Abstract:
A bag assembly that includes a bag portion that includes a front wall, a back wall, a bottom wall and first and second side walls that all cooperate to define an open top and an interior, and a bladder disposed in the bag portion. The bag portion includes a first flap that extends from the back wall and a second flap that extends from the front wail.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to weight bags and more particularly to a weight bag assembly that can be filled with sand or water to hold down a tent or inflatable structure. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Large inflatable children&#39;s toys, such as bounce houses, jumpers, water slides, etc. are susceptible to being blown over or otherwise into an undesirable position by the wind or other conditions. The present invention provides a weight bag assembly that can be used to hold down portions of the inflatable items. 
       SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0003]    In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method that includes the steps of providing a weight bag assembly that includes a bag portion that includes an open top, an interior, a first flap and a connection member, and a bladder disposed in the bag portion, filling the bag portion with a solid substance and/or filling the bladder with liquid, folding the first flap over the open top, and connecting an item to be weighted down to the connection member. In preferred embodiment, the method can include folding a first flap over the spout and securing the first flap to the front wall and folding a second flap over the bladder. 
         [0004]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a bag assembly that includes a bag portion that includes a front wall, a back wall, a bottom wall and first and second side walls that all cooperate to define an open top and an interior, and a bladder disposed in the bag portion. The bag portion includes a first flap that extends from the back wall and a second flap that extends from the front wall. 
         [0005]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided an inflatable system that includes an inflatable structure, and at least one weight bag connected thereto. The weight bag includes a bag portion that includes a font wall, a back wall, a bottom wall and first and second side walls that all cooperate to define an open top and an interior, and a bladder disposed in the bag portion. The bag portion includes a first flap that extends from the back wall and a second flap that extends from the front wall. 
         [0006]    The invention, together with additional features and advantages thereof, may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying illustrative drawings. In these accompanying drawings, like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a weight bag assembly connected to an inflatable jumper in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 1A  is a detailed perspective view of an inflatable jumper connected to the connection member of the weight bag assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the weight bag assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional side view of the weight bag assembly of  FIG. 1  with the bladder filled with water; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional side view of the weight bag assembly of  FIG. 1  with the bag portion filled with sand. 
       
    
    
       [0012]    Like numerals refer to like structures or features throughout the several views of the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0013]    The following description and drawings are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order to avoid obscuring the description. References to one or an embodiment in the present disclosure can be, but not necessarily are references to the same embodiment; and, such references mean at least one of the embodiments. 
         [0014]    Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the-disclosure. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not other embodiments. 
         [0015]    The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure, and in the specific context where each term is used. 
         [0016]    It will be appreciated that terms such as “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “side,” “short,” “long,” “up,” “down,” and “below” used herein are merely for ease of description and refer to the orientation of the components as shown in the figures. It should be understood that any orientation of the weight bag assembly and the components thereof described herein is within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0017]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating the present invention and not for purposes of limiting the same,  FIGS. 1-4  show a weight bag assembly  10 . As described herein, the weight bag assembly  10  can be used to weight down or hold down portions of an inflatable jumper or the like. However, this is not a limitation on the present invention, and the weight bag assembly  10  can be used for other purposes or to hold down other items, such as tents and the like. 
         [0018]    With reference to  FIGS. 14 , the weight bag assembly  10  generally includes a bag portion  12  and a bladder  14 . The bag portion  12  preferably defines a bag portion interior  16  and includes first and second flaps  18  and  20 , first and second handles  22  and  24  and a connection member  26 . The bag portion  12  comprises a front wall  13 , back wall  15 , bottom wall  17  and first and second side walls  19  and  21 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the first flap  18  extends from the back wall  15  and the second flap  20  extends from the front wall  13 . 
         [0019]    The bladder  14  preferably includes a main body portion  28  and a spout  30  having a screw cap  32  or the like. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the bladder  14  can include other types of closure mechanisms. Any type of closure mechanism, such as a cap, plug, snap, etc. is within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0020]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , in a preferred embodiment, the front wall  13  of the bag portion  12  includes an orifice  34  defined therein through which the spout  30  extends. The orifice  34  can also be defined in any of the other walls of the bag portion  12 . In a preferred embodiment, the bag portion  12  is made of a heavy and flexible material, such as nylon, that provides durability. 
         [0021]    In use, the bag assembly  10  can be filled with any solid substance  100 , or any liquid (preferably water)  102  or a combination of both. Any solid substance  100 , such as sand, rocks, grit, etc., can be used to fill the bag portion  12 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , sand can be placed in the bag portion  12  through opening  36 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , water can be poured into spout  30 . As is best shown in  FIGS. 3-4 , to close the bag assembly  10 , second flap  20  is folded and inserted through top opening  36  and over bladder  14  and first flap  18  is folded over opening  36  such that it covers spout  30  and screw cap  32 . In a preferred embodiment, first flap  20  and an outside surface of bag portion  12  include mating closure members  38  to secure first flap  20  to the bag portion  12  and prevent anything (sand, bladder, etc.) from falling out of bag portion interior  16 . In a preferred embodiment, the closure members  38  are hook and loop fasteners. Other closure members, such as snaps, buttons, clasps, hooks, ties, etc. are within the scope of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the connection member  26  is a ring that is connected to the back wall  15 . However, other connection members  26 , such as ropes, loops, fasteners, clasps, clips, etc., are within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the connection member  26  can be connected to any portion of the bag portion  12 , such as the front, bottom and/or first and second side walls. Also, more than one connection member  26  can be used. 
         [0022]    The sand and/or water provide weight to the bag assembly  10 , which can then be used to weight down a portion of an inflatable jumper  104 , as is shown in  FIG. 1 . In use, a clip or other connection member from the inflatable jumper can be connected to connection ring  26 . 
         [0023]    Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” As used herein, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” or any variant thereof, means any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling of connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Where the context permits, words in the above Description of the Preferred Embodiments using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number respectively. 
         [0024]    The above-detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the teachings to the precise form disclosed above. While specific embodiments of and examples for the disclosure are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the disclosure, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. 
         [0025]    While the above description describes certain embodiments of the disclosure, and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the teachings can be practiced in many ways. Details of the system may vary considerably in its implementation details, while still being encompassed by the subject matter disclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the disclosure should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features or aspects of the disclosure with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the disclosures to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification unless the above Description of the Preferred Embodiments section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the disclosure encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the disclosure under the claims. 
         [0026]    While certain aspects of the disclosure are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventors contemplate the various aspects of the disclosure in any number of claim forms. For example, while only one aspect of the disclosure is recited as a means-plus-function claim under 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6, other aspects may likewise be embodied as a means-plus-function claim, or in other forms, such as being embodied in a computer-readable medium. (Any claims intended to be treated under 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6 will begin with the words “means for”). Accordingly, the applicant reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the disclosure. 
         [0027]    Accordingly, although exemplary embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that all the terms used herein are descriptive rather than limiting, and that many changes, modifications, and substitutions may be made by one having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.