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Internal balloon illumination with self-sealing valve apparatus and methodRelated Patent Categories: Amusement Devices: Toys, InflatableInternal balloon illumination with self-sealing valve apparatus and method description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070167107, Internal balloon illumination with self-sealing valve apparatus and method. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) [0001] This document is a continuation-in-part application copending with, and claiming priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/316,582, entitled "Internal Balloon Illumination Apparatus and Method," filed Dec. 21, 2005, in turn, claiming priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/639,127, entitled "Internal Balloon Illumination Apparatus and Method," filed Dec. 23, 2004. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates generally to an apparatus for and method of illuminating a balloon from within, and more particularly to a structure and method which provides a cycling colored illumination effect while also providing an optimized seal of the balloon upon insertion of the device. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Balloons continue to be a very popular novelty item for all ages, particularly balloons filled with helium such that they float in air. Balloons have been embellished in many ways, including illuminating them from within. Typically, devices for such illumination consist of a light source (e.g., a light bulb) connected by wires to a power source (e.g., battery). As the batteries used to power the light source have traditionally been relatively heavy, affecting the ability for a helium-filled balloon to float, batteries are often remotely connected to the light source within the balloon by a length of wire. This wire must travel through an opening in the balloon to reach the light source within, thus exposing the balloon to leakage at said opening. To address this, the prior art has routed wire through a hollow shaft having the light source sealed in an air-tight configuration at one of its ends. A flange, ridge, plug or similar structure is provided on the shaft, spaced apart from the light source, such that the inflated balloon may make an air tight seal therearound, allowing the wires to exit the shaft in an air-tight fashion to be connected to a power source remote from the light source and balloon, while simultaneously simplifying the process of closing the balloon's gas inlet. [0004] While one class of balloon, generally fabricated out of polyester film (e.g., Mylar), can be fabricated to effectively be self-sealing, permitting the shaft to be inserted into an inflated balloon without significantly expelling the gas within, for all other classes of balloons this raises the problem that in the process of inserting the light structure into a filled balloon gas from the balloon will escape. Processes have been developed which involve inserting a special shaft/light combination into a balloon prior to the balloon's inflation, such that the balloon is sealed as previously discussed. The shaft is provided with a one-way valve such that gas introduced at one end can flow out at a point between the shaft's ends, but cannot flow back into the shaft at that point. Gas is then introduced into the end of the shaft protruding from the balloon, entering the balloon at the one-way valve, effectively filling the balloon with the light assembly previously installed. However, such one-way valve arrangements are costly, heavy, and prone to failure. [0005] Furthermore, prior art devices suffer from the need to remotely connect the light source and the power source if it is desirable that the balloon float in air. This is disadvantageous for numerous reasons, including precluding providing a traditional balloon and ribbon combination, exposing the interconnection wires to possible damage, and additional cost for the interconnection wires and hardware. [0006] In addition, for ornamental and aesthetic reasons, there is a great desire to provide balloons that are colorful and dynamic, in the sense that their colors periodically change. However, prior art devices have heretofore provided only monochromatic illumination. The only way to change colors of the internal lighting is to change the internal light source. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] In order to address the shortcomings of the prior art, one embodiment of the present invention is an illumination assembly for illuminating a balloon from within which includes an integrated power source. The illumination assembly provides a bright light source, a time-modulated polychromatic effect, and is easily inserted into a balloon to facilitate an effective seal. [0008] The illumination assembly includes a hollow elongated cylindrical body. A light source is disposed at one end of the cylindrical body. A circuit and power supply housing is disposed at the opposite end of the cylindrical body. Electrical connections are provided within the cylindrical body to electrically interconnect the light source and electrical components located within the housing. The housing is provided with a shoulder flange and cylindrical spacer to facilitate sealing of the balloon inflation opening against the illumination assembly, and a recess for accepting, for mechanical interconnection, the cylindrical body. The housing is provided with a region for receiving a power source (e.g., battery), circuitry, and an on/off switch, for electrical interconnection with the light source. Furthermore, the illumination device is configured such that the light source may remain approximately at the center of the inflated balloon. [0009] Preferably, the cylindrical body and housing is fabricated from light-weight materials (e.g. plastic) and in a compact configuration such that the complete assembly weighs less than the lift provided by a typical helium-filled balloon into which it may be inserted. Accordingly, the power demands of the light source and circuitry are minimized in order to facilitate use of the smallest, lightest battery possible. [0010] Circuitry designed to be carried by the housing preferably includes an integrated circuit (IC) controller for modulating light emitted by the light source by varying a voltage applied thereto., The light source may be of a type responsive to this varying voltage such that different voltages cause the light source to illuminate at different wavelengths and for different lengths of time. For example, the light source may be a light emitting diode (LED) of a type which, in response to a first voltage, emits light of a first color, and in response to a second voltage emits light of a second color. Additional circuitry may be provided which automatically cycles the voltage provided to the light source so that the light source emits a periodically modulated polychromatic effect. [0011] The control circuit comprises at least one programmable semiconductor device and a switch for controlling a plurality of LED light effects. The at least one semiconductor device comprises a program for providing several illumination effects such as a plurality of illumination patterns, a plurality of illumination colors, a variable speed illumination color effect, a variable frequency illumination color effect, a variable saturation illumination color effect, and a variable brightness illumination color effect. [0012] The present invention further comprises a character structure mounted to a distal end of the elongated cylindrical body and over the light source, wherein the character structure and the elongated cylindrical body, together, become a wand, such as with which children may desire to play, after the inflatable structure is spent. [0013] According to one further aspect of the present invention, the illumination assembly may be disposed within a retaining sleeve, the retaining sleeve serving to fixably attach a balloon to the illumination assembly at a first axial end thereof, and to fixably attach a mechanism, such as a cylindrical or rectangular rod, permitting a user to hold the balloon and illumination assembly combination or secure same to a structure at a second axial end thereof. The retaining sleeve includes a conical collar for supporting the balloon near the point of attachment. Finally, the retaining sleeve is open on one lateral face to permit actuation of the on/off switch. [0014] Alternatively, the present invention comprises a self-sealing valve, especially for use with non-latex inflatable structures, e.g., Mylar balloons. The self-sealing valve accommodates an illumination stick and automatically seals the balloon via the internal gas pressure. The problem with related art balloon valves is that they cannot accommodate the present invention balloon stick without experiencing breakage. [0015] The present invention apparatus and method is conducive to use with translucent or transparent structures, such as thunder sticks, rally sticks, inflatable flags, bang sticks, hollow holiday ornaments, natural and synthetic pumpkins, e.g., Jack O' Lanterns, inflatable banners, inflatable political convention and rally paraphernalia, and the like. The translucent or transparent structures may further comprises advertising features such as logos. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0016] These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the appended drawings in which like reference numerals denote like elements between the various drawings, but which are not to scale. [0017] FIG. 1 depicts an illumination apparatus and its components according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0018] FIG. 2 depicts a partial top view of a housing of the illumination apparatus of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0019] FIG. 3 depicts a partial cut-away view of a housing and elements disposed therein of the illumination apparatus of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Continue reading about Internal balloon illumination with self-sealing valve apparatus and method... 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