Abstract: An adjustable weight for tethering lighter-than-air balloons that may include a plurality of individual weights secured together by a friction fit. The weights each have a top wall and a side wall extending from a periphery of the top wall. The side wall includes a top tier adjacent to the top wall and a base tier extending from the top tier. The base tier is larger in size than the top tier to facilitate nesting of adjacent weights, and a step is formed at the intersection of the top tier and the base tier. An attachment member extends from the weight and provides a tethering point for lighter-than-air balloons.

Abstract: A rollover warning system for a vehicle includes: a base control inertial measurement unit with a plurality of sensors and a computer. The plurality of sensors measures a plurality of vehicle measurements. The plurality of vehicle measurements include at least two of: a longitudinal acceleration measurement; a lateral acceleration measurement; a vertical acceleration measurement; a roll rate measurement; a yaw rate measurement; and combinations thereof. Optionally, a pitch rate gyro for pitch measurement can be added for additional functionality, such as a vertical slope warning, or it can also be input into the predictive algorithm for defining additional vehicle hazardous operation states and conditions. The computer calculates a Rollover Risk Estimate based on the plurality of vehicle measurements taken by the plurality of sensors in the inertial measurement unit.

Abstract: A balloon display unit is provided to display a single balloon on the end of a stick. These display units can be secured to display bases to provide a balloon display. A balloon display unit includes a balloon and a balloon pedestal, which includes a base and a balloon stick receiving structure extending from the base. The balloon stick receiving structure can received sticks of varying inner and outer diameters. The balloon display includes a display base that receives one or more of the balloon display units.

Abstract: A balloon sealing and display device comprises a disk-like body member that includes a first sealing slit formed therein, extending from an open mouth inwardly to a closed end. The disk-like body member also includes a second sealing slit formed therein extending from an open mouth inwardly to a closed end. The closed end of the first sealing slit and the closed end of the second sealing slit are spaced apart from one another to define a neck wrap portion of the body member. The disk-like body member also includes a ribbon wrap portion. The balloon sealing and display device also includes a ribbon, having a first end and a second end defining a length thereof, having the first end secured to the body member.

Abstract: An adjustable weight for tethering lighter-than-air balloons that may include a plurality of individual weights secured together by a friction fit. The weights each have a top wall and a side wall extending from a periphery of the top wall. The side wall includes a top tier adjacent to the top wall and a base tier extending from the top tier. The base tier is larger in size than the top tier to facilitate nesting of adjacent weights, and a step is formed at the intersection of the top tier and the base tier. An attachment member extends from the weight and provides a tethering point for lighter-than-air balloons.

Abstract: A clip-style balloon weight includes first and second clip members and a biasing member. The clip members are pivotally connected to one another, and the biasing member biases the clip members into contact at a clip end and away from one another at a squeeze end. The biasing member may be formed of a non-metallic material suitable to provide a biasing force. The biasing member may include projections at the ends of opposing arms, and the clip members may include recesses and ramped surfaces extending from the recesses, the projections engaging the ramped surfaces upon insertion of the biasing member to guide the projections into the recesses, thereby assembling the balloon weight.

Abstract: A valve and retainer assembly particularly useful for latex balloons includes a valve body and a band valve. The valve body has a radial shoulder where the neck and mouth of a latex balloon may be received to affix the balloon to the valve body. A hollow stem communicates with the radial shoulder, and a one-way valve allows gas to be introduced through the stem into the balloon affixed to the retainer portion. A valve and retainer for filling first and second balloons further includes a slide disk having a seal sleeve that intimately fits over the stem portion, such that the sealing slide disk selectively slides along the stem portion so that the seal sleeve can selectively cover the at least one second balloon fill aperture; and a flexible band covering the at least one fill aperture of the fill portion.

Abstract: A balloon sealing and display device comprises a disk-like body member that includes a first sealing slit formed therein, extending from an open mouth inwardly to a closed end. The disk-like body member also includes a second sealing slit formed therein extending from an open mouth inwardly to a closed end. The closed end of the first sealing slit and the closed end of the second sealing slit are spaced apart from one another to define a neck wrap portion of the body member. The disk-like body member also includes a ribbon wrap portion. The balloon sealing and display device also includes a ribbon, having a first end and a second end defining a length thereof, having the first end secured to the body member.

Abstract: A balloon inflator includes a tank containing a volume of pressurized gas and a regulator assembly removably secured to the tank for reducing the pressure of gas exiting the tank, the regulator assembly including a pressure regulator. A nozzle assembly is also provided and includes a valve for controlling dispensing of the pressurized gas. A flexible hose extends between the regulator assembly and the nozzle assembly, the hose being in fluid communication with the pressure regulator and the valve. The balloon inflator is small and lightweight, and therefore portable and concealable. The flexible nature of the hose allows for easy manipulation of the nozzle assembly, making use of the balloon inflator easier for performers.

Abstract: A rollover warning system for a vehicle includes: a base control inertial measurement unit with a plurality of sensors and a computer. The plurality of sensors measures a plurality of vehicle measurements. The plurality of vehicle measurements include at least two of: a longitudinal acceleration measurement; a lateral acceleration measurement; a vertical acceleration measurement; a roll rate measurement; a yaw rate measurement; and combinations thereof. Optionally, a pitch rate gyro for pitch measurement can be added for additional functionality, such as a vertical slope warning, or it can also be input into the predictive algorithm for defining additional vehicle hazardous operation states and conditions. The computer calculates a Rollover Risk Estimate based on the plurality of vehicle measurements taken by the plurality of sensors in the inertial measurement unit.

Abstract: A valve and retainer assembly particularly useful for latex balloons includes a valve body and a band valve. The valve body has a radial shoulder where the neck and mouth of a latex balloon may be received to affix the balloon to the valve body. A hollow stem extends from a first open end to a second closed end, and a one-way valve allows gas to be introduced through a fill aperture in the stem and into the balloon affixed to the retainer portion. The stem includes a bell mouth at the open end to facilitate the creation of a hermetic seal with valves of gas storage tanks and to improve the efficiency of filling said balloons. The one-way valve includes a band valve positioned around the stem and covering the fill aperture. Fingers may be provided on a top surface of the radial shoulder to retain the band valve against movement under high pressure.

Abstract: A balloon inflator includes a nozzle adaptor configured to fit over an outlet of an inflation nozzle. A nozzle receipt is provided by the balloon inflator housing to selectively receive the nozzle adaptor and a switch is provided at the nozzle receipt. The nozzle adaptor is adapted to trigger the switch when received at the nozzle receipt. The switch controls the power supplied to the motor, such that different motor operating parameters are realized when the switch is triggered and when the switch is not triggered. In a particular embodiment, the nozzle adaptor includes vent channels that exhaust a portion of the air to the atmosphere when a balloon is fitted over the alternate outlet.