Toy with balloon and lighting apparatus

• US 6,390,651 B2
• Filed: 11/29/2000
• Issued: 05/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Timothy R. Bertrand
• Original Assignee: Timothy R. Bertrand
• Inventors: Bertrand, Timothy R.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sawhney, Hargobind S.
• Application Number:
  US09/725,702
• Publication Number:
  US 20010003505A1
• Time in Patent Office: 538 Days
• Field of Search: 362/806, 362/253, 362/800, 362/154, 362/101, 362/96, 446/220, 446/225, 446/485, D21/440, D21/445, D11/163, 402/12, 402/14
• US Class Current: 362/352
• 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 27/10 Balloons connection of valves to inflatable elastic bodies B60C29/00; other than toy aspects B64B1/40

Abstract

A toy simulates an illuminated overhead moon with a long-legged spacecraft under it. The toy includes a lighting apparatus secured to a balloon by string under tension. The lighting apparatus, located wholly outside the balloon, illuminates the inside of the balloon so the balloon appears to glow. The lighting apparatus has at least three arms extending from a body having a locking fastener. The locking fastener is attached by string under tension to the neck of the balloon. Each arm terminates in a window for contacting the skin of the balloon and for transmitting light through the skin to the interior of the balloon. In a preferred embodiment, the lighting apparatus is of sufficiently low weight that the toy floats in air.

Claims

1. A toy, comprising:

a lighting apparatus having a window;

an inflated balloon having a skin and a neck; and

a first portion of a length of string;

wherein the first portion of the length of string is attached under tension between the lighting apparatus and the neck of the balloon, and

wherein the window is in contact with the skin.

2. A toy according to claim 1, wherein the lighting apparatus includes a body with three arms extending from the body, at least one arm terminating in a pad having a window;

and a lamp positioned within the lighting apparatus such that light from the lamp shines through the window.

3. A toy according to claim 2, wherein the toy is sufficiently light-weight to float in air when the balloon is inflated with a lighter than air gas.

4. A toy according to claim 2, wherein the lighting apparatus includes a locking fastener.

5. A toy according to claim 2, wherein the lighting apparatus is entirely outside the balloon.

6. A toy according to claim 2, wherein the balloon is shaped to resemble the earth'"'"'s moon.

7. A toy according to claim 2, wherein the body is shaped to resemble a long-legged spacecraft.

8. A toy according to claim 2, wherein the body is mounted to a handle.

9. A lighting apparatus for illuminating an inflated balloon having a skin and a neck, the neck attached to a length of string, the lighting apparatus comprising:

a body with three arms extending therefrom, each arm terminating in a pad, one of said pads having a window adapted for contact with an inflated balloon;

a locking fastener for attaching the body to a portion of the length of string; and

a lamp, positioned within the lighting apparatus such that light from the lamp shines through the window.

10. A lighting apparatus according to claim 9, wherein each arm terminates in a window.

11. A lighting apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the locking fastener includes a first string fastener having two hooks.

12. A lighting apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the body includes a hinged shell with slots, the slots defining the two hooks.

13. A lighting apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the locking fastener includes a first string fastener and a second string fastener.

14. A lighting apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the body includes a hinged shell wired to accept a battery.

15. A lighting apparatus according to claim 9, wherein each arm is flexible, and each pad is adapted for rotary movement about the end of its arm.

16. A method for attaching a lighting apparatus to an inflated balloon, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an inflated balloon having a neck;

providing a lighting apparatus having a body including a head defining a locking fastener with first and second hooks, and a base with three arms extending therefrom;

tying one end of a length of string to the neck;

orienting the lighting apparatus with arms in contact with the balloon straddling the neck of the balloon;

threading the free end of the string through a fastener in the base;

passing the free end axially along the outside of the body and behind the first hook;

passing the free end radially around the body and behind the second hook; and

pulling the free end tight to lock the string under tension to the locking fastener and to hold the arms in contact with the balloon by the tension in the string.