Patent Publication Number: US-11649956-B2

Title: Sound synchronized light device for balloons

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Application Ser. No. 62/735,009 filed Sep. 21, 2018, the disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates to a lighting device. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a lighting device able to illuminate the interior of a balloon or another inflatable product, the lighting device also able to display color patterns in synchronization with an external audio input all while preventing significant gas loss from the balloon. 
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Lighting devices that create aesthetically pleasing effects are regularly used for decorative and entertaining environments. Such lighting devices are often used in a variety of contexts, such as celebrations, parties, performances, or other events. Balloons represent another staple within party, performance, and event environments. However, balloons have yet to incorporate considerable technology outside of the addition of a traditional logo or unique colors. While balloon-lighting devices are known in the art, these devices allow for only simplistic and stagnant illumination. 
     With the rise of music festivals and music-based parties, interactive devices that can respond to an external auditory input and create aesthetically pleasing light color patterns are desired. Such products provide a better experience for festival goers, performance and party attendees, and those involved in such events. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to provide a lighting device able to illuminate the interior of a balloon, the lighting device also able to display color patterns in synchronization with the external audio input and being light enough to be capable of being lifted by a balloon or other inflatable product filled with helium, for example. 
     The present disclosure provides a lighting device for use with inflatable products, such as balloons. Specifically, the lighting device may be configured to utilize external audio to produce a pattern of light corresponding with the external audio. The lighting device is able to couple to a balloon to light up the interior of the balloon without the significant loss of gas or other inflating fluid from the balloon. 
     In an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a lighting device for use with an inflatable product is disclosed. The lighting device comprises a plug comprising a base portion and a body portion extending from the base portion; a base configured to removably couple to the base portion of the plug, forming a chamber therein; a circuit board disposed within the chamber; and at least one light coupled to the body portion of the plug, the at least one light operatively coupled to the circuit board. 
     The lighting device may further comprise a sleeve defining a passageway, the passageway configured to receive the plug so that the plug passes through the sleeve. In such a lighting device, the plug and the sleeve may form a fluid-tight press-fit. The sleeve may comprise a lip protruding from the sleeve to form an annular recess around an outer surface of the sleeve. The plug of the lighting device may define a passageway configured to carry wiring for operatively coupling the at least one light to the circuit board. A sealant be utilized to create a fluid-tight seal within the passageway. 
     The lighting device may further comprise a plurality of lights. The circuit board may include an audio input configured to generate an electrical output based on an external audio source. Such a circuit board may illuminate the at least one light of the lighting device based on the electrical output from the audio input. A portion of the body portion of the plug of the lighting device adjacent to the base portion of the plug may be recessed to form a lip. The plug and the base of the lighting device may be comprised of a lightweight polymer. The base and the plug may be configured to form a press-fit coupled configuration. 
     In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a lighting device for use with an inflatable product is disclosed. The lighting device comprises a plug defining an opening and comprising a base portion and a body portion extending from the base portion; a cap configured to be received within the opening of the plug and defining at least one opening; a base configured to removably couple to the base portion of the plug and forming a chamber therein; a circuit board disposed within the chamber; and at least one light protruding through the at least one opening of the cap. The at least one light is operatively coupled to the circuit board. A portion of the body portion of the plug adjacent to the base portion is recessed. 
     The base of the lighting device may further comprise a plurality of apertures configured to receive a corresponding plurality of tabs disposed on the base portion of the plug. The circuit board may comprise an audio input configured to generate an electrical output based on an external audio source. Such a circuit board may illuminate the at least one light of the lighting device based on the electrical output from the audio input. The base may define an opening near the audio input of the circuit board to facilitate passage of the external audio source to the audio input. The circuit board may include a switch to selectively place the circuit board in operation. The plug may define a passageway configured to carry wiring for operatively coupling the at least one light to the circuit board. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of assembling a light-up balloon is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of positioning a balloon stem of a balloon over a body portion of a plug of a lighting device, the plug further comprising a base portion configured to removably couple with a base of the lighting device and at least one light disposed on the plug, so that the at least one light is positioned within an interior of the balloon; activating a circuit board disposed within a chamber formed by the base and the plug of the lighting device; and providing power to the at least one light positioned within the interior of the balloon so that the light is operational. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates an assembled perspective view of a first embodiment of a lighting device of the present disclosure for use with an inflatable product, the lighting device including a base, a plug removably coupled to the base, a sleeve configured to receive the plug, and lights disposed on the plug; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates an exploded perspective view of the lighting device of  FIG.  1   , further illustrating a circuit board and wiring disposed within the lighting device; 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a cross-sectional view of the plug of the lighting device of  FIG.  1   , taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a top view of the base of the lighting device of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  5    illustrates an assembled perspective view of a second embodiment of a lighting device of the present disclosure, the lighting device including a base, a plug removably coupled to the base, and lights disposed on the plug; 
         FIG.  6    illustrates an exploded perspective view of the lighting device of  FIG.  5   , further illustrating a circuit board, a battery, and wiring disposed within the lighting device; 
         FIG.  7 A  illustrates a side view of the plug of the lighting device of  FIG.  5   ; and 
         FIG.  7 B  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the plug of  FIG.  7 A , taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG.  7 A . 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring initially to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , a lighting device  50  is disclosed for use with an inflatable product P, such as a balloon. From top to bottom in  FIG.  2   , the lighting device  50  includes at least one light  52 , a sleeve  54 , a plug  56 , a base  58 , a circuit board  60 , and a plurality of wires  76 . Each element of the lighting device  50  is described further below. 
     The plug  56  of the lighting device  50  includes a body portion  64  and a base portion  66 . The base portion  66  of the plug  56  is configured to be received by the base  58  in a press-fit configuration, so that the base  58  and the base portion  66  are removably coupled together. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the base portion  66  and the base  58  have substantially rectangular outer perimeters, such that the rectangular base portion  66  fits within the rectangular base  58 . In other embodiments, the base portion  66  and the base  58  may form alternate shapes and sizes that facilitate the press-fit coupling between the base portion  66  of the plug  56  and the base  58 . When coupled together, the base portion  66  of the plug  56  and the base  58  cooperate to form a chamber  74  for the circuit board  60 . When uncoupled, the electronic components in the chamber  74 , including the circuit board  60 , may be accessed. 
     The body portion  64  of the plug  56  may comprise a middle portion  68  that extends from the base portion  66  of the plug  56 , with a cap portion  70  disposed on the middle portion  68 . In the illustrated embodiment, the middle portion  68  forms a cylinder, while the cap portion  70  forms a truncated cone. The plug  56  comprises a plurality of passageways  88 , which may be exposed at cap portion  70  during assembly (as shown in phantom in  FIG.  2   ) and sealed closed at cap portion  70  when assembled ( FIG.  1   ). The passageways  88  run through the length of the body portion  64  of the plug  56  parallel to axis A. The passageways  88  may accommodate wires  76  that connect lights  52  to circuit board  60 , as described further below. While the illustrated embodiment comprises four pathways  88 , other embodiments may include additional or fewer pathways  88 , depending on the size and type of the inflatable product P, or on the number and type of lights  52  and wires  76  utilized. 
     The sleeve  54  is configured to receive the body portion  64  of the plug  56  along axis A, as shown by  FIG.  1   . In the illustrated embodiment, the sleeve  54  forms a truncated cone defining a passageway  78 , so that the sleeve  54  is configured to slide over the body portion  64  of the plug  56  and the plug  56  is received by the passageway  78  of the sleeve  54 . In other embodiments, the sleeve  54  and the body portion  64  of the plug  56  may be formed in other shapes which facilitate the coupling between the sleeve  54  and the plug  56 . For example, when coupled, as shown in  FIG.  1   , the sleeve  54  surrounds the plug  56 . The sleeve  54  further comprises a lip  72  protruding from the sleeve  54  and forming an annular recess  80  around the outer surface  82  of the sleeve  54  to facilitate the coupling of the device  50  with the inflatable product P so that the device  50  stays in place relative to the inflatable product P, as described further below. A seal (not shown) may be positioned annularly on the outside of the body portion  64  of the plug  56  to facilitate the fluid tight seal between the sleeve  54  and the plug  56  when coupled. The seal (not shown) may be made of rubber or another elastic material and may comprise an O-ring seal. 
     Lights  52  are coupled to the cap portion  70  of the plug  56  to provide internal illumination to the inflatable product P as described herein. The lights  52  may be LED lights or other suitable lights. While the illustrated embodiment shows two lights  52  secured to the plug  56 , the type and number of lights  52  in the present disclosure may vary in type and quantity to sufficiently light up various types, sizes, and shapes of inflatable products P and/or create different light effects according to the desire of the user. As described further herein, the lights  52  may be coupled to the circuit board  60  via the wiring  76  extending through the passageways  88  in the plug  56 . In this way, the wires  76  may act as tethers holding the lights  52  in place relative to the circuit board  60 . The lights  52  may also be secured to the plug  56  through use of a sealant, such as an adhesive, at the cap portion  70  of the plug  56 . This sealant may have the additional benefit of at least partially filling the passageways  88 , as shown in  FIG.  1   , to block inflation fluid from within the balloon P from leaking through the passageways  88  of the plug  56 . In the illustrated embodiment, the sealant is placed on the cap portion  70  of the plug  56  to prevent the sealant from potentially damaging any electronics on circuit board  60 . Additionally, the sealant in the illustrated embodiment may be applied to any other voids within the plug  56  which may otherwise allow the inflation fluid to escape from the inside of the balloon P. 
     Now referring to  FIG.  3   , a cross-sectional view of the plug  56  is shown. The plug  56  includes protrusions  86  on the bottom recessed portion of plug  56  to secure the circuit board  60  ( FIG.  2   ) within the chamber  74 . The plug  56  also includes a central aperture  55 , which provides the entrance to a compartment  90  recessed within the cap portion  70  of the body portion  64  of the plug  56 . The compartment  90  provides an area for excess wiring. The compartment  90  can be shaped and sized in any manner desired that does not negatively interfere with the passageways  88  or otherwise negatively interfere with the operation of the lighting device  50 . 
     Now referring to  FIG.  4   , the base  58  is shown. The base  58  includes a wall  92  positioned approximately in the center of the base  58 . In some embodiments, a replaceable, mobile power source, such as a battery (not shown) may also be positioned within the chamber  74  to power the circuit board  60  ( FIG.  2   ), and the wall  92  may be configured to receive the battery. The wall  92  also serves to help protect electronics within the chamber  74 . The chamber  74  can be accessed to be operated or replaced by uncoupling the base  58  and the plug  56  ( FIG.  3   ). In other embodiments, the lighting device  50  may be powered by an alternate power source, such as being hardwired. The wall  92  may contain multiple cutout regions  94 . The number and size of cutout regions  94  may be increased or decreased from what is shown in the illustrated embodiment. The wall  92  may form a circle as shown in  FIG.  4   ; in other embodiments, the wall  92  may form a number of shapes. 
     Now returning to  FIG.  2   , the circuit board  60  is disposed within the chamber  74  defined by the coupling between the plug  56  and the base  58 . The protrusions  86  ( FIG.  2   ) of the plug  56  are configured to cooperate with the wall  92  of the base  58  to secure the circuit board  60  within the chamber  74 . The circuit board  60  is in operative communication with the lights  52  through the wiring  76  which is run from the lights  52  to the circuit board  60  through the passageways  88  of the plug  56 , as described above. Specifically, the wiring  76  may be comprised of soldering wire to provide strength against external force and provide efficient conductivity to illuminate the lights  52 . 
     Referring still to  FIG.  2   , the circuit board  60  further includes an audio input  61  and is configured to synchronize the lights  52  with external audio received by the audio input  61 . The audio input  61  may be a condenser microphone whose electrical output varies based on the pitch and/or volume of the external audio. The circuit board  60  may then control the lights  52  in real time based on the electrical output from the condenser microphone. For example, the circuit board  60  may illuminate one light  52  when the electrical output is below a predetermined value and both lights  52  when the electrical output is at or above the predetermined value. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  2  and  4   , the base  58  may define a corresponding opening  98  within the bottom surface  96  of the base  58 . The opening  98  is located within the bottom surface  96  of the base  58  near the audio input  61 , such as the above-described condenser microphone (not shown), located on the circuit board  60 . The opening  98  is configured to allow sound to pass more readily through the base  58  to the audio input  61  of the circuit board  60  to allow efficient synchronization of the lights  52  with external audio, or other cooperation between the lights  52  and external audio as desired. The opening  98  can be shaped or sized in any way appropriate to allow sound to reach the circuit board  60 . The opening  98  may also provide a passageway for wiring to pass through to a power source to provide power to the lights  52 . 
     Referring still to  FIG.  2   , the body portion  64  of the plug  56  of the lighting device  50  is shaped and sized to be received by the sleeve  54 , while the base portion  66  of the plug  56  is sized and shaped to be received by the base  58  in a press-fit configuration. In use, a balloon stem S may be positioned within the passageway  78  of the sleeve  54  and stretched over the plug  56  so that the material of the balloon stem is compressed between the sleeve  54  and the plug  56 , creating a substantially fluid-tight seal within the balloon stem S of the balloon P to prevent the escape of inflation fluid, facilitating the continued inflated status of the balloon P. In some embodiments, the balloon stem S may be further stretched back over the lip  72  of sleeve  54  to be received within the annular recess  80  to further secure the balloon. Such placement also allows for the lights  52  to be positioned within the balloon while other electronic components are accessible from outside the inflated balloon as described herein. The plug  56  can be removed from the sleeve  54  to purposely release inflatable fluid within the balloon P, allowing the balloon to deflate and uncouple from the lighting device  50 . This allows the lighting device  50  to be reusable and swapped between various balloons. In one embodiment, the plug  56 , the sleeve  54 , and the base  58  may be comprised of a lightweight polymer, metal, or another lightweight material, allowing a balloon P filled with helium or other inflation fluid to lift the lighting device  50 . 
     Referring generally to  FIGS.  5 - 7 B , another embodiment of the lighting device  50  is disclosed. A lighting device  150  has substantially the same structure and operation as the lighting device  50 , except as described below. Like elements of the lighting device  50  are identified by adding “100” to the corresponding reference number of the lighting device  50 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  5 - 6   , the lighting device  150  includes a plug  156  having a base portion  166  and a body portion  164 , wherein the base portion  166  is configured to couple to a base  158 . Specifically, the base  158  and the plug  156  are sized and shaped to form a press-fit coupling configuration, defining a chamber  174  between the plug  156  and the base  158 . To provide security to the coupling between the plug  156  and the base  158 , the base  158  includes a plurality of apertures  102 , each of the apertures  102  configured to receive a tab  104  disposed on the outer surface  106  of the plug  156 . The base  158  further includes a recess  108  in a sidewall  110  of the base to allow a switch  112  to pass through as described herein. 
     The body portion  164  of the plug  156  includes a removable cap  114  configured to be received within an opening  116  defined by the body portion  164 . For example, the cap  114  may comprise a chamfered shape configured to press-fit within the opening  116  defined by the body portion  164 . The cap  114  may be further secured to the body portion  164  of the plug  156  using a sealant and/or adhesive. The removeable cap  114  defines a plurality of apertures  118  sized and shaped to receive a corresponding plurality of lights  152 . In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the removeable cap  114  includes four apertures  118  corresponding to four lights  152 . In other embodiments, more or fewer apertures  118  and lights  152  may be utilized. The lights  152  may be sized to rest atop the cap  114  and may be adhered or otherwise coupled to the cap  114  in a sealed manner. 
     Now referring specifically to  FIG.  6   , the lights  152  include wiring  176  which runs through the plug  156  to operatively couple the lights  152  to a circuit board  160  disposed within the chamber  174 . The wiring  176  may extend downward from the lights  152  through the apertures  118  in the cap  114  toward the circuit board  160 . The circuit board  160  includes a switch  112 , which, when assembled, is passed through an aperture  120  defined by the base portion  166  of the plug  156  and the recess  108  of the sidewall  110  of the base  158  as described above so that a user may access the switch  112 . A battery  122  is further disposed within the chamber  174  in operative communication with the circuit board  160  to supply power to the circuit board  160  when placed in operation by a user via the switch  112 . For example, the switch regulates the power to the circuit board—providing power in one configuration and turning off the circuit board  160  in another configuration. The battery  122  is received within a wall  192  within the base  158  of the lighting device  150 . A cut-out  198  within the base  158  may serve the same purpose as the opening  98  defined by the base  158  as described above in relation to lighting device  50 . 
     Now referring to  FIGS.  7 A- 7 B , the plug  156  comprises a single passageway  188  running through the length of the plug  156  parallel to axis A to form a pathway for wiring  176  ( FIG.  6   ) attached to the circuit board  160  to run the length of the plug  156  and couple to the lights  152  ( FIG.  6   ). The aperture  55  and resulting compartment  90  of the device  50  as shown in  FIG.  3   . is omitted in this embodiment. Additionally, because this alternative embodiment does not include a sleeve, a portion of the body portion  164  of the plug  156  closest to the base portion  166  recesses to form a lip  124  to further secure the inflatable product. For example, in use, a balloon stem may be positioned and stretched over the plug  156 , with the bottom of the balloon stem elastically clinging to the lip  124  so that the lighting device  150  does not slip out of the balloon. The elastic connection between the balloon and the plug  156  further prevents inflation fluid from escaping from the balloon. 
     While this invention has been described as having exemplary designs, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.