Hand Sizing Tool Index Finger Guide Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing glove sizing systems often prioritize measuring the length of the middle finger, leading to inaccurate and reproducible fits for the index finger, which affects tactility, especially in gloves for firefighting and military applications where precise hand protection and manipulation are critical.

Innovation Solution

A hand sizing tool with a base and secondary platform, featuring an index finger guide, measurement sliders, and adjustable design elements to ensure accurate and reproducible measurements, including an angled index finger guide and a raised secondary platform to accommodate different hand sizes and positions, enhancing the measurement of the index finger and palm width.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a printed hand sizing tool with a pencil is used to position the hand, then the measurement process is simple, but the measurement accuracy and reproducibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of sizing toolVSAvoidreproducibility of hand measurements

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces physical positioning elements (guides, stops, alignment marks) as intermediaries between the hand and the measurement tool. These elements mediate the positioning process by providing tactile feedback and physical constraints that guide the user to place the hand in the correct position, thereby improving measurement reproducibility without complicating the tool design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the purely visual/mechanical pencil-marking system with a more sophisticated mechanical positioning system that includes physical guides, stops, and alignment features. This mechanical substitution provides more reliable and reproducible positioning while maintaining ease of use through intuitive physical cues

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If the middle finger length is measured to determine glove size, then the sizing system is simple, but the fit for the index finger deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of sizing systemVSAvoidfit accuracy for index finger

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the hand measurement process into distinct zones for different fingers, with specific measurement areas for the index finger, middle finger, and other digits. By dividing the measurement task into finger-specific segments, the tool can capture precise index finger dimensions while maintaining an overall simple sizing system structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by providing enhanced measurement features specifically at the index finger measurement zone, while other areas of the tool maintain simpler designs. This allows the tool to achieve high precision for the critical index finger measurement without requiring complex features throughout the entire device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS8176647B2Hand sizing tool

Publication Date: 2012.05.15 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA THE AS REPRESENTED BY THE SEC OF THE ARMY

AI summary

A hand sizing tool includes a base platform and a secondary platform affixed to and raised above the base platform. The platforms include a palm heel indicia on the base platform and an index finger tip indicia on the secondary platform. Each of an index finger guide, an index finger measurement slider, and a palm width measurement slider extends out of the secondary platform, these elements being adapted for measuring the hand size.