INFLATABLE DECORATIVE STRUCTURE WITH A LIGHT SYSTEM AND A DIFFUSING MECHANISM

• US 20120020076A1
• Filed: 01/21/2011
• Published: 01/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Polygroup Macau Limited (MDF Commerce, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Polygroup Macau Limited (MDF Commerce, Inc.)
• Inventors: LEUNG, CHI YIN ALAN
• Granted Patent: US 8,469,538 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/235
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/026 being inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/00 Use or application of lighting devices or systems for decorative purposes, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00

Abstract

A decorative system includes an inflatable bladder assembly, a light string system, and a covering. The bladder assembly includes a bladder, which includes a seal or passage for dispensing and removing media to inflate the bladder. The bladder includes a housing for holding media and for storing and protecting the light system, and a diffusing mechanism for diffusing and distributing light emitted from the light system throughout the bladder. The diffusing mechanism can extend within the bladder, and the light system can illuminate light in and through the diffusing mechanism. The covering can cover the inflated bladder to provide additional shape and structure to the decorative system.

Claims

1. An inflatable decoration having a shape associated with a particular festive occasion, comprising:

an inflatable bladder assembly comprising an inflatable bladder having a first aperture for introducing media into the inflatable bladder;

a light system;

a second aperture disposed on the inflatable bladder assembly configured to receive at least a portion of the light system;

at least one diffusing member for diffusing light emanated from at least one light of the light system; and

a covering to a least partially cover the inflatable bladder assembly.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the second aperture is a pouch.

3. The decoration of claim 1, further comprising a seal for at least partially sealing the first aperture in order to maintain the introduced media within the inflatable bladder for a predetermined time.

4. The decoration of claim 1, further comprising a flap for enclosing at least a portion of the light system in the second aperture.

5. The decoration of claim 1, wherein the media is air and the first aperture is designed to accept air from an air pump.

6. The decoration of claim 1, wherein the media is air and the first aperture is designed to accept air from a person blowing into a closeable tube.

7. The decoration of claim 1, further comprising one or more support rods to assist in maintaining the inflatable bladder into a desired shape.

8. The decoration of claim 1, further comprising one or more support rods to provide design details when the bladder is at least partially inflated.

9. The decoration of claim 8, wherein the support rods are disposed internally of the bladder.

10. The decoration of claim 1, wherein the covering is stitched onto at least a portion of the bladder assembly.

11. The decoration of claim 1, wherein the light system comprises:

a light assembly comprising;

a light source;

a base; and

a bypass activating system extending downwardly from the base;

a socket assembly dimensioned to receive via insertion at least a portion of the base of the light assembly;

a bypass mechanism positioned within the socket assembly comprising a conductive element having a pair of arms, wherein one or both of the arms of the conductive element are moveable between a first and second position;

wherein the bypass activating system causes one or both of the arms to move to a first position to cause current flow through the light assembly upon insertion of the bypass activating system into the socket assembly; and

wherein upon removal of the bypass activating system from the socket assembly the current flow is bypassed around the light assembly and through the socket assembly.

12. The decoration of claim 11, wherein the bypass activating system comprises at least one downwardly extending member.

13. The decoration of claim 11, wherein the bypass mechanism comprises a holder and conductive element, wherein the holder comprises a cutout along its width adapted to receive and carry the conductive element therein, and wherein the conductive element comprises a pair of arms extending the length of the diameter of the socket.

14. The decoration of claim 13, wherein the conductive element is a spring.

15. An inflatable decorative system, comprising:

an inflatable bladder assembly comprising an inflatable bladder having a first aperture for introducing media into the inflatable bladder;

a light system;

a second aperture disposed on the inflatable bladder assembly configured to receive at least a portion of the light system;

a covering to a least partially cover the inflatable bladder assembly.

16. The system of claim 15, further comprising at least one diffusing member for diffusing light emanated from at least one light of the light system.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the light system comprises:

a light assembly comprising;

a light source;

a base; and

a bypass activating system extending downwardly from the base;

a socket assembly dimensioned to receive via insertion at least a portion of the base of the light assembly;

a bypass mechanism positioned within the socket assembly comprising a conductive element having a pair of arms, wherein one or both of the arms of the conductive element are moveable between a first and second position;

wherein the bypass activating system causes one or both of the arms to move to a first position to cause current flow through the light assembly upon insertion of the bypass activating system into the socket assembly; and

wherein upon removal of the bypass activating system from the socket assembly the current flow is bypassed around the light assembly and through the socket assembly.

18. An inflatable decorative system, comprising:

an inflatable bladder assembly comprising an inflatable bladder having a first aperture for dispensing gaseous media into the bladder to inflate the bladder;

a light system comprising;

a light assembly comprising;

a light source;

a base; and

a bypass activating system extending downwardly from the base;

a socket assembly dimensioned to receive via insertion at least a portion of the base of the light assembly;

a bypass mechanism positioned within the socket assembly comprising a conductive element having a pair of arms, wherein one or both of the arms of the conductive element are moveable between a first and second position;

wherein the bypass activating system causes one or both of the arms to move to a first position to cause current flow through the light assembly upon insertion of the bypass activating system into the socket assembly;

wherein upon removal of the bypass activating system from the socket assembly the current flow is bypassed around the light assembly and through the socket assembly;

a second aperture disposed on the bladder assembly configured to receive at least a portion of the light system; and

a covering.

19. The inflatable decorative system of claim 18, further comprising a flap configured to at least partially seal the second aperture.

20. The inflatable decorative system of claim 18, further comprising at least one diffusing member for diffusing at least a portion of the light emanated from the light system.