GB2506374A - A mannequin kit made of flexible sheets - Google Patents

Abstract

A mannequin kit for assembly into a representation of a human figure comprising a plurality of panels 101-111 of flexible sheet material wherein at least one edge of each panel 101-111 has connecting means for removably connecting panels 101-111 together such that when the panels 101-111 are connected they form a continuous compound curved surface or varying radii of curvature representative of a human anatomy wherein the configuration of the connecting means provided along the edge of a panel 101-111 varies in dependence on the radius of curvature of the surface. The connecting means may be integrally formed tabs and recesses which interlock and a locking barb may be provided. The space or size of the tabs may be varied. The panels 101-111 may be flat polypropylene plastic and the mannequin may be lit from within. Also disclosed is a stand for supporting the mannequin.

Description

A Mannequin Kit

BACKGROUND

Technical Field of the Invention

The invention relates to mannequins for the display of clothing and in the preferred embodiment to a mannequin kit which can be easily assembled from a number of flat parts to create a life-like human form.

Description of Related Art

Mannequins are used in the fashion industry by designers, tailors, dressmakers and others to display or fit clothing. They are generally life-size and are intended to faithfully recreate the human form and display garments to best effect. Such a mannequin, tailor's dummy, lay figure or dress form may be a model of the entire body but particularly important is the torso, i.e. including the neck, shoulders, upper arms, chest, waist and hips. Such figures have historically been made from wire forms, wax, plaster and more recently moulded plastic to provide a realistic model.

as While strong and lifelike, a moulded plastic human form is heavy, bulky, expensive and inconvenient to transport and store. This is a particular problem for fashion designers who frequently travel internationally by air to display their clothing products at shows and trade events around the world.

Known solutions to this problem include mannequins which can be assembled from flat components and thus transported more easily. However, it is not straightforward to create a realistic three-dimensional curved form using flat panels.

WO 2007148124 describes a mannequin which is made from planar shapes slotted together at right angles to each other to form a human profile when viewed from either the side or the front. However, this is a crude approximation and draped clothing would not hang in an authentic way.

US 2724532 describes a torso-like structure which can be assembled from flat part held together by pins. The anatomy is only approximate and the graceful curves which characterise the human figure are not present.

US 886524 attempts to recreate the curves of a human body but only manages to provide a chest region.

Other mannequins are known which can be made from flat parts to produce compound curved surfaces, but are time-consuming to assemble as there are many connectors.

It is therefore an object to provide a mannequin which can be quickly assembled from flat panels into a figure having the compound curved surfaces associated with a life-like human form.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention therefore provides a mannequin kit for assembly into a representation of a human figure comprising a plurality of panels of flexible sheet material, wherein at least one edge of each of said panels has connecting means for removably connecting panels together such that the panels, when assembled, form a continuous compound curved surface of varying radii of curvature, representative of parts of the human anatomy, wherein the configuration of the connecting means provided along the edge of each panel is dependent on the radius of curvature of the surface. Thus, when the panels are assembled into a complete mannequin a human torso having a substantially continuous curved surface is formed, which allows clothing to be realistically draped and displayed on the mannequin. However, the arrangement of discrete connectors used to join adjacent panels is selected according to the degree of strain required to form a particular anatomical feature in the complete mannequin, so that a gently curved surface containing minimal strain can be formed using large, widely spaced connectors, whereas a tight, highly strained curved surface requires smaller more closely spaced connectors. This arrangement has the advantage that the kit is quick to assemble because the number of connectors required to create the human form is minimised. Furthermore, compound curves are strong and therefore the mannequin is able to support a significant weight of clothing despite being very light itself.

The connecting means may comprise flat structures formed integrally along at least one edge of each of the panels. This has the advantage that the panels are simple to produce because the panels and panel connecting means can be fabricated in the same processing step.

The connecting means may be a series of flared tabs and recesses, the space between each tab thereby defining a recess and wherein the tabs of one panel are arranged to interlock with corresponding recesses on an adjacent panel. These shapes form an effective joint between panels when they are flat. The tabs are effectively wedged against each other and movement in any direction is inhibited.

The waist of each tab is chosen to be slightly less than the recesses formed between the tabs, which ensures a tight fit of the panel joint. This system also allows quick disassembly of the mannequin because when adjacent panels are not flat the seam may be "torn" apart.

The variable configuration of the tabs may include the width of each tab and! or the spacing of each tab. In this way the number of tabs may be optimised depending on the curvature in the joined panels, i.e. in the region of a tight curve closely spaced small tabs are used, while for regions where the curves are of large radius, large, well-spaced tabs can be used. This ensures that the mannequin can be assembled as quickly as possible.

The tabs may include a locking feature, such as an aperture, or round hole cut in the panel for a flared tab to be inserted into. This feature ensures that a row of connected tabs does not come apart. The tabs may also include a barb on the tab and! or a barb on the recess to lock installed tabs in place to ensure that they do not come apart during assembly.

The mannequin may comprise a torso including neck, shoulders, upper arms, chest, waist and hips which may represent a female or male figure.

Each of the panels may be cut from a sheet of flat material, such as clear polypropylene plastic.

The mannequin when assembled may be lit from within for a striking visual effect.

The kit may include a stand for supporting the assembled mannequin. The stand may include elements upon which the shoulders of the mannequin rest to take the weight of the mannequin, and elements which stabilise the mannequin at the hips.

A method of assembling the mannequin kit may include the steps of holding two of the panels of the kit so that the tabbed edges are aligned, interlocking the tabs and folding the panels flat to form a continuous compound surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention are described below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure la and lb are perspective views of the assembled mannequin from the front and the rear respectively.

Figures 2a to 2e are detailed views of the types of connectors used to allow the constituent panels of the mannequin to be joined together.

Figure 3 is a view of all of the panels of the mannequin set out so that the relationship between them can be seen.

Figure 4 is a view of two panels being assembled.

Figures 5a to 5c show the steps of assembling a shoulder and arm panel of the mannequin shown in Figure la.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The human torso is a complex shape, having large gently curved areas, such as the back and tummy and areas with tight curves such as the shoulder and neck areas which all blend smoothly into one another. Figure la and lb show an embodiment of the mannequin of the present invention which faithfully reproduces the complex contours and smooth transitions of the human form. The mannequin comes as a kit which can be quickly assembled and disassembled from a number of flat panels.

The mannequin includes a neck, shoulders, upper arms, chest, waist and hips. It can be placed on a surface or be mounted on a stand to display full length garments.

Although the mannequin is formed from a series of joined flat panels, it provides a substantially continuous surface of smooth contours which accurately reflect the human figure. The mannequin is hollow and derives its strength entirely from the management of the strain across the surface of the component panels. The mannequin is strong and can support garments weighing from 2-5 kg when placed on a surface, but is also light; the complete mannequin weighs 400 grams. More weight can be supported by the mannequin when it is mounted on a stand.

This versatile mannequin can be built quickly from a kit of eleven panels and rapidly dismantled and packed away again, either in a flat-pack or a roll. The panels are made from a stiff but flexible sheet material which are able to take a compound shape; the panels are cut to a shape so that when joined along their edges the topology of the human figure is formed. Such joined sheet material is subject to significant strain forces as the contours are formed, strain which is variable across the figure; lower strain in areas with gentle curvature and much higher strain where the curve is more pronounced, for example around the neck and shoulders. Ideally the panels would be joined at many points but this would be time consuming to construct the full mannequin. A few simple connectors would be preferable from the point of view of a user, but this would not result in a life-like shape. Therefore a balance must be struck between effective connection of edges and ease of assembly and disassembly. This is achieved by the provision of connecting elements around the edges of the panels of differing configurations such as shape, size and dimension.

The complete mannequin is shown in Figures la and lb and is assembled from eleven panels. The panels include: a front panel 101 which extends the full length of the mannequin includes a throat region lOla of the neck, a chest region lOib and a tummy region lOic; a right shoulder panel 102 and a left shoulder panel 103 each of which include a neck side region 103a and a shoulder region. The right and left shoulder panels 102, 103 are connected to the throat region lOla of the front panel 101; a right arm panel 104 and a left arm panel 105 each of which has a shoulder joint region 105a which is connected to the right and left shoulder panel 102, 103; the back of the mannequin is formed by a right back panel 106 and a left back panel 107 which are more clearly seen in Figure lb. The back panels extend the full length of the mannequin from the neck to the lower hips and are connected along their full length. Each of the two back panels has a rear neck region 1 06a, 1 07a, an upper back region 106b, 107b, and a lower back region 106c, 107c. The rear neck regions 106a, 107a are connected to the side neck regions 102a, 103a of the shoulder panels 102,103.

The hip and waist contours are formed by four side panels, two for each side of the body; the right front side panel (not shown) and the right back side panel 109, which are connected together along their full length, the left front side panel 110, and the left back side panel 111 which are also connected along their full length. The front side panels 108, 110 are connected to the chest region lOib and tummy region lOic of the front panel 101, while the rear side panels 109, 111 are connected to the upper back regions 106b, 107b, and the back panels.

Each of the eleven panels has a series of connecting members around its edge. The connecting members have differing configurations depending on their position in the complete mannequin. This is because areas of the torso which have gentle curves only need a minimal number of connection points to effect a good connection, i.e. to provide a continuous surface. Across a gentle curve the flexible panel are only minimally strained and the spacing and size of the connectors can be large and optimised for quick assembly. For tight, small radius curves the connection points must be more densely packed and robust to define the curve. For the most highly strained areas hook features are provided which secure the panels together during assembly so that panels do not spring apart. The different types of panel connectors used are shown in Figures 2a to 2e. Figure 2a shows one type of flared tab and recess connector. Here the edge of a panel 201 is cut to include a series of spaced circular apertures 202a, 202b, 202c of diameter 20mm and separation slightly less than the diameter, for example 19mm. The apertures are set back from the panel edge by around 20mm. A wedge portion 203a, 203b of the panel is cut away to provide slotted access to each aperture. This leaves a tab portion 204a, 204b having a waist and head along an edge of the panel. The edges of the tabs can be rounded to remove sharp corners which can be uncomfortable to handle during mannequin assembly. Similar tabs 205a, 205b, 205c are provided along the edge of the adjacent panel 205, but are offset, so the tab portions 205a, 205b, 205c of panel 205 align with the apertures 202a, 202b of panel 201. The spacing between the apertures may be increased, while the apertures remain a fixed diameter; in this instance corresponding tabs on the adjacent panel should have a waist which is slightly smaller than this diameter. Figures 4a to 4c shows how these tab and aperture connectors are connected to each other. In Figure 4a tabs on adjacent panels are aligned. In Figure 4b the tabs are grasped and inserted into the corresponding recesses. This is continued for all tabs in the series in a weaving action until all of the tabs in the series are located in the apertures of the adjacent panel. In Figure 4c the panels are flattened so that they are planar, and form a continuous compound curved surface, which may require a pushing-out motion to form the curved surface. The tabs and apertures then become interlocked tightly to prevent relative movement of the panels. The tabs are located on the inside surface of the mannequin which leaves a smooth outer surface. The waist of each tab is locked into the aperture of its partner on the adjacent panel. To separate the panels the panels are folded so that they are non-planar with each other, each edge is grasped and the panels can then be "torn" apart as neighbouring tabs fold aside so the waists of tabs are able to disengage from the apertures via the slots.

Figure 2b shows another type of connector. This is a rounded dovetail type, where a pattern is cut into the edge of the panel 21 Oa to form a series of openings 207. The tab has an outer edge of width 208 and recess defining an inner edge having spacing 209 set back a distance of 20mm from the outer edge. The distance between outer edge portions is less than the length of the inner edge portions, which defines a dovetail type pattern of tabs. The edges of the tabs are rounded so that they are more comfortable to use. A corresponding and offset pattern is provided on an adjacent panel 210b. The interlocking of the panels to form a continuous surface is effected by weaving the dovetail tabs together and flattening the two panels, whereupon the dovetail tabs become wedged against each other.

Figure 2c shows a locking tab arrangement. Here a protruding mushroom-shaped tab 211 having a waist 212 and head 213 is provided on panel 214 and an aperture 215 having a diameter slightly larger than waist 212 is provided on corresponding panel 216. In order to fix the two together, the tab 211 is inserted through the aperture 215 by bending the head 213 of the tab; the panel material is of course stiff but flexible enough to allow this bending. The two panels are then locked together.

To disengage this connection the head 213 must be bent so that it can be pulled out of the aperture 215. This is a strong locking connection which may be used at the ends of the panels to ensure that the seams of the mannequin do not came apart unintentionally.

Figure 2d shows a hooked tab arrangement for joining panels 217 and 218. This tab is similar to those described in relation to Figure 2a, but a barb or tang 219 is provided on one edge of the tab. This arrangement is less likely to spring apart during assembly and is used on areas of panel which form high radius of curvature compound surfaces that are under a lot of stress. Figure 2e shows a hooked tab and hooked aperture arrangement, where a tang 220 is provided on the tab of one panel and a tang 221 is provided on the corresponding aperture of the adjacent panel. This provides a very strong join in the most stressed regions of the mannequin, for example the neck! shoulder continuity.

Figure 3 shows all of the panels of the mannequin arranged to show how they are connected together. The front panel 101 is elongated in shape and has two long sides, each bulged at the upper end to form the chest. The long edges have a series of tab and aperture type connectors as shown in Figure 2a, which are widely spaced in the tummy area, i.e. aperture spacing of 57mm and more closely spaced, i.e. aperture spacing of 20mm in the chest and shoulder! neck area. At the end of each series there is a locking connector of the type shown in Figure 2c. The front panel has two short sides; an upper edge which forms the upper limit of the neck and a lower edge which forms a part of the base rim.

The front side panels 108, 110 are also elongated and connectors are provided around almost the entire periphery, except for a lower edge region which forms another section of the lower edge of the mannequin. The connectors on one of the two long edges of the front side panels 108, 110 correspond with the connectors on the chest and tummy region of the front panel 101 and are therefore widely spaced in the tummy region, where the curvature of the surface is low, and are more closely spaced in the chest region where the curvature increases somewhat. Along the other of the two long edges of the front side panels the connectors are closely spaced because the curvature of the surface formed here is the pronounced hip and waist region. Again, locking connectors of the type shown in Figure 2c are provided at the corners of these panels.

The back side panels 109, 111 have closely spaced tab and aperture connectors of the type shown in Figure 2a as these panels also form the curvy hip and waist regions.

The back panels 106, 107 are elongated and have two narrow edges defining a section of the neck opening and a section of the base rim. The long sides which join to form the spine are substantially straight and when connected form a very gentle curve; therefore widely spaced dovetail connectors of the type shown in Figure 2b are provided which can be quickly and easily connected. The other long edge of the back panels includes hook type connectors shown in Figures 2d in the neck and shoulder region, where the radius of curvature is low and the surfaces highly curved.

The waist and hip region has closely spaced tab and aperture type connectors.

The shoulder panels 102, 103 are triangular in shape and have closely spaced tab and aperture connectors, and hooked apertures in the tightly curved regions. The arm segments 104, 105 are also triangular and have very elongated tabs with tangs to ensure good connectivity with the corresponding connectors in the tightly curved shoulder to arm transition region.

Assembly of the mannequin is quick because the number of connection points is minimised. The mannequin is assembled by taking the front panel 101 and one of the front side panels 108 in hand and connecting the locking tab and apertures together at the base. The panels are then held "back-to-back", i.e. with both inwardly facing sides of the panels touching, or at right angles to each other, so that the line of connectors to be connected are next to each other. The tabs of one panel are then interwoven with the apertures of the other panel consecutively until they are joined all the way along an edge. The panels are then opened out flat; the panels are cut on a curve and are now joined, so strain will be felt during this action as the compound surface is formed. It is necessary to push the seam out past a point of greatest resistance and then the compound surface will "pop-out" and the connectors will lock the surface into place. The locking tabs at the top of the chest region of the front panel are inserted into the corresponding apertures in the front side panels to ensure that the just-connected seam does not undo.

The back side panels 109, 111 are connected to the front side panels in a similar way and the back panels connected to the back side panels are then connected.

The dovetail tabs in the spine region are connected to form a complete tube.

The shoulder panels 102, 103 and arm panels 104, 105 are assembled separately because the tight curves created require the user to be able to grasp the pieces in both hands. Figure 5a to 5c shows the sequence of steps for assembling the shoulder pieces. In Figure 5a the arm panel 104 is aligned with the shoulder panel 102 and the first tabs interlocked with the recesses. As the panels are joined they eventually become slightly curved. At this point the panels are "pushed-out" to reverse the curve and lock the tabs together. This state is shown in Figure Sb. The remain tabs are interlocked along a tight curve, which is where the hooks on the tabs are useful so that the joint does not spring apart. The complete assembly is shown in Figure 5c. Once assembled, these units are connected to the main body to complete the mannequin.

Disassembly is simply a reversal of the assembly process, although it is much quicker because after the locking tabs are removed from their apertures, the constituent panels may be simply torn apart.

The above description relates to a female figure, but of course a male figure may equally be provided. It will also be appreciated that the shape of the mannequin can be varied according to requirements by simply cutting the panels appropriately.

The panels are made from transparent or semi-transparent polypropylene of 2mm thickness, which is stiff but allows a user to bend the components into shape. The complete mannequin may be illuminated from within to provide an enhanced visual effect. Alternative materials may be used such as cardboard or other types of plastic. The panels may be die-cut or laser cut or any other suitable sheet cutting technique.

The mannequin kit may be transported as flat-pack or may be rolled and carried in a tube.

It is to be understood that various modifications to the preferred embodiment and the generic principles and features described herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiment shown and such modifications and variations also fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims (17)

1. CLAIMS1. A mannequin kit for assembly into a representation of a human figure comprising a plurality of panels of flexible sheet material, wherein at least one edge of each of said panels has connecting means for removably connecting panels together such that the panels when connected form a continuous compound curved surface of varying radii of curvature, representative of human anatomy, wherein the configuration of the connecting means provided along the edge of each panel varies in dependence on the radius of curvature of the surface.
2. 2. A mannequin kit according to claim 1, wherein the connecting means may comprise flat structures formed integrally along at least one edge of each of the panels.
3. 3. A mannequin kit according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the connecting means are a series of flared tabs and recesses, the space between each tab thereby defining a recess and wherein the tabs of one panel are arranged to interlock with corresponding recesses on an adjacent panel.
4. 4. A mannequin kit according to claim 3, wherein the variable configuration includes the width of each tab.
5. 5. A mannequin kit according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the variable configuration includes the spacing of each tab.
6. 6. A mannequin kit according to any preceding claim, wherein the connecting means include a locking feature.
7. 7. A mannequin kit according to claim 6, wherein the locking feature is an aperture.
8. 8. A mannequin kit according to claim 6, wherein the locking feature is a barb on the tab.
9. 9. A mannequin kit according to any preceding claim, wherein the mannequin comprises a torso including neck, shoulders, upper arms, chest, waist and hips.
10. 10. A mannequin kit according to claim 9, wherein the torso represents a female figure.
11. 11. A mannequin kit according to claim 9, wherein the torso represents a male figure.
12. 12. A mannequin kit according to any preceding claim, wherein each of the panels is cut from a sheet of flat material.
13. 13. A mannequin kit according to claim 12, wherein the material is clear polypropylene plastic.
14. 14. A mannequin kit according to any preceding claim, wherein the mannequin when assembled may be lit from within.
15. 15. A stand for use with the assembled mannequin described in the preceding claims.
16. 16. A stand according to claim 15, including elements upon which the shoulders of the mannequin can rest to take the weight of the mannequin, and elements which can stabilise the mannequin at the hips.
17. 17. A method of assembling the mannequin kit described in the preceding claims, including the steps of; holding two of the panels of the kit so that the tabbed edges are aligned, interlocking the tabs, folding the panels flat to form a continuous compound surface.Amendments to claims have been filed as followsCLAIMS1. A mannequin kit for assembly into a representation of a human figure comprising a plurality of panels of flexible sheet material, wherein at least one edge of each of said panels has connecting means for removably connecting panels together such that the panels when connected form a continuous compound curved surface of varying radii of curvature, representative of human anatomy, wherein the configuration of the connecting means provided along the edge of each panel varies in dependence on the radius of curvature of the surface.2. A mannequin kit according to claim 1, wherein the connecting means may -i5 comprise flat structures formed integrally along at least one edge of each 0) otthe panels.3. A mannequin kit according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the connecting means are a series of flared tabs and recesses, the space between each tab thereby defining a recess and wherein the tabs of one panel are arranged to interlock with corresponding recesses on an adjacent panel.4. A mannequin kit according to claim 3, wherein the variable configuration includes the width of each tab.5. A mannequin kit according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the variable configuration includes the spacing of each tab.6. A mannequin kit according to any preceding claim, wherein the connecting means include a locking feature.7. A mannequin kit according to claim 6, wherein the locking feature is an aperture.8. A mannequin kit according to claim 6, wherein the locking feature is a barb on the tab.9. A mannequin kit according to any preceding claim, wherein the mannequin comprises a torso including neck, shoulders, upper arms, chest, waist and C') hips. C)0 10. A mannequin kit according to claim 9, wherein the torso represents a 0j5 female figure.11. A mannequin kit according to claim 9, wherein the torso represents a male figure.12. A mannequin kit according to any preceding claim, wherein each of the panels is cut from a sheet of flat material.13. A mannequin kit according to claim 12, wherein the material is clear polypropylene plastic.14. A mannequin kit according to any preceding claim, wherein the mannequin when assembled may be lit from within.15. A mannequin kit according to any preceding claim, wherein the mannequin kit incorporates a stand.16. A mannequin kit according to claim 15, wherein the stand comprises elements upon which the shoulders of the mannequin can rest to take the weight of the mannequin, and elements which can stabilise the mannequin atthehips.C') 17. A method of assembling the mannequin kit described in the preceding claims, including the steps of; O holding two of the panels of the kit so that the tabbed edges are aligned, 0j5 interlocking the tabs, folding the panels flat to form a continuous compound surface.