APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING LARGE INFLATED UNDULATING FIGURES

Abstract: This invention is an apparatus (20) and method for providing a dynamic gas inflated object such as a figure (40) with legs (42), a torso (44), and head (46), and a pair of arms (48). The figure (40) performs generally repetitive movements such as dance-like undulations in a manner that appears to keep time with music. The figure is hollow and connected to a generally constant flow source of air or other gas under pressure (30). The figure is provided with at least two spaced apart generally symmetrically arranged outlets or vents (48b) to allow a discharge of air. In operation, the figure tends to cycle between extending generally upright, and destabilizing or collapsing to a contorted or bent position, and as more air flows in, to extend generally upright. In a preferred form, the outlets (46b, 48b) are generally at the top of the head (46), and at the ends of the arms (48). The dynamic figure (40) movement is a result of the self-contained gas flow, and does not depend upon any external manipulation.

Description: APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING LARGE INFLATED UNDULATING FIGURES FIELD OF THE INVENTION Dynamically inflatable decorative devices which provide their own cyclical movement. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There is a long history of the use of inflatable objects, particulary in the form of static figures to provide visual displays. Often such figures depiαed human, animal or humanoid characters that might be utilized at openings or events or at places such as amusement parks. Such inflatable figures provided an easy and economical way to provide relatively large figures which could be deflated for easy shipment and storage. Such figures might be mounted or supported in such a way that desired movement might be imparted to the figure as for example by attached guide wires or by fan-produced transverse wind currents. They did not have the inherent ability within themselves to provide movement. Similarly, applicant and others have provided large decorative displays in the form of arrays or inflatable colored tubing arranged and supported in a variety of configurations on buildings or similar large structures. One relatively recent development has been a product known as the "Vertitube" which essentially comprises a single upright inflatable tube which is secured at its lower end to an air blower or pump. The tube is open at its upper end so that air pumped in to the lower end is discharged through the open upper end. In operation, as the tube inflates and extends upwardly, various destabilizing forces acted on the tube, including forces of gravity, shifts in dynamic and static pressure produced by the air flow into and out of the tube, external wind currents, etc. These combined forces tend to cause the upwardly extended tube to bend or deform temporarily. Such deformation, and the resultant increase in internal static pressure, primarily in the upward direction, tended to return the tube to its upright extended position, where it is again subject to the destabilizing forces. Such tubes tended to provide random or apparently random cycling movement between the extended position and a destabilized bent or deformed position. Because of the simple structure of this tube the cycle of movement tended to be generally simple and repetitive, and therefore of somewhat limited variety and interest. SUMMARY OF THE ILLUSTRATED APPARATUS AND METHOD The illustrated apparatus and method provide a much more complex and sophisticated approach by comparison by the "Vertitube" described above. In the presently preferred illustrated form, the apparatus includes an inflatable figure having a pair spaced apart legs, a torso, a head and a pair of outwardly and upwardly extending arms. Vents or outlets are provided at a plurality of spaced apart locations, preferably at the top of the head and at the ends of the arms. The outlets not only determine the outflow from the inflated figure, but the configuration and location of the outlets determines the magnitude and direction of reactive destabilizing forces produced by outflow from the outlets. This helps define and determine the particular movement pattern for the undulating inflated figure. Thus, the multiplicity of outlet vents, their locations, and the addition of ancillary sections of the figure provided by the arms produces a much more complex and sophisticated pattern of movement of the figure. Music may be provided to create the impression that the figure is dancing to the music. While the movement of the figure is random or apparently random, normally the illusion is nevertheless created that the figure is in faα dancing in the rhythm to the music. Similarly lighting, particulary intermittent or strobe type lighting, may also be provided to enhance the overall effeα. In the preferred form of illustrated apparatus and method, a pair of fans are provided, each conneαed to the lower end of one of the legs of the figure. The fans provide a generally constant airflow, although they may be adjustable between flow levels to accommodate different figures and different environmental conditions such as ambient wind. Alternately, a single fan may be provided with a bifurcated outflow, with each outflow going to one of the legs. Similarly the figure might be provided with a single structural leg connected to a single fan. That single leg seαion can be provided with suitable artwork to present a representation of a pair of legs. IN THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a schematic front view of an apparatus that embodies a presently preferred of the invention and incorporates a gas-inflated objeα. Figure 1A is a schematic perspeαive view of a typical fan of the apparatus of Figure 1 mounted in a support box. Figure IB is a schematic perspeαive view of a modified form of fan having a barrel-shaped housing. Figure 1C is a schematic perspeαive view of the fan and support box of Figure 1 A with a tall set of spoilers mounted at the fan outlet. Figure ID is like Figure 1C but with a short set of spoilers. Figure 2 is a schematic perspeαive view of the apparatus of Figure 1 in it's fully deflated condition with the fans off. Figure 3, 4, 5 and 6 A are a series of schematic perspeαive views of the apparatus of Figure 1 in a progressively further inflated conditions. Figures 6B through 6F are a series of schematic perspeαive views of the apparatus of Figure 1 illustrating a typical series of movements by the inflated figure. Figure 7 is a schematic perspeαive view of a modified embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, having a single fan with a bifurcated output. Figure 8 is another modified embodiment having three legs and a large number of ancillary seαions. Figure 9 is a still further modified embodiment of the invention depiαing a palm tree. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figures 1-6 illustrate a presently preferred embodiment 20 of the present invention As noted above, in general, the illustrated apparatus 20 includes a pair of fans 30 and an inflatable figure 40 that includes a spaced apart pair of leg seαions 42, a torso seαion 44, a head seαion 46, and a pair of arm seαions 48. All of the figure seαions are in fluid communication with one another. The figure 40 is desirably made from an ultra-light, thin, generally non-porous, non-expandable tear-resistant fabric or sheet material that is sewn or otherwise formed into tubular seαions that are conneαed together to form the full figure. Figure 1 shows the figure 40 in a hypothetical fully-extended fully-inflated condition wherein each of the leg seαions 42 extends upwardly and inwardly from one of the fans 30, to where the leg seαions join the lower end of the torso seαion 44. The torso seαion 44 then extends upwardly to where it joins with the lower end of a neck seαion 45. The upper end of the neck seαion 45 conneαs to the lower end of a head seαion 46. The torso seαion 44 also conneαs to the lower inward ends of the arm seαions 48. The head seαion 46 extends upwardly, with the arm seαions 48 extending upwardly and outwardly in either direαion in a generally symmetrical manner. The lower ends of the leg seαions 42 are connected to and in fluid communication with the air fans 30, which are spaced-apart a substantial distance to provide stability to the inflated figure 40. The illustrated head seαion 46 is open to the ambient atmosphere at its upper end to provide an air vent or outlet 46b. Each of the arm seαions 48 is also open to the ambient atmosphere at its outer end to provide an air vent 48b. It will be noted that the arm seαions 48 and leg seαions 42 are generally out of proportion to the length of the torso seαion 44 when compared to the normal proportioning of a human torso. This contributes to the desired movement of the figure 40 by affording exaggerated bending and movement of the arm and leg seαions. DESCRIPTION OF A WORKING PROTOTYPE MODEL Following is a detailed description of a typical working prototype model which embodies the preferred form of the apparatus and method, and which has performed satisfaαorily. A pair of high capacity commercial exhaust air fans: The details to the fan are dαermined by the size and shape of the dynamic figure. For the configuration of the figure described below, fans with the following specifications operated successfully: Blade Diameter: 24" Air Delivery: + /- 7,000 CFM with free air RPM: 1,750 HP: 3/4 Voltage: 100 A.C. The illustrated fans 30 are each mounted in a support housing or casing 31 such as shown in Figure 1A with the fan outlet 34 facing upwardly. In the prototype, each fan had the following general dimensions: ABOUT Height: 33" Width: 29" Depth: 29" Clearance from ground: 14" Air outlet: 26" Spoiler: 6" In order to reduce undesirable turbulent air flow, a multi-seαion spoiler 32 may be mounted at the outlet 34 of each of the fans 30 as shown in Figure IC. The spoiler may be omitted if desired. The prototype figure with the following specifications performed satisfaαorily: Fabric: Ultra-light nylon or polyester Typical weight is between about 0.5 to about 1.5 oz per square-yard Strong rip-stop Near zero porosity, water repellent finish Dimensional Characteristics of figure: Very good overall movement and stability was achieved with the following approximate dimensions for a figure having a height of about 60 feet and receiving a combined total air flow of about 14,000 CFM, generated by both fans: Approximate Approximate Approximate Diameter Length Cross Seαion (Inches) (Inches) (Feet) (Square-inches) Leg seαion: 24.00" 252.00" (21') 904.32 Sq-in (Both) Torso seαion: : 32.00" 120.00" (10') 803.84 Sq-in Ann seαion 18.00" (outlet) 216.00" (18') 508.68 Sq-in (Both) Head seαion: 33.00" (2.75') Top: 16.00" (outlet) 200.96 Sq-in Middle: 25.00" 490.63 Sq-in Neck seαion: 15.00" 15.00" (1.25 1 ) Applicant believes that these dimensions may be varied somewhat, as for example, by about 10 to about 15 percent, plus or minus, and that the figure will still provide good performance. Certain dimensional relationships appear to be significant for good performance. It is desirable that the combined cross seαion of the two leg seαions be larger than the cross-seαion of the torso seαion. In this prototype the combined cross-seαion of the leg sections is about 900 square inches, while the torso cross- section is about 800 square inches. This concept of progressively reducing the cross-section as you proceed upwardly along the figure must be balanced with the need to allow flexibility in the movement of the arm seαions. In other words, too greatly reduced cross- section or constriαion of the arm seαions would limit their ability to flex and bend as desired. Nevertheless, in this prototype, good results were achieved with the combined cross-seαions of air outlets of the head seαion and the two arm seαions, being about 700 square inches versus the torso cross-seαion of about 800 square inches. With regard to relative lengths, in this prototype the leg and arm seαions are each about twice the length of the torso seαion. This facilitated the desired flexing of arm and leg sections. At the same time, it is desirable that the proportioning of the figure still provide an esthetically pleasing appearance. Air vent adjustments: In order to achieve proper balance in the alternating mode of dominating static and dynamic air pressure, the air vents can be adjusted for direαion and air flow capacity. Based on the previously described dimensions of the dynamic figure the following results are being obtained: In the head seαion: The single air vent at the top of the head seαion was about 16 inches in diameter. Reducing the diameter of that air vent destabilized the prototype model figure, with a resulting effeα charaαerized by the leaning forward of the figure and lack of strength to straighten-up in full upright position. The opposite effeα occurred when the top head air vent was made larger, resulting in lack of desired cyclical movement with the prototype model figure standing generally straight up, yet, prone to bending in the direαion of blowing wind gusts. In the arm seαions: The angular direction, length, and air vent openings of the arm seαions are important charaαeristics, which contribute to the overall performance of the dynamic figure: Direαion: Good performance angles of the longitudinal axis of each arm seαion, as measured from an upward extension of the vertical axis of the dynamic prototype figure, range between about 5 to about 30 degrees. The arm seαion orientation is symmetrical in all three axis. For angles of less than about 5 degrees, the figure tended to be pushed forcefully downwards when reaching upright position, with arm seαions almost straight up. For angles exceeding about 30 degrees, the motion of the figure tended to often move sideways with little upward motion. Length: In the present configuration, good performance, as well as esthetic look, is achieved with arm seαions about 18 feet in length. Longer arm seαions tend to slow down the motion, while shorter ones induce the opposite effeα. Air vent diameter: A vent diameter of the arm seαions of about 18" seemed to maintain sufficient static pressure to maintain generally full volume of the torso and arm seαions as well as sufficient dynamic pressure needed for desired movement. In order to secure the leg seαions of the figure to the air fans, various conneαing means such as mαal rings or velcro straps may be used. By way of example, in the working prototype, mαal rings, each with a diamαer of about 27 inches, were sewn into the lower end of each leg seαion. These enabled easy conneαion. Typically the figure was folded in an accordion fold, with the top up. The metal rings were pulled out and each one pulled over one of the air vents or baffles of one of the air fan units as shown in Figure 6. The conneαions desirable provide general air tight fits between the fans and the figure. Applicant's have also created a generally half size working prototype figure about 30 feet high, which provided good overall movement and stability. That figure had the following approximate dimensions: Approximate Approximate Approximate Diamαer Length Cross Seαion (Inches) (Inches) (Feet) (Square-inches) Leg seαion: 15.00" 155.00" (13 * ) 353.25 Sq-in (Both) Torso seαion: 21.00" 70.00" (5.75') 346.19 Sq-in Arm seαion (01- itlα) 11.25" 130.00" (10.75') 198.70 Sq-in (Both) Head seαion: 17.50" (1.50 * ) Top (outlα): 10.00" 78.50 Sq-in Middle: 15.70" 193.49 Sq-in Neck seαion: 10.00" 10.00" (.75') OPERATION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Figures 2 through 6A illustrate in sequential detail the initial inflation of the Figure 40. Figure 2 shows the fully deflated figure 40 connected at the lower ends of its leg seαions 42 to the pair of spaced apart fans 30. The fans 30 are off. Figure 3 illustrates the condition when the fans 30 begin to provide a flow of air under pressure into the lower portions 42a of the leg seαions 42. Figure 4 shows continued inflation of the figure 40 where it is generally inflated up past the waist into the lower portion 44a of the torso seαion 44, but not yet into the upper portion of the torso seαion or into the head or arm seαions 46, 48. Figure 5 shows yet further inflation of the figure 40 which has extended through leg seαions 42 and the torso seαion 44, and into the head seαion 46 and the inward portions 48a of the arm seαions 48. Figure 6A shows a schematic generally idealized inflation of the full figure 40 with all of the seαions extending generally upwardly toward the sky, and just beginning to move. Figures 6B through 6F show a sequential series of schematic views of the figure 40 as it goes through a representative series of cyclical movements typical of the operation of the preferred embodiment apparatus. More particularly, in Figure 6B, the figure 40 has begun to destabilize and collapse by virtue of gravity, the loss of internal static pressure from discharge of air through the outlets 46b, 48b in the head and arm sections 46, 48, the reaαive forces from the air discharge through those outlets, and possible additional forces such as external wind, somewhat non-symmetrical distribution of the portions and thus the weight of the figure, etc. As shown in Figure 6B, this has caused bending of the leg seαions 42 outwardly as well as certain bending of the arm seαions 48. Note the non-symmαrical bending of the arm and leg seαions which adds a lifelike appearance to the motion of the figure 40. In Figure 6C the figure 40 has further destabilized and collapsed, and in particular has produced a deep knee bend and lowering of the torso seαion 44. This tends to block air flow through the figure and to build up primarily upwardly direαed internal static pressure. In Figure 6D the primarily upwardly direαed increased static pressure has pushed the figure 40 back up. This upward movement is also assisted by upward reaαive forces produced by the outward generally downward flow of air from the outlets 48b at the ends of the downwardly extending arm seαions 48. This downward flow is indicated by small arrows. In Figure 6E, the figure 40 is again generally fully inflated and at generally maximum height. In Figure 6F the figure 40 is again losing static pressure and starting to collapse to begin a new cycle. The figure 40 thus oscillates or cycles bαween more upwardly extending positions and more destabilized collapsed, bent or contorted positions. It will be noted that this is accomplished without imposing external control or constraint on the figure, or changing the generated airflow into the figure. ALTERNATIVE CONSTRUCTIONS Figure IB shows an alternative fan 130 with a barrel shaped housing 131. Figure IC shows a fan 30 with a tall 4-blade spoiler 32. Figure ID shows a fan 30 with a short 8-blade spoiler 32a. Figure 7 illustrates an alternate construαion 120 having a figure 140 wherein a single fan 130 has a bifurcated outflow leading to a pair of spaced-apart ports 150. Each of these ports 150 is conneαed to the lower end of one of the leg sections 142 of the figure 140. Figure 8 illustrates another alternative version of the apparatus 220 wherein the figure 240 has three spaced apart leg seαions 242 and a bulbous or potato-like torso seαion 244. There are a large number (eleven in the illustrated figure 240) of ancillary or arm seαions 248 that extend generally upwardly and outwardly from the torso seαion 244. Each ancillary seαion 248 has an outlet 248b at its outer end. Figure 9 illustrates another alternative form of apparatus 320 where the inflatable objeα 340 represents a non-figure such as a palm tree having a plurality of outwardly extending ancillary seαions 348 which each represent a palm leaf or frond. Each ancillary seαion 348 has a vent or outlet 348b at its outer end. The main seαion 344 represents the upright tnmk of the palm tree. Thus, this form of the apparatus illustrates a non-charaαer form of objeα, and also illustrates a plurality of greater than two outwardly extending ancillary seαions. Preferably these multiple ancillary seαions are arranged symmetrically around the upright central axis of the apparatus to provide a desired degree of stability to the device. SUMMARY Thus, the present invention features a new way to dynamically display inflatable objeαs, particularly figures. In the preferred form, the inflatable figure is designed to inflate quickly into a generally vertical position and subsequently generate movement within its own struαure. Once fully inflated, the dynamic figure moves constantly in a random (or apparently random) and continuous mode. The figure's motion is produced by various faαors, particularly by a combined build-up of, both, dynamic and static air pressures, which contribute to the shape as well as the movements of the figure. Various modifications and changes may be made in the illustrated struαure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the following Claims.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Apparatus for providing a gas-inflated objeα that performs generally repetitive movements, said apparatus comprising: a) gas delivery means for providing a generally constant flow of gas under pressure, and b) a gas-inflatable collapsible hollow objeα comprised at least substantially of flexible sheet material, said object being conneαed to and in fluid communication with the gas delivery means, said objeα having a main hollow main seαion that extends generally outwardly when generally filled with gas from the gas delivery means, said objeα also have at least two hollow ancillary seαions that are each attached to the main seαion at a substantial distance from where the main seαion is conneαed to the gas means and extend outwardly from the main seαion in a generally symmαrical arrangement when filled with the gas, said ancillary seαions being in fluid communication with said main section, said objeα including at least two substantially spaced apart gas outlαs for controlled release of the gas from within the objeα, said gas delivery means, said object and said outlets being designed and arranged so that the objeα tends to initially generally fill to a generally outwardly extended position, to then destabilize and move to a bend position which causes a temporary build-up of the static pressure within the objeα, to then rαurn to the generally outwardly extended position, and to continue to repeat this cycle of movements. 2. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein the outlets are each located in one of said ancillary seαions. 3. The apparatus of Claim 2 wherein there is an additional outlet in said main seαion. 4. The apparatus of Claim 3 wherein the main seαion represents the torso and the head of a figure and the ancillary seαions each represent an arm of the figure. 5. The apparatus of Claim 4 wherein the lower portion of the main seαion is bifurcated to form a separate pair of subseαions each representing one leg of the figure. 6. The apparatus of Claim 5 wherein the gas delivery means comprise pair of spaced-apart fans, each conneαed to and in fluid communication with one of said legs. 7. The apparatus of Claim 5 wherein the gas delivery means comprises a single fan having a bifurcated output to a pair of spaced apart ports, each port being conneαed to and in fluid communication with one of said legs. 8. The apparatus of Claim 3 wherein the outlet in main seαion is located generally at outermost end of said main seαion and outlets in ancillary seαions are each located generally at the outermost end of one of said ancillary seαions. 9. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein the gas delivery means is adjustable to provide selectively different levels of generally constant flow to accommodate different conditions. 10. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein the flexible sheet material of the objeα is generally thin, light-weight and non-expandable. 11. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein the flexible sheet material of the objeα is generally non-porous. 12. The apparatus of Claim 1 further including means for providing music to accompany movement of the objeα. 13. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein the lower portion of the main seαion is bifurcated to provide a pair of spaced apart legs. 14. The apparatus of Claim 13 wherein the gas delivery means comprises a pair of spaced apart fans each connected to and in fluid communication with the lower end of one of said legs. 15. The apparatus of Claim 13 wherein the gas delivery means comprises a single fan having a bifurcated output to a pair of spaced apart ports, each port being conneαed to and in fluid communication with the lower end of one of said legs. 16. The apparatus of Claim 2 wherein the outlets are each located generally at the outermost end of an ancillary seαion. 17. The figure of Claim 5 wherein the arm seαions and the leg seαions are each about twice the length of the torso seαion. 18. The figure of Claim 5 wherein the combined cross-seαion of the leg seαions is greater than the cross-seαion of the torso seαion. 19. The figure of Claim 4 wherein the head and arm sections each have an upper end, there is one of said outlets at the upper end of the head seαion and at the upper end of each arm seαion, the cross-seαion of the torso seαion being greater than the combined cross seαion of said outlets from the head and arm sections. 20. A method for providing a gas-inflated collapsible hollow objeα that is comprised at least substantially of flexible sheet material and that performs a generally repetitive movement that is somewhat random or apparently random, said method comprising the steps of: a) providing a source of a generally constant flow of gas under pressure to an inflatable hollow objeα, the objeα having a main seαion that extends generally outwardly when filled with the gas and at least two ancillary hollow seαions that are each attached to the main seαion at a substantial distance from where the main seαion receives the flow of gas under pressure, the ancillary seαions being in fluid communication with the main seαion, the ancillary seαions extending generally outwardly from the main seαion in a generally symmetrical arrangement when filled with the gas, b) generally continuously releasing gas from the filled objeα from at least two substantially spaced apart locations generally symmαrically arranged with regard to the objeα main seαion, and c) arranging the seαions of the objeα and the locations of the gas discharge, and setting the rate of gas flow into the objeα, so that the objeα initially tends to fill-up and assume a generally extended position, to then destabilize and move to a bent position which causes a build-up to static pressure in the objeα, to then return to an extended position, and to generally repeat this cycle of movement. 21. The method of Claim 20 wherein there is at least one discharge from the main seαion and at least one discharge from each of the ancillary seαions. 22. The mαhod of Claim 20 wherein the generally constant flow from the gas source is seleαively changeable to different levels to accommodate different conditions. 23. A dynamically gas-inflatable collapsible hollow figure that performs generally repetitive movements when conneαed to and in fluid communication with a generally constant flow of gas under pressure, said figure being comprised at least substantially of flexible she material, said figure, when at least substantially inflated, having a generally upright torso seαion that has an upper and a lower end, a generally upright pair of leg seαions each having a lower end for conneαing to a generally constant flow of gas under pressure and an upper end conneαed to and in fluid communication with the lower end of said torso seαion, a pair of generally upright arm seαions each having a lower end conneαed to and in fluid communication with the upper end of said torso seαion and an upper end that has a gas outlet, and a head seαion that has a lower end conneαed to and in fluid commimication with the upper end of the torso seαion and an upper end that has a gas outlet, said arm seαions being generally symmαrically arranged with regard to said torso seαion, said figure and said outlets being designed and arranged so that when the figure is conneαed to the sources of gas under pressure, the figure tends to initially generally fill to a generally outwardly extended position, to then destabilize and move to a bend position which causes a temporary build-up of the static pressure within the figure, to then rαurn to the generally outwardly extended position, and to continue to repeat this cycle of movements. 24. The figure of Claim 23 wherein the arm seαions and the leg seαions are each about twice the length of the torso seαion. 25. The figure of Claim 23 wherein the combined cross-seαion of the leg seαions is greater than the cross-seαion of the torso seαion. 26. The figure of Claim 23 wherein the cross-seαion of the torso seαion is greater than the combined cross seαion of the outlets from the head and arm seαions. 27. The figure of Claim 25 wherein the cross-seαion of the torso seαion is greater than the combined cross seαion of the outlets from the head and arm seαions.

Inventors: DRANGER ARIEH LEON, GAZIT DORON, DRANGER, ARIEH, LEON, GAZIT, DORON
Applicants: DRANGER ARIEH LEON, GAZIT DORON, DRANGER, ARIEH, LEON, GAZIT, DORON
Application year: 1997
Main classification: A63H33
IPC codes: A63H3, A63H29, G09F19