Visual display and method of providing a visual display

• US 20050250411A1
• Filed: 05/06/2004
• Published: 11/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bergman Design Consortium
• Original Assignee: Bergman Design Consortium
• Inventors: Moomaw, David E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,311,580 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 446/221
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 15/00 Boards, hoardings, pillars, or like structures for notices, placards, posters, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 15/0025 display surface tensioning means
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/00 Advertising or display means not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/008 Inflatable advertising means
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/08 Dolls, faces, or other representations of living forms with moving parts in the nature of toys A63H

Abstract

Outer and inner inflatable members and a motor assembly including a fan are disposed on a base member. Air provided under pressure by the motor assembly including the fan passes through vents in the base member to inflate the inflatable members. Flakes are disposed in the space between the inflatable members. One vent, larger than the others, provides for the flakes to be lifted upwardly from the base member by the pressurized air. At least another vent in the base member provides for a movement of the flakes by the pressurized air in an annular direction in the space between the inflatable members. A permeable cap disposed on the outer inflatable member limits the pressure in the outer and inner inflatable members to a particular value.

Claims

1. In combination

a base member,

an outer inflatable member disposed on the base member,

an inner inflatable member disposed on the base member,

flakes disposed between the inner and outer inflatable members for movement relative to the first and second inflatable members,

a motor assembly for generating pressurized air, and

vents for directing the pressurized air to inflate the inner and outer members and to move the flakes in an annular direction in the space above the base member and between the first and second inflatable members.

2. In a combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein

the vents include at least a first vent for moving the flakes upwardly from the base member and at least a second vent for moving the flakes in an annular direction in the space above the base member and between the first and second inflatable members.

3. In a combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein

the first and second vents provide for the inflation of the outer and inner members and wherein

a permeable cap is disposed on the outer inflatable member for limiting the pressure of the air in the outer and inner inflatable members.

4. In a combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein

openings are provided in the base member to obtain the inflation of the inner inflatable member to the limited pressure in the outer inflatable member.

5. In a combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein

a fan is driven by the motor to generate a flow of air and wherein

vents in the base member receive the pressurized air to provide for an inflation of the outer and inner members.

6. In a combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein

the base member is vented to provide for the inflation of the first and second inflatable member to the limited pressure and the annular circulation of the flakes in the space above the base member and between the first and second inflatable members.

7. In a combination as set forth in claim 5 wherein

a permeable cap is disposed on the outer member to limit the inflation provided in the outer member and wherein, because of the limited pressure in the permeable cap, the flakes do not become attached to the permeable cap during their movement in the space above the base member and between the inner and outer inflatable members.

8. In a combination as set forth in claim 3,

vents are provided in the base member to inflate the inner inflatable member to the limited pressure in the outer inflatable member and wherein

a fan is driven by the motor to generate air and wherein

vents in the base member provide for the pressurized air to inflate the outer and inner members and wherein

the base member is vented to provide for the inflation of the first and second inflatable member to the limited pressure and the annular circulation of the flakes in the space above the base member and between the first and second inflatable members

a permeable cap is disposed on the outer member to limit the inflation provided in the outer and inner members and wherein, because of the limited pressure in the permeable cap, the flakes do not become attached to the permeable cap during their movement in the space above the base member and between the inner and outer inflatable members.

9. In combination,

a base member,

an outer inflatable member supported on the base member,

an inner inflatable member supported on the base member,

a motor assembly for producing a flow of pressurized air,

a permeable member on the outer inflatable member for limiting the pressure of the air in the outer inflatable member, and

vents in the base member for inflating the inner inflatable member and the outer inflatable member to the limited air pressure.

10. In a combination as set forth in claim 9 wherein

a first one of the vents provides a movement of flakes to positions above the base member in the space between the outer and inner inflatable members and wherein

at least a second one of the vents provides for a movement of the flakes in an annular direction in the space between the outer and inner inflatable members.

11. In a combination as set forth in claim 9,

a first strap disposed on the base member for retaining the first inflatable member in a relationship to provide for the limited pressurization of the first inflatable member,

a second strap disposed on the base member for retaining the second inflatable member in a relationship to provide for the limited pressurization of the second inflatable member.

12. In a combination as set forth in claim 11 wherein

at least a first one of the vents provides for a movement of flakes to positions above the base member in the space between the outer and inner inflatable members and wherein

at least a second one of the vents provides for a movement of the flakes in an annular direction in the space between the outer and inner inflatable members.

13. In a combination as set forth in claim 11 wherein

air inlets are provided for introducing air under pressure to the vents to provide for the pressurization of the inner and outer inflatable members to the limited pressure and wherein

a fan is driven by the motor to push the air under pressure through the air inlets and the vents to the inner and outer inflatable members to inflate the inner and outer inflatable members to the limited pressure.

14. In a combination as set forth in claim 13 wherein

a first one of the vents provides for a movement of flakes to position above the base member in the space between the outer and inner inflatable members and wherein

at least a second one of the vents provides for a movement of the flakes in an annular direction in lateral direction in the space between the outer and inner inflatable members.

20. In a combination as set forth in claim 11 wherein

the motor assembly includes a motor and a fan driven by the motor for compressing air and wherein

the base member includes at least one manifold for directing air through the vents into the outer and inner inflatable members and wherein

the motor assembly includes a fan for directing air under pressure into the manifold for the passage of the air through the vents into the outer and inner inflatable members and wherein

lights are provided in the outer inflatable member to illuminate the inflatable members and wherein

electrical leads for the lights extend through openings in the base member at positions on the base member interior to the inner inflatable member and wherein

air extends under pressure through the openings in the base member to inflate the inner inflatable member.

15. In combination,

a base member,

an outer inflatable member,

an inner inflatable member,

a first strap holding the outer inflatable member against the base member to provide for the inflation of the outer inflatable member,

a second strap holding the inner inflatable member against the base member to provide for the inflation of the inner inflatable member,

vents in the base member for passing air under pressure into the outer inflatable member and the inner inflatable members to inflate the inflatable members, and

a motor assembly disposed in the base member and operable to produce air under pressure and to introduce the air under pressure to the vents for inflating the outer and inner inflatable members.

16. In a combination as set forth in claim 15, including,

a permeable cap on the outer inflatable member for limiting the pressure of air in the outer and inner inflatable caps.

17. In a combination as set forth in claim 15 wherein

the motor assembly includes a motor and a fan driven by the motor for compressing air and wherein

the base member includes manifolds for directing air through the vents into the outer and inner inflatable members.

18. In a combination as set forth in claim 17

wherein the base member includes at least one manifold for providing for the introduction of air into the base member and wherein

the motor assembly includes a fan for directing air under pressure into the manifold for the passage of the air through the vents into the outer and inner inflatable members.

19. In a combination as set forth in claim 15 wherein

lights are provided in the outer inflatable member to illuminate the inflatable members and wherein

electrical leads for the lights extend through openings in the base member at positions on the base member interior to the inner inflatable member and wherein

air passes under pressure through the openings in the base member to inflate the inner inflatable member.

21. In combination

a base member,

an inner inflatable member secured to the base member to define an enclosure with the base member,

an outer inflatable member secured to the base member to define an enclosure with the base member,

the inner inflatable member being disposed within the outer inflatable member,

the base member being constructed to pass air under pressure into the outer inflatable member and into the inner inflatable member,

the outer inflatable member being constructed to limit the pressure of air in the inflatable members, and

a motor assembly secured to the base member to generate air under pressure and to introduce the air into the inner and outer inflatable members.

22. In a combination as set forth in claim 21,

there being a plurality of flakes between the outer inflatable member and inner inflatable members,

the base member being constructed to move the flakes upwardly, and in an annular direction, in the space between the inner and outer inflatable members.

23. In a combination as set forth in claim 21,

the outer inflatable member being constructed to prevent the flakes from sticking to the surface of the outer inflatable member during the movement of the flakes in the space between the inner and outer inflatable members.

24. In a combination as set forth in claim 21,

the inner and outer inflatable members being open at their bottom ends and being disposed on the base member to close the openings at their bottom ends for the reception of the air under pressure in the inflatable members, and

straps being provided on the base member to retain the first and second inflatable members on the base member in the uninflated and inflated conditions of the inflatable members.

25. In a combination as set forth in claim 21,

light bulbs in the space between the inner and outer inflatable members,

at least one opening in the base member, the opening providing for the flow of air under pressure into the inner inflatable member, and

electrical leads extending through the at least one opening in the base member to the light bulbs for illuminating the light bulbs.

26. In a combination as set forth in claim 22,

there being a plurality of flakes between the outer inflatable member and the inner inflatable member,

the base member being constructed to move the flakes upwardly, and in an annular direction, in the space between the inner and outer inflatable members,

the outer inflatable member being constructed to prevent the flakes from sticking to the surface of the outer inflatable member during the movement of the flakes in the space between the inner and outer inflatable members,

the inner and outer inflatable members being open at their bottom ends and being disposed on the base member to close the openings at their bottom ends for the reception of the air under pressure in the inflatable members, and

straps on the base member to retain the first and second inflatable members on the base member in the uninflated and inflated conditions of the inflatable members,

light bulbs in the space between the inner and outer inflatable members,

at least one opening in the base member, the opening providing for the flow of air under pressure into the inner inflatable member, and

electrical leads extending through the at least one opening in the base member to the light bulbs for illuminating the light bulbs.

27. In combination,

a base member,

an outer inflatable member disposed on the base member,

an inner inflatable member disposed on the base member,

the inner inflatable member being disposed within the outer inflatable member,

a motor assembly on the base assembly for generating pressurized air, and

the base member being constructed to direct the pressurized air into the inflatable members for inflating the inflatable members.

28. In a combination as set forth in claim 27,

the outer inflatable member being constructed to limit the pressure of the air in the inflatable member.

29. In a combination as set forth in claim 27,

the base member being constructed to provide for the introduction of air to the motor assembly for the generation of pressurized air by the motor assembly and for the introduction of the pressurized air into the inner and outer inflatable members to inflate the inner and outer inflatable members.

30. In a combination as set forth in claim 27,

there being flakes in the space between the inner and outer inflatable members,

the base member being constructed to provide the flakes with movements having upward and lateral components to provide for a continuous movement of the flakes in the space between the inner and outer inflatable members while the members are inflated.

31. In a combination as set forth in claim 28 wherein

the base member is constructed to provide for the introduction of air to the motor assembly for the generation of pressurized air by the motor assembly and for the introduction of the pressurized air into the inner and outer inflatable members and wherein

flakes are disposed in the space between the inner and outer inflatable members and wherein

the base member is constructed to provide the flakes with movements having upward and lateral components to provide for a continuous movement of the flakes in the space between the inner and outer inflatable members while the members are inflated.

32. A method of providing a visual display, including the steps of:

disposing an outer inflatable member and an inner inflatable member on a base member and disposing flakes in the space between the inner and outer inflatable members,

generating pressurized air,

introducing the pressurized air into the inner and outer inflatable members to provide for a movement of the flakes upwardly from the base member and in an annular path in the space between the inner and outer inflatable members, and

providing a limitation of the pressure in the outer inflatable member to a particular value.

33. A method as set forth in claim 32, including the steps of:

providing for the production of the limited pressure in the inner inflatable member.

34. In a method as set forth in claim 32, including the step of:

providing for the pressure in the outer inflatable member to have a limited value preventing the flakes from adhering to the outer inflatable member.

35. In a method as set forth in claim 32 wherein

a permeable cap is disposed on the inner inflatable member to provide for the production of air under pressure at a limited value, thereby to prevent the flakes from adhering to the permeable cap.

36. In a method as set forth in claim 32 wherein

vents are provided in the base member to pass the air under pressure into the inner and outer inflatable members to provide for the movement of the flakes upwardly from the base member and in the annular path in the space between the inner and outer inflatable members.

37. In a method as set forth in claim 33 including the step of:

providing for the pressure in the outer inflatable member to have a limited value preventing the flakes from adhering to the outer inflatable member.

38. A method as set forth in claim 35 wherein

vents are provided in the base member to pass the air under pressure into the inner and outer inflatable members to provide for the movement of the flakes upwardly from the base member and in the annular path in the space between the inner and outer inflatable members.

39. A method as set forth in claim 33,

providing for the pressure in the outer inflatable member to have a limited value preventing the flakes from adhering to the outer inflatable member,

40. A method as set forth in claim 33 wherein

a permeable cap is disposed on the inner inflatable member to provide for the production of air under pressure at a limited value, thereby to prevent the flakes from adhering to the permeable cap and wherein,

vents are provided in the base member to pass the air under pressure into the inner and outer inflatable members to provide for the movement of the flakes upwardly from the base member and in the annular path in the space between the inner and outer inflatable members.