EP1933964B1 - Method and device for free-standing support of objects in space - Google Patents

Method and device for free-standing support of objects in space Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1933964B1
EP1933964B1 EP06796104.5A EP06796104A EP1933964B1 EP 1933964 B1 EP1933964 B1 EP 1933964B1 EP 06796104 A EP06796104 A EP 06796104A EP 1933964 B1 EP1933964 B1 EP 1933964B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
gas
support structure
hollow support
object according
hollow
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP06796104.5A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1933964A2 (en
Inventor
Oz Shenhar
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
NEW CREATE Ltd
Original Assignee
NEW CREATE Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
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Application filed by NEW CREATE Ltd filed Critical NEW CREATE Ltd
Publication of EP1933964A2 publication Critical patent/EP1933964A2/en
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Publication of EP1933964B1 publication Critical patent/EP1933964B1/en
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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H27/00—Toy aircraft; Other flying toys
    • A63H27/10—Balloons
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H27/00—Toy aircraft; Other flying toys
    • A63H27/10—Balloons
    • A63H2027/1008—Anchoring means or weights
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H27/00—Toy aircraft; Other flying toys
    • A63H27/10—Balloons
    • A63H2027/1033—Inflation devices or methods for inflating balloons
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H27/00—Toy aircraft; Other flying toys
    • A63H27/10—Balloons
    • A63H2027/1075—Special shapes or constructions

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a hollow support structure and an object for attaching to said hollow support structure.
  • US Patent No. 4,693,695 (Cheng) published Sep. 15, 1987 discloses an ascending and descending balloon action toy that includes an envelope filled with a lighter-than-air gas, the envelope repeatedly ascending and alternately descending a tether.
  • US Patent No. 6,390,651 published May 21, 2002 discloses a toy that simulates an illuminated overhead moon with a long-legged spacecraft under it.
  • the toy includes a lighting apparatus secured to a balloon by string under tension.
  • the lighting apparatus located wholly outside the balloon, illuminates the inside of the balloon so the balloon appears to glow.
  • the lighting apparatus has at least three arms extending from a body having a locking fastener.
  • the locking fastener is attached by string under tension to the neck of the balloon.
  • Each arm terminates in a window for contacting the skin of the balloon and for transmitting light through the skin to the interior of the balloon.
  • the lighting apparatus is of sufficiently low weight that the toy floats in air.
  • US Patent Nos. 6,106, 135 and 6,371,638 disclose an inflatable translucent balloon body that has a predetermined net lifting force upon inflation with a lighter than air gas.
  • a light source is attached to the balloon upon inflation by a light transmitting tether.
  • the light transmitting tether has a net weight of less than the net lifting force of the balloon in an inflated state with lighter than air gas therein.
  • US Patent No. 5,499,941 published March 19, 1996 discloses a balloon inflation device having a light bulb attached to one end of a tube and illuminated by an external power source connected at the other end of the light bulb.
  • the tube fits light first into the neck of a balloon, a mechanical seal being formed that prevents gas from passing between the flange and the balloon stem.
  • the power source of the light bulb can be removed from the tube and a gas stream can be projected into the balloon, inflating it, but the tube is arranged and configured such that the gas in the balloon cannot flow out of the balloon through the tube.
  • such balloons are intended for one-time use only and are not adapted to support different objects and lack any method to control the buoyancy of the balloon.
  • they are formed of a material such as Mylar® that is very light so that sufficient buoyancy can be achieved with minimum volume.
  • such materials are not adapted to withstand harsh treatment or knocks as required for non-disposable use.
  • a balloon device includes an inner container and an outer container that are movable with respect to each other.
  • the device includes a pressurized gas container mounted in the inner container and a firing mechanism that is operated by slamming the device against a solid surface such as a table top or the like.
  • the firing mechanism punctures the pressurized container and permits gas to escape into the device, and this gas is guided via orifices to the balloon that is sealingly held on the device by an O-ring type element.
  • US 6,425,552 discloses a cyclical thermal management system for responding to diurnal heating and nocturnal cooling cycles to maintain a high altitude platform in a geostatic position for long periods of time.
  • US Patent No. 4,931,028 (Jaeger et al.) published June 5, 1990 discloses a toy blimp with at least one engine mounted on a top side of an inflatable helium balloon blimp like member, and an infrared control circuit and power supply mounted on a bottom side.
  • the blimp operates from a self-contained power supply and is controlled by the self-contained control system which receives control signals from a transmitter.
  • CA 2,391,252 discloses an airship of generally spherical shape having an internal envelope for containing a lifting gas such as Helium or Hydrogen.
  • the airship has a propulsion and control system that permits it to be flown to a desired loitering location, and to be maintained in that location for a period of time.
  • US Patent No. 3,839,631 discloses an automatically equilibrating inflated suspended object that is lighter than the surrounding medium. Equilibrium is automatically achieved by means of a flexible tether extending from a fixed elevated point to the object. Vertical movement of the object varies the portion of the weight of the tether supported by the object until the object supported weight of the tether equals the lift.
  • none of the above-mentioned references relates to the floating support of objects, such as electric lights and other household or office accessories in a manner that even massive objects may be supported in space without requiring tethering or other ground-based supports.
  • prior art does not appear to relate to a modular floating support whereby different objects can be supported by the same platform.
  • prior art devices are designed to lift objects of a weight that corresponds to a fixed buoyancy of the device. Attempting to support heavier objects would cause the device to sink.
  • the support structure is a buoyant platform having an anchoring point for attaching an object to the buoyant platform, whereby in use the buoyant platform together with the attached object reaches an equilibrium position where a buoyancy force of the platform counteracts a combined weight of the platform and attached object.
  • the object may be integral with the buoyant platform and may be a self-powered electrical device operating on a battery or solar energy. More generally, the object may be separate from the support structure or integral therewith. It may also be part of the object, such as a hollow wall lining within a housing of the object and dimensioned so that, when filled with a predetermined quantity of gas, the object floats in air.
  • Figs. 1a and 1b show pictorial wire-frame and solid representations of a buoyant platform 10 according to the invention for freely supporting a portable self-powered electric lamp 11 or other objects in space.
  • the buoyant platform 10 constitutes a hollow support structure formed of a semi-rigid, gas-impermeable, plastic material that is sufficiently strong to withstand knocks and the like without bursting, while being sufficiently light that when filled with helium gas it is capable of floating in air while supporting the lamp 11.
  • a valve seating 12 is formed at a lower surface of the buoyant platform 10 for accommodating a corresponding valve seating 13 formed in the lamp 11 via an adapter 14 that allows different objects having different valve sittings to be sealingly connected to the buoyant platform 10.
  • Figs. 2a and 2b show pictorial wire-frame representations of the lamp 11 enclosed within an outer envelope 15 accommodating a gas fill mechanism coupled via a gas connector 16 that couples to the buoyant platform and is shown in Fig. 1b and in greater detail in Figs. 5a and 5b .
  • the outer envelope 15 also encloses an electric circuit (not shown) for operating the lamp as well, of course, as the lamp itself (also not shown).
  • a battery housing 17 for accommodating one or more batteries may be inserted into an axial bore 18 within the housing of the outer envelope 15, and which is then sealed at its lower end by means of a lower sealing cap 19.
  • the envelope 15 and its associated components constitute an object that is to be supported by the buoyant platform 10.
  • the lamp is mounted at the upper end of the axial bore 18 so as to illuminate the inside of the buoyant platform 10, which may be balloon-shaped as shown in the figures and whose surface may be formed of light-transmitting material.
  • the lamp may be mounted at the lower end of the axial bore 18, so as to shine downwards when the buoyant platform 10 is set afloat.
  • electrical connections may be formed at opposite end of the axial bore 18 so as to allow connection of the lamp at either end.
  • Figs. 3a and 3b illustrate in more detail the components of the battery housing 17 showing the lower sealing cap 19 that fits at a lower end of the battery housing 17 and an upper sealing cap 20 that fits at an upper end of the battery housing 17.
  • the lower and upper sealing caps 20 both include respective electrical battery contacts (not shown) on internal surfaces thereof.
  • the battery housing 17 may further include any electronics associated with the lamp as well as the lamp housing and the lamp itself.
  • the upper sealing cap 20 is formed of light transparent material so as to allow light to illuminate the inside of the buoyant platform 10.
  • Fig. 4 is an exploded pictorial wire-frame representation of the buoyant platform 10 and the associated components of the gas fill mechanism shown in enlarged detail in Figs. 5a and 5b .
  • the gas connector 16 is coupled via an adjustable pressure valve 21, whereby gas may be fed at a controlled pressure to the buoyant platform 10.
  • the buoyancy of the platform may be adjusted so as to exactly counteract the combined weight of the buoyant platform 10 and the attached object, thereby allowing the buoyancy of the platform to be adjusted when different objects are attached.
  • the pressure valve 21 has a dial bearing a scale that is calibrated as a function of weight of the attached object, so that the dial may be set according to the weight of the attached object in order to supply gas to the buoyant platform 10 at exactly the right pressure to produce the desired buoyancy.
  • the gas connector 16 comprises a one-way valve seating similar to those used for filling vehicle tires, which open to allow the entry of gas when depressed by a gas supply nozzle and close automatically when the gas supply nozzle is withdrawn, thereby preventing escape of gas.
  • the dial is calibrated based on the established physical principle that an object including a hollow support filled with a gas that is less dense than air, such as helium, can float in air owing to the weight of the helium gas being less than that of the air that is displaced by the object.
  • a gas that is less dense than air such as helium
  • This requirement can be realized in practice providing that the pressure of the gas in the hollow support is properly adjusted and that the volatility of gas is negligible.
  • M HE ⁇ air ⁇ V total - M Object
  • the air density ⁇ air is inversely proportional to absolute temperature in degree K, i.e.: ⁇ atr ⁇ 1 273.15 + T
  • the above explanations may be used to calibrate the adjustable pressure valve 21 so that the pressure is automatically set for a desired mass of object.
  • a temperature sensor may be used to measure the ambient temperature and a compensation unit may be used to adjust the pressure of the helium (or other) gas so that the mass of gas inside the hollow support structure will be exactly correct.
  • a compensation unit may be used to adjust the pressure of the helium (or other) gas so that the mass of gas inside the hollow support structure will be exactly correct.
  • an object of predetermined mass may be anchored to the support structure (or may be integral therewith) and the adjustable pressure valve 21 may be set to a pre-calibrated setting corresponding to the object's mass so as to ensure that the gas pressure is exactly correct to achieve buoyancy.
  • the adjustable pressure valve 21 may be set using trial and error so that the gas pressure is exactly correct to achieve buoyancy for an object anchored to the support structure or integral therewith.
  • the user may be informed of a suitable gas pressure to supply to the buoyant support structure, based on the buoyant gas being used, expected ambient conditions, and the mass of the object to be supported.
  • a suitable gas pressure to supply to the buoyant support structure, based on the buoyant gas being used, expected ambient conditions, and the mass of the object to be supported.
  • the support structure is fixedly attached to the object and ambient conditions, such as temperature, pressure and humidity are substantially constant, as is often the case in shopping centers and other enclosed areas, adjustment of the gas pressure may not be necessary.
  • the gas connector 16 is fluidly coupled to a tube 22 whose upper end enters an aperture in the buoyant platform 10 so as to fluidly couple the gas fill mechanism to the buoyant platform 10.
  • a removable sealing cap 23 is fixed to a lower end of the tube 22 and prevents gas leakage from the gas fill mechanism. It is to be noted that the figures show the gas fill mechanism in exploded form with the tube 22 protruding through a lower portion of the outer envelope 15. However, in practice the tube 22 is fully contained within the outer envelope 15, only the sealing cap 23 being accessible from a lower surface of the envelope 15 so as to allow it to be removed when it is desired to purge gas from the buoyant platform 10.
  • a release valve 24 allows for the release of gas from the buoyant platform 10 via the open end of the tube 22 after removal of the sealing cap 23.
  • the gas connector 16 extends through the outer envelope 15, so that on connecting the object 11 to the buoyant platform 10, the latter may be filled with gas, such as helium, at a controlled pressure so as to float and thereby suspend mid-air an attached object.
  • the upper sealing cap 20 also serves to seal the gas fill mechanism from the battery housing 17 and electronics associated with the lamp as well as the lamp housing and the lamp itself, thus avoiding danger of sparks contacting gas.
  • Figs. 6a and 6b show different perspective views of a dedicated gas canister 25 that is adapted for filling the buoyant platform 10 with helium gas.
  • the gas canister 25 comprises a hollow housing 26 having substantially planar parallel upper and lower surfaces 27 and 28, respectively.
  • An arcuate slot 29 is formed in the housing between the upper and lower surfaces 27 and 28 and serves as a handle for gripping the gas canister 25 during use.
  • a substantially semi-circular opening 30 is formed in an internal side-wall 31 of the housing and a sealed gas outlet 32 is formed at its mid-point for coupling to the gas connector 16 of the gas fill mechanism described above with reference to Figs. 4 and 5a .
  • a sealed gas inlet 33 is formed at a mid-point of an external side-wall 34 of the housing for coupling a gas supply thereto so as to fill the gas canister 25 prior to use.
  • Figs. 7a and 7b show different perspective views of the gas canister 25 when connected to the gas connector 16 during use.
  • the gas outlet 32 has a protruding pin, which when inserted into the gas outlet 32 opens a one-way valve thereby allowing gas in the canister to flow at high pressure into the gas mechanism via the gas connector 16 and the pressure valve 21.
  • the pressure valve 21 reduces the gas pressure to a preset calibrated pressure, which is adjustable so as to fill the buoyant platform 10 with gas at a desired pressure, as explained above. Once sufficient gas has been injected, the gas canister 25 is removed whereupon the one-way valve closes automatically.
  • the gas canister 25 serves as a portable supply of gas and obviates the need to transport heavy gas cylinders.
  • Figs. 8a and 8b show different perspective views of the buoyant platform and object in situ.
  • opposite sides of the outer envelope 15 are seen in the two figures showing the gas inlet and release valves.
  • Fig. 9 is a pictorial representation showing use of the buoyant platform 10 to support objects 11a, 11b, 11e and 11d in space. It will be noted that the objects 11a, 11b, 11c and 11d float at different heights depending on their respective weights and the gas pressure in their respective floating platforms.
  • the gas canister 25 described with reference to Figs. 6 and 7 is clearly subject to changes that will be well within the competence of one of average skill in the art. As noted above, it serves as a portable supply of gas but is not an essential component since the support structure can be filled with gas via any other suitable source of gas.
  • Figs. 10a, 10b and 10c are pictorial representations showing a gas canister 40 according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • the gas canister 40 has a replaceable gas cartridge 41, which is connected to a body portion 42 containing a gas fill mechanism having a trigger 43 that is depressed in order to release gas having lower specific gravity than air, such as helium.
  • a spent cartridge 41 may be removed from the body portion 42 and replaced with a full cartridge.
  • a head portion 44 is equipped with a gas outlet 45 for engaging the gas connector 16 of the object 11 described above with reference to Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings.
  • Gas pressure may be regulated by means of a pressure valve 46, so that when the gas outlet 45 is inserted into the gas connector 16 of the object 11, it opens a self-sealing valve and injects gas at a preset pressure into the floating platform 10.
  • the gas canister 40 is particularly useful as a standalone unit that may be used with any configuration of floating object so long as there is provided a suitable gas connector 16 for engaging the gas outlet 44.
  • Fig. 11a is a pictorial representation showing a device having an exemplary form of a clock 50 that is integral with a support structure 51 having a hollow wall section 52 shown in cut-away section in Fig. 11b .
  • Gas may be injected using the gas canister 40 shown in Fig. 10 , for example, into the hollow wall section 52 via a gas connector 53 at a pressure controlled by the pressure valve 46 of the gas canister and may be released from the hollow wall section 52 by a release valve 54.
  • gas may be prestored within a sealed unit inside the hollow wall section 52 having a seal (not shown) that is accessible from an outer so as to release gas into the hollow wall section 52 by breaking the seal.
  • Such a device thus constitutes a hollow support structure that is integral with an object and has an integral gas supply adapted to release gas at a preset pressure, depending on the quantity of gas in the sealed unit.
  • Fig. 12a is a pictorial representation and Fig. 12b is a pictorial exploded half-sectional view showing a disposable device 60 according to an alternative embodiment that floats when a sealed gas unit is ruptured.
  • the device 60 is similar in construction to the device 10 described above with reference to Figs. 1 , 4 and 8 and is provided with a buoyant balloon-shaped platform 61 to which an object 62 is attached.
  • the object 62 includes a sealed unit (not shown) containing a quantity of gas, which is released by breaking a gas seal 63 accessible from am outer surface of the object 62. As shown clearly in Fig.
  • the object 62 is sealed at its lower end and includes a battery housing 17 shown in spatial relationship to an axial bore 18 within an outer envelope 64 of the object 62. Also shown more clearly is the gas connector 16 of the gas fill mechanism and the tube 22, which engages an aperture 35 is the buoyant platform 10.
  • the gas fill mechanism is shown integral with the lamp housing.
  • the valve seating 12 in the buoyant platform 10 serves as an anchoring point for attaching the object to the buoyant platform via the valve seating 13 and adapter 14 in the object.
  • the object could also be coupled directly to the buoyant platform 10 or to other suitable gas-filled or gas-fillable support structures, either as an integral unit or via a suitable gas-sealed coupling.
  • a book or other equivalent attachment may be provided on the buoyant platform 10 or to other suitable support structures serving as an anchoring point for supporting an object, such as a lamp, directly thus resulting in a simpler construction of the lamp and associated mixture.
  • the construction according to the invention allows for a modular approach where the different components are sold either separately or as a kit.
  • a support structure such as the buoyant platform 10 may be sold as a separate item constructed to support a variety of objects that are also available separately.
  • the invention contemplates effecting suitable modification to existing objects so as to allow them to be attached to the buoyant platform 10 or other floating support structure.
  • gas canister 40 shown in Figs. 11a, 11b and 11c requires only that gas connector be provided in the support structure that is complementary to the gas outlet 44 of the gas canister 40. Apart from this requirement, no special construction of the support structure is necessary. Thus, use of such a gas canister obviates the need for a gas fill mechanism in either the support structure or the object and is particularly useful where a modular construction is required.
  • helium gas is used to provide buoyancy to the support structure, since it is lighter than air and also inert and safe.
  • helium gas is used to provide buoyancy to the support structure, since it is lighter than air and also inert and safe.
  • the principles of the invention are applicable with other suitable gases that are lighter than air.
  • Such objects can include hovering three dimensional toys and gadgets for children, interior design products, casings or displays for luxury consumer goods or for collectors' items or art pieces.
  • Products for the advertising industry, such as billboards, flags, screens and the like, as well as emergency signaling products for rescue can likewise be supported using the principles of the invention.
  • the invention may also find application for supporting products such as cameras for surveillance and security, especially in very large spaces or in areas where access is limited and there is no infrastructure.
  • Yet another application of the invention is for outside support of objects such as camping and emergency lighting or other temporary outdoor deployment, for instance for construction or maintenance work (e.g. car breakdown repair in a non-lit area).
  • a remote controlled propeller may be added to the object or to the support structure so as to allow controlled movement in space of the supported object.

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  • Toys (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
  • Tents Or Canopies (AREA)
  • Photovoltaic Devices (AREA)
  • Foundations (AREA)
EP06796104.5A 2005-09-29 2006-09-20 Method and device for free-standing support of objects in space Not-in-force EP1933964B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB0519849.4A GB0519849D0 (en) 2005-09-29 2005-09-29 Method and device for free-standing support of objects in space
PCT/IL2006/001097 WO2007036930A2 (en) 2005-09-29 2006-09-20 Method and device for support of an object freely in space

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1933964A2 EP1933964A2 (en) 2008-06-25
EP1933964B1 true EP1933964B1 (en) 2015-07-15

Family

ID=35394979

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP06796104.5A Not-in-force EP1933964B1 (en) 2005-09-29 2006-09-20 Method and device for free-standing support of objects in space

Country Status (11)

Country Link
US (1) US20080268742A1 (zh)
EP (1) EP1933964B1 (zh)
JP (1) JP2009509803A (zh)
KR (1) KR101422192B1 (zh)
CN (1) CN101316639B (zh)
AU (1) AU2006296223A1 (zh)
BR (1) BRPI0617573A2 (zh)
CA (1) CA2624082C (zh)
GB (1) GB0519849D0 (zh)
RU (1) RU2421374C2 (zh)
WO (1) WO2007036930A2 (zh)

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CN110291299B (zh) * 2016-11-16 2021-07-27 捷普有限公司 用于部件或器件的空气支承平台的设备、系统和方法
US10518187B2 (en) 2017-07-31 2019-12-31 Brian Zima Lighter than air hovering drone
WO2020256330A1 (ko) 2019-06-20 2020-12-24 왕성호 부양 높이 조절이 가능한 공중부양물
US11504641B2 (en) 2019-10-17 2022-11-22 Brian Zima Lighter-than-air drone
US11840358B2 (en) 2019-10-17 2023-12-12 Brian Zima Lighter-than-air hovering drone
TWI749725B (zh) * 2020-08-21 2021-12-11 林忠信 煙囪清掃裝置

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KR20080087079A (ko) 2008-09-30
CA2624082A1 (en) 2007-04-05
CA2624082C (en) 2014-10-07
CN101316639A (zh) 2008-12-03
AU2006296223A1 (en) 2007-04-05
BRPI0617573A2 (pt) 2011-07-26
CN101316639B (zh) 2015-03-11
US20080268742A1 (en) 2008-10-30
GB0519849D0 (en) 2005-11-09
WO2007036930A3 (en) 2007-06-07
EP1933964A2 (en) 2008-06-25
JP2009509803A (ja) 2009-03-12
RU2008111894A (ru) 2009-10-10
WO2007036930A2 (en) 2007-04-05
KR101422192B1 (ko) 2014-07-30
RU2421374C2 (ru) 2011-06-20

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