Abstract:
A device and method for tying a knot in the inflation end of an inflated balloon using a generally key hole shaped aperture in a rigid surface having a radius of curvature. The inflation end of the balloon can be wound around the device with the key hole shaped aperture adapted to secure the extreme inflation end of the balloon so that the portion wrapped around the device can be rolled off the device to effect tying of the knot.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains to tying the end of an inflated party balloon so that the inflating medium (e.g. air, helium etc.) will not escape from the tied end of the balloon. 
     Numerous methods have been used to tie the ends of party balloons filled with air, helium or other inflating gases, so that the balloons maintain their shape and can be used either singularly or in groups to form patterns or clusters or even balloon sculptures. One method is to use a length of string to tie the end of the balloon after it is inflated so that the balloon maintains it shape. 
     A device that slips over the finger has been marketed for aiding a user in tying the end of a filled balloon. Such devices are available from Unique Industries Inc. of Philadelphia, Pa. 
     As anyone who has been involved with inflating balloons for parties, other indoor or outdoor activities, family gatherings and the like knows it is a chore to tie the end of an inflated balloon into which the inflating medium has been introduced when just using the balloon material itself. Therefore, there is a need for a device and method that will provide a user with the ability to securely tie the end of an inflated party balloon. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a device in the nature of a rigid surface having a radius of curvature the device having a keyhole shaped aperture extending from one edge of the device. The device is sized so that the end of the balloon used to introduce inflating medium can be wrapped around the device and the distal portion of the filling end placed into the keyhole so that a simple sliding of the wrapped portion of the balloon over the keyhole shaped opening and off of the device produces a securely tied end of the inflated balloon. 
     Thus, in one aspect the present invention is a device for tying a knot in a gaseous fluid filled balloon like device having a neck like filling portion, comprising in combination; a rigid surface having a radius of curvature, the rigid surface having a length greater than about one-half inch; the surface having the general shape of a portion of a cylinder; at least one slot extending from an edge of the surface of the device perpendicular to the radius of curvature of the surface toward an opposite edge of the rigid surface; and a generally circular aperture in the surface, the circular aperture having a vertical central axis generally parallel to the radius of curvature of the rigid surface, the aperture and the slot forming a primary generally key-hole shaped opening in the rigid surface. 
     In another aspect the present invention is a device for tying inflated balloons comprising in combination; a generally cylindrical body having a first end and a second end; at least one slot in a wall of the body, the slot extending from the first end toward the second end of the body, and a generally circular shaped aperture communicating with the slot to form a generally key-hole shaped opening in the wall of the body. 
     In yet another aspect of the present invention is a method for rapidly tying inflated balloon comprising the steps of; providing a device having a generally cylindrical body having a first end and a second end; at least one slot in a wall of the body the slot extending from the first end toward the second end of the body, and a generally circular shaped aperture communicating with the slot to form a generally key-hole shaped opening in the wall of the body, elongating a filling end of the balloon, placing the elongated filling end over the slot in the device, wrapping the elongated end of the balloon around the body of the device and over the portion of the balloon placed over the slot in the device, placing the extreme end of the elongated end of the balloon in the slot in the device, and rolling the wrapped portion of the filling end of the balloon in a direction toward and over the extreme end portion of the balloon to form a knot in the filling end of the balloon. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the device of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the device of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of the device of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is a left side elevation view of the device of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 5 is a right side elevation view of the device of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the device of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of one method of supporting a device of the present invention so a user can have both hands free to tie the balloon. 
     FIG. 8 is a front elevation view showing the first step in tying a balloon according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 is a front elevation view showing a second step in tying a balloon according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a front elevation view showing a third step in tying a balloon according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a portion of a users hands between the second and third steps of tying a balloon viewed according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5 the device of the present invention is, in a preferred embodiment, a rigid wall cylinder shown generally as  10 . The rigid wall cylinder  10  can be a short length of pipe, e.g. PVC pipe  12  containing as shown in FIG. 2, at least one keyhole shaped aperture  14 . Keyhole shaped aperture extends from a top surface  13  toward a bottom surface of the cylinder  10 . As shown in FIGS. 3-5, second, third and fourth keyhole apertures  16 ,  18  and  20  can be spaced equally around the circumference of the cylinder  10 . The second, third and fourth keyhole shaped apertures  16 ,  18 ,  20  are not as long as the primary keyhole aperture  14 , the function of which will be explained hereinafter. 
     FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention showing a slotted portion  24  of an aperture  22 . The aperture  22  has a chamfered top portion  26  and a plurality of semi-circular openings  28  at the bottom of the slot portion  24 . The function of the alternate embodiment will be explained in more detail in relation to tying a balloon. 
     FIG. 7 shows a device  10 , which is mounted in a 45° elbow  30  which in turn is mounted on a vertical pipe or conduit  32 , which can be placed in a suitable stand  34  so that the user can have both hands free to tie balloons and the like as will be hereinafter more fully explained. The device of FIG. 7 can be used without the stand so that the vertical pipe  32  could be fastened directly to a cylinder of air or helium used to inflate party balloons. 
     Referring to FIG. 8, an inflated balloon  50  has the un-inflated end portion  52  stretched out and wrapped over the circular portion of the keyhole shape aperture  14  of the device as shown in FIG.  2 . The extreme rolled or distal end  54  of portion  52  of balloon  50  can be held by the users thumb against the cylindrical portion of the device  10 . FIG. 9 shows a second step wherein the un-inflated portion  52  of the balloon  50  is stretched and wrapped around the device  10  so that it overlaps the portion shown in FIG.  8 . FIG. 10 shows the step wherein the extreme or distal end  54  of the balloon  50  is stretched and inserted into the circular portion of the keyhole aperture  14 . Thereafter, all the user has to do is roll the portion of the balloon  50  wrapped around the device  10  toward the end  13  of device  10  to complete a secure knot in the filling or uninflated portion of the balloon. 
     FIG. 11 shows the extreme or distal end  54  balloon  50  being held by one hand of a user that has been overlapped by the rear end of the stretched portion  52  of balloon  50  which is wrapped in the direction shown by arrow  60 . Thereafter the extreme end  54  of balloon  50  is inserted into keyhole shaped aperture  14  by movement in accordance with directional arrow  62 . Thereafter the user rolls the wrapped portion  52  of balloon  50  toward end  13  of device  10  to complete a knot in the balloon. 
     If a user wishes to take a number of inflated balloons and tie them to a nest or bouquet of balloons, individual balloons can be placed in the circular portion of apertures  16 ,  18 ,  20 , with aperture  14  used to tie the last balloon. Since aperture  14  is longer than apertures  16 ,  18  and  20  as the end of the last balloon is rolled toward the end  13  of device  10  the balloons in the other apertures will be tied securely to the last balloon. 
     In a like matter the user can place ribbon or string or other devices sought to attached to a balloon into any of the secondary apertures  16 ,  18  and  20  and the anchoring balloon tied using aperture  14 . 
     The device  10  can be made from various materials, PVC pipe and tubing being readily available and easily worked into the required shapes. It has been found that the circular aperture portion of the keyhole shaped apertures can be approximately one quarter inch in diameter. The connecting slots should be approximately three-sixteenth inches in width. The size of the circular apertures and width of the slots can vary to accommodate balloons of various wall thickness. 
     The embodiment of FIG. 6 permits secondary or tertiary balloons to be put into the side apertures in the generally clover leaf portion  28  of aperture  22  and the bottom portion of the clover leaf used to tie the last balloon. The chamfered surface  26  facilitates inserting the distal end of the last balloon or the previously tied balloons into the device. 
     It has been shown that balloons tied with the method and apparatus of the invention have secure knots that are not easily opened by children. These balloons filled with helium using the method and apparatus of the invention will make it more difficult for children to access the helium. 
     Having thus described my invention as illustrated and described herein with reference to certain specific embodiments, the present invention is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown. Further, various modifications may be made in the details within the scope of the invention desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States as set forth in the appended claims.