Abstract:
An inflatable indoor/outdoor three-dimensional display figure. It is made to be freestanding by using a base comprising an inflatable base portion and a pocket therebelow. A weight may be positioned in the pocket to further secure it in place for indoor use. For outdoor use the base has attached uninflated tabs around its perimeter. Using mounting fasteners that pass therethrough, the inflatable display figure can be mounted to the ground. The display figure may comprise fasteners for attaching an optional display area for a written message.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to an inflatable display figure comprising a message area and designed for indoor or outdoor uses. When used outdoors, it can be placed in the yard and securely anchored to the ground, and its design will also enable it to be free standing for indoor use. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Heretofore, inflatable display figures have been designed with a weighted sand bottom or a compartment to add water making the inflatable display figures appear unbalanced. Other designs have a large piece of hard board built into the floor of the inflatable object. Art in the field is not directed to inflatable objects whose design enables it to be free standing and anchored to the ground without the added expense of a built-in weighted area. Also, none of the prior art has been designed to alleviate the inconvenience of adding water to its base for sturdy indoor use. A weighted base is not necessary for outdoor use, yet if this weighted base is built into the inflatable display, the consumer will be paying for the added expense of construction and shipping. 
     Many users would find it desirable to have an inflatable object which can be securely fastened to the ground for outdoor use, stand unsecured for indoor use and have a display area for messages. It is also desirable to eliminate the added cost of manufacturing and shipping for a weight integrated within the display figure. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention satisfies the need for a display figure that can be securely fastened to the ground for outdoor use or stand unsecured for indoor use without using an inconvenient weight. The inflatable display figure comprises an upper inflatable portion having a base attached thereto. The base has an inflatable enclosure defined by a top layer and an inner layer. The display figure further comprises a pocket defined by the inner layer and a bottom layer, where the bottom layer has an opening for a weight. 
     Accordingly, the following are the objectives and advantages of the invention, which differs in construction, operation and results from the prior art articles and devices. 
     One objective is to provide an inflatable indoor/outdoor display figure which can be used in the celebration of holidays and special events such as birthdays, births and anniversaries. 
     Another objective is to provide an inflatable indoor/outdoor display figure which can be placed in the yard and able to withstand a reasonable amount of wind and weather. 
     Still, another objective is to provide an inflatable indoor/outdoor display figure which can be free standing for office, party or home use. 
     Another objective is to provide an inflatable indoor/outdoor display figure with an area for written messages. 
     Further, another objective of the present invention is to provide an inflatable indoor/outdoor display figure which is simple in construction and inexpensive to manufacture. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to provide an inflatable display figure which is attractive and eye-catching. 
     Still yet, another objective of the present invention is to provide an inflatable indoor/outdoor display figure which can be packed away with relative ease and using a small amount of space. 
     Finally, another objective is to provide an inflatable indoor/outdoor display figure in which the consumer is not paying for more than what they need. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     In view of the above and other such objects as may hereafter more fully appear, the invention consists of the novel constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts as will be more fully described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed. The figures listed below have been selected to illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention. These figures along with the accompanying description are sufficient for those skilled in the art to practice the invention as claimed. 
     FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an inflatable indoor/outdoor display figure in the form of a young lady in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the base of the inflatable display figure. 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing the bottom, inner layer and I-beam parts. 
     FIG. 4 is a partial cut-a-way perspective view showing the base and surrounding parts. 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view thereof as taken through section  5 — 5  on FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of an inflatable indoor/outdoor display figure shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of the display figure in the shape of a dinosaur. 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the display figure in FIG.  7 . 
     FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the display figure in FIG.  7 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     While the inflatable display object to be described is in the nature of a young lady, it should be evident that the present invention can be used in conjunction with any other type of inflatable figure. Referring specifically to the figures, identical or similar parts are designated by the same reference numerals throughout FIGS. 1-9. This invention satisfies the need for eliminating the burdensome base or weight of current inflatable display figures. 
     An inflatable display  10  comprises an upper inflatable portion  11  having a base  25  attached to the upper inflatable portion  11 . The base  25  is comprised of three layers: a bottom layer  30 , an inner layer  32  and a top layer  40 . The top layer  40  and a topside  34  of the inner layer  32  comprise an inflatable base portion  26  of the base  25 . The base  25  further comprises a pocket  50  defined by an underside  33  of the inner layer  32  and the bottom layer  30 , where the bottom layer  30  has an opening  28  for a weight  52  to be placed in the pocket  50 . The weight  52  can be any object that substantially maintains the base  25  in position, such as but not limited to, a book. 
     The inflatable display  10  is made of substantially flexible sheet material such as a polymer material, vinyl or any other such material commonly used for making inflatable toys or rafts. Further, the material should be capable of being heat sealed. The bottom, inner and top layers  30 ,  32 ,  40  are heat sealed to form the base  25 , and the base  25  is heat sealed to the upper inflatable portion  11  forming a seam  16 . More specifically, the inner layer  32  and top layer  40  are heat sealed at point  17  as shown in FIG.  5 . The heat sealing process is also used to enclose an interior volume  38  of the upper inflatable portion  11 , causing the inflatable display  10  to become a semi-rigid structure, in this case a young lady. A valve  12  is disposed in the upper inflatable portion  11  for inflating the display  10  to provide it in an erect, self-supporting condition by pressurizing the interior volume  38 . 
     Another feature of the invention is a message area  14  that is integrated within the upper inflatable portion  11 . Messages can be personalized with a writing instrument such as a magic marker to make it more useful for consumers. Alternatively, the message area  14  may be independently removable from the upper inflatable portion  11  as shown in FIG.  8 . In that embodiment the upper inflatable portion  11  would further comprise a plurality of fasteners  15   a,    15   b,  such as but not limited to a snap or Velcro, for attaching the message area  14  thereto. The message area  14  may then have a pre-printed message on one side and be blank on the other side so that a personalized message could be written thereon. The consumer would have a choice of displaying the pre-printed message side or the blank side through use of the fasteners  15   a,    15   b.    
     The inflatable display  10  is made to be self-supporting on an outdoor or indoor surface  60  by means of its construction as shown in FIGS. 1-9. The inflatable display  10  is able to stand erect and balanced by means of the attached base  25 , which has the inflatable base portion  26 . The shape of the inflatable base portion  26  can be a ring, but it is not limited thereto. It may vary depending upon the design of the upper inflatable portion  11 . For example, it may be in the shape of a square, rectangle or legs. The purpose of the inflatable base portion  26  is to give the inflatable display  10  better balance when it is not possible to fasten it into the support surface  60 . 
     The inflatable base portion  26  may also comprise a height adjustment mechanism  35  to increase the height of the pocket  50 . The height adjustment mechanism  35  may take the form of an I-shape support  36  traversing between the top layer  40  and the topside  34  of the inner layer  32  of the base  25 . Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 7-9, the upper inflatable portion  11  may take a shape that has feet  37 . The feet  37  would be of sufficient height such that the pocket  50  would be tall enough for placement of the weight  52  therein. The pocket  50  must have sufficient dimensions so that the weight  52  can be positioned within the pocket  50  via the opening  28  of the bottom layer  30  of the inflatable display FIG.  10 . The weight  52  does not need to be completely enclosed within the pocket  50 . 
     The base  25  perimeter has a plurality of tabs  22   a,b,c,d  attached thereto. Although the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-9 have four such tabs, this amount may differ depending upon the design of the inflatable display  10 . A heat sealed seam  18  about the base  25  perimeter inhibits air from inflating these tabs  22 . Each tab  22  contains a reinforced opening  20  that permits a mounting fastener  24  to pass therethrough to the support surface  60 . 
     Another aspect of the present invention is an equalizing air hole  48  defined within the upper inflatable portion  11 . The equalizing air hole  48  is positioned such that the upper inflatable portion  11  and the inflatable base portion  26  can be inflated substantially simultaneously and pressure therein can remain substantially in equilibrium. 
     Viewing FIGS. 7-9, another embodiment of the present invention is shown in the shape of a dinosaur with legs  41  and feet  37 . The base  25  in this embodiment is simpler in construction because the pocket  50  is formed by heat sealing the bottom layer  30  to the bottom of the upper inflatable portion  11 . As previously stated, the legs  41  and feet  37  serve as the height adjustment mechanism  35  to deepen the pocket  50  for placement of the weight  52  therein. 
     To use the inflatable display  10 , a gas such as air is forced through the valve  12  to pressurize the interior volume  38 . As the upper inflatable portion  11  is pressurized, air passes through the equalizing air hole  48  to the inflatable base portion  26  of the base  25 . As the display  10  inflates, the upper inflatable portion  11  rises to increase the height of the pocket  50 . The height of the pocket  50  will depend on the type of height adjustment mechanism  35  utilized. Once inflation is completed, the weight  52  can be placed in the pocket  50  via the opening  28  so that the inflatable display  10  remains substantially stationary. Also, a personal message can be written on the message area  14 . 
     Conventional signs have been rather dull and expensive for the needs of the general public. These signs are mainly one-dimensional and limited in size. This invention could be made in an endless variety of exciting three-dimensional forms that could appeal to children and adults. Each display could have a message area  14  that can be personalized for the consumer. With this new and novel construction, the consumer is able to use this inflatable display  10  indoors and outdoors. It will be balanced to stand erect, eliminating the unbalanced effect that other inflatable display figures have shown. It should cost the consumer less than other related art displays since the consumer will not have to pay for the added cost of manufacturing it with a weighted bottom. This should also greatly reduce shipping costs. Also, by eliminating the hardboard in its base, packaging will be much smaller and appealing to both consumers and retailers alike. 
     Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.