Improvements in Means for Inflating Toy Balloons and the like.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 18th May, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 18th Feb., 1897-Accepted. 3rd Apr.. 1897
PROVISIONAL
MTON.
Improvements in Means for Inflating Toy Balloons and the like.
I, JOSEPH HARRIS of Woodbourne, Orchard Road, Altrincham, near
Manchester, Balloon Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention consists essentially of a new or improved mouth-piece or inflator
for toy balloons and similar inflatable objects, which is made of wood or other
suitable material, and of the usual tubular form, but, instead of being open
throughout, is closed at one end, and formed with one or more transverse holes or
passages in its sides.
Such mouth-piece or inflator,-which in conjunction with the filling nozzle of
the balloon which fits on to it, is designed to form a valve for the non-return of air
blown into the balloon-can be used in two ways, i.e., with its open end fitted into
the balloon, or with its closed end fitted into the balloon.
In using the inflator in the first mentioned way, the balloon is inflated by rolling
back the filling-nozzle until the transverse passages are uncovered, and placing the
mouth-piece into the mouth until the lips lie beyond the said passages, when air
blown from the lungs enters the balloon through the transverse passages and
through the open end of the mouth-piece. When the balloon is sufficiently
inflated the filling nozzle is unrolled, or rolled back on to, or over the transverse
passages, and thus the air is effectually prevented from escaping out of the
balloon.
In using the mouth-piece in the second mentioned way, the balloon is inflated
by pushing the mouth-piece into the balloon until the transverse passages are
inside, or communicate with the balloon interior, when air blown through the open
end of the mouth-piece, will pass into the balloon through said passages. The
sealing, or closing of the passages, when the desired inflation is reached, will be
effected by drawing the mouth-piece out again, until the holes or passages are
outside the balloon, when all communication with the balloon interior will be cut
off, the mouth-piece being of a sufficient length, or the position of the holes, being
such as to allow for the said movements.
My improved inflator may be fitted with means for connecting it to a pump for
mechanical inflation, and with means for automatically rolling back the filling
nozzle, or sliding the mouth-piece.
Dated this 16th day of May 1896
JOSEPH HARRIS,
By John G. Wilson & Co.,
Agents.

page_text: Improvements in Means for Inflating Toy Balloons and the like.
1, JOSEPH HARRIS of Woodbourne, Orchard Road, Altrincham, near-
Manchester, Balloon Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention consists essentially of a new or improved mount or mouth-piece
for toy balloons and similar inflatable objects, which is made of wood or other
suitable material and of the usual tubular form, but, instead of being open
throughout, is closed at one end, and formed with one, or more, transverse holes,
or passages.
Such mouth-piece, which in conjunction with the filling nozzle of the balloon
which fits on to it is designed to form a valve for the non-return of air blown into
the balloon, can be used in two ways, i.e., with its open end fitted into the balloon,
or with its closed end fitted into the balloon.
In using the mount in the first mentioned way and when inflating the balloon
the filling nozzle is rolled or slid back until the transverse passages are uncovered,
and until the lips can lie beyond the said passages, when air blown from the lungs
enters the balloon through the said transverse passages and through the open end
of the mouth-piece. When the balloou is sufficiently inflated the filling nozzle is
unrolled or slid back on to, or over, the transverse passages, and thus the air is
effectually prevented from escaping out of the balloon.
In using the mouth-piece in the second way, it is pushed into the balloon until
the transverse passages are inside, or communicate with the balloon interior, when
air blown through the open end of the mouth-piece will pass into the balloon
through the said passages. The "sealing" or closing of the balloon, when the desired
inflation is reached, is effected by drawing the mouth-piece out again, until the
holes or passages are outside the balloon and when all communication with the
balloon interior is cut off, the mouth-piece being of a sufficient length, or the holes
being so disposed, as to allow for the said movements.
And in order that my said invention may be more readily understood and
carried into practical effect I have hereunto annexed a sheet of drawings and will
now proceed to describe the same with the figures and letters of reference marked
thereon.
Fig. 1. is an exterior view, and Fig. 2. a longitudinal section of the improved
mount or inflator.
Fig. 3 shews its application to a balloon in the preferred way (with the closed
end inside the bailoon), and in the position it occupies when the balloon is being
inflated.
Fig. 4 shews the balloon after inflation and the mount drawn out for effecting
the "sealing" of the balloon.
As shewn the mount consists of a wooden or other tubular part (A), with
central passage (B) closed at end (C), and with one or more transverse passages
or holes (D). The said closed end (C) is, (by preference) fitted into the balloon
and the holes (D) are so disposed on the length of the mount that the mount can
be readily pushed into the balloon and such holes be caused to open into the
interior of the balloon, as shewn on Fig. 3.
As air is blown into the mount at (E), it passes along the passage (B), and
through the transverse holes (D) into the balloon, and being continuously
impelled therein under pressure, inflates the balloon.
When the balloon is inflated to the desired extent the mount is drawn out, o
the filling nozzle (F) of the balloon is pushed back, until the holes (D) come

page_text: outside the balloon as shewn in Fig. 4, at which instant the balloon is "sealed" and
the air within it cannot escape.
As aforesaid the mouth-piece may be used in the reverse way, i.e., with the
open end (E) inside of the balloon, the air blown through the holes (D) for
inflation, and the sealing of the balloon effected by pushing the mount into the
balloon and so covering the said holes.
Whilst my invention is chiefly designed for use with balloons it may be applied
to "squeakers" and to other objects of an inflatable nature, and requiring a valve,
and for the purpose of mechanical inflation may be screw-threaded or otherwise
suitably prepared.
A modification of my invention consists in forming the mouth piece solid and
drilling a hole (G) diagonally therethrough as shewn in Fig. 5.
The boss or enlarged end (H) serves to prevent the mount being drawn too far
out of the balloon.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention I declare that what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is :-
1. A toy balloon (or like) mouth-piece a mount (A) formed with passage (B)
and hole or holes (D) (or their equivalent), as set forth.
2. A mount or mouth-piece capable of sliding in and out of a balloon or like
nozzle (or of such nozzle moving on it) and thereby serving to effect the sealing
of the balloon or other similar inflatable object, as set forth.
Dated this 17th day of February 1897.
JOSEPH HARRIS,
By John G. Wilson & Co.,
Agents.