Patent Document ID: 4723557
Application ID: 06873823
Patent Status: 1

Claim One:
1. A three-dimensional direct reading anthropometer useful in diagnosis and evaluation of lordosis, scoliosis and other spinal disformations in humans, said anthropometer producing a three-dimensional curvature of the spine, comprising; (a) a base; (b) a support mounted on said base which functions as an azimuth pivot; (c) an azimuth measuring means comprising an azimuth reading potentiometer connected to said azimuth pivot, so that changes in the position of said azimuth pivot can be registered for obtaining azimuth data of a point on the human body, an azimuth plate marked at its periphery with azimuth angles, said plate located centrally to said azimuth pivot, and an azimuth bearing coupling said azimuth pivot to said azimuth reading potentiometer; (d) an extendable rod connected to said azimuth pivot, said rod having a pointer means for contacting chosen points on the human body, said extendable rod being a telescopic rod comprising an elevation pivot linked to an elevation plate, said elevation pivot linking said rod to said azimuth pivot and a balance weight mounted on the proximate end of said rod, said weight permitting rotation of said rod around said elevation pivot, and said point means comprises a locating pointer for making contact with predetermined points on the human body, said pointer including a switch having a first position and a second position, actuated from said first position to said second position when said locating pointer is placed on one of said predetermined points, said switch for energizing said potentiometer when in said second position, and a cord extending from said locating pointer at a distal end of said telescopic rod to an extension-indicating assembly comprising an extension pulley, around which said cord is wound; (f) an extension measuring means comprising an extension reading potentiometer connected to said extendable rod for obtaining data on the same point on a body, an extension pulley pivot actuating said extension reading potentiometer, and a cord rewind means for causing a proper tension on said pulley without interfering with actuation of said extension measuring means; (g) means coupled between said potentiometers and a computer means for receiving signals generated by said potentiometers and for applying said signals to said computer means said means for receiving signals including amplifier means for amplifying the signals received from said potentiometers before said signals are applied to said computer means; and (h) said computer means include analog to digital converter means for converting analog signal data received from said means for receiving into corresponding digital signal data, and said computer means plots the digital signal data for displaying information defining the point on the human body.