Improvements in or connected with Balloons.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Apr., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 28th Jan., 1895-Accepted, 2nd Mar., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Balloons.
I, STANLEY SPENCER of 14 Ringcroft Street, Holloway, in the County of
London, Aëronaut, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
Much difficulty has hitherto been experienced in controlling hot air balloons
during inflation; hence, they have not been utilized for various scientific and
other purposes which their advantages of economy, ready inflation, absence of
beavy gas generating impedimenta and other advantageous qualities seem to
warrant.
The advantages of a balloon inflated with rarefied air are very great when
compared with an ordinary gas balloon, especially in the case of an army acting
in a hostile country where it would be impossible to carry about enough gas to
inflate a balloon. Even if after a long and intricate process the gas could be
manufactured the time required for inflation would be several hours; whereas
with a hot air balloon sufficient heat could be obtained to raise it in a few minutes.
Consequently for war purposes or for exploring expeditions, the hot air balloon
must commend itself if the disadvantages hitherto experienced are removed.
Ordinary gas balloons are provided with nets on which sand bags can be hung,
thereby steadying same during inflation; but with hot air balloons which are
unprovided with nets, this method of steadying by means of sand bags cannot be
employed. Consequently a number of men are employed to hold the balloon
during the process of inflation, and should the wind be at all strong or the men
who are holding on be unaccustomed to this description of work, they are liable
to let go at the wrong time, when the loss or destruction of the balloon and
possibly also loss of life may be the result.
The object of my invention is to dispense with the employment of a large
number of men and also to provide apparatus whereby hot air balloons may be
regulated during the process of inflation, and when inflated they may be released
with the utmost facility.
According to my invention I drive a number of stakes into the ground, or I
secure other suitable fastenings in a circle around the chimney over which the
balloon is to be inflated, and to these stakes or fastenings I connect radial ropes,
the opposite ends of which are attached to the mouth of the balloon by clips or
other suitable fastenings.
A strip of webbing or other suitable strengthening material is fastened around
the equator of the balloon, and other strips of webbing, of a number equal to the
radial ropes, are fastened longitudinally to the balloon and extend downwards
from the equatorial band to the mouth of the balloon, joining the band at the
mouth at the points where the radial ropes are attached. Rings or pulleys are
attached to the equatorial band at the points where the longitudinal bands
intercept the equator, and rings or other attachments are connected to the
longitudinal bands at suitable distances down same. On each of the radial ropes
a number of loose ended cords are attached, at equal distance to the rings on their
respective longitudinal bands; and when the balloon is spread out, the said cords
are attached to their respective rings. Beyond the stakes outside the balloon two
rings or pulleys are fastened to the ground, and through the ring nearest the
balloon a number of equatorial lines pass, which lines are all fastened to a
regulating rope running through the second pulley or ring to a pair of stakes or

page_text: other fastening device. The opposite ends of the equatorial lines are passed
through suitable rings or pulleys on the stakes around the balloon, they are the
passed through the rings on the equatorial band and afterwards firmly fastened to
the stakes.
In this manner it will be seen that by pulling on the regulating rope the
equatorial lines will all be pulled equally and simultaneously.
Four or more rings or loops are fastened to the ground around the mouth of the
balloon in any suitable manner, and liberating ropes connected to the said mouth
pass through these loops and are lield firmly by a suitable catch.
Eyes may be provided at the ends of the liberating ropes, through which a strap
is threaded, which holds the said ropes firmly in position until the said strap is
loosened by the withdrawal of a pin or by other suitable means.
The centre of the balloon is raised in the ordinary way, riz, by the assistance
of two poles with a rope attachment, and the balloon is now ready for inflation.
As the hot air rushes in through the chimney, the balloon expands until it forms
an inverted hemisphere, it being held down by the equatorial lines to the stakes.
By slackening the regulating rope the balloon is allowed to rise slowly as it
becomes inflated, and the cords which fasten the rings to the radial ropes are
unfastened, set after set, thus allowing the balloon to rise gradually and steadily
as the inflation continues, until the balloon is entirely full. The clips of the radial
ropes are now released from the mouth of the balloon, and the equatorial lines
are unfastened from the stakes and withdrawn from the rings on the equatorial
hand, by pulling the regulating rope which withdraws all the equatorial lines
simultaneously.
Everything is now ready for making the ascent, and the parachute or other
attachments being connected, the 'strap is released which frees the liberating ropes,
the latter being drawn through the rings or loops on the ground when the balloon
is set free.
It will be clearly seen that by the employment of apparatus - constructed
according to my invention, the balloon is entirely under the control of the
aeronaut and his assistant during the whole process of inflation, and consequently
ascents may be made with certainty in weather and under circumstances in which
it would be impossible to ascend with hot air balloons constructed and arranged as
heretofore.
Dated this 30th day of April 1804
BREWER & SON,
London and Leeds, Agents for Applicant.
COME LEIE SI BUIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Balloons.
I, STANLEY SPENCER of 14 Ringcroft Street, Holloway, in the County of
London, Aëronaut, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
Much difficulty has hitherto been experienced in controlling hot air balloons
during inflation; hence, they have not been utilized for various scientific and other
purposes which their advantages of economy, ready inflation, absence of heavy
gas generating impedimenta, and other advantageous qualities seem to warrant.
The advantages of a balloon inflated with rarefied air are very great when
compared with an ordinary gas balloon, especially in the case of an army acting
in a hostile country where it would be inconvenient to carry about gas to inflate
a balloon. Even if after a long and intricate process the gas could be manufactured,
the time required for inflation would be several hours; whereas with a hot air

page_text: balloon, sufficient heat could be obtained to raise it in a few minutes. The large
volume of gas in an ordinary balloon is in itself deleterious, whereas rarefied air in
a hot air balloon is absolutely harmless, and the danger of an explosion by
lightning or other cause is rendered impossible. Consequently for war purposes.
or for exploring expeditions, the hot air balloon must commend itself if the
disadvantages hitherto experienced are removed.
Ordinary gas balloons are provided with nets, on which sand bags can be hung,.
thereby steadying, same during inflation; but with hot air balloons which are
unprovided with nets, this method of steadying by means of sand bags cannot be
employed. Consequently a number of men are employed to hold the balloon
during the process of inflation, and should the wind be at all strong, or the men
who are holding on be unaccustomed to this description of work, they are liable
to let go at the wrong time, when the loss or destruction of the balloon and
possibly also loss of life, may be the result.
The object of my invention is to dispense with the employment of a large
number of men,
and to provide apparatus whereby hot air balloons may be regulated
during the process of inflation, and when inflated they may be released with the
utmost facility.
According to my invention I employ an arrangement of ropes, combined with
stakes for holding pulleys or rings in fixed positions in the ground, and the said
ropes are made to pass through rings attached to the balloon in such a manner
as to enable same to be regulated during inflation with the utmost facility.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood, I will proceed to describe
same with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which similar letters refer
to like parts in all the figures.
Fig. 1 shows a plan of the arrangement of ropes and stakes employed for holding
the balloon in position during the process of inflation.
Fig. 2 shows a fully inflated balloon being held by the said ropes.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a partially inflated balloon.
Fig. 4 is a view on a smaller scale, of a balloon inflated and ready for making
the ascent.
Fig. 5 shows a plan of my let-go arrangement, and
Figures 6 and 7 show suitable arrangements for forming loops or rings in the
ground, where it is undesirable for a stake to project above the surface.
In carrying my invention into effect, I drive into the ground a number of
stakes A or attach other fastenings in a circle around the chimney B, over which
the balloon is to be inflated, and to these stakes or fastenings AI connect radial
ropes D, the opposite ends of which are connected to a rope E. The rope E is.
fastened to stakes which are driven below the ground, leaving only loops F
projecting above the surface. An equatorial band G composed of a strip of
webbing or other strengthening material, is fastened round the equator of the
balloon C, and other circular bands G¹ are attached round the balloon C at suitable
distances apart down to the mouth C. Longitudinal bands H of a number equal
to the radial ropes D are fastened to the balloon C and extend the full depth of
same. Rings or pulleys K are attached at the points where the longitudinal
bands H intercept the circular bands G and G. On each of the radial ropes D, a
number of loose ended cords L are attached; and when the balloon is spread out,.
the said cords are tied to the rings K situated on the balloon C.
Beyond the stakes A, a ring or combined pulley M is fastened firmly in the
ground, a second ring or pulley M' being fastened beyond the said ring M.
Through the ring M a number of equatorial lines N pass, which lines are fastened
together to a regulating rope N¹ passing through the ring M' to a pair of stakes or
other fastenings N. The opposite ends of the equatorial lines N are passed
through rings A¹, up through the rings K on the equatorial band G of the
balloon C, and back to the stakes A, where they are firmly attached. In this
manner it will be seen that by pulling the regulating rope N', the equatorial
lincs N will be pulled equally and simultaneously.

page_text: Liberating ropes P connected to the mouth C¹ of the balloon C pass through the
loops F and are held firmly by a strap R which pass through the loops P¹ situated
on the ends of the liberating ropes P, the said strap being held firmly until released
by the withdrawal of the pin R³.
As
The centre of the balloon is raised in the ordinary way, viz.-by the assistance of
two poles with a rope attachment, and everything is then ready for inflation.
the hot air rushes in through the chimney B, the balloon C expands until it forms
an inverted hemisphere, being held down by the equatorial lines N to the stakes A.
By slackening the regulating rope N', the balloon C is allowed to rise slowly as it
becomes inflated, and the cords L which fasten the rings K to the radial ropes D,
are unfastened set after set, thus allowing the balloon C to rise gradually and
steadily as the inflation continues, until the balloon is entirely full. The equatorial
lines N are now unfastened from the stakes A and withdrawn from the rings K
on the equatorial band G, by pulling the regulating rope N', which withdraws all
the equatorial lines N simultaneously. The balloon C is thus free from all
connection with the ground, with the exception of the liberating ropes P which
hold it firmly to the loops F.
Everything is now ready for making the ascent, and the parachute or other
attachments being connected, the strap R is released, which frees the liberating
ropes P, the latter being drawn through the rings or loops F on the ground, thus
setting the balloon free.
It will be readily understood that by the employment of apparatus constructed
according to my invention, the balloon is entirely under the control of the aëronaut
and his assistant during the whole process of inflation, and ascents may be made
with certainty in weather and under circumstances in which it would be impossible
to ascend with hot air balloons arranged and constructed as heretofore. Instead
of the releasing arrangement described any other suitable liberator may be
employed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The equatorial, circular and longitudinal bands for strengthening a balloon,
substantially as set forth.
2. The rings attached to the equatorial band, in combination with ropes
connected to the ground for the purpose of regulating a balloon during inflation
substantially as set forth.
3. The liberating ropes attached to the mouth of the balloon, in combination
with loops attached to the ground, and with a releasing strap, substantially as and
for the purposes set forth.
4. The radial ropes having loose cords connected to same, in combination
with the rings on the circular bands, substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
5. The combination of the stakes A, rings K, lines N, ring M, regulating
rope N', ring M', and stakes N' substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
6. The combination of the loops F, liberating ropes P, mouth of balloon C³,
strap R and pin R', substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
7. The general arrangement, construction and combination of the various parts
forming the means or apparatus employed for regulating hot air balloons during
inflation, and releasing same when inflated, substantially as herein set forth,
together with any mere modification or modifications thereof.
Dated this 28th day of January 1895
BREWER & SON,
London and Leeds, Agents for Applicant.