Patent Publication Number: US-9833721-B2

Title: Balloon tying aid

Description:
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. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         FIG. 1  is a partial diagrammatic front view of a balloon tying aid device of the present application. 
         FIG. 2  is a partial diagrammatic side view of the device of  FIG. 1 .  FIGS. 1 and 2  have view planes perpendicular to one another. 
         FIG. 3  is a partial diagrammatic top view of the device of  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  FIGS. 1-3  each have a view plane perpendicular to the others. 
         FIG. 4  is a partial diagrammatic top view of the device of  FIGS. 1-3  with the tag end of an inflated balloon partially engaged therewith. 
         FIG. 5  is a partial diagrammatic top view of the device of  FIGS. 1-3  with the tag end of the balloon in a more advanced stage of engagement—being wrapped around the device. The view planes of  FIGS. 3-5  are coextensive. 
         FIG. 6  is a view of a flowchart of one procedure for using the device of  FIGS. 1-3 .  FIGS. 3-5  correspond to different stages of the procedure depicted in the flowchart of  FIG. 6 . 
     
    
    
     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. 1-3  present another embodiment of the present application in the form of knot tying aid  21 , which is further designated as device  20 . Referring specifically to  FIG. 1 , a front view of device  20  is shown. Device  20  includes a proximal device end portion  22  that is positioned opposite distal device end portion  24 . Proximal end portion  22  includes handle  26 . Handle  26  is 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 device  20 , aid  21 , end portion  22 , and end portion  24 . In other embodiments, the centering and/or longitude of handle  26 , device  20 , aid  21 , end portion  22 , and end portion  24  may vary as would occur to those skilled in the art. 
     Distal end portion  24  includes a number of projections  37  specifically labeled prongs  32   a ,  32   b , and  32   c . Collectively, projections  37  are also designated elongated prongs  32 . Elongated prongs  32  each end with a termination or device projection end portion  34 . Optionally, projection end portions  34  may be rounded, radiused, smoothed, and/or otherwise finished/shaped to facilitate performance of various operations with aid  21  as further described hereinafter. 
     Referring additionally to  FIG. 2 , like reference numerals refer to like features as previously described.  FIG. 2  presents a side view of device  20 , with a view plane that extends perpendicular to the view plane of  FIG. 1 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , end portion  24  includes one offsetting arm  30  for each projection  37 . Each arm  30  connects to and is contact with handle  26  at one end and a corresponding different prong  32  at an opposite end. Arms  30  each extend or project laterally in relation to axis C to define an elbow shape  31 . Every arm-connected prong  32  has a longitude that is parallel to, but is offset from or transverse to axis C and shape  31  approximately corresponds to a right angle. In other embodiments, different longitudinal relationships among prongs  32 , different relationships of prongs  32  to the center/longitude of handle  26 , and/or a different angle for elbow shape  31  may be realized. 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 3 , like reference numerals refer to like features as previously described. In  FIG. 3 , aid  21  is depicted with a view plane perpendicular to the view planes of both  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and accordingly axis C is depicted by cross hairs because it is perpendicular to the  FIG. 3  view plane. Likewise, longitude of each one of projections  37  is parallel to longitude of the other projections  37  and axis C. Device  20  may be made from any suitable material. In a preferred embodiment, device  20  is 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, device  20  is made from a unitary piece of metal or a polymeric resin of a thermoset or thermoplastic type. In an even more preferred embodiment, device  20  is made from a molded or extruded single piece of a thermoset or thermoplastic polymeric material. In other preferred embodiments, device  20  may be a unitary piece formed by molding, stamping, pressing, extrusion, machining, etching, cutting, or casting. For still further embodiments, device  20  is formed from multiple pieces each fabricated and joined together using standard techniques. In one particular arrangement, device  20  is formed from a multi-tined metallic eating utensil, like a table fork. 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 1-3 , each one of arms  30  forms a generally right-angled elbow shape  31  that offsets projections  37  from handle  26 ; however, in other arrangements, arm  30  may be differently shaped, may or may not have an elbow shape  31  at all, and/or may be altogether absent. In one alternative (not shown), prongs  32  extend along generally straight pathways diverging away from each other relative to a connection to handle  26 . In one particular example, the three projections  37  (and prongs  32 ) correspond to three edges of a tetrahedron (a pyramid with four triangular faces) joined to each other and handle  26  at a common vertex (not shown)—lacking any distinct elbow shapes  31  or separate arms  30 . Notably, such divergence, and the extension of arms  30 /elbows  31  still provides a lateral offset of end portions  34  relative to axis C. In further embodiments, arms  30  and/or elbow shape  31  is/are subsumed by prongs  32  and projections  37  or vice versa. In still other embodiments, prongs  32  and projections  37  are differently shaped with or without arms  30  and/or elbow shape  31 . 
     Prongs  32   a  and  32   c  are generally in the same plane as handle  26  in a spaced apart relationship as best shown in  FIG. 2  given that prongs  32   a  and  32   c  extend laterally from handle  26 . Prong  32   b  extends away from prongs  32   a  and  32   c  along a plane approximately parallel to the  FIG. 2  view plane. Referring also to  FIG. 3  a top down view of prongs  32  best illustrates that prongs  32  collectively 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 to  FIGS. 4-6 , one mode/embodiment of a process for operating device  20  is next described as procedure  110 , with like reference numerals refer to like features previously described in connection with  FIGS. 1-3 .  FIGS. 4 and 5  are in the same view plane as  FIG. 3 , but further illustrate different operations of procedure  110  in terms of different depictions of item  70  in these figures, where item  70  is subject to these operations; and while  FIG. 6  presents a flow chart of procedure  110 . As shown specifically in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , item  70  is in the form of an inflated balloon  50 . Balloon  50  includes a bulbous inflated portion  51  (partly shown) integrally connected to tag end portion  52 . Tag end portion  52  includes neck portion  53  that terminates in a fluid inflation/deflation port  55  defined by balloon end part  57  of portion  52 . Balloon  50  may 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 balloon  50  is 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. 6  particularly illustrates procedure  110  beginning with entry/start operator  112 . After operator  112 , stage  114  is performed. Stage  114  includes inflating balloon  50  with 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 stage  114 , the fluid can be introduced through port  55  of end part  57  to a desired level—preferably so that tag end portion  52  can be readily manipulated according to later stages of procedure  110 . In one nonlimiting form, inflation is provided by a user blowing into balloon  50  through port  55  with balloon  50  being of a standard elastomeric type. In a further form, a tank of pressurized air or helium is utilized to fill balloon  50  through port  55 . In still a further form, balloon  50  is filled through port  55  by water from a garden hose that provides it under pressure. 
     From the inflation operation in stage  114 , stage  116  of procedure  110  is next encountered. Stage  116  includes holding handle  26  of device  20  or otherwise grasping aid  21  in one hand of a user (not shown), and manipulating tag end portion  52  with the other hand of the user, while bulbous inflated portion  51  under an arm or the like. During these operations, stage  116  further includes manipulating tag end portion  52  to control closure of port  55  so that a desired state of inflation of balloon  50  is maintained. This operation may include releasing some pressurized fluid through port  55  from portion  51  to provide a desired size and/or flexibility of portion  52  in preparation for subsequent stages of procedure  110 ; and/or closing port  55  as applicable. Such closure may be provided by pinching between the user&#39;s fingers or by utilizing a stopper, clip, clamp, pinchers, crimp or other device/body part to prevent undesired fluid loss (deflation) via port  55 . The inflated part of balloon  50  is held away from device  20  (such as under one arm of the user) to keep one of the user&#39;s hands free to manipulate tag end portion  52 . 
     From stage  116 , procedure  110  continues with stage  118 . Stage  118  includes a user wrapping and/or winding tag end portion  52  about prongs  32  or otherwise engaging projections  37  with tag end portion  52  to form loop L. Loop L has one part of tag end portion  52  that crosses over or under another part of tag end portion  52  to define crossed portion  59   a  as designated in  FIG. 4 . As perhaps best shown in  FIG. 4 , the margins of loop L and prongs  32  cooperate to define an opening  60 . Loop L is shown with its constituent parts of tag end portion  52  somewhat in tension to present loop L and opening  60  with an approximately triangular shape in keeping with projection end portions  34  corresponding to vertices of a triangle as previously described. As depicted in  FIGS. 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 portion  34  vertices is envisioned. In yet other embodiments having more or fewer than three prongs  32 /projections  37 , a nontriangular shape, pattern, and/or geometry is envisioned. 
     Stage  120  is performed following stage  118 . In stage  120 , balloon end part  57  and correspondingly port  55  of tag end portion  52  is passed through loop L and opening  60  to form knot K to secure balloon  50  in an inflated state. As shown in  FIG. 4 , arrow A is illustrated, along which port  55  and balloon end part  57  follow to begin knot K formation from tag end portion  52 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , arrow B indicates the direction for balloon end part  57  of tag end portion  52  to follow to further advance formation of knot K. Also, crossed portion  59   b  and crossed portion  59   c  are formed with the performance of stage  120  as depicted in  FIG. 5 , being indicative of progress of knot K formation. Crossed portions  59   b  and  59   c  ( FIG. 5 ) may or may not include any of the constituent parts of tag end portion  52  that provide crossed portion  59   a  ( FIG. 4 ) due to relative movement and/or stretching of some or all of tag end portion  52 —as it advances from the configuration in  FIG. 4  to that shown in  FIG. 5 . With more advancement of knot K formation, balloon end part  57  of tag end portion  52  is pulled tighter (under tension) and potentially stretches. Referring additionally to Stage  122 , tightening of knot K continues by pulling balloon end part  57  of tag end portion  52 , approaching completion. As such tightening occurs, loop L is eased off the prongs  32 , 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 port  55 . 
     In other embodiments, it should be appreciated that a “slip loop” can be formed and knotted in tag end portion  52  (not shown) that comes undone by pulling on balloon end part  57 ; 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 portion  52  of balloon  50  around projections  37  to establish a more secure frictional purchase between tag end portion  52  and projections  37  and/or to provide closure of tag end portion  52  sufficient to maintain inflation of portion  51  until a knot K can be tied. In contrast,  FIG. 5  depicts only one complete turn with one partial turn of tag end portion  52  around projections  37 . 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 stage  122 , a secure closure to port  55  of balloon  50  is provided so that balloon  50  will 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 balloon  50  has been maintained. Upon conclusion of stage  122 , procedure  110  advances to operator  124 , where it halts. Procedure  110  may or may not be repeated as desired for other balloons or like devices with operations  112 - 124  repeated 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.