U.S. patent application number 11/086711 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-21 for stake for securing inflatable devices.
This patent application is currently assigned to Intertex, Inc.. Invention is credited to Eddie Demirdjian, Rouben Gourchounian.
Application Number | 20060211507 11/086711 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37011067 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060211507 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Demirdjian; Eddie ; et
al. |
September 21, 2006 |
Stake for securing inflatable devices
Abstract
A method of securing an inflatable device with an inflatable
securing device. The method includes providing the securing device,
the inflatable security device having a body with a first and
second ends, the first end having a tapered, pointed tip and the
second end having a loop formed thereon, the body further including
a middle portion between the first and second end having a spiral
shape. Then, providing the inflatable, which has at least one
securing strap attached thereto. The method further includes
securing the device into a surface by using the loop on the second
end of the securing device as a handle and employing a screwing
motion to drive the tapered, pointed tip of the first end of the
inflatable securing device into the surface; and, attaching the at
least one securing strap of the inflatable to the loop on the
second end of the securing device.
Inventors: |
Demirdjian; Eddie;
(Pasadena, CA) ; Gourchounian; Rouben; (La Canada
Flintridge, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JEFFER, MANGELS, BUTLER & MARMARO, LLP
1900 AVENUE OF THE STARS, 7TH FLOOR
LOS ANGELES
CA
90067
US
|
Assignee: |
Intertex, Inc.
Glendale
CA
|
Family ID: |
37011067 |
Appl. No.: |
11/086711 |
Filed: |
March 21, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
472/134 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 15/62 20130101;
A63G 31/12 20130101; E04H 15/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
472/134 |
International
Class: |
A63G 31/00 20060101
A63G031/00 |
Claims
1. A method of securing an inflatable comprising the steps of:
providing an inflatable securing device, the inflatable securing
device having a body with a first end and a second end, the first
end having a tapered, pointed tip and the second end having a loop
formed thereon, the body further including a middle portion between
the first end and the second end having a spiral shape; providing
the inflatable, the inflatable having at least one securing strap
attached thereto; securing the inflatable securing device into a
surface by using the loop on the second end of the inflatable
securing device as a handle and employing a screwing motion to
drive the tapered, pointed tip of the first end of the inflatable
securing device into the surface; and, attaching the at least one
securing strap of the inflatable to the loop on the second end of
the inflatable securing device.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of securing the
inflatable securing device into the surface by using the loop on
the second end of the inflatable securing device as a handle
comprise the step of continuing the screwing motion until the
middle portion of the inflatable securing device is under the
surface.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the inflatable includes a second
securing strap and the method further comprising the steps of:
providing a second inflatable securing device having a body with a
first end and a second end, the first end having a tapered, pointed
tip and the second end having a loop formed thereon, the body
further including a middle portion between the first end and the
second end having a spiral shape; securing the second inflatable
securing device into the surface by using the loop on the second
end of the second inflatable securing device as a handle and
employing a screwing motion to drive the tapered, pointed tip of
the first end of the second inflatable securing device into the
surface; and, attaching the second securing strap of the inflatable
to the loop on the second end of the second inflatable securing
device.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the inflatable has a polygonal
shape and the at least one securing strap is attached to a corner
of the base.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the inflatable has a polygonal
shape and the at least securing strap is attached to an edge of the
base.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein a portion of the first end of the
inflatable securing device adjacent to the tapered, pointed tip has
an axis, the axis being parallel to a body axis of the body of the
inflatable securing device, the body axis being defined by a line
from the first end to the second end.
7. A secure inflatable system comprising: an inflatable securing
device, the inflatable securing device having a body with a first
end and a second end, the first end having a tapered, pointed tip
and the second end having a loop formed thereon, the body further
including a middle portion between the first end and the second end
and having a spiral shape, the middle portion screwed into a
surface; an inflatable, the inflatable having at least one loop
attached thereto; and, a coupling strap, the coupling strap
attached to the inflatable and to the inflatable securing device,
wherein the coupling strap has a first portion secured to the at
least one loop of the inflatable device and a second portion
secured to the loop on the second end of the body of the inflatable
securing device.
8. The secure inflatable system of claim 7, wherein the coupling
strap includes a clip on the first portion for attaching to the at
least one loop of the inflatable device.
9. The secure inflatable system of claim 7, wherein the coupling
strap includes a clip on the second portion for attaching to the
loop on the second end of the body of the inflatable securing
device.
10. A method of securing an inflatable comprising the steps of:
providing an inflatable securing device, the inflatable security
device having a body with a first end and a second end, the first
end having a tapered, pointed tip and the second end having a loop
formed thereon, the body further including a middle portion between
the first end and the second end and having a spiral shape;
providing the inflatable, the inflatable having at least one loop
attached thereto; securing the inflatable securing device into a
surface by using the looped portion as a handle and employing a
screwing motion to drive the tapered pointed tip into the surface;
providing a coupling strap having clips for attaching to the
inflatable and the inflatable securing device; securing one of the
clips of the coupling strap to the at least one loop of the
inflatable; and, securing another one of the clips of the coupling
strap to the loop of the inflatable securing device.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of:
providing a second coupling strap having clips for attaching to the
inflatable and the inflatable securing device; and, securing one of
the clips of the second coupling strap to another loop of the
inflatable.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein the inflatable has a polygonal
shape and the at least one loop is attached to a corner of the
base.
13. The method of claim 10, wherein the inflatable has a polygonal
shape and the at least one loop is attached to an edge of the
base.
14. The method of claim 10, wherein a portion of the first end of
the inflatable securing device adjacent to the tapered, pointed tip
having an axis, the axis being parallel to a body axis of the body
of the inflatable securing device, the body axis being defined by a
line from the first end to the second end.
15. An inflatable attraction comprising: an inflatable body, the
inflatable body having a first surface located on the perimeter of
the inflatable body; and, at least two straps attached to the first
surface of the inflatable body, each of the two straps having a
coupling device for securing the inflatable body.
16. The inflatable attraction of claim 15, wherein each strap is
configured to couple to a security device.
17. The inflatable attraction of claim 15, further comprising two
additional straps attached to the inflatable body.
18. The inflatable attraction of claim 15, wherein the inflatable
body has a plurality of corners and the straps are disposed at the
plurality of corners of the inflatable body.
19. The inflatable attraction of claim 16, wherein each security
device comprises an elongated section of wire having a first end
portion and a second end portion, the first end portion having a
tapered, pointed tip and the second end portion being connected
back onto the wire itself to form an opening, the body further
including a middle portion between the first end portion and the
second end portion having a spiral shape
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to safety devices
for securing inflatables, and more particularly, to a method and
apparatus for securing inflatable jumpers and bouncers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Inflatable attractions such as bouncers (also known as "moon
bouncers") and jumpers that provide jumping surfaces, slides, or
crawl spaces have become popular for gatherings planned for
children or where children are present. For example, these
attractions are often found at birthday parties, carnivals,
picnics, festivals and fairs. Some reasons for the popularity of
these attractions with event planners are the low cost of rental,
portability, and ease of operation and setup. Other inflatable
attractions and advertisement devices such as inflatable domes,
inflatable games, inflatable tents, air puppets, cold air
advertisement balloons, blimps, and animals have also seen more
widespread use for the same reasons listed above, as well as
because of the fanciful shapes, colors and sizes that can be
created to attract and appeal to a wide variety of audiences.
[0003] One typical concern that is common to the use of all
inflatable attractions is the stability of the inflatable
attraction. Because these structures are typically large, being
designed as self-standing enclosures that are meant to fit several
children (or even adults) and filled with air, they are generally
bulky and have a large cross-section. Thus, in one common scenario,
a large gust of wind will topple the inflatable attraction.
Further, children playing around the inflatable attraction may tip
the inflatable attraction over, thereby causing the blower to
become detached from the inflatable attraction as well as
potentially causing injuries.
[0004] Often, the inflatable attractions are only rented, and, once
the attraction is set up, the rental company will leave and not
monitor the attraction. If there is a problem with the inflatable
attraction being toppled, the renter may not want to pay for the
rental or, even worse if there are injuries, sue the rental
company. Some unscrupulous renters will use this as an excuse to
not pay for the rental even if the inflatable attraction never
toppled over. Thus, upon return to pickup the inflatable attraction
and blower, if the renter submits that the inflatable attraction
was not stable and fell over, the rental company will not have a
way to verify that the inflatable attraction remained standing.
[0005] Accordingly, there is a need to overcome the issues noted
above.
SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0006] The present invention provides an inflatable securing device
and a method for its use to secure inflatables to surfaces such as
a ground surface or other solid surfaces.
[0007] In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
inventive process includes the steps of providing an inflatable
securing device, the inflatable securing device having a body with
a first end and a second end, the first end having a tapered,
pointed tip and the second end having a loop formed thereon, the
body further including a middle portion between the first end and
the second end having a spiral shape. The inventive process also
includes the step of providing the inflatable, the inflatable
having at least one securing strap attached thereto, and securing
the inflatable securing device into a surface by using the loop on
the second end of the inflatable securing device as a handle and
employing a screwing motion to drive the tapered, pointed tip of
the first end of the inflatable securing device into the surface.
Finally, the inventive process includes the step of attaching the
at least one securing strap of the inflatable to the loop on the
second end of the inflatable securing device.
[0008] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a
secure inflatable system includes an inflatable securing device,
the inflatable security device having a body with a first end and a
second end, the first end having a tapered, pointed tip and the
second end having a loop formed thereon, the body further including
a middle portion between the first end and the second end and
having a spiral shape, the middle portion screwed into a surface.
The secure inflatable system further includes an inflatable, the
inflatable having at least one loop attached thereto; and, a
coupling strap, the coupling strap attached to the inflatable and
to the inflatable securing device, wherein the coupling strap has a
first portion secured to the at least one loop of the inflatable
device and a second portion secured to the loop on the second end
of the body of the inflatable securing device.
[0009] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following
detailed description. It is to be understood, however, that the
detailed description of the various embodiments and specific
examples, while indicating preferred and other embodiments of the
present invention, are given by way of illustration and not
limitation. Many changes and modifications within the scope of the
present invention may be made without departing from the spirit
thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The invention may be more readily understood by referring to
the accompanying drawings in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a side view of an inflatable securing device
configured in accordance to one preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a cut-away view of a surface in which the
inflatable securing device of FIG. 1 has been installed in
accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 is perspective view of an inflatable secured to the
surface through the use of the inflatable securing device of FIG.
1; and,
[0014] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the inflatable securing
device taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 1.
[0015] Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several
views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates an inflatable securing device 100 for
securing an inflatable attraction (inflatable) that is configured
in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
As shown, the inflatable securing device 100 includes a pointed tip
102 on one end that gradually tapers into a corkscrew-shaped body
106. The inflatable securing device 100 also includes a loop 110 on
a second end that provides an opening (or eye) to secure an
inflatable. Thus, using loop 110, a strap or rope affixed to the
inflatable may be quickly attached to the inflatable securing
device 100.
[0017] In one preferred embodiment, the inflatable securing device
100 may be formed from a wire 120 (or, a rod of steel or other
suitable material), and the body 106 thereof being coiled so as to
form a spiral that terminates in pointed tip 102 with an angled
portion 104. FIG. 4 is a view down the longitudinal length of the
inflatable securing device 100 as a cross-sectional view taken
along line IV-IV of the body 106. On the other end of the body 106
is the loop 110, set off from the body with a longitudinal stem
108. The longitudinal stem 108 merges into the loop 110, which, as
discussed above, is a laterally extending elongated loop
constituting a head portion 112 thereof.
[0018] In one preferred embodiment, an end 114 of the wire 120 may
be soldered back onto the wire 120 itself to form the loop 110. In
another preferred embodiment, the wire 120 may be bent and wrapped
around the stem 108 so as to prevent the loop 110 from pulling open
when subjected to forces used to insert and remove the inflatable
securing device 100. In addition, although the shape of the loop
110 is circular in the figure, it should be noted that the shape of
the loop 110 may be of other shapes, such as triangular,
rectangular, or of another geometric shape.
[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates the insertion of the inflatable securing
device 100 in a surface 250, such as a ground surface or another
solid surface into which the inflatable securing device 100 may be
inserted. In using the inflatable securing device 100, the pointed
tip 102 is first placed on the surface 250. Then, the pointed tip
102 is forced into the surface 250 by a rotational (screwing)
action of the inflatable securing device 100. In one preferred
embodiment, a user may apply the rotational forces to the
inflatable securing device 100 through the use of the loop 110 as a
handle. In another embodiment, a metal rod or other handle may be
attached to the loop 110 to be used as a handle or to provide
additional leverage.
[0020] As the inflatable securing device 100 is rotated, the
corkscrew-shaped body 106 is screwed into surface 250. Where the
surface 250 is a ground surface, this action serves to force the
inflatable securing device 100 through and between any buried items
in the ground, such as rocks, twigs, roots or pebbles, so that
after the inflatable securing device 100 has been positioned in the
ground, the only way to withdraw it will be by unscrewing it. Once
the inflatable securing device 100 has been driven into surface
250, it will be firmly anchored and will be removable by the
unscrewing of the inflatable securing device 100.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 3 and also continuing to refer to FIG. 2,
after the inflatable securing device 100 has been secured to the
surface 250, a strap 202 from an inflatable 302 may be attached to
the loop 110 of inflatable securing device 100 using a clip 204.
Other retaining devices such as a ring, hook, or other suitable
fastener may also be used. In one preferred embodiment, the
inflatable 302 has an attachment strap affixed to each corner of
its base. For example, the inflatable 302 may be secured to a
plurality of inflatable securing devices 100a-100d (100d is not
visible) through the use of a respective plurality of attachment
straps 202a-202d (202d is not visible). In another preferred
embodiment, the inflatable 302 has an attachment strap affixed to
each side of its base. The attachment straps may also be attached
to the edges of the inflatable 302. Depending on the shape of the
inflatable 302, other locations of the inflatable 302, such as the
top or upper portion of the inflatable 302 may be suitable for
locating the attachment straps.
[0022] The use of multiple straps provides additional stability and
security for the inflatable 302. Depending on the specific
configuration and size of the straps, multiple straps may be
affixed to one inflatable securing device, or multiple inflatable
securing devices used to secure each strap. Further, the inflatable
302 may include attachment loops (not shown) sewn thereon, to which
an attachment strap having clips on either end may be clipped. The
other end of the attachment strap would then be clipped onto the
opening 110 of the inflatable securing device.
[0023] The embodiments described above are exemplary embodiments of
the present invention. Those skilled in the art may now make
numerous uses of, and departures from, the above-described
embodiments without departing from the inventive concepts disclosed
herein. Accordingly, the present invention is to be defined solely
by the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *