Abstract:
This invention is directed to model human figures. More particularly, this invention is directed to a model human figure comprising a frame with joints. This invention is also directed to a model human figure comprising a frame and a wire body with joints.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S. application Ser. No. 13/286,866, filed Nov. 1, 2011, and claims priority to pending U.S. application Ser. No. 29/410,486, filed Jan. 9, 2012 and pending Chinese Application No. 201110461199.4, filed Dec. 28, 2011, all of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention is directed to model human figures. More particularly, the invention is directed to a model human figure comprising a frame and joints. The invention is also directed to a model human figure comprising a frame and a wire body with joints. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Models are widely available in an assortment of shapes, styles, and colors to represent full scale objects and/or living creatures. Human models are often used by artists and art students to draw the human form in a variety of poses. Models may also be used as toys, decorations, desk accessories, and other purposes. Many of the models available today, however, have limitations. For example, many of the available models are not capable of being posed in a standing position without the aid of a pedestal or a support rod. Many models have only limited or unidirectional movement of limbs, limiting the variety of poses they can achieve and reducing the life-likeness of those poses. 
         [0004]    Art students often use human models to practice drawing the basic human shape. A commonly used artist model is made of wooden pieces representing human body segments and is held together by an internal wire. Such a model, however, is often unable to stand on its own and therefore must be supported by a rod or the feet must be affixed to a base in order to achieve a standing position. This may prevent the model from achieving a variety of positions, such as a sitting position, and may require the inclusion of a foreign element in the model. The wooden segments are solid and opaque, preventing the artist from seeing the opposite side and from viewing the three-dimensional shape of the model. The wooden models also have simple wooden hands that are incapable of holding items. The wooden models have joints that contain springs, making it difficult for the model to remain in a given pose without springing back to a neutral position. 
         [0005]    Thus, there is a need in the art for a model with movable segments, that can stand or be arranged in a variety of positions, including a standing and sitting position, that enables the viewer to see through the model to the opposite side, and that has joints allowing for at least a four-way range of motion and enabling the model to stay in a posed position. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The invention relates to human models with an internal frame and joints to enable movement. The invention also relates to human models with an internal frame, a wire external frame, and joints to enable movement. The model may also include hands capable of holding objects. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    In the accompanying drawings that form a part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith, the present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation, with like reference numerals referring to like elements, wherein: 
           [0008]      FIGS. 1A-1C  illustrate first examples of a model of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIGS. 2A-2E  illustrate second examples of a model of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  illustrates an example of the external frame of the model of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0011]      FIG. 4A  illustrates an example of a two-way open joint of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4B  illustrates an exploded view of the two-way open joint of  FIG. 4A . 
           [0013]      FIG. 4C  illustrates an example of a three-way open joint of the present invention. 
           [0014]    FIG.  4 Ci illustrates another example of a three-way open joint of the present invention. 
           [0015]    FIG.  4 Cii illustrates another example of a three-way open joint of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4D  illustrates an exploded view of the three-way open joint of  FIG. 4C . 
           [0017]    FIG.  4 Di illustrates an exploded view of a three-way open joint with conical shaped spacers. 
           [0018]    FIG.  4 Dii illustrates an exploded view of the three-way open joint with wave shaped conical spacers. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4E  illustrates an example of a two-way closed joint of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4F  illustrates an exploded view of the two-way closed joint of  FIG. 4E . 
           [0021]      FIGS. 5A-5D  illustrate the movement of the two-way open joint of  FIGS. 4A and 4B . 
           [0022]      FIGS. 5E-5J  illustrate the movement of the three-way open joint of  FIGS. 4C and 4D . 
           [0023]      FIGS. 5K-5N  illustrate the movement of the two-way closed joint of  FIGS. 4E-4F . 
           [0024]      FIGS. 6A-6M  illustrates the model of  FIGS. 1 and 2  in a variety of poses. 
           [0025]    FIGS.  7 A- 7 E(iv) illustrate examples of configurations of internal frame hand segments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    The invention relates to a human model with an internal frame and joints that allow the model to be posed in a variety of life-like positions including an unaided standing position. The model may also contain a wire external frame. The model may also contain hands capable of holding objects. 
         [0027]    As used herein, the terms below are given the definitions that follow. The definitions are supplied to provide clarity and consistency and are not intended in any way to limit the scope of the invention. 
         [0028]    Model or Human Model: an inanimate object used to represent the human form. 
         [0029]    Internal Frame: a structural portion of a model that provides support for the model. 
         [0030]    External Frame, External Wire Frame, or Wire Frame: a portion of a model made of wire that represents the outside of a body and is supported by the internal frame. 
         [0031]    Joint: a mechanism which joins together two body segments. 
         [0032]    Two-way Joint: a joint capable of moving along two axes (for example, an X axis and a Y axis). 
         [0033]    Three-way Joint: a joint capable of moving along three axes (for example, an X-axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis). 
         [0034]    Closed Joint: a joint comprised of a solid core supporting the hinges. 
         [0035]    Open Joint: a joint comprised of an open core supporting the hinges. 
         [0036]    Square Bracket: a material formed in a generally square shape serving as the support for the hinges in an open joint. 
         [0037]    Horseshoe bracket: a material formed in a generally U or horseshoe shape serving as part of three-way joint. 
         [0038]    The model of the present invention includes an internal frame and several joints that mimic human joints. A wire external frame may be disposed around internal frame. Model is capable of standing on its own as well as being posed in a variety of other configurations such as sitting, kneeling, lying down, etc. Model may also contain hands capable of holding objects. 
         [0039]      FIGS. 1A-1C  illustrate examples of a first model  100  of the present invention.  FIG. 1A  illustrates a first model  100  with all two-way open joints (described in  FIGS. 4A and 4B ).  FIG. 1B  illustrates a first model  100  with a combination of two-way open joints and three-way open joints (described in  FIGS. 4C and 4D ).  FIG. 1C  illustrates a first model  100  with all two-way closed joints (described in  FIGS. 4E and 4F ).  FIG. 1  illustrates a front view of model  100 . First model  100  can be any size provided the proportions are recognizable as human. 
         [0040]    First model  100  generally comprises several body segments  105  representing human body segments. For example, first model  100  includes one head segment  105   a , one chest segment  105   b , one pelvis segment  105   c , two upper arm segments  105   d , two forearm segments  105   e , two hand segments  105   f , two upper leg segments  105   g , two lower leg segments  105   h , and two foot segments  105   i.    
         [0041]    As shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C , first model  100  includes an internal frame  115 . Internal frame  115  provides structure to first model  100 . Internal frame  115  is divided into several internal frame body segments  115   a - 115   i  that correspond to each of the body segments  105   a - 105   i . For example, head segment  105   a  contains an internal frame head segment  115   a ; chest segment  105   b  contains an internal frame chest segment  115   b ; pelvis segment  105   c  contains an internal frame pelvis segment  115   c ; each upper arm segment  105   d  contains an internal frame upper arm segment  115   d ; each forearm segment  105   e  contains an internal frame forearm segment  115   e ; each hand segment  105   f  contains an internal frame hand segment  115   f ; each upper leg segment  105   g  contains an internal frame upper leg segment  115   g ; each lower leg segment  105   h  contains an internal frame lower leg segment  115   h ; and each foot segment  105   i  contains an internal frame foot segment  115   i.    
         [0042]    Each internal frame body segment  115  is a support structure that acts as a “skeleton” and provides first model  100  with its basic shape. Unlike an actual human skeleton, however, internal frame  115  is not made of single bones in the center of the body part it is supporting. Instead, each internal frame segment  115  is molded in the general shape of the body part is it representing. For example, as can be seen in  FIG. 1 , internal frame foot segment  115   i  is molded in the general shape of a foot. Likewise, internal frame forearm segments  115   e  are molded in the general shape of forearms and internal frame head segment  115   a  is molded in the general shape of a head. 
         [0043]    Internal frame foot segment  115   i  is configured so that the bottom of foot segment  105   i  is flat, enabling model  100  to stand on a flat surface with no additional support. Internal frame hand segment  115   f  may be molded to include the shape of fingers to enable hand segment  115   f  to hold small objects, such as paper, stamps, business cards, greeting cards, brochures, or any other suitable object. Additional configurations of internal frame hand segment  115   f  are described in  FIGS. 7A-7D . 
         [0044]    Internal frame  115  can be made of any material capable of supporting model  100 . By way of example, internal frame  115  can be made of metal (such as, for example, stainless steel, iron, copper, aluminum, epoxy coated steel, vinyl coated steel, steel with an anodized finish), plastic, or any other suitable material. Internal frame  115  can retain the color of the underlying material or it can be changed to another color by painting, dying, coating, or any other means capable of changing the color. 
         [0045]    Body segments  105  are connected by joints  400  (which are shown in more detail in  FIGS. 4A-4F ), including one neck joint  400   a , one waist joint  400   b , two hip joints  400   c , two knee joints  400   d , two ankle joints  400   e , two shoulder joints  400   f , two elbow joints  400   g  and two wrist joints  400   h.    
         [0046]    Specifically, neck joint  400   a  connects internal frame head segment  115   a  with internal frame chest segment  115   b ; waist joint  400   b  connects internal frame chest segment  115   b  with internal frame pelvis segment  115   c ; each hip joint  400   c  connects internal frame pelvis segment  115   c  with an internal frame upper leg segment  115   g ; each knee joint  400   d  connects an internal frame upper leg segment  115   g  with the corresponding internal frame lower leg segment  105   h ; each ankle joint  400   e  connects an internal frame lower leg segment  115   h  with a corresponding internal frame foot segment  115   i ; each shoulder joint  400   f  connects internal frame chest segment  115   b  with an internal frame upper arm segment  115   d ; each elbow joint  400   g  connects an internal frame upper arm segment  115   d  with a corresponding internal frame forearm segment  115   e ; and each wrist joint  400   h  connects an internal frame forearm segment  115   e  with the corresponding internal frame hand segment  115   f . Joints  400  correspond to analogous human joints except that the “waist joint”  400   b  is a single joint that replaces the movement allowed by the vertebra in a living human. 
         [0047]      FIGS. 2A-2E  illustrate examples of a second model  200  of the present invention.  FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate a second model  200  with all two-way open joints (described in  FIGS. 4A and 4B ).  FIG. 2C  illustrates a second model  200  with a combination of two-way open joints and three-way open joints (described in  FIGS. 4C and 4D ).  FIGS. 2D and 2E  illustrate a second model  200  with all two-way closed joints (described in  FIGS. 4E and 4F ). Second model  200  can be any size provided the proportions are recognizable as human. 
         [0048]    Second model  200  includes all of the elements of first model  100  and an external wire frame  300  (shown in more detail in  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0049]    In second model  200 , each body segment  105  is made from a corresponding internal frame body segment  115  and may be surrounded by wire of the external frame  300 . For example, head segment  105   a  contains an internal frame head segment  115   a  surrounded by wire  300 ; chest segment  105   b  contains an internal frame chest segment  115   b  surrounded by wire  300 ; pelvis segment  105   c  contains an internal frame pelvis segment  115   c  surrounded by wire  300 ; each upper arm segment  105   d  contains an internal frame upper arm segment  115   d  surrounded by wire  300 ; each forearm segment  105   e  contains an internal frame forearm segment  115   e  surrounded by wire  300 ; each hand segment  105   f  contains an internal frame hand segment  115   f ; each upper leg segment  105   g  contains an internal frame upper leg segment  115   g  surrounded by wire  300 ; each lower leg segment  105   h  contains an internal frame lower leg segment  115   f  surrounded by wire  300 ; and each foot segment  105   i  contains an internal frame foot segment  115   i  surrounded by wire  300 . 
         [0050]    External wire  300  is wrapped around internal frame foot segments  115   i  in such a manner that the bottom of the foot segments  105   i  remain flat, enabling model  200  to stand on a flat surface with no additional support. As shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , Internal frame hand segments  115   f  may remain free of external wire  300  to allow the “fingers” to hold small objects (see  FIG. 6G ). In other embodiments (not shown) internal frame hand segments  115   f  may also be wrapped in wire  300 . 
         [0051]    As shown in  FIGS. 2A ,  2 C and  2 D, external wire  300  may be wrapped around internal body segments  115  but not wrapped around joints  400 . As shown in  FIGS. 2B and 2E  external wire  300  may be wrapped around both internal body segments  115  and joints  400 . 
         [0052]    In the examples shown, the models  100 ,  200  have joints that are uniform in size. In other examples (not shown) different joints may be of different sizes. In one example, the waist joint may be larger than the other joints. In other example, the hip joints may be larger than the other joints. In another example, the waist joint and the hip joints may be larger than the other joints. 
         [0053]      FIG. 3  illustrates a portion of second model  200  from  FIG. 2A  showing external frame  300 . External frame  300  is comprised of wire wrapped around internal frame  115 . The wire of external frame  300  can be made of any material capable of wrapping around internal frame  115 . By way of example, the wire can be made of metal (such as, for example, stainless steel, iron, copper, aluminum, epoxy coated steel, vinyl coated wire), plastic, or any other suitable material. The wire can retain the color of the underlying material or it can be changed to another color by painting, dying, coating, or any other means capable of changing the color. 
         [0054]    External frame  300  is wrapped around each internal frame body segment  115  in such a way that it provides a general appearance of the corresponding body part of a human being. For example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , external frame  300  is wrapped around internal frame lower leg segment  115   h  in such a way that the resulting lower leg segment  105   h  generally resembles the lower leg shape of a human being. Similarly, external frame  300  is wrapped around internal frame foot segment  115   i  in such a way that the resulting foot segment  105   i  generally resembles the foot shape of a human being. 
         [0055]    External frame  300  can be wrapped around internal frame  115  by any means capable of disposing external frame  300  around internal frame  115 . By way of example, external frame  300  can be wrapped around internal frame  115  by hand or by machine or by a combination of the two. 
         [0056]    External frame  300  may be comprised of any number of wires. For example, external frame  300  may be one continuous wire that is wrapped around all of internal frame body segments  115 . External frame  300  may include several wires, each of which is wrapped around a separate internal frame body segment  115 . External frame  300  may also be several wires and more than one wire may be wrapped around each internal frame body segment  115 . Any number of wires can be wrapped around any number of internal frame body segments  115 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 4A  illustrates one example of a joint  400  of the present invention, referred to as a “two-way open joint”  402 .  FIG. 4B  illustrates an exploded view of the two-way open joint  402  of  FIG. 4A . Two-way open joint  402  is comprised of four hinges  410 , namely a first hinge  410   a , a second hinge  410   b , a third hinge  410   c , and a fourth hinge  410   d . First hinge  410   a  and second hinge  410   b  together make up the first hinge pair. Third hinge  410   c  and fourth hinge  410   d  together make up the second hinge pair. Hinges  410  are arranged around a square bracket  440 . First hinge  410   a  is located across from second hinge  410   b  on square bracket  440 . Third hinge  410   c  is located at a 90 degree angle from first hinge  410   a  and second hinge  410   b  and across from fourth hinge  410   d  on square bracket  440 . Fourth hinge  410   d  is located at a 90 degree angle from first hinge  410   a  and second hinge  410   b  and across from third hinge  410   c  on square bracket  440 . 
         [0058]    In the example shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , each hinge  410  is made from a rivet  450  installed on square bracket  440  over a portion of internal frame  115 . In other examples (not shown), other mechanical fasteners may be used instead of rivets at one or more hinges, such as, for example, screws or nuts and bolts. When rivets  450  are used, rivets may be any combination of all solid rivets, all blind rivets, or a combination of solid and blind rivets. This configuration allows movement of internal frame  115  around rivet  450  and secures internal frame  115  to rivet  450 , thereby attaching joints  400  to model  100  and  200  (see  FIGS. 1A ,  2 A and  2 B). Square bracket  440  may be made of any material suitable for holding rivets  450 . By way of example, square bracket  440  may be made of metal (such as, for example, stainless steel, iron, copper, aluminum, epoxy coated steel, vinyl coated steel, steel with an anodized finish), plastic, or any other material capable of holding rivets  450 . Rivet  450  may be made of any material suitable for installation on square bracket  440 . By way of example, rivet  450  may be metal (such as, for example, aluminum, stainless steel, iron, copper, aluminum, epoxy coated steel, vinyl coated steel, steel with an anodized finish), plastic (such as, for example, polyprolylene and ABS), or any other suitable material. The factory head  450   a  of rivet  450  is positioned on the outside of internal frame  115  and the shop head  450   b  of rivet  450  is positioned on the inside of square bracket  440 . In one example, a spacer  460  is located between factory head  450   a  of rivet and internal frame  115 . Spacer  460  provides a cushion between factory head  450   a  of rivet and internal frame  115  and assists in maintaining resistance between internal frame  115  and joint  400 , enhancing the ability of body segments  105  to maintain poses. Spacer  460  can be made of any material capable of cushioning joint  400 . By way of example, spacer  460  may be made of metal (such as, for example, stainless steel, iron, copper, aluminum, epoxy coated steel, vinyl coated steel, steel with an anodized finish), plastic (such as, for example, acetate or polyvinyl chloride) or any other suitable material. Spacer  460  may be ring shaped as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B  or it may be conical shaped (not shown in relation to two-way open joint) or wave shaped (not shown in relation to two-way open joint) or any other shape capable of cushioning joint  400 . Conical shaped spacers and wave shaped spacers may be any flexible material capable of retaining their shape under pressure, such as, for example, spring metal. A particular joint may have no spacers, one type of spacer, or a combination of two or more types of spacers. The particular assembly shown is for illustration purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
         [0059]      FIG. 4C  illustrates another example of a joint  400  of the present invention, referred to as a “three-way open joint”  403 . FIGS.  4 Ci and  4 Cii illustrate other examples of the “three-way open joint”  403 .  FIG. 4D  illustrates an exploded view of the three-way open joint  403  of  FIG. 4C . Three-way open joint  403  is comprised of five hinges  410 , namely a first hinge  410   a , a second hinge  410   b , a third hinge  410   c , a fourth hinge  410   d , and a fifth hinge  410   e . First hinge  410   a  and second hinge  410   b  together make up the first hinge pair. Third hinge  410   c  and fourth hinge  410   d  together make up the second hinge pair. Fifth hinge  410   e  is not paired with another hinge. First hinge  410   a , second hinge  410   b , third hinge  410   c , and fourth hinge  410   d  are arranged around square bracket  440 . Fifth hinge  410   e  is located on a body segment  105  adjacent to square bracket  440 . First hinge  410   a  is coaxial with and is located across from second hinge  410   b  on square bracket  440 . Third hinge  410   c  is located at a 90 degree angle from first hinge  410   a  and second hinge  410   b  and across from and coaxial with fourth hinge  410   d  on square bracket  440 . Fourth hinge  410   d  is located at a 90 degree angle from first hinge  410   a  and second hinge  410   b  and across from and coaxial with third hinge  410   c  on square bracket  440 . Fifth hinge  410   e  is located on a body segment  105  adjacent to square bracket  440  in a different plane from first hinge  410   a , second hinge  410   b , third hinge  410   c , and fourth hinge  410   d  and has an axis that is preferably orthogonal to the axes of first hinge  410   a , second hinge  410   b , third hinge  410   c , and fourth hinge  410   d.    
         [0060]    In the example shown in  FIGS. 4C and 4D , first hinge  410   a  and second hinge  410   b  are made from a rivet  450  installed on square bracket  440  through an end of a horseshoe bracket  470 . Third hinge  410   c  and fourth hinge  410   d  are made from a rivet  450  installed on square bracket  440  over a portion of internal frame  115  of the human model. Fifth hinge  410   e  is made from a rivet  450  installed on the middle portion of horseshoe bracket  470  over a portion of internal frame  115 . 
         [0061]    In other examples (not shown), other mechanical fasteners may be used instead of rivets at one or more hinges, such as, for example, screws or nuts and bolts. When rivets  450  are used, the rivets may be any combination of all solid rivets (see  FIGS. 4C and 4D ), all blind rivets (see FIGS.  4 Ci,  4 Cii,  4 Di and  4 Dii), or a combination of solid and blind rivets (not shown). 
         [0062]    This configuration allows movement of internal frame  115  or horseshoe bracket  470  around rivet  450  and secures internal frame  115  or horseshoe bracket  470  to rivet  450 , thereby attaching joints  403  to body segments of a model  100  and  200 . Square bracket  440  may be made of any material suitable for holding rivets  450 . By way of example, square bracket  440  may be made of metal (such as, for example, stainless steel, iron, copper, aluminum, epoxy coated steel, vinyl coated steel, steel with an anodized finish), plastic or any other material capable of holding rivets  450 . Horseshoe bracket  470  may be made of any suitable material. By way of example, horseshoe bracket  470  may be made of metal (such as, for example, stainless steel, iron, copper, aluminum, epoxy coated steel, vinyl coated steel, steel with an anodized finish), plastic, or any other material capable of holding rivets  450 . Rivet  450  may be made of any material suitable for installation on square bracket  440  or horseshoe bracket  470 . By way of example, rivet  450  may be metal (such as, for example, aluminum, stainless steel, iron, copper, aluminum, epoxy coated steel, vinyl coated steel, steel with an anodized finish), plastic (such as, for example, polyprolylene and ABS), or any other suitable material. 
         [0063]    In the first hinge  410   a  and second hinge  410   b , the factory head  450   a  of rivet  450  is positioned on the outside of horseshoe bracket  470  and the shop head  450   b  of rivet  450  is positioned on the inside of square bracket  440 . In the third hinge  410   c  and fourth hinge  410   d , the factory head  450   a  of rivet  450  is positioned on the outside of external frame  115  and the shop head  450   b  of rivet  450  is positioned on the inside of square bracket  440 . In the fifth hinge  410   e , the factory head  450   a  of rivet  450  is positioned on the outside of internal frame  115  and the shop head  450   b  of rivet  450  is positioned on the inside of horseshoe bracket  470 . In one example, a spacer  460  is located between factory head  450   a  of rivet and horseshoe bracket  470  in first hinge  410   a  and second hinge  410   b . In another example, a spacer  460  is located between factory head  450   a  of rivet and internal frame  115  in third hinge  410   c  and fourth hinge  410   c . In another example, a spacer  460  is located between factory head  450   a  of rivet and internal frame  115  in fifth hinge  410   e . In another example, a spacer  460  is located between internal frame  115  and horseshoe bracket  470  in fifth hinge  410   e . Spacer  460  provides a cushion between parts of the joints and assists in maintaining resistance between internal frame  115  and joint  400 , enhancing the ability of body segments  105  to maintain poses. Spacer  460  can be made of any material capable of cushioning joint  400 . By way of example, spacer  460  may be made of metal (such as, for example, stainless steel, iron, copper, aluminum, epoxy coated steel, vinyl coated steel, steel with an anodized finish), plastic (such as, for example, acetate or polyvinyl chloride) or any other suitable material. Spacer  460  may be ring shaped as shown in  FIGS. 4C and 4D  or it may be conical shaped as shown in FIG.  4 Di or wave shaped as shown in FIG.  4 Dii or any other shape capable of cushioning joint  400 . Conical shaped spacers and wave shaped spacers may be any flexible material capable of retaining their shape under pressure, such as, for example, spring metal. A particular joint may have no spacers, one type of spacer, or a combination of two or more types of spacers. The particular assembly shown is for illustration purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
         [0064]      FIG. 4E  illustrates another example of a joint  400  of the present invention, referred to as a “two-way closed joint”  404 .  FIG. 4F  illustrates an exploded view of the two-way closed joint  404  of  FIG. 4E . Two-way closed joint  404  is comprised of four hinges  410 , namely a first hinge  410   a , a second hinge  410   b , a third hinge  410   c , and a fourth hinge  410   d . First hinge  410   a  and second hinge  410   b  together make up the first hinge pair. Third hinge  410   c  and fourth hinge  410   d  together make up the second hinge pair. Hinges  410  are arranged around a piece of sheet metal  480 . First hinge  410   a  is located across from second hinge  410   b  on sheet metal  480 . Third hinge  410   c  is located at a 90 degree angle from first hinge  410   a  and second hinge  410   b  and across from fourth hinge  410   d  on sheet metal  480 . Fourth hinge  410   d  is located at a 90 degree angle from first hinge  410   a  and second hinge  410   b  and across from third hinge  410   c  on sheet metal  480 . 
         [0065]    In the example shown in  FIGS. 4E and 4F , each hinge  410  is made from a rivet  450  installed on sheet metal  480  over a portion of internal frame  115 . In other examples (not shown), other mechanical fasteners may be used instead of rivets at one or more hinges, such as, for example, screws or nuts and bolts. When rivets  450  are used, rivets may be any combination of all solid rivets, all blind rivets, or a combination of solid and blind rivets. This configuration allows movement of internal frame  115  around rivet  450  and secures internal frame  115  to rivet  450 , thereby attaching joints  400  to model  100  and  200  (see  FIGS. 1C ,  2 D and  2 E). Sheet metal  480  may be made of any metal suitable for holding rivets  450 , such as, for example, stainless steel, iron, copper, aluminum, epoxy coated steel, vinyl coated steel, steel with an anodized finish). Other materials may be substituted for sheet metal  480 , such as, for example, plastic or any other material capable of holding rivets  450 . Rivet  450  may be made of any material suitable for installation on sheet metal  480 . By way of example, rivet  450  may be metal (such as, for example, aluminum, stainless steel, iron, copper, aluminum, epoxy coated steel, vinyl coated steel, steel with an anodized finish), plastic (such as, for example, polyprolylene and ABS), or any other suitable material. The factory head  450   a  of rivet  450  is positioned on the outside of internal frame  115  and the shop head  450   b  of rivet  450  is positioned on the inside of sheet metal  480 . In one example (not shown), a spacer may be located between factory head  450   a  of rivet and internal frame  115 . Spacer provides a cushion between factory head  450   a  of rivet and internal frame  115  and assists in maintaining resistance between internal frame  115  and joint  400 , enhancing the ability of body segments  105  to maintain poses. Spacer can be made of any material capable of cushioning joint  400 . By way of example, spacer may be made of metal (such as, for example, stainless steel, iron, copper, aluminum, epoxy coated steel, vinyl coated steel, steel with an anodized finish), plastic (such as, for example, acetate or polyvinyl chloride) or any other suitable material. Spacer may be ring shaped, conical shaped, wave shaped, or any other shape capable of cushioning joint  400 . Conical shaped spacers and wave shaped spacers may be any flexible material capable of retaining their shape under pressure, such as, for example, spring metal. A particular joint may have no spacers, one type of spacer, or a combination of two or more types of spacers. The particular assembly shown is for illustration purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
         [0066]      FIGS. 5A-5D  illustrate the movement  500  of two-way open joint  402  in four directions along two axes.  FIGS. 5E-5J  illustrate the movement  500  of the three-way open joint  403  in six directions.  FIGS. 5K-5N  illustrate the movement of  500  of the two-way closed joint  404  on four directions. 
         [0067]    Specifically,  FIGS. 5A-5D  illustrate the movement of internal frame head segment  115   a  relative to internal frame chest segment  115   b  via the movement of two-way open neck joint  402   a . Two-way open neck joint  402   a  is representative of all of the two-way open joints  402  in the models  100  and  200  (see  FIGS. 1A ,  2 A and  2 B) and is shown to illustrate how each of the two-way open joints  402  function. 
         [0068]      FIG. 5A  illustrates the movement of internal frame head segment  115   a  in a forward direction  500   a  along a first axis (for example, an X axis). To move in forward direction  500   a , first hinge pair (comprising first hinge  410   a  and second hinge  410   b ) rotate forward while square bracket  440  and second hinge pair (comprising third hinge  410   c  and fourth hinge  410   d ) remain stationary. 
         [0069]      FIG. 5B  illustrates the movement of internal frame head segment  115   a  in a backward direction  500   b  along the first axis (X axis). To move in backward direction  500   b , first hinge pair (comprising first hinge  410   a  and second hinge  410   b ) rotate backward while square bracket  440  and second hinge pair (comprising third hinge  410   c  and fourth hinge  410   d ) remain stationary. 
         [0070]      FIG. 5C  illustrates the movement of internal frame head segment  115   a  in a right side direction  500   c  along the second axis (for example, a Y axis). To move in right side direction  500   c , second hinge pair (comprising third hinge  410   c  and fourth hinge  410   d ) rotate to the right. 
         [0071]      FIG. 5D  illustrates the movement of internal frame head segment  115   a  in a left side direction  500   d  along the second axis (Y axis). To move in left side direction  500   d , second hinge pair (comprising third hinge  410   c  and fourth hinge  410   d ) rotates to the left. 
         [0072]    Thus, two-way open neck joint  402   a  (and the other two-way open joints  402 , not shown) are each capable of moving in four directions—front  500   a , back  500   b , right side  500   c , and left side  500   d —along two axes (a front-back or X axis and a right-left or Y axis). Each hinge pair is capable of moving along one axis—the first hinge pair (comprising first hinge  410   a  and second hinge  410   b ) is capable of moving along the first axis (the front-back or X axis) and the second hinge pair (comprising third hinge  410   c  and fourth hinge  410   d ) is capable of moving along the second axis (the right-left or Y axis). The front-back direction of the first axis is 90 degrees from the right-left direction of the second axis. 
         [0073]    Such range of movement allows each body segment  105  to be positioned in numerous positions, enabling the models  100  and  200  (see  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A and  2 B) to be configured in a variety of human like poses (see  FIGS. 6A-6G ). 
         [0074]      FIGS. 5E-5J  illustrate the movement of internal frame foot segment  115   i  relative to internal frame lower leg segment  115   h  via the movement of three-way open ankle joint  403   e . Three-way open ankle joint  403   e  is representative of all of the three-way open joints  403  in the models  100  and  200  (see  FIGS. 1B , and  2 C) and is shown to illustrate how each of the three-way open joints  403  function. 
         [0075]      FIG. 5E  illustrates the movement of internal frame foot segment  115   i  in a forward direction  500   a  along a first axis (for example, an X axis). To move in forward direction  500   a , first hinge pair (comprising first hinge  410   a  and second hinge  410   b ) rotates forward. 
         [0076]      FIG. 5F  illustrates the movement of internal frame foot segment  115   i  in a backward direction  500   b  along the first axis (X axis). To move in backward direction  500   b , first hinge pair (comprising first hinge  410   a  and second hinge  410   b ) rotates backward. 
         [0077]      FIG. 5G  illustrates the movement of internal frame foot segment  115   i  in a right side direction  500   c  along a second axis (for example, a Y axis). To move in right side direction  500   c , second hinge pair (comprising third hinge  410   c  and fourth hinge  410   d ) rotates to the right. 
         [0078]      FIG. 5H  illustrates the movement of internal frame foot segment  115   i  in a left side direction  500   d  along the second axis (Y axis). To move in left side direction  500   d , second hinge pair (comprising third hinge  410   c  and fourth hinge  410   d ) rotates to the left. 
         [0079]      FIG. 5I  illustrates the movement of internal frame foot segment  115   i  in an inside direction  500   e  along a third axis (for example, a Z axis). To move in inside direction  500   e , fifth hinge  410   e  rotates inward. 
         [0080]      FIG. 5J  illustrates the movement of internal frame foot segment  115   i  in an outside side direction  500   f  along the third axis (Z axis). To move in outside direction  500   f , fifth hinge  410   e  rotates outward. 
         [0081]    The fifth hinge may also be capable of rotating 360 degrees or more in either the inside  500   e  direction or outside  500   f  direction (along the Z axis). Essentially, the third hinge may be capable of continuously rotating around the fifth hinge (third axis or Z axis) and stopping at any point within or beyond the 360 degree radius. 
         [0082]    Thus, three-way open ankle joint  403   e  (and the other three-way open joints  403 , not shown) are each capable of moving in six directions—front  500   a , back  500   b , right side  500   c , left side  500   d , inside  500   e , and outside  500   f —along three axes (a front-back or X axis, a right-left or Y axis, and an inside-outside or Z axis). Each hinge pair is capable of moving along one axis—the first hinge pair (comprising first hinge  410   a  and second hinge  410   b ) is capable of moving along the first axis (the front-back or X axis) and the second hinge pair (comprising third hinge  410   c  and fourth hinge  410   d ) is capable of moving along the second axis (the right-left or Y axis). In addition, the fifth hinge  410   e  is capable of moving along one axis—the inside-outside or Z axis. The front-back direction of the first axis is 90 degrees from the right-left direction of the second axis and 90 degrees from the inside-outside direction of the third axis in a different plane. 
         [0083]    Such three-way joints allow attached body segments to be positioned in numerous positions, enabling the models  100  and  200  (see  FIGS. 1B and 2C ) to be configured in a variety of life-like poses (see  FIGS. 6H-6L ). 
         [0084]      FIGS. 5K-5N  illustrate the movement of internal frame head segment  115   a  relative to internal frame chest segment  115   b  via the movement of two-way closed neck joint  404   a . Two-way closed neck joint  404   a  is representative of all of the two-way closed joints  404  in the models  100  and  200  (see  FIGS. 1C ,  2 D and  2 E) and is shown to illustrate how each of the two-way closed joints  404  function. 
         [0085]      FIG. 5K  illustrates the movement of internal frame head segment  115   a  in a forward direction  500   a  along a first axis (for example, an X axis). To move in forward direction  500   a , first hinge pair (comprising first hinge  410   a  and second hinge  410   b ) rotates forward while sheet metal  480  and second hinge pair (comprising third hinge  410   c  and fourth hinge  410   d ) remain stationary. 
         [0086]      FIG. 5L  illustrates the movement of internal frame head segment  115   a  in a backward direction  500   b  along the first axis (X axis). To move in backward direction  500   b , first hinge pair (comprising first hinge  410   a  and second hinge  410   b ) rotates backward while sheet metal  480  and second hinge pair (comprising third hinge  410   c  and fourth hinge  410   d ) remain stationary. 
         [0087]      FIG. 5M  illustrates the movement of internal frame head segment  115   a  in a right side direction  500   c  along the second axis (for example, a Y axis). To move in right side direction  500   c , second hinge pair (comprising third hinge  410   c  and fourth hinge  410   d ) rotates to the right. 
         [0088]      FIG. 5N  illustrates the movement of internal frame head segment  115   a  in a left side direction  500   d  along the second axis (Y axis). To move in left side direction  500   d , second hinge pair (comprising third hinge  410   c  and fourth hinge  410   d ) rotates to the left. 
         [0089]    Thus, two-way closed neck joint  404   a  (and the other two-way closed joints  404 , not shown) are each capable of moving in four directions—front  500   a , back  500   b , right side  500   c , and left side  500   d —along two axes (a front-back or X axis and a right-left or Y axis). Each hinge pair is capable of moving along one axis—the first hinge pair (comprising first hinge  410   a  and second hinge  410   b ) is capable of moving along the first axis (the front-back or X axis) and the second hinge pair (comprising third hinge  410   c  and fourth hinge  410   d ) is capable of moving along the second axis (the right-left or Y axis). The front-back direction of the first axis is 90 degrees from the right-left direction of the second axis. 
         [0090]    Such range of movement allows each body segment  105  to be positioned in numerous positions, enabling the models  100  and  200  (see  FIGS. 1C ,  2 D and  2 E) to be configured in a variety of human like poses (see  FIG. 6M ). 
         [0091]    Any model may have any combination of two-way joints, three-way joints, open joints, and closed joints. In the examples shown in  FIGS. 1A ,  2 A, and  2 B, the models  100 ,  200  have only two-way open joints  402 . In the examples shown in  FIGS. 1B and 2C , the models  100 ,  200  have two-way open neck joints  400   a , hip joints  400   c , knee joints  400   d  and shoulder joints  400   f  and three-way open waist joints  400   b , ankle joints  400   e , elbow joints  400   g , and wrist joints  400   h . In the examples shown in  FIGS. 1C ,  2 D, and  2 E, the models  100 ,  200  have only two-way closed joints  404 . In other examples (not shown) the models may have only three-way open joints. In other examples (not shown) the model may have a variety of other combinations two-way open joints  402 , three-way joints  403 , two-way closed joints  404 , and three-way closed joints. 
         [0092]      FIGS. 6A-6M  illustrate models  100  and  200  in a variety of poses. 
         [0093]      FIG. 6A  illustrates model  100  (from  FIG. 1A ) in an unaided standing position.  FIG. 6B  illustrates model  200  (from  FIG. 2A ) in unaided standing position.  FIG. 6C  illustrates model  200  (from  FIG. 2A ) in a leaning position. In  FIG. 6C , model  200  (from  FIG. 2A ) is leaning against a device such as a computer monitor.  FIG. 6D  illustrates model  100  in a sitting position with crossed legs. In this illustration, the internal frame hand segments  115   f  of hand segments  105   f  are not formed into fingers, and are instead formed into a more general mitten shape.  FIG. 6E  illustrates model  100  (from  FIG. 1A ) in a sitting position with legs uncrossed.  FIG. 6F  illustrates model  200  (from  FIG. 2A ) in a sitting position with legs uncrossed. In this illustration, internal frame hand segments  115   f  of hand segments  105   f  are not formed into fingers, and are instead formed into a more general mitten shape.  FIG. 6G  illustrates model  200  (from  FIG. 2A ) in a reclined sitting position holding a paper object.  FIG. 6H  illustrates model  100  (from  FIG. 1B ) in an unaided standing position with feet turned out and upper body turned to the left side at the waist.  FIG. 6I  illustrates model  200  (from  FIG. 2C ) in unaided standing position with feet turned in and upper body turned to the right at the waist.  FIG. 6J  illustrates model  100  (from  FIG. 1B ) in a sitting position with feet turned out and body rotated at the waist.  FIG. 6K  illustrates model  200  (from  FIG. 2C ) in a sitting position with feet rotated. In this illustration, internal frame hand segments  115   f  of hand segments  105   f  are not formed into fingers, and are instead formed into a more general mitten shape.  FIG. 6L  illustrates model  200  (from  FIG. 2C ) in a reclined sitting position bent backwards with feet and hands rotated.  FIG. 6M  illustrates model  200  (from  FIG. 2E ) in a sitting position. In this illustration, internal frame hand segments  115   f  are not formed into fingers, and are instead formed into a more general mitten shape. 
         [0094]    FIGS.  7 A- 7 E(iv) illustrate additional examples of configurations of the hand segments  105   f .  FIG. 7A  illustrates an example of the “fingers” of the internal frame hand segment bending independently of each other  700 . In one example, the internal frame hand segments  115   f  are made of a material that is thinner than material that comprises the other internal frame segments  115 . The thinner material is capable of bending, allowing the individual “fingers” to bend independently of each other. The thinner material may be any material capable of bending. In one example, the thinner material is stainless steel. In another example, the thinner material is aluminum. 
         [0095]      FIG. 7B  illustrates a bendable hand segment  700  where the internal frame hand segment  115   f  is configured in a crisscross pattern  710  adjacent to the wrist joint  400   h . Such a configuration provides additional rigidity so that the thinner hand segment is capable of easily rotating in the two or three axes without distorting the thinner internal frame hand segment. 
         [0096]      FIG. 7C  illustrates a bendable hand segment  700  where the internal frame hand segment  115   f  is coupled to the wrist joint  400   h  by a crimp  720 . In other examples, the internal frame hand segment  115   f  may be coupled to the wrist joint  400   h  by another coupling devise. Such a configuration allows the thinner hand segment to move without distorting the thinner internal frame hand segment. 
         [0097]      FIG. 7D  illustrates a bendable hand segment  700  where the internal frame hand segment  115   f  is coupled to the wrist joint  400   h  by a U shaped bracket  730 . In this example, the U shaped bracket is coupled to the internal frame hand segment  115   f  and to the wrist joint  400   h  by rivets. In other examples, other mechanical fasteners may be used. Such a configuration allows the thinner hand segment to move without distorting the thinner internal frame hand segment. 
         [0098]      FIG. 7E  illustrates a bendable hand segment  700  where the internal frame hand segment  155   f  is comprised of a “wrist connector”  740 . Bendable hand segment also includes pliable wire  750  shaped into fingers and wrapped around the wrist connector  740 . FIG.  7 E(i) illustrates the “wrist connector”  740  in isolation and FIG.  7 E(ii) illustrates the pliable wire  750  in isolation. In this example, the first end of the pliable wire  750 ( a ) is formed into the shape of fingers and the second end of the pliable wire  750 ( b ) is wrapped around the lower part of the hand segment  155   f . The wrist connector  740  has an oval opening  740 ( a ) at the top that holds the “fingers” and may be crossed  740 ( b ) in the middle in the area representing the bottom of the hand. In the example shown, the first end of the pliable wire  750 ( a ) is formed into four fingers and one thumb. The four fingers are inserted through the oval opening  740 ( a ) in the wrist connector  740  and the thumb rests below the oval opening  740 ( a ). This configuration is shown in FIG.  7 E(iii). The second end of the pliable wire  750 ( b ) is wrapped around the portion of the wrist connector  740  under the oval opening and forms the palmar and dorsal surfaces of the hand. This configuration is shown in  FIG. 7E . In the examples shown, the wire of the wrist connector  740  is thicker than the wire of the pliable wire, facilitating the bending of the fingers while maintaining the shape of the hand. FIG.  7 E(iv) illustrates this configuration with bent fingers. In other examples (not shown), the wire of the wrist connector  740  may be thinner than the wire of the pliable wire  750  or the wire of the wrist connector  740  and the pliable wire  750  may be the same thickness.