U.S. patent number 3,670,440 [Application Number 05/014,014] was granted by the patent office on 1972-06-20 for inflatable display.
Invention is credited to Paul E. Yost.
United States Patent |
3,670,440 |
Yost |
June 20, 1972 |
INFLATABLE DISPLAY
Abstract
An inflatable display employs apparatus for continuously blowing
air into a bag-like member on which may be carried a selected
advertisement. The blower apparatus and the bag-like member may be
connected to a frame structure at the upper end of the tube, the
frame structure being adapted for connection to a tow line of an
airborne vehicle. The shape of the member forms a part of the
advertisement, such as a can, a bottle, or character and in one
embodiment includes an inner liner spaced from the ends of the tube
so that the ends of the tube may retain the definite selected shape
thereof and are prevented from taking on a ballooning appearance.
The liner balloons within the tube but does not change the exterior
shape thereof. In another embodiment the blower apparatus is
connected to a manifold for distributing a flow of air to a
plurality of side-by-side connected open-ended tubes which form a
three-dimensional display. As a static display the inflated member
is anchored to the ground to prevent movements which may be
effected by the wind.
Inventors: |
Yost; Paul E. (Sioux Falls,
SD) |
Family
ID: |
21763022 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/014,014 |
Filed: |
February 25, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
40/215; 428/16;
40/538 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09F
21/12 (20130101); G09F 21/06 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G09F
21/00 (20060101); G09F 21/06 (20060101); G09F
21/12 (20060101); G09f 021/12 () |
Field of
Search: |
;40/126,106.3,215 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Michell; Robert W.
Assistant Examiner: Contreras; Wenceslao J.
Claims
What I claim is:
1. Display apparatus to be towed by a line from an airborne
vehicle, comprising:
a flexible tube of selected length for carrying a display thereon,
said tube including two ends;
means for suspending said tube from the tow line;
lining means forming an air chamber within said tube between and
spaced away from said two ends and including fluid communication
means for placing said air chamber in continuous communication with
the atmosphere for continuous air leakage;
means forming an opening through said lining means to the air
chamber;
inflation means mounted in said opening in said lining means
operable to continuously inflate said continuously leaking lining
means.
2. Display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for
suspending said tube from the tow line comprises:
a first frame connected to a first of said ends of said tube and
having the same peripheral shape as said first end;
means for connecting said first frame to the tow line;
a second frame connected to a second of said ends of said tube and
having the same peripheral shape as said second end; and
a plurality of gussets in said tube spaced about the periphery
thereof and extending between said frames, each of said gussets
including means connected to said frames.
3. Display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for
suspending said tube from the tow line comprises:
a frame having the same peripheral shape as one of said ends of
said tube, and connected thereto, and means for connecting said
frame to the tow line.
4. Display apparatus according to claim 3, comprising means
connected to the other of said ends of said tube for weighing and
holding said other end below said lining means during flight.
5. Display apparatus according to claim 4, wherein each of said
frames includes a pair of hinges disposed diametrically thereacross
for folding said frames for storage.
6. Display apparatus according to claim 5, wherein each of said
hinges includes a pair of generally C-shaped members each having a
first leg and a second leg, means pivotally connecting said first
legs, and means for releasably latching said second legs.
7. Display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said tube
includes means for quickly opening said tube for fast deflation
thereof.
8. Display apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said quick
opening means includes first and second overlapping portions of
said tube, means releasably connecting said overlapping portions,
and a strand disposed between said first and second portions and
having a portion extending to the exterior of said tube, said
portion to be pulled by hand to effect a stripping open of said
overlapping portions.
9. Display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said inflation
means includes a fan device for blowing air into the chamber and a
prime mover for operating said fan device.
10. Display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said lining
means includes a lower end and means defining an opening in said
lower end adapted for coupling to a preflight inflation supply.
11. Display apparatus to be towed by a line from an airborne
vehicle, comprising
a flexible structure for being towed through the air having
flexible side walls including at least one flexible surface facing
toward the direction of flight,
said structure including at least one air passageway therein in
communication with the atmosphere,
power driven blower means connected to said structure for blowing
air through said passageway to create a greater than atmospheric
pressure therein, and
tow line means for connecting said structure and air blowing means
to a tow line from an aircraft,
said tow line located so that said surface of said structure faces
the direction of flight,
said blower having a capacity to inflate the flexible structure
with sufficient pressure to prevent collapse of the side walls and
to prevent collapse of said surface facing in the direction of
flight due to air resistance against said surface.
12. Display apparatus to be towed by a line from an airborne
vehicle, comprising
a flexible structure including at least one air passageway therein
in communication with the atmosphere,
means connected to said structure for blowing air through said
passageway to create a greater than atmospheric pressure therein,
and
means for connecting said structure and air blowing means to the
tow line,
a plurality of air passageways in communication with the
atmosphere, and
a manifold connecting said plurality of passageways in
communication with said air blowing means.
13. Display apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said frame
includes hinge means for folding said frame for storage.
14. Display apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said frame
includes a first section connected to one end of said flexible
structure, and a second section connected to the other end of said
flexible structure.
15. Display apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said flexible
structure includes an inner liner having at least a portion thereof
formed of porous material for continuous leakage of air.
16. Display apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said
air-blowing means includes a prime mover having a gravity-feed type
fuel system, and said apparatus further comprises means for urging
said prime mover toward a predetermined orientation during flight
to permit gravity fuel feed.
17. Display apparatus comprising: an inflatable member shaped as a
replica of an object to be displayed, power driven blower means
connected in fluid communication with said inflatable member
continuously filling the member with air creating an inflating
pressure within said member,
a plurality of elongate tubes disposed adjacent one another to form
said inflatable member,
a rigid member secured to said tubes within said inflatable member,
and
guying strands for connection to the ground connected to said rigid
member and extending between adjacent ones of said tubes.
18. Display apparatus according to claim 17, comprising:
a. an outer layer of material covering said tubes to provide a
surface for carrying a display thereon,
a1. said layer of material having slits therein for passing said
guying strands therethrough.
19. Display apparatus according to claim 17, comprising
a. a sleeve secured to said tubes for receiving and securing said
rigid member.
20. Display apparatus according to claim 17, comprising:
a. an outer layer of material covering said tubes,
a1. said layer of material having slits therein, and
a2. said guying strands extending through respective ones of said
slits; and
b. a sleeve secured to said tubes for receiving and supporting said
rigid member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to inflatable displays and more particularly
to displays which are being continuously inflated.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is, of course, well known in the art to provide display signs
and billboards, and to provide a banner in tow behind an airplane
or other airborne vehicle. In addition, the art recognizes the use
of balloons and dirigibles for carrying a display on the outer
surface thereof.
Signs towed behind aircraft, for example, are limited to a certain
extent to the amount of information which may be conveyed with
respect to the sizes of lettering and altitude of flight while
balloons are somewhat limited with respect to the number of
observers. Dirigibles, particularly large dirigibles, may be
utilized to combine the advantages of both airplane-towed signs and
displays carried by balloons; that is, a large amount of
information may be communicated to a large number of persons.
However, the lack of a sufficient number of dirigibles renders this
means of advertisement costly, or even unavailable.
It has been determined that a large amount of information may be
communicated to an observer without the use of printed words if the
observer is shown well-known shapes. Further, information may be
communicated to the observer if the shapes are three-dimensional.
Still more information may be conveyed to an observer by placing
unique indicia, design, words or a combination thereof on a well
known shape. For example, a manufacturer's name, initials, etc. on
the shape of a can in which his product is normally sold,
particularly coupled with the proper color relationships of the
actual can, conveys a complete advertising message to an observer.
Further, if such a display is constructed in gigantic proportions
to the real item and placed adjacent a busy, well-traveled
thoroughfare, or towed through the air, the display has a great
attraction and provides an indelible message to a great number of
observers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, an inflatable three-dimensional display
is provided; and the display is adapted to be towed by a line from
an airborne vehicle. The display is preferred to be in the
three-dimensional form of a recognizable character, or a container
such as a can, bottle, box or other package.
In constructions of generally cylindrical configuration adapted for
towing such as cans and bottles, the display apparatus comprises an
elongate tube having a liner therein spaced from the ends of the
tube. An upper frame structure is connected to the upper end of the
tube and supports blower apparatus and cables for connecting the
apparatus to a tow line. The blower apparatus is disposed in an
opening of the liner to provide a continuous flow of air into the
liner. The spacing of the liner from the ends provides for well
defined ends which do not themselves balloon in that any ballooning
affect due to the air pressure difference between the interior and
the exterior of the liner occurs only at the liner and does not
project past the ends of the tube. Therefore, the appearance of the
flat ends are provided for the particular container depicted.
Static displays, of course, do not require the inner liner as the
supporting surface, the earth for examples, provides the desired
flat appearance of the lower end of the tube.
Being flexible, the display apparatus may be easily folded for
storage after use; however, a quick deflation of such a display is
highly desirable so that air may be removed therefrom for storage.
The invention therefore features apparatus for quickly deflating
the structure which comprises a "tear" strand or rope disposed
between overlapping releasably engaged gusset portions of the tube.
If the display is airborne, upon landing the rope is pulled to tear
open the side of the tube by disengaging the aforementioned gusset
portions.
Airborne constructions which are to convey the appearance of a box
or other rectangular parallelopiped, such as a cigarette package or
a cereal box, employ a frame for suspending the display apparatus
from a tow line and for carrying a blower. The inflatable portion
of the structure, whether static or airborne, comprises a plurality
of hollow tubes arranged side-by-side and covered with a material
to provide the outer surface of the package. The blower apparatus
is connected to a manifold which serves to continuously supply each
of the tubes with a flow of air to maintain a pressure therein that
is slightly greater than that of the surrounding air .
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention, its
organization, construction and operation will be best understood
from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of display apparatus utilized
in accordance with the principles of the present invention showing
display apparatus being towed in flight by a helicopter;
FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the invention showing in a side
elevation with fragmentary sections display apparatus for
representing a can-type cylindrical package;
FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 are details of frame and cabling construction
which may be employed in practicing the invention;
FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line VII--VII of FIG. 2
illustrates apparatus which may be employed for providing a tear
strip according to the invention;
FIG. 8 is an elevational view of display apparatus constructed in
accordance with the invention, showing in a fragmentary section
thereof the provision of apparatus for pre-flight inflation to aid
in launching of the display apparatus;
FIG. 9 is an elevational view of another embodiment of the
invention shown partially in fragmentary sections to illustrate the
utilization of a plurality of tubes to form a display package and
apparatus for supplying fluid flow to the plurality of tubes;
FIG. 10 is a pictorial illustration of the display apparatus of
FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 is a pictorial representation of a static display of a
well-known character;
FIGS. 12 and 13 are elevational views of a static display of a
well-known bottle form specifically illustrating anchoring
techniques;
FIG. 14 is a view of the box-like display of FIG. 9 anchored as a
static display; and
FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along the line XV--XV of FIG. 14
particularly illustrating apparatus for anchoring the display.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the drawings, there is generally shown a display apparatus 10
for connection to a tow line 11 of an airborne vehicle, the
helicopter 12.
The display apparatus 10 generally comprises a flexible tube 13
having one end thereof connected to a frame 14 and the other end
thereof connected to a frame 15. Extending the length of the tube
13 are a plurality of gussets, indicated at 16, formed of
overlapping portions of the tube 13 and including therebetween
cables 22 which connect frames 14 and 15.
A second plurality of cables 17 connect the upper frame 14 to an
eye 18 which is provided to connect the display apparatus 10 to the
tow line 11.
The upper frame 14 comprises a plurality of arcuate members 19
coupled together by coupling members 20 which receive the ends of
the arcuate members 19. Each of the coupling members 20 includes a
loop 21 secured thereto for connecting cables 17 and 22 to the
upper frame 14.
A plurality of other cables 23 connect the frame 14 to a frame 24
at an upper ring-shaped member 25 thereof. The frame 24 further
comprises a lower ring-shaped member 26 and a plurality of spacing
members 27 which connect members 25 and 26.
A plurality of rigid straps 29 connect the ring member 25 to a
spring-loaded eye-bolt 30 having a spring 31 surrounding its shank
28. A cable 32 connects the eye bolt 30 to the eye 18 to provide a
resilient suspension for the frame 24. A plurality of other cables
33 suspend the ring member 25 from the eye 18.
A prime mover, preferably a motor such as used on lawnmowers, is
mounted on the frame 24 and rotatably carries and powers a fan
element 35 for continuously blowing air into the tube 13.
The immense size of the tube 13 would require a tremendous amount
of air flow to provide a sufficient pressure, for example 1.5-3.5
inches of water, to maintain its cylindrical appearance without
some form of air capture being provided. Therefore, sections 13a
and 13b are connected to the inner surface of the tube 13 to form a
lining therein which defines a continuously leaking air chamber.
Either the lining 13a, 13b or the tube 13, or both, may include
porous material for providing continuous fluid communication
between the air chamber and the exterior of the display apparatus.
The gussets forming the display are sewn together. Attention is
invited that the sections 13a and 13b are disposed so as to lie
inwardly of the ends of the tube 13 when the display apparatus is
fully inflated so as to prevent a ballooning appearance at the
bottom and top of the apparatus which would destroy the intended
effect to display a can or similar container. Ballooning does
occur, but only within the tube 13 at the sections 13a and 13b. 4
ounce nylon has proven advantageous for inflation and may be coated
with a rubber base coating, urethene, or the like.
Referring specifically to FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6, it can be seen that
the frame 14 comprises a plurality of arcuate members 19 connected
together by coupling members 20 to define the circular
cross-section of the display apparatus 10. It will further be
appreciated that the frame 14 has connected thereto three separate
series of cables 17, 22 and 23. Cables 22 lie within the gussets 16
and connect the frame 14 and the frame 15; cables 17 connect the
frame 14 to the eye 18; and cables 23 connect the frame 14 to the
ring member 25 of the frame 24. The frame 15 is similarly
constructed from a plurality of arcuate members 19a and coupling
members 20a; however, the frame 15 does not carry any cables other
than cables 32 connected thereto. All of the cables mentioned above
may be provided with means for adjusting the links thereof, as
required; such a turn buckle 41 being shown in connection with the
cable 22 and the lower frame 15 in FIG. 6. However, a turn buckle
will generally not be required in connection with a gusset cable 22
but is more apt to be required in connection with cables 17, 23 and
32, but not being shown with respect to those cables for reasons of
clarity in the drawings.
In constructions where a gravity feed-type prime mover, such as
mentioned above, is employed a cable 55 is connected to the shank
28 of the eye bolt 30, passed through a resilient link 56 which is
secured to the frame 24 and connected to the motor 24. The cable 55
transmits the tension on cable 32 to the motor 34 as a means of
maintaining the motor, and particularly its gas tank, in a
generally horizontal position for gravity operated fluid flow.
The flexibility of the tube 13 and the sections 13a and 13b is
advantageous for storage of the display apparatus upon deflation
thereof; however, upon landing, even after motor 34 ceases to
operate, a tremendous amount of air is maintained in the chamber
defined by the inner lining. The display apparatus is therefore
provided with a tear strip 42 for opening the side of the tube 13
and permitting rapid deflation of the chamber. The tear strip 42
comprises a pair of overlapping gusset portions 43 and 44 having
disposed therebetween a strand or rope 45 with an end 46 hanging
freely from the tear strip to be grasped by the hand of an
operator. The portions 43 and 44 have disposed thereon releasably
engaging cloth zipper material in cooperating pairs 47, 48 and 49,
50 such as is commonly sold under the mark "Velcro." As the lower
end of the display apparatus nears or touches the ground, an
operator pulls the end 46 of rope 45 to tear open the tube 13 by
disengaging the cooperable portions 47-50. Tube 13 may then be
folded as it is lowered.
In addition to the fabric of the display apparatus being folded,
the frame 14 and the frame 15 are also provided with apparatus for
folding at diametrically opposed portions by means of hinge
apparatus 36. The hinge apparatus 36 comprises a pair of C-shaped
members 37 and 38. One pair of legs of each member 37 and 38 is
pivotally connected by a pin 39 while the other pair of legs is
releasably connected by a pin 40. Therefore, removal of the pin 40
permits the frame to be folded into a semi-circular form. This is
true for both the upper and lower frames.
Before a display apparatus of the type described herein is
connected to a helicopter for towing and before the prime mover 34
is operable, it is sometimes advantageous to lift the display
apparatus into a fully extended condition and preinflate or
partially inflate the tube. This is of particular advantage where
elongate tubes are used, such as illustrated in FIG. 8 to depict a
bottle-type structure. In FIG. 8 the display apparatus may have
substantially identical construction as previously illustrated and
discussed and is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10'.
The display apparatus includes cables 17 for adapting the display
to be connected to a tow line and an inner liner referenced 13c and
13d illustrated in an inflated and ballooned condition.
The section 13c includes an opening or intake nozzle 51 therein for
connection to a discharge tube 52 which is in communication with a
blower 53. The blower 53 is operated by a prime mover, illustrated
herein as motor 54. As the display apparatus 10' is lifted to an
extended length the blower 53 is operating to preinflate the
apparatus.
Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10 display apparatus 60 is illustrated
as having the shape of a rectangular parallelopiped and generally
comprises a frame 61, a motor 62 mounted on the frame and a
plurality of side-by-side tubes 68. The frame 61 may be connected
to a pole line by means of the cables 71.
The tubes 68 are connected side-by-side to form the generally
rectangular shape of the apparatus 60 and may in themselves be
rectangular in cross-section. Further, the tubes 68 may be covered
by an outer sheet or film 70 to carry the indicia of the
display.
The blower apparatus includes a motor 62 having a closed fan
chamber 63 for feeding an outlet conduit 64 which is in
communication with a manifold 65 connected to the upper end of each
of the tubes 68. The blower apparatus therefore provides a fluid
flow through the manifold to feed each of the tubes 68 by way of
their respective openings 67 into the manifold to provide a fluid
flow through the tubes and out the open bottom ends 69 thereof. The
passage of air through the tubes 68 causes a higher pressure, for
example 5 inches of water, within the tubes than on the exterior
thereof to effect an inflating action and cause the apparatus to
maintain the appearance of a rectangular parallelopiped. In this
form of construction, the display apparatus may be advantageously
utilized to advertise products which normally appear in rectangular
boxes or packages, and an axial fan is used to obtain the greater
required air pressure.
Referring now to FIG. 11, there is illustrated generally at
reference 80 a stationary or static display formed in the shape of
a well-known or easily recognizable character. The display
comprises a plurality of shaped inflatable portions 81--85
connected in fluid communication with each other and with an
inflation apparatus 86. The inflation apparatus 86 includes a
blower 87 which is driven by a motor 88 to supply a flow of air
through a tube 89 which is connected to the display portion 83. The
inflation apparatus 86 has been constructed in one form by
utilizing a 1 1/2 foot diameter axial type blower fan driven by a
one horse motor.
The display is secured against the deleterious effects of the wind
at selected points by a plurality of guy lines or strands 90 which
are connected to the ground by anchors 91 and to the display by
fanshaped means 92 which are sewn to the material which forms the
display. The fan-shaped means includes a plurality of layers of
fabric and webbing and the guy lines 90 and the fan-shaped means 92
extend tangentially to the surface of the display so that tension
is applied along the fabric of the display and peeling forces are
prevented. This type of connection is advantageously employed where
the curvature of the shaped display and the room available for
guide lines are suitable. Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, a tall
display 100 in the shape of a bottle is shown in order to
illustrate anchoring techniques where spherical surfaces, such as
in FIG. 11, are not involved. Here, anchoring in only one direction
against the force of the wind W is illustrated for convenience and
clarity. A plurality of pairs of guide lines 101, 102 and 103, 104
are connected to respective anchors, such as anchor 105. At
selected elevation points each of the pairs of guy lines, for
example lines 103 and 104 are connected to opposite sides of the
display 100 by connecting means 106 which may also be fan-shaped.
The tension in the oppositely disposed guy lines has a horizontal
component which places the material in tension and further provides
a horizontal component directed oppositely to the direction of the
force of the wind. There is also, of course, a vertical component,
but the vertical component is maintained as small as possible in
that the tension in the line is maintained at a minimum value in
that such tension only has necessary to combat the effects of the
wind is utilized, and the angle of connection is made as near to
the horizontal as practically possible under the particular
conditions at the installation site.
Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, the package of FIGS. 9 and 10 is
illustrated as it would be utilized for a stationary or static
display. Here, a rigid member is secured within the hollow interior
of the display for receiving anchoring connections. In the
particular embodiment illustrated, at least one rigid member is
received and supported in a corresponding sleeve 110 which is
secured to the tubes 68 in the space formed by the array of tubes.
A guy line 113 is connected to the rigid member 111 and extends
between adjacent tubes 68 and through a slit 112 in the outer layer
of material 70 for connection to an anchor 114. As many anchors and
guy lines as necessary may be utilized with a corresponding number
of slits 112 although only a single such anchoring connection is
illustrated in FIG. 14.
FIGS. 12 and 14 diagrammatically illustrate the utilization of
inflation apparatus 86 such as employed in FIG. 11, rather than the
airborne type blower apparatus employed above for similar displays
in order that the weight of the inflating equipment is removed from
the top of a stationary display and so that such apparatus is more
easily maintained. It is preferred that continuous duty electric
motors be employed in the stationary displays in that little or no
maintenance is required and the display may be continuously
inflated over extended periods of time.
Generally, there has been described inflatable three-dimensional
display apparatus for static display or adapted to be towed by a
line from an airborne vehicle and capable of presenting a three
dimensional message. Further, the apparatus includes means for
compensating for ballooning of the inflated structures so that the
structures may take on the desired appearance of a can, bottle,
box, etc. In addition, apparatus has been provided for quick
deflation of the display apparatus and apparatus for folding the
display apparatus for storage.
It has further been discussed that it may be advantageous to
preinflate or partially inflate display apparatus of the kind
described herein prior to flight, and means for providing this
inflation and its connection to the display apparatus where set
forth.
As a static display the constructions are anchored to the ground
against the force of the wind by guy lines or strands which are
connected to the display either to the surface or internally of the
display. Connections to the surface are effected at angles such
that the material is placed in tension having horizontal component
opposite to the direction of wind force. Internal connection to a
display is provided through slits in the outer cover for passing a
guy line connected to an internal rigid member.
Many changes and modifications may be made in the invention by one
skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of
the invention, and it is to be understood that I wish to include
within the patent warranted hereon all such changes and
modifications which may reasonably and properly be included within
the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *