Abstract: A longitudinal launcher tube made substantially of polyurethane resin or plastic having a rear end closed by a transverse rear wall and an open front end. The invention allows a projectile to be housed in the tube and adapted to slide longitudinally inside it towards the front, to be expelled from it via the front end tube, means for defining with the tube and projectile a rear gas expansion chamber immediately to the rear of the projectile, and an impulse cartridge adapted on command to develop gas pressure in the rear chamber to cause the expulsion of the projectile via the front end of the tube. The apparatus is a pyrotechnic device for rigidly supporting fireworks such as mortar-type, rocket-type, projectile-type, and other pyrotechnic devices so that the launcher device is reusable, whereby the launcher substantially retains its integrity after each launch to minimize harm caused to persons and the environment.

Abstract: A flare apparatus including a shell case, an explosive assembly carried by the shell case, a flare cup located in the shell case and spaced apart from the first end of the shell case and having a closed end surface away from the first end of the shell case which is convex, a flare composition located in the interior space defined by the flare cup and a plug located in the interior chamber defined by the shell case and being in close proximity to the flare cup. The present flares are straightforward in construction, easy and inexpensive to produce and provide substantial performance benefits and substantial shipping/transporting benefits. In particular, the present flares are safer to ship/transport relative to conventional flares and can be shipped/transported under less restrictive conditions.

Abstract: A skyrocket is provided which provides a first fireworks effect prior to launch as well as a second effect after launching. The skyrocket includes a body which houses or is coupled to a rocket motor, a first effect and a second effect. A transparent or translucent nose cone is placed on the top end of the body which provides both the ability to view one of the effects placed therein but also maintains the aerodynamic properties of the skyrocket. The first effect may be a strobing effecting which during burning provides a pulsating intensity of light visible through the nose cone prior to lift-off of the skyrocket, and the second effect may be a bursting charge which explodes after the rocket is in flight. An ignition fuse leads to the first effect and a second fuse leads to the rocket motor so that by lighting the first fuse, no further fuses need be lit and a delay is provided before the rocket motor ignites.

Abstract: A retainer for model rocket motors having a flange (10) with a concavity (18). Several supports (12) extend perpendicular from the flange (10) and extend to the rocket frame (20). Mounts (14), parallel to the flange (10), abut each of the supports (12). Each mount (14) contains a longitudinal through-hole (16) as a means for attachment to the rocket frame (20).

Abstract: A launcher for launching aerial firework shells into the air includes a base and an upright tubular member. The tubular member is constructed of a plastic that resists damage from the explosive force of the fireworks and allows substantial reuse of the launcher for multiple shells. The tubular member is seated in an indentation in the base that snugly receives the sides of the tubular member. The tubular member is preferably secured to the base by stainless steel staples to allow for use of the launcher in a damp environment and over multiple years.

Abstract: An apparatus for the deployment of a visible plume to alert other motorists that a proximate motor vehicle has been involved in a collision is described as having a tube which is open at one end disposed at the top and closed at a distal end. The distal end houses an activation device that is used to detonate an explosive charge in response to the detection of an output signal. The output signal is generated by a sensor subsequent to the motor vehicle experiencing an impact of sufficient magnitude. Both the sensor and the output signal are compatible with current technologies used to detect impacts which result in the deployment of air bags, and accordingly the device may rely upon these systems as may already be installed in the motor vehicle. The explosive charge expels a signaling media above the motor vehicle in a plume above the motor vehicle to visually alert other motorists that a collision has occurred.

Abstract: An air-delivered infrared anti-ship missile decoy is delivered from an aiaft to a desired location below sea surface ahead of advancing forces and then activated at a later time by a remotely-transmitted encoded signal to separate a payload assembly from the remainder of the decoy, float the payload assembly on the sea surface and then produce a relatively large infrared plume above the payload assembly and atop the sea surface that provides an infrared signature for decoying and deception purposes.

Abstract: Protective device for protection of rapidly moving objects such as aircraft or the like against homing heads that react to radiation, in particular infrared radiation, emitted by the aircraft, and that have a destructive charge. The protective device has at least one dispenser arranged on the object to be protected, and at least one effective body (flare), such as a spot flare or the like, that can be launched therefrom. The effective body has at least one decoy charge that can be at least partially ignited at a distance from the object and which, upon decomposition, temporarily forms an apparent target body that spectrally simulates, in a way relevant to the homing head, the target signature of the object to be protected.

Abstract: A decoy flare ignition system is disclosed which includes an ignition initiator disposed at the aft end of the flare housing. An illuminant igniter is positioned in direct contact with the flare illuminant. The illuminant igniter includes at least one illuminant igniter pellet selected such that the firing of the ignition initiator triggers combustion of the illuminant igniter pellet if the safe-and-initiation device has been actuated. The igniter pellet is preferably configured as a circular cylindrical shell and is positioned over the bore of the flare illuminant.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A pistol style flare launcher device suitable for multiple launches of flares uses an orifice in a gas duct to control the burn rate of blank cartridges by predictable high back pressure and a deflector pin in the launcher barrel to block gas from said orifice from striking the flare and deflect the gas into a plenum which allows gas to expand to a lower pressure still suitable to launch the flare.

Abstract: A propellant system is disclosed which includes a propellant applied to at least one surface of a substrate which is in the form of a strip. The propellant strip is adhesively attached to itself in a configuration which conceals propellant within the configuration and which allows the attached strip to peel away from itself under applied forces thereby resulting in smooth and continuous exposure of propellant for burning. The system is directed to use with ejectable projectiles which are slidably disposed within a canister or casing. The propellant system is interconnected between the projectile and the cannister which houses the projectile. The propellant is urged to peel, and thus expose propellant for burning, as the projectile is ejected from the canister. Alternatively, the propellant is telescoped and covered with a sleeve which peels away as the projectile is ejected.

Abstract: The member bearing electromagnetic decoys comprises a sliding member (23 to 27) having an open major face closed by a cover of which an extension projects opposite an opening (21A) in a compartment (21) provided for a pyrotechnic portion. When the pyrotechnic charge there disposed has caused ejection of the decoy-bearing sliding member, and after a given delay, it will act on the extension of the cover in order to remove the latter and thereby release it from the electromagnetic decoys. This ensures that the decoys are deployed at the end of a given delay after ejection of the decoy-bearing member from the aircraft.

Abstract: A smoke screen shell is provided having a rapidly burning decoy charge that generates a spontaneous fog and a slowly burning camouflage charge that generates a lasting fog. The decoy charge and camouflage charge are fired from a canister sleeve by an ejection charge. Upon firing, pressure from the ejection charge is communicated through a channel to a relief chamber positioned between the decoy charge and the camouflage charge. This results in an accelleration difference, causing a separation and slightly different trajectories, the decoy component accelerating at a higher rate. The decoy charge takes effect in the air prior to the camouflage charge. The collocation of the spontaneous fog and of the lasting fog essentially occurs in the target. The decoy charge and the camouflage charge land within a proximity at a target area such that a collocation occurs between the spontaneous fog and of the delayed lasting fog. The ignition and relief chambers, the channel therebetween, the charges, etc.

Abstract: A flare including a body, an ignitable projectile in the body, an igniter for initiating ignition of the ignitable projectile and initiating propulsion of the projectile out one end of the body, a cap removably coupled to the other end of the body and an ignition member in the body and the cap which can be pulled to ignite the igniter composition. The flare also includes a safety shield at least partially receiving the body and the cap and being releasably retained against substantial axial movement relative to the body in a retracted position to inhibit removal of the cap from the body and being responsive to a force to move relative to the body and cap to an extended position. Confronting surfaces of the shield and cap are configured to provide a passage for water to escape from a region between the shield and the body. The end of the shield adjacent the body is configured to provide a plurality of resilient fingers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pyrotechnical head of the type comprising an elongate envelope, a pyrotechnical composition contained in the envelope, and dispersal means for dispersing said pyrotechnical composition. The dispersal means include longitudinal detonating fuses adapted to split the envelope longitudinally, and a transverse detonating fuse adapted to split the envelope transversely.

Abstract: A munition has at least two smoke pots disposed in a casing and ejected outside the casing by an ejection composition. Each pot has an axial channel, and the axial channels are aligned so as to constitute an ignition channel of the smoke pots, ignition being ensured by the ejection composition. The munition has a temporary axial link between the two smoke pots when they are ejected and on their trajectory.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic fan rack for mounting a plurality of individual fireworks pieces in a fanned array. The rack has an elongated body with an arcuate top profile and a flat base. Mounting ears are formed on the base to secure the rack to a surface. A series of sockets are formed through the top wall of the body along the horizontal length of the body. Each socket is formed in the body with its axis in preselected fixed angle relative to the axis of adjacent sockets. Tubes containing fireworks pieces are mounted in the sockets and extend out of the holes with their discharge ends in a desired angular relationship to adjacent firework pieces. A fuse groove seating an ignitable instantaneous fuse is formed along a horizontal length of the body connecting each of the sockets.

Abstract: The invention concerns a red powder composition that is substitute for contional black powder. It can be loose or consolidated forms. In a four grain combination, the red powder can be used as the propelling charge in hand-held rocket signals or flares. There are new methods for preparing the powder and new methods for fabricating articles. The chemical composition of red powder is a dispersion of phenolphthalein, alkali metal nitrate and sulfur in a binder of phenolphthalein salt.

Abstract: Pyrotechnic bomb comprising a body (1) containing a burst charge (2) and flare charges (6) whose dispersion and ignition are ensured during the burst, characterized in that the said body (1) is made at least partially from a pyrotechnic composition.

Abstract: The present invention lies in the field of infra-red decoys for protecting aircraft.It relates more particularly to a stabilized decoy (4, 21) propelled over a trajectory and with directed infra-red emission, comprising a body (22) open over its rear part (24) containing an emissive block (28, 40) made of pyrotechnic substance and an ignition assembly for the said block, characterized in that the said body includes an ogive (23) at its front part and has an aperture of constant cross-section at its rear part (24), in that the ignition assembly comprises an ejectable pyromechanical device (6, 26) situated at the rear of the said body and an ignition charge (29) situated at the front of the said body and in that the said emissive block (28, 40) has at least one channel and is placed between the ignition charge (29) and the ejectable pyromechanical device (6, 26).FIG.

Abstract: A combustible ignition system for use in an illuminating flare warhead. The ignition system includes a pickup charge positioned contiguous the separation charge of the ignition initiator. The pickup charge is positioned such that the firing of the separation charge triggers combustion of the pickup charge. The pickup charge extends to a combustible train which comprises a continuous thin-layer explosive composition positioned within a plastic tubing. The firing of the pickup charge creates sufficient shock that the combustible train is detonated. The combustible train extends along the flare casing adjacent the parachute system and the illuminant. At the head end of the warhead, the explosive train connects to an output charge. The explosive shock of the explosive train is sufficient to detonate the output charge. The output charge transfers the combustion to a BKNO.sub.3 pellet basket within the illuminant igniter of the warhead.

Abstract: A munition release system for carrier weapons is disclosed. Mechanisms for disengaging and ejecting munitions from the carrier housing operate in response to a common gas generator. Disengagement from the housing is effected just prior to ejection. Use of a common gas source improves reliability, while coordinated disengagement and ejection minimizes forces exerted on the munitions.

Abstract: A soft-recovery projectile having an aft portion, a forward portion and a gas seal mounted between the portions. The aft portion includes a recoverable payload such as projectile components or the like. The forward portion includes a parachute that is attached to the payload and is stored in a housing which is separably attached to the payload. The housing includes an explosive charge which is slectively triggered to cause separation of the housing from the payload and deployment of the parachute. A fin assembly, mounted on the housing, exerts a destablizing moment on the projectile when it is oriented with the fin assembly directed into the flight path. The projectile is launched with the fin assembly as the nose and the payload as the tail. After launch, the destabilizing moment will reorient the projectile into a position where the payload is the nose and the fin assembly is the tail. In this position, the fin assembly exerts a stabilizing moment on the projectile.

Abstract: A fireworks rocket launch pad (10) for holding and aiming a rocket (12) as it is being launched. The rocket launch pad (10) comprises a rocket receiving member (30) which slidably receives and aims the rocket (12). The receiving member (30) is mounted on a base (16) which engages a supporting surface such as the ground, driveway or the like. The receiving member (30) and the base (16) can be adjusted for selecting the angle "A" at which the rocket is launched.

Abstract: A swimmer distress signal of the smoke or flare type has an ignition system hich can be operated with one hand. A stab primer is activated by a sliding firing pin that is normally locked in position and protected by a metal cover. Upon withdrawal of the signal from a pouch, a lanyard pulls off the cover to expose and unlock the firing pin which has an enlarged head. A hit or force on the firing pin head drives it into the primer to ignite the display.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic assembly has an outer container for a plurality of pyrotechnic elements, each of which has a propellant charge, to propel the element out of the container, and a pyrotechnic charge, for example for producing a radiation-blocking screen. The container may be used as a fixed launcher for the elements or may itself be a projectile or missile from which the elements are ejected in flight. A plurality of different pyrotechnic charges may be included in the element.

Abstract: A tether line is connected between a rocket launched flare and the canopy of a supporting parachute to cause the parachute to collapse and fall to the earth along with the burned out flare upon release of the single support cable.

Abstract: A signal flare cartridge for launching by firearms. The cartridge is adap for ignition and launching by live ammunition and comprises a launcher tube holding a tubular flare body adapted to permit the passage of a bullet. Upon firing the bullet passes through the bores of the flare body and the propellant gases ignite the flare body which is propelled from the launcher tube.

Abstract: A tandem arrangement of a flare and a booster rocket motor is held together by a hollow coupler having hinged spring-loaded wall segments resembling barrel staves that are released on launch to function as a braking device, similar to a drogue parachute. The coupler also contains the main parachute which is released when the rocket motor is separated from the flare. The spring loading on the coupler wall segments controls the parachute drag area as a function of air speed enabling a relatively constant deceleration rate to be realized during the transition from high speed to the final descent velocity.

Abstract: An infrared radiation-emitting projectile includes a casing and a contact head attached thereto, the casing containing an igniter-destructor capsule centrally positioned therein which contains an igniter-destructor charge, a layer of combustible flakes between the igniter-destructor capsule and the side wall of the casing, and an ignition-expediting material such as red phosphorus between the igniter-destructor capsule and the side wall of the casing.

Abstract: Device for producing a series of consecutive decoy clouds, in particular infrared decoy clouds which move progressively away from the actual target, in which several projectiles (A, B, C, D, E, F, G) are arranged within a thin walled discharge tube (1), each projectile is practically of identical construction and has a separate ignition disintegrator unit (10) for disintegrating it and for igniting and scattering the combustible charge (18) to form a decoy cloud, a separate ejection chamber (27) provided with a propellant charge cartridge (28) is provided on each projectile, each propellant charge cartridge (28) can be ignited via a separate electrically actuated ignition lead (5) by means of a command controlled ignition distributor unit (69) and each projectile has a separate percussion fuse (47) for the ignition disintegrator unit (10) which can be actuated by releasing its safety device (360 mechanically, its safety device (36) only being released after ignition of the propellant charge cartridge (28) wit

Abstract: A firing mechanism for projectiles comprises a housing (42) having a bore (50) in which a firing pin (54) is slidably mounted under the influence of a spring (70). Leaf springs (72) formed in the housing wall hold the firing pin in a safety position until released by movement of a slider (82) caused by aerodynamic drag forces acting on deployable fins (96) or a parachute (92).

Abstract: In an ejection cavity defined by walls such as (753 and 754), an open decoy support body (70) in the form of a slide is placed, and equipped with a pyrotechnic ejection charge (709) and a transmitter (761) for igniting the ejection charge on command. In addition to the stopper (755) which closes the ejection orifice of the cavity, a retaining member (750) is provided, comprising along its edge V-shaped clips (751), whereof the point is directed towards the inside of the decoy launching cavity and keeps the decoys in place despite the high accelerations and vibrating stresses encountered in an aircraft. At the time of deployment of the decoy, the sliding of the slide will disengage the V-shaped clips (751), which allows a slow departure of the decoy support member.

Abstract: An infrared decoy member is provided with a pyrotechnic chain for ejection and ignition incorporated in a unit. The ejection charge is mounted to slide in a cavity which allows the ejection of the unit as well as of adjacent infrared charges. A slide, which can be released when an acceleration threshold is crossed and on condition of ejection could ensure the transmission of fire to a transverse channel leading to useful charges. A second fire-transmitting chain which is independent, makes it possible to excite previously a similar decoy member located below.

Abstract: There is disclosed a firecracker assembly comprising a casing member; and a firecracker member in the casing member. The firecracker member including a first powder portion and a first fuse attached thereto extending through the firecracker member and a second powder portion and a second fuse attached to said firecracker member, wherein the firecracker member is propelled out of the casing member.

Abstract: A cartridge with firing actuation of the payload comprises a case solid with a case bottom which houses a threaded member constituting an ejection nozzle, and in front of the latter a missile provided with a delay ignition chain interrupted at the level of a transversally movable slide which comes into fire transmission position only after a predetermined delay. The cartridge has in addition a striker device actuated on impact so as to ignite the delay firing chain on impact, and a stabilizer device ensuring an axial deceleration permitting the satisfactory operation of the striker on impact.

Abstract: This invention relates to the safety of ammunitions.The projectile of a cartridge has a base which houses a safety stop consisting of a transversely slidable valve. A device ensures that the valve cannot be released until the projectile has been subjected to a powerful acceleration. Another safety device very advantageously ensures that the pyrotechnical chain inserted in the base functions only when the pressure of the ejection charge has been able to release a sealing-block.In particular, the invention may be applied to infra red window releasing cartridges.

Abstract: Within a cylindrical container or canister, closed at both ends by a respective cover member, there is located a flare or illuminating rocket. For firing the flare rocket it is sufficient to remove the rear cover and by pulling at a tear line there is activated a tear ignition device or fuze. The ignited flare rocket then pierces the front cover member. This front cover member preferably possesses a ring-shaped or annular reference fracture location which subdivides the cover member into a disk-shaped inner portion and a ring-shaped outer portion.