Patent Publication Number: US-9418627-B2

Title: Inflatable display device

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates to inflatable display devices. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to inflatable light emitting diode display devices. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Display systems, such as those used in venues for public performance, often require disassembly, transportation, and reassembly between each performance. The disassembly, transportation and reassembly can be expensive, complicated and time consuming. One method of addressing these concerns includes the use of an inflatable support structure. 
     Inflatable objects can be quickly inflated and/or deflated to form a support structure. Many support structures formed by inflatable objects are used to support a separate display screen. The separate display screen must be positioned on the inflatable support structure after inflation, and removed from the inflatable support structure prior to deflation. The inflatable support structure can be unstable, requires set-up beyond inflation, and cannot form a display screen having the geometrical configuration of the inflatable objects. 
     In addition to supporting separate display screens, the inflatable objects have supported strings of lights, both internally and externally. The lights may illuminate the inflatable objects from within, or flash in a predetermined manner to form a light display. However, the strings of lights do not form display screens capable of showing videos, and do not form display screens having the geometrical configuration of the inflatable objects. 
     Therefore, there is an unmet need to provide inflatable, transportable visual displays capable of forming a preconfigured shape, functioning as a light source, and as a video display. Such abilities either alone or in combination can provide an intriguing, highly entertaining visual experience, while at the same time being increasingly easy to disassemble and transport. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     One aspect of the disclosure refers to an inflatable display device including an inflatable support device and a plurality of illumination sources, each of the illumination sources secured to the inflatable support device. The illumination sources are arranged in a preconfigured pattern on the inflatable support device, the preconfigured pattern resulting in the appearance of a continuous display. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure refers to an inflatable display device including a cast silicon material and a plurality of illumination sources, the illumination sources positioned within the case silicon material. The cast silicon material forms an inflatable structure having a predetermined three dimensional configuration. The illumination sources in the predetermined three dimensional configuration form the appearance of a continuous display. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure refers to an inflatable display device including an inflatable support device, a plurality of illumination sources, each of the illumination sources secured to the inflatable support device, and a control system coupled to the illumination sources. The control system coordinates operation of the plurality of illumination sources to form the appearance of a continuous display. 
     An advantage of the present disclosure is that the inflatable display device provides a transportable display having a decreased set-up and removal time. 
     Another advantage of the present disclosure is that the plurality of illumination sources remain attached to a deflated inflatable display device. 
     Yet another advantage of the present disclosure is that the inflatable display device provides a three dimensional display that produces video. 
     Yet another advantage of the present disclosure is that the inflatable display device provides a video screen upon inflation, without further set-up. 
     Further aspects of the method and system are disclosed herein. The features as discussed above, as well as other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows inflation of an inflatable display device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged section of an inflatable display device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged section of an inflatable display device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of an inflatable display device according to the inflatable display device of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of an inflatable display device according to the inflatable display device of  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
    
     Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to represent the same parts. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Provided is an exemplary inflatable display device. Embodiment of the present disclosure, in comparison to devices not using one or more of the features disclosed herein, reduce set-up time, reduce removal time, permit the reduction or elimination of the need for vertical supports within display device thereby significantly reducing the weight of the overall system, permit assembly by personnel having little or no technical skill, increase ease of storage, increase ease of transportation, or a combination thereof. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , in one embodiment, an inflatable display device  100  includes a plurality of flexible illumination sources  102  secured to an inflatable support structure  101 . Flexible, as used herein, refers to an ability of the illumination sources  102  to independently move relative to each other. The illumination sources  102  remain secured to the inflatable support structure  101  throughout an inflation and/or deflation of the inflatable display device  100 . The illumination source  102  is any suitable illumination source capable of producing a plurality of colors and/or intensities. Suitable illumination sources  102  include, but are not limited to, one or more LEDs, organic light emitting diode OLEDs, incandescent bulbs, fluorescent bulbs, polymer light emitting diodes, electroluminescent lights, other suitable illuminating or light emitting sources, or a combination thereof. 
     A hose  103  couples the inflatable support structure  101  to a pump  104 , the pump  104  inflating and/or deflating the inflatable display device  100 . The pump  104  directs a gas (step  110 ) to an interior portion  403  ( FIG. 4 ) of the inflatable support structure  101 . The gas is any suitable gas capable of inflating an object. Suitable gasses include, but are not limited to, oxygen, nitrogen, helium, air, or a combination thereof. The gas fills the interior portion  403  of the inflatable support structure  101 , expanding the inflatable support structure  101  in the X, Y and Z planes. An amount of the gas is maintained (step  120 ) within the inflatable support structure  101 , forming the inflatable display device  100  having a three dimensional shape. 
     A video screen in the three dimensional shape of the inflatable support structure  101  is formed by the illumination sources  102  secured to the inflated inflatable support structure  101 . In one embodiment, the inflatable support structure  101  is inflated and immediately ready to provide video images (video). For example, the deflated inflatable support structure  101  is positioned prior to the start of a performance, inflated during the performance and provides the video immediately upon inflation. The integral illumination sources  102  eliminate a need for post-inflation set-up, providing for control of the inflatable display device from a remote position. 
     In one embodiment, the illumination sources  102  are connected by electrical and/or control wires  202  (wires) or other connectors or wireless connections. In one embodiment, the illumination sources  102  are connected to each other in a grid pattern of the wires  202 . The wires  202  are connected to the illumination sources  102  by any suitable technique or connector. In one embodiment, the wires  202  are arranged in conjunction with a flexible support to provide selective distribution of weight of the inflatable display device  100 . In one embodiment, the wires  202  provide the flexible support for the illumination sources  102 . In one embodiment, the illumination sources  102  are connected with wires  202  that are fiber-optic cables permitting the light to be emitted from various sources. In another embodiment, the wires  202  may be translucent, transparent, semi-transparent, semi-translucent, semi-opaque, opaque, or combinations thereof. 
     In one embodiment, the illumination sources  102  are wirelessly connected. The wireless connections provide wireless control and/or wireless power to the illumination sources  102  from a remote location. Utilizing wireless control and/or wireless power reduces weight and increases portability. In one embodiment, the wirelessly connected illumination sources  102  are powered by individual batteries housed with light emitting diodes (LEDs) or other light sources. Another embodiment includes organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) as LEDs. OLEDs reduce power requirements and permit longer operation on the same charge. Additionally, OLEDs permit the inflatable display device  100  to run on the same charge for an increased period of time as compared to LEDs. 
     A control panel  130  is coupled to the illumination sources  102 , providing power and/or coordinating operation. In one embodiment, the control panel  130  is remote to the inflatable display device  100  and/or integrated into controls of a theatrical performance. In another embodiment the control panel  130  is wirelessly connected to the inflatable display device  100 . In one embodiment, the control panel  130  is electrically connected to the display device  100  thereby permitting power and/or signals to travel to the illumination sources  102 . 
     The inflatable display device  100  includes a plurality of the illumination sources  102  arranged and disposed in a preconfigured pattern to form a suitable continuous display. Suitable continuous displays include, but are not limited to, an illusion of a continuous image (for example, when viewed from a typical viewing distance within a venue), a three-dimensional image, a landscape image, a portrait image, a text image, a text string image, moving image, video, dynamic visual effect, or a combination thereof. 
     The continuous display on the inflatable display device  100  is coordinated by the control panel  130 , which varies the colors and intensities of the illumination sources  102 . A suitable control panel  130  includes any suitable control means (not shown) known in the art for providing images and/or video. The control panel  130  coordinates adjacent illumination sources  102  to form an illuminated image emanating from the inflatable support structure  101 . The illuminated image is controlled in real time to produce the video. The real time control of the video image reduces or eliminates pre-programming of a display prior to an event. 
     In one embodiment, the illumination sources  102 , such as LEDs (not shown), are closely spaced thereby creating a high resolution image, series of images, and/or video. Video, as used herein, refers to the movement of visual images. Decreasing the number of the illumination sources  102  and/or increasing the space between adjacent illumination sources  102  decreases the resolution of the display screen  100 . In one embodiment, each illumination source  102  is an LED pixel. The plurality of illumination sources  102  forms a low resolution video screen. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 4 , in one embodiment, the plurality of illumination sources  102  are secured to the exterior surface  401  of the inflatable support structure  101 . In one embodiment, the plurality of illumination sources  102  are sewn to the exterior surface  401  with stitches  201 . The stitches  201  secure the illumination sources  102  without puncturing the interior surface  402  and/or allowing the gas within the interior portion  403  of the inflatable support structure  101  to escape. The stitches  201  are placed such that they do not inhibit the inflatable support structure  101  from contracting or expanding during inflation or deflation. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 5 , in one embodiment, the illumination sources  102  are positioned within the exterior surface  401  of the inflatable support structure  101 , proximal to the interior portion  403 . Suitable attachment of the illumination sources  102  on the inside of the inflatable support structure  101  includes, but is not limited to, sewing, gluing, encapsulating, casting, or a combination thereof. In a further embodiment, the illumination sources  102  are positioned between the exterior surface  401  and the interior surface  402  of the inflatable support structure  101 . In one embodiment, the inflatable support structure  101  includes a transparent or semi-transparent material through which the illumination sources  102  are seen. In one embodiment, the inflatable support structure  101  includes illumination openings  501  through which the illumination sources  102  shine. The illumination openings  501  associated with each of the illumination sources  102  are sized differently from, or similar to, each of the other illumination openings. 
     A suitable inflatable support structure  101  for containing the illumination sources  102  includes a cast silicon material  301 . The cast silicon material  301  encapsulates the plurality of illumination sources  102 , securing the illumination sources  102  within the inflatable support structure  101 . The cast silicon material  301  secures the plurality of illumination sources  102  within the inflatable support structure  101  throughout inflation and/or deflation. Additionally, the cast silicon material  301  protects the plurality of illumination sources  102  from damage such as, but not limited to, incidental contact, storage, transportation, moisture, weather, or a combination thereof. 
     The inflatable support structure  101  is deflated to increase ease of storage and transportation. The pump  104  reverses a flow of gas through the hose  103  to remove the gas from within the interior portion  403  of the inflatable support structure  101 . Removing the gas from within the interior portion  403  of the inflatable support structure  101  deflates the inflatable support structure  101 , reducing its volume. In one embodiment, the inflatable support structure  101  folds in a predetermined manner throughout deflation. The deflated inflatable support structure  101  has increased portability and ease of storage. 
     In one embodiment, the inflatable support structure  101  includes an integral storage and/or transportation apparatus. The integral storage and/or transportation apparatus contains the deflated inflatable support structure  101  and forms a base for the inflated inflatable support structure  101 . For example, in one embodiment, the integral storage and/or transportation apparatus is a cube having pivotable panels secured there to. The panels are lowered to form a base for the inflatable display device  100 , and raised to enclose the inflatable display device  100  during storage and transportation. 
     In one embodiment, at least a portion of the exterior surface  401  is substantially planar. In another embodiment, at least a portion of the exterior surface  401  is substantially non-planar. Portions of the exterior surface  401  have features that involve different visual effects, such as opacity, translucence, reflection, diffusion, transparency, or a combination thereof. Diffusion is intended to include prismatic diffusion of light into the visible spectrum, as required to achieve a desirable visual effect. 
     In one embodiment, the inflatable support structure  101  includes multiple portions. For example, referring to  FIG. 1 , in one embodiment the inflatable support structure  101  includes a top portion  105 , a first side portion  106  and a second side portion  107 . The top portion  105 , the first side portion  106 , and the second side portion  107  are secured to each other, forming the inflatable display device  100 . The portions are secured using any suitable securing means, such as, but not limited to interlocking features, clipping members, magnets, wire, rope, fasteners, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the single structure includes one or more openings for the gas and is inflated with one or more of the pumps  104 . 
     In another embodiment, the top portion  105 , the first side portion  106  and the second side portion  107  are separate and detachable from each other. Each portion includes one or more openings for the gas, and is individually inflatable. In one embodiment, the openings of multiple portions are coupled to form the inflatable support structure  101  having a continuous interior portion  403  between the top portion  105 , the first side portion  106  and the second side portion  107 . In one embodiment, the top portion  105  is secured to the first side portion  106  and the second side portion  107 , and the interior portion  403  of each portion remains separate from other portions. In another embodiment, the individual portions are secured to each other prior to inflation. In another embodiment the individual portions are inflated prior to being secured to each other. 
     While the disclosure has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.