MECHANICAL ASSEMBLY FOR LIFTING A BALLOON

摘要

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.

主权项

1. A method for lifting a balloon envelope, the method comprising:
arranging a lift assembly over a cap portion attached to a balloon envelope of a balloon, the lift assembly including a plate structure having an opening passing through the plate structure and an actuating member attached to the plate structure through the opening, the actuating member having a body portion projecting from the opening, a projection attached to a tube portion and an attachment portion in communication with the projection, the attachment portion being configured for attachment to a portion of the balloon envelope; forcing air into the tube portion in order to actuate the actuating member and cause the projection to project away from the tube portion; using the projected projection to grab and hold a stud attached to the top plate; and when the projection is holding the stud, lifting the lift assembly to lift the balloon envelope.