Patent Publication Number: US-9835323-B1

Title: Device and method for an illuminated balloon

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of and claims the filing benefit under 35 U.S.C. §120 of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/150,898, filed Jan. 9, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference. This application also claims the filing benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/753,546, filed Jan. 17, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention generally pertains to balloons, and more particularly to a device and method for an illuminated balloon. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Balloons are traditional decorations which can be used for all types of occasions. They are relatively cheap and can feature any number of designs, logos, etc., both of which features have helped in their popularity. One downfall of balloons, however, is their lack of visibility at night. As a result attempts have been made to create illuminated balloons using light emitting diodes which can be seen both during the day and at night. Many of these illuminated balloons feature external power sources, require special ties to close or include otherwise inconvenient features for the users. Additionally, many illuminated balloons fail to emit a sufficient amount of light. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a device and method for an illuminated balloon. Because of its orientation, the device allows the illumination of light emitting diodes to be seen both during the day and at night. The superior illumination is the result of holders which connect to the inside surface of the balloon, receive the light emitting diode, and direct the light directly out from the surface of the balloon. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, a device for an illuminated balloon having an inside surface and a center includes a light emitting diode having a lens. A holder is connected to the light emitting diode, the holder having a first side, an opposite second side, and a hole which receives the light emitting diode, the hole extending from the first side to the second side. The first side of the holder is connectable to the inside surface of the balloon so that the lens directs light outwardly through the inside surface of the balloon and away from the center of the balloon. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, the light emitting diode has an electrical terminal which is disposed closer to the center of the balloon than is the lens. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, the light emitting diode has a longitudinal axis, which is substantially perpendicular to the first side. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, when the holder is connected to the inside surface of the balloon, the longitudinal axis is substantially perpendicular to the inside surface of the balloon. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, the balloon has a window. The holder is connectable to the inside surface of the balloon so that the light emitting diode is aligned with the window. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, the holder is disc shaped wherein the first side is parallel to the second side with a circular edge disposed therebetween. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, the holder is fabricated from foam. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, an adhesive connects the first side of the holder to the inside surface of the balloon. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, a plurality of light emitting diode and holder pairs are each connected to the inside surface of the balloon. The plurality of light emitting diodes each being connected to a light emitting diode sequencer circuit. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, the light emitting diode has a tip. The tip of the light emitting diode not outwardly extending beyond the first side of the holder. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, the light emitting diode has a flange having a width W. The hole in the holder has a diameter HD, wherein HD is less than W 
     In accordance with another embodiment, the light emitting diode has a flange. The second side of the holder has a recess which is shaped and dimensioned to closely receive the flange of the light emitting diode. 
     Other embodiments, in addition to the embodiments enumerated above, will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the device and method for an illuminated a balloon. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a reduced front elevation view of an illuminated balloon with a device connected thereto; 
         FIG. 2  is a reduced cutaway rear elevation view of the device and the balloon; 
         FIG. 3  is a reduced cutaway side elevation view of the device and the balloon; 
         FIG. 4  is a view of area  4  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a fragmented front perspective view of a light emitting diode and holder connected to the balloon, the balloon having a clear window; 
         FIG. 6  is a fragmented front perspective view of the light emitting diode and holder connected to the balloon, the balloon having a semi-transparent window; 
         FIG. 7  is a fragmented rear perspective view of the light emitting diode and holder connected to the balloon; 
         FIG. 8  is a top plan view of a light emitting diode; 
         FIG. 9  is a side elevation view of the light emitting diode; 
         FIG. 10  is a bottom plan view of the light emitting diode; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the light emitting diode; 
         FIG. 12  is rotated perspective view of the light emitting diode; 
         FIG. 13  is a view of the first side of the holder for holding the light emitting diode; 
         FIG. 14  is an edge view of the holder; 
         FIG. 15  is a view of the second side of the holder; 
         FIG. 16  is a front perspective view of the holder; 
         FIG. 17  is a rear perspective view of the holder; 
         FIG. 18  is a front perspective view of the holder with a light emitting diode being placed in the holder; 
         FIG. 19  is a front perspective view of the holder with the light emitting diode placed in the holder; 
         FIG. 20  is a view of the second side of the holder with the light emitting diode placed therein; 
         FIG. 21  is a cross sectional view along the line  21 - 21  of  FIG. 20 . 
         FIG. 22  is a front perspective view of release paper being removed from the first side of the holder; 
         FIG. 23  is a rear perspective view of the holder with a light emitting diode placed therein, and with a strap holding the light emitting diode in place; 
         FIG. 24  is a cross sectional view as in  FIG. 21  showing a second embodiment of holder; and, 
         FIG. 25  is a rear perspective view of the second embodiment holder. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring initially to  FIGS. 1-3 , there are illustrated reduced front elevation, reduced cutaway rear elevation, and reduced cutaway side elevations views respectively of an illuminated balloon  500  with a device connected thereto, the device generally designated as  20 . As shown, balloon  500  is inflated and has an inside surface  502 . Device  20  includes a light emitting diode  22  (also refer to  FIGS. 8-12 ). Also referring to  FIGS. 13-17 , device  20  further includes a holder  24  which is connected to light emitting diode  22 , holder  24  has a first side  26 , an opposite second side  28 , and a hole  30  which receives light emitting diode  22 , hole  30  extends from first side  26  to second side  28 . The first side  26  of holder  24  is connectable to inside surface  502  of balloon  500  (also refer to  FIG. 4  and the associated discussion). In the shown embodiment, a plurality of light emitting diode  22  and holder  24  pairs (five as shown) are each connected to the inside surface  502  of balloon  500 . 
     In the shown embodiment, the plurality of light emitting diodes  22  are each connected to a light emitting diode sequencer circuit  32  which causes the light emitting diodes  22  to illuminate in a pre-determined sequence. Light emitting diode sequencer circuit  32  can be connected to the inside surface of balloon  500  by an adhesive, and can be programmable so that a variety of light sequences may be presented. Light emitting diode sequencer circuit  32  is energized by a switch  34  which is disposed in a pocket  504  which outwardly projects from balloon  500 . Sequencer circuits are well know in the light emitting diode art. Wires  36  connect light emitting diode  22  to light emitting diode sequencer circuit  32 , and also connect switch  34  to light emitting diode sequencer circuit  32 . A battery  33  powers sequencer circuit  32  and light emitting diodes  22 . Balloon  500  also includes a valve  506  for effecting inflation with a gas such as helium as is well known in the art. Balloon  500  can be fabricated from Mylar or other suitable material, and can include indicia (e.g. Happy Birthday). The various components of device  20  are selected to be light weight so that they will not prevent balloon  500  from floating when filled with a lighter than air gas. Balloon  500  has a center  510  (middle part) 
       FIG. 4  is a view of area  4  of  FIG. 3 , showing the connection of holder  24  to the inside surface  502  of balloon  500 . Light emitting diode  22  has a longitudinal axis  23  which is substantially perpendicular to first side  26  of holder  24 . As such, when first side  26  of holder  24  is connected to inside surface  502  of balloon  500 , the longitudinal axis  23  of light emitting diode  22  is also substantially perpendicular to inside surface  502  of balloon  500  so that the light  25  emitted from light emitting diode  22  shines out substantially perpendicularly from the surface of balloon  500 . This perpendicular orientation makes light emitting diode  22  more visible. It is noted that holder  24  is only perpendicular to the inside surface  502  of balloon  500  at the point of attachment, and not to other portions of inside surface  502  (due to the curved surface of balloon  500 ). The connection of holder  24  to the inside surface  502  of balloon  500  can be effected by an adhesive or other suitable means (also refer to  FIG. 13 ). In the shown embodiment, balloon  500  has a window  508  (shown as a dashed line in  FIG. 4 ) which is one of clear (transparent) and semi-transparent (translucent). Holder  24  is connectable to the inside surface  502  of balloon  500  so that light emitting diode  22  is aligned with window  508 . That is, holder  24  is connected so that the light  25  from light emitting diode  22  shines out from window  508  (also refer to  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). An adhesive  44  connects first side  26  of holder  24  to inside surface  502  of balloon  500 . Also referring to  FIG. 3 , it is noted that first side  26  of holder  24  is connectable to inside surface  502  of balloon  500  so that lens  38  directs light  25  outwardly through inside surface  502  of balloon  500  and away from the center  510  of balloon  500 . It is also noted that light emitting diode  22  has an electrical terminal  42 , and that electrical terminal  42  is disposed closer to the center  510  of balloon  500  than is lens  38 . 
       FIG. 5  is a fragmented front perspective view of light emitting diode  22  and holder  24  connected to a balloon  500  which has a clear window  508 , and  FIG. 6  is a fragmented front perspective view of light emitting diode  22  and holder  24  connected to a balloon  500  which has a semi-transparent window  508  (shown hashed). It is noted that in the embodiments of both  FIGS. 5 and 6 , windows  508  are surrounded by an opaque surface of balloon  500 . In  FIG. 5  light  25  from light emitting diode  22  freely passes through clear window  508 , and in  FIG. 6  light  25  from light emitting diode  22  passes through semi-transparent window but is diffused. 
       FIG. 7  is a fragmented rear perspective view of second side  28  of holder  24  and light emitting diode  22  with holder  24  connected to the inside surface  502  of balloon  500 . Wires  36  connect light emitting diode  22  to light emitting diode sequencer circuit  32  (refer to  FIGS. 1-3 ). 
       FIG. 8-12  are top plan, side elevation, bottom plan, perspective, and rotated perspective views respectively light emitting diode  22 . Light emitting diode  22  includes a longitudinal axis  23 , a lens  38  which focuses light  25  along longitudinal axis  23 , a body  39 , a mounting flange  40 , and two electrical terminals  42 . Body  39  has a diameter d. In the shown embodiment, light emitting diode  22  has a length L of about 5/32 of an inch. 
       FIGS. 13-17  are first side, edge, second side, front perspective, and rear perspective views respectively of holder  24  which holds light emitting diode  22  (refer to  FIGS. 8-12 ). In the shown embodiment, holder  24  is disc shaped wherein flat first side  26  is parallel to flat second side  28  with a circular edge  33  disposed therebetween. Hole  30 , which extends from first side  26  to second side  28 ), receives light emitting diode  22  (refer to  FIGS. 18 and 19 ). In an embodiment, hole  30  is circular and has a hole diameter HD. In an embodiment, holder  24  is fabricated from resilient foam material. In another embodiment, an adhesive is used to connect holder  24  to the inside surface  502  of balloon  500  (refer to  FIG. 4 ). As shown in  FIGS. 13 and 16 , an adhesive  44  is disposed on first side  26  of holder  24 . In an embodiment, holder  24  has a diameter D of about 9/32 of an inch, and a thickness T of about 5/32 of an inch. In another embodiment, the ratio D/HD is about 4.5. 
       FIG. 18  is a front perspective view of holder  24  with a light emitting diode  22  being placed in holder  24 . Light emitting diode  22  is inserted into hole  30  in direction  37  from second side  28  (refer to  FIG. 17 ). Light emitting diode  22  can be placed in holder  24  either before of after holder  24  is connected to the inside surface  502  of balloon  500  (refer to  FIG. 4 ). 
       FIG. 19  is a front perspective view of holder  24  with light emitting diode  22  placed in holder  24 . The connection of light emitting diode  22  to holder  24  can be effected in various ways. For example, an adhesive can be used to hold light emitting diode  22  in place in hole  30 . Or, hole  30  can be smaller than light emitting diode  22  and a press fit connection utilized. 
       FIG. 20  is a view of second side  28  of holder  24  with light emitting diode  22  placed therein, and  FIG. 21  is a cross sectional view along the line  21 - 21  of  FIG. 20 . In the shown embodiment flange  40  of light emitting diode  22  has a width W. Hole  30  of holder  24  has a hole diameter HD which is less than width W. As such, when light emitting diode  24  is inserted into holder  24  from second side  28 , flange  40  abuts second side  28  and resides outside hole  30 . In another embodiment, light emitting diode  22  has a tip  35 . Tip  35  is the furthest extension of the light emitting end of light emitting diode  22 . When light emitting diode  22  is installed in holder  24 , tip  35  does not outwardly extend beyond first side  26  of holder  24 . 
       FIG. 22  is a front perspective view of release paper  50  being removed the first side  26  of holder  24  which contains adhesive  44 . Release paper  50  exposes adhesive  44 , and is removed just prior to connecting holder  24  to the inside surface  502  of balloon  500  (refer to  FIG. 4 ). 
       FIG. 23  is a rear perspective view of holder  24  with light emitting diode  22  placed therein, and with a strap  60  holding light emitting diode  22  in place. 
       FIG. 24  is a cross sectional view as in  FIG. 21  showing a second embodiment of holder  24 , and  FIG. 25  is a rear perspective view of the second embodiment holder  24 . In this embodiment, the second side  28  of holder  24  has a recess  70  which is shaped and dimensioned to closely receive flange  40  of light emitting diode  22 , so that when light emitting diode  22  inserted into holder  24  flange  40  is flush with second surface  28  of holder  24 . 
     In another embodiment, device  20  is combined with balloon  500  to form an illuminated balloon. 
     In terms of use, a method for attaching lights to a balloon  500  includes: (refer to  FIGS. 1-25 ): 
     (a) providing a balloon  500  having an inside surface  502  and a center  510 ; 
     (b) providing a light emitting diode  22  having a lens  38 ; 
     (c) providing a holder  24  having a first side  26 , an opposite second side  28 , and a hole  30  which is shaped and dimensioned to receive light emitting diode  22 , hole  30  extending from first side  26  to second side  28 ; 
     (d) placing light emitting diode  22  in hole  30  of holder  24 ; and, 
     (e) connecting first side  26  of holder  24  to inside surface  502  of balloon  500  so that lens  38  directs light  25  outwardly through inside surface  502  of balloon  500  and away from the center  510  of balloon  500 . 
     The method further including: 
     in (a), balloon  500  having a window  508 ; and, 
     in (e), holder  24  connected to inside surface  502  of balloon  500  so that light emitting diode  22  is aligned with window  508 . 
     The method further including: 
     providing an adhesive  44 ; and, 
     in (e), using adhesive  44  to connect first side  26  of holder  24  to inside surface  502  of balloon  500 . 
     The method further including: 
     repeating (b) through (e) for a plurality of light emitting diode  22  and holder  24  pairs. 
     The embodiments of the device and method for an illuminated balloon described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, combinations, variations, and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve an equivalent result, all of which are intended to be embraced within the scope of the appended claims. Further, nothing in the above-provided discussions of the device and method for an illuminated balloon should be construed as limiting the invention to a particular embodiment or combination of embodiments. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.