WO2008050242A2

WO2008050242A2 - Inflatable display

Info

Publication number: WO2008050242A2
Application number: PCT/IB2007/050128
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jiansheng Xiao
Original assignee: SWIFTECH Co Ltd; LUM VICKEY
Current assignee: SWIFTECH Co Ltd; LUM VICKEY
Priority date: 2006-10-27
Filing date: 2007-01-16
Publication date: 2008-05-02
Anticipated expiration: 2009-04-27
Also published as: WO2008050242A3; CN200984464Y

Abstract

An inflatable display (20) has a main hollow body (22) and movable parts (36) attached hereto. An external inflation device (42) is connected to the inlet (46) of the main body (22). When connected with power, the inflation device (42) continuously pumps air into the body (22), which inflates the body and keeps it in a good shape. On the other hand, the directional air current (51) generated within the body will drive the movable parts (36) moving in a rotational path.

Description

INFLATABLE DISPLAY

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to an inflatable display and in particular an inflatable decoration with movable display items.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] Inflatable display is getting more and more popular in recent years due to its portability, as when not in operation the whole assembly can be deflated and collapsed for storage and transportation. The inflatable display usually has a plurality of air inlets and outlets and the process of continuously blowing air being supplied from a fan or other inflation device occurring at substantially the same rate as air escaping the inflatable display allows the display to maintain a three-dimensional shape without the use of an internal of external frame or structure. These are known in the industry as "cold-air" inflatable displays.

[0003] In many circumstances, in order to increase the attractiveness of the cold-air inflatable display, it is desirable to add movable parts to the display while still maintaining the advantages of portability.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0004] In the light of the foregoing background, it is an object of the present invention to provide an inflatable display with movable parts.

[0005] In accordance with the present invention, the inflatable display assembly includes an inflatable main body with at least one main body inlet and at least one main body outlet. A support frame is disposed within the main body and includes a plurality of blades attached thereto. At least one display item is coupled to the support frame. An air pump is connected to the main body inlet. The main body inlet and the main body outlet are positioned within the main body in such a way as to allow air blown from the air pump to create a directional air current. In particular, the blades are disposed within the main body in a position traverse to the air current, whereby air blown from the air pump inflates the main body and blows against the blades such that the support frame moves in a re- circulating path relative to the main body during proper operation.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment, the support frame and the blades of the inflatable display assembly described above are made of cloth materials and sewn as an integrated inflatable piece having at least one frame inlet. The frame inlet is also connected to the air pump such that during proper operation, a portion of the air discharged from the air pump is channeled through the frame inlet into the integrated inflatable piece to create stiffness therein for air resistance against the directional air current in the main body.

[0007] In an even more preferred embodiment, the display item is inflatable and connected to the integrated inflatable piece in a manner adapted to receive air blown from the air pump through the frame inlet during proper operation.

[0008] In a specific example, the display item contains an inflatable tube with a first end inflatably extending from the support frame such that air discharged into the support frame during operation can inflate the tube to form a rigid pole. The display item further comprises a side extension inflatably extending from the second end of the tube with the second end opposing the first end such that air discharged into the tube during operation can inflate the extension to form a rigid canopy on which additional display items may be hung.

[0009] In another preferred embodiment, the inflatable display assembly further includes an assembly inlet connecting the air pump to the frame inlet and the main body inlet with the main body inlet being adapted to receive a portion of air passing through the assembly inlet to inflate the main body, and create the directional air current to blow against the blades such that the support frame moves in a rotational path relative to the main body.

[0010] In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of displaying a display item. The method includes the steps of inflating an inflatable object; coupling a display object at least partially inside the inflatable object in a manner to restrict the movement of the display object relative to the inflatable object to a re- circulating path; generating a directional air current in the inflatable object; and coupling a plurality of blades to the display object in a position traverse to the directional air current such that the kinetic energy from the air current is captured by the blades to drive the display object along the re-circulating path.

[0011] There are many advantages to the present invention. For instance, in conventional designs, motor and auxiliary gear modules are usually used to provide transitional force to the movable parts in order to make them move. The adoption of motor and gears, however, may severely affect the portability of the inflatable display as these mechanical modules cannot be folded or compressed, and further increase the weight and cost of the whole assembly. Using air flow as the media for transmitting kinetic energy to the movable part according to the present invention eliminates the need of a separate motor. Instead, a single inflation device such as an air pump would be sufficient to provide both inflation and kinetic energy to the inflatable assembly. Thus the inflation assembly can be fully made of soft material such as cloth or fabric that may be able to be folded and compressed into a tiny size.

[0012] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions. Taken in connection with the accompanying drawings herein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0013] Fig. 1 is a cross-section view of the inflatable assembly in the inflated mode with arrows indicating the direction of airflow when the assembly is properly connected to an air pump as to illustrate its operation.

[0014] Fig. 2a and 2b are enlarged cross-section views of the two bearings used in the assembly according to one specific embodiment of the present invention. [0015] Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the support frame showing the position of blades with arrows showing the movement of the blades as driven by the directional air current.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] As used herein and in the claims, "comprising" means including the following elements but not excluding others.

[0017] As used herein and in the claims, "traverse" means that the surfaces of the blades are positioned to run across the direction of the air flow to provide resistance to the air flow for the purposes of capturing the kinetic energy stored in the moving air. Since the blades are preferably of a "windmill" or "propeller" shape, the varying curvatures of the blade form various angles with the direction of the air flow, but generally of an acute or right angle.

[0018] As used herein and in the claims, "directional air current" means that at least a portion of the air flows from inlets to outlets generally following a prescribed path in at least a section of the inflated enclosure, such as but not limited to a unidirectional circular path. This term is not meant to preclude the escape of a portion of the air in any direction.

[0019] As used herein and in the claims, "coupling" and "connection" refers to a mechanical coupling or connection either directly or indirectly via an intermediate means.

[0020] As used herein and in the claims, "cloth" means air-tight pliable materials which includes but is not limited to plastic film, sheet or fabric sheet.

[0021] The instant invention will be described below by the specific example of an inflatable merry-go-round. 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 teaching in virtually any appropriate system, structure or manner.

[0022] Referring now to Fig. 1, the inflatable assembly 20 contains a large inflatable enclosure 22 that acts as the main body. In this specific embodiment, this main body also includes an inflatable ring 48 connected to the enclosure 22 around the periphery of its bottom for support thereof. The enclosure 22 contains an interior system 21 which contains numerous parts described herein. In this example, the support frame takes on the appearance of an inflatable disc 26 to form the platform of the merry-go- round disposed completely within the enclosure 22. The platform 26 is rotatably coupled to the center of the bottom of the enclosure 22 via a pneumatic bearing 30 and also contains integrated inflatable bottom extensions that act as the blades 28. In addition, this example shows a vertical inflatable tube 32 connecting at the bottom of the tube to the platform 26. The tube extends all the way up to the top of the enclosure 22 and is rotatably coupled to the top of the enclosure via a stator bearing 38. The tube 32 further includes a disc-shaped inflatable side extension 34 near the top which is in turn connected to a plurality of additional display items 36 at the periphery of the side extension 34. In this example, these additional items may be inflatable pumpkins and ghosts for Halloween, or Santa Claus for Christmas. The edge of the circular disc 26 is separated from the side wall of the inflatable enclosure 22 by a narrow air gap 27. The blades 28, each in the shape of a propeller, extend downwards from the bottom of the platform such that the bottom of the blades 28 is adjacent the bottom wall of the inflatable enclosure 22. A plurality of pockets 67 (see reference numeral 67 in Fig.3) is thus formed, each with two blades as the sides, the bottom of the platform as the top and the bottom of the enclosure as the bottom. Each pocket 67 is generally in the shape of a wedge with the outer edge of the wedge being adjacent to the side wall of the enclosure 22. These pockets together form an enclosed space in which unidirectional air flow will be created. A stator bearing 38 is placed on top of the side extension 34 connecting the inflatable enclosure 22 thereto. An opening 40 is provided at the top of the tube 32 and side extension 34 that opens up to a display pocket 41 extending from the top of the enclosure 22. The display pocket 41 has an open top where air can escape from the tube 32 to the surroundings. A zipper 39 acting as the enclosure outlet is also sewn on enclosure 22. [0023] At the bottom side of the enclosure 20, a plastic conduit 44 extends therefrom and is adapted to connect the inlet of the enclosure inlet 51 and the inlet of the frame 50 with the outlet of an air pump. The bearing 30 is concentrically coupled to the undersurface of the inflatable disc 26.

[0024] Referring now to Figures 2A, the pneumatic bearing 30 consists of an air core shaft 54, which is nested in the bearing sleeve 52 without direct contact, as shown in Fig. 2A. The core shaft 54 is attached to the bottom of the disc platform while the bearing 30 is attached to one end of the plastic conduit 44 that leads to the frame inlet 50.

[0025] Turning now to Fig. 2B, the stator bearing 38 contains a hollow stator shaft 56. The upper portion of the shaft is attached to the enclosure 22 at the junction with the tube opening 40. The bottom of the shaft is formed into a ball and coupled to the interior opening of the side extension 34. The vent of the stator shaft 56 is the frame outlet 58 which connects to the opening 40.

[0026] Now turning to the operation of the device described above, Fig. 1 shows how the device according to the present invention may be inflated from a collapsed state to an inflated state. During operation, when the air pump 42 is switched on, it generates airflow into the plastic conduit 44, as shown by the arrow 60. One portion of the air will flow though the conduit 44 to reach the frame inlet 50 to inflate the platform 26 and blade 28. On the other hand, another portion of the airflow entering the assembly inlet 46 will be vented via the enclosure inlet 51 and abounds the enclosed space formed by the platform 26 and the inflatable ring 48. This portion of the airflow also provides the air pressure needed for the functioning of the pneumatic bearing 30 to ensure the smooth movement of platform 26. As shown by the arrow 62, this airflow will further travel through the tube 32 and the side extension 34 to a set of additional display items 36 and inflate them consequently. Upon inflation, any excess airflow will be emitted outside the inflatable assembly 20 via the opening 40, as shown by the arrow 64. In this specific example, opening 40 is designed to be in the shape of flame with a light source embedded therewithal such that when the air is emitting therefrom, the opening 40 looks like a flamboyant burning fire, while a small portion of the air will inflate the inflatable ring 48 through the ring perforation 68.

[0027] Upon substantial inflation of both the enclosure 22 and the interior system 21, air pressure will start to build up, particularly in the pockets 67 that form the enclosed space. Due to the unidirectional flow of the air into the enclosure via the main body inlet, directional air flow will be generated in the enclosed space that will blow the blades 28 in one direction. Additional air will then escape through the gap 27 to the upper chamber of the inflatable enclosure 22.

[0028] Turning now to Fig. 3, the plurality of blades 28 are preferably arranged in a propeller shape, and aligned concentrically with the bottom of the inflatable disc 26. Arrow 66 shows the direction of the directional air flow, driving the platform 26 to move in a rotational path relative to the enclosure 22.

[0029] Returning now to Fig. 1, the integrally sewn inflatable disc 26 and blades 38, tube 32 supported by the pneumatic bearing 30 and the stator bearing 38, side extension 34, and further the plurality of additional display items 36, will all move simultaneously in a rotational path. The zipper 39 sewn on the top surface of the inflatable enclosure 22 plays an important role in additional air draining. It is possible to control the rotation speed of the tube 32 and additional display items 36 by adjusting the opening of the zipper 39. If the zipper 39 is fully closed, the rotation will still continue but at a slower speed because the directional air flow will be slowed due to pressure built up in the upper chamber of the enclosure 22. On the other hand, if the zipper 39 is fully open, excessive air will be vented therethrough and the inflatable assembly 20 will be deflated. In the most preferred embodiment, during the initial inflation process, the zipper 39 is preferred to be kept in the closed status to expedite the inflation process, whereas in the stable operation mode, the zipper 39 may be partially opened. [0030] The material of the merry-go-round example is plastic sheet, film or fabric sheet. The seams between the various pieces (e.g. the seams between the opening in the bottom platform and the blades) may be heat-melt, injection molding or heat-sealed together to form an air-proof seal.

[0031] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are thus fully described. Although the description referred to particular embodiments, it will be clear to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced with variation of these specific details. Hence this invention should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0032] For example, the shape of the inflatable assembly 20 is described as having a cylindrical shape as shown in Fig. 1 above, but it is clear that other shapes and sizes may be used according to the user's preference, such as oval, square, rectangular, or any other geometry in shape.

[0033] The blades 28 within the inflatable disc 26 are secured to the frame through sewing as illustrated in Fig .1 and Fig. 3. In fact, any other method that can perform the inter- connection of these two parts via a common point is acceptable, such as screws, soldering, heat melting, etc.

[0034] In this specific example, the inflatable disc 26 and blades 28 are made of inflatable materials or any soft sheets of plastic or fabric. However, the same invention may be practiced with the blades and/or the frame made from a rigid material such as alloy or rigid plastic. But in view of the portability requirement, any material that is foldable and collapsible, heat-shrinkable material, shape memory materials or loops may be used to make these two parts.

[0035] As described above, the zipper 39 deposited on the top surface of the inflatable enclosure 22 is used to control the air emitting speed and thus the rotational speed of the display items 36. It is obvious to one skilled in the art that there are other means apart from zipper for controlling the opening of the inflatable enclosure 22. Some of the alternatives means include but not limited to adhesive means, valves, faucet and stopcock.

[0036] The position of air pump 42 is not limited to be at the bottom of the assembly as shown in Fig. 1. One alternative solution is to put the air pump on top of the assembly so that the whole assembly can be hung from a ceiling, which saves more space and would in turn become another style of ornament.

[0037] In this specific example, the additional display item 36 is hung from the periphery of the side extension 34. But the display items may be configured on virtually any locations in the inflatable assembly 20. For example, the display items can be printed on inflatable disc 26, or be partially extended from the inflatable enclosure 22.

[0038] The blades 28, as shown in Fig. 3, are organized in a "windmill" or "propeller" shape. But other shapes, arrangements or numbers of the blades being able to obtain the same effect, such as clover, double-bladed or eight-bladed, can also be used instead.

[0039] Besides using the display items in the inflatable assembly 20, other means of decoration or any expression keen to human sensibility can be adopted to increase the presentability of the assembly. For example, implementing additional illumination in the main body or introducing sound effect to the assembly may be employed. The displays may also be used for advertising purposes.

[0040] Finally, in Fig.1 above, the platform 26, tube 32 and display items 36 are moving in a rotational path during proper operation, as a result of the drive by the airflow. However, by smart designs, the movement of the parts as driven by air flow can follow other kinds of motion paths, such as conveying belt, swirling, circular, or irregular paths etc.

[0041] In the following section, another specific example of the instant invention will be introduced for the merit of demonstrating various embodiments to the present invention. [0042] As shown in Fig. 4, an inflatable spinning toy comprises a circular platform 74, a transparent body 76, an upper spinning disc 84, a lower spinning disc 86, a support sleeve 80, an air inline 88, and a closing plate 90 sealing the lower end of the circular platform 74. There is an air passage 78 located on the circular platform 74. A ribbon 98 is installed at the air outlet 124 on top of the transparent body 76. The inner wall of the transparent body 76 at the air outlet 124 contains a soft pipe 100 installed thereto. The soft pipe 100 is fixed onto a first suspension clasp provided with a central hole, which is not shown. An upper fixing plate 94, installed at the axial outlet of the upper spinning disc 84, is pin-jointed with a second suspension clasp 96. The upper end of the support sleeve 80 is fixed onto the upper spinning disc 84, while its lower end is fixed onto the lower spinning disc 86. The inflatable spinning toy further comprises a pin-jointed ventilation device 92 fixed onto an auxiliary air intake 112 provided on the closing plate 90, and an axial air inlet 108 provided on the lower spinning disc 86. A main air intake 114 on the closing plate 90 is coupled to the air inline 88. Referring to Fig. 5 now, there is a plurality of curved hollow blades 110 on the bottom surface of the lower spinning disc 86. The intracavity of the blades 110 is connected to that of the lower spinning disc 86. The blades 110 are coupled to the main air intake 114. These blades can either be dextrally or sinistrally distributed.

[0043] Referring now to Fig. 6, the pin-jointed ventilation device 92 comprises a hollow shaft 116 and a shaft sleeve 120. The hollow shaft 116 has a 90-degree- rotated "H" shape with baffle plates 118 being located at its top and bottom ends. The lower end of the hollow shaft 116 is further connected to a circular groove 119. The shaft sleeve 120 is movably located on the hollow shaft 116 between the baffle plates 118.

[0044] Turning now to Fig. 7, a first connector 102 is situated at the auxiliary air intake 112 of the closing plate 90 and coupled to the circular groove 119 on the hollow shaft 116 to connect the hollow shaft 116 onto the closing plate 90. On the other end of the hollow shaft 116, a second connector 104 is deposited at the axial air inlet 108 of the lower spinning disc 86 to fix the lower spinning disc 86 onto the shaft sleeve 92. The lower end of the hollow shaft 116 is fixed onto the closing plate 90 at the auxiliary air intake 112. The upper end of the shaft sleeve 92 is fixed onto the axial air inlet 108 on the lower spinning disc 86. ] During operation, the air blown by the fan, passing through the air inline 88 and main air intake 114, enters the enclosed spaces confined by the circular platform 74, the closing plate 90 and the transparent body 76. Then the air enters the circular platform 74 via the air passage 78. Moreover, the air passing through the main air intake 114 acts on the blades 110 by rotating the lower spinning disc 86. On the other hand, the air passing through the auxiliary air intake 112 enters the lower spinning disc 86, support sleeve 80, upper spinning disc 84, and the decoration 82. The air is finally discharged at the air outlet 124 located on top of the transparent body 76 through the second suspension clasp 96 and initiates the waving of the ribbon 98.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An inflatable display assembly comprising: a) an inflatable main body comprising at least one main body inlet and at least one main body outlet; b) a support frame disposed within said main body; c) a plurality of blades attached to said support frame; d) at least one display item coupled to said support frame; and e) an air pump connected to said main body inlet; wherein said main body inlet and said main body outlet are positioned within said main body in a manner to allow air blown from said air pump to create a directional air current; and wherein said blades are disposed within said main body in a position traverse to said air current, whereby air blown from said air pump inflates said main body and blows against said blades such that said support frame moves in a re- circulating path relative to said main body during proper operation.

2. The inflatable display assembly according to claim 1 wherein said support frame and said blades are made of cloth materials and sewn as an integrated inflatable piece having at least one frame inlet, said frame inlet is also connected to said air pump such that during proper operation, a portion of the air discharged from said air pump is channeled through said frame inlet into said integrated inflatable piece to create stiffness therein for air resistance against said directional air current in said main body.

3. The inflatable display assembly according to claim 2 wherein said display item is inflatable and connected to said integrated inflatable piece in a manner adapted to receive air blown from said air pump through said frame inlet during proper operation.

4. The inflatable display assembly according to claim 3 wherein said display item further comprises an inflatable tube with a first end inflatably extending from said support frame such that air discharged into said support frame during operation can inflate said tube to form a rigid pole; said display item further comprising a side extension inflatably extending from a second end of said tube, said second end opposing said first end such that air discharged into said tube during operation can inflate said extension to form a rigid canopy on which additional display items may be hung.

5. The inflatable assembly according to claim 4 wherein said additional display items are inflatable by said air pump.

6. The inflatable display assembly according to claim 3 further comprising an assembly inlet connecting said air pump to said frame inlet and said main body inlet and wherein a) said main body inlet is adapted to receive a portion of air passing through said assembly inlet to inflate said main body and create said directional air current to blow against said blades such that said support frame moves in a rotational path relative to said main body; and b) said frame inlet is adapted to receive a portion of air passing through said assembly inlet to inflate said integrated inflatable piece and said display item.

7. The inflatable display assembly according to claim 2 wherein said support frame is in the shape of a circular disc rotatably attached in the center to a first end of said main body with the size of said circular disc being large enough to create an enclosed space therebetween, said blades extending into said enclosed space such that said directional air current may be effectively generated within said space and excess air can escape through the gap between the edge of said circular disc and said main body.

8. The inflatable display assembly according to claim 1 wherein said support frame is rotatably coupled to said main body such that said support frame is capable of moving in a rotational path relative to said main body when air blown from said air pump blows against said blades during proper operation.

9. The inflatable display assembly according to claim 1 wherein said main body outlet comprises a zipper adapted to control the size of the opening of said main body outlet.

10. A method of displaying a display item comprising a) inflating an inflatable object; b) coupling a display object at least partially inside said inflatable object in a manner to restrict the movement of said display object relative to said inflatable object to a re- circulating path; c) generating a directional air current in said inflatable object; and d) coupling a plurality of blades to said display object in a position traverse to said directional air current such that the kinetic energy from said air current is captured by said blades to drive said display object along said re- circulating path.

11. The method according to claim 10 wherein said display object is inflatable, said method further comprises the step of discharging air to inflate said display object.