Patent Publication Number: US-6663460-B1

Title: Balloon weight with selectable ballast

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention herein resides in the art of balloon devices and accessories. More particularly, the invention relates to a balloon weight assembly adapted to be tethered to an inflated balloon in restraint thereof. Specifically, the invention relates to a balloon weight assembly adapted to provide ballast in various amounts. Particularly, the balloon weight is characterized by a cavity configured to receive weights of various masses, as described. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     The use of balloons as a “favor” or at parties, celebrations, and other events is now extremely well known. Millions of balloons are so used each year. Generally such balloons are attached to either a stick and a cup or a ribbon so that they can be restrained by the user. Additionally, the balloons are typically filled with helium gas to provide a “lift”, allowing them to stay aloft at the end of the tethered ribbon. Of particular concern of many localities is assurances that such inflated balloons are restrained from free flight into electrical power lines and transformers as well as the atmosphere. Particular concern exists with respect to Mylar or metallic balloons, which pose a threat to electrical transmission wires, and which are not biodegradable. Many municipalities and other governmental agencies consider such balloons to pose at least some threat to the environment. Accordingly, many governmental agencies require that such metallic balloons be tethered to a weight, with the weight being sufficient to prevent the balloon from free flight into the atmosphere. 
     It has previously been known to employ a weight at the end of a ribbon tethered to a balloon, to restrain the balloon from free flight. But, the size of the weight necessary to prevent escape of the balloon is a function of the size or “lift” of the balloon. In the past, it has been necessary for retailers to have available a wide variation of balloon weights in order to accomodate the various sizes of balloons being sold. The need for such a wide variety of balloon weights aggravates costs of both manufacturing and inventory. 
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     In light of the foregoing, it is an aspect of the instant invention to provide a balloon weight with selectable ballast in which a housing has a cavity adapted to receive weights of various masses dependent upon the size or “lift” of the associated balloon. 
     The foregoing and other aspects of the invention which will become apparent as the detailed description proceeds are achieved by a balloon weight housing having a cavity configured to selectively receive weights of various masses, such weights being received in the cavity by a press fit. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a complete understanding of the objects, techniques, and structure of the invention reference should be made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a balloon weight according to the invention and in which a ballast is press fit into a cavity within the housing of the balloon weight; 
     FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the balloon weight of FIG. 1, showing the ballast in place; and 
     FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the balloon weight of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     With reference now to the drawings, it can be seen that a balloon weight made in accordance with the invention is designated generally by the numeral  10 . As is known in the art, the balloon weight  10  is generally configured as a spool and is preferably molded of plastic and has a body with an eyelet or the like for securedly receiving the end of a tether, the other end of the tether being adapted for attachment to a balloon. 
     It will be appreciated that balloons come in various sizes and associated “lifts.” Moreover, balloons are often ganged together, having a significant “lift” characterizing the group of balloons. Rather than being numerous individual balloon weights from which the appropriate weight may be selected, the invention contemplates a single weight with selectably interchangeable ballasts. To that end, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, the balloon weight  10  may be provided with at least one ballast member  80 . The ballast member  80  simply provides additional downforce or weight to the balloon weight  10 . It may be constructed of any known material including metals, polymeric materials, and combinations thereof. The ballast member  80  may be coated. For example, a metal ballast member  80  may comprise a lead core having a polymeric coating. Ballast member  80  is made attachable to the balloon weight  10  in any known manner. In the embodiment shown, ballast member  80  is sized to create a friction or interference fit with the internal wall  82  of cavity  38  in the molded body of the balloon weight  10 . In this way, as shown in FIG. 2, the ballast member  80  may be simply pressed or snapped into place by the user. 
     The ballast member  80  is shown as a cylindrical disk member for sake of simplicity, but it will be appreciated that any shape ballast member  80  may be used with attention to the confines of the cavity  38 . The ballast member  80  may further be provided with or shaped to define openings, notches, or recesses, generally indicated by the numeral  83 . These openings  83  may be formed at the periphery of member  80 . Openings  83  may be located to receive or avoid items that protrude into the cavity, including the knotted ribbon typically associated with balloon weights or support ribs  84  as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. 
     As will be appreciated, the weight of the ballast member  80  may be varied in a conventional manner including altering the amount of material forming the ballast member  80  or the density of that material. In addition, the size, shape, or thickness of the ballast member  80  may be changed, or perforations may be used to remove material from the ballast member  82 . In terms of density, differing materials may be used as previously mentioned. Finally, the user may change the amount of ballast by substituting ballast members  80  of differing weights or, by adding multiple ballast members  80  within cavity  38 . To that end, ballast members  80  may have thicknesses less than the depth of cavity  38  as shown in FIG.  3 . Accordingly, any size or combination of ballasts may be employed to satisfy the weight requirements for overcoming the “lift” of an associated balloon. Thus, the ballast members  80  may be used to insure that the balloon floats properly and to avoid instances where the balloon&#39;s lift exceeds the downforce of the balloon weight  10 . 
     Thus it can be seen that at least one of the objects of the invention have been satisfied by the structure presented above. While in accordance with the patent statutes only the best mode and preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented and described in detail, the invention is not limited thereto or thereby. Accordingly, for an appreciation of the true scope and breadth of the invention, reference should be made to the following claims.