| 摘要 |
Three-dimensional balloon sculptures (50, 56, 66, 86, 88, 89, 90, 99, 125, 136, 137, 159, 160, 169, 178, 186) and methods of forming same from one or more basic balloon building blocks (106, 106', 106+41, 126, 159) each including at least one rigid lineal rod-like balloon former (100, 100', 138a, 138b, 149, 162, 174, 181, 182, 184) defining one or more lineal barrier(s) precluding distension of a portion of the sidewall of a conventional balloon of the type having a constricted neck portion (111) terminating at one end in an inflation aperture (112) and at the other end in an imperforate inflatable sidewall (108). The rigid rod-like formers (100, 100') may be used either individually, in which event one or more balloons (108) may each be connected thereto at two (2) axially spaced points by: (i) passing the constricted neck portion (111) through one or more axially extending diametric slots (104, 105) formed in at least one end of the former (100, 100'); (ii) securing at least one of the constricted neck portion (111) and/or inflation aperture (112) to the former (100, 100'); and (iii), stretching the inflated balloon (108) along the unslotted length of the former (100, 100') and securing a portion (114) thereof to the former (100, 100') at a point spaced axially from the slotted end of the former (100, 100'), or by coupling two or more formers (100, 100') with balloons (108) attached thereto together by use of coupling devices (119, 130, 132, 143, 151, 152, 172, 175, 180). Alternatively, the rod-like formers (149, 162, 174, 181, 182, 184) may be coupled together to form a skeletal frame-like former (148, 161, 170, 179); and, composite balloon sculptures (160, 169) may be formed from combinations of the foregoing.
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