Interchangeable fan assembly for cold-air inflatable displays

• US 7,302,769 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2004
• Issued: 12/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chrisha Creations Limited
• Original Assignee: Chrisha Creations Limited
• Inventors: Machala, William
• Primary Examiner(s): Silbermann; Joanne
• Application Number:
  US10/789,748
• Publication Number:
  US 20050190556A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,376 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 40/610
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 15/0025 display surface tensioning means

Abstract

An inflatable display that has an interchangeable fan assembly in a position on the inflatable figure that allows optimum airflow into the display. One interchangeable fan assembly can be used for a plurality of inflatable figures by detaching the interchangeable fan assembly from the receiving opening on one figure and attaching it to the same on another figure with a compatible receiving opening.

Claims

1. A cold-air inflatable display comprising:

a permeable fabric forming an inflatable figure with a hollow body;

an interchangeable fan assembly for continuously-blowing air into said hollow body, said fan assembly comprising at least one fan, a housing for said fan secured to a piece of fabric having a male securing device disposed along a border of said standard-sized fabric for receipt by a female securing device disposed along a border of a receiving opening joining said fan assembly to said permeable fabric through said receiving opening positioned on said hollow body above a surface-touching bottom to allow optimum airflow through said fan into said hollow body;

a lighting arrangement extending through an interior portion of said hollow body, comprising a power cord, at least one light fixture, including a light bulb with a protective cover, secured to said power cord and an electrical connector disposed at an end of said power cord mating with a second electrical connector extending from said fan assembly; and

a second power cord extending from said fan for connection to a power source;

wherein said interchangeable fan assembly is a lightweight assembly elevated above said surface-touching bottom of said hollow body without a base support and without distorting said figure when said cold-air inflatable display is inflated.

2. The cold-air inflatable display of claim 1, further comprising three fans.

3. The cold-air inflatable display of claim 1, wherein said receiving opening has the same dimensions as the corresponding dimensions of said fan assembly.

4. The cold-air inflatable display of claim 1, further comprising a zipper system having a male securing zipper and a female securing zipper for joining said fan assembly to said permeable fabric.

5. The cold-air inflatable display of claim 1, further comprising a fastening frame for securing said housing of said fan to said piece of fabric.

6. A cold-air inflatable display, comprising:

a permeable fabric forming an inflatable figure with a hollow body;

an interchangeable fan assembly for continuously-blowing air into said hollow body, said fan assembly comprising at least one fan, a housing for said fan, a securing device disposed along a border of said housing for joining said fan assembly to said permeable fabric through a receiving opening positioned on said hollow body above a surface-touching bottom of said hollow body; and

a lighting arrangement extending through an interior portion of said hollow body, comprising a power cord connected to said fan and at least one lighting element secured to said power cord;

wherein said interchangeable fan assembly is a lightweight assembly elevated above said surface-touching bottom of said hollow body without a base support and without distorting said figure when said cold-air inflatable display is inflated.

7. The cold-air inflatable display of claim 6, further comprising an electrical connector disposed at an end of said power cord mating with a second electrical connector extending from said fan assembly.

8. The cold-air inflatable display of claim 6, further comprising three fans.

9. The cold-air inflatable display of claim 6, wherein said receiving opening has the same dimensions as the corresponding dimensions of said fan assembly.

10. The cold-air inflatable display of claim 6, further comprising a zipper system having a male securing zipper and female securing zipper for joining said fan assembly to said permeable fabric.

11. The cold-air inflatable display of claim 6, further comprising a fastening frame for securing said housing of said fan to said fabric.

12. A method for interchanging a fan assembly for cold-air inflatable displays, comprising:

unfastening a border of an interchangeable fan assembly from a permeable fabric along a receiving opening positioned on a first cold-air inflatable display above a surface-touching bottom of said display, said interchangeable fan assembly is a lightweight assembly elevated above said surface-touching bottom without a base support and without distorting said first cold-air inflatable display when said first cold-air inflatable display is inflated;

removing an electrical connector extending from a fan of said interchangeable fan assembly from a second electrical connector of a power cord of a lighting arrangement of said first cold-air inflatable display;

connecting said electrical connector to a second power cord of a second lighting arrangement of a second cold-air inflatable display; and

fastening said border of said interchangeable fan assembly to a second permeable fabric along a second receiving opening positioned on said second cold-air inflatable display above a surface-touching bottom of said display, said interchangeable fan assembly is a lightweight assembly elevated above said surface-touching bottom without a base support and without distorting said second cold-air inflatable display when said second cold-air inflatable display is inflated.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said unfastening step comprises unzipping a male securing zipper from a female securing zipper along said receiving opening and said fastening step comprises zipping said male securing zipper together with a second female securing zipper along a second receiving opening.