Illuminated toy balloon

• US 7,344,267 B2
• Filed: 11/12/2004
• Issued: 03/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael Schrimmer
• Original Assignee: Michael Schrimmer
• Inventors: Carito, Domenic
• Primary Examiner(s): Payne; Sharon E.
• Application Number:
  US10/904,486
• Publication Number:
  US 20060104070A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,222 Days
• Field of Search: 200/61.22, 200/61.25, 200/61.26, 362/189, 362/184, 362/194, 362/195, 362/196, 362/205, 362/206, 362/800, 362/398, 362/806, 446/220, 446/222, 446/224, 446/219
• US Class Current: 362/189
• 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 illuminated inflator for inserting into the neck of a toy balloon, comprising:

(a) a gastight, cylindrical plug comprising a center and an upper and lower end;

(b) a hollow filler tube comprising an upper and lower end, the hollow filler tube extending through the center of the plug, with the lower end of the hollow filler tube extending below the lower end of the plug;

(c) a substantially cylindrical stop valve, affixed to the upper end of the hollow filler tube, and concentric with the plug;

(b) a substantially cylindrical lower assembly, comprising a battery, affixed in proximity to the upper end of the stop valve and concentric with it;

c) a substantially cylindrical upper assembly, comprising a light element, affixed to the lower assembly and concentric with it,

the inflator being sufficiently compact, light weight, and balanced in weight so that when it is inserted into the toy balloon with the cylindrical plug in the neck of the balloon, the bottom of the hollow filler tube extending below the neck of the balloon, and the upper and lower assemblies within the balloon, then when the toy balloon is subsequently filled with gas through the hollow filler tube, the balloon can float freely in the air without support.

2. The illuminated inflator of claim 1, further comprising switching means to turn the light element on and off disposed in proximity to the neck portion.

3. The illuminated inflator of claim 2, further comprising magnetic means to affix the upper assembly to the lower assembly.

4. The illuminated inflator of claim 2, further comprising two or more barbs disposed so as to affix the upper assembly to the lower assembly.

5. The illuminated inflator of claim 2, further comprising a screw-on cap to affix the upper assembly to the lower assembly.

6. The illuminated inflator of claim 2, wherein the switching means further comprise gas pressure means for changing from the “

off”

state into the “

on”

state.

7. The illuminated inflator of claim 2 wherein said electronic light element further comprises one or more LEDs.

8. The illuminated inflator of claim 2 wherein said electronic light element further comprises one or more LEDs.

9. An illuminated inflator for inserting into the neck of a toy balloon, comprising:

(a) a gastight, cylindrical plug comprising an upper and lower end;

(b) a hollow filler tube comprising an upper and lower end, the hollow filler tube extending through the plug, with the lower end of the hollow filler tube extending below the lower end of the plug;

(c) a stop valve, affixed to the upper end of the hollow filler tube;

(b) a lower assembly, comprising a battery, affixed in proximity to the upper end of the stop valve;

(c) an upper assembly, comprising a light element, affixed to the lower assembly,

the inflator being sufficiently compact, light weight, and balanced in weight so that when it is inserted into the toy balloon with the cylindrical plug in the neck of the balloon, the bottom of the hollow filler tube accessible at the neck of the balloon, and the upper and lower assemblies within the balloon, then when the toy balloon is subsequently filled with gas through the hollow filler tube, the balloon can float freely in the air without support.

10. The illuminated inflator of claim 9, wherein the hollow filler tube extends through the center of the plug.

11. The illuminated inflator of claim 10, wherein the stop valve, and the upper and lower assemblies are substantially cylindrical in shape.

12. The illuminated inflator of claim 11, wherein the stop valve, and the upper and lower assemblies are concentric with the plug.

13. The illuminated inflator of claim 12, wherein the hollow filler tube extends below the neck of the balloon.

14. A method for filling a toy balloon with gas and illuminating the balloon from within, the method comprising the steps, in order, of:

(a) assembling an inflator in accordance with claim 9;

(b) inserting the inflator into the toy balloon, with the plug of the inflator within the neck of the balloon;

(c) filling the balloon with gas, by blowing the gas through the hollow filler tube;

(d) removing the inflator from the toy balloon and inserting into another toy balloon; and

(e) repeating steps b through (d).

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the inflator further comprises switching means for turning the lighting element on and off, the method further comprising turning the lighting element on and off.