Illuminated Toy Balloon

• US 20060104070A1
• Filed: 11/12/2004
• Published: 05/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael Schrimmer
• Original Assignee: Michael Schrimmer
• Inventors: Carito, Domenic
• Granted Patent: US 7,344,267 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/398
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2027/1058 associated with light or sound
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 27/10 Balloons connection of valves to inflatable elastic bodies B60C29/00; other than toy aspects B64B1/40
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/02 the power supply being a battery or accumulator
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/023 Chinese lanterns; Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/0047 Drilling of holes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/806 Ornamental or decorative

Abstract

An apparatus for illuminating the interior of a balloon includes a cylindrical plug with an integrally-formed radially extending integral flange insertable within the balloon neck. A light element is affixed to the plug and disposed within the neck. A battery is electrically connected to the light element and is typically mounted next to the light element, or includes the light element in a single assembly. Switching is provided to turn the lighting element on and off which, in the preferred embodiment is effected by inflating the balloon with the apparatus inserted into the balloon neck. The light element may be affixed to the head of the apparatus by magnetic means, by means of a screw-on cap, or by other well-known techniques.

Claims

1. An apparatus for illuminating the interior of a balloon comprising a neck portion, the apparatus comprising

(a) a plug insertable in part within the neck portion;

(b) a light element affixed to the plug and disposed within the neck portion;

(c) a battery electrically connected to the light element and disposed in proximity thereto.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising switching means to turn the lighting element on and off.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the plug further comprises a body;

and a radially extending integral flange affixed to said body and insertable into said neck, said flange disposed so as to prevent leakage of gas from a balloon filled therewith.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising magnetic means to affix the light element to the plug.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising two or more barbs disposed so as to affix the light element in proximity to the plug.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a screw-on cap to affix the light element in proximity to the plug.

7. The apparatus of claims 4 or 5 or 6, wherein the switching means are activated into the on state by means of pressure of gas within the balloon.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the gas comprises helium.

9. The apparatus of claims 4, 5, or 7, further comprising a light assembly which further comprises a threaded upper housing on which the light element is affixed, and a threaded lower housing which mates with the threads of said upper housing, the two housings containing a battery, and wherein the switching is effected by screwing or unscrewing the upper housing from the lower housing.

10. The apparatus of claims 4, 5, or 6, wherein said light element further comprises one or more LEDs.