Balloon holder

Abstract

The invention provides an apparatus for standing a balloon even in inclement weather without gasses such as helium. In one particular embodiment an apparatus for standing a balloon includes a balloon saddle on a distal end of a saddle lift extension, a tie-down loop adjacent to the saddle lift extension and a display extension adjacent to the tie-down loop. In another aspect the apparatus is one continuous material of substantially similar diameter. In another aspect the apparatus includes a linear interruption in the display extension. In another aspect the tie-down loop is substantially along a center axis defined by the circumference of the balloon saddle.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Utility application of prior pending Provisional application Ser. No. 60/669,518 filed Apr. 8, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus for standing a balloon.

2. Description of the Related Art

Inflatable balloons may be used as toys, for decoration and for advertising. Large numbers of balloons are distributed as novelty items. Toy balloons may be made of latex or a non-elastomeric polymer film. Balloon holders are of various designs and generally comprise a shaped cup for holding the balloon with a rod or stem structure attached to the holding cup. The cup may have a hole or slot for securing the balloon to the cup. The neck or knot of a balloon is attached in some fashion to the cup.

Prior art balloon holders may be quite complex and cumbersome. Many balloon holders do not enable balloons to remain upright, and so balloons may be gas (helium) filled to aid in display. It would be advantageous to have a balloon holder that enables a balloon to remain upright and secure without the need for helium.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides an apparatus for standing a balloon even in inclement weather without gasses such as helium. In one particular embodiment an apparatus for standing a balloon includes a balloon saddle on a distal end of a saddle lift extension, a tie-down loop adjacent to the saddle lift extension and a display extension adjacent to the tie-down loop. In another aspect the apparatus is one continuous material of substantially similar diameter. In another aspect the apparatus includes a linear interruption in the display extension. In another aspect the tie-down loop is substantially along a center axis defined by the circumference of the balloon saddle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For detailed understanding of the present invention, references should be made to the detailed description of various disclosed embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements have been given like numerals, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram depicting an illustrative embodiment showing a balloon holder for standing up a balloon;

FIG. 2 is a graphical depiction of an illustrative embodiment showing a balloon holder;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram depicting an illustrative embodiment showing a balloon holder for standing up a balloon;

FIG. 4 is a graphical depiction of an illustrative embodiment showing a balloon holder; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic depiction of an implementation of an embodiment of a balloon holder.

DESCRIPTION OF AN ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT

In view of the above, an illustrative embodiment is presented through one or more of its various aspects to provide one or more advantages, such as those noted below. One embodiment is an apparatus for mounting a balloon to “stand up” without the need to fill the balloon with a gas like helium, and may give the appearance the balloon is on a string.

In another particular embodiment an apparatus for standing a balloon includes a balloon saddle on a distal end of a saddle lift extension, a tie-down loop adjacent to the saddle lift extension and a display extension adjacent to the tie-down loop. In another aspect the apparatus is one continuous material of substantially similar diameter. In another aspect the apparatus includes a linear interruption in the display extension. In another aspect the tie-down loop is substantially along a center axis defined by the circumference of the balloon saddle. In another aspect the tie-down loop is substantially normal to the display extension. In another aspect an end-cap attached to a portion of the balloon saddle.

In another particular embodiment one continuous material of substantially similar diameter for standing a balloon includes a balloon saddle on a distal end of a saddle lift extension, a tie-down loop adjacent to the saddle lift extension and a display extension adjacent to the tie-down loop. Another aspect includes a linear interruption in the display extension. In another aspect the tie-down loop is located substantially along a center axis defined by the circumference of the balloon saddle. In another aspect the tie-down loop is substantially normal to the display extension. In another aspect the tie-down loop is coincident with the display extension. In another aspect an end-cap attached to a portion of the balloon saddle. In another aspect a ratio of the length of saddle lift extension to the balloon saddle diameter is between 0.8 and 1.2.

In another particular embodiment one continuous material of substantially similar diameter for standing a balloon includes a balloon saddle on a distal end of a saddle lift extension, a tie-down loop adjacent to the saddle lift extension, the tie-down loop substantially along an center axis defined by a circumference of the balloon saddle and a display extension adjacent to the tie-down loop. Another aspect includes a linear interruption in the display extension. In another aspect the tie-down loop has a closed end located toward the balloon saddle. In another aspect one side of the tie-down loop is substantially normal to the display extension. In another aspect one side of the tie-down loop is coincident with the display extension. In another aspect an end-cap attached to a portion of the balloon saddle. In another aspecta ratio of the length of saddle lift extension to the balloon saddle diameter is between 0.8 and 1.2.

Turning now to FIG. 1, 1A of FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective schematic view of an embodiment that provides a balloon saddle 102 on one distal end of the apparatus. A balloon may be seated in the balloon saddle 102 making contact substantially around the circumference of the saddle when a balloon is mounted on the apparatus illustrated in 1A. Saddle lift extension 106 separates balloon saddle 102 from tie-down loop 104. Tie-down loop 104 allows a portion of a balloon to be secured thereto. The balloon is mounted in the saddle 102 and a portion of the balloon is stretched through the saddle 102, with some adequate tension, to be attached the tie-down loop 104. For example a balloon knot and/or portion of a balloon adjacent to a balloon knot may be attached to tie-down loop 104. The linear section of the apparatus between tie-down loop 104 and the distal end opposite saddle 102 along display extension 100 may contain an interruption in the form of an angle 109C, or other linear interruption as illustrated in FIG. 2.1B of FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment rotated substantially normal to the view of 1A.

A top view is depicted in 1C of FIG. 1. The diameter 108 across saddle 102 may be similar to the length of saddle lift extension 106 from tie-down loop 104, wherein the length of saddle lift extension 106 may be measured as the minimum distance between tie-down loop 104 and balloon saddle 102. While the length of saddle lift extension 106 relative to diameter 108 may be the same, as long as they are similar the apparatus 100 will function adequately. A beneficial ratio of the length of saddle lift extension 106 relative to diameter 108 is between 0.7 and 1.3. However, even a ratio of two to one (either way) may provide structural support in different circumstances. Also, while the saddle 102 is illustrated herein as substantially circular, some degree of ellipticity will still allow for adequate seating of the balloon in the saddle.

A particular embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 2 with a balloon saddle 102 attached on a distal end of saddle lift extension 106. Saddle lift extension 106 is attached to tie-down loop 104. Tie down loop 104 is between saddle lift extension 106 and display extension 100. Balloon saddle 102 diameter 108 may be similar in length to saddle lift extension 106.

As may be appreciated from FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, the apparatus may be formed of one continuous material so that the balloon holder is of one piece without needing attachments. For example the material may be metal or plastic or other suitable material. Many types of wire are suitable, for example music wire or hard drawn precoated zinc (galvanized). The balloon holder may be made from any wire of any alloy. It may be precoated or uncoated; it may coated after production. The balloon holder may be made from stainless steel. The balloon holder may be coated with paint, powder-coat, epoxy, zinc, chromium, cadmium, nickel, copper, or any other known coating. Spring tempered wire is stronger (more rigid) and avoids bending. A standard metal wire (not spring tempered) may allow parts of the balloon hold to bend easily. Round wire may be used, as well as square wire and “shaped” wire. The entire balloon holder may be made from one piece of material, of substantially the same diameter.

Turning now to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of perspective views of an embodiment with saddle lift extension 106 at a non-normal angle relative to balloon saddle 102. FIG. 3 illustrates alternate positions of tie-down loop 104. As depicted in 3A and 3E, tie-down loop 104 may parallel saddle lift extension 106. As depicted in 3B and 3F, tie-down loop 104 may be positioned parallel to display extension 100 (i.e., normal to the plane of balloon saddle 102). The embodiment of 3C depicts the tie-down loop normal to the saddle lift extension 106, while the embodiment of 3D illustrates the tie-down loop normal to the display extension 100. While six positions of tie-down loop 104 have been shown as exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated that tie-down loop positioning is possible over the range from 3A to 3F.

The linear section of the apparatus between tie-down loop 104 and the distal end opposite saddle 102 along display extension 100 may contain an interruption in the form of an angle, an offset, or other linear interruption. These linear interruptions facilitate mounting the balloon holder in, for example, a corrugated material like a yard sign or a display mount that is adapted to hold a wire. The linear interruption will inhibit the balloon holder from sliding past the linear interruption. Exemplary interruptions are depicted in FIG. 2 as 109A, 109B, 109C, 109E and 109F.

Positioning saddle lift extension 106 at a non-normal angle to balloon saddle 102 as depicted in FIG. 3 allows for easier centering and attaching a mounted balloon, particularly when large balloons are used. The tie-down loop, or portions of the tie-down loop, may be positioned substantially in an axis centered through the circle (or ellipse) formed by balloon saddle 102.

The FIG. 3 embodiment of 3F includes a tie-down loop that may be positioned substantially along the axis centered through the balloon saddle 102, and the tie-down loop 104 beneficially parallels both display extension 100 and central axis through balloon saddle 102. FIG. 4 illustrates the 3F tie-down loop 104 position that may be substantially centered along the balloon saddle 102 center axis 112. The center axis is shown bisecting balloon saddle 102 diameter 108. The saddle lift extension 106 angles from the circumference of the balloon saddle to a near intersection of the balloon saddle center axis 112, and the tie-down loop 104, near or in the center axis “points” along, or parallels, the balloon saddle axis 112. That one side of tie-down loop 104 is coincident with display extension 100 adds to structural integrity and ease of manufacture.

A vinyl tip 110 as depicted in FIG. 4 may be used as an end-cap to cover an end or termination, for example the open end of the balloon saddle, to reduce the possibility of puncturing a balloon. Other materials for end-cap tip protections include Rubber, Plastic, Silicone, EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer or other Propylene or synthetic Rubber) and PVC (polymer of vinyl chloride).

The present invention provides for a means to securely stand a balloon even in inclement weather which may include high winds. FIG. 5 illustrates balloons 500 standing using an embodiment of the balloon holder mounted in a yard sign 502.

While various embodiments have been shown and described, various modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has been described by way of illustrations and not limitation.

Claims

1. An apparatus for standing a balloon comprising:

(a) a balloon saddle on a distal end of a saddle lift extension;

(b) a tie-down loop adjacent to the saddle lift extension; and

(c) a display extension adjacent to the tie-down loop.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus comprises one continuous material of substantially similar diameter.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a linear interruption in the display extension.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the tie-down loop is substantially along a center axis defined by the circumference of the balloon saddle.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the tie-down loop is substantially normal to the display extension.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an end-cap attached to a portion of the balloon saddle.

7. An apparatus of one continuous material of substantially similar diameter for standing a balloon comprising:

(a) a balloon saddle on a distal end of a saddle lift extension;

(b) a tie-down loop adjacent to the saddle lift extension; and

(c) a display extension adjacent to the tie-down loop.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a linear interruption in the display extension.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the tie-down loop is located substantially along a center axis defined by the circumference of the balloon saddle.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one side of the tie-down loop is substantially normal to the display extension.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one side of the tie-down loop is coincident with the display extension.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an end-cap attached to a portion of the balloon saddle.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a ratio of the length of saddle lift extension to the balloon saddle diameter is between 0.8 and 1.2.

14. An apparatus of one continuous material of substantially similar diameter for standing a balloon comprising:

(a) a balloon saddle on a distal end of a saddle lift extension;

(b) a tie-down loop adjacent to the saddle lift extension, the tie-down loop substantially along an center axis defined by a circumference of the balloon saddle; and

(c) a display extension adjacent to the tie-down loop.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a linear interruption in the display extension.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the tie-down loop has a closed end located toward the balloon saddle.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one side of the tie-down loop is substantially normal to the display extension.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one side of the tie-down loop is coincident with the display extension.

19. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an end-cap attached to a portion of the balloon saddle.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a ratio of the length of saddle lift extension to the balloon saddle diameter is between 0.8 and 1.2.