Abstract:
A rack for holding fireworks in position for ignition. The rack is a lightweight frame having end supports that are connected together by a brace. The brace includes at least one aperture into which a firework-holding tube is received. A resilient bushing extends into the aperture and the frame includes an ignitor cord retaining system. The frame rests upon a flat surface and the end supports and tube both contact that flat surface. The recoil from the launched fireworks is transmitted into the flat surface and into the bushing that surrounds the tube. The frame includes holes that allow air to escape if a device explodes and also includes ways for the frame to disintegrate to reduce the production of shrapnel if a firework device explodes within the tube. A number of frames may be connected together to form a bank of firework holding devices.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Technical Field 
   This invention generally relates to a device for holding fireworks so that they can be ignited. More particularly, the invention relates to a frame into which a number of fireworks can be inserted for sequential ignition. More specifically, the invention relates to a lightweight frame that can be permanently fixed together either singularly or in groups, that cannot easily tip over and does not create much shrapnel if a pyrotechnic device explodes in the frame. 
   2. Background Information 
   It is common for cities and community organizations to set off firework displays to celebrate various occasions and holidays. The fireworks used in these celebrations can be large and they need to be held in a manner that allows them to be easily ignited. It is therefore common for an organization to build a rack to hold the fireworks. These types of celebrations do not occur frequently and it is therefore fairly typical that the racks are made from 2″×4″ lumber, nails and other components that the organization can easily and quickly afford to put together. It is also quite common for organizations to store the racks between their infrequent uses, so that they do not need to be rebuilt for each occasion. The structures built in this manner tend to be fairly easily damaged when they are stored, or when they are removed from storage and erected for a display. They also tend to get damaged when fireworks are launched from them. It is also common for these racks to be easily knocked over by the people lighting the fireworks or as the fireworks are propelled out of them. This may result in the fireworks being shot into the audience or into the midst of the personnel igniting the displays. Additionally, because the racks are made from lumber connected together by screws or nails, if a rocket explodes within the rack, portions of the rack become shrapnel and may hurt or kill spectators or crew members setting off the fireworks. 
   There is therefore a need in the art for a rack for holding fireworks for ignition that will tend to remain upright during ignition and firing of the fireworks, which will produce very little shrapnel in the event of an explosion and may be stored easily and with less chance of damage being done to the rack. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The firework holding rack of the present invention comprises one or more frames that include end supports connected together by at least one brace. The brace includes an aperture through which a firework-receiving tube is inserted. The bottom of the tube preferably lays coplanar with the bottom of the end supports so that the recoil from a firework launch from the rack is substantially absorbed by the surface on which the tube and end supports stand. The brace also includes a bushing for absorbing the recoil of the launch. One or more frames may be connected together to form a bank of firework ignition and launching devices. The frames include a system for retaining an ignitor cord so that the crew lighting the fireworks display can stand remote from the frame. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principles, are set forth in the following description and are shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the rack for retaining fireworks in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the rack of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a top view of the rack of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is side view of the rack; 
       FIG. 5  is a top view of the rack showing a plurality of fireworks held in the tubes and ready for ignition; 
       FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional front view of the rack through lines  6 — 6  of  FIG. 3 , showing the connection between the firework tubes and support brace; 
       FIG. 7  is a top view of a rack for retaining fireworks showing a second embodiment in which two rows of fireworks supported by the rack; 
       FIG. 8  is a side view of the rack of  FIG. 7 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a front elevational view of the rack of  FIG. 9 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a top view showing three racks connected together to hold a plurality of fireworks 
       FIG. 11  a partial cut-away perspective view of the end of the rack showing the tie bar to be used to connect adjacent racks; 
       FIG. 12  is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the rack of  FIG. 11  showing the tie bar inserted into the rack; 
       FIG. 13  is a partial cross-sectional side view of the rack through lines  13 — 13  of  FIG. 10 , showing a connector rod inserted through a rack; 
       FIG. 14  is a side elevational view showing three racks connected together; 
       FIG. 15  is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of an end of the rack showing a 2×4 being used to connect adjacent racks together; 
       FIG. 16  is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the rack showing the rack with the 2×4 connected to it; 
       FIG. 17  is a side view of three racks connected together with 2×4 s; 
       FIG. 18  is a side view of two racks connected together at an angle so that fireworks may be shot out of them at an angle; 
       FIG. 19  is a partial cross-sectional side view of a rack tube showing how a connector is used to hold the tube at an angle; 
       FIG. 20  is a side view of two racks connected together at an angle by a 2×4 plank; 
       FIG. 21  is a side view of a rack showing a support to hold the rack in an upright position; 
       FIG. 22  is a top view of the rack showing an explosion occurring in one of the tubes; and 
       FIG. 23  is a side view of a truck with a plurality of racks mounted thereon. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1–6  there is shown a rack or frame, generally indicated at  10 , for holding fireworks  28  for ignition. Rack  10  includes two opposing end supports  12  and  14  connected together by braces  16  and  18 . A plurality of hollow, cylindrical tubes  20  are held in apertures  22  and  24  in braces  16 ,  18 . Pyrotechnics or fireworks  28 , such as rockets, are inserted into the bores  26  of tubes  20 . Fireworks  28  are connected to an ignitor cord  30  by ignitor wires  32 . Ignitor cord  30  ( FIG. 5 ) is lit by a suitable ignition source (not shown) and the fireworks  28  are propelled out of the tubes  20 . 
   End supports  12 ,  14  and braces  16 ,  18  of rack  10  preferably are manufactured from a heavy gauge, strong, lightweight material such as aluminum, while tubes  20  preferably are manufactured from high density polyethylene (HDPE) or fiberglass. End supports  12 ,  14  and braces  16 ,  18  are welded or riveted together. It is less desirable to use screws or nuts and bolts to join these components together as screws and the like could become projectiles in the event that a pyrotechnic device explodes in rack  10 . The entire rack  10  preferably is tumbled during manufacture to remove all sharp edges from supports  12 ,  14  and braces  16 ,  18 . 
   End supports  12  and  14  are identically shaped. The following description refers to support  12 , but it applies equally to substantially identical support  14 . Support  12  is an essentially U-shaped member having a rear wall  12   a  and two smaller side walls  12   b  and  12   c  extending outwardly therefrom. The lower sections  12   d  of supports  12 , are adapted to rest on the ground G, or on the bed of a truck or barge. Each of rear wall  12   a  and side walls  12   b ,  12   c  defines a plurality of variously oriented and sized holes  34  and  36  therein. All of holes  34 ,  36  provide a way for air to escape from rack  10  in the event of an explosion of a firework  28  held within rack  10 . This aids in preventing rack  10  from disintegrating upon such an event occurring. Holes  34 ,  36  may also be used as handles for a user to carry rack  10 . Some of holes  36  are sized to receive connector rods  38  therethrough (as shown and described hereafter with reference to  FIGS. 10–12 ). Flanges  46   a  and  46   b  may be provided on the upper and lower ends of rear wall  12   a  to increase the strength and stability of end support  12 . Flange  46   b  on lower section  12   d  assists in providing a stable bottom surface on which end support  12  can rest on the ground G. Flanges  42  are provided along the outside longitudinal edge of side walls  12   b  and  12   c  and flanges  42  extend over the upper wall  16   a  of braces  16  and  18  to hold rack  10  together in a rigid and stable manner. Rack  10  may also be provided with legs (not shown) that may be connected to lower sections  12   d  and  14   d  of supports  12  and  14 . 
   Referring still to  FIGS. 1–6 , braces  16  and  18  are essentially identical, and while the following description pertains to brace  16 , it should be understood that it applies equally to brace  18 . Brace  16  preferably is U-shaped and has an upper wall  16   a  and two side walls  16   b ,  16   c  extending downwardly therefrom. Brace  16  may be manufactured from a single piece of aluminum that is bent at a corner edges  48  and  50  to form side walls  16   b ,  16   c  and a longitudinal flange  52  ( FIG. 6 ). Side walls  12   c ,  12   d  may be partially cut-away to receive side walls  16   b ,  16   c  of brace and side walls  12   c ,  12   d  preferably are welded to brace  16 . It will be understood that brace  16  may alternatively be partially cut-away to receive side walls  12   b ,  12   c  of support  12  without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Corner edges  48  and  50  of brace  16  may include a plurality of apertures  54  and  56  along their length. A plurality of slots  58  are also provided along the length of side walls  16   b  and  16   c . Apertures  54 ,  56  and slots  58  allow for air to escape from rack  10  if a firework device  28  in rack  10  explodes. The side walls  16   b ,  16   c  of brace  16  may also be provided with apertures  60  which are coaxially aligned with holes (not shown) in end supports  12 ,  14 . A connector guide  64  may be inserted through aligned holes  60  in brace  16  and support  12  and welded into place to assist in locking brace  16  to support  12 . A bushing  66  extends partially into the apertures  22  in the upper wall  16   a  of brace  16 . Bushings  66  preferably are manufactured of neoprene or rubber and are secured in place between upper wall  16   a  and a plate  67  by way of rivets  68  ( FIG. 6 ). Bushings  66  cushion the tube  20  against axial movement when a firework device  28  is propelled out of tube  20  and dampen the effect on rack  10  when fireworks  28  are launched therefrom. 
   Brace  16  also includes an ignitor cord retaining system, generally indicated at  90 . Ignitor cord retaining system  90  comprises a plurality of spaced apart holes  70  into which tabs  72  extend. Holes  70  are shown as being defined in upper wall  16   a  of brace  16 , but it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the holes  70  and tabs  72  may be provided on side walls  16   b ,  16   c  without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, tabs  72  may be T-shaped or may have any other-shaped configuration that will allow ignitor cord  30  to be retained thereunder. Each tab  72  may extend only partially into hole  70  or may extend across the entire width of hole  70 .  FIG. 5  shows that ignitor cord  30  is threaded under the series of tabs  72  on brace  16  and that a plurality of ignition wires  32  extend from ignitor cord  30  to the plurality of fireworks  28  disposed in tubes  20 . 
     FIGS. 7–9  illustrate a second embodiment of a rack, generally indicated at  110 . Rack  110  is similar in structure and function to rack  10 , except that the braces  116  and  118  include two rows of apertures  122  into which tubes  120  are received. End supports  112  and  114  include a plurality of holes  134  to allow air to escape in the event of an explosion in rack  110 . Brace  116  includes two rows of apertures  170   a  and  170   b  having T-shaped tabs  172  extending thereinto, each row  170   a ,  170   b  being adapted to engage a separate fuse (not shown). 
   Referring to  FIGS. 10–14 , more than one rack  10 D,  10 E and  10 F for holding fireworks may be joined together. This is achieved by sequentially inserting a connecting rod  38  through the connector guides  64  in the coaxially aligned holes  60  of each of the braces  16 D,  16 E,  16 F and supports  12 D,  12 E and  12 F of the plurality of racks  10 D,  10 E and  10 F. Once rod  38  is inserted through guides  64 , a plurality of pins or nails  74  are inserted into holes  73  to join the upper wall of each brace  16 D,  16 E and  16 F to connecting rod  38 . In a similar fashion, a connecting rod  38   a  is inserted through aligned holes (not shown) in support  14 D,  14 E and  14 F. As may be seen from  FIG. 14 , additional connector rods  39  are inserted through supports  12 D,  12 E and  12 F and brace  18  (not numbered in this Figure). Though not specifically illustrated, a rod may also be inserted through supports  14 D,  14 E and  14 F and brace  18 . In this way a stable and rigid rack system  76  is formed. It is contemplated that up to sixteen racks could be connected together along a ten foot long connector rod  38 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 15–17  a second rack system  176  may be formed by inserting lumber such as a 2″×4″, generally indicated at  178  through a pair of coaxially aligned holes  34   a ,  34   b  in supports  12 D,  12 E and  12 F of adjacent racks  10 D,  10 E and  10 F. Pins or nails  174  are inserted through holes  13  and then driven into plank  178  to lock the same to each support  12 D,  12 E and  12 F. Similarly, a second plank  178   a  can be used to secure the three supports  12 D,  12 E and  12 F together toward their bases. It will be understood that lumber would also be secured to the supports  14  on the other side of racks  10 D,  10 E and  10 F in the same manner, although this is not specifically illustrated. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 18–19 , a third rack system, generally indicated at  276 , may be formed by inserting lumber  278  through the coaxially aligned holes  34   a ,  34   b  in adjacent racks  10 G and  10 H. Pins  278  are used to connect lumber  278  to supports  12 G and  12 H at an angle. In this instance, however, the lumber  278  used is of a lesser height than that of the holes  34   a ,  34   b , e.g., the lumber  278  used may be 2″×2″ instead of 2″×4″. Alternatively, as is shown in  FIG. 20 , one single plank  278   a  can be used to hold racks  10 G and  10 H at an angle β relative to each other. This allows the racks  10 G and  10 H to be connected together at any angle α or β relative to each other, with a maximum angle being in the order of about 30°. Positioning the racks  10 G and  10 H at an angle relative to each other allows the fireworks held in the respective racks to be propelled outwardly from tubes  220  at an angle relative to each other. This may produce a more aesthetically pleasing fireworks display. 
   Referring to  FIG. 21 , a stand  378  may also be used to hold rack  10  in an upright position. The ends  378   c  of stand  378  may be inserted through the connector guides (not shown) of rack  10 . In this instance, at least one pin  374  may be used to secure stand  378  to rack  310 . Stand  378  has two legs  378   a ,  378   b  to hold rack  10  in an upright position. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  5 ,  22  and  23 , in use, rack  10  is positioned so that the lower end  12   d ,  14   d  of supports  12  and  14  and the lower ends  20   b  of the tubes  20  rest on the ground G or on the bed of a truck or barge. Pyrotechnic devices or fireworks  28  are inserted into tubes  20 . An ignitor wire  32  connects a fuse  80  on each firework device  28  to the ignitor cord  30 . Fuse  80  may be the brown wick paper that is disposed on the outside of firework  28 . Ignitor cord  30  therefore has a plurality of ignitor wires  32  joining it at spaced intervals along its length. The ignitor cord extends from a suitable ignition source, such as control panel  490  ( FIG. 23 ). A charge travels down cord  30  and outwardly along the ignitor wires  32 , thereby sequentially setting the fuses  80  alight. As the explosive materials within the fireworks  28  are ignited, the fireworks are launched from their respective tubes  20 . The launch of a firework device  28   a  causes its respective ignitor wire  32   a  to separate from the cord  30  because cord  30  is secured under tab  72  on brace  16 . The recoil from the launch of firework  28   a  is absorbed by the ground G. Additionally, the recoil is dampened by bushing  66 . These features assist in preventing rack  10  from tipping over during ignition of the fireworks  28  contained in rack  10 . 
   Referring specifically to  FIG. 22 , there is shown an instance where one of the fireworks  28   b  held in rack  10  explodes upon ignition. Side walls  16   b  and  16   c  of brace  16  are able to tear away from upper wall  16   a  along corner edges  48  and  50 . This is possible because the plurality of apertures  54  and  56  provide lines of weakness along corner edges  48  and  50 . Small sections of material exist between apertures  54  and  56  along corner edges  48  and  50 . These small sections of material can be better seen in  FIG. 11 , being indicated generally at  48   a ,  48   b ,  48   c  and  50   a ,  50   b  and  50   c . If an explosion occurs, the force causes the small sections of material to break away sequentially, e.g., sections  48   a  and  50   a , then  48   b  and  50   b  and then  48   c  and  50   c . The piece of side wall  16   b  that extends between sections  48   a  and  50   a , then  48   b  and  50   b  and finally  48   c  and  50   c , tear away from upper wall  16   a  in sequence. The series of apertures  54  interspersed with sections of material  48   a ,  48   b ,  48   c  and series of apertures  56  interspersed with section  50   a ,  50   b ,  50   c  thereby define a tearaway zone or tear zipper along which the impact of an explosion can be at least partially absorbed. The pieces of upper wall  16   a  disposed between apertures  22  and corner edge  48 , generally indicated at  82 , are thin and narrow. As a result, if firework  28   b  explodes, pieces  82   a  and  82   b  separate from each other instead of being blown off upper wall  16   a . Additionally, apertures  54 ,  56  and slots  58  provide passages for air escaping from the exploding pyrotechnic device  28   b . All these features tend to reduce the outward force from the explosion and reduce the amount of shrapnel produced. All these features also help rack  10  absorb the shock of such an explosion and the tendency of the rack to tip over is greatly reduced. Rack  10  are herein contemplated is sufficiently strong enough to withstand a catastrophic event using shell recommendations of NFPA 1123 for rack firing. 
     FIG. 23  shows a series of racks systems  476   a ,  476   b ,  476   c ,  476   d  and  476   e  connected to each other and standing on the bed  484  of a truck trailer  486 . Adjacent rack systems, such as  476   a  and  476   b , are firingly joined together by ignitor cord  30 . Rack systems  476   a  through  476   e  may be transported in this manner on the bed  484  of truck  486  or the bed  484  may be used as the launchpad for fireworks held within rack systems. 
   It will be understood by those skilled in the art that variously designed rack systems may be put together. The rack systems can include any number of racks that are joined together adjacently or end to end. More than two connector rods or lumber can be used to secure adjacent racks together. Additionally, the racks within the system may be mounted so that the tubes lie substantially at ninety degrees to the ground, or they may be mounted at another angle relative to the ground or each other or any combination of the these. Furthermore, racks having one, two, three or more rows of firework-holding tubes may be connected together. It will also be understood that the ignition cord for the racks in the system may be threaded from one rack to another. 
   In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. 
   Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.