An illuminating device may include a light emitting device (e.g., a laser) disposed within an enclosed structure which may be inflatable (e.g., a balloon). The light emitting device may configured to project light on an interior surface of an inflatable structures to display illuminated designs which advertise a product, convey a message, or display a shape or design.
The drawings and specific descriptions of the drawings, as well as any specific or alternative embodiments discussed, are intended to be read in conjunction with the entirety of this disclosure. The illuminating device may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete, and fully convey understanding to those skilled in the art.
Referring to
An illuminated image 116 visible on the shell portion 101 may be generated by diffracting a concentrated light beam 105 (e.g., a laser beam) into a lesser concentrated illuminated image 103 by diffracting single wavelength light waves from a light source 104. Furthermore, the diffraction grating 107 may be designed to provide a non-linear distribution of the light beam 105 that corresponds to a shape of the exterior shell portion 101 on which it may be projected. This correspondence may be defined by implementing a predetermined distribution designed in such a way that diffraction grating 107 having a varying focal length may be utilized to compose an appropriately adjusted image to substantially eliminate visual distortion that would normally occur when displayed on a curved surface of the shell portion 101.
In the case of use of a balloon-type shell portion 101, a closure 117 may be provided which prevents gas from escaping from the shell portion 101 after inflation. The closure 117 may be applied to a filling port 112 after gas may be used to expand the device to optimal size.
The image projection unit 102 may be internally mounted within the shell portion 101 via adhesion or other mechanical means. In one example, the image projection unit 102 may be mounted to a wall of the shell portion 101 with a rubber band 118 that binds a small portion 120 of the wall material of the shell portion 101 to a small protrusion 119 on the image projection unit 102. It should further be noted that the shell portion 101 may be semi-opaque in that an illuminated image 103 may be projected internally shell portion 101 via the diffracted light beam 105 but may be viewed on an external surface of the shell portion 101.
The shell portion 101 may be either manually filled (e.g., by blowing in air with a user's mouth, or placed on a gas distribution nozzle such as those found on electric inflation devices or helium tanks) or may be mechanically inflated with a blow molding machine. During the inflation process a release tab 109 blocking a battery connection 110 of the image projection unit 102 may automatically be removed from the battery connection 110 upon application of tension to the release tab 109 as the shell portion 101 increases in size. In another embodiment, the image projection unit 102 may be installed after the inflation process for the shell portion 101 is completed as in the case of blow molded embodiments. It should further be noted that an elastomeric balloon or a vinyl walled inflatable shell portion 101 or the like may be used to house the image projection unit 102 and display the illuminated image 103, including common toy balloons, shaped vinyl pool inflatables, and promotional advertising signs of various inflated shapes, and even thin walled toy balls. Blow molded embodiments may include a globe or other rigid shape which may be an integral component of a toy or other device, or may be a modular replaceable unit.
In an alternate embodiment, a light sensitive switch may be integrated into the image projection unit 102 for the purpose of deactivating the image projection unit 102 unit automatically during bright ambient light conditions.
Different features, variations and multiple different embodiments have been shown and described with various details. What has been described in this application at times in terms of specific embodiments may be done for illustrative purposes only and without the intent to limit or suggest that what has been conceived may be only one particular embodiment or specific embodiments. It may be to be understood that this disclosure may be not limited to any single specific embodiments or enumerated variations. Many modifications, variations and other embodiments will come to mind of those skilled in the art, and which are intended to be and are in fact covered by this disclosure. It may be indeed intended that the scope of this disclosure should be determined by a proper legal interpretation and construction of the disclosure, including equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the complete disclosure present at the time of filing.
The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/182,910, entitled LASER ILLUMINATED INFLATABLE, filed May 1, 2021, naming April Mitchell as inventor, which may be incorporated herein by reference in the entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63182910 | May 2021 | US |