Illuminated toy balloon

• US 7,850,328 B2
• Filed: 02/18/2008
• Issued: 12/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael L. Schrimmer
• Original Assignee: Michael Schrimmer
• Inventors: Carito, Domenic
• Primary Examiner(s): Payne; Sharon E
• Application Number:
  US12/032,876
• Publication Number:
  US 20090067154A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,030 Days
• Field of Search: 362/189, 362/184, 362/194, 362/195, 362/196, 362/205, 362/206, 362/398, 362/806, 446/220, 446/222, 446/219, 200/61.22, 200/61.25, 200/61.26
• 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. A self-contained illuminating inflator for floating with a free-floating balloon, comprising:

a plug portion having a sealing region that, when inserted into a balloon forms a substantially gas-tight seal with the balloon and defining a barrier, the plug portion having a diameter;

a hollow tubular inflator portion in flow communication with the plug portion;

a check valve disposed in one of the plug portion and the tubular inflator portion; and

a switchable light assembly mounted to and disposed on the plug portion,

the inflator being insertable into the balloon such that the balloon is inflated by communicating a compressed gas into the balloon through the tubular inflator portion, and wherein the seal prevents escape of compressed gas from the balloon, and wherein when the inflator is inserted into the balloon and the balloon is filled with a lighter-than-air gas, the balloon and inflator will float in air.

2. The illuminating inflator in accordance with claim 1 wherein the check valve is disposed in the plug portion.

3. The illuminating inflator in accordance with claim 1 wherein the tubular inflator portion is wholly on a side of the barrier.

4. The illuminating inflator in accordance with claim 1 wherein the switchable light assembly includes LEDs.

5. The illuminating inflator in accordance with claim 1 wherein the switchable light assembly is switched on and off by rotation of a portion of the plug portion.

6. The illuminating inflator in accordance with claim 1 wherein the plug portion and tubular inflator portion are concentric with one another.

7. The illuminating inflator in accordance with claim 1 wherein the check valve is a resilient flapper-type valve.