Inflatable figure assembly

• US 6,764,201 B2
• Filed: 03/03/2003
• Issued: 07/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gemmy Industries Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gemmy Industries Corporation
• Inventors: Chi-Cheng, Tsai
• Primary Examiner(s): Cariaso, Alan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Alavi, Ali
• Application Number:
  US10/378,186
• Publication Number:
  US 20040047144A1
• Time in Patent Office: 505 Days
• Field of Search: 362/352, 362/96, 362/249, 362/806, 362/808, 362/186, 446/221, 446/226, 404/10, 404/12
• US Class Current: 362/352
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2027/1058 associated with light or sound
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 27/10 Balloons connection of valves to inflatable elastic bodies B60C29/00; other than toy aspects B64B1/40
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/008 Leisure, hobby or sport articles, e.g. toys, games or first-aid kits; Hand tools; Toolboxes
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 15/0025 display surface tensioning means
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/08 Dolls, faces, or other representations of living forms with moving parts in the nature of toys A63H
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/808 Figure

Abstract

An inflatable figure assembly is disclosed that has an inflatable, semi-permeable body and a base unit with a continuously operating fan. The body is releasably secured to the base unit with a zipper that facilitates manufacture and interchangeability of a plurality of different bodies with the base unit. Internal lighting is optionally provided.

Claims

1. An inflatable figure assembly comprising a body and a base unit,

the body further comprising a foldable material that is semi-permeable to the passage of air, the body having an internal cavity and a downwardly facing skirt opening terminating in a first zipper portion;

the base unit further comprising a fan support member, a plurality of legs supporting the fan support member above an underlying support surface, a fan positioned to discharge air into the body, an electrical power source, and a fabric ring secured to the fan support member, the fabric ring having a second zipper portion that is cooperatively sized and shaped so as to be alignable with and attachable to the first zipper portion of the body.

2. The inflatable figure assembly of claim 1 wherein the legs of the base unit are hinged.

3. The inflatable figure assembly of claim 1 wherein the base unit further comprises cross-braces interconnecting the legs.

4. The inflatable figure assembly of claim 1 wherein the foldable material is nylon.

5. The inflatable figure assembly of claim 1 wherein the body is internally lighted.

6. The inflatable figure assembly of claim 5 wherein the body further comprises light string attachment devices.

7. The inflatable figure assembly of claim 6 wherein the body further comprises a plurality of seams and the light attachment devices are ties suspended from the seams.

8. The inflatable figure assembly of claim 1 wherein the fabric ring is secured to the fan support member by at least one clamping member.