EP2305078A1

EP2305078A1 - Jointed dummy

Info

Publication number: EP2305078A1
Application number: EP10175065A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alessandro Fongaro
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-09-03
Filing date: 2010-09-02
Publication date: 2011-04-06
Anticipated expiration: 2030-09-02
Also published as: EP2305078B1; ITVR20090131A1; IT1398461B1

Abstract

A dummy (20) comprises at least a first element (40) with a main body and a second element (46) with a main body, said first element comprising a male connector (66), said second element comprising a female connector (60).

Said first and second element are connected through said male connector and said female connector.

Description

The present invention refers, in general, to a jointed dummy.
More particularly, the present invention refers to a jointed dummy showing a human form, this dummy being easy to assemble and transport. In addition, this dummy is practical and simple to use.
As is known, the jointed dummies are used for the presentation of garments. These dummies usually are models of human form in full-scale. The dummies are made of several materials such as papier-mache, plaster or wood and comprise a metal structure as well as metal joints.
In addition, the latest joint dummies are produced by utilizing materials such as polyethylene, resins, polystyrene or polyurethane foam. The structure or inner core of said dummy usually is made of steel.
However, the dummies in question are produced by utilizing materials and techniques that make their transport and use difficult.
The more limiting features of the known dummies are the following ones: weight, sizes, cost, limited number of movements, limited extent of movements.
In some cases, the weight exceeds 10 kg, which limits the transport of the dummy by thin people. Besides, in case of an overturn of the dummy there is a risk of lesions for the operator.
The size of a dummy usually corresponds to the size of a person of average height, which makes the transport of said dummies by a person uncomfortable. In addition, the transport of the dummies needs special rooms.
The cost of the dummies depends, in particular, on the technique that has been utilized for their production. For instance, the considerable cost of the plastic dummies is due to the molding process. In addition, only some parts of the dummy are recyclable.
The limited number of the movements and the limited extent of the movements of the dummies make the dressing operation complex. Besides, in case of rigid unfolding dummies and/or dummies that cannot be disassembled, it is necessary to have a sufficient room for the handling and storage of completely extended dummies.
In an attempt to reduce said disadvantages, special dummies have been put on the market. However, these dummies do not solve the aforesaid problems. For instance, concerning the problem of the weight, dummies have been produced in a polyurethane foam. However, the movements of the limbs and the movements of the various parts of the body are not possible in these dummies. On the contrary, those dummies in which it is possible to move the limbs usually comprise a metal core which involves a considerable increase of weight.
An aim of the present invention is to carry out a jointed dummy through which it is possible to solve the problems of weight, cost, limited number of movements and limited extent of movements of the known dummies.
Said aims and advantages are achieved according to the present invention through a dummy, characterized in that It comprises at least a first element with a main body and a second element with a main body, said element comprising a male connector, said second element comprising a female connector, said first and second element being connected through said male connector and said female connector.
This solution allows to obtain a dummy from assembling and disassembling elements in order to facilitate the transport.
In particular, the male connector comprises a frustum-conical body that protrudes from the main body of the first element of the dummy, the free end of which has at least a chamfer, and the female connector is a cylindrical cavity obtained in the main body of the second element of the dummy, said cavity having an upper edge with at least a chamfer. Thanks to this conformation, the frustum-conical body is inserted in the cavity on fitting together the chamfers obtained in the two elements. In this way, the coupling is obtained and it is avoided that the two elements become disjoined unintentionally and at the same time, the first element rotates in respect to the second element.
Hence, if the dummy has a human form, it is possible to provide the dummy with the most important articulations of the human body.
As an advantage, the articulations between the various parts could have different configurations.
According to the invention, the male connector comprises a cylindrical body which protrudes from the main body of the first element of the dummy. Said cylindrical body is united to said body on a portion of its side surface and comprises a spherical bowl on each of its faces which have an essentially circular shape. Likewise, the female connector consists in a cylindrical cavity obtained in the main body of the second element of the dummy, a seat being obtained in each of the parallel faces forming the cavity, said seat being shaped like a spherical bowl.
In the coupling phases for the coupling of the two elements, the spherical bowl on the cylindrical body is received in the corresponding seat on the cavity of the second element to act as a pin in order to allow a turn of the first element in respect to the second element.
A limitation of the movement between the two elements is obtained because the cylindrical body protruding from the main body of the first element of the dummy comprises a projecting element which has a limited possibility of movement in the inside of a suited seat obtained in the cylindrical cavity of the main body of the second element.
As an advantage, the fixing and turning between two elements of the dummy is allowed through a pin which is inserted in the coaxial holes of the first element and second element.
The dummy according to the invention comprises a head, a trunk, two lower limbs and two upper limbs. Each lower limb comprises a thigh, an under-thigh, a pin, a leg and a foot. Each upper limb comprises an arm, a forearm and a hand. The trunk comprises a thorax and an abdomen.
As an advantage, it is possible to produce the dummy in a polypropylene foam.
Besides, it is possible to cover the dummy with an elastic material.
Further features and details of the invention will be better understood from the following specification which is given as a non-limiting example as well as from the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 shows a joint dummy according to the invention having a human form;
Figures 2, 3 are a side view and a front view, respectively, of the dummy in Figure 1;
Figures 4, 5 are two exploded views, i.e. a side view and a front view, respectively, of the components of the upper limbs;
Figures 6, 7 are two exploded views, i.e. a side view and a front view, respectively, of the components of the upper limbs;
Figure 8, 9, 10 are three views, i.e. a front view, a side view and a top view, respectively, of an element of the bust of the dummy;
Figures 11, 12 are two exploded views, i.e. a side view and a front view, respectively, of the components of the lower limbs of the dummy;
Figure 13 shows an accessory element of the dummy;
Figure 14 shows the accessory element in union with an element of the dummy;
Figures 15, 16 are two views, i.e. a front view and a side view, respectively, of a variant of the dummy according to the invention.

With reference to the accompanying drawings and in particular to Figure 1, number 20 denotes a joint dummy showing a human form, which comprises elements which can be assembled and disassembled.
In particular, the dummy 20 comprises a head 22, a trunk 24, two lower limbs 26 and two upper limbs 28.
Each lower limb 26 comprises a thigh 30, an under-thigh 32, a pin 34 (to be seen in Figure 11), a leg 36 and a foot 38.
Each upper limb 28 comprises an arm 40, a forearm 42 and a hand 44. In addition, the trunk 24 comprises two elements, i.e. a thorax 46 and an abdomen 48.
Figures 4, 5 show the head 22 which comprises a main body 50 from which an essentially frustum-conical body 52 with Axis A protrudes. A further cylindrical element 53 protrudes from said frustum-conical body 52. The body 52 is provided with a pair of chamfers.
The thorax 46 comprises a main body 56 in which an essentially cylindrical cavity 58 with axis A' is obtained in the sector corresponding with the neck as well as two essentially cylindrical cavities 60 in the sector corresponding to the shoulders.
More in the inside, the two cavities 60 are cylindrical and have an axis E' and more in the inside, the two cavities 60 are worked so as to obtain an essentially circular opening which is subdivided into four sectors, the diameter of two sectors 61 being longer than the diameter of the two sectors 62.
With reference to Figures 6 and 7, the arm 40 comprises a main body 64 which has two ends which correspond with the shoulder and to the elbow, respectively. An essentially frustum-conical element 66 with axis B protrudes from the first end. A further essentially cylindrical element 68 protrudes from the element 66. The element 66 shows a pair of chamfers 70.
An essentially cylindrical cavity 72 with axis C' is obtained at the second end of the main body 64 in the sector that corresponds with the elbow. Two grooves 76 shaped like spherical bowls are obtained in the two parallel faces 74 which form the cavity 72.
The forearm 42 comprises a main body 78 which has two ends which correspond with the elbow and the wrist, respectively. An essentially cylindrical element 80 with axis C protrudes from the first end and has two faces 82. A spherical bowl 84 protrudes from each of the two faces 82. Besides, the main body 78 comprises portions 81 shaped like an arc of circle. An essentially cylindrical cavity with axis D' is obtained at the second end of the main body 78 in the sector that corresponds to the wrist. Two grooves shaped like spherical bowls are obtained in the two parallel faces 88 which form the cavity 86.
The hand 44 comprises a main body 92 from which an essentially cylindrical element 94 protrudes. This element 94 is united through a portion of side surface 96 to the main body 92. In particular, the element 94 comprises two parallel faces 98 which correspond to the bases of a cylinder, and a face 96 which corresponds to the side surface of the cylinder. A spherical bowl 100 protrudes from each of the two faces 96.
Both the outline 102 (as it can be seen in Figure 6) of the main body 92, adjacent to the element 94 in the sector corresponding to the back of the hand, and the outline 104 (as it can be seen in Figure 7) of the main body 92, adjacent to the element 94 in the sector corresponding to the inside of the wrist, are shaped like an arc of circle.
The assembly and movement of the above-described elements forming the upper part of the dummy are described below.
The projection 52 of the head 22 is inserted in the cavity 58 of the thorax 46, with a male-female interference coupling so that the axes A and A' coincide. In this way, the coupling is maintained. At the same time, it is possible to turn the head 22 in respect to the thorax 46 on rotating the head about the connecting axes A and A'.
In each arm 40, the essentially frustum-conical element 66 is inserted in the cavity 60 of the thorax 46 with a male/female interference coupling. In this way, the coupling is maintained. At the same time, it is possible to turn the arm 40 in respect to the thorax 46 about the connecting axes B and B' which coincide. Preferably, the coupling is obtained by arranging the pair of chamfers 70 of the element 66 of the arm 40 in such a way as to correspond with the pair of sectors 62 of the cavities 60 of the thorax 46.
In each forearm 42, the essentially cylindrical element 80 is inserted in the cavity 72 of the arm 40 with a male/female coupling. In this way, the maintenance of the coupling is guaranteed and at the same time there is the possibility of rotation for the forearm 42 in respect to the arm 40 about the connecting axes C and C' which coincide.
When the forearm 42 is coupled with the arm 40, the spherical bowls 84 of the forearm 42 find in the sector of the grooves shaped like spherical bowls 76 of the arm 40. The movement of the forearm 42 in respect to the arm 40 is limited in its rotation owing to the contact between the ends of the two main bodies 78 and 64 in order to partially reproduce the extent of rotation of a human elbow. In particular, when the forearm 42 reaches the far end, the portions 81 beat against corresponding seats of the arm 40.
In each hand 44, the element 94 is inserted in the cavity 86 of the forearm 42 with a male/female interference coupling. In this way, the maintenance of the coupling is guaranteed. At the same time, there is the possibility of rotation for the hand 44 in respect to the forearm 42 about the connecting axes D and D' which coincide once the hand 44 and the forearm 42 are coupled.
Once the hand 44 is coupled with the forearm 42, the spherical bowls 100 of the hand 44 find in the sector of the grooves shaped like spherical bowls of the forearm 42. The movement of the hand 44 in respect to the forearm 42 is limited in its rotation owing to the contact between the ends of the two main bodies 92 and 78 in order to partially reproduce the extent of rotation of a human wrist.
The conformation of the outlines 102 and 104 of the hand 44 and end of the main body 78 of the forearm 42 allows a substantial continuity of surfaces from the forearm 42 to the hand 44 for each possible turning of the hand 44 in respect to the forearm 42. To this end, there are no projecting parts not provided in the human anatomy.
Concerning the lower part of the dummy 20, as it can be seen in the Figures 8, 9 and 10, the abdomen 48 comprises a main body 106 and in the sector corresponding to the junction of the thighs there are provided two cavities 108 which are worked so as to obtain a hole shaped essentially like a cylinder with axis E' subdivided into four sectors, of which two sectors 110 have a longer diameter than the other two sectors 112. Hollow sectors 105 are obtained in the main body 106 and the two cavities 108 are included in said hollow sectors 105.
With reference to the Figures 11 and 12, the thigh 30 comprises a main body 120 which is provided with two ends which correspond with the junction of the abdomen 48 and to the junction of the under-thigh 32, respectively. An essentially frustum-conical element 122 with axis E protrudes from the first end. A further essentially cylindrical element protrudes from said element 122. The element 122 has a pair of chamfers 126.
A cylindrical cavity 128 is obtained in the second end of the main body 120, and precisely in the sector that corresponds with the junction of the under-thigh, and is worked in such a way as to obtain an essentially cylindrical hole with axis F', subdivided into four sectors 8not visible in the Figures), of which two sectors have a longer diameter that the other two sectors and a shape that corresponds to the cavities 108 of the abdomen 48.
The under-thigh 32 comprises a main body 130 which has two ends which correspond with the junction with the thigh 30 and to the junction of the leg 36. An essentially frustum-conical element 134 with axis F protrudes from the first end. A further essentially cylindrical element 136 protrudes from said element 134. The element 134 has a pair of chambers 138.
An essentially cylindrical cavity 140 is obtained in the second end of the main body 130, and precisely in the sector that corresponds with the knee. In particular, the cavity 140 comprises two parallel faces that correspond with the bases of a cylinder and a face that corresponds with the side surface of the cylinder and shows a discontinuity of diameter in the inside of the cavity. In this way, two essentially cylindrical bodies are obtained.
A circular hole 150 with axis G' is obtained in each of said bodies 151. In particular, one of the holes 150 comprises a recess 152.
The pin 34 comprises a main essentially cylindrical body 154 that has a shaped chamfer 156 on one end.
The leg 36 comprises a main body 158 which has two ends which correspond with the junction with the under-thigh 32 and to the junction with the foot 38. An essentially cylindrical element 160 protrudes from the first end and is united through a portion of the side surface 162 to the same main body 158. In particular, the element 160 comprises two parallel faces 164 which correspond with the bases of a cylinder, and a face 162 which corresponds with the side surface of the cylinder. A circular through-hole 167 with axis G' is obtained in the faces 164.
Said element 160 has an outline as it appears from Figure 11. It consists of two circular sectors of different diameter. The union of the two circular sectors individualizes a tooth 166 while the union of the element 160 with the main body 158 individualizes a recess 168.
An essentially cylindrical element 170 protrudes from the opposite end and is united through a portion of the side surface 172 to the main body 158. In particular, the element 170 comprises two parallel faces that correspond to the bases of a cylinder, and a face 172 that corresponds with the side surface of the cylinder. A spherical bowl 100 with axis H protrudes from each of the two faces 174. In turn, an element 178 protrudes from the element 170.
The foot 38 comprises a main body 180 that has two ends. On one end, an essentially cylindrical cavity 182 is obtained in the sector that corresponds with the ankle. In particular, the cavity 182 comprises two parallel faces which correspond with the bases of a cylinder, and a face which corresponds with the side surface of the cylinder, in which surface a seat 181 is obtained.
The assembly and movement of the so-described elements forming the lower part of the dummy are described below.
The lower part of the thorax 46 may be just put on the upper part of the abdomen 48 and maintains the correct position through the concave shape of the lower face of the thorax 46, the concave shape being arranged on the convex upper portion of the abdomen 48. In this way, a relative movement between thorax 46 and abdomen 48 is still possible.
The thorax 46 is suitably mounted on the abdomen 48 with a male/female interference coupling; for instance, a tube (not visible in the Figures), inserted in suited seats of the abdomen 48, a shaped or hollow plate (not visible in the Figures), inserted in the upper part of the abdomen 48.
Then, the aforesaid tube is inserted in corresponding seats of the thorax 46. In this way, several angulations of insertion in the abdomen and several relative arrangements of abdomen 48 and thorax 46 are possible.
In each thigh 30, the essentially frustum-conical element 122 is inserted in the cavity 108 of the abdomen 48, with a male/female interference coupling so that the coupling is maintained and at the same time, there is the possibility of rotating the thigh 30 in respect to the abdomen 48, about the connecting axes E and E', said axes being coincident during the coupling.
Preferably, the coupling is obtained by making the pair of chamfers 126 of the element 122 of the thigh 30 correspond with the pair of sectors 112 of the cavities 108 of the abdomen.
In each under-thigh 32, the essentially frustum-conical element 134 is inserted in the cavity 128 of the thigh 30, with a male/female interference coupling so that the coupling is maintained and at the same time, there is the possibility of rotating the under-thigh 32 in respect to the thigh 30, about the connecting axes F and F'.
Preferably, the coupling is obtained by making the pair of chamfers 138 of the element 134 of the under-thigh 32 correspond with the pair of sectors 132 of the cavities 128 of the thigh 30.
In each leg 36, the essentially cylindrical element 160 is inserted in the cavity 140 of the under-thigh 32 with a male/female interference coupling.
The pin 34 is inserted in the hole 150 of the under-thigh 32 and in the hole 167 of the leg 36 so that the coupling is maintained and at the same time, it is possible for the leg 36 to rotate in respect to the under-thigh, about the connecting axes G and G' that now are coincident.
The shaped chamfer 156 of the pin 34 is coupled with the recess 152 of the hole 150 of the under-thigh 32 and acts as a travel end for the pin 34. In this way, in the dummy assembling phase it is possible to insert the pin 34 in a single face while in the dummy disassembling phase it is possible to extract the pin 34 only from the opposite face.
In addition, the tooth 166 may result in a beating position on the diameter discontinuity in the inside of the cavity 140 of the under-thigh on limiting the movements between the leg 36 and the under-thigh 32.
The same recess 168 may result in a beating position on the perimeter of the cavity 140 of the under-thigh 32 and therefore, this cavity acts as a travel end for the rotation about the axes G and G' of the leg 36.
In each leg 36, the essentially cylindrical element 170 is inserted in the cavity 182 of the foot 38 with an male/female interference coupling so that the maintenance of the coupling is maintained and at the same time, it is possible to turn the feet 38 in respect to the leg 36, about the connecting axes H and H' that coincide in the coupling.
When the foot 38 is coupled with the leg 36, the spherical bowls 176 are in the sector that corresponds with the grooves shaped like spherical bowls and obtained in the foot 38. The movement of the foot 38 in respect to the leg 36 is limited in its rotation by the contact between the ends of the two main bodies 180 and 158, respectively so that the extent of rotation of a human foot is reproduced at least partially.
The conformation of the element 170 of the leg 36 and the conformation of the cavity of the main body 180 of the foot 38 allow a substantial continuity of the surfaces from the leg 36 to the foot 38 in each available rotation of the foot 38 in respect to the leg 36, the human anatomy being followed as much as possible.
The jointed dummy with the so-described interference couplings is produced by utilizing various elastic, strong materials.
Preferably, the dummy is produced by utilizing a material known as polypropylene foam, abbreviated as PPE or EPP.
Many advantages derive from the utilization of said material. First of all, it is possible to obtain a jointed dummy which has the so-described features as well as a weight which, on average, is lower four times than the dummies of the prior art so that the transport and utilization are easier.
In addition, said material is resisting and nontoxic and after being deformed, it returns to its original form.
This last feature allows to simulate the elasticity of leather, which makes more pleasant to touch the dummy. Besides, said feature allows to take advantage of undercuts to obtain the above-mentioned particular geometries on obtaining the junctions of the different parts forming the jointed dummy.
Further advantages deriving from the utilization of the polypropylene foam are the wear resistance as well as the resistance in case of fall. In case of fall, the dummy does not crumble, does not damage things or persons. Besides, the dummy keeps afloat in the water and does not need any finishing operation or varnishing operation after the molding.
As described above, the particular conformation of the articulated joints allows to obtain the structure of the articulations in the inside of the dummy, the anatomy of the body being thus safeguarded.
The lightness and the capacity of movement of the jointed dummy makes the handle and the full dressing of the dummy possible by an only person.
The steam molding process of the polypropylene foam can be done with molds that are worked on their surface in a photoengraving process so as to obtain for instance wefts having a depth of a tenth of millimeter. The use of photoengraved molds allows to obtain a more compact material since the spheres of which the PPE is formed are amalgamated. The wear resistance and the resistance to the abrasions of the dummy are further improved. Besides, possible molding defects are avoided or masked.
According to a variant of the invention (Figure 13), a cover 190 comprises a main essentially cylindrical body 192 from which an essentially frustum-conical element 194 protrudes. A further essentially cylindrical element 196 protrudes from said element 194. The element 134 has a pair of chamfers 198.
The cover 190 may be coupled with the thorax 46 in place of the head 22 so as to obtain, for instance, a dummy consisting only of thorax 46 and cover 190.
According to a further variant of the invention, a dummy may be provided with magnetic elements to be inserted in corresponding seats, for instance in the sectors of the junctions of the various parts of the dummy, in order to improve the maintenance of the position of the limbs during the display, in particular in case the dummy has to support heavy loads and to guarantee a higher safety and practicality in the assembling, disassembling and dressing of the dummy. For instance, the joining of thigh 30 and abdomen 48 or the joining of arm 40 and thorax 46 may be obtained with magnetic elements by inserting a magnet in the female element and a ferromagnetic element in the male element.
For instance, the joining of thorax 46 and abdomen 48 may be obtained with magnetic elements, there being thus the advantage of a higher safety in the utilization of the dummy without additional connecting elements.
According to a further variant of the invention, the dummy may be provided with a full or partial covering, for instance a fabric covering, to improve the look of the dummy, the articulated joints being hidden partially or completely. In this way, the touch is improved and the surface of the dummy is more similar to the consistence and appearance of the human skin.
In addition, the covering may be fixed on one or more of the parts of the dummy and guarantees a higher level of strength in the sectors of the articulated joints to improve the maintenance of the coupling between the elements.
Obviously, the shape of the various elements of the dummy reproduces a human body on the whole, as previously described for a male dummy. As to a female dummy, Figures 15 and 16 represent a dummy 220 having a female appearance. Obviously, dummies having non-human appearances such as dog-shaped dummies, cat-shaped dummies, horse-shaped dummies etc. are included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

Dummy (20; 220), characterized in that it comprises at least a first element with a main body and a second element with a main body, said first element comprising a male connector, said second element comprising a female connector, said first and second element being connected through said male connector and said female connector.
Dummy (20; 220) according to claim 1, wherein the male connector comprises a frustum-conical body (66, 122, 134) that protrudes from the main body (64, 120, 130) of the first element (40, 30, 32) of the dummy (20; 220), the free end of which has at least a chamfer (70, 126, 138), and wherein the female connector is a cylindrical cavity (60, 108, 128) obtained in the main body (56, 106, 120) of the second element (46, 48, 30) of the dummy (20; 220), said cavity having an upper edge with at least a chamfer (61, 110, 128).
Dummy (20; 220) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the male connector comprises a cylindrical body (80, 94, 170) that protrudes from the main body (78, 92, 158) of the first element (42, 44, 36) of the dummy (20; 220), said cylindrical body being joined to said main body on a portion of its lateral surface and comprising a spherical bowl (84, 100, 176) on at least one of its substantially circular faces (82, 98, 174), and wherein the female connector is a cylindrical cavity (72, 86, 182) obtained in the main body (64, 78, 182) of the second element (40, 42, 38) of the dummy (20; 220), a seat shaped like a spherical bowl being obtained in at least one of the parallel faces forming the cavity.
Dummy (20; 220) according to claim 3, wherein the cylindrical body (170) protruding from the main body (158) of the first element (36) of the dummy (20; 220) comprises a protruding element (178), and wherein in the cylindrical cavity (182) obtained in the main body (182) of the second element (38) a seat is obtained in which the protruding element (178) can move.
Dummy (20; 220) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the male connector comprises a cylindrical body (160) protruding from the main body (158) of the first element (36) of the dummy (20; 220), said cylindrical body being joined to said main body on a portion of its lateral surface and a through-hole (167) being obtained in said cylindrical body, and wherein the female connector is formed by a cylindrical cavity (140) obtained in the main body (130) of the second element (32) of the dummy (20; 220) so as to form two cylindrical portions (151) in which a through-hole (150) is obtained; a pin (34) being inserted through the holes (150, 167) in order to moveably couple the first element (36) and the second element (32).
Dummy (20; 220) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a head (22), a trunk (24), two lower limbs (26) and two upper limbs (28) are comprised; each lower limb (26) comprising a thigh (30), an under-thigh (32), a pin (34), a leg (36) and a foot (38); each upper limb (28) comprising an arm (40), a forearm (42) and a hand (44); the trunk (24) comprising a chest (46) and an abdomen (48).
Dummy (20; 220) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made of polypropylene foam (PPE).
Dummy (20; 220) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a covering.
Dummy (20; 220) according to claim 9, wherein the covering is made of an elastic fabric.
Dummy (20; 220) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said male connector comprises a magnetic element and said female connector comprises a ferromagnetic element, said magnetic element and said ferromagnetic element being connectable to each other.