# US 7,601,407 B2 · Inflatable tree apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,601,407 B2 - Document ID: US7601407B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/615,915 - Filed: 2006-12-22 - Published: 2007-04-19 - Granted: 2009-10-13 - Earliest claimed: 2006-12-22 - Inventors: Allen Jacob Irvine - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7601407B2 ## CPC - B29D 22/02: Inflatable articles - A47G 33/06: Artificial Christmas trees - B44C 5/00: Processes for producing special ornamental bodies - B29L 2022/02: Inflatable articles (balls B29L2031/54 {; inner tyres B29L2023/245}) - B29L 2031/7026: {Trees} - Y10S 362/806: Ornamental or decorative - Y10T 428/13: Hollow or container type article [e.g., tube, vase, etc.] - B29D: PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE (making granules B29B9/00; making preforms B29B11/00) - A47G: HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT (book-ends A47B5/00; knives B26B) - B44C: PRODUCING DECORATIVE EFFECTS (processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces, in general B05D; shaping of plastics or substances in a plastic state B29C; printing processes to produce transfer pictures B41M3/12; thermographic duplication or marking methods B41M5/00); MOSAICS; TARSIA WORK (imitation of mosaic or tarsia work patterns B44F11/04); PAPERHANGING {(labels G09F; multi-step processes for making paper labels or tags B31D1/02)} - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract An inflatable tree that may be used as an indoor or outdoor decoration, particularly during the Christmas holiday season. In one embodiment, the inflatable tree comprises an inflatable bladder having a substantially conical or cylindrical prism shape, wherein the axial direction of the bladder is oriented along a vertical axis, and a plurality of conical skirts attached to the bladder, wherein the plurality of conical skirts are attached at different points along the vertical axis. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An inflatable tree apparatus comprising: an inflatable bladder having a substantially conical or cylindrical prism shape, wherein the bladder is oriented along a vertical axis; and, a plurality of conical skirts attached to the bladder, wherein the plurality of conical skirts are attached at different points along the vertical axis. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a fan assembly attached to the inflatable bladder for continuously blowing air into the inflatable bladder. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the inflatable bladder is substantially gas-impermeable. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the inflatable bladder is semi-gas-impermeable. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the bladder is substantially symmetrical about the vertical axis. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of conical skirts is an annular conical skirt made of semi-rigid plastic. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of conical skirts is an annular conical skirt made of fabric. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of conical skirts has an interior conical angle, and wherein all the interior conical angles of the plurality of conical skirts are equal. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of conical skirts comprises: an annular conical skirt, the conical skirt having an outer circumferential edge and an inner circumferential edge; and, a rigid member attached to the conical skirt substantially near the outer circumferential edge. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the inner circumferential edge and outer circumferential edge are concentric circles. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 wherein at least the inner circumferential edge is an ellipse. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least some of the plurality of conical skirts are attached to the bladder using hook and loop fasteners. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least some of the plurality of conical skirts are attached to the bladder using button fasteners. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least some of the plurality of conical skirts have a radial seam for separating the conical skirt. ### Claim 15 An inflatable apparatus comprising: an air bladder having a vertical axis; a plurality of annular conical skirts attached to the bladder at different locations along the vertical axis, wherein each conical skirt has an outer circumferential edge and an inner circumferential edge and a rigidifying means attached to the conical skirt substantially near the outer circumferential edge for extending the conical skirt. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the rigidifying means is a metal ring. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the rigidifying means is a plastic ring. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the rigidifying means is an inflatable ring. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the annular conical skirts further comprise material extending past the outer circumferential edge, the material providing the appearance of tree branches. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a string of lights internal to the inflatable bladder extending substantially along the vertical axis. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising lights placed along the annular conical skirt.