INFLATABLE BABY COSTUME

Abstract

 An air inflatable oversized costume provides an upper torso, a pair of laterally extending arms, and an oversized head. A fan provides air into the costume to support the same about the wearer's head, arms and upper torso and thus presents an oversized costume for a human. The fan is preferably battery powered and integrated into a side wall of the "skin" of the costume. A central section in the head of the costume corresponds to the head of the wearer and is provided with either transparent material to allow the wearer to see therethorugh or highly close woven fabric to allow seeing and breathing by the wearer yet the central section is camouflaged so as to minimize detection of the face of the wearer. The head of the costume is provided with head straps so that movement of the head of the wearer translates to movement of the head of the costume. Shoulder straps are provided to secure the costume to the wearer and so that natural movement of the wearer translates to movement of the costume character. Preferably the central section is designed as a baby pacifier and the body and head of the costume simulates a baby in a diaper with a pacifier.

Description

Related Applications

[0001] The present invention and this application are continuation in parts of US application filed June 30, 2017, Serial No. 29/609416, a US design patent application filed June 30, 2017, the specification of which is entirely incorporated by reference. A claim to priority to the filing date of my prior application, referred to above is claimed.

Background of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of costumes, used for masquerades, parties, disguises, and, of course, the popular Halloween holiday. The invention provides an air inflatable costume to be worn by an individual and presents an extremely pleasant and unusual view to the observers of the same. Of course, that is an important characteristic for costumes, pleasing and presenting an unusual and attractive appearance. The invention relates to costumes which are air inflatable and thus extend above the head, beyond the shoulders, beyond the torso of the wearer to present a far larger appearance than would be the case if the costume were to snuggly fit on the wearer, as is the case with more ordinary clothing and previously available costumes. The costume of the present invention has a self-contained power pack driving an air blower for maintaining a constant flow of air into the costume, which also serves to air-cool the wearer (as the "skin" of the device is generally air impermeable to maintain the air within the costume and the costume in full shape when inflated). The present invention relates to the field of masquerade and costumes and a new type of costume, an air inflated costume with a self contained air blower for maintaining the costume in its full shape and size. In addition, the present invention also provides a mechanism to allow a single individual to easily don and remove the same and allows for the costume, in the preferred embodiment a costume replicating or presenting a baby/toddler in a diaper, to appear much larger than the person wearing the same.

Description of the Prior Art

[0003] There are many costumes available today. One purpose of a full body costume is to clothe the body with fanciful apparel, covering one or more parts of the body. Full body costumes are popular, too. A purpose to be achieved by the costume is to clothe but also, of course, to present a clever or fanciful, a stylistic costume to be viewed by others. Another important characteristic of a costume is that it be easily put on, removed and also that it allow the wearer the freedom of movement. It is also important that the costume allow the wearer a free flow of air, so that the costume doesn't become uncomfortably too hot to wear. Often it is important that the costume be donned and removed by the wearer, i.e., a costume capable of being donned and removed by the wearer alone is highly desirable.

[0004] Presently, there are costumes which are sold at retail, on the internet, even home made, which present a huge variety of characters, animals, and shapes. There are, for example, SuperHeroes of DC Comics, SuperHeroes of Marvel's World, Star Trek costumes, Star Wars costumes, costumes which simulate animals, frogs, alligators, lambs, horses (in 1 and 2 parts to be worn individually and by two people), cows, even articles, e.g., spoon, a toilet, a hand gun, etc. The present invention relates to fanciful costumes and resents a new costume type which can be made and designed into any one or more characters, animals, or things. The present invention relates more to an oversized costume than to that of a costume which is the size of the wearer. There have been many oversized costumes worn by children and adults but, heretofore, there has not been a fully air inflatable costume which is greater in size than the wearer's actual body size and, yet, is comfortable (air circulation), allows for mobility and viewing of the outside by the wearer, is able to be put on and removed by the wearer, alone, and is collapsible, after wearing, into a small container for ease of moving from place to place, for subsequent wearing.

[0005] The present invention provides these features in a new and novel manner. The present invention can be stylized into a huge variety of characters and presentations but, for purposes of the present invention, the device disclosed herein will be described in connection with a baby in a diaper, it being clearly and easiuly understood by those of skill in the art that other stylizations and characters can be presented without departing from the present invention.

[0006] There are, of course, inflatable toys with valves for allowing compressed air to be provided to the interior cavity and one or more valves for allowing air to be easily and quickly removed from the interior cavity, to allow for ease of compression and folding after use. These toys, primarily water toys, are not meant to be worn as costumes and technically are not even relevant prior art as they are not within the scope of the present invention, wearable costumes.

[0007] There are also huge numbers of cloth or fabric costumes which are wearable articles of apparel. These, generally, are meant to conform to the wearer's body size. The present invention presents a wearable article of apparel which is greater in body size than the wearer to present a much more dramatic effect for viewers.

[0008] The prior art also shows fabric costumes, greater in size than the individual wearer, which are meant to be worn by 2 persons, e.g., the head of a cow or horse worn by the front wearer and the rear of the cow or horse worn by the second or following wearer. The present invention is meant to be greater in overall size of appearance for a single wearer by use of an air inflatable cavity which is provided with a set of harness straps which coordinate with the wearer's shoulders and head.

[0009] The present invention provides a self contained (isolated from the power of an AC power outlet) battery pack for driving a fan. According to the present invention, the fan has its intake at one wall of the skin of the new costume and provides air, like a fan provides air, to the cavity of the costume. The prior art shows, fans for inflating "bounce " houses or jump-on inflatable devices often seen in birthday parties for toddlers. In addition, the prior art shows air fans, coupled to AC outlets for power, for use in inflating holiday decorations, e.g., snowmen, Halloween pumpkins, ghosts, etc. The prior art fails to teach nor suggest, however, a costume for a human having a self-contained power or electric supply which is electrically connected to a fan for providing inflation to the interior of a cavity for a costume. The prior art does not teach nor suggest such a costume with a harness for allowing the wearer to don and remove the costume, alone, and to present a visual appearance far greater than the actual size of the wearer. And, the prior art does not teach nor suggest a wearable costume, greater in size than the wearer, not only in height, but torso, arms, legs, back and backside, etc. with the wearer being maintained cool, as the surface of the costume is separated form the wearer's body, in all directions, and where the cooling is synergistically maintained by the fan for maintaining the inflated volume of the costume.

[0010] Finally, there have been costumes which are greater in height than the wearer and wherein the wearer's eyes are camouflaged into the design of the character of the costume. It is important, of course, for the wearer to be able to have unimpeded vision while wearing the costume, to allow freedom of mobility and to avoid accidents (falling down or knocking things, e.g., knocking a lit candle over). The present invention, in its preferred for, presents a baby toddler, in a diaper, with the wearer's actual face and eyes being camouflaged into the center of the pacifier for the baby character. The prior art neither teaches nor suggests this.

[0011] Also in the prior art are scores of characters and costumes for wearers. None, to the inventor's knowledge teach nor suggest the present invention, when considered as a whole.

Summary of the Invention

[0012] The present invention relates to a costume for a child, teen or adult, man or woman, which is intended to be capable of being donned and removed without held from a second individual The present invention presents an air capturing cavity to be worn over substantial parts of the body, likely, at least, the head, shoulders, upper and lower torso, back, backside, and legs to present, when the cavity is inflated with air, a far larger presence or character than the actual wearer's body. The cavity is preferably made from a vinyl or plastic which, when inflated, will tend to hold the air within the cavity. Of course, a valve or valves can be provided to allow for the quick and easy purging or removal of the air, as desired. This then allows the costume to be easily and compactly "squished" and folded for storage.

[0013] The present invention provides a cavity for air inflation into a size and volume greater than that of the wearer and is provided with a small battery pack (preferably rechargeable batteries) for electrically driving the air fan, contained, too, in the cavity of the costume. More specifically, the air fan device is provided with its inlet on the side wall or outside "skin" of the cavity costume and has the blowing air directed to the inside of the cavity. In this manner the volume of the cavity can be quickly filled with air. Indeed, it is an aspect of the present invention that the air volume provided by the air of the air fan exceed that of the interior cavity volume so that the costume is always filled to capacity, extending in all directions from the body parts of the wearer. This can be accomplished by having the mouth area for the wearer, in the preferred embodiment corresponding to the pacifier's center area of the baby toddler in diapers, being air permeable so that excess air will exhaust therethrough, along with the air provided to the wearer, for breathing and his/her exhaust air. Also, as mentioned, the eyes of the wearer correspond to the central area, in the preferred embodiment, of the pacifier of the baby toddler in diapers, so that the wearer can see through the same. This of course enhances comfort, visibility, mobility, safety, etc. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the eye holes of the costume correspond in location to the eyes of the wearer and are actual openings in the "skin" of the costume although it is an alternate embodiment for the eye openings to be merely transparent yet solid, mere continuations of the skin of the costume.

[0014] According to an important aspect of the present invention, the upper portion of the costume and the cavity are provided with a set of straps, called collectively a "harness" which go over the head and shoulders of the wearer and provide suitable structure to maintain the costume on the wearer, such that the shoulders of the costume character will overlay the shoulders of the wearer and the head of the costume, albeit larger than that of the wearer's head, is, nevertheless, above the actual head of the wearer. This will promote stability of the costume on the wearer. The harness is secured within the costume to the interior of the skin with adhesive, fasteners, snaps, etc. and can be secured to one another, to provide an integrated set of straps for ease of donning and removal by the wearer.

[0015] These and other features are provided by the present invention, as will be understood by those of skill in the art of costume making.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] 

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the first embodiment of the Inflatable Baby Costume, the subject of the present invention, as worn by a human, showing the costume with a bib, diaper and a pacifier;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the Inflatable Baby Costume as shown in FIG 1 and shows the subject of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the Inflatable Baby Costume as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and shows the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a left side elevational view of the Inflatable Baby Costume as shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 and shows the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a right side elevational view of the Inflatable Baby Costume as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 and shows the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the Inflatable Baby Costume as shown in FIGS. 1 through 5 and shows the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the Inflatable Baby Costume as shown in FIGS. 1 through 6 and shows the present invention;

FIG. 8 is another embodiment of the Inflatable Baby Costume, showing a front perspective view thereof. This view shows a second "pose" of the Inflatable Baby Costume as the same is worn by a human and depicts the hands of the "baby" in the upwardly extending position;

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the Inflatable Baby Costume as shown in FIG 8 and shows the subject of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a rear elevational view of the Inflatable Baby Costume as shown in FIG. 8 and shows the second embodiment of the present invention, in the second "pose" shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a left side elevational view of the Inflatable Baby Costume as shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 and shows the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a right side elevational view of the Inflatable Baby Costume as shown in FIGS. 8 through 11, and shows the present invention;

FIG. 13 is top plan view of the Inflatable Baby Costume as shown in FIGS. 8 through 12 and shows the present invention; and

FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view of the Inflatable Baby Costume as shown in FIGS. 8 through 13 and shows the present invention.

Figure 15 is an illustration of a wearer stepping into the cavity of the costume, in the preferred embodiment, an inflatable toddler in a diaper and having a pacifier in his mouth; with the wearer's two legs stepped into the legs of the plastic costume;

Figure 16 is an illustration of the wearer of Figure 15 performing the next step in the donning of the costume, namely, placing the right arm into the opening formed between the right shoulder strap and the top of the right arm socket section of the costume;

Figure 17 is an illustration of the wearer of Figures 15 and 16, with the wearer performing the next step in donning of the costume, namely,, placing the left arm into the opening formed between the left should strap and the top of the left arm socket section of the costume;

Figure 18 is an illustration of the wearer of Figures 15-17, with the wearer performing the next step in donning of the costume, namely, adjusting the straps over the shoulders of the wearer, tightening one side and then the other side to support the costume on the shoulders of the wearer;

Figure 19 is an illustration of the wearer of Figures 15-18, with the wearer performing the next step in donning of the costume, namely, positioning and allowing the head piece of the costume to hang or drape down in front of the wearer, below the wearer's neck;

Figure 20 is an illustration of the wearer, from the rear, showing the securement of the head strap of the costume to the head, with a strap extending over the top of the head and a separate strap, connected to the first head strap, extending around the head;

Figure 21 is an illustration of the wearer, from the side, showing the next step in the donning of the costume, namely, the adjustment of the straps around the head and over the head, while holding the head piece of the costume against the wearer's chest, to facilitate the adjustment of the strap and positioning of the same;

Figure 22 is an illustration of the wearer, from the rear and side of the same, showing the next ste4p in the donning of the costume, namely, the placing of the head of the wearer within the head of the costume. This is followed by the zipping or other closure of the rear of the costume, from just above the rear end of the wearer, to the bottom of the head of the costume (other mechanisms can be used for closure in the back, e.g., Velcro ® fastening); and

Figure 23 is a front view and illustration of the wearer of the costume, with the cavity of the costume filled with air.

Detailed Description of the Invention and the Preferred Embodiment

[0017] As best seen in the Figures, the present invention, in the preferred embodiment is a costume representing the wearer H as a huge baby/toddler costume 12, with a pacifier 14 in its mouth, and wearing a diaper 16. Other characters and styles may be provided within the scope of the present invention. For example, the costume can be of giraffe, a dinosaur, a policeman, etc. For ease of illustration and understanding the present invention is described in connection with its style as a toddler in a diaper, having a pacifier in its mouth. As can be appreciated, the huge baby costume 12 has a pair of legs 17 and 19, two feet 21, and 23, a lower torso 25, covered in part by a diaper 16, and an upper torso section 27, covered in part by a bib 24 with outwardly extending arms 29 and 31. On top of the torso section 27 is the oversized head 32, having, in this example, a pacifier 14 comprising a ring section 33 and a central section 35. The huge baby/toddler costume 12 shows a nose 35, a pair of eyes 37 and 39 and a pair of eyebrows 38 and 40. The ends of the arms 29 and 31 can either have mitten or hand sections (not shown) or the ends of the arms 29 and 31 can terminate with elastic ends to the sleeves which will wrap around the wrists of the arms of the wearer H in a substantially air-tight manner.

[0018] As can be appreciated, the costume comprises various components which are connected or seamed together in any one or more of conventional manners. For example, the three dimensional leg pieces can be heat seamed to the bottom edges of the diaper and the lower torso with the diaper thereon can be continuous or heat seamed to the upper torso. Alternatively, the device can be a single plastic component with the various sections demarked by printing.

[0019] The legs, 17 and 19, with the lower torso, upper torso, the arms and head define an inside cavity 50 into which the wearer H steps into, as shown in Figures 15 through 23. The inside cavity 50 is substantially air tight except for openings, if provided, at the feet (if foot coverings are not provided), at the hands, if mittens or hands are not provided, and the center section 35 of the pacifier 14. The center section 35 is comprised of a material which allows for air to pass through so that the wearer H can easily breath in and outwardly and to also allow the wearer H to see therethrough. The pacifier 14 and its center section 35 are large enough that the entire face F of the wearer H is substantially framed by the center section. This allows the wearer to see and breathe through the costume and, yet, the costume aspect of the device is not compromised as the center section is "hidden" or camouflaged from the causal detection of a viewer. In one embodiment of the present invention, the center section is comprised of a thin, loosely woven fabric which allows for ease of air to pass therethrough, allowing ingestion of air and exhaustion, for breathing and, in addition, the weave is sufficiently "loose" that the wearer can easily see out, yet viewers cannot easily detect the wearer's face nor eyes. Currently, on the market are capes and cowlings having similar face hiding capabilities allowing vision out by the wearer and ease of breathing but not easy detection by a viewer.

[0020] As seen schematically in Figure 16, the "skin" of the huge toddler costume 12 is provided with an opening 52 through which an electric powered fan 54 is provided. The air inlet to the fan 54 is provided facing outside the skin 55 while the turbine of the fan is safely housed in a casing secured within the cavity. The fan 54 will blow air from outside the skin of the costume to within the cavity when the fan 54 is activated, by external toggle switch 60. It is of course in electrical contact with the motor of the fan which is in circuit contact with a set of batteries (interior of the cavity and not shown) for driving the fan 54. The batteries can be suitably sized and available conventional batteries, as used in toys, or the batteries can be rechargeable, when the fan, with a female plug adapter is electrically connected to an AC battery recharger, one that has its other end able to be connected to an AC outlet of power. This will charge and recharge the batteries at least sufficiently for a single wearing of the costume, say, at least 15 minutes. In some embodiments, the batteries are capable of driving the fan, to inflate the interior of the costume, and to have excess air blown into the cavity for use in cooling of the wearer H and to have the excess air blown out through the central opening 35 of the pacifier. The force of the air from the fan must be sufficient to inflate the costume, with air being driven into the legs, arms, lower and upper torso and to the head. The head is fully elevated and extended or floating above the wearer's head as a consequence of the air being blown into the cavity and the volume of air blown in by the fan exceeding the volume of the cavity. Stated differently, the air blowing capacity of the fan must exceeed the volume of the cavity and the air lost from the costume, whether through the central opening or the mere seepage of the same through seams and openings.

[0021] As seen in Figures 15 through 23, the huge toddler costume can be easily worn by a wearer H. The wearer will first step into the legs and feet of the costume. If no feet are provided, the feet of the wearer will be slid through the elastic lined openings at the end of the legs. Those elastic openings, similar to that of the arms, about the wrists, will snugly hold the legs to the wearer, wrapping about the ankles. Then, as shown in Figure 16, the wearer H will insert his first arm into the hole formed between shoulder strap 80 and the top of the side piece defining the armhole for the costume. The right and left shoulder straps 80 and 82, respectively, extend from the front of the upper torso to the back of the upper torso and, preferably, are each provided with a means for tightening and securing the same on the shoulders of the wearer. The adjustment mechanism can be apertures in one part of the strap and a mating tongue of the opposed strap (like a waist encircling belt) or Velcro® hook and loops. But, in any event, the shoulder strap is secured over the shoulder of the wearer with the wearer's arm poking through the hole defined by the shoulder strap over the shoulder and the costume's arm edge below the armpit of the wearer. After a first or right arm is secured and that shoulder's straps secured, as shown in Figure 17, the other arm is secured through its armhole and the strap there secured.

[0022] The straps can be of the type where one end of a first section is pulled to appropriate tightness through a buckle on the other end, as is conventional in life vests, for example, as can be seen in Figure 18.

[0023] Figure 19 shows the costume, with both arms through the armholes and both shoulder straps 80 and 82 suitably tightened. The head of the costume will droop forwardly and down the center of the wearer.

[0024] Figure 20 shows the initial securement of a head encircling strap 90 which is also on the inside of the two sides of the head of the costume and serves to locate and center the head of the costume above the head of the wearer. Here, too, the strap encircling the head of the wearer is cinched tight around the wearer's head but not to tight so as to be uncomfortable. That head encircling strap 90 is secured to the body of the inside of the costume by suitable connecting strap segments.

[0025] And, another strap 94 is then provided, connected to the head encircling strap 90 at the location where the head strap 90 connects to the straps 96 and 98 to the inside of the costume, at or about the sides of the neckline 100 of the inside of the costume, which strap 94 goes over the top of the wearer's head. A suitable quick disconnecting mechanism can be provided to release the over and around the head straps, should the need be seen. In any event, with the straps suitably secured and tightened, the head 110 of the costume 12 can be pulled over the head of the wearer and the head of the costume located above the head of the wearer. The wearer will then zip up or otherwise close off the back of the costume, using either a zipper 112 and zipper pull or a simple Velcro ® hook and loop connection.

[0026] With the costume located and donned as shown and described above, the wearer H will switch the toggle switch 60 from "Off" to "On" and this will cause the batteries, fully charged, to complete the circuit with the motor of the fan 54, in th opening 52, which will draw air from outside the costume into the costume. The air inflation of the cavity 50 results in an oversized, with respect to the wearer, costume. The head 110 of the costume is over the head of the wearer and the air pressure and volume entering the interior cavity of the costume is such that the head surrounds, and floats above, without touching the head of the wearer and, yet, movement of the wearer's head translates into direct movement of the head of the costume because of the around the head and over the head straps. And, the arms and legs of the wearer will translate into movement of the arms and legs of the costume, too. A totally realistic yet huge toddler baby in a diaper is presented.

[0027] The wearer can easily breath through the open woven holes of the central section 35 of the pacifier 14 and a viewer will not easily detect the wearer's mouth, nor eyes, nor face. And, the eyes of the wearer will easily see through the mesh of the central section as the face of the wearer is close to the fabric of the central section of the pacifier. And, the volume of air flowing into the cavity as a consequence of the fan exceeds the volume of the cavity and the air flowing out of the cavity, from the small openings in the leg holes and armholes, the central section of the pacifier and other exit openings. In this manner, the air inflatable costume presents a huge and oversized costume for a wearer and a highly novel looking costume is provided.

[0028] When the wearer decides to disrobe from the costume, the first step is to turn the fan "off" from "on." Then, the zipper on the back is unzipped and then the head of the costume surrounding and over the head of the wearer is removed by first releasing the straps. Then, the wearer will remove his two arms from the armholes and then step out of the legs of the costume. The entire costume can be folded up for storage and reuse. The batteries can be recharged or replaced with new ones, as needed.

[0029] A valve 120 can be provided, too, as shown in Figures 19 and 16, at the center front of the costume or at any other convenient location which can allow for quick connection to a source of compressed air to partially or nearly totally inflate the costume without reliance on the small fan 54 and the same valve can be used for a quick deflation, as desired. The valve can be similar to that used with swimming pool toys. The fan 54 then, is auxiliary, after the bulk of the costume first filled from an external source of air, but sufficient then, to maintain the costume as inflated while using the same.

Claims

1. An air inflated costume comprising an oversized upper torso, a pair of arms and an oversized head piece, said upper torso, pair of arms and head piece defining an interior cavity for the upper torso, arms and head of a wearer, said head piece having at least one strap to secure the same to a head of a wearer such that movement of the head of the wearer moves the head of the costume, an air inflation fan powered by an integrated electrical mechanism with a switch secured to said costume, and a central section in said head piece allowing for the eyes of the wearer to see therethrough.

2. A costume as claimed in claim 1 wherein said central section is formed from a tightly woven piece of fabric.

3. A costume as claimed in claim 1 wherein said central section also aligns with the mouth of the wearer and allows for ease of breathing and exhaust into and out of said costume.

4. A costume as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a lower torso and a pair of legs extending therefrom.

5. A costume as claimed in claim 4 wherein said legs of said lower torso are provided with elastic ankle straps.

6. A costume as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pair of arms extend laterally from said upper torso and are provided with elastic wrist bands.

7. A costume as claimed in claim 1 wherein said costume further comprises a pair of shoulder straps for securing the upper torso of said costume to the shoulders of the wearer of the same.

8. A costume as claimed in claim 1 wherein said integrated electrical mechanism for inflating said cavity of said costume pass from outside said costume to inside said cavity of said costume.

9. A costume as claimed in claim 1 wherein said electrical power is provided by rechargeable batteries.

10. A costume as claimed in claim 1 wherein said central section corresponds to the center of a pacifier for a baby simulated by said costume.

11. A costume as claimed in claim 1 wherein said air inflation fan provides a volume of air into said cavity of said costume greater than the volume of said cavity of said costume.

12. A costume as claimed in claim 11 wherein said air inflation fan cools the wearer of said costume.

13. A costume as claimed in claim 11 wherein said air inflation fan primarily exhausts air through said central section.

14. A costume as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an auxiliary valve for air inflating and/or deflating said costume.

Drawing