Illuminated balloon apparatus and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A lighting devic, comprising:
- a balloon having an inside;
an optical cable, including at least one fiber, to conduct light in a directed manner, said optical cable having a first distal end and a second distal end, said second distal end of said optical cable being configured to cause dispersal of said light and being fused into a fused portion having a substantially convex configuration, said fusing causing said light conducted by said optical fiber to be dispersed at said fused portion, wherein said second distal end is within said inside of said balloon; and
a lighting source for providing said light to said first distal end of said optical cable.
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Abstract
Disclosed herein is a method and device which provides for the capability of functional illumination by a balloon. This invention includes one or more fiber optic elements within a balloon which are configured to disperse substantial light at its (their) ends. This invention further provides for reliable retraction of signal or illumination balloons during hazardous wind conditions by including a sensor for detecting the presence of such conditions, and providing for retraction of the balloon via its tether, wherein such retraction is either under operator control or automatic.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A lighting devic, comprising:
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a balloon having an inside; an optical cable, including at least one fiber, to conduct light in a directed manner, said optical cable having a first distal end and a second distal end, said second distal end of said optical cable being configured to cause dispersal of said light and being fused into a fused portion having a substantially convex configuration, said fusing causing said light conducted by said optical fiber to be dispersed at said fused portion, wherein said second distal end is within said inside of said balloon; and a lighting source for providing said light to said first distal end of said optical cable. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A lighting device, comprising:
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a balloon having an inside; an optical cable, including at least one fiber, to conduct light in a directed manner, said optical cable having a first distal end and a second distal end, said second distal end configured to cause dispersal of said light, wherein said second distal end is within said inside of said balloon and wherein said second distal end of said optical cable terminates in a substantially convex element, said substantially convex element having an etched surface to facilitate dispersal of said light; and a lighting source for providing said light to said first distal end of said optical cable. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6)
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7. A lighting device, comprising:
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a balloon having an inside; an optical cable, including at least one fiber, to conduct light in a directed manner, said optical cable having a first distal end and a second distal end, said second distal end configured to cause dispersal of said light, wherein said second distal end is within said inside of said balloon and wherein said optical cable contains a plurality of optical fibers, each of said fibers of said plurality terminating at a diffusing element at said second distal end of said optical cable; and a lighting source for providing said light to said first distal end of said optical cable. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. A lighting device, comprising:
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a balloon having an inside; an optical cable, including at least one fiber, to conduct light in a directed manner, said optical cable having a first distal end and a second distal end, said second distal end configured to cause dispersal of said light, wherein said second distal end is within said inside of said balloon; and a lighting source for providing said light to said first distal end of said optical cable; wherein said lighting source for providing light to said first distal end of said optical cable is an energy efficient light source; and wherein said energy efficient lighting source comprising a fluorescent light with a concentrator in communication with said first distal end of said optical cable.
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11. A lighting device, comprising:
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a balloon having an inside; an optical cable, including at least one fiber, to conduct light in a directed manner, said optical cable having a first distal end and a second distal end, said second distal end configured to cause dispersal of said light, wherein said second distal end is within said inside of said balloon; a lighting source for providing said light to said first distal end of said optical cable, wherein there is a separation between said balloon and said lighting source; a tether to constrain said separation between said balloon and said lighting source; a sensor for detecting hazardous wind conditions while said lighting device is in use; and a retractor for retracting said tether when said sensor detects said hazardous wind conditions. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A balloon illuminating method, comprising the steps of:
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providing a balloon having an inside; providing an optical cable, including at least one fiber, to conduct light in a directed manner, said optical cable having a first distal end an a second distal end, said second distal end configured to cause dispersal of said light, wherein said second distal end is within said inside of said balloon; providing a lighting source for supplying said light to said first distal end of said optical cable; and fusing said second distal end of said optical cable into a fused portion having a substantially convex configuration, said fusing step causing said light conducted by said optical fiber to be dispersed at said fused portion. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A balloon illuminating method, comprising the steps of:
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providing a balloon having an inside; providing an optical cable, including at least one fiber, to conduct light in a directed manner, said optical cable having a first distal end an a second distal end, said second distal end configured to cause dispersal of said light, wherein said second distal end is within said inside of said balloon; providing a lighting source for supplying said light to said first distal end of said optical cable wherein there is a separation between said balloon and said lighting source; providing a tether to constrain said separation between said balloon and said lighting source; providing a sensor for detecting hazardous wind conditions while said lighting device is in use; and providing a retractor for retracting said tether when said sensor detects said hazardous wind conditions. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A lighting device, comprising:
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a balloon having an inside; an optical cable, including at least one fiber, to conduct light in a directed manner, said optical cable having a first distal end and a second distal end, said second distal end configured to cause dispersal of said light, wherein said second distal end is within said inside of said balloon; and a lighting source for providing said light to said first distal end of said optical cable; wherein said lighting source for providing light to said first distal end of said optical cable is an energy efficient light source; and wherein said energy efficient lighting source comprising a halide light with a concentrator in communication with said first distal end of said optical cable.
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Specification