INFLATABLE AND ILLUMINABLE FIGURE

• US 3,745,677 A
• Filed: 06/15/1971
• Issued: 07/17/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: James G. Moran
• Original Assignee: James G. Moran
• Inventors: Moran, James G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Michell, Robert W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pitrelli, John F.
• Application Number:
  US05/153,370
• Time in Patent Office: 763 Days
• Field of Search: 40/126B,130 46/87,88,90
• US Class Current: 40/540
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/00 Fastening of component parts of lighting devices, e.g. shades, globes, refractors, reflectors, filters, screens, grids or protective cages of light sources or light holders F21V19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/00 Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising G09F9/00, G09F11/00 take precedence; control of displays in general using static means to present variable information G09G
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/12 using special optical effects

Abstract

An inflatable and illuminable figure, including a cell formed of complementary members having interengaging margins which sealingly secure the margins of an opening formed in the figure, the cell forming members removably supporting a light source and being relatively rigid and fire resistant to prevent transfer of excessive heat to the inflatable figure whether the figure is inflated or deflated.

Claims

1. An inflatable and illuminable figure, comprising:

a. a figure formed of foldable light transmitting material and adapted to be inflated, the figure having initially, an opening, the margin of which is flexible;

b. inner and outer cell members having interengaging annular rims including radially extending confronTing portions and axially extending confronting portions to effect a mechanical connection between the cell members, portions of the rims adapted to sealingly receive and retain the margin of said opening therebetween;

c. the inner cell member having a light transmitting wall;

d. the outer cell member having means for removably mounting a lamp and its socket therein to position the lamp within the cell e. the cell members being relatively rigid and the lamp being secured in spaced relation to walls thereof, thereby to space the inflatable material, when deflated, from the lamp.

2. An inflatable and illuminable figure, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a. the outer cell member includes an axially directed wall extending inward for insertion into the opening in the figure to retain the cell members in concentric relation to the opening during interengagement of their rims.

3. An inflatable and illuminable figure, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a. the cell members are dispoed at the bottom of the figure;

b. the lamp mounting means includes a downwardly projecting portion;

c. and the outer cell member includes a downwardly directed spacing skirt.

4. An inflatable and illuminable figure, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a. the axially extending portion of the interengaging rim of the outer cell member fits within the rim of the inner cell member.

5. An inflatable and illuminable figure, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a. the interengaging rim of the outer cell member fits over the rim of the inner cell member.

6. An inflatable and illuminable figure, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a. the interengaging rim of one of the cell members has an axially directed circular channel and the other cell member has a mating axially directed rib.

7. An inflatable and illuminable figure, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a. the inner cell member is provided with external projections for supporting the inner cell member during assembly of the outer cell member thereon, and also spacing the material comprising the figure from contact with the normal outer surface of the inner cell member when the figure is collapsed.

8. An inflatable and illuminable figure, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a. the wall of the inner cell member includes at least on integral lens to concentrate light from the lamp on a selected portion of the figure.

9. An inflatable and illuminable figure, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a. the initial opening in the figure permits insertion of the inner cell member for disposition in confronting relation with the margins of the opening;

b. and the outer cell member is provided with a marginal skirt dimensioned to fit snugly in the opening to retain the margins thereof until engaged by the rims of the inner and outer cell members. 10 An inflatable and illuminable figure, comprising;

a. a figure formed of translucent foldable material capable, when deflated, to form a compact bundle, and having an opening in its side wall;

b. a relatively rigid inner cell member including a marginal portion underlying the margin of the opening;

c. a relatively rigid outer cell member including a marginal portion overlying the margin of the opening and means for retaining the outer cell member in concentric relation with the opening;

d. the marginal portions of the cell members being shaped to interlock and sealingly secure the margin of the opening therebetween to form a fluid tight figure capable of being inflated;

e. the outer cell member conforming to the curvature of the inflated figure and having an outwardly extending portion and a complementary inwardly extending portion forming a socket mounting aperture, defining an acute angle to the normal surface of the outer cell member;

f. a lamp socket removably received in the mounting aperture and supporting a lamp in spaced relation to the walls of the inner call member;

g. the inner cell member projecting into the iNflated figure and having optical properties to effect a predetermined distribution of light within the inflated figure.