Abstract:
A waist connection apparatus for an artificial model comprises an upper and a lower bases respectively, and an upper and a lower engaging disks respectively. The upper and the lower engaging disks are fastened to the upper and the lower bases respectively. The upper and the lower disks provide detachable connecting parts such that the upper and the lower parts of the model can be joined together or separated apart easily. Hence, the waist connection apparatus makes the model possible to be hung up, lean to one side, and many other postures as desired by the need of exhibition. Furthermore, the waist connection apparatus can fit any size of the model as soon as a proper sized waist connection apparatus is replaced.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to a waist connection apparatus for an artificial model, and, particularly, to a connection apparatus, which is possible to detachably connect the waist part of an artificial model with an upper and a lower halves easily.  
           [0003]    2. Description of Related Art  
           [0004]    For a clothes maker, the artificial model is an indispensable tool for a fashion exhibition. The artificial model allows a variety of clothes to be presented a real state of being put on in a best way to attract the customers during shopping. Hence, it is very important to the clothes maker whether the model is good or not.  
           [0005]    Now we will take a closer look at some conventional model as shown in FIG. 11. The upper part of lower half  42  of the display model  40  contains a central pole  4202 . The upper half  41  of the display model  40  has got a hollow part  4101  opposite to the central pole  4202  able to take in this said central pole  4202 . This kind of construction is admittedly fast and simple to join together. But, if you take a closer look at FIG. 12, you will see that in case of a bend body position, with the center of weight not exactly on the position of the pole, there appears a small gap  43  between the upper half  41  and the lower half  42  of the display model  40 . This shows the present construction does not represent an ideal solution for the hanging of a display model due to insufficient precision.  
           [0006]    We also took a closer look at another construction for a waist connection apparatus for an artificial model. This construction makes use of a spring bolt in the center of the waist plate of the display model. This construction reaches the target of creating a fixed connection between the upper and the lower half of a display model, but it is unable to control the insertion strength, furthermore, the force needed to join the parts of the display model together or take it apart is too high (Because it need to overcome the elasticity of the spring). Therefore you need different types of display models for each different body posture. Otherwise the display model could easily take damage through the gap  43  which appears between the upper half  41  and the lower half  42  of the display model  40  (as shown in FIG. 12). With the connecting mechanism damaged or not functional, the upper as well as the lower half of the artificial model have to be repaired. This does not meet the practical or economic requirements of these artificial models.  
           [0007]    Another type of waist connection apparatus for an artificial model to be compared is the Chinese patent No. CN 2401097Y, which makes use of a structure based on a round main plate. One side of the main plate consists of an inserting structure, and the other side is used as a securing structure. This model clearly has the advantage of being easy to install and take apart, but there is still a strong insertion force to overcome. Using this model, it is still not possible to solve the problems of hanging artificial models or of the control of the insertion strength. As shown in FIG. 13, that a hanging display model  40  can not provide a perfect balance of weight, because the positions of the arms and legs on the left and right side are not the same. This again can easily result in a gap  43  between the upper half  41  and the lower half  42  of the artificial model  40 .  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    The main object of the present invention is to provide a waist connection apparatus for an artificial model, which has an exact, easy to use and secure mounting and possesses the possibility to secure it in two different directions.  
           [0009]    The second object of the present invention is to provide a waist connection apparatus for an artificial model, which can be used as a hanging or mounted structure, and which offers an easy and close connection of waist area without leaving a gap.  
           [0010]    A further object of the present invention is to provide a waist connection apparatus for an artificial model, which makes use of two symmetrical main plates, one upper and one lower main plate, with more than one pair of facing screw holes at the left and right of the center, which causes the center of the upper and lower main plate to be in exact correspondence.  
           [0011]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a waist connection apparatus for an artificial model, which is standardized in its construction, resulting in freely exchangeable upper and lower parts of the display models, a main factor for the economic use of the artificial model.  
           [0012]    Furthermore it is a object of the present invention to provide a waist connection apparatus for an artificial model, which can be separated into different parts. In case of a damaged part you can take apart the display model and repair the damaged part only, without the need to repair or replace the complete unit. This factor also is important for the economic and practical use of the artificial model. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    The other objects and features of the present invention can be more fully understood by reference to the following description of preferred embodiments and accompanying drawing, in which:  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a waist connection apparatus for an artificial model according to the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is the full view of the attachment of the parts covered by the present invention to the artificial model.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a detailed display of the connecting parts of the present invention attached to the artificial model.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is a practical example for the better form of the securing plates in the present invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4A is the cross-section of the part labeled A-A shown in FIG. 4.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5 is another practical example for the better form of the securing plates in the present invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 5A is the cross-section of the part labeled B-B in FIG. 5.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 6A is a detailed display for the fastening of the securing plates on the slit openings in the present invention through the use of screws.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 6B is a detailed display for the securing mode of the securing bodies in the present invention.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 7 is the lower view of the upper main mounting in the present invention.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 8 is a three-dimensional display of the upper main mounting and the mounting seat in the present invention.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 9 is a cross-section display of the mounted seat in the present invention.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 10 is a display of the present invention in use on an upside-down display model.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 11 is a display of the structure of a conventional, standing artificial model, used for reference and comparison.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 12 is a display of the structure of a conventional, seated artificial model, used for reference and comparison.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 13 is a display of the structure of a conventional, hanging artificial model, used for reference and comparison. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0030]    Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, which describe the structure of the present invention, a waist connection apparatus for an artificial model. The parts described therein are as follows:  
         [0031]    An upper main plate  31 , which is secured with screws  3141  through the screw holes  314  on the lower side of the upper half  41  of the display model  40 . The middle of this main plate consists of a round socket  311 . All around the edge of this socket  311 , there are several screw holes  3111 ; the center of this socket  311  consists of the hole  310  for the main mounting;  
         [0032]    A lower main plate  32 , which is secured with screws  3241  through the screw holes  324  on the upper side of the lower half  42  of the display model  40 . The middle of this main plate consists of a round socket  321 . All around the edge of this socket  321 , there are several screw holes  3211 , the center of this socket  321  consists of the hole  320  for the main mounting;  
         [0033]    An upper main mounting  1 , which is secured with screws  131  through the screw holes  13  on the above mentioned socket  311  of the upper main plate  31 . The middle of this upper main mounting  1  consists of a fixed, hollow body  11 , opened up to the lower side by a connecting opening  110 . On the lower part of the upper main mounting  1 , there is a protruding polygon base  111  as well as two small sleeves  15 , located in front of and behind the fixed, hollow body  11 . To the left and right sides of the fixed, hollow body  11 , there are two slit openings  12 . Insides of these slit openings  12  there are securing plates  14  inserted. The part which consists of the slit openings  12  and the securing plates  14  has a full opening  122 , a securing hole  142  and screw holes  121 ,  141 . Screws  143  secure the construction through the screw holes  121 ,  141 . By this process, the securing plates  14  are being attached to the slit openings  12 .  
         [0034]    A lower main mounting  2 , which is secured with screws  231  through the screw holes  23  on the above mentioned socket  321  of the lower main plate  32 . This lower main mounting  2  possesses a large central screw hole  20 . Mounted in this central screw hole  20  is a control pole  21 , facing upwards. The lower end of the control pole  21  consists of a screw thread  212 , which is used to secure it in the central screw hole  20 . On the lower main mounting  2  there are two securing bodies  22  facing the securing holes  14  of the upper main mounting  1 .  
         [0035]    Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 4A, the relatively large openings of the securing holes  142  describe a form roughly resembling an “8”. In the connecting part between the hole with the larger diameter and the hole with the smaller diameter, there is a thin strip  1421 , which solves the purpose of helping to insert the insertion slit  221  of the securing bodies  22  into the securing hole  142 . Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 5A, that the securing hole  142 A roughly resembles the form of a calabash, also with a thin strip  1421 A attached. The difference between the structures described in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 is, that the structure described in FIG. 4 uses two-way securing holes  142  which give the securing bodies  22  two possible directions of attachment, while the structure described in FIG. 5 uses one-way securing holes  142 A which give the securing bodies  22  only one possible direction of attachment. Both structures can be exchanged depending on the practical usage.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B show that the securing plates  14  are attached to the upper main mounting  1  through screw holes  141 ,  141 B. There are also protruding conical forms  1411 ,  1411 B to be seen, which stick out of the main mounting in upward direction. On the upper main mounting  1  there are indent forms  1311  which correspond with the protruding conical forms  1411  and which are able to take them in. Through the use of these, fine tunings to the force of the securing plates  14  can be done. The protruding conical forms  1411  on the vertical axis of the securing plate are higher than the protruding conical forms  1411 B on the horizontal axis of the securing plates. As you can see in the picture, this gives you the ability to determine how deep the securing plates  14  will be drawn into the slit openings  12  of the upper main mounting  1 .  
         [0037]    The upper main plate  31  and the lower main plate  32  each have got eight screw holes  3111 ,  3211  ordered in exact the same direction and distance. While joining the upper half  41  and the lower half  42  of the display model  40  together, the upper main mounting  1  and the lower main mounting  2  can be used to adjust the upper half  41  and the lower half  42  of the display model  40  to one of the eight possible directions. The control pole  21  will be inserted into the fixed, hollow body  11 . As shown in FIG. 3, the lower main mounting  2  possesses a central screw hole. On the point of contact between the screw hole and the control pole  21 , there is a slight widening  211  or a conical bevel, which is used for a better and more secure connection. The two securing bodies  22  on the lower main mounting  2  can be inserted into the securing holes  142  of the securing plates  14 .  
         [0038]    Please view FIG. 4 to FIG. 6B. On the lower end of the securing bodies  22  there is a screw bolt  222 , which sticks through the insertion slit  24  of the lower main mounting  2 . Just outside of the insertion slit  24  a spring  223  is wrapped around the screw bolt  222 . The end of the construction is secured by a nut  224 . This construction can be used to make fine tunings to the height and force of the securing bodies  22 . While the securing plates  14  are mounted on the slit openings  12  of the upper main mounting  1 , they are pushed to the inside. The advantage of this kind of construction is, that the securing bodies  22  upon entering the securing holes  142  and being turned slightly are being locked on the thin strip  1421 . This thin strip  1421  locks the securing bodies in and holds them tight. Through this, a securing effect is reached. The securing bodies  142  will not be able to move anymore.  
         [0039]    Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 7, the securing holes  142  of the securing plates  14  and the small sleeves  15  surround the connecting opening  110  of the upper main mounting  1  in a circle, each with exact the same distance to the center. To use the numbers of the clock face to describe it, the two securing plates  14  are located on the positions 3 o&#39;clock and 9 o&#39;clock, while the two small sleeves  15  are located on the positions 6 o&#39;clock and 12 o&#39;clock. After inserting the control pole  21  into the connecting opening  110 , the securing bodies  22  can be locked in the securing holes  142  through a slight turning movement. Furthermore, you have the option to insert the securing bodies  22  into the small sleeves  15 , thus joining the upper and lower half of the artificial model without using the securing function of the securing plates  14 . This method provides a fast and convenient way to join artificial models together, which afterwards shall be used in upright positions.  
         [0040]    Besides of this we can see in FIG. 3 that the outer rim of the upper main plate  31  and the lower main plate  32  is formed of a thin, protruding edge  313 ,  323 . This allows a small gap between the upper main plate  31  and the lower main plate  32 . Furthermore it creates a smoother connection between the upper main plate  31  and the lower main plate  32 . To improve the symmetry between the upper main plate  31  and the lower main plate  32 , there are two fixed screw holes  314 ,  324  left and right of the center of each plate. The effect of these screw holes  314 ,  324  is to let the respective centers of the upper main plate  31  and the lower main plate  32  correspond exactly. By this means you can also use the upper and lower half of different display models together. The different models are thus freely interchangeable and do not have to be specifically adjusted to each other. This also furthers the economic use of the display model.  
         [0041]    Now we want to take a further look at in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9. On the lower side of the upper main mounting  1 , there is a protruding polygon base  111 . This base can be used together with a height-adjustable mounting seat  5  which possesses an indent polygon form  51 . This mounting seat  5  is fitted onto a central pole  6 . On the upper end of the mounting seat  5  there is a control pole  52 , which can be inserted into the connecting opening  110 . Furthermore the mounting seat  5  possesses an adjusting screw  53 . The height of the mounting seat  5  and the central pole  6  can be adjusted through use of the adjusting screw  53 . Through inserting the control pole  52  into the hollow body  11  an ideal position of weight balance will be found. The protruding polygon base  111  corresponds with the indent polygon form  51 . These two can be used to secure the position of the upper main mounting  1 . This can also be used to bring the upper main mounting  1  into a different position.  
         [0042]    In FIG. 10 we see an example, how the upper main plate  31  and the lower main plate  32  can be attached to the lower half  42  and the upper half  41  of the artificial model  40 . In this example, the construction can even be used with an upside-down artificial model  40 .  
         [0043]    While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that modifications or variations may be easily made without departing from the spirit of this invention, which is defined by the appended claims.