US2635387A

US2635387A - Toy balloon novelty

Info

Publication number: US2635387A
Application number: US167519A
Authority: US
Inventors: Richard M Anderson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1950-06-12
Filing date: 1950-06-12
Publication date: 1953-04-21
Anticipated expiration: 1970-04-21

Description

APH] 21, 1953 R. M. ANDERsoN ToY BALLooN NovELTY Filed June 12, 1950 IN V EN TOR.

BY Wa/MW ATTORNEY' Patented Apr. 21, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TOY BALLOON NOVELTY Richard M. Anderson, Rockford, Ill.

Application June 12, 1950, Serial No. 167,519

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a toy balloon novelty.

One object of the invention is the novel arrangement for mounting a balloon so that it may form a Valve means for controlling the flow of air to and from the balloon.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a toy novelty of the above character having a plurality of balloons, one disposed within the other and arranged so that the balloons can be selectively or simultaneously infiated from a single mouthpiece in accor'dance with the desires of the operator.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novelty of the above character that not only may be used as a toy but is extremely meritorious for advertising, display and sales promotional purposes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a toy novelty of the above character that is simple to construct, easy to manufacture and inexpensive to produce.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the toy novelty embodying the present invention being inflated by an operator;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the details of construction and mounting of the balloons on the combined mouthpiece and balloon support;

Fig. 3 is an end view of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2 showing how the operator's fingers are utilized for closing the passageways in communication with one of the balloons to permit independent inflation of the other balloon;

Fig. 5 is a modification of the mouthpiece and balloon support member shown in Fig. 2, and

Fig. 6 is another modification of the mouthpiece shown in Fig. 2 adapted for mounting a single balloon.

One embodiment of the toy balloon novelty is shown in Figs. 1-4 and includes a pair of toy balloons and |2, one disposed within the other, and a combined mouthpiece and balloon support member or body l3 shaped to support the balloons and having passageways arranged so that air may be blown into the balloons either simultaneously or selectively as desired by the operator or user of the novelty.

As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4 the balloon is disposed within the balloon |2. These balloons may be of the type commonly sold on the market having neck portions |4 and |6 terminatng in beads Il and |8 respectively. While the diameter of the bead |'l or the opening of the balloon is somewhat smaller than the diameter of the bead |8 or opening of the balloon |2, it is to be understood that in some instances the diameter of the beads may be the same.

The combined mouthpiece and balloon support member |3 includes a cylindrical portion IQ shaped to be received in the operator's mouth or placed against the operatorls lips as shown in Figure 1 to form a mouthpiece, a balloon support portion 2| rigid with the portion [9 and extending axially therefrom and a balloon support portion 22 rigid with and extending axially outwardly from the portion 2|. The portion 2| is preferably of cylindrical shape and as shown in Fig. 2 may be of the same diameter as the mouthpiece portion |9. The diameter of the portion 2| is slightly larger than the diameter of the neck |6 and bead |8 of the balloon |2 so that the neck must be stretched slightly to be mounted on the portion 2|. Preferably the balloon support portion 22 is of cylindrical shape of slightly smaller diameter than the portion 2|. As shown, the diameter of the balloon support portion 22 is slightly larger than the diameter of the neck |4 and bead I'l so that they must be stretched slightly when mounted on the portion 22 as shown. Extending axially of the combined mouthpiece and balloon support member |3 is a passageway 23 opening on the axial face of the mouthpiece |9. Radially extending passageways 24 formed in the portion 2| intersect the passageway 23 and open on the peripheral surface of the portion 2|, as shown in Fig. 2, so that when the balloon is mounted on the balloon support portion 2|, portions of the neck 16 of the balloon |2 stretch over the openings of the passageways 24 on opposite sides of the portion 2| to close the passageways 24. In a similar manner passageways 26 formed in the balloon support portion 22 extend radially of the. portion 22 and intersect the passageway 23 at its inner end. The outer ends of the passageways 26 open on the peripheral surface of the portion 22 and are arranged so that portions of the neck M of the balloon are stretched over the openings of the passageways 26 on opposite sides of the balloon supporting portion 22 when the balloon is mounted thereon. With this construction the neck |6 of the balloon |2 and the neck |4 of the balloon in effect form flexible valve elements which are operable to permit the passage of air under pressure into the balloons and prevent the exhaust of air from the balloons.

Any suitable material such as Wood, plastic,

metal or other material may be used for forming the combined mouthpiece and balloon support member. The respective passageways may be formed in the body by molding processes, drilling, or the like. The combined mouthpiece and balloon support is preferably formed as a unitary member; however, it may be formed by a plurality of pieces assembled together.

Any suitable means may be provided for retaining the balloons I I and [2 on the balloon support portions 2| and 22. In this embodiment of the invention the bead IB of the balloon 12 is shaped to be disposed in an annular groove 21 formed on the balloon support portion 2|. In a similar manner the bead I'l of the balloon Il is shaped to be received in an annular groove 28 formed on the balloon supporting portion 22. The annular gro-

oves

21 and 28 are of such diameter that the beads of the balloons in their mounted position tend to contract into the

grooves

21 and 28 and thereby retain the balloons in position. It is to be un-derstood that shoulder means or separate clamping means such as a rubber band or a tape wrapped around the bead of the balloon and secured to the

balloon support portions

21 and 22 could be utilized where desired.

The operation of the balloon is readily apparent from the drawings but may be summarized as follows: Fig. 2 shows the normal position of the balloons in their defiated condition. The operator grasps the mouthpiece and balloon support 13 between two fingers such as shown in Figure l and places the mouthpiece 19 against his lips. The operator then blows air through the passageway 23. Assuming that the operatorls fingers are disposed so that they do not cover the ends of the passageways 24 or the ends of the passageways 26 air will flow from the passageway 23 into the passageways 24, then force the neck IS of the balloon l2 away from the balloon support portion 2| so that air may enter the balloon 12 and cause inflation of the latter. Simultaneously air will flow from passageway 23 out the ends of the passageways 26 to force the neck l4 of the balloon Il away from the balloon support portion 22 so that air can be forced into the balloon H and thereby infiate the latter. Thus, both balloons H and i2 will be infiated simultaneously. If the operator places a thumb and forenger over the ends of the passageways 24 such as shown in Fig. 4, air is prevented from flowing out the ends of the passageway 24 and all the air will fiow from passageway 23 through the passageways 26 into the balloon II. In a similar manner if the operator places his fingers over the ends of the passageways 25 it will be seen that all of the air will be caused to flow from the passageway 23 through the passageways 24 into the balloon |2. Thus, this construction provides a novelty in which the balloons ll and |2 can be inflated simultaneously 01' can be infiated selectively as desired by the operator of the user. To remove the air from either balloon it is only necessary to squeeze the neck of the balloon and pull it outwardly from the respective balloon support portion to uncover the ends of the radially extending passageways and effect communication between atmosphere and the interior of the balloons.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. the combined mouthpiece and balloon support 3| is of a construction similar to that shown in Fig. 2 except that only one radially 'extending passageway 32 is formed in a balloon support portion 33 and only one radially extending passageway is formed in a balloon support portion 34. Both passageways are arranged to communicate with an axially extending passageway 34 opening on the axial face of the mouthpiece as described hereinbefore.

In Fig. 6 there is shown another embodiment of the invention which is adapted for mounting a single balloon 4|. The construction of this mouthpiece and balloon support body 42 is substantially the same as that shown in Fig. 2 except that the mouthpiece and support body is arranged to support only a single balloon. As shown, the combined mouthpiece and balloon support body includes a mouthpiece portion 43 and a balloon support portion 44. A passageway 46 extends axially through the body 42 and opens on the axial face thereof of the mouthpiece portion 43. A radially extending passageway 41 is in communication with the passageway 48 and opens on the perpheral surface of the balloon support portion 44. An annular groove 48 is formed on the balloon support portion 44 for receiving the bead of the balloon in a manner similar to that described hereinbefore. It is to be understood that this construction also operates in a manner similar to that described hereinbefore.

This toy novelty has many advantages both as a toy, which appeals to children and adults alike, and as an advertising and sales promotion novelty. While this structure appeals greatly to both children and adults When plain balloons are used, the desire or appeal for this novelty can be enhanced by printing different characters, animals and the like on the inner and outer balloons. For example, the outer balloon may take the shape of a cat and the inner balloon may be in the form of a mouse. With this construction when the balloons are in their infiated positions it would appear to a casual observer that the cat had eaten the mouse. Accordingly, the cat's face can be printed so that the cat is smiling or has a look of contentment. Insofar as advertising is concerned, the inner balloon may have one design of printing formed on it and the outer balloon may have a second design of printing formed on it and which together give a third composite design. A printed question may appear on the outer balloon and the answer may appear on the inner balloon. The above of course are only illustrative of the great number of designs or uses of this novelty. The number and combination of characters, designs or the like that can be utilized is limited only by the artistic sense of the designer.

The arrangement by which the balloon forms a part of the valve means for controlling the fiow of air into the balloon is advantageous in many respects since it provides a means for readily controlling the infiation and deation of the balloon. Heretofore it has been customary to tie the necl'. of the balloon in a knot after it has been inflated. Frequently the knot is so tight that it cannot be untied and consequently the balloon cannot be readily deflated. By utilizing a combined mouthpiece and balloon support member constructed in the manner disclosed herein, the operator of the balloon can blow the balloon up and the balloon itself provides a valve means which prevents the flow of air from the balloon and which can be readily manipulated to effect defiation of the balloon.

Iclaim:

1. In a toy balloon novelty, the combination of a body having a mouthpiece portion, a first balloon support portion extending axially of the mouthpiece portion and a second balloon support portion of reduced diameter extending axially beyond the first balloon support portion in a direction away from the mouthpiece portion and closed at its end remote from the mouthpiece portion, said body having a passageway opening on the mouthpiece end of said body and opening on the axially extending peripheral surfaces of both the first and second balloon support portions.

2. In a toy balloon novelty, the combination of a body having a mouthpiece portion, a first balloon support portion extending axially of the mouthpiece portion and a second balloon support portion of smaller diameter than said first balloon support portion extending axially beyond the first balloon support in a direction away from the mouthpiece portion and terminating in a closed end remote from the mouthpiece portion, said body having passageway means opening on the mouthpiece end of said body and opening on the axially extending peripheral surface of said first balloon support portion and opening on the axialy extending peripheral surface of said second balloon support portion, a first balloon of elastic material having a neck of slightly smaller diameter than said first balloon support portion, and a second balloon of elastic material disposed inside said first balloon and having a neck portion of slightly smaller diameter than said second balloon support portion, said neck portion of the first balloon when mounted on said first balloon support portion extending snugly around the axially extending periphery thereof to be stretched over said opening on said first balloon support portion to form a valve means operable to permt the flow of air under pressure to said first balloon and prevent the exhaust of air therefrom, and the neck portion of said second balloon when mounted on said second balloon support portion extending snugly around the axially extending periphery thereof to be stretched over the opening of said passageway on the second balloon support portion to form a valve operable to permt air under pressure to fiow into the second balloon and prevent the exhaust of air therefrom.

3. In a toy balloon novelty, the combination of a body having a mouthpiece portion, a first cylindrical balloon support portion rigid with and extending axially outwardly from the mouthpiece portion and a second cylindrical balloon support portion of smaller diameter than said first balloon support portion rigid with and extending axially outwardly from said first balloon support portion in a direction away from the mouthpiece portion and terminating in a closed end remote from the mouthpiece portion, said first balloon support portion having an annular groove formed on its cylindrical periphery, said second balloon support portion having an annular groove formed on its cylindrical periphery, said body having a passageway means opening on the mouthpiece end of said body and opening on the cylindrical peripheral surface of said first balloon support portion between the annular groove therein and the second balloon support portion, said passageway also opening on the cylindrical peripheral surface of said second balloon support portion between the annular groove therein and the end of the body remote from the mouthpiece portion, a first balloon of elastic material having a neck and beaded portion of slightly smaller diameter than said first balloon support portion and arranged to have the bead thereon received in said annular groove on said first balloon support portion, and a second balloon of elastic material disposed inside said first balloon and having a neck and beaded portion of slightly smaller diameter than said second balloon support portion arranged to have the bead thereon received in said annular groove on said second ballon support portion, said neck portion of the first balloon when mounted on said first balloon support portion snugly surrounding the cylindrical periphery thereof to be stretched over said opening at the periphery of said first balloon support portion to form a valve means operable to permt the fiow of air under pressure to said first balloon and prevent the exhaust of air therefrom, and the neck portion of said second balloon when mounted on said second balloon support portion snugly surrounding the cylindrical periphery thereof to be stretched over said opening at the periphery of said second balloon support portion to form a valve operable to permt air under pressure to flow into the second balloon and prevent the exhaust of air therefrom.

RICHARD M. ANDERSON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,315,955 Gill Sept. 16, 1919 2,540,403 Meyers Feb. 6, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 10,660 Great Britain May 18, 1896 32,571 France Sept. 6, 1927 488,336 Germany Jan. 6, 1930