Abstract: A toy balloon support assembly containing an elongated support and, attached to it, a heat-staked ribbon tether. One end of the ribbon tether is connected by heat-staking to the elongated support and is preferably parallel to its vertical axis. This end of the ribbon tether contains at least two heat-staked portions separated from each other by a non-heat-staked portion.

Abstract: A water toy has the shape of an aerial bomb or rocket with generally bulbous, resiliently flexible body and a removable tail member with fins, The water toy includes a resilient shell having a mouth and an internal pointed member facing the mouth. A balloon has a mouth with a lip that fits around and engages the mouth of the shell with the balloon body in the shell. The two mouths are sufficiently large to receive ice cubes. A cover member is fitted over and releasably engages the mouth of the shell sufficiently snugly to seal the mouth of the balloon on the mouth of the shell. The cover member has a recess with a one-way check valve to permit the balloon, which is sealed between the cover member and shell, to be filled with water. The tail member is received in the recess and releasably engages the cover member. Dispersion passageways extend from the inner through the outer surfaces of the shell.

Abstract: This invention provides improvements to flying toy models of hot-air balloons which use helium instead of hot air for lift.An object in the shape of an inverted receptacle is inserted into the mouth of the lifting envelope and serves to accurately replicate the shape of the neck and the open mouth of a full-sized hot-air balloon lifting envelope. A novel method of assembly incorporates the inverted receptacle into the lifting envelope and provides for the efficient attachment and detachment of the gondola to the lifting envelope.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a holder for balloons, flowers or the like on sticks, comprising a holder element having a mounting surface adapted to be securely attached to a support structure by attachment element located on the mounting surface. At least one receptacle of predetermined depth is adapted to tightly hold a lower portion of the stick by a secure elements located within the receptacle, wherein the secure means adapted to securely hold a stick of various diameters. The mounting surface is adapted to be securely attached to a vertical wall or fixture, and wherein a longitudinal centerline of the receptacle is tilted away from the mounting surface to provide less displacement and reduction of bending moment of an upper end of a stick having a balloon or flower attached, which in turn allows reduction of the peeling force applied to the attachment elements. The angle between the longitudinal centerline of the receptacle and the mounting surface is at least 1/2 degree.

Abstract: A balloon inflation device with a light source involving a tube with internal electrical conducting wire such that a power source can be attached to one end of the tube, a light bulb can be attached to the other end of the tube and the power source will illuminate the light bulb. The tube also has a radially projecting flange with a chamfered edge on its outer surface such that the tube can be inserted into a balloon, light first, and the stem of the balloon can be stretched over the flange, holding the tube in place and creating a mechanical seal that prevents gas from passing between the flange and the balloon stem. The power source of the light bulb can be removed from the tube and a gas stream can be projected into the balloon, inflating it, but the tube is arranged and configured such that the gas in the balloon cannot flow out of the balloon through the tube.

Abstract: A balloon valve assembly for use in inflating balloons which contains a tube portion with a passageway, and a head portion adapted for insertion into the neck of an inflatable balloon which has a bottom wall forming a flange, an orifice through the bottom wall, and a side wall extending from the bottom wall and defining a substantially non-circular outer surface of the head portion. A valve flap member is mounted to the bottom wall of the head portion for sealing the orifice in the bottom wall.

Abstract: An aerial toy includes a balloon adapted to be filled with a lighter-than-air gas and a pinwheel connected to a lower portion of the balloon. A string is connected between the upper and lower portions of the toy, and a light weight string can be connected to a lower portion of the balloon. A string is connected between the upper and lower portions of the toy, and a light weight string can be connected to this string to enable the inflated balloon to rise upwardly with the attached pinwheel by letting out the light weight string. The light weight string is attached to an upper portion of the toy so that when the light weight string is tugged, the toy tilts forwardly to produce a stable lifting effect. An adaptor for connecting the pinwheel to the balloon is formed of two elements, with the first element receiving the centered balloon with its filling stem extending through a hollow cylindrical member having a slot in its lower portion.

Abstract: An automatic sealing valve having a cylindrical inflation nozzle, which has a cone-shaped wall section in its lower area, which a welding rim adjoins. The welding rim is connected by a peripheral joint with a foil of the inflatable body. A pressure membrane is peripherally welded at the peripheral joint at the lower end of the welding rim and forms an open air passage. The annular area formed in this way is the active pressure area with which the pressure membrane presses against the welding rim. The pressure membrane has a recess below the cone-shaped edge area which is sealingly closed by a cup-shaped receptacle. The inflation nozzle can be pushed into the receptacle with its cone-shaped edge area.

Abstract: A nozzle for inflatable objects being made of a plastic material, including a nozzle body and a sealing element composed of a vertical sleeve body and an one-way membrane, in which the nozzle body is incorporated with an annular nozzle seat, a conical wall is extended upward from the annular nozzle seat, an annular horizontal wall is extended from the top of the conical wall, a vertical cylindrical body is extended from the annular horizontal wall, an air passage is formed in the vertical cylindrical body, a plug which can be inserted to the air passage to seal the air passage, the sealing element is tightly fitted to the lower cylindrical body, and an one-way membrane is secured to the inner wall of the sealing element to swing freely therein and to close the air passage tightly.

Abstract: The invention concerns a fastening arrangement between the hose-like neck (11) of a sonde balloon (10) and the closing piece or valve piece (13) of the balloon. The closing piece or valve piece (13) can be fitted inside the hose-like neck (11) of the sonde balloon (10) as gas-tight. The fastening arrangement comprises a fastening ring (12), which can be fitted onto the free mouth part of the neck (11) of the sonde balloon. Hereupon, the outer end (11a) of the mouth part of the neck (11) can be folded outside and over the fastening ring (12) onto the neck part (11) placed on the cylinder part (13b) of the closing or valve piece (13), the neck (11) thereby becoming two-fold. The inner diameter (D.sub.1) of the fastening ring (12) has been dimensioned smaller than the diameter (D.sub.2) of the cylinder part (13b) of the closing or valve piece (13).

Abstract: A holding device for inflatable balloons or the like which have a balloon envelope and a filling connection has a holding part which has clamping means for the airtight clamping off of the filling connection of the balloon after its inflation. The holding part has the shape of a bowl (2; 2') which is open towards the balloon (1), and the clamping means comprise a groove (6, 7; 6', 7') which is formed in the circumferential wall of the bowl (2; 2') and passes through said circumferential wall, the groove extending from the edge (2a) of the bowl (2; 2') that rests against the balloon envelope upon use and being intended to receive the filling connection (3) of the balloon 1), and a clamping device (4) for the end of the filling connection (3) of the balloon (1) arranged on the outside of the circumferential wall of the bowl (2; 2').

Abstract: An inflated elastic balloon has a tube passing completely therethrough. The tube is used to connect a plurality of balloons in a display pattern and to introduces a string of lights into the balloon interiors for display purposes. A disk having a bore is depressed into a deflated balloon wall and the wall covering the bore has a small hole or orifice in it. The tube passes through the disk bore and the wall orifice. A collar secures the balloon wall to the disk such that the wall material surrounding the wall orifice remains elastic and forms a sliding seal against the tube upon passage therethrough. In an alternate embodiment, the disk bore includes constriction rings that form a sliding seal against the tube and the balloon wall is secured and sealed against the disk.

Abstract: A composite material for a balloon having a transparency and a gas barrier, including a polymer base layer and a transparent thin layer of a silicon oxide provided on one surface of the polymer base layer, the silicon oxide layer having an atomic ratio of silicon to oxygen of 1:0.3 to 2. The composite material has a high degree of barrier to helium gas or hydrogen gas. A balloon produced from the composite material retains its buoyancy for a long period of time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-sealing refillable plastic balloon valve produced from at least two sheets of plastic film of equal size and shape, cut and heat sealed to form an elongated plastic fill having an operable channel between an inlet and outlet end. The elongated plastic fill valve being affixed to a plastic balloon stem interior and being capable of cyclic self-sealing and reinflation operation of the balloon body. The plastic balloon valve which is capable of multiple self-sealing and refilling cycles, functions through the use of internal self-sealing means either singly or in combinatoin. The self-sealing refillable plastic balloon valve is mounted within a balloon neck with the outlet end extending into the body of the balloon. During assembly of the balloon, the valve can be mounted within the neck in a manner such that the heat bonding does not close the interconnecting channel from inlet to outlet ends of the valve.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for internally sealing and sculpturing an elastic membrane expandable container is provided. One end of a generally hollow tubular insert extends into the container and stretches the elastic membrane of the container from the inside so that such end is sealed by the elastic force of the membrane. Another end of the insert extends out of the container with the container sealed therearound. The container may be pressurized by forcing materials such as fluids into the insert outward end and through the hollow insert so as to cause the elastic membrane to unseat from the sealed end thereof, thereby inflating the membrane. Once the pressure source is removed from the insert outward end, the elastic force of the membrane will cause it to contract and reseat against the tubular insert, thereby resealing it.

Abstract: An improved nozzle for inflatable objects including a nozzle seat, a first annular wall extending from which, a relatively thin ring portion on the first annular wall to serve as a bending position, a conical body defining an air inlet located on the ring portion, an one-way membrane beneath the air inlet, a tab and a plug arm carrying a plug and having a protuberance at an end for inserting to the air inlet to push away the one-way membrane for deflation purpose.

Abstract: A musical balloon having an electronic music-producing device including a speaker, an integrated circuit tone modulator, a battery and switch means for activating it affixed to the exterior wall of said inflatable balloon by means of a patch of material that overlies the electronic music-producing device so as to conceal it and is sufficiently flexible to permit the switch means to be activated by pressing on the patch of material, whereby the electronic music-producing device can be activated when desired.

Abstract: A balloon sculpturing system comprising a sculpturing stand (12) formed of an upright support port (14) and base (16) having a sculpturing ring (18) mounted thereon for holding a plurality of balloons (20) in a decorative arrangement. The sculpturing ring (18) comprises a cylindrical sidewall (40) having an open first end (44) and an open second end (46) communicating through a longitudinal axial bore (42) that is sized to permit mounting of the ring (18) over the support post (14). A plurality of slots (48) are formed in the cylindrical wall (40) to hold the constricted neck portion (22) of each balloon (20) such that the neck portions (22) are stretched across the bore (42) and frictionally engage the upright support post (14) to hold the sculpturing ring (18) in position.

Abstract: A saddle connector for attaching an amusement balloon to the upper end of a carrying rod (stick). The saddle connector includes a slotted post and four arms radiating outwardly and upwardly from the upper end of the post. A tail area of the balloon can be extended downwardly through spaces between the arms and then around the post to attach the balloon to the connector.

Abstract: A relatively thin, disk shaped device containing a slot in its face, which slot narrows as it reaches the center of the disk so that when it engages the valve stem of a cut-check valve, the valve is deformed without damage a sufficient degree so that the cut-check valve is unseated allowing air to pass either way through the cut-check valve.

Abstract: A balloon structure is comprised of two heat-sealingly connected polymeric sheets forming a gas encompassing chamber and a connected inflation stem and is characterized by a separable integral tether-defining border strip surrounding at least a portion of the chamber, whereby the tether may be separated from the body of the balloon at all but an anchor point to provide a means for restraining the balloon. Optionally, the tether defining strip portions of the sheets may themselves be heat-sealingly connected, selectively to provide a double width tether or a tubular inflatable tether.

Abstract: A balloon closure and hanger device of unitary construction comprising a closure tab and support tab, said closure tab and support tab being integrally constructed at each end of an angularly disposed central portion, said closure tab having slots formed therein for receipt of the stem of an inflated balloon, said support tab having means to mount said device to a ceiling, wall or the like.

Abstract: An inflatable ballon including an elastically expansible material formed into a closed shape so as to define an expansible chamber therein, the material having an inflation opening for supplying a pressurized gas thereto so as to inflate the material; an upper eye unit having an upper portion and a lower portion partially depressed into a top portion of the material substantially opposite to the inflation opening so that the top portion of the material surrounds the lower portion of the upper eye unit and the upper portion extends out from the material and by which the balloon can be connected to another object; a cylindrical tubular valve extending partially into the inflation opening for supplying the pressurized gas to the chamber, the valve including an inflation channel providing fluid communication between the chamber and ambient atmosphere; a plug insertable into the valve for closing the inflation channel; a lower connecting loop unit secured to a lower portion of the valve that extends from the infla

Abstract: A gas inlet including an inlet body having a gas passage, a tube body and a plug body, wherein the tube body and plug body are connected to the inlet body via a thin strip. The tube body has a close end and a cut and is suitable to be fitly fitted into the gas passage, while the plug body is suitable to be plugged into the tube body, whereby by means of plugging or removing the tube body and plug body, an inflatable product can be rapidly inflated or deflated.

Abstract: An integral balloon cup holder and stick is provided in which the cup has a longitudinal slit passing through the sidewall thereof from an open end of the cup to a closed end thereof which is attached to a shaft. The slot terminates at the stick. The cup has a neck and shoulder portion with a bottom of the neck being angled to direct a balloon neck outwardly through the slot for secured engagement about the neck prior to reinsertion of the balloon neck through the slot for maintenance within the cup and below a balloon nested therein.

Abstract: A two-piece assembly for the operational holding of a display balloon in the inflated state. One piece comprises a male member cylindrical receptacle having slots for facilitating the positioning of the balloon neck therein. A cleat depends integrally from the bottom wall of the male member and the balloon neck is wrapped therearound to retain and constrict it and tend to prevent the escape of gas from the balloon. A female member receptacle of complementary configuration is resiliently snap-fittable over the male member to conceal and shield the operationally positioned balloon neck. The assembled holder is supportable as desired, such as in a tubular standard.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a front panel which may be punched from a perforated sheet of foam material such as polystyrene. The front panel contains an image area and a message area which may be preprinted or left blank and filled in by the user. The front panel is maintained in an upright position by coupling the lower edge of the front panel to the horizontal base. A plurality of balloons are coupled to first ends of a plurality of rods. The other ends of the rods are inserted into the foam material of the front panel to complete the structure.

Abstract: Three-dimensional balloon sculptures (50, 56, 66, 86, 88, 89, 90, 99, 125, 136, 137, 159, 160, 169, 178, 186) and methods of forming same from one or more basic balloon building blocks (106, 106', 106", 126, 159) each including at least one rigid lineal rod-like balloon former (100, 100', 138a, 138b, 149, 162, 174, 181, 182, 184) defining one or more lineal barrier(s) precluding distension of a portion of the sidewall of a conventional balloon of the type having a constricted neck portion (111) terminating at one end in an inflation aperture (112) and at the other end in an imperforate inflatable sidewall (108).

Abstract: A support structure is provided for an ornament and consists of a base having an elongate stem with longitudinally spaced first and second stem parts, with the first stem part having a free end, structure for hingedly interconnecting the first and second stem parts for relative movement between (a) a first position wherein the first and second stem parts are in substantially longitudinal alignment and (b) a second position wherein the first and second stem parts are folded against each other with the free end of the first stem part closely adjacent to the second stem part, a sleeve having an opening with first and second spaced ends, structure mounting the sleeve to the base for sliding movement lengthwise relative to the stem between (a) a third position wherein the free end of the first stem part is exposed at the first end of the sleeve opening with the first and second stem parts in the second position and (b) a fourth position wherein the first stem part is at least partially within the sleeve opening wi

Abstract: A valve assembly for use with an inflatable article wherein the valve assembly tends toward greater sealing when the inflatable article is subject to increased pressure and wherein the sealing portion of such assembly is adapted to secure a tablet therein.

Abstract: A greeting card blank is made from a piece of card stock and has first and second ends and sides perpendicular thereto. First, second and third fold lines are parallel to the ends, the first end and the first fold line defining a first panel, the first and second fold lines a second panel, the second and third fold lines a third panel and the third fold line and the second end a fourth panel. The first panel has a slot therethrough and a tab projects from the second end and is interengageable with the slot. The blank also has a round hole therethrough on its longitudinal centerline and near the third fold line. The blank is convertible to a self-standing greeting card by folding the blank along the fold lines and inserting the tab into the slot, with the first and fourth panels overlapping each other, the second panel providing a bottom panel and the third panel providing a front panel. The third panel bears a greeting card message.

Abstract: The invention relates to a balloon containing a toy vehicle inside the balloon, with the wheels of the vehicle running on the inner surface of the balloon when the balloon is inflated. The vehicle is designed in such a manner that its body portion cannot touch the inner surface of the inflated balloon, or interfere with its wheels riding on that inner surface.

Abstract: A method of tying a balloon having an inflatable bulb bounding a chamber, a flexible neck with a passageway in communication with the chamber, and a filling opening in the neck through which a fluid can be directed into the neck passageway and inflation chamber. The method contemplates the steps of providing a device with a housing having first and second elongate legs projecting therefrom in substantially parallel alignment, placing the neck of the balloon between the first and second legs, situating a length of flexible line across the neck in lengthwise alignment with and adjacent to one of the legs, twisting the legs about their length to thereby roll the balloon neck against itself and surround the line, and tying the line against itself so that the neck is embraced by the line. The invention is also concerned with a hand tool device for carrying out the method.

Abstract: Disclosed are one-piece, funnel shaped balloon holders, comprising a conical cup and a hollow cylindrical stem. A longitudinal slit extends the entire length of the balloon holder, from the upper edge of the cup to the lower end of the stem, to permit insertion of the neck of a balloon into the holder. A short slot at the bottom of the stem anchors the balloon tail. In a first embodiment (FIGS. 1-3), a balloon stick is inserted into the hollow stem. In a second embodiment (FIGS. 4-8) the stem is inserted into one end of a hollow balloon stick. The stem in this embodiment is of such shape as to provide space between the stem and the balloon stick for a portion of the balloon neck so that the entire balloon neck is concealed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imitation lighter-than-air craft having an improved skirt and gondola. The skirt includes an attachment assembly to ensure that the skirt is snugly positioned against a conventional inflatable balloon, such that the skirt and balloon combine to imitate the envelope of a true lighter-than-air craft. Also provided is an improved gondola which utilizes elements similar or identical to those used in the skirt and attachment assemblies, resulting in savings in manufacturing costs in that a minimum number of different parts are required.

Abstract: Accessory device for a gas balloon having, bounding its interior, an inflatable balloon envelope (1) on which is constructed a balloon neck (1a) for inflation of the balloon envelope (1). According to the invention, there is on a sealing head (2) adapted to be inserted in sealing-tight fashion into the balloon neck (1a) a sound irradiating device (20) such as a loudspeaker for irradiating sound into the interior of the gas balloon (FIG. 1).

Abstract: Balloon stem connector for securing a balloon by its neck to the end of a stem-like object includes a wire formed slot at the end of the stem for receiving the balloon neck. A capture element having a tubular body portion is fitted in sleeve-like fashion to slide along the stem from a position where the slot is fully exposed to a captive position where it envelops a substantial portion of the loop. The capture element also has balloon positioning body portions outwardly flaring from the tubular body.

Abstract: An inflation valve, adapted for sealed attachment within a stem of a balloon, includes a valve body defining a longitudinal passage for receiving a fill tube therein, such as a straw. Insertion of an open distal end of the fill tube to a first position within the passage will facilitate communication of a pressurized fluid, such as air or helium, through a fill port defined in the valve body and into the inflation chamber of the balloon. After filling, the fill tube is moved axially forwardly to a second position for sealing-off communication of the open distal end of the fill tube with the fill port.

Abstract: Balloon holder for toy balloons. The balloon holder of the invention has a cup and a stem. The latter for insertion into one end of a hollow balloon stick. The stem is of such shape that the neck of the balloon is completely concealed between the stem and the balloon stick. The preferred stem is generally cylindrical with an interior channel and an exterior cutaway portion for downwardly extending an upwardly extending portions, respectively of the neck. A vertical slit in the cup permits rapid insertion of a balloon neck into the balloon holder.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cap plug for a balloon which includes a body mounted on a mouth portion of a balloon, an attachment connected to the body through a detachable connecting means and a yarn for connecting the body and the attachment. The connecting means has four outwardly directed engaging pawls provided on the body and an engaging groove provided in the attachment and engageable with the engaging pawls. The desired connection is achieved by moving each of the engaging pawls into the corresponding engaging groove, and relatively rotating the attachment and the body to bring the engaging pawl into firm engagement with the engaging groove. The engagement between the body and the attachment is released by rotation thereof in a direction opposite to that when they are connected.

Abstract: A balloon support is described which has a concave support part provided with at least one lateral opening and a fixing sleeve connected to the support part. An object of the invention is to provide a support of this type which permits contralized positioning of the balloon on the support. According to the invention, one lateral opening is connected to a bottom opening in the support part by a cut or slit, the support part being connected to the fixing sleeve by at least two connecting ribs.

Abstract: A composition and method and apparatus for increasing the buoyant lifetime of a gas inflatable elastomeric balloon wherein a surface of a balloon is coated with an aqueous solution containing 3 to 50 percent polyvinyl alcohol, and up to 20 percent of a water soluble plasticizer for polyvinyl alcohol such as glycerine, which coating is dried while the balloon is in the inflated condition. Treatment of a rubber latex balloon having an inflated diameter of about 15 cm to about 50 cm by the method of this invention can increase its buoyant lifetime about 600 percent without significantly changing the appearance of the balloon.

Abstract: A balloon distress marker wherein the balloon has, in a wall thereof, a small compartment interiorly of the balloon and accessible through an aperture in the wall of the balloon for retaining an article therein. The compartment is substantially smaller than the volumne of the balloon and is useable for interconnecting balloons in series or inserting a flashlight therein to illuminate the balloon. A coupling for interconnecting balloons is preferably a small balloon in itself which can be inflated when in the compartment. A two-part balloon wherein the two parts are interconnected by a narrow neck portion rendering the marker useable as a life preserver. A rescue kit consisting of a casing having a removable top that can be illuminated by flashlights in the cap. Located within the container is a cylinder containing lighter-than-air gas for inflating the balloon.

Abstract: An inflatable assembly formed of two superimposed sheets sealed at the peripheries thereof to form a generally closed gas receiving compartment including opposing sheet portions having generally aligned initially unsealed edges which form an opening for receiving a gas conduit during inflation. Adhesive or a double-sided adhesive strip is provided on one of the sheet portions facing the other sheet portion. Premature adhesion between the sheet portion is prevented by a removable protective strip disposed between the adhesive surface and the facing sheet portion. After inflation and removal of the gas conduit and the protective strip, application of pressure to the sheet portions seals the opening to prevent escape of gas therethrough.

Abstract: An inflatable assembly is formed of two superimposed sheets sealed at the peripheries thereof to form a generally closed gas receiving compartment having an external surface and an aperture in that surface for receiving a conduit during inflation. An adhesive pad or strip is provided which covers the aperture and is at least partially attached to the external surface about the aperture with the exception of a zone of initial separation for providing access for the gas conduit into the aperture. The adhesive pad includes adhesive in the region of zone of initial separation in which there is interposed a strip of slip paper which resists adhesion between the pad and the external surface in the zone of initial separation. After inflation, removal of the strip of slip paper allows full closure of the aperture by adhesion between the adhesive pad and the external surface in the zone of initial separation.

Abstract: An inflatable assembly comprising a device having a body, with a neck terminating in a free end, with an opening extending from the free end and communicating with the body which is capable of being inflated. Closure means is provided and includes an adhesive element mounted on the neck and protruding or extending beyond the free end thereof, with the closure means adapted to be moved from an open position in which a tube extends into the neck such that a gas entering the device through the tube inflates the body to a closed position in which the adhesive element which extends beyond the free end is sealed when the tube is removed from the device. Guide means extends intermediate the tube and the adhesive element, and is adapted to be retracted from the closure means in conjunction with the tube such that the adhesive element when compressed is sealed together beyond the free end and the closure means is in its closed position so as to obtain a sealing of the neck to prevent gas from escaping therethrough.

Abstract: A method for tying balloons and the like, having apertured ends and necks, comprising the steps of: looping the neck of the balloon around a pair of movable jaws resiliently urged toward one another and defining a channel therebetween perpendicular to their plane of movement; moving the end of the balloon over the loop and through the jaws, so as to extend through the channel; and, rolling the loop over the end of the balloon, continuing toward and off the ends of the jaws, whereby the loop resiliently snaps into place, forming a knot in the neck of the balloon. The method may further comprise the step of feeding a string through one of the pair of movable jaws so as to extend through the loop prior to rolling the loop over the end of the jaws, whereby a plurality of balloons can be sequentially and automatically tied on the string.

Abstract: A balloon in the shape of an apple when inflated, comprising an elastically expansible balloon having an opening for introducing a gas to inflate the balloon; an anchor wrapped at least partially by an external portion of the balloon; a valve secured to the balloon at the opening, the valve having a first end extending outwardly from the balloon and a second end extending inwardly within the balloon, the valve having a circumferential wall defining a first through aperture for introducing gas to inflate the balloon and a second aperture in the circumferential wall at the second end, and the valve further having a flange about which the balloon extends at the opening; two parallel elongated guides extending entirely within the balloon and having a first end for securing the external portion of the balloon to the anchor and a second end secured to the valve at the second aperture; and an adapter disc having a central aperture through which the balloon extends, the adapter disc being in abutting relation with th