Tablecloth with inflatable structures

Abstract

A party tablecloth includes one or more inflatable structures that extend upwardly from a top side of the tablecloth to provide an ornamental centerpiece that corresponds with a desired celebratory theme, such as a birthday or holiday. The centerpiece may also function as an activity in which people seated at the table can participate, such as a miniature basketball, hockey or soccer game. At least one valve is provided for inflating and deflating the centerpiece structures. In a preferred embodiment, the tablecloth and inflatable structures are formed as one piece from a non-absorbent material, such as a polyvinyl composition, that is easy to wash and wipe clean.

1 . A table decorating apparatus comprising:
 a base sheet formed of a flexible polyvinyl composition and including a top side and a bottom side, and said base sheet defining a tablecloth for covering a table surface;   at least one inflatable structure extending upwardly from the top side of said base sheet and including a sealable airtight interior chamber adapted to be filled with a gas to inflate said structure; and   at least one valve communicating with the interior chamber of said inflatable structure for filling the interior chamber with the gas and for releasing the gas from the interior chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein said at least one inflatable structure is attached to the top side of said base sheet. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 2  wherein said at least one inflatable structure is formed of the same flexible polyvinyl composition of said base sheet. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 3  wherein said at least one inflatable structure is formed and shaped as an animated character. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 3  wherein said at least one inflatable structure is a component of an interactive activity. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 3  wherein further comprising a plurality of said inflatable structures extending upwardly from the top side of said base sheet. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 3  further comprising:
 a plurality of said inflatable structures each extending upwardly from the top side of said base sheet and each of said plurality of inflatable structures including a sealable airtight interior chamber adapted to be filled with the gas to inflate said plurality of inflatable structures; and   each of said plurality of inflatable structures including said valve communicating with the interior chamber for filling the interior chamber with the gas and for releasing the gas from the interior chamber.   
     
     
         8 . A table decorating apparatus comprising:
 a base sheet formed of a flexible polyvinyl composition and including a top side and a bottom side, and said base sheet defining a tablecloth for covering a table surface;   at least one inflatable structure formed of a flexible polyvinyl composition and attached to and extending upwardly from the top side of said base sheet and including a sealable airtight interior chamber adapted to be filled with a gas to inflate said structure; and   at least one valve communicating with the interior chamber of said inflatable structure for filling the interior chamber with the gas and for releasing the gas from the interior chamber.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 8  wherein at least one inflatable structure is integrally formed with said base sheet. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 8  wherein said at least one inflatable structure is formed and shaped as an animated character. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 8  wherein said at least one inflatable structure is a component of an interactive activity. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 8  wherein further comprising a plurality of said inflatable structures extending upwardly from the top side of said base sheet. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 8  further comprising:
 a plurality of said inflatable structures each extending upwardly from the top side of said base sheet and each of said plurality of inflatable structures including a sealable airtight interior chamber adapted to be filled with the gas to inflate said plurality of inflatable structures; and   each of said plurality of inflatable structures including said valve communicating with the interior chamber for filling the interior chamber with the gas and for releasing the gas from the interior chamber.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 11  wherein said at least one inflatable structure is a basketball backboard and hoop. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 11  wherein said at least one inflatable structure is a hockey goal. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 11  wherein said at least one inflatable structure is a soccer goal.