Patent ID: 6273479
Filing Date: 2001-08-14
Classification: A63H

Abstract:
A unit used to tie a ribbon to a balloon comprising:A) a supporting bracket which is mounted on a tank containing balloon-inflating gas near an exhaust valve of the tank and including(1) a one-piece section having(a) a central section with an inside surface and an outside surface,(b) two side portions on said central section, said central section and said two side portions forming a U shape,(c) a proximal end and a distal end,(d) a longitudinal dimension extending from said proximal end to said distal end and a width dimension extending between said two side portions,(e) two first holes defined through said central section from said inside surface to said outside surface, said first holes being located near said distal end and being spaced apart from each other along said longitudinal dimension, and(f) two second holes defined through said central section from said inside surface to said outside surface, said second holes being located near said proximal end and being spaced apart from each other along said longitudinal dimension, and(2) a one-piece support section having(a) a top section, a bottom section and two side sections,(b) a top hole through the top section of said support section,(c) a through hole defined through each of the two side sections of said support section, and(d) a support end portion which slidably accommodates the proximal end of said one-piece section with one of the second holes of said one-piece section aligned with the through holes of said support section;B) a mounting element having(1) a U-shaped body with two legs,(2) the legs of said mounting element being spaced apart a distance equal to the space between the two second holes of said one-piece section whereby said legs extend through said two second holes and through the through holes of said support section when said mounting element mounts said supporting bracket on the tank, and(3) fasteners attaching said mounting element to the tank and to said one-piece section and to said support section when said mounting element mounts said supporting bracket on the tank; andC) a ribbon supporting unit having(1) a support rod extending through the top hole of said support section and abutting an inside surface of the bottom section of said support section and having a distal end located outside said support section and spaced from the top section of said support section, and(2) a spool of ribbon rotatably supported on said support rod and resting on an outside surface of the top section of said support section.