U.S. patent application number 10/903940 was filed with the patent office on 2006-02-02 for inflatable ornament and method of manufacturing same.
This patent application is currently assigned to Take One Limited, L.L.C.. Invention is credited to Vincent Lau.
Application Number | 20060025037 10/903940 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35732944 |
Filed Date | 2006-02-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060025037 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lau; Vincent |
February 2, 2006 |
Inflatable ornament and method of manufacturing same
Abstract
An inflatable ornament includes a hollow shell (110) formed of a
flexible material (111) and having an opening (112) therein. An
airway (120) formed of the flexible material is coupled to the
opening and extends between the opening and a fan (130). The fan
and the hollow shell are in fluid communication with each other
along an axis (140) extending through the airway between the fan
and the hollow shell. The fan is located to the side of the hollow
shell and does not support the hollow shell or lie between the
hollow shell and a surface on which the hollow shell sits.
Inventors: |
Lau; Vincent; (Hong Kong,
CN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Kenneth A. Nelson;Bryan Cave LLP
Suite 2200
Two North Central Avenue
Phoenix
AZ
85004-4406
US
|
Assignee: |
Take One Limited, L.L.C.
Phoenix
AZ
|
Family ID: |
35732944 |
Appl. No.: |
10/903940 |
Filed: |
July 30, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/226 ;
446/220 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09F 15/0025
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/226 ;
446/220 |
International
Class: |
A63H 3/06 20060101
A63H003/06 |
Claims
1. An inflatable ornament comprising: a hollow shell formed of a
flexible material and comprising an opening; an airway comprising:
a first end coupled to the hollow shell at the opening; and a
second end; and a fan coupled to the airway at the second end such
that the fan and the hollow shell are in fluid communication with
each other along an axis extending through the airway between the
fan and the hollow shell, wherein: the opening is the only opening
in the hollow shell; the airway extends away from the hollow shell
when the airway and the hollow shell are inflated by the fan; the
hollow shell comprises a long dimension; and the axis is neither
parallel nor substantially parallel to the long dimension of the
hollow shell.
2. The inflatable ornament of claim 1 further comprising: a weight
inside the hollow shell.
3. The inflatable ornament of claim 2 wherein: the weight comprises
a sealed tube containing a quantity of sand; and the sealed tube is
attached to the hollow shell.
4. The inflatable ornament of claim 1 further comprising: a support
for the hollow shell located at a base of the hollow shell.
5. The inflatable ornament of claim 1 further comprising: a
plurality of lights inside the hollow shell.
6. The inflatable ornament of claim 5 wherein: the plurality of
lights are distributed along at least a portion of the long
dimension of the hollow shell; and each one of the plurality of
lights comprises: a bulb; a socket capable of receiving the bulb
and of distributing electrical power to the bulb; and a cover
enclosing the bulb and at least partially enclosing the socket.
7. The inflatable ornament of claim 6 further comprising: a
fastener inside the hollow shell; and an electrical power cord
extending between the fan and the fastener, wherein: each one of
the plurality of lights is attached to the electrical power
cord.
8. The inflatable ornament of claim 1 further comprising: a tether
loop attached to the hollow shell.
9. The inflatable ornament of claim 1 wherein: the flexible
material is a gas-permeable material.
10. The inflatable ornament of claim 1 wherein: the fan comprises
an on/off switch.
11. The inflatable ornament of claim 1 further comprising: an
electrical power cord attached to the fan and having a plug at an
end thereof, wherein: the electrical power cord supplies electrical
power to the fan such that the fan operates continuously while the
plug is connected to a source of electrical power; and the plug
comprises a fuse capable of interrupting electrical power to the
fan.
12. The inflatable ornament of claim 11 further comprising: a
fastener inside the hollow shell; and a second electrical power
cord extending between the fan and the fastener and having a
plurality of lights attached thereto, wherein: the fan does not
comprise an on/off switch; and the second electrical power cord is
electrically connected to the electrical power cord.
13. The inflatable ornament of claim 1 wherein: the hollow shell
comprises a vent capable of being selectively opened and closed in
order to, respectively, release or trap a gas inside the hollow
shell.
14. An inflatable ornament capable of being supported on a surface,
the inflatable ornament comprising: a hollow shell formed of a
flexible material and comprising an opening, the hollow shell
capable of retaining a gas therein; an airway formed of the
flexible material and comprising: a first end coupled to the hollow
shell at the opening; and a second end; and a fan coupled to the
airway at the second end such that the fan and the hollow shell are
in fluid communication with each other along an axis extending
through the airway between the fan and the hollow shell, wherein:
the airway extends away from the hollow shell when the airway and
the hollow shell are inflated by the fan such that the fan is not
located between the surface and the hollow shell.
15. The inflatable ornament of claim 14 wherein: the hollow shell
comprises a long dimension; and the axis is neither parallel nor
substantially parallel to the long dimension of the hollow
shell.
16. The inflatable ornament of claim 14 wherein: the hollow shell
has a first volume; the airway has a second volume; and the first
volume is greater than the second volume.
17. The inflatable ornament of claim 16 wherein: the first volume
exceeds the second volume by at least a factor of twenty.
18. The inflatable ornament of claim 14 further comprising: a
fastener inside the hollow shell; an electrical power cord
extending between the fan and the fastener; and a plurality of
lights attached to the electrical power cord.
19. The inflatable ornament of claim 14 wherein: the hollow shell
comprises a vent capable of being selectively opened and closed in
order to, respectively, release or trap the gas inside the hollow
shell.
20. The inflatable ornament of claim 14 further comprising: a
weight inside the hollow shell.
21. The inflatable ornament of claim 20 wherein: the weight
comprises a sealed tube containing a quantity of sand; and the
sealed tube is sewn to the hollow shell.
22. The inflatable ornament of claim 14 further comprising: a
support coupled to the hollow shell and located between the hollow
shell and the surface.
23. The inflatable ornament of claim 14 wherein: the flexible
material comprises a gas-permeable fabric.
24. An inflatable ornament capable of being supported on a surface,
the inflatable ornament comprising: a hollow shell formed of a
flexible, gas-permeable material capable of retaining a gas therein
and comprising: a base capable of resting on the surface; a top
suspended above the base when the inflatable ornament is inflated
with the gas; and an opening; an airway formed of the flexible,
gas-permeable material and comprising: a first end coupled to the
hollow shell at the opening; and a second end; and a fan coupled to
the airway at the second end such that the fan and the hollow shell
are in fluid communication with each other along an axis extending
through the airway between the fan and the hollow shell; a sealed
tube sewn to the base of the hollow shell and containing a quantity
of sand capable of stabilizing the inflatable ornament on the
surface; a first electrical power cord electrically coupled to the
fan; and a lighting system inside the hollow shell comprising: a
fastener coupled to the hollow shell; a second electrical power
cord extending between the fan and the fastener; and a plurality of
lights electrically coupled to the second electrical power cord,
wherein: the airway extends away from the hollow shell such that
the fan is not located between the surface and the base of the
hollow shell when the airway and the hollow shell are inflated by
the fan; the hollow shell comprises a long dimension and has a
first volume; the airway has a second volume less than the first
volume; and the axis is neither parallel nor substantially parallel
to the long dimension of the hollow shell.
25. The inflatable ornament of claim 24 wherein: the plurality of
lights are distributed along at least a portion of the long
dimension of the hollow shell; and each one of the plurality of
lights comprises: a bulb; a socket capable of receiving the bulb
and of distributing electrical power to the bulb; and a cover
enclosing the bulb and at least partially enclosing the socket.
26. The inflatable ornament of claim 25 wherein: the hollow shell
comprises a vent capable of being selectively opened and closed in
order to, respectively, release or trap the gas inside the hollow
shell.
27. The inflatable ornament of claim 26 wherein: the first volume
exceeds the second volume by at least a factor of twenty.
28. A method of manufacturing an inflatable ornament capable of
being supported on a surface, the method comprising: providing a
hollow shell formed of a flexible material and comprising an
opening; providing an airway formed of the flexible material and
comprising: a first end coupled to the hollow shell at the opening;
and a second end; providing a fan capable of introducing a gas into
the hollow shell to inflate the hollow shell; and coupling the fan
to the second end of the airway such that: the fan and the hollow
shell are in fluid communication with each other along an axis
extending through the airway between the fan and the hollow shell;
the airway extends away from the hollow shell when the airway and
the hollow shell are inflated by the fan; and the fan is not
located between the surface and the hollow shell.
29. The method of claim 28 further comprising: providing a fastener
inside the hollow shell; and providing an electrical power cord
having a plurality of lights attached thereto and extending between
the fan and the fastener.
30. The method of claim 29 wherein: each one of the plurality of
lights comprises: a bulb; a socket capable of receiving the bulb
and of distributing electrical power to the bulb; and a cover
enclosing the bulb and at least partially enclosing the socket.
31. The method of claim 28 further comprising: providing the hollow
shell with a vent capable of being selectively opened and closed in
order to, respectively, release or trap the gas inside the hollow
shell.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to inflatable objects, and
relates more particularly to inflatable objects appropriate for
holiday, seasonal, theme-related, and other decorative use.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Holiday and seasonal decorations, theme-related and
event-related ornaments, and the like are widely used to create a
festive spirit or other desired ambiance at parties or occasions
such as Christmastime, Halloween, and other holidays and seasonal
occurrences, as well as at other gatherings such as sporting
events, political rallies, meetings, and the like. Such items are
popularly used for their ability to amuse, delight, or impress an
observer of the decoration or ornament, to reinforce a theme, to
emphasize or impart a message, or simply to attract and capture the
attention of an observer or passerby.
[0003] Inflatable decorations and ornaments in a variety of shapes
and sizes, and capable of affecting an observer in any of the
foregoing ways, have existed for some time. More recently,
fan-inflated decorations making use of a continuously-blowing fan
have been produced. Such fan-inflated decorations eliminate the
need for time-consuming and sometimes uncomfortable manual
inflation, thereby making possible decorations of larger size and
greater ease of use. Existing fan-inflated decorations, however,
suffer from a high degree of instability. Accordingly, there exists
a need for a fan-inflated decoration that offers the benefits
expected of such an item and that is also stable and secure during
use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] The invention will be better understood from a reading of
the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying figures in the drawings in which:
[0005] FIG. 1 is a partially cut-away front elevational view of an
inflatable ornament according to an embodiment of the
invention;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one of a plurality of lights
inside the inflatable ornament according to an embodiment of the
invention;
[0007] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the light shown in FIG. 2
according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0008] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fan that forms part of an
inflatable ornament according to an embodiment of the
invention;
[0009] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing
an inflatable ornament capable of being supported on a surface,
according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0010] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of an inflatable
ornament according to another embodiment of the invention; and
[0011] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a support for an inflatable
ornament according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0012] For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing
figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and
descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may
be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention.
Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily
drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements
in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to
help improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same
elements.
[0013] The terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," and the like
in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for
distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for
describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to
be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under
appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the
invention described herein are, for example, capable of operation
in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described
herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprise," "include," "have," and
any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive
inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that
comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those
elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or
inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.
[0014] The terms "left," "right," "front," "back," "top," "bottom,"
"over," "under," and the like in the description and in the claims,
if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for
describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood
that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate
circumstances such that the embodiments of the invention described
herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations
than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. The term
"coupled," as used herein, is defined as directly or indirectly
connected in an electrical, mechanical, or other manner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] In one embodiment of the invention, an inflatable ornament
comprises a hollow shell formed of a flexible material and having
an opening therein to admit the entrance of air or another gas. An
airway formed of the flexible material is coupled to the opening
and extends between the opening and a fan. The fan and the hollow
shell are in fluid communication with each other along an axis
extending through the airway between the fan and the hollow shell.
When in operation, the fan introduces air into the airway and from
there into the hollow shell. In one embodiment, the flexible
material is a gas-permeable material, such as a gas-permeable
fabric or the like. Once the air inside the hollow shell reaches a
certain pressure, the gas permeable material allows air to escape
at a rate roughly equal to the rate at which the air is introduced
by the fan, thereby allowing the inflatable ornament to retain its
shape while the fan is in operation. The fan is located to the side
of the hollow shell and does not support the hollow shell or lie
between the hollow shell and a surface on which the hollow shell
sits.
[0016] FIG. 1 is a partially cut-away front elevational view of an
inflatable ornament 100 capable of being supported on a surface 190
according to an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in FIG.
1, inflatable ornament 100 comprises a hollow shell 110, an airway
120, and a fan 130. Hollow shell 110, which is capable of retaining
a gas therein, as further described below, is formed of a flexible
material 111 and comprises an opening 112. As an example, flexible
material 111 can be nylon, plastic, rubber, fabric, or the like. In
one embodiment, flexible material 111 comprises a gas-permeable
material, such as nylon, that allows gas to escape under conditions
described below. Surface 190 can be the ground, a platform, or any
other surface capable of supporting inflatable ornament 100.
[0017] Airway 120 is formed of flexible material 111 and comprises
an end 121 coupled to hollow shell 110 at opening 112 and an end
122 coupled to fan 130. As an example, end 122 can comprise tie
ends 123 that may be used to couple airway 120 to fan 130. Tie ends
123 may also be untied if airway 120 should ever need to be
detached from fan 130.
[0018] In one embodiment, airway 120 and hollow shell 110 are
formed from a single piece of flexible material 111 such that
opening 112 marks a seamless transition between hollow shell 110
and opening 112. In another embodiment, airway 120 is sewn or
otherwise attached to hollow shell 110 at opening 112. Hollow shell
110 has a first volume, and airway 120 has a second volume. In the
illustrated embodiment, the first volume, of hollow shell 110,
exceeds the second volume, of airway 120, by at least a factor of
twenty.
[0019] Fan 130 is coupled to airway 120 in such a way that fan 130
and hollow shell 110 are in fluid communication with each other
along an axis 140 extending through airway 120 between fan 130 and
hollow shell 110. Fan 130 introduces air into airway 120 and from
there into hollow shell 110, thus inflating hollow shell 110 and
giving it its intended shape. The shape can take any form
appropriate for a holiday, seasonal, decorative, theme-related,
political, or other display. As an example, hollow shell 110 can
take the form of a ghost, a snowman, an athlete or other
sports-related figure, a political personality, a marketing icon,
or any of a vast array of other shapes.
[0020] It was mentioned above that in one embodiment flexible
material 111 comprises a gas-permeable material. In that
embodiment, flexible material 111 allows air to escape once a
certain pressure is achieved within hollow shell 110. At that
pressure, which pressure can be such that hollow shell 110 is taut
but not strained, air will escape through flexible material 111 at
a rate substantially equal to the rate at which fan 130 introduces
air into hollow shell 110. The gas-permeable embodiment therefore
allows fan 130 to be run continuously for long periods even several
hours-at a time. The continuously running fan will maintain the
shape of hollow shell 110, and the gas-permeable material will
allow excess air that would otherwise distort the shape, or rupture
the material, to escape at a steady rate that also allows the shape
of hollow shell 110 to be maintained. The air-displacement rate of
fan 130 is such that inflatable ornament 100 may be inflated by fan
130 in a relatively short amount of time. In an embodiment where
hollow shell 110 is approximately three meters tall and
approximately half a meter wide, for example, fan 130 is capable of
inflating inflatable ornament 100 in approximately sixty
seconds.
[0021] It will be understood that in an embodiment where flexible
material 111 is a gas-permeable material, flexible material 111
comprises a plurality of what will be referred to herein as
microscopic openings through which air escapes. Although the
microscopic openings may not truly be invisible to the unaided eye,
they are small enough to at least be difficult to see without
optical assistance. Apart from such microscopic openings, opening
112 is, in one embodiment, the only opening in hollow shell 110. In
another embodiment, inflatable ornament 100 comprises an additional
opening in the form of a vent 180 capable of being closed during
operation of fan 130, so as to trap air inside hollow shell 110,
and capable of being opened during deflation of inflatable ornament
100, so as allow the air to more quickly escape from inside hollow
shell 110 than would be possible using only the microscopic
openings. In either embodiment, however, opening 112 is the only
opening in hollow shell 110, apart from the microscopic openings,
that remains open during normal operation of inflatable ornament
100. As an example, vent 180 may be provided with a zipper 181 so
as to allow the selective opening and closing of vent 180.
[0022] As mentioned above, a function of vent 180 is to quickly
release air, when desired, from inside hollow shell 110, and vent
180 may be located in hollow shell 110 at whatever position is most
conducive, or at least reasonably conducive, to the performance of
that function. Such position may vary from one inflatable ornament
to another as the shape of hollow shell 110 varies. In the
illustrated embodiment, vent 180 is located on a sidewall of hollow
shell 110 and as close to base 101 as possible.
[0023] Fan 130 comprises an electrical power cord 131 having a plug
132 attached to an end thereof. Electrical power cord 131 supplies
electrical power to fan 130 such that, in one embodiment, fan 130
operates continuously while plug 132 is connected to a source of
electrical power. In another embodiment, fan 130 comprises an
on/off switch 133 capable of turning off fan 130 even while fan 130
is connected to the source of electrical power. In one embodiment,
plug 132 comprises a fuse (not shown) capable of interrupting
electrical power to fan 130 upon the occurrence, for example, of
some over-voltage or other unsafe condition. Such plugs containing
fuses are known in the art, and thus will not be further described
herein. Fan 130 still further comprises a motor 134 and extended
legs 135 that provide an airspace, important for proper operation
of fan 130, between motor 134 and surface 190.
[0024] As further illustrated in FIG. 1, airway 120 extends away
from hollow shell 110 when airway 120 and hollow shell 110 are
inflated by fan 130. Accordingly, fan 130 is not located between
surface 190 and hollow shell 110, but is instead located to a side
of hollow shell 110. Locating fan 130 to a side of hollow shell
110, rather than in between hollow shell 110 and surface 190,
greatly increases the stability of inflatable ornament 100. In at
least one embodiment, hollow shell 110 comprises a long dimension
parallel to an arrow 115, and axis 140 is neither parallel nor
substantially parallel to the long dimension.
[0025] Inflatable ornament 100 further comprises a base 101 capable
of resting on surface 190, a top 102 that is suspended above base
101 when inflatable ornament 100 is inflated with a gas, and a
weight 150 inside hollow shell 110 at base 101. In the illustrated
embodiment, weight 150 comprises a sealed tube containing a
quantity of sand, water, or other relatively dense material
suitable for the purpose of adding weight to, and therefore
stabilizing, inflatable ornament 100. The sealed tube is sewn or
otherwise attached to hollow shell 110, and can be, for example, a
flexible tube made of vinyl or other suitable material. In another
embodiment, weight 150 can comprise a tube or other container that
may be opened and closed by a user of inflatable ornament 100,
rather than a tube that is permanently sealed. A selectively
openable and closable tube allows the user to fill the tube with an
appropriate material, or to adjust the amount of such material in
the tube. Weight 150 serves to stabilize inflatable ornament 100
and is thus useful in windy locations or other environments where
inflatable ornament 100 is likely to be intentionally or
unintentionally bumped, pushed, or buffeted.
[0026] Inflatable ornament 100 further comprises at least one
tether loop 170 attached to an exterior of hollow shell 110 for use
with a tether line and a stake (neither of which are shown) to
further stabilize inflatable ornament 100. As an example, a tether
line may be coupled to tether loop 170 and affixed to a stake which
is then attached to surface 190. In at least one embodiment,
inflatable ornament 100 comprises two or more tether loops 170
located, for example, approximately midway between base 101 and top
102, and further comprises a plurality of tie down rings 175
located near base 101. As an example, each of tie down rings 175
may accept a stake (not shown) that may then be driven into, or
otherwise attached to, surface 190 in order to still further
stabilize inflatable ornament 100.
[0027] Referring still to FIG. 1, inflatable ornament 100 further
comprises a lighting system 160 inside hollow shell 110. Lighting
system 160 comprises a fastener 161 coupled to hollow shell 110, an
electrical power cord 162 extending between fan 130 and fastener
161, and a plurality of lights 163 electrically coupled to
electrical power cord 162. Electrical power cord 162 is, in at
least one embodiment, electrically coupled to electrical power cord
131. Plurality of lights 163 will be shown in more detail in FIG.
2, below.
[0028] As an example, fastener 161 can be a strip of flexible
material 111 that is sewn or otherwise attached to hollow shell
110. Electrical power cord 162 can be wrapped around or tied to
fastener 161, or fastener 161 can be wrapped around or tied to
electrical power cord 162. Electrical power cord 162 may then be
allowed to swing freely as it hangs from fastener 161, thus
creating a dancing light effect as inflatable ornament 100 sways
back and forth in the breeze, or because of being jostled by an
observer. In one embodiment, plurality of lights 163 are
distributed along at least a portion of the long dimension of
hollow shell 110. Fastener 161 may be coupled to hollow shell 110
at a point roughly three quarters of the way between base 101 and
top 102, as illustrated in FIG. 1, or it may be coupled to hollow
shell 110 near top 102 or at some other point. Multiple fasteners
may be used, if desired, to allow lights to be fixed at a plurality
of points within hollow shell 110.
[0029] In a non-illustrated embodiment, lighting system 160 does
not include electrical power cord 162, and plurality of lights 163
draw electric power from a battery or other source. In that
non-illustrated embodiment, plurality of lights 163 are attached
individually to hollow shell 110 using, for example, fasteners that
can be similar to fastener 161. In the same or another
non-illustrated embodiment, inflatable ornament 100 may be
illuminated in some other fashion. As an example, such illumination
may be accomplished by a light or lights located outside hollow
shell 110 that shine on inflatable ornament 100 from one or more
exterior positions. As another example, a single light may be
located inside hollow shell 110 at base 101 and illuminate
inflatable ornament 100 by shining up from that location. Other
lighting schemes will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the
art.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a light 210, which is one of
plurality of lights 163 (FIG. 1), according to an embodiment of the
invention. Light 210 is representative of each one of plurality of
lights 163. As illustrated in FIG. 2, light 210 comprises a bulb
211, a socket 212 capable of receiving bulb 211 and of distributing
electrical power to bulb 211, and a cover 213 enclosing bulb 211
and at least partially enclosing socket 212. For clarity of
illustration, only a portion of cover 213 is shown in FIG. 2. Cover
213 encloses bulb 211 and prevents it from coming into direct
contact with flexible material 111, thus minimizing the chance that
heat generated by bulb 211 will melt or burn flexible material 111.
Cover 213 can be made of plastic or another transparent or
translucent material so as to admit the passage of light from bulb
211.
[0031] As an example, bulb 211 can be a seven watt bulb, and socket
212 can be a standard light bulb socket as known in the art. As
illustrated in FIG. 2, electrical power cord 162 passes through
socket 212 and supplies electrical power to socket 212 such that
socket 212 can distribute electrical power to bulb 211 as described
above.
[0032] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of light 210 with cover 213
enclosing bulb 211 according to an embodiment of the invention. As
illustrated in FIG. 3, cover 213 comprises a hinge 310 capable of
allowing cover 213 to be opened along a separation line 312 so as
to allow access to bulb 211 and socket 212. A screw 311 or other
fastening device holds the two halves of cover 213 in place, but
may be removed or loosened when access to the interior of cover 213
is desired. Cover 213 may further comprise one or more ventilation
holes 314. Ventilation holes 314 release heat generated by bulb
211, reduce the weight of cover 213, and allow the passage of light
from bulb 211.
[0033] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of fan 130 according to an
embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in FIG. 4, fan 130
comprises a nozzle 410, a lip 420, leg holes 430, and housing 440.
Nozzle 410 is configured to direct air in a direction substantially
parallel to surface 190 (FIG. 1). It was mentioned above that
locating fan 130 to a side of, rather than underneath, hollow shell
110 (FIG. 1) greatly enhances the stability of inflatable ornament
100 (FIG. 1). The illustrated orientation of nozzle 410 makes
possible such location of fan 130. Another significant advantage of
such location is that it enables fan 130 to be placed in a manner
adapted to conditions in which inflatable ornament 100 is
displayed. As an example, if inflatable ornament 100 is displayed
outdoors in inclement weather, such as during a snowstorm, fan 130
may be placed on a box, platform, or other riser so as to raise it
up out of the snow or other precipitation. In good weather, or when
inflatable ornament 100 is displayed indoors, fan 130 may be placed
next to hollow shell 110 on surface 190.
[0034] Lip 420 comprises an indentation 421 capable of receiving
tie ends 123 (FIG. 1) when tie ends 123 are used to couple airway
120 (FIG. 1) to fan 130. As an example, tie ends 123 may be wrapped
around lip 420 within indentation 421 so as to form a good seal
between fan 130 and airway 120. Leg holes 430, located in legs 135,
may be used as apertures through which a screw or other fastening
device (not shown) may be inserted, as when it is desired to fasten
fan 130 to a riser such as those mentioned above, or to surface 190
(FIG. 1).
[0035] It was mentioned above that electrical power cord 162 is, in
at least one embodiment, electrically connected to electrical power
cord 131. FIG. 4 illustrates that electrical power cord 162 exits
housing 440, where such electrical connection is accomplished, and
then enters nozzle 410 through a side of nozzle 410 before it exits
nozzle 410 through lip 420. The illustrated configuration of
electrical power cord 162 allows electrical power cord 162 to enter
airway 120 (FIG. 1) and from there extend into hollow shell 110, as
illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0036] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method 500 of
manufacturing an inflatable ornament, such as inflatable ornament
100, shown in FIG. 1, capable of being supported on a surface, such
as surface 190, also shown in FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of
the invention.
[0037] A step 510 of method 500 is to provide a hollow shell formed
of a flexible material and comprising an opening. As an example,
the hollow shell can be similar to hollow shell 110, first shown in
FIG. 1. As another example, the flexible material can be similar to
flexible material 111, and the opening can be similar to opening
112, both of which were first shown in FIG. 1.
[0038] A step 520 of method 500 is to provide an airway formed of
the flexible material and comprising a first end coupled to the
hollow shell at the opening and further comprising a second end. As
an example, the airway can be similar to airway 120, first shown in
FIG. 1.
[0039] A step 530 of method 500 is to provide a fan capable of
introducing a gas into the hollow shell to inflate the hollow
shell. As an example, the fan can be similar to fan 130, first
shown in FIG. 1.
[0040] A step 540 of method 500 is to couple the fan to the second
end of the airway such that: the fan and the hollow shell are in
fluid communication with each other along an axis extending through
the airway between the fan and the hollow shell; the airway extends
away from the hollow shell when the airway and the hollow shell are
inflated by the fan; and the fan is not located between the surface
and the hollow shell.
[0041] A step 550 of method 500 is to provide a fastener inside the
hollow shell. As an example, the fastener can be similar to
fastener 161, first shown in FIG. 1.
[0042] A step 560 of method 500 is to provide an electrical power
cord having a plurality of lights attached thereto and extending
between the fan and the fastener. As an example, the electrical
power cord can be similar to electrical power cord 162, first shown
in FIG. 1, and the plurality of lights can each be similar to light
210, first shown in FIG. 2.
[0043] A step 570 of method 500 is to provide the hollow shell with
a vent capable of being selectively opened and closed in order to,
respectively, release or trap the gas inside the hollow shell. As
an example, the vent can be similar to vent 180, first shown in
FIG. 1.
[0044] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of an inflatable
ornament 600 according to another embodiment of the invention. As
illustrated in FIG. 6, inflatable ornament 600 is capable of being
supported on a surface 690, and comprises a hollow shell 610 and an
airway 620. As an example, hollow shell 610 and airway 620 can be
similar to, respectively, hollow shell 110 and airway 120, both of
which were first shown in FIG. 1. Only a portion of airway 620 is
illustrated in FIG. 6; a non-illustrated portion of airway 620 is
connected to a fan similar to fan 130, first shown in FIG. 1, but,
in the interest of simplicity, both the non-illustrated portion of
airway 620 and the fan are omitted from FIG. 6.
[0045] Hollow shell 610 comprises a base 601 and a top 602. Surface
690 can be similar to surface 190, which was also first shown in
FIG. 1. Inflatable ornament 600 further comprises a support 605 for
hollow shell 610. Support 605 is located at base 601 of hollow
shell 610. In the illustrated embodiment, support 605 comprises
feet 606 that raise support 605 above surface 690. In another
embodiment, support 605 may rest directly on surface 690. As
illustrated in FIG. 6, support 605 is coupled to hollow shell 610
and located between hollow shell 610 and surface 690. As an
example, support 605 may be constructed of plastic or a similar
material.
[0046] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of support 605 according to an
embodiment of the invention. Referring now to FIG. 7, and still to
FIG. 6, support 605 comprises a lip 710 and fastener holes 720. At
lip 710, support 605 may be coupled to hollow shell 610. Such
coupling may be accomplished via an adhesive such as glue, tape, or
the like, or via some other fastening medium or device.
Alternatively, support 605 may be tied to hollow shell 610, or may
be coupled in any other manner known in the art. Fastener holes 720
are capable of admitting a screw, a nail, or some other
non-illustrated fastener for the purpose of securing support 605 to
surface 690. Support 605 may be hollow or solid, as desired for a
particular application or use of inflatable ornament 600. As an
example, a solid support adds more weight, and thus potentially
greater stability in windy conditions, but may be more unwieldy and
harder to handle or transport than a hollow support.
[0047] Although the invention has been described with reference to
specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the
art that various changes may be made without departing from the
spirit or scope of the invention. Various examples of such changes
have been given in the foregoing description. Accordingly, the
disclosure of embodiments of the invention is intended to be
illustrative of the scope of the invention and is not intended to
be limiting. It is intended that the scope of the invention shall
be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims. For
example, to one of ordinary skill in the art, it will be readily
apparent that the inflatable ornament discussed herein may be
implemented in a variety of embodiments, and that the foregoing
discussion of certain of these embodiments does not necessarily
represent a complete description of all possible embodiments.
Rather, the detailed description of the drawings, and the drawings
themselves, disclose at least one preferred embodiment of the
invention, and may disclose alternative embodiments of the
invention.
[0048] All elements claimed in any particular claim are essential
to the invention claimed in that particular claim. Consequently,
replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes
reconstruction and not repair. Additionally, benefits, other
advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with
regard to specific embodiments. The benefits, advantages, solutions
to problems, and any element or elements that may cause any
benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced,
however, are not to be construed as critical, required, or
essential features or elements of any or all of the claims.
[0049] Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are
not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the
embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in
the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express
elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of
equivalents.
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