define an interior space in which are placed the components of the measuring body110.

FIG.8ashows the retaining means, and especially a magnet806acting as retaining means, placed in the portion118. This magnet exerts a pulling force on a magnet or a metallic piece placed in the accessory110so that the accessory is retained with the measuring body110.

Moreover,FIG.8bshows that the device100comprises two sensors808et808for measuring the force applied to the device100. Each sensor808may be any type of force measuring sensor such as strain gauge, or capacitive sensor, etc.

Each sensor808is placed inside the measuring body110. More particularly, each sensor808is mounted to the upper part802of the measuring body110thanks to mounting pots812provided on said upper part802, inside the measuring body110. Each sensor808is also in physical contact with surfaces, or forms or pins, provided on the bottom part804of said force measuring body110. Thus, each sensor808is sandwiched between the upper part802and the bottom part804, and in physical contact with said upper part802and said bottom part804.

A force applied on the accessory110and/or on the bottom case130is transferred the measuring body110, because said accessory110and said bottom case130are in physical contact with, respectively the upper part802and the bottom part804of the measuring body. Thus, the applied force is transferred to the upper part802and to the bottom part804of the measuring body110. Since each sensor is in contact with said upper part802and bottom part804, and is sandwiched between said upper part802and bottom part804, the applied force is transferred to said force measuring sensor808so that the latter measures said applied force.

Of course, the example shown onFIGS.8aand8bis a non limitative example. Other force measuring architectures may be used within the measuring body110.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples detailed above.