US3860201A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hot air balloon maneuvering valve
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-03-14
•
Granted: 1975-01-14
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Expires: 1993-03-14
Abstract
Abstract A hot air balloon has a maneuvering slit in the balloon envelope situated to take advantage of the direction of substantially zero stress in the envelope so that the slit tends to remain closed. A flap on each side of the slit extending the length of the slit on the inside of the balloon envelope insures complete closure of the slit, the flaps being forced together by the greater pressure inside the balloon. Spreader lines connect to the inside flaps and connect to an operating line extending inside the balloon through the balloon opening to the pilot below. The pilot draws the operating line to spread the slit and so releases hot air from the balloon to descend.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph H Hall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 14:01
CPC Classifications
B; B22; B22D; B22D17/00; B22D17/20; B64; B64B; B64B1/00; B64B1/58
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
In a hot air balloon including a balloon envelope of light weight material and load carrying means at the lower end of the balloon, a buoyancy life control, including a slit in the envelope material, the slit having substantially straight edges which are substantially together when the slit is closed and separated when the slit is opened, comprising, a flap on each side of the slit extending the length thereof on the inside of the balloon envelope, the flaps being subStantially contiguous to each other when the slit is closed each flap being a piece of flexible sheet of length and width, each flap extending from the slit inwardly toward the center of the balloon envelope, and each flap being of substantial width at at least the portion thereof central between the ends of the slit in order that a substantial area of the flaps are contiguous when the slit is closed and gas discharging through the slit from inside the balloon tends to force the flaps together, and means for spreading the slit and holding the flaps open for the escape of the air from the balloon envelope.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
In a hot air balloon including a balloon envelope of light weight material and load carrying means at the lower end of the balloon, a buoyancy life control, including a slit in the envelope material, the slit having substantially straight edges which are substantially together when the slit is closed and separated when the slit is opened, comprising, a flap on each side of the slit extending the length thereof on the inside of the balloon envelope, the flaps being subStantially contiguous to each other when the slit is closed each flap being a piece of flexible sheet of length and width, each flap extending from the slit inwardly toward the center of the balloon envelope, and each flap being of substantial width at at least the portion thereof central between the ends of the slit in order that a substantial area of the flaps are contiguous when the slit is closed and gas discharging through the slit from inside the balloon tends to force the flaps together, and means for spreading the slit and holding the flaps open for the escape of the air from the balloon envelope.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A buoyancy lift control as in claim 1 wherein, the spreader means attaches to said flaps.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
A buoyancy lift control as in claim 1 wherein, the slit is substantially vertical in the envelope and the balloon envelope has a natural shape with an absence of horizontal stresses at the location of the slit, whereby the flaps of the slit tend to remain closed except when separated by the spreader means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A buoyancy lift control as in claim 3 wherein, the vertical slit is located substantially above the balloon equator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A buoyancy lift control as in claim 3 wherein, the balloon envelope includes vertical and horizontal load line tapes and the slit is along a vertical load line tape.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A buoyancy lift control as in claim 5 wherein, the slit terminates at each end at a different horizontal load line tape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A buoyancy lift control as in claim 1 wherein, the flaps each extend beyond the ends of the slit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A buoyancy lift control as in claim 6 wherein, each of the flaps extend beyond the ends of the slit along the same vertical load line tape.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
96 words
A buoyancy lift control as in claim 1 wherein, the spreader means includes first and second spreader lines secured at their inner ends each to a different one of said flaps and extending away from the flaps, eyelets for said spreader lines are secured to the inner surface of the balloon envelope and the spreader lines feed through said eyelets and are joined together, and an operating line is provided connected to the joinder of said spreader lines and extending downward within the balloon to the load carrying means at the lower end of the balloon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
A buoyancy lift control as in claim 9 wherein, the balloon envelope includes a multitude of spaced vertical and horizontal load line tapes, the slit is a line with a vertical load line tape, the ends of the slit terminate at horizontal load line tapes, and the eyelets are located along another horizontal load line tape.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
A buoyancy lift control as in claim 1 wherein, the flaps are crescent shaped.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A buoyancy lift control as in claim 1 and further including, a fixed strap across the slit on the outside of the balloon envelope.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
A bouyancy lift control as in claim 1, wherein a strap is provided across substantially the center of the slit attached at the ends thereof to the balloon envelope at points of attachment beyond the maximum opening of the slit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
122 words
A buoyancy lift control as in claim 13 wherein, the spreader means includes first and second spreader lines secured at their inner ends each to a different side of said slit and extending away from the slit, eyelets for said spreader lines are secured to the inner surface of the balloon envelope and the spreader lines feed through said eyelets and are joined together, and an operating line is provided connected to the joinder of said spreader lines and extending downward within the balloon to the load carrying means at the lower end of the balloon, and the strap across substantially the center of the slit attached at each end to the balloon envelope at points of attachment between the said eyelets.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3229932A
Cited
US3534927A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-01-13 | 1978-07-15 | 1979-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-13 | 1982-07-15 | 1983-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-13 | 1986-07-15 | 1987-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |