US20200009469A1

US20200009469A1 - Inflatable Recreation System

Info

Publication number: US20200009469A1
Application number: US16/505,839
Authority: US
Inventors: Cody Stoker; Sonya Stoker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-07-09
Filing date: 2019-07-09
Publication date: 2020-01-09

Abstract

An inflatable recreation system designed to allow a user to self-assemble a customizable play structure. The inflatable recreation system includes a plurality of inflatable members, each having an interior volume designed to hold air within. Each inflatable member has a valve on an exterior surface in communication with the interior volume and designed to accept a pump nozzle therein. Each inflatable member is a polyhedron having a three-dimensional shape and flat polygonal faces with a first fastener disposed along a perimeter and a second fastener disposed on an exterior surface, such that each inflatable member is designed to removably secure to one another. In this way, a user is able to self-assemble a customizable play structure.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/695,443 filed on Jul. 9, 2018. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to recreation systems. More specifically, the invention provides a plurality of inflatable members configured to secure to one another via one or more fasteners.
Many children enjoy playing with blocks to assemble structures resembling houses, castles, and other buildings. However, standard building blocks are often small and can be difficult for some children to operate, especially if the children do not have fully developed motor skills. Although these blocks can be built larger, they are often made from hard materials and can injure children who are not careful. Thus, an improved inflatable recreation system that can allow a user, such as a child, to self-assemble a customizable play structure is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of inflatable recreation systems now present in the known art, the present invention provides an inflatable recreation system wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when desiring to self-assemble a customizable play structure.
The present system comprises an inflatable recreation system. The inflatable recreation system comprises an inflatable recreation system comprising a plurality of inflatable member, each having an interior volume configured to hold air within. Each inflatable member has a valve on an exterior surface in communication with the interior volume and configured to accept a pump nozzle therein. Each inflatable member is a polyhedron having a three-dimensional shape and flat polygonal faces with a first fastener disposed along a perimeter and a second fastener disposed on an exterior surface, such that each inflatable member is configured to removably secure to one another. In this way, a user is able to self-assemble a customizable play structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the inflatable members in an inflated and deflated configuration.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a plurality of inflatable members in a plurality of geometric shapes.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the inflatable recreation system in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the inflatable recreation system. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the inflatable members in an inflated and deflated configuration. An inflatable recreation system is comprised of a plurality of inflatable members 11. Each inflatable member 11 is a polyhedron, such that each inflatable member 11 has a three-dimensional shape having a plurality of flat polygonal faces, wherein the shape and number of faces varies accordingly. In the illustrated embodiment, the inflatable member 11 is depicted as a three-dimensional rectangle.
Further, each inflatable member 11 includes an exterior surface 14 on each polygonal face, defined by a perimeter 15 therearound. A valve 16 is disposed on each inflatable member 11, wherein the valve 16 is in communication with an interior volume of the respective inflatable member 11. The valve 16 is configured to accept a nozzle of a pump 71 therein, such that the user can fill each inflatable member 11 with air. The inflatable members 11 are configured to inflate to a solid shape per the respective dimensions of the inflatable member 11, and are configured to deflate to a flattened shape to allow the user to easily store the inflatable recreation system when not in use.
A first fastener 12 is disposed around the perimeter 15 of each inflatable member 11, wherein the first fastener 12 is configured to removably secure to the respective first fastener of an additional inflatable member 11. In this way, a plurality of inflatable members 11 can be removably affixed to one another to form a desired three-dimensional shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the first fastener 12 comprises a hook alternating with a loop around the perimeter 15, thereby allowing the user to rotate the inflatable member 11 to affix it to the additional inflatable member in a desired orientation.
Additionally, one or more second fasteners 13 are disposed at one or more vertices 17 of the inflatable member 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the second fastener 13 comprises a loop, thereby allowing the inflatable members 11 to be hooked or tied to one another to provide for a more stable fastener. Further, this allows the user to utilize the second fastener 13 to tie the inflatable member 11 to a grounded stake, thereby ensuring the inflatable member 11 is secured when in use.
Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of a plurality of inflatable members in a plurality of geometric shapes. Each inflatable member can comprise a plurality of geometric shapes. In the illustrated embodiment, the geometric shapes of the inflatable members include a circular inflatable member 111, a first squared inflatable member 112, a second squared inflatable member 113, and a third squared inflatable member 114, among others.
In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second squared inflatable members 112, 113 each include an aperture therein extending through the respective member. The first squared inflatable member 112 includes a circular aperture 121. In the illustrated embodiment, the circular aperture 121 includes a fastener 122 disposed along an interior perimeter, such that a plurality of other inflatable members can be secured within. Thus, in the shown embodiment the circular aperture 121 is dimensioned to receive the circular inflatable member 111 therein. The second squared inflatable member 113 includes a square aperture 131 therein. In the illustrated embodiment, the square aperture 131 is dimensioned to receive the third squared inflatable member 114 therein. Additionally, in the shown embodiment the square aperture 131 includes a plurality of cylindrical inflatable member removably secured therein.
Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the inflatable recreation system in use. In operation, the user 70, such as a child, can create an inflatable recreation system 10. The inflatable recreation system 10 is created by positioning a plurality of inflatable members proximate to one another to form a desired construction, such as a house, with variable iterations. Each inflatable member can be removably secured to another using a first fastener disposed around a perimeter or a second fastener disposed at one or more vertex. In this way, a child can self-assemble a customizable play structure.
It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

We claim:

1) An inflatable recreation system, comprising:

a plurality of inflatable members, each having an interior volume configured to hold air within;

each inflatable member having a valve on an exterior surface in communication with the interior volume and configured to accept a pump nozzle therein;

each inflatable member being a polyhedron having a three-dimensional shape and flat polygonal faces;

each inflatable member having a first fastener disposed along a perimeter thereof;

each inflatable member having a second fastener disposed on the exterior surface thereof;

wherein each inflatable member is configured to removably secure to another inflatable member of the plurality of inflatable members.

2) The inflatable recreation system of claim 1, wherein the first fastener comprises a hook and loop.

3) The inflatable recreation system of claim 1, wherein the second fastener comprises a loop.

4) The inflatable recreation system of claim 1, wherein the second fastener is disposed on a vertex of the inflatable member.

5) The inflatable recreation system of claim 1, wherein the second fastener is disposed at a center of inflatable members having a circular face.

6) The inflatable recreation system of claim 1, wherein the inflatable member has an aperture at a center of a face.

7) The inflatable recreation system of claim 6, wherein the aperture includes an additional fastener is disposed along an inner perimeter thereof.