GB2509719A

GB2509719A - Toy balloon with an illumination device

Info

Publication number: GB2509719A
Application number: GB1300379.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Daniel Barry; William Barry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-01-09
Filing date: 2013-01-09
Publication date: 2014-07-16
Anticipated expiration: 2033-01-09
Also published as: GB2509719B; GB201300379D0

Abstract

A toy illuminated balloon 1 comprises an inflatable expansible membrane body with an inlet neck port 2 for entry of air or gas and a self-contained light emitting source (3, figure 2). The self-contained light emitting source is housed within an enclosure 4 of tetragonal disphenoid parameters to prevent the light source becoming a projectile hazard as a result of deliberate or accidental balloon membrane rupture. A strip of insulating material 5 is initially located between batteries and the light source, the strip being adapted to be withdrawn prior to or upon inflation of the balloon 1 to illuminate the light source within the balloon.

Description

ATOY BALLOON WITH ILLUMINATION DEVICE

The invention is a toy party balloon intended for decorative or play purposes which are commonly inflated by air or helium and upon which are sealed by applying a knot or another fastener device.

Illuminated Balloons have previously been proposed however the object of the present invention is to provide a solution to prevent the illumination device creating a projectile hazard as a result of deliberate or accidental membrane rupture that is simple and cost-effective during assembly.

The invention comprises of an inflatable expansible membrane body with a neck inlet port to allow entry of air or gas with a self-contained light emitting source inserted into the membrane body whereupon the light emitting source is capable of free movement within the inflated membrane body in response to user movement of the balloon upon an air or gas tight seal applied to the inlet neck. Preferably the self-contained light emitting source is powered by at least one or two batteries with an insulating material initially located between the battery or batteries and the light emitting source to prevent the light emitting source activating until the insulating material is withdrawn. The strip of insulating material extends through the neck inlet port and provides a base so that it can easily be grasped and withdrawn.

The self-contained light emitting source is free moving inside of the inflated balloon for fun and interactive reasons, and is enclosed within an enclosure of tetragonal disphenoid parameters and of a material to purposefully rapidly absorb air and act non-aerodynamically to damper and comply immediately to the forces of gravity to prevent the light emitting source from travelling in any direction other than downwards. This is achieved by the shape and material of the enclosure which is also able to maintain its shape form in response to contact with the wall of the membrane whilst being moved about within the balloon as a toy. The flexible translucent reflective expansible layered mesh of the enclosure also promotes prismatic light enhancement of the light generated by the emitting source.

The invention is further described by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a cross-section of the inflated balloon membrane body 1 incorporating the self-contained light emitting source within the tetragonal disphenoid enclosure 4 whilst the insulating material 5 is in its initial inserted position through the enclosure and protrudes through inlet neck port 2 and has an insulator base 7 to prevent the insulator material fully entering the membrane. The neck inlet port 2 is shown open for illustrative purposes without a seal.

Figure 2 shows the same tetragonal disphenoid enclosure 4 containing the light emitting source 3 with the insulator material 5 in its initial position inserted into enclosure entrance 8 in order to break the circuit to prevent batteries 6 activating the light emitting source 3, the travelling direction of the insulator being indicated by an arrow. The membrane 1 is not depicted.

Figure 3 shows another projection of the same tetragonal disphenoid enclosure 4 containing the light emitting source 3 with the insulator material 5 in its initial position inserted in order to break the circuit to prevent batteries 6 activating the light emitting source, the travelling direction of the insulator being indicated by an arrow. The membrane 1 is not depicted.

The figures are illustrative rather than limitative of the scope of the variations of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An illuminated balloon assembly comprising: an inflatable expansible membrane body with a neck inlet port to allow entry of air or gas; a self-contained light emitting source inserted into the membrane body whereupon the light emitting source is capable of free movement within the inflated membrane body in response to user movement of the balloon upon an air or gas tight seal applied to the inlet neck; the light emitting source being enclosed within an enclosure of tetragonal disphenoid parameters and attributes and of a flexible translucent reflective expansible layered mesh that promotes prismatic enhancement of the light generated by the emitting source and being capable of reconfiguring and maintaining its form in response to contact with the wall of the membrane; the enclosure material being purposeful for rapidly absorbing air to act non-aerodynamically to damper and comply with immediate effect to the forces of gravity preventing the light emitting source becoming a projectile hazard in response to a rupture of the balloon when in an inflated condition; the enclosure having an expansible entrance for insertion of the light emitting source and to provide access for a temporary insulator material extending through enclosure to the neck inlet port for the purpose of insulating the power source within the self-contained light emitting source from being illuminated prior to user requirement and inflation; the insulating material being forcibly withdrawn by the user when required either prior to inflation or post inflation.
2. An illuminated balloon assembly according to claim 1 wherein the self-contained light emitting source is powered by at least one battery with the insulating material initially located between the battery or batteries and the light emitting source, the insulating material being capable of being forcibly withdrawn to light up the light emitting source and the balloon.
3. An illuminated balloon assembly according to claim I wherein the insulating material is a strip of insulating material that provides a larger base to prevent the base of the insulator from entering the neck inlet.