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US 5,857,645 AGranted
Crown balloon system
OwnerFrank L. Hodgsoninventor
Life of this patent
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OwnerFrank L. Hodgsoninventor
Estimating the term…
A helium balloon transport system comprised of two separate helium balloon clusters (31) with underslung framing (2, 3, 4, 21) for use with two separate balloons (15) of comparable size, the entire system being interconnected (19) with moorings (16) to the ground (20) and having a gross lift of roughly 10,000 pounds. Power is provided by photovoltaic cells (5) augmented by rechargeable batteries (23). Travel is normally realized by throwing out grapples (26) and by winching (24) toward these fixed points (20). Free flight is reserved for emergency situations. The underslung framing (4) is rotatable to give a level configuration which when close to the ground in a jungle or forest allows for the avoidance of the damaging effects of high winds. The configuration is capable of use for travel upwind. The system may be used as a residence by more than a dozen persons over inhospitable regions to include swamps, jungles and dense forests for extended periods of time, for disaster relief or to establish a military presence.
A load transportation device comprising:
A configuration comprised of two or more separate habitable systems interconnected by tethering means, each system of which is comprised of a framed structure supported by helium filled balloons and having solar power generating means, said framed structure having winching means affixed thereto and including ropes or cables to permit unimpeded independent travel of said configuration by the retraction of said ropes or cables by said winching means when said ropes or cables are placed at or thrown to new locations and secured thereat by grapples or sea anchors which are affixed to the ends of said cables or ropes distal from said winching means.
A system comprised of a framed structure supported by helium filled balloons and a replenishable helium means, said framed structure having winching means affixed thereto and including ropes or cables to permit travel of said system by the winching of said ropes or cables after said ropes or cables have successively been placed at or thrown to and secured at new locations, said winching means being powered by at least one of photovoltaic power means affixed to the exterior of said balloons and from battery means affixed to said framed structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.