Aerial pyrotechnic device having high capacity shell

Abstract

A single break shell has an elongated body provided with a convexly rounded upper end, a convexly rounded bottom end, and a midportion disposed between the two rounded ends. In a preferred embodiment, the shell is ellipsoidal in shape with the opposite ends having radius of curvature that are identical to one another. Other embodiments include variations on the basic elongated, rounded configuration. The shell is useful in both a self-propelled aerial pyrotechnic device in which the engine travels along with the shell, and an explosive lift charge type device in which the lift charge propels only the shell out of the launch tube after detaching from the lift charge.

1 . A fireworks shell comprising a single pyrotechnic break having an elongated body provided with a convexly rounded top end, a convexly rounded bottom end, and a midportion disposed between said top and bottom ends.  
     
     
         2 . A fireworks shell as claimed in  claim 1 , 
 said midportion having an outer wall that is convexly rounded in both a longitudinal dimension of the body and a transverse dimension of the body.    
     
     
         3 . A fireworks shell as claimed in  claim 1 , 
 said top and bottom ends having substantially the same radius of curvature.    
     
     
         4 . A fireworks shell as claimed in  claim 3 , 
 said body being substantially ellipsoidal.    
     
     
         5 . A fireworks shell as claimed in  claim 1 , 
 one of said ends having a greater radius of curvature than the other of said ends.    
     
     
         6 . A fireworks shell as claimed in  claim 5 , 
 said body being substantially egg-shaped.    
     
     
         7 . A fireworks shell as claimed in  claim 5 , 
 said end with the greater radius of curvature comprising said top end.    
     
     
         8 . A fireworks shell as claimed in  claim 1 , 
 said midportion having an outer wall that is cylindrical.    
     
     
         9 . A fireworks shell as claimed in  claim 1 , 
 said shell comprising part of a device having an onboard engine for propelling the device and that travels with the shell during flight.    
     
     
         10 . A fireworks shell as claimed in  claim 1 , 
 said shell comprising part of a device having a lift charge that when detonated separates the shell from the lift charge to propel the shell in flight.