Amusement devices: toys – Inflatable
Patent
1996-10-18
1998-07-21
Hafer, Robert A.
Amusement devices: toys
Inflatable
446485, 446486, A63H 3700
Patent
active
057826684
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improvement to inflatable and possibly illuminating balloons.
2. Description of Related Art
Balloons are known which comprise an envelope that can be inflated with a gas, which are capable of being connected to the ground by an elongate element in such a way that the balloon inflated with a lighter-than-air gas can be kept at a certain height from the ground, and which enclose a means of illumination capable of being connected to an electrical power supply, for example the mains, by means of a conducting wire, in such a way that the balloon and the inscriptions that its envelope may carry can be easily seen, especially at night.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The improvement according to the invention is such that the balloon comprises actuation means which are sensitive to the deformation of the said envelope and/or to the pressure of the gas in this envelope and are capable of acting on a member for actuating switching means interposed in the connection between the said illumination means and the said electrical power supply in order to make/break this connection on either side of at least one defined threshold.
According to the invention the said actuation means are preferably arranged at least partly inside the said envelope.
According to a preferred embodiment, the said actuation means comprise at least one filar element extending in the said envelope and connecting part of this envelope to the said actuation member, placed at another point on the periphery of this envelope.
In a variant, the said actuation means may comprise at least one spring forming, at least partly, the said filar element and acting before the said switching means are actuated.
In another variant, the said actuation means may comprise at least one spring acting in the direction counter to the tension in the said filar element and acting before the said switching means are actuated.
In another variant, the said actuation means may comprise at least one first spring forming, at least partly, the said filar element and at least one second spring acting in the direction counter to the tension in the said filar element, the first spring having an elongation coefficient greater than that of the second spring.
According to the invention, the said actuation means may advantageously comprise a support-plate fastened to the said envelope and carrying in this envelope a bearing surface, one of the ends of the said spring acting in the direction counter to the tension in the said filar element being placed against this bearing surface, on the side of this support-plate, and the said actuation member comprising a part extending through this spring and having a part on which the other end of this spring bears.
According to the invention, the said actuation member may advantageously comprise a filar element having the shape of a hairpin, the branches of which extend through the said spring and the ends of the branches of which are bent, the said filar element being connected to the loop of this hairpin and the said spring bearing on these bent-over ends.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will be better understood by studying a balloon described by way of non-limiting example and depicted in the drawing in which:
FIG. 1 depicts a balloon in the inflated state;
FIG. 2 depicts the balloon according to claim 1 in the slightly deflated state;
FIG. 3 depicts, in enlarged view and in vertical section, the lower part of the aforementioned balloon, the balloon being inflated;
FIG. 4 depicts a view corresponding to FIG. 3, the balloon being at least partially deflated;
FIG. 5 depicts an enlarged vertical section of the lower part of the aforementioned balloon, perpendicular to FIG. 4;
and FIG. 6 depicts a view from above of that lower part of the aforementioned balloon depicted in FIGS. 3 to 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The balloon depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises an envelope 2, made of a transparent or translucent fl
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Airstar
Carlson Jeffrey D.
Hafer Robert A.
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