Abstract:
Inflatable figures are able to maintain an upright position without the necessity of external devices such as tethers. There are several ways to cause the inflatables to maintain the upright position. In one example, baffles inside the figure direct air into all areas and controls the air exhaust. In another example, the inflatable is provided with a single air exhaust at the top of the figure. As air travels from the air source, located at the base of the figure to the exhaust, the force of the air traveling through the figure keeps the figure upright. In another example, a tube receives air from the air source and is sewn to the inside of the figure. The tube bends temporarily. When the tube bends, air cannot be exhausted from the tube and the buildup of pressure causes the tube, and therefore the figure, to return to the upright position.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of provisional application 60/291,640, filed on May 18, 2001 and provisional application 60/298,080, filed Jun. 15, 2001. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The invention relates to inflatable figures.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Large inflatable figures are used at such events as grand openings, fairs, and anywhere a visual display is needed to draw attention. Often, such figures depict human or animal characters and are constructed of heavy vinyl material. The weight of the vinyl material limits the movement of the figures and the figures do not have any inherent ability within themselves to provide movement.  
           [0004]    The prior art discloses several types of inflatables. Once such prior art device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,186,857 (Gazit). The patent discloses an inflatable figure movable without internal or external intervention as a result of the inflatable being hollow and provided with a continuous source of air.  
           [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,186,675 (Stoddard) discloses an inflatable balloon mounted over an air vent and operable to be inflated by air from the vent and collapsed when air from the vent stops. Exhaust ports  18  disposed along the underside of each arm  14  direct air flow over streamers  17  to cause them to move.  
           [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,348,250 (Gardner) discloses an animated inflatable figure movable by intentional changing of the air pressure within the figure through a cam and valve arrangement.  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,346,978 (Letsinger) discloses an inflatable advertising device having a small opening at the top for emission of colored smoke and allow lamp heat to be dissipated.  
           [0008]    The prior art inflatable figure suffer form the problem of having uncontrollable movement. When used outdoors, winds cause movement of the figures, including the figures touching the ground resulting in damage and soiling of the figure. The figure itself is also subject to damage from high velocity exhaust. There is a need in the prior art for an inflatable figure that uses baffles to provide stability to the inflatable figure.  
           [0009]    It is an object of the invention to provide an inflatable figure made stable by the introduction of air into the figure and having movement caused by controlling the air flow.  
           [0010]    It is another object of the invention to provide baffles inside an inflatable figure to control air exhaust.  
           [0011]    It is yet another object of the invention to provide a static inflatable that is held stable without the use of tethers.  
           [0012]    It is still another object of the invention to provide an inflatable having a single exhaust at the top of the figure to cause air flow that keeps the figure stable.  
           [0013]    It is yet another object of the invention to provide an exhaust port on an inflatable figure that uses baffles to prevent flailing of the edge of the opening and prevent fraying and damage to the material about the opening.  
           [0014]    These and other objects of the invention will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reviewing the disclosure of the invention.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0015]    Inflatable figures are able to maintain an upright position without the necessity of external devices such as tethers. There are several ways to cause the inflatables to maintain an upright position. In one embodiment, baffles inside the figure direct air into all areas and controls the air exhaust. In another example, the inflatable is provided with a single air exhaust at the top of the figure. As air travels from the air source, located at the base of the figure, to the exhaust, the force of the air traveling through the figure keeps the figure upright. In another example, a tube receives air from the air source and is sewn to the inside of the figure. The tube bends temporarily. When the tube bends, air cannot be exhausted from the tube and the buildup of pressure causes the tube, and therefore the figure, to return to the upright position.  
           [0016]    As used in this application a “generally constant input flow of gas” means that there is an input source that provides a gas flow that is generally fixed or constant in terms of what the source itself provides to the object or figure, without regard to how that flow may be altered by the interaction of the flow with the object. For example, as described in detail below, the structure of the figure can be designed to maintain a generally constant dynamic and static air pressure which enables the figure to remain vertically stable and upright or cooperates with the flow so that periodically a shift between static and dynamic pressure in the expanded figure allows the figure to bend, resulting in a buildup of static pressure that temporarily reduces flow through the figure.  
           [0017]    Movement can be imparted to the figure. One simple way for imparting movement is to cause the air source to cycle on and off. When the air source is off, the figure will start to deflate. However, upon resumption of air from the air source, the force of the air as it travels from the source to the exhaust returns the figure to the upright position. The timing of the on and off cycle of the source can be used to impart any desired movement to the figure. The on and off cycle of the source can be controlled by sound sensing, light sensing or a programmable source. Also, the air source can be mounted on a tilt table. The varying angle of the air emanating from the air source on a tilt table can be used to cause specific movement of the figure.  
           [0018]    As used in this application, flow “with or without intentional intervention” means with or without action by the user or any control mechanism aside from the direct response of the apparatus to the flow. There may be no change or a change made by the user or a control mechanism to the flow into or out of the figure, as distinguished from any change in flow through the figure which results from the interaction between flow and figure such as just described above. The volume, pressure, etc. of input flow into or out of the figure may or may not be changed or adjusted as by a valves or other means manually controlled by the operator or automatically controlled as by a timer or sensing control mechanism.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]    [0019]FIG. 1 is a depiction of an inflatable figure having a single source and single exhaust. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0020]    The static inflatable of the invention uses a single air source  20  to direct air to a single air outlet  30 . The directed air provides enough force on the interior of the figure to keep it in an upright position. For this reason, the figure cannot have inflated appendages. Appendages can be wired in order to give them the inflated appearance but it is required that the air travel from the air source upward to a single exhaust in order to provide the necessary force to keep the figure upright.  
         [0021]    Tether points  35  can be provided on the figure. The tethers are not needed to keep the upright position of the figure, but can be used to impart any desired movement of the figure or to counteract particularly strong winds when the figure is used outside. The air source can be made to cycle on and off. With the air source being intermittent, the figure will be provided with some degree of movement. With the air source off, the lack of air pressure provided by the air source will cause the figure to begin to deflate. As soon as the air source switches to the on condition, the figure will return to the upright position. This type of intentional imparting of movement to the figure is referred to as intentional air intervention technology. The air can be interrupted by the use of relays on fans. The use of relays can be set to a specific cycle. One such cycle is having the relays be two seconds on followed by two seconds off in a repeating pattern. If the relays on the fans are provided with sound sensing, light sensing or programmable controls, the figure can be made to move in any desired manner, including moving to music.  
         [0022]    When a single outlet is used for the exhaust of the air flowing through the figure, the vent is made large and baffles are used in the area of the vent to prevent the edges fo the vent from flailing. The elimination of flailing reduces wear and tear of the material about the vent, adding to the life span of the figure.  
         [0023]    This type of figure can be made in one of two ways. In a first manner, the figure is provided with a single leg and a single air source  20  at the base of the leg. This arrangement creates the necessary air movement in order to maintain upright positions.  
         [0024]    The singular outlet not only provides the outflow from the inflated figure, but the configuration and location of the outlet determines the magnitude and direction of reactive destabilizing forces produced by outflow from the singular outlet. This helps define and determine the particular movement pattern for the moving inflated figure. Thus, the singular vent and its location, 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. Preferably, the single outlet provides a release of gas generally symmetrically with reference to the torso central axis. While it is desirable to have this symmetrical release of gas, the ancillary sections need not be symmetrical to achieve this.  
         [0025]    In the second manner, shown in FIG. 2, the figure has a pair spaced apart legs, a torso, a head and a pair of outwardly and upwardly extending arms. A singular vent  31 , preferably at the top of the head or at the end of only one of the arms, allowing for the continuous release of generally all of the gas being introduced into the figure at a predetermined controlled rate. For example, a figure might have one arm on one side with one large outlet and a plurality of arms on the other side with no outlets in them. Baffles  51 , 52 , 53  in the figure ensure the equal distribution of internal pressure.  
         [0026]    In the second embodiment, the figure is provided with two legs  14 , 16  and an air source  22 , 24  at the base of each leg. In this instance, the torso of the figure is separated into two chambers  26 , 28  in a side by side relationship. The two air sources provide an air flow through each chamber. This type of figure is shown in FIG. 3. As can be seen, the figure operates as two singular tubes joined side by side, each with a single source and a single outlet.  
         [0027]    For many applications, the figure will be generally upright. This arrangement is simple and effective. On some occasions however, it may be desired that the object extend at an incline from the vertical. This could be done for visual aesthetic purposes or might simply be the convenient result of using the apparatus on an inclined surface such as a hillside.  
         [0028]    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 fact dancing in the rhythm to the music. Similarly lighting, particularly intermittent or internal or external strobe type lighting, may also be provided to enhance the overall effect.  
         [0029]    In the preferred form of the apparatus and method, a pair of fans are provided, each connected to the lower end of one of the legs of the figure. The fans provide a generally constant or fixed input airflow, which may be adjustable to different constant flow levels to accommodate different figures and different environmental conditions such as ambient wind.  
         [0030]    Alternately, a single fan may be provided with a singular outflow, with the singular outflow going to one of the legs. Similarly the figure might be provided with a single structural leg connected to a single fan.  
         [0031]    For miniature moving inflatable figures, two fans are preferred which exhaust into one port.  
         [0032]    This new design of miniature moving inflatables uses a new quiet squirrel cage fan enclosed in a housing and a figure with only one exhaust port in it. The arms of the figure are sealed. As the air is fed through the figure, the figure fills up and as the air exhausts, the weight of the figure, the FIG. wants to collapse and in doing so creates a closure in the figure which causes the figure to fill up again. This process repeats itself over and over again as long as the fan continues to provide air to the figure.  
         [0033]    A squirrel cage fan, which is not only quieter, but has a higher static pressure. The opening in the head of the new design has been changed also to provide just enough air release to cause the figure to move around, but not freeze in a stall mode or fall down. There are no internal baffles inside of the new miniature moving inflatable figures but they may be added.  
         [0034]    Single legged medium size moving inflatable figures can be made in an indoor version. The indoor design of the moving inflatable uses a new quiet squirrel cage fan and a redesigned figure with only one exhaust port and sealed arms. There are no internal baffles inside of this design. Baffles may be added to change the form. Baffles in the arm will make the arm not hollow and direct air flow. Also, The exhaust port, does not necessarily need to be in the head portion for other effects. The control of the figure is built into the weight and balance of the figure as defined in the drawing. The weight of the fabric used and the angles of the cuts of the material are designed to enable the figure to dance as designed verses random movements. This figure and fan are designed primarily for indoor use, but may be used outdoors in very calm winds. The height of the figure may vary.  
         [0035]    The outdoor design is taller, and has different measurements than the indoor model. The figure has only one exhaust port in the head and has sealed arms. The only port may still be placed in the arm or other areas for different designs and effects. Baffles may be used in the arms (or other areas of the figures) and therefore, the arms, or other areas, would not be hollow, as needed to direct the airflow. The fan used for this model is a 1.5 hp axial blade fan built by TubeWORKS, Inc. Other HP fans would work with other designs.  
         [0036]    A squirrel cage fan, which is not only quieter, but has a higher static pressure. The opening in the head of the new design has been changed also to provide just enough air release to cause the figure to move around, but not freeze in a stall mode or fall down. The existing single legged medium size moving inflatable figure has two sealed arms attached to it which cause drag and imbalance. That drag and imbalance is offset by the diameter of the exhaust port combined with the weight and shape of the figure itself which forces the figure to dance without touching the ground.  
         [0037]    There are no internal baffles inside of the new design but can be added for directional air as needed which would not make the figure hollow.  
         [0038]    The mid-size single fan moving inflatable figures use a new quiet squirrel cage fan and a redesigned figure with only one exhaust port in it. One arm in the design has an opening sewn into one arm at such a location that it creates movement in the figure as it appears to be waving. Different figures may require placing the port in other areas, i.e., a tail, fins, wings, ears, mouth, Hats, hair, or other accessories, etc as custom designs dictate. The head and the other arm of the figure are sealed.  
         [0039]    As the air is fed through the figure, the figure fills up and as the air exhausts, the weight of the figure&#39;s arm wants to collapse and in doing so creates a closure in the arm of the figure which causes the figure&#39;s arm to fill up again. This process repeats itself over and over again as long as the fan continues to provide air to the figure. One air port may be placed in another area of a custom design that would react accordingly.  
         [0040]    A squirrel cage fan, which is not only quieter, but has a higher static pressure is used. The opening in the arm provides just enough air release to cause the figure&#39;s arm to move around, but not freeze in a stall mode or fall down.  
         [0041]    There are no internal baffles inside of the new design but can be added to provide directional intentionally interrupted air needed in circumstances calling for this.  
         [0042]    Large moving inflatable figures can be made in an indoor and an outdoor version.  
         [0043]    INDOOR VERSION  
         [0044]    This new design of the Indoor version uses a new quiet squirrel cage fan and only one exhaust port in it. The arms of the figure are sealed. The exhaust port is in the head of the figure. But depending on the design, the exhaust port could be in another area of the figure.  
         [0045]    While the design has two legs, two arms and a head, like a humanoid shape, (or animal shape, or other custom shapes) air is fed into only one leg of the figure (or other areas, depending on design and desired effect) and the air exhausts through one exhaust port in the head of the figure (To achieve a desired effect, another location may be substituted, depending upon the design). The other leg of the figure is generally the same length as the other leg, but instead of being open to accept intake air, it is sealed with a heavy material which can take the abuse of touching the ground when it bounces around in a dancing and sometime walking motion. Any unlimited type of designs are possible using this technology. The trade secret is in the weight and balance of the figure and the diameter and shape of the exhaust port, combined with internal baffling.  
         [0046]    As the air is fed through the figure, the figure fills up and as the air exhausts, the weight of the figure wants to collapse and in doing so creates a closure in the figure which causes the figure to fill up again. This process repeats itself over and over again as long as the fan continues to provide air to the figure.  
         [0047]    OUTDOOR VERSION  
         [0048]    This new design of the outdoor version generally uses a 1.5 HP axial blade fan but other HPfans could be used for other designs and a redesigned figure . A smaller or larger horsepower axial blade fan can be used, but it would require a redesign of the figure and the baffling to create the type of movement for each figure which was created. The actual shape of the figures can be almost any design, animal, vegetable or mineral. The key is in the weight and balance, baffling and exhaust air design which is configured specifically to each figure.  
         [0049]    The design uses a different fan, a squirrel cage fan, which is not only quieter, but has a higher static pressure, which is part of the secret to making our new design work with only one opening in the figure vs. three that we had before. The opening in the head of the new design has been changed also to provide just enough air release to cause the figure to move around, but not freeze in a stall mode or fall down. There are internal baffles inside of the new designs. The designs are multi theme characters, animals, and products, that can vary in size in dimension.  
         [0050]    In another embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 4, the figure is provided with an internal fly tube  40  tethered at both ends and having a base receiving the air from a single air source. The tube is sewn to the interior of the figure. This fly tube functions much like a figure having a single source and a single outlet. In this embodiment, the fly tube imparts its movements to the overall inflatable figure. Appendages can be provided on the inflatable figure but they do not have outlets. The movement of the internal fly tube imparting movement to the overall figure is referred to as intentional internal intervention technology. This intentional internal intervention technology can be used in conjunction with the intentional air intervention technology, entailing the control of the air source to provide movement to the figure.  
         [0051]    ALTERNATIVE CONSTRUCTIONS  
         [0052]    I. By trapping an oversize inflated tubular structure inside of an outer inflatable structure, the interior tubular structure will hit the walls of the outer structure and cause it to move. When the outer structure is mounted atop a stable platform such that the outer structure is allowed to rock and roll on the platform, the figure will develop continuous and repetitive movements as air passes through the inflated tube and air is bled off that tube to inflate the outer structure.  
         [0053]    II. By using a stable inflatable type figure and mounting it atop two sliding or semi rotating platforms which are mechanically driven, the legs of the figure will move with the platforms and cause movement in the figure, making it appear to walk or dance.  
         [0054]    III. An inflatable vertically stable figure can also be made, as described in our earlier submission with multiple air outlets which do not cause the figure to move. Design of the figure is such that outside forces, such as the wind, catch the figure and cause it to move or dance while the internal air causes the figure to remain somewhat stable as it fights the wind effects from outside. Inflatables offer an option for those who desire less, or minimal movement in their figures than the other moving figures described herein. Such figures could be preferred for users with limited space to mount the figures or those who have a printed message on the figures that they desire to be more readable as the result of the lesser movement.  
         [0055]    IV. By using an air driven, circulating air vent type mechanism, upon which a single legged, static type figure is mounted, the figure will spin around in circles as the air vent spins.  
         [0056]    While the invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, variations and modifications would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. The invention encompasses such variations and modifications.