Abstract:
Heavier than air balloons with optical fiber decorative light arrays, which include a balloon attached to a hollow tube, or stick, which has one or more lengths of optical fibers inside or outside, with the balloon having an optional skirt, the optical fibers are adjacent to or integral with the skirt, which optical fibers each have a protective jacket or cladding to prevent light from escaping therefrom, with portions of the jacket or cladding removed at selected locations along their lengths to permit light patterns to be emitted therefrom, to form a decorative array, upon shining of a light into their ends.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to heavier than air balloons, which have optical fiber arrays incorporated into or adjacent the balloons, with the balloons attached to a tube or stick, with a plurality of lengths of optical fibers in or adjacent to the balloon, with portions of the fiber jackets or cladding removed at selected locations to allow light to escape and provide a decorative light array. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    Optical fibers are well known and used for transmitting light from a light source to the desired illumination point. 
         [0005]    It is known to provide sidelight-emitting fibers, with the fibers being partially translucent along their lengths. U.S. Pat. No. 6,371,638 pertains to lighter than air balloons, which are decorated with illuminated optical fibers. U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,760 discloses an optical fiber illuminated balloon. U.S. Pat. No. 6,106,135 shows an illuminated balloon. In our prior patent application Ser. No. 11/975,303, filed Oct. 18, 2007, optical fibers are disclosed which are carried in a tether and extend to a lighter than air balloon. 
         [0006]    None of the prior art discloses heavier than air balloons, which are connected to a hollow tube, or stick, with one or more optical fibers in or around them, which fibers extend up to the balloon and are incorporated into a skirt, and/or are arranged in a descending pattern on or from the balloon. The optical fibers have portions of their fiber jacket or cladding removed providing light patterns which form a decorative array. The optical fibers are connected to a light source. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    This invention is directed to heavier than air balloons, which are connected to a hollow tube, or stick carrying lengths of optical fibers, which have had portions of their jackets, or cladding removed and are incorporated into a skirt, and/or descend in a pattern to provide light patterns which form a decorative array. 
         [0008]    The principal object of the invention is to provide heavier than air balloons, which include a hollow supporting tube with one or more lengths of optical fibers, which are incorporated in a skirt, and/or descend over or from the balloons, which fibers have portions of their jackets or cladding removed at selected locations along their lengths to provide a decorative array of light patterns around or below the balloon. 
         [0009]    A further object of the invention is to provide heavier than air balloons with optical fibers which can provide a large variety of light patterns. 
         [0010]    A further object of the invention is to provide heavier than air balloons with an optical fiber array which can be used for a variety of illuminating and decorating purposes. 
         [0011]    A further object of the invention is to provide heavier than air balloons with an optical fiber array, which are easy to manufacture, and suitable for mass production. 
         [0012]    Other objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the description and claims. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The nature and characteristic features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part hereof in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a front elevational view, in partial section, of one embodiment of a heavier than air balloon with an optical fiber array of the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of another embodiment of the heavier than air balloon of the invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of another embodiment of the heavier than air balloon of the invention with the fiber optic array incorporated into a skirt, which is below the balloon; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a view similar to  FIG. 3 , in partial section, with the fiber optic array outside the skirt; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a front elevational view, in partial section, of another embodiment of the invention; and. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a front elevational view in partial section of another embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
       [0020]    It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are merely illustrative, and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structures disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
         [0021]    Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    When referring to the preferred embodiments, certain terminology will be utilized for the sake of clarity. Use of such terminology is intended to encompass not only the described embodiments, but also technical equivalents, which operate and function in substantially the same way to bring about the same result. 
         [0023]    Referring now more particularly to the drawings and  FIG. 1  thereof, a heavier than air balloon  10  is therein illustrated, of well-known type. The balloon  10  can be constructed of mylar or other material, and can be opaque or translucent, and is preferably filled with air, or nitrogen or any suitable heavier than air gas of well known type. The balloon as illustrated is a Figurene available from any number of sources. 
         [0024]    The balloon  10  is supported by a bracket  11  connected to a hollow tube  12 , which can be of symthetic plastic or metal as desired. The tube  11  has a cone  14  therearound, which grips the tube  11 . 
         [0025]    A plurality of optical fiber lengths  15  of well known type are provided, which are available from a wide variety of sources. The optical fiber lengths  15  have an outer protective jacket or cladding  16 , along their lengths to prevent light from being transmitted to other than the end of the fiber length, and as illustrated extend out and down from the balloon. 
         [0026]    The jacket or cladding  16  allows only minimal escape of the light transmitted therein. 
         [0027]    Portions of the jacket or cladding  16  are removed at selected locations  17  along the lengths  15  to permit light to be emitted therefrom. The locations  16  can be configured to provide a variety of patterns  18 , such as stars, circles, squares or any other desired pattern (not shown). The fiber lengths  15  may be carried in the hollow tube  12  and connected to a light source (not shown), which shines light into the ends of the fiber lengths  15 , with the light patterns  18  emanating therefrom providing a decorative array, below balloon  10 . 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIG. 2  another embodiment of the invention is therein illustrated which includes a heavier than air balloon  30 , which is similar to balloon  10 . 
         [0029]    The balloon  30  has a skirt  31  connected thereto, which skirt is of the flowing swing type. The balloon  30  is connected to a hollow tube  32  inside skirt  31 , which tube is connected to a base  33 . 
         [0030]    The base  33  contains a light source (not shown) and an on-off switch  34 . The base  33  has a plurality of optical fiber lengths  35  therein, of well known type, connected to the light source (not shown) which extend upwardly in the tube  32 , out and then extend upwardly and outwardly over the exterior of skirt  31  and then downwardly. The fiber lengths  35  have outer light protective jackets or cladding  36  along their lengths, with portions removed at selected locations  37  to provide patterns  38  as desired, to form a decorative array. 
         [0031]    Referring now more particularly to  FIG. 3 , another embodiment of the invention is therein illustrated which includes a heavier than air balloon  40 , similar to balloon  10 . 
         [0032]    The balloon  40  has a skirt  41  connected thereto. The balloon  40  is connected to a hollow tube  42 , inside skirt  41 , which tube is connected to a base  43 , that contains a light source (not shown) and an on-off switch  44 . The base  43  has a plurality of optical fiber lengths  45  therein, of well known type therein, connected to the light source (not shown), which extend upwardly in the tube  42 , out and then extend downwardly being incorporated into and being an integral part of the exterior  46  of skirt  41 . The fiber lengths  45  have outer light protective jackets or cladding  47  along their lengths, with portions removed at selected locations  48  to provide patterns  49  as desired to form a decorative array. 
         [0033]    Referring now more particularly to  FIG. 4  another embodiment of the invention is therein illustrated which includes a heavier than air balloon  50 , similar to balloon  10 . The balloon  50  has a skirt  51  connected thereto of similar configuration as skirt  41 . 
         [0034]    The balloon  50  is connected to a hollow tube  52  inside skirt  51 , which tube  52  is connected to a base  53 . The base  53  has a light source  54 , and an on-off switch  55 . The base  53  has a plurality of optical fiber lengths  56  therein, of well known type, connected to the light source  54 . The fiber lengths  56  extend upwardly in the tube  52 , out, and then extend upwardly and downwardly over the exterior  57  of skirt  51 . The fiber lengths  56  have outer light protective jackets or cladding  59  along their lengths, with portions removed at selected locations  60  to provide patterns  61  as desired to form a decorative array. 
         [0035]    Referring now more particularly to  FIG. 5  another embodiment of the invention is therein illustrated which includes a heavier than air balloon  70 . The balloon  70  is connected to a hollow tube  71 , which is connected to a base  72 . The base  72  contains a light source  73 , and an on-off switch  74 . The base  72  has a plurality of optical fiber lengths  75  therein of well known type connected to the light source  73 , which extend upwardly in the tube  32 , out, and then outwardly and downwardly. The fiber lengths  75  have outer light protective jackets or cladding  76 , along their lengths with portions removed at selected locations  77  to provide patterns  78  as desired, to form a decorative array. The base  72  can be fitted with a stake (not shown) which can be driven into the ground as required. 
         [0036]    Referring now more particularly to  FIG. 6 , another embodiment of the invention is therein illustrated, which includes a heavier than air balloon  80 , similar to balloon  10 . The balloon  80  is connected to a hollow tube  81 , which is connected to a base  82 . The base  82  contains a light source  83 , and an on-off switch (not shown). The base  82  has a plurality of optical fiber lengths  85  therein, of well known type, connected to the light source  83 , which extend upwardly in the tube  81 , out, and then upwardly and downwardly over balloon  80 . The fiber lengths  85  have outer light protective jackets or cladding  86 , along their lengths with portions removed at selected locations  87 , to provide patterns  88  as desired, to form a decorative array. 
         [0037]    While the tube supporting the balloons described above are hollow, if desired a solid stick or rod (not shown) can be substituted therefor with the fiber lengths extending outside the solid rod or stick. It will thus be seen that heavier than air balloons with optical fiber decorative light arrays have been provided, with which the objects of the invention are achieved.