Abstract:
The current inventive technology includes methods and apparatus for a balloon display system. In one embodiment, the invention includes an balloon display apparatus having at least one mounting pole; at least one balloon cluster pole bracket secured to a mounting pole having at least one coupling; at least one flexible rod configured to be secured to a coupling; and at least one inflatable balloon configured to be secured to the upper portion of a flexible rod.

Description:
This application is a continuation of non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/442,206, filed Apr. 9, 2012; which claims the benefit of a provisional patent application No. 61/518,587, filed May 9, 2011. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     (a) Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to outdoor or indoor showroom and party balloon displays and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to an outdoor balloon display system having an inflatable balloon or a plurality of inflatable balloons with a circular balloon holder cup, a flexible rod and an optional mounting pole. The balloon system can be attached to a vehicle, mounted on the top of an outside ground surface, mounted on top of a show room floor, and suspended from a wall and like applications. 
     (b) Discussion of Prior Art 
     Heretofore in the display of typical latex balloons, the balloons are inflated and suspended individually, using string or ribbon, on the surface of a wall or a roof. Also, the balloons can be held together in a balloon cluster using string, cord and like securing devices. These balloons have a short life, oxidize and lose their color and quickly deflate with the gas passing easily through the balloons latex membrane. Balloons made of Mylar or foil tend to expand with an increase in temperature and pop. Also, these type of balloons can wrinkle or sag with a decrease in temperature. Further, Mylar balloons are created by pressing together two sheets of material and therefore they have an unattractive and visible seam. Still further, Mylar balloons don&#39;t have a perfectly round shape along an x-axis or horizontal axis, as used in the subject invention. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,701,148 to Cotey, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,167,204 and 3,994,324 to Zeyra, different types of valves and apparatus are described for inflating party balloons. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 6,782,675 to Banks et al. describes a system for packaging and distributing balloons in a hydrated state. None of the above mentioned prior art patents describe the unique structure, function and advantages of the subject indoor or outdoor balloon display system with one or more reusable and re-inflatable, heavy plastic polymer, seamless balloons. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing, it is a primary objective of the subject invention to provide a balloon display system having an inflatable, re-inflatable and reusable heavy duty, seamless on the interior of the balloon with a small line on the outside of the balloon, plastic polymer balloon. The balloon by design isn&#39;t subject to temperature fluctuations, particularly when used outdoors. Also, the balloon is designed to be filled with air, thus eliminating the expense of using helium. Further, the balloon is a rotationally molded plastic balloon so that it can be inflated with much more air pressure when compared to conventional balloons. 
     Another object of the invention is the balloon can also be quickly deflated for ease in transporting and storage and at a later date inflated again for display. The balloon can be used time and again without the added expense of replacing deflated or punctured balloons. The balloon display system can be used in showrooms, party rooms, and various other indoor and outdoor areas having balloon displays. Yet another object of the balloon display system is the heavy-duty balloon is mounted on a balloon holder cup with a flexible rod and a flexible or rigid mounting pole. The flexible rod can be attached to the side of a vehicle parked outside or a vehicle parked inside a showroom. The flexible rod easily moves the attached balloon back and forth for attracting an observer&#39;s eye. Also, the flexible or rigid mounting pole can be easily inserted into the top of a ground surface for outdoor display, mounted on various types of brackets attached to signs, poles, fences and windows, and mounted on a weighted base stand. Still another object of the balloon display system is the mounting pole can include one or more balloon cluster brackets. The balloon cluster brackets are used for attachment to a lower end of flexible rod with attached balloon for forming an attractive balloon cluster display. The subject balloon display system includes a heavy plastic polymer, molded, inflatable balloon. The balloon is mounted on top of a circular balloon holder cup. The cup and the balloon are attached to an upper end of a flexible rod. A lower end of a flexible rod can be attached to a flexible or a rigid, hollow mounting pole. A lower end of the mounting pole can be attached to an upper end of a ground stake. A lower end of the ground stake can be attached to a ground plate and inserted into a ground surface. Also the lower end of the mounting pole can be mounted on top of a weighted base stand or mounted on top of or attached to various objects. These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those familiar with balloon displays when reviewing the following detailed description, showing novel construction, combination, and elements as herein described, and more particularly defined by the claims, it being understood that changes in the embodiments to the herein disclosed invention are meant to be included as coming within the scope of the claims, except insofar as they may be precluded by the prior art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings illustrate complete preferred embodiments in the present invention according to the best modes presently devised for the practical application of various types of indoor and outdoor balloon displays, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exploded perspective view of the subject balloon display system illustrating an inflatable balloon, a balloon holder cup, a flexible rod and a flexible or rigid mounting pole for mounting on a display stand or inserted into to a ground surface. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a lower portion of the balloon, a balloon holder cup, a rod bracket attached to an upper end portion of a flexible rod and a balloon attachment plug shown in cross section. The attachment plug is used for receipt through a center hole in the cup and into a female valve housing in the bottom of the balloon. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the balloon and the rod bracket positioned for attaching the flexible rod to a lower threaded end of the attachment plug. The plug is shown attached to the balloon holder cup and the balloon. 
         FIG. 4  is similar to  FIG. 3  and illustrates a perspective view of the flexible rod secured to the bottom of the balloon. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an enlarged perspective view of a balloon cluster pole bracket positioned for attachment to a portion of the mounting pole. 
         FIG. 6  is similar to  FIG. 5  and shows the balloon cluster pole bracket attached to the mounting pole using a spring biased lock button. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the balloon display system with the mounting pole having a pair of spaced apart balloon cluster pole brackets. The pole brackets are used for attaching additional flexible rods with attached balloons for forming a balloon cluster. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of the subject balloon display system having a cluster of five flexible rods with attached balloons mounted on the pole. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In  FIG. 1 , an exploded perspective view of the subject balloon display system is illustrated having a general reference numeral  10 . The balloon display system  10  broadly includes an inflatable balloons, which may include in some embodiments, for example heavy plastic polymer, molded, inflatable balloons  12 , a circular balloon holder cup  14  attached to a bottom portion of the balloon  12 , a flexible rod  16 , made of fiberglass or the like, having an upper end portion disposed next to the cup  14  and the bottom of the balloon  12  and a rigid or flexible, hollow mounting pole  18 . 
     A lower end of the mounting pole can be attached to an anchoring stake  20 . A lower end of the stake  20  can be attached to a ground plate  22  and inserted into the top of a ground surface. Also, the lower end of the mounting pole  18  can be inserted into the top of a weighted base stand  24  for holding the balloon display system  10  upright. The hollow mounting pole  18  can be made of a flexible fiberglass or a rigid metal or rigid plastic material. 
     The balloon  12  includes an inflation and deflation air port  26  for receiving an air port plug  28 . The air port  26  is shown in a lower portion of the balloon, but it can be located in various positions on the balloon. By removing the plug  28 , the balloon  12  can be quickly inflated, deflated or re-inflated with additional air using an air pump. 
     The balloon holding cup  14  includes a center hole  29  and three equally spaced apart cup flanges  30  with cup flange holes  32  disposed around the bottom of the cup. The cup flange holes  32  can be seen more clearly in  FIG. 2 . The top of the cup  14  is concave in shape for engaging a convex bottom portion of the balloon  12 . 
     The flexible rod  16  includes an upper end portion with a rod bracket  34  which in some embodiments may have a flared upper portion. The rod bracket  34  includes a pair of equally spaced apart rod bracket flanges  36 , with rod bracket flange holes  38 , disposed around the side of the bracket. The flange holes  38  are shown more clearly in  FIG. 2 . The flexible rod  16  also includes a lower end portion with a rod socket  40 . An inside of the rod socket  40  includes a twist lock used engaging a pair of outwardly extending studs  42  mounted on an upper end portion  44  of the hollow mounting pole  18  for securing the flexible rod  16  on the top of the hollow pole  18 . Also shown in this drawing is a balloon attachment plug  46  having a male barbed upper portion  48 , which is used for inserting into a female valve housing  50  in the bottom of the balloon  12 , for securing the balloon thereto. The plug  46  also includes a lower threaded end portion  52 , which is received through the center hole  29  in the cup  14  and threaded into the top of the rod bracket  34 . This structure of the plug  46  can be seen more clearly in  FIG. 2 . While the plug  46  is shown in the drawings, it should be kept in mind various types of attachments or fasteners can be used equally well for securing the flexible rod  16  to the bottom of the balloon  12 . 
     In  FIG. 2 , an enlarged view of a bottom portion of the balloon  12 , the cup  14 , the attachment plug  46  and the rod bracket  34  are shown in cross section. When the plug  46  and rod bracket  34  are secured to the bottom of the balloon  12 , the cup flanges  30  of the cup  14  are disposed next to the rod bracket flanges  36  of the rod bracket  34 . At this time, one or more anti-theft zip ties  58  can be passed through the adjacent cup flange holes  32  and the bracket flange holes  38  for securing the cup flanges  30  and the rod bracket flanges  36  together to prevent the balloon display system  10  from being easily stolen. 
     In  FIG. 3 , the rod bracket  34  is shown attached to the top of the flexible rod  16 . The rod bracket  34  includes a threaded female opening in the top thereof and positioned for receiving the threaded end portion  52  of the plug  46 , as indicated by the arrow  56 . 
     In  FIG. 4 , the flexible rod  16  is shown secured to the cup  14  and the bottom of the balloon  12  using the rod bracket  34  attached to the lower threaded end portion  52  of the barbed plug  46 . 
     In  FIG. 5 , an enlarged perspective view of a balloon cluster pole bracket  60  is shown received around a portion of the mounting pole  18 . The bracket  60  includes a pair of upwardly extending, twist lock couplings  62  having a pair of studs  42 . Each coupling  62  is used for inserting into the rod socket  40  of the flexible rod  16  with balloon  12  to form a decorative balloon cluster, as shown in  FIG. 8 . Also shown in this drawing is the mounting pole  18  having a spring biased, lock button  64 . The pole bracket  60  includes a button hole  66 . 
     In  FIG. 6 , another enlarged perspective view of the balloon cluster pole bracket  60  is shown. By pushing the button  64  inwardly and sliding the bracket upwardly, the button  64  can be indexed with the button hole  66 . At this time, the button  64  is received through the button hole  66 , thus locking the balloon cluster pole bracket  60  on the mounting pole  18 . Obviously, the balloon cluster pole bracket  60  can be attached to the mounting pole  18  in a variety of ways and without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject invention. 
     In  FIG. 7 , another perspective view of the balloon display system  10  is illustrated. In this view, the hollow mounting pole  18  includes a pair of spaced apart balloon cluster pole brackets  60  positioned for attaching additional flexible rods  16  with attached balloons  12 . 
     In  FIG. 8 , a perspective view of a completed display of cluster balloons  12  is shown using the subject balloon display system  10 . In this example and by using two of the balloon cluster pole brackets  60 , five of the flexible rods  16  with attached balloons  12  are shown mounted on the pole  18 . 
     While the invention has been particularly shown, described and illustrated in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments and modifications thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that equivalent changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as claimed except as precluded by the prior art.