U.S. patent application number 12/036208 was filed with the patent office on 2009-08-27 for inflatable bounce house with animated display.
Invention is credited to Brett Bogar.
Application Number | 20090211168 12/036208 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40996945 |
Filed Date | 2009-08-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090211168 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bogar; Brett |
August 27, 2009 |
INFLATABLE BOUNCE HOUSE WITH ANIMATED DISPLAY
Abstract
Various embodiments of this invention disclose an inflatable
bounce house with an animated display.
Inventors: |
Bogar; Brett; (Clive,
IA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARC E. HANKIN, ESQ.
11414 THURSTON CIRCLE
LOS ANGELES
CA
90049
US
|
Family ID: |
40996945 |
Appl. No.: |
12/036208 |
Filed: |
February 22, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/2.17 ;
472/134 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63G 31/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/2.17 ;
472/134 |
International
Class: |
E04H 15/20 20060101
E04H015/20; E04G 11/04 20060101 E04G011/04; A63G 31/12 20060101
A63G031/12 |
Claims
1. An inflatable bounce house, comprising: a plurality of
inflatable walls, and a plurality of wall connectors; wherein said
plurality of inflatable walls and said plurality of wall connectors
define an enclosed interior space within said inflatable bounce
house; wherein said plurality of inflatable walls have an exterior
surface and an interior surface that enclose an inflation fluid;
wherein one or more of said plurality of inflatable walls are
transparent and contain a plurality of particles; and wherein one
or more of said plurality of wall connectors has an opening to
allow entrance and exit from said inflatable bounce house.
2. The inflatable bounce house of claim 1, wherein said particle
containing inflatable walls further comprise an one or more air
permeable restraining screens, such that said plurality of
particles are prevented from leaving.
3. An inflatable bounce house, comprising: a plurality of
inflatable walls, a plurality of wall connectors, and an one or
more ornamental portions; wherein said plurality of inflatable
walls and said plurality of wall connectors define an enclosed
interior space within said inflatable bounce house; wherein said
plurality of inflatable walls have an exterior surface and an
interior surface that enclose an inflation fluid; wherein said one
or more ornamental portions have an exterior surface and an
interior surface that enclose an inflation fluid; wherein said one
or more ornamental portions are transparent and contain a plurality
of particles; and wherein one or more of said plurality of wall
connectors has an opening to allow entrance and exit from said
inflatable bounce house.
4. The inflatable bounce house of claim 3, wherein said one or more
ornamental portions further comprise an one or more restraining
screens, such that said plurality of particles are prevented from
leaving.
5. An inflatable bounce house, comprising: a plurality of
inflatable walls, a plurality of wall connectors, and an one or
more ornamental portions; wherein said plurality of inflatable
walls and said plurality of wall connectors define an enclosed
interior space within said inflatable bounce house; wherein said
plurality of inflatable walls have an exterior surface and an
interior surface that enclose an inflation fluid; wherein one or
more of said plurality of inflatable walls are transparent and
contain a plurality of particles; wherein said one or more
ornamental portions have an exterior surface and an interior
surface that enclose an inflation fluid; wherein said one or more
ornamental portions are transparent and contain a plurality of
particles; and wherein one or more of said plurality of wall
connectors has an opening to allow entrance and exit from said
inflatable bounce house.
6. The inflatable bounce house of claim 5, wherein said particle
containing inflatable walls further comprise an one or more
restraining screens, such that said plurality of particles are
prevented from leaving; and wherein said one or more ornamental
portions further comprise an one or more restraining screens, such
that said plurality of particles are prevented from leaving.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] This invention generally relates to bounce houses. Moreover,
it pertains specifically to an inflatable bounce house with an air
powered animated display. The animated display can be an ornamental
attachment to the inflatable bounce house, or it can be within an
integrated wall portion of the inflatable bounce house.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Inflatable bounce houses are an important part of many
children's parties. Once inflated, the bounce house offers a safe
and fun activity for children, and some of the adult party goers as
well. Inflatable bounce houses typically resemble a large play
house or castle that can be entered via a flap door in the front of
the inflatable bounce house. Once inside, the inflated bottom of
the inflatable bounce house acts as a fully enclosed trampoline.
The user jumps up and down on the bottom and is prevented from
flying off by the sides of the inflatable bounce house. Although
many types of inflatable bounce houses are available with
two-dimensional graphics or even three-dimensional life-size
display objects, none of these inflatable bounce houses have
animated displays. Animated displays are important because they add
a sense of fun, motion, and wonderment to the viewers and users of
an inflatable bounce house. The animated displays can simulate many
things, including a snow storm or a confetti parade. There is a
need in the art for an inflatable bounce house with an animated
display.
[0003] In the area of inflatable bounce houses, many types are
currently available. One such inflatable bounce house is disclosed
by U.S. Pat. No. 7,108,608, to Field et al., which discloses an
inflatable bouncer with three-dimensional displays. Although, the
three-dimensional displays can be interesting at first, they are
not animated and do not provide a sense of motion to the user of
the inflatable bounce house. Thus, the Field bounce house fails to
disclose an inflatable bounce house with an animated display.
[0004] Another inflatable bounce house is disclosed by U.S. Pat.
No. 5,678,357, to Rubio et al., which discloses an inflatable
bounce house with removable and exchangeable inflatable graphics.
Although the Rubio bounce house can take on different themes
depending on what graphics are attached to it, the graphics are
stationary and in no way animated. Thus, the Rubio bounce house
fails to disclose an inflatable bounce house with an animated
display.
[0005] There are numerous visual animated displays that are not
related to inflatable bounce houses. There are many seasonal themed
visual animated displays available. One such visual animated
display is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 7,311,580, to Moomaw, which
discloses a giant winter season snow globe. The Moomaw animated
display is an inflatable globe with a stationary evergreen tree in
its interior, around which an air-powered snow storm is simulated.
Although Moomaw discloses an animated display, it does not disclose
that this animated display is an ornamental feature or integrated
part of an inflatable bounce house.
[0006] Another visual animated display is disclosed by U.S. Pat.
No. 4,215,500 to Sharp, which discloses a decorative display where
a large number of eye-catching particles are agitated within an
enclosed space. Although Sharp's device discloses an air powered
animated display, the device is not inflatable and is not an
ornamental feature or integrated part of an inflatable bounce
house.
[0007] Thus, there remains a long-felt need in the art for an
inflatable bounce house with an animated display.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] To minimize the limitations in the prior art, and to
minimize other limitations that will become apparent upon reading
and understanding the present specification, the present invention
discloses an inflatable bounce house with an air powered animated
display.
[0009] One embodiment of this invention is an inflatable bounce
house, comprising a plurality of inflatable walls, and a plurality
of wall connectors. The plurality of inflatable walls and the
plurality of wall connectors define an enclosed interior space
within the inflatable bounce house. The plurality of inflatable
walls have an exterior surface and an interior surface that enclose
an inflation fluid. The plurality of inflatable walls are
transparent and contain a plurality of particles. The plurality of
wall connectors have an opening to allow entrance and exit from the
inflatable bounce house. The particle containing inflatable walls
further comprise one or more restraining screens, such that the
plurality of particles are prevented from leaving.
[0010] Another embodiment of this invention is an inflatable bounce
house, comprising a plurality of inflatable walls, a plurality of
wall connectors, and one or more ornamental portions. The plurality
of inflatable walls and the plurality of wall connectors define an
enclosed interior space within the inflatable bounce house. The
plurality of inflatable walls have an exterior surface and an
interior surface that enclose an inflation fluid. The ornamental
portions have an exterior surface and an interior surface that
enclose an inflation fluid. The ornamental portions are transparent
and contain a plurality of particles. The plurality of wall
connectors have an opening to allow entrance and exit from the
inflatable bounce house. The ornamental portions further comprise
one or more restraining screens, such that the plurality of
particles are prevented from leaving.
[0011] Another embodiment of the invention is an inflatable bounce
house, comprising a plurality of inflatable walls, a plurality of
wall connectors, and one or more ornamental portions. The plurality
of inflatable walls and the plurality of wall connectors define an
enclosed interior space within the inflatable bounce house. The
plurality of inflatable walls have an exterior surface and an
interior surface that enclose an inflation fluid. The plurality of
inflatable walls are transparent and contain a plurality of
particles. The ornamental portions have an exterior surface and an
interior surface that enclose an inflation fluid. The ornamental
portions are transparent and contain a plurality of particles. The
plurality of wall connectors has an opening to allow entrance and
exit from the inflatable bounce house. The particle containing
inflatable walls further comprise one or more restraining screens,
such that the plurality of particles are prevented from leaving.
The ornamental portions further comprise one or more restraining
screens, such that the plurality of particles are prevented from
leaving.
[0012] An object of the present invention is to provide a fun,
animated, and exciting inflatable bounce house that will overcome
the deficiencies of the prior art.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
sparkling and colorful animated display that is attached to or part
of an inflatable bounce house.
[0014] Other features and advantages are inherent in the inflatable
bounce house claimed and disclosed will become apparent to those
skilled in the art from the following detailed description and its
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is an illustration of the inflatable bounce
house.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a detailed illustration of one embodiment of an
ornamental portion of the inflatable bounce house.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] In the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiment, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that
form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration a
specific embodiment in which the invention may be practiced. It is
to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and
structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of
the present invention.
[0018] In the following detailed description of various embodiments
of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order
to provide a thorough understanding of various aspects of one or
more embodiments of the invention. However, one or more embodiments
of the invention may be practiced without these specific details.
In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and/or
components have not been described in detail so as not to
unnecessarily obscure aspects of embodiments of the invention.
[0019] In the following description, certain terminology is used to
describe certain features of one or more embodiments of the
invention. For instance "transparent" refers to both transparency
and translucency. "Plastic" refers to any natural or synthetic
polymer resin such as cellulose, polyethylene or polystyrene.
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of the inflatable
bounce house. FIG. 1 shows an inflatable bounce house 100 with
inflatable walls 105, 106, 107, and 110, wall connectors 120,
ornamental portions 130, opening 140, inflatable entrance/exit ramp
150, and air blower 160. Inflatable bounce house 100 can be any
shape including, but not limited to, a house, a fortress, a church,
a castle, a ship, a car, a truck, a stadium, an animal, or a tree.
As shown in FIG. 1, the inflatable wall 105 is preferably an
inflated bottom wall that allows the user to bounce inside
inflatable bounce house 100. The structure of inflatable bounce
house 100 is provided by inflatable walls 106, 107, and 110. When
inflated, inflatable walls 106, 107, and 110 maintain a positive
air pressure that prevents them from collapsing and keeps bouncing
users contained within the inflatable bounce house 100. As shown in
FIG. 1, the inflatable walls are preferably all interconnected to
allow air from a single air blower 160 to reach all of the
inflatable walls 105, 106, 107, and 110 and ornamental portions
130. Inflatable bounce house 100 can be made with disconnected
walls, but more than one blower may be required. The one or more
air blowers 160 that inflate and keep positive air pressure in the
inflatable walls 105, 106, 107, and 110 are standard electric or
gas powered blowers known to the industry.
[0021] Inflatable walls 105, 106, 107, and 110 are preferably made
from brightly colored plastic, but can be made from any air
impervious material such as resin infused cloth. As shown in FIG.
1, wall connectors 120 connect the inflatable walls. Wall
connectors 120 are preferably made from a mesh of material, such as
nylon, that can be easily seen through, but keeps users safely
enclosed in the inflatable bounce house 100. Wall connectors 120
can be made from any natural or synthetic fabric or plastic.
Inflatable bounce house 100, as shown in FIG. 1, preferably has no
roof, but a plastic or fabric roof can be added without deviating
from the scope of the invention. The shape of inflatable walls 105,
106, 107, and 110 can be any irregular or regular shape such as a
sphere, a cube, a cylinder, a tetrahedron, or a pyramid.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, inflatable walls 110 are preferably
transparent and contain particles 170 that when blown by the air
moving through the wall, move around the interior of inflatable
walls 110 in an animated way. The particles 170 in the inflatable
walls 110 are preferably made from a physically light,
metallic-looking, and/or shiny substance such as Mylar, confetti,
Styrofoam, or painted Styrofoam, and are loose within the interior
of inflatable walls 110. However, particles 170 can be long strips
that are attached on one end to the interior of inflatable walls
110, such that the long strips wave and dance in an animated
manner. Preferably the particles 170 will match the colors and
theme of the rest of inflatable bounce house 100. Preferably
inflatable walls 110 are transparent on all sides, but they can be
partly opaque, such that only the users of inflatable bounce house
100 can see the animated display, or so that only those on the
exterior can see the animated display. Inflatable walls 110 can
also be transparent with an opaque two dimensional graphic printed
on that enhances the animation within inflatable walls 110.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the ornamental portions 130 of
inflatable bounce house 100 are preferably attached to one of the
inflatable walls. The ornamental portions 130 allow the inflatable
bounce house to display additional animation that incorporates and
expands the theme of inflatable bounce house 100.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a detailed illustration of an ornamental portion
of the inflatable bounce house. As shown in FIG. 2, the ornamental
portion 230 is preferably inflated, transparent, and contains
particles 270 that are animated as air passes into the ornamental
portion 230 through opening 280 and then out through opening 285.
Openings 280 and 285, have air permeable restraining screens 290
and 295, which allow air to blow into and out of the ornamental
portion 230, but do not allow particles 270 to leave. Preferably
the particles 270 of ornamental portion 230, are made from a
physically light, metallic-looking, and/or shiny substance such as
Mylar, confetti, Styrofoam, or painted Styrofoam, and are loose
within the interior of ornamental portion 230. However, particles
270 can be strips that are attached on one end to the interior of
ornamental portion 230, such that the strips wave and dance in an
animated manner. Preferably the particles 270 will match the colors
and theme of the rest of inflatable bounce house. Preferably
ornamental portion 230 is transparent on all sides, but it can be
partly opaque. Ornamental portion 230 can also be transparent with
an opaque two dimensional graphic printed on that enhances the
animation within the ornamental portion 230. The shape of
ornamental portion 230 can be any irregular or regular geometric
shape, such as a sphere, a cube, a cylinder, a tetrahedron, or a
triangle.
[0025] In summary, the present invention is an inflatable bounce
house with an air powered animated display.
[0026] The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the
invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and
description. While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other
embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those
skilled in the art from the above detailed description, which shows
and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. As will be
realized, the invention is capable of modifications in various
obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of
the present invention. Accordingly, the detailed description is to
be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also,
although not explicitly recited, one or more embodiments of the
invention may be practiced in combination or conjunction with one
another. Furthermore, the reference or non-reference to a
particular embodiment of the invention shall not be interpreted to
limit the scope the invention. It is intended that the scope of the
invention not be limited by this detailed description, but by the
claims and the equivalents to the claims that are appended
hereto.
* * * * *