Patents by Inventor Donald Updyke, Jr.

Donald Updyke, Jr. has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5415152
    Abstract: A method of successively launching a plurality of projectiles, such as fireworks projectiles, which explode into an aerial pyrotechnic display. The projectiles are launched from a launcher having a pressure tank containing a compressed gas and a plurality of launching tubes for holding the projectiles. The launching tubes are constructed to form a magazine to enable successive launching of fireworks projectiles by appropriate indexing of the magazine which brings the launching tubes into registration with the output port of a valve. The valve introduces compressed gas into one of the launching tubes to launch a projectile into the air. Indexing of the launching tubes when the pressure tank is pressurized prior to launch is prevented by a stop mechanism. The stop mechanism also prevents inadvertent or accidental detonation of the projectile in the launching tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Inventors: William G. Adamson, Donald Updyke, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5282455
    Abstract: A launcher for holding and successively launching a plurality of projectiles, such as fireworks projectiles, which explode into an aerial pyrotechnic display. The launcher includes a pressure tank containing a compressed gas and a plurality of launching tubes for holding the projectiles. The launching tubes are constructed to form a magazine to enable successive launching of fireworks projectiles by appropriate indexing of the magazine and thus the launching tubes. A control apparatus opens and closes a valve to introduce compressed gas into one of the launching tubes to launch a projectile into the air. Indexing of the launching tubes when the pressure tank is pressurized prior to launch is prevented by a stop mechanism. The stop mechanism also prevents inadvertent or accidental detonation of the projectile in the launching tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Assignee: The Walt Disney Company
    Inventors: William G. Adamson, Donald Updyke, Jr.