Abstract:
A ballistic tracer platform for use with a shotgun shell to provide an aiming and training aid for shotgun shooting sports, which also can be used for military and police applications. The ballistic tracer platform emits light after ignition of the shell, providing the shooter with a consistent reference to make corrections to his aiming point and shooting techniques. The tracer platform can be used in ordinary shotgun shells. The tracer platform comprises a translucent, resilient, elastic, cylindrical container in which the reactants, a fluorescent colored dye and oxalate solution and an activator, are held, separated from each other prior to ignition by encasing one or both in its own glass bulb or tube. The blast from ignition of the shell causes the glass bulb(s) or tube(s) to break. The resulting chemiluminescent reaction between the reactants results in emission of light which is visible to the shooter.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This application is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 10/932,667, which was filed on Sep. 4, 2004, which was a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 10/656,471, which was filed on Sep. 5, 2003, and which issued on Jun. 12, 2007 as U.S. Pat. No. 7,228,801 B2. The present invention relates to shotgun ammunition, more specifically tracers used to make the shot visible to shooters. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Shotgun sports date back to the late 1700&#39;s with the introduction of trap shooting of live pigeons. The sport later evolved with the introduction of clay pigeons in 1880 and the development of reliable clay throwing machines in 1890. The two main types of shotgunning games that evolved are Trap and Skeet. Trap is a game where the clays are thrown from a single location or house, at different random angles while the shooters rotate between five shooting positions. Skeet is a game where clays are thrown from two locations or houses, at consistent trajectories while shooters rotate between eight stations. International trap was introduced as an Olympic Sport in 1952, while International Skeet was introduced as an Olympic Sport in 1968. In Sporting Clays, a third shotgunning game which has been introduced in recent years, clays are thrown from many locations in an attempt to resemble a real life hunt, while shooters walk through a golf course-like field. 
   All shotgun sports require the shooter to accurately predict the trajectory of the target. This requires a good understanding of the physics involved, including the speed of the shot and target, the trajectory of the shot and target, the type of shot and the size of the target. To complicate things, shooters need to develop the ability to predict the position of the target and aim their weapons appropriately so that the shot intersects the target. This drives the need to shoot the clay by leading it. The lead is defined as the distance in front of the target, which the shooter aims and shoots at in order to break the target. This lead will vary depending on the game, target speed, shot type, shot speed, shooters technique, and atmospheric conditions; it can range from a few inches to more than ten feet. 
   The greatest challenge in shotgunning sports is mastering the lead. The supersonic nature of the shot, with speeds ranging from approximately 900 to 1500 ft/s (274 to 457 m/s), and the speed of the target, ranging from approximately 40 to 70 miles/h (64 to 112 Km/h), make it almost impossible for the shooter to know where his shot has gone relative to the target. To further complicate accurate aiming, the human brain and eye refresh images approximately every 0.1 seconds, while the average shot flight time to the target is approximately 0.05 to 0.30 seconds. This makes the game a real challenge to learn, and very difficult and time-consuming to master. 
   The visibility of an object to the human eye generally depends on the size of the object, the relative distance between the object and the observer, the relative speed of the object, the color of the object, and the light intensity and atmospheric conditions. Inventors have developed tracers for shotgun shells in an attempt to aid the shooter in visualizing his or her shot with regard to the target. 
   Prior tracers can be categorized as non-ignition and ignition type. Non-ignition type inventions have been unsuccessful in the shooters market; they include:
         (a) Pellet with fluorescent tails (U.S. Pat. No. 3,760,735 to P. F. Schmitt in 1971);   (b) Shot encapsulated with light reflective coating (U.S. Pat. No. 4,080,899 to W. L. Luban in 1978);   (c) Chemiluminescent tracer that accompanies the shot (U.S. Pat. No. 4,553,481 to V. Ricci in 1984); and   (d) Shotgun shell flight path indicator (U.S. Pat. No. 6,539,873 to E. W. Diller in 2003).
 
Ignition type inventions although promising have had very limited success in the market place, these include:
   (a) Single bullet-shaped tracer projectile with pyrotechnic mixture in the trailing end (U.S. Pat. No. 3,405,638 to J. A. Stoner in 1968);   (b) Shot pellets coated with ignitable illuminat or smoking agent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,389,939 to H. Ofuji in 1983);   (c) Single ball-shaped tracer projectile with pyrotechnic mixture in the trailing end (U.S. Pat. No. 4,841,866 to D. W. Miesner in 1989); and   (d) Tracer cartridges (U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,054 to R. E. Topping in 1995).
 
The ignition type designs available today are mostly derived from U.S. Pat. No. 3,406,648 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,841,866. The marginal success of these inventions can be attributed to the high price charged and the clear fact that these inventions do not function properly. Currently available tracers, while visible, do not provide the shooter with a consistent reference to improve his or her shooting. Typical reasons tracers fail include the following:
   (a) The tracer does not have a flight pattern consistent with that of the shot and therefore fails to provide the shooter with an appropriate reference.   (b) The tracer fails to ignite consistently because the pyrotechnic material does not have enough time and surface area to absorb heat from the propellant blast as it separates from the shot cup.   (c) Current tracer inventions have limited, if any, applicability to smaller shotgun gauges because of the geometric constraints in the smaller gauges like 16, 20, 28, and 410.
 
More specifically, currently available tracers fail because the tracer projectile travels randomly with the shot pattern. Manufacturers claim that the tracer projectile travels in the middle of the shot pattern, but field tests prove otherwise. The point of impact at 22 yards of currently available tracer projectiles is no more predictable than any single pellet within the shot cloud. Field tests indicate that currently available tracers provide 30 to 44 inch groups from the point of aim (and the tracer pellet most often impacts outside the shot string), even though shotgun sports require a 12 inch group, or better, to be effective. The inaccuracy of current tracer designs stems from the fact that the tracer projectile is located at the bottom of the shot cup. Once fired, the tracer is subjected to the chaotic behavior and interference of the supersonic gases, shot and wad as it leaves the barrel and travels to the target. These interferences present the greatest challenge in designing an effective shotgun tracer. An improved tracer design should address these interferences and should still be capable of carrying the proper amount of shot within the constraints of standard shotgun cartridges.
       

   Previously, the inventors of the present application filed a patent application for a ballistic tracer platform holding pyrotechnic tracer material, which has issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,228,801 B2. In a continuation-in-part application, of which the present application is a continuation-in-part, applicants disclosed a novel platform holding chemiluminescent materials. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a ballistic tracer platform holding tracer material which, when loaded into a shotgun shell, can be used to provide a shooter with a consistent reference, allowing him or her to make appropriate corrections to his or her shooting technique. This invention serves as a training aid to improve a shooter&#39;s accuracy for shotgun sports such as Trap, Skeet, or Sporting Clays. It also serves as a shotgun aiming and training aid for hunters, as well as having training and combat applications for military and police personnel. The invention enables the shooter to visualize the shot with respect to the target by firing the tracer ammunition in a manner identical to that of standard ammunition. The invention incorporates the known components of a chemiluminescent reaction. The invention described herein can be modified and adjusted for use with all shot types, and it can be used in all shotgun gauges, including 4, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 28, and 0.410, in both single and double barrel shotguns. 
   In accordance with the present invention a shotgun tracer shell comprises a tracer platform with a ballistic coefficient equivalent to that of the shot pellets with which it is used. The platform comprises a transparent or translucent cylindrical container holding liquid reactants which, when mixed, cause a chemiluminescent reaction, resulting in the emission of light. The container is made from a resilient, elastic, transparent or translucent material, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polycarbonate, or nylon. Helical grooves may be added to the platform surface to spin the tracer platform as it leaves the barrel and travels towards the target. The diameter, length, weight and shape of the tracer platform can be modified to match the flight characteristics of each particular shotgun gauge, shot type, and speed. The ballistic tracer platform can be manufactured from readily available materials using standard high volume processes, including injection molding or screw machines. The simplicity of the invention will enable effective and efficient quality control procedures in the manufacturing process. 
   In another embodiment, the ballistic tracer platform can be loaded into a shell, above the shot cup, separated therefrom by a spacer. 
   In other embodiments, the ballistic tracer platform can be loaded into a shell, above a space-filler, which replaces the shot cup, or it can be positioned in the shot cup of a standard shotgun wad, with no shot below the platform. After ignition, this tracer platform serves as a reference, or indicator, for a shooter. 
   In yet another embodiment, the ballistic tracer platform can be manufactured with an integrated shot cup which separates as soon as the platform leaves the shotgun barrel, without interfering with the trajectory of the shot and tracer platform. 
   The ballistic tracer platform is used to carry the components of a chemiluminescent reaction: an activator, such as hydrogen peroxide, and an oxalate, such as phenyl oxalate ester, as well as a colored fluorescent dye solution. The reactants are separated by having either one or both of the reactants contained inside a frangible glass vessel, which breaks when the shell is fired, allowing the reactants to mix. The resulting reaction causes the release of energy to the fluorescent dye, exciting its atoms, resulting in the release of energy as light, which makes the platform easy for the shooter to see. 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a platform for holding tracer material so that the platform has an accurate, predictable, and centered trajectory to the shot string, without interference from the shot&#39;s trajectory. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a means by which the chemiluminescent reaction can proceed quickly and consistently, resulting in a clearly visible projectile, even during daylight hours. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a tracer platform which can be adjusted to match the flight characteristics of each particular shotgun gauge, shot type, and speed. 
   Still another object of the present invention is to provide a tracer platform which is safe to use, with no risk of fire; the chemiluminescent reaction occurs without generating significant amounts of heat. 
   A further object of the present invention is to provide a tracer platform which is inexpensive and easy to produce. 
   Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and description, infra. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a shotgun shell containing the ballistic tracer platform of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a sectional side view of the shotgun shell containing the ballistic tracer platform illustrated in  FIG. 1  taken along line  2 - 2 . 
       FIG. 3  is an isometric view of a alternative shotgun shell containing the ballistic tracer platform of the present invention 
       FIG. 4  is a sectional side view of the alternative shotgun shell containing the ballistic tracer platform illustrated in  FIG. 3  taken along line  4 - 4 . 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the top of the alternative shotgun shell containing the ballistic tracer platform illustrated in  FIG. 4  taken along line  5 - 5 . 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of wad inside of the alternative shotgun shell containing the ballistic tracer platform illustrated in  FIG. 4  taken along line  6 - 6 . 
       FIG. 7  is a side view of the ballistic tracer platform modified by forming helical grooves on its outer surface to cause spin. 
       FIG. 8  is a side view of the ballistic tracer platform with a modified cone-shaped nose for improved ballistic performance. 
       FIG. 9  is a side view of the ballistic tracer platform modified by the addition of symmetrically-spaced cavities, which can be filled in order to change the weight of the platform. 
       FIGS. 10A-9D  are sectional side views showing the positions of the ballistic tracer platform before and after ignition. 
       FIG. 11  is a representational view of a shooter using the ballistic tracer platform of the present invention while shooting at a clay target. 
       FIGS. 12 through 15  are sectional side views, each showing a different way of assembling the ballistic tracer platform, which contains the reactants, which must be kept separate prior to ignition, and which, when combined after ignition, result in a chemiluminescent reaction. 
       FIGS. 16A through 16D  are sectional side views, each showing additional ways of holding the reactants in separate bulbs or tubes within the container prior to ignition of the shell. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The present invention is designed to be used with a typical shotgun shell  1 , which generally has a hull  2  with a metal base cap  3  and a crimped top  4 . 
   The sectional view in  FIG. 2  shows a shotgun shell  1  which has been assembled with the ballistic tracer platform  10 , located inside the upper end of the shotgun shell  1 . The ballistic tracer platform  10  comprises a cylindrical container  11  holding: (1) an oxalate solution with a colored fluorescent dye solution (hereinafter called “oxalate-fluorescent dye solution  12 ”), and (2) a glass-encased activator  13 . Inside the base cap  3  is the primer  14 , which ignites the propellant  15  contained in the lower end of the shotgun shell  1 . Located above the propellant  15  is the shot cup  16  (or shot holder), which has been partially filled with shot pellets  17 . The shot pellets  17  can be conventional lead or steel pellets or lighter shot such as plastic BB&#39;s. The shot cup  16  can be formed to have a gas seal at its lower end, as shown, in order to contain the gases during their expansion after the propellant  15  has been ignited. Alternatively, a gas seal can be constructed as a separate piece and placed below the shot cup  16 . A disk-shaped spacer  18 , made of plastic, cardboard, or cork, is loaded into the shot cup  16  above the shot pellets  17 , in order to protect the ballistic tracer platform  10  from the shot pellets  17 . The ballistic tracer platform  10  is loaded into the shot cup  16  above the spacer  18 . 
   The ballistic tracer platform  10  can have a flat nose  19 , as shown, or it can have a nose shaped to alter the ballistic properties of the ballistic tracer platform  10 . The ballistic tracer platform  10  can be adjusted in size, shape, and materials used, depending on the shotgun gauge used; it can perform with different applications and shot types. The ballistic tracer platform  10  can be made with a diameter ranging from 0.2 inches to 1.25 inches, depending on the bore size for the shotgun in which it will be used; it can be used in all shotgun gauges, including 4, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 28, and 0.410, in both single and double barrel, and semi-automatic shotguns. The container  11  of the ballistic tracer platform  10  is made from a resilient, elastic material that: (1) can withstand the high pressures from expanding gases and inertial forces; (2) deforms as a result of those forces, yet regains its essential shape in flight; (3) does not degrade the materials contained therein; and (4) is transparent or translucent enough to allow light emitted from the reaction to be visible to the shooter. Examples of such a material include plastics such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polycarbonate, and nylon. In all cases, the bottom of the container  11  is preferably transparent or clear. Alternatively, a polypropylene or polyethylene container  11  can be partially encased in nylon or another high-strength plastic, composite material, or even metal, with the transparent bottom of the container  11  exposed. The container  11  of the ballistic tracer platform  10  can be made by injection molding. 
   The oxalate-fluorescent dye solution  12  typically contains phenyl oxalate ester, and the activator  13  is often a hydrogen peroxide solution (H 2 O 2 ). The proportions of the reactants can vary, depending on the type and quality of materials used, as well as the application. The reaction was tested successfully with a 1:1 proportion. The fluorescent dye in the oxalate-fluorescent dye solution  12  makes the ballistic tracer platform  10  highly visible after ignition and reaction. The fluorescent dye used can be of any visible color, including red, orange, yellow or yellow-green. Known flourescent dyes include the following: 5,12-bis(phenylethynyl) naphthacene and rubrene (red); 2-chloro, 9,10-bis(phenylethynyl) anthracene, 1,5-dichloro- and 1,8-dichloro-9,10-bis(phenylethynyl) anthracene (yellow); 9,10-bis(phenylethynyl) anthracene (BPEA) and 1-chloro-9,10-bis(phenylethynyl) anthracene (yellow-green); and perylene and 9,10-diphenyl anthracane (blue). As shown in  FIG. 2 , the activator  13  is encased in a frangible spherical glass bulb  13   a , which was formed by glass molding and filled by using a standard vacuum filling process or a liquid injection process. The oxalate-fluorescent dye solution  12  fills the rest of the container  11 . Optionally, the oxalate-fluorescent dye solution  12  can be held in a second frangible glass bulb. After the oxalate-fluorescent dye solution  12  and the activator  13  are placed in the container  11 , the parts of the container  11  are joined by automated screwing processes (if threads are used) or by ultrasonic welding or gluing. The ballistic tracer platform  10  can be introduced into standard shotgun shells by using existing loading processes. 
   Positioning the tracer platform  10  in front of the shot pellets  17  removes it from direct contact with the blast from the ignited propellant  15 , resulting in lower forces and stresses to the platform  10 , compared to the embodiment disclosed in the patent application. Further, the shot holder  16  partially absorbs “spike” forces created by the blast. The elastic characteristics of the container  11  allow it to recover its original shape and dimensions after it has been fired from the shotgun and is in flight. 
   Shown in  FIG. 3  is an alternative shotgun shell  50 , which generally has a hull  2  with a metal base cap  3  and a crimped top  4 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , when used with the alternative shotgun shell  50 , the ballistic tracer platform  10  can be loaded into a conventional wad  52  without any shot pellets, particularly when a shooter wishes to fire it merely as an indicator or reference. When this embodiment is assembled, a cylindrical wad  52 , made from polypropylene, polyethylene, or another high-strength plastic, is placed in the shell  50  above the propellant  15 . The wad  52  is typically formed with shock-absorbing compression columns  54   a ,  54   b  and has a gas seal  56  formed in its lower end. The tracer platform  10  is then placed into the wad shot holder  58 , inside the petals  60 , which cushion the tracer platform  10  during ignition and which open and fall away when the tracer platform  10  is in flight. 
     FIG. 5  shows the container  11  inside the petals  60   a ,  60   b ,  60   c ,  60   d  of the wad  58 . 
     FIG. 6  shows the shock-absorbing compression columns  54   a ,  54   b  of the wad  58 , as well as the gas seal  56 . 
     FIG. 7  shows a ballistic tracer platform  10  with a flat nose  19  and helical grooves  20  (different shapes and angles can also be used) formed on its surface to add spin to the ballistic tracer platform  10 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 8 , an alternate embodiment of the ballistic tracer platform  10  has a flat-conical nose  21  to improve its ballistic performance. Alternatively, the nose  21  could be spherical or conical in shape. 
     FIG. 9  shows a ballistic tracer platform  10  with cavities  22  and a top cavity  23 , to which can be added materials having densities different from that of the ballistic tracer platform  10  itself. The cavities  22 ,  23 , which must be located symmetrical to the longitudinal axis or centerline  24 , allow the manufacturer to adjust the weight and flight characteristics of the ballistic tracer platform  10 . The number, size, shape, and placement of the cavities  22 ,  23  used will depend on the size of the ballistic tracer platform  10  and its application. 
   Other embodiments of the ballistic tracer platform  10  could be made. For instance, the ballistic tracer platform  10  could be made with fins. Small indentations can be made on its surface to reduce air drag. Orifices can be formed on its surface to create additional spin of the ballistic tracer platform  10 . A shot cup could be manufactured as an integral of the ballistic tracer platform  10 , designed to separate once the ballistic tracer platform  10  leaves the barrel of the shotgun, without interfering with the trajectory of the shot and ballistic tracer platform  10 . 
     FIGS. 10A-10D  show the movement of the ballistic tracer platform  10 , before and after ignition. 
   In  FIG. 10A , the shotgun shell  1 , containing a shot cup  16  with shot pellets  17 , has been loaded into the shotgun barrel  25 . The ballistic tracer platform  10  holds the oxalate-fluorescent dye solution  12  and the activator  13  in the resilient, elastic container  11 . The primer  14  will ignite the propellant  15 , and gasses will expand against the lower end of the shot cup  16 . 
   In  FIG. 10B , the explosive movement of the expanding gases  26  of ignition propel the shot cup  16  with shot pellets  17 , and the ballistic tracer platform  10  holding the reactants, through the shotgun barrel  25 , simultaneously breaking the glass container holding the activator  13 , allowing the activator  13  to mix with the oxalate-fluorescent dye solution  12  in the container  11 . The reaction results in the release of energy and excitation of the atoms in the fluorescent dye, resulting in the release of light, or photons (the process of “chemiluminescence”), making the platform  10  highly visible to the shooter. 
   In  FIG. 10C , after leaving the shotgun barrel  25 , the shot cup  16  has flipped out of the way of the scattering shot pellets  17 . The transparent or translucent ballistic tracer platform  10 , carrying the reacting oxalate-fluorescent dye solution  12  and activator  13  and emitting visible luminescence  27 , is located in front of the shot pellets  17  and spacer  18 . The “color” of the platform  10  depends on the color of the fluorescent dye used. 
   As shown in  FIG. 10D , the ballistic tracer platform  10 , which continues to emit luminescence  27 , remains in front of the shot pellets  17  as they travel and expand. 
     FIG. 11  shows a shooter  30  using the ballistic tracer platform  10  of the present invention. The shooter has loaded his shotgun  31  as he would load any other ammunition. The shooter has aimed in front of the clay target  33  and has fired. The ballistic tracer platform  10  has left the shotgun barrel  25  as the patterns of the shot string  32 A,  32 B,  32 C,  32 D expands, the ballistic tracer platform  10  remains in front of the shot pellets in the shot string  32 . (The shot cup  16  has flipped out of the way and the spacer  18  has fallen.) If the shooter  30  hits the clay target  33 , it breaks into pieces  34 . If he misses the clay target  33 , the shooter  30  would correct his lead or aiming point, according to the relative position of the ballistic tracer platform  10  to the clay target  33 . For example, if the ballistic tracer platform  10  is behind the clay target  33  and the clay target  33  is missed, the shooter  30  would need to aim further ahead of the clay target  33  in order to break it. In some cases the shooter  30  can benefit from having a shooting partner who would help confirm the position of the ballistic tracer platform  10  relative to the missed target  33 . 
     FIG. 12  is a sectional side view showing a typical method of assembling the ballistic tracer platform  10  of the present invention. The liquid activator  13 , such a hydrogen peroxide solution, which has been encased in a spherical frangible glass bulb  13   a , has been placed in the container  11 . An oxalate-fluorescent dye solution  12 , such as phenyl oxalate ester, to which a colored fluorescent dye solution has been added, herein the oxalate-fluorescent dye solution  12 , has been poured into the container to fill it. A lid  40  has been placed on top of the container  11  and joined thereto by ultrasonic welding, threading, or gluing. 
     FIG. 13  is a sectional side view showing another method of assembling the ballistic tracer platform  10  of the present invention. The liquid activator  13 , which has been enclosed in a cylindrical frangible glass tube  13   b , has been placed in a container  11  with an inner threaded portion  41 . The oxalate-fluorescent dye solution  12  has been poured into the container to fill it. A lid  42  with an outer threaded extension has been screwed onto the inner threaded portion  41  of the container  11  to close it. Here the container  11  has been inverted to show its position as the ballistic tracer platform  10  in the shell  1  of  FIG. 2 , supra. 
     FIG. 14  is a sectional side view showing another method of assembling the ballistic tracer platform  10  of the present invention. The activator  13 , which has been encased in a frangible glass bulb  13   a , has been placed in half-section  11   a , and identical half-section  11   b  is inverted and loosely placed on top to form the container  11 . The container  11  is immersed in oxalate-fluorescent dye solution  12  to fill it. The half-sections  11   a ,  11   b  are pressed together where the edges meet at  43   a ,  43   b , and sealed by the process of ultrasonic welding, threading, or gluing. 
     FIG. 15  is a sectional side view showing yet another method of assembling a ballistic tracer platform  45  in accordance with the present invention. Here three sides of the container  11  (made as shown in any of  FIGS. 8 ,  9  and  10 ), holding the activator  13  and the oxalate-fluorescent dye solution  12 , have been encased in a housing  46  made of nylon or another high strength material, resulting in a stronger ballistic tracer platform  45 . After ignition, light from the chemiluminescent reaction is emitted through the transparent bottom side  47  of the container  11 . 
     FIGS. 16A ,  16 B,  16 C, and  16 D show different possibilities that may be used for separately encasing both the activator  13  and the oxalate-fluorescent dye solution  12  before placing them in the container  10 . For instance, in  FIG. 16A , the activator  13  is encased in a cylindrical frangible glass tube  13   b , which is enclosed inside a cylindrical frangible glass tube  12   b  containing the oxalate-fluorescent dye solution  12 . In  FIG. 16B , the activator  13  is encased in a spherical frangible glass bulb  13   a , which is enclosed inside a spherical frangible glass bulb  12   a  containing the oxalate-fluorescent dye solution  12 . In  FIG. 16C , the oxalate-fluorescent dye solution  12  is enclosed in a cylindrical frangible glass tube  12   b , and the activator  13  is enclosed in a cylindrical frangible glass tube  13   b . In  FIG. 16D , the oxalate-fluorescent dye solution  12  is enclosed in a spherical frangible glass bulb  12   a , and the activator  13  is enclosed in a spherical frangible glass bulb  13   a . In all of these instances, the oxalate-fluorescent dye solution  12  and the activator  13  will not be in direct contact with the walls of the container  11  in which they are placed prior to ignition. Therefore, the material used to make the container  11  can be selected from a broader range of materials, such as nylon, which may otherwise tend to react with the activator  13  or oxalate-fluorescent dye solution  12 . 
   Care should be used when storing the shells  1  which contain the ballistic tracer platform  10  of the present invention, since exposure to ultraviolet light could cause the oxalate-fluorescent dye solution  12  and the activator  13  to degrade. For instance, a box of the shells  1  may be enclosed with an opaque material such as aluminum foil, cardboard, or an opaque plastic. 
   Although the description contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than be the examples given.