Work capacities testing apparatus and method

Abstract

A portable work capacities testing apparatus comprising a portable computer, a hub releaseably interconnected with the portable computer, a dynamic strength and lifting device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a hand grip strength device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a finger pinch strength device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a forearm/wrist strength device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a handling/proprioception device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a finger flexion device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a whole body coordination device releaseably interconnected with the hub, and a strength push/pull/lift device releaseably interconnected with the hub.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A finger pinch strength device for use in a work capacities testing apparatus, comprising:
 a portable housing;   a depressable member disposed on said housing;   a load cell disposed within said housing; and   a whetstone bridge disposed between said depressable member and said load cell.   
     
     
         2 . The finger pinch strength device of  claim 1 , wherein said finger pinch strength device further comprises:
 an analog to digital converter interconnected with said load cell;   a voltage regulator interconnected with said analog to digital converter;   a microcontroller interconnected with said analog to digital converter and to said voltage regulator;   a USB interface interconnected with said microcontroller and with said portable computer.   
     
     
         3 . A hand grip strength device for use in a work capacities testing apparatus, comprising:
 a first housing portion having a first end and a second end;   a second housing portion having a first end and a second end;   a pivot ring disposed between, and attached to, said first end of said first housing portion and said first end of said second housing portion;   a load cell disposed between said first housing portion and said second housing portion; and   a member interconnecting said first housing portion to said load cell.   
     
     
         4 . The hand grip strength device of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 an analog to digital converter interconnected with said load cell;   a voltage regulator interconnected with said analog to digital converter;   a microcontroller interconnected with said analog to digital converter and to said voltage regulator;   a USB interface interconnected with said microcontroller and with said portable computer.   
     
     
         5 . A whole body coordination device for use in a work capacities testing apparatus, comprising:
 a panel;   a first hand-held wand flexibly interconnected at a first end to said panel;   a second hand-held wand flexibly interconnected at a first end to said panel;   a plurality of touch pad locations disposed on said panel;   a plurality of light emitters, wherein a different one of said plurality of light emitters is disposed adjacent a different one of said plurality of touch pad locations.   
     
     
         6 . The whole body coordination device of  claim 5 , further comprising an enclosure, wherein said panel comprises one side of said enclosure, and wherein:
 said first hand-held wand comprises an electromagnet disposed on the second end;   said second hand-held wand comprises an electromagnet disposed on the second end;   said plurality of touch pad locations are disposed within said enclosure;   said plurality of light emitters are disposed within said enclosure, wherein a different one of said plurality of light emitters is disposed around a different one of said plurality of touch pad locations;   said panel comprises a translucent surface.   
     
     
         7 . The whole body coordination device of  claim 6 , wherein said whole body coordination device further comprises:
 a data acquisition system comprising a USB interface;   an address decoder interconnected with said data acquisition system, wherein said address decoder selectively selects a target wand and a target touch pad location;   wand control circuitry interconnected with said address decoder, wherein said wand control circuitry is capable of determining if a target wand is touching a touch pad location; and   touch plate and LED circuitry interconnected with said address decoder, wherein said touch plate and LED circuitry is capable of sensing if a target touch pad location has been touched by a wand.   
     
     
         8 . A forearm/wrist strength device for use in a work capacities testing apparatus, comprising:
 a platform base having a first end and a second end;   a shuttle assembly moveably disposed on said first end of said platform base;   a sensing unit disposed at said second end of said platform base;   an immobilization device attached to said shuttle assembly.   
     
     
         9 . The forearm/wrist strength device of  claim 8 , wherein said forearm/wrist strength device comprises a multi-axis, isometric strength testing device. 
     
     
         10 . The forearm/wrist strength device of  claim 8 , wherein said immobilization device comprises two semicircular halves that hingedly open. 
     
     
         11 . The forearm/wrist strength device of  claim 8 , wherein said shuttle is formed to include a plurality of apertures, further comprising:
 a first post assembly comprising a first cylindrical member having a first diameter; a second cylindrical member having a second diameter, wherein said second cylindrical member is disposed on one end of said first cylindrical member and extends outwardly therefrom, and wherein said first diameter is greater than said second diameter;   a second post assembly comprising a first cylindrical member having a first diameter; a second cylindrical member having a second diameter, wherein said second cylindrical member is disposed on one end of said first cylindrical member and extends outwardly therefrom, and wherein said first diameter is greater than said second diameter;   wherein said first post assembly can be removeably inserted into any of said plurality of apertures, and wherein said second post assembly can be removeably inserted into any of said plurality of apertures.   
     
     
         12 . The forearm/wrist strength device of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a first flexible covering disposed around said first post assembly; and   a second flexible covering disposed around said second post assembly.   
     
     
         13 . The forearm/wrist strength device of  claim 12 , further comprising a data acquisition system comprising a USB interface. 
     
     
         14 . The forearm/wrist strength device of  claim 13 , further comprising a controller. 
     
     
         15 . A strength push/pull/lift device for use in a work capacities testing apparatus, comprising:
 a first force handle assembly   a first housing, wherein said first force handle assembly is attached to said first housing such that said first force handle assembly extends outwardly from said first housing in a first direction;   a first load cell mechanically disposed within said first housing and mechanically interconnected to said first force handle assembly;   a first force handle base attached to said first housing and extending outwardly therefrom in a second direction, wherein said first direction is opposite said second direction;   a second force handle assembly;   a second housing, wherein said second force handle assembly is attached to said second housing such that said first force handle assembly extends outwardly from said second housing in said first direction;   a second load cell mechanically disposed within said second housing and mechanically interconnected to second first force handle assembly;   a second force handle base attached to said second housing and extending outwardly therefrom in said second direction;   a force arm interconnecting said first force handle base and said second force handle base along a third direction, wherein said third direction is orthogonal to said first direction and said second direction.   
     
     
         16 . The strength push/pull/lift device of  claim 15 , wherein said first force handle base can be releaseably attached to said force arm such that said first force handle assembly extends upwardly from said first housing, and wherein said second force handle base can be releaseably attached to said force arm such that said second force handle assembly extends upwardly from said second housing. 
     
     
         17 . The strength push/pull/lift device of  claim 16 , wherein said first force handle base can be releaseably attached to said force arm such that said first force handle assembly extends downwardly from said first housing, and wherein said second force handle base can be releaseably attached to said force arm such that said second force handle assembly extends downwardly from said second housing. 
     
     
         18 . The strength push/pull/lift device of  claim 17 , wherein said first force handle base can be releaseably attached to said force arm such that said first force handle assembly extends laterally from said first housing, and wherein said second force handle base can be releaseably attached to said force arm such that said second force handle assembly extends laterally from said second housing. 
     
     
         19 . The strength push/pull/lift device of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a data acquisition system comprising a USB interface.   
     
     
         20 . The strength push/pull/lift device of  claim 19 , further comprising a controller.