U.S. patent application number 12/120219 was filed with the patent office on 2009-11-19 for seesaw-typed inflatable puppet.
Invention is credited to Chih-Cheng TSAI.
Application Number | 20090286449 12/120219 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41316610 |
Filed Date | 2009-11-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090286449 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TSAI; Chih-Cheng |
November 19, 2009 |
SEESAW-TYPED INFLATABLE PUPPET
Abstract
A seesaw-typed inflatable puppet has an inflatable and
seesaw-typed main body, a first envelope, a second envelope, a
blower generating air and being connected to the main body and a
valve assembly being connected between the first envelope and the
second envelope. The air generated by the blower flows into the
main body to inflate the main body, selectively flows into the
first envelope to deflate the second envelope and flows into the
second envelope to deflate the first through the valve assembly.
Thus, the first envelope and the second envelope inflate and
deflate alternatively. The main body swings back and forth like a
seesaw and performs entertaining and novel movements.
Inventors: |
TSAI; Chih-Cheng; (Pingtung
Hsien, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Hershkovitz & Associates, LLC
2845 Duke Street
Alexandria
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
41316610 |
Appl. No.: |
12/120219 |
Filed: |
May 13, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/224 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 3/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/224 |
International
Class: |
A63H 3/06 20060101
A63H003/06 |
Claims
1. An inflatable puppet comprising: a main body being hollow, being
inflatable and having a swing segment being annular, being
seesaw-typed and having a raised front end; a raised rear end; an
inner annular wall; a mounting cavity being formed between the
raised front and rear ends and being surrounded by the inner
annular wall; an inlet being formed through the inner annular wall
of the swing segment; and an outlet being formed through the inner
annular wall of the swing segment; and a decorative segment being
integrally formed on and communicating with the swing segment; a
first envelope being mounted in the mounting cavity, corresponding
to and being near the raised front end of the swing segment of the
main body and having an opening; a second envelope being mounted in
the mounting cavity, corresponding to and being near the raised
rear end of the swing segment of the main body and having an
opening; a blower being mounted in the mounting cavity, being
mounted between the first envelope and the second envelope, being
connected to the swing segment of the main body and having an
outlet being connected to and communicating with the inlet of the
swing segment; and a valve assembly being mounted on the blower,
being mounted in the mounting cavity, being mounted between the
first envelope and the second envelope and having a base having a
top; a bottom; a valve chamber; an inlet valve being formed on and
communicating with the valve chamber, corresponding to and being
connected to the outlet of the swing segment and communicating with
the swing segment of the main body; an outlet valve being formed on
and communicating with the valve chamber and being opposite to the
inlet valve of the base; a first connecting valve being formed on
and communicating with the valve chamber, being connected to the
opening of the first envelope, communicating with the first
envelope and selectively communicating with the inlet and outlet
valves; and a second connecting valve being formed on and
communicating with the valve chamber, being connected to the
opening of the second envelope, communicating with the second
envelope, being opposite to the first connecting valve of the base
and selectively communicating with the inlet and outlet valves; a
switching separator being mounted rotatably in the valve chamber,
allowing the first and second connecting valves selectively
communicating with the inlet and outlet valves and having a middle;
a recessed wheel being securely mounted on the switching separator
and having a annular edge; a guiding device being mounted rotatably
on the base near the recessed wheel and rotating the recessed wheel
and the switching separator; and a driver being mounted beside the
base of the valve assembly and having an axle being extending
toward the base of the valve assembly and being connected to the
guiding device.
2. The inflatable puppet as claim in claim 1, wherein the swing
segment of the main body further has multiple lengthwise chambers
comprising a first lengthwise chamber; and a second lengthwise
chamber; and multiple transverse chambers being perpendicular to
and communicating with the lengthwise chambers; the inlet of the
swing segment communicates with the first lengthwise chamber of the
swing segment; and the outlet of the swing segment communicates
with the second lengthwise chamber of the swing segment.
3. The inflatable puppet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
decorative segment of the main body is a doll.
4. The inflatable puppet as claimed in claim 2, wherein the
decorative segment of the main body is a doll.
5. The inflatable puppet as claimed in claim 3, wherein the
switching separator further has a shaft being securely mounted
through the middle of the switching separator, being mounted
rotatably in the base and having an inner end being connected
rotatably to the bottom of the base of the valve assembly; and an
outer end being connected rotatably to the top of the base of the
valve assembly and protruding out of the base of the valve
assembly; and the recessed wheel is securely mounted on the outer
end of the shaft of the switching separator and has four guiding
recesses being formed separately in the annular edge of the
recessed wheel; and four guiding tracks being formed separately in
the annular edge of the recessed wheel and being formed
respectively between the adjacent guiding recesses.
6. The inflatable puppet as claimed in claim 4, wherein the
switching separator further has a shaft being securely mounted
through the middle of the switching separator, being mounted
rotatably in the base and having an inner end being connected
rotatably to the bottom of the base of the valve assembly; and an
outer end being connected rotatably to the top of the base of the
valve assembly and protruding out of the base of the valve
assembly; and the recessed wheel is securely mounted on the outer
end of the shaft of the switching separator and has four guiding
recesses being formed separately in the annular edge of the
recessed wheel; and four guiding tracks being formed separately in
the annular edge of the recessed wheel and being formed
respectively between the adjacent guiding recesses.
7. The inflatable puppet as claimed in claim 5, wherein the guiding
device of the valve assembly further has a rotating rod being
mounted rotatably on the base of the valve assembly adjacent to the
recessed wheel; a cam being securely mounted around the rotating
rod, corresponding to the recessed wheel and having a concave
periphery edge; and a convex periphery edge selectively abutting
one guiding recess of the recessed wheel; an extending board being
securely mounted around the rotating rod, protruding out of the
concave periphery edge of the cam and having a distal end; and a
guiding rod being mounted through the extending board near the
distal end of the extending board and being selectively mounted
into and moving along one guiding track of the recessed wheel; and
the driver of the valve assembly is connected to the rotating rod
of the guiding device.
8. The inflatable puppet as claimed in claim 6, wherein the guiding
device of the valve assembly further has a rotating rod being
mounted rotatably on the base of the valve assembly adjacent to the
recessed wheel; a cam being securely mounted around the rotating
rod, corresponding to the recessed wheel and having a concave
periphery edge; and a convex periphery edge selectively abutting
one guiding recess of the recessed wheel; an extending board being
securely mounted around the rotating rod, protruding out of the
concave periphery edge of the cam and having a distal end; and a
guiding rod being mounted through the extending board near the
distal end of the extending board and being selectively mounted
into and moving along one guiding track of the recessed wheel; and
the driver of the valve assembly is connected to the rotating rod
of the guiding device.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an inflatable puppet,
especially to a seesaw-typed inflatable puppet that swings back and
forth by inflating and deflating air inside the inflatable
puppet.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Arts
[0004] A conventional inflatable puppet has an expandable body and
a blower. The expandable body is hollow, is made of fabric, plastic
or any other flexible and airproof materials and has various
eye-catching appearances. The blower is connected to and inflates
the expandable body to allow the expandable body to become a
three-dimensional exhibition and to attract people's attention.
[0005] However, the conventional inflatable puppet is statically
exhibited in a fixed place, remains a uniform shape and has no
entertaining expansion or movement after being inflated. Therefore,
the statical conventional inflatable puppet is less attractive than
an exhibition that moves.
[0006] To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides
a seesaw-typed inflatable puppet to mitigate or obviate the
aforementioned problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The main objective of the present invention is to provide a
seesaw-typed inflatable puppet that has an inflatable and
seesaw-typed main body, a first envelope, a second envelope, a
blower generating air and being connected to the main body and a
valve assembly being connected between the first envelope and the
second envelope.
[0008] The air generated by the blower flows into and inflates the
main body, selectively flows into the first envelope to deflate the
second envelope and flows into the second envelope to deflate the
first through the valve assembly. Thus, the first envelope and the
second envelope inflate and deflate alternatively. The main body
swings back and forth like a seesaw and performs entertaining and
novel movements.
[0009] Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a side view of a seesaw-typed inflatable puppet in
accordance with the present invention, shown a blower in phantom
lines;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an upper view of the seesaw-typed inflatable
puppet in FIG. 1, shown a decorative segment being omitted;
[0012] FIG. 3 is an enlarged upper view of the seesaw-typed
inflatable puppet in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 4 is an enlarged operational upper view of the
seesaw-typed inflatable puppet in FIG. 1, showing a valve
assembly;
[0014] FIG. 5 is an operational side view of the seesaw-typed
inflatable puppet in FIG. 1, shown a first envelope being inflated
and a second envelope being deflated;
[0015] FIG. 6 is an enlarged operational upper view of the
seesaw-typed inflatable puppet in FIG. 1, showing a valve assembly;
and
[0016] FIG. 7 is an operational side view of the seesaw-typed
inflatable puppet in FIG. 1. Shown a first envelope being deflated
and a second envelope being inflated.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] With reference to FIG. 1, a seesaw-typed inflatable puppet
in accordance with the present invention comprises a main body (1),
a first envelope (30), a second envelope (40), a blower (50) and a
valve assembly (60).
[0018] With further reference to FIG. 2, the main body (1) is
hollow, is inflatable and has a swing segment (10) and a decorative
segment (20).
[0019] The swing segment (10) is annular, is seesaw-typed to allow
the main body (1) to swing back and forth and has a raised front
end, a raised rear end, an inner annular wall, a mounting cavity
(100), multiple lengthwise chambers (11), multiple transverse
chambers (12), an inlet (13) and an outlet (14).
[0020] The mounting cavity (100) is formed between the raised front
and rear ends and is surrounded by the inner annular wall.
[0021] The lengthwise chambers (11) and the transverse chambers
(12) are perpendicular and communicate with each other. The
lengthwise chambers (11) may comprise a first lengthwise chamber
(11) and a second lengthwise chamber (11).
[0022] The inlet (13) is formed through the inner annular wall of
the swing segment (10) and may communicate with the first
lengthwise chamber (11) of the swing segment (10).
[0023] The outlet (14) is formed through the inner annular wall of
the swing segment (10) and may communicate with the second
lengthwise chamber (11) of the swing segment (10).
[0024] The decorative segment (20) is integrally formed on and
communicates with the swing segment (10) and may be formed as a
doll or other eye-catching appearances.
[0025] The first envelope (30) is mounted in the mounting cavity
(100), corresponds to and is near the raised front end of the swing
segment (10) of the main body (1) and has an opening (31).
[0026] The second envelope (40) is mounted in the mounting cavity
(100), corresponds to and is near the raised rear end of the swing
segment (10) of the main body (1) and has an opening (41).
[0027] The blower (50) generates airflow, is mounted in the
mounting cavity (100), is mounted between the first envelope (30)
and the second envelope (40), is connected to the swing segment
(10) of the main body (1) to inflate the main body (1) and has an
outlet (51). The outlet (51) of the blower (50) is connected to and
communicates with the inlet (13) of the swing segment (10) to allow
air generated by the blower (50) to flow into the swing segment
(10) of the main body (1) and to inflate the swing segment (10) and
the decorative segment (20) of the main body (1).
[0028] With further reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the valve assembly
(60) is mounted on the blower (50), is mounted in the mounting
cavity (100), is mounted between the first envelope (30) and the
second envelope (40) and has a base (61), a switching separator
(62), a recessed wheel (63), a guiding device (65) and a driver
(64).
[0029] The base (61) has a top, a bottom, a valve chamber (610), an
inlet valve (611), an outlet valve (613), a first connecting valve
(612) and a second connecting valve (614). The inlet valve (611) is
formed on and communicates with the valve chamber (610),
corresponds to and is connected to the outlet (14) of the swing
segment (10) and communicates with the swing segment (10) of the
main body (1). The outlet valve (613) is formed on and communicates
with the valve chamber (610) and is opposite to the inlet valve
(611) of the base (61). The first connecting valve (612) is formed
on and communicates with the valve chamber (610), is connected to
the opening (31) of the first envelope (30), communicates with the
first envelope (30) and selectively communicates with the inlet and
outlet valves (611, 613). The second connecting valve (614) is
formed on and communicates with the valve chamber (610), is
connected to the opening (41) of the second envelope (40),
communicates with the second envelope (40), is opposite to the
first connecting valve (612) of the base (61) and selectively
communicates with the inlet and outlet valves (611, 613).
[0030] The switching separator (62) is mounted rotatably in the
valve chamber (610), blocks the airflow to allow the first and
second connecting valves (612, 614) to selectively communicate with
the inlet and outlet valves (611, 613) and has a middle and may
have a shaft (621). The shaft (621) is securely mounted through the
middle of the switching separator (62), is mounted rotatably in the
base (61) and has an inner end and an outer end. The inner end and
the outer end of the shaft (621) of the switching separator (62)
are respectively and connected rotatably to the top and the bottom
of the base (61) of the valve assembly (60). The outer end of the
shaft (621) of the switching separator (62) protrudes out of the
base (61) of the valve assembly (60).
[0031] The recessed wheel (63) is securely mounted on the switching
separator (62), may be securely mounted on the outer end of the
shaft (621) of the switching separator (62), has an annular edge
and may have four guiding recesses (632) and four guiding tracks
(633). The guiding recesses (632) are formed separately in the
annular edge of the recessed wheel (63). The guiding tracks (633)
are formed separately in the annular edge of the recessed wheel
(63) and are formed respectively between the adjacent guiding
recesses (632).
[0032] The guiding device (65) is mounted rotatably on the base
(61) near the recessed wheel (63), rotates the recessed wheel (63)
and the switching separator (62) and may have a rotating rod (651),
a cam (652), an extending board (653) and a guiding rod (654). The
rotating rod (651) is mounted rotatably on the base (61) of the
valve assembly (60) adjacent to the recessed wheel (63). The cam
(652) is securely mounted around the rotating rod (651),
corresponds to the recessed wheel (63) and has a concave periphery
edge and a convex periphery edge. The convex periphery edge
selectively abuts one guiding recess (632) of the recessed wheel
(63). The extending board (653) is securely mounted around the
rotating rod (651), protrudes out of the concave periphery edge of
the cam (652) and has a distal end. The guiding rod (654) is
mounted securely through the extending board (653) near the distal
end of the extending board (653) and is selectively mounted into
and moves along one guiding track (633) of the recessed wheel
(63).
[0033] The driver (64) is mounted beside the base (61) of the valve
assembly (60) and has an axle (641). The axle (641) is extending
toward the base (61) of the valve assembly (60), is connected to
the guiding device (65) to rotate the guiding device (65) and may
be connected to the rotating rod (651) of the guiding device (65)
to rotate the rotating rod (651).
[0034] The air generated by the blower (50) inflates the lengthwise
chambers (11), the transverse chambers (12) of the swing segment
(10) of the main body (1) and the decorative segment (20) of the
main body (1). Then, the air further flows into the base (61) of
the valve assembly (60).
[0035] With further reference to FIG. 6, the driver (64) rotates
the guiding rod (651) of the guiding device (65). The convex
periphery edge of the cam (652) of the guiding device (65) are
moved along one guiding recess (632) of the recessed wheel (63)
until guiding rod (654) of the guiding device (65) is mounted into
one guiding track (633) of the recessed wheel (63). Thus, whenever
the axle (641) of the driver (64) make a turn, the recessed wheel
(63) and the switching separator (62) rotate 90 degrees.
[0036] With reference to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the switching separator
(62) is rotated to communicate the inlet valve (611) with the first
connecting valve (612) and to communicate the outlet valve (613)
with the second connecting valve (614). The air in the main body
(1) further flows into and inflates the first envelope (30).
Therefore, the raised front end of the swing segment (10) is upward
and the raised rear end of the swing segment (10) is downward.
Consequently, the second envelope (40) is pressed to deflate the
air out of the second envelope (40).
[0037] With reference to FIGS. 1, 6 and 7, the switching separator
(62) is rotated to communicate the inlet valve (611) with the
second connecting valve (614) and to communicate the outlet valve
(613) with the first connecting valve (612). The air in the main
body (1) flows into and inflates the second envelope (40).
Therefore, the raised rear end of the swing segment (10) is upward
and the raised front end of the swing segment (10) is downward.
Consequently, the first envelope (30) is pressed to deflate the air
out of the first envelope (30).
[0038] The seesaw-typed inflatable main body as described has the
following advantages. With the switching separator (62) rotates,
the first envelope (30) and the second envelope (40) inflate and
deflate alternatively. The swing segment (10) of the main body (1)
swings back and forth like a seesaw and the main body (1) performs
entertaining and novel movements.
[0039] Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the
present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description,
together with details of the structure and features of the
invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made
in the details, especially in matters of shape, size, and
arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the
full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in
which the appended claims are expressed.
* * * * *