NL2028518B1

NL2028518B1 - A humanoid mannequin for self-defense sports, a use of said mannequin and a method of producing it

Info

Publication number: NL2028518B1
Application number: NL2028518A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Karidas Djannis
Original assignee: Karidas Djannis
Priority date: 2021-06-23
Filing date: 2021-06-23
Publication date: 2023-01-02
Also published as: BE1029480B1; BE1029480A1

Abstract

A humanoid mannequin for self—defense sports, such as judo and. wrestling, the mannequin. comprising‘ a skeleton. in turn comprising a head, a torso, and two support limbs for supporting the mannequin on a surface, wherein the head and the two support 5 limbs are connected to the torso, wherein each of the support limbs is separately articulated with respect to the torso via a first joint, such as a hip joint, wherein each of the two support limbs comprises an upper limb portion and a lower limb portion articulated with respect to each other by a second joint, such 10 as a knee joint, wherein the first and second joints are arranged to resist movement of the upper and lower limb portions with respect to each other and with respect to the torso, characterized in that the first and second joints are arranged to resist movement so as to counteract the force of gravity 15 exerted on the mannequin enabling the mannequin to maintain a kneeling position, wherein the lower limb portion is longer than the upper limb portion and wherein the length ratio of the lower limb with respect to the upper limb is at least 1,4:1, preferably 1,5:1 — 5:1, more preferably 2:1 — 3:1.

Description

A humanoid mannequin for self-defense sports, a use of said mannequin and a method of producing it The present invention relates to training humanoid mannequins which have movable limbs for use in judo, wrestling, and self-defense.

Typically, judo, wrestling, and self-defense is a contact intensive sport which requires a training partner. Training with a human opponent coffers a sense of realism. However, over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic it has proven perilous to gather for training. In order to pursue a realistic training, while simultaneously reducing the risk of becoming a vector for infection, wrestlers have resorted to training with mannequins. These mannequins are generally anatomically accurate and have movable limbs. One such system is known from US 2014/0335493 Al. However, for such a mannequin to be stable in an upright position it is strung up from a ceiling and connected to floor parts with cables. This is cumbersome and does not allow for the dummy to behave naturally, because cable interfere with performed wrestling or judo moves.

The present invention aims to overcome the above disadvantages and provides according to a first aspect a humanoid mannequin for self-defense sports, such as judo and wrestling, the mannequin comprising a skeleton in turn comprising a head, a torso, and two support limbs for supporting the mannequin on a surface, wherein the head and the two support limbs are connected to the torso, wherein each of the support limbs is separately articulated with respect to the torso via a first joint, such as a hip joint, wherein each of the two support limbs comprises an upper limb portion and a lower limb portion articulated with respect to each other by a second joint, such as a knee joint, wherein the first and second joints are arranged to resist movement of the upper and lower limb portions with respect to each other and with respect to the torso, characterized in that the first and second joints are arranged to resist movement so as to counteract the force of gravity exerted on the mannequin enabling the mannequin to maintain a kneeling position, wherein the lower limb is longer than the upper limb and wherein the length ratio of the lower limb with

- 2 = respect to the upper limb is at least 1,4:1, preferably 1,5:1 - 5:1, more preferably 2:1 — 3:1. The latter range has the additional benefit of being able to collapse the mannequin so that the lower legs may be folded underneath the upper leg and torso allowing for compact storage. It should be noted that the conventional human shape knows a tibia to femur length ratio of 0,80 + 0,03. This makes the lower limb to upper limb ratio of the supporting limb, namely the leg, in humans is 1,25 + 0,05. This human aspect ratio has previously been investigated and published in Weinberg DS, Liu RW. The Association of Tibia Femur Ratio and Degenerative Disease of the Spine, Hips, and Knees. J Pediatr Orthop. 2017 Jul/Aug; 37 (5) :317-322. doi:

10.1097/BP0.0000000000000658. PMID: 26398436. This aspect ratio is common across all anatomically correct mannequins. The present invention differs from this aspect ratio so that the mannequin can be more stable in a kneeled position, a common starting position in wrestling and judo. Due to the presence of both a first and second joint these lower limb portions can even be positicned by a user so as to diverge over a supporting surface. This allows for the mannequin to have a broad support base. The angle by which the lower limb portions diverge over a supporting surface can furthermore be adjusted so as to also adjust the stability of the mannequin. It should be understood that the first and second joints offer a friction resistance that is chosen to match the weight of the mannequin so as to prevent the mannequin from moving into a different position under the force of gravity alone. However, the friction resistance of first and second joints, as well as any other joints in the mannequin, is chosen such that it can be overcome manually, such as by a user of the mannequin.

The mannequin may be stabilizable in the kneeling position with weights, said lower limbs serving as a shelves for receiving the weights thereon. Alternatively and or additionally, each of the lower limb portions comprises two sub-portions, wherein one sub-portion is reversibly fixable to another sub-portion, and wherein at least one of the sub portion comprises weights or is heavier than the other sub-portion.

In line with at least a part of the before mentioned the lower limb may comprise a base-portion, such as a rod, and an

- 3 = extension. The extension can be fixed to the base-portion so as to extend along the base-portion. The extension would in this case extend outward in the length direction of the base rod optionally forming a shelf for receiving the weights thereon. It could be this extension that consists of two mutually reversibly fixable sub-portions, such as by connector means like screws, click mechanisms, pop-lock mechanisms or friction resistance means like cable binders such as zip ties. The benefit of having mutually reversibly fixable sub-portions is that the manner mannequin can be adjusted to a desirable stability for each user and allows for easy customization. The extension may also be fixed to the base portion by connector means like screws, click mechanisms, pop-lock mechanisms or friction resistance means like cable binders such as zip ties. The two sub-portions may here consist of a distal and proximal portion with respect to the base-portion. The distal portion may be provided with wheels. This has a variety of training benefits and would make mobility a modular add-on. Alternatively, but to the same end, the two sub-portions may be telescopically arranged with respect to each other, and further optionally reversibly fixable in a particular telescopic position. Optionally, the base-portion, such as the rod, is sized so to have a ratio of 1,1 - 1,4 with respect to the upper limb portion. This beneficially allows human proportions to be recognizable to a user so as to prevent the user from adopting erroneous training methods directed to the extension of the lower limb.

The mannequin according to the invention may also be provided with a head and two arms, which are each articulated with respect to the torso. In this option each arm is connected to the torso via a third joint, such as a shoulder joint and each arm comprises an upper arm portion and a lower arm portion. The upper and lower arm portions are articulated with respect to each other by a fourth joint, such as an elbow joint. said third and fourth joints are arranged to resist movement so as to counteract the force of gravity exerted on the mannequin, particularly resist the movement of the arms themselves, enabling each of the arms to be placed in and remain in a raised position. This beneficially allows a user to change the center of mass of the mannequin for training purposes.

- 4 - Separately from the before mentioned or additionally the skeleton may comprise compressible padding, such as a wrapped polymer sheet comprising air pockets. Other forms of padding may also be used. This protects the skeleton and absorbs forces of compression and torsion, which one would expect from wrestling moves. In order to prevent a reduction in mobility the first, second, third and fourth joints are free from the compressible padding. More clearly put, the padding applied to the mannequin does not extend between different portions of the same limb over any joints of said limb so as to cover these joints. The latter may also be exclusively applied to the first and second joints or the third and fourth joints.

According to a second aspect of the invention a use is provided of a mannequin according to the first aspect of the invention or any option discussed in relation therewith for self-defense demonstrations such as for wrestling or judo. Demonstrations could be teaching demonstrations for instructing in wrestling or judo.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method for a mannequin according to the first aspect of the invention or any option discussed in relation therewith. That is to say the method could comprise the steps of providing a humanoid skeleton comprising a head, a torso; and providing two support limbs for supporting the mannequin on a surface, wherein each of the support limbs is separately articulated with respect to the torso via a first joint, such as a hip joint, wherein each of the two support limbs comprises an upper limb portion and a lower limb portion articulated with respect to each other by a second joint, such as a knee joint, wherein the first and second joints are arranged to resist movement of the upper and lower limb portions with respect to each other and with respect to the torso, wherein the first and second joints are arranged to resist movement so as to counteract the force of gravity exerted on the mannequin enabling the mannequin to maintain a kneeling position, wherein the lower limb is longer than the upper limb and wherein the length ratio of the lower limb with respect to the upper limb is at least 1,4:1, preferably 1,5:1 — 5:1.

— 5 = The invention will herein further be elucidated by the following drawings: Fig. 1 shows a schematic frontal drawing of a mannequin according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a mannequin according to the invention; Fig. 3A shows a schematic top down view of a mannequin according to the invention; Fig. 3B shows another a schematic top down view of a mannequin according to the invention; Fig. 4 shows a more detailed schematic cross-sectional view of a mannequin according to the invention; Fig. 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the mannequin according to the invention; and Fig. © shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the mannequin according to the invention. Figure 1 shows a schematic drawing of the mannequin 1 according to the invention. The mannequin is humanoid in appearance and has a skeleton 10. In this example the skeleton is a metallic skeleton made of aluminum, steel or stainless steel. Alternatively, the skeleton may be made of carbon fiber. The skeleton has a head 11, a torso part 12, two support limbs

13.1, 13.2, and two arms 14.1, 14.2. The support limbs are basically a pair of legs each with a hip and knee joint, respectively the first joint 15 and second joint 16. That is to understand joints where the hip and knee joints would be. These can both be ball-joints with a predetermined or adjustable friction, wherein the friction, also known as joint stiffness, is chosen high enough so that the mannequin is steadily supported in a kneeling position without collapsing and wherein the friction is chosen low enough so that a user is enabled to adjust the position of the mannequin. Each arm is connected to the torso via a third joint 17, such as a shoulder joint. Each arm has an upper arm portion 18 and a lower arm portion 19, and wherein the upper and lower arm portions 18, 19 are articulated with respect to each other by a fourth joint 20, such as an elbow joint. Also here the shoulder and elbow joints can simply ball-joints where one expects the shoulder and elbow joints to

- 6 — be in a human. The joint stiffness can be chosen so that the mannequin can have its arms placed in any particular position by a user and be maintained in this position against the force of gravity. The legs consist of an upper and a lower limb portion 20, 21. It is paramount to the invention that the lower limb portion 21 is longer than the upper limb portion 20 and wherein the length ratio of the lower limb portion with respect to the upper limb is at least 1,4:1, preferably 1,5:1 - 5:1, more preferably 2:1 - 3:1. In the example of Figure 1 the length ratio is 2,5:1. Optionally, a foot may be present as part of the lower limb, such as comprising an additional joint. However, this feature is not shown here. Various parts of the skeleton are covered with compressible padding 17, such as a wrapped polymer sheet comprising air pockets. It can be seen that this padding does not extend, or at least does not fully extend over the joints so as to not interfere with the range of movement of the limbs. The padding is applied to the limbs, torso and head.

Figure 2 shows the mannequin 1 in a kneeling position for a wrestling or judo demonstration. The mannequin is stabilizable in the kneeling position with weights 22, said lower limbs each comprising a portion 23 for holding removable weights thereon or thereon. This portion can be a shelf, a tray or a flat surface. A tray can prevent weights from falling off to a certain extent as the mannequin is used in wrestling or judo.

Figure 3A shows a top down view of the mannequin in a kneeled position. The lower limb portions of the support limbs

13.1, 13.2 are shown to diverge so as to form a broad and stable base. Weights 22 may added to secure the mannequin against movement. Figure 3B shows that the lower limb portions of the support limbs 13.1, 13.2 may be arranged to extend parallel across a support surface. The user may adjust the configuration of any of the limbs and portions.

Figure 4 shows more specifically how the lower limb can be constructed. In this example the lower limb comprises a base- portion 24 and an extension 25. This extension forms the portion 23 for holding removable weights. The extension is connected to the base-portion so as to extend outward in, or substantially parallel to, a length direction of the base rod. In this example the extension is connected to the base-portion so as to extend

- 7 = outward in a direction substantially parallel to the base portion.

The base-portion and extension may be reversibly comnected to each other by connectors.

These can be any number of connectors and any customary kind.

It is noted that in this example the base-portion 24 has a ratio of 1,25:1 following the tibia-femur ratio in humans.

Figure 5 shows another embodiment of the mannequin l'according to the invention, wherein the extension comprises two sub-portions, a proximal 25.1 and a distal sub-portion 25.2. only differences with respect to the embodiment according to Figure 4 will be discussed herein.

Same features are denoted with same reference signs.

The distal sub-portion 25.2 comprises at least one wheel 26 so as to allow the mannequin to roll when in use, the mannequin is partially lifted by a user.

In this example the weights allow the mannequin to be hard to roll thus allowing the user to train his or her endurance.

The weights may be bricks, sand bags, cast metal items and any other form of weight known to man.

Figure 6 shows yet another embodiment of the mannequin 17’ according to the invention.

Only differences with respect to the embodiment according to Figure 5 will be discussed herein.

Same features are denoted with same reference signs.

In this example the distal sub-portion 25.2 forms the portion 23 for holding removable weights instead.

However, optionally, the portion for holding removable weights is formed by both the distal and the proximal sub-portion.

This allows the user to use the at least one wheel to be used as a pivot point.

In doing so the amount of force that a user needs to exert on the mannequin in order to partially lift and then roll can be adjusted by sliding the weights to a different sub-portion.

One would not need multiple different weights for training, but one could shift the already present weights around instead.

Claims

- 8 - CONCLUSIONS

1. A humanoid dummy for self-defense sports such as judo and wrestling, the dummy comprising: a skeleton provided with a head, a torso, and two supporting limbs for supporting the dummy on a surface, the head and the two supporting limbs being connected to the torso, each of the supporting limbs being individually articulated with the torso through a first joint, such as a hip joint, each of the two supporting limbs comprising an upper limb portion and a lower limb portion articulated relative to each other by a second joint, such as a knee joint, the first and second joints being configured to resist movement of the upper and lower limb portions relative to each other and relative to the torso, characterized in that the first and second joints are configured to resist movement movement so as to counter the gravity exerted on the doll to make the doll into a kneeling position position, wherein the lower limb portion is longer than the upper limb portion and wherein the length ratio of the lower limb portion to the upper limb portion is at least 1.4:1, preferably 1.5:1-5:1, and more preferably 2:1-3:1.

The doll of claim 1, wherein the doll is stabilisable in the kneeling position with weights, the lower limbs each including a portion for receiving removable weights therein or thereon.

The dummy according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lower limb includes a base portion, such as a bar, and an extension forming a portion for holding removable weights,

- 9 — wherein the extension is connected to the base member so as to extend outwardly in, or parallel to, a longitudinal direction of the base member.

The doll of claim 3, wherein the extension comprises two parts, a proximal and a distal part, where one part may be telescopic with the other part, or reversibly attachable to the other part.

The doll of claim 3, wherein the extension has two parts, a proximal and a distal part, the distal part comprising wheels.

The doll according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the head is articulated relative to the torso, the skeleton comprising two arms, each arm being connected to the torso through a third joint, such as a shoulder joint, wherein each arm includes an upper arm portion and a lower arm portion, and wherein the forearm and upper arm portions are articulated with respect to each other with a fourth joint, such as an elbow joint, the third and fourth joints adapted to resist movement to counter gravity force exerted on the dummy to allow the arms to be placed and held in a raised position.

The doll according to at least one of claims 1-6, wherein the skeleton comprises compressible covering, such as a polymer sheet comprising air pockets.

The doll according to at least one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth joints are free of compressible padding.

A use of a dummy according to at least one of claims 1-8 for self-defense demonstrations, such as wrestling or judo.

A method of producing a doll comprising the steps of: providing a humanoid skeleton comprising a head and a torso; - providing two support limbs for supporting the doll on a surface,

- 10 = where each of the supporting limbs are separately articulated with the torso through a first joint, such as a hip joint, where each of the two supporting limbs includes an upper limb portion and a lower limb portion articulated relative to each other through a second joint, such as a knee joint wherein the first and second joints are configured to resist movement of the upper and lower limb portions relative to each other and relative to the torso, the first and second joints being configured to resist so as to resist gravity exerted on the dummy to enable the dummy to maintain a kneeling position, where the lower limb is longer than the upper limb and the length ratio of the lower limb to the upper limb is at least 1.4:1, at preferably 1.5:1-5:1.