Balloon envelope and method of fabricating same
First Claim
1. An inflatable envelope for a lighter than air balloon or the like, and characterized by the ability to limit distructive tearing thereof and comprising:
- a latticework of interconnected tapes which collectively have a generally spherical configuration when extended, said latticework of tapes including a plurality of vertical tapes which divide the envelope into a plurality of vertically disposed gores, anda plurality of laterally directed tapes which extend between the vertical tapes within each gore, said plurality of vertical tapes and laterally directed tapes collectively defining a plurality of open areas therebetween,each of said vertical tapes being composed of a pair of like tape components having partially overlapping portions and adjacent non-overlapping portions, laterally spaced-apart seam means extending through said overlapping portion to interconnect the tape components and define a pocket therebetween and a load line extending freely through said pocket;
a plurality of panels of a relatively light weight, air impermeable sheet material, with each panel covering respective ones of said open areas, and,means joining each side of each panel to the non-overlapping portion of the adjacent tape component in a relatively airtight manner with the adjacent sides of adjacent panels being free of any direct interconnection between the adjacent panels and one of the pair of tape components whereby a tear developing in any one panel will terminate upon reaching an adjacent tape component without progressing into the adjacent panel and any torn panel can be removed and replaced without removing load line from its pocket.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A balloon envelope is disclosed which has the ability to minimize and isolate destructive tears, and which comprises a latticework of interconnected vertical and lateral reinforcing tapes which form open areas therebetween, and with a fabric panel overlying and covering each open area. The fabric panels are sewn to the surrounding tapes in a manner such that there is no direct interconnection between adjacent fabric panels. The envelope is fabricated by a procedure wherein the vertical gores, which are each composed of a vertical array of the fabric panels, are initially formed by sewing adjacent side edges of adjacent panels to intermediate laterally directed tapes, and then sewing a vertical tape component along each side of the resulting array of panels. The vertical side edges of the thus formed gores are then sewn together to form a sphere-like configuration.
24 Citations
9 Claims
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1. An inflatable envelope for a lighter than air balloon or the like, and characterized by the ability to limit distructive tearing thereof and comprising:
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a latticework of interconnected tapes which collectively have a generally spherical configuration when extended, said latticework of tapes including a plurality of vertical tapes which divide the envelope into a plurality of vertically disposed gores, and a plurality of laterally directed tapes which extend between the vertical tapes within each gore, said plurality of vertical tapes and laterally directed tapes collectively defining a plurality of open areas therebetween, each of said vertical tapes being composed of a pair of like tape components having partially overlapping portions and adjacent non-overlapping portions, laterally spaced-apart seam means extending through said overlapping portion to interconnect the tape components and define a pocket therebetween and a load line extending freely through said pocket; a plurality of panels of a relatively light weight, air impermeable sheet material, with each panel covering respective ones of said open areas, and, means joining each side of each panel to the non-overlapping portion of the adjacent tape component in a relatively airtight manner with the adjacent sides of adjacent panels being free of any direct interconnection between the adjacent panels and one of the pair of tape components whereby a tear developing in any one panel will terminate upon reaching an adjacent tape component without progressing into the adjacent panel and any torn panel can be removed and replaced without removing load line from its pocket. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A hot air sport balloon, characterized by the ability to limit and isolate distructive tearing of the envelope thereof, comprising:
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an envelope of generally spherical configuration when inflated and having a open mouth at the lower end, and an apex at the upper end, said envelope comprising (a) a latticework of interconnected tapes which collectively have a generally spherical configuration when extended, said latticework of tapes including a plurality of vertical tapes which divide the envelope into a plurality of vertically disposed gores, and a plurality of latterally directed tapes which extend between the vertical tapes within each gore, said plurality of vertical tapes and latterally directed tapes collectively defining a plurality of open areas therebetween, each of said vertical tapes being composed of a pair of like tape components having partially overlapping portions and adjacent non-overlapping portions, laterally spaced-apart seam means extending through said overlapping portion to interconnect the tape components and define a pocket therebetween and a load line extending freely through said pocket; (b) a plurality of four-sided panels of a relatively light weight, air impermeable sheet material, with each panel covering respective ones of said open areas; (c) means joining each side of said panel to the non-overlapped portion of the adjacent tape component in a relatively airtight manner with the adjacent sides of adjacent panels being free of any direct interconnection between the adjacent panels and one of the pair of tape components; a carriage mounted below the mouth of said envelope for supporting the pilot and passengers; and
,heating means mounted to said carriage for heating the air within the envelope. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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Specification