Inflatable humanoid forms

• US 6,672,933 B2
• Filed: 02/15/2003
• Issued: 01/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Crowd, Crowd in a Box Inc
• Original Assignee: Crowd in a Box Inc
• Inventors: Stanier, John Stanley David
• Primary Examiner(s): Banks, Derris H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Miller, Bena B.
• Application Number:
  US10/368,501
• Publication Number:
  US 20030124949A1
• Time in Patent Office: 325 Days
• Field of Search: 446/220-226, 404/11, 404/21, 404/22, 404/39, 405/38
• US Class Current: 446/220
• 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: A63H 3/06 Air-filled or inflatable toy figures connection of valves to inflatable elastic bodies B60C29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63J 2001/026 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A63J 5/00 Auxiliaries for producing special effects on stages, or in circuses or arenas

Abstract

This invention provides a method for using one or more inflatable three-dimensional humanoid figures for use in background scenes associated with still photography, motion pictures and video productions which are low in cost, lightweight, easy to use, easy to store, easy to transport and provides a greater range of viewing angles. It is also envisioned that this invention can be used for corporate conventions requiring the illusion of a large number of participants, in advertising and other functions where the illusion of large numbers of people enhance the overall objective of the functions.

Claims

1. A method for using a plurality of inflatable life-sized humanoid figures for as simulating a background scene in visual recording media productions comprising;

a. inflating said plurality of inflatable life-sized humanoid figures,

b. placing said inflated plurality of inflatable life-sized humanoid figures in said background scene,

c. intermingling live actors or extras among said plurality of life-sized inflatable humanoid figures, and

d. visually recording said intermingled live actors or extras and said plurality of life-sized inflatable humanoid figures.

2. The method according to claim 1 further including the step of adding wardrobe to said plurality of inflatable life-sized humanoid figures.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein said live actors and said plurality of life-sized inflatable humanoid figures are visually recorded generally out of a focal range of a camera.

4. The method according to claim 1 further including the step of adding accoutrements to said plurality of inflatable life-sized humanoid figures.

5. The method according to claim 1 further including the step of adding make-up to said plurality of inflatable life-sized humanoid figures.

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of inflatable life-sized humanoid figures are in a standing position.

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of inflatable life-sized humanoid figures are in a seated position.

8. The method according to claim 7 wherein a seat associated with said seated position includes a park bench, stadium style seating or auditorium style seating.

9. The method according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of inflatable life-sized humanoid figures is comprised of at least one upper torso figure.

10. The method according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of inflatable life-sized humanoid figures is comprised of at least one lower torso figure.

11. The method according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of inflatable life-sized humanoid figures is comprised of at least complete body figure.

12. The method according to claim 1 further including means for anchoring said plurality of inflatable life-sized humanoid figures.

13. The method according to claim 1 further including means for removing excess humanoid figures from said plurality of inflatable life-sized humanoid figures.

14. The method according to claim 1 wherein said visual recording media productions includes visual recordings of a corporate training session, a lecture, a video media production, television programs, motion pictures, still photography, advertising, corporate conventions or cinematographic productions.

15. The method according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of inflatable life-sized humanoid figures are unconnected to each other.

16. The method according to claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said plurality of inflatable life-sized humanoid figures are contiguously connected.

17. A method for using at least one inflatable life-sized humanoid figure for simulating a background scene in visual recording media productions comprising;

a. inflating said at least one inflatable life-sized humanoid figure,

b. placing said at least one inflatable life-sized humanoid figure in said background scene,

c. intermingling live actors or extras among said at least one inflatable life-sized humanoid figure, and

d. visually recording said intermingled live actors or extras and said at least one inflatable life-sized humanoid figure.

18. The method according to claim 17 further including the step of adding wardrobe to said at least one inflatable life-sized humanoid figure.

19. The method according to claim 17 further including the step of adding accoutrements to said at least one inflatable life-sized humanoid figure.

20. The method according to claim 17 further including the step of adding make-up to said at least one inflatable life-sized humanoid figure.

21. The method according to claim 17 wherein said at least one inflatable life-sized humanoid figure is in a seated position.

22. The method according to claim 21 wherein a seat associated with said seated position includes a park bench, stadium style seating or auditorium style seating.

23. The method according to claim 17 wherein said at least one inflatable life-sized humanoid figure is comprised of at least one upper torso figure.

24. The method according to claim 17 wherein said at least one inflatable life-sized humanoid figure is comprised of at least one lower torso figure.

25. The method according to claim 17 wherein said at least one inflatable life-sized humanoid figure is comprised of at least complete body figure.

26. The method according to claim 17 further including means for anchoring said plurality of inflatable life-sized humanoid figures.

27. A method for using at least one inflatable life-sized humanoid figure for simulating a background scene in visual recording media productions comprising;

a. inflating said at least one inflatable life-sized humanoid figure,

b. placing said at least one inflatable life-sized humanoid figure in said background scene,

c. intermingling live actors or extras among said at least one inflatable life-sized humanoid figure,

d. adding wardrobe to said at least one inflatable life-sized humanoid figure,

e. adding accoutrements to said at least one inflatable life-sized humanoid figure,

f. adding make-up to said at least one inflatable life-sized humanoid figure, and

g. visually recording said intermingled live actors or extras and said at least one inflatable life-sized humanoid figure.

28. The method according to claim 27 wherein said at least one inflatable life-sized humanoid figure is in a seated position.

29. The method according to claim 28 wherein a seat associated with said seated position includes a park bench, stadium style seating or auditorium style seating.

30. The method according to claim 27 wherein said at least one inflatable life-sized humanoid figure is comprised of at least one upper torso figure.

31. The method according to claim 27 wherein said at least one inflatable life-sized humanoid figure is comprised of at least one lower torso figure.

32. The method according to claim 27 wherein said at least one inflatable life-sized humanoid figure is comprised of at least complete body figure.

33. The method according to claim 27 further including means for anchoring said plurality of inflatable life-sized humanoid figures.

34. The method according to claim 27 wherein said visual recording media productions includes visual recordings of a corporate training session, a lecture, a video media production, television programs, motion pictures, still photography, advertising, corporate conventions or cinematographic productions.