Abstract:
A display apparatus has a stationary base, a floating display member secured to the base by a first cord, and a balloon secured to the floating member by a second cord. The balloon is inflated with a gas which is lighter than air, and rises upwardly to suspend the floating member at a location spaced above the base member.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of novelty and amusement devices, and more particularly to a balloon novelty device that can be used for entertainment or advertising purposes. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a balloon novelty device that is made up of a stationary base that is coupled to a ornamental or display member by flexible cord. The display member is intended to be coupled to at least one lighter-than-air balloon which exerts an upward force on the display member, thereby suspending it above the stationary base. Both the display member and the base can have printed on them decorative designs or written messages that can be used for entertainment or advertising purposes. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a detail view showing how the display member includes a means for attaching the balloon or balloons. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the present invention where the attachment is achieved by a simple hole. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A balloon novelty device will be described. In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, specific construction details, arrangements, and component descriptions are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known components and structures have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention unnecessarily. 
     Referring first to FIG. 1, a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the novelty device  10 . The primary elements of the novelty device  10  is the stationary base  12  and the floating display member  14  which are coupled together by a suitable flexible cord or wire  16 . FIG. 1 shows that a plurality of balloons  20  are each connected to the floating member  14  by a string. 
     It would understood that it is not necessary to use the present invention with any specific number of balloons  20 . It has been determined that a plurality of balloons is most desirable, due to the extra upward force that they exert on the ornamental or display member  14  to pull it upwardly above the base member  12  so that it appears to float. However, a single balloon may be used if it is large enough so that it will lift the floating member. Therefore, whenever this description indicates that a plurality of balloons is to be used, it should be understood that no specific number is indicated, and as few as a single balloon may be connected to the floating member. 
     In the operation of the present invention, the floating member  14  is coupled to the balloons  20  by means of a string. The balloons are typically filled with a lighter-than-air gas, such as helium. This will result in the balloons exerting an upward force on the floating member, causing the floating member to be suspended above the stationary base  12 . 
     The floating member is restrained by means of a flexible wire or cord  16 . The cord is fixedly attached to both the stationary base and the floating member. It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that a variety of different materials can be utilized for the cord  16 . For example, an elastic cord can be used. If it desired that the cord not be visible to the user of the novelty device, a transparent material such as nylon thread can be used. 
     The stationary base in the preferred embodiment is manufactured from made from a suitable material such as cardboard. It is anticipated that the base member will have a decorative design or a written message printed or drawn on it for decorative or advertising purposes. Thus, the material for the stationary base  12  should be chosen accordingly. In addition, the base should be of sufficient weight to anchor the floating member and balloons in place. 
     The stationary base also has formed into it a receptacle  18  for supporting the floating member  14  when the floating member is not coupled to a balloon. The receptacle in the preferred embodiment takes the form of at least one longitudinal slit  18  that is formed into the top surface of the stationary base. The receptacle allows the floating member to be displayed in an upright position, and not laid flat, when not attached to a balloon  20 . 
     It is anticipated that the stationary base in the preferred embodiment will be sold or provided in a flat configuration. The base will then be folded into its final shape by the user of the novelty device. 
     The floating member  14  is made from a suitable material that is preferably lightweight. A lightweight material will allow the floating member to be suspended above the stationary base  12  by means of the upward force exerted by the lighter-than-air balloons. In the preferred embodiment, the floating member is made from a thin cardboard material. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that alternative materials can be used with equal effectiveness. For example, the floating member  14  can be manufactured from foam, heavy paper or other similar materials. 
     A means for connecting the balloons  20  to the novelty device  10  is incorporated into the floating member. This attachment means can take a variety of arrangements. In the preferred embodiment, the attachment means consists of a small slit cut into the floating member. The slit is adapted to accept the string that is typically tied to the balloon. In an alternative embodiment, the attachment means may take the structure of a simple hole that passes through the floating member. The string may be tied to the floating member by the use of the hole. An example of this alternative embodiment of the attachment means is illustrated in FIG.  4 . 
     As with the stationary base  12 , the floating member  14  can be printed with a decorative design or message (not shown). In addition, the floating member can be cut to virtually any shape that is desired. The only limitation on the shape and arrangement of the floating member is that it not be too large so that it cannot be lifted by the balloons  20 . 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the novelty device  10  consists of a single floating member  14  that is tethered to the stationary base  12 . It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that multiple floating members  14  can be utilized within the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, an alternative embodiment of the present invention may employ multiple floating units that are connected to the base. The floating units can be connected to the base by means of differing lengths of flexible cord  16 , if desired. FIG. 3 shows this type of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
     The description of the present invention has been made with respect to specific arrangements and constructions of a balloon novelty device. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the foregoing description is for illustrative purposes only, and that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the overall spirit and scope of the present invention. The full extent of the present invention is defined and limited only by the following claims.