GB2492806A

GB2492806A - Inflatable balloon canopy or barrier

Info

Publication number: GB2492806A
Application number: GB1111998.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Najum Waheed Chaudhry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-07-13
Filing date: 2011-07-13
Publication date: 2013-01-16
Anticipated expiration: 2031-07-13
Also published as: GB201111998D0; WO2013007974A2; WO2013007974A3; WO2013007974A4; GB2492806B

Abstract

A large structure can be created form a plurality of interconnected modular inflatable balloons 3. The structure can comprise a vertically or horizontally extending canopy that can be erected over or adjacent an area requiring protection or shielding from weather or other local conditions. The balloons 3 are connected together by rings 6 and tethered to a transporting vehicle 1 by means of cords 7 connected to winding spools 12. The balloons are constructed with inner skins made of rubber and outer skins made of nylon fabric. A first balloon is inflated by connecting one end of a hose 16 to a valve in the balloon and the other end to a valve 24 coupled to an inflation system 5 that is controlled by actuator means 11. Once the first balloon is inflated and lifting upwards the next balloon is attached by means of rings 6 and a small tube 10 is connected between valves 19 and 14 in the two balloons. A power connection 17 is made between the balloons. Hose 16 is then connected to the inflation valve 4 of the second balloon. This process is repeated with more balloons until an inflated structure is created of the desired size. A release valve is incorporated into each balloon but once the structure is inflated to the desired size only the inflation valve and release valve on the last balloon will be required to inflate /deflate the whole structure. The structure may be strengthened by embedded members 15. The structure may support other equipment such as wind power fans 9, T.V. cameras, advertising slogans, solar panels and solar strips 13, T.V. screens and any similar devices.

Description

BALLOON CANOPY.

The invention relates to large balloon canopy.

There are many situations when a large canopy is required to shield and protect the general public from natural disasters, and natural every day elements, such as for example SUN, RAIN, SNOW, INSECT INFESTATION, WILDE LIFE ANIMALS CONTROL, etc, etc. The invention seeks to provide a large balloon canopy up and over any area, small or large in a very quick time, such as a disaster zone, any sports event, Rock Concerts, any large public gathering, Cricket ground, Football stadium.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a stretchable inflatable balloon, an inflation device, or inflation system for inflating the balloon, a connector members having first end and second ends, said first end being attached to the rings on the balloon embedded within the structure to of the balloon and said second end being attached firmly on the ground, anchored any where suitable safe and secure, or tied to the rings on the transport vehicle. The connector members having a hook and click like member attached on upper end of the connector member for attaching it to the balloon and on the lower end of the connector members or a cord, rope, carbon fibre string, metal cable, metal chain or anylhng similar can be used.

Advantageously the connector members can be wound onto a spring loaded spool and when the balloon is deployed the connector members unwind automatically. The connector members is elongate and flexible and compromise, for example a rope of high strength and load bearing material.

Advantageously the stretchable balloon can have a layered structure. The balloon can include an inner skin and outer skin. The inner skin can be made from material that is substantially impervious to an inflation gas, such as rubber, or rubber compound. The outer skin can be made from plastic material or fabric, and preferably a synthetic fabric such as nylon, polyester, or a combination of synthetic materials. The balloon can be a single layered structure.

The balloon can include metal, plastic, or nylon rings all around and distributed across the balloon, said annular members as first linkage, and second linkage can compromise a hook-like-member, carabineer, or a similar -mechanical connector with strength members attached where ever required on the balloon and the ground.

Advantageously the rings can be used to tie one balloon to the next in line balloon for extending balloon vertically or horizontally to the height and width , required to cover a particular area. The rings can be tied together by o1_ conventional rope, plastic ties, a belt up system, clicked together, or any similar connector member. ()

Advantageously the balloons are joined together by tying the rings together which can form a large barrier all the way around a certain area to be protected from any thing unwanted such as for example insect infestation, animal and rodents infestation, sand storm, even certain amount of flood water, snow storm, and a number of balloon tied together can make a large canopy to shield from sun rays, rain, and bad weather. In disaster areas a large shelter can be erected in a very short time. In hot climate countries a stretchable small balloon or a balloon in the garden can shield a small area or the whole house or a building from sun-rays.

Advantageously the balloon can be fully automatic with light sensors adjusting automatically with the sun rise up to sun set thereby keeping a certain area under shade at all times of the day. Typically deploying of a balloon is done manually but can be done by remote control, electronically, hydraulically, and automatically or any other similar way. to

Advantageously the balloon can include flexible strength members, such as carbon fibres. The flexible strength members can be woven into the outer skin or are adhered thereto. Additionally, or alternatively, the strength members can be embedded within the skin and / or adhered thereto.

Typically the balloon is substantially square,rectangle, spherical shape but can be any shape or size and the flexible strength members are arranged to form lines of latitude and / or longitude about and I or within the balloon J5 structure and along the folding lines in its closed position in a jack or scissor pattern when fiat on the ground or rolled up or folded up. Some of the flexible strength members can extend beyond outer surface of the balloon.

The stretchable balloon is rolled out on the ground at the desired location in its closed position and simply laid out on the ground from the transport vehicle. Open the gas valve on the hose connected between the balloon and the inflation system and gas will start to flow into the balloon and a stop valve preventing the gas escaping from the balloon thereby inflating the balloon which will start to rise upwards stretching further and further from its flat and 2o closed position. The cords, strength members, and all the equipment is attached and connected to the balloon as it is filled with gas stretching up and up and when fully inflated the next one is tied on and little gas tube connections are inserted to make a gas connection between the first balloon and the second balloon and the rings are tied together securing the two balloons together thereby the first balloon is all ready. Unplug the gas hose from the stop valve on the first balloon and couple it up with the valve on the second balloon which is still in a flat and closed position.

Repeat the process again and again to the number of balloons required for a certain task. Each balloon does have a insertion valve and a release valve but all the balloon are tied together and gas tubes connected therefore only one single point for further gas insertion and a single point for releasing gas from all the balloons which is the last balloon inflated on the ground or closet to the ground.

* (a') Embodiments of the invention will now be describe the way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure la -c is a schematic view of the embodiment in close and deployed state; Figure 2a -e is a schematic view of the embodiment in deployed, state on.the ground and suspended in the air; 5.

Fig,ure 1 Shows the balloon canopy, apparatus in accordance with the invention. The apparatus includes transport vehicle 1, a stretchable balloon 3, a flexible nylon or plastic hose 16, with female valves 2, and' 4, on both ends of Tha tube inflatioa system( 5,, pressure vessels 2O,. joining rings 6.,. cord, 7,.

spools winding.in and winding.out 12, actuator system 11, small flexible gas insertion balloon extension tube 10, with mate twist in valves coupled with fernate valves t4 and t&, power connecting points V?, sheath means housing' all cables 18, gas release valve 22, conventional rope, plastic.ties or click together members 23, embedded strength members 15, and optiOnal lights L E D,S 8, wind power fan 9, solar strips and solar panels 13, hook and cUbit members or similar'connecting members 2t,2la,21b,gas controt valve 24..

The stretchable balloon 3 comprises inner rubber and an outer skin made from nylon fabric. The outer skin is reinforced with flexible strength niernbers1'5, such' as carbon' fibres. The strength mern bers15' can bewoven into the nylon fabric and I or can be attached thereto. The strength membersl 5 can extend beyond the lower extremity of the balloon and extend all the way down twIsted into a conventional' rope to giVe extra strength and' I 5 stability when the balloon is in the air openi to a11 natucak elements: The rings 6 all over the balloon and embedded in the balloon are for tying the extra balloons together to fOrm a large vertical or horizontal canopy. The rings can, be. used. tulle extra strength members. 15for.connecting, at v&ious,points, on the balloon and for attaching any extra equipment required such as camera, advertising slogans, satellite dish, etc, etc, any similar attachments.

At least one CCW, TRANSMITTER; GPS RADAR; LAtSER; TV SCREEN ADVERTISING SCREEN, REMOTE CONTROL SENSOR. LIGHT SENSOEt.

The -balToon 3 includes wind breaking tunnels whith can be used to -insert the wind power fans 9; into power' points already installed connected to the power circuit.

The stretchable balloon 31s rolled off'the transport vehicle I at the desired locationand laidon theground. Thehose 16isconneetedto-valve-4 inthe balloon and connected to valve 2 which is coupled with actuator means. 11.

and valve 24 connected to inflation system 5 and pressure c?linders 20.when valve 2and 24 are coupled together by the actuator means or manuatmeans the gas will start to fiowcontrolled by the actuator valve into the interiorof The balloon. The sheath means 18 housing all cables is connected to power point 17 and the cords 7 are connected to therings-Oandto the spools 12-on The * . (4) transport vehicle 1. The balloon will start to stretch upwards until almost fully inflated and to tie next balloon onto the first balloon same process is repeated except the hose 16 is taken out of the first balloon and inserted into the second balloon after the small tube 10 is connected to valves 19, and 14, and power connectionl7 are made, and the rings 6 are attached together and sheath means 18 is taken out from the first balloon and plugged into the second balloon. Hence adding on further balloons.

The balloon canopy apparatus does have a release valve 22 on each balloon but only one insertion valve 4 and one release valve 22 on the last balloon will be required to inflate and deflate the whole apparatus since all balloons are interconnected with each other. The gas source and electrical circuit, and if the balloon is suspended in the air then the sheath meansiB, nylon tubing 16 will still be attached to the last balloon joined all the way down to the transport vehicle 1 and the inflation system 5, so that the gas pressure can be maintained at all times to keep the apparatus airborne.

The balloon 3 includes at least one portion of high visibility material arranged in a pattern, or as indicia, for example in the form of a cross, emblem, word, letter, design, or similar.

Optionally the apparatus can include an electrical power source such as at least one solar panel and / or a battery. The can include at least one light element and preferably a plurality of light elements distributed across the J5 balloon, for example an arrangement of LEDs can be attached to the outer skin Typically the balloon is sun reflecting white material, but can be any suitable material and / or coating such as energy producing solar material or water absorbing material for hot climate countries or moisture absorbing material.

The balloon can be any shape or size which can easily be folded or rolled into a small package and carried easily. Io

The balloon canopy apparatus is manually operated but can be fully automatic.

The balloon canopy can have thin glass mirrors for reflecting sunlight to a particular spot on the land.

The balloon canopy can have thin solar panels all over producing solar power or wind power fans all over producing wind power.

The balloon canopy vertically up in the air with water absorbing and filtering material can provide a certain amount of water.

The balloon canopy can be erected very quickly to form it into any shape in.

emergency and disaster situations such as a complete enclosed shelter.

Claims

<claim-text>* * (5)CLAIMS1. Balloon canopy apparatus, including a stretchable inflatable balloon, an inflation device for inflating the balloon, nylon hose with inlet and cutlet valves, fibre optic and electrical cables, connector members, having first end and second end, said first end being attached to the rings on the balloon and said second end being attached to safe and secure point on the ground such as a transport vehicle or any where safe and sound.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a stretchable balloon is stretched out, rolled out, or laid out on the ground in its closed and flat position.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. Apparatus according to claim land 2, wherein the inflation hose is connected to the balloon.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the inlet valve on the hose connecting the pressure vessels and the balloon is opened manually and the gas begins to flow into the interior of the balloon laid out on the ground.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein with the insertion of the gas the stretchable balloon will start to stretch upwards.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. Apparatus according to claim 5, as the inflation is progress, the connector members, and all the other gadgets and equipment such as for example wind power fans, solar strips, solar panel, advertisement panel, are attached and connected to the balloon or the rings as it is stretching upwards.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector member is elongate and flexible.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein connector member is wound onto a spool.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the balloOn includes a layered structure.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the balloon includes an inner skin and an outer skin.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the inner skin is made from material that is substantially impervious to an inflation gas.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. Apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the outer skin is made from plastics material or a fabric, and preferably a synthetic fabric such as nylon, polyester, or a combination of synthetic materials.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the balloon includes flexible strength members. * (c)</claim-text> <claim-text>14 -Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the balloon includes flexible strength members horizontally, and vertically along the stretchable lines on the balloon.</claim-text> <claim-text>15. Apparatus according to claim 13 and 14, wherein the balloon is substantially rectangle shape, square shape, spherical shape, or can be any shape and size.</claim-text> <claim-text>16. Apparatus according to claims 13, 14, and 15, wherein the balloon can any shape at all and the flexible strength members are arranged to form lines of latitude and / or longitude.</claim-text> <claim-text>17. Apparatus according to claims 13, 14, 15, and 16, wherein at least some of the strength members extend beyond the outer surface of the balloon twisted into a rope all the way down to the ground level.</claim-text> <claim-text>18. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein extra strength members can be attached to the rings on the balloon to give extra strength and stability to the balloon when it is in the air open to all natural elements.</claim-text> <claim-text>19. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the balloon includes an opening and the apparatus includes at least one first valve for enabling gas to flow into the interior of the balloon and preventing the gas escaping from the balloon.</claim-text> <claim-text>20. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, including at least one second valve that is operable to release gas from the interior of the balloon.</claim-text> <claim-text>21. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inflation device includes at least one gas source, at least one third valve for controlling the flow of gas out of the gas source, and actuator means for actuating the flow of gas from the gas source to the balloon.</claim-text> <claim-text>22. Apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the actuator means is arranged to automatically inflate the balloon in response to operation of the actuator means.</claim-text> <claim-text>23. Apparatus according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the actuator means includes drive means for operable connecting the balloon and the gas source.</claim-text> <claim-text>24. Apparatus according to claim 21, 22, and 23, wherein the drive means include a electric motor and mechanism for connecting the gas source to the balloon.</claim-text> <claim-text>25. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gas source includes at least one pressure vessel having at least one of third valves operable connected thereto, and wherein the drive means is arranged to move the or each pressure vessel from a storage position to an operating position wherein the or each third valve is operable engaged with the first valve.</claim-text> <claim-text>26. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, including at least one power source; such as at least one solar panel and I or at least one ceil.</claim-text> <claim-text>27. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, including at least one light element.</claim-text> <claim-text>28. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the balloon includes at least one satellite dish, at least one CCIV, at least one IV camera, at least one transmitter, at least one G.P.S.</claim-text> <claim-text>29. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, including at least one remote control system, at least one sensor, at least one laser system. At least one light sensor.</claim-text> <claim-text>30. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, including at least one wind power source fan, at least one solar panel, at least one solar strip, producing extra energy.</claim-text> <claim-text>31. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the surface of the balloon is typically sun reflecting white material, for different climates and different countries the balloon can have a appropriate material and coating such as water absorbing material in hot climate, or solar material coating producing energy and similar.</claim-text> <claim-text>32. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the balloon can have at least one glass mirror to reflect sunlight to a certain point on the ground.</claim-text> <claim-text>33. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the balloon can include at least one screen monitor, at least one advertising board, at least one moving picture screen, and at least one illuminated message conveying screen.</claim-text> <claim-text>34. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the balloon includes at least a portion of high visibility material, such as at least one portion of retro reflective material.</claim-text> <claim-text>35. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the balloon can be deployed manually or automatically.</claim-text> <claim-text>36 -Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the balloon is sized and inflation device is rated to inflate the balloon.</claim-text> <claim-text>37. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein outside inflation system from the transport facility or from the storage facility will have to be used for inflating a number of balloons and then the pressure vessels. * (3)</claim-text> <claim-text>38 -Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector member includes at least one of an electrical connector and a fibre optic cable for connecting all devices located in or on the balloon to a power source located remotely from the balloon.</claim-text> <claim-text>39. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, including an inflation hose that is arranged to provide a conduit to supply gas from the inflation device to the interior of the balloon.</claim-text> <claim-text>40.. Apparatus according to claim 39, including a valve for controlling the flow of gas from the inflation device to the interior of the balloon.</claim-text> <claim-text>41. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical connector and / or fibre optic cable is located within sheath means.</claim-text> <claim-text>42. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a balloon can be rolled out on the ground and as the gas is inserted into the balloon through the hose connected between the balloon and the inflation system, the stretchable balloon will start to stretch upwards.</claim-text> <claim-text>43. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein plastic, metal, or carbon fibre rings are attached or embedded within the balloon.</claim-text> <claim-text>44. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a fully automatic balloonwill adjust itself according to sun rise keeping a certain area under shade at all times of the day such as a football ground or any event.Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the -balloon can be on the ground secured to the ground or suspended in the air.</claim-text> <claim-text>45. Apparatus according to claim 45, the balloons can be joined vertically thereby forming a barrier or horizontally thereby forming a canopy by joining one balloon to next balloon and next one and by pulling down on cords, any * area with any shape can easily be covered from one side to other side forming a complete enclbsure if required.47. Apparatus according to all preceding claims, the apparatus can be useful in many situations such as covering oneself from the sun at all times in the dessert even while you are walking, a little canopy overhead in the air with fully automatic adjusting system in conjunction with the sun will keep you protected and under shade at all times.48. Apparatus according to all preceding claims, any thing can be protected from the sun or any other natural elements.Amendments to the Claims have been filed as followsCLAIMS1. Shieiding structure wherein each stretchable inflatable balloon is provided with rings to enable interconnection with other balloons and include further connection for the other services that are referred to as a cctv, a solar strip, a solar panel, a wind power fans, a light element, extra strength members, a advertisement banner, a well come message, and similar.Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each balloon will have a main gas
2. inlet valve and further gas inlet I outlet valves, power point connections at the lowérendand the upper end of each balloon.Apparatus according toclaims 1, and 2, wherein gas inlet/outlet valves, power points will enable interconnections with other balloons by small interconnecting gas tubes and power cables.Apparatus according to claims 1, 2, and 3, wherein a shielding structure can be extended vertically or horizontally to any width, height, and length.Apparatus according to claims 1, 2, 3, and 4, whereby extra strength 5-members are attached to the embedded rings in the balloon and to the winding / unwinding spools On the transport vehicle on the ground.* Apparatus according to any oS of the preceding claims, wherein 6-everything is mounted on the transport vehicle individually on each spool.* Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, whereby the apparatus can be transported to a desired location or each part of the apparatus carried to the location individually and connected at the site * S Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the * ,* balloon is a single skin or a layered structure and includes an inner skin i* and an outer skin and the skin is made from material that is substantially impervious to an inflation gas.* : -:.--Apparatus aboording to claim 8, wherein the outer skin is made from ". : q. plastic material, synthetic fabric, nylon, polyester, or combination of * materials, and inner skin of rubber and rubber compounds.C10. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the balloon includes an opening and the apparatus includes at least one first valve for enabling gas to flow into the interior of the balloon and preventing the gas escaping from the balloon and a second valve that is operable to release the gas from the interior of the balloon.11. Apparatusaccording to claim 10, wherein the inflation device'includes at least one gas source, at least one third valve for controlling the flow of gas out of the gas source, and actuator means for actuating the flow of gas from the gas source to the balloon.12. Apparatus according to claim 10 and 11, wherein the actuator means is arranged to automatically inflate the balloon wherein the drive means include a electric motor and mechanism for operable connecting the gas source to * the balloon.* 13. Apparatus according to clainilO, 11, and 12, wherein the gas source includes at least one pressure vessel having at least one of third valves operable connected thereto, and wherein the drive means is arranged to move the or each pressure vessel from a ètorage position to an operating position wherein the or each third valve is operable engaged with the first valve to provide conduit to supply gas from the inflation device to the, interior ofihebafloon.14. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein PS connector member includes at least one of an electrical connector and a fibre optic cable for connecting all dvices located in or on the balloon to a power * *, source located remotely from the balloon on a transport vehicle wounded on the spools or to the storage batteries, and all cables protected within sheath, 15. Apparatus according to any. one of the claims, wherein the balloon * includes at (east retro reflective high visibility material, at least one light.element, at least one solar strip, at leastone thin solar panel, at least one cell or storage battery, at least one' power source, at least One satellite antenna or dish, at least one CC1V, at.least one camera, at least one GPS, at least one screen, at least one ilidminating Bill Board or advertising Banner.* £ 16. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the balloon will have at least one remote control system, at least one laser system, at least one sensor at *:c* least one light sensor automatically adjusting the balloon structure towards * the sun rays thereby keeping certain area under shade at all times or glass, mirrors reflecting sunlight to a certain point on the ground. . *: C' . -17. Apparatus according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the balloon, includes * wind power fana inserted into the wind tunnels already installed in the balloon * with power points and solar panel and solar strips for prqducing extra energy,-S</claim-text>