System and apparatus for propelling and carrying a user within a confined interior

Abstract

The present invention comprises an inflatable balloon of sufficient volume and buoyancy to allow a human pilot to float above the ground and to glide over the ground within an enclosed area. The balloon incorporates several safety features that permit it to be used for recreation, including a prop-bike to enable the user to propel the balloon. Various structures, including a portable structure and a retaining structure in a stadium are described for use with the inflatable balloon.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 as a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 430,676, filed on May 7, 2003, which claims priority to Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 377,976, filed on May 7, 2002, and Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 448,141, filed on Feb. 20, 2003, the disclosures of which all are expressly incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] This invention relates generally to using balloons filled with helium gas, and more specifically, this invention relates to using helium balloons designed to carry and propel a single person aloft within a confined interior. [0004] 2. Related Art [0005] People have used gas-filled balloons for transportation since the Montgolfier brothers, Joseph Michel and Jacques Etienne, invented the first hot air balloon in 1783. There have been hot air balloons designed to ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention provides a system and process for a user to float and glide for entertainment in various venues. The advantages of the invention include fitting existing structures to allow use of a balloon and providing temporary structures to allow use of a balloon. The system includes a portable structure enclosing a predetermined space and a device for allowing a user to move in three dimensions within the enclosed space. The device includes an inflatable balloon, plurality of lines secured to one another at one end, and operatively connected to the balloon, a parachute harness, and a fastener for securing the parachute harness to a free end of at least one of the plurality of lines. The portable structure may include a retaining structure for retaining the balloon and at least one support for supporting the retaining structure. The retaining structure may include a netting and / or an anchor for securing the support balloon. The permanent structure may include a stadium with at least one seating section and a protective barrier to prevent the balloon from moving through the roof opening. The technical effects of the invention include providing a safer and more stable platform for user entertainment in various settings."

Problems solved by technology

The open flame needed for heating the air makes such a device relatively dangerous to use, however.

Additionally, the burning gas pollutes the atmosphere, and the burner is quite noisy when in use.

Moreover, the equipment associated with a single-person hot air balloon is prohibitively expensive to acquire and requires a truck to transport.

And the diameter of a balloon needed to carry a single person is nearly 40 feet, making the balloon difficult to maneuver, especially in more crowded airspace.

All of these disadvantages make such a device relatively undesirable and wholly impractical for widespread use by the public.

Even with these comparative advantages, however, helium balloons designed to carry a single person have seen only limited and obscure use in the past.

Perhaps because of the potential danger associated with a balloon puncture or a loss of grip, this sport never gained much popularity.

What the movie does not show is the fact that an accident occurred during the filming.

As a result, the balloon tore as it hit the wall of the rock quarry where the girl in the film was to be rescued, and the stuntman piloting the balloon suffered a broken back.

The production company destroyed the unsafe, poorly constructed balloon after the filming had concluded.

The use of such a device only increases the risk associated with the activity.

Moreover, use of helium balloons is typically subject to the conditions of the weather.

High winds, rain and other conditions may prevent the use of a helium balloon, or may curtail the enjoyment of the experience for the riders.

Further, the dependence upon wind for the movement of the helium balloon may limit its use, as appropriate landing areas may not be available due to the direction of the wind.

Further, structures to allow use of balloons may be expensive.

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