GB2257370A

GB2257370A - Bouncing play apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2257370A
Application number: GB9114848A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Gray
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-07-10
Filing date: 1991-07-10
Publication date: 1993-01-13
Also published as: GB9114848D0

Abstract

An inflatable bouncing play apparatus 1 comprises an inner inflatable structure in the form of castle 2 which is shielded from the weather by outer inflatable structure 3 having a roof 3a overhanging inflated floor 2a of castle 2. The inner and outer inflatable structures are connected together by air connection pipe 4. The outer structure may be free-standing and used without the play apparatus. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO INFLATABLE STRUCTURES This invention relates to improvements in or relating to inflatable structures more particularly in the form of inflatable buildings such as marquees or inflatable play apparatus often referred to generally in the art as "bouncing castles".

Many designs of bouncing play apparatus or bouncing castles have been proposed and popularity of this play apparatus with children is ever on the increase.

However, despite the many varied designs which are available (ranging from castle building structures to cars or animals) little attention or thought appears to have been directed towards play on such apparatus in adverse weather conditions. Some designs of bouncing play apparatus may be provided with detachable raincovers that can be pulled taut over an open roof structure of the play apparatus but these tend to be quite inefficient in maintaining the bouncing play area dry for use, thereby significantly distracting from use of the apparatus in rainy or other adverse weather conditions. The rain covers provided tend to be ineffective since some designs allow water to collect on the rain cover eventually causing large spillages of rain due to bouncing activity taking place inside the apparatus.The rain tends to drip or pour down the front of the raincover onto the inflated floor of the play apparatus and this water may be carried further inside the apparatus by children getting into and out of the apparatus as well as by wind action.

Additionally, when it is desired to deflate the bouncing play apparatus it tends to be an unpleasant, time consuming and messy task to deflate and pack away the play apparatus under adverse weather conditions.

Moreover, it is believed that the design of inflatable buildings such as marquees could be improved or could be made more cost effective than present designs.

It is an object of the present invention to at least alleviate one or more of the aforementioned, or other, problems associated with inflatable structures or bouncing play apparatus.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided inflatable or bouncing play apparatus comprising a roof structure which in use overhangs an inflated or bouncing floor of the apparatus thereby sheltering the floor and front or entrance of said apparatus from the ingress of rain.

Usually, the roof structure will be inflatable.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus comprises an inner inflatable structure covered by an outer inflatable structure, said outer structure having a roof overhanging the floor, which floor is provided at least on the inner building structure. The outer structure may be provided with an integral or detachable roof cover and said roof may be of simple tubular construction.

Preferably, the outer structure is provided with anchorage points and some of these points may be at roof level.

The outer structure may comprise an inflatable structure (for example a marquee or tent) having an inflatable framework with uninflated regions spanning the framework, thereby enabling the outer structure to be cost effective, lightweight and erected or deflated relatively quickly. Advantageously, the size and/or weight of the outer structure in a deflated stored-away state may be dramatically reduced (to e.g. about i of the size/weight of a comparable marquee). The framework may be of "shed", "arched", "pyramid" or "conical" configuration.

Preferably, the inner structure is inflatable by means of a blower of a known type (such as a petrol driven or electric blower) utilised to inflate both the inner structure and outer structure. This may be done by providing a connection junction from the outlet of the blower with one branch of the junction leading to the inner structure and the other branch of the junction connection leading to the outer structure.

Alternatively, the blower may be connected to an inlet on the inner structure with an airflow connection being provided directly from the inner structure to the outer structure, It is also possible that the blower could be directly connected to the outer structure with an airflow connection from the outer structure to the inner structure in order to inflate said inner structure.

It is possible that the outer structure and inner structure may be provided with independent blowers.

Where the inner structure is connected to the outer structure as aforementioned, said connection may be such as to allow relative movement of the inner and outer structures prior to anchorage so that the position of the inner and outer structure can be adjusted. In one embodiment, the outer structure is much longer than (e.g.

twice) the length of the inner structure with the inner structure being positionable in use at either end of the outer structure. The outer structure may be such as to allow more than one inflatable inner structure to be provided inside and the arrangement may be such that all of the inflatable structures can be erected by the same blower.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the inflatable or bouncing play apparatus is not provided with inner and outer inflatable structures but has an extended front porch area or awning overhanging the floor. The porch or awning may be an integral part of the apparatus or it may be a separate inflatable "add-on" entity.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an inflatable marquee or tent comprising an inflatable framework with uninflated regions spanning the framework in use in an erected state.

The inflated regions may be part of a separate or detachable roof cover.

Embodiments of this aspect of the present invention may provide very considerable advantages in handling when compared with other inflatable marquees/tents. For example, the marquee/tent may be up to i of the size and/or weight (in the deflated state) of a comparable known marquee (i.e. a marquee covering substantially the same floor area).

The framework may comprise a number e.g. four generally vertical inflatable posts joined to an inflatable roof and may be of "shed" configuration.

Alternatively, the framework may be of arched construction comprising e.g. two or three or more spaced inflatable tubular arches connected by inflatable cross struts.

Anchorage points may be provided to anchor the marquee/tent to the floor in a manner which should be readily envisaged.

Many other advantageous features of the marquee or tent will be apparent from the following description and drawings.

Embodiments of inflatable structures in accordance with the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying simplified diagrammatic drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 shows a first embodiment of inflatable play apparatus in accordance with the present invention; FIGURE 2 shows a modified embodiment of the FIGURE 1 arrangement, in plan view; FIGURE 3 shows a further embodiment of inflatable play apparatus; FIGURE 4 shows one embodiment of an inflatable marquee, and FIGURE 5 shows a second embodiment of an inflatable marquee.

Referring to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, an inflatable or bouncing play apparatus 1 comprises an inner inflatable structure in the form of a castle 2 which is protected from the weather by an outer inflatable structure 3 (of "shed" configuration) having a roof 3a overhanging the inflated floor 2a of the bouncing castle 2. For ease of illustration only, the inflated framework part of the outer protective structure 3 is shown but in practice a sheet covering (formed separately or integrally with the structure 3 and possibly of P.V.C.

coated nylon or any suitable weatherproof material) will extend around the sides and roof (indicated by chain dotted lines) of the outer structure 3. The sheet covering may extend partially around the front of the outer structure or it may be left completely open or it could be arranged to cover the front completely (e.g. by a zip opening). The sheet covering may be stitched or glued to the outer strucuture or secured by retaining straps or by any suitable means. Facility may be provided to cover part of the front of the outer structure 3.

The inner structure 2 may be of any generally known type or new design and need not necessarily be a "castle". The inner structure 2 could be based on the theme of, for example, an animal or saloon or locomotive and may or may not include its own roof.

In the example as shown in FIGURE 1, the castle 2 is inflated by a blower (not shown) of a known type (e.g. 1 or 3/4 kw which may be petrol driven or electrically powered and an airflow connection 4 is provided between the inner structure 2 and the outer protective structure 3 in such a manner that the same blower may be used to inflate the outer structure 3 whilst inflating the inner structure 2.

The precise manner in which the blower may be utilised to inflate both the inner and outer structures can be varied to suit and, for example, the inner structure could be provided with a deflation pipe (not shown) and that deflation pipe could be coupled by the connection 4 to an air inlet on one leg 3b (or any other part) of the outer structure 3 as shown in FIGURE 1.

Alternatively, a junction pipe (not shown) may be provided on an outlet of the blower with one branch of the pipe leading to the inner structure and the other branch of the pipe leading to the outer structure.

It is also possible that the blower could be directly coupled to the outer structure, a connection being provided from the outer structure to the inner structure in order to inflate the latter. However, in view of the general nature of the inner structure and the requirement to withstand bouncing, it will be more usual for the blower to be coupled directly to the inner structure rather than firstly to the outer structure.

The form of outer structure 3 as shown is diagrammatic and any suitable size and shape may be provided. However, it is important for the erection of the outer structure to be as simple as possible and to avoid rain collection on the roof area. The outer structure 3 may be provided with an integral or detachable cover. In this respect, a simple inflatable tubular structure has been provided for the outer structure 3 with relatively large areas remaining uninflated. In this way it is believed that the outer structure 3 is relatively simple to erect as well as being cost effective and a relatively lightweight structure when compared with existing inflatable structures.

The size and weight of the outer structure (in the deflated state) can be reduced to about one quarter of that of comparable inflatable structures by the design of inflatable tubular structure, and this is an extremely important factor in transport of the play apparatus between temporary site locations.

Thus, the aforementioned arrangement provides a neat quickly erected, easily transportable shelter for the inner inflatable apparatus sufficient to prevent the ingress of rain onto the inner structure as well as protecting an area in front of the bouncing castle floor 2a allowing access to and from the floor area under sheltered conditions.

Also advantageously, the above design allows the castle to be deflated whilst under-cover of the outer structure which may remain inflated until the inner structure 2 has been packed away. Due to the advantageous design of the outer structure it can then be quite quickly deflated and packed away.

The precise design of inflatable tubular framework of the structure 3 can be made to suit conditions and stability level requirements and the structure 3 will usually be provided with various anchorage points (not shown) to anchor the structure to the floor.

The dimensions of the inner and outer structures 2,3 may be varied to suit but as one example, dimension Y (distance from front of outer structure to floor 2a) may be 8 feet with distance Z (width of outer structure) being 13 feet.

FIGURE 2 shows a modified embodiment of FIGURE 1 having a longer, flexible airflow connection pipe 4' between the inner structure 2 and the outer structure 3'.

This longer connection 4' allows the relative positioning of the inner and outer structures 2,3' to be varied to suit requirements.

In this instance there is considerable leeway for front to back positioning (indicated by double-headed arrow X) of the inner structure 2 relative to the outer structure 3' and, of course, the lateral dimension of the outer structure 3' could be increased considerably relative to the inner structure 2 as an additional or alternative feature. In this way, it may be possible to provide two or more bouncing castles or play apparatus of the same or different designs under one outer protective structure and it may also be possible for an airflow connection to be provided between those structures so that all the inflatable structures are inflated by means of the same blower. Providing the relatively long flexible connection 4', as shown in FIGURE 2, allows a greater versatility of relative positioning of the inner and outer structures in a manner which should be selfexplanatory.

As shown the outer structure 3' is over twice the length of the inner structure 2 and the outer structure has been shown in this instance with supporting roof cross struts 3'c for extra stability.

An additional advantage of providing an outer protective structure 3,3' is that the inner structure could be made lighter than otherwise need be the case, since the inner structure will not be subject to the same conditions (for example wind) as in an unprotected environment.

FIGURE 3 shows a further embodiment of bouncing play apparatus 101. Play apparatus 101 is provided with extended front porch area or awning 102 shown as an integral part of the structure. It is possible that the porch or awning 102 could be a separate inflatable "addon" entity rather than being an integral part of the structure if desired. Once again, the play apparatus 101 has been shown without a cover (the cover 103 is represented in chain-dotted lines for ease of illustration). It should be evident from the FIGURE that all the bouncing floor 104 and area in front of same is protected from adverse weather conditions. Distances y' and z' may be 8 and 13 feet respectively.

FIGURES 4 and 5 show different possible embodiments of an inflatable building structure in the form of a marquee (i.e. without an inflatable floor) that may be utilised with or without an inner inflatable play apparatus.

It is envisaged that the marquee structures 200 ("shed" configuration) and 300 ("arched" or "barn" configuration) could be utilised to replace existing marquees and may be provided with an integral or detachable cover (not shown). Once again anchorage points (not shown) may be provided to anchor the marquee 200, 300 to the floor in a manner which should be readily envisaged.

It is believed that either of the marquee structures 200 or 300 or variants of same including relatively large uninflated areas should be much simpler to erect and much more cost effective than known designs of marquee. The size of the marquee may well demand variance of the frame-work structure with additional inflatable pipework struts being provided and indeed FIGURE 4 depicts a possible variant (see chain dotted lines) including adjoining inflatable struts 201,202 and 203 at floor level in order to increase stability.

Thus the marquee 200,300 is a lightweight relatively inexpensive structure when compared to other marquees.

It is possible that such a structure could be utilised to protect an inner bouncing play apparatus and if desired could be provided with its own blower in addition to or instead of being inflated via a connection from the inner deflatable bouncing apparatus.

It is to be understood that the scope of the present invention is not to be unduly limited to the particular choice of terminology and that a specific term may be replaced or supplemented by any equivalent or generic term where sensible. For example the term "blower" could be replaced by "fan" or inflation means". Further it is to be understood that individual features or methods, uses or functions related to the inflatable building structure or parts thereof may be individually patentably inventive. The singular may include the plural or vice versa where sensible.

It is possible that the scope of the present invention could be extended to provide an inflatable awning or roof over a car or part thereof, for use, for example in car boot sales. The blower could then be run off the car battery with a 12 volt motor.

Still further according to the present invention there is provided a kit comprising two inflatable structures, a first one of said structures having an inflatable bouncing floor and a second one of said structures having an inflatable framework and roof structure and, preferably, being lighter than or lightweight in comparison to, the first structure, said inflatable structures being co-operatively sized and dimensioned so that when they are inflated said roof structure can shelter, and extend over and beyond, said floor to restrain ingress of rain onto the floor.

The two inflatable structures may be, preferably, packed away in a deflated storage position and carried together or transported as a unit. Each structure may be packed away in separate or connected storage bags or in the same bag.

Claims

1. Inflatable or bouncing play apparatus comprising a roof structure which in use overhangs an inflated or bouncing floor of the apparatus thereby sheltering the floor and front or entrance of said apparatus from the ingress of rain.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 in which the roof structure is inflatable.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 comprising an inner inflatable structure covered by an outer inflatable structure, said outer structure having a roof overhanging the floor, which floor is provided at least on the inner building structure.

4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 in which the outer structure has an integral or detachable roof cover.

5. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 4 in which the roof of the outer structure is of tubular construction.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 5 in which the outer structure is provided with anchorage points.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 6 in which the outer structure comprises an inflatable structure having an inflatable framework with uninflated regions spanning the framework.

8. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 7 in which the framework is of "shed", "arched", "pyramid" or "conical" configuration.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 8 in which the inner structure is inflatable by means of a blower utilised to inflate both the inner structure and outer structure.

10. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 9 in which a connection junction is provided from an outlet of the blower with one branch of the junction leading to the inner structure and the other branch of the junction connection leading to the outer structure.

11. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 9 in which the blower is connected to an inlet on the inner structure with an airflow connection being provided directly from the inner structure to the outer structure.

12. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 9 in which the blower is directly connected to the outer structure with an airflow connection from the outer structure to the inner structure in order to inflate said inner structure.

13. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 8 in which the outer structure and inner structure are provided with independent blowers.

14. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 12 in which said connection allows relative movement of the inner and outer structures prior to anchorage so that the position of the inner and outer structure can be adjusted.

15. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 14 in which the outer structure is much longer than the length of the inner structure with the inner structure being positionable in use at either end of the outer structure.

16. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 15 in which the outer structure is such as to allow more than one inflatable inner structure to be provided inside.

17. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 16 in which all of the inflatable structures can be erected by the same blower.

18. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 having an extended front porch area or awning overhanging the floor.

19. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 18 in which the porch or awning is an integral part of the apparatus or a separate inflatable "add-on" entity.

20. An inflatable marquee or tent comprising an inflatable framework with uninflated regions spanning the framework in use in an erected state.

21. A marquee or tent as claimed in Claim 20 in which the inflated regions are part of a separate or detachable roof cover.

22. A marquee or tent as claimed in Claim 20 or 21 in which the framework comprises a number of generally vertical inflatable posts joined to an inflatable roof.

23. x marquee or tent as claimed in Claim 22 which is of "shed" configuration.

24. A marquee as claimed in Claim 22 in which the framework is of "arched" construction.

25. A marquee or tent as claimed in Claim 24 in which the arched construction comprises two or three or more spaced inflatable tubular arches connected by inflatable cross struts.

26. A marquee or tent as claimed in any one of Claims 20 to 25 having anchorage points to anchor the marquee/tent to the floor.

27. A kit comprising two inflatable structures, a first one of said structures having an inflatable bouncing floor and a second one of said structures having an inflatable framework and roof structure.

28. A kit as claimed in Claim 27 in which the second structure is lighter than or lightweight in comparison to, the first structure, said inflatable structures being co-operatively sized and dimensioned so that when they are inflated said roof structure can shelter, and extend over and beyond, said floor to restrain ingress of rain onto the floor.

29. A kit as claimed in Claim 27 or 28 in which the two inflatable structures can be packed away in a deflated storage position and carried together or transported as a unit.

30. A kit as claimed in Claim 29 in which each structure is packed away in separate or connected storage bags or in the same bag.

31. Inflatable or bouncing play apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to FIGURE 1 of the accompanying drawings or substantially as modified in accordance with FIGURE 2 or 3 of the accompanying drawings.

32. An inflatable marquee or tent substantially as herein described with reference to FIGURE 4 or 5 of the accompanying drawings.