DE20308432U1 - Device for determining glove sizes - Google Patents

Description

GKS & S MAXIMILIANSTRASSE 58 D-80538 MUNICH GERMANY

Applicant:

ROECKLSPORTSGMBH

ISARTALSTRASSE D-80469 MUNICH

LAWYERS

MUNICH

DR. HELMUT EICHMANN

GERHARD BARTH

DR. ULRICH BLUMENRÖDER, LL.M.

CHRISTA NIKLAS-FALTER

DR. MAXIMILIAN KINKELDEY, LL.M.

DR. KARSTEN BRANDT

ANJA FRANKE, LL.M.

UTE STEPHANI

DR. BERND ALLEKOTTE, LL.M.

DR. ELVIRAPFRANG, LLM.

KARIN LOCHNER

BABETT ERTLE

CHRISTINE NEUHIERL

SABINE PRÖCKNER

YOUR REF.

OUR REF.

G 5030-25/Dr

PATENT ATTORNEYS EUROPEAN PATENT ATTORNEYS MUNICH

DR. HERMANN KINKELDEY PETER H. JAKOB WOLFHARD MEISTER HANS HILGERS DR. HENNING MEYER-PLATH ANNEUE EHNOLD THOMAS SCHUSTER DR. KLARA GOLDBACH MARTIN AUFENANGER GOTTFRIED KUTZSCH DR. HEIKE VOGELSANG-WENKE REINHARD KNAUER DIETMAR KUHL DR, FRANZ-JOSEF ZIMMER BETTINA K. REICHELT DR. ANTON K. PFAU DR. UDO WEIGELT RAINER BERTRAM JENS KOCH, M.S. (U of PA) M.S.

BERND ROTHAEMEL DR. DANIELA KINKELDEY THOMAS W. LAUBENTHAL DR. ANDREAS KAYSER DR. JENS HAMMER DR. THOMAS EICKELKAMP JOCHEN KILCHERT DR. THOMAS FRIEDE

PATENT ATTORNEYS

EUROPEAN PATENT ATTORNEYS

BERLIN

PROF. DR. MANFRED BÖNING

DR. PATRICK ERK,M.S. (MIT)

COLOGNE

DR. MARTIN DROPMANN

CHEMNITZ

MANFRED SCHNEIDER

OF COUNSEL PATENT ATTORNEYS

AUGUST GRÜNECKER DR. GUNTER BEZOLD DR. WALTER LANGHOFF

DR. WILFRIED STOCKMAIR (-1996)

DATE

28.05.03

Device for determining glove sizes

GRÜNEECKER KINKELDEY
STOCKMAIR & SCHWANHÄUSsJr* MAXIMILIANSTR. 58 years

D-80538 MUNICH ***

GERMANY

_# TEL +49 89 2J 23 50 *4

-£49 £121
http://www.grunecker.de e-mail: info@grunecker.de

§7

DEUTSCHE BANK MUNICH JNo. 17 51734 • BLZ 700 700 &iacgr;SWIFT: DEUT DE MM

Device for determining glove sizes

The invention relates to a device for determining glove sizes.

Gloves are manufactured in a size range that is roughly or finely divided depending on the manufacturer and type of glove, e.g. by a size between "6" and "11" or "XS" to "XL", or similar. The traditional size designations "6" to "11", for example, represent approximately the circumference of the palm of the flat hand across the long axis of the hand in the area between the thumb joint and the knuckles in inches. The majority of potential glove customers do not know their own glove size. The correct glove size can therefore usually only be found out by consulting the sales staff or by trying on the gloves. This can be a laborious procedure for both the customer and the sales staff, especially when there is a large crowd of customers or when gloves are displayed in all common sizes on sales tables. The time required for consulting or trying on the gloves naturally reduces the potential turnover of the store and can also be perceived as annoying by the customers. While there are sometimes very complex and expensive devices for measuring feet when buying shoes, at least in specialist shops, there is currently no way of quickly and precisely determining the correct glove size by the customer themselves and/or by the sales staff when selling gloves. Therefore, if neither the customer nor the specialist staff can immediately give the correct glove size, the palm of the hand must still be measured with an inch tape measure, although this can be associated with a certain degree of variance depending on the skill of the customer and/or the sales staff.

The invention is based on the object of providing a device for determining the glove size which is easy to handle and reliable.

The stated problem is solved with the features of claim 1.

As soon as the flat hand is in the hand positioning area at the desired hand position, the width of the palm and/or the length can be measured with the measuring device.

at least one finger, with the converter device automatically converting the measurement result into the glove size, which can then be read on the display or indicated acoustically by the display. The device is so easy to use that the customer can find out his correct glove size even without specialist staff and can then immediately select gloves of the right size. This saves time and effort for customers and sales staff. In addition, the likelihood is increased that the customer will remember his glove size for the future because the device has aroused his curiosity. Since at least one mechanical or visual positioning aid is provided, the necessary procedure for determining the glove size is immediately obvious even without instructions, and there are no inhibitions about using the device as intended. In addition, there is the psychological effect that the customer feels well looked after in the shop because of the device, i.e. they get the impression that the shop puts more effort into professional customer advice than usual.

In the simplest case, the device has a mechanical measuring device. For higher demands, however, more elegant and impressive electromechanical, pneumomechanical, hydromechanical, magnetic, thermal, pressure sensor, electronic or optical measuring devices are provided in the device, which do not require any significant manipulation, but measure very quickly and precisely and, if necessary, even without contact.

In simpler versions of the devices, the measuring device can be operated manually. However, an automatic measuring device is more sophisticated; it is activated either by switching it on or simply by positioning the flat hand in the positioning area and measures immediately without requiring additional manipulation.

In principle, measuring one hand is sufficient to determine the correct glove size. However, it is quite conceivable to measure both hands and display the glove size based on an average of the measurement results or on the basis of the measurement result from only one hand. The device can

The size of the glove should be designed from the outset to indicate the glove size for the smaller hand or the larger hand, for example depending on whether an elastic glove (e.g. sports glove) or a relatively inelastic one (leather street glove) or a glove made for special purposes is desired.

The measurement can be carried out in the device in such a way that the customer does not need to touch anything in the device. This may be preferred for hygienic reasons. However, it is advisable to provide a hand rest or support surface in the positioning area, onto which the flat hand is placed with the thumb extended. It goes without saying that for hygienic reasons, for example in X-ray technology, replaceable or movable protective pads (paper or film) can be used.

Positioning the hand is made easier if there is at least one stop to which the hand is placed. This also makes the measurement easier because the same basic conditions are always assumed. However, a hand outline marking is also sufficient, which indicates to the customer the direction in which to place his flat hand and which recommends extending the thumb.

A stop for the inner or outer edge of the palm is expediently provided on the support surface. The measuring device can then comprise at least one measuring stop which can be moved relative to the stop in the measuring direction to determine the palm width as a reference measurement for the palm circumference and/or the finger length and which is coupled to the converter device. The measuring stop is moved in contact with the hand or the fingertip until the distance to the stop is determined as the measurement result, which the converter device processes to determine the correct glove size.

The stop for the inner edge of the palm is a very useful positioning aid for the desired alignment of the longitudinal axis of the hand and/or the desired position of the crook of the thumb. As soon as the hand is in contact with this stop and the thumb is spread out, the optimal conditions for a correct measurement are met.

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In an electronic measuring device, a measuring strip made of sensors oriented in the direction of measurement can be provided in the hand positioning area of the device. The number of sensors that respond then provides the guideline for the width of the palm in the knuckle area, for example, from which the palm circumference and ultimately the glove size can be determined via the converter device.

The sensors could be optical, electronic, thermal or magnetic, i.e. sensors that respond to the physical presence of the hand in the positioning area and thus provide a signal that can be evaluated as a measurement result.

In a practical embodiment, a measuring head is provided that can be moved back and forth in the measuring direction, either linearly or in an arc, manually or by means of a drive, and generates an energy beam, which is directed at a stationary or movable receiver device. An optical measurement with a light beam, e.g. a laser beam or an infrared beam, is suitable for this purpose. This measuring device can work like a light barrier that is interrupted by the hand over a certain part of the adjustment range, or according to the reflection principle.

In a particularly high-quality embodiment, the measuring device comprises a scanning or copying device for generating an evaluable image of the contour of the hand. For example, not only the width of the palm and/or the length of the fingers is then evaluated, but also, if necessary, the entire area that is taken up by the outline of the hand, for example from the thumb joint to the fingertips.

An even higher accuracy of the measurement can be achieved if the thickness of the palm of the hand is also measured, either using the same measuring device that, for example, determines the height of the back of the hand above the support surface, or using an additional measuring device that only measures the thickness.

In order to meet special customer requirements, an input device for individual hand factors can be provided. Such individual factors can also be used to determine special glove sizes. For example, a particularly fleshy or slim hand can be measured by entering an appropriate individual factor, or an individual factor can be entered for a special purpose of the desired glove, such as for a glove for a specific sport where a tight or particularly loose fit of the glove is appropriate.

In a particularly useful embodiment of the device, the measuring head is equipped with at least one laser diode, with which a laser measuring beam can be generated essentially perpendicular to the plane of the palm of the hand. In this way, very precise measurements can be carried out.

A particularly useful embodiment of the device is characterized in that the base body is a box with transparent or translucent bottom and top walls, preferably made of plexiglass, the bottom wall of which forms the support surface and carries the positioning aid, that above and below the bottom and top walls there are arms that can be adjusted parallel to the walls by a drive, on which a laser or infrared measuring head and a receiver are arranged in alignment with one another, and that the converter device has an evaluation device for the adjustment stroke range of at least the receiver when the beam is interrupted in order to obtain an accurate measurement result, which is then elegantly shown on a display as the correct glove size. This fully electronic device is elegant and practical and gives a high-quality impression. Plexiglass is hygienically perfect and also offers the advantage that the hand remains visible during the measurement. Here too, the support surface can be protected against direct contact with the skin by interchangeable covers that are practical for hygienic reasons.

Embodiments of the subject matter of the invention are explained with reference to the drawings. They show:

·

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a mechanical device for determining glove sizes, and

Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a fully electronic device for determining glove sizes.

A device V for determining glove sizes has a base body G, the upper side of which defines a hand support surface 1. The base body G is, for example, a flat plate made of any material that can be placed on a support using feet 2. In the embodiment shown, the support surface 1 is exposed. It is conceivable to provide at least one upper cover (not shown) on one side.

A marking (arrow 3) can be applied to the support surface 1, which indicates the orientation of the longitudinal axis of the hand within a hand positioning area P defined on the support surface 1. The device in Fig. 1 is intended, for example, for the left hand (indicated by dashed lines with its outline H), so that a marking or illustration Z with the outline of at least the palm of the hand, the spread-out thumb D and the fingers F is provided on the support surface as a positioning aid C, which shows the user how the hand is to be positioned.

In order to determine the position of the outer edge of the hand, a stationary stop 4 can be provided on the support surface 1 as a positioning aid C and, alternatively or additionally, a stationary stop 7 for the crook of the thumb. To determine the glove size, for example, the width B of the flat palm is measured in the area between the base of the thumb and the knuckles K, transversely to the longitudinal direction of the hand, in order to calculate the glove size from the result using a suitable formula.

As part of a measuring device M, a measuring stop 5 is provided which can be moved in a measuring direction 6, for example in a guide slot 6a, either manually or by means of a drive 9. The measuring stop 5 is placed against the inner edge of the palm of the hand in order to measure the width B. The measuring stop 5 is connected via a motion-transmitting connection 10 (a transducer device W) to a

n coupled to a movably mounted element 11 which carries information for the various glove sizes, as it moves beneath a window 12 belonging to a display A in such a way that at least one glove size 13 is shown, for example as a number, here "6", as soon as the measuring stop 5 rests against the palm edge. The measuring stop 5 can also be moved back and forth in the direction of a double arrow 8.

When using the device, the measuring stop 5 is first brought into a retracted position. Then the flat hand with the thumb D spread out and fingers F extended or even spread is placed on the stop 4 in the positioning area P and in alignment with the arrow 3, and the measuring stop 5 is adjusted to the edge of the palm until the appropriate glove size 13 can be read on the display A. The measured value of the width B is used as a reference in order to use this reference to deduce the circumference of the palm, which correlates with the glove size shown in the display A. The drive 9 can be, for example, an electric motor, or just a hand crank or a slider. If necessary, no special drive 9 is provided, but the measuring stop 5 is moved by hand.

In a variant of the embodiment of Fig. 1 (not shown), two adjacent markings Z of hand outlines of the left and right hand and expediently two measuring stops 5 which are adjustable relative to stops and act on separate or on a common display A are provided on the support surface 1.

The device V in Fig. 2 is a semi- or fully automatic device for determining glove sizes, i.e. it is activated either as desired or automatically by positioning the hand H in the positioning area P, and then possibly even carries out the measurement, evaluation and display automatically.

The base body G is, for example, a cuboid-shaped box with an open front 16 and bottom and top walls 14, 15. The bottom and top walls are made of, for example, translucent or transparent material, such as Plexiglas.

while side walls, if present, can be made of any material.

The electronic measuring device M here has a drive 9, for example with an electric motor, which drives a shaft 17 that extends above the top wall 15 and down to under the bottom wall 14. At both ends of the shaft 17, an arm 18, 19 is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner, which has various mounting positions along its length. The arms 18, 19 are expediently parallel to one another. An electronic measuring head 20 is arranged on the underside of the arm 18, onto which a receiver 21 is aligned on the top of the arm 19. The measuring head 20 has, for example, an infrared or laser light source, with which a light beam L can be guided through the interior of the base body G and through the bottom and top walls 15, 14 to the receiver 21. The measuring device M is connected to the converter device W in a signal-transmitting manner. The converter device W is assigned a display A, visible here on the back of the base body G, for example a display 23, in which the respective glove size 13 is shown after the measurement has been carried out. The converter device W and the display can be accommodated in a common housing 22, on which, for example, a power button 24 and further input options 24a for individual hand factors are provided. The power button would be ergonomically better positioned in the front area. Alternatively, the device can also measure automatically or be operated manually as soon as the hand has been inserted and correctly positioned. Markings Z on the base wall 14 or stops are provided as positioning aids in order to position the hand correctly in the positioning area P, with the directional arrow 3 also being helpful.

The measuring head 20 and the receiver 21 could also be adjusted in a straight line, e.g. along rails. In a simpler design, they could also be moved manually as in Fig. 1.

For example, a light barrier or another sensor can be provided to determine that the hand to be measured has been correctly positioned and to then start the device. The drive 9

Booms 18, 19 are moved back and forth in the measuring direction 6, with the hand H shading the light beam L over a certain adjustment stroke, depending on the width B of the palm of the hand. This part of the adjustment stroke, in which the light beam L is shaded for the receiver 21, is converted in the converter device W into the glove size, which is then shown by the symbol 13 in the display 23.

It would also be possible to operate with only one measuring head 20, which reacts to the presence of the hand, possibly without a receiver.

If the measuring head 20 is arranged below the top wall 15, only the bottom wall 14 needs to be transparent. And if the measuring head 20 works without a receiver, the bottom wall 14 does not need to be transparent either.

The measuring head 20 as well as the receiver 21 can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction of the booms 18, 19.

As an additional, optional alternative, a supplementary measuring device with a measuring head 25 and a receiver 26 could be provided, e.g. in the area of the sides of the base body G, which are adjustable, e.g. in the direction of a double arrow 27, in order to be able to measure the thickness of the palm of the hand above the support surface 1 and to transmit the measurement result to the converter device W, which also takes this measured value into account for determining the glove size.

As a further alternative, the measuring head 20 and the receiver 21 could be adjustable back and forth in the direction of a double arrow 28 in order to measure the finger length S of at least one finger. The finger length measurement could, for example, be carried out instead of or in addition to the measurement of the width B in order to determine the glove size even more precisely.

As further alternatives, not shown, sensor arrangements could be provided in the positioning area P which operate magnetically, thermally, pressure-sensitively or optically and measure either only the width B or the entire area of the front part of the hand in order to determine the glove size via the converter device W. ;··. :*·· .··. .··, ···: ,··, .··. : *··: .··. : ; .;

A scanner or a copying device to create an image of the hand with a converter device that evaluates the image accordingly, according to certain algorithms, would also be a way to determine the glove size precisely and quickly.

The position of the device V for use can be arbitrary, but should be ergonomically favorable. The device could be positioned approximately vertically (with the hand inserted from above or below) or at an angle in space. The base body could be visually enhanced to conceal its technical purpose somewhat, e.g. as an oversized glove or with a hand-like shape.

Claims (16)

1. Device (V) for determining glove sizes, characterized by the following features:
a base body (G) on or in which at least one hand positioning area (P) for the flat hand (H) and at least one mechanical or visual positioning aid (C) defining a hard target position in the positioning area are provided,
a measuring device (M) for measuring at least the width (B) of the palm between the thumb (D) and the knuckles (K) and/or the length (S) of at least one finger (F), each approximately in the direction of the plane of the flat hand,
a converter device (VV) for automatically converting the respective measurement result of the measuring device (M) into a glove size ( 13 ), and
a display (A) of the determined glove size. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized by a mechanical, electromechanical, pneumomechanical, hydromechanical, magnetic, thermal, pressure sensor, electronic or optical measuring device (M). 3. Device according to claim 1, characterized by a manually operable measuring device (M). 4. Device according to claim 1, characterized by an automatic measuring device (M), preferably a driven measuring device (M) which can be activated by positioning the hand in the positioning area (P) or by actuating a switch ( 24 ). 5. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that two adjacent hand positioning areas (P) are provided for both hands, and that the converter device (W) is designed to determine only one glove size ( 13 ) based either on an average of the measurement results or on the measurement result of only one hand. 6. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that a hand support surface ( 1 ) is provided in the positioning area (P). 7. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the positioning aid (C) is at least one stop ( 4 , 7 ) or a hand outline marking (Z). 8. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that a stop ( 4 ) for the inner or outer edge of the palm of the hand is provided on the support surface ( 1 ), and that the measuring device (M) comprises at least one measuring stop ( 5 ) which is displaceable in the measuring direction ( 6 ) relative to the stop ( 4 ) and which is coupled to the transducer device (W). 9. Device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the stop ( 7 ) for the inner edge of the palm is designed as a positioning aid for the desired alignment of the longitudinal axis of the hand ( 3 ) and/or the desired position of the crook of the thumb. 10. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that a measuring strip oriented in the measuring direction ( 6 ) made up of sensors of the measuring device (M) is provided in the hand positioning area (P). 11. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that a measuring head ( 20 ) is provided which can be moved back and forth in the measuring direction ( 6 ) and generates an energy beam, which is preferably aligned via a gap for accommodating the flat hand, to a stationary receiver device (21) or a receiver device ( 21 ) which can be moved synchronously with the measuring head ( 20 ), preferably via a reflector. 12. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the measuring device (M) is an optoelectronic scanning or copying device, optionally for generating an evaluable image of the contour of the hand. 13. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that with the or an additional measuring device (M) the thickness of the palm of the hand can additionally be measured and the measurement result can be taken into account by the converter device. 14. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an input device ( 24a ) for hand-individual factors is connected to the measuring device (M) and/or the converter device (W) and/or the display (A). 15. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the measuring head ( 20 ) is equipped with at least one laser diode with which a laser beam (L) can be generated substantially perpendicular to the plane of the palm of the hand. 16. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base body (G) is a box with bottom and top walls ( 14 , 15 ) that is open at least at the front, preferably made of transparent Plexiglas, that the bottom wall ( 14 ) forms the support surface ( 1 ) and carries the positioning aid (C), preferably in the form of a marked hand contour, that supports, preferably booms ( 18 , 19 ), that can be adjusted in parallel to the walls by a drive ( 9 ) are provided on the top or bottom walls ( 14 , 15 ), that a laser or infrared measuring head ( 20 ) and a laser beam receiver ( 21 ) are arranged on the supports in alignment with one another, that the converter device (W) has an evaluation and/or conversion device for the support adjustment stroke range when the laser or infrared beam (L) is interrupted, and that the display (A) is a display ( 23 ) for the determined glove size ( 13 ).