Illuminated balloon

A lighted assembly includes an inflated balloon, a light assembly affixed to a patch, and the patch affixed to the inflated balloon such that the light assembly is between the patch and the outer surface of the balloon.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to illuminated balloons, and more specifically, to an illuminated balloon having a translucent design on at a least portion of the balloon wherein light directed into the interior of the balloon from an externally attached electric lamp effectively illuminates the design.

Unlike many articles of manufacture, balloons have survived the test of time and continue to grow in popularity for use as gifts, displays, souvenirs, decorations, and the like. For years, balloons have been a source of visual enjoyment and entertainment, especially for children.

While most balloons, including the latex and the Mylar® type balloons, are particularly attractive in the daylight or other bright, well-lit atmospheres, their attractiveness cannot be fully appreciated at night or in dark places such as at the circus, evening sporting events, or simply outdoors during the evening hours. Unfortunately, these are the circumstances during which balloons are most often sold and meant to be enjoyed by the consumer and surrounding public.

There exists a need in the present balloon art for an illuminated balloon assembly adapted for use with virtually any known type of balloon wherein a light source is attachable to an outer surface of the balloon so as to direct light through an interior chamber thereof, illuminating the balloon and any design printed thereon. The light of the present balloon is positioned between a patch and the outer surface of the balloon.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an illuminated display assembly, comprising:

a balloon having an inner surface and an outer surface defining a generally inflatable body and a neck portion integrally formed therewith, said inflatable body disposed in air tight, sealed relation about a hollow interior gas chamber,

an electric lamp assembly attached to a patch;

said patch having a first side and a second side;

said second side of said patch having said electric lamp assembly attached thereto;

said second side of said patch further having adhesive disposed thereon, said adhesive for securing said patch to said outer surface of an inflated balloon;

whereby said electrical light assembly comprises an electrical light positioned on said second side of said patch such that said light is disposed between said patch and said outer surface of said inflated balloon;

said patch fixedly attached with adhesive to an outer surface of said inflatable body and structured and disposed to direct light into said interior gas chamber and at least partially out through said inflatable body, thereby effectively illuminating said balloon; and

an electrical power supply, preferably comprising at least one battery. The battery may be any type of battery as is known.

The patch is made of any acceptable material that is substantially flexible including, but not limited to cloth, paper, polymers, combinations thereof, and the like.

The light is any light that produces illumination with minimal amount of heat generated. These include any electric component lamp device such as light emitting diodes (LED), electroluminescent wire (EL wire), plasma lights, organic light-emitting diodes (OLED), polymer light-emitting diodes (PLED), combinations thereof, and the like.

The assembly has an electrical power supply that includes a battery holder structured and arranged with a moveable tab accessible from the first side of said patch, whereby said moveable tab turns on and off said light. Preferably the light of the light assembly is wirelessly connected to the battery.

The assembly has a light supported by a light holder. The light on the light holder has an angular orientation relative to the patch such that said light holder forms an angle between 0°-60° relative to the inner surface of said patch. In a preferred embodiment, the angular orientation is about 45°.

The light is positioned between the patch and the outer surface of the balloon and is at least partially enveloped by the outer surface of the balloon.

The present invention is a fully integrated apparatus in a single patch that simply affixes to a balloon and illuminates the balloon when activated.

Additionally contemplated is a method of producing an enveloped illuminated balloon effect comprising the steps of:

a. providing an assembly according to claim1;

b. moving said tab to turn on said light;

c. creating an enveloped illuminating effect on said balloon by virtue of said light, positioned between the patch and the outer surface of the balloon, being at least partially enveloped by the outer surface of the balloon.

A unique effect is produced from the light, held between the patch and the outer balloon surface. The present invention creates the “enveloped luminescent balloon effect.” When the outer surface of the balloon at least partially envelopes the light, the light rays are altered and the enveloped luminescent balloon effect is created. It is a unique light patter in which light is scattered by virtue of a light being partially covered by the outer balloon surface and the light enveloped light passing through the balloon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is an illuminated balloon assembly10. A balloon12includes an outer surface14and an inner surface16. Patch18has a first side44and second side46. A light assembly40is attached to second side46of patch18. Assembly40includes a tab21with a first tab end20and a second tab end22. Second tab end22is initially positioned between batteries24and electrical contact26. Electrical contact26is on the inner side42of circuit board28. Batteries24are urged towards contact26by battery encasement strap34that is connected both to circuit board28and battery encasement back36. Compression tape52extends over battery encasement back36and secures to second side46of patch18. Second side46has adhesive48disposed thereon. Circuit board28has light support arm30rigidly attached thereto. Light support arm30supports light32on the end of light support arm30that is opposite circuit board28.

Assembly10includes light assembly patch18. Patch18is attached to the outer surface14of balloon12. Patch18has adhesive48disposed on second side46of patch16. Second side46also has circuit board28attached thereto. In a preferred embodiment, second side46is formed of a reflective material. The securing of patch16to outer surface14of balloon12results in light32on light support arm30being pressed into the outer surface14of inflated balloon12. Light support arm30has an angular orientation “x” relative to the surface of a substantially planer circuit board28, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4. Light support arm30is preferably oriented such that angle “x” is between about 0°-60°. In a preferred embodiment, the angular orientation of angle “x” is about 45°. The angular orientation is sufficient to urge light support arm30and light32such that each of light support arm30and light32press into the outer surface14of inflated balloon12. The pressing of light support arm30and light32into outer surface14of inflated balloon12produces a lighted balloon effect that is unique over each of lights on the outer surface or lights contained on the interior of an inflated balloon. Outer surface14contacts and partially envelopes light32and produces a unique illuminated balloon effect that does not occur with either lights placed with an inflated balloon or lights placed on the outside of an inflated balloon.

Patch18is attached to balloon12, such that tab21is accessible from second side46of patch16. First end20of tab21extends outward from slot50of patch18. Tab18is slidably movable by grasping first end20and moving tab21. Movement of tab21ultimately moves second end22of tab21. Second end22of tab21is positioned between batteries24and contact26of circuit board28. In an extended orientation, end20is moved outward from patch18and second end22is moved from position between batteries24and connector26. Thus, when second end22is moved from this position, batteries24are in direct contact with contact26. The direct contact between batteries24and contact26initiates flow of electricity and illuminates light32. In order to cease illumination of light32, first end20of tab21is pushed inward towards balloon12. Second end22of tab21is moved and positioned between batteries24and contact26of circuit board28. The positioning of second end22of tab18between batteries24and contact26interrupts the flow of electricity to circuit board28and light32ceases to illuminate. Thus, movement of the tab21turns light32on and off.

While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.