Abstract:
An inflatable structure for viewing video images or projected images, the inflatable structure comprised of a plurality of panels sewn or heat welded together to form a desired shape, the interior of the structure being constructed of a series of honeycomb/baffles or tubes for stability, the inflatable structure having an inlet port in communication with a blower unit for inflation of the structure, the inflatable structure having an outlet port for release of air pressure within the inflatable structure when desired, one face of inflatable structure being formed with a fastening means in order to secure a flexible resilient panel of white pigment or silver pigment or other desired pigment to form a screen onto which the video or projected image is projected, the inflatable structure including a plurality of tie down securing points for receipt of a plurality of stabilizing means to maintain the inflatable structure in a stable position regardless of the environment, the inflatable structure being easily deflated, disassembled and stored or transported.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     Applicant claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/506,422, filed Sep, 29, 2003. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to a projection/imaging screen, and in particular, to an inflatable projection/imaging screen structure that can be erected expeditiously in a variety of environments, including indoors and outdoors, which can be utilized by a large populous of people to view a film or image projected thereon.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0005]     Screens upon which to view video images have evolved from the turn of the century from small screens used in small theaters to view the silent movies to the large wrap around IMAX screens with surround sound which are presently found in some movie theaters throughout the world. In the interim period, the outdoor drive-in movie evolved, reached its peak in popularity, and now has become substantially extinct.  
         [0006]     Similarly, television screens have evolved from the very small black and white screens of the embryonic television history to large screen TVs, home theaters, flat panel screens and high definition television. As the cost has come down, the size appears to increase. The movie theaters, and certain convention halls and the like have large, permanently installed screens upon which a video or projected image can be projected. However, if one wishes to project a video image or single image on a screen which is not permanently installed, such as in a movie theater, convention hall or the like, one must go to considerable expense and labor to construct an appropriate screen in an appropriate environment with necessary supports to stabilize the screen. This is particularly important if the screen is to be erected in an outdoor environment where it may be subjected to the vagaries of weather and climate, such as high wind, rain, etc. Screens of this type are often times erected for outdoor concerts and the like.  
         [0007]     There has been a need for a screen upon which to view a video image or projected image which is of a large size so that it can be viewed by a large number of individuals and which can be erected quickly and safely, yet be compact and light weight for storage or transportation. Applicant&#39;s inflatable screen meets this criteria and allows for organizations or individuals to purchase, rent or lease the inflatable large screen and ancillary hardware in order to erect a screen for viewing video or projected images either in an outdoor environment, such as a park or stadium, or in an indoor environment, such as a gymnasium, meeting hall, conference center or the like. Applicant&#39;s inflatable screen is compact and easily transportable when not in use, and is quickly set up, and stabilized for establishing a screen for viewing video or projected images.  
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     An object of the present invention is to provide for a novel inflatable screen upon which video or projected images can be projected for viewing by a large number of individuals.  
         [0009]     A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel inflatable screen which is easily assembled and disassembled both in an indoor or outdoor environment and easily stabilized with a minimum amount of support cables or guy wires.  
         [0010]     A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel inflatable screen for the viewing of video or projected images which can be constructed in varying shapes and sizes.  
         [0011]     A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel inflatable screen for the viewing of video or projected images or the like in which the inflatable support for the screen is internally stabilized.  
         [0012]     A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel inflatable screen which could be erected on a temporary basis and used for video imaging or projected imaging advertising in the manner of a permanently installed billboard.  
         [0013]     A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel inflatable screen which does not require a heavy truss support system to maintain its position and which is easily disassembled and transported and stored.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0014]     An inflatable structure for viewing video images or projected images, the inflatable structure comprised of a plurality of panels sewn or heat welded together to form a desired shape, the interior of the structure being constructed of a series of honeycomb/baffles or tubes for stability, the inflatable structure having an inlet port in communication with a blower unit for inflation of the structure, the inflatable structure having an outlet port for release of air pressure within the inflatable structure when desired, one face of inflatable structure being formed with a fastening means in order to secure a flexible resilient panel of white pigment or silver pigment or other desired pigment to form a screen onto which the video or projected image is projected, the inflatable structure including a plurality of tie down securing points for receipt of a plurality of stabilizing means to maintain the inflatable structure in a stable position regardless of the environment, the inflatable structure being easily deflated, disassembled and stored or transported. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]     These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent, particularly when taken in light of the following illustrations wherein:  
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the inflatable structure and screen;  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a front view of a first embodiment of an inflatable structure support;  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a side view of a first embodiment of the inflatable structure support and screen attachment;  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is a top view of a first embodiment of the inflatable structure;  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is a cross sectional end view of  FIG. 2  along plane  5 - 5  illustrating the interior honeycomb/baffle system;  
         [0021]      FIG. 6  is a cross section along plane  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4  illustrating the interior honeycomb/baffle system;  
         [0022]      FIG. 7  is a close up view of portion of  FIG. 2  illustrating the seaming and fastening means for the inflatable structure and screen;  
         [0023]      FIG. 8  is a close up view of a portion of a  FIG. 2  illustrating the attachment of the screen;  
         [0024]      FIG. 9  is a front view of a second embodiment of the inflatable structure and screen; and  
         [0025]      FIG. 10  is a side view of a second embodiment of the inflatable structure. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0026]      FIGS. 1, 2 ,  3 , and  4  are perspective, front, side and top views of a first embodiment of the inflatable projection/imaging screen structure  10  of the present invention. The inflatable projection/imaging screen  10  is fabricated of a series of panels  15  comprised of plastic vinyl or the like of approximate 10 mil thickness which can be sewn or heat welded together to form an inflatable structural housing  12  that is rectangular, but may be fashioned in another desired shape. In the present embodiment, the inflatable projection/imaging screen structure  10  is shown to be rectangular in shape having a front face  14 , rear face  16 , side faces  18  and  20 , top face  22  and bottom face  24 . The front, back, top, bottom and side faces are formed by a series of panels  15  which are sewn or heat welded along their periphery to form a plurality of seams  17 . The inflatable projection/imaging screen structure  10  is in communication with a blower  26 , which provides air to the interior of the inflatable projection/imaging screen structure  10  in order to inflate same. A sleeve member  19  integrally attached to a panel  15  forming a side face  18  or  20  is secured to the outlet of the blower which is in communication with a power source  21 . A series of guy wires  28  attached to the inflatable projection/imaging screen structure  10  hold the inflatable projection/imaging screen structure  10  in position as it is being inflated and when it is fully inflated. Guy wires  28  are secured to a ballast  29 . The blower unit  26  may operate during the entire period of inflation, or be used intermittently to maintain inflation of the inflatable projection/imaging screen structure  10 .  
         [0027]     In order to provide stability to the inflatable projection/mimaging screen  10 , a series of baffles, of honeycomb design  30  or tubular structure would be fabricated within the inflatable projection/imaging screen structure  10  in order to direct the air flow from the blower unit  26  and to provide a degree of stability and rigidity to the faces formed by the heat sewn or heat welded panels  15  forming the inflatable projection/imaging screen structure  10 . One embodiment of such baffling system is illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , however, other embodiments could be utilized within the inflatable projection imaging screen structure  10  in order to achieve the desired stability and rigidity.  
         [0028]      FIGS. 5 and 6  are cross sectional views of the support structure  10  along planes  5 - 5  in  FIG. 2  and along planes  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4 . A plurality of vertically oriented baffle panels  32  are disposed within the inflatable projection imaging structure  10  from the bottom face  24  to the top face  22  and are secured to front face  14  and rear face  16 . These baffle panels  32  are constructed of the same material as the panels  15  forming the outer faces of the inflatable projection imaging screen structure  10 . They are secured to the interior surface of the front face, rear face, top face and bottom face primarily at the seams  17  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 4  and again are sewn or heat welded. Each of the interior baffle panels  32  has formed there through a plurality of apertures  34  to allow for air flow from the blower  26  consecutively through the vertical chambers defined on the interior of the inflatable projection imaging screen structure  10  so as to gradually allow the full inflation of the inflatable projection imaging screen structure  10 .  
         [0029]     Also formed on the side faces  18  and  20  and the top face  22  of the inflatable projection imaging screen structure  10  are a plurality of sealable closure vents  36  which in the embodiment illustrated, are comprised of a plurality of zippers  38  which allow for the rapid deflation of the inflatable projection imaging screen structure  10  when opened. These vents  36  also allow for a certain amount of bleed off of air from within the inflatable projection imaging screen structure  10  during use to insure that it does not become over-inflated.  
         [0030]      FIG. 7  is a close up view of portion A of  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 8  is a close up portion of area A of  FIG. 2  with screen member  40  being secured thereto.  FIG. 7  illustrates a front panel member  15  secured to a side panel member  15  along seam  19  and front panel member  15  also being secured to a top panel member  15  along seam  23 . The peripheral seams  19  and  23  are formed with a peripheral edging  42  which extends outwardly from the peripheral seams  19  and  23  and which has secured there through, a plurality of grommet members  44 . Additionally, peripheral edging  42  may also have an extensible portion  46  having a grommet member  48  formed there through, said extensible portion  46  and grommet member  48  for securing a guy wire  28  or rope to the inflatable projection imaging screen structure to maintain its position when fully inflated. There may also be formed adjacent the peripheral seams  19  and  23 , a strip of hook and loop fastener means  50  which would extend about the periphery of the front face  14  of the inflatable projection imaging screen structure  10 . It should be noted that the edging  42  and associated grommet members  44  may also extend about the entire periphery of the inflatable projection imaging screen structure  10 . The peripheral hook and loop fastening means  50  is designed to cooperate with an opposing hook and loop fastener means  52  which extends about the rear periphery  54  of screen member  40  which in turn secures a screen member  40  to the front face  14  of the inflatable projection imaging screen structure  10  (see  FIG. 8 ). By securing screen member  40  to front face  14  of inflatable projection imaging screen structure  10  in this manner allows for the entire structure including screen member  40  to be erected simultaneously or to be deflated simultaneously and folded and stored for transport. The hook and loop fastening means  50  and  52  also provides for a method by which the screen member  40  can be removed from the inflatable projection imaging screen structure  10  in order to be cleaned. The pigmentation or color of the panels utilized to form the inflatable projection imaging screen structure  10  can be of any color and are of a design choice. However, the screen member  40  would preferably be fabricated of panels that would be of white or silver in color or pigmentation in order to receive the projection or image to be projected thereupon and to be viewed. Since the inflatable projection imaging screen structure  10  is designed for utilization both in an indoor and an outdoor environment, the screen member  40  can oftentimes become dirty or discolored necessitating its cleaning. The hook and loop fastening means  50  and  52  provides a facile means by which the screen member  40  can be separated from the inflatable projection imaging screen structure and cleaned or washed.  
         [0031]     An alternative means by which the screen member  40  is secured to the front face  14  of the inflatable projection imaging screen structure  10  would utilize the grommet members  44  in the edging member  42  about the peripheral edging  42  of the front face  14  of the inflatable projection imaging screen structure  10  in cooperation with compatible grommets  56  which would be secured about the periphery of screen member  40  and would be secured by a suitable fastening means between complimentary grommets. This method is slightly more time consuming than utilizing the hook and loop fastener means, but nevertheless would be an alternative means for securing screen member  40  to the front face  14  of the inflatable projection imaging screen structure  10 .  
         [0032]     It should also be noted that in the embodiment heretofore discussed, the screen member  40  would be complimentary with the entire front face of the inflatable projection imaging screen structure  10 . Without departing from the scope of the invention, the hook and loop fastener means  50  and  52  secured to the front face  14  of the inflatable projection imaging screen structure  10  could be spaced apart from the periphery of front face  14  such that the screen member  40  were centrally mounted on front face  14  with a margin existing between the periphery of screen member  40  and the periphery of front face  14  of inflatable projection imaging screen structure  10 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 9  is a front view of a second embodiment of an inflatable projection imaging screen structure  110  and  FIG. 10  is a side view of such second embodiment. In this embodiment, the inflatable projection imaging screen structure  110  is formed with a plurality of panels that defines an inflatable frame having an inflatable, horizontal, lower leg  112 , inflatable, vertical, side legs  114 , and an inflatable, horizontal, upper cross leg  116 . Depending rearwardly from the upstanding sidewall legs  114 , are inflatable truss or gusset members  118  formed of a substantially horizontal lower leg  122 , and an angled leg  124 , extending from the lower leg  122  to the upper, horizontal, cross leg  116  of the inflatable frame. Inflatable projection imaging screen structure  110  thereby defines a rectangular aperture  128  within which a screen member  140  would be mounted.  
         [0034]     The inflatable projection imaging screen structure  110  would be inflated and deflated in the manner similar to that heretofore described with respect to the first embodiment of the inflatable projection imaging screen structure  10 . The second embodiment of the inflatable projection imaging screen structure  110  allows for screen member  140  to be secured to the periphery of aperture  128 . The truss or gusset inflatable members  118  and  120  provide additional stability to the inflatable projection imaging screen structure  110 , in addition to the associated guy wires similar to the first embodiment, but the fact that the screen member  140  is now secured within aperture  128  allows for the image to be projected onto screen member  140  to be projected from either the front orientation of the inflatable projection imaging screen structure  110  or from the rear orientation of the inflatable projection imaging screen structure  110 . This provides the user with greater latitude as to the positioning of the audience when viewing the projected image.  
         [0035]     The color of the panels utilized to fabricate the inflatable projection/imaging screen  10  or  110  could vary and is one of design choice. However, the screen surface  40  or  140  would be fabricated of panels that would be white or silver in color in order to receive the projection or image to be projected there upon.  
         [0036]     Once the inflatable projection/imaging screen has been inflated, having the respective guy wires secured thereto to maintain its stability, particularly in an outdoor environment, the projector would be positioned at appropriate distance from the screen  40  or  140  and would project onto the screen panel  40  or  140 , a movie, or advertising image or the like for viewing by a large populous.  
         [0037]     In either of the embodiments discussed heretofore, it will be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art that by disconnecting the blower unit, the inflatable projection/imaging screen  10  or  110  can quickly and easily be disinflated, the guy wires or support members can be disconnected and the inflatable projection/imaging screen structure  10  or  110  can be rolled and/or folded into a compact easily transportable or easily stored unit for transport or storage until further use is required. In this configuration, an individual or entity is allowed to erect the inflatable projection/imaging screen structure  10  or  110  in a variety of environments, project a movie image or the like onto the screen for viewing by a significant number of populous and uninflate, transport or store the inflatable projection/imaging screen structure  10  or  110  for further use or for further inflation at another location with minimal time and labor.  
         [0038]     While the present invention has been described with respect to the exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications or changes can be achieved without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore it is manifestly intended that the invention be limited only by the scope of the claims and the equivalence thereof.