AU2005100458B4 - Interactive Inflatable Amusements - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT

INTERACTIVE

INFLATABLES

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of its operation known to me INTERACTIVE INFLATABLES An Interacrtive Inflatable is an invention that has a Interactive chamber, like a mouth, platform that moves a user (namely a child) up and down as the air is pushed into that chamber by use of a fan that turns on and off.

GLOSSARY OF TERMS S Inflatable enclosure is the complete inflatable that has a floor bound by walls and in turn is the field of play.

Commonly known as a jumping castle, bouncy castle or an inflatable amusement.

Inflatable Interactive is the dormant part of the inflatable (independent to the enclosure) that is the basis of the patent and this Interactive fills with air then moves with full aid of another blower.

Blower is usually an air blower (fan) that connects to electricity forcing cold air into inflatables.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to an inflatable moving Interactive for use in an inflatable enclosure for amusement purposes and/or promoting physical activity.

Description of the Related Art [0002] For many years, inflatable games have amused and entertained young and old persons alike. The typical inflatable game is a large, flexible air-filled structure taking on a variety of shapes such as a castle, a slide, an obstacle course, and the like. Most inflatable games have at least one air-filled horizontal mattress interconnected to a number of inflated walls upon which people, typically children, can jump, bounce and rebound. The air-filled jumping surface typically provides spring back making trampoline-type play possible, such that users can jump and bounce to higher heights than normal. The inflatable games are usually large enough for multiple persons to use at the same time. In some instances, the inflatable games can be six metres high and one thirty(30) metres wide. Furthermore, since the inflatable structures are filled with air and the surfaces are relatively soft, users can fall, bounce and play on the inflatable mattress with little fear of injury.

Hence, the inflatable games provide a great deal of safe entertainment especially for young children.

[0003] In recent years, the increasing popularity of inflatable games has led some inflatable game manufacturers to make inflatable games that are more sophisticated and contain more features than just an inflatable mattress with walls. For instance, some inflatable games now include slides, play objects and other features. In addition to jumping and bouncing, these alternative inflatable games allow for a variety of different activities, all of which could be engaged with little fear of injury. As more features are added, the user is treated to an ever widening variety of games and activities to engage in, thereby enhancing the user's experience with the inflatable games. In an effort to keep their customers entertained, inflatable game manufacturers are constantly seeking more features to include in their games.

[0004] Within the prior art there exists several Inflatable Structures that incorporate movement on an inflatable by mechanical or gas/air movement. One such example is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,725, which discloses a simulator with an inflatable air-supported base. The structure can be made from Steel or timber and forms part of an overall structure where a presentation or event can take place. Another example can be found are U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,764,408 whereas an inflatable base is used with a suspended structure like a zip line, a bridge or the like and the inflatable base acts as a safety mat for the users.

[0005] No where within the prior art, is there shown, as far as applicant is aware, an inflatable object/chamber (the Interactive invention) that is attached to an inflatable enclosure that moves and allows users to interact and play while it is in movement. During the course of the movement the enclosure remains fully inflated thus maintaining a comfort level for those others using other parts within the inflatable enclosure and those watching, for example, parents watching children while they are being lifted.

Summary of the Invention

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[0006] The object of the invention is to provide parts, platforms and objects (Interactives) that move independently to allow users to interact and move with the inflatable whilst being enclosed within an inflatable enclosure (like a jumping castle) [0007] It is still another object of the invention to provide a method of amusing and promoting physical activity cardiovascular, muscular, etc.), and teaching children hand-eye, foot-eye coordination, within an inflatable enclosure.

00 [0008] It is yet another object of the invention to provide an independent inflatable object (the object is an air filled tV' Interactive), inflated by a timer controlled blower that allows the user to move on such object.

[0009] Inflatable Interactive means a space that can be filled by (timer controlled to allow it to be intermittent) air blowing that when fully inflated becomes rigid and the source that interacts with the user.

[0010] During the intermittent air flow the enclosure (in which this Interactive is attached) remains fully inflated, making it independent from the rest of the structure.

[0011] The blower is the means for supplying air at a predetermined time and at a predetermined pressure to inflate the said inflatable Interactive.

[0012] The inflatable enclosure is usually a constant air filled device more regularly know as a jumping castle, bouncy castle, slide, bouncehouse, moonwalk or combo.

[0013] The Interactive can be of various forms. For example, tunnel-like, mouth like, animal-like, maze-like, obstacle course-like, moving floor-like, or anything where air pushed into a Interactive and creates movement within an enclosure.

[0014] The said mouth-like Interactive is a combination of a top panel that is fully inflated at all times and is part of the enclosure and the said Interactive closes a bottom panel to bring the two together.

The said moving floor-like Interactive is the addition of a second floor to an original continually air filled floor (which forms part of the enclosure) to increase the height and subsequently the floor will drop back down on the activation of the timer controlled blower.

[0015] In another embodiment the said Interactive is structured accordingly to allow full inflation of the Interactive but not allowing it to be an entrapment situation.

[0016] In yet another object of the inflatable is to allow users to move on or in the object without the use of any mechanical device.

[0017] In yet still another embodiment the inflatable Interactive comprises of specifically designed panels to allow it to support the weight of several users without deformation of the Interactive.

[0018] In yet still another embodiment, the inflatable Interactive usually allows for the user to be moved up to another level within the enclosure.

[0019] Yet still in another embodiment, the inflatable Interactive is fitted with air removing apertures to allow for quick deflation of the said Interactive.

[0020] In yet still another embodiment, the inflatable Interactive is filled with air from the means of a blower and the said blower is located on the outside of the enclosure in which a vinyl like tube adjoining both has passed through any walls or floors to allow this to be facilitated.

[0021] In yet another embodiment, the Interactive is further comprised of a plurality of interconnected panels being made of a substantially nylon-type material or the like.

[0022] In yet another embodiment, the inflatable enclosure further comprises restraining means to minimize movement of the enclosure, said restraining means preferably is integral with the inflatable means.

[0023] According to yet another embodiment there is provided a method of amusing and promoting physical activity in children, comprising placing children into an inflatable enclosure described herein.

[0024] In another embodiment, the Interactive is always attached to the enclosure by connecting tubes, reinforced vinyl or the intertwining of the two.

[0025] Preferably, the material used in the Interactive further comprises ultra-violet inhibitors. Preferably, the OO material used further comprises a water retarding material. Preferably, the material used is fire retardant.

S [0026] According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of amusing and promoting physical activity in children, said method comprising the use of an inflatable enclosure for amusement purposes comprising: inflatable Interactives that when filled with air from the blower located outside the inflatable structure will provide and area to allow persons, allowing at least one child to slide, jump, move, crawl, rebound, walk or run C around the said interior (N [0027] The air pressure regulator which maintains air pressure in the said Interactive consists of a chamber filled to maximum pressure, a non-return flap (vinyl or metal) and air release apertures.

[0028] The air blower functions in its part for the patent from the use of; Electronic timer fitted to the blower, Interconnecting tubes to connect the blower to Interactive and the source to activate being electricity to the blower.

Brief description of drawings S[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective elevated view of a prior and existing enclosure without the said Interactive invention [0030] FIG 2 is a perspective elevated view of the Interactive invention where the Interactive has lost its air and become dormant.

[0031] FIG 3 is an perspective cross-sectional view of the invention in its dormant situation.

V[0032] FIG 4 is an elevated view of the Interactive invention where the Interactive has been activated and the interactive movement has moved It to the closed position.

[0033] FIG 5 is cross-sectional view of an inflatable enclosure according to the preferred embodiment of the Vpresent invention, at the final height the Interactive would move the participants.

Description of a preferred embodiment of the invention [0034] Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 depicts a typical inflatable enclosure 100 that is the same in size and also the same in structure as the inventions own enclosure. It is different in the fact that it has no moving Interactive built into it. This was the enclosure prior to the said development invention.

[0035] Now referring now to FIG. 2 shows the elevated view of a typical inflatable enclosure 100 that has the invention mouth-like Interactive now in the dormant open position. The Interactive attached 140 is continually air filled however the interactive chamber 120 raises intermittently through the timer controlled fan filling the Interactive space 110. It also shows the height 150 that the participants have been raised to.

[0036] Now referring now to FIG. 3 this cross-section depicts the typical enclosure 100 where the continuous inflatable Interactive 140 is waiting for the invention interactive chamber 120 to close when air is fanned into the dormant Interactive 110.

[0037] Now referring now to FIG. 4 the Interactive 110 has been filled with air from the timer controlled fan moving the mouth-like Interactive 120 to its fully closed position and now joining that Interactive with the continuous inflated 140 chamber attached to the enclosure 100.

In another embodiment not shown the inflation of the Interactive to become fully inflated can be in different designs and not mouth-like. This can include raising floors, closing product items, tunnels and the like.

[0038] Now referring to FIG 5 it shows a cross-section of the enclosure 100 and the height 150 to which the children are elevated to when the interactive chamber was raised 120.

Claims (4)

1. The Interactive Inflatable provides a movable platform that is connected to a larger inflatable structure to allow at least one human child to be moved to a second position by way of a timer controlled fan forcing air into the SInteractive platform which raises the platform and when the fan turns off the air disperses and the person is returned T back to the original position.

2. The Interactive Inflatable platform as claimed in Claim 1 has concealed apertures that allow the air to disperse to allow it to return back to its dormant position.

3. The Interactive Inflatable as clamed in Claims 1 and 2 are made from the intertwining of reinforced vinyl. (00 V')

4. The Interactive Inflatable as described in Claims 1-3 has attached to it via a connecting tube on the outside of the inflatable structure a blower with an inbuilt timer that can actuate on and off thus the moving from position 1 and Sposition 2 by preset times that the user requires. The Interactive Inflatable as described in Claims 1- 4 can be more clearly visualized as shown in the attached drawings labeled Figures Jumping J-Jays Pty Ltd 18/01/2005 John Newton