A pyrotechnic device includes a launcher for launching and igniting a plurality of pyrotechnic stars for creating an aerial fireworks display. The launcher comprises a launching tube having an igniter that ignites the pyrotechnic stars as they are being expelled from the launching tube under the force of pressurized air. The igniter may comprise a section of the launching tube having a locally reduced diameter so that the pyrotechnic star frictionally engages it during launch, causing a striker composition on the interior of the launching tube to ignite a prime composition on the exterior surface of the pyrotechnic star. Alternatively, the igniter may comprise a flame within the launching tube to ignite the prime composition on the star. Various feeding mechanisms are provided to rapidly feed a large number of pyrotechnic stars for launching from the launching tube. The launcher utilizes pressurized air to launch the pyrotechnic stars and, thus, minimizes adverse environmental impact.
We claim:
1. A launcher for launching a plurality of fireworks projectiles for creating an aerial fireworks display, comprising:
(a) a loading chamber for receiving a fireworks projectile to be launched;
(b) a launching tube having a lower end registerable with the loading chamber and an open upper end for expelling the fireworks projectile, said launching tube registered with said loading chamber while said plurality of fireworks are sequentially expelled from said launching tube;
(c) an igniter between the lower end and the open upper end of the launching tube that ignites the fireworks projectile as it is being expelled from the launching tube; and
(d) a control apparatus for introducing a predetermined amount of a pressurized gas into the loading chamber to expel the fireworks projectile from the open upper end of the launching tube.
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