Abstract:
Described are novel armature kits, constructions and elements, providing increased flexibility in design and ease of use. In one aspect, inventive armatures include adaptations to isolate the tensioning of ball-and-socket joints occurring at either end of a motion segment. In other aspects, inventive armatures and kits include uniquely shaped plates, providing interchangeability among chest and hip areas of a human form. Novel threaded and tie-down armature elements are also described.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/245,269, filed Sep. 17, 2002, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to armatures. In particular, the present invention relates to ball-and-socket armature kits, constructions, and elements that incorporate novel features providing flexibility in armature design and ease in construction and use. 
         [0003]    As further background, armatures of varying construction are known. Armatures have been made of rods, wires, tubes, and plates, combined to erect rigid or movable frameworks of various sizes. In one general field of endeavor, armatures have been constructed primarily of wires that are bent or formed into various shapes. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,981 discloses wires fashioned into selected shapes to form a modeling armature. U.S. Pat. No. 3,395,484 discloses an internal wire skeleton formed in the shape of a doll. U.S. Pat. No. 2,545,210 describes a wire frame armature erected and supported by a perpendicular post inserted in an armature collar socket. U.S. Pat. No. 2,109,422 discloses a lead wire figure that can be bent to form a puppet, doll or toy animal and receive conforming textile material. 
         [0004]    Ball-and-socket armatures are also known, and typically are constructed from plates of various size intended to represent segments of the figure to be created. The plates have apertures or dimples to provide sockets to receive ball elements of dumbbell-type connectors. The ball elements are sandwiched between two plates that are held in tension by a connector such as a screw. A number of adaptations are then available to form specific appendages such as feet, hands, or heads. Kits for such ball-and-socket armatures are available, for example, from Armaverse, Inc., Indianapolis, Ind., under the tradenames Humature (human form) and Armasaur (dinosaur form). 
         [0005]    Needs exist for armature kits and constructions having greater design flexibility and that are readily manufactured and used. Additionally, needs exist for armature elements that provide the ability to incorporate novel armature geometries and configurations, and ease of use. The present invention addresses these needs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention provides an armature including an armature body having a first segment including at least two plates. The plates each define at least two joint sockets for receiving ends of dumbbell connectors to create ball-and-socket joints, wherein the joint sockets of the respective plates form pairs laterally aligned with one another. The body also includes at least two dumbbell connectors, each having an end received within one of said pairs of joint sockets to create a ball-and-socket joint. The plates each define fastener-receiving apertures adjacent each socket, and are laterally connected to one another with fasteners positioned through the fastener-receiving apertures. The plates each further define an isolator socket between the fastener-receiving apertures, for receiving a joint isolation component, such as a ball or spacer. The isolator sockets of the plates are laterally aligned with one another, and a joint isolation component is received and sandwiched between the isolator sockets so as to provide isolated tensioning of the ball-and-socket joints. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, the invention provides an armature kit including a plurality of plates each of a first length, the plates having apertures in corresponding locations along their length, whereby the apertures are aligned when the plates are positioned laterally to one another. The kit also includes a plurality of plates each of a second length, these plates also having apertures in corresponding locations along their length, whereby the apertures are aligned when the plates are positioned laterally to one another. The kit includes a plurality of dumbbell connectors of a first length, the connectors having a first spherical element, a second spherical element, and an intermediate post connecting said first and second spherical elements, and a plurality of dumbbell connectors of a second length, these latter connectors also having a first spherical element, a second spherical element, and an intermediate post portion connecting the first and second spherical elements. A plurality of ball elements are included in the kit, and have substantially the same diameter as the spherical elements of the connectors. The kit further includes a plurality of fasteners, and a plurality of diamond plates. The diamond plates have a generally non-equilateral deltoid shape having a wider end and a narrower end, and a plurality of apertures defined therein. 
         [0008]    Still another embodiment of the invention provides an armature kit that includes (a) a plurality of first plates each of a first length, the first plates each defining apertures in corresponding locations along their length, whereby the apertures are aligned when the plates are positioned laterally to one another. The apertures in each first plate include two joint apertures for use in forming ball-and-socket joints, wherein the joint apertures are located adjacent opposite ends of the first plate. The apertures also include two fastener apertures for receiving fasteners, and at least one isolator aperture for receiving an isolator component. The isolator aperture is located between the fastener apertures, so as to effectively isolate the tensioning of respective fasteners when received through the fastener apertures. The kit also includes (b) a plurality of first dumbbell connectors having ends receivable in the joint apertures of the plates, to form ball-and-socket joints; (c) a plurality of fasteners receivable in the fastener apertures; and (d) a least one isolator component, such as a ball element, receivable in said isolator aperture. 
         [0009]    The present invention also includes a number of novel components for incorporation into armatures, and armatures and armature kits including such components. One such component is a dumbbell connector having a first spherical element, a second spherical element, and an intermediate portion connecting the first and said second spherical elements, wherein a threaded aperture, optionally a thru-aperture, is included in at least one of said spherical elements. The threaded aperture can have an axis transverse (including perpendicular) to that of an intermediate rod element of the connector, or generally aligned or parallel thereto. Another such component is a tie-down connector including a generally spherical end portion, a collar (preferably cylindrical), and an intermediate portion connecting the end portion and collar. The collar has a threaded aperture defined therein. Another such component is a ball element having a threaded thru-aperture. Still another such component is a diamond plate having a generally non-equilateral deltoid shape having a wider end and a narrower end, and having a plurality of apertures defined therein. Illustratively, such diamond plates can be used for chest, torso, or hip portions of creature-form armatures. Each of these components can be combined alone or together with other conventional components of armature kits, including for example plates (including plates of varying lengths), dumbbell connectors (including dumbbell connectors of varying length), fasteners, ball elements, threaded rods, and the like, to form additional embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0010]    Additional embodiments as well as features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the further descriptions and drawings herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  depicts an armature kit of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  depicts an armature of the invention having a generally human form. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  depicts an armature of the invention having a quadruped form. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  provides an enlarged cutaway view of the central body portion of the armature of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0015]      FIGS. 5A-E  show an armature ball element having a threaded thru-aperture for inclusion in inventive armature kits and constructions, and illustrative uses thereof. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 6A-6C  show an armature dumbbell connector of the invention having a threaded, axially-extending aperture in one spherical end portion thereof, and illustrative uses thereof. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 7A-7D  show an armature dumbbell connector of the invention having threaded, perpendicularly-extending thru-apertures in its spherical end portions, and illustrative uses thereof. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 8A through 8D  show an armature tie-down element and arrangement of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0019]    For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will, nevertheless, be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended; any alterations and further modifications of the described or illustrated embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
         [0020]    With reference now to  FIG. 1 , shown is an armature kit  200  in accordance with the invention. Armature kit  200  has a bag, box, or other container  201  containing a number of elements in the armature kit. These elements include a plurality of relatively long plates  20 . The long plates  20  include seven apertures, although fewer or more can be incorporated within the spirit and scope of certain aspects of the invention. The depicted long plates  20  include apertures  21  adjacent each end of the plate  20 , and a plurality of additional apertures located therebetween. In certain armature forms, the end apertures  21  effectively provide the sockets for ball-and-socket arrangements. The additional apertures include apertures  22  positioned inwardly from and adjacent to end apertures  21 . Also included is a generally centrally located aperture  23 , and apertures  24  positioned on either side of the central aperture  23 . As discussed and illustrated further below, the apertures  22 - 24  can be used to serve multiple purposes in the construction of armatures, for example serving as connector or fastener-receiving apertures, or serving to receive ball or spacer elements that provide rigidity and stability to motion segments and/or serving as isolater elements to provide independent tensioning of the sandwiched ball-and-socket joints on each end of a motion segment. 
         [0021]    The preferred armature kit  200  further includes intermediate-length plates  30 . Intermediate plates  30  each include five apertures in the illustrated embodiment. These include end apertures  31 , a central aperture  33 , and intermediate apertures  32  located between end apertures  31  and central aperture  33 . Further included in the preferred kit are relatively short plates  40  each having three apertures. Short plates  40  each include end apertures  41  and a central aperture  42 . 
         [0022]    Kit  200  further includes a plurality of body plates  50  having a generally diamond shape. Plate  50  is a multi-sided plate including a plurality of apertures  51  through  55  for receiving and cooperating with surrounding elements of the armature. More specifically, plate  50  in the illustrated embodiment is tetragonal in shape, and provides a generally non-equilateral deltoid shape, with rounded corners. Thus, plate  50  includes two generally longer sides  56  of equal length, and two generally shorter sides  57  of equal length, giving the plate the overall appearance of a diamond. This shape and aperture configuration of the preferred body plate  50  allows its use interchangeably as either the hip/lower back or the shoulder/chest portions of animals such as humans, while approximating anatomically correct dimensions. The outermost laterally-spaced apertures  53  can, for example, be used for attachment of arm or leg elements, and the outermost vertically spaced apertures  51  and  52  can be used for attachment of neck/head elements and thorax/spine elements, respectively. The remaining apertures  54  and  55  can be used for connectors, balls, spacers, or dumbbell attachments, if desired. 
         [0023]    Armature kit  200  also includes a plurality of relatively short dumbbell connectors  60 . Short dumbbell connectors  60  each include generally ball-shaped or spherical end portions  61 , connected to one another by an intermediate post portion  62 . Short dumbbell connectors  60  are of a length suitable to provide a close but pivotal connection between adjacent armature segments. Kit  200  further includes long dumbbell connectors  70 . Long dumbbell connectors  70  similarly include generally ball-shaped or spherical ends  71 , connected by an intermediate post portion  72 . Long dumbbell connectors are of a length that typically lends application to use to represent all or a portion of a long appendage, such as representing the portion of a human leg occurring below the knee. The preferred kit  200  further includes a dumbbell  80  having a spherical end portions of differing size or diameter, e.g. having a relatively larger spherical portion  81 , and a relatively smaller spherical end portion  82 , connected by an intermediate post  83 . At least one of the end portions, e.g. end portion  82 , is sized for receipt within the apertures of the various armature plates in the kits as described above. The other end portion, e.g.  81 , is useful to represent the head of the armature, for example, when creating a human form. Alternatively, the other end portion  81  can be sized for receipt within plates of a different size, e.g. larger plates having larger sockets (dimples or apertures), so as to enable the integration of armature elements of differing size. 
         [0024]    Kit  200  further includes a plurality of screws  90  having heads  91  and threaded portions  92 , and a plurality of nuts  100  having threaded apertures  101  for threaded engagement with threaded portions  92  of screws  90 . The preferred kit also includes a plurality of balls, such as ball bearings  110 , and a plurality of balls  120  having apertures  121  therein, with apertures  121  containing threads for threadable engagement with the threaded portions of screws  90 . Balls  110  can, for example, be received and sandwiched between plates to provide relatively independent tensioning of opposing ball-and-socket joints as discussed further below. Additional armature kit elements may also be included, for example additional hardware elements such as lockwashers, spacers, etc. 
         [0025]    With reference now to  FIG. 2 , shown is a human-form armature construction  300 . Armature  300  includes a head/neck element formed from dumbbell element  80 , and a chest portion formed from two diamond plates  50  interconnected by a plurality of screw/nut combinations as shown. In particular, in the illustrated embodiment, screw/nut combinations are provided in corresponding apertures  54  of the two diamond plates  50 , while a ball bearing  110  is sandwiched between the aligned central apertures  55 . The smaller end portion  82  of dumbbell element  80  is sandwiched between the uppermost apertures  51  of these diamond plates  50 . The remaining aperture pairs of the aligned diamond plates  50  are dedicated to dumbbell connectors extending to other body segments as discussed further below. 
         [0026]    Armature  300  further includes arm portions connected to the chest portion by dumbbell connectors  60 . Arm portions include a first, longer motion segment  301  and a second, shorter motion segment  302 . Segment  301  is formed by two intermediate plates  30  connected by screws and nuts as shown, and sandwiching a ball element of a dumbbell connector  60  on each end. Specifically, screw/nut combinations are provided in the aligned apertures  32  of the two intermediate plates  30 , and a ball bearing  110  is sandwiched between the central apertures  33  of the two intermediate plates  30 . In this regard, the ball bearing  110 , being sandwiched in between the screw/nut combinations on either side, enables the independent tensioning of the ball-and-socket joints formed by the sandwiched dumbbell connector elements on each end. That is, tightening or loosening a first of these screw/nut combinations in order to adjust the tension of the adjacent pivotal ball-and-socket joint will not have a significant effect upon the tension of the opposite ball-and-socket joint. This can provide considerable benefit in the construction and adjustment of the armature, as the delicate process of alternate tightening of the two screws that would be necessary absent the joint isolation is removed or significantly reduced. 
         [0027]    Second arm portion  302  is formed by two short plates  40  connected by a screw/nut combination as shown, and on each end sandwiching a spherical end element of a dumbbell connector  60 . As shown, the upper element of dumbbell connector  60  interconnects the first arm portion  301  and the second arm portion  302 . The lower dumbbell portion  60  has an end left freestanding, generally representing a hand of the armature  300 . 
         [0028]    The thorax of the armature  30  is formed by two plates  40  interconnected by a screw/nut combination received within central apertures  42 , and on each end sandwiching a spherical end portion of a dumbbell connector  60  within the end apertures  41  of the plate  40 . The upper dumbbell element within this structure has its other end sandwiched between the plates  50  of the chest portion of the armature, in particular sandwiched in between lowermost apertures  52  of the respective diamond plates  50 . The lower dumbbell connector  60  in the structure has its opposite end portion sandwiched between two additional plates  50  forming the hip portion of the armature  300 , and in particular in the aligned apertures  52  of the plates  50 . As illustrated, the plates  50  forming the hip structure are inverted relative to the plates  50  forming the chest structure. Plates  50  forming the hip structure are similarly interconnected by four screw/nut combinations received within apertures  53 , as shown. The central aperture  55  and the aperture  51  of the diamond plates  50  in the hip portion of the armature can each sandwich a ball bearing to improve the overall stability of the structure. 
         [0029]    The armature  300  also has leg portions. Each leg portion begins with a dumbbell connector  60  having one end thereof sandwiched between apertures  53  of diamond plates  50  of the hip portion. The opposite spherical end portion of the connector  60  is sandwiched between the relatively long plates  20  of the armature kit, and in particular between the end apertures  21  of two such plates  20 . The two plates  20  are interconnected by two screw/nut combinations received within the aligned apertures  22 , as shown. A ball bearing  110  is sandwiched between the central apertures  23  of the plates  20 . Again, ball bearing  110  sandwiched between the fasteners serves not only to add stability to the overall leg structure, but also to facilitate independent tensioning of the sandwiched ball-and-socket joints at the upper and lower ends of this motion segment of the leg. Centrally located ball bearing  110  thus facilitates the appropriate and, if desired, differential tensioning of the sandwich ball joints at each end of this segment. The opposite (lower) end apertures  21  of the plates  20  sandwich a spherical element of a relatively longer connector  70  forming the lower leg portion of the armature  300 . 
         [0030]    At the lower end of this dumbbell connector  70 , the spherical portion is sandwiched between two of the short plates  40 , and in particular is received within the central apertures  42  of the plates  40 . The plates  40  generally represent foot structures, and are held together on each end by screw/nut combinations received through end apertures  41 . 
         [0031]    With continued reference to  FIG. 2 , shown as another feature of the invention in which a relatively long dumbbell connector  70  has an aperture  120  in at least one end thereof, and having threads within the aperture for threadable mating with the bolts  90 . The central axis of aperture  120  is generally aligned with the axis of the intermediate post  72  of the connector  70 . In this fashion, dumbbell connector  70  can be utilized as a tie-down mechanism to attach the armature  300  to an underlying surface through which a screw  90  is passed. 
         [0032]    With reference now to  FIG. 3 , depicted is another preferred armature construction  400  of the invention, generally representing a four-legged or quadruped animal. The construction of many of the segments of the armature  400  is similar to that for the human-form armature discussed above in connection with  FIG. 2 , the details of which will thus not be repeated here. Armature  400 , however, illustrates additional features of armature elements and kits of the invention, including for example the ability to stack more than two plates in a segment, and the use of cylindrical spacers. 
         [0033]    With continued reference to  FIG. 3 , along with  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the animal armature  400  includes four legs, which are formed from long dumbbell elements  70 , short plates  40 , and screw/nut fasteners. These legs are connected to a central body portion  410 , formed of six stacked plates (see especially  FIG. 4 ). In particular, central body portion  410  includes two long plates  20 , two intermediate plates  30 , and two short plates  40 . A central screw passes through the aligned central apertures  23 ,  33 , and  42  of all six plates. Cylindrical spacer elements  140  are provided for stability or joint-tensioning isolation where desired, and intermediately-positioned nuts are used as desired to provide appropriate tension to ball-and-socket joints. As can be seen, the presence of multiple interiorly-located apertures on the various plates (in addition to those serving in the ball-and-socket joints), provides the ability to laterally connect or “stack” any number of plates to create segments of varying dimension, while in many cases also providing still further available apertures to receive spacers, balls, dumbbell connectors, etc. These and other advantages of the disclosed armature kits, constructions and components will be readily apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5-8 , these depict additional armature components that can optionally be incorporated into inventive armature kits and constructions. For example,  FIG. 5A  shows a ball element  150  having a threaded thru-aperture (extending completely across the diameter of the ball). In this fashion, a threaded rod  151  ( FIG. 5B ) can be threaded completely through the ball element  150 . Each end of the threaded rod  151  may in turn be connected to another element of the armature. This arrangement may be used, for example to allow a ball bearing to be used as a tension isolator between two dumbbell joints as well as a pass through support for a threaded rod to which are attached additional threaded ball bearings as generally illustrated in  FIG. 5C . The length of the threaded rod can be varied to vary the number of threaded thru-aperture ball elements that may be utilized and expanded upon, as illustrated for example in  FIGS. 5D and 5E . 
         [0035]      FIG. 6A  depicts a dumbbell connector  160  having a threaded aperture  161  in a spherical end portion thereof, wherein the axis of the aperture is aligned with that of the connector post. In this fashion, dumbbell connector can be used in a tie-down arrangement in connection with a threaded rod  162  (see  FIG. 6B ), screw, or the like. In addition, dumbbell connector  160  can have other like dumbbell connectors attached in an end-to-end fashion, without having to utilize plates and thus eliminating movement and creating a rigid connection between dumbbell connectors (see  FIG. 6C ). Plates and joints may be added onto such connected dumbbells in any configuration desired. Dumbbell connectors  160  incorporated into creature-form armatures can also be utilized to attach character props (e.g. golf clubs, swords, etc.) that have similar threaded rod attachments, as illustrated in  FIG. 6D . 
         [0036]      FIG. 7A  depicts a dumbbell connector  170  having threaded thru-apertures  171  in each spherical end portion. The axes of the thru-apertures  171  is generally transverse to, and preferably perpendicular to, the axis of the intermediate rod or post of the dumbbell connector  170 . This enables threaded receipt of threaded rods  172  ( FIG. 7B ) completely through the spherical end portions of dumbbell connector  170 , so as to extend transversely (preferably perpendicularly) to the axis of the connector  170 . This arrangement may be used, for example, to allow other dumbbell connectors to be attached rigidly and at a 90-degree angle upon which plates and joints may be added in any configuration desired, as illustrated in  FIG. 7C . This arrangement may also be used to create stacked sections of dumbbell joints vertically or horizontally upon which plates and joints may be added in any configuration desired, as illustrated in  FIG. 7D . 
         [0037]      FIGS. 8A-8D  depict a collared tie-down connector  180  of the invention, and its use. Tie-down connector  180  includes a generally spherical end portion  181  connected to an intermediate post portion  182 , similar to dumbbell connector end portions and posts described above. Post  182  is connected at its opposite end to a generally cylindrical collar  183 . Collar  183  has an outer-facing surface having a threaded aperture  184  defined therein.  FIGS. 8C and 8D  show connector  180  in use. A threaded rod  184 A is threaded into the threaded aperture  184 . This rod can be passed through a surface  185  to which an associated armature is to be attached. A nut, such as a wing nut (as shown), can be used to tighten the connector  180 /rod  184  combination to the surface  185 . In turn, the spherical end portion  181  of the connector  180  can be sandwiched between two plates  186  integrated within the associated armature, so as to tie the armature down to the surface  185 . 
         [0038]    It will be understood that any or all of the components depicted in  FIGS. 5-8  can be included in armature kits and constructions as described hereinabove, constituting additional embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0039]    Armature components of the invention can be made from any suitable material. Metals or plastics are advantageous, with metals, and especially steel, being preferred materials of construction. 
         [0040]    Armatures in accordance with the invention can be covered with clay, latex, rubber, cloth or other materials to complete a character or object. Such characters or objects can, for instance, be used in stop-motion animation as articulated, posable, movable figures. Such covered or uncovered characters or objects, and their use in methods to create stop-motion animation, or in other methods, are also contemplated as a part of the present invention. 
         [0041]    While the invention has been described in detail above with reference to specific embodiments, it will be understood that modifications and alterations in the embodiments disclosed may be made by those practiced in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such modifications and alterations are intended to be covered.