US3670440A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inflatable display
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-02-25
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Granted: 1972-06-20
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Expires: 1990-02-25
Abstract
Abstract An inflatable display employs apparatus for continuously blowing air into a bag-like member on which may be carried a selected advertisement. The blower apparatus and the bag-like member may be connected to a frame structure at the upper end of the tube, the frame structure being adapted for connection to a tow line of an airborne vehicle. The shape of the member forms a part of the advertisement, such as a can, a bottle, or character and in one embodiment includes an inner liner spaced from the ends of the tube so that the ends of the tube may retain the definite selected shape thereof and are prevented from taking on a ballooning appearance. The liner balloons within the tube but does not change the exterior shape thereof. In another embodiment the blower apparatus is connected to a manifold for distributing a flow of air to a plurality of side-by-side connected open-ended tubes which form a three-dimensional display. As a static display the inflated member is anchored to the ground to prevent movements which may be effected by the wind.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul E Yost
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 19:13
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F21/00; G09F21/06; G09F21/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
Display apparatus to be towed by a line from an airborne vehicle, comprising: a flexible tube of selected length for carrying a display thereon, said tube including two ends; means for suspending said tube from the tow line; lining means forming an air chamber within said tube between and spaced away from said two ends and including fluid communication means for placing said air chamber in continuous communication with the atmosphere for continuous air leakage; means forming an opening through said lining means to the air chamber; inflation means mounted in said opening in said lining means operable to continuously inflate said continuously leaking lining means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
Display apparatus to be towed by a line from an airborne vehicle, comprising: a flexible tube of selected length for carrying a display thereon, said tube including two ends; means for suspending said tube from the tow line; lining means forming an air chamber within said tube between and spaced away from said two ends and including fluid communication means for placing said air chamber in continuous communication with the atmosphere for continuous air leakage; means forming an opening through said lining means to the air chamber; inflation means mounted in said opening in said lining means operable to continuously inflate said continuously leaking lining means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
102 words
Display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for suspending said tube from the tow line comprises: a first frame connected to a first of said ends of said tube and having the same peripheral shape as said first end; means for connecting said first frame to the tow line; a second frame connected to a second of said ends of said tube and having the same peripheral shape as said second end; and a plurality of gussets in said tube spaced about the periphery thereoF and extending between said frames, each of said gussets including means connected to said frames.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
Display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for suspending said tube from the tow line comprises: a frame having the same peripheral shape as one of said ends of said tube, and connected thereto, and means for connecting said frame to the tow line.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
Display apparatus according to claim 3, comprising means connected to the other of said ends of said tube for weighing and holding said other end below said lining means during flight.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
Display apparatus according to claim 4, wherein each of said frames includes a pair of hinges disposed diametrically thereacross for folding said frames for storage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
Display apparatus according to claim 5, wherein each of said hinges includes a pair of generally C-shaped members each having a first leg and a second leg, means pivotally connecting said first legs, and means for releasably latching said second legs.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
Display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said tube includes means for quickly opening said tube for fast deflation thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
Display apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said quick opening means includes first and second overlapping portions of said tube, means releasably connecting said overlapping portions, and a strand disposed between said first and second portions and having a portion extending to the exterior of said tube, said portion to be pulled by hand to effect a stripping open of said overlapping portions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
Display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said inflation means includes a fan device for blowing air into the chamber and a prime mover for operating said fan device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
Display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said lining means includes a lower end and means defining an opening in said lower end adapted for coupling to a preflight inflation supply.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
149 words
Display apparatus to be towed by a line from an airborne vehicle, comprising a flexible structure for being towed through the air having flexible side walls including at least one flexible surface facing toward the direction of flight, said structure including at least one air passageway therein in communication with the atmosphere, power driven blower means connected to said structure for blowing air through said passageway to create a greater than atmospheric pressure therein, and tow line means for connecting said structure and air blowing means to a tow line from an aircraft, said tow line located so that said surface of said structure faces the direction of flight, said blower having a capacity to inflate the flexible structure with sufficient pressure to prevent collapse of the side walls and to prevent collapse of said surface facing in the direction of flight due to air resistance against said surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
149 words
Display apparatus to be towed by a line from an airborne vehicle, comprising a flexible structure for being towed through the air having flexible side walls including at least one flexible surface facing toward the direction of flight, said structure including at least one air passageway therein in communication with the atmosphere, power driven blower means connected to said structure for blowing air through said passageway to create a greater than atmospheric pressure therein, and tow line means for connecting said structure and air blowing means to a tow line from an aircraft, said tow line located so that said surface of said structure faces the direction of flight, said blower having a capacity to inflate the flexible structure with sufficient pressure to prevent collapse of the side walls and to prevent collapse of said surface facing in the direction of flight due to air resistance against said surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
86 words
Display apparatus to be towed by a line from an airborne vehicle, comprising a flexible structure including at least one air passageway therein in communication with the atmosphere, means connected to said structure for blowing air through said passageway to create a greater than atmospheric pressure therein, and means for connecting said structure and air blowing means to the tow line, a plurality of air passageways in communication with the atmosphere, and a manifold connecting said plurality of passageways in communication with said air blowing means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
86 words
Display apparatus to be towed by a line from an airborne vehicle, comprising a flexible structure including at least one air passageway therein in communication with the atmosphere, means connected to said structure for blowing air through said passageway to create a greater than atmospheric pressure therein, and means for connecting said structure and air blowing means to the tow line, a plurality of air passageways in communication with the atmosphere, and a manifold connecting said plurality of passageways in communication with said air blowing means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
Display apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said frame includes hinge means for folding said frame for storage.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
Display apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said frame includes a first section connected to one end of said flexible structure, and a second section connected to the other end of said flexible structure.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
Display apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said flexible structure includes an inner liner having at least a portion thereof formed of porous material for continuous leakage of air.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
42 words
Display apparatus aCcording to claim 12, wherein said air-blowing means includes a prime mover having a gravity-feed type fuel system, and said apparatus further comprises means for urging said prime mover toward a predetermined orientation during flight to permit gravity fuel feed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
87 words
Display apparatus comprising: an inflatable member shaped as a replica of an object to be displayed, power driven blower means connected in fluid communication with said inflatable member continuously filling the member with air creating an inflating pressure within said member, a plurality of elongate tubes disposed adjacent one another to form said inflatable member, a rigid member secured to said tubes within said inflatable member, and guying strands for connection to the ground connected to said rigid member and extending between adjacent ones of said tubes.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
87 words
Display apparatus comprising: an inflatable member shaped as a replica of an object to be displayed, power driven blower means connected in fluid communication with said inflatable member continuously filling the member with air creating an inflating pressure within said member, a plurality of elongate tubes disposed adjacent one another to form said inflatable member, a rigid member secured to said tubes within said inflatable member, and guying strands for connection to the ground connected to said rigid member and extending between adjacent ones of said tubes.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
Display apparatus according to claim 17, comprising: a. an outer layer of material covering said tubes to provide a surface for carrying a display thereon, a1. said layer of material having slits therein for passing said guying strands therethrough.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
Display apparatus according to claim 17, comprising a. a sleeve secured to said tubes for receiving and securing said rigid member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
51 words
Display apparatus according to claim 17, comprising: a. an outer layer of material covering said tubes, a1. said layer of material having slits therein, and a2. said guying strands extending through respective ones of said slits; and b. a sleeve secured to said tubes for receiving and supporting said rigid member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-20 | 1975-12-20 | 1976-06-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-20 | 1979-12-20 | 1980-06-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-20 | 1983-12-20 | 1984-06-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |