US20020088894A1

US20020088894A1 - Balloon tying system

Info

Publication number: US20020088894A1
Application number: US09/756,002
Authority: US
Inventors: Antonio Garza
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-01-08
Filing date: 2001-01-08
Publication date: 2002-07-11

Abstract

A balloon tying system including a plate portion having a pair of upper apertures and a pair of lower apertures therethrough. The plate portion includes an upper strap portion extending between the pair of upper apertures thereof. The upper strap portion secures the plate portion to the helium tank. A hook portion is secured to the plate portion. The hook portion is defined by an upper linear segment and a lower arcuate segment. The lower arcuate segment has an upper aperture and a lower aperture therein in communication with an internal common channel.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a balloon tying system and more particularly pertains to attaching to a helium tank to allow balloons to be tied in an efficient manner.

People in the balloon inflating business are often faced with two critical tasks. The first task involves the inflating of the balloon. This is normally accomplished with the use of a helium tank having a balloon attachment to allow the helium to be easily added to the balloon. The second task is the tying of a length of ribbon to the recently inflated balloon. The length of ribbon is normally attached to the knotted closure of the balloon. The attachment of the ribbon is normally accomplished by slipping an end of the ribbon into the knot before it is tightly closed. This is often a tedious task that require one to carefully thread the ribbon through a small hole formed by the knot prior to closure. This constant handling of the ribbon frequently results in blisters forming on the hands. What is needed is a simple way of threading the ribbons through the knots of the balloons that will not result in harm to the hands of a worker.

The present invention attempts to solve the abovementioned problem by providing a system that is attached to a helium tank and is provided with the ability to thread a ribbon through the knot of the balloon in a simple and efficient manner.

The use of balloon handling devices is known in the prior art. More specifically, balloon handling devices heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of inflating and handling balloons are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.

By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,780,419 to Allison discloses means for sealing an inflated balloon using a device with a hook incorporated. U.S. Pat. No. 3,094,807 to Dorman and 4,936,532 to Williams disclose additional balloon closure accessories.

While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objective and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a balloon tying system for attaching to a helium tank to allow balloons to be tied in an efficient manner.

In this respect, the balloon tying system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of attaching to a helium tank to allow balloons to be tied in an efficient manner.

Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved balloon tying system which can be used for attaching to a helium tank to allow balloons to be tied in an efficient manner. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of balloon handling devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved balloon tying system. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved balloon tying system which has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a plate portion having a generally rectangular configuration. The plate portion is planar and defined by a front surface and a rear surface. The plate portion has a pair of upper apertures and a pair of lower apertures therethrough. The upper and lower apertures are positioned inwardly of respective corners of the plate portion. The plate portion includes an upper strap portion extending between the pair of upper apertures thereof. The upper strap portion secures the plate portion to the helium tank. A hook portion is secured to the front surface of the plate portion. The hook portion is defined by an upper linear segment and a lower arcuate segment. The lower arcuate segment has an upper aperture and a lower aperture therein in communication with an internal common channel. A lower strap portion extends between the pair of lower apertures of the plate portion. The lower strap portion is defined by a pair of opposed longitudinal lines disposed in a spaced relationship. The lines have at least one tube extending therebetween for supporting a spool of ribbon thereon.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved balloon tying system which has all the advantages of the prior art balloon handling devices and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved balloon tying system which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved balloon tying system which is of durable and reliable construction.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved balloon tying system which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such a balloon tying system economically available to the buying public.

Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved balloon tying system for attaching to a helium tank to allow balloons to be tied in an efficient manner.

Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved balloon tying system including a plate portion having a pair of upper apertures and a pair of lower apertures therethrough. The plate portion includes an upper strap portion extending between the pair of upper apertures thereof. The upper strap portion secures the plate portion to the helium tank. A hook portion is secured to the plate portion. The hook portion is defined by an upper linear segment and a lower arcuate segment. The lower arcuate segment has an upper aperture and a lower aperture therein in communication with an internal common channel.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: [0021]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the balloon tying system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. [0022]
FIG. 2 is a front view of the present invention illustrated attached to a helium tank. [0023]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention illustrated with a balloon being loosely tied around the hook thereof. [0024]
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the present invention illustrated with the balloon being attached to the ribbon thereof. [0025]
FIG. 5 is a front view of a balloon with the ribbon attached thereto. [0026]
The same reference numerals refer to the same parts through the various figures. [0027]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular, to FIGS. 1 through 5 thereof, the preferred embodiment of the new and improved balloon tying system embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the [0028] reference number 10 will be described.
Specifically, it will be noted in the various figures that the device relates to a balloon tying system for attaching to a helium tank to allow balloons to be tied in an efficient manner. In its broadest context, the device consists of a plate portion, a hook portion, and a lower strap portion. Such components are individually configured and correlated with respect to each other so as to attain the desired objective. [0029]
The [0030] plate portion 12 has a generally rectangular configuration. The plate portion 12 is planar and defined by a front surface and a rear surface. The plate portion 12 has a pair of upper apertures 14 and a pair of lower apertures 16 therethrough. The upper and lower apertures 14,16 are positioned inwardly of respective corners of the plate portion 12. The plate portion 12 includes an upper strap portion 18 extending between the pair of upper apertures 14 thereof. The upper strap portion 18 secures the plate portion 12 to the helium tank 20. The upper strap portion 18 is placed over the fill stem 22 of the helium tank 20 whereupon the plate portion 12 lays against the helium tank 20. Note FIG. 2.
The [0031] hook portion 24 is secured to the front surface of the plate portion 12. The hook portion 24 is defined by an upper linear segment 26 and a lower arcuate segment 28. The lower arcuate segment 28 has an upper aperture 30 and a lower aperture 32 therein in communication with an internal common channel.
The [0032] lower strap portion 34 extends between the pair of lower apertures 16 of the plate portion 12. The lower strap portion 34 is defined by a pair of opposed longitudinal lines 36 disposed in a spaced relationship. The lines 36 have at least one tube 38 extending therebetween for supporting a spool of ribbon 40 thereon.
In use, the present invention is positioned on the [0033] helium tank 20 as noted in FIG. 2. The spools of ribbon 40 are then positioned on the tubes 38 of the lower strap portion 34. A length of the ribbon 42 is then threaded through into the lower aperture 32 and out through the upper aperture 30 of the hook portion 24. About two inches of the ribbon 42 is extended out through the upper aperture 30. A balloon 44 is attached to the fill stem 22 and inflated. The inflated balloon 44 is then held in one hand while the other hand is used to extend the neck 46 of the balloon 44. The user then crosses their arms and hook the neck 46 of the balloon around the arcuate lower segment 28 of the hook portion 24. The user then straightens their arms and the neck of the balloon 46 will cross forming an opening 48 for an end of the balloon to be slipped through. The balloon end should be inserted through the opening 48 to make a loose knot essentially leaving the opening 48 exposed. The ribbon 42 is then inserted into the opening 48 and the balloon 44 is removed from the hook portion 24. The knot is then tightened to close the opening 48 around the ribbon 42. The ribbon 42 can then be cut to the desired length.
As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. [0034]
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and the manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. [0035]
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. [0036]

Claims

What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected by LETTERS PATENT of the United States is as follows:

1. A balloon tying system for attaching to a helium tank to allow balloons to be tied in an efficient manner comprising, in combination:

a plate portion having a generally rectangular configuration, the plate portion being planar and defined by a front surface and a rear surface, the plate portion having a pair of upper apertures and a pair of lower apertures therethrough, the upper and lower apertures being positioned inwardly of respective corners of the plate portion, the plate portion including an upper strap portion extending between the pair of upper apertures thereof, the upper strap portion securing the plate portion to the helium tank;

a hook portion secured to the front surface of the plate portion, the hook portion being defined by an upper linear segment and a lower arcuate segment, the lower arcuate segment having an upper aperture and a lower aperture therein in communication with an internal common channel; and

a lower strap portion extending between the pair of lower apertures of the plate portion, the lower strap portion being defined by a pair of opposed longitudinal lines disposed in a spaced relationship, the lines having at least one tube extending therebetween for supporting a spool of ribbon thereon.

2. A balloon tying system for attaching to a helium tank to allow balloons to be tied in an efficient manner comprising, in combination:

a plate portion having a pair of upper apertures and a pair of lower apertures therethrough, the plate portion including an upper strap portion extending between the pair of upper apertures thereof, the upper strap portion securing the plate portion to the helium tank; and

a hook portion secured to the plate portion, the hook portion being defined by an upper linear segment and a lower arcuate segment, the lower arcuate segment having an upper aperture and a lower aperture therein in communication with an internal common channel.

3. The balloon tying system as set forth in claim 2, and further including a lower strap portion extending between the pair of lower apertures of the plate portion, the lower strap portion being defined by a pair of opposed longitudinal lines disposed in a spaced relationship, the lines having at least one tube extending therebetween for supporting a spool of ribbon