Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
2 1 72852
RITE R~T-T-oo~
The present invention relates to a balloon with the aerodynamic
shape of a kite, preferably for use in an emergency rescue kit by those
stranded in a boat at sea, or injured or lost in the wilderness.
Various types of balloons are known, but most do not meet the
specific needs addressed by the present invention, such as aerodynamic
lift, puncture resistance, light weight, resistance to harsh weather and
a unique radar profile. Various types of kites are also known, but
these do not have the ability to stay aloft for extended periods of
time, especially in high winds.
It is desirable to have a balloon with an aerodynamic shape in
order to provide the lift re~uired to quickly and reliably raise the
balloon and keep it aloft in high winds. It is also desirable to have
a balloon which is lightweight and highly resistant to puncture,
deflation and harsh weather, in order to allow for longer periods of
lift, and with a high level of radar reflecting capability.
The present invention consists of a balloon specifically shaped
with an aerodynamic configuration with a leading edge and a trailing
edge similar to an airplane wing. The balloon comprises two identical
kite shaped body portions with a plurality of sides and preferably
rounded corners, with a complementary cylindrical portion projecting
from the bottom corner. This cylindrical portion may widen at the
distal end to form a bulb shaped portion with a greater circumference
then the r~m~n~er of the cylindrical portion. These identical sheets
of material are made of a radar reflective material with a high degree
21 72852
of resistance to puncture and deflation, preferably a biaxially oriented
48 gauge nylon laminated with a low density 70 gauge polyethylene, then
sprayed with melted alllm;nllm~ The two sheets of this material are
continuously joined for substantially their full circumference by a
permanent means of attachment, leaving an opening at only the bottom
margin of the bulbous portion for inflation of the balloon.
A valve, preferably a bladder valve, is placed at the juncture of
the cylindrical portion of the balloon and the body portion. This valve
allows passage of gas in only one direction, into the body portion from
the cylindrical portion.
The means of attachment of the material may be glue. The means of
joining the material may also be the application of heat.
The invention is secured to the ground by means of tethering,
preferably a string composed of a combination of nylon and silk, such
means of tethering being attached to the invention by a means of
holding, preferably by affixing the tether string to a holding element
by a means of bonding. Also affixed to the holding element, by a means
of bonding, are a plurality of holding strings made of the same material
as the tether string, such holding strings being affixed by a means of
bonding to a plurality of points on the circumference of the balloon in
order to spread the stresses caused by wind on the balloon. The holding
element is preferably ring shaped.
The means of bonding may be glue with a high degree of resistance
to outdoor environments such as a hi-tack acrylic adhesive.
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The balloon may form part of an emergency kit which includes the
kite balloon, a small cylinder containing helium to inflate the balloon
by means of a manifold, and a portable container to hold the emergency
kit. A retaining clip may be attached to the spout of the manifold in
order to secure the kite balloon while it is being inflated.
The invention, as exemplified by a preferred embodiment, is
described with reference to the drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the invention.
Referring to the drawings, the embodiment of the invention shown, a
balloon 10 comprises a kite-shaped body portion 12 and a complementary
cylindrical portion 14. The cylindrical portion projects from the body
portion at one of the corners 16 of the body portion. The cylindrical
portion widens at the distal end to form a bulb shaped portion 18 with
a greater circumference than the r~m~;n~er of the cylindrical portion.
It is at this point that the balloon is inflated.
The balloon is comprised of two sheets of flexible, radar
reflective material with a high degree of resistance to puncture and
deflation, preferably a biaxially oriented 48 gauge nylon laminated with
a low density 70 gauge polyethylene, then sprayed with melted alum;nllm.
The two sheets of material are identical in shape, each comprising
a kite shaped body portion and a cylindrical portion. They are
continuously ~oined for substantially their full circumference 20 by a
permanent means of attachment such as glue, leaving an opening 22 only
at the bottom margin of the bulb for inflation of the balloon.
2~ 72852
A valve 24 is placed at the juncture of the cylindrical portion and
the body portion of the balloon, allowing passage of gas in only one
direction, from the cylindrical portion into the body portion.
A string composed of a combination of nylon and silk secures the
invention to the ground by means of ring shaped element 26 to which it
is attached. This ring shaped element is secured to the balloon by
means of a plurality of strings 28, 30 and 32 attached to a plurality of
points 34, 36 and 38 on the circumference of the balloon. The string is
preferably attached to the balloon and ring shaped element by a glue
with a high degree of resistance to outdoor environments, such as a hi-
tack acrylic adhesive.
Although only a single embodiment of the present invention has been
described and illustrated, the present invention is not limited to the
features of this embodiment, but includes all variations and
modifications with the scope of the claims.
