Aerostats with linear/non-linear gas filled connecting ladder structures

Abstract

A gas-inflatable character aerostat or balloon with at least one gas-inflatable appendage comprising a linear and non-linear gas-inflatable connecting ladder structure connecting the gas-inflatable appendage to the gas-inflatable aerostat to permit free movement of the appendage in relation to the aerostat in three dimensions. The ladder structure includes two sheets of elongate polymeric material fused together with the ladder structure to be inflated with gas between the sheets. The ladder structure includes an elongate gas-inflatable main channel and gas-inflatable lateral extensions extending from and in flow communication with the main channel.

1 . A linear and non-linear moving gas-inflatable connecting ladder structure for connecting a gas-inflatable appendage to an aerostat to permit movement of the appendage in relation to the aerostat in three dimensions, the ladder structure comprising two sheets of elongate polymeric material fused together with the ladder structure to be inflated with gas between the sheets. 
     
     
         2 . The ladder structure of  claim 1 , wherein the ladder structure further comprises:
 a) an elongate gas-inflatable main channel; and   b) gas inflatable lateral extensions in flow communication with the main channel.   
     
     
         3 . The ladder structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a gas-inflatable reservoir intermediate and in flow communication with the main channel. 
     
     
         4 . The ladder structure of  claim 1 , wherein the lateral extensions are opposing and on both sides of the main channel. 
     
     
         5 . The ladder structure of  claim 1 , wherein the ladder structure is in gas flow communication with the aerostat and inflatable appendage. 
     
     
         6 . The ladder structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a singular valve for inflating the aerostat, ladder structure and appendage. 
     
     
         7 . A linear and non-linear moving gas-inflatable connecting ladder structure for connecting a gas-inflatable appendage to a gas-inflatable aerostat to permit movement of the appendage in relation to the aerostat in three dimensions, the ladder structure comprising two sheets of elongate polymeric material fused together with the inflatable ladder structure between the sheets including an elongate gas-inflatable main channel and gas inflatable lateral extensions in flow communication with the main channel. 
     
     
         8 . The ladder structure of  claim 7 , further comprising a gas reservoir intermediate and in flow communication with the main channel. 
     
     
         9 . The ladder structure of  claim 7 , wherein the lateral extensions are opposing and on both sides of the main channel. 
     
     
         10 . The ladder structure of  claim 7 , wherein the ladder structure is in gas flow communication with the aerostat and the gas inflatable appendage. 
     
     
         11 . The ladder structure of  claim 7 , further comprising a singular valve for inflating the aerostat, ladder structure and appendage. 
     
     
         12 . A gas-inflatable character aerostat with at least one gas-inflatable appendage comprising a linear and non-linear moving gas-inflatable connecting ladder structure connecting a gas-inflatable appendage to the gas-inflatable aerostat to permit movement of the appendage in relation to the aerostat in three dimensions, the ladder structure comprising two sheets of elongate polymeric material fused together with the ladder structure to be inflated with gas between the sheets including an elongate gas-inflatable main channel and gas-inflatable lateral extensions extending from and in flow communication with the main channel. 
     
     
         13 . The ladder structure of  claim 12 , further comprising a gas-inflatable reservoir intermediate and in flow communication with the main channel. 
     
     
         14 . The ladder structure of  claim 12 , wherein the lateral extensions are opposing and on both sides of the main channel. 
     
     
         15 . The ladder structure of  claim 12 , wherein the ladder structure is in gas flow communication with the aerostat and the gas inflatable appendage. 
     
     
         16 . The ladder structure of  claim 12 , further comprising a singular valve for inflating the aerostat, ladder structure and appendage.