Balloon tying aid

A device and technique for knotting an inflated balloon or forming a knot in another material is provided. One approach includes: holding a knot tying aid by a handle portion, the handle portion being positioned opposite a distal portion, the distal portion including several prongs (in one nonlimiting example at least three) extending away from the handle and being spaced apart from one another in correspondence to vertices of a triangle; winding a tag end portion of the inflated balloon about the prongs to form a loop; and passing part of the tag end portion through the loop to form a knot.

BACKGROUND

The present application relates to a tying aid and more particularly, but not exclusively, relates to a knot tying device, technique, method, and system suitable for balloons in an inflated state.

The tying of an inflated balloon is awkward for many people—sometimes leading to a longing for a third hand to manage the operation. To cope with this problem, there have been a number of schemes proposed that involve dedicated, sometimes complicated, objects with slits or slots to hold a part of the balloon while attempting to tie it. These objects can be cumbersome to use, making it difficult to readily and consistently obtain a satisfactory result. Thus, there is an ongoing demand for further contributions in this area of technology.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the present application includes a unique technique for tying a knot with a knot tying aid. This aid finds particular application in the tying of an inflated balloon and may be readily and applied. It can also be extended to placing knots, stoppers, crimps, pinchers, clamps, clips, or the like for not only an inflated balloon, but alternatively for other items that would benefit from the same.

A further form of an embodiment of the present application includes: placing a balloon in an inflated state, the balloon including a tag end portion defining a fluid port; holding a knot tying aid, the knot tying aid including a proximal handle positioned opposite a distal end portion, the distal end portion including at least three prongs extending away from the handle and a corresponding number of arms, each one of the arms being joined to the handle and a respective one of the prongs to define a corresponding elbow shape, the arms extending laterally away from the handle in relation to a longitudinal centerline axis of the handle; winding the tag end portion of the inflated balloon about the prongs to form a loop from the tag end portion, the loop including a crossed portion and defining an opening; and positioning the tag end portion through the opening of the loop to form a knot to close the port while the balloon is in the inflated state.

Alternatives and variations of this form include the addition of: moving the tag end portion to pass through the opening; pulling the tag end portion after moving it to pass through the opening to tighten the knot; and/or removing the loop from one or more of the prongs of the balloon tying aid. In addition to or in lieu of these alternatives, still others comprise the addition of: the balloon tying aid being formed from at least one of a metal, a wood, a ceramic, a thermoset polymer, and a thermoplastic polymer; the prongs approximately corresponding to vertices of a triangle of the isosceles or equilateral type; each elbow shape approximately corresponding to a right angle; removing the loop from a first one of the prongs before other of the prongs while tightening the knot; pulling the tag end portion to tighten the knot; and/or the tying aid being held by the handle while—the tag end portion is wound about the prongs, the tag end portion is positioned through the opening, the loop is removed, and/or the tag end portion is pulled to tighten the knot.

Yet another embodiment of the present application includes a way of knotting a balloon in an inflated state, comprising: holding a device with a handle positioned opposite a device end portion, the device end portion including at least three elongated projections spaced apart from each other, the projections each being fixed to the handle and extending laterally in relation to a longitudinal centerline axis of the handle; wrapping a balloon end portion about the projections of the device to form a loop defining an opening, the balloon end portion defining a port to inflate the balloon; and placing the balloon end portion through the opening to form a knot in the balloon end portion while the balloon is in the inflated state, the knot being tightened to maintain the inflated state of the balloon and close the port.

Various alternatives include the addition of: the knot being formed by pulling on the balloon end portion as the loop is removed from at least one of the prongs; the projections each extend with a longitude approximately parallel to the longitudinal centerline axis of the handle; and/or the loop having a crossed portion to form the knot and further comprising pinching the port closed; removing the loop from the projections as the knot is tightened to secure the inflated state of the balloon; forming a crossed portion in the loop during the wrapping of the balloon end portion to provide a closed form of the loop; pulling the balloon end portion to tighten the knot; and/or holding the device by the handle portion while the balloon end portion is wrapped, and/or the balloon end portion is placed through the opening.

Another embodiment of the present application is a device to aid with formation of a knot in a balloon after inflation thereof. The balloon includes a tag end portion with a fluid port. The device comprises: a proximal end portion including a handle; a distal end portion opposite the proximal end portion, the distal end portion including three elongated prongs and three arms, the elongated prongs each being connected to the handle by a respective one of the arms, the arms each extending away from the handle, the elongated prongs each projecting from the respective one of the arms to form an elbow shape with the respective one of the arms and terminate in a corresponding number of prong end portions in a spaced apart relationship relative to one another and laterally in relation to a longitudinal centerline axis of the handle. The prong end portions correspond to vertices of a triangle, and are sized and shaped to wind the tag end portion of the balloon thereabout to form a closed loop with a crossed portion. The loop defines an opening. The opening is receptive to positioning of the tag end portion therethrough to form the knot in the tag end portion and slip the loop off the prongs as the knot is tightened.

Alternatives include the addition of: the device further including the balloon in an inflated state and the elbow shape approximately defining a right angle; the vertices approximately corresponding to an isosceles triangle or an equilateral triangle; and/or the device being formed of at least one of a metal material, a thermoset polymer material, a ceramic material, a wood material, and a thermoplastic polymer material.

A further embodiment of the present application includes a method of knotting an item, comprising: holding a device with a proximal handle opposite a distal end portion, the distal end portion including at least three elongated projections connected to the handle, the projections extending away from the handle to terminate opposite the handle in a corresponding number of projection end portions, the projection end portions being spaced apart from one another and being positioned transverse to a longitudinal centerline of the handle; placing a tag end portion of the item about the projections of the device to form a loop defining an opening; and positioning the tag end portion through the opening to form a knot in the tag end portion of the item. In a related form, the tag end portion is wound about the projections a number of times to form a corresponding number of turns around the opening and/or the projection end portions corresponding to vertices of a triangle.

Still other forms, embodiments, applications, techniques, objects, benefits, advantages, and variations will become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENTS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of any invention provided herein, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawing(s) and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of any invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the same as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which they relate.

One embodiment of a present application is a system that utilizes a balloon tying aid comprising at least two prongs to hold open a loop in the end part of a balloon, thereby facilitating easy knot formation and closure. The prongs are spaced apart from one another and extend from a conveniently sized and shaped handle to further facilitate knot tying with ease. In fact, this device can be employed to address other knot tying challenges as they arise; and further may be employed to place stoppers, clamps, crimps, pinchers, clips or the like in lieu of or in addition to a knotted closure.

FIGS. 1-3present another embodiment of the present application in the form of knot tying aid21, which is further designated as device20. Referring specifically toFIG. 1, a front view of device20is shown. Device20includes a proximal device end portion22that is positioned opposite distal device end portion24. Proximal end portion22includes handle26. Handle26is elongated in the depicted embodiment, having a longitudinal centerline axis C shown in the standard manner. As illustrated, axis C is also coaxial or parallel with a representation of longitude of device20, aid21, end portion22, and end portion24. In other embodiments, the centering and/or longitude of handle26, device20, aid21, end portion22, and end portion24may vary as would occur to those skilled in the art.

Distal end portion24includes a number of projections37specifically labeled prongs32a,32b, and32c. Collectively, projections37are also designated elongated prongs32. Elongated prongs32each end with a termination or device projection end portion34. Optionally, projection end portions34may be rounded, radiused, smoothed, and/or otherwise finished/shaped to facilitate performance of various operations with aid21as further described hereinafter.

Referring additionally toFIG. 2, like reference numerals refer to like features as previously described.FIG. 2presents a side view of device20, with a view plane that extends perpendicular to the view plane ofFIG. 1. As illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, end portion24includes one offsetting arm30for each projection37. Each arm30connects to and is contact with handle26at one end and a corresponding different prong32at an opposite end. Arms30each extend or project laterally in relation to axis C to define an elbow shape31. Every arm-connected prong32has a longitude that is parallel to, but is offset from or transverse to axis C and shape31approximately corresponds to a right angle. In other embodiments, different longitudinal relationships among prongs32, different relationships of prongs32to the center/longitude of handle26, and/or a different angle for elbow shape31may be realized.

Referring now also toFIG. 3, like reference numerals refer to like features as previously described. InFIG. 3, aid21is depicted with a view plane perpendicular to the view planes of bothFIGS. 1 and 2, and accordingly axis C is depicted by cross hairs because it is perpendicular to theFIG. 3view plane. Likewise, longitude of each one of projections37is parallel to longitude of the other projections37and axis C. Device20may be made from any suitable material. In a preferred embodiment, device20is formed from at least one of a metal, a thermoset polymer, a thermoplastic polymer, a ceramic, and a wood material. In a more preferred embodiment, device20is made from a unitary piece of metal or a polymeric resin of a thermoset or thermoplastic type. In an even more preferred embodiment, device20is made from a molded or extruded single piece of a thermoset or thermoplastic polymeric material. In other preferred embodiments, device20may be a unitary piece formed by molding, stamping, pressing, extrusion, machining, etching, cutting, or casting. For still further embodiments, device20is formed from multiple pieces each fabricated and joined together using standard techniques. In one particular arrangement, device20is formed from a multi-tined metallic eating utensil, like a table fork.

As depicted inFIGS. 1-3, each one of arms30forms a generally right-angled elbow shape31that offsets projections37from handle26; however, in other arrangements, arm30may be differently shaped, may or may not have an elbow shape31at all, and/or may be altogether absent. In one alternative (not shown), prongs32extend along generally straight pathways diverging away from each other relative to a connection to handle26. In one particular example, the three projections37(and prongs32) correspond to three edges of a tetrahedron (a pyramid with four triangular faces) joined to each other and handle26at a common vertex (not shown)—lacking any distinct elbow shapes31or separate arms30. Notably, such divergence, and the extension of arms30/elbows31still provides a lateral offset of end portions34relative to axis C. In further embodiments, arms30and/or elbow shape31is/are subsumed by prongs32and projections37or vice versa. In still other embodiments, prongs32and projections37are differently shaped with or without arms30and/or elbow shape31.

Prongs32aand32care generally in the same plane as handle26in a spaced apart relationship as best shown inFIG. 2given that prongs32aand32cextend laterally from handle26. Prong32bextends away from prongs32aand32calong a plane approximately parallel to theFIG. 2view plane. Referring also toFIG. 3a top down view of prongs32best illustrates that prongs32collectively correspond to vertices of a triangle. In one preferred form, the triangle corresponds to one with each side being of a different length. In a more preferred form, the triangle is approximately of an isosceles type. In an even more preferred form, the triangle is approximately of an equilateral type.

Referring toFIGS. 4-6, one mode/embodiment of a process for operating device20is next described as procedure110, with like reference numerals refer to like features previously described in connection withFIGS. 1-3.FIGS. 4 and 5are in the same view plane asFIG. 3, but further illustrate different operations of procedure110in terms of different depictions of item70in these figures, where item70is subject to these operations; and whileFIG. 6presents a flow chart of procedure110. As shown specifically inFIGS. 4 and 5, item70is in the form of an inflated balloon50. Balloon50includes a bulbous inflated portion51(partly shown) integrally connected to tag end portion52. Tag end portion52includes neck portion53that terminates in a fluid inflation/deflation port55defined by balloon end part57of portion52. Balloon50may be of a standard elastomeric type, a mylar type, a natural membrane type, and/or such other composition/arrangement as would occur to those skilled in the art. In one arrangement, at least a portion of balloon50is reinforced with a mesh, threading, ribs, or other framework suitable to lend strength and/or impart a specific shape to the same. Other arrangements lack such aspects.

FIG. 6particularly illustrates procedure110beginning with entry/start operator112. After operator112, stage114is performed. Stage114includes inflating balloon50with a fluid in a standard manner—such fluid typically being pressurized water, air, helium, or such other gas or liquid (both fluids) as would occur to those skilled in the field. During stage114, the fluid can be introduced through port55of end part57to a desired level—preferably so that tag end portion52can be readily manipulated according to later stages of procedure110. In one nonlimiting form, inflation is provided by a user blowing into balloon50through port55with balloon50being of a standard elastomeric type. In a further form, a tank of pressurized air or helium is utilized to fill balloon50through port55. In still a further form, balloon50is filled through port55by water from a garden hose that provides it under pressure.

From the inflation operation in stage114, stage116of procedure110is next encountered. Stage116includes holding handle26of device20or otherwise grasping aid21in one hand of a user (not shown), and manipulating tag end portion52with the other hand of the user, while bulbous inflated portion51under an arm or the like. During these operations, stage116further includes manipulating tag end portion52to control closure of port55so that a desired state of inflation of balloon50is maintained. This operation may include releasing some pressurized fluid through port55from portion51to provide a desired size and/or flexibility of portion52in preparation for subsequent stages of procedure110; and/or closing port55as applicable. Such closure may be provided by pinching between the user's fingers or by utilizing a stopper, clip, clamp, pinchers, crimp or other device/body part to prevent undesired fluid loss (deflation) via port55. The inflated part of balloon50is held away from device20(such as under one arm of the user) to keep one of the user's hands free to manipulate tag end portion52.

From stage116, procedure110continues with stage118. Stage118includes a user wrapping and/or winding tag end portion52about prongs32or otherwise engaging projections37with tag end portion52to form loop L. Loop L has one part of tag end portion52that crosses over or under another part of tag end portion52to define crossed portion59aas designated inFIG. 4. As perhaps best shown inFIG. 4, the margins of loop L and prongs32cooperate to define an opening60. Loop L is shown with its constituent parts of tag end portion52somewhat in tension to present loop L and opening60with an approximately triangular shape in keeping with projection end portions34corresponding to vertices of a triangle as previously described. As depicted inFIGS. 4 and 5, these vertices approximately correspond to those of an equilateral triangle. In still other embodiments, a different type of triangular shape in correspondence to projection end portion34vertices is envisioned. In yet other embodiments having more or fewer than three prongs32/projections37, a nontriangular shape, pattern, and/or geometry is envisioned.

Stage120is performed following stage118. In stage120, balloon end part57and correspondingly port55of tag end portion52is passed through loop L and opening60to form knot K to secure balloon50in an inflated state. As shown inFIG. 4, arrow A is illustrated, along which port55and balloon end part57follow to begin knot K formation from tag end portion52. As shown inFIG. 5, arrow B indicates the direction for balloon end part57of tag end portion52to follow to further advance formation of knot K. Also, crossed portion59band crossed portion59care formed with the performance of stage120as depicted inFIG. 5, being indicative of progress of knot K formation. Crossed portions59band59c(FIG. 5) may or may not include any of the constituent parts of tag end portion52that provide crossed portion59a(FIG. 4) due to relative movement and/or stretching of some or all of tag end portion52—as it advances from the configuration inFIG. 4to that shown inFIG. 5. With more advancement of knot K formation, balloon end part57of tag end portion52is pulled tighter (under tension) and potentially stretches. Referring additionally to Stage122, tightening of knot K continues by pulling balloon end part57of tag end portion52, approaching completion. As such tightening occurs, loop L is eased off the prongs32, perhaps only one at a time, with pulling of the knot K configuration continuing until reaching its final form to provide a reliable closure to port55.

In other embodiments, it should be appreciated that a “slip loop” can be formed and knotted in tag end portion52(not shown) that comes undone by pulling on balloon end part57; and/or any other kind of knot K as could be provided by those skilled in the field may be utilized. Additionally or alternatively, still other embodiments include more than one complete turn of tag end portion52of balloon50around projections37to establish a more secure frictional purchase between tag end portion52and projections37and/or to provide closure of tag end portion52sufficient to maintain inflation of portion51until a knot K can be tied. In contrast,FIG. 5depicts only one complete turn with one partial turn of tag end portion52around projections37. In yet other embodiments, a clamp, stopper, crimp, pincher, clip or the like may be used with or without knot K to provide a desirable closure. Accordingly, from stage122, a secure closure to port55of balloon50is provided so that balloon50will maintain an inflated state. Indeed, it is recognized that at least some balloon closures and/or fabrication materials are subject to some degree of leakage or other means of deflation that is to be expected after a certain amount of time the desired inflated state of balloon50has been maintained. Upon conclusion of stage122, procedure110advances to operator124, where it halts. Procedure110may or may not be repeated as desired for other balloons or like devices with operations112-124repeated or modified as applicable.

Any theory, mechanism of operation, proof, or finding stated herein is meant to further enhance understanding of one or more of the inventions and is not intended to make any invention in any way dependent upon such theory, mechanism of operation, proof, or finding. It should be understood that any use of the words “preferable, preferably, preferred, morem preferred, even more preferred, and most preferred” in the description above indicates that the feature so described may be desirable, it nonetheless may not be necessary and any embodiment lacking the same comes within the scope of any corresponding invention of the present application, that scope being defined by the claims that follow. While one or more selected embodiments have been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the selected embodiments have been shown and described, and that all changes, modifications and equivalents that come within the spirit of the invention(s) as defined herein or by any of the following claims are desired to be protected.