Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TALLORING GUIDE SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a tailoring guide
system used for taking different body measurements needed
for a custom fitted garment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the making of a custom fitted garment such as
ZO custom fitted jackets, pants and full suits or even for
the rental of a custom fitted garment the taking of
accurate measurements at different accurately measured
locations on an individual is critical for proper fitting
of the garment. In years gone by, experienced trained
25 tailors have been able to perform these measuring
functions with a relatively high degree of accuracy.
However, these old time tailors are now becoming a thing
of the past and younger people training in this field
typically do not have the same high skills of the older
20 tailors. Furthermore, even the older tailors who are
still working in the field encounter difficulties when
working with certain individuals who have body
proportions that make the taking of hand measurements
very difficult. In addition, even a truly skilled tailor
25 can be inaccurate in his or her hand measuring
techniques.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention provides a tailoring guide
30 system which is able to assist an individual in taking
body measurements of another individual. The system of
the present invention is one which allows a person who is
taking the measurements whether well skilled or not to
take extremely accurate measurements.
The system of the present invention includes an
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upright main body portion having height measurements on
the upright body portion and an adjustable spread
assembly height adjustably supported by or adjacent to
the upright body portion.
Through the use of the upright body portion and
the adjustable spread assembly when set to different
height settings relative to the upright body portion and
when set to different spread positions a person taking
measurements of another individual is able to accurately
measure for things such as overall body height, shoulder
height and shoulder levelness, chest size, waist size and
seat size. Furthermore, through the use of very simple
additional tools the system is able to assist in the
taking of further measurements such as outsleeve arm
length, insleeve arm length, inseam leg length and
outseam leg length.
As a further embodiment of the present invention
the tailoring guide system can also incorporate features
to allow the accurate taking of body weight of an
individual being measured with the system.
According to an aspect of the invention, a
tailoring system is provided using an upright body
portion including moveable parts for taking different
body measurements of a person at th.e upright body
portion. The tailoring system includes electronically
readable measuring means on the upright body portion and
an electronic reader which reads positioning of the
moveable parts relative to the electronically readable
measurement means to provide the ds_fferent body
measurements.
In a preferred embodiment of the above aspect of
the invention, the electronically readable measurement
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means comprises a plurality of bar coded regions on the
upright body portion and the electronic reader comprises
a bar code reader which reads and transfers the different
body measurements to a data storage member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRANINGS
The above as well as other advantages and features
of the present invention will be described in greater
detail according to the preferred embodiments of the
present invention in which;
Figure 2 is a front perspective of the tailoring
guide system according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the system
of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view for the
mounting components of the spread assembly from the
system of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is an enlarged side view of the spread
assembly mounting region of the system of Figure 1;
Figures 5 and 6 are rear views showing different
spread positions of the spread assembly from the system
of Figure 1;
Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of an
alternate spread assembly for mounting to the upright
body portion of the system according to another preferred
embodiment of the present invention; and
Figures 8 through 15 are views showing the taking
of different preferred body measurements using the system
of Figure 1.
Figure 16 is a perspective view of an
electronically readable tailoring system according to
another aspect of the present invention;
Figure 17 is a front perspective view of the
upright body portion and related measuring tools of the
system of Figure 16;
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Figure 18 is a rear perspective view of the
upright body portion shown in Figure 17;
Figure 29 is a partially exploded rear perspective
view of the upper region of the upright body portion
shown in Figures 17 and 18;
Figure 20 is a plan view looking down on the
upright body portion of Figure 17 with the related tools
in their various different operating positions;
Figure 21 is a perspective view of one of the
measurement tools in position on the upright body portion
of Figure 17;
Figure 22 shows in section the mounting of the arm
support member to the main upright body portion of Figure
17;
Figure 23 is a view similar to Figure 27 but
showing an alternate positioning for one of the tools on
the upright body portion;
Figure 24 is a view similar to Figure 21 showing
the alternate positioning of the tool of Figure 23;
Figure 25 is a front view of a length of bar code
provided along a side edge of the upright body portion of
Figure 17;
Figure 26 shows a bar code reader reading
measurement from the length of bar code shown in Figure
25.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION ACCORDING TO THE PREFERRED
EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENTINVENTION IN WHICH:
Figures 1 and 2 show a tailoring guide system
generally indicated at 1. This system is built around an
upright body portion 3. Supported on body portion 3 is an
adjustable spread assembly generally indicated at 21.
Body portion 3 as seen in Figure 1 and as better
shown in Figure 3 includes first and second height
measuring scales or tapes 5 and 7. One of these scales
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may provide measurements in feet and inches while the
other scale may be a metric scale. Both of the scales
are used to provide different height measurements
relative to a support platform or base 9 for the upright
body portion. Also provided in this base is a weight
scale 11 having a readout 13. In the preferred
embodiment as shown the readout is located to the rear of
the base so that an individual being weighed on the scale
will not see his or her own weight which can cause
concern to the individual being weighed. However, a
person taking measurements for that individual will
easily be able to see the weight of the individual at
readout 13.
Body portion 3 is at least as tall as the height
of an average individual and is preferably taller than an
average height. It may be as tall as 7 feet or more and
is used to show the height of an individual standing in
front of the upright body portion,
It is very important that body portion 3 be in a
completely vertical position. In order to assure this
the upright body portion includes its own level. In the
preferred embodiment shown this level is in the form of a
bubble level 17 at the upper end of body portion 3.
Additionally provided is a further level 15 in the base
support 9.
Since the upright body portion is perpendicular to
the base then the upright body portion will be vertical
when the base is level. Through the provision of both
levels 15 and 17 a person using the system to take a
reading off of either the base or the upright body
portion to determine accuracy of the upright positioning
of body portion 3.
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Figure 9 shows that the base 9 includes adjustable
feet 19 which are used to adjust the base to a level
setting for adjusting upright positioning of body portion
3 in the event that the support surface for the base is
not level.
Figures 1, 2 and 3 show another preferred feature
of the invention wherein body portion 3 includes a center
slot 19 penetrating completely through the body portion.
In addition, the upright body portion preferably has a
hollow construction as shown in Figure 3 which makes the
body portion both light in weight and extremely versatile
for receiving different types of adjustable assemblies
such as the spread assembly 21 or different hand operated
measuring tools.
The tools referred to above include tools such as
indent measuring tool 23 and inseam and pant rise
measuring tool 25. These tools are specifically designed
to cooperate with body portion 3 and more specifically
with the center slot 19 of body portion 3. The use of
these tools will be described later in greater detail.
Figure 1 shows that indent tool 23 preferably has
a T-shaped construction including a main body part 23a
and a head part 23b. The main body part 23a is provided
with a measuring scale the purpose of which is better
shown in Figure 15 of the drawings again to be described
later in detail. Figure 1 shows that while part 23a fits
through slot 29 in the body portion. 3 the head 23b of the
indent tool prevents the tool from being inadvertently
completely pulled through the slot 19 in the upright body
portion.
Inseam measuring tool 25 has a sword like
construction. It includes a main forward arm 25a. This
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arm fits through the slot 19 in body portion 3. A stop
25b and a handle 25c are provided at the backend of the
tool. The stop 25b prevents the tool from passing
completely through slot 19 and assures that the forward
arm 25a is perpendicular to the upright body portion when
the stop is placed up against the back of body portion 3.
The handle 25c provides a grip for manipulating the tool.
Also provided on tool 25 is a foldable arm part
25d. This foldable arm part includes its own measuring
scale. The foldable arm part folds from a non use
position in which it lies along the length of the arm 25a
to a use position extending perpendicular to arm 25a.
The purpose of the foldable arm part 25d is to provide a
25 pant rise measuring tool when it is in the upwardly
extending dotted line position of Figure 1. Again this
will be better described with respect to Figure 15 of the
drawings.
A particular method of mounting the adjustable
spread assembly 21 and means for adjusting position of
that assembly is shown in Figures 3 through 6 of the
drawings. It is however to be appreciated that numerous
other mounting and adjustment arrangements can be
provided for assembly 21 such as the arrangement shown in
Figure 7 of the drawings.
Returning to the Figures 3 through 6 embodiment of
the adjustable spread assembly, this assembly comprises a
pair of arms 31 having a gear connection 33 which
connects arms 31 to one another indicated at 33. Each of
the arms is mounted by a pivot pin 35 to a pair of plates
39 and 43. The pivot pins 35 of these two arms fit into
opening 37 on plate 39 and opening 42 on plate 43.
Plate 43 includes an elongated opening 45 with a
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tongue 47 of plate 39 fitting through that opening.
Plate 45 rides along the flat front surface of body
portion 3 while the tongue 47 of plate 39 penetrates
through the center slot 19 of the upright body portion.
The tongue then enters a slot 55 of a lever arm 53. A
pivot pin 51 fits through the aligned openings 52 of the
lever arm 53 and opening 49 of tongue 47. This then
provides an assembly of the lever arm with the two plates
which in turn hold arms 31 in position.
Lever arm 53 as best shown in Figure 4 of the
drawings has a cam shaped head 57. By adjusting the arm
between a horizontal and a vertical position one is able
to either tighten i.e., clamp the assembly relative to
15 the upright body portion or release the assembly to a
point which allows the assembly to be slid up and down on
the upright body portion.
As well shown in Figure 1 of the drawings the arms
20 31 i.e., the inner arm parts of the assembly are provided
with outer arm parts comprising forward extensions 32.
Measuring devices in the form of a hanging tape 61 and
retractable tapes 63 are provided on the forward
extension 32 of arms 31. The retractable tapes 63 are
mounted by slide brackets 65 to the extensions 32. Tape
61 is secured at one end to one of these slide brackets
and fits through the other of the two slide brackets.
Accordingly, as slide brackets move inwardly and
outwardly on the forward extensions 32 and the hanging
tape 62 moves with them.
As is well shown in Figures 5 and 6 of the
drawings the arms 31 with their forward extensions 32
move to different spread positions. As a result of the
gear connection 33 between the arms the movement of one
arm automatically causes equivalent movement of the other
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arm.
V~hen the arms are in the Figure 5 position they
are essentially stored out of the way rather than hanging
out to a position where, when they are not in use, they
might present an obstacle in an area where the device is
to be used. When the device is to be used the arms are
then lowered i.e., spread from one another to different
spread settings for taking different body measurements as
to be described later in detail.
As can be readily seen in Figure 4 of the drawings
the height of the mount for the spread assembly
regardless of the position to which it is set on body
portion 3 is easily read off of either one of two
measuring scales 5 and 7 on the body portion. In
addition, and as well seen in comparing Figures 2 through
4 of the drawings an additional measuring device in the
form of a flexible line member 71 is provided. This line
member 71 is attached by springs 73 to the arms to keep
the flexible line taut at different arm spread positions.
This member then provides a more easily readable
measurement for the height setting of the upper ends of
the arms where the forward extensions 32 are provided.
Again the reason for this will be described with respect
to the actual measurement taking figures of the drawings.
However, before turning to those drawings reference is
now had to Figure 7 of the drawings. This particular
figure again shows the arms 31 provided with forward
extensions 32 and having a geared connection 33 between
the arms. However, in this particular case the arms are
mounted to an I-shaped bracket 81 having pivotal
connections 83 with the arms. Also pivotally attached to
bracket 81 is a clamping lever 85. This clamping lever
includes a cam shaped head 87.
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In this particular example, bracket 81 fits
interiorly of the hollow construction of body portion 3.
The arms 31 locate to the rear of the upright body
portion with the arm extension projecting forwardly of
the body portion. The head 87 of lever arm 85 locates
within slot 19 of body portion 3. By pivoting the lever
85 a person using the device can then either lock the
assembly on body portion 3 or release it for adjustment
relative to the body portion. This would be one
operation and the movement of the arms to various
different settings would be a totally separate operation.
The arm assembly can be made relatively light in
weight and simple balancing devices can also be provided
so that when the lock up pressure is released up or down
movement of the assembly would require nothing more than
a relatively minor finger push pressure.
As is to be appreciated the above examples of
mounting the spread assembly to body portion 3 are only
two of a host of different ways of putting the arm
assembly and the upright body portion together with one
another. Furthermore, other ways of adjusting the arms
to different spread positions can also be used. The
critical feature is that the spread assembly is height
adjustable on the upright body portion and that the arms
do move to different spread positions. The reason for
this is now to be described in detail with respect to
Figures 8 through 14 of the drawings.
Figure 8 of the drawings shows how the device is
used to take an outsleeve measurement. In order to take
this measurement the spread assembly 21 is height
adjusted and then the forward projections 32 of the
assembly are spread adjusted such that they locate to the
outside of the shoulders of the individual being measured
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as shown in Figure 8. This is done when the individual
is wearing a jacket as shown. At this point, the
retractable tape 63 which is slide mounted by bracket 65
on the arm projection is aligned with the shoulder
positioning is used to take the length measurement along
the outside of the arm.
The above measurement is then recorded and this
could be done in a number of different ways. For
instance, it can be done in the conventional manner in
which the measurement is simply written down. However,
for this measurement as well as all of the other
measurements to be described later in detail the device
itself can include sensors which automatically pick up
the measurement and store them and/or pick them up and
feed them to a central database or to other locations
such as a suit manufacturers. More will be described
about this feature later in detail.
Figure 9 shows the device set-up to take an
insleeve measurement. More particularly, with the person
being measured keeping his or her jacket on the spread
assembly and in particular the forward projections 32 of
the spread assembly are adjusted to fit directly beneath
the underarms of the individual. Once again, the
retractable tape 63 at each of the arm projections 32 is
used to take insleeve measurements as shown in Figure 9
on each of the arms of the individual.
The individual then removes his or her jacket for
a shoulder height and shoulder levelness measurement as
shown in Figure 10 of the drawings. For this measurement
the spread assembly is height adjusted on body portion 3
such that the arm projections 32 seat atop the shoulders
as shown. The height of the projections relative to the
base of the unit on which the person is standing is then
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measured off of either one of scales on the upright body
portion.
In some cases, one shoulder may not be level with
the other shoulder. Under these circumstances the
projection 32 positioned above the higher or taller of
the two shoulders is placed on that shoulder and a
separate measurement is then taken to determine the gap
between the other arm projection 32 and the lower of the
two shoulders. This will then provide an accurate
measurement as to which shoulder is higher and by how
much.
Although the sequence of measurements is not
important one of the next measurements to be taken is the
chest measurement as shown in Figure 11 of the drawings.
In order to take this measurement the projections 32 of
the arms 31 are set to the proper height and the proper
spread position such that they locate in the armpit
region of the individual with the individual not wearing
a jacket. The person taking the measurement then uses
the hanging or free tape 62 for this measurement. Here
it should be noted that the projections 32 provide a
guide to properly position the tape which slides via the
slide mounts 65 to a position where the tape can be
tightly wrapped around the upper torso of the individual.
For the chest measurement as described above and
like all of the other measurements taken the projections
of the arms provide a tremendous benefit in that they
eliminate the need for the individual taking the
measurements to have to reach completely around the
individual being measured. When using conventional
measuring techniques without the use of the mechanical
device of the present invention this can be an almost
impossible task if the person being measured is of
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substantial size while the person taking the measurement
is much smaller and does not have sufficient arm length
to reach around the individual. Furthermore, without the
device of the present invention it can be very difficult
to be sure that the tape is wrapped at a level position
around the individual since the person taking the
measurements cannot see where the tape is located on the
back of the individual being measured. This is not a
problem in accordance with the present invention since
the arm projections ensure the levelness of the tape at
the individuals back while the person taking the
measurement can see that the tape is level across the
front of the individual.
Another measurement that can be taken when the
person is not wearing the jacket is the overarm
measurement as shown in Figure 12 of the drawings. To
take this measurement the spread assembly is height
adjusted and set to the proper spread position such that
the arm projections 32 seat against the outside of the
upper arm of the individual being measured.
Figure 13 shows how the device is used to take a
waist measurement. To take this particular measurement
the height of the spread assembly is adjusted on body
portion 3 and the arms are spread such that the
projections 32 located at the waist i.e., at the belt
level of the person being measured. The tape is then
pulled tight while it remains level and wraps around the
waist of the individual. Once again the person taking
the measurement only has to manipulate the tape at the
front of the individual with the manipulation or the
control of the tape at the back of the individual being
provided by the arm projections 32.
With the device remaining in the Figure 13 setup
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another measurement namely the pant length outseam
measurement is easily taken. This measurement is
determined according to the height setting of the arm
projections 32 which are easily read off of body portion
3. In addition, if necessary the retractable tape 65 can
be used to measure the length of the pant from the waist
to the bottom of the pant along the outside of the leg in
the Figure 13 position of the device.
Figure 14 shows another measurement taken with the
device namely the seat measurement for the individual.
In order to take this measurement the spread assembly is
adjusted such that the forward projections 32 of the
spread arms locate to the outside of the legs of the
individual at the largest part of the seat of the
individual. Tape 61 is again used to take this
measurement with the tape only needing to be manipulated
at the front of the individual because of the control
provided to the rear of the individual by slide mounting
of the tape to the arm projections.
Further measurements which can be taken off the
device are the inseam pant rise and indent measurements
as shown in Figure 15 of the drawings. The inseam
measurement is taken by pushing the forward arm part 25a
of tool 25 through slot 19 until the block 25b of the
tool rests flat against the backside of body portion.
The tool is then raised to a point where it is at the
upper region of the inner leg of the individual and the
height of the tool is then recorded off of either one of
the tapes or scales on the upright body portion. As
earlier described the flat fitting of the block part 25b
of the tool with the back surface of the body portion 3
ensures that the arm 25a extends perpendicularly from the
body portion to ensure the accuracy of this measurement.
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From here the foldable arm portion 25d can be
unfolded to the upwardly extending position of Figure 15
to provide an accurate pant rise measurement.
As can be seen in Figure 15 of the drawings the
individual shown in this particular figure when standing
vertically has different distances of separation from
column 3 at different heights along the back of the
individual. These are known in the industry as indents.
Tool 23 and in particular the scale on the arm part 23a
of this tool is used to determine these distances at the
different elevations along the back of the individual.
Figures 1 and 9 of the drawings show another
feature of the invention in which a shoulder measuring
chart 101 is filled to the upright body portion. This
chart which is easily removed and stored elsewhere, when
rolled down to the Figure 9 position, indicates shoulder
level for each of the shoulders. The level can be a
normal level, a high level which is above normal or a low
level below normal.
As an added feature a separate neck measuring
device is additionally provided with the system.
As noted above any of the measurements when taken
can be recorded manually or the system can easily include
automatic measurement taking and recording means. By way
of example only, the height adjustment of the spread
member can be associated with different types of
counters, whether they be mechanical or even electrical
which will automatically record the height of the mount
of the spread assembly on the upright body portion. The
information from these counters can then automatically go
into a computerized control system to contain and output
the data as desired.
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As another preferred feature of the present
invention the components of the system are both
lightweight and sturdy. This allows the main part, i.e.,
the upright body portion and attached base to be moved
within a clothing store or other similar locations. In
addition, the structure can also have a light weight
knock down construction which allows it to be moved from
site to site by a "traveling" tailor. This has
particular application for tailors who provide the
personalized services of fitting their customers at the
customers location.
In the embodiments thus far described, the
measurements are done visually and recorded by hand.
Figure 16 of the drawing shows a further preferred
embodiment of the present invention in the form of a
tailoring system with an electronically readable and
recordable measurements.
More particularly, Figure 16 of the drawing shows
a tailoring system generally indicated at 101. This
system is built around a main upright body portion 103
having different regions of machine readable codes on the
body portion. In the preferred embodiment, these codes
are in the form of bar codes and a bar code reader 106 is
provided for taking the different measurements. These
measurements are read by the bar code reader and
electronically transferred to a data storage member 107.
This data storage member has both a visual display 113
and a printing device 115 that provides a physical print
out 117 of the measurements taken using system 101.
The system further includes a weight scale 109
having a visual read out 111 beside the scale at the main
body portion 103. The weight information taken by scale
109 is also electronically communicated to data storage
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member 107.
System 101, to be described in detail below,
incorporates additional benefits provided by an extremely
accurate machine reading of different body measurements
which are automatically recorded by the machine reader
for later use in building a custom fitted garment.
Upright body portion 103 comprises a pair of
spaced apart upright members 104. These upright members
extend upwardly from and are supported by a base member
123.
Provided to the front side of upright members 104
is a face cover plate 105.
Provided to the rear edges of each of the upright
members 104 is a vertical guide 141. Each of the
vertical guides comprises a pair of side by side rounded
rods 142. These rods can be well seen having reference
to Figures 19 and 20 of the drawings.
Provided to the rear of members 104 is a height
adjustable support member 135. Projecting forwardly from
support member 135 are a pair of horizontally extending
arms 127.
Arms 127 are mounted by plates 139 to telescopic
arms 137. These telescopic arms extend outwardly from
opposite sides of support member 135.
Height adjustable support member 13S with its
width adjustable arms 127 provides the adjustable spread
assembly of system 101.
Also provided to opposite sides of adjustable
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support member 135 are a pair of shorter arms 136. These
arms are located immediately adjacent to the outside
edges of members 104. They adjust up and down along the
length of the upright members with height adjustment of
support member 135.
Support member 135 is fitted with concave faced
rollers 143. The concave faces of these rollers locate
to opposite sides of each of the guide rods 141. More
specifically, they are contoured to the rounded shape of
each of the rods 142 in the vertical guides 141. This
traps support member 135 on the upright members 104 while
allowing up and down adjustment of the support member
relative to the upright members.
Provided on the upper edge of support member 135
are a pair of eyelet bolts 145. Connected to these
eyelet bolts are cables 147. These cables wrap around
pulleys 149 secured by brackets 151 at the upper ends of
the members 104. These members, as best seen in Figure
19 of the drawings, are hollow with open top ends.
Secured to each of the cables 147 is a counterweight 153
that fits down through the open top end of each of the
hollow upright members. Counterweights 153 are weighted
to exactly match as much as possible the weight of
support member 135 with all of its attachments. With
this arrangement, up and down movement of the spread
assembly on the two upright members reauires nothing more
than a relatively light finger touch. The only force
that needs to be overcome is the friction and roller
resistance which holds support member 135 in any position
to which it is height adjusted.
Provided to the outside edge of each of the
members 104 is a length of machine readable character
and, more specifically, bar code character 161. Bar code
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character is also provided on each of the arms 127. This
bar code character is indicated at 131 on the inside
surface of each of the arms and at 129 along the outside
surface of each of the arms.
The system further includes a slide tool 171 and a
flexible tape measure 181. Slide tool 171 includes a
bracket 173 with a central slot running through bracket
173. This slot is dimensioned to slideably fit bracket
173 on to either one of the arms 127.
Extending at generally right angles from bracket
173 is an arm 175.
Tape 181 includes a slotted bracket 183. This
slotted bracket is pivotally attached at 185 to the tape.
Provided lengthwise of the flexible 'tape is machine
readable bar coding 187.
Consistent with component or tool 171, the bracket
183 of tape 181 is slidably mountable to either one of
the arms 127.
System 101, like the earlier described embodiment,
is capable of taking a whole host of body measurements
including, but not limited to, overall height
measurement, shoulder height measurement, shoulder level
measurement, inseam and outseam height measurements, in
sleeve and out sleeve measurements, underarm and overarm
measurements, chest, waist, and seat measurements, indent
measurements etc. etc. These different measurements are
achieved by moving the various different measuring tools
to the appropriate location on upright body portion 103.
Once the tools are in their measurement taking positions,
the hand held bar code scanner 106 is used to
automatically read and record the appropriate
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measurements.
Some specific examples of how measurements are
taken are shown in Figure 20, 21, 24 and 26 of the
drawings. Figure 25 shows how the bar code is set up
allowing the taking of the accurate measurements.
Reference is first had to Figure 25 of the
drawings. This figure shows the bar coding 161 provided
along the side edge of member 104. In the example shown,
the bar coding starts at a base or reference level zero
and proceeds to a maximum length of 84 inches.
Obviously, the bar coding could terminate at any length.
However, 84 inches is sufficient to measure a person up
to 7 feet in height.
The way the bar code reader works is extremely
simple and efficient while at the same time being very
novel with the respect to the recording of length
measurements. The hand held reader 106 is positioned on
the bar code scale over the tool that is used to locate a
certain part of the body relative to the scale. The bar
code reader is then simply swiped over the bar code
reading at that location with the actual bar code
character indicating its spacing or distance away from
the zero reference level. Again, by way of example, only
if the tool were located at 78 inches the hand held bar
code reader would be swiped across that location and the
coding at that location would indicate that the location
is 78 inches from zero, i.e. a reading of 78 inches.
As earlier described, moveable support member 135
includes a pair of relatively short arms 136 secured to
opposite sides of the support member. These arms sit
directly over the bar code scale 161 on the members 104.
Support member 135 is adjustable up and down on members
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104. This adjustability is used to measure any one of
the different height measurements described above. In
recording that height measurement, reader 106 is simply
run along the edge of arm 136 as shown in Figure 26 of
the drawings. Arm 136 provides a guide to place the hand
held reader over the appropriate machine readable
characters to indicate the height of the measurement
relative to the zero location on the scale. Zero
location is provided level with base 123 on which the
person stands while the measurements are :being taken.
It should be noted in Figure 26 that the reading
could be taken along either the top or the bottom edge of
arm 136 depending upon which particular measurement is
being taken.
The actual positioning of each of the arms 136 for
most measurements is dictated by the positioning of arms
127 on moveable support 135. To achieve this the arms
127 are level with the arms 136.
By way of example only, for taking' a shoulder
height measurement, a person will stand on base 123.
Adjustable support 135 is height adjusted until the arms
127 and more specifically the bottom edge of arms 127
seat atop the shoulders of the individual being measured.
Note that arms 127 are also adjustable inwardly and
outwardly of the members 104 to accorcunodate different
shoulder widths.
When the arms 127 are properly seated atop the
shoulders, the hand held reader will be run across the
bottom edge of arm 136 over the bar code scale 161. The
reason for using the bottom edge in this instance is
that, as noted above, it is the bottom edges of arms 127
which are seated atop the person's shoulders and which
CA 02451927 2003-12-02
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therefore are at the height of the shoulders.
In another measurement as, for example, the taking
of an inseam measurement, the person will once again
stand on base 123. The base itself is sufficiently large
to allow the person to stand off center of body portion
103 such that either one of the arms 127 can be pulled up
between the legs of the person being measured. The
support is elevated until the arm 127 makes contact with
the person. In this case, it is the top edge of arm 127
which determines the inseam measurement to be taken. The
hand held reader 106 is therefore run along the upper
edge of arm 136 over scale 161 to provide the accurate
measurement.
As earlier noted, each of the arms 127 is in turn
provided with its own bar code scale. As also earlier
described, the scale is applied at 129 to the outside
surface of each arm and at 131 to the inside surface of
each arm. The inside surface scale 131 is simply a
continuation of the outside scale 129.
Again, by way of example only, the scale
information 129 which will start at zero from the inner
end of the arm may continue to a length of for example 12
inches along the outside surface of the arm. The scale
information 131 then starts at the 12 inches and will
continue to a maximum length of, for example, 24 inches.
The reason for this continued length of scale from the
outer to the inner surface of each of the arms 127 is to
enable different body part measurements as will be
described having reference to Figures 21 and 24 of the
drawings.
Figure 21 shows the use of tool 171 in taking, for
example, an indent measurement. In this case, the front
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face 105 between the upright members 104 will be at the
zero location on the bar scales 129 to the outside
surfaces of arms 127. The bracket 173 slideably mounted
on arm 127 is pulled forwardly such that bar 175 locates
against the back of the person being measured. This, in
turn, locates the end of bracket 173 to which arm 175 is
attached forwardly away from the zero location on scale
129. The hand held reader is then ss.mply swiped
vertically across scale 129 using the end of bracket 173
at the swiping guide. This provides a measurement as to
how far the person's beck at that location is located
forwardly of the zero position on the scale.
As is to be understood, when taking something like
a normal indent measurement, bar 175 will never reach a
position to necessitate a repositioning of bracket 173 on
arm 127 from what is shown in Figure 21 of the drawings.
However, the same cannot be said for taking, for example,
a chest depth measurement which could well necessitate
reversing of the tool 171 to the Figure 24 position. In
this position, the arm 175 will locate against the front
surface of the chest of a person standing on base 123.
Furthermore, the depth of the chest may be such that the
end of the bracket 173 supporting arm 175 is located
outwardly beyond the end of arm 127. In this scenario,
the measurement is taken from scale 1.31 to the inside of
arm 127 at the opposite end of bracket 173 as shown in
Figure 24. The measurement being taken is again based on
the zero location of the scale which takes into
consideration the full length of the scale information
129 along the outside surface of arm 127 as well as the
additional length of scale information 131 to the inside
of the arm 127. .
Again by way of example only, in the Figure 24
position the end of bracket 173 which. is being used to
CA 02451927 2003-12-02
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take the measurement might be 9 inches away from the
front face 105 of the upright body portion. However,
because the length of arm 127 is 12 s_nches (consistent
with the example given above) the chest depth measurement
will actually read as 15 inches. This measurement is
arrived at as a result of the measurement taking into
consideration the full 12 inches along the outside
surface of arm 127 as well as the additional 3 inches
measured to the inside surface of arm 127 which places
the end of the bracket 9 inches off of the face plate.
Another tool used in the system of Figure 16 is
the flexible measuring tape 181. This tape, like the
other tools, has a bar code scale starting from a zero
reference level and extending to a length of, for
example, 60 inches or more. Although useable for
essentially any type of measurement, the preferred use
for tape 181 is in the taking of different types of girth
measurements. The positioning of the tape for taking a
girth measurement is best shown in Figure 20 of the
drawings. Here it will be seen that the bracket 183
slides on to arm 127 which is adjusted either inwardly or
outwardly to fit against the side of the person at the
location of the body that is being measured. To this end
support 135 is also height adjusted for the appropriate
location, eg. to be level with the chest, waist, seat,
thighs etc. The tape is then drawn around the person at
that location and the hand held reader is run across the
tape where the measurement is being taken as shown in
Figure 20 of the drawings. The distance from zero on the
tape is then machine read and automatically recorded in
data storage member 107 as is the case with all of the
measurements that are taken in any of the examples given
above.
As is to be now understood in reference to Figures
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16 through 26 of the drawings, extremely accurate and
automatically recorded measurements are easily and
quickly taken using system 101. Furthermore, for
customer profile purposes, this information is
automatically recorded and stored in data storage member
107. The information is easily retrieved by either
displaying it at the visual display 1.13 or by the
information outputting from the data storage member as a
print out 117.
Data storage member 107 can also provide
electronic transmission of the information to a separate
remote location. This is extremely helpful in a case
where the garment is made at a location different from
the location where the measurements are taken.
According to another aspect of the present
invention, an associated software package is provided
with the system. This software package can have a number
of different features. It can easily explain to the
individual using the device how the different
measurements can be taken. In another application which
is particularly interesting the software package can
adapt the measurements taken by the device for various
different garment manufacturers. This is particularly
important in that different garment manufacturers have
different cutting styles and patterns for their suits and
jackets. Therefore even though two garment manufacturers
may receive the same measurements the actual shape of the
garment will differ from one manufacturer to another.
The software package of the present invention takes this
into consideration and is coded such that the
measurements taken off the device are adapted to ensure
that a garment made by any one of a number of different
garment manufacturers will fit the individual who has
been measured from the device.
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Although various preferred embodiments of the
present invention have been described in detail, it will
be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
variations may be made without departing from the spirit
of the invention.
