Current controller for an embedded electronic module

• US 20020164919A1
• Filed: 05/04/2001
• Published: 11/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sing-A-Tune Balloons LLC
• Original Assignee: Sing-A-Tune Balloons LLC
• Inventors: Blackman, John A., Tripoli, Melchiore (Mike) III
• Granted Patent: US 6,821,183 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 446/220
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 27/10 Balloons connection of valves to inflatable elastic bodies B60C29/00; other than toy aspects B64B1/40

Abstract

The invention provides a circuit embedded within a Mylar balloon for providing a desired effect such as sound, illumination, or both. The circuit includes a switch for preventing premature discharge of the power source and a tab for closing the switch when the balloon is inflated.

Claims

1. Apparatus for minimizing current flow in a circuit, said apparatus comprising:

an inflatable device having an interior surface;

a circuit comprising a power source and a switch electrically coupled to said power source, said circuit being coupled to said interior surface;

wherein said switch has an open position which prevents current from flowing from said power source, and a closed position which allows current to flow from said power source through said circuit;

a tab having a proximal portion and a distal portion;

wherein said proximal portion of said tab is in contact with said switch and said distal portion of said tab is coupled to said inflatable device;

wherein said tab is arranged to move relative to said switch and to change said position of said switch from said open position to said closed position upon inflation of said inflatable device.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said power source comprises a battery.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising:

a plurality of batteries;

wherein said switch is electrically coupled to each of said plurality of batteries.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

said inflatable device comprises a Mylar balloon.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

said tab forms a valve in said inflatable device.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

said inflatable device includes a valve; and

,

wherein said distal portion of said tab is coupled to said valve.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

said circuit further includes a piezoelectric sound generator electrically coupled to said switch.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

said tab further including an other distal portion wherein said another distal portion is coupled to said interior; and

,

wherein said tab is further arranged to move relative to said switch and to change said position of said switch from said closed position to said open position upon deflation of said inflatable device.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

said switch includes a rocker arm and a contact;

wherein said rocker arm has a bias towards contacting said contact;

wherein said proximal portion of said tab comprises an electrically insulating material; and

,

wherein said proximal portion of said tab is in contact with said switch between said rocker arm and said contact.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

said switch includes a sliding arm and a contact;

wherein switch is in said closed position when said sliding arm is touching said contact and in said open position when said sliding arm is not touching said contact.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein:

said tab has an aperture at said proximal portion, and said aperture mates with a portion of said sliding arm; and

,

wherein said tab is configured to move said sliding arm to a position to touch said contact upon inflation of said inflatable device.

12. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein:

said tab is coupled to said sliding arm; and

,

wherein said tab is configured to move said sliding arm to a position to touch said contact upon inflation of said inflatable device.

14. The method according to claim 13 further comprising:

coupling a tab between said interior wall of said inflatable device and said switch; and

,

configuring said tab to pull free from said switch upon inflation of said inflatable device.

15. The method according to claim 13 further comprising:

coupling a tab between said interior wall of said inflatable device and said switch; and

,

configuring said tab to slide said switch from said open circuit position to said closed circuit position upon inflation of said inflatable device.

17. The method according to claim 13 further comprising:

coupling a valve of said inflatable device to said switch; and

,

configuring said valve to slide said switch from said open circuit position to said closed circuit position upon inflation of said inflatable device.

18. The method according to claim 13 further comprising:

said circuit generating a sound subsequent to said switch being changed to a closed circuit position.

19. The method according to claim 13 further comprising:

said circuit generating an illumination subsequent to said switch being changed to a closed circuit position.

13. A method of preventing premature discharge of a power source, said method comprising:

coupling a circuit, including a power source and a switch electrically coupled to said power source, to a portion of an interior wall of an inflatable device;

placing said switch in an open circuit position; and

,

arranging said switch to automatically change to a closed circuit position upon inflation of said inflatable device.

16. The method according to 13, further comprising:

coupling a valve of said inflatable device to said switch; and

,

configuring said valve to pull free from said switch upon inflation of said inflatable device.

20. An inflatable apparatus comprising:

a shell having an interior portion;

a circuit coupled to said interior portion;

said circuit including;

an energy source; and

,

a switch electrically coupled to said energy source;

wherein said switch has an open circuit position and a closed circuit position; and

,

wherein said switch is configured to automatically change from said open circuit position to said closed circuit position as said inflatable apparatus is inflated.

21. The inflatable apparatus according to claim 20 further comprising:

a tab coupled between said shell and said circuit;

wherein said tab is arranged to change said switch position from said open circuit position to said closed circuit position as said inflatable apparatus is inflated.

22. An inflatable apparatus comprising:

a shell having an interior portion;

circuit means for generating a desired effect coupled to said interior portion; and

,

means coupled to said circuit means for preventing said circuit means from generating said desired effect until said inflatable device is being inflated.

24. The Mylar balloon according to claim 23 wherein:

said tab is further coupled to said interior side of one of said plurality of sheets and is arranged to automatically change said switch from said open circuit position to said closed circuit position as said balloon is inflated.

25. The Mylar balloon according to claim 23 wherein:

said tab comprises a valve configured to allow air into said balloon.

26. The Mylar balloon according to claim 23 further comprising a valve coupled between said plurality of sheets and configured to allow air into said balloon.

27. The Mylar balloon according to claim 26 wherein:

said tab is further coupled to said valve and is arranged to automatically change said switch from said open circuit position to said closed circuit position as said balloon is inflated.

28. The Mylar balloon according to claim 26 wherein:

said tab is arranged to extend through said valve and enables a manual change of said switch position from said open circuit position to said closed circuit position.

23. An inflatable Mylar balloon comprising:

a plurality of sheets having an edge and an interior side;

said sheets being coupled together at said edges;

a sound producing circuit comprising a plurality of batteries, a switch electrically coupled to said plurality of batteries and a piezoelectric noise generator electrically coupled to said switch;

wherein said switch is operable between an open circuit position and a closed circuit position;

said circuit being mechanically coupled to said interior side of one of said plurality of sheets;

a tab coupled to said switch and configured to change said switch from said open circuit position to said closed circuit position.