IMPROVED MOTIVE AND STEERING APPARATUS FOR BALLOONS
Year: 1884

page_text: I, FRANCIS HILFREICH, of 21 Church Street, Soho, in the County of Middlesex
General Agent do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVED MOTIVE
AND STEERING APPARATUS FOR BALLOONS to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to propel and steer a balloon with greater
certainty and facility than has hitherto been practicable.
To effect this I make the balloon of an oblong form and fit the same with two
cars placed one on each side of the balloon.
These cars are connected by means of a gangway made of canvas or other
suitable material strained over cane or other supports so as to allow the occupants
of each car to pass from one car to the other.
Mounted on the side of each car is a rod preferably made of cane or other light
and strong substance.
Such rods are of greater. length than the balloon itself and have attached to
each of their ends a hollow paddle made of canvas or other suitable material
stretched over a cane or other light framework and either in the shape of an
umbrella or in any other convenient form.
The paddle on the fore end of each rod is placed horizontal or flat so as when
actuated to press the air back and by that means impel the balloon forward—while
the paddles on the rear ends of such rods are fitted vertically or upright so as
when actuated to cut the air.
A handle is fitted inside each car and attached to the centre of each rod in
such a manner that when the handle is turned it imparts motion to the rod and
causes it to rotate. When in so doing the rear end comes to the front the rod
swivels round half a turn so as to always bring the fore paddle in a flat or
horizontal-and the rear paddle in an upright or vertical position.
The handles may be actuated either by manual, mechanical or other suitable
motive power.
In order to steer the balloon it is only necessary to turn one handle more rapidly
than the other when the balloon is guided in the requisite direction.
If required I also fit a sail at the back of the balloon which acts as a rudder-Or
I may fit two fans in the form of.. a screw or belix which as they rotate serve to
steer the balloon.
j

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I F. HILFREICH of 21 Church Street, Soho, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention for AN "IMPROVED
MOTIVE AND STEERING APPARATUS FOR BALLOONS" and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
The object of this Invention is to propel and steer a Balloon with greater
certainty and facility than has hitherto been practicable.
To effect this I make the balloon of an oblong form, and fit the same with two
cars, placed one on each side of the balloon. These cars aro connected by means of
a gangway made of canvas or other suitable material, strained over cane or other
supports, so as to allow the occupants of each car, to pass from one car to the other.
Mounted on the side of each car is a rod preferably made of cane or other light
and strong substance.
Such rods are of greater length than the balloon itself and have attached to ench
of their ends a hollow paddle made of canvas or other suitable material stretched
over a cane or other light framework and either in the shape of an umbrella or in
any other convenient form. The paddle on the fore end of each rod is horizontal
or flat, so as when actuated to press the air back, and by that means impel the
balloon forward while the paddles, on the rear ends of such rods are fitted vertically
or upright so as when actuated to cut the air.
A handle is fitted inside each car and attached to the centre of each rod in such
a manner that when the handle is turned it imparts motion to the rod and causes
it to rotate.
When in so doing the rear end comes to the front, the rod swivels round half a
turn, so as to always bring the fore paddle in a flat or horizontal and the rear
paddle in an upright or vertical position.
The handles may be actuated either by manual, mechanical or other suitable
motive power, In order to steer the balloon it is only necessary to turn one handle
more rapidly than the other, when the balloon is guided in the requisite direction,
or in manner as hereinafter described.
In order that the Invention may be well understood and explained in detail,
I have hereunto annexed a sheet of Drawings, on which letters of reference are
marked on corresponding parts on all the Figs. alike.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1, represents the balloon in elevation shewing the position of the propelling
and steering apparatus.
Fig. 2, represents a plan view of the same.
In these Figs. a, a, is the balloon which I prefer to make oblong in shape having
an 'eliptical section, the net work enveloping the balloon when infinted is connected

page_text: The arms are placed parallel with the conjugate axis of the balloon, and extend
a distance beyond the front and rear ends of the same, and in a position which will
enable them in their course of revolution to run clear and free from any obstruction.
The extremities of the said arms e are constructed in the form of a hollow paddle
or blade covered with canvas or other strong flexible material which will present a
concave surface to the opposing force of the air. This hollow paddle or blade may
be inflated with gas or may be simply composed of a webbing of canvas and their
positions relative to each other are so arranged that in their course of revolution
they will be placed at right angles to each other, that is the concave surface of
the blades which are descending will be turned so as to present their full face or
surface to the air until they have passed their horizontal centre during which time
the other blade whilst descending, and until it has passed the horizontal centre, has
presented its side or feather edge to the air. This reversing of the blades may be
accomplished by hinging the arms carrying the blades to the side of each car, tho
hinges being so placed, that they will allow the weight of the arms themselves to
fall over, or be reversed by their own gravity, as they pass their top and bottom
centres, and so give the required position to the blades, or in lieu of hinges the
arms may be provided with quadrant teeth which in their course of revolution
will gear with a fixed tooth projecting from the cars, and so positively cause the
arms to reverse. I accomplish the steering of the balloon by means of the sails f
supported on each side of the balloon and placed at points clear of the revolving
arins, these sails form frames, which are hinged to upright rods secured to the side
nettings, and they are connected by cords with the cars in such a manner that each
sail can be worked independently, to assume a position at any angle relative to the
transverse axis of the balloon, and thereby offering ample means for steering, or
their normal open position may be assumed by means of springs
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
The novel application to balloons of propelling and steering apparatus of the
description herein substantially setforth and fully illustrated in the drawings
annexed.