GB2474890A

GB2474890A - Firework launching apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2474890A
Application number: GB0919062A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Simpson Lee; Barbara Marie Lee
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-10-30
Filing date: 2009-10-30
Publication date: 2011-05-04
Anticipated expiration: 2029-10-30
Also published as: GB2474890B; GB0919062D0

Abstract

A firework launching apparatus comprises a surface 10 including a plurality of indents for receiving fireworks in use, the surface also defining a portion 16 for receiving ballast. The portion 16 for receiving ballast may include a number of concentric rings 18 or indicia. The concentric rings 18 or indicia may provide a levelling facility. The surface 10 may include a plurality of spike protrusions 12.

Description

FIREWORic LAUNCHING APPARATUS This invention relates to a firework launching apparatus. In particular, this invention relates to a firework launching apparatus suitable for launching fireworks n primarily a domestic garden or yard environment. The apperatus enabling the safe launching of fireworks and protects the surrounding area from unsightly burning or scorching.

Certainl as far as the UK is coucerned, one of the most popular festivals involving fireworks Is celebrated on 5th November, which is associated with Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot. Traditionally, people gather with their friends and families to enjoy a firework display in their gardens or yards at a time of year when the evenings are rather dark and gloomy. More recently, fireworks have become commonplace for all kinds of celebrations, such as birthdays, anniversaries, christenings. Christmes and New Years Eve.

There are two main problems associated with putting on a firework display in a domestic garden or yard environment. The first problem is to do with safety, and according to RoSPA, in 2005 the number of people in the UK injured by fireworks was 990. Whilst many of the injuries are due to horseplay and people not following accepted safety advice, injuries can occur if a lit firework simply falls over.

Many of the fireworks sold are designed to he seated directly into/onto the ground or in sand nd often ad hoc * methods of support are utiflsed which do nfl always provide satisfaetory results. Obviouslr, if a lit firework falls over this primarily is a dangerous situation ai coritrat over the intended bn4fl of the firework j* lost. Xytdeed it could digebarge in the direction qf tña pepie viewing the disp2ay at cause a fire risk towncts hedge and I exicfl: etc. This tfl also cause burning and scorchirg damb4e to the.awn or yard.

Clearly,g then dangez, become even mcre appneJLt it the launching area at the)wn of yard is n.t Jnl.

Anotbe-t pr*blem associated with the nfl Of tizworks in a domesttc ga.zden or yard envitOiflt iM th damage caused to the taunek. area, even if the ii.taplay passes of t safely. Many tixeworks cause damage to the surrounding launch area which can be unsightly for sometime until either cleaned. tnt the yard or the grass has tecovered.

It.2.5. therafore an object ot the: prestit invention to p5* , nsr' launchinf apparatus. It is a further object of the present inànt.ion to ptewide a fig'ewnk laiutSiixt9 appatat*is auitabio $ for lancb$ag fireworks in. pflnrily s daest4c garde oz ynd enviranmeat. In. un, the present invention provides a safe and stabrte lanneh ama that aen be used to SScure fireworks prier to Ughting and ennflgq that they do npt fall over. The apparatus also covers an eras such that, in use, damage tp the surrounding 1aqrch. area does not occur which pretects the lawn or yard from unsightly buxn marks. ]n iwe1 the present invention fl.so includes a levelling facility to ensure that the apantus is substantiaJy flat4

V

According to the present invention there. is provided a firework lching apparatws, the appaxat4W-comptising a surface inc1uiUxt' . plurality of indeats fot eoejviflg fireworks in use, the surface also ueflnImj' a port4on for receivi*ç b@last.

preferably, the suflact is designed. ta be placed directly cats the yard or lssn -tf the appsntus is asS on sctt qrtimd ox. on a tawn1 prsfez4blY in use4 a plurality ot spike protrusions fle. diapcisS atoimct the outside gj tq: mitt ace. These say be engaged with a push-fit Uawgb apertures in the surface, Further preferably, the portion foz receiving ballast on the aurtace may be formed as a hollow in the body of the sgflage. Suitable ballast rnich as water or sand may}s used. The portion for reqjflnq ballast on the surfaee ala� inciu.des a nuiber f cqncenttit rings OE indicia. Zn. use, tite user QUla the parUon for receiving bflWt i4t sand or water1, which has the dual effect of providing a more solid and robust bat from which tc the lauoh the Ltzeworka The uoftcentria rings o ja4iaja also provide a sisple levellinq kcfltty.

Preferab1y in ns, the user simpAy ba. to nfle sure that the sand or water inside the portion for receiving ballast fnllç gf the concentrjo rtxtgs and modify the depth of the pikes accordingly.

In use, since the fireworks are held.in plurality of indents for receiving fireworks, tbs majority of the spray and tin thtt comes from a lit firework. 1* confined -3 to the surface 4 thereby ensuring that the damage caused to the launch area is minimised.

Preferabi!, tn apparatus comprises cut oats made in the suzae, The present inventton may b gmed or znoulded ftoa a variety oC plastics materials, such ta ABS or any fin etardartt pJastic.

It La beUeved that a tizticvfl launuh.thg appantus Lu iodna with the present inventiotl at Least addrpaes the pteblez outlined above. ta particular, the adiraataqes of the present invtnb&ofl are that a firework lmg*vh.iag apparatus is psoflde4 with is suitable f*; kaamohing fireworks in pzLmsril-y a domestic garden or yard aittironment. Advantageously the present intention provLdes a sate and stable launch area that can be used to cure fireworks prior to Ughtiug and ensure that they do not fall over. Further ctrantagenusly, the apparatus ala cuvers* an area suck that1 in use, damage to the *rqrrqundiug launch area doesnet. o�cur which protects tS Ian or yard from irnsightLy bunt Zfl5dh*t In Itse, the preaeut innutSau also ingAudes: a lq1iing facility t nnn that tize appatus is anaflally flat4 it wifl obv g: to those skilled. ist.tbe art that tariatioitg of the present invention axe pssLbla and it is intended tjt the present invention may be used other than as specific4ly described herein.

A specific flQ1iiniting eutbocliment of the invention will now be described by way of exatwle and with reference to the apçompanying drawings, in. Mt!iGh: Figufl I showS a side perspectin vIew of the preseat. inventionp Figure 2 shows t $an view frcm above c.f the present inventLot; tigure a 4ipws a side flew gi the side c4 the present tnveitLgn; and' flgure 4 shciws a side view of the fxnt of the present Invettioxt4 Referring now to the drawinq, the firework launching apparatus of the present jfltej3t jon is illustrated ip. fjgs. 1 to 4. The apparatus consists of a generally ctrct4*r surf ace 10 which is deaiqned to be placed dizeetly outc the yard or lawn.. if tM a9pantus is used ag at qrqind or on a law*, a pI*zrelitr çx spike protriiaiow 12 ar disposed around the osatsifle çrf the surface 10. TheSe ate engaged. with a pu5brfit through apertures $4. . The: fiLled peno wilt c4' course appreciate pter of qn ecting the spikeS 12 to the apOtt%Xtfl It axe possible..

The surface IQ;]jq. defines a. ballast axa 16 which runs aroqnd tbs periphery of the apparatus. The ballast * area 16 is showig as a circular hollow Eened in the body of the surfa�e 10. It also inc.Ludea a number of concentric rings 18. In use, the user f.SiLs the ballast area 16 with saM �r water (not showi4. Thj has the dual effsgt rcciding a more solid xt4 zobust base from which to the launch the fireworks (not shown) and also it provides a simple levelling facility. In particular, the user simply has to make sure that the sand or water inside the ballast area 16 follows one of the concentric rings 18 and modify the depth of the spikes 12 accordingly.

From a safety point of view the fact that the base has additional ballast and also can be secured through spikes 12, if appropriate, ensure a secure and level launching area.

In use, fireworks (not shown), are placed in the central launching portion 28 of the surface 10 and a plurality of differently-sized indents 20, 22 and 24 are provided for receiving a variety of different-sized fireworks that are available in the marketplace. The indents could also accommodate rocket launching tubes. The indents 20, 22 and 24 can also include cut-outs 30 to accommodate non circular fireworks, such as, for example, some of the multi-shot varieties that are available in the marketplace. As the fireworks are held in the central launching portion 28 of the surface 10, the majority of the spray and fire that comes from a lit firework will be confined to the surface 10, thereby ensuring that the damage caused to the launch area is minirnised as far as possible.

After use, the user can simply pick up the apparatus through the cut outs 26 made in the surface 10, The present invention can be formed or moulded from a variety of plastic materials, be it ABS or any fire retardant.

plastic. The skilled person will appreciate That any number of different materials could be used.

Various alterations and modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. Fo.r example, although particular embodiments refer to implementing the present inventiOn in a domestic garden or yard environment, this is in no way intended to be limiting as, in use, the present invention can be utilised on a much bigger scale, such as, for large organised firework displays. The skilled person will also appreciate that although the present invention has been shown in Figs. 1 to 4 as having a substantially circular cross section, this is IC 00 way intended to be limiting as, in use, the present inentiofl can be utilised in any manner of dIfferent sizes and shapes.