Plethysmograph system and air-tight sealing assembly therefor

A plethysmograph comprising:

• a base;
• a lid mounted to said base, said base and said lid defining a chamber when said lid is positioned upon said base;
• a first gasket comprised of an elongate strip of a soft material;
• a second gasket comprised of a hollow elongate tube a resilient material which is of harder durometer than the material comprising said first gasket, said elongate tube including a generally arcuate surface portion which engages said first gasket when said lid is positioned upon said base;
• means for introducing air into said chamber;
• one of said first and second gaskets being mounted to said base and extending substantially peripherally thereabout;
• the other of said first and second gaskets being mounted to said lid and extending substantially peripherally thereabout,
• whereby said second gasket engages substantially the entire length of said first gasket when said lid is positioned upon said base, thereby deforming said first gasket and providing a substantially air-tight seal.

A plethysmograph comprising:

• a base;
• a lid mounted to said base, said base and said lid defining a substantially air-tight chamber when said lid is positioned substantially horizontally upon said base;
• means for introducing air into said chamber;
• supporting means for supporting said base;
• a storage space defined by said supporting means directly beneath said base;
• a hinge assembly connecting said base and said lid such that said lid can be pivoted about said hinge assembly through an arc of at least about 270.degree., whereby said lid is pivotable about said hinge assembly from a substantially horizontal position upon said base to a substantially vertical position within said storage space directly beneath said base.