Balloon anchor

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

P-0001[0001] The present invention relates to an anchor for fixedly tethering a balloon. Balloons, including lighter-than-air balloons, are well-known in the art. Lighter-than-air balloons are used for decorations at parties, given as gifts, and presented to persons with floral or other arrangements at special occasions such as graduations, birthdays, Valentine's Day, and Mothers' Day. Such balloons often bear an indicia of the occasion, such as “Happy Birthday,” “Over the Hill,” or “Congratulations.”

P-0002[0002] Lighter-than-air balloons are typically filled with helium, but may be filled with any lighter-than-air gas. Thus, the balloons float in air. The balloons may be made from a variety of materials, including natural or synthetic rubber, polyester, metallized polyester, nylon, or metallized nylon. If untethered, the balloons would float uncontrolled.

P-0003[0003] Often, for display in retail stores, balloon weights have been employed, with the balloon attached to the weight by a string or ribbon. Weights, however, may be unsightly, and string or ribbon must be tied to the weight. Balloons are also sometimes tied to any stable object to prevent them from floating away. Tying and untying balloons when a customer purchases them is time-consuming for the store clerk.

P-0004[0004] Balloon weights have been developed that have a pre-assembled weight, a length of ribbon, and sometimes a means to attach the balloon to the ribbon. Examples of such weights are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,989,093 and 6,076,758. These prior art balloon weights often have hooks extending from them, and are adapted to be hung from a peg. The hooks have the potential to break off, thus defeating the purpose of the balloon weight. Moreover, extending the hook from the body of the weight increases difficulty in using automation to package such weights.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

P-0005[0005] The present invention provides a balloon anchor including a spool having opposing sides, a pair of flanges, one flange extending from each opposing side of the spool, one of the flanges having a cutout section, the cutout section having a first side and a second side, and a hook extending from the second side of the cutout section.

P-0006[0006] In another embodiment, the balloon anchor has a spool having opposing sides, a pair of flanges, one flange extending from each opposing side of the spool, each flange having a cutout section, each cutout section having a first side and a second side, and a hook extending from the second side of each cutout section.

P-0007[0007] A further embodiment of the balloon anchor includes a spool having opposing sides, a pair of flanges, one flange extending from each opposing side of the spool, each flange having a plurality of cutout sections, the cutout sections having a first side and a second side, and a hook extending from the second side of each cutout section.

P-0008[0008] In a still further embodiment of the present invention, the balloon anchor has a spool having opposing sides, a pair of flanges, one flange extending from each opposing side of the spool, one of the flanges having a plurality of cutout sections, each cutout section having a first side and a second side, a hook extending from the second side of each cutout section.

P-0009[0009] The balloon anchor of the present invention does not have an external hook. The hook of the present invention is located within the perimeter of the flange. Thus, the hook is less likely to break off during use, and is also more easily packaged using automation than weights having an extended hook. Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description of the Invention and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

P-0010[0010]FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of the balloon anchor of the present invention.

P-0011[0011]FIG. 2 is an end view of the balloon anchor of FIG. 1.

P-0012[0012]FIG. 3 is a side view of another embodiment of the balloon anchor of the present invention.

P-0013[0013]FIG. 4 is an end view of the balloon anchor of FIG. 3.

P-0014[0014]FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of the present invention anchoring a balloon.

P-0015[0015]FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the present invention anchoring a balloon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

P-0016[0016]FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate one embodiment of the balloon anchor <b>10</b> of the present invention. The balloon anchor <b>10</b> has a spool <b>12</b>. The spool <b>12</b> may be hollow or solid. Attached to each side of the spool <b>12</b> are flanges <b>14</b>. The spool <b>12</b> is preferably cylindrical in shape, but may be any suitable shape. The spool <b>12</b> may have a notch <b>16</b> in one or both if its sides. The flanges <b>14</b> are preferably circular having a perimeter <b>18</b>. The flanges <b>14</b> are attached to each side of the spool <b>12</b> such that the spool <b>12</b> and flanges <b>14</b> have a common center point <b>20</b>.

P-0017[0017] At least one of the flanges <b>14</b>, but preferably both flanges <b>14</b>, have a cutout section <b>22</b>. This embodiment will be described with both flanges <b>14</b> having a cutout section <b>22</b>. Each cutout section <b>22</b> has a first side <b>24</b> that extends substantially along a radius from the center point <b>20</b>. Each cutout section <b>22</b> also has a second side <b>26</b> that extends substantially along a radius from the center point <b>20</b>.

P-0018[0018] Extending from the second side <b>26</b> of each cutout section <b>22</b> is a hook <b>28</b>. Each hook <b>28</b> is generally U-shaped, and defines a base <b>30</b> and leg <b>32</b>. The leg <b>32</b> of each hook <b>28</b> extends inwardly, i.e., generally toward the center point <b>20</b> from the perimeters <b>18</b> of the flanges <b>14</b>. If both flanges <b>14</b> have a cutout section <b>22</b>, the hooks <b>28</b> of each flange <b>14</b> should be similarly oriented and in substantial registration with one another. The notch <b>16</b> is preferably located on one or both sides of the spool <b>12</b> within at least one cutout section <b>22</b>. Preferably a second notch <b>17</b> may be located along either one or both of the first side <b>24</b> or second side <b>26</b>, on the bases <b>30</b>, or on legs <b>32</b>. One or more notches <b>17</b> may also be located at any suitable point along the perimeter <b>18</b> of one or both flanges <b>14</b>.

P-0019[0019] A ribbon <b>34</b> is wrapped around the spool <b>12</b>. The ribbon <b>34</b> has a first end (not shown) secured to the spool <b>12</b> by any suitable means, including taping the first end to the spool <b>12</b>. The first end of the ribbon <b>34</b> may also extend through the notch <b>16</b> and a knot tied in the first end of the ribbon <b>34</b>. The ribbon <b>34</b> also has a second end <b>36</b> that is attached to a balloon <b>38</b>. (FIGS. 5 and 6.) While a ribbon is preferred, a string or any similar suitable material may be used. The balloon anchor <b>10</b> is preferably made of a plastic material, but may be any suitable material and size having sufficient mass to act as an anchor to overcome the buoyancy force of the balloon <b>38</b>.

P-0020[0020]FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a second embodiment of the balloon anchor <b>42</b> of the present invention. Like the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, balloon anchor <b>42</b> has a spool <b>44</b> and flanges <b>46</b> extending from each side of the spool <b>44</b>. The spool <b>44</b> is preferably cylindrical, but may be any suitable shape. The flanges <b>46</b> are preferably circular each having a perimeter <b>40</b>. The flanges <b>46</b> are attached to each side of the spool <b>44</b> such that the spool <b>44</b> and flanges <b>46</b> have a common center point <b>50</b>.

P-0021[0021] At least one of the flanges <b>46</b>, but preferably both flanges <b>46</b>, have a plurality of cutout sections <b>48</b>. This embodiment will be described with both flanges <b>46</b> having a plurality of cutout sections <b>48</b>. FIG. 3 shows an embodiment with four cutout sections <b>48</b>, though the invention contemplates any desired number of cutout sections <b>48</b>, depending on the size of the balloon anchor <b>42</b>. The multiple cutout sections <b>48</b> each have a first side <b>52</b> that extend substantially along a radius from the center point <b>50</b>. Each cutout section <b>48</b> also has a second side <b>54</b> that extends substantially along a radius from the center point <b>50</b>.

P-0022[0022] Extending from each second side <b>54</b> of each cutout section <b>48</b> is a hook <b>56</b>. Each hook <b>56</b> is generally U-shaped and defines a base <b>58</b> and leg <b>60</b>. The leg <b>60</b> of each hook <b>56</b> extends inwardly, i.e., generally toward the center point <b>50</b> from the perimeter <b>40</b> of the flanges <b>46</b>. If both flanges <b>46</b> have cutout sections <b>48</b>, the hooks <b>56</b> of each flange <b>46</b> should be similarly oriented and in substantial registration with one another. A notch <b>62</b> may be located on one or both sides of the spool <b>44</b> within each cutout section <b>48</b>. Alternatively, a second notch <b>63</b> may be located along one or both of the first side <b>52</b> or second side <b>54</b>, on the base <b>58</b>, or on leg <b>60</b>. One or more notches <b>63</b> may also be located at any suitable point along the perimeter <b>40</b> of one or both flanges <b>46</b>.

P-0023[0023] A ribbon <b>64</b> is wrapped around the spool <b>44</b>. The ribbon <b>64</b> has a first end (not shown) secured to the spool <b>44</b> by any suitable means, including taping the first end to the spool <b>44</b>. The first end of the ribbon <b>64</b> may also extend through the notch <b>62</b> and a knot tied in the first end of the ribbon <b>64</b>. The ribbon <b>64</b> also has a second end that is attached to a balloon as in FIGS. 5 and 6. While a ribbon is preferred, a string or any suitable material may be used. The balloon anchor <b>42</b> is preferably made of a plastic material, but may be any suitable material and size having sufficient mass to act as an anchor to overcome the buoyancy force of the balloon <b>38</b>.

P-0024[0024]FIG. 5 shows one way in which the balloon anchor <b>10</b> secures a balloon <b>38</b>. It is contemplated that although FIGS. 5 and 6 are described with respect to the first embodiment of the balloon anchor <b>10</b>, the same principles apply to the second embodiment of the present invention <b>42</b>. During display, the balloon anchor <b>10</b> is suspended by hooks <b>28</b> extending from each flange <b>14</b> around a peg <b>72</b>. The bases <b>30</b> of the hooks <b>28</b> rest on the peg <b>72</b>. The legs <b>32</b> of the hooks <b>28</b> wrap partially around the peg <b>72</b>. The peg <b>72</b> can be any suitable peg including a tack, nail, pin, or a wire.

P-0025[0025] The ribbon <b>34</b> wrapped around the spool <b>12</b> is attached at its second end <b>36</b> to a balloon <b>38</b>. The ribbon <b>34</b> is wrapped around the spool <b>12</b> such that when the balloon anchor <b>10</b> is hung from the peg <b>72</b>, the ribbon <b>34</b> is impeded from extending by contact with the peg <b>72</b>, thus securing the balloon.

P-0026[0026]FIG. 6 shows an alternative way in which the balloon anchor <b>10</b> secures a balloon <b>38</b>. As in FIG. 5, the balloon anchor <b>10</b> of FIG. 6 is suspended on peg <b>72</b> by hooks <b>28</b>. In FIG. 6, the ribbon <b>34</b> is placed in the notch <b>17</b>, which prevents the ribbon <b>34</b> from extending, and secures the balloon. As stated above, the notch <b>17</b> may be located along either the first side <b>24</b> or second side <b>26</b>, on the base <b>30</b>, or the leg <b>32</b>. The notch <b>17</b> may also be located at any suitable point along the perimeter <b>18</b> of one or both flanges <b>14</b>.

P-0027[0027] It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.