Illuminating inflatable balloon

• US 5,782,668 A
• Filed: 10/18/1996
• Issued: 07/21/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Airstar SA
• Original Assignee: Airstar SA
• Inventors: Chabert, Pierre Gabriel
• Primary Examiner(s): Hafer, Robert A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Carlson, Jeffrey D.
• Application Number:
  US08/727,422
• Time in Patent Office: 641 Days
• Field of Search: 446/180, 446/183, 446/184, 446/186, 446/220, 446/222, 446/485, 446/486, 362/806, 362/809, 362/394
• US Class Current: 446/220
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/06 with illuminating devices ; with reflective surfaces
• 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 23/04 the elements being switches safety devices F21V25/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 25/04 breaking the electric circuit
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/023 Chinese lanterns; Balloons

Abstract

An illuminated inflatable balloon, with an envelope inflated with a gas, is connected to the ground by an elongate element. The envelope encloses an electrical bulb connected to an electrical power supply. Spring loaded filar elements are sensitive to the deformation of the envelope, as well as the internal pressure of the gas. The spring loaded filar elements cooperate with a control hairpin for actuating a switch interposed in the connection between the bulb and the electrical supply in order to make and break the connection on either side of a predetermined threshold.

Claims

1. An illuminated inflatable balloon, comprising:

an envelope inflated with a gas, said envelope being connected to the ground by an elongate element;

illumination means enclosed within said envelope and electrically connected to an electrical power supply;

actuation means sensitive to one of a deformation of said envelope and a variation in an internal pressure of the gas in said envelope, said actuation means cooperating with a control member; and

switching means interposed in the electrical connection between said illumination means and said electrical power supply, said electrical switching means being actuated by said control member in order to manipulate the electrical connection between an open position when said internal pressure within said envelope is on a first side of a predetermined threshold and a closed position when said internal pressure within said envelope is on a second side of said predetermined threshold.

2. The illuminated inflatable balloon according to claim 1, wherein said actuation means is arranged at least partly inside said envelope.

3. The illuminated inflatable balloon according to claim 1, wherein said actuation means comprise at least one filar element extending in said envelope, and connecting part of said envelope to said control member, placed at another point on the periphery of said envelope.

4. The illuminated inflatable balloon according to claim 3, wherein said actuation means comprise a first spring forming said filar element and being active before tripping of said switching means to an OFF position.

5. The illuminated inflatable balloon according to claim 4, wherein said actuation means comprise a second spring acting in the opposite direction of said filar element, before tripping of said switching means to the OFF position.

6. The illuminated inflatable balloon according to claim 5, wherein said first spring has an elongation coefficient greater than that of the second spring.

7. The illuminated inflatable balloon according to claim 5, wherein said actuation means further comprises:

a support-plate fastened to said envelope and carrying a bearing surface in said envelope;

a first end of said second spring being placed against said bearing surface, on the side of said support-plate; and

said control member including a first part extending through said second spring, and a second part coming into engagement with a second end of said second spring.

8. The inflatable illuminated balloon according to claim 7, wherein said control member comprises a filar element having a hairpin shape, said filar element being provided with a loop and two branches extending through said second spring and having a pair of bent-over ends, said filar element being connected to said loop so that said second spring bears on said bent-over ends.