Abstract:
A test dummy apparatus is disclosed that is shaped in the form of a human body with separate parts that can be each filled with fluid whereby the apparatus will have the size, weight and weight distribution of a human body. The connections of the parts allow for movement of the pieces such that the apparatus can be adjusted into multiple body positions (e.g., standing, sitting, crouching, etc). The parts can be assembled, disassembled and reassembled to allow for movement of the apparatus in pieces.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/519,974 filed Nov. 14, 2003. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     This invention relates to models for simulating the shape and weight of the human body, and in particular, to fill needs in the test of automobiles, amusement park rides, seating components of all type and any apparatus that needs to simulate the body&#39;s mass.  
         [0004]     2. Prior Art  
         [0005]     BARTS™ water ballast test dummy is the primary current model utilized in the industries of automobiles, amusement park rides, etc. Over the past eight (8) years sales of the BARTS™ water ballast test dummies have been made to the automotive industry, as well as a variety of other industries, to be used to simulate body weight while performing a variety of tests including braking, axle capacity, seat abrasion, road handling and tire traction, accident re-enactments and for litigation purposes. The BARTS™ water ballast test dummy has been used in the majority of the major accident re-enactments for litigation such as the Ford/Firestone tire problem and the Ford 15-passenger van rollover problem.  
         [0006]     The BARTS™ test dummy is the equivalent of a bottle shaped like the body from the neck to the knees. These are made of LLDPE and are rotationally molded with a 3″ spin weld fill opening at the neck and a ½″ spin weld drain plug at the “knees”. The side of the dummy has weight markings so it can be filled to the desired weight level.  
         [0007]     It is believed that Frost Products Mfg. is the only company in the U.S. that manufactures this type of dummy. The other known test dummy manufacturer is in France. The French version, which is like the BARTS™, only provides for weights up to 145 lbs. (below the automobile and amusement park testing standards), and they must be purchased in quantities of a container load. In addition to the French version, recently a European ride manufacturer created a type of water ballast test dummy that appears to only fit their style of ride and cannot be used in any other industry because of its use specific design shape of a truncated dummy, specially shaped.  
         [0008]     The test dummy of the prior art: 
        a. only fits a portion of the today&#39;s rides; mainly standard bench seat rides with only lap bars;     b. does not fit the seat that is used for major velocity rides, spiral rides, or 360-degree roller coasters due to the harness and belt system utilized to secure a person in these type seats and the inability to use these restraints when using the BARTS™ test dummy;     c. does not provide a complete weight distribution and mass representation of the human body since they do not have arms, true legs or a head;     d. cannot be used for slalom, stand-up or lay-down rides due to non-articulating design; and     e. cannot be used to simulate the human body standing or laying down.        
 
         [0014]     Prior to and currently the amusement parks use sand bags roped to the bottom of the ride or over the seat in order to simulate weight. There are some obvious inherent problems with this method. They include: 
        1. time to load and strap sand bags to seat;     2. employee back strain from lifting these bags;     3. injury to people on the ground from bags falling out of the seat during testing;     4. does not test harness and locking system;     5. the mess made from sand spilling out over the park when a bag breaks during testing; and     6. they do not accurately depict the weight distribution of a person.        
 
         [0021]     The next level of known test dummies is more electronic, computerized and/or structural in their design and usage. The other known test dummies are the following. 
        a. Biofidelic Human Seating Surrogate Apparatus—U.S. Pat. No. 6,206,703 B1 discloses a biofidelic human seating surrogate apparatus capable of simulating human loading by duplication of the geometry and load distribution of a human at an interface with the vehicle seat to be tested;     b. Seat test Body—U.S. Pat. No. 6,009,750 discloses a seat test body that is provided for vibration measurements;     c. Test dummy submarining indicator system—U.S. Pat. No. 3,841,163 discloses a test apparatus for indicating the degree of submarining of an anthropomorphic dummy under deceleration; and     d. Dummy for car crash testing—U.S. Pat. No. 4,701,132 discloses that it is an anatomical model, particularly a dummy, for simulating the effect of an accident on the human body.        
 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0026]     This new test apparatus design is for the purpose of creating an articulating body form that can be filled with any type of material that can be contained by plastic or rubber (hard or soft), in order to simulate the human body&#39;s weight, weight distribution, mass and possible density and temperature of the human body. (The possible density of the human body is only created by filling the apparatus cavities with certain types of material).  
         [0027]     The apparatus form is created using plastic, or plastic type materials, or rubber (hard or soft) that are formed into the shape of the various body parts, i.e. head with neck, torso with neck, or head and torso combined; articulating thighs; articulating lower legs with formed stationary or articulating feet, articulating upper arms; and articulating lower arms with formed stationary or articulating hands. Each body part may have at least one fill cavity with a fill/drain plug. Optionally, each body part will have fill markings on them that define the weight equivalent in pounds should the apparatus be filled to that point with water. This allows for the apparatus to be used to simulate various body weights as desired for the test.  
         [0028]     This apparatus is to be used for simulating the human body (current deign is for an average person height of 5′10″ and 175 lbs.; however, other designs may be created in the same fashion that simulate a child of various age groups, a pregnant woman and/or an obese person).  
         [0029]     The thigh and torso are connected preferably using multi-positioning in order to allow for the apparatus to be placed in a sitting position or standing position, or, alternatively, the apparatus may have the knees angled up and down towards the chest or be placed in a sitting position with the knees separated apart. Alternatively, the thighs may not be moving. They may be separated only or with the knees spread open or straightforward and in a standing position. The thigh and lower leg are connected in order to allow for a sitting, standing or crouching position. These positions will be “locked” into place so that the position is held during usage. The arms will be connected to the torso at the shoulder level and will be able to articulate up and down as well as bend, or otherwise pivot, at the “elbow”. The head as presently connected is a part of the torso, but may alternatively have a head which is separate from the torso and attached via various means, including screw into the neck of the torso, screw onto the torso or a bayonet attachment.  
         [0030]     The apparatus is for the use in a variety of tests in which the human weight, mass, temperature and density are required in order to depict the appropriate use of the devise being tested. These tests may include: 
        a. seat durability,     b. seat abrasion,     c. axle testing,     d. restraint systems,     e. load testing,     f. road testing of vehicles,     f rollover testing,     g. accident re-enactment,     h. mattress testing,     i. wheelchair lifts,     j. elevator weight capacity,     k. airplanes weight capacity,     l. seating design structure,     m. G-force tests, and     n. similar body weight, mass and temperature.        
 
         [0046]     Alternative apparatus styles may include the following for other test: 
        a. ball and socket joints at the hips, knees, elbows and shoulder;     b. a hip rod that has an articulating joint between the torso and thigh connection;     c. a shoulder connection with an articulating joint between the torso and shoulder,     d. a rod with a spring attached between two rigid pins in which the spring component will be placed between the two plastic parts and the rigid pins will be placed through the plastic parts and bolted at the ends;     e. additional drain/fill openings to allow the flow of heated liquid throughout the apparatus;     f. articulating feet and hands; and     g. a separated head and torso.       
 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0054]     For further understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be had to the following figures in which like parts are given like reference numerals and wherein:  
         [0055]      FIG. 1 -A is the cross section view of the torso/head taken along the section lines  1 - 1  view of the right side (facing  FIG. 1 -B) of the torso/head of the device of present invention.  
         [0056]      FIG. 1 -B is a cross section view of the torso/head taken along the section lines  1 - 2  of the back half of the torso/head (facing  FIG. 1 -D).  
         [0057]      FIG. 1 -C is a view of the torso/head component from the under side.  
         [0058]      FIG. 1 -D is an outside view of the right side (facing  FIG. 1 -B) of the torso/head component.  
         [0059]      FIG. 1 -E is a view of the backside of the torso/head component of the device of present invention  
         [0060]      FIG. 1 -F is the top view of the torso/head component  
         [0061]      FIG. 2 -A is a front view of the thigh portion of the left leg of the device of present invention.  
         [0062]      FIG. 2 -B is the outside view of the right side (facing  FIG. 2 -A) of  FIG. 2 -A.  
         [0063]      FIG. 2 -C is a cross section of the thigh taken along the section lines  2 - 1 , a vertical center section line, of  FIG. 2 -B. The view is an inside view of the left side (facing  FIG. 2 -B) of the thigh.  
         [0064]      FIG. 2 -D is an angled, outside, left side (facing  FIG. 2 -A) view of the thigh.  
         [0065]      FIG. 2 -E is an angled, outside, right side (facing  FIG. 2 -A) view of the thigh  
         [0066]      FIG. 2 -F is the top view of the thigh component.  
         [0067]      FIG. 3 -A is a front view of the lower right leg of the device of present invention.  
         [0068]      FIG. 3 -B is a cross section of the lower leg taken along the section lines  3 - 1 , a vertical center section line, of  FIG. 3 -A. The view is an inside view of the left side of the lower leg (facing  FIG. 3 -A).  
         [0069]      FIG. 3 -C is the outside view of the right side (facing  FIG. 3 -A) of  FIG. 3 -A.  
         [0070]      FIG. 3 -D is an angled, downward view of the right side (facing  FIG. 3 -A) of the lower leg.  
         [0071]      FIG. 3 -E is the top view of the lower leg component.  
         [0072]      FIG. 4 -A is a front view of the fully assembled device of present invention, showing the horizontal knee sitting position.  
         [0073]      FIG. 4 -B is a cross section of the fully assembled part taken along the vertical section lines  4 - 1  of  FIG. 4 -A.  
         [0074]      FIG. 4 -C is a cross section of the fully assembled part taken along the vertical section lines  2  of  FIG. 4 -A.  
         [0075]      FIG. 4 -D is a cross section of the fully assembled part taken along the vertical section lines  4 - 3  of  FIG. 4 -A.  
         [0076]      FIG. 4 -E is a cross section of the fully assembled part taken along the vertical section lines  4 - 4  of  FIG. 4 -A.  
         [0077]      FIG. 4 -F is a right side (facing  FIG. 4 -A) angled view of the fully assembled part.  
         [0078]      FIG. 5 -A is a front view of the fully assembled device of present invention, showing the crouching position with a 111° angle at the hip and knee area.  
         [0079]      FIG. 5 -B is a cross section of the fully assembled part taken along the vertical section lines  5 - 1  of  FIG. 5 -A.  
         [0080]      FIG. 5 -C is a cross section of the fully assembled part taken along the vertical section lines  5 - 2  of  FIG. 5 -A.  
         [0081]      FIG. 5 -D is a cross section of the fully assembled part taken along the vertical section lines  5 - 3  of  FIG. 5 -A.  
         [0082]      FIG. 5 -E is a cross section of the fully assembled part taken along the vertical section lines  5 - 4  of  FIG. 5 -A.  
         [0083]      FIG. 5 -F is a right side (facing  FIG. 5 -A) angled view of the fully assembled part.  
         [0084]      FIG. 6  is a diagrammatic representation of a cross sectional view of a raised drain/fill opening with a plug closing device.  
         [0085]      FIG. 7  is a diagrammatic representation, partly in phantom line, of a cross sectional view of a raised drain/fill opening with a cap dosing device.  
         [0086]      FIG. 8 -A is diagrammatic representation of a front view of the left arm component, both lower and upper sections.  
         [0087]      FIG. 8 -B is a diagrammatic representation of a side view of  FIG. 8 -A.  
         [0088]      FIG. 9 -A is cross section inside view of  FIG. 9 -B, taken along the vertical section lines  9 - 1 .  
         [0089]      FIG. 9 -B is an outside view of the left side of the left leg component of the fully assembled apparatus.  
         [0090]      FIG. 10 -A is a representative drawing of the lower section of the torso component with a spring and swivel hip attachment.  
         [0091]      FIG. 10 -B is a representative drawing of the thigh component with a spring and swivel hip attachment.  
         [0092]      FIG. 11  is a representative drawing of the lower portion of the torso component and thigh component with a ball-and-socket hip attachment.  
         [0093]      FIG. 12 -A is a representative drawing of the lower portion of the torso component with a swivel hinge hip attachment.  
         [0094]      FIG. 12 -B is a representative drawing of the thigh component with a swivel hinge hip attachment  
         [0095]      FIG. 13 -A is a representative drawing of a cross section view of the hip joint with a view from the underside of the torso component  
         [0096]      FIG. 13 -B is a representative drawing of a cross section view of the thigh component with a wedge shaped insert for hip attachment.  
         [0097]      FIG. 13 -C is a representative drawing of a cross section view of the thigh component with a wedge shaped insert for hip attachment, pin and locking block.  
         [0098]      FIG. 14 -A is a representative drawing of a lower portion of the torso component and the upper portion of the thigh component with a block-and-pin hip attachment.  
         [0099]      FIG. 14 -B is a representative drawing of a cross section view of the underside of the torso component with a block-and-pin hip attachment presented in a sitting position.  
         [0100]      FIG. 15 -A is a cross section view of the fully assembled apparatus taken along the lines  15 - 1  presented in a standing position. The view is an inside view of  FIG. 15 -B.  
         [0101]      FIG. 15 -B is an outside view of the left side (facing  FIG. 15 -C) of the fully assembled part, presented in a standing position.  
         [0102]      FIG. 15 -C is an outside view of the back of the fully assembled apparatus, presented in a standing position.  
         [0103]      FIG. 16 -A is a diagrammatic representation of a cross section view taken along section  16 - 1  of the side of the head component with a bayonet neck attachment.  
         [0104]      FIG. 16 -B is an angled, outside view of the head component with a bayonet neck attachment  
         [0105]      FIG. 16 -C is an outside view of the front of the torso component separated from the head component and having a bayonet neck connection.  
         [0106]      FIG. 16 -D is a top view of  FIG. 16 -C.  
         [0107]      FIG. 16 -E is an outside view of the tight side (facing  FIG. 16 -D) of  FIG. 16 -D.  
         [0108]      FIG. 16 -F is an outside view of the back of the head component.  
         [0109]      FIG. 16 -G is a top view of  FIG. 16 -F.  
         [0110]      FIG. 17  is diagrammatic representation of the fully assembled part showing the adjustment for temperature regulation of the apparatus.  
         [0111]      FIG. 18 -A is an angled view of the left side (facing  FIG. 18 -B) of the torso/head component  
         [0112]      FIG. 18 -B is a downward angled view of the front of the torso/head component.  
         [0113]      FIG. 18 -C is an angled view of the right side (facing  FIG. 18 -B) of the torso/head component. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0114]     The test apparatus of the present invention can be made out of a variety of plastic type materials including, but not limited to, polyethylene, plastisol, PVC, EVA and elastomeric plastic, or it may be formed of hard or soft rubber. The body components can be made using a variety of molding methods, including, but not limited to, cast, injection, blow molding and rotational molding, all of which are common in the art. A mold in the shape of each apparatus part is made (how it is made and out of what material depends upon the method of the desired molding process). Once the mold is made, the part is created using the desired process. After each part is formed then the drain/fill openings will be created in each component to allow for the filling and draining of each part cavity with the desired substance, of which the most popular substance will be water. The body parts can either be filled and then connected together or put together and then filled. The drain/fill openings may be created by various procedures common in the art, including spin welding, which occurs after the molding is completed, molding in the opening or use of a metal fitting, the later two of which are inserted during the molding process.  
         [0115]     A. Torso/Head Component:  
         [0116]     As shown in FIGS.  1 -A through  1 -F, the torso/head component  100  of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shaped in human form. Except as indicated below, the torso/head component  100  is shaped to emulate a human torso and head. The torso/head component  100  is symmetrical along section line  1 - 1  such that the right side of  FIG. 1 -B is a mirror image of the left side of  FIG. 1 -B. Therefore, when either side is referred to, the equivalent will apply to the non-referenced side. As shown in  FIG. 1 -B on the lower portion of the torso/head component  100 , there is an area formed that includes an axle tunnel  150 , formed during the molding process, through which a rod  910  ( FIG. 9 ), preferably 1″ diameter 14″-15″ long, having male threaded ends  916  is passed and secured by female threaded nuts  915  on each end  916  on either side of tunnel  150  in order to prevent the rod from sliding through the tunnel  150  openings. The rod  910  is utilized to connect the thigh section  230  to the torso section  100  and to allow for the pivot of the thigh  200 . The rod  910  may be smaller or larger, or a different pivot mechanism can be used. There are various means for attaching the thigh  200  to the torso/head  100  still allowing for the articulating movement, including the use of a hollow or solid metal rod or a hollow or solid plastic rod, and each of these could be secured by various means, including having nuts on each end, having a bolt head on one end and a nut on the other, or using cotter pins on one or both ends.  
         [0117]     The preferred embodiment apparatus is shown with having the head and torso combined into a single part  100 . The head  110  to torso  120  connection is reinforced with elevated plastic braces  180 ,  185 ,  189  created during the molding process. There is a brace  180  on the back of the neck and a brace  185  on each side and a brace  189  on the front of the neck. As mentioned earlier, the head and torso may be separated into two separate parts. In such case, the head  1510  can be attached to the torso  1520  in various ways, including having the head  1510  with a female receptor screw onto the torso  1520  with a male extension or having the head  1510  with a male extension screw into the torso  1520  with a female receptor. Additionally, the head  1510  may be connected to the torso  1520  using a bayonet connection. This type of connection uses a spring and interlocking shapes ( FIG. 16A-16H ) for the head  1510  and torso  1520 . The head  1510  has a horizontal ‘U’ shape connection  1610  in which a corresponding shaped mechanism  1615  on the torso  1520  is inserted. Then a spring (not shown) is used to hold the head  1510  and torso  1520  locked in position.  
         [0118]     As shown in  FIG. 18 -B, section  1860  is a solid skinned, recess area formed in the molding process in which a drain/fill opening  1865  is preferably later created by spin welding, which is common in the art. As mentioned earlier, this drain/fill opening  1865  may be formed in various ways, including spin welding, which occurs after the molding is completed, molding in the opening or use of a metal fitting, the later two of which are inserted during the molding process. In addition, the drain/fill plug  1865  may be either raised from the body surface  620  ( FIG. 6 ) and dosed with a plug  630 , as shown, or recessed into the body surface  620  and dosed with a plug  630 , not shown.  
         [0119]     Section  1870  is a fill opening that can be formed by the same means as the drain/fill opening  1865 . The fill opening  1870  may be closed by a plug  630  ( FIG. 6 ) or a cap  720   FIG. 7 ), depending on how the fill opening  1870  is created. The fill opening  1870  can be inset into the head, or it can be elevated, as shown.  
         [0120]     Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 1 -B, a section  140  is the positioning peg onto which recessed areas  270 ,  280 ,  290  of the thigh component  200  are placed depending on what position the legs are set—standing, sitting or 111°.  
         [0121]     There are a number of different methods in which to attach the thigh  200  to the torso  100 . These methods include, but are not limited to, the following:  
         [0122]     a. In the molding process a female screw insert  1090  ( FIG. 10 ) is molded into the wall of the torso  1080  on each side. This insert  1090  receives a pin  930  that is put through a hole in the thigh  235  and screwed in at the time that the thigh  200  and torso  100  are attached in order to lock the thigh ( 200 ) in a standing or sitting position. Additionally, an insert plate  1030  ( FIG. 10 ) with four female screw receivers  1035  is molded into the torso area portion  1080  on each side and four inserts  1020  are molded into the thigh portion  200  at the attachment point. After production a coil spring  1040  with swivel head  1045  is attached to the torso  100  by screwing four screws in the female inserts  1035  and the other end of the coil springhead is attached to the thigh  200  by screwing four screws in the female inserts  1020  locate in the thigh through holes  1046  in the swivel head  1045 . This allows for the legs to be positioned in a stand or sitting position as well as the allowing for the legs to be opened and pivoted outward. This method of thigh  200  attachment allows both up and down movement of the thigh  200  and in and out movement as well.  
         [0123]     b. In the molding process a female threaded opening  1130  is created in the wall of the torso area portion  1080  and four female inserts  1180  are molded around the opening. Additionally, a socket area  1150  ( FIG. 11 ) is molded into the thigh  200 . In the outside wall  1110  of the thigh  200  and around the opening of the socket  1150 , female inserts  1190  are molded into the wall of the thigh  200  in the amount of an equal number to match the screw openings in the cover plate  1170 . After production a metal plate  1140  is screwed into the inserts  1180  surrounding component  1130 . Then a ball with threaded shaft  1160  is screwed through the thigh  200  into the torso-threaded opening  1130 . Next the cover plate  1170  is placed over the socket ball  1160  and screwed into place. This method of thigh  200  attachment will allow multi-directional movement of the thigh  200  in order to accommodate multiple positioning of the apparatus depending on testing needs.  
         [0124]     c. In the molding process, a female threaded insert  1290  is molded into the wall of the torso  100 , one on both sides. In addition, a larger female insert  1210  is molded into the wall of the torso  100  on each side. Four female inserts  1220  are molded into the inside of each thigh  200 . After production one side of a swivel hinge plate  1240  is screwed into the larger female insert  1210  and the other side is screwed into the female inserts  1220  molded into the inner thigh  200 . Once the apparatus is placed in its desired position a locking pin  930  is screwed into the locking pin insert  1290  in order to lock the apparatus in the desired position. This method of thigh  200  attachment allows both up and down movement of the thigh  200  and in and out movement as well.  
         [0125]     d. A cone shaped wedge opening  1330  is molded into each thigh  200 . A torso opening  1360  is molded through the torso  100  to fit the size of the pin  1340  which is placed through the thigh opening  1330 , then through the torso opening  1360  and then through the thigh opening  1330  in the other thigh  200 . The pin  1340  has a cap  1345  screwed onto the each end. In addition, a locking bolt  1350  is placed in the wedge area  1330  in order to lock the leg  200  into the desired position.  
         [0126]     e. The torso design for this concept has been modified to allow for a rectangular peg  1470  ( FIG. 14 ) with a center opening  1475  to be created at the time of molding. During the molding of the thigh  200 , a rectangular wedged hole  1480  is created. To place the apparatus in its desired position the following is done: 
        1. The thigh  200  is placed in the sitting or standing position by placing the square peg joiner  1470  of the torso  100  into the rectangular wedge hole  1480  of the thigh  200 .     2. A metal or rigid plastic pin  1490 , with a cap  1495  on one end, is put through the opening  1480  in the thigh  200  from the outside in, though the torso opening  1475  out the other side through the other thigh  200  from the inside out, and a locking nut  1496  is screwed on to the end of the pin  1490 . The leg  200  is then able to pivot out. An optional locking wedge  1460  can be placed in the wedge hole  1480  to lock the position of the leg  200 .        
 
         [0129]      FIG. 1 -D shows section  130 , which is the recessed area for an arm  800  ( FIG. 8 ) to be attached. In order to have the arms  800  articulate in a similar fashion as the leg  200 , the same concepts that are used for joining the thigh  200  to the torso  100  may be utilized for joining the upper arm  820  to the torso  100  at section  130 . Similarly, the joining of the lower arm  840  to the upper arm  820  will be created by the same means of joining the lower leg  300  to the thigh  200 , thereby having multi-positional articulating movement.  
         [0130]     B. Thigh Component:  
         [0131]     As shown in FIGS.  2 -A through  2 -F, the thigh component  200  of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shaped in human form. Except as indicated below, the thigh component  200  is shaped to emulate a human thigh. As shown in  FIG. 2 -B, section  230  is a recessed area that includes an axle tunnel  235 , formed during the molding process. A rod  910 , preferably 1″ diameter  14 ″- 15 ″ long, having male threaded ends  916  is passed through tunnel  235  and secured by female threaded nuts  915  on each end  916  on each side of tunnel openings  235  in order to prevent the rod  910  from sliding through the tunnel openings  235 . The rod  910  is utilized to connect thigh  200  to the torso section  150  and to allow for the pivot of the thigh  200 . The rod  910  may be smaller or larger, or a different pivot mechanism can be used, as mentioned earlier.  
         [0132]     Also shown in  FIG. 2 -B is section  240  that is a solid skinned, recess area in which a drain/fill opening  245  is formed in the molding process. This drain/fill opening  245  may be formed by spin welding, which is common in the art, or by such other means as set forth for drain/fill opening  1865 .  
         [0133]     As shown in  FIG. 2 -D, the upper portion of the thigh  200  has three positioning wells  270 ,  280 ,  290  that are placed on section  140  of the torso/head component  100 . Sections  270 ,  280 ,  290  are recessed areas that determine the position of the legs  200 ,  300 . Inserting positioning peg  140  into one of the leg positioning recessed areas  270 ,  280 ,  290  sets the position of the thigh  200 . Since thigh component  200  is interchangeable for either the left or right leg sections, sections  270 ,  290  are used depending on which side of the torso  100  it is being placed. Recessed area  290  is used when the thigh is placed as the right leg and the apparatus is set in a sitting or crouching position, and recessed area  270  is used for the left leg when the apparatus is set is a sitting or crouching position. Recessed areas  270 ,  290  allow for the leg to be positioned in a sitting or crouching position with the thighs parallel to the ground and at 111°. Recessed area  280  is utilized for the standing position.  
         [0134]     As shown in  FIG. 2 -A, the lower portion of thigh component  200  has a slot formed by sides  224 ,  226 . Section  220  is the area of the thigh  200  in which the lower leg section  370  is placed. Section  220  includes an axle tunnel  250  formed during the molding process through each side  224 ,  226  of the recessed area  220 . A rod  920 , preferably 1″ diameter 4.5″-5″ long, having male threaded ends  926  is passed through tunnels  250  and is secured by female threaded nuts  925  on each end  926  on the outside of each tunnel  250  in order to prevent the rod  920  from sliding through the tunnel  250  openings. The rod  920  is utilized to connect lower leg section  370  to the thigh component “knee” section  220  and to allow for the pivot of the knee. The rod  920  may be smaller or larger or a different pivot mechanism can be used, as mentioned for rod  910  above.  
         [0135]     Section  260  is a tunnel also formed in the molding process. This tunnel  260  is used to guide a positioning bolt or other connector  930  through the corresponding openings  330 ,  340 ,  350  of the lower leg  300  knee in order to position and secure the lower leg  300  in a standing, sitting or 111° angle. The same variations mentioned possible for the rod  920 , above, are possible for the positioning bolt  930 .  
         [0136]     C. Lower Leg Component:  
         [0137]     As shown in FIGS.  3 -A through  3 -E, the lower leg component  300  of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shaped in human form. Except as indicated below, the lower leg component  300  is shaped to emulate a human lower leg. As shown in  FIG. 3 -A, the leg component  300  has an upper section  370 . Section  370  is the section of the lower leg that is placed inside the recessed “knee” area  220  of thigh  200 . Section  370  includes an axle tunnel  320  formed during the molding process through which a rod  920 , described earlier, is passed and which is secured on either side of tunnel  320  in order to prevent the rod  920  from sliding through the tunnel  320  openings. The rod  920  is utilized to connect section  370  to the knee component  220  of the thigh  200  and to allow for the pivot of the knee. The rod  920  may be smaller or larger, or a different pivot mechanism can be used, as mentioned earlier.  
         [0138]     Section  370  ( FIG. 3 ) further includes tunnels  330 ,  340 ,  350  also formed in the molding process. These tunnels  330 ,  340 ,  350  are used to guide a positioning bolt or other connector  930  through the openings  260  in the thigh  200  in order to position and secure the lower leg  300  in a standing, sitting or 111° angle. The same variations mentioned possible for the rod  920 , mentioned earlier, are possible for the positioning bolt  930 . Positioning tunnel  350  is the positioning tunnel for standing. Positioning tunnel  340  is the positioning tunnel for the 111° bent knee. Positioning tunnel  330  is the positioning tunnel to secure the leg in the sitting position  FIG. 3 ).  
         [0139]     Leg component  300  further includes a solid skinned, recess area  360  formed in the molding process in which a drain/fill opening  380  is later inserted. This drain/fill opening  380  may be formed by spin welding, which is common in the art, or it may be created by the other various means mentioned earlier for the drain/fill opening  1865 .  
         [0140]     FIGS.  15 -A through  15 -C illustrate the complete apparatus in the standing position. This version of the apparatus is presented with the head  1510  and neck  1520  as separate components and connected by a bayonet connection  1610 . When the apparatus is in a standing position, the torso  1520 , head  1510 , thigh  200  and lower leg  300  are in a vertical line as compared to the floor. Opening  260  is where a pin  930  would be placed that would hold the upper leg  200  and lower leg  300  in the standing position.  
         [0141]     FIGS.  4 -A through  4 -H illustrate the complete apparatus in a sitting position with thighs  200  parallel to the ground. When the apparatus is in the horizontal knee sitting position, the torso  100  is perpendicular to the thigh  200 , and the thigh  200  is perpendicular to the lower leg  300 . In  FIG. 4 -C it is shown where position pin  140  is placed in recessed area  270  of the left leg of the apparatus to hold the torso  100  and thigh  200  in place. Recessed area  290  would be used for the right leg. Position pin  930  is passed through opening  260  of the thigh  200  and tunnel  330  of the lower leg to hold the thigh  200  and lower leg  300  connection in place.  
         [0142]     FIGS.  5 -A through  5 -H illustrate the complete apparatus in a crouching position with knees and hips at a 111° angle. When the apparatus is in this crouching position, the knees are moved closer to the torso  100 , and the lower leg  300  is adjusted to be parallel to the torso  100 . To adjust the leg from the horizontal knee sitting position to the crouching position, the positioning pin  140  slides within recessed area  270  of the left leg (or  290  of the right leg) while the thigh  200  rotates around rod  910 . Then the positioning pin  930  is removed to allow the lower leg to rotate around rod  920 , and then the pin  930  is placed through tunnel  340  of the lower leg to hold the knee joint in position.  
         [0143]     Although the apparatus has been shown and discussed in only three positions—standing, sitting, and crouching—the various positions of the hip could be combined with any of the positions of the knee to create other possible positions of the complete apparatus.  
         [0144]      FIG. 17  illustrates the adjustments that can be made in order to make the apparatus temperature regulated so as to reflect the human body temperature for certain testing. The only changes that need to be made are the addition of a liquid heating pump  1710  that circulates liquid into the fill opening  1870  in the head  110 . The heated liquid then flows out of drain/fill opening  1865  through hoses  1720  to drain/fill opening  245  and new drain/fill opening  245 B in the thigh  200 . The new drain/fill opening  245 B is necessary so the apparatus can lie on its side for testing and allow room for the hose  1720 . The heated liquid then flows out of new drain/fill openings  1730  via hoses  1720  to existing drain/fill openings  380 . The liquid then flows out of the apparatus through new drain/fill openings  1740  back to the heating pump  1710 .  
         [0145]     Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the invention concept taught herein which may involve many modifications in the embodiments herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.