Rescue balloon kit

Claim 1

A rescue balloon kit comprising a box having a hinged cover, an inflatable balloon in folded condition in the box, the balloon having an elongated neck, a tubular container in the neck having an apertured end and a threaded end, a closure cap sealed and secured to the threaded end and projecting from the neck, the neck and container being secured in a fixed location in the box when the cover is closed and freed when the cover is open, a cartridge of compressed lighter-than-air gas secured in fixed position in the capped end of the container, the cartridge having an axially centered frangible seal at one end, a plunger slideably mounted in the container apertured end and having a pointed end adapted for rupturing the frangible seal, at least one apertured disk secured to the plunger for guiding the plunger axially, a heavy spring biasing the plunger toward the frangible seal, a light spring adapted to bias the plunger for withdrawal of the plunger after the frangible seal has been broken, a pivotally mounted latch lever extending through the container wall and having a short end normally engaging the apertured disk for latching the plunger spring biased toward the cartridge, the latch lever having a longer end extending away from the container and inside the balloon, a third spring biasing the longer end away from the container, and a trigger lever pivotally secured to the wall of the box and extending therethrough, the trigger lever having an enlarged inner end adapted to be swung against the balloon neck over the long end of the latch lever and an outer end normally extending along the outer surface of the box and swingable away from the box to operate the latch lever for releasing the plunger to puncture the cartridge seal and fill the balloon with gas.