Poseable figure and spine system for use therein

Abstract

A poseable figure has a spine system that is capable of a wide range of life-like movement and capable of being positioned and maintained in numerous life-like poses. The spine system includes a plurality of mating spine segments engaged, in a friction fit, with one another such that the mating spine segments swivel with respect to one another. A soft body portion is disposed around the spine system to simulate the flesh of the figure and to allow the spine system to be moved into a wide range of positions. In addition to human figures, the spine system can be used in animals and other living or non-living articulated figures.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A poseable figure comprising: 
 a torso including a spine system having a first spine end and a second spine end, said spine system including a plurality of mating spine segments articulated with each other, wherein each of said plurality of mating spine segments are engaged, in a friction fit, with an adjacent mating spine segment such that each of said plurality of mating spine segments swivels with respect to one another, wherein each of said plurality of mating spine segments includes:    a generally cup-shaped portion having an open concave receiving region and a rear wall; and    a ball-shaped portion extending from the rear wall of said generally cup-shaped portion, wherein said ball-shaped portion of one of said plurality of mating spine segments is received in a concave receiving region of a mating one of said plurality of mating spine segments; and    a soft body portion disposed around said spine system, said soft body portion simulating body flesh of said poseable figure, wherein said soft body portion is made of a polymeric material such that said friction fit between said mating spine segments counteracts the memory of said material to allow various poses to be held.    
     
     
         2 . The poseable figure of  claim 1  wherein the polymeric material is a gel material.  
     
     
         3 . The poseable figure of  claim 2  wherein the gel material is a silicone gel.  
     
     
         4 . The poseable figure of  claim 1  wherein the polymeric material is a visco-elastic foam material.  
     
     
         5 . The poseable figure of  claim 1  further comprising a first set of appendages and a second set of appendages coupled to the spine.  
     
     
         6 . The poseable figure of  claim 2  further comprising a first set of appendages and a second set of appendages coupled to the spine.  
     
     
         7 . The poseable figure of  claim 5  further comprising a head.  
     
     
         8 . The poseable figure of  claim 6  further comprising a head.  
     
     
         9 . The poseable figure of  claim 7  wherein the head is coupled to the spine.  
     
     
         10 . The poseable figure of  claim 8  wherein the head is coupled to the spine.  
     
     
         11 . The poseable figure of  claim 1  further comprising a material positioned around said spine system to prevent adhesion of said soft body portion to said spine system.  
     
     
         12 . A poseable figure comprising: 
 a spine formed of a plurality of articulated ball and cup joint elements, wherein the ball and cup joint elements are friction fit, and wherein the spine is variably positionable into a curvilinear arch; and    a torso portion covering said spine and conforming to the spine, wherein said torso portion is made of a gel material.    
     
     
         13 . The poseable figure of  claim 12  wherein the gel material is a polymeric gel.  
     
     
         14 . The poseable figure of  claim 12  wherein the gel material is a silicone gel.  
     
     
         15 . The poseable figure of  claim 12  further comprising an outer covering over said torso portion.  
     
     
         16 . The poseable figure of  claim 12  further comprising a first set of appendages and a second set of appendages.  
     
     
         17 . The poseable figure of  claim 16  wherein the appendages are coupled to the spine.  
     
     
         18 . The poseable figure of  claim 17  further comprising a head.  
     
     
         19 . The poseable figure of  claim 18  wherein the head is coupled to the spine.  
     
     
         20 . The poseable figure of  claim 1  further comprising a material positioned around said spine to prevent adhesion of said polymeric gel material to said spine.