Inflatable portable projection screen

• US 6,008,938 A
• Filed: 05/07/1997
• Issued: 12/28/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Andrew G. Suehle, John S. Suehle, Joseph E. Suehle
• Original Assignee: Andrew G. Suehle, John S. Suehle, Joseph E. Suehle
• Inventors: Suehle, John S., Suehle, Joseph E., Suehle, Andrew G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Metjahic, Safet
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mahoney, Christopher E.
• Application Number:
  US08/852,514
• Time in Patent Office: 965 Days
• Field of Search: 359/443, 359/460, 359/461, 40/736, 40/610, 40/214, 52/217, 353/28, 353/79, 353/62
• US Class Current: 359/443
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/654 in the form of three-dimensional bodies, e.g. cones; capable of assuming three-dimensional form, e.g. by inflation or erection to form a geometric body
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/585 Inflatable screens

Abstract

The cold-air inflatable portable projection screen has two inflatable towers that are connected by an inflatable tube or cross member. A fine mesh material may be suspended between the two towers to form a projection screen. Tethers connected to the towers serve to anchor the structure to the ground. Electric blowers or fans continuously blow air into the structure to keep it erect.

Claims

1. A portable projection screen comprising:

a first upright conically shaped inflatable support body;

a second upright conically shaped inflatable support body;

a projection screen material made of a fine mesh material suspended on said first upright conically shaped inflatable support body and said second upright conically shaped inflatable support body.

2. A structure according to claim 1, further comprising an electric blower associated with said at least one inflatable support body and wherein said at least one inflatable support body is made of a durable air-tight flexible material.

3. A projection screen according to claim 1 wherein said projection screen material is suspended between said support bodies.

4. A projection screen according to claim 3, wherein said projection screen material is a mesh material.

5. A projection screen according to claim 4, further comprising a tubular connecting member connected between said inflatable support bodies.

6. A projection screen according to claim 4, further comprising a pressurized gas source connected to at least one of said support bodies.

7. A projection screen according to claim 6, wherein said pressured gas source is a blower.

8. A projection screen according to claim 5, wherein said support bodies and said connecting member are made of a durable air-tight flexible material and are attached by a zipper.

9. A projection screen according to claim 8, wherein said bodies are inflated and maintained by air pressure supplied through a port fashioned in the support bodies.

10. A projection screen according to claim 5, wherein said support bodies and connecting members further comprise internal tethers connected at regular intervals along an interior area to form and maintain shape when inflated.

11. A projection screen according to claim 3, wherein said support bodies are configured with multiple inflatable air chambers.

12. A projection screen according to claim 3, further comprising a plurality of rings or grommets located on an exterior surface of said support bodies.

13. A projection screen according to claim 3, further comprising tethers attached at regular intervals on exterior surface of said support bodies.

14. A projection screen according to claim 5, wherein said connecting member is cylindrical or rectangular in shape.