Abstract:
A toy simulates an illuminated overhead moon with a long-legged spacecraft under it. The toy includes a lighting apparatus secured to a balloon by string under tension. The lighting apparatus, located wholly outside the balloon, illuminates the inside of the balloon so the balloon appears to glow. The lighting apparatus has at least three arms extending from a body having a locking fastener. The locking fastener is attached by string under tension to the neck of the balloon. Each arm terminates in a window for contacting the skin of the balloon and for transmitting light through the skin to the interior of the balloon. In a preferred embodiment, the lighting apparatus is of sufficiently low weight that the toy floats in air.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/457,924, filed Dec. 9, 1999, and co-pending US Provisional Application Serial No. 60/206,894, filed May 25, 2000.  
     
    
     
       TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0002]    The invention relates generally to illuminated toy balloons.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The present invention provides a toy having an illuminated balloon, the balloon having a skin and a neck. The toy includes a lighting apparatus secured to the balloon by a first portion of a length of string under tension. The first portion of the length of string is attached under tension between the lighting apparatus and the neck of the balloon. The lighting apparatus, located wholly outside the balloon, illuminates the inside of the balloon so the balloon appears to glow.  
           [0004]    In a first preferred embodiment, the lighting apparatus has a body with at least three arms extending therefrom. The body defines a locking fastener having two hooks. The locking fastener is attached by string under tension to the neck of the balloon. The locking fastener prevents the string from slipping over the body. Each arm terminates in a pad having a window for contacting the skin of the balloon and for transmitting light through the skin to the interior of the balloon. The lighting apparatus contains at least one lamp positioned such that light from a lamp shines through each window. The lighting apparatus is of sufficiently low weight that with the balloon filled with helium, the toy floats in air. Also, the balloon simulates an illuminated overhead moon, and the lighting apparatus simulates a long-legged spacecraft.  
           [0005]    The body includes a hinged shell with slots. The slots define the two hooks.  
           [0006]    The locking fastener includes a first string fastener and a second string fastener.  
           [0007]    The body includes a hinged shell wired to accept a battery.  
           [0008]    Each arm is flexible, and each pad is adapted for rotary movement about the end of its arm.  
           [0009]    In the first preferred embodiment, a portion of the string is threaded through the lighting apparatus to hold the pads of the lighting apparatus firmly in contact with the surface of the balloon by tension in a proximal portion of the string. The proximal portion of the string is attached at its other end to the neck of the balloon. The pads collectively press against the balloon with a force equal to the tension in the length of the string. A distal portion of the string is used to tether the toy.  
           [0010]    Another embodiment provides a toy simulating an illuminated overhead moon. This embodiment includes an air-filled inflated balloon illuminated by a lighting apparatus mounted on an elongated handle.  
           [0011]    The invention also provides a method for attaching the lighting apparatus to an inflated balloon. The method includes tying one end of a length of the string to the neck, and tying the other end under tension to the body. The pads are held firmly in contact with the outer surface of the balloon by the tension in the string while a light source in each pad illuminates the interior of the balloon.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the assembled toy of the invention, showing the balloon, the string and the lighting apparatus.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a partial cut-away perspective view of the lighting apparatus of FIG. 1.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is a partial cut-away perspective view of the head of the lighting apparatus of FIG. 1, showing a battery aperture and the arrow groove of a first string fastener.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is a partially cut-away perspective view of a pad of the embodiment of FIG. 1 showing the window.  
         [0016]    FIGS.  5 A- 5 D illustrate the method of attachment of the string to the lighting apparatus.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6 is a cut-away view of the shell showing the cuts in the head of the preferred embodiment.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an open shell of an alternative embodiment, the shell having a longitudinal hinge.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the lighting apparatus in the form of a “space alien”.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment in the form of a flying saucer.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a first alternative embodiment including a handle-mounted balloon, the balloon simulating an illuminated moon.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 11 is a partially cut-away front view of a portion of the toy of FIG. 10, illustrating a screw-on attachment of a lighting apparatus to an elongated handle.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 12 is a partially cut-away front view of a portion of the toy, illustrating a second alternative embodiment including a first clip-on attachment of a lighting apparatus to the elongated handle.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a fourth alternative embodiment of the assembled toy of the invention, showing the balloon, the string and the lighting apparatus fixedly mounted on an elongated handle.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 14 is a perspective front view of a portion of the toy, illustrating a fifth alternative embodiment including a second clip-on attachment of a lighting apparatus to the elongated handle.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of sixth alternative embodiment, showing two balloons, both powered from a shared power supply using utility or battery power.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0027]    General  
         [0028]    The assembled toy, according to a first embodiment, is shown in FIG. 1. Toy  20  includes lighting apparatus  21 , balloon  22 , and string  23 . The toy also includes a battery (not shown).  
         [0029]    Balloon  22  when inflated is substantially spherical and 18-24 inches in diameter. The balloon is made of a latex rubber compound preferably including phosphorescent materials. The balloon has raised areas and texture so that when inflated it resembles the Earth&#39;s moon with craters, bumps and texture. The phosphorescent materials cause the balloon to glow when illuminated by the lighting apparatus. The balloon is secured using approximately 4-8 feet of a kite-type string, one end of the string tied to the knotted neck of the balloon.  
         [0030]    The lighting apparatus is the light source that illuminates the balloon. Lighting apparatus  21  is approximately 5 inches tall, fully assembled. It resembles a rocket with four extended landing legs. The weight of the lighting apparatus is small enough that the balloon is able to float freely with the lighting apparatus attached to it. Details of the lighting apparatus are shown in FIG. 2. Lighting apparatus  21  includes head  31 , base  41 , and four arms  50 , each arm terminating in a pad  61 . The body  30  of lighting apparatus  21  includes head  31  and base  41 . Head  31  is cone-shaped and is approximately one inch high. At its narrow end it is approximately ⅛of an inch in diameter. At its broad end it is approximately ¾of an inch in diameter. Replaceable battery  24 , in the preferred embodiment a cylindrical MN21 12 volt alkaline battery, is shown inside the lighting apparatus. The battery is approximately 1 and ⅛inches long, and ⅜of an inch in diameter.  
         [0031]    As shown in FIG. 1, head  31  is attached to base  41  by hinge  25  and latch  26  to form body  30 . Hinge  25  is preferably an integral plastic hinge of the polypropylene hinge type. Four arms  50  extend from the body, each arm including an elongated conduit  51  and a pad  61 .  
         [0032]    Latch  26 , see FIG. 1, includes catch  48  and detent  49 , see FIG. 2. Latch  26  prevents the shell from opening accidentally when the toy is in use. Other forms of latch may be used. On one side of the broad end of head  31  is catch  48 . Catch  48  extends beyond head  31  approximately ⅛of an inch.  
         [0033]    Referring again to FIG. 1, in the preferred embodiment, a single plastic shell  29 , forms the enclosure of body  30 . That is, it forms the enclosure of the head, the base and the hinge. Shell  29  functions as both a battery housing and as a frame for attachment of the arms. The shell is made of a lightweight material, preferably polypropylene to provide an economical hinge.  
         [0034]    Head  31  includes a first aperture  32  for admitting a first end of the battery. Shell  29 , whose walls form first aperture  32  of the head, is hollow. First aperture  32  (see FIG. 3) is approximately ⅜of an inch in diameter, sized to contain the battery such as to prevent the battery from moving about. Head  31  includes a first battery contact  36 . First battery contact  36  is made of an electrically conductive material such as copper. It is preferably a disk shaped to fit tightly into the head. It is connected via wire  54  to switch  35 .  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 2 shows ON/OFF switch  35  for the lighting apparatus, which is preferably a micro slide switch. Alternatively, an ON/OFF micro button (toggle) switch may be used. The wire is extremely small gauge insulated copper, similar to that of wrapping wire for electronics. Both the micro slide switch and the wire are available from Radio Shack. Switch  35  may use a body that is integral with the shell. Switch  35  is attached to the same side of the head as the hinge to avoid stretching wire  55  when the shell is opened to replace a battery. First aperture  32 , approximately ⅜of an inch in diameter, keeps the battery aligned with the first battery contact. When switch  35  is “ON”, current from the battery flows via wires  54 ,  55 , and  56  to power a lamp  62 , preferably an LED, in each pad and returns to the battery via wires  57 , plate  46  and spring  45 , which serves as a second battery contact.  
         [0036]    First string fastener  33 , as shown in FIG. 2, includes an arrow shaped groove defined by axial cut  71 , first transverse cut  72 , and second transverse cut  82 . These three cuts cut through to the hollow interior  37  of head  31 . FIG. 6 is a cut-away view of head  31  giving detail of axial cut  71 , first transverse cut  72 , and second transverse cut  82 . Axial cut  71  and first transverse cut  72  define first hook  74 . Axial cut  71  and second transverse cut  82  define second hook  84 .  
         [0037]    In the preferred embodiment, the groove of axial cut  71  is {fraction (1/16)}of an inch wide and extends from tip  34  of head  31  {fraction (3/16)}of an inch on the side shown in front view in FIGS. 1 and 3. The other side of the groove of axial cut  71  is shown in FIG. 6 as a ¼of an inch straight cut from tip  34  to ridge  38 . It can be seen from FIG. 6 that most of the grooves of the first string fastener on one side of the head. First transverse cut  72  and second transverse cut  82  extend approximately ⅛inch to first end  73  and second end  83 , respectively.  
         [0038]    The first string fastener is designed to lock the string to the head to hold the lighting apparatus firmly against the balloon, and to prevent the toy from sliding down the string away from the balloon. It is also designed so that the string exits at tip  34  of the head, so as to keep the string, the toy, and the balloon aligned with one another.  
         [0039]    Base  41  is molded from the same plastic as the head and hinge  25 . Base  41  defines a second aperture  42  for containing a second end of the battery, and a second string fastener  43  in the form of an arch member defining hole  44 . Mounted within base  41  is spring  45  which serves as a second battery contact. Thus, electrical coupling is provided, via spring  45 , plate  46 , and wires  57 , between the second end of the battery and the four illuminating pads  61 .  
         [0040]    The locking fastener includes first string fastener  33  having two hooks, the hooks defined by slots in the shell and second string fastener  43 .  
         [0041]    Spring  45  is made of electricity conductive spring metal. Its broad end is ¼of an inch in diameter and spiral tapers to {fraction (1/16)}of an inch. Its height is approximately {fraction (3/16)}of an inch. The broad end of spring  45  is attached to plate  46 . Plate  46  is a conductive metal disk having a diameter of approximately {fraction (5/16)}of an inch. The bottom of the plate is fastened by epoxy to the inside bottom of the base. The plate is less than {fraction (1/16)}of an inch thick. When the head and base of the toy are latched together, the battery&#39;s negative contact makes contact with the spring. The spring provides constant pressure at the first contact in the head of the toy, and at the second contact in the base of the toy.  
         [0042]    Base  41  is approximately half an inch high and substantially cylindrical in shape, having a diameter of approximately 3/4of an inch. The base is made of the same lightweight plastic material as the head. The base is hollow, open at the top and closed at the bottom.  
         [0043]    Second string fastener  43  is a small lug with a small hole  44  passing through it. The hole is approximately ⅛of an inch in diameter. The lug is centrally located outside the base, under the bottom of the base, as illustrated in FIG. 2. It is approximately ¼of an inch high, ¼of an inch wide, and ⅛of an inch thick. The lug is preferably formed integral with the shell. The function of the second string fastener is to keep the lighting apparatus aligned with the balloon and to maintain tension in the string between the lighting apparatus and the balloon so as to hold the pads firmly on the balloon.  
         [0044]    Four cylindrical first sleeves  52 , angled downward approximately 15 degrees, are equally spaced around the base. These first sleeves join the base to the conduits. Plate  46  is fixedly mounted inside the closed end of the base and spring  45  is attached to the plate. From the plate wires  57  run through the first sleeves and into the conduits.  
         [0045]    Four hollow conduits  51  are attached at one end to base  41  by first sleeves  52 , and are attached at the other end to pads  61  by second sleeves  53 .  
         [0046]    Each conduit  51  is made from thin, flexible plastic. Each conduit is approximately 3½inches long and has an arc of approximately thirty degrees. Each conduit is cylindrical and hollow—like a straw. The arc and flexibility of each conduit allows the lighting apparatus to automatically conform to any balloon with a diameter in the range 18-24 inches. The flexibility also helps to maintain the tension needed to hold the pads firmly on balloon&#39;s skin.  
         [0047]    Each first sleeve  52  is cylindrical in shape, and is preferably molded with the base as one piece. Each first sleeve is angled downward from the base at approximately 15 degrees. The first sleeves are evenly spaced around the base of the lighting apparatus.  
         [0048]    Each second sleeve  53  is an extension of the pad and is preferably molded with the pad as one piece. A conduit  51  fits into an aperture of the second sleeve and is secured therein by an adhesive such as epoxy to join the conduit and pad.  
         [0049]    Pad  61  is shown in detail in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a partially cut-away perspective view showing light emitting diode (LED)  62  and window  65 . Window  65  also serves as a lens. In use, the outer surface of the window is in contact with the balloon.  
         [0050]    Pad  61  includes a hemispherical hollow shell. In the preferred embodiment, there are four pads. Each pad is 1 inch in diameter at its opening and ½an inch deep. The pads are made of a rigid, lightweight, plastic composite. Fixedly mounted to the outside of each pad is a second sleeve  53  for joining the conduit to the pad. The second sleeve is placed off center by approximately 15 degrees, and angled approximately 15 degrees. The angles allow the pads to conform to the diameter of the balloon. Wires placed through the conduits enter each pad through the second sleeves and are attached to the leads of each light bulb or diode contained in the pad. The inside of each pad is painted chrome or other reflective paint to reflect light generated by the light bulb or diode. The open side of the pad is protected by a thin plastic window (or lens). The window allows the light to pass into the balloon. The window also protects the light bulb or diode, and the skin of the balloon.  
         [0051]    Each of the four pads contain a lamp, preferably an LED  62 . The preferred embodiment uses a set of 5 mm, 1.7-2.1 volt, 30 mA light emitting diodes (LED&#39;s), having a luminous intensity of 1,300 mcd-3,000 mcd. The direct viewing angle on either side is approximately 12-15 degrees. It is recommended that each pad contains a diode of the same color. LED&#39;s are available from Radio Shack. The distal face of each pad is covered by a thin clear plastic window, which allows the light through, yet protects the bulb and balloon when the pads are in contact with the balloon. The window is made from a thin, clear, plastic composite. It is a disk having a diameter of approximately ⅞of an inch, and a thickness of approximately {fraction (1/16)}of an inch. The window fits closely inside the edge of each pad so that it is flush with the edge of the pad, so as not to emit light around the edges of the pad. The inside cavity of each pad, facing the window, is painted with a light reflective material so as to focus reflected light out through the window. The window may be shaped as a lens to further ensure an optimum distribution of light in the interior of the balloon.  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the lighting apparatus in which shell  129  is formed as a pair of boat-shaped shells joined by a polypropylene-type hinge  125 . In this embodiment, head portion  131  and base portion  141  are not separated as they are in the preferred embodiment. In this embodiment first string fastener  133 , and second string fastener  143  with aperture  144 , may be easier to mold.  
         [0053]    In a further embodiment, not shown, the head and base are not formed as a pair but each has a screw thread permitting them to be screwed together for use and unscrewed to replace a battery.  
         [0054]    In a further embodiment, not shown, a single LED light source mounted in the body provides light to all pads via fiber-optic bundles in the conduits. In this embodiment the term “lamp”, as used herein, is deemed to include the light-emitting tip of one or more optic fibers.  
         [0055]    In a further embodiment, not shown, as an alternative to requiring the flexibility of each conduit to conform the lighting apparatus to any balloon, the pads are hingedly and springedly attached to the end of the arm for rotary movement about the end of the arm.  
         [0056]    In a further embodiment, not shown, the battery is omitted and the lighting apparatus is powered by an external source that may be a hand-held battery pack, or a power cord to a mains-powered step-down power supply.  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the lighting apparatus in the form of a “space alien”. The string passes axially through hole  234 , through the center of lighting apparatus  221  to engage with second string fastener  233 .  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment, the body formed as a clam shell such as to simulate a flying saucer with four extended legs. This embodiment uses three Duracell No. 357A, 1.5 volt, lithium batteries. The string passes axially through hole  334 , between the batteries through the center of lighting apparatus  321  to engage with second string fastener  333 .  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a first alternative embodiment, a handle-mounted toy  400  simulating an illuminated moon. This embodiment includes balloon  22 , lighting apparatus  401 , with body  402  and at least three arms  403 , and elongated handle  404 . Elongated handle  404  includes a coupler  405  that is attached to the body, a rod portion  406  and a handle  407 .  
         [0060]    [0060]FIG. 11 is a partially cut-away front view of a portion of the embodiment of FIG. 10, showing screw-on attachment of the lighting apparatus to the elongated handle. To allow access to first string fastener  408 , coupler  405  defines a gap between the two threaded rigid fingers  409  and  410  that screw onto threaded portion  411  of body  402 . The attachment is made secure with lock nut  412 . Notch  413  is a convenient string fastener.  
         [0061]    [0061]FIG. 12 is a partially cut-away front view of a portion of a second alternative embodiment, showing clip-on attachment of the lighting apparatus to elongated handle  504 . To allow access to first string fastener  408 , coupler  505  defines a gap between clips  509  and  510 . The attachment is secured to ridge  503  of the body by hooks  511  and  512 . Notch  513  is a convenient string fastener.  
         [0062]    A third alternative embodiment, not shown, having clip-on attachment of the lighting apparatus to the elongated handle, provides three spring-like fingers at equally spaced points on a circle, each finger terminating in an inward pointing blunt pin. The body of the lighting apparatus has three corresponding holes at equally spaced positions around its circumference. Each pin is sized to enter its corresponding hole so as to lock the body of the lighting apparatus to the elongated handle.  
         [0063]    A fourth alternative embodiment, shown in FIG. 13, provides a toy including an elongated handle fixedly attached to the lighting apparatus.  
         [0064]    [0064]FIG. 14 is a front view of a portion of a fifth alternative embodiment, showing clip-on attachment of the lighting apparatus to the elongated handle.  
         [0065]    [0065]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a sixth alternative embodiment, showing two balloons, both powered from a shared power supply connected to utility or battery power. In this embodiment the balloons may be tethered and filled with lighter than air gas, or may be post-mounted and filled with air.  
         [0066]    Using the Invention  
         [0067]    Light provided by the lighting apparatus shines through the skin of the balloon and into the interior of the balloon. Phosphorescent materials contained in the skin of the balloon diffuse the light from the lighting apparatus, giving the balloon the appearance of a glowing moon. The lighting apparatus resembles a lunar rocket standing on legs on the moon&#39;s surface. Because of the limited light output of LED&#39;s, best results are achieved after sunset or under very low light conditions. Alternatively, in an embodiment that would probably be more expensive, fluorescent materials could be used.  
         [0068]    After the balloon is filled with helium gas, the neck is knotted so as to prevent the gas from escaping. The lighting apparatus is tied under the balloon and in such a fashion that the four pads of the lighting apparatus are held tight against the skin of the balloon. The length of string that is attached to the knotted end of the balloon at one end and to the lighting apparatus at the other end provides the tension that holds the lighting apparatus firmly against the balloon.  
         [0069]    The preferred sequence of steps for attaching the lighting apparatus to the balloon are shown in FIGS.  5 A- 5 D, as follows.  
         [0070]    Referring to FIG. 5A:  
         [0071]    Inflate the balloon and tie the neck  92  of the balloon to make balloon knot  93 . Then tie string  23  to make string knot  94  around the knotted neck of the balloon.  
         [0072]    Holding the lighting apparatus centered over the neck of the balloon (as shown in FIG. 1), thread the free end of the string through hole  44  of second string fastener  43 . Pass the free end of the string axially behind body  30  of the lighting apparatus and into the notch at the tip  34  of head  31 . After tensioning the string to put proper tension in the string (See string  23  in FIG. 5B), hold the string in place at tip  34  while threading the string axially up the front of the body through axial cut  71 .  
         [0073]    Referring to FIG. 5B:  
         [0074]    Still holding the string in place at tip  34 , push the string into axial cut  71  and into first end  73  of first transverse cut  72  so that it passes within the hollow body, behind first hook  74 , from axial cut  71  and first end  73 . Then pass the free end of the string around the back of the body to once more engage axial cut  71 .  
         [0075]    Referring to FIG. 5C:  
         [0076]    Holding the string in place around the back of the body, press the string into axial cut  71  so that the free end of the string extends from the tip  34  of the head.  
         [0077]    Referring to FIG. 5D:  
         [0078]    Still holding the string in place around the back of the body, pull the free end of the string tight so as to push the string again into axial cut  71 , but this time into second end  83  of second transverse cut  82 , so that it passes within the hollow body, behind second hook  84 , between axial cut  71  and second end  83  of second transverse cut  82 . This locks the string.  
         [0079]    The string should now be firmly secured to the lighting apparatus and to the balloon, and the lighting apparatus should now be firmly held in tension against the balloon.  
         [0080]    When using an embodiment in which the balloon is filled with helium, it is recommended that the free end of the string be tied to a heavy object or to the user&#39;s wrist or arm to prevent the toy from floating away.