Abstract:
A fireworks holding device for holding fireworks in an upward direction for safely igniting the fireworks and for safely holding the fireworks so that they are fired in an upward direction. The fireworks holding device has a base, vertical supports connected to the base and horizontal supports connected to the vertical supports for contacting and holding or guiding the fireworks. The fireworks can be set off by remote control using a signal sent by a transmitter for transmitting a coded signal for setting off a selected firework. A receiver receives the signal and sends a current to an electronic match for igniting the fuse of the selected firework. The fireworks are therefore safely held and remotely ignited for increased safety of fireworks displays.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    This invention relates to holding fireworks used for a display and safely firing them by remote control.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    Currently consumer fireworks are ignited by matches, incense, small propane torches, cigarette lighters, cigarette or other hand held devices. Further, these fireworks are generally not secured by any device to control the direction of firing during the firing process. This type of traditional firing and displaying procedure would occasionally cause the fireworks to fall over, change direction, or point in undesirable directions. Further hand held ignition of fuses is inherently dangerous due to the handling of fire and due to problems with fuses which may be too short or bum too fast. Under either condition, the operator and audience may not have sufficient time to leave the danger zone and avoid accidents when fireworks start shooting in an uncontrolled manner. The current firing and displaying practices are unsafe.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    The fireworks holder with remote control firing system safely holds the fireworks and allows firing from a remote and safe location. The fireworks are first placed in a holder for securely holding the fireworks for firing in a controlled direction and for electronically connecting a remote controlled fuse lighting device. Firing of the fireworks employs a digital programmable remote control, a decoder, a dispatch junction box, an electric firing cable, and electric match. Through the digital and programmable remote control a coded signal is transmitted towards a receiving decoder. After decoding, the decoder generates an electrical current that runs through a dispatch junction box, individual electric cable and electric match for igniting the fireworks.  
           [0006]    The electric match is made of a tungsten wire covered by an igniting explosive. The electric match is connected to the fuse of fireworks. The fireworks are secured by a fireworks holder. When an electrical current reaches the electric match through the electric firing cable, the tungsten wire generates heat causing the explosive to explode and ignites the fuse of the fireworks. The fireworks holder holds the fireworks upright to prevent it from falling during the firing and display of the fireworks. This remote control firing and securing system can remotely control the firing of secured fireworks from a safe distance, elevating the level of safety and fun in fireworks firing and display. The coded signal may be transmitted by wire or wirelessly such as infrared, laser, radio wave and ultrasonic signals.  
           [0007]    The fireworks holder has a base portion, vertical support rods, and adjustable arms for engaging the fireworks adjustably attached to the vertical support rods or a horizontal support connected to the vertical support rods. The base portion can be a base plate or base legs. Rings on the vertical support rods or the horizontal supports can be used alone or in combination with holes in the base plates for holding rockets or roman candles.  
         OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    It is an object of the invention to increase safety while using fireworks.  
           [0009]    It is an object of the invention to provide a stand for holding fireworks safely while they are being ignited.  
           [0010]    It is an object of the invention to hold fireworks so that they go off in a controlled direction.  
           [0011]    It is an object of the invention to hold fireworks with an adjustable holder for any size fireworks.  
           [0012]    It is an object of the invention to remotely ignite fireworks in a safe manner.  
           [0013]    It is an object of the invention to remotely control the order in which fireworks are set off.  
           [0014]    Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 is a schematic of the remote control system.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electric match.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of first embodiment of a fireworks holding stand.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of second embodiment of a fireworks holding stand.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a fireworks holding stand.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a fireworks holding stand.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a fireworks holding stand. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0022]    The invention uses holding devices that secure fireworks in an upright position and creates a simple and safe to operate remote control firing system that can be safely distanced from the fireworks display area.  
         [0023]    The fireworks remote control firing and securing system  10  (shown in FIG. 1) consists of a digital programmable remote control  111 , a decoder  112 , electronic firing cables  114  connecting the decoder  112  to a dispatch junction box  113 , and wires  121  connecting the dispatch junction box  113  to, electric matches  115  which light fuses  116  on the fireworks  118  held in fireworks holders  117 .  
         [0024]    The digital programmable remote control  111  generates and sends a coded signal  120  to a receiving decoder  112 . After decoding, the decoder  112  sends an electrical current that runs through electronic firing cables  114  a dispatch junction box  113 , individual wires  121  connect to electric matches  115  which ignites fuse  116 . The electric match  115  is made of a tungsten wire  26  covered by igniting explosive  27 . The electric match  115  is connected to the fuse  116  of fireworks  118 . The fireworks  118  are secured in an upright position by a fireworks holder  117 .  
         [0025]    The above described remote control  111 , receiving decoder  112  and dispatch junction box  113  are powered by direct electrical current. The coded signal  120  may be transmitted from the remote control  111  by wire or a wireless mode such as radio waves, infrared waves, lasers or ultrasonic waves.  
         [0026]    The remote control  111  has a digital memory and is programmable. The coded signal  120  can be transmitted to the receiving decoder  112  which may also be programmed. The programmed decoder  112  has a controller for sending signals to the correct fireworks  118 ,  119  to be set off depending on the coded signal  120  received. After decoding, the decoder  112  generates an electrical current, which is dispatched to a junction box  113 , which in turn dispatches current to the appropriate electric match  115  for igniting the fireworks of choice. The programmed decoder can also be connected to a hi-fi system for sending signals so that fireworks display synchronized with music.  
         [0027]    As shown in FIG. 1 there are three dispatch junction boxes  113  but any number may be used. Further each junction box may be connected to any number of electric matches  115  for setting off any number of fuses for any number of fireworks.  
         [0028]    As shown in FIG. 2, the electric match  115  is made of a tungsten wire  26  covered by igniting explosive  27 . The electric match  115  is connected to the fuse  116  of fireworks  118 . When an electrical current reaches the electric match  115  through wire  121 , the tungsten wire  26  generates heat causing the explosive  27  to explode and ignites the fuse  116  of fireworks.  
         [0029]    The electric match  115  is designed for ease of use by plugging in the plastic insulator  23  into the ignition cap  28  to connect up the system. Electrical current is transmitted through wire  121  into the tubular copper conductor  22  enclosed by a female plastic insulator  23 . When the male plug in connection  20  is plugged in to the female plastic insulator  23 , the electrical current then passes through copper wire conductor  24  in the male plug in connection  20  housed in the ignition cap  28 . The copper wire conductor  24  is enclosed by plastic insulator  25 . The tungsten wire  26  is covered by a small amount of explosive  27 . The tungsten wire  26  generates heat causing the explosive  27  to explode within the ignition cap  28 . The minute explosion ignites the fuse  116  of the fireworks  118  which is held in fireworks holders  117 .  
         [0030]    FIGS.  3 - 7  show different embodiments of fireworks holders. Each embodiment has a base, vertical support rods and holding arms attached to the vertical rods for engaging and holding the fireworks in an upright position. Each of the embodiments shows different means for adjusting for the size and type of fireworks used. Optionally rings attached to the fireworks holder can be used for holding rockets or roman candles in an upright position. The ring may be attached to the vertical rod and in line with a cavity at the base.  
         [0031]    The fireworks holder is simple and easy to use, elevating the level of safety in fireworks firing and display.  
         [0032]    As shown in FIG. 3, the fireworks  118  can be secured in an upright position by a pair semicircular holding arms  33 . The base  31  supports a vertical support rod  32 . The vertical support rod  32  has at least a pair of semicircular holding arms  33  attached to it. The pair of holding arms can enclose and hold the fireworks in an upright position using the vertical support rod  32  as a support. The arms  33  can be stabilized by tightening a wing nut  34  or other nut locating near the top of the vertical support rod  32 . The vertical support rod  32  would preferably be a threaded rod having tube or pipe sections  37  over it. The arms  33 , are connected to some of the tube or pipe sections  37 , others are used as spacers. The vertical support rings  35  on some of the tube or pipe sections  37  on the vertical support rod  32  are vertically in line with the cavity  36  locating at the base  31 . When using the fireworks holder, the fireworks are placed at the center of the base  31 . The holding arms  33  can then enclose the fireworks  118  by encircling them. The pair of holding arms  33  can adjust to the width of fireworks  118  being used by means of rotating the pipe or tube sections  37  on vertical rod  32 . The arms  33  can also adjust their height in accordance with the heights of the fireworks by sliding up and down the vertical support rod  32  with the use of appropriate spacer tubes or pipes  37 . When the fireworks  118  are secured by the arms  33  in an upright position, the arms  33  can be stabilized by tightening the nut  34  near the top of the vertical support rod  32 . The vertical support rod  32  can support small pipe or tube sections  37  with vertical support rings  35  attached which can be vertically in line with the cavity  36  located at the base  31 . Long shaped Fireworks such as rockets and roman candles  119  can be secured in an upright position by inserting the fireworks vertically into the vertical support ring  35  and cavity  36 .  
         [0033]    As shown in FIG. 4 the fireworks  118  can be secured in an upright position by three horizontal holding arms  43  with end bearing plates  44 . The base  41  is equipped with three vertical support rods  42 . Each vertical support rod  42  has one pair of horizontal holding arms  43  attached to it. The three pair of horizontal holding arms  43  can enclose and hold the fireworks  118  in an upright position using the vertical support rods  42  as support. The arms  43  are adjusted and stabilized by tightening nuts  47  located on either side of the vertical support rods  42 . Vertical rings  45  attached to the vertical support rods  42  are in line with the cavity  46  located at the base  41  to hold rockets or roman candles  119  in an upright position for firing.  
         [0034]    As shown in FIG. 5 the fireworks can be secured in an upright position by three horizontal holding arms  53  with end bearing plates  54 . The base  51  is equipped with three vertical support rods  52  and a support ring  57  that can adjustably slide up and down on rods  52 . The support ring  57  can be adjustable to any level by turning nuts  58  on either side of the support ring  57 . The support ring  57  has three horizontal holding arms  53 . The horizontal holding arms  53  can enclose and hold the fireworks  118  in an upright position using the support ring  57  as a support. The horizontal arms  53  are adjustably held in place by tightening the nuts  59  on either side of support ring  57 . Vertical rings  53  attached to the support ring  57  are vertically in line with cavities  56  located at the base  51  to hold roman candles or rockets  119  in a vertical position for firing.  
         [0035]    As shown in FIG. 6 the fireworks  118  can be secured in an upright position by six horizontal holding arms  63  with end bearing plates  64 . Each horizontal holding arm  63  is adjustably attached to a support ring  67 . The support rings  67  are attached to vertical support rods  62 , which rest on feet  61  for engaging the ground. The feet  61  may have angle adjusting connectors  66 , to adjust the angle of the feet  61  relative to the vertical support rods  62 . In the embodiment shown there are three vertical support rods  62  and two support rings  67  that can be attached at various locations on rods  62  to adjust the support rings  67  and horizontal holding arms  63  relative to the fireworks  118  to be held. The support ring  67  can be stabilized at a selected level by tightening the bolts and nuts  68  extending through different apertures  168  in the vertical support rods  62 . Each support ring  67  has three horizontal holding arms  63 . The horizontal holding arms  63  can enclose and hold the fireworks  118  in an upright position using the support ring  67  as support. The horizontal holding arms  63  are adjustably held in position by tightening nuts  69  on the horizontal holding arms  63  on either side of support ring  67 . The vertical rings  65  in this embodiment are attached to the support ring  67  such that the vertical rings are vertically in line with each other for holding rockets or roman candles in an upright position for firing.  
         [0036]    As shown in FIG. 7, the fireworks  118  can be secured in an upright position between horizontal supports  73  and horizontal rods  74  held in place by vertical supports  72  resting on feet  71 . The feet  71  are equipped with angle adjusting connectors  78 , adjustably connecting the feet  71  to vertical supports  72 . The fireworks  118  are held by adjusting the length of the horizontal rods  74  extending between vertical supports  72  by turning wing nuts  75 . The distance between the horizontal rods  74  are adjustable by attaching the vertical supports  72  to the horizontal supports  73  by bolts  76  through selected apertures  79  in the horizontal supports  73 . Similarly the height of the horizontal supports are adjustable by selecting apertures  80  in vertical supports  72  and inserting bolts  76  therethrough to secure the horizontal supports  73  to the vertical supports  72 .  
         [0037]    Vertical rings  77  attached to the horizontal supports  73  are vertically in line with each other to hold roman candles or rockets  119  in an upright position.  
         [0038]    In the embodiment of FIG. 7 the horizontal supports  73  and the horizontal rods  74  both contact the sides of the fireworks  118  to be held and constitute the holding arms described in the claims.  
         [0039]    Although the adjustment of the length of the holding arms  43 ,  53  and  63  have been shown by use of nuts  47 ,  59  and  69  respectively any means for adjustably holding the arms at a specified length adjustable for the size of the fireworks used is within the scope of the invention. Similarly the support rings  57  and  67  in FIGS. 5 and 6 respectively can be adjustably attached to the vertical rods  52  and  62  by any means and still be within the scope of the invention.  
         [0040]    The embodiment shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and  6  have three vertical supports however any number of vertical supports may be used. Similarly any number of holding arms may be used on each vertical support. Similarly the number of support rings may be changed and the rings need not be circular, they may be any shape to surround the fireworks.  
         [0041]    Once the fireworks  118 , rockets or roman candles  119  are secured in the fireworks holders in the various locations as shown in FIG. 1 the electric matches  115  are plugged in and the fuses  116  inserted into the electric matches  115  so that they can light the fuses to the fireworks  118  or roman candles or rockets  119 . The wires  121  from the electric matches  115  are checked to make sure they are properly connected at the junction box  113  and then the electronic firing cables  114  are checked to make sure they are properly connecting the junction boxes  113  to the decoder. After a final safety check, insert battery into the remote control  111  and connect a power source for direct current electricity (not shown) to the decoder for distribution to the various electric matches  115 .  
         [0042]    As shown in FIG. 1 remote control  111  can transmit different coded signals  120  towards a receiving decoder  112 . After decoding, the decoder  112  sends an electrical current that runs through a dispatch junction box  113  that in turn dispatches the electrical current through the individual wire  121  to the individual electric matches  115  for igniting the fuses  116  of the desired fireworks  118  or rockets  119 . The remote control allows the user to set off fireworks, rockets, roman candles and the like from a safe distance. The fireworks are ignited and held in an upright position for safely fireing the fireworks, rockets or other pyrotechnics in an upward direction.  
         [0043]    Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.