US3791611A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Captive inflated lighter-than-air structures
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-09-11
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Granted: 1974-02-12
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Expires: 1992-09-11
Abstract
Abstract Captive inflatable lighter-than-air structures comprised of heat-retaining metallized film envelopes for the inflating gas. Internal and/or external stays, suitably guyed if desired, may be used to maintain shape and configuration of envelopes against distortion by internal gas pressure. Structures may be used as kites, mobile sculptures, and/or displays. In kites the metallized film functions as a radar reflector.
Inventors
- 👤 L Babbidge
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 19:38
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H27/00; A63H27/08; A63H27/085
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A captive inflatable lighter-than-air structure comprising a closed contoured envelope of organic film having a metallized surface substantially throughout its interior, said envelope being formed of a plurality of panels joined at seams providing additional dimensional stability to said panels and one or more relatively rigid stays co-acting with said seams to restrain distortion of said envelope by the pressure of inflating gas held therein, valving means to permit said envelope to be inflated, and restraining means extending exteriorly of said envelope to anchor the same to a base, the volume of said envelope when filled with a gas which, at the same temperatures and pressures, is less dense than ambient air, being sufficient to offset the weight of the structure in ambient air.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
A captive inflatable lighter-than-air structure comprising a closed contoured envelope of organic film having a metallized surface substantially throughout its interior, said envelope being formed of a plurality of panels joined at seams providing additional dimensional stability to said panels and one or more relatively rigid stays co-acting with said seams to restrain distortion of said envelope by the pressure of inflating gas held therein, valving means to permit said envelope to be inflated, and restraining means extending exteriorly of said envelope to anchor the same to a base, the volume of said envelope when filled with a gas which, at the same temperatures and pressures, is less dense than ambient air, being sufficient to offset the weight of the structure in ambient air.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A structure as defined in claim 1 in which at least one of said stays is attached to the exterior of said envelope.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A structure as defined in claim 1 in which at least one of said stays is attached to the interior of said envelope.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A structure as defined in claim 1 in which at least one of said stays is flexible and is bowed by a guy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
82 words
A structure as defined in claim 1 constituting a kite having a front panel and a back panel and crossed stays connected to said front panel, said external restraining means being connected to one of said crossed stays, the area of said back panel being greater than the area of said front panel, whereby, when said front panel is struck by wind, the back panel will provide a volume for inflating gas aiding the lifting effect of wind on said first panel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
A kite as claimed in claim 5 in which one of said stays includes a normally straight flexible horizontal cross-rib mounted internally of said envelope and connected thereto and a detachable guy extendable internally of said envelope between points of attachment on said cross-rib to bow the same.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A structure as defined in claim 1 in which the exterior of said envelope is provided at least in part with a coating colored other than the color of said metallized film.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A plurality of structures as defined in claim 7 differently contoured and colored and anchored to a common base, whereby the plurality of structures constitutes a mobile sculpture.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
A structure as defined in claim 8 in which said externally extending anchoring means fOr at least one of said structures constitutes a tube connected to a source of inflating gas to maintain the pressure of inflating gas within said structure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US2960298A
Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-11 | 1977-08-13 | 1978-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-11 | 1981-08-13 | 1982-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-11 | 1985-08-13 | 1986-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |