US3479691A

US3479691A - Device for making sculpture

Info

Publication number: US3479691A
Application number: US653909A
Authority: US
Inventors: Donovan D Durland
Original assignee: DONOVAN D DURLAND
Current assignee: DONOVAN D DURLAND
Priority date: 1967-07-17
Filing date: 1967-07-17
Publication date: 1969-11-25
Anticipated expiration: 1986-11-25

Description

NOV 25, 1969 D. D. DURLAND 3,479,691

DEVICE FOR MAKING SCULPTURE Filed July 17, 1967 {IIIIIIIIIllIllIIIIIIIIl/IIII/IIIA4 1 'llllllllllll//l/lllllllllllllI INVENTOQ o/farf/f //f/a/zd :United States Patent O 3,479,691 DEVICE FOR MAKING SCULPTURE Donovan D. Durland, 1183 W. Main St., Decatur, Ill. 62522 Filed July 17, 1967, Ser. No. 653,909 Int. Cl. B29c 1 3 00 U.S. Cl. 18-5.1 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A device for producing a sculpture of a human head comprising a head enclosure having a removable cover and back section. The head enclosure also contains a means for supplying air to the subject during the making of a mold and a means for retaining the mold within the head enclosure while the subjects head is removed. The mold in the head enclosure is then cast with a solid forming liquid.

This invention relates to a device for producing sculpture and particularly relates to a method and device for producing a life-like impression mold of a persons head and for casting this impression.

Sculpturing, which is broadly defined as the art of lproducing a representation of a person in the round, is

one of the oldest arts known to mau. One particular type of sculpture which is easily recognizable is the bust. This type of sculpture is a representation of only the persons head, although in many instances it will also include the persons shoulders and chest. However, this latter inc1usion has limited significance in the art and generally serves only as a base or pedestal for the Sculptured head. Although sculpturing is normally identified with a highly skilled artist working with a hammer and chisel, sculpturing is much broader and includes any representation in the round that is carved, molded, or cast from a material such as stone, clay, plaster, metal, wood, ice, and the like. This invention is concerned with the latter two, namely, molding and casting and specifically with the molding and casting of a persons head.

Over the years many techniques have been proposed for molding and casting a bust or life-like representation of a persons head. One of the earliest methods reported is for a sculptor to sculpt a clay reproduction of a head from which a mold is produced. The mold is then cast with a liquid or molten material, solidified and the mold chipped away. Although a durable reproduction can be obtained by this method, only one casting is possible per mold and further, a gifted sculptor is required to produce the clay reproduction particularly, if a true and accurate representation of the persons head is desired. Also, this method is time-consuming and under present. economic conditions is too costly for the average individual.

More recently a method has been proposed in US. Patent 996,783, for example, for making reproductions from life. According to this patent, a number of thin, light layers of waX are applied directly to a pesrons face and head until the desired thickness is obtained. The wax -is then removed in pieces and reassembled to produce a mold from which a casting can be made. One of the disadvantages of such a technique is that the wax must be removed carefully and, if accurate reproductions of appendages such as ears and nose are to be obtained, the wax must be removed in many small pieces and later carefully reassembled. Further, this process requires that many thin layers of wax be applied in order to avoid distorting the facial features by applying too much of the wax too quickly. Considerable discomfort and danger to the subject is also encountered by this technique.

JCC

Another method for producing a life-like mold is to apply a quick drying, solid forming material such as plaster of Paris over the subjects face which, after cooling, is removed in pieces and reassembled. The disadvantages of this process are similar to those encountered in the above wax process. However, with this process there is the additional disadvantage that the softer liesh parts of the subjects face are depressed on application of the heavy plaster causing distortions and inaccuracies in the mold. These distortions must then be corrected by casting the mold and making another mold from the original casting.

It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide a device which overcomes the disadvantages heretofore encountered in producing a life-like reproduction of a human head.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device for producing a reusable, one piece impression of a persons head quickly, safely and economically.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a device which can be used in both molding and casting a bust.

Another object of this invention is to provide an impression forming device which can be quickly and easily disassembled to insure maximum safety of the subject While an impression of the su'bjects head is being made.

Other objects of this invention will be apparent from the disclosure and accompanying drawings in which like numbers represent like parts in the various views and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective View showing generally one embodiment of this invention and its proposed use.

FIGURE 2 is a top cross-sectional view of the head enclosure and enclosure holder immediately below the enclosure cover.

FIGURE 3 is a view taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 2 showing a head in position for the taking of an impression.

FIGURE 4 is a magnified perspective view of a retaining means.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective overturned view showing how the main parts of the head enclosure are slidably united.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG- URE 1 which shows the use of one embodiment of a device constructed in accordance with this invention wherein a head enclosure designated generally by numeral 10 with cover 11 is slidably engaged and held 'by an enclosure holder designated generally by numeral 12. The enclosure holder is mounted to

vertical walls

23 and 25 of enclosure support shown generally by numeral 14 fby rods 26 passing through holes 41 located in matching opposed relation in

side walls

13 and 15 of the enclosure holder and

vertical walls

23 and 25. Seat 16 having a back support 17 passing through its horizontal seat section 19 at substantially a right angle is pivotally mounted to

vertical walls

23 and 25 by rod 20 passing through a hole bored laterally through back support 17. Forward pivotal movement of the seat is prevented by rod 21 running horizontally under the seat section and mounted to the two vertical walls of the enclosure support. With this arrangement only a backward tilting movement of the seat is possible. Subject 18 is shown in a seated position with his head in head enclosure 10. As the seat is tilted backward |by the downward pushing action of the subjects feet, the subjects head is lifted slightly up and out of the rear p0rtion of the head enclosure. This allows the subject to withdraw his head easily and quickly from the area of the head enclosure.

Side walls

13 and 15 of enclosure holder 12 are held in vertical upright position by lower horizontal tray 22 and upperA horizontal tray 24 separated by front wall 29 of the enclosure holder. The enclosure holder, Vas previously indicated, is mounted to the enclosure support by rods 26 passing through holes 41 of

side walls

13 and 15 and

vertical walls

23 and 25.

Vertical side walls

23 and 25 of the enclosure support are held in vertical upright position by four horizontal connecting rods 27 of substantially equal length extending between and mounted to each of the side walls.

Referring now to FIGURES 2 and 3 which show a top and side cross-sectional view of head enclosure 10 slidably engaged and held by enclosure holder 12 and FIG- URE 5 which shows an overturned perspective of the three main parts of the head enclosure.

Broadly, the head enclosure performs a number of i important functions during the taking of an elastic impression, the subsequent casting of the impression to produce a bust-like representation. The head enclosures primary function is to enclose`a subjects head and neck and to supply the subject enclosed therein with a breathing atmosphere through a breathing means shown generally by numeral 28. The head enclosure also receives and holds an impression forming material which is introduced therein and which encompasses the subjects head and neck. Also, the head enclosure is adapted to retain the impression forming material after it has set and the subjects head has been removed. Finally, the head enclosure holds the impression or mold in its set position while the impression is being cast.

The head enclosure comprises broadly a front section indicated generally by numeral 30, a detachable rear section indicated generally by numeral 32, and a breathing means shown generally by numeral 28. The front and rear sections in slidable engagement provides an enclosure having an opening at the top through which an impression forming material can be added. The top opening is adapted to receive cover 11 which is normally in place during the casting operation which will be described in greater detail later in this disclosure. Another opening at the bottom is provided for encircling the subjects neck and through which the casting material can be introduced during the aforementioned casting operation.

Considering first in greater detail the front section which can be generally described as being scoop shaped and having a front wall 34, two

identical side walls

36 and 38, and a partial or incomplete bottom Wall 40. Bottom wall 40 follows angularly the cut of the bottom portion of

side walls

36 and 38 of the head enclosure forming a pan-like section shown generally in FIGURE 5 by numeral 31. The front section is designed to enclose the front and two sides of a subjects head. The pan section is specifically designed to pass under a subjects chin and to surround the front half of the subjects neck.

Side walls

36 and 38 of front section 30 proceed rearwardly from front wall 34 in substantially right angle relations to the front wall. The top edges of the side walls are essentially straight and in a substantially parallel relation to the bottom edges of the side walls with the eX- ception of the middle third portion of the bottom edge which is cut on an angle upward and away from the front wall. This angular cut results in a side wall having a front vertical edge longer than its back vertical edge. Bottom wall 40, as stated above, follows the cut of the side walls forming a pan-like section extending between the two side walls. The angular portion of the bottom wall extends slightly beyond the horizontal portion of the bottom wall forming a ledge 44 extending horizontally between the two side walls. This ledge is of such size and shape that it meets flush with the back edge of lower horizontal tray 22 when both edges are in abutting relation making a continuous outer surface between the head enclosure and the enclosure holder when the head enclosure and the enclosure holder are telescopically engaged.

Referring to FIGURE 5 which shows an overturned perspective view of the head enclosure wherein approxi- 1.v mately midway between the two

side walls

36 and 38, a recession 48 approximating a half circle is` cut into the slanted portion of the Ibottom wall 40 to accommodate the lower front portion of a persons neck.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, triangular braces 50 and 52 are vertically `mounted one in each of the two corners formed by the junction of front wall 34 and

side walls

36 and 38 to reinforce the front section of the head enclosure. The triangular` braces also house pins 54 (one on each side) in holes 94 which position and hold the front section of cover 11 on the head enclosure. Pins 54 may be removed quickly from their respective housings by merely pulling the pins outwardly and away from the holes in the head enclosure. VThis releases thefront section of the cover from the enclosure holder. The triangular braces also serve to reduce the volume within the head enclosure and thereby reduces the quantity of impression forming ,material required for obtaining a mold or impression.

A critical feature of this invention is that the inner surface of front section 30 of enclosure holder 10 be adapted with a retaining means 56 to retain'and hold fast the impression forming material after the impressionforming material has set during removal of the subjects head. The impression or mold thereby produced is retained in the enclosure holder by the retaining means. The head enclosure, with the impression or mold firmly retained within the enclosure and in the exact same position it was in when the mold was formed, may then be inverted and the impression cast. By not having to remove the mold or impression from the head enclosure during the casting operation, distortion of the impression is minimized, if not completely avoided.

In one embodiment of this invention, the retaining means 58 is shown generally as a slitted omega shaped element with perforations 59. A magnication of such element is shown in FIGURE 4. However, this retaining means can take on almost any size and shape and can be part of or separate from the inner surface of the front section. Preferably, the retaining means is an element which can be easily removed from the head enclosure. This facilitates cleaning of the retaining means after the nold or impression has been cast and separated thererom.

More specifically, the retaining means 56 follows generally the inside contour of the inner wall of the front section and is held vertically by wings 58 to ribs 60 and 62 mounted to

side walls

36 and 38 respectively. As previously noted, the retaining means 56 contains a plurality of perforations 59 through which a small portion of the impression forming material can pass. After the impression forming material has set, the impression forming material is held firmly to the retaining means by the perforations and thereby permits the subjects head to be separated from the impression forming material without disrupting the position and shape of the subjects impression produced therein.

Referring again to FIGURES 2 and 3 which show a breathing means designated generally by number 28 and which comprises a threaded pipe 66 which passes through apertures in front wall 34 and transverse wall 29. Retaining means 56 has a vertical slit which slides around and over the threaded pipe 66. Pipe 66 is adjustably held in position by an inner lock nut` 68 and outer lock nut 70 which, when tightened toward the center of the pipe, tightly sandwiches the front wall 34 and the transverse wall 29 between them locking the front section of the head enclosure to the enclosure holder. This retains the pipe in a firm, substantially perpendicular relation to the front and vertical walls. With the above arrangement, the adjustable breathing means may be slidably positioned in the head enclosure to any desirable depth forsupplying a breathing atmosphere to a subject within the enclosure. This permits a subject to breath comfortably while an impression of the subjects head is being made.

A female threaded elbow 72 is screwed onto that portion of the threaded pipe which extends into the head enclosure giving an upward curvature to a point just below the subjects nostrils. The other end of the elbow is covered with a threaded cap 74 having two small threaded tubular members 76 and 78 protruding through the cap and extending outward toward the nostrils of the subject. The tubular members are of such size and shape that they can fit snugly into the nostrils of the subject and thereby make breathing easy for the subject during the time when the impression is being made. Although the breathing means is shown in FIGURE 3 as supplying air to the subject through the subjects nostrils, such breathing means can be adapted with a breathing piece, if desired, for supplying air through the subjects mouth. Since all members of the breathing means are threaded, the position and length of these members can be readily varied to permit the breathing means to be easily and quickly adjusted to the breathing needs of most all subjects.

The rear section 32 of head enclosure 10 comprises a vertical back wall 80 and bottom Wall 82 mounted in perpendicular relation. The back wall and bottom wall being supported by triangular shaped

vertical braces

84 and 86 mounted vertically thereto. The mounted triangular braces also serve as the side walls forming the complete rear section. Approximately midway along the leading edge of the bottom wall, a half circle-like recession 88 is cut into the bottom wall. Recession 88 is directly opposite to and is approximately of the same diameter as recession 48. When the front and rear sections are telescopically engaged, a circle bent along its diameter is formed (shown in FIGURES 2 and 5) for encircling the subjects neck. The leading edge of the bottom wall of the rear section is reciprocally cut to receive the back edge of the bottom wall of the front section to form a continuous appearing bottom wall with a circular portion removed from the center thereof.

Referring now particularly to FIGURE 5, it can be seen that the width of rear section 32 is slightly less than the width of front section 30 thus permitting the rear section to telescopically engage the front section to form a box-like enclosure open at the top and having a hole in the bottom, said bottom hole being of such diameter that a subjects neck can be encircled thereby. An enclosure cover 11 is provided to cover the opening at the top of the head enclosure. The enclosure cover 11 has two

rib sides

89 and 90 mounted to the bottom portion near the side edges of the enclosure cover. When the cover 11 is in proper position on the head enclosure, the side ribs override and closely engage the

side walls

36 and 38 of the front section forming a tight cover fitting for the head enclosure. At each end of the rib sides, holes 91 are provided which coincide with holes 93 and 94 located along the walls of the front and rear section for receiving a pair of slidably insertable pins 54 and 92 which hold cover 11 in locked position. Pins 92 also lock and hold front section 30 to rear section 32. An additional set of pins 75 and 77 (shown in FIGURE l) pass through matched holes 71 and 73 (shown in FIGURE 5) located at or near the ends of the front and rear sections of the head enclosure. It should be noted that these

pins

92, 75 and 77 are located on both sides of the head enclosure and are preferably only slidably engaged. Thus these pins can be removed quickly enabling the rear section of head enclosure to be separated in a matter of seconds from the front section still retained in the enclosure holder. This assembly thereby insures maximum safety at all times for the subject whose head is enclosed by the head enclosure.

The enclosure holder is designed to telescopically hold and position the head enclosure in the position desired for taking of an impression. The enclosure holder is mounted to the

vertical walls

23 and 25 of enclosure support 14 by rods 26 which pass through holes 41 located in the

side walls

13 and 15 of the enclosure holder. Lower horizontal tray 22 and upper horizontal tray 24 and transverse wall 29 are mounted to

side walls

13 and 15. The lower horizontal tray 22 extends rearwardly beyond the head enclosure permitting the bottom wall of the head enclosure to rest on the rearward portion. The transverse wall 29 is parallel to and lits flush against the front wall 34 of the front section when in telescopic engagement. The length and width of the side walls of the enclosure holder are such that the head enclosure can be telescopically engaged into the enclosure holder and thereby gives the head enclosure the necessary position and support needed while the impression is being taken. As previously mentioned, the transverse wall also possesses an opening through which the breathing means extends outward to the atmosphere.

In the making of a sculpture or bust, the enclosure holder 12 is mounted to the enclosure support 14 by placing rods 26 through matching holes 41 located in both the enclosure holder and the enclosure support. The front section 30 of head enclosure 14 is then telescopically inserted into the enclosure holder 12. The subject 18 is seated in seat 16 and his head placed into the front section of the head enclosure. After the subject has been cornfortably seated and his head is properly aligned in the front section of the head enclosure, cotton is inserted into the ears of the subject and the subjects hair is greased or covered with a close fitting net or cap.

The breathing means 28 is adjusted and tubular members 76 and 78 of the breathing means are inserted into the subjects nostrils. Once it has been determined that the subject is breathing comfortably through the breathing means, the rear section 32 of the head enclosure is telescopically engaged into the front section 30. The space between the subjects neck -as well as other major void areas in the head enclosure are packed with a filler material such as cloth, paper, sponge rubber, and the like to minimize loss and to reduce the amount of impression forming material added to the head enclosure.

An elastic impression forming material such as alginate, rubber base, silicone, resins, gums or any other elastic or flexible setting creme, paste or highly viscous liquid material is mixed and after the subjects eyes are closed, is poured into the head enclosure and around the subjects neck and head. After the head enclosure is completely filled with the impression forming material enclosure cover 11 is slid into position from the back to the front. Any excess material will ybe skimmed olf the top and collected on upper horizontal tray 24.

After the impression forming material has set, the enclosure cover and the rear section of the head enclosure are removed, a dull spatula is gently inserted into the impression forming material at the base of the subjects neck and in slitting motion is moved upward along the back of the neck to a point about two or three inches from the subjects forehead or hair line. The impression forming material is then separated from the subjects head by pulling apart the slitted portions. The impression forming Inaterial is loosened from around the subjects ears by placing ones hands in between the subjects head and the impression forming material and separating the impression forming material by movement of the fingers. The elastic impression forming material can be stretched slightly whenever and wherever necessary to assist in separating stubborn areas from the subjects head. On a prearranged signal the subject pushes backward with his feet forcing the pivotally mounted seat to tilt backward. This backward tilting action forces the subjects head slightly up and out of the impression forming material. The upward action also separates the subj'ect from the breathing means. The impression forming material is retained in the front section of the head by the retaining means 56.

After the subject has been removed from the head enclosure, the rear section and enclosure cover of the head enclosure are replaced. Pins `54, 92, 75 and 77 are placed in their respective holes in the head enclosure and lock nut 70 removed. The entire head enclosure is then pulled out from the enclosure holder and inverted on a fiat surface (inverted position shown in FIGURE The impression or mold may now be inspected through the neck opening with a light and mirror to determine if the slitted section of the impression or mold are properly joined. If desired, the slitted portions may be glued together, however, this is not generally necessary.

An artificial stone, cold cure resin, liquid metal or other solidifying material is poured into the mold through the neck opening and allowed to harden. After the mold has been cast and the material hardened, the cover and rear section of the head enclosure are removed and the impression or mold separated from the sculpture by the same method employed in removing the subjects head from the head enclosure.

With the apparatus and process of this invention more than one bust may be prepared from the same cast as the elastic impression or mold c-an be separated from the subject or casting without breaking or otherwise damaging the mold.

While but one embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent that certain other changes and modifications may be made therein. It is therefore to be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment shown, but only by th scope ofthe claims which follow. i

I claim:

1. A device for producing an elastic impression of a human head comprising in combination (1) a head enclosure for enclosing a subjects head and holding an elastic impression forming material, said head enclosure having (a) an opening in the bottom of said head enclosure for encircling the neck of the subject and (b) an opening in the top of said enclosure through which the elastic impression forming material can be added to encompass the subjects head enclosed therein, (c) a removable back section to permit easy removal of the subjects head and (d) a front section having (1) a retaining means along its inner surface for retaining and holding fast the impression forming material after said material has gelled and permitting removal of the subjects head,

(2) a means mounted through said front section for supplying a breathing atmosphere to a subject within said enclosure and (3) a means for holding said front section to said back section.

2. Device of claim 1, wherein said retaining means is removable.

3. Device of claim 1, wherein said retaining means comprises an omega shaped member having a plurality of perforations, said perforated member 4being vertically mounted between said inner surface of the front section and the subjects face.

4. Device of claim 3, wherein said breathing means comprises a hollow member passing through said front section, said hollow member having a means at one end for directing and carrying a breathing atmosphere to a subject enclosed within said head enclosure.

5. Device of claim 4, wherein said hollow member is adjustable and wherein one end of said hollow member is adapted with a means for fitting into the subjects nose or mouth and thereby permitting the subject to ybreathe normally while an impression of the subjects head is being produced.

6. Device of claim 3, wherein said breathing means is an -adjustable pipe slidably inserted through said front section with one end of said pipe leading to the atmosphere Vand the other end leading to the subjects nose, said latter end having a capped member and two smaller tubular members extending through said cap member for tight placement in each of the subjects nostrils.

7. Device of claim 1, wherein said head enclosure is held by a head enclosure holding means.

8. Device of claim 7, wherein said head enclosure is telescopically positioned in and held by said head enclosure holding means.

9. Device of claim 7, wherein said head enclosure holding means is mounted to an enclosure support.

10. Device of claim 9, wherein a seating means is pivotally mounted to said enclosure holder directly below the enclosure holding means, to permit the subject to sit comfortably while his head is enclosed by said head enclosure.

11. Device of claim 10, wherein said seating means is pivotally mounted to prevent a forward pivotal movement and to permit a subject seated in said seating means to be raised slightly as the subjects head is drawn backward away from the head enclosure by the backward pivotal action of the seating means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 945,537 l/19l0 Hoffman 18-5.l 996,783 7/ 1911 Moreau 264--222 1,902,627 3/1933 Elbogen, 18-5.1 2,043,503 6/1936 Aschenborn 18-5.l

WILBUR L. MCBAY, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 2611-222