Patent Abstract:
An apparatus for a dynamic foreshortening visual aid. A manikin having articulated limbs and a poseable torso and neck is located in space in fixed dynamic natural and unnatural positions for viewing by a comic book artist. Variable orientation connectors are applied between the manikin and a flexible rod and/or between the flexible rod and a base plate or clamp. The manikin is removeably connected to the flexible rod such that various figures are used with a single flexible rod and base plate. A visual aid having multiple manikins that are viewed interacting with each other is also disclosed.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0004]    This invention pertains to an apparatus for providing a three-dimensional reference image for aspiring artists and art students. More particularly, this invention provides a much needed three-dimensional reference of a human or animal figure in unnatural or non-traditional poses, such as flying or martial arts combat, often required of comic book superheroes. 
         [0005]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0006]    Artists&#39; reference figures of human and animal bodies, also known as manikins, have been in use for many years. The manikins available today are typically bound to a rigid rod at the manikin&#39;s center of gravity and attached to a small flat plate for displaying the manikins on a table. The manikin provides the artist with a reference figure of the human body in natural upright or seated positions. This way the developing artist is able to produce remarkably lifelike images without the cost of hiring a live model. 
         [0007]    Art schools traditionally use live models or various human or animal manikins for instruction. Comic book characters often assume poses that are unnatural such as flying or mid-air combat. Accordingly, the comic book artist seeking a reference model is forced outside traditional instructional materials where he uses children&#39;s action figures as references. Dynamic figure drawing is an essential skill for the comic book artist. Even when the comic book artist obtains a suitable action figure, it is very difficult to imagine that figure, whether human or animal, in the nearly infinite variety of poses which the action hero must inevitably take. The poses of the comic book character often place the figure into deep space showing the figure in radical foreshortening. Such poses cannot be achieved using the existing manikin technology. 
         [0008]    In addition to the above concern, the drafting table used by the artist is often an angled table on which it is not suitable to place a traditional manikin stand. The drafting table is also subject to various forces during use, such as the leaning force of the artist&#39;s elbows and the forces applied while using artist&#39;s instruments. Traditional manikin stands do not rest easily on angled surfaces and do not withstand tipping over under the ordinary forces experienced by the drafting table. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    I desired to have a way to view the comic book character in a fixed dynamic position over a length of time while sketching the figure to better absorb the true position and foreshortening details. In accordance with the invention, a support structure places a physical model in easily and precisely changeable poses by locatably mounting the poseable figure onto one end of a semi-rigid member capable of holding its position when caused to bend and being fixable at the other end to the artist&#39;s work surface. In this way, the comic book artist can visualize, using a fixed physical model, the numerous unnatural and non-traditional poses taken on by comic book action heroes, thus obtaining accurate dynamic foreshortening effects among other details that make the comic book figures come alive for the reader. 
         [0010]    In addition to the above solution to my problem, I have devised a way that multiple figures may be incorporated into the dynamic foreshortening device, thus providing the comic book artist with a way to visualize two or more figures interacting when taking on various poses, such as those seen in mid-air battles of multiple flying figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The above-mentioned features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a dynamic foreshortening visual aid device; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of one embodiment of a connection between the manikin and the rod of the dynamic foreshortening visual aid device in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a dynamic foreshortening visual aid device; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of one embodiment of a connector between the beam and the flexible tubing of the dynamic foreshortening visual aid device in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of another embodiment of a connector between the beam and the flexible tubing of the dynamic foreshortening visual aid device in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a dynamic foreshortening visual aid device having two independently poseable manikins; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of one embodiment of the adjustable connections between the base and the rod tube of the dynamic foreshortening visual aid device in  FIG. 6 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    An apparatus for visualizing human and animal figures in dynamic natural and unnatural poses is disclosed. This type of visual aid is ideal for comic book artists who seek dynamic foreshortening visual aids for sketching action packed superhero battles. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a dynamic foreshortening visual aid device  100 -A. A manikin  102  is connected to a rod  106 . The manikin  102 , as illustrated, is a human figure. In other embodiments the manikin  102  is an animal. The manikin  102  is poseable, that is, the manikin  102 , has articulated limbs  112  and a poseable torso and neck. The rod  106  is composed of a flexible material having sufficient elasticity to be bent, twisted, or otherwise deformed into a fixed shape. The rod  106  is fixable into a number of different shapes without fracturing or otherwise failing with use. In one embodiment of the rod  106 , the rod  106  is a copper rod. On another embodiment, the rod is made of aluminum. In other embodiments, the rod  106  is solid, small diameter steel or the rod  106  is flexible tubing having mechanical joints. 
         [0021]    The rod  106  has a distal end  104  and a proximal end  108 . The manikin  102  is connected to the rod  106  at the distal end  104 . The orientation of the manikin  102  relative to the rod  106  is fixably variable at the distal end  104 . The proximal end  108  is attached to a stand  110 . The stand  110  is of a size and configuration to resist tipping of the dynamic foreshortening visual aid device  100  when the manikin  102  is extended a distance away from the center of the stand  110 . In other embodiments, the proximal end  108  is attached to a clamp or a mounting plate for securing the dynamic foreshortening visual aid device  100  to the comic book artist&#39;s drafting table. 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded view of one embodiment of the connection between the manikin  102  and the rod  106  of the dynamic foreshortening visual aid device  100 -A in  FIG. 1 . The manikin  102  includes a cavity  202 . The cavity  202  is a recessed region having and inside surface  216 . The cavity  202  is adjacent an entrance  220 . In the illustrated embodiment, the inside surface  216  is smooth and curved. In other embodiments, the inside surface  216  is rectangular or the inside surface  216  is a boundary within the body of the manikin  102  except for the space bounded by the entrance  220 . 
         [0023]    The distal end  104  has a curved surface  218  that extends beyond the perimeter of the rod  106 . The distal end  104  mates with the cavity  202 . The cavity  202  is configured to receive and retain the distal end  104 . The cavity  202  has a bottom surface  224  on which the distal end  104  contacts when fully seated. The position of the distal end  104  is fixed within the cavity  202  by the operation of a screw  204  that presses the distal end  104  against the curved surface  216  of the cavity  202 . In other embodiments, the distal end  104  is fixed within the cavity  202  by another form of stop, such as a shim or a rubber plug. 
         [0024]    The distal end  104  is sufficiently larger than the perimeter of the rod  106  such that, when received by to the cavity  202 , the manikin  102  has a wide range of motion about the distal end  104 . An angled plane  214  is adjacent the cavity  202  surrounding the entrance  220  of the cavity  202 . The angled plane  214  increases the range of motion of the manikin  102  about the distal end  104 . Also, the angled plane  214  provides a lead-in for the distal end  104 . In one embodiment, the distal end  104  and the entrance  220  are sized independently to cause an interference fit when the distal end  104  is inserted into the cavity  202 . 
         [0025]    The cavity  202  is adjacent to a tunnel  206 . The tunnel  206  is cylindrical having a longitudinal axis  208 . The longitudinal axis  208  is directed toward a portion of the inside surface  216  of the cavity  202  opposite the tunnel  206 . In the illustrated embodiment, the tunnel  206  is cylindrical with a threaded surface  222 . In other embodiments, the tunnel  206  is smooth, or the tunnel  206  is rough or otherwise configured to receive a shaft of particular geometric or physical properties. The screw  204  includes a threaded cylinder  210 , or shaft, and a head  212 . The threaded cylinder  210  has a sufficient length to pass through the tunnel  206  and fill any void between the received distal end  104  and the cavity  202  such that, when tightened against the distal end  104 , the distal end  104  is fixed relative to the manikin  102 . In the illustrated embodiment, the head  212  is knurled for finger operation. In other embodiments, the head  212  is recessed for operation by a screwdriver, or the head  212  is hex-shaped for operation by a socket driver, or otherwise shaped or configured to be operated in a manner commonly known in the art. 
         [0026]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of a dynamic foreshortening visual aid device  100 -B. In this embodiment, the manikin  102  is attached to a beam  304 -A at a fixed point  306 . The beam  304 -A is connected at the end opposite of the fixed point  306  to a flexible tube  308 -A by a connector  302 -A. In the illustrated embodiment, the flexible tubing  308 -A is attached to a clamp  310 . The flexible tubing  308 -A is mechanically hinged in a way commonly known in the industry. In other embodiments, a flexible rod is used. Such a rod being flexible, yet sufficiently plastic to hold a given configuration. The clamp  310  provides for the removable attachment of the dynamic foreshortening visual aid device  100 -B to the edge of a table or other solid surface. In this way, the comic book artist attaches the dynamic foreshortening visual aid device  100 -B nearby his work on his drafting table in a secure manner to resist bumping or gravitational pull. Also, the fixed dynamic foreshortening visual aid device  100 -B provides for simple one-handed manipulation of the orientation and pose of the manikin  102 . In other embodiments, the clamp  310  is replaced by a stand  110  or a mounting plate. 
         [0027]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exploded view of one embodiment of a connector  302 -A between the beam  304 -A and the flexible tubing  308 -A of the dynamic foreshortening visual aid device  100 -B in  FIG. 3 . The connector  302 -A consists of a plug  402  and a socket  404 . The plug  402  is attached to the end of the beam  304 -A opposite the fixed point  306 . The plug  402  includes a dimple  406 . The dimple  406  is a rounded protrusion on the side of the plug  402  extending beyond the perimeter of the plug  402 . The dimple  406  is resiliently retractable into the side of the plug  402  such that the dimple  406  is located mostly or completely within the plug  402 . 
         [0028]    The socket  404  is cylindrical having a wall  410  around the perimeter to create a well  412 . The socket  404  is attached to the tip  414  of the flexible tubing  308 -A by a crimp or a weld or other attachment means whereby the socket  404  is securely and permanently attached to the flexible tubing  308 -A. The well  412  is dimensioned and configured to receive the plug  402 . There is a window  408  on the side of the socket  404  passing through the wall  410 . The window  408  is sized and positioned to receive the dimple  406  when the plug  402  is seated into the well  412 . The dimple  406  is rounded such that the dimple  406  retracts as the dimple  408  contacts the wall  412  when the plug  402  enters the well  412 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 5  illustrates an exploded view of another embodiment of a connector  302 -B between the beam  304 -B and the flexible tubing  308 -B of the dynamic foreshortening visual aid device  100 -B in  FIG. 3 . In this embodiment, the beam  304  terminates with a first bearing  502  and the flexible tubing  308 -B terminates with a second bearing  504 . The first bearing  502  has a rounded surface that extends beyond the perimeter of the beam  304 -B. The second bearing  504  also has a rounded surface that extends beyond the perimeter of the flexible tubing  308 -B. As each bearing  502 ,  504  extends beyond the perimeter of the corresponding elongated member  304 -B,  308 -B, increased movement of each member, the beam  304 -B and the flexible tubing  308 -B, is achieved. 
         [0030]    The first bearing  502  and the second bearing  504  are held a fixed distance apart by two retainers  506 -A,  506 -B. Each retainer  506 -A,  506 -B includes a first pocket  512  and a second pocket  514 . The first pocket  512  is configured to mate with a portion of the first bearing  502 . The second pocket  514  is configured to mate with a portion of the second bearing  504 . When assembled, the two retainers  506 -A,  506 -B are oriented such that the pockets  512 ,  514  of one retainer  506 -A are facing the pockets  512 ,  514  of the other retainer  506 -B. 
         [0031]    On each retainer  506 -A,  506 -B there is a thru-hole  516 . The thru-hole  516  is centrally located between the first pocket  512 , or concave surface, and the second pocket  514 , or concave surface. The connector  302 -B further includes a bolt  508  and a nut  510 . The bolt  508  has a threaded shaft  518 . The threaded shaft  518  is inserted into the thru-hole  516  of each of the retainers  506 -A,  506 -B. The nut  510  is secured to the end of the threaded shaft  518  such that the two retainers  506 -A,  506 -B are pressed together against the two bearings  502 ,  504 . When the retainers  506 -A,  506 -B are pressed together in the connector  302 -B, the first bearing  502  and the second bearing  504  are fixed into a predetermined orientation. In order to reposition the bearings  502 ,  504 , the nut  510  is loosened. In the illustrated embodiment, the nut  510  has finger tabs for hand assembly. In other embodiments, the nut  510  is hex-shaped to accommodate the use of a wrench, or the nut  510  is knurled for finger tightening. 
         [0032]      FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a dynamic foreshortening visual aid device  100 -C having two independently poseable manikins  102 -A,  102 -B. In the illustrated embodiment, the manikins  102 -A,  102 -B are connected to the two ends of a bar  602 . The bar  602  is composed of a flexible material having sufficient plasticity to be bent, twisted, or otherwise deformed into a fixed shape. The bar  602  passes through a collar  604 . The two ends of the bar  602 , one on each side of the collar  604 , are attached to two bearings, a third bearing  610  and a fourth bearing  612 . The connector  302 -B in  FIG. 5  is shown as the rotatable attachment means connecting the beams  304 -B to the ends of the bar  602 . In other embodiments, the connector  302 -A in  FIG. 4  is used, or the manikins  102  are connected to the bar  602  at their respective cavities  202  as shown in  FIG. 2 . The bar  602  is fixably oriented by a collar  604 . The collar  604  is attached to a base  606  by a pivot  608  operating on the same principles as the connector  302 -B in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 7  illustrates an exploded view of one embodiment of the adjustable connections between the base  606  and the bar  602  of the dynamic foreshortening visual aid device  100 -C in  FIG. 6 . The collar  604  is a cylinder having an orifice  716  located centrally along the longitudinal axis of the collar  604 . In other embodiments, the collar  604  is a geometric shape other than a cylinder having a passage or orifice  716  passing through the body of the object. The orifice  716  is dimensioned and configured such that the bar  602  passes through the collar  604 . One end of the bar  602  is located on each end of the collar  604 . The collar  604  has an aperture  704 . The aperture  704 , as illustrated, is threaded. The aperture  704  is directed radially toward the orifice  716 . 
         [0034]    A thumb screw  702  having a threaded portion with length enough to pass into the orifice  716  is tightened against the bar  602  to fix the orientation of the bar  602  within the collar  604 . The thumb screw  702  presses against the bar  602  as the thumb screw  702  is tightened. When the thumb screw  702  presses against the bar  602 , the bar  602  is forced against the surface of the orifice  716 . Accordingly, the bar  602  is fixed in a given orientation. 
         [0035]    A first protrusion  706  extends radially away from the collar  604 . The first protrusion  706  terminates with a fifth bearing  708 . A second protrusion  714  extends from the base  606  perpendicular to the planar surface  718  of the base  606 . The second protrusion  714  terminates with a sixth bearing  710 . Two plates  712 -A,  712 -B, each having a first concave surface  720  and a second concave surface  722 , are located on opposite sides of the fifth bearing  708  and the sixth bearing  710 . The first concave surface  720  of each plate  712 -A,  712 -B mates with a portion of the sixth bearing  710 . The second concave surface  722  of each plate  712 -A,  712 -B mates with a portion of the fifth bearing  708 . 
         [0036]    The two plates  712 -A,  712 -B are secured against the fifth and sixth bearings  708 ,  710  in the same manner as the retainers  506 -A,  506 -B are secured to the first and second bearings  502 ,  504  in  FIG. 5 . That is, each plate  712 -A,  712 -B has an aperture  724  through which the threaded shaft  518  of the bolt  508  passes. The two plates  712 -A,  712 -B are secured about the bearings  708 ,  710  by a nut  510 . 
         [0037]    It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplification of the various embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6