Magnetically coupled mannequin joint

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a mannequin having one or more articulated joints capable of exhibiting a full range of motion and of supporting substantial weight. In particular, this invention relates to an apparatus for movably joining two parts of a mannequin. The apparatus includes a first element having an arcuate surface and a second element having a convex surface and a magnetic portion. The second element is movably engageable with the first element.

1 . An apparatus for movably joining two elements of a mannequin comprising:
 a. a first element having an arcuate surface;   b. a second element comprising a first convex surface and a magnetic portion, said second element movably engageable with the first element.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the arcuate surface is concave. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the arcuate surface is convex. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the second element further comprises a second convex surface at least partially extending from the first convex surface. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the magnetic portion is integral with the second convex surface. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the second convex surface is a ball bearing, roller bearing, or pivot bearing. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the second convex surface maintains a void between the arcuate surface and the first convex surface. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the magnetic portion magnetically joins the second element to the first element. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the magnetic portion maintains contact with the arcuate portion through a range of motion. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a flexible gasket mounted to the first element. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for movably joining two elements of a mannequin comprising:
 a. a first element having an arcuate surface; and   b. a second element movably engageable with the first element, the second element comprising a first convex surface and a magnetic convex surface, wherein the magnetic convex surface at least partially extends from the first convex surface.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the magnetic convex surface is magnetically joined to the arcuate surface and maintains contact with the arcuate surface through a range of motion. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the arcuate surface is concave. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  further comprising a concave surface encompassing the arcuate surface, wherein the concave surface and the arcuate surface are movably connected and the magnetic convex surface magnetically joins the first convex surface, the arcuate surface and the concave surface. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the concave surface comprises a ball bearing, roller bearing or pivot bearing. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 13  further comprising a second convex surface movably connected to the arcuate surface, wherein the magnetic convex surface magnetically joins the first convex surface, the second convex surface and the arcuate surface. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the arcuate surface is convex. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17  further comprising a second convex surface movably connected to the arcuate surface, wherein the magnetic convex surface magnetically joins the first convex surface, the second convex surface and the arcuate surface. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the arcuate surface comprises one or more depressions. 
     
     
         20 . A method of movably joining two elements of a mannequin comprising:
 a. providing a first element having an arcuate surface;   b. providing a second element movably and engageably mountable to the first element, the second element comprising a first convex surface and a second convex surface, wherein the second convex surface extends at least partially from the first convex surface; and   c. magnetically joining the first element to the second element, wherein the second convex surface maintains contact with the arcuate surface through a range of motion.