Mechanical assembly for lifting a balloon
US9650123B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 30, 2016 |
| Grant date | May 16, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 30, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB66C1/42
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A lift assembly for use during inflation of a balloon envelope is provided. The lift assembly includes a plate structure that has a set of cavities. Each cavity includes one or more openings passing through the plate. One or more pistons are coupled to the plate through at least one of the openings of each cavity in the set of cavities. Each piston has a hollow tube portion projecting lengthwise from the at least one opening, a flange attached to the hollow tube portion and a grabber portion in communication with the flange. The grabber portion includes a plurality of bearings for grabbing a stud attached to an apex of the balloon envelope. A handle portion is coupled to the plate. The handle is arranged to lift the balloon envelope when the bearings have grabbed a given stud.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.