US3198408A

US3198408A - Support for a manikin form

Info

Publication number: US3198408A
Application number: US376437A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lloyd E Benner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1964-06-19
Filing date: 1964-06-19
Publication date: 1965-08-03
Anticipated expiration: 1982-08-03

Description

Aug. 3, 1965 L. E. BENNER SUPPORT FOR A MANIKIN FORM Filed June 19, 1964 IN VENTOR.

FIE 2 3,198,403 SUPPORT FOR A IN FQRM Lloyd E. Banner, 125 Oak Grove, Minneapolis, Minn. Filed June H, 1964, Ser. No. 376,437 6 @lairns. (Cl. 223-66) This invention relates to manikin forms and more specifically to manikin forms and supports therefor.

An object of this invention is to provide a support for a manikin form of the type used to display wigs, wearing apparel and the like, and in which the manikin is supported for ready revolving movement with respect to the support and is also provided for tilting to thereby facilitate use of the manikin form by a user.

Another object of this invention is to provide a manikin form and support therefor in which the support is provided with a ball-socket coupling and in which the manikin form is connected to the ball-socket connection by a pinrecess type connection thereby permitting complex adjustable movement of the manikin form relative to the support.

A further object of this invention is to provide a manikin form and support therefor of the class described in which the support is provided with means to releasably but firmly secure the same to a substantially flat surface to thereby prevent accidental tipping or the like of the manikin form.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings,

wherein like character references refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the support and the lower portion of the manikin form with certain parts thereof broken away for clarity;

FIG. 3 is a modified form of the support of the manikin form on a reduced scale; and

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view on an enlarged scale taken approximately along line 44 of FIG. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now to the drawings, it will be seen that one embodiment of the invention designated in its entirety by the reference numerals 19, is there shown. In the embodiment shown, the manikin form, designated generally by the reference numeral 11, is shaped and contoured to correspond generally to the general outline of the human head. The support 12 as illustrated supports the manikin form 11 in spaced relation with respect to a surface upon which the support is placed.

The manikin form as pointed out above is shaped and contoured to correspond generally to the shape of a human head and is specifically adapted for supporting and displaying wearing apparel, wigs and the like. The manikin form 11 includes an outer fabric cover 13 which is provided with a suitable filler material 14. The manikin form 11 and specifically the fabric cover 13 thereof is closed at its lower end by a suitable lower closure member or plate 15 which, as seen, is formed of wood or the like. An annular band 16 is secured to the peripheral or marginal edges of the closure member 15 by suitable securing means such as screws, nails or the like and serves to clamp the lower edge of the fabric cover 13 against the edges of the closure member.

The closure member 15, as best seen in FIG. 2, has a centrally located aperture therein and a generally frustroconically shaped female coupling element 17 projects through the aperture and into the tiller material 14 of the manikin form 11. This female coupling element 1'7 has an outturned annular flange 18 integrally formed with the lower end thereof and the annular flange 18 is suitably apertured to permit the passage of securingelements such United States Patent as tacks 19 therethrough to fixedly connect the coupling element to the closure member 15. The interior of the female coupling element 17 actually defines a frustoconical socket or recess 17a, the purpose of which will be more fully described hereinbelow.

The support 12 is constructed of a suitable rigid material, preferably metal, and includes a base 20 comprised of a plurality of elongate normally horizontally oriented base legs 20a, each of which has a rubber suction attachment cup element 21 secured to the lower surface of the outer end thereof. It will be noted that the legs 20a are integrally joined at their respective innermost ends and in the embodiment shown the base 20 is comprised of three legs 20a so that a three point support is provided.

'The support base 20 is also provided with a centrally located upstanding ball-socket connection 22 which is comprised of a ball member 23 and a socket member 24, the socket member 24 being a split type socket and including a fixed socket element 24a and a movable socket element 24b. It will be seen that the lower portion of the fixed socket element 24a is integrally formed with the base 20 and projects upwardly therefrom and it will also be seen that the respective upper portions of each socket element 24a and 24b are arcuately shaped and cooperate I with each other to define a generally cylindrically shaped socket 25 which receives the ball member 23 therein.

Means are provided for securing the movable socket element 24b to the fixed socket element 24a and this means includes an elongate threaded bolt 26 which projects through registering apertures formed in the fixed and movable socket elements 24a and 24b respectively. The bolt 26 is provided with an enlarged head and a threaded wing nut 27 threadedly engages the threaded end thereof and cooperates with the latter to define the securing means for securing the fixed and movable socket elements together. It is pointed out that the socket elements 24a and 2417 may be adjusted relative to each other to be moved into an out of gripped relation with respect to the ball member 23. Thus the wing nut may be loosened to allow movement of the ballmember 23 relative to the socket 25 and the wing nut 27 may thereafter be tightened to cause the socket elements to be moved into clamped relation with respect to the ball member so that the latter may be releasably locked in an adjusted position.

Referring again to FIG. 1 it will be seen that a U-shaped spring element 29 is positioned within the socket 25 with the bight portion of the spring disposed transversely of the socket and with the legs thereof bearing against the fixed socket and the movable socket elements respectively. Thus when the wing nut 27 is tightened, this movement is against the movement of the U-shaped spring 29. Thus the U-shaped spring element 2? cooperates with the bolt and wing nut assembly to permit the frictional relationship between the socket member and the ball member to be variously adjusted.

A generally fnlstro-conically shaped elongate male coupling element 28 is rigidly atfixed to the ball member 23 and projects upwardly therefrom, as best seen in FIG. 2. This male coupling element 28 is shaped and contoured to be received in snug fitting relation within the frustro-conically shaped recess 17a defined by the female coupling element 17. The complementary tapered or frustro-conical configuration of the male and female coupling elements provides an effective bearing surface so that the manikin form 11 may be revolved about the longitudinal axis defined by the male coupling element 28. This connection while permitting revolving move ment of the manikin form relative to the ball-socket connection 22 also presents a positive but releasable interrelation of the manikin form to the support 12.

aneeaos in use, the manikin device it will be positioned upon a support so that the suction cup elements 21 engage the support and positively anchor the base 29 thereupon. Such manikin devices are used to display wigs, wearing apparel such as hats and the like and are also used in instruction courses such as hair styling and the like. In the embodiment illustrated, a wig W is shown supported upon the manikin form 11 and it will be appreciated that to instruct hair styling, the manikin form must be capable of adjustment in a plurality of positions. Therefore, if it is desirable to tilt the manikin form, it is merely necessary to loosen the wing nut locking element 27 and revolve the ball member 23 in the socket 25 to the desirable angulated position. Thereafter the wing nut element 27 is tightened to releasably lock the manikin form 11 in the adjusted position.

Further, if it is desirable to revolve the manikin for relative to the ball-socket connection 22, it is merely necessary for the operator to grasp the manikin form 11 and twist the same relative to the male coupling element 23. This particular construction of the support 12 not only serves to anchor the manikin form upon a support surface but also permits an extremely wide range of adjustment of the manikin form relative to the support 12. Further, the manikin form may be easily removed from the support 12 by merely lifting the manikin form from the male coupling element 28. It is again pointed out that this male-female coupling between the manikin form and ball member 23 effectively interrelates the manikin form and the support so that accidental dislodgement of the manikin form is minimized.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4 it will be seen that a modified form of the support is there shown. In this modification, the support, designated generally by the reference numeral 30, is constructed of a suitable rigid material, preferably metal, and also includes a base 31 comprised of a plurality of elongate, normally horizontally oriented base legs 31a, each of which has a rubber suction cup element 32 secured to the lower surface of the outer end thereof. It will be noted that the legs 31a are integrally formed and joined at their respective innermost ends and in the embodiment shown the base 31 is comprised of three legs 31a so that a three point support is provided, as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2.

The support base 31 is also provided with a centrally located upstanding ball-socket connection which is comprised of a ball member 33 and a socket member 34. It will be seen that the socket member 34 is integrally formed with the base 31 and is of hollow cylindrical construction and defines a generally cylindrically shaped upwardly opening socket 35 which receives the ball member 33 therein. Since the socket 35 is slightly larger than the ball member 33 and is also of upwardly opening construction, a frustro-conical shaped ball engaging element 36 having an annular flange 37 engages the upper peripheral edge of the socket member 34 and retains the ball member 33 within the socket 35. The annular fiange 37 of this ball engaging element 36 is provided with suitable apertures which are disposed in registering relation with threaded apertures in the socket member 34 whereby suitable attachment bolts 38 secure the ball engaging elernent 36 to the socket member 34. It is pointed out that the ball engaging element 36 including the fiange 37 thereof is formed of a suitable plastic material and it is further pointed out that the ball member 33 is also formed of a suitable plastic material.

Means are also provided for applying pressure to the lower surface of the ball member 33 to vary the frictional contact between the ball member and the ball engaging element 36. This arrangement permits the ball member to be substantially locked or gripped in an adjusted position but also permits release of the pressure to facilitate adjustment thereof. Referring again to FIG. 4

it will be seen that a ball supporting block member 3? is positioned within the socket 35 and is provided with an upwardly facing recess 40 in the upper surface thereof. This recess 49 receives a generally concavoconvex bail seat element 4-1 also formed of a suitable plastic material and having an arcuate concavity 42 therein for receiving the ball member 33. The convex surface of the ball seat element 41 corresponds generally to the recess 4% in the ball supporting block 39, as best seen in FIG. 4.

A pair of disc members 43 are positioned against the lower surface of the ball supporting block 39 and it will be seen that that portion of the base 31 which defines the lower portion of the socket member 34 has a centrally located threaded aperture 44 therein which receives an elongate threaded pressure applying member therethrough. The lower end portion of the pressure applying member 45 has an enlarged hand gripping portion 4-6 secured thereto to facilitate revolving movementv of the pressure applying member. It will therefore be seen that when the pressure applying member 45 is revolved, this pressure applying member will apply upward pressure through the disc 43 and the ball suporting block 39 to the ball seat element 41 and to the ball member 33 whereby the latter will be urged against the ball engaging element Thus variable pressure may be applied to the ball member by means of the pressure applying member 45.

An elongate tapered male coupling element 47 is secured to the ball member 33 and projects upwardly therefrom as best seen in FIG. 4. It will be noted that this male coupling element while being tapered from the lower end toward the upper end is of generally triangular cross sectional configuration with the corners of the triangle betwoen adjacent sides being fiat. A threaded attachment element or stem 48 is secured to the lower surface of the male coupling element 47' and releasably and threadedly engages the corresponding socket in the hall member 33 to rigidly secure the male coupling element to the ball member. This male coupling element is adapted to be received within a frustro-conically shaped recess 17a defined by the female coupling element 17 of the manikin form. The flattened tapered sides of the male coupling element present three point flattened planar bearing surfaces for engaging this recess and prevent any tendency of the manikin form from rocking or slipping relative to the male coupling element.

It will therefore be seen that when in use, the support 39 may be positioned upon a surface such as a table or the like, so that the suction cup elements 32 engage such a supporting surface in gripped relation therewith. The pressure exerted by the pressure applying member 45 wlll have been pre-set to permit a user to forcibly move a manikin form supported on the male coupling element 47. The degree of force to be used will be predetermined by the amount of pressure applied by the pressure applying member 45, the supporting block 39- and the ball seat element 41. It is, however, pointed out .1 I tnat the pressure will no sufficient to allow the rnanikin rorrn supporting male coupling element to 'be retainedinan adjusted position after it is forcibly rotated to such a position.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided a novel manikin device which because of its wide range of adjustment is highly effective as a display device and support for wearing apparel, wigs and the like.

It will also be seen from the preceding paragraphs that my novel device is not only of simple and inexpensive construction but functions in a more emcient manner than heretofore known comparable devices.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the various parts without departing from the scope of my invention.

What is claimed is: 1. In combination with a manikin form for use in supporting wigs, wearing apparel and the like,

a support comprising a base,

a ball and socket connection releasably and adjustably interconnecting the manikin form and said base, said connection comprising a ball member and a socket member adjustably receiving said ball member therein, one of said members being secured to said base whereby said members are pivotal relative to each other,

releasable locking means on one of said members for releasably locking said ball and socket members against movement with respect to each other,

and a pair of interengaging coupling elements on one of said members and on said manikin form, one of said coupling elements comprising an elongate pin and the other of said coupling elements comprising an elongate recess receiving said pin therein whereby said manikin form may be revolved relative to said one member.

2. In combination with a manikin form for use in supporting wigs, wearing apparel and the like,

a support comprising a base having means thereon for releasably attaching the base to a support surface,

a ball-socket connection releasably and adjustably interconnecting the manikin form and said base, said connection comprising a split socket member secured to said base and a ball member positioned within said socket member for pivotal movement relative thereto,

locking means on said socket member for locking said ball member in an adjusted position,

and a pair of interengaging coupling elements, one

of which is on said ball member and the other element being on said manikin form, one of said coupling elements comprising an elongate pin and the other of said elements comprising an elongate recess receiving said pin therein whereby said manikin form may be revolved relative to said ball member.

3. In combination with a manikin form for use in supporting wigs, wearing apparel and the like,

a support comprising a base,

a ball-socket connection mounted on said base comprising a split socket member secured to said base and a ball member positioned within said socket member for pivotal movement relative thereto,

locking means on said socket member for locking said ball member in an adjusted position, 7

an elongate frusto-conical pin member affixed to said ball member and projecting upwardly therefrom,

and a frusto-conically shaped recess in said manikin form receiving said pin therein whereby said manikin form is mounted for tilting and revolving movement relative to said support.

4. In combination with a manikin form corresponding 1 construction.

9 generally in shape to the outline of a human head and being especially adaptable for use in supporting Wlgs,

wearing apparel and the like, said manikin form having a lower surface,

a support comprising a base,

a ball-socket connection including a socket member secured to said base, and a ball member positioned within said socket member for pivotal movement relative thereto,

locking means on said socket member for releasably locking said ball member in an adjusted position,

an elongate generally frustro-conically shaped pin element on said ball member,

and an elongate generally frustro-conically shaped recess in said lower surface of the manikin form and receiving said pin therein whereby said manikin form may be revolved and tilted relative to said support. V

5. The structure as defined in claim 4 wherein said socket member comprises a pair of socket elements detachably secured together and defining a split socket 6. The structure as defined in claim 4 wherein said base includes a plurality of horizontal legs each having means thereon for releasably attaching the same to a support surface.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 133,310 11/72 Earl 248-415 166,402 8/75' Myers 248-415 654,051 7/00 Brown et a1. 248-181 X 683,049 9/01 Johnston 28789 973,635 10/10 Dillingham 28789 1,013,539 1/12 Faer-ber 223-66 1,198,367 9/16 Manger 248-415 X 1,280,013 9/18 Goddard 248-181 1,290,830 '1/ 19 Del Fungo-Giera 248-181 X 1,445,803 2/23 Small et a1. 211-144 X 1,464,279 8/23 Hindley 248-124 1,829,964 11/ 31 Randel 287-87 2,353,476 7/44 Kiper 287-89 2,362,746 11/44 De Vries 248-415 X 2,397,813 4/46 Schramm et a1 223-66 2,453,967 11/48 Browne 223-122 2,602,617 7/52 Muth 248-44 X 2,686,647 8/54 Fitch 248-188.7 2,746,700 5/56 Barbera 248-44 2,806,289 9/57 Rongaur et a1 248-181 X 2,812,614 11/57 Ladyman 1248-1889 2,910,260 10/59 Tanner 248-181 3,102,744 9/ 63 Renter et a1. 287-87 3,135,389 6/64 Farley 211-37 CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A MANIKIN FORM FOR USE IN SUPPORTING WIGS, WEARING APPAREL AND THE LIKE, A SUPPORT COMPRISING A BASE, A BALL AND SOCKET CONNECTION RELEASABLY AND ADJUSTABLY INTERCONNECTING THE MANIKIN FORM AND SAID BASE, SAID CONNECTION COMPRISING A BALL MEMBER AND A SOCKET MEMBER ADJUSTABLY RECEIVING SAID BALL MEMBER THEREIN, ONE OF SAID MEMBERS BEING SECURED TO SAID BASE WHEREBY SAID MEMBERS ARE PIVOTAL RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER, RELEASABLE LOCKING MEANS ON ONE OF SAID MEMBERS FOR RELEASABLY LOCKING SAID BALL AND SOCKET MEMBERS AGAINST MOVEMENT WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER, AND A PAIR OF INTERENGAGING COUPLING ELEMENTS ON ONE OF SAID MEMBERS AND ON SAID MANIKIN FORM, ONE OF SAID COUPLING ELEMENTS COMPRISING AN ELONGATE PIN AND THE OTHER OF SAID COUPLING ELEMENTS COMPRISING AN ELONGATE RECESS RECEIVING SAID PIN THEREIN WHEREBY SAID MANIKIN FORM MAY BE REVOLVED RELATIVE TO SAID ONE MEMBER.