Patent US3979753A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3979753A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Portable balloon antenna support structure
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1975-04-11
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Granted: 1976-09-07
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Expires: 1995-04-11
Abstract
Abstract A portable antenna support structure which can be carried by a vehicle and includes an inflatable balloon and telescopic extension poles that are pivoted to the sides of the vehicle at the front and back and may be extended radially when the vehicle is at rest. The vehicle carries a storage tank of compressed helium which can be transferred to the balloon for inflating it, the balloon being equipped with an antenna. Guy lines extend from a winch on the vehicle and are passed around pulleys arranged at the outer ends of the fully extended telescopic poles and then are secured to the balloon for holding it and the antenna in a fixed position and at a desired height above the vehicle. The balloon may be pulled down to the vehicle by the winch where the helium may be withdrawn from the balloon for collapsing it and the gas may be compressed in the storage tank until its next use.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence E. Underwood
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 10:25
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q1/00; H01Q1/12; H01Q1/1235; H01Q1/1292
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
In combination: a. a vehicle movable over the ground; b. a storage tank in the vehicle for holding a lighter than air gas under compression; c. a compartment in the vehicle for holding a balloon when deflated; d. a winch in the vehicle and carrying a plurality of drums with guy lines leading from the drums and attached to the balloon, the balloon having a tube connectible to a valve-controlled outlet for said storage tank for feeding the compressed gas into the balloon for inflating it; and e. poles pivotally secured to both sides of the vehicle and swingable from inoperative to operative positions and carrying pulleys at their outer ends around which the guy lines are passed, the poles spacing the pulleys so that the guy lines will hold the inflated balloon in a desired position above the vehicle, the balloon supporting an electron wave receiving device at a desired height.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
In combination: a. a vehicle movable over the ground; b. a storage tank in the vehicle for holding a lighter than air gas under compression; c. a compartment in the vehicle for holding a balloon when deflated; d. a winch in the vehicle and carrying a plurality of drums with guy lines leading from the drums and attached to the balloon, the balloon having a tube connectible to a valve-controlled outlet for said storage tank for feeding the compressed gas into the balloon for inflating it; and e. poles pivotally secured to both sides of the vehicle and swingable from inoperative to operative positions and carrying pulleys at their outer ends around which the guy lines are passed, the poles spacing the pulleys so that the guy lines will hold the inflated balloon in a desired position above the vehicle, the balloon supporting an electron wave receiving device at a desired height.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
79 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1: and in which a. a gas compressor is carried by the vehicle; and b. the tube from the balloon being connectible to said compressor for withdrawing the gas from the balloon, compressing it and delivering the compressed gas into said storage tank; c. whereby the deflated balloon can be stored in said compartment and said poles can be swung into inoperative position so that the vehicle can move to another location.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1: and in which a. said poles have telescopic sections which are extensible when the poles are swung into operative position for positioning the pulleys at a distance from each side of the vehicle for causing the guy lines to stabilize the position of the inflated balloon; and b. extensible braces for said poles for holding said poles in extended position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
92 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1: and in which a. idler pulleys are mounted adjacent to said drums, the guy lines being passed around said idler pulleys, the mountings for said idler pulleys being of the swivel type so as to permit the free swinging of said idler pulleys about their mountings during the paying out or the taking in of the guy lines; and b. means for operating the winch for causing the drums to wind in the guy lines when it is desired to lower the inflated balloon.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3142063A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-09-07 | 1980-03-08 | 1980-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-09-07 | 1984-03-08 | 1984-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-09-07 | 1988-03-08 | 1988-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |