Abstract:
A manikin (mannequin) with limbs that magnetically attach to the torso by an assembly of an attach base mounted on the torso and a lead-in base on the limb. Magnets of one Pole are accommodated within the attach base, and of the opposite Pole within the lead-in base. The magnets attract corresponding magnets of the opposite Pole, facilitating self-aligning of the magnets, whose depth-of-pull force is not over 80 Gauss. The attach and lead-in bases can regulate the attraction force via a layer of flux shield over the magnets for various applications. Attach and lead-in bases have complimentary guiding means to give an assembler a sense of touch through fabric to understand where the limbs are with respect to the torso when forming a joint. The lead-in pin hooks the limb into the torso, allowing limbs to pivot and return to their original position if bumped.

Description:
This application is based on U.S. Provisional application No. 62/027,932, filed Jul. 23, 2014. The present invention relates to a joint for a form or manikin (mannequin). The joint of the present invention significantly reduces the time it takes to dress a manikin. The limb is joined to the manikin by magnetic force. This invention is limited only to manikins that can be made of a blow-moldable thermoplastic material due to weight limitations. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In the retail garment industry, it is typical to use forms or manikins (mannequins) to display clothes. For the retail store, it is nearly impossible to dress a form or manikin if the limbs cannot be removed. 
     Assembling a dressed manikin is a time-consuming task. Once the limbs are inserted into the display clothes, attaching them to the torso is complicated and requires experience. It is difficult to manipulate the limbs into position, and more so if the clothing on display has to appear tight-fitting. 
     There is known U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,717 issued on Mar. 17, 1998 to Patrick Vigne. Vigne discloses a structure comprising an upper leg 2 provided with a magnet assembly 20 comprising block magnet 22, and provided with a joint surface 6. A lower leg 4 has a ferromagnetic plate 14 incorporated within joint surface 8 of lower leg 4. 
     Magnetic assembly 20 of upper leg 2 is adapted to cooperate with ferromagnetic plate 14 when upper leg 2 and lower leg 4 engage each other and mate together when joint is assembled. The joint surface 8 of the lower leg 4 has a flat portion 10 corresponding with a generally flat portion 12 of the joint surface 6 of the upper leg 2. A ferromagnetic plate 14 is let into the portion 8, more or less flush. 
     The present invention comprises an attach base mounted onto the torso and provided with a plurality of North Pole magnets incorporated into magnet compartments or rooms, and provided with flux shield that regulates attachment force of the magnets. The attach plate is adapted to cooperate with the lead-in base mounted on the limb, which is provided with a plurality of South Pole magnets incorporated into magnet compartments, and provided with a flux shield that regulates the attachment force of magnets. The lead-in base contains lead-in pin and location block adapted to be accommodated within corresponding openings made in the attach base. 
     The two designs are completely different even though in both arrangements, both joint elements, such as upper and lower legs of Vigne, and torso and arm of the present design, use two magnets incorporated in the respective parts. Vigne uses magnets of different configuration, such as block-shaped magnet 20 and ferromagnetic plate 14, while the present design uses a plurality of magnets incorporated in magnet rooms of attach and lead-in base. Vigne also attaches portions of the manikin in a different way. 
     There is also known U.S. Pat. No. 6,705,794 issued on Mar. 16, 2004 to Richard Varner et al disclosing a manikin incorporating attracted material or metallic plate 12 in its body portions, adapted to cooperate with a magnetic assembly 14. 
     Magnetic assembly 14 consists of a pole piece 70 in the form of the cup and provided with a ring magnet 72 which are in contact with sides and bottom of said cup 70. On top of this ring magnet 72 are two neodymium magnets 74. Magnetic assembly 14 is provided with mating pin 18 adapted to mate with the corresponding mating hole 32 formed in metallic plate 12. Magnetic assembly 14 is also provided with indexing pin 16 adapted to cooperate with a plurality of indexing holes 34 formed in said metallic plate 12. 
     The Varner design allows removable pieces of manikin to move toward manikin at a distance from the manikin of more than ¼ of an inch before mating of magnetic assembly and attract material will engage each other, which is the gist of Varner&#39;s invention. 
     The present invention comprises an attach base mounted on to the torso and provided with plurality of North Pole magnets incorporated into magnet compartment or rooms, and provided with flux shielding to regulate the magnets&#39; attachment and attraction force. The attach plate is adapted to cooperate with the lead-in base mounted on the limb, which is provided with a plurality of South Pole magnets incorporated into magnet compartments, and provided with a flux shield to regulate strength of magnets. The lead base contains lead-in pin and location block adapted to be accommodated within corresponding openings made in the attach base. 
     Varner&#39;s arrangement is substantially different from the present design even though the same type of magnetic material, neodymium, is used, and they have similar arrangements to connect pieces, such as indexing and mating pins of Varner and lead-in pin and location block of the present invention. Varner&#39;s design has magnets only on one mating piece, while the present invention has magnets incorporated into both mating pieces. The essence of Varner&#39;s invention is the attraction between the two mating pieces forcing them to move towards each other before final mating, while the present design has a straight-forward fixing of arms onto a torso by means of lead-in pin and location block. 
     If, hypothetically, Varner replaces metal (steel) plate 12 by another magnet as a “magnetically adherent material”, it will have a 50% chance to be attracted and 50% chance to be repelled for the obvious reason that magnets 72 and 74 of Varner has two opposite poles: South and North, while in the present invention it is specifically pointed out that limb side has North oriented magnets and body side has South oriented magnets. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,203,396 issued on Mar. 20, 2001 to Christopher Asmussen et al. comprises a mannequin provided with a male portion 10 incorporated within arm and a female portion 20 incorporated within torso of mannequin. Male portion 10 has a disk-shaped configuration with a cylindrical projection 13 extending from the bottom surface of male portion 10. Lower surface 14 of projection 13 is provided with ferromagnetic material. 
     Female portion 20 also has a disk-shaped configuration and is provided with downwardly-extending receptacle 23 adapted to accommodate circular projection 13 of male portion 10. A magnet 24 is incorporated within bottom part of receptacle 23 and is adapted to cooperate with ferromagnetic surface 14 of male portion 10 when manikin is assembled. 
     Even though the present design and the Asmussen patent both comprise two magnets incorporated in mating pieces of a mannequin, the Asmussen design is completely different from the present invention. Arrangement of male portion 10 and female portion 20 are totally different from the attach base and lead-in base of the present invention. Asmussen uses a cylindrical projection 13 to mate receptacle 23, while the present design uses a lead-in pin and location block to connect arm to torso. 
     The present design of the magnetic arrangement is also different from Asmussen. Asmussen uses block-shaped magnet 24 to cooperate with ferromagnetic surface 14 while the present invention uses a plurality of magnets incorporated into specially designed rooms or compartments. 
     OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides easily-assembled magnetically coupled joints on a manikin or form. This is accomplished by strategic placement of magnets that are necessary to hold the joint together. The present invention also offers variable placement of the magnets depending on desired parameters. 
     This invention facilitates dressing a manikin faster and safer due to the relatively weak magnets necessary to achieve the desired result. If a user&#39;s finger is caught between two magnets of the present invention, the pinching that results by the magnets attracted to one another is insufficient to break any bones or dislocate any finger joints. This is an advantage over prior art, since the prior art uses magnets that can inflict bodily harm if a user is not exercising caution. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the manikin joint as described in the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a disassembled view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows the lead-in base on the limb of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-section view of the joint prior to joining. 
         FIG. 5  shows a cross-section view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 7  is a rear view of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 10  is a side, back and perspective views of the lead-in pin. 
         FIG. 11  is a top and side view of the location block. 
         FIG. 12  is the front view of attach base. 
         FIG. 13  is the rear view of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  is the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 16  shows the front view of the lead-in base cover. 
         FIG. 17  shows the front view of the attach base cover 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of  FIG. 7  with magnets. 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of  FIG. 7  with a cover. 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view of  FIG. 12  with magnets. 
         FIG. 22  shows a perspective view of  FIG. 12  with a cover. 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of  FIG. 12 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention discloses a magnetic joint assembly for a form or manikin. The principle of this invention is two sets of magnets, one in the torso and one in the limb, but other arrangements are possible. The magnets exert an attraction force, thus locking a joint quickly and effortlessly. In the preferred embodiment, guiding means assure a proper mating between the components. However, in some embodiments it is possible to achieve the desired result with an assembly other than a pin and hole, or without guiding means at all. 
     In an embodiment without guiding means, once attached, said limb will return to its original position should it be lightly bumped downwardly or upwardly. However, it will fall off if bumped with substantial downwardly or upwardly force. For example, a guiding means is unnecessary in cases where a mannequin is in a display window with no browsing customer access. 
     While the following describes the preferred embodiment, it should be understood that any arrangement is available where a set of magnets and guiding means are used in both parts that make up a manikin joint. 
     Referring now to drawings,  FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an arm joint  11  of a manikin or form  10 .  FIG. 2  shows torso  12 &#39;s attach base  16 , with detached limb  14 . Attach base  16  comprises a circular panel with four screws or rivets  13  holding attach base  16  in place, lead-in hole  38  substantially in the middle of attach base  16 , and guiding hole  40  below lead-in hole  38 . It should be mentioned that attach base  16  can be affixed with screws or rivets  13 , or any other acceptable affixing method. 
       FIG. 3  shows lead-in base  18  on limb  14  comprising a circular panel with four screws or rivets  13  holding lead-in base  18  in place. In the middle of lead-in base  18  protrudes lead-in pin  24  of substantially conical configuration with a smooth end, and location block  30  of a rectangular configuration with smooth walls, substantially below lead-in pin  24 . The lead-in pin  24  is designed to give the operator a sense of touch, to know where the terminus of limb  14  is with respect to torso  12  when forming joint  11  as assembly  10  is being dressed. Lead-in pin  24  also has a configuration that forms a hook to hook limb  14  onto torso  12 , to share a part of the holding force of limb  14  on torso  12 . Lead-in pin  24  also adds a level of stability if manikin assembly  10  is bumped or nudged. Rather than fall out or rotate, limb  14  will pivot or sway and return to its original position due to lead-in pin  24 &#39;s orientation. 
       FIG. 4  shows a cross-sectional view of joint  11  in disassembled mode. Lead-in pin  24  of lead-in base  18  is lined up with lead-in hole  38  in attach base  16 . North pole magnets  20  are attracted to south pole magnets  22 .  FIG. 5  shows joint  11  in assembled mode, wherein lead-in pin  24  has passed through lead-in hole  38 , and magnets  20  and  22  hold joint  11  in place. 
       FIG. 6  shows the front of lead-in base  18  without lead-in pin  24  or location block  30 .  FIG. 7  is the rear view of lead-in base  18  showing six round magnet rooms  28 .  FIG. 8  shows the top view of lead-in base  18  and magnet rooms  28 , comprising hollow, cylindrical cavities. Flux shield  26  is present between said cavities and edge of lead-in base  18 . Flux shield  26  is designed to control the amount of magnetic flux density to control the attachment force. Flux shield  26  is used as regulating force means. In the preferred embodiment, said flux shield  26  comprises a plastic wall of variable thickness, but the same result can be accomplished by varying the strength of magnets  20  and  22 . 
     The shield thickness can be adjusted from the injection tool. The design thicknesses are 1.0 mm 1.5 mm and 2.0 mm. A variety of flux shield  26  thickness is required should the attachment force for limb  14  be lower as required. For example, sometimes only a partial limb is used to display a garment. The flux shield is made by plastic injection molding, and can be made by various plastic materials. The preferred embodiment uses polycarbonate (PC). The function of the plastic flux shield is to adjust the amount of magnetic flux that passes through the device by changing the shield wall thickness to adjust the magnetic strength (adhesion strength). The maximum magnetic flux strength of the preferred embodiment is not more then 80 Gauss measured from a distance of 1″ from device surface, versus U.S. Pat. No. 6,705,794&#39;s minimums of 120 to 200 Gauss measured from a distance of 1″ from device surface. U.S. Pat. No. 6,705,794&#39;s design needs more flux strength because their product (manikin) is too heavy to function if flux strength is below 120 Gauss. The reason the present invention needs less Gauss attraction force is due to the fact that the components of the present manikin are much lighter than prior art, thus requiring less magnets and material. As shown on  FIG. 5 , North Pole magnets  20  of lead-in base  18  do not touch South Poles magnets  22  of attach base  16 , which are separated by flux shield  26 , and is substantially different from the design shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,705,794, wherein magnet does touch a steel plate. 
       FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of lead-in base  18  with magnet rooms  28 .  FIG. 10  shows the top and side views of lead-in pin  24  attached to pin holding base  36 . As seen from the top view, lead-in pin  24  has a substantially conical configuration with a smooth end portion and a cylindrical protrusion with threads for attachment by nut in the center of attach base  16 . In the side view, lead-in pin  24  has a downwardly slope to accomplish a hook function inside joint  11 , to support part of limb  14 &#39;s weight. Pin  24  is attached to pin holding base  36 , forming a unitary body. Pin holding base  36  is mounted on a back side of lead-in base  18  by means of screws (see  FIG. 18 ). 
       FIG. 12  is the front view of attach base  16  with a round lead-in hole  38  substantially in the center and rectangular guiding hole  40  below lead-in hole  38 . Edges of guiding hole  40  are rounded.  FIG. 13  shows the rear of attach base  16  with six magnet rooms  29 , lead-in hole  38  and guiding hole  40 .  FIG. 14  is side view cross-section view of attach base  16  showing flux shield  26  and magnet rooms  29 .  FIG. 15  is a perspective view of attach base  16 . 
       FIG. 16  is top view of a cover  32  for lead-in base  18 , and  FIG. 17  a top view of a cover  34  for attach base  16 .  FIG. 18  is a perspective view lead-in base  18  showing how magnets  20  are oriented with respect to magnet rooms  28 .  FIG. 19  a perspective view of lead-in base  18  showing how cover  32  is attached to rear of lead-in base  18 .  FIG. 20  is a perspective view showing the front view of lead-in base  18  with the slightly-downward oriented lead-in pin  24  and location block  30 . 
       FIG. 21  shows a perspective view of attach base  16  showing of how magnets  22  are oriented with respect to magnet rooms  29 .  FIG. 22  is a perspective view of attach base  16  showing cover  34  attached to rear of attach base  16 .  FIG. 23  shows the perspective view of the attach base showing a front view with lead-in hole  38  and guiding hole  40 . 
     In operation, to dress a manikin assembly  10 , an operator would remove limb  14  from torso  12 , drape the desirable garment over torso  12 , thread limb  14  into sleeve of garment so that lead-in pin  24  could be felt through garment on its way to joint  11 . Operator would manipulate limb  14  so that lead-in pin  24  is in proximity of joint  11 . Operator then aligns lead-in pin  24  with lead-in hole  38 , and inserts pin  24  until the pull of attraction of magnets  20  and  22  mates limb  14  to torso  12 . Operator would slightly twist limb  14  to make sure that location block  30  is firmly inside guiding hole  40 . 
     The reason that present invention uses plurality of magnets is because it gives the design a self-align function where each of the South Pole magnets (S 1 , S 2 , S 3 , S 4 , S 5  and S 6 ) incorporated in the torso will attract the nearest North Pole magnets (N 1 , N 2 , N 3 , N 4 , N 5  and N 6 ) incorporated in the limb. This is a very useful feature of the present invention. In the present invention, magnets of 10 mm diameter and 10 mm thickness are used on both torso and limbs. However magnets of 15 mm in diameter and thickness or 20 mm in diameter and thickness might be used for other locations of the manikin where the holding force needs to be stronger. 
     It must be emphasized that manikins of the present invention must be made of a blow-moldable thermoplastic or similar material due to weight limitations to make manikin useful in use. In comparison, if manikin of U.S. Pat. No. 6,705,794 were made from the same thermoplastic material, it would function. However, since flux strength would be much higher, it may cause potential injury because of the much stronger attraction force. 
     It must also be emphasized that dressing a manikin made according to the present invention will be much easier and faster because it is at least 50% lighter than, for example, manikin of U.S. Pat. No. 6,705,794, and it is more durable against scratching, resulting in less attention required during dressing.