Inflatable figure assembly
A displayable inflatable figure has a main hollow body that is of a soft and air-permeable fabric. A fan assembly attached to a base is arranged to force air into the main body. An internally attached lighting system is fastened to provide illumination without external lighting. When inflation is desired, the fan continuously pumps air into the hollow main body. When the hollow main body is inflated, excessive air leaks out from the fabric so that the figure can keep a good shape.
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This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/705,034, filed Nov. 10, 2003, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/042,622, filed Jan. 9, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,644,843. The entirety of each of the foregoing patent documents is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to air-filled displays and more particularly to an inflatable figure assembly.
2. Discussion of Related Art
The prevailing displayable, inflatable figures use impermeable material such as plastic for the main body. Though this kind of material can be impermeable in a short time period, only a few polyester materials can prevent air from leaking out over a long time period, causing a display to look poor, as the display does not retain its shape. In addition, such air-filled figures are usable in lighted areas or during day light. At night, only with the help of external light, can people notice the existence of the inflatable figure.
SUMMARYIn accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an assembly figure has a hollow body made of soft, permeable fabric, a fan assembly forcing air into the main body, and a lighting system inside of the body. When the air has filled the body, the excessive air leaks out from the fabric, thus the figure can keep a good shape for a long time. In addition, the light inside of the body disperses to the outside, making it visible at nighttime.
In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, an inflatable figure assembly is provided comprising: a hollow main body, wherein said hollow main body is made of soft permeable fabric and forms a figure when inflated; a base having a hole, at least a portion of the hollow main body being attached to the base; a fan system attachable to the base and arranged to channel air through the hole in the base and into the hollow main body above the base; and a lighting system arranged to be supported inside the hollow main body when the hollow main body is inflated, the lighting system comprising at least one lighting body that illuminates the figure from within, wherein the hollow main body allows air to diffuse through it at a rate no faster than the fan system discharges air into the hollow main body.
The at least one lighting body may further comprise a bulb connected to a power cord.
The at least one lighting body may comprise a bulb and a cover.
The inflatable figure assembly may further comprise tie-down rings secured to said hollow main body.
The inflatable figure assembly may further comprise an anchor attachable to each tie-down ring.
The at least one lighting body may be a plurality of lighting bodies and each of the plurality of lighting bodies may further comprise a bulb connected to a power cord. Each of the plurality of lighting bodies may comprise the bulb and a cover.
The fan system may be located above the base and within the hollow main body.
The hole may be in a bottom of the base and air may be received upwardly through the hole when the hollow main body is inflated by the fan system.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe drawings constitute a part of this specification and include example embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the example embodiment may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the inflatable figure assembly.
Detailed descriptions of an example embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.
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Though shown here in only one configuration, the main body 11 may take on any of a variety of shapes and sizes. While the invention has been described in connection with an example embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. An inflatable figure assembly, comprising:
- a hollow main body, wherein said hollow main body is made of soft permeable fabric and forms a figure when inflated;
- a base having a hole, at least a portion of the hollow main body being attached to the base;
- a fan system attachable to the base and arranged to channel air through the hole in the base and into the hollow main body above the base; and
- a lighting system arranged to be supported inside the hollow main body when the hollow main body is inflated, the lighting system comprising at least one lighting body that illuminates the figure from within, wherein the hollow main body allows air to diffuse through it at a rate no faster than the fan system discharges air into the hollow main body.
2. The inflatable figure assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one lighting body further comprises a bulb connected to a power cord.
3. The inflatable figure assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one lighting body comprises a bulb and a cover.
4. The inflatable figure assembly of claim 1, further comprising tie-down rings secured to said hollow main body.
5. The inflatable figure assembly of claim 4, comprising an anchor attachable to each tie-down ring.
6. The inflatable figure assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one lighting body is a plurality of lighting bodies.
7. The inflatable figure assembly of claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of lighting bodies further comprises a bulb connected to a power cord.
8. The inflatable figure assembly of claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of lighting bodies comprises the bulb and a cover.
9. The inflatable figure assembly of claim 1, wherein the fan system is located above the base and within the hollow main body.
10. The inflatable figure assembly of claim 9, wherein the hole is in a bottom of the base and air is received upwardly through the hole when the hollow main body is inflated by the fan system.
11. The inflatable figure assembly of claim 1, wherein the hole is in a bottom of the base and air is received upwardly through the hole when the hollow main body is inflated by the fan system.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 15, 2007
Publication Date: Jun 21, 2007
Applicant: Gemmy Industries, Inc. (Coppell, TX)
Inventor: Tsai Chin-Cheng (Linluo Shiang)
Application Number: 11/706,391
International Classification: A63H 3/06 (20060101);