Jointed leg system for taxidermy
A leg for attachment to a main body of a taxidermy mannequin includes first, second, and third portions, each having first and second ends. The first end of the first portion includes a connector for coupling to the main body. The first end of the second portion is connected to the second end of the first portion to form a first joint. At least one of the first or second portions has a first cut-away section proximate the first joint with a reduced thickness. The first end of the third portion is connected to the second end of the second portion to form a second joint. At least one of the second or third portions has a second cut-away section proximate the second joint with a reduced thickness.
1. An artificial leg for attachment to a main body of a taxidermy mannequin in an anatomically correct fixed position that is maintained in place by application of a hide to the artificial leg, the artificial leg comprising: a first portion having first and second ends and outer and inner facing surfaces, the outer facing surface of the first portion being contoured to mimic a contour of bone and/or tissue in an animal, the first end of the first portion including a connector for coupling the first portion to the main body of the mannequin; a second portion having first and second ends and outer and inner facing surfaces, the outer facing surface of the second portion being contoured to mimic a contour of bone and/or tissue in the animal, the first end of the second portion being connected to the second end of the first portion to form a first joint about which the first portion is movable with respect to the second portion, the inner facing surface of the first portion having a first cut-away section proximate the first joint, the first cut-away section having a reduced thickness as compared to a thickness of a remainder of the first portion, the first and second portions being mated with one another at the first cut-away section with the second portion being placed behind the first portion such that the first cut-away section of the inner facing surface of the first portion contacts the outer facing surface of the second portion and the entire outer facing surface of the first portion remains exposed when the artificial leg is placed in the anatomically correct fixed position; a third portion having first and second ends and outer and inner facing surfaces, the outer facing surface of the third portion being contoured to mimic a contour of bone and/or tissue in the animal, the first end of the third portion being connected to the second end of the second portion to form a second joint about which the second portion is movable with respect to the third portion, the outer facing surface of the second portion having a second cut-away section proximate the second joint, the second cut-away section having a reduced thickness as compared to a thickness of a remainder of the second portion, the inner facing surface of the third portion having a third cut-away section proximate the second joint, the third cut-away section having a reduced thickness as compared to a thickness of a remainder of the third portion, the second and third portions being mated with one another at the second and third cut-away sections such that the second cut-away section of the outer facing surface of the second portion contacts the third cut-away section of the inner facing surface of the third portion and the entire outer facing surface of the third portion remains exposed when the artificial leg is placed in the anatomically correct fixed position, wherein the mating of the second and third cut-away sections limits articulation of the second and third portions with respect to one another; and at least one wire used to connect the first, second, and third portions together, wherein, in the anatomically correct fixed position, the outer facing surfaces of the first, second, and third portions all face a first direction, while the inner facing surfaces of the first, second, and third portions all face a second direction opposite to the first direction.
2. The artificial leg of claim 1 , wherein the at least one wire is molded into the first, second, and third portions.
3. The artificial leg of claim 2 , wherein a portion of the at least one wire is exposed at the second end of the third portion for connecting the artificial leg to a base of the mannequin.
4. The artificial leg of claim 2 , wherein a portion of the at least one wire is exposed at the first end of the first portion and forms the connector.
5. The artificial leg of claim 1 , wherein the at least one wire is made of steel.
6. The artificial leg of claim 1 , wherein the connector is at least a portion of a wire.
7. The artificial leg of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first, second, or third portions is made from urethane foam.
8. The artificial leg of claim 1 , wherein the first portion is a thigh portion, the first joint is a knee joint, the second portion is a lower leg portion, the second joint is an ankle joint, and the third portion is a foot portion.