Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BALLOON TYING AID
BACKGROUND
The present application relates to a tying aid and more particularly, but not
exclusively,
relates to a knot tying device, technique, method, and system suitable for
balloons in an inflated
state.
The tying of an inflated balloon is awkward for many people¨sometimes leading
to a
longing for a third hand to manage the operation. To cope with this problem,
there have been a
number of schemes proposed that involve dedicated, sometimes complicated,
objects with slits or
slots to hold a part of the balloon while attempting to tie it. These objects
can be cumbersome to
use, making it difficult to readily and consistently obtain a satisfactory
result. Thus, there is an
ongoing demand for further contributions in this area of technology.
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SUMMARY
One embodiment of the present application includes a unique technique for
tying a knot
with a knot tying aid. This aid finds particular application in the tying of
an inflated balloon and
may be readily and applied. It can also be extended to placing knots,
stoppers, crimps, pinchers,
clamps, clips, or the like for not only an inflated balloon, but alternatively
for other items that
would benefit from the same.
A further form of an embodiment of the present application includes: placing a
balloon
in an inflated state, the balloon including a tag end portion defining a fluid
port; holding a knot
tying aid, the knot tying aid including a proximal handle positioned opposite
a distal end portion,
the distal end portion including at least three prongs extending away from the
handle and a
corresponding number of arms, each one of the arms being joined to the handle
and a respective
one of the prongs to define a corresponding elbow shape, the arms extending
laterally away from
the handle in relation to a longitudinal centerline axis of the handle;
winding the tag end portion
of the inflated balloon about the prongs to form a loop from the tag end
portion, the loop
including a crossed portion and defining an opening; and positioning the tag
end portion through
the opening of the loop to form a knot to close the port while the balloon is
in the inflated state.
Alternatives and variations of this form include the addition of: moving the
tag end
portion to pass through the opening; pulling the tag end portion after moving
it to pass through
the opening to tighten the knot; and/or removing the loop from one or more of
the prongs of the
balloon tying aid. In addition to or in lieu of these alternatives, still
others comprise the addition
of: the balloon tying aid being formed from at least one of a metal, a wood, a
ceramic, a
thermoset polymer, and a thermoplastic polymer; the prongs approximately
corresponding to
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vertices of a triangle of the isosceles or equilateral type; each elbow shape
approximately
corresponding to a right angle; removing the loop from a first one of the
prongs before other of
the prongs while tightening the knot; pulling the tag end portion to tighten
the knot; and/or the
tying aid being held by the handle while-- the tag end portion is wound about
the prongs, the tag
end portion is positioned through the opening, the loop is removed, and/or the
tag end portion is
pulled to tighten the knot.
Yet another embodiment of the present application includes a way of knotting a
balloon
in an inflated state, comprising: holding a device with a handle positioned
opposite a device end
portion, the device end portion including at least three elongated projections
spaced apart from
each other, the projections each being fixed to the handle and extending
laterally in relation to a
longitudinal centerline axis of the handle; wrapping a balloon end portion
about the projections
of the device to form a loop defining an opening, the balloon end portion
defining a port to
inflate the balloon; and placing the balloon end portion through the opening
to form a knot in the
balloon end portion while the balloon is in the inflated state, the knot being
tightened to
maintain the inflated state of the balloon and close the port.
Various alternatives include the addition of: the knot being formed by pulling
on the
balloon end portion as the loop is removed from at least one of the prongs;
the projections each
extend with a longitude approximately parallel to the longitudinal centerline
axis of the handle;
and/or the loop having a crossed portion to form the knot and further
comprising pinching the
port closed; removing the loop from the projections as the knot is tightened
to secure the inflated
state of the balloon; forming a crossed portion in the loop during the
wrapping of the balloon end
portion to provide a closed form of the loop; pulling the balloon end portion
to tighten the knot;
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and/or holding the device by the handle portion while the balloon end portion
is wrapped, and/or
the balloon end portion is placed through the opening.
Another embodiment of the present application is a device to aid with
formation of a knot
in a balloon after inflation thereof. The balloon includes a tag end portion
with a fluid port. The
device comprises: a proximal end portion including a handle; a distal end
portion opposite the
proximal end portion, the distal end portion including three elongated prongs
and three arms, the
elongated prongs each being connected to the handle by a respective one of the
arms, the arms
each extending away from the handle, the elongated prongs each projecting from
the respective
one of the arms to form an elbow shape with the respective one of the arms and
terminate in a
corresponding number of prong end portions in a spaced apart relationship
relative to one
another and laterally in relation to a longitudinal centerline axis of the
handle. The prong end
portions correspond to vertices of a triangle, and are sized and shaped to
wind the tag end portion
of the balloon thereabout to form a closed loop with a crossed portion. The
loop defines an
opening. The opening is receptive to positioning of the tag end portion
therethrough to form the
knot in the tag end portion and slip the loop off the prongs as the knot is
tightened.
Alternatives include the addition of: the device further including the balloon
in an
inflated state and the elbow shape approximately defining a right angle; the
vertices
approximately corresponding to an isosceles triangle or an equilateral
triangle; and/or the device
being formed of at least one of a metal material, a thermoset polymer
material, a ceramic
material, a wood material, and a thermoplastic polymer material.
A further embodiment of the present application includes a method of knotting
an item,
comprising: holding a device with a proximal handle opposite a distal end
portion, the distal end
portion including at least three elongated projections connected to the
handle, the projections
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extending away from the handle to terminate opposite the handle in a
corresponding number of
projection end portions, the projection end portions being spaced apart from
one another and
being positioned transverse to a longitudinal centerline of the handle;
placing a tag end portion of
the item about the projections of the device to form a loop defining an
opening; and positioning
the tag end portion through the opening to form a knot in the tag end portion
of the item. In a
related form, the tag end portion is wound about the projections a number of
times to form a
corresponding number of turns around the opening and/or the projection end
portions
corresponding to vertices of a triangle.
Still other forms, embodiments, applications, techniques, objects, benefits,
advantages,
and variations will become apparent from the description and figures provided
herewith.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)
Fig. 1 is a partial diagrammatic front view of a balloon tying aid device of
the present
application.
Fig. 2 is a partial diagrammatic side view of the device of Fig. 1. Figs. 1
and 2 have view
planes perpendicular to one another.
Fig. 3 is a partial diagrammatic top view of the device of Figs. 1 and 2.
Figs. 1-3 each
have a view plane perpendicular to the others.
Fig. 4 is a partial diagrammatic top view of the device of Figs. 1-3 with the
tag end of an
0 inflated balloon partially engaged therewith.
Fig. 5 is a partial diagrammatic top view of the device of Figs. 1-3 with the
tag end of the
balloon in a more advanced stage of engagement--being wrapped around the
device. The view
planes of Figs. 3-5 are coextensive.
Fig. 6 is a view of a flowchart of one procedure for using the device of Figs.
1-3. Figs. 3-
5 correspond to different stages of the procedure depicted in the flowchart of
Fig. 6.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENTS
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of any
invention
provided herein, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in
the drawing(s)
and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless
be understood that
no limitation of the scope of any invention is thereby intended. Any
alterations and further
modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of
the principles of the
same as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one
skilled in the art to
which they relate.
One embodiment of a present application is a system that utilizes a balloon
tying aid
comprising at least two prongs to hold open a loop in the end part of a
balloon, thereby
facilitating easy knot formation and closure. The prongs are spaced apart from
one another and
extend from a conveniently sized and shaped handle to further facilitate knot
tying with ease. In
fact, this device can be employed to address other knot tying challenges as
they arise; and further
may be employed to place stoppers, clamps, crimps, pinchers, clips or the like
in lieu of or in
addition to a knotted closure.
Figs. 1-3 present another embodiment of the present application in the form of
knot tying
aid 21, which is further designated as device 20. Referring specifically to
Fig. 1, a front view of
device 20 is shown. Device 20 includes a proximal device end portion 22 that
is positioned
opposite distal device end portion 24. Proximal end portion 22 includes handle
26. Handle 26 is
elongated in the depicted embodiment, having a longitudinal centerline axis C
shown in the
standard manner. As illustrated, axis C is also coaxial or parallel with a
representation of
longitude of device 20, aid 21, end portion 22, and end portion 24. In other
embodiments, the
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centering and/or longitude of handle 26, device 20, aid 21, end portion 22,
and end portion 24
may vary as would occur to those skilled in the art.
Distal end portion 24 includes a number of projections 37 specifically labeled
prongs 32a,
32b, and 32c. Collectively, projections 37 are also designated elongated
prongs 32. Elongated
prongs 32 each end with a termination or device projection end portion 34.
Optionally,
projection end portions 34 may be rounded, radiused, smoothed, and/or
otherwise
finished/shaped to facilitate performance of various operations with aid 21 as
further described
hereinafter.
Referring additionally to Fig. 2, like reference numerals refer to like
features as
previously described. Fig. 2 presents a side view of device 20, with a view
plane that extends
perpendicular to the view plane of Fig. 1. As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2,
end portion 24 includes
one offsetting arm 30 for each projection 37. Each arm 30 connects to and is
contact with handle
26 at one end and a corresponding different prong 32 at an opposite end. Arms
30 each extend
or project laterally in relation to axis C to define an elbow shape 31. Every
arm-connected prong
32 has a longitude that is parallel to, but is offset from or transverse to
axis C and shape 31
approximately corresponds to a right angle. In other embodiments, different
longitudinal
relationships among prongs 32, different relationships of prongs 32 to the
center/longitude of
handle 26, and/or a different angle for elbow shape 31 may be realized.
Referring now also to Fig. 3, like reference numerals refer to like features
as previously
described. In Fig. 3, aid 21 is depicted with a view plane perpendicular to
the view planes of
both Figs. 1 and 2, and accordingly axis C is depicted by cross hairs because
it is perpendicular
to the Fig. 3 view plane. Likewise, longitude of each one of projections 37 is
parallel to
longitude of the other projections 37 and axis C. Device 20 may be made from
any suitable
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material. In a preferred embodiment, device 20 is formed from at least one of
a metal, a
thermoset polymer, a thermoplastic polymer, a ceramic, and a wood material. In
a more
preferred embodiment, device 20 is made from a unitary piece of metal or a
polymeric resin of a
thermoset or thermoplastic type. In an even more preferred embodiment, device
20 is made from
a molded or extruded single piece of a thermoset or thermoplastic polymeric
material. In other
preferred embodiments, device 20 may be a unitary piece formed by molding,
stamping,
pressing, extrusion, machining, etching, cutting, or casting. For still
further embodiments,
device 20 is formed from multiple pieces each fabricated and joined together
using standard
techniques. In one particular arrangement, device 20 is formed from a multi-
tined metallic
eating utensil, like a table fork.
As depicted in Figs. 1-3, each one of arms 30 forms a generally right-angled
elbow shape
31 that offsets projections 37 from handle 26; however, in other arrangements,
arm 30 may be
differently shaped, may or may not have an elbow shape 31 at all, and/or may
be altogether
absent. In one alternative (not shown), prongs 32 extend along generally
straight pathways
diverging away from each other relative to a connection to handle 26. In one
particular example,
the three projections 37 (and prongs 32) correspond to three edges of a
tetrahedron (a pyramid
with four triangular faces) joined to each other and handle 26 at a common
vertex (not shown)--
lacking any distinct elbow shapes 31 or separate arms 30. Notably, such
divergence, and the
extension of arms 30/elbows 31 still provides a lateral offset of end portions
34 relative to axis C.
In further embodiments, arms 30 and/or elbow shape 31 is/are subsumed by
prongs 32 and
projections 37 or vice versa. In still other embodiments, prongs 32 and
projections 37 are
differently shaped with or without arms 30 and/or elbow shape 31.
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Prongs 32a and 32c are generally in the same plane as handle 26 in a spaced
apart
relationship as best shown in Fig. 2 given that prongs 32a and 32c extend
laterally from handle
26. Prong 32b extends away from prongs 32a and 32c along a plane approximately
parallel to
the Fig. 2 view plane. Referring also to Fig. 3 a top down view of prongs 32
best illustrates that
prongs 32 collectively correspond to vertices of a triangle. In one preferred
form, the triangle
corresponds to one with each side being of a different length. In a more
preferred form, the
triangle is approximately of an isosceles type. In an even more preferred
form, the triangle is
approximately of an equilateral type.
Referring to Figs. 4-6, one mode/embodiment of a process for operating device
20 is next
described as procedure 110, with like reference numerals refer to like
features previously
described in connection with Figs. 1-3. Figs. 4 and 5 are in the same view
plane as Fig. 3, but
further illustrate different operations of procedure 110 in terms of different
depictions of item 70
in these figures, where item 70 is subject to these operations; and while Fig.
6 presents a flow
chart of procedure 110. As shown specifically in Figs. 4 and 5, item 70 is in
the form of an
inflated balloon 50. Balloon 50 includes a bulbous inflated portion 51 (partly
shown) integrally
connected to tag end portion 52. Tag end portion 52 includes neck portion 53
that terminates in
a fluid inflation/deflation port 55 defined by balloon end part 57 of portion
52. Balloon 50 may
be of a standard elastomeric type, a mylar type, a natural membrane type,
and/or such other
composition/arrangement as would occur to those skilled in the art. In one
arrangement, at least
a portion of balloon 50 is reinforced with a mesh, threading, ribs, or other
framework suitable to
lend strength and/or impart a specific shape to the same. Other arrangements
lack such aspects.
Fig. 6 particularly illustrates procedure 110 beginning with entry/start
operator 112.
After operator 112, stage 114 is performed. Stage 114 includes inflating
balloon 50 with a fluid
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in a standard manner¨such fluid typically being pressurized water, air,
helium, or such other gas
or liquid (both fluids) as would occur to those skilled in the field. During
stage 114, the fluid can
be introduced through port 55 of end part 57 to a desired level¨preferably so
that tag end
portion 52 can be readily manipulated according to later stages of procedure
110. In one
nonlimiting form, inflation is provided by a user blowing into balloon 50
through port 55 with
balloon 50 being of a standard elastomeric type. In a further form, a tank of
pressurized air or
helium is utilized to fill balloon 50 through port 55. In still a further
form, balloon 50 is filled
through port 55 by water from a garden hose that provides it under pressure.
From the inflation operation in stage 114, stage 116 of procedure 110 is next
encountered. Stage 116 includes holding handle 26 of device 20 or otherwise
grasping aid 21 in
one hand of a user (not shown), and manipulating tag end portion 52 with the
other hand of the
user, while bulbous inflated portion 51 under an arm or the like. During these
operations, stage
116 further includes manipulating tag end portion 52 to control closure of
port 55 so that a
desired state of inflation of balloon 50 is maintained. This operation may
include releasing some
pressurized fluid through port 55 from portion 51 to provide a desired size
and/or flexibility of
portion 52 in preparation for subsequent stages of procedure 110; and/or
closing port 55 as
applicable. Such closure may be provided by pinching between the user's
fingers or by utilizing
a stopper, clip, clamp, pinchers, crimp or other device/body part to prevent
undesired fluid loss
(deflation) via port 55. The inflated part of balloon 50 is held away from
device 20 (such as
under one arm of the user) to keep one of the user's hands free to manipulate
tag end portion 52.
From stage 116, procedure 110 continues with stage 118. Stage 118 includes a
user
wrapping and/or winding tag end portion 52 about prongs 32 or otherwise
engaging projections
37 with tag end portion 52 to form loop L. Loop L has one part of tag end
portion 52 that
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crosses over or under another part of tag end portion 52 to define crossed
portion 59a as
designated in Fig. 4. As perhaps best shown in Fig. 4, the margins of loop L
and prongs 32
cooperate to define an opening 60. Loop L is shown with its constituent parts
of tag end portion
52 somewhat in tension to present loop L and opening 60 with an approximately
triangular shape
in keeping with projection end portions 34 corresponding to vertices of a
triangle as previously
described. As depicted in Figs. 4 and 5, these vertices approximately
correspond to those of an
equilateral triangle. In still other embodiments, a different type of
triangular shape in
correspondence to projection end portion 34 vertices is envisioned. In yet
other embodiments
having more or fewer than three prongs 32/projections 37, a nontriangular
shape, pattern, and/or
geometry is envisioned.
Stage 120 is performed following stage 118. In stage 120, balloon end part 57
and
correspondingly port 55 of tag end portion 52 is passed through loop L and
opening 60 to form
knot K to secure balloon 50 in an inflated state. As shown in Fig. 4, arrow A
is illustrated, along
which port 55 and balloon end part 57 follow to begin knot K formation from
tag end portion 52.
As shown in Fig. 5, arrow B indicates the direction for balloon end part 57 of
tag end portion 52
to follow to further advance formation of knot K. Also, crossed portion 59b
and crossed portion
59c are formed with the performance of stage 120 as depicted in Fig. 5, being
indicative of
progress of knot K formation. Crossed portions 59b and 59c (Fig. 5) may or may
not include any
of the constituent parts of tag end portion 52 that provide crossed portion
59a (Fig. 4) due to
relative movement and/or stretching of some or all of tag end portion 52--as
it advances from the
configuration in Fig. 4 to that shown in Fig. 5. With more advancement of knot
K formation,
balloon end part 57 of tag end portion 52 is pulled tighter (under tension)
and potentially
stretches. Referring additionally to Stage 122, tightening of knot K continues
by pulling balloon
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end part 57 of tag end portion 52, approaching completion. As such tightening
occurs, loop L is
cased off the prongs 32, perhaps only one at a time, with pulling of the knot
K configuration
continuing until reaching its final form to provide a reliable closure to port
55.
In other embodiments, it should be appreciated that a "slip loop" can be
formed and
knotted in tag end portion 52 (not shown) that comes undone by pulling on
balloon end part 57;
and/or any other kind of knot K as could be provided by those skilled in the
field may be utilized.
Additionally or alternatively, still other embodiments include more than one
complete turn of tag
end portion 52 of balloon 50 around projections 37 to establish a more secure
frictional purchase
between tag end portion 52 and projections 37 and/or to provide closure of tag
end portion 52
sufficient to maintain inflation of portion 51 until a knot K can be tied. In
contrast, Fig. 5 depicts
only one complete turn with one partial turn of tag end portion 52 around
projections 37. In yet
other embodiments, a clamp, stopper, crimp, pincher, clip or the like may be
used with or
without knot K to provide a desirable closure. Accordingly, from stage 122, a
secure closure to
port 55 of balloon 50 is provided so that balloon 50 will maintain an inflated
state. Indeed, it is
recognized that at least some balloon closures and/or fabrication materials
are subject to some
degree of leakage or other means of deflation that is to be expected after a
certain amount of time
the desired inflated state of balloon 50 has been maintained. Upon conclusion
of stage 122,
procedure 110 advances to operator 124, where it halts. Procedure 110 may or
may not be
repeated as desired for other balloons or like devices with operations 112-124
repeated or
modified as applicable.
Any theory, mechanism of operation, proof, or finding stated herein is meant
to further
enhance understanding of one or more of the inventions and is not intended to
make any
invention in any way dependent upon such theory, mechanism of operation,
proof, or finding. It
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should be understood that any use of the words "preferable, preferably,
preferred, more
preferred, even more preferred, and most preferred" in the description above
indicates that the
feature so described may be desirable, it nonetheless may not be necessary and
any embodiment
lacking the same comes within the scope of any corresponding invention of the
present
application, that scope being defined by the claims that follow. While one or
more selected
embodiments have been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and
foregoing
description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive
in character, it being
understood that only the selected embodiments have been shown and described,
and that all
changes, modifications and equivalents that come within the spirit of the
invention(s) as defined
herein or by any of the following claims are desired to be protected.
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