US3472434A - Inflatable mannequin - Google Patents
Inflatable mannequin Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3472434A US3472434A US770299A US3472434DA US3472434A US 3472434 A US3472434 A US 3472434A US 770299 A US770299 A US 770299A US 3472434D A US3472434D A US 3472434DA US 3472434 A US3472434 A US 3472434A
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- mannequin
- sheet
- inflatable
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41H—APPLIANCES OR METHODS FOR MAKING CLOTHES, e.g. FOR DRESS-MAKING OR FOR TAILORING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A41H5/00—Dress forms; Bust forms; Stands
- A41H5/02—Inflatable forms
Definitions
- the present invention relates to plastic objects, and particularly to a specific construction for an inflatable mannequin especially adapted for use in displaying wo' mans pantyhose.
- the inflatable mannequins of the present invention generally comprise resilient material which may be inflated to simulate the contour of a portion of the human anat orny. Articles of wearing apparal may be placed upon the mannequin thereby to simulate their appearance when in actual use.
- mannequins made of solid material are most widely in use.
- inflatable mannequins comprise a potential for providing many significant advantageous features as compared with the solid counterparts.
- inflatable mannequins may be repaired more simply and less expensively than solid mannequins.
- inflatable mannequins may be dressed with far less difiiculty since they are flexible and may be bent and deformed to permit the desired placement of wearing apparal thereon.
- inflatable mannequins may comprise a potential for providing significant advantages over those made of solid materials, certain difficulties relating to the manufacture thereof may be responsible for the fact that they are not in more widespread use. Items such as inflatable mannequins must be capable of manufacture as simply and inexpensively as possible in order to provide potential for commercial success because such items are generally limited as to the selling price that may potentially be damanded therefor. This limitation is made more problematic by the fact that such an item must also be of sufficiently sturdy construction to provide the intended function without rupturing or tearing or becoming otherwise unusable.
- the present invention may be described as comprising specially shaped sheets of plastic material heat sealed along their edges in a particular configuration providing an inflatable mannequin simulating the lower portion of the human torso below the waist.
- the mannequin of the present invention includes weight means to permit stable placement thereof, and valve means permitting infiation and deflation as desired.
- FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view showing the mannequin of the present invention in its assembled and inflated condition
- FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view of the mannequin of FIGURE 1;
- FIGURE 3 is a cross sectional view partially broken away taken along the line 33 of FIGURE 2;
- FIGURE 4 is a composite view showing individual sheets of plastic material which, when assembled, form the mannequin depicted in FIGURES 1 and 2;
- FIGURE 5 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIGURE 2.
- an inflatable mannequin comprising a left leg portion 10, a right leg portion 12 and an interconnecting waist portion 14.
- the left leg portion 10 is comprised of a sheet section 16 and a sheet section 18.
- the right leg portion 12 is comprised of a sheet section 20 and a sheet section 22.
- the waist portion 14 is comprised of four sheet sections 24, 26, 28 and 30.
- each sheet comprises a thin, flat piece of plastic material cut to a patricular pattern suitable to allow assembly thereof in the particular manner and configuration set forth by the present invention.
- Each of the sheet sections depicted in FIGURE 4 is heat sealed to one or more other sections, in a manner to be hereinafter described, and after assembly the mannequin may be inflated, by means of a valve member 32 mounted in sheet section 24, to the condition depicted in FIGURES land 2.
- the heat seal joints whereby the sheet sections of the present invention are joined together may be formed in any suitable manner apparent to those skilled in the art.
- the basis of the present invention resides in the location of the heat seals and in the particular shapes of the sheet sections and the arrangement whereby they are assembled.
- sheet sections 26 and 28 are joined together by a heat seal joint 34 formed between the curved outer edge 36 of sheet section 24 and the curved outer edge 38 of sheet section 26.
- Each sheet section 24 and 26 has cut therethrough an oblong opening r defined, respectively, by continuous edges 40 and 42.
- Each of the sheet sections 18 and 20 likewise comprises oblong openings defined, respectively, by continuous edges 44 and 46.
- the sheet section 18 is joined to the sheet section 24 by a heat seal joint 48 which unites edges 40 and 44.
- the sheet section 20 is similarly joined to sheet section 26 by a heat seal joint 50 which unites edges 42 and 46. In this manner the left and right leg portions 10 and 12 are joined to the waist portion 14.
- sheet section 16 is joined to sheet section 18 by a heat seal joint 52 which unites the outer edge 54 of section 16 to the outer edge 56 of section 18.
- the right leg portion 12 is formed by joining sheet section 20 to sheet section 22 by a heat seal joint 58 which unites the outer edge 60 of section 20 to the outer edge 62 of section 22.
- Sheet section 24 comprises a straight outer edge 44 and sheet section 26 comprises a straight outer edge 66 which generally define the waist of the mannequin of the present invention.
- the edges 64 and 66 are joined at their ends to form a generally circular configuration which corresponds to the outer edges 68 and 70 of sheet sections 28 and 36, respectively.
- sheet section 23 is joined to sheet sections 24 and 26 along a heat seal joint 72 which is located a small distance from the edges 64 and 66. The distance from edges 64 and 66 at which joint 72 is formed is suflicient to allow space for a weighted plate 74 which is mounted between sheet sections 28 and 30.
- the mannequin of the present invention is depicted in an inverted position. This is because in actual use the garments which are intended for display therewith are usually displayed in the inverted position. Accordingly, the waist of the mannequin defined by sheet 30 may comprise a fiat pedestal or base upon which the mannequin may rest.
- the weighted plate 74 provides means for firmly holding the mannequin in the position shown in the drawing, while enabling easy relocation thereof.
- the inflatable mannequin of the present invention will provide several important advantages over solid mannequins, particularly with regard to ease of applying thereto garments to be displayed.
- the left leg portion of the invention is in a bent position.
- the garment Inasmuch as the diametrical dimension of the waist portion of the garment would be far smaller than the knee portion, the garment must involve considerable stretch or it would be impossible to apply to the mannequin.
- the inflatable mannequin of the present invention may be resiliently deformed with great ease to permit application thereto of almost any garment, thereby overcoming the difl'iculties discussed above.
- the mannequin of the invention involves a very light weight item which, when deflated, may be shipped and/ or stored 4 very easily and inexpensively compared to heavier, larger volume mannequins.
- the present invention is primarily adapted for utilization in displaying womans pantyhose and the specific embodiment described herein therefore is configured to simulate the lower portion of the female anatomy.
- the mannequin may be formed to simulate the lower portion of the anatomy of a child, with the specific simulation required being dependent upon the nature of the specific item of wearing apparel to be displayed.
- An inflatable mannequin simulating the human torso below the waist comprising: a left leg portion, a right leg portion and a waist portion, said left and right leg portions each being formed from a pair of plastic sheets, each of said pair of sheets having similarly shaped outer edges; heat seal means extending continuously completely along said outer edges joining together each of said pair of sheets; one sheet in each of said pair comprising a continuous internal edge defining an opening through said sheet; said waist portion comprising a pair of plastic sheets formed with similarly shaped outer edges, each of said sheets having a continuous internal edge defining an opening therethrough; heat seal means extending along a portion only of the outer edges of both said sheets joining said sheets together; a third plastic sheet having an outer edge shaped to coincide with the unsealed portions of said pair of waist portion plastic sheets; heat seal means joining said third plastic sheet to said unsealed portions of said pair of waist portion plastic sheets; heat seal means joining each of said internal edges of said right and left leg portions, respectively, to one of said internal edges of said waist portion plastic sheets;
- An inflatable mannequin according to claim 1 comprising a weighted member firmly mounted adjacent said third plastic sheet of said waist portion.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Toys (AREA)
Description
"0a; 14, 1969 CHERRY ETAL 3,472;434
INFLATABLE MANNEQUIN Filed Oct. 24, 1968 INVENTORS NANCY REY CHERRY JUDITH ANN SHACKELFORI ATTORN E Y.
United States Patent O 4" 3,472,434 Patented Oct. 14, 1969 3,472,434 INFLATABLE MANNEQUIN Nancy R. Cherry and Judith Ann Shackelford, both of 11 E. 78th St., New York, N.Y. 10021 Filed Oct. 24, 1968, Ser. No. 770,299 Int. Cl. A47f 8/00 U.S. Cl. 223-67 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An inflatable mannequin of plastic sheet material shaped to simulate the lower portion of the human torso below the waist adaptable for use primarily in connection with commercial display of womans pantyhose. The form comprises integrally structured weighted means permitting stable placement thereof.
The present invention relates to plastic objects, and particularly to a specific construction for an inflatable mannequin especially adapted for use in displaying wo' mans pantyhose.
The inflatable mannequins of the present invention generally comprise resilient material which may be inflated to simulate the contour of a portion of the human anat orny. Articles of wearing apparal may be placed upon the mannequin thereby to simulate their appearance when in actual use. At the present time, mannequins made of solid material are most widely in use. However, inflatable mannequins comprise a potential for providing many significant advantageous features as compared with the solid counterparts. In addition to being lighter in weight and much easier to transport, since they may be shipped in a deflated condition, inflatable mannequins may be repaired more simply and less expensively than solid mannequins. Also, inflatable mannequins may be dressed with far less difiiculty since they are flexible and may be bent and deformed to permit the desired placement of wearing apparal thereon.
Although inflatable mannequins may comprise a potential for providing significant advantages over those made of solid materials, certain difficulties relating to the manufacture thereof may be responsible for the fact that they are not in more widespread use. Items such as inflatable mannequins must be capable of manufacture as simply and inexpensively as possible in order to provide potential for commercial success because such items are generally limited as to the selling price that may potentially be damanded therefor. This limitation is made more problematic by the fact that such an item must also be of sufficiently sturdy construction to provide the intended function without rupturing or tearing or becoming otherwise unusable.
Accordingly, it is important that the structure and arrangement of such an inflatable mannequin be effective to provide a sturdy item having the necessary functional features while at the same time enabling manufacture thereof simply and economically.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved inflatable mannequin featuring sturdiness and adaptability to certain advantageous functional applications, while at the same time being capable of manufacture simply and economically.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such an inflatable mannequin which, by its inherent structural arrangement and the method of manufacture enabled thereby, will withstand normal abusive wear and also may be sold at a competitively advantageous price.
Briefly, the present invention may be described as comprising specially shaped sheets of plastic material heat sealed along their edges in a particular configuration providing an inflatable mannequin simulating the lower portion of the human torso below the waist. The mannequin of the present invention includes weight means to permit stable placement thereof, and valve means permitting infiation and deflation as desired.
A better understanding of the present invention may be had from the following detailed description of a specific embodiment thereof taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein: 7
FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view showing the mannequin of the present invention in its assembled and inflated condition;
FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view of the mannequin of FIGURE 1;
FIGURE 3 is a cross sectional view partially broken away taken along the line 33 of FIGURE 2;
FIGURE 4 is a composite view showing individual sheets of plastic material which, when assembled, form the mannequin depicted in FIGURES 1 and 2; and
FIGURE 5 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIGURE 2.
Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference numerals represent similar elements, there is shown an inflatable mannequin comprising a left leg portion 10, a right leg portion 12 and an interconnecting waist portion 14. The left leg portion 10 is comprised of a sheet section 16 and a sheet section 18. The right leg portion 12 is comprised of a sheet section 20 and a sheet section 22. The waist portion 14 is comprised of four sheet sections 24, 26, 28 and 30.
The sheet sections which go to make up the inflatable mannequin of the present invention are shown individually and separately in composite FIGURE 4. As seen therein, each sheet comprises a thin, flat piece of plastic material cut to a patricular pattern suitable to allow assembly thereof in the particular manner and configuration set forth by the present invention. Each of the sheet sections depicted in FIGURE 4 is heat sealed to one or more other sections, in a manner to be hereinafter described, and after assembly the mannequin may be inflated, by means of a valve member 32 mounted in sheet section 24, to the condition depicted in FIGURES land 2.
The heat seal joints, whereby the sheet sections of the present invention are joined together may be formed in any suitable manner apparent to those skilled in the art. The basis of the present invention resides in the location of the heat seals and in the particular shapes of the sheet sections and the arrangement whereby they are assembled.
As shown in the drawing, sheet sections 26 and 28 are joined together by a heat seal joint 34 formed between the curved outer edge 36 of sheet section 24 and the curved outer edge 38 of sheet section 26. Each sheet section 24 and 26 has cut therethrough an oblong opening r defined, respectively, by continuous edges 40 and 42. Each of the sheet sections 18 and 20 likewise comprises oblong openings defined, respectively, by continuous edges 44 and 46.
In assembly, the sheet section 18 is joined to the sheet section 24 by a heat seal joint 48 which unites edges 40 and 44. The sheet section 20 is similarly joined to sheet section 26 by a heat seal joint 50 which unites edges 42 and 46. In this manner the left and right leg portions 10 and 12 are joined to the waist portion 14.
In order to complete formation of the left leg portion 10, sheet section 16 is joined to sheet section 18 by a heat seal joint 52 which unites the outer edge 54 of section 16 to the outer edge 56 of section 18. In a similar fashion, the right leg portion 12 is formed by joining sheet section 20 to sheet section 22 by a heat seal joint 58 which unites the outer edge 60 of section 20 to the outer edge 62 of section 22.
It will be noted that the mannequin of the present invention is depicted in an inverted position. This is because in actual use the garments which are intended for display therewith are usually displayed in the inverted position. Accordingly, the waist of the mannequin defined by sheet 30 may comprise a fiat pedestal or base upon which the mannequin may rest. The weighted plate 74 provides means for firmly holding the mannequin in the position shown in the drawing, while enabling easy relocation thereof.
It will be apparent that the inflatable mannequin of the present invention will provide several important advantages over solid mannequins, particularly with regard to ease of applying thereto garments to be displayed. For example, it will be noted that the left leg portion of the invention is in a bent position. In applying a pantyhose garment to a mannequin similarly shaped it would be necessary to stretch the waist portion of the garment so that it would pass the knee portion of the mannequin. Inasmuch as the diametrical dimension of the waist portion of the garment would be far smaller than the knee portion, the garment must involve considerable stretch or it would be impossible to apply to the mannequin. In the case of a solid mannequin, no garment which did not stretch sufiiciently could pass over the leg portions 10 and 12 and the only alternative would be to construct the mannequin in a two-piece, or multipiece, arrangement. On the other hand, the inflatable mannequin of the present invention may be resiliently deformed with great ease to permit application thereto of almost any garment, thereby overcoming the difl'iculties discussed above.
Other significant advantages relate to the fact that the mannequin of the invention involves a very light weight item which, when deflated, may be shipped and/ or stored 4 very easily and inexpensively compared to heavier, larger volume mannequins.
As previously mentioned, the present invention is primarily adapted for utilization in displaying womans pantyhose and the specific embodiment described herein therefore is configured to simulate the lower portion of the female anatomy. However, it is to be understood that other applications and uses may be made of similarly constructed inflatable mannequins which would be within the scope of the present invention. For example, the mannequin may be formed to simulate the lower portion of the anatomy of a child, with the specific simulation required being dependent upon the nature of the specific item of wearing apparel to be displayed.
What is claimed is:
1. An inflatable mannequin simulating the human torso below the waist comprising: a left leg portion, a right leg portion and a waist portion, said left and right leg portions each being formed from a pair of plastic sheets, each of said pair of sheets having similarly shaped outer edges; heat seal means extending continuously completely along said outer edges joining together each of said pair of sheets; one sheet in each of said pair comprising a continuous internal edge defining an opening through said sheet; said waist portion comprising a pair of plastic sheets formed with similarly shaped outer edges, each of said sheets having a continuous internal edge defining an opening therethrough; heat seal means extending along a portion only of the outer edges of both said sheets joining said sheets together; a third plastic sheet having an outer edge shaped to coincide with the unsealed portions of said pair of waist portion plastic sheets; heat seal means joining said third plastic sheet to said unsealed portions of said pair of waist portion plastic sheets; heat seal means joining each of said internal edges of said right and left leg portions, respectively, to one of said internal edges of said waist portion plastic sheets; and valve means enabling inflation and deflation of said mannequin.
2. An inflatable mannequin according to claim 1 comprising a weighted member firmly mounted adjacent said third plastic sheet of said waist portion.
References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,740,565 4/1956 Wells 223-67 3,082,920 3/1963 Stein et al 22367 3,319,848 5/1967 Wolf 22372 MERVIN STEIN, Primary Examiner G. V. LARKIN, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 223-72
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US77029968A | 1968-10-24 | 1968-10-24 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US3472434A true US3472434A (en) | 1969-10-14 |
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ID=25088091
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US770299A Expired - Lifetime US3472434A (en) | 1968-10-24 | 1968-10-24 | Inflatable mannequin |
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US (1) | US3472434A (en) |
Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3639987A (en) * | 1969-04-28 | 1972-02-08 | Leath Mccarthy & Maynard Inc | Panty hose measuring apparatus and method |
US3710994A (en) * | 1970-12-30 | 1973-01-16 | Inflat A Ind Inc | Inflatable mannequin structure enhancing realistic body simulation |
US4459704A (en) * | 1981-08-03 | 1984-07-17 | Apparel Form Company | Method of forming cloth into three-dimensional shapes and the articles produced by that method |
US4555814A (en) * | 1982-07-06 | 1985-12-03 | Apparel Form Company | Method of forming cloth into three-dimensional shapes and the articles produced by that method |
US20060105316A1 (en) * | 2004-11-12 | 2006-05-18 | Thomas Harkin | Method, apparatus and kit for demonstrating the use of absorbent products |
EP2210531A1 (en) * | 2007-11-02 | 2010-07-28 | mind Create Japan, Inc. | Air injection mannequin and its production method |
USD776201S1 (en) * | 2014-08-21 | 2017-01-10 | Genesisdisplay Gmbh | Mannequin |
USD790631S1 (en) * | 2014-12-10 | 2017-06-27 | G-Star Raw C.V. | Form for displaying or fitting |
US10077519B2 (en) * | 2011-05-18 | 2018-09-18 | Michael L. Travis | Pant fabric expanding method and apparatus |
US11041269B2 (en) | 2018-01-10 | 2021-06-22 | Zackery Ray Alolabi | Inflatable shirt drying system |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2740565A (en) * | 1953-08-24 | 1956-04-03 | W L Stensgaard And Associates | Structure for an inflatable article of inelastic sheet material |
US3082920A (en) * | 1960-10-24 | 1963-03-26 | Alvin W Stein | Display fixtures |
US3319848A (en) * | 1965-07-02 | 1967-05-16 | Morris A Wolf | Manikin |
-
1968
- 1968-10-24 US US770299A patent/US3472434A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2740565A (en) * | 1953-08-24 | 1956-04-03 | W L Stensgaard And Associates | Structure for an inflatable article of inelastic sheet material |
US3082920A (en) * | 1960-10-24 | 1963-03-26 | Alvin W Stein | Display fixtures |
US3319848A (en) * | 1965-07-02 | 1967-05-16 | Morris A Wolf | Manikin |
Cited By (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3639987A (en) * | 1969-04-28 | 1972-02-08 | Leath Mccarthy & Maynard Inc | Panty hose measuring apparatus and method |
US3710994A (en) * | 1970-12-30 | 1973-01-16 | Inflat A Ind Inc | Inflatable mannequin structure enhancing realistic body simulation |
US4459704A (en) * | 1981-08-03 | 1984-07-17 | Apparel Form Company | Method of forming cloth into three-dimensional shapes and the articles produced by that method |
US4555814A (en) * | 1982-07-06 | 1985-12-03 | Apparel Form Company | Method of forming cloth into three-dimensional shapes and the articles produced by that method |
US20060105316A1 (en) * | 2004-11-12 | 2006-05-18 | Thomas Harkin | Method, apparatus and kit for demonstrating the use of absorbent products |
US7566222B2 (en) * | 2004-11-12 | 2009-07-28 | First Quality Retail Services, Llc | Method, apparatus and kit for demonstrating the use of absorbent products |
EP2210531A1 (en) * | 2007-11-02 | 2010-07-28 | mind Create Japan, Inc. | Air injection mannequin and its production method |
US20100320240A1 (en) * | 2007-11-02 | 2010-12-23 | Soichiro Sadaoka | Inflatable mannequin and method of manufacturing the same |
EP2210531A4 (en) * | 2007-11-02 | 2012-07-11 | Mind Create Japan Inc | Air injection mannequin and its production method |
US9055825B2 (en) * | 2007-11-02 | 2015-06-16 | Mind Create Japan, Inc. | Inflatable mannequin and method of manufacturing the same |
US10077519B2 (en) * | 2011-05-18 | 2018-09-18 | Michael L. Travis | Pant fabric expanding method and apparatus |
USD776201S1 (en) * | 2014-08-21 | 2017-01-10 | Genesisdisplay Gmbh | Mannequin |
USD790631S1 (en) * | 2014-12-10 | 2017-06-27 | G-Star Raw C.V. | Form for displaying or fitting |
US11041269B2 (en) | 2018-01-10 | 2021-06-22 | Zackery Ray Alolabi | Inflatable shirt drying system |
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