Abstract:
An interactive inflatable amusement structure in the form of an obstacle course or play area which incorporates audio and visual electronics at various locations within the obstacle course through the use of a plurality of transmitter/receivers in radio frequency communication with a central control unit for transmitting data such as elapsed time and points, the central control unit positioned at the egress to the inflatable structure proximate the start of the obstacle course or inflatable game, bounce, etc., and the transmitter/receivers positioned within pockets or the like formed at various locations on the inflatable obstacle course structure.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Applicant claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 61/198,872, filed Nov. 12, 2008. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to inflatable structures, and in particular, to inflatable amusement structures such as obstacle courses, bounce houses, slides and the like, which incorporate electronic audio and visual effects, and scoring and timing ability. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    Inflatable structures which are maintained in an expanded or inflated orientation through the use of blowers have found many uses in commerce including inflatable billboards, inflatable projection screens for the viewing of movies, and inflatable structures in the form of tents maintained in position over tennis courts or athletic fields which allow the individual to play a particular sport despite the weather. Inflatable structures are also used in the amusement industry at fairs, family get-togethers, and other social events. Inflatable water slides or dry slides can be erected utilizing the inflatable structure and a blower to maintain the inflation. 
         [0006]    Applicant has developed inflatable obstacle courses for the amusement of children and adults. The obstacle course is inflated through blowers which maintain the expansion and inflation of the obstacle course while adults or children attempt to circumnavigate the obstacles by racing from one end of the obstacle course to the other. The inflated obstacles in the path of the person may vary and can include without limitation, tunnels, slides, bowling pins, and the like. These inflatables may vary in size but typical dimensions may be 12 m in length, 8 m in width, and heights of 5 m. 
         [0007]    One of the shortcomings to amusement inflatables of the type described is that they could not provide audio and visual effects unless they were hardwired with speakers, screens, and the associated hardware. This hardwiring defeated the purpose of the inflatable which was designed to be installed, inflated and used at a location which required minimal set up time and minimal take down time. There therefore has been a need for an apparatus and method that can allow the owner, installer or user of an inflatable structure, primarily used for amusement purposes, to incorporate audio and visual effects, scoring, and timing to enhance the enjoyment of the people who use the inflatable amusement. The audio and visual effects are easily installed and incorporated in the inflatable and are easily removed for storage and transportation when not in use. 
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    An object of the present invention is to provide for an interactive inflatable structure which incorporates audio and/or visual electronic effects. 
         [0009]    A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel interactive inflatable amusement structure which incorporates audio and/or visual electronic effects. 
         [0010]    A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel interactive inflatable amusement structure in which various audio and/or visual electronic emitters and transmitters can be positioned in the amusement structure for interactive engagement with the user generating audio and visual signals. 
         [0011]    A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel interactive inflatable amusement structure in which there are a plurality of audio and/or visual electronic transmitter/receivers positioned about the inflatable amusement structure in communication via radio frequency with a control member positioned at the egress to the interactive inflatable amusement structure. 
         [0012]    A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel interactive inflatable amusement structure in which various audio visual electronic emitters and transmitters are in communication with a central receiver for the transmission and collection of data, including but not limited to elapsed time and total points. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    An interactive inflatable amusement structure in the form of an obstacle course or play area which incorporates audio and visual electronics at various locations within the obstacle course through the use of a plurality of transmitter/receivers in radio frequency communication with a central control unit for transmitting data such as elapsed time and points, the central control unit positioned at the egress to the inflatable structure proximate the start of the obstacle course or inflatable game, bounce, etc., and the transmitter/receivers positioned within pockets or the like formed at various locations on the inflatable obstacle course structure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent, particularly when taken in light of the following illustrations wherein: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a typical interactive inflatable amusement obstacle course; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a partial cross section illustrating the manner in which the interactive inflatable amusement obstacle course is maintained in an inflatable condition; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a front view of an electronic control panel; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a transmitter; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a close-up view of a pocket which can be incorporated at various locations within the interactive inflatable amusement obstacle course for receipt of a remote transmitter. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]      FIGS. 1 and 2  are a perspective and a partial cross sectional view of an interactive amusement structure  10  of the present invention. The interactive amusement structure  10  is inflatable and is fabricated from a plurality of panels  15  comprised of plastic vinyl or the like of approximately 10 mil thickness, which can be sewn or heat welded together to form a desired interactive amusement structure. The interactive amusement structure illustrated in  FIG. 1  is an obstacle course, and it will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that the form of the obstacle course may vary without departing from the scope of the invention. Other inflatable structures which could include the interactive electronic audio and video effects could include mazes or the like. The inflatable interactive amusement structure  10  is in communication with a blower or series of blowers  16  which provide air to the interior of the inflatable interactive amusement structure  10 . This causes the inflation of the interactive amusement structure and maintains the inflation of the interactive amusement structure during play. The attachment of the blower  16  to the inflatable interactive amusement structure is normally accomplished by a sleeve member  18  integrally attached to a panel of the interactive amusement structure and securable to the outlet  20  of the blower  16 , the blower being in communication with a power source  22 . The interactive amusement structure may be of such weight that it maintains its own contact with the underlying subsurface or ground, however, along the lower edge of the interactive amusement structure, and secured to the panels  15  forming the interactive amusement structure, there may be a series of loops  24  which can be secured to pegs driven into the underlying subsurface. 
         [0021]    In order to provide stability to the interactive amusement structure, a series of baffles  26  of honeycomb design or tubular structure would be fabricated within the inflatable interactive amusement structure in order to direct the air flow from the blower or blowers  16  in order to provide a degree of stability and rigidity to the faces formed by the heat sewn or heat welded panels  15  forming the inflatable interactive amusement structure  10 . The baffles  26  may be oriented vertically or horizontally within the interactive amusement structure, the baffles being constructed of the same material as the exterior panels forming the interactive amusement structure. The baffles  16 , so positioned, direct the air flow from the blowers within the interactive amusement structure in order to maintain its inflatability and many of the baffles  16  may be formed with a plurality of apertures  27  there through to further aid in directing the air in order to insure the full inflation of the interactive amusement structure. 
         [0022]    There is selectively positioned on the panels  16  forming the interactive amusement structure  10 , a plurality of sealable closure vents  28  which are comprised in the form of zippers  30  which allow for the rapid deflation of the interactive amusement structure once its use is terminated. These sealable closure vents  28  can also be used to allow for a certain amount of bleed off of air within the inflatable interactive amusement structure if desired. The rapid deflation allowed by these sealable closure vents  28  allows for the ease of storage and transportation of the interactive amusement structure. 
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is a front view of an electronic control panel  30  for use with the inflatable interactive amusement structure, which control panel controls audio and visual effects.  FIG. 4  is a front view of a remote unit which would be in wireless contact with the control panel in which would be positioned in a plurality of locations within the inflatable interactive amusement structure.  FIG. 5  is a view of the remote unit of  FIG. 4  positioned within a pocket formed on the panels  16  which are used to construct the inflatable interactive amusement structure. 
         [0024]    The control panel  30  could either be battery operated or hard wired, and would be positioned at the ingress to the interactive amusement structure  10  (See  FIG. 1 ). The control panel would have an on/off button  32 , a reset button  34 , and one or more LED displays  36 . Each remote unit  40  would be battery powered and would be in wireless communication with the control unit  30 . The remote unit  40 , which is a combination transmitter/receiver, would have a manual button  42  thereon which when depressed by an individual would cause the remote unit to send a signal to the control unit  30  identifying the remote unit  40  and the fact that it had been tactilly depressed. The depression of the button  42  of the remote unit  40  may either activate or deactivate the remote unit  40 . This may include the activation/deactivation of an audio sound  44  emanating from the unit or the activation/deactivation of a visual signal  45  in the form of a light or such emanating from the unit.  FIG. 5  illustrates the manner in which the remote units  40  are positioned on the panels  15  which comprise the inflatable interactive amusement structure  10  utilizing receptacle pockets  50  which are formed of the same material as the panels and dimensioned to slidably receive and retain the remote units. 
         [0025]    The control box  30  and remote units  40  positioned on the inflatable interactive amusement structure  10 , allow for a variety of games or competitions to be devised among participants. The control panel display is capable of displaying elapsed time and points. In one scenario, individuals hit the reset button on the control panel to reset it to zero. The individual then traverses the inflatable interactive amusement structure attempting to seek out all of the remote units. The individual would depress the button on the remote units which would activate/deactivate an audio or visual signal and simultaneously transmit to the control panel that that remote unit had been activated/deactivated. In this manner, the player&#39;s actual time in traversing the inflatable interactive amusement structure is kept and points are tabulated for the number of remote units which the individual finds and activates/deactivates. When the player exits the inflatable interactive amusement structure, the player depresses a stop button on the control panel and the control panel provides an electronic read out of the elapsed time and the number of points scored based on the number of buttons located and depressed on the remote units. Successive players or individuals would then repeat the exercise attempting to score a better elapsed time or a higher point score. The wireless and electronic controls allow for variations on this game which could include multiple players traversing the inflatable interactive amusement structure at the same time. The control panel  30  permits the resetting of the remove units after each individual traverse. 
         [0026]    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.