Manikin stretch joint
First Claim
1. A method of using a manikin joint, comprising:
- providing a first manikin part, the first manikin part comprising a first joint assembly including;
a first flangeboard including a recess and a groove; and
a keyway;
providing a second manikin part, the second manikin part comprising a second joint assembly including;
a stretch element having a length sufficient to allow partial opening of a joint from about 20°
to about 60°
;
a keybody, the keybody shaped to engage the keyway, the keybody having an engagement orientation and a locking orientation and being operationally connected to the stretch element;
a pivot key disposed through and in rotational engagement with the keybody; and
a second flangeboard including a guide boss, the guide boss shaped to engage the recess; and
attaching the second manikin part to the first manikin part to form a manikin joint by;
positioning the second manikin part with respect to the first manikin part such that a surface of the first joint assembly and a surface of the second joint assembly are substantially parallel, the guide boss is proximate to the end of the groove farthest away from the recess, and the keybody is in the engagement orientation with respect to the keyway;
moving at least one of the first manikin part and the second manikin part toward the other such that the guide boss is received within the groove and a top portion of the keybody and the pivot key are received through the keyway;
rotating at least one of the first manikin part and the second manikin part with respect to the other until the guide boss reaches the end of the groove closest to the recess and the pivot key is in the locking orientation with respect to the keyway, thereby locking the second joint assembly to the first joint assembly;
exerting a force in a medial direction on the second manikin part to disengage the guide boss from the groove; and
rotating the second manikin part with respect to the first manikin part in the same direction as the first rotating step until the guide boss mates with the recess and the stretch element causes the manikin parts to be pulled together.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Joints are provided for connecting first and second manikin parts. The joints can be partially opened like a clamshell by pivoting the parts on a point on the joint interface. They include first and second joint assemblies attached to the first and second manikin parts respectively. The joint assemblies comprise a stretch element such as a spring or an elastomeric cord, and are capable of detachably engaging with each other. The joints can rotate in a primary rotational direction, for example to move a detachable manikin leg close to the other manikin leg so that the manikin can quickly and easily be dressed in a pair of slacks. Rotation in a secondary direction is also provided to enable the manikins to be easily assembled by customers so that the manikin parts can be shipped separately. Components and methods of making and using the joints are also provided.
61 Citations
5 Claims
-
1. A method of using a manikin joint, comprising:
-
providing a first manikin part, the first manikin part comprising a first joint assembly including; a first flangeboard including a recess and a groove; and a keyway; providing a second manikin part, the second manikin part comprising a second joint assembly including; a stretch element having a length sufficient to allow partial opening of a joint from about 20°
to about 60°
;a keybody, the keybody shaped to engage the keyway, the keybody having an engagement orientation and a locking orientation and being operationally connected to the stretch element; a pivot key disposed through and in rotational engagement with the keybody; and a second flangeboard including a guide boss, the guide boss shaped to engage the recess; and attaching the second manikin part to the first manikin part to form a manikin joint by; positioning the second manikin part with respect to the first manikin part such that a surface of the first joint assembly and a surface of the second joint assembly are substantially parallel, the guide boss is proximate to the end of the groove farthest away from the recess, and the keybody is in the engagement orientation with respect to the keyway; moving at least one of the first manikin part and the second manikin part toward the other such that the guide boss is received within the groove and a top portion of the keybody and the pivot key are received through the keyway; rotating at least one of the first manikin part and the second manikin part with respect to the other until the guide boss reaches the end of the groove closest to the recess and the pivot key is in the locking orientation with respect to the keyway, thereby locking the second joint assembly to the first joint assembly; exerting a force in a medial direction on the second manikin part to disengage the guide boss from the groove; and rotating the second manikin part with respect to the first manikin part in the same direction as the first rotating step until the guide boss mates with the recess and the stretch element causes the manikin parts to be pulled together. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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Specification