BALLOON NOZZLE ADAPTOR CONNECTOR SYSTEM

Abstract

A balloon bursting frame apparatus is provided so as to have a plurality of outlet nozzles, each outlet nozzle operatively associates with an inlet of a balloon by way of a preloaded adaptor. The preloaded adaptor provides a barbed conduit with raised flanges that define a lock groove to which a retainer ring of connection mechanism can snap-connect to. The connection mechanism also provides a cable tie for cinching the inlet of the balloon securely in place.

Claims

1. A balloon bursting apparatus frame, comprising: a plurality of outlet nozzles, each configured to fluidly couple with an inlet of a balloon.

2. The balloon bursting apparatus frame of claim 1, further comprising an inlet nozzle fluidly coupled to each outlet nozzle.

3. The balloon bursting apparatus frame of claim 2, further comprising a pump fluidly coupled to each inlet nozzle, respectively, by way of a conduit.

4. The balloon bursting apparatus frame of claim 1, further comprising an adaptor dimensioned and shaped to removably attach to each outlet nozzle.

5. The balloon bursting apparatus frame of claim 4, wherein each adaptor comprises a conduit have a barbed exterior; and a first flange spaced apart from a second flange, wherein each flange connects to and is raised beyond the barbed exterior so as to define a lock groove.

6. The balloon bursting apparatus frame of claim 5, further comprising a connection mechanism having a cable tie from which an arcuate retainer dimensioned and sized to snap into the lock groove.

7. The balloon bursting apparatus frame of claim 6, wherein each connection mechanism has a release mechanism for moving the cable tie to an unlocked condition from a locked condition about the inlet of the balloon it operatively associates with.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in use.

[0017] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a quick-change attachment of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a detailed exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the quick-change attachment of the present invention in an unlocked condition.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the quick-change attachment of the present invention in a locked condition.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a frame of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 7 is an elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a balloon-burst frame apparatus 30 the present invention, illustrating hinge pin inserts 33.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

[0024] Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a balloon bursting frame apparatus having a plurality of outlet nozzles, each outlet nozzle operatively associates with an inlet of a balloon by way of a preloaded adaptor. The preloaded adaptor provides a barbed conduit with raised flanges that define a lock groove to which a retainer ring of connection mechanism can snap-connect to. The connection mechanism also provides a cable tie for cinching the inlet of the balloon securely in place.

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 7, the present invention provides a balloon busting frame apparatus 10 or 30 raised off the ground with two wide leg stands 11 or 32, respectively. Each balloon busting frame 10/30 has a plurality of inlet nozzles 17 and a plurality of outlet nozzles 16. Fluidly connected to each inlet nozzle 17, by way of a hose 14, is a pump 12 for urging airflow from the inlet nozzle 17 to a respective, and fluidly connected, outlet nozzle 16. The balloon busting frame apparatus 10 is equipped with a plurality of airway pipelines, wherein each airway pipeline has an end bracket 25 and a balloon socket positioned on each pipeline along the top section of the balloon busting frame apparatus 10.

[0026] Each outlet nozzle 16 is dimensioned and adapted to removably engage a balloon 18 by way of a quick-change adaptor 50. The quick-change adaptor 50 may be a barbed conduit 40 having a first raised flange 20 within the middle third of the length of the conduit. Just spaced apart from the first raised flange 20, along the barbed conduit 40, is a second raised flange 23, thereby defining a lock groove 22 between the first and second raised flanges 20 and 23.

[0027] A locking mechanism 60 is dimensioned and adapted to engage the inlet 19 of the balloon 18 and interconnect the balloon 18 to the lock groove 22 by way of an arcuate retainer 26. The locking mechanism 60 may include a cable tie 24 providing the arcuate retainer 26 that engages the lock groove 22. The cable tie 24 may have a flexible tape section with teeth that engage with a pawl in the head to form a ratchet so that as the free end of the tape section is pulled the cable tie tightens in a locked condition and does not come undone. The arcuate retainer 26 may extend orthogonally from a portion of the tape section that is inward of the pawl-head by approximately one quarter of an inch to one inch. The cable tie 24 may have a release mechanism 28 for moving from the locked condition to an unlocked condition to enable a quick-change functionality.

[0028] In one embodiment, the balloon busting frame 30 present invention may embody a game apparatus leg stands 32 with hinge pin inserts 33, wherein on a frame leg inserts into the frame receiving end. The hinge pin inserts 33 enable pivotable movement of the multiple airway balloon busting frame 30.

[0029] The present invention embodies a balloon bursting frame apparatus that can be made through the following steps. First, attach a plurality of nylon hose barb hose menders to the top of the frame apparatus. The barb hose menders may have a diameter selected from a group of diameters ranging from of an inch to one inch. Second, connect a Charlotte pipe 1--in diameter schedule 40 PVC couplings for outer stability locking onto each hose mender.

[0030] Then the manufacturer may assemble the frame apparatus through connecting two Charlotte pipes 3-inch diameter8-Ft pipes vertically for the top and bottom of the frame. Then use a bit to bore a plurality of holes. Then the manufacturer may attach two 16-inch pipes horizontally to form the right and left sides of the frame, followed by joining a plurality of Charlotte pipe 3-inch diameter 90-degree PVC/DWV street elbows to the top and bottom pipes to create corners. In one embodiment, the manufacturer may attach four Charlotte Pipe 1-inch Diameter30-inch pipes to the elbows to create four airway pipelines. In this embodiment, the manufacture may secure eight Charlotte pipe 1--in diameter schedule 40 PVC couplings to the inside of the frame for inner stability locking.

[0031] Then, the manufacturer may complete the bottom frame through the following steps: attach a plurality of Charlotte pipe 1--in diameter schedule 40 PVC couplings to the bottom of the frame for stability; connect a plurality of diameter nylon hose barb hose menders to the couplings for attaching external airline tubes; secure four PVC 90 degree elbows, socket1--inch diameter to the hose menders; attach two Charlotte pipe 3-inch diameter PVC DWV sanitary tees to the bottom pipes for additional support.; place two 3 inch diameter flanges on top of the sanitary tees for stability; and position two 24-inch diameter high circular bases beneath the flanges to support the frame apparatus, before insert four clear inner tubing pieces along the inside of the framethese tubes will support balloon nozzle adaptors.

[0032] It is understood that even though the Figures show four outlet nozzles the present invention contemplates frame apparatuses that have at least more than one outlet nozzle, such as two, three, four, five, etc.

[0033] The present invention addresses the challenges associated with traditional balloon burst toys by introducing a preloaded balloon nozzle adaptor and an enhanced balloon bursting game apparatus that allows for efficient and simultaneous participation of multiple users. The preloaded balloon nozzle adaptor simplifies the process of reloading balloons onto the nozzle, while the frame apparatus with its integrated airway pipelines, sockets, with inflatable pumps revolutionizes the overall experience of balloon bursting games. The present invention offers a comprehensive and practical solution that promises to elevate the enjoyment of balloon-related activities including easy preloaded balloon nozzle adaptors with a 4-airway balloon bursting frame apparatus, including by way of example only, the following gameplay:

[0034] Step 1: Divide your group into four even lines.

[0035] Step 2: The first person in each line will attempt to pop the balloon by pumping the attached inflater (four participants at simultaneously.

[0036] Step 3: On the signal GO, participants will pump (Pull Handle Up/Push Handle Down) as fast as they can keeping both feet on the pump's straps until the balloon pops. Then, reload the easy preloaded balloon attachments that are designed for the apparatus by plugging the preloaded balloon nozzle attachments into each of the four airlines on the 4-way balloon apparatus. This will eliminate the delay when attaching the balloon to the nozzle for the next participant waiting to play. With the 4-way balloon bursting frame apparatus will allow a plurality of users and other participants to burst balloons simultaneously. After bursting their balloons, the preloaded adaptors can quickly be plugged into the balloon bursting frame apparatus in a matter of seconds. Users will be able to secure your balloon with the above-mentioned connection mechanisms.

[0037] Alternatively, the present invention embodying the balloon nozzle adaptor connector disclosed herein can be used to secure and repair hoses with a firm secure connection with the zip tie hose mender combination.

[0038] As used in this application, the term about or approximately refers to a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number. And the term substantially refers to up to 80% or more of an entirety. Recitation of ranges of values herein are not intended to be limiting, referring instead individually to any and all values falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated, and each separate value within such a range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.

[0039] For purposes of this disclosure, the term aligned means parallel, substantially parallel, or forming an angle of less than 35.0 degrees. For purposes of this disclosure, the term transverse means perpendicular, substantially perpendicular, or forming an angle between 55.0 and 125.0 degrees. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term length means the longest dimension of an object. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term width means the dimension of an object from side to side. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term above generally means superjacent, substantially superjacent, or higher than another object although not directly overlying the object. Further, for purposes of this disclosure, the term mechanical communication generally refers to components being in direct physical contact with each other or being in indirect physical contact with each other where movement of one component affect the position of the other.

[0040] The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., such as, or the like) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the embodiments or the claims. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any unclaimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosed embodiments.

[0041] In the following description, it is understood that terms such as first, second, top, bottom, up, down, and the like, are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms unless specifically stated to the contrary.

[0042] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.