Abstract:
A flexible figure in the form of a human engaged in a particular athletic or recreational activity, such as snowboarding. The figure further comprises arm and leg sections connected at realistic joints, and joined to the torso by couplings all of which realistically simulate the flexibility limitations of the human body. A length of elastic material functioning as an artificial muscle, which is connected between the upper leg and the lower leg behind the knee joints, and an resilient covering over the elbow joints, automatically return the figure to a preselected starting stance.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of provisional application No. 60/303,067, filed Jul. 6, 2001. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to flexible figures, and in particular to a figure having a novel limb, joint and torso construction permitting the accurate simulation of athletic movements. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Many sports and recreational activities, such as snowboarding, skateboarding, skiing and the like, involve the performance of complex stunts and maneuvers. Poseable figures are often used as a visual aid in order to practice or demonstrate these stunts. The figure disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,110,002 to Langton (1997) is an example of one such visual aid. Another example specifically directed towards snowboarding and skiing is the figure marketed by N.S.M. Resource Corp, Tahoe City Calif. under the name of HUCK DOLL™. (www.huckdoll.com). These and other known figures, while capable of mimicking body movement to a certain degree, have an internal skeleton designed to maintain the figure in a rigid, posed position. Accordingly, existing figures are not capable of accurately simulating the fluid, dynamic body movements associated with athletic maneuvers. 
   A need exists, therefore, for a flexible figure that can simulate the smooth, dynamic movements of an athlete or recreational sports enthusiast. A need also exists for a flexible figure that takes into account the effects of muscle tension and the flexibility parameters of the torso, limbs and joints in order to accurately demonstrate stunts or assess the feasibility of new maneuvers. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention comprises a flexible figure in the form of a human engaged in a particular athletic or recreational activity, such as snowboarding according to one aspect of the invention. The doll is outfitted with realistic equipment associated with the particular activity, such as a board, bindings, boots and gloves in the case of snowboarding. The figure has a torso section constructed of a resilient material designed to approximate, in scale, the weight, dimensions and flexibility of the human torso, shoulders and hips. The figure has upper and lower leg segments, constructed of rigid plastic, connected at a knee joint that approximates the flexibility limitations of the human knee. Upper and lower leg members are connected to the torso section and boots, respectively, by a coupling designed to prevent unnatural twisting motions. The figure further comprises upper and lower arm sections connected at a realistic elbow joint, and joined to the torso by a coupling similar that of the leg segments. 
   A length of elastic material functioning as an artificial muscle is connected between the upper leg and the lower leg behind the knee joints. The length and tension of this elastic material is predetermined in order to maintain the figure in a preselected stance. For example, in the case of snowboarding, the elastic material maintains the figure in the balanced, knees-bent cruising position. The elbow joints are likewise covered by a resilient material such as silicone, of a predetermined shape designed to maintain the arms in a preselected starting position. For example, in the case of snowboarding, the arms are maintained in an extended, slightly bent position. Because the leg and arm positions of the figure so closely approximate the proper cruising position of a snowboard rider, the figure is extremely well balanced and is in fact self-standing. The elastic material behind the knee joints, and the resilient covering of the elbow joints, provide a realistic representation of the flexibility of the limbs when the figure is manipulated, and causes the figure to automatically return to the balanced starting position. 
   The various components of the figure can be removed and replaced as needed. This allows damaged parts to be easily replaced. This also enables the figure to be customized by employing parts having various configurations, such as the torso and artificial muscle, in order to represent various “styles” of snowboarding, skiing and the like. In this way the figure can be assembled having the characteristic “style” of well-known athletes. 
   In the case of the snowboarding embodiment, the figure further comprises gloves made of resilient material configured to permit accurate simulation of the grasping of the board, which is common in many snowboarding maneuvers. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the flexible figure according to the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of the flexible figure according to the invention. 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the flexible figure according to the invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a front view of the torso segment. 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of the torso segment. 
       FIG. 6  is a sectional view of a leg segment. 
       FIG. 7  is an exploded view of a leg segment. 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  are elevational views of an upper leg member. 
       FIGS. 10 ,  11  and  12  are elevational views of a lower leg member. 
       FIG. 13  is a sectional view of an arm segment. 
       FIG. 14  is an elevational view of an upper arm member. 
       FIG. 15  is an elevational view of a lower arm member. 
       FIG. 16  is a detailed view of the snowboard and bindings. 
       FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the flexible figure in use. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , the present invention is a flexible figure in the form of a human engaged in a particular activity, such as snowboarding in the preferred embodiment. The flexible figure according to the present invention, as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , comprises a torso  20  made of a resilient, rubberized material. Torso  20  includes two integrated shoulder sections  22  and two integrated upper-thigh sections  24 . As shown in FIG.  4  and  FIG. 5 , shoulder sections  22  and upper-thigh sections  24  are reduced in diameter at the point of attachment to torso  20 . This reduced-diameter area increases the flexibility of shoulder sections  22  and upper thigh sections  24 . Each of shoulder sections  22  and upper thigh sections  24  further include a generally annular opening  30  and  32 , respectively. Openings  30  and  32  lead to internal cavities having a specific shape, as described below. 
   The flexible figure further includes an integrated head segment  26 . In the preferred embodiment, head  26  can be molded in the likeness of well-known snowboarding professionals. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  6  and  7 , each of the two leg segments of the figure according to the invention comprises an upper leg member  34  and a lower leg member  36 . Upper leg member  34  is attached to upper thigh section  24  with the help of an extension having two projections  38  that are inserted into opening  32 , such that the projections engage the above-described internal cavity. The internal cavity in upper thigh section  24  has approximately the same shape and dimensions as projections  38 , and engages projections  38  in a friction fit. Projections  38  and the internal cavity thus cooperate to provide a firm connection while at the same time preventing unnatural rotation of the leg segments. Because upper thigh sections  24  are made of resilient material, a limited, natural degree of rotation is nonetheless permitted. Lower leg members  36  also include extensions having two projections  38 , which engage openings in two resilient boots  40 . In the preferred embodiment, boots  40  are formed in the likeness of snowboarding boots. 
   Upper leg member  34  and lower leg member  36  are connected at a knee joint that approximates the flexibility limitations of the human knee. As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , upper leg member  34  includes a pin  42 . Pin  42  pivotally engages a corresponding socket  44  on lower leg member  36  in a snap fit. As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 , and  7 , upper leg member  34  and lower leg member  36  each include a semicircular ridge  46 . Semicircular ridge  46  is configured such that its leading edge contacts an abutment on the opposite leg member when the leg segment is fully extended, in order to prevent hyperextension of the knee joint. 
   The leg segments of the figure according to the invention further comprise an elongated elastic member  48  as shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  6  and  7 . Elastic member  48  functions as an artificial muscle, which provides resistance when the figure is manipulated, and causes the legs of the figure to automatically return to their original position. In the preferred embodiment, elastic member  48  is split into two halves as shown in FIG.  3 . The split allows the two halves of elastic member  48  to bulge away from one another when the figure is bent into an extreme crouching position, thus allowing a greater range of motion. 
   At each end of elastic member  48  is a circular, split collar  50 . Each of said collars  50  is attached to a reduced-diameter portion of upper leg member  34  and lower leg member  36 , slightly above and below the knee joint respectively, such that elastic member  48  is on the dorsal side of the knee joint. Elastic member  48  is of a predetermined length and elasticity, selected to maintain the leg segments of the flexible figure bent at a specific angle. 
   The preferred embodiment of the invention is a figure engaged in snowboarding. The invention therefore further comprises a snowboard  52  having two bindings  54 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 16 . Bindings  54  have two inwardly projecting ridges  55  which slidably engage two corresponding grooves  57  in boots  40 . In the preferred embodiment, boots  40  are made of two types of material, a lower section made of a relatively hard plastic into which grooves  57  are embedded, and a more flexible, upper section. After boots  40  are slid into bindings  54 , two screws  56  are inserted through snowboard  52  and bindings  56 , and engage two threaded holes  59  in the soles of boots  40 . 
   The figure according to the invention further comprises two arm segments. Each arm segment comprises an upper arm member  58  and a lower arm member  60  joined together at an elbow joint, as shown in FIG.  3  and FIG.  13 . As shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , upper arm member  58  includes a pin  62  that pivotally engages a corresponding socket  64  on lower arm member  60  in a snap fit. Upper arm member  58  includes a projection  38  that is inserted in shoulder opening  30  in shoulder section  22 . Shoulder section  22  has an internal cavity of approximately the same shape and dimensions as projection  38 . The cavity engages projection  38  in a friction fit that prohibits unnatural rotation of upper arm member  58 . 
   Each arm segment also includes an elbow covering  66  made of resilient material such as silicone rubber. Elbow covering  66  is split along its length, permitting it to be wrapped around the elbow joint. As shown in  FIG. 13 , elbow covering  66  is formed with a bend of a predetermined angle. As further shown in FIG.  3  and  FIG. 13 , a glove  68  made of resilient material is attached to lower arm member  60  with the help of a circular projection  70  located at the end of lower arm member  60 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  4 , and  5 , it can be seen that the orientation and configuration of shoulder sections  22 , upper thigh sections  24 , elastic members  48  and elbow coverings  66  are selected in order to maintain the figure in a specific, predetermined stance. In the preferred embodiment the predetermined stance is the one commonly known as the “cruising position”. In this stance, the figure is slightly crouching, with knees bent and arms extended. In the preferred embodiment, the figure&#39;s center of gravity is oriented above snowboard  52  such that the figure is self-standing. 
     FIG. 14  illustrates the flexible figure according to the invention being used to demonstrate a common snowboarding maneuver. Because of the elastic and resilient properties of its various components, the figure automatically returns to the stance depicted in  FIG. 1  after use.