Lawrence Welk, the bandleader who entertained millions of Americans over a generation of broadcasting his TV show, once received a patent: for a music-themed design of an ashtray.
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AbstractA 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. | InventorsApplicationNo. 152223 filed on 11/12/1993US Classes:124/59, Having common supply to plural projector barrels124/48, Rotary124/77Opened by electrically actuated meansField of Search124/48, Rotary124/59, Having common supply to plural projector barrels124/71, With control for discharge of fluid pressure124/72, For continual projection of successive projectiles (e.g., for "rapid fire", etc.)124/73, By valve means124/77, Opened by electrically actuated means124/82, Means for feeding projectile or ejecting cartridge124/56, FLUID PRESSURE89/1.804, Storage means movable to facilitate launching89/1.812, Having safety devices for preventing premature ignition or launching89/1.818Including an auxiliary rocket-launching chargeExaminersPrimary: Reese, Randolph A.Assistant: Ricci, John A. Attorney, Agent or FirmUS Patent References278005, 399882, 502759, 1478597, 3397476, 3827360, 4040334, Missile launcher for aircraftIssued on: 08/09/1977 Inventor: Smethers, Jr.5339741Precision fireworks display system having a decreased environmental impact Issued on: 08/23/1994 Inventor: Craven, et al. International ClassesF41B 011/00F41B 011/02 F41B 011/32 |