Inflatable bouncer

An inflatable bouncer includes an inflatable bottom section, an inflatable inner column coupled to a center of the bottom section, and a plurality of inflatable columns around a periphery of the bottom section. An uninflated roof extends between the inner column and the outer columns.

FIELD

This invention relates to the field of inflatables, and more specifically to inflatable bouncers.

BACKGROUND

Inflatables, such as inflatable bouncers, are air-inflated devices that are typically used for children's amusement as well as advertising purposes. Inflatables have been designed to resemble real-life objects, such as ships, fire trucks, and animals. Inflatable bouncers include a bottom, inflated bouncing section. Some bouncers include a roof. However, when designing such bouncers to look like a real-life object, present designs do not provide for a realistic appearance in all cases. What is needed is an inflatable bouncer structure allowing for a roofed-type bouncer having a realistic appearance.

SUMMARY

An apparatus comprising an inflatable bouncer having an uninflated roof with a central portion and a periphery, wherein the uninflated roof is supported in its center portion by an inflated column.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description and accompanying drawings show various embodiments according to the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

FIGS. 1–3show a perspective view, top view, and side view, respectively, of a bouncer100according to one embodiment of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. Bouncer100includes an inflatable bottom section110, an inflatable inner column120, a plurality of inflatable outer columns130, an upper inflatable support140, and a roof150. Bouncer100is used for children or adults to bounce and play inside, for instance at fairs, carnivals, or other events. In this example, bouncer100is designed to look like a carousel. A blower105is coupled to the bouncer to keep the bouncer inflated. Blower105can be a high output blower, for example.

Referring toFIG. 2, a top view of bouncer100is shown without the roof. Inflatable bottom section110can be a circular, round, inflated section made of vinyl, for example. In this example, bottom section110is about 3 feet high and has a diameter of approximately 25 feet. The height and diameter can vary to any desired sized. Various embodiments have a diameter of approximately 15 feet to approximately 30 feet. Bottom section includes a periphery112and a central area114.

Inner column120is attached to and extends upward from bottom section110. In this example, inner column120is in the center of bottom section110. However, in some embodiments, the inner column is anywhere within the central area114of the bottom section. In some embodiments, two or more inner columns are located in the central area114. Inner column120is inflatable and can be made of the same material as the bottom section. In this example, inner column120is approximately 20 feet high and includes a knob122at its peak designed to look like the top of a carousel.

Outer columns130are coupled to bottom section110around the periphery of the bottom section. Each of the outer columns is inflatable and made of the same material as the bottom section. In one embodiment, eight outer columns are used and positioned equidistant from each other around the periphery of the bottom section. The outer columns are shorter than the inner column. In one embodiment, the outer columns are approximately 10–15 feet high.

Upper inflatable support140is an inflatable section attached to the top of outer columns130. In this example, upper support140has approximately the same diameter as bottom section110.

Each of bottom section110, inner column120, outer columns130, and support140are connected together so that the interiors of the members communicate with each other so that air blown into the bouncer through the bottom section inflates each other section.

Roof150is an uninflated flexible sheet of material coupled at its inner portion152to inner column120and at its periphery or outer portion154to either upper support140or to the tops of columns130. In this example, to allow bouncer100to better resemble a carousel, roof150is attached to inner column120below knob122and the roof then hangs or drapes down and the outer portion154is attached to the upper support140. This unsupported-by-air, uninflated appearance of roof150gives bouncer100the appearance of a carousel. In some embodiments, upper section140can be omitted and roof150is coupled to the tops of each of outer columns130.

In one embodiment, bouncer100includes a mesh wall160extending around the outside of the bouncer and extending between bottom section110and section140. A plurality of animal silhouettes170are attached to mesh wall160at locations around the bouncer. In one embodiment, silhouettes170are digitally printed vinyl sheets which can be printed to depict the decorations and colors of typical carousel animals. In one embodiment, the printed vinyl silhouettes can be cut to look like horse silhouettes, for example.

An inner play area175of bouncer100is accessible through a door177in mesh wall160. The inner area175is uninflated. The only portions of bouncer100that are inflated by blower105are the bottom section110, the inner column120, the outer columns130, and upper section140.

In various embodiments, the bouncer can be oval, rectangular, or other shapes, depending on the design the designer is trying to capture.

FIG. 4shows a side view of an inflatable bouncer200in accordance with one embodiment of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. Bouncer200is designed to resemble a cake. Bouncer200includes an inflatable bottom section210, an inflatable inner column220coupled proximate the central area of bottom section210, one or more inflatable outer columns230around the periphery of the bottom section, and an uninflated roof240coupled to and extending generally horizontally between inner column220and outer columns230.

In one embodiment, one or more candle figures235can extend from the top of inner column220. An upper portion222of inner column220can have an enlarged diameter to provide for a tiered look for bouncer200. Bottom section210can be round, oval, square or other desired shape. A mesh wall245can extend around the outer area of the bouncer.

The structure of bouncer200allows for the realistic appearance of a cake by utilizing inflated inner column220to support the uninflated roof240. Other bouncers can be designed utilizing such a structure as shown for the carousel of bouncer100and the cake of bouncer200.

According to one method of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein, there is provided a technique to support the roof of an inflatable to provide a more realistic looking design. One embodiment includes supporting an uninflated roof with a center portion and a periphery, wherein the roof is supported in the center portion by an inflated column. This allows the roof to naturally hang down and provide the desired look for the inflatable structure. In some examples the roof can be extended between the central inflated column and a plurality of outer inflated columns.