US3769134A

US3769134A - Manikin construction

Info

Publication number: US3769134A
Application number: US00163021A
Authority: US
Inventors: G Livingston
Original assignee: Wolfe and Vine Inc
Current assignee: Wolfe and Vine Inc
Priority date: 1971-07-15
Filing date: 1971-07-15
Publication date: 1973-10-30
Anticipated expiration: 1990-10-30

Abstract

An integral manikin is made by securing an essentially neckless head to a substantially full length neck that is integrally formed with a supporting torso. The upper end of the neck terminates in a generally ovoid shoulder of compound curvature extending inwardly from the exterior surface of the wall of the neck, the shoulder surrounding an endless wall defining an indexing stub. The neckless head takes the form of a hollow shell formed with a downwardly and rearwardly facing opening in the shell wall whose edge defines a compound curvature complementary to that of the shoulder of the neck. In effect, the neck shoulder and the edge of the head opening are substantially faying surfaces having a common locus of non-planar compound curvature that girdles the exterior wall of the manikin along an endless path in the region of the juncture of the head and neck of the manikin. The common locus of the endless abutting surfaces is located with reference to a reference axis lying within the same plane as the plane of the median section of the head. In anatomical terms, this axis intersects the back of the neck in the region of the juncture of the supraspinous ligament and the occipital protuberance at the base of the skull. In the front of the neck, the axis intersects the mid-line in the region corresponding to the area of the laryngeal prominence up to and including the hyoid bone. In terms of anatomy, the common locus is selected within a range more or less spaced with reference to a geometrically similar (or substantially so) locus which would have points of definition at the external occipital protuberance at the base of the skull, the mastoid processes of the temporal bones, the angles of the left and right parts of the mandible and/or the hyoid bone.

Description

United States Patent 1 Livingston [1'11 3,769,134 51 Oct, 30, 1973 MANIKIN CONSTRUCTION [75] Inventor: Graydon C. Livingston, Los

Angeles, Calif.

[73] Assignee: Wolfe & Vine, Inc., Los Angeles,

Calif.

[22] Filed: July 15, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 163,021

[52] US. Cl 156/293, 46/115, 46/162,

156/242, 223/66, 223/68 [51] Int. Cl A4lh 5/00 [58] Field of Search 35/17; 46/22, 115,

46/151, 162, 164, 173, DIG. 1; 156/242, 245, 293; 223/66, 68

Primary Examiner-Alfred L. Leavitt Assistant Examiner-Caleb Weston AttorneyFulwider, Patton, Rieber, Lee 81. Utecht [5 7] ABSTRACT An integral manikin is made by securing an essentially neckless head to a substantially full length neck that is integrally formed with a supporting torso. The upper end of the neck terminates in a generally ovoid shoulder of compound curvature extending inwardly from the exterior surface of the wall of the neck, the shoulder surrounding an endless wall defining an indexing stub. The neckless head takes the form of a hollow shell formed with a downwardly and rearwardly facing opening in the shell wall whose edge defines a compound curvature complementary to that of the shoulder of the neck. In effect, the neck shoulder and the edge of the head opening are substantially faying surfaces having a common locus of non-planar compound curvature that girdles the exterior wall of the manikin along an endless path in the region of the juncture of the head and neck of the manikin. The common locus of the endless abutting surfaces is located with reference to a reference axis lying within the same plane as the plane of the median section of the head. In anatomical terms, this axis intersects the back of the neck in the region of the juncture of the supraspinous ligament and the occipital protuberance at the base of the skull. In the front of the neck, the axis intersects the mid-line in the region corresponding to the area of the laryngeal prominence up to and including the hyoid bone. In termsof anatomy, the common locus is selected-within a range more or less spaced with reference to a geometrically similar (or substantially so) locus which would have points of definition at the external occipital protuberance at the base of the skull, the mastoid processes of the temporal bones, the angles of the leftand right parts of the mandible and/or the hyoid bone.

11 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures MANIKIN CONSTRUCTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention deals with the manufacture of clothing manikins of the type formed with heads integral with a neck and a portion, at least, of a supporting torso, the final product being an integral structure whose outer surface does not disclose any mold lines or the like and, thus, faithfully simulates the work of the sculptor in producing the original model.

In the prior art, in making manikins of this species, the sculptor forms a model having the head integrally joined to the neck and the neck integrally formed with such area of anatomy of a supporting torso as desired. For example, the supporting torso may be a bust, or may terminate at the waist line, or at the hips. In forming the original model, the sculptor imparts a particular facial configuration to the head which, in turn, is given a desired angular relationship to the long axis of the neck. In other words, the head may be pointing in any of the directions possible within the wide range of possible movement of the human head relative to the upper end of the spinal column. Depending on the overall attitude or posture desired to be imparted to the manikin, the sculptor will also form the model with more or less prominent surface features determined by the interaction of bones, ligaments and skeletal muscles. The long axis of the neck may assume a variety of attitudes with respect to the supporting torso and the torso itself may be asymmetrically disposed. Thus, in making a particular manikin model, the sculptor is involved in the interplay of skeletal and muscular structure which is very strongly surface reflected throughout the length of the neck.

Once the model has been completed and, most particularly, the sculptor having determined a particular anatomical structure of the column of the neck, molds are made from the model for the manufacture of the manikins. The manikins are manufactured as hollow structures having'relativelythin walls. While a variety of synthetic plastic materials may be used, the material generally employed is a chopped fiberglass filler in a polyester resin vehicle, a catalyst being added to induce a thermosetting reaction and these materials are generally applied by brush, spray, or rotational molding process to the mold cavities. As the head, almost invariably, is not arranged symmetrically with respect to the with its neck stub will seal firmly in the corresponding portion of the cavity of the torso mold. The head is thus properly indexed in the desired angular relationship relative to the torso and the neck stub thereon. The front half of the torso is then laid up in the mold cavity. The other side of the torso mold has a cavity for the back of the manikin of a length less than the full length of the manikin but longer than the distance between the lower end of the manikin and the upper edge of that portion of the neck stub to be formed integrally with the torso. When the back mold is closed on the front mold the neck stub of the head is then clamped securely between the two halves of the torso mold and the mold is, of course, held closed while the connecting resin or the like cures or hardens.

The resulting integral product has beads of flash ma-- terial along all of the parting lines in the head and neck neck and/or torso the manufacturing molds cannot the torso. Accordingly, two sets of molds are required to be made from the model, mold cavities of the two sets having a common reference plane corresponding to a section through the models neck, substantially midway between the shoulders and the underside of the aw.

A first mold set is made for the manufacture of heads having neck stubs, i.e., a portion of the column of the neck formed integrally with the head. The other set of molds consists of a front side and a back side. The front side is made with a cavity corresponding to the full length of the front of the manikin, i.e., the total length between the top of the head and thelower edge of the manikin. This is necessary so that a completed head and, particularly, in a line girdling the neck where the two neck stubs have been joined. The flash material is in a hardened state and must be ground away. While the lengthwise flash lines do not present any particular problem and may be ground or sanded away by unskilled help, the sculptural detail of the column of the neck is distorted unless a skilled person is employed to grind away the flash encircling the neck.

' In the process of manikin manufacture just described there must be a unique set of molds for each particular manikin which the manufacturer desires to offer for sale. On the other hand, manufacturers typically wish to offer manikins corresponding to several different age groups and, within each age group, it is desired to offer several different'styles or lines each expressing a different attitude or motif. The problem is further complicated in that many customers desire their line of manikins to have unique facial characteristics so that their display manikins are readily distinguishable from those of competitors who may be customers of the same manikin manufacture. Accordingly, with the prior art method of manufacture, taking these variables into account, a very large investment of sculptors time and in unique molds and in assembly time has been required, for the reason that each different combination of the variables involved required its own unique set of molds. As a consequence, it has hertofore been economically impracticalfor any'given manufacturer'to satisfy customers demands for unique manikins and the customers, on the other hand, have had to employ more or less standardized manikins.

Furthermore, because of uncertainty in market demand for particular lines of manikins it has been impractical for manufacturers to carry a large inventory of completed manikins. Typically, only the heads could be manufactured in advance and carried in inventory, the full manikin being made'only on order. Accordingly, as the demand for manikins is somewhat seasonal the manufacturer has been forced, in periods of high demand, to employ unskilled extra labor on a temporary basis and has only been able to retain, on a full time basis, a relatively small essential cadre of skilled laborers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A bust or torso is sculpted with an integral neck in any desiredpose and with any desired angularity of the axis of the neck to the bust or torso on which it is sup ported. The neck portion is complete or substantially so, i.e., it terminates at its upper end in an endless shoulder of compound curvature that is preferably symmetrical about a reference axis that, approximately intersects the region of the external occipital protuberance at the base of the skull and the hyoid bone, in the median section of the head. In plan view, the contour is somewhat ovoid, narrowing forwardly. In profile, and viewed along an axis normal to the axis of symmetry, the contour is generally downwardly concave, at the rear, but gradually develops into a slightly upwardly concave minor portion at the front.

Relating this compound curve to the muscles and ligaments of the neck, to define the upper end of the column of the neck, the contour intersects the upper end .of the supraspinous ligament at or berieaththe external occipital protuberance at the base of the skulli intersects the upper end portion of the sterno-cleidomastoid beneath the mastoid process of the temporal bone; intersects the thyreo-hyoid, omo-hyoid and sterno-hyoid muscles in thier upper end portions on a curve extending between the right and left halves of the mandible and preferably, at or above the thyroid cartilage. An endless curve of this character is employed to define the upper end of the neck column irrespective of the angle of the long axis of the neck with respect to the torso and irrespective of the intended attitude of the head to be mounted thereon with respect to the axis of the neck. In other words, the major axis or axis of symmetry may be disposed at any angle relative to the horizontal, as may be the minor axes. From the completed torso model molds are made to enable production of manikin torsos duplicating the model, i.e., all with substantially full length necks having upper ends terminating in the compound curvature just described.

The head portion is separately modeled as the matrix for a mold to produce hollow heads with desired facial features but all having a downwardly and rearwardly I facing opening of a compound curvature whose edge is adapted for mating engagement with the annular shoulder defining the upper end of any torso having the configuration just described. The two mated parts are secured together by a suitable adhesive which can be smoothed and wiped off by anunskilled person while still soft to eliminate any flash material. Finally, a finish coat is applied to impart the desired complexion to the manikin and to totally conceal the line of joinder of the head and neck.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. lis a perspective view of a first manikin having a desired orientation of the head with respect to the neck and of the neck with respect to the torso;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second model of manikin with another desired relationship of the angle of the head with respect to the neck and of the neck with respect to the torso;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third model of manikin, comprising an integral head and torso, but in an unfinished state and illustrating the mold parting and flash lines resulting from the prior art process of manufacture. This model also illustrates yet another desired relationship of the angle of the head with respect to the neck and of the neck with respect to the torso.

FIG. 4 is a somewhat schematic illustration of steps in the prior art process of manufacturing manikins with heads integral with a torso or bust;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the manikin parts of this invention utilized in the manufacture of the model of manikin illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the manikin parts of this invention employed in the manufacture of the model of manikin of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a partial profile view of portions of a manikin head and torso in accordance with this invention and, also, illustrating, in phantom outline, features of skull anatomy for purposes of reference;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of a manikin head of the invention, as seen in the plane of the line 88 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of a torso of the invention, particularly illustrating the compound curvature of the seat on which the edge of the head opening is mounted and indexed; and

FIG. 10 is a partial plan view taken normal to the direction of the arrows 10 of FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION or THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1 and illustrate two different models of

manikins

11 and 12, respectively. For clarity and simplicity of description they are depicted as hairless but it is to be understood that the

manikins

11 and 12 are coated with a surface finish, each having a head integrally joined with its torso. It will further be understood that the manikins 11 and'l2 are of the types intended to be provided with corresponding arms, for example, adjustable and/or detachable arms and, further, if desired, may-be assembled with legs to make full length mani kins. The features above-mentioned but not disclosed are merely exemplary, are well known in the art, form no part of the present invention, and, accordingly, are excluded from this description.

The manikins l1 and 12 are made with identical heads I3 but each is integrally joined to a different model of torso. Thus, the manikin ll of FIG. 1 includes a torso 14 on which the head 13 is turned to the left, in a somewhat horizontal attitude, on a neck portion 15 which, while substantially erect with respect to the torso, is also torsionally twisted to the left. The manikin 12 of FIG. 2 is formed with a torso 17 in which the head 13 is turned to the right, in a somewhat downwardly directed attitude, on a neck portion 18 which is correspondingly turned and with its long axis inclined somewhat forwardly.

Both

manikins

11 and 12 are formed with more or less pronounced surface reflectionsof the bone structure. andskeletal muscles 'of the original model. Thus, in each case, there occurs a depression in the throat area above the sternum and between the pair of sternocleido-mastoid muscles extending from the clavicles toward the mastoid process of the temporal bone in the skull. Other depressions are apparent outwardly of this pair of muscles, the clavicles being more or less prominently displayed as between the two models and, asymmetrically in each model. Similarly, referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 representing the

torsos

17 and 14, respectively, the contours of the back differently reflect the presence of the shoulder blades, i.e., differently as between the two models and asymmetrically with respect to each model. As is indicated by the shading, due to the difierence in the two poses the overall surface contours are markedly different due to the action of the trapezius and pectoral muscles, the configuration of the former also reflecting the hollow of the spinal column in FIGS. 5 and 6.

It will of course be understood that the two poses of the

models

11 and 12 are merely exemplary of the very wide range of possible postures of manikins, all of which involve different co-relationships of the skeletal muscles and bones throughout the area of anatomy under consideration and invariably reflecting differences in surface contour throughout the column of the neck and the shoulder structure. In the prior art, in the case of each different pose or manikin model, it was necessary to provide a unique set of molds for each particular model. Thus, in the case of the manikins l1 and 12, notwithstanding the idenity of the heads 13, for each model it was necessary to provide a unique set of molds for that particular model in order to preserve the anatomical integrity of the form originally devised by the sculptor. The reasons for the prior art requirement of one unique set of molds for each model of manikin can best be understood by a consideration of FIGS. 3 and 4.

Referring to FIG. 3, another model of manikin comprises a torso 21 integrally joined to a head 22. It will be noted that the pose of the manikin 20 is different from those of the

manikins

11 and 12 of FIGS. 1 and 2. Thus, the face of the manikin 20 is turned to the left and slightly upward so that the neck portion, comprising

neck stub portions

23 and 24, depicts a corresponding state of muscular contraction and expansion with a corresponding throwing into more or less relief of the sterno-cleido-mastoid muscles, the depression therebetween and the influence of the pectorals. However, it is particularly to'be noted that the lower edge of the stub of the neck 24 is joined to the upper edge of the stub of the neck portion 23 along a line ofjoinder 25 girdling the throat approximately midway between the clavicles and the underside of the jaw.

It will further be noted that the torso 21 and its associated neck portion 23 are made of separate back and front shells 26 and 27, respectively, that are joined on each of the opposite sides of the torso along lines of joinder 28. In like fashion, the head 22, with its integral neck stub portion 24, is formed of front and back portions 29 and 30, respectively, secured together along a line of joinder 31.

In the prior art method. the sculptor first makes a model to serve as the matrix from which the molds for I the four separate shell-

like parts

26, 27, 29 and 30 can be made. From the original model a base mold 33, FIG 4, is made having a cavity length between a base end wall 34 and a head end wall 35 substantially the same as the overall length of the model 20. It will, of course, be understood, as indicated in FIG. 4, that the base mold 33 constitutes a negative impression of the entire front of the model 20. Another mold 36 is formed with a negative impression (not shown) of a portion only of the overall length of the back side of the model 20. As is shown in FIG. 4, the length of the internal cavity of the mold 36 exceeds the distance between the lower end of the model 20 and the line of joinder 25 between the two

neck stubs

23 and 24.

Another set of molds (not shown) is employed in the prior art to make the head 22 with its integral neck stub portion 24 so that the head with its associated stub neck is made first and separately from'the torso 21 with its associated neck stub. This is necessary in view of the difference in the planes of the

parting lines

28 and 31 of the torso and head, respectively.

After the head 22 with its associated neck stub 24 has been formed, the completed head is then laid in the base mold 33. As has been indicated, the base mold is formed with a negative impression in one end portion of the cavity thereof whereby the completed head and its stub are matingly received therein in properly indexed relationship with respect to the remainder of the cavity of the base mold 33. Thereafter, the front half portion 26 of the torso, and its associated stub portion 23 of the neck, is laid up in the bed mold 33.

The backside portion 27 of the torso is laid up in the cavity of the mold 36. As will be apparent, when the mold 36 is closed upon the base mold 33, no access can be had to the interior of the mold cavities. Accordingly, prior to closing the mold 36 upon the mold 33 a connecting resin, sticking gel, adhesive or the like is applied to all'expos'ed edges of the manikin shell material, i.e., corresponding to the lines of joinder 28 for the front and rear portions 26 and 27 of the torso and the line of joinder 25. The mold halves 36 and 33 are then closed together bringing the edges of the back portion 27 into contact with the corresponding edges of the front portion 26 and the neck stub 24. At the same time, the mold halves, upon being closed securely clamp the neck stub 25.

The mold halves 36 and 33 being held together during setting of the resin or adhesive, the connecting resin or gel is extruded outwardly at practically all points along the lines ofjoinder. This extrusion of the sticking material is most pronounced along the back of the line ofjoinder 25 for the reason that an excess of the sticking gel or cementing resin is applied at this point to insure that the joinder is effected without any perforations. After the material has hardened, the molds are open and the manikin removed.

It will be understood that in order to give the model 20 the finished appearance of the

models

11 and 12, the excess of flash along the lines of

joinder

25, 28 and 31, now being in the hardened state, is ground or polished away. in this connection, a skilled worker must be employed to clean away the flash at the line of joinder 25 in 'an attempt to at least approximate the original anatomical contour of the original model.

From the foregoing, it will now be understood why it was essential in the prior art method to employ a unique set of molds for each different model of manikin. In all cases it was essentiahin assembling the head to the torso, to provide a bed mold having a negative impression of the face and a portion of the neck, both being of a detailed sculptured co'nfiguation, in order to preserve the proper angularly indexed relationship of the head with respect to the torso and to properly align the neck stubs. This procedure was essential in order to try to reproduce the sculptors original model without distortion as was, also the step of final grinding away by a skilled workman of the excess flash around the line of joinder 25.

With the present invention, the three different torsos of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 (or any desired number of different torsos) can each be employed with the same head 13 (or with any desired member of different models of head). in every case the resulting manikin truly simulates, without distortion, the anatomical features incorporated in the original models of head and torso by the sculptor.

Referring to FIG. 7, a head of the invention, in this case the head 13, is shown mounted on a torso of the invention, in this case on the neck of the torso 14. Preferably, the head 13 is made as a hollow shell-like structure and is formed with a downwardly and rearwardly facing opening, whose endless edge is generally designated at 40. The torso 14 may also be made as a hollow shell-like structure with an integral substantially full length neck column 15 that is terminated at its upper end by an endless generally annular shoulder 41. The inner edge of this shoulder surrounds an integrally formed upstanding wall 42. lf'desired, the stub-like projection defined by the endless wall 42 may be closed by a top end wall 43.

The edge 40 of the head opening and the shoulder 41 of the neck are, in effect, faying surfaces of compound curvature. They are, thus, adapted for mating engagement along an endless'line of joinder, indicated on the surface of the manikin at 44 in FIG. 7. When so engaged, it will be seen that the stub wall 42 is matingly received within the head opening 40 whereby the head is, in effect, self-indexing in the proper orientation with respect to the neck 15. In other words, any head of the invention, when placed upon any torso incorporating the invention by bringing the

surfaces

40 and 41 into engagement, assumes a fixed relationship with respect to the neck, being keyed both against the rotation and bending.

It will be understood that when the head 13 is joined to the neck 15a suitable adhesive, in the plastic state, is applied to the mating surfaces 40 and 41in order to permanently join the parts. While the adhesive is still soft, the excess material may be cleaned off smoothly by an unskilled worker without disturbing the desired fixed relationship of the head and neck stub, which are keyed together. After theadhesive has set, the rigidly interconnected parts are given a finish coating to conceal the line of joinder 44.

Referring to FIG. 7, the compoundcurvature of the line of joinder 44 (and accordingly of the faying surfaces 40 and 41) may conveniently be defined with reference to the structure of a skull. Thus, as points of reference there are shown in FIG. 7 the external occipital protuberance 46 at the base of the skull, the mastoid process 47 of the temporal bone, and the mandible 49, as well as the body 50 of the hyoid bone in the median section of the head. As is indicated in FIGS. '7 and 10, the occipital protuberance 46 and the median section of the body 50 of the hyoid bone define an axis of symmetry 51 for the generally ovoid shaped line of joinder 44. Referring to FIG. 7, the line 8-8 may be considered as essentially the same as the axis of symmetry 51 heads of the invention, such as the head 13, are formed with a contour of the opening edge 40 such that when viewed in profile (or nearly so) as in FIG. 7, the major protion of the profile towards the rear of the neck is downwardly concave, being substantially uniformly spaced beneath the protuberance 46 and mastoid process 47, thence curving under the angle 48 approximately the same distance. The profile of the edge 40 in the forwardmost portion, i.e., as it girdles the front of the neck has a slightly upwardly concave appearance.

With the axis 51 so located, the column of the neck 15 may be sculpted in any desired angular and/or torsional relationship with respect to its torso with the anatomical features of the neck and torso correspondingly displayed in greater-or lesser prominence, as desired. In every case, irrespective of the angle of the axis 51 with respect to a horizontal plane, and irrespective of the angularity of the median plane of the head with respect to'a vertical plane, any head of the invention may be successfully joined to any body of the invention with a minimum of anatomical distortion in the resultjoinder 44 which, in terms of reference to the skeletal muscles of the neck, is so located as to intersect only upper end portions of the supraspinous ligament, the sterno-cleido-mastoid muscles, thyro-hyoid muscles, omo-hyoid muscles, and sterno-hyoid muscles.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the axis 51 and locus of the line of joinder 44 provide a universal means for joining any manikin head to any manikin torso. By way of example, with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, it will be apparent, upon inspection and by comparison to FIGS. 1 and 2, that the axes 51 thereof are differently angularly disposed with reference to a horizontal plane. At the same time, as is particularly apparent by comparison of FIGS. 1 and 2, the heads 13 thereof are inclined to different degrees of angularity of the planes of the median sections thereof with respect to a'vertical plane. Nevertheless, in both cases the finished manikins of FIGS. 1 and 2 faithfully reproduce the anatomical features incorporated into the original of FIG. 10, the axis of symmetry also being the major axis of the generally ovoid endless compound curve. As is best seen in FIG. 8, this axis isdispoed in the plane including the median section of the head.

Empirically, I have determined that the optimum lo- "manufacturer thus has the ability tooffer a great number of different models of full manikins in different sizes and styles with a minimum of investment in molds and sculptor s time and without regard to seasonal fluctuations in demand.

I claim:

l. A process of manufacturing a manikin comprising:

forming an essentially neckless head as a hollow shell with an endless edge defining a downwardly and rearwardly facing opening;

forming a portion, at least, of a torso with an integral neck;

forming the upper end of the neck with an endless edge;

forming the two edges with essentially faying surfaces having a common locus of non-circular compound curvature;

and thereafter joining the two parts along the two edges.

2. A process as set forth in claim 1 that includes internally forming one of the head and neck parts with an integral mount and shaping the mount for keying the two parts against relative displacement when brought into faying engagement of the two edges.

3. A process as in claim 1 that includes forming the two edges symmetrically about a reference axis lying within the same plane, substantially, as the plane of the median section of the head.

4. A process as in claim 1 in which the two edges are formed with their common locus complementary to a locus that includes those portions of the head anatomically corresponding to the external occipital protuberance at the base of the skull, the mastoid processes of the temporal bones and the angles of the left and right portions of the mandible.

5. A process as in claim 4 in which the two edges are formed with the reference axis disposed to intersect the back of the neck in the region anatomically corresponding to the area of juncture of the supraspinous ligament and occipital protuberance at the base of the skull and to intersect the mid-line of the front of the neck in the region anatomically corresponding to the area of the laryngeal prominence up to and including the hyoid bone.

6. A process of manufacturing manikins comprising the steps of:

forming a plurality of sets of different hollow manikin heads in a neckless form and each having a noncircular socket of preselected shape opening downwardly and rearwardly from the heads in the area of each manikin head representing the juncture of the human head and neck, where the configuration of the upper end of the human neck does not change materially in different angular positions of the human head; forming a plurality of sets of manikin torsos of different configurations with headless, full-length necks in different angular attitudes and with different external configurations artistically simulating different anatomically correct neck configurations for said different angular attitudes; providing neck mounts on the upper ends of said necks with non-circular stub-like projections of preselected shape for fitting snugly into said sockets and keying a head in an annular position corresponding to the angular attitude of the neck of each of the torsos, and with upwardly facing abutment means for engaging said heads around said sockets;

fitting selected heads onto selected torsos in the angular positions corresponding to the angular attitudes of the necks of the torsos;

and completing the manikins by bonding said heads to said necks and applying a finish coating to conceal the area of joinder.

7. A process of manufacturing manikins comprising the steps of:

forming a set of manikin heads of the same configuration in a neckless form having a head mount of preslected shape in the area of the manikin head representing the juncture of the human neck and head, where the configuration of the upper end of the human neck does not change materially in different angular positions of the human head;

forming a plurality of manikin torsos of different configurations with headless necks in different angular attitudes and with different external configurations artistically simultating different anatomically correct neck configurations for said different angular attitudes;

providing neck mounts on the upper ends of said necks and shaping said neck mounts to mate with said head mounts iri a generally flush joint to hold a head on the neck of each of said torsos in an angular attitude of the head corresponding to the angular attitude of the neck of each of the torsos; and installing one of said heads on each of said torsos, to provide a plurality of manikins in different artistic poses with a single head configuration.

8. A process as defined in claim 7 including the further steps of forming additional sets of neckless manikin heads of varied configurations, all having head mounts in the area of the manikin head representing the juncture of the human neck and head, and installing heads from said torsos in different selected combinations to provide a wider variety of manikins in said dif ferent selected poses.

9. A process as defined in claim 7 in which said head-- forming step includes the forming of said head mount as a downwardly and rearwardly facing socket of noncircular contour, and saidtorso-forming step includes the forming of said neck mount as an upwardly and forwardly extending stub-like projection of the same noncircular contour to fit closely within said socekt and the having a head mount in the area of the manikin head representing the' juncture of the human neck and head;

forming at least one manikin torso with a headless neck in an angular attitude directed toward one side of the torso, and with an external configuration artistically simulating the anatomically correct neck configuration in said angular attitude;

providing a neck mount on theupper end of said neck for receiving said head and cooperating with said head mount to hold said head in an angular position corresponding to the angular attitude of said neck;

and completing the manikin by fitting said head on said neck in said angular position, joining the two together, and applying a finish coating to conceal the line of joinder.

Claims

1. A process of manufacturing a manikin comprising: forming an essentially neckless head as a hollow shell with an endless edge defining a downwardly and rearwardly facing opening; forming a portion, at least, of a torso with an integral neck; forming the upper end of the neck with an endless edge; forming the two edges with essentially faying surfaces having a common locus of non-circular compound curvature; and thereafter joining the two parts along the two edges.

6. A process of manufacturing manikins comprising the steps of: forming a plurality of sets of different hollow manikin heads in a neckless form and each having a non-circular socket of preselected shape opening downwardly and rearwardly from the heads in the area of each manikin head representing the juncture of the human head and neck, where the configuration of the upper end of the human neck does not change materially in different angular positions of the human head; forming a plurality of sets of manikin torsos of different configurations with headless, full-length necks in different angular attitudes and with different external configurations artistically simulating different anatomically correct neck configurations for sAid different angular attitudes; providing neck mounts on the upper ends of said necks with non-circular stub-like projections of preselected shape for fitting snugly into said sockets and keying a head in an angular position corresponding to the angular attitude of the neck of each of the torsos, and with upwardly facing abutment means for engaging said heads around said sockets; fitting selected heads onto selected torsos in the angular positions corresponding to the angular attitudes of the necks of the torsos; and completing the manikins by bonding said heads to said necks and applying a finish coating to conceal the area of joinder.

7. A process of manufacturing manikins comprising the steps of: forming a set of manikin heads of the same configuration in a neckless form having a head mount of preslected shape in the area of the manikin head representing the juncture of the human neck and head, where the configuration of the upper end of the human neck does not change materially in different angular positions of the human head; forming a plurality of manikin torsos of different configurations with headless necks in different angular attitudes and with different external configurations artistically simulating different anatomically correct neck configurations for said different angular attitudes; providing neck mounts on the upper ends of said necks and shaping said neck mounts to mate with said head mounts in a generally flush joint to hold a head on the neck of each of said torsos in an angular attitude of the head corresponding to the angular attitude of the neck of each of the torsos; and installing one of said heads on each of said torsos, to provide a plurality of manikins in different artistic poses with a single head configuration.

8. A process as defined in claim 7 including the further steps of forming additional sets of neckless manikin heads of varied configurations, all having head mounts in the area of the manikin head representing the juncture of the human neck and head, and installing heads from said torsos in different selected combinations to provide a wider variety of manikins in said different selected poses.

9. A process as defined in claim 7 in which said head-forming step includes the forming of said head mount as a downwardly and rearwardly facing socket of non-circular contour, and said torso-forming step includes the forming of said neck mount as an upwardly and forwardly extending stub-like projection of the same non-circular contour to fit closely within said socekt and the forming of an abutment around said neck mount for locating the head thereon.

10. A process as defined in claim 7 in which said installing step includes the bonding together of each head and torso, and the finishing of the generally flush joint to conceal the latter.

11. A process of manufacturing manikins comprising the steps of: forming at least one manikin head in a neckless form having a head mount in the area of the manikin head representing the juncture of the human neck and head; forming at least one manikin torso with a headless neck in an angular attitude directed toward one side of the torso, and with an external configuration artistically simulating the anatomically correct neck configuration in said angular attitude; providing a neck mount on the upper end of said neck for receiving said head and cooperating with said head mount to hold said head in an angular position corresponding to the angular attitude of said neck; and completing the manikin by fitting said head on said neck in said angular position, joining the two together, and applying a finish coating to conceal the line of joinder.