Balloon anchoring structure with light emitting functionality

Abstract

Structures for use in restraining balloons, particularly balloons filled with helium, are provided that include one or more additional functionalities. In an exemplary embodiment, the structure includes an internal light source that is adapted to emit light through one or more faces of the structure, e.g., through translucent or transparent surfaces associated with one or more walls of the structure. Additional features and functionalities associated with embodiments of the structure include one or more sound emitting elements positioned within the structure, one or more power sources positioned within the structure for powering the light source and/or the sound emitting element(s), one or more handles/extensions/brackets for detachably receiving/securing a balloon string, and novelty appearances that may be theme-based, holiday-based and the like.

1 . A balloon anchoring structure comprising: 
 (i) a housing defining an internal region and including at least one transparent, translucent or window opening for light transmission,    (ii) a structure for facilitating interaction with one or more balloon tethers, and    (iii) a light emitting device positioned in the internal region of the housing.    
   
   
       2 . A balloon anchoring structure according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one power source for powering the light emitting device.  
   
   
       3 . A balloon anchoring structure according to  claim 2 , wherein said at least one power source includes one or more batteries.  
   
   
       4 . A balloon anchoring structure according to  claim 1 , further comprising a switching mechanism for manual control of the power fed to the light emitting device.  
   
   
       5 . A balloon anchoring structure according to  claim 1 , further comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) to control operation of the light emitting device.  
   
   
       6 . A balloon anchoring structure according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one additional electronic element positioned within said housing.  
   
   
       7 . A balloon anchoring structure according to  claim 6 , wherein said at least one additional electronic structure is selected from the group consisting of a sound emitting device, a vibratory device, a smoke emitting device, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       8 . A balloon anchoring structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the light emitting device is adapted to emit light in various colors and in various modes.  
   
   
       9 . A balloon anchoring structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one transparent, translucent or window opening for light transmission is selected so as to be consistent with a predetermined theme or appearance.  
   
   
       10 . A balloon anchoring structure according to  claim 9 , wherein the at least one transparent, translucent or window opening is selected so as to convey a desired image or appearance.  
   
   
       11 . A balloon anchoring structure according to  claim 10 , wherein the desired image or appearance is selected from the group consisting of a graduation cap, a stork with delivery, a four leaf clover, a Valentine heart, a birthday cake with candles, a football helmet, a Christmas tree, and a Menorah.  
   
   
       12 . A balloon anchoring structure according to  claim 1 , wherein further comprising at least one transparent or translucent plate or panel mounted with respect to a wall of the housing such that the plate or panel covers the at least one opening associated with such wall.  
   
   
       13 . A balloon anchoring structure according to  claim 12 , wherein said transparent or translucent plate or panel includes internal mounting structures for mounting with respect to the housing.  
   
   
       14 . A balloon anchoring structure according to  claim 12 , wherein the plate or panel includes at least one visually distinguishing feature.  
   
   
       15 . A balloon anchoring structure according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least one visually distinguishing feature is selected from the group consisting of a color, texture, variation in thickness, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       16 . A balloon anchoring structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the light emitting device includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs).  
   
   
       17 . A balloon anchoring structure according to  claim 16 , wherein the light emitting device further includes a diffusing lens.  
   
   
       18 . A balloon anchoring structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing defines a shape selected from the group consisting of a square, a rectangle, a cone, a sphere, a pyramid and a polygon.  
   
   
       19 . A balloon anchoring structure according to  claim 1 , further comprising a weight or ballast positioned within an interior region defined by the housing for countering the buoyancy of one or more balloons.  
   
   
       20 . A balloon anchoring structure according to  claim 1 , further comprising one or more balloons tethered to the structure for facilitating interaction with one or more balloon tethers.