Balloon signalling system

• US 5,020,467 A
• Filed: 05/01/1989
• Issued: 06/04/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Blaine Van Patten, Norman Van Patten
• Original Assignee: Blaine Van Patten, Norman Van Patten
• Inventors: Van Patten, Norman, Van Patten, Blaine
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WORTH, WILLIE M
• Application Number:
  US07/345,363
• Time in Patent Office: 764 Days
• Field of Search: 116/210, 116/DIG. 8, 116/DIG. 9, 206/573, 206/803, 244/33, 441/30
• US Class Current: 116/210
• CPC Class Codes: B64B 1/50 Captive balloons
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 116/09 Balloons

Abstract

A balloon signalling system includes a hollow, generally cylindrical casing having a container section with an upper open end and a bottom closed end, and a cap placeable on the upper end of the container section to form an enclosure. Also included is a spool on which a string may be wound, with the spool being disposed in the container section near the bottom end thereof to rotate about a transverse axis. A cartridge containing lighter-than-air gas under pressure is disposed in the container section above the spool so that a nozzle end of the cartridge protrudes from the container section when the cap is removed. A valve is disposed in the nozzle end of the cartridge and is manually operable from a closed position to an open position to allow gas to escape from the cartridge out the nozzle end and into a balloon which is mounted on the nozzle end. The balloon is dimensioned to fit in the cap when deflated and includes a mouth which may be placed over the nozzle and to secure the balloon to the cartridge.

Claims

1. A balloon signalling system comprising

a hollow, generally cylindrical casing having a container section formed by a contiguous, cylindrical sidewall, an upper open end and a bottom closed end, said casing further having a cap placeable on and removable from the upper end of the container section,

a spool on which a tether may be wound, said spool being disposed in the container section near the bottom end thereof to rotate about an axis which is generally transverse with the cylindrical axis of the casing,

a cartridge containing lighter-than-air gas under pressure and including a tether attachment end and a nozzle end, said nozzle end having a valve disposed therein, and a valve mechanism extending from the nozzle end for grasping to enable opening of the valve to allow gas to escape from the cartridge through the nozzle end, said tether attachment end having means for attaching the cartridge to a tether, and

an inflatable balloon having an opening which fits over and is retainable on the nozzle end of the cartridge so that when the valve is opened, gas flows from the cartridge to the balloon to inflate the balloon, said balloon being collapsible to fit within the cap of the casing,

said cartridge being dimensioned for insertion into the container section of the casing so that the cartridge is enclosed completely within said casing, with the nozzle end and valve mechanism being exposed when the cap is removed from the container section.

2. A signalling system as in claim 1 wherein said nozzle end of the cartridge comprises a neck, and a flange which circumscribes the neck and over which the balloon opening may be placed.

3. A signalling system as in claim 1 wherein said attaching means comprises an eyelet through which a tether may be inserted.

4. A signalling system as in claim 1 wherein the nozzle end of the cartridge includes a neck portion, a plug disposed in the neck portion and having a bore therein which is generally parallel with the neck and through which gas may pass into and out of the cartridge, and a cross opening extending transversely through the neck portion and plug to intersect with the bore, said bore having a smaller width than the width of the opening, and wherein said valve includes a valve key moveably disposed in the cross opening to block passage of gas through the bore in one position, and allow the passage of gas through the bore in another position.

5. A signalling system as in claim 4 wherein said valve key comprises a push rod slidably disposed in the cross opening and having a narrowed section, said rod being moveable between said one position, in which the narrowed section is pushed out of alignment with the bore to block the passage of gas, and said other position, in which the narrowed section is pushed into alignment with the bore to allow the passage of gas therepast.

6. A signalling system as in claim 1 further including a shirt pocket clip mounted on the side exterior of the casing cap.

7. A signalling system as in claim 1 wherein said cap is formed of two side parts hingedly joined at the top of the cap to allow the two side parts to pivot apart.

8. A balloon signalling system comprising

a hollow, generally cylindrical casing having a container section with an upper open end and a bottom closed end, and a cap placeable on and removable from the upper end of the container section,

a spool on which a tether may be wound, said spool being disposed in the container section near the bottom end thereof to rotate about an axis which is generally transverse with the cylindrical axis of the casing,

a cartridge containing lighter-than-air gas under pressure and including a tether attachment end and a nozzle end, said nozzle end having a valve disposed therein, and a valve mechanism extending from the nozzle end for grasping to enable opening of the valve to allow gas to escape from the cartridge through the nozzle end, said tether attachment end having means for attaching the cartridge to a tether, and

an inflatable balloon having an opening which fits over and is retainable on the nozzle end of the cartridge so that when the valve is opened, gas flows from the cartridge to the balloon to inflate the balloon, said balloon being collapsible to fit within the cap of the casing,

said cartridge being dimensioned for insertion into the container section of the casing so that the nozzle end and valve mechanism are exposed when the cap is removed from the container section,

said nozzle end of the cartridge includes a neck portion, a plug disposed in the neck portion and having a bore therein which is generally parallel with the neck and through which gas may pass into and out of the cartridge, and a cross opening extending transversely through the neck portion and plug to intersect with the bore, said bore having a smaller width than the width of the opening, and wherein said valve includes a valve key movably disposed in the cross opening to block passage of gas through the bore in one position, and allow the passage of gas through the bore in another position,

said valve key comprises a push rod slidably disposed in the cross opening and extending outwardly on each side of the neck position, with first and second buttons mounted on first and second ends of the push rod, said push rod having a narrowed section, with said push rod being moveable between said one position, in which the narrowed section is pushed out of alignment with the bore to block the passage of gas, and said other position, in which the narrowed section is pushed into alignment with the bore to allow the passage of gas,

spring means mounted between the neck portion and the first button to urge the first button and first push rod end away from the neck portion to said other position, and

catch means extending from the neck portion and moveable between an engage position, in which the catch means engages and prevents the second button and second push rod end from moving toward the neck portion, and a release position, in which the catch means is disengaged from the second button to allow the second button and second push rod end to move toward the neck portion to said one position.