ALEXANDRIA, Va., Nov. 25 -- United States Patent no. 12,479,561, issued on Nov. 25, was assigned to URBAN SKY (Denver).
"Reusable balloon system" was invented by Jared Leidich (Denver), Andrew F. Antonio (Denver), Mitch Sweeney (Alvin, Texas), Daniel W. McFatter (Tucson, Ariz.) and Maxmillion James West McLaughlin (Fort Myers, Fla.).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "An example reusable high-altitude balloon system includes a balloon with a first end supporting a payload and a second end with an aperture and an apex fitting that is positioned within the aperture. A clamp applies a pressure to a plurality of pleated folds formed in the perimeter of the aperture around the apex fitting to form an ai...