Fastener for inflatable articles
OwnerJacqueline B. Jollyinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An inflatable article fastener apparatus includes two lengths of flexible cord. First and second locking structures are connected to the two lengths of flexible cord, wherein the first and second locking structures are located at a spaced distance apart from one another on the two lengths of flexible cord. An eyelet portion is formed between the first and second locking structures and at least one non-eyelet portion is formed outside of the first and second locking structure. An end of the at least one non-eyelet portion is insertable through the eyelet portion to form a collapsible loop capable of constricting a neck of an inflatable article positioned within the collapsible loop. A locked position of the collapsible loop is achieved when the first locking structure is pulled through the eyelet portion.
Claims16
An article fastener apparatus comprising:
- two lengths of flexible cord, the two lengths of flexible cord being elastic;
- first and second locking structures non-movably connected to the two lengths of flexible cord, wherein the first and second locking structures are formed from the same material as the two lengths of flexible cord, wherein the first and second locking structures are located a spaced distance apart from one another on the two lengths of flexible cord, wherein an eyelet portion is formed by the two lengths of flexible cord between the first and second locking structures and at least one non-eyelet portion is formed by the two lengths of flexible cord located outside of the first and second locking structures, the at least one non-eyelet portion terminating at free ends of the two lengths of cord;
- and
- a collapsible loop formed by the free ends of the two lengths of flexible cord of the at least one non-eyelet portion being inserted through the eyelet portion, wherein the collapsible loop has a closed position where the first locking structure is pulled entirely through the eyelet portion and is elastically biased in contact against the second locking structure, wherein the first locking structure is being frictionally retained in a static position against the second locking structure, and wherein the collapsible loop is capable of constricting an article positioned within the collapsible loop.
An inflatable balloon fastener apparatus comprising:
- two lengths of flexible cord, the two lengths of flexible cord being elastic;
- first and second locking structures non-movably connected to the two lengths of flexible cord, wherein the first and second locking structures are formed from the same material as the two lengths of flexible cord, wherein the first and second locking structures are located a spaced distance apart from one another on the two lengths of flexible cord, wherein an eyelet portion is formed by the two lengths of flexible cord between the first and second locking structures and at least one non-eyelet portion is formed by the two lengths of flexible cord located outside of the first and second locking structures, the at least one non-eyelet portion terminating at free ends of the two lengths of cord;
- a collapsible loop formed by the free ends of the two lengths of flexible cord of the at least one non-eyelet portion being inserted through the eyelet portion, wherein the collapsible loop has a closed position where the first locking structure is pulled entirely through the eyelet portion and is elastically biased in contact against the second locking structure, wherein the first locking structure is being frictionally retained in a static position against the second locking structure;
- and
- an inflatable balloon having a neck with a gas passageway therein, wherein the neck is positioned within an interior of the collapsible loop, wherein when the collapsible loop is in the closed position, the neck of the inflatable balloon is constricted by the collapsible loop thereby retaining a quantity of pressurized air within the inflatable balloon.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.