US4055316A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and equipment for aerial transport
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-04-07
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Granted: 1977-10-25
•
Expires: 1996-04-07
Abstract
Abstract Method and equipment to aerially transport loads between two sites. A winch is provided at each site and a load carrying balloon is coupled by cables to each winch. Auxiliary balloons are provided to maintain the cables at a height above objects in the line of travel of the balloon.
Inventors
- 👤 John Lester Chipper
- 👤 Donald Bruce Owner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 18:36
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64B; B64B1/00; B64B1/40; B64B1/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
A method of aerially transporting loads between two sites, said method including the steps of locating a winch assembly at each of said two sites, attaching a ballasted inflated lift balloon by a cable to each winch assembly so that the lift balloon can be moved from one site to the other by winding cable on to a winch of one assembly and releasing cable from the winch of the other assembly, connecting removable support balloons to each cable to support the cable above any obstacles between sites, winching the lift balloon to one site whilst progressively removing and adding support balloons to the respective cables, loading the lift balloon at one site by suspending a load from the lift balloon, ejecting an amount of ballast corresponding to the load added to the lift balloon, winching the lift balloon to the other site whilst removing and adding support balloons to the respective cables, removing the load from the lift balloon at said other site and reballasting the lift balloon and repeating the steps as above to return the ballasted balloon to said one site.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
184 words
A method of aerially transporting loads between two sites, said method including the steps of locating a winch assembly at each of said two sites, attaching a ballasted inflated lift balloon by a cable to each winch assembly so that the lift balloon can be moved from one site to the other by winding cable on to a winch of one assembly and releasing cable from the winch of the other assembly, connecting removable support balloons to each cable to support the cable above any obstacles between sites, winching the lift balloon to one site whilst progressively removing and adding support balloons to the respective cables, loading the lift balloon at one site by suspending a load from the lift balloon, ejecting an amount of ballast corresponding to the load added to the lift balloon, winching the lift balloon to the other site whilst removing and adding support balloons to the respective cables, removing the load from the lift balloon at said other site and reballasting the lift balloon and repeating the steps as above to return the ballasted balloon to said one site.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
97 words
Equipment for aerial transport of loads between two sites comprising an inflated lift balloon, a dischargeable ballast holder connected to said balloon for ballast thereof, means for attachment of said load to said balloon, two winch assemblies each of which includes a winch, cables connecting the lift balloon to said winch assemblies and to each site, means for storing support balloons at each site, means for coupling said support balloons to said cables connecting said lift balloon to each said site, and means at at least one of the sites to add ballast to the ballast holder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
97 words
Equipment for aerial transport of loads between two sites comprising an inflated lift balloon, a dischargeable ballast holder connected to said balloon for ballast thereof, means for attachment of said load to said balloon, two winch assemblies each of which includes a winch, cables connecting the lift balloon to said winch assemblies and to each site, means for storing support balloons at each site, means for coupling said support balloons to said cables connecting said lift balloon to each said site, and means at at least one of the sites to add ballast to the ballast holder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
Equipment as claimed in claim 2 including valve means on the ballast holder whereby liquid ballast may be added to or ejected from the ballast holder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
Equipment as claimed in claim 3, including remote control means for the valve means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
Equipment as claimed in claim 2 including a cable tensioning and guiding device associated with the winch assemblies.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
Equipment as claimed in claim 2 wherein said means to add ballast is capable fo receiving ejected ballast.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1980-10-24 | 1981-04-25 | 1981-10-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-10-24 | 1985-04-25 | 1985-10-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-10-24 | 1989-04-25 | 1989-10-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |