Dynamic multiple compartment air inflatable display

• US 7,216,446 B2
• Filed: 05/11/2005
• Issued: 05/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chrisha Creations Limited
• Original Assignee: Chrisha Creations Limited
• Inventors: Machala, William
• Primary Examiner(s): Silbermann; Joanne
• Application Number:
  US11/127,489
• Publication Number:
  US 20060107573A1
• Time in Patent Office: 734 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 40/610
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 15/00 Boards, hoardings, pillars, or like structures for notices, placards, posters, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 15/0075 Pillars
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/00 Advertising or display means not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/008 Inflatable advertising means
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/08 Dolls, faces, or other representations of living forms with moving parts in the nature of toys A63H

Abstract

The invention is directed to an inflatable display that has a plurality of inflatable compartments. A first inflatable compartment is continuously inflated by a first fan element and at least a second inflatable compartment is periodically inflated by a second fan element. The inflatable display may be produced from permeable material and configured to represent a predetermined shape or design when inflated, such as a witch and caldron, Santa Claus and a chimney, or the Easter Bunny and an Easter egg. Further, the inflatable display may include a string of lights enclosed within a plastic shell to avoid damaging the inflatable display material by heat or fire. Also, the period associated with the operational inflation/deflation may be controlled by a variable controller connected to the second fan element.

Claims

1. An inflatable display comprising:

a first inflatable compartment;

a second inflatable compartment including a statically inflated portion and a dynamically inflated portion;

a first fan element providing a continuous air flow to inflate the first inflatable compartment and the statically inflated portion of said second inflatable compartment; and

a second fan element providing a periodic air flow to inflate and deflate the dynamic inflated portion of said second inflatable compartment.

2. The inflatable display of claim 1, wherein the second inflatable compartment is configured with at least one ballast element.

3. The inflatable display of claim 2, wherein at least one illumination module is disposed within the first inflatable compartment.

4. The inflatable display of claim 3, wherein at least one illumination module is disposed within the second inflatable compartment.

5. The inflatable display of claim 4, wherein the illumination modules are operatively connected to one fan element.

6. The inflatable display of claim 5, wherein the fan elements are situated within the inflatable display.

7. The inflatable display of claim 6, wherein the second inflatable compartment includes an extension portion.

8. The inflatable display of claim 5, wherein the fan elements are secured to the inflatable display.

9. The inflatable display of claim 2, wherein the ballast element is attached to a dynamic inflatable portion of the second inflatable compartment to assist in deflating the portion.

10. The inflatable display of claim 9, wherein the second fan element is configured to operate for an initial pre-determined length of time that is longer than a periodic operational airflow frequency.

11. The inflatable display of claim 1, wherein the second inflatable compartment is configured with at least one exhaust port.

12. The inflatable display of claim 1, further comprising at least one air intake tube associated with said first fan element and said first inflatable compartment.

13. The inflatable display of claim 12, further comprising at least one second air intake tube associated with said second fan element and said second inflatable compartment.

14. The inflatable display of claim 1, further comprising at least one air intake tube associated with said second fan element and said second inflatable compartment.

15. The inflatable display of claim 1, wherein the periodic air flow to inflate and deflate is controlled by a variable controller.

16. The inflatable display of claim 1, wherein the periodic air flow to inflate or deflate is predetermined.

17. An inflatable display comprising:

at least one first inflatable compartment continuously inflated by a first fan element; and

at least one second inflatable compartment including a statically inflated portion continuously inflated by said first fan element and a dynamically inflated portion periodically inflated and deflated by a second fan element.

18. The inflatable display of claim 17, wherein the second inflatable compartment is configured with at least one ballast element.

19. The inflatable display of claim 18, wherein the ballast clement is attached to a dynamic inflatable portion of the second inflation compartment to assist in deflating the portion.

20. The inflatable display of claim 19, wherein the second fan element is configured to operate for an initial pre-determined length of time that is longer than a periodic operational airflow frequency.

21. The inflatable display of claim 17, wherein at least one illumination module is disposed within the first inflatable compartment.

22. The inflatable display of claim 21, wherein at least one illumination module is disposed within the second inflatable compartment.

23. The inflatable display of claim 22, wherein the illumination modules are operatively connected to one fan element.

24. The inflatable display of claim 23, wherein the fan elements are situated within the inflatable display.

25. The inflatable display of claim 23, wherein the fan elements are secured to the inflatable display.

26. The inflatable display of claim 23, wherein the second inflatable compartment includes an extension portion.

27. The inflatable display of claim 17, further comprising at least one air intake tube associated with said first fan element and said first inflatable compartment.

28. The inflatable display of claim 27, further comprising at least one second air intake tube associated with said second fan element and said second inflatable compartment.

29. The inflatable display of claim 17, further comprising at least one air intake tube associated with said second fan element and said second inflatable compartment.

30. The inflatable display of claim 17, wherein the periodically inflated and deflated second inflatable compartment is controlled by a variable controller.

31. The inflatable display of claim 17, wherein the periodically inflated and deflated second inflatable compartment occurs at a predetermined frequency.

32. A method for inflating a dynamic multiple compartment inflatable display comprising:

continuously inflating at least one inflatable compartment and a statically inflated portion of a second inflatable compartment; and

periodically inflating and deflating a dynamically inflated portion of said second inflatable compartment.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the step of periodically inflating and deflating is predetermined.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the step of periodically inflating and deflating is controlled by a variable controller.