U.S. patent number 3,672,083 [Application Number 05/042,968] was granted by the patent office on 1972-06-27 for inflatable and illuminable figure.
Invention is credited to James G. Moran.
United States Patent |
3,672,083 |
Moran |
June 27, 1972 |
INFLATABLE AND ILLUMINABLE FIGURE
Abstract
An inflatable and illuminable figure in which the figure is
provided with a window of transparent plastic material bordered by
attachment pockets, and a cell containing a light source and having
a convex window is secured to the figure by tabs which are received
in the pockets and secured therein by a gripping force created when
the figure is inflated.
Inventors: |
Moran; James G. (Burbank,
CA) |
Family
ID: |
21924726 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/042,968 |
Filed: |
June 3, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
40/540;
446/220 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09F
19/12 (20130101); A63H 3/006 (20130101); A63H
3/06 (20130101); A63H 2027/1075 (20130101); A63H
2027/1058 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63H
3/00 (20060101); A63H 3/06 (20060101); G09F
19/12 (20060101); A63H 27/10 (20060101); A63H
27/00 (20060101); G09f 019/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;40/130,126B,106.54,212,214,106.52 ;46/87,88,90 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Michell; Robert W.
Assistant Examiner: Carter; Richard
Claims
I claim:
1. An inflatable and illuminable figure, comprising:
a. an inflatable envelope formed of flexible translucent material
adapted, when inflated, to form a three dimensional figure and
including an essentially transparent flexible window;
b. a domed cell having a light source therein, and an essentially
transparent relatively rigid convex wall dimensioned to overlie and
coincide with the window;
c. means for removably securing the cell to the envelope with the
convex wall coinciding with the window; and
depressing the window into the figure to distribute light
throughout the interior of the figure.
2. A figure, as defined in claim 1, wherein:
a. the margins of the convex wall are provided with projections and
corresponding portions of the cell are provided with slots to
removably receive the projections, thereby to permit removal of the
convex wall from the cell when the cell is removed from the
envelope.
3. A figure, as defined in claim 1, wherein said securing means
further comprises:
a. two laminations sealed together at the margins of the window to
form a set of pockets having entrance slots;
b. and a corresponding set of tangs extending from the cell for
reception in the pockets.
4. A figure, as defined in claim 1, wherein said securing means
comprises:
a. a pair of lateral projections at each lateral side of the cell,
terminating in depending tangs;
b. and a pair of laminations sealed together at opposite side
margins of the window to form a set of pockets having entrance
slots at their upper ends to receive the tangs.
5. An inflatable and illuminable figure, comprising:
a. an inflatable envelope formed of flexible translucent material
adapted, when inflated, to form a three dimensional figure and
including an essentially transparent window;
b. a lamina for the window and a marginal portion of the envelope
around the window and forming with the envelope a set of pockets
having entrance ends facing in the same direction;
c. a domed cell having a set of lateral projections and tangs
extending therefrom in the same direction for reception in the
pockets thereby to position the cell over the window;
d. said envelope, on being inflated, producing a binding force
between the pockets and the tangs tending to secure the cell on the
envelope; and
e. a light within the cell exposed to the interior of the envelope
through the window.
6. A figure, as defined in claim 5, which further includes:
a. a transparent convex wall interposed between the cell and the
envelope for depressing the window to increase light distribution
in the envelope.
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the type of inflatable and
illuminable figures shown in my previous patents, U.S. Pat. No.
2,748,256, issued May 29, 1956; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,363,350, issued
Jan. 16, 1968. The illuminating means shown in each of these
patents is located entirely within the boundaries of the figure,
and while the selection of proper materials and low wattage
illumination would reduce the danger of fire resulting from contact
between the light source and the walls of the figure, in those
cases, some danger might still exist and may raise the question of
safety.
The present invention seeks to minimize the danger and to
accomplish some other advantages which are summarized in the
following objects:
First, to provide an externally mounted and vented light source for
inflatable figures which is readily secured to or removed from the
figure.
Second, to provide an inflatable and illuminable figure wherein the
figure is provided with a sealed transparent window and a cell
containing a source of illumination and having a convex transparent
side is secured over the window so that essentially the same
illuminated effect is obtained as would be obtained were the source
of illumination located within the figure.
Third, to provide an inflatable and illuminable figure, as
indicated in the preceding object, wherein the figure is provided
with tang receiving pockets bordering the transparent window, and
the cell is provided with mating tangs to be received in the
pockets when the figure is limp, or partially deflated, or
completely deflated; then, upon inflating the figure, the region of
the figure underlying the cell is pressed against the cell to
secure the cell in place.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an essentially diagrammatical side view at a reduced
scale of the inflatable and illuminable figure.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary partial sectional, partial side
view, taken from 2--2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view, taken through
3--3 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view, taken through
4--4 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is a further enlarged fragmentary sectional view, taken
through 5--5 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 6 is another further enlarged fragmentary sectional view,
taken through 6--6 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side view, showing a modified form of the
mounting means for the illumination cell.
The present invention is incorporated in an inflatable figure or
envelope 1, which may take many forms; that is, the envelope may
suggest a human figure such as a clown, a decorative figure such as
a candle or a commercial figure such as a bottle. The envelope is
formed of translucent plastic material and is provided with a
filler entrance 2 through which air may be forced and which is
provided with a suitable conventional closing means.
In the exercise of the present invention, one side of the figure is
provided with a window 3, which may be an opening therein or merely
a transparent area. Covering the window either on the inside of the
figure or the outside thereof is a flexible lamina or plate 4,
having a transparent area 5 registering with the window 3. The
window 3 and the transparent area 5 are shown as oval in shape and
the lamina is secured to the envelope by an inner heat seal ring 6
adjacent the window and an outer heat seal ring 7 spaced therefrom
so as to form therebetween an annular space 8 sealed from the
interior of the envelope.
Extending horizontally from opposite sides of the oval window is a
set of four slots 9, communicating with the annular space 8 so that
below each slot there is formed, in offset, a pocket. If desired,
the continuous outer heat seal ring 7 may be omitted and heat seal
loops 10 be provided, as indicated in FIG. 7, which form isolated
pockets 11.
A domed cell 12 is provided which is formed of relatively rigid
plastic material, or may be formed of metal. The cell 12 is
provided with lateral projections 13, each having a depending tang
14, adapted to be received in one of the slots 9. In order to
facilitate insertion into the pockets, one pair of tangs may be
longer than the other.
The underside of the cell 12 is recessed upwardly to form a lamp
socket cavity 15 which receives a lamp base 16, secured in the
upper wall of the cavity 15. The lamp base supports within the cell
12 a lamp 17. The cavity 15 is provided with vent holes 18, and the
upper portion of the cell 12 is provided with another set of vent
holes 19. The lamp base is provided with a lamp cord 20 which
extends downward and may be held against the envelope 1 by retainer
loops 21.
In the region of each lateral projection 13, the cell is provided
immediately outward from each projection 13 with a slot 22. The
side of the cell 12 confronting the envelope 1 is provided with a
relatively rigid transparent convex cover 23, having tangs 24 which
fit into the slots 22. The cover is capable of being moved from the
cell to provide access to the lamp 17.
Operation of the inflatable and illuminable figure is as
follows:
The cell 12, including the convex cover 23, is fitted on the
envelope 1 when the envelope is deflated or partially deflated.
This is done by inserting the depending tangs 14 into the slots 9.
Upon inflating the envelope, the surfaces of the envelope and the
lamina 4 underlying the cell and its convex cover are pressed
outwardly thereagainst, firmly securing the cell and its cover in
place. In addition, the lateral extensions and tangs may be
normally coplanar and caused to conform to the envelope when it is
inflated so that a biasing force is applied to the extensions and
tangs tending to retain the tangs in the pockets.
The transparent area 5 conforms completely with the convex cover so
that the cover establishes a concave region within the envelope so
as to ensure adequate distribution of light within the envelope.
While the window is referred to as transparent, the window and the
cover, or either one, may be slightly translucent. Also, the convex
cover or the portions confronting the cover may be coated or
impreganted with fluorescent material to increase the effective
illumination within the envelope. Still further, the walls of the
envelope may be similarly treated.
While particular embodiments of this invention have been shown and
described, it is not intended to limit the same to the details of
the constructions set forth, but instead, the invention embraces
such changes, modifications and equivalents of the various parts
and their relationships as come within the purview of the appended
claims.
* * * * *