Method for taking body measurement and apparatus for performing the method as well as a system for taking body measurement and producing garments

A method for measuring a person's body measurements and a device for performing the method

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for measuring a person's body measurements by means of a measuring garment, to which adjustable measuring tapes fitted are intended to indicate a person's individual body dimensions.

Devices of the type mentioned above are already known in a wide variety of embodiments, for example SE-PS 193 457, GB-PS 1 463 804, FR-PS 1 370 762, SU-PS 695 653 and US-PS 2 052 099 and 3 753 293. Most of these of previously known devices comprise a fixed stand or measuring device to which measuring tapes or other detecting means are attached and the position of which in relation to the person standing in front of the fixed measuring device is detected either purely visually or also electrically. Only the aforementioned Soviet and French patents disclose a measuring garment to which measuring tapes are attached to indicate individual deviations from the measuring garment. In the French patent publication, this is done in such a way that the garment, in order to fit different body sizes, is provided with cuts, the width of which is measured or otherwise determined by means of measuring tapes to detect deviations from the measuring garment.

However, all the above-mentioned measuring devices are complex and difficult to handle, as a result of which the values ​​of the measured quantities become uncertain. In addition, not all the dimensional information needed to make the garment formula is obtained, but the dimensions must be supplemented by hand-taken dimensions in order to obtain all the information needed to make the formula. Such a measuring device is therefore not suitable

771 42 computerized electronic measuring system, whereby all measurement and personal data are obtained automatically at a measuring station from which they can be transmitted directly to the manufacturer.

The object of the present invention is to provide a method for measuring the body dimensions of a person, by means of which method all the dimensional data necessary for the preparation of a formula intended to form the basis for measuring a garment are obtained.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for applying the method, which apparatus is particularly suitable for inclusion in a computer-based system for taking and manufacturing the dimensions of garments.

These objects are achieved by a method and an apparatus having the features set out in claim 1 and 5, respectively.

The measuring system according to the invention, in which the measuring device is included as an integrated part, enables very highly rationalized treatment at both the store stage and the manufacturing stage. The ordering of clothes can be done with the help of a catalog or in stores where the customer only needs to look at the models included in the different product range and samples of the different fabrics in stock. This means, of course, that clothing stores can reduce their inventories considerably, and once a sufficient number of orders have been received, the computer system automatically controls the manufacturing process. The system according to the invention thus enables high quality and reduces the costs of both shops and production units, which in turn allows a completely different price competition with imports from countries where wages and manufacturing costs are relatively low. With the system according to the invention, the textile industry can be made technologically advanced, which provides completely different opportunities for structural rationalization than is possible in the current clothing industry. Competitive prices, combined with individually tailored ready-to-wear manufacturing, would generate substantially increased manufacturing and orders, which in turn would mean safer employment relationships for apparel workers and the opportunity for progressive wage developments.

The garments covered by the invention are primarily heavy ready-made garments, such as suits, sports jackets, trousers, overcoats, jackets, jackets and all kinds of uniforms. Alternatively, light ready-made clothing such as dresses, blouses, shirts, etc. may also be considered. Utilizing the system according to the invention, it is possible to produce both heavy and light ready-made garments at prices which are substantially below current prices.

In the following, for example, a selected embodiment of a measuring device according to the invention and a system incorporating such a device will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a front and rear measuring garment according to the invention, Figure 2 shows measuring vest according to Figure 1. a separate electrical system, Figure 3 also shows the vests according to Figure 1, on which the Tape Measures Fig. 4 likewise shows the vests according to Fig. 1, on which are drawn the measuring tapes forming the third electrical system, Fig. 5 shows a wiring diagram of the electrical systems of the vests according to Figs. 1-4 and the current tracks used, Fig. 6 shows a separate stand according to the invention, joesa has height-adjustable contact members and a measuring tape in the trouser section, which forms a separate electrical system, Fig. 7 shows the rack according to Fig. 6 and the measuring tapes which together with the reference dimensions in the rack form a second separate electrical system, Fig. 8 shows a wiring diagram for the trouser part according to Figs. 6 and 7 and an example of the measurement and current paths used in the wiring diagram, Fig. 9 shows a measuring tape according to the invention. and an alternative embodiment of the electricity system, wherein the measuring ranges are arranged in an external analog reference, Fig. 10 shows another alternative embodiment of a measuring tape according to the invention and an electrical system connected thereto, in which the measuring points are connected to an external digital measuring meter, Fig. 11 shows in front an alternative measuring garment according to the invention. for reading with a reading pen, Fig. 12 shows the measurement response from Fig. 11 from behind, Figure 13 shows a block diagram of a system according to the invention for taking and manufacturing dimensions of garments i.

The measuring device shown in Figure 1 consists of a garment or vest 1, which may preferably consist of two layers of elastic textile or synthetic material and is provided with a buttoning device 2, which preferably has a turn which can be attached to the part below, for example with Velcro. The vest 1 is thus individually adaptable to a person's body dimensions to be worn well to fit on the body. The vests form a carrier for a system of electrically conductive measuring tapes, the number and placement of the measuring tapes of which are determined by the structure of the garment. The vests shown in Figure 1 support nine measuring strips 5 arranged as follows: the first strip 3 runs from the upper cervical spine perpendicular to the floor on the back of the vests. The second band 4 runs from the upper cervical vertebra, through the outer end of the shoulder to the wrist on the right side. The third measuring tape 5 passes from the upper cervical vertebra through the outer end of the shoulder to the wrist on the left side. The fourth measuring tape 6 passes from the upper cervical vertebra through the inner end of the shoulder and towards the anterior vertical line at the height of the sleeve opening and from there vertically towards the floor. The fifth measuring tape 7 runs around the chest at the height of the sleeve opening. The sixth measuring tape 8 runs around the waist. Seventh measuring tape 9 passes around the rear side. The eighth tape measure 10 extends from the waist height on the left front side to the outer end of the shoulder and from there back to the waist height on the right back side. The measuring tapes bypass several gauges in the vests, and holes 12 with a reinforcing ring are made in the outer fabric for these gauges. The electrical wires 13 are passed through the holes and the ends are connected to the pike-friction web 14. Figure 1 shows only one hole with the electrical wires and the pike-clamp press connected to it, but all the holes are thus provided with these contact members. The electrical wires 13 are routed between the fabric layers of the vest and are assembled at waist height on the right side and routed out through a second side seam of the outer fabric where they are connected to a contact member 15 for connection to a computer unit (not shown). The measuring tapes are releasably attached to the vests by a fastener 16, which are suitably male and female adhesive tapes which, when pressed together, hold the measuring tapes in place. These measuring points are shown in the figure from A to T (excluding N). Thus, in each of these holes, a pike-friction pin is connected to the conductor, which is intended to be attached to the adjacent measuring tape at the point which forms the corresponding measuring point in the vests.

Figure 2 shows the vests according to Figure 1, on which the measuring tapes forming the first system of measuring points for the vest are drawn. These points are, therefore, I, J, K, and the back page 0, A, B, C, D. A vertical tape measure 0 to D from the atlas towards the floor is thus electrically connected in parallel with the traveling waist and the back side around the horizontal measuring tapes at the points A, B, and C. As shown in Figure 5 shows the electrical wiring diagram, that means the last of said chest, waist circumference and rear side of the measuring tape measure to measure the impedance of each branch systems between the points A and I. Since the measuring device (not shown) connected to the contact device 15 detects the impedance generated between these two points and the impedances in both branch lines are equal, the measuring device can easily convert the measured value to a value corresponding to the circumference of the parallel. As will be readily appreciated, the impedance measured between points A and I is a quarter of the true circumference. In a similar manner waist circumference is measured between the points J and B and the back side of the contour points C and C. The dimensions between points 0-A, AB, CC and CD are obtained as a direct function of the impedance of the measuring tape between these points, which is clearly shown in the circuit diagram according to Figure 5.

Figure 3 shows the measuring points of the vests which form a second point system which is not electrically connected to the measuring points according to Figure 2 or Figure 4. By connecting the jaw clamps to the gauges S and T and Q and R, the waist height is measured on the right and left sides of the vest, giving the total values ​​of the impedances of the respective lengths 11 of the measuring tape 10 corresponding to the impedance values ​​ST and RQ, respectively, as shown in Fig. 5.

Figure 4 shows the bra measuring points, which form a third electrical system, which includes the measuring tapes are electrically insulated with the cross-chest, waist and rear side-reaching around the measuring tapes. The connection of the jaw clamps to the measuring points shown in the figure gives the impedance values ​​measured directly between the measuring points and thus the exact dimensions between the points. As can be seen from the wiring diagram in Figure 5, a value directly representative of the length of the measuring tapes between the measuring points is obtained by measuring the impedances between these points. The distance from the upper cervical vertebra to the outer end of the right shoulder corresponds to the impedance 0-G and the distance to the outer end of the left shoulder corresponds to the impedance 0-E. The impedances GH, EF, LM and MP are obtained in a similar way.

Figures 6 and 7 show the measurement response, in this case formed by the person's own trousers, to which the measuring tapes are attached directly, either with needles or pike jaws, to measure the dimensions of the body undersize, in this case the trousers. Of course, the person's own vests and jacket can be used as the measuring vests presented above. The coupling members comprise an external stand 17 fixed to the base plate 18, which at the same time can advantageously support a personal scale 19. The stand 17 is provided with height-displaceable contact members 1, the lower of which are provided with contact tongues 24-26, which are intended to be placed on the measuring tapes at the points of the trousers between which the impedances of the measuring tapes are to be measured. The upper contact member 23 is provided with a horizontal boom 27 for measuring the length of a person standing on the scale 19. The test tongues 24-26 and the boom 27 are connected to sliding rings 28-31 which can be attached to the rack bar 17 by locking screw 32-35. The figure shows an electrically conductive measuring tape 36 arranged between the two measuring bases in the trousers from the anterior point e at waist height and downwards around the crotch and from there upwards to the rear point f at waist height as well. The third measuring point a is adapted to measure the length of the front and rear branches. The front measuring point e and the branch measuring pin a are connected to the power supply via the test tongues 24 and 26, while the rear measuring point f is connected in the same way as in vests, i.e. with a clamp fitted to the measuring tape and connected to the power supply via a conductor. In the same way as in vests, the impedance between points ae and af then corresponds to the length of the measuring tape between these points.

Figure 7 is drawn in the measuring tapes and reference measurements, which form a separate electrical system, which is separate from the measuring circuit of Figure 6, and which is intended for a specific reference level, the height of the measuring points, as well as the waist and the back half of the height measuring circumferences. The circuit diagram according to Fig. 8 illustrates by way of example the measurement of the waist circumference, which thus takes place with a measuring tape 37 between measuring points c and h, whereby both impedances connected in parallel between these measuring points can easily be converted into waist circumference. In the same manner a rear side of the circumference of the second measuring tape 38 connecting the impedances between the measuring points b and g. Due to the fact that the rack is a similarly formed reference back, 39 whose electrical properties are proportional to each unit of length of the comparison, the height of the measuring points a, b, c and d from the reference plane o can be easily obtained. The impedance oc thus corresponds to the height of the base of the foot and the impedance oa of the height of the base to the branch. The total length measure od is also easily obtained by measuring the corresponding impedance. As can be seen from the wiring diagram in Figure 8, the scale is also connected to a unit of measurement to give a complete picture of a person's body structure. Thus, the measured electrical impedance of the measuring tapes may be resistance, inductance or capacitance, or combinations thereof. A suitable form of support can also be formed by a semiconductor.

Figure 9 shows an alternative embodiment of the measuring tape 7a, the placement of the measuring tape in the measuring garment corresponding to the

This tape measure 7 is an electrically non-conductive material and the measuring range of the tape measure comprises a plurality of measuring paths 53 which are electrically conductive and each can be individually connected in a certain mutual order to an external reference measure 54 so that each measuring point of the tape corresponds to a specific reference value. The measuring rods 53 are further connected to a connector 55, which is a switching unit which gradually connects an external power supply to the measuring garment placed! to measure the external resistance applied to the circuit board 54. Thus, from the interleaver 55, the connections lead to a contact member 56, which is placed in said measuring station 53, from where an electrical impulse is passed to a circuit board, where a current pulses current through a total of 52 kohm resistances corresponding to this measuring point. The connected value of the external resistors thus corresponds to a value of 52 cm, which in turn corresponds to the position of the connected measuring device 53 in the measuring tape. In a similar manner, all the measuring tapes are connected in series via a switch 55 operating in switching stages of 1-12 cycles.

Another suitable embodiment of the measuring device according to the invention is shown in Figure 10 and is based on a digital method for transferring dimensions. The measuring tape 7b, like the embodiment of Fig. 9, is a non-conductive material and has a plurality of electrically conductive measuring devices, of which the measuring lines 57 in the lower row are electrically connected and connected to a supply line 58 connected to an interleaver 59. The gauges 60 in the upper row are separated from each other and each separately connected to the trip circuit 61. The measurements are taken by the digital method by switching the current to the interleaver 59 during the measurement, whereby the AND gates 1-12 receive voltage from the right input. The limiter gradually and cyclically identifies all connected measuring tapes and the ANDhils corresponding to the measuring tapes. In the thought example illustrated in the figure, the detection has reached the measuring tape 7b, whereupon10

771 The supply line 58 receives current while the corresponding left input of the AND gate 7 receives voltage. At the same time, a signal is given to the address of the interleaver 59 in the PROM memory 63, which corresponds to the basic size of the currently connected measuring tape 7b. When the AND gate 7 opens, the following gates a-ΐθ receive a voltage from their left input, which gates correspond to the measuring points 1-18 of the different measuring tapes. When the supply line 58 receives current, an impulse is output from the measuring points 57 in the lower row of the measuring tape to the measuring point 57 in the upper row via a contact member 64 arranged in the measuring tape. Thus, the current pulse passes through line 62 to the trip circuit 61, which further transmits current pulses from measuring point +2 to the corresponding input of the AND gate 2 on the right, whereby the gate opens and gives a pulse to the address corresponding to the gate in the PROM memory 63. The previously activated address of the measuring tape receives information about the basic dimension of the measuring point 0 of the measuring tape 7b, which in this case is a value of 20 cm. Since the address of the ANDhila 2 in the PROM memory 63 corresponds to a value of +2 cm, these two values ​​are added together to obtain the requested measured value, which according to the example shown in the figure corresponds to a measure of 22 cm and a distance OA forming the sleeve depth.

Figures 11 and 12 show an alternative embodiment of the measuring garment at the front and back and are formed as a shoulder intent 65 which is adjustably buttoned with double velcro straps to fit individually to a person's body structure. Attached to the yoke 65 are four vertical velcro strips, two at the front 67 and two at the back 68. The adhesive tapes are double and can thus be pulled apart to support the horizontal measuring tapes which are placed between the double adhesive tapes. The horizontal measuring tapes 7c, 8c and 9c is used as the chest, waist circumference and rear side of the measurement. The front measuring tape 6c and the back measuring tape 3c are used to measure the dimensions shown in connection with the embodiment according to Fig. 1. The same applies to the measuring tapes 4c and 5c which pass11

771 42 spring from the measuring point at the upper cervical vertebrae through the outer ends E and G of the shoulders and to the wrists F and H, in the same way as shown in connection with the embodiment according to Fig. 1. The measuring tapes are provided with soybeans 69 with an inner pane 70 to indicate the set measuring points. In this case, the tape measures are provided with an optical code, either an OCR code or a bar code, and the reading is done with a standard reading pen connected to a computer. The measuring ranges of the measuring tapes thus comprise several measuring points, the first measuring point of which has a code corresponding to the number 0, the second measuring points being spaced 1/2 or 1 cm apart, depending on the accuracy requirements for that measurement. The measuring range thus starts from the point on the measuring tape which corresponds to the value of the smallest size of the garment to be measured. Each measuring point on the OCR scale can also comprise a letter to identify different dimensions. The reading takes place in a manner similar to that shown in connection with Figure 10, in which these basic dimensions are stored in the PROM memory.

The measuring tapes 7c, 8c and 9c for measuring the circumference are placed on the velcro strips at such a height that they become substantially horizontal and coincide with the contours of the body of the measuring object, When taking measurements vertically, the observation frames are moved along the measuring tapes until their position coincides with the position of the readable measuring points. According to the invention, therefore, all the measuring tapes are fitted to the person and tightened to the correct positions, after which the reading of the reconnaissance frames is performed. Due to the fact that each measuring range of the measuring tapes contains information on where and in which measuring tape the measuring range is located, the measurements can be performed sequentially and the information thus obtained can be placed on the basis of an individually tailored garment.

In addition to the application forms of the measuring tapes described above, it is also conceivable for the measuring tapes to be made in the form of magnetic tapes, perforated strips or in another way which makes it possible to identify different measuring points and calculate the respective measurement values.

In this case, similarly shaped elements, for example reading heads or reading forks, can be used for reading.

Figure 13 is a block diagram of a conceivable embodiment of a system for taking and manufacturing dimensions of garments according to the invention. The block diagram is in principle divided into two main units, namely, on the one hand, a store which, via a computer transmission network, is connected to a central factory, to which, of course, several stores can be connected. Thus, in a thoughtful purchase situation, the customer 40 enters the store and receives information about the selection there, either from the catalog or from the models on display in the store. Additional information on the whole product range, as well as on all possibilities within the system, can also be provided with the help of video 41. The customer is then allowed to go to a measuring station 42 as described above and the analog signals from the measuring station representing different individual personal measurements are converted in terminal 43 into digital information which is transmitted via modem 44 to the factory central computer 45. It stores measurement and personal data in a central memory unit. standard size. The central computer also comprises a unit for comparing individual dimensional data with standard sizes and the result of the comparison is transferred to the store, where the customer receives information about the available options at a price suitable for the production of the desired garment. When the order is received, the ordered dimensional data is transferred to the master computer's formula unit 46, from which the data of the ordered goods formula is allowed to influence the control computer 47 for programming and controlling the manufacturing machine units, which machine units

771 42 comprises a plotter 48 and cutting machines 49 and 50. After cutting, the garment is manufactured in the factory manufacturing unit 51 and leaves from there to the distribution department 52, where the garment is preferably vacuum packed for mailing to the customer. In connection with the order, the customer can receive a personal measurement card, which contains all the information measured in the store, which is needed to complete the goods. During the upcoming visit, this information is stored on the card and the customer only needs to visit the store to select the desired item, after which this information, together with the personal information previously entered on the card, is transferred to the factory computer for the desired garment.

The system also offers a wide range of options to choose from across the factory in terms of designs, fabrics, colors and qualities. Despite these options, the cost of the goods themselves becomes substantially lower than in conventional manufacturing, as the cost of maintaining stock both in the store and at the factory is virtually eliminated, which means that small store space and thus lower rents can be satisfied. For the factory, the system according to the invention means increased production with a better fit, which together with the reduced sales price gives better opportunities for competition and thus higher market shares, as a result of which the employment of clothing workers becomes safer and wages develop better.