This invention relates to a decoration assembly to hold balloons, decorative materials and the like.
Heretofore, architectural arches have been used to establish decorative structures of various types by attaching helium-filled balloons and fabric structures onto flexible supports.
In the case of balloon structures, balloons filled with helium are generally joined together on a rope or string attached to a simple ground fixture such as a stake or weight. In this system, because the difference in air density between the interior and exterior cavities of the balloon is substantial, an arch or vertical column of balloons forms naturally at most elevations.
Manufacturers of balloon arches and columns have attempted to construct balloon decorative structures containing atmospheric air-filled balloons, rather than expensive helium-filled balloons. Past attempts to create such structures have faced difficulty, however, due to the natural flexibility of the support structures employed, the instability of atmospheric balloon arch and vertical balloon column support structures, and the increasing expense of helium and other comparable pressurized gases. In addition, the skilled labor requirements for manipulating and maintaining balloon structures in a form free of tangles and knots has proven prohibitive. Thus, it is difficult to produce balloon decoration assemblies simply, quickly, and in a lasting manner using inexpensive gas media and conventional assembly techniques.
Therefore, there is still a need for a balloon and fabric decoration assembly formed by a plurality of balloon or fabric units which may be produced and assembled in a simple manner allowing maintenance of structural rigidity and balance under various conditions, producing an attractive appearance.
The present invention is directed to a system of balloon and fabric decoration and its method of production that provides various structures that can be used in a stable fashion both indoors and outdoors.
it is the object of the present invention to provide decorative structures that, unlike the traditional balloon arches, can be used indoors and outdoors without the use of helium balloons and other balloons containing comparable interior air density. The invention can be used to fasten balloons, fabric, and other materials in variety of structural forms including a large arch, multiple arches, circular structures, and vertical columns, and the like. Each structural form may be made larger with additional poles or kits. The different geometrical shapes the arches can take on are supported by strong base plates that can, optionally, be fastened to both indoor and outdoor floor structures. Interchangeable poles interlock to form joints, providing support and structural variety.
A further object of the invention is to provide a portable structure that can be decorated with floral arrangements, bells and strings of lights for illuminating the arch during a ceremony. The plurality of decorative elements that can be attached, in addition to the various achievable geometric forms of the invention, fill an increasing demand throughout the world for portable, safe structures that can be customized for different celebratory, ceremonial, athletic or business-oriented events.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a kit comprising a base plate, mounting pins, poles, and fasteners for quick and easy assembly and disassembly. Due to the stability and interchangeability of its pole segments, the method of assembly of the present invention enables the formation of very large and small structures. These structures are supported by the base plates containing a plurality of holes that may be used to secure the mounting pin upon which extension poles can be mounted. In some embodiments, the holes may be located in the center, on the sides, or on the corners of the base plate. Base plates can also be stacked upon one another to support outdoor structures and structures with large arches and columns.
The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently-preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the system, functions and sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.
The invention of the present application is a decorative system 100 that is easy to assemble to create an arch or column of balloons without the use of helium, as shown in
As shown in
The purpose of the base plate 102 is to provide structural support to the decorative system 100 because exterior wind conditions, inadvertent human interactions with the decorative system 100, and even the weight of the poles, may cause imbalance during use. This rigid structure of the assembled decorative system 100 also provides support for the various large geometrical forms and combinations the arches can take on. Finally, because the base plates 102 are easily disassembled from the other components of the present invention, they provide a portable, safe structure that can be customized for different events.
In the preferred embodiment, as shown in
In the preferred embodiment, the base plate 102 comprises a center hole 112 in addition to a plurality of auxiliary holes, including side holes 114, corner holes 116, any other holes along the outer perimeter or anywhere else on the base plate 102. A cutout 119 may also be provided for use as a handle for ease of transportation. A fastener 118 may be inserted through the holes on the bottom surface 110 to fasten a mounting pin 122 on the top surface 111 so that the mounting pin 122 is securely fastened to the base plate 102 perpendicular to the top surface 111. Due to the various placements of the holes, the mounting pin 122 can be attached to the base plate 102 at a variety of locations. A washer 120 may be used to facilitate the connection. In addition, these holes may enable fastening of the base plate 102 to wood, grass, dirt, or other ground surfaces to provide structural stability. Screws, nails, stakes, and the like can be inserted into any of the unused holes 112, 114, and 116a-d and into the ground, if desired.
As shown in
In the preferred embodiment, the mounting pin 122 secures the base plate 102 to a starter pole 104, which then can be secured to extension poles 106, 106a-e, as shown in
In the preferred embodiment, as shown in
The second end 126 of the mounting pin 122 may be a closed, solid pin, and is designed to connect with a starter pole 104 by a resistance-fit joint. In some embodiments, the second end 126 of the mounting pin 122 may be secured by a facilitating connector 125, such as adhesives, tapes, like Gaffer's tape, wraps, clips, through-pins, magnetically charged composition, and the like, or any other structural component to fasten with a starter pole 104 or create a tight junction between the starter pole 104 and the mounting pin 122. Preferably, the second end 126 has a diameter that is smaller than the diameter at the first end 124. This change in diameter along the mounting pin 122 may be gradual or tapered, or it may be an abrupt change creating a ledge 127.
To use the mounting pin 122, the first mounting pin end 124 is placed on the top surface 111 of the baseplate 102 over one of the holes 112, 114, or 116. A fastener 118 is inserted through the respective hole from the bottom surface 110 of the base plate 102 and into the mounting pin opening 123, thereby securing the base plate 102 to the mounting pin 122. In the preferred embodiment, a washer 120 may separate the mounting pin 122 and the base plate 102. In each case, a washer 120 can be used to facilitate fastening and unfastening of the mounting pin 122 at the top surface 111 of the base plate 102. In some embodiments, the mounting pin 122 may be integrally formed with the baseplate 102.
A starter pole 104 may be mounted onto the mounting pin 122 so that the mounting pin 122 and starter pole 104 form a stable attachment. The purpose of the starter pole 104 connection is to provide structural support to the decorative system 100 near the base plate 102, stabilizing the decorative system 100 under both indoor and outdoor conditions. The starter pole 104 is also easily detached from the mounting pin 122, providing a portable, safe structure that can be customized for different events. In the preferred embodiment, the starter pole 104 is a uniformly-shaped cylindrical tube having a first starter pole end 107 and a second starter pole end 108 opposite the first starter pole end 107. In the preferred embodiment, the first starter pole end 107 may have a first starter pole opening 130 substantially similar in size to the dimensions of the second end 126 of the mounting pin 122 so as to enable the starter pole 104 to slide onto the mounting pin 122. In some embodiments, the dimensions may be similar enough to create a resistance fit. In some embodiments, the starter pole 104 may slide onto the mounting pin 122 until the starter pole abuts against the ledge 127 of the mounting pin 122.
Alternatively, the second end 126 of the mounting pin 122 may be exteriorly threaded and the first starter pole end 107 may be interiorly threaded so as to screw onto the mounting pin 122. In some embodiments, these configurations can be reversed so that the first starter pole end 107 can be inserted into or threaded into the mounting pin 122. Securement of the starter pole 104 to the mounting pin 122 may also be assisted by facilitating connectors 125, such as adhesive, tapes, like Gaffer's tape, wraps, clips, through-pins, magnetically charged composition, and the like.
The second starter pole end 108 is configured to attach to the extension poles 106a-e. In the preferred embodiment, the second starter pole end 108 may have a second starter pole opening 131 defined by smooth or threaded walls, with a configuration that is substantially similar in size and dimension as the first starter pole end 107 and designed to attach to a first extension pole 106.
The extension poles 106, 106a-e extend the starter pole 104 to form larger structures. The extension poles 106, 106a-e are also easily disassembled from the starter pole 104 and each other, providing for portable, safe systems that can form very large structures. Floral arrangements, bells, balloons, strings of lights, letters, words, pictures, and the like can be attached directly to the extension poles 106, 106a-e to create a decorative assembly.
In the preferred embodiment, the extension pole 106 comprises a first extension pole end 105 with a solid extension pole pin 103 and a second extension pole end 109 with an extension pole opening 113. In the preferred embodiment, the solid extension pole pin 103 of the first extension pole end 105 is configured to attach to the second starter pole end 108, for example, as a splice joint.
Subsequent extension poles 106a have the same structural features, comprising a first extension pole end 105a with a solid extension pole pin 103a, and a second extension pole end 109a with a hollow extension pole opening 113a. Thus, the subsequent or additional extension poles 106a-e are substantially similar to the first extension pole 106 and can form splice joints with each other to continue to extend the length of the assembly.
In the preferred embodiment, the solid extension pole pin 103 of the first extension pole end 105 is configured to attach to the second starter pole end 108. In some embodiments, the second extension pole end 109 may have an opening 113 defined by a threaded or unthreaded wall, like the second starter pole end 108. In some embodiments, the second extension pole end 109 may contain oilier fastening properties, such as adhesive, snap fit, magnetic properties, and the like. Each interlocking extension pole 106, 106a-e can be made out of various elongated materials, such as metal, plastic, wood, and the like.
In the embodiment shown in
Preferably, the diameter of the extension pole 106 is substantially the same as the diameter of the starter pole 104. However, the diameter of the extension pole pin 103 may be smaller than the diameter of the starter pole 104 or the remainder of the extension pole 106. The decrease in diameter may occur gradually with a taper or abruptly, thereby creating a ledge 115 at the first extension pole end 105. When the extension pole pin 103 is inserted into the second starter pole opening 131, the starter pole 104 will abut against the ledge 115 of the extension pole 106. Since the diameters of the extension pole 106 and the starter pole 104 are the same, it will give the appearance of one long pole.
When the first extension pole 106 is securely fastened to the starter pole 104, subsequent extension poles 106a-e identical to the first extension pole 106 can then be attached to the first extension pole 106 in series. Preferably, the second extension pole end 109 of the first extension pole 106 is configured to attach to the solid extension pole pin 103a of the subsequent extension poles 106a by a resistance fit, much like the way the first extension pole 106 attached to the starter pole 104. Like the other identical extension poles 106a-e, the first extension pole 106 may use other fastening properties to attach to subsequent extension poles 106a-e, such as threaded screw type connection, adhesion, snap fit, magnetic interaction, other mechanical connections, and the like. As shown in
In the preferred embodiment, the second base plate 102a comprises a second center hole 112a in addition to a plurality of second auxiliary holes, including side holes 114a, corner holes 116a′, 116b′, 116e′, 116d′, and any other holes on the base plate 102a. The second base plate 102a may also have a cutout 119a to serve as a handle. A second fastener 118a may be inserted through the holes on the bottom surface 110a, attaching to a washer 120a and a second mounting pin 122a on the top surface 111a so that the second mounting pin 122a is securely fastened to the second base plate 102a perpendicular to the top surface 111a. In addition, these holes may enable fastening of the second base plate 102a to wood or other surfaces, providing structural stability. Screws, nails stakes, and the like can be used in any of the unused holes 112a, 114a, 116a′-d′ along the second base plate 102a, if desired.
Examples of different types of arched structures and combination structures are shown in
Attachment of the balloon decorations 200 to the arch and/or vertical column structures can be accomplished by various methods, and can accommodate various geometrical balloon shapes and sizes. In some embodiments, balloon units comprising a plurality of balloon elements are connected annularly on the same plane and may be joined at the center directly to the extension poles 106, 106a-e and/or starter pole 104. Alternatively, balloon units may be joined to a secondary balloon attachment line 202, such as rope, wire, monofilament, and the like, attached to the extension poles 106, 106a-e and/or starter pole 104. For added security, the attachment line 202 can also be used to attach the poles to the base plate 102. In some embodiments, balloons may be arranged as clusters. In the preferred embodiment, a pole may be passed through the center of each such balloon cluster as the balloon units are mounted on the pole.
In the preferred embodiment, the two side edges 140, 140b of each fabric sheet 132 may be provided with fastening means, such as rivets, snaps or mounting bolts, for connection to the base plates 102. In some embodiments, the fabric sheet 132 may hang from the assembled arch like a curtain without fastening the edges of the fabric sheet to their respective base plates 102.
In use, a decoration system 100 can be created by placing a base plate 102 on a ground and fastening a mounting pin 122 to the top surface of the base plate 102. The second starter pole end 108 of a starter pole 104 can be fastened to the first extension pole end 105 of a first extension pole 106. A second extension pole 106a can be fastened to the first extension pole 106 by connecting the first extension pole end 105a of the second extension pole 106a to the second extension pole end 109 of the first extension pole 106. Subsequent extension poles 106b-e can be attached in a similar manner to extend the length of the extension poles to a desire length. A decoration, such as balloons or fabric, can be attached to the extension poles. If balloons are used, the balloons can be attached to the poles before or after attaching the poles together. Once all the decorations have been attached, the starter pole 104 can then be attached to the mounting pin 122. Stopping here results in a columned decoration system.
However, if a second base plate 102a is placed on the ground, a second mounting pin 122a can be fastened to the top surface of the second base plate 102a and the second end (109e for example) of the last extension pole (106e for example) can be attached to the second mounting pin 122a of the second base plate 102a. Doing so causes the extension poles to create an arch, thereby creating the arched decorative assembly.
Additional base plates 102b-d can be placed at desired locations on the ground and additional sets of extension poles creating arches 300 can connect pairs of base plates together to create intricate configuration of arches 300a-d as shown in
The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description, it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by this detailed description, but by the claims and the equivalents to the claims appended hereto.
This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/847,013, entitled “System for Creating Decorative Arches and Columns,” filed Jul. 16, 2013, which application is incorporated in its entirety here by this reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61847013 | Jul 2013 | US |