GB2324973A - Inflating an inflatable play unit - Google Patents

Inflating an inflatable play unit Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2324973A
GB2324973A GB9709101A GB9709101A GB2324973A GB 2324973 A GB2324973 A GB 2324973A GB 9709101 A GB9709101 A GB 9709101A GB 9709101 A GB9709101 A GB 9709101A GB 2324973 A GB2324973 A GB 2324973A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
inflatable
inflating
inflating device
inflatable structure
internally mounted
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB9709101A
Other versions
GB2324973B (en
GB9709101D0 (en
Inventor
Stuart Millward
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
PLAYAWAY PLAY SYSTEMS Ltd
Original Assignee
PLAYAWAY PLAY SYSTEMS Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=10811829&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=GB2324973(A) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by PLAYAWAY PLAY SYSTEMS Ltd filed Critical PLAYAWAY PLAY SYSTEMS Ltd
Priority to GB9709101A priority Critical patent/GB2324973B/en
Publication of GB9709101D0 publication Critical patent/GB9709101D0/en
Publication of GB2324973A publication Critical patent/GB2324973A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2324973B publication Critical patent/GB2324973B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B5/00Apparatus for jumping
    • A63B5/11Trampolines
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B5/00Apparatus for jumping
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B9/00Climbing poles, frames, or stages
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B9/00Climbing poles, frames, or stages
    • A63B2009/006Playground structures
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2208/00Characteristics or parameters related to the user or player
    • A63B2208/12Characteristics or parameters related to the user or player specially adapted for children
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2210/00Space saving
    • A63B2210/50Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2225/00Miscellaneous features of sport apparatus, devices or equipment
    • A63B2225/62Inflatable

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Tents Or Canopies (AREA)

Abstract

An inflatable play unit of the type known as a "bouncy castle" is characterised in that the inflating device is removably mounted in a pocket within the structure of the play unit.

Description

Internally mounted inflation system Scope This application is submitted by Playaway Play Systems Limited, Speke Hall Industrial Estate, Liverpool L24 1YA and relates to an intemally mounted inflation system for inflatable play structures.
Introduction Inflatable bouncing devices, commonly referred to as 'bouncy castles' to the general public are well established as an entertainment facility that are used primarily by children at shows, leisure facilities and private parties.
An operating unit is made up of two main components: A large inflatable PVC structure which may take many different forms and shapes, and a specially designed fan which is used to inflate the structure and maintain it at a safe operating pressure. Additional components include securing stakes and safety matting provided at the entry/exit point of the play area to help ensure safe operation.
The conventional fan is fitted externally to the inflatable structure and attached by means of a 5 feet long flexible tube (as recommended by Guidance Note PM 76: Safe operation of passenger carrying amusement devices - inflatable bouncing devices published by the Health and Safety Executive).
Currently, Inflatable bouncing devices with such an externally mounted fan present obvious safety hazards. These hazards have been identified as follows: 1. Tripping hazard. Fans are normally exposed to the rear of the inflatable device and therefore present a tripping hazard.
2. Electrocution hazard. Inflatable bouncing devices are normally set out early in the morning when there is considerable moisture present on the ground. Therefore there is a risk of moisture entering the fan and presenting an electrical hazard. Whenever the fan is used outside there is also the risk of foul weather and heavy rainfall will present an electrical hazard unless the fan has been adequately insulated from the elements.
3. Risk of tampering/vandalism. As the fan is situated to the rear of the inflatable device there is a risk of children tampering with the fan - even un-securing it from the inflatable thus endangering the safety of those children using the inflatable.
The solution According to the present invention there is provided a removable, internally mounted inflation system that eliminates the hazards outlined above. It comprises an inflatable structure and means of releasably securing an internally mounted inflating device, the structure and inflating device being adapted to enable the insertion and security of the inflating device.
A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1. shows in perspective, the inflatable bouncing device with the current fan system in place.
Figure 2. illustrates the internally mounted inflating system fitted to an inflatable bouncing device.
Figure 3 shows the electrically powered inflating device.
Figure 4. shows a cutaway of the inflatable structure.
Figure 5. shows an internal inflating device mounted in an inflatable structure.
Referring to the drawings, the play unit comprises an inflatable structure 1 and an inflating device (normally an electric fan) 2. When used outside the play system is secured to the ground by means of steel stakes 3 which are driven through attachment points that are fixed to the inflatable structure 4.
To install the inflating device in its normal operating position, the re-sealable service flap 5 is opened and the inflating device is placed in its correct operating position. The demountable inflating device is then secured to the inflatable structure by means of a securing device 6 and the inlet pipe is attached to the inlet of the inflatable structure 7. Once this has been done, the power lead for the inflating device is fed out of the service flap 5 and the flap is firmly secured with the releasable securing mechanism 8.
The inflating device can now be switched on and the play structure inflated. Once fully inflated the metal stakes 3 can be driven into the ground to ensure that the unit cannot move through use.
To remove the inflating device, disconnect the power supply to the inflating device and open the re-sealable deflation device 9. Once the structure has been fully deflated the internally mounted inflating device can be removed in the reverse sequence of the above.

Claims (6)

Claims
1. An internally mounted inflating system comprising an inflatable structure, a removable, internally mounted inflating device, the inflatable structure and inflating device being adapted to enable ease of assembly of the inflating device and inflatable structure.
2. An internally mounted inflating system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein a re-sealable means of access is provided on the inflatable structure to facilitate the insertion and removal of the inflating device as required.
3. An internally mounted inflating system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein means for releasably securing the inflating device to the inflatable structure is provided.
4. An internally mounted inflating system as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, wherein means of reducing friction and cushioning is provided between the inflating device and the inflatable structure in order to prevent damage occurring to the inflatable structure through normal usage.
5. An internally mounted inflating system as claimed in claim 4, wherein attachment means of the inflating device and inflatable structure are adapted to provide an air-tight seal between the inflating device and the inflatable structure in order to ensure optimum performance of the inflation system.
6. An inflatable play unit as substantially described herein with reference to figures 2 to 5 of the accompanying drawing.
6. An internally mounted inflating system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein releasable securing means is provided for the whole play system once inflated to its normal operating pressure.
7. An internally mounted inflating system as substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawing.
Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Arnended Claims 1:.. Amended Claims 1. An inflatable play unit of the kind in which a user jumps upon an inflated cushion, in combination with an inflating device, characterised in that the inflating device is removably mounted within the airspace within the structure of the play unit.
2. An inflatable play unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein a re-sealable means of access is provided on the inflatable structure to facilitate the insertion and removal of the inflating device as required.
3. An inflatable play unit as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein means for releasably securing the inflating device to the inflatable structure is provided.
4. An inflatable play unit as claimed in Claim 3, wherein attachment means attaching the inflating device to the inflatable structure are adapted to provide an air-tight seal between the inflating device and the inflatable structure in order to ensure optimum performance of the inflation system.
5. An inflatable play unit as claimed in any proceeding claim, wherein releasable means is provided for securing the whole play system once inflated to its normal operating pressure.
GB9709101A 1997-05-07 1997-05-07 Internally mounted inflation system Expired - Fee Related GB2324973B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9709101A GB2324973B (en) 1997-05-07 1997-05-07 Internally mounted inflation system

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9709101A GB2324973B (en) 1997-05-07 1997-05-07 Internally mounted inflation system

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9709101D0 GB9709101D0 (en) 1997-06-25
GB2324973A true GB2324973A (en) 1998-11-11
GB2324973B GB2324973B (en) 1999-03-24

Family

ID=10811829

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9709101A Expired - Fee Related GB2324973B (en) 1997-05-07 1997-05-07 Internally mounted inflation system

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2324973B (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2006129119A2 (en) * 2005-06-03 2006-12-07 James Hamilton Inflatable structure
DE10339238B4 (en) * 2003-08-26 2009-04-02 Felix Schauder Sports jumping device
WO2010041919A1 (en) * 2008-10-09 2010-04-15 Ricardo Adolfo Medina Caceres Inflatable modular enclosure

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1981002659A1 (en) * 1980-03-24 1981-10-01 Smith X S Inc Movable inflatable ceiling or partition for greenhouse use
GB2090622A (en) * 1980-11-13 1982-07-14 Williams Mervyn Ellis Emergency tent
US4976074A (en) * 1987-10-15 1990-12-11 Technip Geoproduction Inflatable vault having a multilobed double wall

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1981002659A1 (en) * 1980-03-24 1981-10-01 Smith X S Inc Movable inflatable ceiling or partition for greenhouse use
GB2090622A (en) * 1980-11-13 1982-07-14 Williams Mervyn Ellis Emergency tent
US4976074A (en) * 1987-10-15 1990-12-11 Technip Geoproduction Inflatable vault having a multilobed double wall

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10339238B4 (en) * 2003-08-26 2009-04-02 Felix Schauder Sports jumping device
WO2006129119A2 (en) * 2005-06-03 2006-12-07 James Hamilton Inflatable structure
WO2006129119A3 (en) * 2005-06-03 2007-02-15 James Hamilton Inflatable structure
WO2010041919A1 (en) * 2008-10-09 2010-04-15 Ricardo Adolfo Medina Caceres Inflatable modular enclosure

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2324973B (en) 1999-03-24
GB9709101D0 (en) 1997-06-25

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
708A Application made to the patents court (sect. 8(1)/1977)
708R Reference refused (sect. 8/1977)
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20020507