# US 2013/0157540 A1 · Modular ballast for balancing neutrally buoyant amusement balloons > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0157540 A1 - Document ID: US20130157540A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/715,787 - Filed: 2012-12-14 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-17 - Inventors: David Bergmann - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130157540A1 ## CPC - A63H 27/10: Balloons (connection of valves to inflatable elastic bodies B60C29/00; {other than toy aspects B64B1/40}) - A63H 2027/1008: {Anchoring means or weights} - A63H: TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS ## Abstract Ballast modules for balancing neutrally buoyant or hovering amusement balloons formed from a sheet of transparent weight bearing material having score lines defining a plurality of individual ballast tabs with each of the tabs detachably attached to its adjacent tab by a set of tab ties and having an adhesive layer on one surface of the module for removable attachment to a balloon and a kit including instructions for attaching the ballast to a balloon. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Ballast for a hovering amusement balloon, comprising: a ballast module, said module comprising a sheet of weight bearing material having score lines defining a plurality of individual ballast tabs, each of said tabs detachably attached to its adjacent tab by tab ties and an adhesive layer on one surface of said module. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The ballast for a hovering amusement balloon as described in claim 1 wherein said sheet of weight bearing material comprises a tear resistant plastic material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The ballast for a hovering amusement balloon as described in claim 1 wherein said tab ties comprise multiple tab ties. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The ballast for a hovering amusement balloon as described in claim 1 wherein said sheet of weight bearing material comprises a sheet of transparent weight bearing material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The ballast for a hovering amusement balloon as described in claim 1 wherein each of said tab ties are cut partially through to enable said tab tie to tear easier along said score lines. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The ballast for a hovering amusement balloon as described in claim 1 including a set of instructions on where and how to attach said tabs to an associated amusement balloon. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The ballast for a hovering amusement balloon as described in claim 1 including instructions on where and how to remove said tabs on said associated amusement balloon to achieve proper balance and desired altitude. ### Claim 8 For a free-floating, hovering, untethered amusement balloon comprising a closed envelope inflatable with lighter-than-air gas, the improvement comprising: a ballast module comprising a sheet of weight bearing transparent plastic material having intersecting score lines defining a plurality of individual ballast tabs, each of said tabs severably attached to its adjacent tab by a set of tab ties whereby said tabs are removable from said module individually and in groups; an adhesive layer on one surface of said module for removably attaching said tabs to an amusement balloon; tab placement guide markings on the outer surface of an associated amusement balloon; and a set of instructions on where and how to attach said tabs to an associated amusement balloon. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The free-floating, hovering, untethered amusement balloon as described in claim 8 wherein said set of tab ties comprises a set of 2 tab ties. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The free-floating, hovering, untethered amusement balloon as described in claim 8 wherein said set of tab ties comprises a set of 3 tab ties. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The free-floating, hovering, untethered amusement balloon as described in claim 8 wherein said set of tab ties comprises a set of 4 tab ties. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The free-floating, hovering, untethered amusement balloon as described in claim 8 wherein said sheet of weight bearing transparent plastic material comprises a tear resistant plastic material. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The free-floating, hovering, untethered amusement balloon as described in claim 12 wherein each of said tab ties are cut partially through to enable said tab tie to tear easier along said score lines. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The free-floating, hovering, untethered amusement balloon as described in claim 13 including instructions on where and how to remove said tabs from said associated amusement balloon to achieve proper balance and desired altitude. ### Claim 15 A kit for a free-floating, hovering, untethered amusement balloon comprising: an amusement balloon; a ballast module comprising a sheet of weight bearing plastic material having intersecting score lines defining a plurality of individual ballast tabs, each of said tabs severably attached to its adjacent tab by a set of tab ties whereby said tabs are removable from said module individually and in groups; an adhesive layer on one surface of said module for removably attaching said tabs to said amusement balloon; tab placement guide markings on the outer surface of said amusement balloon; and a set of instructions on where and how to attach said tabs to said amusement balloon. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The kit for a free-floating, hovering, untethered amusement balloon as described in claim 15 wherein said sheet of weight bearing plastic material comprises a transparent plastic material. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The kit for a free-floating, hovering, untethered amusement balloon as described in claim 16 wherein said sheet of weight bearing transparent plastic material comprises a tear resistant plastic material and wherein each of said tab ties are cut partially through to enable said tab tie to tear easier along said score lines. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The free-floating, hovering, untethered amusement balloon as described in claim 17 including instructions on where and how to remove said tabs from said amusement balloon to achieve proper balance and desired altitude. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The free-floating, hovering, untethered amusement balloon as described in claim 18 wherein said instructions on where and how to remove said tabs from said amusement balloon to achieve proper balance and desired altitude are located on said balloon.