Toy balloon with cool illumination

• US 5,215,492 A
• Filed: 07/05/1991
• Issued: 06/01/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James F. Kubiatowicz
• Original Assignee: James F. Kubiatowicz
• Inventors: Kubiatowicz, James F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yu, Mickey
• Application Number:
  US07/725,980
• Time in Patent Office: 697 Days
• Field of Search: 446/220, 446/219, 446/221, 446/222, 446/224, 40/214, 362/34, 362/363, 362/253, 362/806, 362/352, 116/210, 116/DIG. 8, 116/DIG. 9
• US Class Current: 446/219
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2027/1041 Holding or sealing means, e.g. handling rods, clamps or plugs
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2027/1058 associated with light or sound
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2027/1091 with object inserted within; Means or methods for insertion of objects
• 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: F21V 3/023 Chinese lanterns; Balloons

Abstract

A toy balloon in or on which is attached at a predetermined position a light source structure capable of emitting light without generating a significant amount of heat. The light source structure can include a light stick over which is positioned a translucent envelope having a predetermined decorative peripheral shape; or a length of transparent or translucent small diameter flexible polymeric tubing having a central passageway in which mixed chemical substances are reacting to emit visible light, with the tubing extending around, through, or away from the outlet opening of the balloon.

Claims

1. In combination,

a toy balloon comprising a thin flexible transparent or translucent wall having an inner surface defining a balloon cavity and including an inlet portion defining a through inlet opening into said balloon cavity through which gas under pressure can be directed into said balloon cavity to inflate said balloon;

a light source structure, said light source structure including a light emitting member capable of emitting light without generating a significant amount of heat, a translucent envelope having a predetermined decorative peripheral shape and an envelope cavity within said envelope adapted to receive said light emitting member, and means for retaining said light emitting member within said envelope cavity; and

means for supporting said light source structure from said wall generally at a predetermined position in said balloon cavity with respect to said wall when the balloon is inflated.

2. A combination according to claim 1 wherein said means for supporting said light source structure from said wall comprises an resiliently elastic elongate member having first and second ends and a length at least adapted to extend transverse of said balloon cavity when said balloon is inflated, means for attaching said first end of said elastic elongate member to said wall at a position generally opposite said inlet opening with a portion of said elongate member extending through said inlet opening and being under tension, and means for supporting said light source structure from a portion of said elongate member positioned between said first and said inlet opening when said balloon is inflated.

3. A combination according to claim 2 wherein said means for attaching said first end of said elastic elongate member to said wall comprises an attachment member attached to the first end of said elastic elongate member, said attachment member having a head and a smaller portion adjacent said head smaller than said head, said head being positioned adjacent the inner surface of said wall at a portion of said wall;

and a member engaged around said portion of said wall and said smaller portion of said attachment member adjacent said head to attach said head to said wall.

4. A combination according to claim 2 wherein said light source member is a light stick including means for producing light by chemical reaction, said translucent envelope has first and second openings to said envelope cavity at opposite ends of said envelope cavity, said elongate member passes through said first opening, said envelope cavity and said second opening with said second opening adjacent the first end of said elastic elongate member, said means for supporting said light source structure from a portion of said elongate member positioned between said first end and said inlet opening when said balloon is inflated comprises a support member attached to said elongate member and positioned in said envelope cavity with said translucent envelope around said second opening being supported from said support member, and said combination includes a flexible sheet positioned in said envelope cavity and adapted to be deflected around the light stick positioned within the envelope cavity when the elongate member is stretched between said enlarged member and said flexible sheet to cover the first opening to the envelope cavity and provide said means for retaining said light source member within said envelope cavity.

5. A combination according to claim 1 wherein said means for attaching said light source structure to said wall comprises a post having first and second ends, means for attaching said first end of said post to said wall at a position generally opposite said inlet opening, and means for supporting said light source structure from a portion of said post adjacent said second end of said post.

6. A combination according to claim 5 wherein said means for attaching said first end of said post to said wall comprises said post having a generally spherical head at said first end and a portion adjacent said head and between said head and said second end having a diameter smaller than said head, said head being positioned adjacent the inner surface of said wall at a portion of said wall;

and a member engaged around said portion of said wall and said portion of said post adjacent said head to attach said head to said wall.

7. A combination according to claim 5 wherein said light source member is a light stick including means for producing light by chemical reaction, and said means for supporting said light source structure from a portion of said post adjacent said second end of said post comprises said portion of said post adjacent said second end of said post being enlarged and being received in said envelope cavity with said translucent envelope supported from said enlarged portion, and said post having a socket opening through said second end adapted to frictionally receive an end portion of said light stick to provide said means for retaining said light source member within said envelope cavity.