Balloon for lighted sign comprising an inflatable envelope with self-regulated internal pressure

• US 6,966,676 B2
• Filed: 08/21/2003
• Issued: 11/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Airstar SA
• Original Assignee: Airstar SA
• Inventors: Chabert, Pierre, Ruty, Jérôme, Jullin, Claude, Bordaz, Pascal
• Primary Examiner(s): Cariaso, Alan
• Assistant Examiner(s): MAY, ROBERT J
• Application Number:
  US10/644,925
• Publication Number:
  US 20040042217A1
• Time in Patent Office: 824 Days
• Field of Search: 362/96, 362/352, 362/363, 362/431, 446/220, 137/224
• US Class Current: 362/363
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/023 Chinese lanterns; Balloons

Abstract

A balloon includes an envelope inflatable by a gas, in particular air, an anemometer for detection of the wind speed outside the envelope, and a control circuit to control a fan so as to make the internal inflation pressure of the envelope vary according to the wind speed. The upper part of the mast passes vertically through the envelope to give the latter a static rigidity at the level of the diametrically opposed bottom pole and top pole. The mast is hollow and includes at least one air outlet orifice in its upper part to perform inflation of the envelope.

Claims

1. A balloon, comprising:

an envelope made of translucent flexible material and being inflatable by a gas;

a mast for supporting the envelope;

lighting means having at least one electric lamp arranged inside the envelope;

means for electrical power supply of the lamp; and

electro-pneumatic blowing means for inflating the envelope, wherein an upper part of the mast passes vertically through the envelope to give the envelope a static rigidity at the level of the diametrically opposed bottom pole and top pole, the mast being hollow throughout a majority of a length of the mast and having at least one air outlet orifice in the upper part to perform inflation of the envelope by the electro-pneumatic blowing means.

2. The balloon according to claim 1, further comprising means for detecting a wind speed outside the envelope, and a control circuit connected to the means for detecting the wind speed to control the electro-pneumatic blowing means so as to make an internal inflation pressure of the envelope vary according to the wind speed.

3. The balloon according to claim 2, wherein the control circuit is arranged to emit either an inflation pressure increase signal when the wind speed increases or an inflation pressure reduction signal when the wind speed decreases.

4. The balloon according to claim 2, wherein the means for detecting the wind speed comprises an anemometer arranged at the top of the balloon.

5. The balloon according to claim 1, wherein the electro-pneumatic blowing means comprises a variable airflow fan arranged in an electrical cabinet at a foot of the mast and connected to a control circuit by an electrical connection extending inside the mast.

6. The balloon according to claim 1, wherein the electric lamp is securedly affixed to the upper part of the mast inside the envelope.

7. The balloon according to claim 1, wherein the bottom pole of the envelope acting as traverse for the mast comprises two semi-circular half-flanges associated with a pair of zip fasteners for access to the inside of the envelope.

8. The balloon according to claim 4, wherein the top pole of the envelope is equipped with a positioning washer bearing on a circular support plate at a top of the mast, the circular support plate also acting as support for the anemometer.

9. The balloon according to claim 1, wherein the upper part of the mast comprises a plurality of rungs constituting an internal ladder between the bottom and top poles.

10. The balloon according to claim 1, wherein the mast has a compartment subjected to atmospheric pressure for housing a ballast and starting circuit of the lamp, said compartment being separated from an internal duct of the mast by a foam plug so as to enable maintenance of the ballast and starting circuit to be performed without stopping pressurization of the envelope.