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US 6,659,315 B2Granted
Manikin joints
AssigneeFusion Specialties, Inc.
InventorsJames Talaric, James Barber, Richard Varner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Joints for joining together limb members of mannequins and forms, and methods of assembly of joints and mannequins are provided. The joints and mannequins of this invention provide natural anatomical shape and ease of assembly. This is accomplished using one or more assembly fixtures, located within or on a limb member to be joined, that contain elements of a locking mechanism to hold the limbs together and other elements for creating tension or friction between joined limb members. The assembly fixtures also comprise a disc (or tab) that provides a natural appearance to the joint and allows for ease of assembly.
Claims22
A joint structure for attaching and positioning limb members of a mannequin comprising:
- a first assembly fixture positioned fixedly in a socket portion of a first limb member to be joined, said first assembly fixture comprising:
- a tension-producing member;
- and
- a first half of a locking mechanism in contact with said tension-producing member;
- and
- a second assembly fixture positioned in a ball portion of a second limb member adapted to be joined to said first limb, said second assembly fixture comprising:
- a disc pivotally attached to said second limb member;
- and
- a second half of said locking mechanism fixedly attached to said disc wherein said ball portion of said second limb member has a slot formed therein and said disc is inserted into and effectively fills said slot.
6 more elements
A mannequin comprising a joint 1.
A joint structure for attaching and positioning limb members of a mannequin comprising:
- a first assembly fixture positioned fixedly in a socket portion of a first limb member to be joined, said first assembly fixture comprising:
- a tension-producing member:
- and
- a first half of a locking mechanism in contact with said tension-producing member;
- and
- a second assembly fixture positioned in a ball portion of a second limb member adapted to be joined to said first limb, said second assembly fixture comprising:
- a disc pivotally attached to said second limb member;
- and
- a second half of said locking mechanism fixedly attached to said disc
- wherein the tension-producing member comprises a spring, the first half of said locking mechanism comprises a threaded nut, the second half of said locking mechanism comprises an eyebolt and said disc comprises a groove molded Therein to fixedly accept an eve-portion of the eyebolt.
7 more elements
A method of assembling a joint structure comprising:
- providing a first limb member to be joined said first limb member having a socket portion formed on the limb end to be joined,
- providing a first assembly fixture adapted to be positioned fixedly in said socket portion of the first limb member, said first assembly fixture comprising:
- a tension-producing member;
- and
- a first half of a locking mechanism in contact with said tension-producing member;
- providing a second limb member to be joined said second limb member having a ball portion at its joining end and a slot formed therein;
- providing a second assembly fixture adapted to be positioned in a ball portion of the second limb member comprising:
- a disc;
- and
- a second half of said locking mechanism fixedly attached to said disc;
- joining said first and second halves of said locking mechanism;
- sliding said disc into the slot on the second limb member;
- and
- securing the disc to the second limb member wherein said disc effectively fills said slot.
11 more elements
A method of assembling a joint structure comprising:
- providing a first limb member to be joined, said first limb member having a socket portion formed on the limb end to be joined;
- providing a first assembly fixture adapted to be positioned fixedly in the socket portion of the first limb member, said first assembly fixture comprising:
- a tension-producing member;
- and
- a first half of a locking mechanism in contact with said tension-producing member;
- providing a second assembly fixture comprising
- a disc;
- and
- a second half of said locking mechanism fixedly attached to said disc;
- providing a second limb member to be joined, said second limb member having a ball portion at its joining end and a slot in said ball portion to accept said disc;
- sliding said disc into the slot on the bail portion of the second limb member;
- securing the disc to the second limb member;
- and
- joining said first and second halves of said locking mechanism wherein said disc effectively fills said slot.
11 more elements
A method of assembling a joint structure comprising:
- providing a first limb member to be joined said first limb member having a socket portion formed on the limb end to be joined;
- providing a first assembly fixture adapted to be positioned fixedly in said socket portion of the first limb member, said first assembly fixture comprising:
- a washer having an opening;
- a chamber in contact with said washer;
- a spring positioned within said chamber wherein the spring is in contact with the washer and aligned with the washer opening;
- a threaded nut positioned within said chamber wherein the threaded nut is in contact with and aligned with the spring and;
- an end-cap;
- providing a second limb member to be joined said second limb member having a ball portion at its joining end and a slot formed therein;
- providing a second assembly fixture adapted to be positioned in a ball portion of the second lint member comprising:
- a disc and;
- a threaded eyebolt fixedly attached to said disc;
- passing the eyebolt through the opening of the first limb member, the washer and the spring;
- threading the eyebolt into the threaded nut;
- sliding said second assembly fixture into the slot on the second limb member;
- and
- securing the second assembly fixture to the second limb member.
13 more elements
A method of assembling a joint structure comprising:
- providing a first limb member to be joined, said first limb member having a socket portion formed on the limb end to be joined;
- providing a first assembly fixture adapted to be positioned fixedly in the socket portion of the first limb member, said first assembly fixture comprising:
- a washer having an opening;
- a chamber in contact with said washer;
- a spring positioned within said chamber wherein the spring is in contact with the washer and aligned with the washer opening
- a threaded nut positioned within said chamber wherein the threaded nut is in contact with and aligned with the spring and;
- an end-cap;
- providing a second assembly fixture comprising
- a disc;
- and
- a threaded eyebolt fixedly attached to said disc;
- providing a second limb member to be joined, said second limb member having a ball portion at its joining end and a slot in said ball portion to accept said disc;
- sliding said second assembly fixture into the slot on the ball portion of the second limb member;
- securing the second assembly fixture to the second limb member;
- passing the eyebolt through the opening of the first limb member, the washer and the spring;
- and
- threading the eyebolt into the threaded nut.
14 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.