U.S. patent application number 11/756597 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-04 for mannequins and articulating components thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to The Children's Place Services Company, LLC. Invention is credited to Daniel Budnick, Andrew Polins.
Application Number | 20080296321 11/756597 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40086965 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080296321 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Polins; Andrew ; et
al. |
December 4, 2008 |
MANNEQUINS AND ARTICULATING COMPONENTS THEREOF
Abstract
A mannequin, particularly a child sized mannequin, that includes
articulating joints which permit a considerable range of movement.
In accordance with a preferred variant of the present invention,
special accommodations are made for wrist joints on a mannequin.
The present invention broadly encompasses not only full or partial
body mannequins, but any portions thereof that include an
articulated connection between one part of the mannequin and
another.
Inventors: |
Polins; Andrew; (Laconia,
NH) ; Budnick; Daniel; (New York, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Kane Kessler P.C.
1350 Avenue of the Americas, 26th Floor
New York
NY
10019
US
|
Assignee: |
The Children's Place Services
Company, LLC
Secaucus
NJ
|
Family ID: |
40086965 |
Appl. No.: |
11/756597 |
Filed: |
May 31, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
223/66 ;
403/91 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 403/32319 20150115;
F16C 11/103 20130101; A47F 8/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
223/66 ;
403/91 |
International
Class: |
A47F 8/00 20060101
A47F008/00 |
Claims
1. A joint structure for attaching and positioning body parts of a
mannequin comprising: a first unit for being associated with a
first body part; a second unit for being associated with a second
body part; said first unit comprising a first disc arrangement;
said second unit comprising a second disc arrangement disposed
coaxially with respect to said first disc arrangement; said first
disc arrangement comprising a frictional engagement medium; said
second unit further comprising: at least one element for
frictionally engaging with said frictional engagement medium; and
an arrangement for biasing said at least one element towards said
frictional engagement medium.
2. The joint structure according to claim 1, wherein: said
frictional engagement medium comprises a plurality of dimples; and
said dimples are distributed substantially over an entire 360
degree arc coaxially with respect to said first disc
arrangement.
3. The joint structure according to claim 1, wherein: said first
disc arrangement comprises a central disc; said second disc
arrangement comprises a pair of discs disposed at opposite faces of
said central disc.
4. The joint structure according to claim 1, wherein: said
frictional engagement medium comprises a plurality of dimples; and
said at least one element comprises a ball member for engaging with
said dimples.
5. The joint structure according to claim 4, wherein said biasing
arrangement comprises a spring which biases said ball member
towards said dimples.
6. The joint structure according to claim 1, wherein: said first
unit further comprises an extension which extends radially away
from said first disc arrangement; said extension including a
grooved element; said grooved element acting to permit rotational
movement of said extension and grooved element about a longitudinal
axis of said extension, with respect to the first body part;
whereby rotational movement of said second body part with respect
to said first body part, about the longitudinal axis of said
extension, is afforded.
7. The joint structure according to claim 6, wherein said extension
is integral with respect to said first disc arrangement.
8. The joint structure according to claim 1, wherein said
frictional engagement medium comprises a plurality grooves
extending in a radial direction with respect to said first disc
arrangement.
9. The joint structure according to claim 8, wherein said at least
one element for frictionally engaging with said frictional
engagement medium comprises protrusions extending in a radial
direction with respect to said second disc arrangement.
10. A mannequin comprising: a first body part; a second body part;
and a joint structure interconnecting said first and second body
parts, said joint structure comprising: a first unit associated
with said first body part; a second unit associated with said
second body part; said first unit comprising a first disc
arrangement; said second unit comprising a second disc arrangement
disposed coaxially with respect to said first disc arrangement;
said first disc arrangement comprising a frictional engagement
medium; said second unit further comprising: at least one element
for frictionally engaging with said frictional engagement medium;
and an arrangement for biasing said at least one element towards
said frictional engagement medium.
11. The mannequin according to claim 10, wherein: said frictional
engagement medium comprises a plurality of dimples; and said
dimples are distributed substantially over an entire 360 degree arc
coaxially with respect to said first disc arrangement.
12. The mannequin according to claim 10, wherein: said first disc
arrangement comprises a central disc; said second disc arrangement
comprises a pair of discs disposed at opposite faces of said
central disc.
13. The mannequin according to claim 10, wherein: said frictional
engagement medium comprises a plurality of dimples; and said at
least one element comprises a ball member for engaging with said
dimples.
14. The mannequin according to claim 13, wherein said biasing
arrangement comprises a spring which biases said ball member
towards said dimples.
15. The mannequin according to claim 10, wherein: said first unit
further comprises an extension which extends radially away from
said first disc arrangement; said extension including a grooved
element; said grooved element acting to permit rotational movement
of said extension and grooved element about a longitudinal axis of
said extension, with respect to the first body part; whereby
rotational movement of said second body part with respect to said
first body part, about the longitudinal axis of said extension, is
afforded.
16. The mannequin according to claim 15, wherein said extension is
integral with respect to said first disc arrangement.
17. The mannequin according to claim 15, further comprising a
second joint structure between a third body part and a fourth body
part, said second joint structure comprising: a third unit
associated with said third body part; a fourth unit associated with
said fourth body part; said third unit comprising a third disc
arrangement; said fourth unit comprising a fourth disc arrangement
disposed coaxially with respect to said third disc arrangement;
said third disc arrangement and said fourth disc arrangement being
pivotally displaceable with respect to one another; said third body
part and said fourth body part being solely pivotally displaceable
with respect to one another in parallel to pivotal displacement of
said third disc arrangement and said fourth disc arrangement with
respect to one another.
18. The mannequin according to claim 15, wherein said first body
part comprises one of: a torso, an upper arm and an upper leg.
19. The mannequin according to claim 15, wherein said second body
part comprises one of: an upper arm, a lower arm and a lower
leg.
20. The mannequin according to claim 10, wherein said frictional
engagement medium comprises grooves extending in a radial direction
with respect to said first disc arrangement.
21. The mannequin according to claim 20, wherein said at least one
element for frictionally engaging with said frictional engagement
medium comprises protrusions extending in a radial direction with
respect to said second disc arrangement.
22. The mannequin according to claim 21, wherein said first body
part comprises a lower arm and said second body part comprises a
hand.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to store mannequins
and, more particularly, to articulating components that permit the
inclusion of limbs such as arms and legs.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Fashion mannequins are widely used in clothing stores and
other venues, at the very least for advantageously displaying to
potential customers the prospective appearance of one or more
clothing items on a human body. While historically most full-size
adult mannequins have been more or less stationary, without a
capability of moving one part respective to another (e.g., a limb
respective to a torso), several have indeed been developed with
such movement capabilities. Fusion Specialties, Inc., of
Broomfield, Colo. USA, for example, has created many such
mannequins. Typically, the joints at various connection points
include a clicking feature which facilitate steady positioning,
e.g., of a limb with respect to a torso or a wrist with respect to
an arm. Generally, a sliding and clicking motion is involved with
lateral movement while vertical motion tends to involve solely a
sliding movement. However, some restrictions have been noted on the
relative freedom of movement with such an arrangement.
[0003] At the same time, children's apparel has been a mushrooming
endeavor in recent years, and needs are also noted there for
workable mannequins. However, no workable effort has hitherto been
found in connection with applying the features of an articulating
adult mannequin (as described above) to a proportionately sized
child mannequin (including the mannequin sizes of "newborn" [3-6
mos.], "toddler" [up to 24 mos.] and "preteen" or "big kid"
[6.times.7]). At best, many stores have resorted to simply
providing a bust only, necessitating that any clothing placed on
the bust needs to be filled, e.g., with tissue or newspaper in
order for limb portions of the clothing to "fill out".
[0004] In view of the foregoing, a compelling need has been
recognized in connection with providing a child mannequin that is
at least as versatile, mobile and flexible as an articulating adult
mannequin.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with at least one presently preferred
embodiment of the present invention, there is broadly contemplated
herein a mannequin that includes articulating joints which permit a
considerable range of movement. In accordance with a preferred
variant of the present invention, special accommodations are made
for wrist joints on a mannequin. The present invention broadly
encompasses not only full or partial body mannequins, but any
portions thereof that include an articulated connection between one
part of the mannequin and another.
[0006] In summary, one aspect of the invention provides a joint
structure for attaching and positioning body parts of a mannequin
comprising: a first unit for being associated with a first body
part; a second unit for being associated with a second body part;
the first unit comprising a first disc arrangement; the second unit
comprising a second disc arrangement disposed coaxially with
respect to the first disc arrangement; the first disc arrangement
comprising a frictional engagement medium; the second unit further
comprising: at least one element for frictionally engaging with the
frictional engagement medium; and an arrangement for biasing the at
least one element towards the frictional engagement medium.
[0007] Furthermore, an additional aspect of the invention provides
a mannequin comprising: a first body part; a second body part; and
a joint structure interconnecting the first and second body parts,
the joint structure comprising: a first unit associated with the
first body part; a second unit associated with the second body
part; the first unit comprising a first disc arrangement; the
second unit comprising a second disc arrangement disposed coaxially
with respect to the first disc arrangement; the first disc
arrangement comprising a frictional engagement medium; the second
unit further comprising: at least one element for frictionally
engaging with the frictional engagement medium; and an arrangement
for biasing the at least one element towards the frictional
engagement medium.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a frontal view of a child mannequin.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a right-side elevational view of the mannequin
from FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of components of a first type
of joint element.
[0011] FIG. 4 shows an assembled cross-sectional view of the
components shown in FIG. 3.
[0012] FIG. 5 shows a close-up cross-sectional view of a lower leg
with a joint such as that shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0013] FIG. 6 shows a close-up cross-sectional view of a lower leg
connected to an upper leg via a joint such as that shown in FIGS. 3
and 4.
[0014] FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of components of a second type
of joint element and a hand.
[0015] FIG. 8 shows an assembled cross-sectional view of the
components shown in FIG. 7, interconnecting a hand and a lower
arm.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] For a better understanding of the present invention,
together with other and further features and advantages thereof,
reference is made to the following description, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and the scope of the
invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.
[0017] It will be readily understood that the components of the
present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the
Figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of
different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed
description of the embodiments of the apparatus, system, and method
of the present invention, as represented in FIGS. 1 through 8, is
not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but
is merely representative of selected embodiments of the
invention.
[0018] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment"
or "an embodiment" (or the like) means that a particular feature,
structure, or characteristic described in connection with the
embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present
invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or
"in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification
are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
[0019] The illustrated embodiments of the invention will be best
understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are
designated by like numerals or other labels throughout. The
following description is intended only by way of example, and
simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices,
systems, and processes that are consistent with the invention as
claimed herein.
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a frontal view of a child mannequin C in
accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of the present
invention. A torso 1, which includes a head, has extending
therefrom upper arms 3 and upper legs 10. Each upper arm 3 connects
to torso 1 at a shoulder region 2, while connected to a lower part
of each upper arm at elbow region 5 is a lower arm 6. At a wrist
region 8, a hand/wrist 7 is connected to each lower arm 6. Each
upper leg 10 connects to torso 1 at a region 9, while connected to
the lower part of each upper leg 10 at region 11 is a lower leg 12
(which may include an ankle and foot as shown).
[0021] Indicated at 4, in each of regions 5, 8, 9, 11 and 2 (see
FIG. 2) are articulated joints that may preferably be employed to
interconnect body portions in each respective region. In a
preferred embodiment of the present invention, the joints 4 may all
be configured, and may function, similarly in each of the regions
2, 5, 8, 9, and 11. However, in accordance with a particularly
preferred embodiment of the present invention, and in a manner to
be more fully appreciated herebelow, a wrist joint in region 8
(indicated at 4w in FIG. 2) may be configured differently and
function differently than the joints 4.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a right-side view of the mannequin C from FIG. 1.
As shown, lower legs 12 (with feet/ankles) can be supported on a
flat base 35. A main support 34 can extend upwardly from base 35,
and may include a telescoping element 34a that can slidably
displace with respect to main support 34. A back support element
34b extending from telescoping element 34a can support the torso 1
at a back portion thereof, while element 34a can be slid up and
down as needed to appropriately accommodate different positions of
mannequin C. (To this end, a suitable locking element [not shown]
may be provided to lock telescoping element 34a with respect to
main support 34 once the desired position has been achieved.)
[0023] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of components of a joint
element 4 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention. It should be understood that the joint element shown in
FIG. 3 can be used in essentially any of the locations indicated in
FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0024] As shown, several components are coaxial with respect to an
"X" axis, and others with respect to a "Y" axis perpendicular
there. Along the X axis, a central disc 4a, with central aperture
41, as shown, may include a number of dimples or recesses 42
disposed along an imaginary circle at a constant radius from a
center of disc 4a. Such dimples 42 are preferably provided on both
flat surfaces of disc 4a. Preferably flanking central disc 4a on
either longitudinal side thereof are cooperating discs 13 and 18,
respectively. Cooperating discs 13 and 18 are each configured to
accommodate a spring and ball combination 14/15 and 17/16, whereby,
when cooperating discs 13 and 18 are longitudinally in close
proximity to central disc 4a, springs 14/17 will bias balls 15/16,
respectively, into one of the dimples 42. Thus, when cooperating
discs 13/18 are in relative rotational movement with respect to
central disc 4a, a "clicking" action will take place. This will
allow for easy positioning of one body part with respect to
another, in a manner to be better understood herebelow. Springs
14/17 need not be connected or affixed to balls 15/16, as the
biasing force of springs 14/17 will preferably ensure that the
balls 15/16 do not "escape" from the assembly.
[0025] Each cooperating disc 13/18 may be configured as shown,
i.e., as two parallel discs of smaller thickness that are integral
with one another (e.g., via a short annular section disposed
between the two parallel discs in a manner not shown), or may be
configured in essentially any other suitable manner. Disc 13
preferably includes a cylindrical stub 131 with an outer diameter
smaller than or equal to the inner diameter of aperture 41 of
central disc 4a. Accordingly, cooperating disc 18 may have a
central aperture 181 through which a screw 19 can be directed to
connected with an internally threaded central hole of stub 131.
With stub 131 extending into aperture 41, it will be ensured that
cooperating discs 13/18 will be in close proximity to central disc
4a.
[0026] With regard to components centered about the Y axis, a bolt
43 preferably extends radially away from central disc 4a. A grooved
element 20, to be discussed in more detail herebelow, is preferably
disposed about bolt 43 and secured thereto via a nut 24; further,
nut 24 preferably "caps" an assembly of a washer 21, spring 22 and
washer 23 disposed longitudinally adjacent to grooved element 20,
whereby spring 22 acts to bias grooved element 20 against a
circumferential edge of disc 4a. A grooved cap 34 is also
preferably provided, for purposes to be more fully appreciated
herebelow. Grooved cap 34 preferably has internal grooves and
protrusions that mesh with grooves and protrusions of grooved
element 20 to permit relative rotational movement between the two
components. Cap 34 may be fit about grooved element 20 in
essentially any suitable manner, e.g., by gluing or snapping
together two halves of cap 34 about grooved element 20.
[0027] FIG. 4 shows an assembled cross-sectional view of the
components shown in FIG. 3. Grooved element 20 is shown as having
four circumferential grooves interspersed between five
circumferential ridges, and cap 34 has a number of grooves and
ridges suitable for closely meshing with this as shown, but it
should be understood that essentially any suitable number of
grooves and ridges for both components may be included by way of
bringing about the functional capability now to be described. Also
shown for cap 34 is a an arrangement of two larger diameter discs
34a (with a groove in between) disposed about a lower periphery of
cap 34.
[0028] FIG. 5 shows a close-up cross-sectional view of a lower leg
12 with the joint 4 from FIGS. 3 and 4; joint 4 is disposed at an
upper part of the lower leg 12. On the other hand, FIG. 6 is
essentially the same view as FIG. 5 but additionally shows upper
leg 10 connected with lower leg 12 via joint 4. Reference will now
be made jointly to both figures, as well as FIG. 4. Reference is
also generally made herebelow to an "upper limb" and "lower limb"
connected at a joint 4; it should be understood that for the
purposes of the present discussion the torso 1 can be understood to
function as an "upper limb" in the context of the joint 4 in region
2 (FIG. 1), where upper arm 3 would effectively be a "lower
limb".
[0029] Preferably, all components centered about the Y axis (here,
20/21/22/23/24/34/43), as well as central disk 4a from which bolt
43 extends, can be referred to as the "Y unit" and preferably are
associated with one of the two body parts being connected at a
joint 4. Thus, in the case of FIGS. 5 and 6 the Y unit is
associated with an upper leg 10. On the other hand, all components
other than central disk 4a centered about the X axis (here, 13-19,
131 and 181) can be referred to as the "X unit" and preferably are
associated with the other of the two body parts being connected at
a joint 4. Thus, in the case of FIGS. 5 and 6 the X unit is
associated with a lower leg 12.
[0030] During manufacture of the mannequin, the X unit is
preferably clamped about the Y unit via tightening screw 19, and
this ensemble is then incorporated integrally into a "lower limb"
at a joint 4 (such as lower leg 12) while the lower leg mold is
still not full solid (i.e., still partly molten or semi-solid
during a conventional molding process).
[0031] Thence, an "upper limb" at a joint 4 (such as upper leg 10)
is preferably molded around cap 34 (which essentially covers all
other components of the Y unit), with the result that a shallow
recessed cylindrical pocket 20a mates with the double disc
arrangement 34a of cap 34. Preferably, the lower limb (such as
lower leg 12) will be convexly shaped at an upper portion thereof
as shown (preferably semi-spherically at that) and will interface
with corresponding concave portions at a lower end of the upper
limb (such as upper leg 10).
[0032] The result will be a joint connection which permits
considerable freedom of movement in a multitude of directions. On
the one hand, relative pivoting movement of the lower limb (e.g.
12) with respect to the upper limb (e.g., 10) in parallel to a
plane defined by the Y axis and transverse to the X axis will be
possible by way of relative rotational movement between central
disc 4a and cooperating discs 13/18. It should be understood that
cooperating discs 13/18 are essentially embedded into the material
of the lower limb (e.g. 12) and thus fixed with respect thereto.
Also, the biasing force of springs 14/17 is preferably strong
enough to hold the upper and lower limbs (e.g., 10 and 12) in place
with respect to one another when a ball 15/16 is biased into a
dimple 42. It should also be noted that the springs 14/17 are
preferably dimensioned and configured as to "give" sufficiently
when relative rotational movement between discs 4a and 13/18 does
take place, to permit balls 15/16 to briefly retract from the
dimples 42.
[0033] On the other hand, rotational movement of the lower limb
(e.g. 12) about the upper limb (e.g. 10) about the Y axis is
preferably permitted throughout a full 360 degrees. In this case,
the grooved element 20 preferably rotates freely with respect to
cap 34 while, by virtue of the grooves, longitudinal displacement
of the grooved element 20 along the Y axis with respect to cap 34
will not be permitted. It should be appreciated, then, that the
number of grooves in grooved element 20 and cap 34 and their
dimensions, as well as the dimensions of the double disc
arrangement 34a, are preferably selected so as to ensure that a
significant tensile force applied to grooved element 20 along the Y
axis with respect to cap 34 will not be sufficient to promote the
aforementioned longitudinal displacement. At the same time, the
materials of cap 34a (e.g., PVC or other polymeric material) and
grooved element 20 (e.g., metal) will preferably be chosen to
ensure a relative coefficient of friction between the components
that is sufficiently low to permit the aforementioned rotational
displacement but sufficiently high as to prevent inadvertent
slipping of the two limbs (e.g., 10/12) with respect to one another
in a rotational direction about the Y axis. Clearly, the joint 4
should preferably be tight enough overall as to be able to
adequately hold the weight of the body parts concerned.
[0034] In accordance with a particularly preferred embodiment of
the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 (hereinafter
referenced jointly), a different type of joint arrangement 4w may
interconnect a lower arm 6 and a hand 7. Such a joint 4w may
preferably be used in places where there are space limitations,
e.g., between a hand and a wrist, or between any body parts in a
smaller mannequin where there might be space limitations. As shown
particularly in FIG. 7, with various components being coaxial with
respect to a "Z axis", a central disc 33 may preferably be integral
with hand 7 (e.g., via an extension that is set into hand 7 during
molding). Cylindrical stubs 331/333 preferably extend from either
side of disc 33 coaxially with respect to the Z axis, and a number
of radial grooves 332 preferably extend away from these stubs
331/333 along each flat face of disc 33. (The grooves 332 in FIG. 7
are visible on one face of disc 33, but it should be understood
that a similar arrangement of grooves is also present on the face
of disc 33 that is not visible in FIG. 7.) Cooperating discs 29 and
25, for being disposed directly about stubs 331 and 333,
respectively, themselves preferably include radial grooves 252 that
are configured for engaging and mating with the grooves 332 of
central disc 33. (Again, it should be understood that inasmuch as
only the grooves 252 of disc 25 are visible in FIG. 7, similar
grooves will also preferably be disposed on a face of disc 29 that
is not visible in the drawing.)
[0035] Discs 29 and 25 respectively include apertures 291 and 251
into which, respectively springs 30 and 26 may extend. Apertures
291/251 are preferably graduated such that springs 30 and 26 will
not extend past disks 29 and 25 in a direction towards central disc
33, but instead will bias an annular internal surface of disk 29 or
25, respectively, towards central disc 33. The biasing force of
springs 30 and 26, respectively, can preferably be effected by
screws 32 and 28, respectively, which thread into stubs 331 and
333, respectively. Preferably, washers 31 and 27 may be interposed
between screws 32/28 and springs 30/26, respectively. The biasing
force of springs 30/26 is preferably strong enough to hold the hand
and lower arm 7/6 in place with respect to one another when the
grooves 332/252 are engaged with one another. It should also be
noted that the springs 30/26 are preferably dimensioned and
configured as to "give" sufficiently when relative rotational
movement between discs 33 and 29/25 does take place, to permit
grooves 252 to briefly retract from 332.
[0036] The result will be a joint connection which permits solely
up-and-down movement of hand 7 with respect to lower arm 6, i.e., a
pivoting movement of hand 7 with respect to lower arm 6 along a
plane perpendicular to the Z axis into and out of the paper with
respect to FIG. 8. Because of the biasing provided by springs 30
and 26, cooperating discs 29 and 25 and their grooves 252 will mesh
into the grooves 332 of central disc 33. Upon relative rotational
movement of central disc 33 with respect to discs 29 and 25, a
"clicking" or ratcheting action will be afforded as grooves 252
briefly retract away from grooves 332 (via the "give" of springs 30
and 26) and thence re-engage with grooves 332. In manufacture, all
of the components shown in FIG. 7 are preferably assembled as one
unit. This unit (i.e., the hand 7 with the joint 4w extending
therefrom) will then preferably be incorporated into lower arm 6 as
it is being molded (i.e., when the material of lower arm 6 is still
semisolid or molten). As shown in FIG. 8, spherical surfaces 6a is
preferably provided on lower arm 6 (convex) and hand 7 (concave) to
permit a considerable range of movement of the two body parts with
respect to one another.
[0037] Torso 1, as shown and described herein, preferably includes
a head, while lower legs 12, as shown and described herein,
preferably include ankles and feet. As such, in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention, a head may be
immobile with respect to torso 1 and ankles/feet may be immobile
with respect to lower legs 12. However, it should be understood
that optionally there may be provided articulated joints similar to
any of those discussed hereinabove, that would interconnect a head
with torso 1 or a foot/ankle portion with a lower leg 12. By the
same token, it should also be understood that any the body parts
specifically shown and described herein as being movable (i.e., can
move with respect to at least one other body part by way of an
articulating joint) can of course be immobile or stationary with
respect to one or more other body parts as may be desired in
accordance with a given practical application.
[0038] It should be appreciated that the central discs 4a and 33
discussed hereinabove are capable of undergoing a full 360 degrees
of movement relative to the cooperating discs that flank them while
undergoing the "clicking" or ratcheting action described in each
case.
[0039] It should further be appreciated that the arrangements
discussed and illustrated herein generally involve the use of
joints having a first disc arrangement, associated with a first
body part, that is coaxial with respect to a second disc
arrangement, associated with a second body part. The second disc
arrangement is generally biased into the first disc arrangement.
Because the disc arrangements are coaxial, the space needed for the
joints is greatly reduced.
[0040] While discussion has been made hereinabove of integrally
forming one or more joint components with respect to a mannequin
body part during a molding process, it should be appreciated that
in an alternative embodiment a joint may be retrofitted into an
already formed mannequin body part by any of a wide variety of
conceivable methods.
[0041] Broadly stated, and in brief recapitulation, it will be
appreciated that there is broadly contemplated herein, in
accordance with at least one presently preferred embodiment of the
present invention, a joint structure for attaching and positioning
body parts of a mannequin, or a mannequin which includes such a
joint structure. The joint structure includes a first unit for a
first body part and a second unit for a second body part. The first
unit includes a first disc arrangement and the second unit includes
a second disc arrangement disposed coaxially with respect to the
first disc arrangement. The first disc arrangement comprises a
frictional engagement medium while the second unit further
comprises: at least one element for frictionally engaging with the
frictional engagement medium, and an arrangement for biasing this
at least one element towards the frictional engagement medium.
[0042] It should be understood, in essence, that a "frictional
engagement medium" need not necessarily be restricted to the
specific embodiments shown and described herein. For instance,
instead of the dimples 42 or grooves 332 discussed hereinabove
(with ball and spring arrangements [14/15, 17/16] or grooves [252]
engaging with them, respectively), cooperating discs as understood
herein could engage frictionally via friction pads or similar media
which would provide a high coefficient of friction of rotational
movement between the discs as one or more discs is biased against
another.
[0043] If not otherwise stated herein, it is to be assumed that all
patents, patent applications, patent publications and other
publications (including web-based publications) mentioned and cited
herein are hereby fully incorporated by reference herein as if set
forth in their entirety herein.
[0044] Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention
have been described herein with reference to the accompanying
drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited
to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and
modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art
without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.
* * * * *