Patent Application
20050186882
The invention herein resides in the art of balloon devices and accessories. More particularly, the invention relates to a balloon weight assembly adapted to be tethered to an inflated balloon in restraint thereof. Specifically, the invention relates to a balloon weight assembly that incorporates an audio recording and playback device into its design.
The use of balloons as gifts or “favors” or at parties, celebrations, and other events is now extremely well known. Millions of balloons are so used each year. Generally such balloons are attached to either a stick and a cup or a ribbon so that they can be restrained by the user. Additionally, the balloons are typically filled with helium gas to provide a “lift,” allowing them to stay aloft at the end of the tethered-ribbon. For safety reasons many localities require that inflated balloons be restrained from free flight, and particular concern exists with respect to Mylar or metallic balloons, which pose a threat to electrical transmission wires, and are not biodegradable. Many municipalities and other governmental agencies consider such balloons to pose at least some threat to the environment. Accordingly, many governmental agencies require that such metallic balloons be tethered to a weight, with the weight being sufficient to prevent the balloon from free flight into the atmosphere.
It has previously been known to employ a weight at the end of a ribbon tethered to a balloon, to restrain the balloon from free flight. Although these various balloon weights exist, they generally do not add significant value to the balloon and weight combination product, as their main function is to keep the associated balloon from flying away, and any sufficiently heavy item might serve such a purpose. Indeed many potential consumers avoid purchasing balloon weights on the basis that their utility does not justify the expense. The competitive market for the balloon industry compels innovative improvements that add commercial value to balloon weights so that they are desired for uses beyond mere tethering balloons.
The present invention advances the balloon art by providing, in combination, a balloon and a recording and playback device associated therewith. Means for associating the recording and playback device with the balloon may be selected from any common means, and will most typically be either a ribbon (typically tied or otherwise secured to the balloon and recording and playback device) or a stem and cup assembly (or similar balloon-retaining device). Thus, in a more particular embodiment, a combination balloon and balloon weight assembly is provided, wherein the balloon weight assembly includes an audio recording and playback device, and the balloon is associated with the audio recording and playback device by means selected from a ribbon and a stem.
In light of the foregoing, it is an aspect of the instant invention to provide a balloon weight assembly comprising an audio recording and playback device and means for associating at least one balloon with the audio recording and playback device. The audio recording and playback device might be provided as a selectively removable element of the balloon weight or might be incorporated into the balloon weight as a one piece design. In preferred embodiments, the balloon weight might serve as a base for a stem and cup assembly or might be attached to a balloon by a common ribbon.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a balloon weight assembly for attachment to a balloon comprising a body portion, a cavity defined within the body portion, and an audio recording and playback device, separate and distinct from the body portion, said audio recording and playback device being selectively receivable within the cavity.
The disclosed invention is an improvement over industry standard balloon weights due to its ability to provide event specific messages. For example, birthday greetings or holiday messages could appropriately accompany (i.e., be associated with) a balloon offered as a birthday gift or holiday decoration.
For a complete understanding of the objects, techniques, and structure of the invention reference should be made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings wherein:
With reference to the
As shown in
The preferred embodiment of the audio device 14 includes electronics encased in a housing 28. These electronics include a speaker 30 for audio playback, a microphone 32 for recording sounds to an appropriate analog or digital storage medium 34, a record button 36 for recording sounds to the storage medium 34, and a playback button 38 for playing back the recorded sounds through speaker 30. Housing 28 would preferably contain speaker holes 42 and microphone holes 44 through which sound may travel. Also, raised record 36 and playback 38 buttons are preferred for easy use. Audio device 14 is made to be associated to the balloon weight 10 in any known manner. In the embodiment of
Audio device 14 is shown as a cylindrical disk member for sake of simplicity, but it will be appreciated that any appropriately shaped audio device 14 may be employed in accordance with the confines of cavity 48. Likewise, cavity 48 may take any appropriate shape. Audio device 14 may further be provided with or shaped to define openings, notches, or recesses, generally indicated by the numeral 50. These openings 50 may be formed at the periphery of audio device 14. Openings 50 may be located to receive or avoid items that protrude into the cavity. For instance, although not shown, radial surface 20 may include a slit for receiving ribbon therethrough and into cavity 48, where the ribbon can be knotted to secure it to the body 12, and openings 50 could be provided to avoid the knotted portion of the ribbon. In the embodiment of
As will be appreciated, the weight of either audio device 14 or body 12 may be varied in a conventional manner including altering the amount or type of material forming portions of those elements. Specifically, the material used for body 12 or for the various components of audio device 14 may be varied, creating heavier or lighter weight assemblies, whether of a single unit or with a removable audio device 14.
As shown in
Thus it can be seen that the present invention provides an improved balloon weight assembly. While in accordance with the patent statutes only the best mode and preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented and described in detail, the invention is not limited thereto or thereby. Accordingly, for an appreciation of the true scope and breadth of the invention, reference should be made to the following claims.
