Patent Publication Number: US-2017347920-A1

Title: Anthropometric Device For Biometric Measurements

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to anthropometric devices used for biometric measurements. More particularly, this disclosure relates to a portable device used for measuring the wingspan and other biometric measurements. 
     Background 
     It is well known that biometric measurements may be accurate predictors of athletic achievement. For example, Wingspan measurement is commonly used to predict athletic ability. It is well known that individuals with longer arms tend to have the advantage of executing athletic moves. Longer wingspan makes the athlete play taller than their actual height. 
     There are a number of sports where a longer wingspan proves beneficial. Among such sports are golf, basketball, football, boxing, volleyball, rowing, martial arts, and swimming to name a few. For example in golf, it is well known that the longer the wingspan relative to body height, the easier it is to develop club head speed during the golf swing. Golfers like Gary Player and other somewhat diminutive golfers generated far more club head speed than others of similar or greater height because of their unusually long wingspan. Long drive champion, Jamie Sadlowski is a mere 5′10″ tall but has twice been the champion over much bigger men. While most attribute his unusual length to his superior wrist strength, it will be noticed by even a casual observer, that his wingspan is extraordinarily long. 
     Any sport that requires a swinging motion is likewise affected. Thus, hockey, where the stick speed is critically important or football where a quarterback&#39;s throwing motion affects the length and speed at which the football is thrown. Simply put in mechanical terms, the longer the arms, the greater the leverage. 
     Thus, there has long been established a need to accurately measure the wingspan of an athlete or any person involved in physical activity. In fact, quite regularly, a physical examination in a doctor&#39;s office includes measurements such as height and weight as well as wingspan. 
     In a doctor&#39;s office, a staff person or two is needed to assist with accurate wingspan measurement. Very often such measurements are done with a tape measure. In such cases, the patient cannot assist because the measurement is done from the subject&#39;s middle fingers of each hand. Therefore, it takes two staff, at least, to perform the measurement of the wingspan. 
     Additionally, when measuring wingspan using a tape measure, there is often times a tendency for the tape to arch over a long, gradual curve. This makes it difficult to secure an accurate reading of the measurement from fingertip to fingertip. In fact, a third assistant is needed to prevent such arching to obtain reliable wingspan measurements. 
     Another method of measuring wingspan includes securing a tape measure directly to a wall. Similar to the measurements performed in a doctor&#39;s office, the subject stands facing away from the wall with his arms extended outwardly. The wingspan measurement is then recorded. 
     This measuring method can be problematical. The tape measure itself must be perfectly level on the wall for the measurement to be accurate. Next, the subject&#39;s arms must be straight, also to insure accuracy. Should the subject&#39;s hands or arms touch the wall during the test, then a likely inaccurate measurement will result because the subject&#39;s shoulders are retracted too far, which renders a shorter wingspan reading than otherwise. 
     Discussed above have been methods of obtaining wingspan measurements in a strictly controlled environment. An important use of wingspan measurements takes place on the playing or practice field or in general in open space. There are no walls and finding three assistants to take the wingspan measurement may be difficult. Additionally, the time involved for such above described methods is not practical when there 200 or more players to be measured. 
     What is needed is a method and structure for simplifying taking wingspan measurements. The time needed for taking such measurements must be shortened to just a few minutes or less. Additionally, the number of assistants needed should not exceed one. Finally, there is an established need to take such measurement on an open field, such as a practice or a playing field. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In accordance with the instant disclosure of an anthropometric device is described and claimed which greatly reduces the time required to take biometric measurements. Additionally, the anthropometric device is described and claimed herein can be used on any surface and is easily transported. 
     The disclosure herein is for an anthropometric device which is capable of measuring more than one biometric parameter. In general, the device includes a base, and of standing member connected to the base, a measurement member connected to the upstanding member. The measurement member has distal ends which are expendable relative to the measurement member. In an exemplary embodiment, the distal ends define finger tabs, which facilitate the ability of a subject to extend the tabs relative to the measurement member. 
     In accordance with the objects and advantages of the invention that will be appreciated by those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure and using the apparatus herein, a first exemplary embodiment is disclosed herein which includes:
         a base;   an upstanding member having a first end and a second end, the first end secured to the base;   a first measuring member for measuring one or more anthropometric parameters, the first measuring member connected to the upstanding member;   the first measuring member having a distal end, the distal end being extendable relative to first measuring member.       

     In an exemplary embodiment of the anthropometric device includes first and second measurement members. The first measurement member measuring the biometric parameter of wingspan. The second measurement member measuring the biometric measurement of height. 
     In another exemplary embodiment of the anthropometric device in accordance with this disclosure, the first and second measurement members define panels. In this embodiment, each of the panels is a removable relative to the upstanding member. In a related exemplary embodiment, each of the panels is rotatable relative to the upstanding member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       For a further understanding of the objects and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which like parts are given like reference numerals and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the anthropometric device in accordance with this disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the anthropometric device with the panels for measuring wingspan in the extended position. 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of a portion of the anthropometric device of  FIG. 3  illustrating the indicia for measuring the biometric value of wingspan. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the anthropometric device in accordance with this disclosure with the ability to perform the biometric measurement of height. 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective view of the indicia for measuring height of the embodiment of the anthropometric device illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the anthropometric device in accordance with this disclosure having an ability to rotate a measuring panel relative to the device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The invention will now be described with respect to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , which illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the anthropometric device in accordance with this disclosure, shown generally by the numeral  20 . The anthropometric device  20  includes a base  22 , an upstanding member of  24 . In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , telescoping members  26  and  28  extended from the upstanding member  24  as illustrated. 
     A first measuring member defining a first panel  30  is connected to the telescoping member  28  as illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 . The first panel  30  distal ends  32  and a middle zone, generally indicated by the numeral  34 . The first panel  30  includes structure for attaching the first panel to this telescoping member  28 . In the exemplary embodiment the first panel  30  is threaded with an opening size and shape to adapt to the telescoping member  28 . More particularly, the first panel  30  has a midpoint between the distal ends  32  and in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the first panel  30  is attached to the telescoping member  28  at the midpoint. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the first panel  30  is designed to measure wingspan. The distal ends  32  include in finger tabs  36  which are expendable from the first panel  30 . As is well known in the art, wingspan is defined as the biometric measurement from a person&#39;s middle finger of one hand to the middle finger of the other hand. In order to make this measurement, a person would stand with her back toward the upstanding member  24  and using his or her hands extent of the finger tabs  36  with their middle finger as far as possible. 
     As shown particularly in  FIG. 2 , the finger tabs  36  are extended. The subject&#39;s wingspan is measured by reading the indicia as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the base  22  includes an anchoring member (not shown) for anchoring the case to the desired surface. For example, it is desirable for the base  22  to be used on a grass or dirt playing field. These types of surfaces can be unstable and require additional anchoring methods. Additionally, it is desirable to use the anthropometric device in accordance with this disclosure, on a concrete surface or another hard surface. Mounting members such as concrete bolts are used in those circumstances. 
     With particular reference to  FIG. 4 , there is shown an alternative embodiment of the anthropometric device in accordance with this disclosure, generally indicated by the numeral  60 . The device  60  is virtually the same as the device  20  described above. However, the device  60  includes the ability to measure the height of a subject. 
     The device  60  includes an upstanding member  70  having a telescoping member  72 . A first measuring member defining a first panel  74  is attached to the telescoping member  72 . The first panel  74  has distal ends  76 . The distal ends  76  are extendable relative to the first panel  74 . And, similar to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the first panel  74  includes finger tabs  78 . 
     Additionally, the device  60  includes a second measuring member defining a second panel  80 . The second panel  80  is connected to the upstanding member  70 . The second panel  80  includes telescoping members  82  and  83  which are movable within the second panel  80  as is well known in the art. Also, as is well known in the art, a tightening ring  84  is used to lock and unlock the telescoping members in place. 
     The second panel  80  includes a height bar  86 . The subject stands with his or her back to be upstanding member  70  and the second panel is moved so that the height bar  86  placed on top of the subject&#39;s head. At that point, the biometric measurement of height can be taken. 
     With particular reference to  FIG. 5 , there is shown another exemplary embodiment of the anthropometric device in accordance with this disclosure. In this exemplary embodiment, the second panel  80  includes indicia adjacent the height bar |  86 . The indicia, as illustrated, are easily read and the height of the subject is then easily recorded. 
     With particular reference to  FIG. 6 , there is shown another exemplary embodiment of the anthropometric device in accordance with this disclosure based on the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . In this exemplary embodiment, the device is generally indicated by the numeral  100 . The device  100  includes an upstanding member  106  mounted on a base (not shown). The device  100  includes a first panel  110  which is rotatably connected to the upstanding member  106  as illustrated. In this exemplary embodiment, the device one member includes a second panel  120  taking the biometric reading of height. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the second panel is similarly attached to the upstanding member in a rotatable fashion. When not in use, the first and second panels are rotated to be coincident with the upstanding member to prevent an accidental collection. Within the spirit and scope of the invention, the first and second panels in another embodiment foldable with respect to the upstanding member. In this exemplary embodiment, the first and second panels are folded when the device is not in use. This again minimizes the chance of accident or collision. In another exemplary embodiment, the first and second panels are removable with respect to the device. This makes the device more easily transportable. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the panels are extendable and self-locking. Once the extension needed for biometric measurement is achieved, the panel&#39;s lot that that extension. The reading is then recorded and the measurement taken. After the measurement is taken, the self-locking mechanism is released and retracts to its home location. 
     As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, electronic measurement, including laser measurement is within the spirit and scope of this invention. 
     Also as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, various mechanical structures may be employed to facilitate the ease of extending the panels to the biometric measuring distance. In an exemplary embodiment, a rail of bearing mechanism is contemplated. 
     In that another exemplary embodiment, the first panel and is rotatably connected to the upstanding member. One end of the first panel includes a height bar. Upon measuring the wingspan of a subject, the first panel is rotated to a plane coincident with the upstanding member so that the height of the subject may then be taken. Thus, one panel measures more than one biometric parameter. 
     While the foregoing detailed description has described several embodiments of the anthropometric device in accordance with this disclosure, it is to be understood that the above description is illustrative only and not limiting of the anthropometric device. It will be appreciated that the embodiments discussed above and the virtually infinite embodiments that are not mentioned could easily be within the scope and spirit of this invention. Thus, the invention is to be limited only by the claims as set forth below.