Abstract
A device and technique for knotting an inflated balloon or forming a knot in another material is provided. One approach includes: holding a knot tying aid by a handle portion, the handle portion being positioned opposite a distal portion, the distal portion including several prongs (in one nonlimiting example at least three) extending away from the handle and being spaced apart from one another in correspondence to vertices of a triangle; winding a tag end portion of the inflated balloon about the prongs to form a loop; and passing part of the tag end portion through the loop to form a knot.
Claims
1. A method of knotting, comprising: 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 proximal handle and a corresponding number of arms, each one of the arms being joined to the proximal handle and a respective one of the prongs to define a corresponding elbow shape, the arms extending away from the proximal handle laterally in relation to a longitudinal centerline axis of the proximal handle; winding the tag end portion of the inflated balloon about the prongs, the prongs being spaced apart with a gap therebetween to form a corresponding loop from the tag end portion, and the prongs corresponding to vertices of a triangle with the loop positioned thereabout, 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.
2. The method of claim 1, which includes: moving the tag end portion over or under the loop to pass through the opening during the positioning of the tag end portion; pulling the tag end portion after the moving of the tag end portion to pass through the opening to tighten the knot; and removing the loop from one or more of the prongs of the balloon tying aid.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the vertices approximately correspond to an isosceles triangle and each elbow shape approximately defines a right angle.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the vertices approximately correspond to an equilateral triangle.
5. The method of claim 1, which includes removing the loop from a first one of the prongs before other of the prongs while tightening the knot.
6. The method of claim 5, which includes pulling the tag end portion to tighten the knot.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the holding of the knot tying aid is by the proximal handle during the winding of the tag end portion, the positioning of the tag end portion through the opening, the removing of the loop from the first one of the prongs, and the pulling of the tag end portion to tighten the knot.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)
(1) FIG. 1 is a partial diagrammatic front view of a balloon tying aid device of the present application.
(2) 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.
(3) 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.
(4) FIG. 4 is a partial diagrammatic top view of the device of FIGS. 1-3 with the tag end of an inflated balloon partially engaged therewith.
(5) 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.
(6) 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.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENTS
(7) 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.
(8) 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.
(9) 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 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.
(10) 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.
(11) 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.
(12) 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 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.
(13) 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.
(14) 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.
(15) 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.
(16) 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 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.
(17) 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.
(18) 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 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.
(19) 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 end part 57 of tag end portion 52, approaching completion. As such tightening occurs, loop L is eased 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.
(20) 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.
(21) 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 should be understood that any use of the words “preferable, preferably, preferred, morem 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.
