Modular Balloon Arch Structure Without Helium Instability

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing balloon arch and column structures face challenges in stability and cost due to the natural flexibility of support structures and the expense of helium-filled balloons, making it difficult to create lasting and attractive decorative assemblies using atmospheric air-filled balloons with conventional assembly techniques.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising base plates, interchangeable poles, and fasteners allows for the creation of stable balloon and fabric decorative structures without helium, enabling various geometric forms that can be easily assembled and disassembled, supported by strong base plates that can be secured to indoor and outdoor surfaces, and customized with additional elements like floral arrangements and lights.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If atmospheric air-filled balloons are used instead of helium-filled balloons, then cost is reduced, but structural stability deteriorates due to lack of buoyancy support

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Rigid poles serve as intermediary structural elements between the ground/base and the balloons. These poles provide the necessary structural support and stability that atmospheric air-filled balloons lack, while still allowing the balloons to be attached and display their decorative function without requiring helium for buoyancy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure is divided into modular components including base plates, vertical poles, and horizontal crossbars. This segmentation allows for easy assembly and disassembly while maintaining structural stability during use. Each component can be independently manufactured and assembled to create stable decorative structures with atmospheric air-filled balloons.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If flexible support structures are used for balloon arches, then ease of assembly is improved, but structural stability deteriorates causing tangles and knots

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidsupport structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into modular components including base plates, vertical poles, and horizontal crossbars. This segmentation allows for easy assembly and disassembly while maintaining structural stability during use. Each component can be independently manufactured and assembled to create stable decorative structures with atmospheric air-filled balloons.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using flexible supports that require manual manipulation to maintain form, the invention uses rigid pre-formed poles and crossbars that inherently maintain their structural shape. The rigidity is inverted from a disadvantage to an advantage, providing stability without requiring skilled manipulation to prevent tangles and knots.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If rigid support structures are used to maintain stability, then structural rigidity is improved, but portability and ease of disassembly deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidportability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into modular components including base plates, vertical poles, and horizontal crossbars. This segmentation allows for easy assembly and disassembly while maintaining structural stability during use. Each component can be independently manufactured and assembled to create stable decorative structures with atmospheric air-filled balloons.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure transitions from a static rigid form during assembly to a dynamically configurable structure during use. The modular components can be easily assembled and disassembled, allowing the structure to be transported and reconfigured as needed while maintaining rigidity and stability when assembled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9051755B2System for creating decorative arches and columns

Publication Date: 2015.06.09 GLASS HOUSE BALLOON CO

AI summary

A system for creating decorative arches and columns of balloons or fabric without the need of helium balloons. The system comprises a baseplate to provide a foundation, a mounting pin upon which a starter pole can be mounted, and a plurality of extension poles to attach to the starter pole to create a column or arch of a desired length. Regular balloons without the need for helium can be tied to the poles as decorations creating an arch or column of balloons.