Inflatable combat arena game

A combat game includes an inflatable arena, one or more inflatable player suits in fluid connection with said inflatable arena and at least one source of air in fluid connection with said inflatable arena and said one or more inflatable player suits, said at least one source of air capable of providing a flow of air under positive pressure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to inflatable games and amusements and, more specifically, to a combat game including an inflatable battle dress in combination with an inflatable arena.

BACKGROUND

Air-filled games which must be inflated with an air compressor have become very popular attractions in carnivals, festivals, neighborhood celebrations, and even for children's parties. These inflatable amusements are usually group activities such as houses that children may crawl through, inflatable trampolines, and the like. Typically, these inflatable games and amusements are not directed to individual performance by two participants engaged in hand to hand combat, albeit in play.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter, in which description preferred embodiments of the invention are discussed. Unless otherwise defined, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. In addition, the materials, methods and examples given are illustrative in nature only and not intended to be limiting. Accordingly, this invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the illustrated embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these illustrated embodiments are provided solely for exemplary purposes so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, and fromFIGS. 1-7, which illustrate various aspects of the present invention.

The invention includes an inflatable combat arena10and preferably two inflatable combat suits12for players in the game.FIGS. 1-5depict various details of the combat arena and combat suits. As best shown inFIG. 1, the inflatable combat suit12comprises an interior suit14and an exterior suit12. The interior suit14is worn by the player preferably directly against the skin or alternatively over the player's clothing. Once wearing the interior suit14, the player steps into and puts on the exterior suit12portion of the combat outfit. Air is pumped under positive pressure through an air hose16connected to the back of the suit's outer layer12, so that it fills the suit by accumulating and circulating between the inner and outer layers. The inflated suit12acts to provide protection for the player during the combat game. The suits are connected to an air blower17which pumps air to the suits through a distribution system18as shown inFIGS. 3-5.

The inflatable combat suits12will now be described with specific reference toFIGS. 1 and 2. The combat suit preferably consists of an interior suit and an exterior suit. An example of an interior suit14is shown inFIG. 1A. The interior suit14as shown inFIG. 1Aincludes certain portions which resemble O-rings20and which protrude outwardly from the primary surface of the suit. The illustration, for example, shows these O-rings20positioned along the arms, torso and waist, and lower legs of the suit14. These O-rings20help in maintaining spacing between the interior suit14and the exterior suit12, an example of which is shown inFIG. 1Bin front perspective view. As also shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B, the exterior suit12includes an opening22which may be closed by means of a zipper, of a hook and loop (Velcro®) closure24or both. As noted above, the opening22serves for the player to enter the suit12prior to beginning the game. The exterior suit12includes an inlet connection26for an air hose16which conveys air under positive pressure from a blower17, as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5. As further described below, the outward design appearance of the exterior suit may take many forms.

The combat arena10comprises a combat platform28positioned approximately in the center of the preferably circular arena. Surrounding the combat platform28is a generally wide area or safety zone30. The entire arena10device is also inflated by an air blower17which may be the same blower as used for the suits12but, preferably, is a separate additional blower, as shown inFIG. 4. Having two separate blowers17helps ensure that both the arena platform28and the suits12remain properly inflated during the combat game and, thus, helps assure adequate protection for the players. Additionally, providing a means of inflating the combat suits12independently from the arena10allows the players to put on the suits in a deflated state while the arena has been previously inflated.

FIGS. 3-5provide various views of an example of the inflatable arena10of the present invention.FIG. 3shows a front perspective view of the arena, wherein towards the front of the arena two columns indicate an area which may serve as an ingress gate32. A containment barrier or wall34extends along the periphery of the arena and, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, preferably increases in height from the ingress area to the rear of the arena10, where a display space36and a sound source37may be positioned. Air hose connection boxes38are preferably located adjacent the containment wall34and are preferably positioned so that there is one box in each player's area, that is, the connection boxes are generally opposite each other, as most easily seen inFIG. 5. A combat platform28is positioned generally centrally in the arena10and is surrounded by a safety zone30which acts as a buffer between the combat platform and the containment wall34. An air conduit40extends to each air hose connection box38, bringing air under positive pressure from a blower17, as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5. Thereafter, an air hose16extends from the air hose connection box38to a player's inflatable suit. An inflatable base42provides support for the arena10.FIG. 4provides a rear perspective view of the inflatable arena10ofFIG. 3, with the same components shown in opposite view. InFIG. 4, the blowers17are shown positioned along a rearward periphery of the inflatable arena10. As can be appreciated fromFIG. 4, the rearward periphery of the arena10includes structural features which would most hinder the presence of spectators in the area. Two blowers17, as discussed above, are shown inFIG. 4providing air under pressure for two player suits12and for the arena10itself. In this figure, blower #217is shown connected to an air distribution box44which conveys the air under pressure to the two air conduits18shown inFIG. 3. Blower #117is shown inFIG. 4as providing air under pressure for the arena10itself. In the rear perspective view provided inFIG. 4it can be appreciated that, preferably, the height of the containment barrier or wall34is more pronounced at the rear of the arena and less pronounced at the front of the arena.FIG. 5provides a top plan view of the inflatable arena10and combat suits12in place for a contest.

The combat arena10and combat suits12herein described are best made of a strong, resilient plastic material which may be reinforced with one or more layers of another material. The material should be substantially impermeable to air, so that the game remains well inflated while in use. While the combat suits12are intended to be inflated, they are not necessarily completely air tight. Air leaks from the suits12, however, will be quickly replenished by the continuous supply of air provided under at least slight positive pressure by the air blower17dedicated to the suits. The air hoses16which connect to the suits12may be of any suitable material and type, and are preferably sufficiently flexible to allow adequate mobility of the players around the arena.

As noted above and inFIG. 3, the inflatable arena10may include a sound source37which may be used to play music or to announce the combat game. Additionally, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, a display space36may be associated with the sound source37. The display space may44serve as a location for positioning advertising indicia, for a scoreboard to keep track of points scored by a player during a combat game, or for combinations thereof.

Additionally, those skilled in the art will recognize that the particular aesthetic design of the arena10and the suits12may be varied according to many different themes, all of which are intended within the scope of the present application. For example, the arena10may be designed to appear as a futuristic stadium and the combat suits12may have the appearance of robots. In another example, the arena may be designed as a wrestling platform and the combat suits may be designed to look like Sumo wrestlers. In yet another example, the arena10may simulate a Roman circus and the suits12made to appear as gladiators of the time. In yet a further example, the arena10may be a jousting field and the suits12may simulate medieval knights in armor. Alternatively, one suit12could represent one type of combatant, while the other suit represents a traditional enemy or opponent of the first, for example, a Roman legionnaire against a hun, or a Saxon soldier against a Viking warrior, a bull vs. a bullfighter. The designs may further include fictional characters from the movies, television series, and the like. For example, from the well known television and film series StarTrek, Captain Kirk against the Gorn, or from another series, Batman against Riddler, or Superman against Lex Luthor. The skilled will understand that the design possibilities are endless.

In the specification there have been disclosed typical preferred embodiments of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, they are used in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. The invention has been described in some detail, but it will be apparent that various modifications and changes can be made within the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the foregoing specification.