US20060057931A1

US20060057931A1 - Inflatable ornament

Info

Publication number: US20060057931A1
Application number: US10/940,749
Authority: US
Inventors: Sheng-Chien Wang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-09-15
Filing date: 2004-09-15
Publication date: 2006-03-16

Abstract

The inflatable ornament has a base, a connecting element and a body. The base has a top, a bottom, a blower and multiple supports. The blower is attached to top of the base. The supports are formed on the bottom of the base to keep the base from having to be attached to the ground. The connecting element is transparent and connects to and forms seals around the base and an opening in the body. The body is formed a specific shape. The blower is started to fill the connecting element and the body continuously with air. Because the connecting element is transparent, the body looks like it is floating in the air.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an inflatable ornament, especially to an inflatable ornament that floats in the air.
2. Description of the Prior Arts
Inflatable ornaments are used in department stores, shopping malls and expositions to attract a crowd and are usually used only for a limited period of time. Conventional inflatable ornaments can be divided into two categories, sealed and open inflatable ornaments.
The sealed inflatable ornament is filled with a gas and floats in the air, but is used only for a short period of time so the material is usually cheap. Consequently, air will gradually leak out of the sealed inflatable ornament, and the sealed inflatable ornament will shrink gradually and lose its buoyancy.
The open inflatable ornament has air continuously pumped into the ornament with a blower so the ornament will hold its shape. Air also leaks out of the open inflatable ornament, but the blower constantly replenishes the air in the open inflatable ornament, and the enduring inflatable ornament will keep its shape. However, the blower must be attached to the open inflatable ornament and blows ambient air into the open inflatable ornament so the open inflatable ornament will not float in the air. Therefore the open inflatable ornament is not as visible as the floating closed inflatable ornament.
To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides an inflatable ornament to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the present invention is to provide an inflatable ornament that can float and be used for a long time.
The inflatable ornament in accordance with the present invention comprises a base, a connecting element and a body. The base has a top, a bottom, a blower and multiple supports. The blower is attached to the top of the base. The supports are formed on the bottom of the base to keep the base from having to be attached to the ground. The connecting element is transparent and connects and seals the base and the body. The body is formed in virtually any shape. The blower blows air into the connecting element and the body continually. Because the connecting element is transparent, the body looks like it is floating in the air.
Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inflatable ornament in accordance with the present invention; and
FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view in partial section of the base of the inflatable ornament in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIG. 1, an inflatable ornament in accordance with the present invention comprises a base (1), a connecting element (3) and a body (2).
With further reference to FIG. 2, the base (1) has a top, a bottom, an outer edge, an opening (12), a blower (11) and multiple supports (13). The opening (12) is formed through the top and the bottom of the base (1). The blower (11) is attached to the top of the base (1) and has a top, a bottom, an air inlet (111) and an air outlet (112). The air inlet (111) is formed in the bottom of the blower (11) and corresponds to the opening (12) in the base (1). The air outlet (112) is formed in the top of the blower (11). The supports (13) are formed on and extend out from the bottom of the base (1).
The connecting element (3) is hollow and transparent, is attached to the base (1) and has an upper opening (31) and a lower opening (32). The lower opening (32) is attached to and forms a seal around the outer edge of the base (1).
The body (2) is a specific shape, optionally pervious to light, hollow and has an opening (21) and an optional light-emitting element. The shape may be a person, an animal, a cartoon personage, a logo or virtually any three-dimensional shape. The opening (21) corresponds to, is attached to and forms a seal on the upper opening (31) of the connecting element (3). The light-emitting element is mounted in the body (2) and emits light that makes the body (2) visible at night, which makes the inflatable ornament much more attractive and noticeable.
Because the supports (13) hold the base (1) stably in position, attaching the bottom of the base (1) to the ground is unnecessary.
When the inflatable ornament is used, the blower (11) is started. Air goes from the air inlet (111) to the air outlet (112) of the blower (11), passes through the connecting element (3) and fills the body (2). The body (2) and the connecting element (3) are filled with the air continuously, and the shape of the body (2) is maintained.
The inflatable ornament as described has numerous advantages. The blower (11) will keep the inflatable ornament filled with air indefinitely. Because the connecting element (3) is transparent, the inflatable ornament looks like it is floating in the air. Therefore the inflatable ornament is both attractive and will last for a long time.
Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and features of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in the details, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims

1. An inflatable ornament comprising

a base having

a top;

a bottom;

an outer edge;

an opening formed through the top and the bottom of the base;

a blower attached to the top of the base and having

a top;

a bottom;

an air inlet formed in the bottom of the blower and corresponding to the opening in the base; and

an air outlet formed in the top of the blower;

multiple supports formed on and extending out from the bottom of the base;

a connecting element being hollow and transparent, attached to the base and having

an upper opening; and

a lower opening attached to and forming a seal around the outer edge of the base; and

a body being a specific shape and having an opening corresponding to and forming a seal around the upper opening of the connecting element.

2. The inflatable ornament as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body is pervious to light.