US 5,415,152 A · Method of launching multiple fireworks projectiles

Abstract

A method of successively launching a plurality of projectiles, such as fireworks projectiles, which explode into an aerial pyrotechnic display. The projectiles are launched from a launcher having a pressure tank containing a compressed gas and a plurality of launching tubes for holding the projectiles. The launching tubes are constructed to form a magazine to enable successive launching of fireworks projectiles by appropriate indexing of the magazine which brings the launching tubes into registration with the output port of a valve. The valve introduces compressed gas into one of the launching tubes to launch a projectile into the air. Indexing of the launching tubes when the pressure tank is pressurized prior to launch is prevented by a stop mechanism. The stop mechanism also prevents inadvertent or accidental detonation of the projectile in the launching tube. The method further includes the step of aiming the projectiles, preferably with an aiming apparatus comprising actuators that support the launcher and which are adjustable to change the launching angle of the launcher with respect to the ground each time a new launching tube is indexed to a launching position. The adjustment of these actuators is controlled by pneumatic switches that are operated during indexing of the launching tubes.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A method of successively launching a plurality of projectiles for exploding into an aerial pyrotechnic display from a launcher having a pressure tank for containing a compressed gas, a plurality of launching tubes for holding the projectiles, and a valve connected to the pressure tank and having an output port registrable with a selected one of the launching tubes, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) loading a plurality of projectiles into the launching tubes;
(b) pressurizing the pressure tank with a compressed gas and preventing indexing of another of the launching tubes into registration with the output port of the valve when the pressure tank is pressurized;
(c) opening and then closing the valve to accurately introduce a predetermined amount of compressed gas from the pressure tank into the selected one of the launching tubes to launch a projectile into the air;
and
(d) depressurizing the pressure tank and permitting indexing of another of the launching tubes into registration with the output port of the valve.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method of launching multiple fireworks projectiles

Life of this patent

Method of launching multiple fireworks projectiles

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18