Heliport

Abstract

Embodiments of a heliport incorporate commercial and residential spaces with a plurality of helipads at multiple levels or floors, within a multi-story building. In various embodiments, the helipads cantilever out from the sides of the building or may simply span between oppositely faced sides of adjacent building structures. In some embodiments, the helipads extend outwardly from aircraft hangers and from commercial and residential spaces that extend into the building from the rear of the helipad. Rooftops associated with embodiments of the heliport include control tower facilities and additional helipads.

1 . A heliport comprising:
 a building having a ground level portion, a roof level portion, and a plurality side portions that extend between the ground level portion and the roof level portion;   at least one helipad platform extending outwardly from a side portion of the building between the ground level portion and the roof level portion; the at least one helipad platform including at least one set of helipad markings; the at least one helipad platform being positioned with respect to the building in a manner that allows the landing and take-off of vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.   
     
     
         2 . The heliport of  claim 1  further comprising:
 an aircraft hangar extending into a side portion of the building from a hangar opening; the hangar opening being aligned with a proximal end portion of a helipad platform that is cantilevered outwardly from a side portion of the building. 
 
     
     
         3 . The heliport of  claim 2  wherein:
 the hangar opening associated with the at least one aircraft hangar includes at least one retractable cover, such that the hangar opening may be selectively opened and closed. 
 
     
     
         4 . The heliport of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a control tower facility associated with the roof level portion. 
 
     
     
         5 . The heliport of  claim 1  wherein:
 the building includes a plurality of tier sections that each terminate in separate roof level portions; at least two of the roof level portions being positioned at different distances from the ground level portion. 
 
     
     
         6 . The heliport of  claim 5  further comprising:
 a helipad on at least one of the separate roof level portions. 
 
     
     
         7 . The heliport of  claim 6  further comprising:
 an aircraft hangar extending into a side portion of the building from a hangar opening; the hangar opening being aligned with a roof level portion of at least one of the tier sections. 
 
     
     
         8 . The heliport of  claim 7  wherein:
 the hangar opening associated with the at least one aircraft hangar includes at least one retractable cover, such that the hangar opening may be selectively opened and closed. 
 
     
     
         9 . The heliport of  claim 1  wherein:
 the heliport includes a plurality of helipad platforms cantilevered outwardly from the building between the ground level portion and the roof level portion of the building; at least two of the plurality of helipad platforms extending from the building at different vertical distances from the roof level portion. 
 
     
     
         10 . The heliport of  claim 9  wherein:
 the at least two of the helipad platforms extend from different corner portions of the building. 
 
     
     
         11 . The heliport of  claim 1  wherein:
 the building includes a plurality of towers that extend upwardly from the ground level portion and are horizontally spaced-apart from one another by a distance that defines an open space between the plurality of towers; the plurality of towers each including a roof level portion, and a plurality side portions that extend between the ground level portion and the roof level portion; 
 the at least one helipad platform extending between side portions of at least two towers of the plurality of towers, spanning the open space between the at least two towers of the plurality towers, such that the side portions of the at least two of the plurality of towers extend upwardly from the opposite end portions of the helipad platform; the helipad positioned intermediate the opposite end portions of the helipad platform such that the helipad is substantially suspended between and not atop either or both of the at least two towers of the plurality towers; the helipad platform being positioned with respect to the building in a manner that allows the landing and take-off of vertical takeoff and landing aircraft from the helipad. 
 
     
     
         12 . The heliport of  claim 11  further comprising:
 an aircraft hangar extending into a side portion of one of the plurality of towers from a hangar opening formed in the side portion of the at least one of the plurality of towers; the hangar opening being aligned with an end portion of the helipad platform. 
 
     
     
         13 . The heliport of  claim 12  wherein:
 the aircraft hangar includes at least one retractable cover, such that the hangar opening may be selectively opened and closed. 
 
     
     
         14 . The heliport of  claim 11  further comprising:
 a plurality of helipad platforms that are each coupled at opposite end portions with at least two of the plurality of towers, spanning the open space between the towers; each of the plurality of helipad platforms being vertically spaced-apart from adjacent helipad platforms of the plurality of helipad platforms at different distances from the ground level portion. 
 
     
     
         15 . The heliport of  claim 14  wherein:
 at least one helipad platform of the plurality of helipad platforms being vertically aligned with another helipad platform of the plurality of helipad platforms. 
 
     
     
         16 . The heliport of  claim 11  wherein:
 the roof level portion of one of the plurality of towers being positioned at a first distance from the ground level portion; a roof level portion of another one of the plurality of towers being positioned at a second distance from the ground level portion; the first distance from the ground level portion being greater than the second distance from the ground level portion. 
 
     
     
         17 . The heliport of  claim 16  wherein:
 a second helipad platform extends between a side portion of one tower to a roof level portion of an adjacent tower.