GB2028672A - Floating structures - Google Patents

Abstract

A floating structure (22) is formed from an assembly of identically-shaped units (23) interconnected together by adhesive, foam or rib and socket formations. Each unit (23) comprises a gas- tight skin enclosing a gas whose density is less than that of air. An alternative form of floating structure comprises at least two moulded sections joined together to form a hollow gas-tight unit filled with a gas whose density is less than that of air. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to floating structures This invention is concerned with the construction of floating structures for use, for example, as toys or for advertising.

According to the invention there is provided a floating structure in the form of an assembly of interconnected identically-shaped units, each unit comprising a gas-tight skin enclosing a gas whose density is less than that of air.

The skin of the structure may be formed from an impervious film of plastics material, fabric, glassfibre or aluminium foil, and can enclose a foamed member incorporating said gas. Each unit may be of circular, triangular, square or hexagonal crosssection, for example. As one possible aternative each unit may have the same cross-section of an elongated structure and forms an individual segment of the structure.

The units can be interconnected by means of adhesive, foam or rib and socket formations, and can be disposed in layers with a dividing skin between the layers. Another possibility is to form the structure with a rigid outer skin defining spaces within which are assembled the units. This rigid outer skin can be formed from a rigidly set foamed material, concrete or the like layered onto the outer surface of the structure or a moulded body formed by blow moulding or vacuum forming techniques.

From a further aspect the invention provides a floating structure comprising at least two moulded sections joined together to form a hollow gas-tight unit and filled with a gas whose density is less than that of air.

The moulded sections may be formed by blow moulding or vacuum forming techniques. In one particular arrangement the moulded sections form end caps of a cylindrical container interconnected by 3 gas-tight skin forming a tube whose ends are secured to the end caps. Advantageously the structure will be provided with an attachment point enabling a line to be secured thereto.

The floating structure of this invention may be in the form of a sculpture, toy, aircraft or decorative item. Thus they could be used for advertising, as Christmas decorations or in the form of animals. In largerforms the floating structure could be used as a meteorological balloon or as a passenger carrying aircraft formed from a large number of gas filled units. Damage caused to such a structure would then only be restricted to the number of units present in the area struck so that there would not be a complete 'failure of the structure by release of all the gas.

The invention may be performed in various ways and preferred embodiments thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying draw ings, in which Figure 1 illustrates various units which may be used to construct a floating structure of this invention; Figure 2 shows part of a floating structure using one of the units of Figure 1; Figure 3 illustrates a means of interconnecting two units; Figure 4 shows the construction of a cylindrical unit; Figures 5to 7 illustrate different toy shapes which may be constructed in accordance with the invention; and Figure 8 is a diagrammatic representation of a structure formed from a number of units.

Figure 1 illustrates a number of designs of floating brick or lighter than air aerial construction brick. This is a device by which means large floating constructions can be made. The brick can be manufactured by various techniques (e.g. vacuum moulding, blow moulding or plastics, and fabrication by plastics and light metals) in many shapes and sizes. Each brick will be filled with a lighter-than-air gas (e.g. Helium) and will foat in the air.

By joining one fundamental shape to another, a light, sturdy construction can be built up of any desired design. The constructed design will then float in the air. The four basic three-dimensional shapes depicted that can be used are the pyramid (tetrahedron) 1, the cube 2, the rectangle 3 and the sphere 4, in cross-section. Other polygons not depicted (e.g. octahedron) can also be used. Possible constructions can be built up by adding more and more bricks, each from a fundamental shape. The construction will be three-dimensional.

Figure 2 depicts panels (walls) made from the shapes. Many such panels can be fastened together forming a sturdy, floating construction and these panels can be layered, as shown by interleaving sheets 5 of plastics material. One method of fastening the bricks is by adhesives or foam. Another is shown in Figure 3. In this method one shape 6 has 'male' ribs 7 and another 8 has 'female' grooves or sockets 9. With a little pressure the two are 'popped' together. By this means a large structure can be built up from a combination of male-female bricks. Male and female connections can be formed in each side of one brick for greater securement of fixing. The bricks may also take the form of spheres. Smaller and yet smaller spheres can be made from suitable plastics or rubbers; each containing lighter-than-air gas.Thus the bonded spheres can be provided by forming a foam-like material which will float.

Another structure is illustrated in Figure 4, and comprises a closed cylinder. This is constructed from end caps 10 to each of which is secured a sleeve 11 of plastics, or metal foil to form a gas-tight enclosure incorporating the lighter-than-air gas. This may be used as a brick or alone, such as for advertising purposes. When formed to a suitable size, the brick (fabricated for example by vacuum forming, blow moulding) can become a novelty, a toy, a balloon or a kite. The variety of novelty shapes both for pleasure as toys and for advertising in commercial use is endless.

Many shapes can be made from modern materials which are impermeable to gases, for example polyester plastic film. When these shapes are filled with lighter-than-air gas they float in the air.

The completed toy can be floated, both near the ground by the use of ballast weight; and high in the air, as a kite, by the use of a light thread. Also a motor can be attached to propel the craft in a required direction. Various techniques are available to produce the shapes. From a sheet or roll of film two shapes are cut out. These are then joined together by adhesives, heat, ultra sonic sealing etc.

In all cases a gas-tight seal must be obtained. More complex shapes can be blow and vacuum moulded.

Figure 5 illustrates a simple domed circular shape 12 formed from two sheets of plastics film 13, fixed together by one of the above methods. A valve 14 is inserted and the shape is filled with a lighter than air gas. Whilst a spacecraft is illustrated shapes of animals also can be used.

A plastic tag 15 fixed on the underside enables a thread to be attached. The floating craft can then be used as a kite.

A more complex design is shown in Figure 6 which is of an aeropiane shape 16 having wings 17 and a tail fin 18. A propeller driven motor 19 is provided together with a tethering tag 20. This design can be driven by the motor or flown as a kite on a reeled string attached to the tag 20.

More complex spacecraft forms can be made especially by vacuum forming with plastics materials. Thus Figure 7 shows a spacecraft design 20 formed by connecting together two blow-moulded sheets forming the upper 21 and lower surfaces of the craft, which will be filled with lighter-than-air gas.

Figure 8 shows a general representation of another form of aircraft 22 (either of toy or full size form) constructed from a number of interconnected gas filled units 23 of square cross-section. This illustrates one of the many shapes which may be formed using brick units as illustrated in Figure 1.

Claims (15)

1. A floating structure in the form of an assembly of interconnected identically-shaped units, each unit comprising a gas-tight skin enclosing a gas whose density is less than that of air.

2. A structure according to claim 1, wherein the skin is formed from an impervious film of plastics material, fabric, glassfibre or aluminium foil.

3. A structure according to claim 2, wherein the skin encloses a foamed member incorporating said gas.

4. A structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each unit is of circular, triangular, square or hexagonal cross section.

5. A structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each unit has the same cross-section of an elongated structure and forms an individual segment of the structure.

6. A structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the units are interconnected by means of adhesive, foam or rib and socket formations.

7. A structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the units are disposed in layers with a dividing skin between the layers.

8. A structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, having a rigid outer skin defining spaces within which are assembled the units.

9. A structure according to claim 8, wherein the rigid outer skin is formed from a rigidly set foamed material, concrete or the like layered onto the outer surface of the structure or a moulded body formed by blow moulding or vacuum forming techniques.

10. Afloating structure comprising at least two moulded sections joined together to form a hollow gas-tight unit and filled with a gas whose density is less than that of air.

11. A structure according to claim 10, wherein the moulded sections are formed by blow moulding or vacuum forming techniques.

12. A structure according to claim 10, wherein the moulded sections form end caps of a cylindrical container interconnected by a gas-tight skin forming a tube whose ends are secured to the end caps.

13. A structure according to any one of claims 10 to 12, which is provided with an attachment point enabling a line to be secured thereto.

14. A structure according to any one of claims 1 to 13, in the form of a sculpture, toy, aircraft or decorative item.

15. A floating structure substantialy as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.