GB2252441A - A dress form - Google Patents

Abstract

A dress form comprises a stand 11, (13, 15, 16,) a core (14) carried on the stand and a plurality of body form panels 101. The body form panels 101 are demountable on the core (14) and provided with flanges (103, Figure 4). The flanges (103) engage with flanges (106) of the core (14) and either or both flanges (103, 106) are provided with spigots (108) which engage holes (107) of respective flanges. Each body form panel 101 is, in use, releasably and adjustably connected to an adjacent body form panel by fasteners (111) which suitably take the form of hook and loop fasteners. The core may be provided with a movable planar support member (200, Figure 2) for engaging at least some of the body form panels. <IMAGE>

Description

DRESS FORM This invention relates to dress form more especially the invention relates to adjustable dress forms.

Conventional dress-forms as exemplified by GB 1 367 713 (Adjustoform Products Ltd) suffer from a number of defects. First they can be bulky and hence difficult to transport.

Secondly, sophisticated adjustment means provided can result in an expensive product. Previous attempts to produce less expensive dress-forms are not wholly satisfactory. For example GB 847 076 (Ann Baldwin Ltd) discloses a knock down dress-form in which the body panels comprises a plurality of sections of flexible sheet material which may be formed into the desired position. A problem with such an arrangement is only a very loose approximation to the human form can be realised.

This invention seeks to provide a readily transportable dress-form allowing precise and reproducible shapes to be adopted.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a dress-form comprising: i. a stand ii. a core carried on the stand iii. plurality of body-form panels demountable on the core the core and at least two of the panels are each provided with a flange such that in use the flange of each panel is supported by the flange of the core, at least some of the flanges being provided with spigots and at least some of the flanges being provided with holes, each spigot being receivable in a hole of a respective flange,in use each body use panel being releasably and adiustably connected to an adjacent body form panel.

Preferably the core is further provided with a movable planar support member for engaging at least some body form panels.

The core may be demountable on the stand, the stand can be a tripod provided with a receiver for receiving pins connected to each leg thereof.

The core can comprise a pin cushion. The releasably and adjustable connection can comprise a hook and loop fastener, for example of 'Velcro' (trade mark).

Preferably, the loop portion of the fasteners are recessed into each body panel member and the hook portions are provided on removable flexible sheets.

Because the adjusters of conventional dress-forms are complex and hence expensive hitherto it has been usual to supply a range of complete dress-forms and associated stands if it were desired to have dress-forms for say an infant, adult female and an adult man.

The body portions of the dress form of the invention are conversely relatively cheap since the adjustment mechanism is simpler. Accordingly, it may be possible for each stand to be supplied with a range of body portions or for them to be available separately.

Hitherto dress-forms have generally been provided with a weighted base and a single elongate stand to enable hem-markers to be used. Tripod stands are inherently much more stable than weighted base stands and hence will not be quite so heavy, further reducing both the cost and transportation problems. Satisfactory hem marking may be achieved using tripods although the process may be slightly more time consuming than using a hem marker. As it is envisaged that the dress form of the invention will primarily appeal to the amateur or hobby user, this extra time penalty is not seen to be a major problem.

The invention will now be described by reference to the accompanying figures of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dress-form and stand.

Figure 2 is an exploded view.

Figure 3 is a scrap perspective view of two body panels and a connector.

Figure 4 is a scrap perspective view of a core and body panels.

Figure 5 is a scrap elevation of a core.

The stand 10 of the invention is conveniently a tripod although other numbers of legs may be used. Each leg 11 may be a tubular member of, for example, aluminium, plated steel or plastics material and an end of each leg may be provided with a foot 12 to prevent scratching of polished surfaces. The legs 11 need not be straight and preferably splay outwardly to increase stability of the tripod 10.

In the embodiment shown a tray 15 is provided. Tray 15 is connected to each leg 11 of the tripod 10 for example with clips 16 and serves two purposes. First it serves to receive pins, needles, threads etc and secondly, it serves to further stabilise the tripod and hence to reduce the weight necessary. Each leg 11 is receivable in head 14 of core 13. If necessary or desired releasable fasteners can be provided. The core 13 may comprise an elongate member, for example of aluminium, plated steel or of plastics material. The end remote from the head 14 is provided with a flange 106 which may be fixed in position or may be removable.

The core 14 is preferably provided with a support 200.

The support is preferably movable between first and second positions and provided with means (not shown) for retaining it in position. In some embodiments the support may be a friction fit on the core and hence not be provided with retaining means.

Preferably the support 200 comprises the closed cell foam material such as closed cell polyurethane foam.

The form is provided with plurality of dress-form panels. The dress form panels 101 are preferably of the conventional moulded or vacuum formed variety. Typically two, four or eight body panels are provided for each body form. A part of a panel may be provided with a planar portion or flange 102 defining a central hole in the body. The neck portion or flange may also define a hole. The neck portion can be planar 103 and parallel with the base portion 102.

The core may terminate at a handle 104 which may be padded and hence also function as a pin cushion.

The flanges 103 of the body form panels 101 and the core 106 are provided with holes 107 and spigots 108. In the example shown, the flange 106 of the core 14 is provided with the spigots 108 and the flanges of the body form panels are provided with holes 107. If desired the flange of the body form panels may be provided with spigots and the flange of the core provided with holes.

Alternatively each flange may be provided with spigots and holes.

In preferred embodiments of the invention more holes than spigots are provided. The reason for this will be made clear hereinafter.

Depressions 110 may be formed in each body panel 101.

A piece of 'Velcro' (trade mark) material may be secured for example, by glue to the depression 110 with the operative elements exposed. The body panels may be secured by the 'Velcro' (trade mark) fasteners 111 of complementary form to that provided in the depressions.

In use the core 14 is mounted on the stand 11, 15, 16 the body panels 101 are supported on the core 14 with spigots 108 engaging respective holes 107. If a plurality of holes 107 are provided then the relative spacing of the body panels and the neck may be adjusted by engaging the spigots in the appropriate holes.

If provided the support 200 is adjusted until it supports the base of the body panels.

The spacing of each panel is adjusted until the required dimension is obtained and then secured with the releasable fasteners 111. If desired a stretch covering 300 may be drawn over the adjusted dress-form which may then be used in the normal way.

When no longer required, the dress form may be dismantled, the tripod legs may fit inside the body form panels as may the core especially if either or both tripods legs and core are telescopic. If a plurality of different sizes of the body form panels are provided they too may be nested.

The complete unit is compact relatively light in weight and hence readily transportable.

Claims (8)

1. A dress-form comprising: 1. a stand; ii. a core carried on the stand; iii. a plurality of body form panels demountable on the core, the core comprising at least two of the panels, each provided with a flange, such that in use the flange of each panel is supported by the flange of the core. At least some of the flanges being provided with spigots and at least some of the flange is being provided with holes, each spigot being receivable in a hole of a respective flange, in use each body form panel being releasably and adjustably connected to an adjacent body form panel.

2. A dress form as claimed in claim 1, wherein the core is further provided with a movable planar support member for engaging at least some of the body form panels.

3. A dress form as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the core is demountable on the stand.

4. A dress form as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the stand is a tripod provided with a receiver for receiving pins connected to each leg.

5. A dress form as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the core terminates in a pin cushion.

6. A dress form as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the releasable and adjustable connection comprises hook and loop fasteners.

7. A dress form as claimed in claim 6 wherein the connection comprises loop portions recessed into each body panel member and removable flexible hook portions.

8. A dress form substantially as described herein by reference to the figures.