Improvements in Visible and Audible Aerial Signals.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Sept., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 1st Mar., 1898-Accepted, 2nd Apr., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Visible and Audible Aerial Signals.
I, DANIEL HICKIE, of 20, Aliwal Road, New Wandsworth, London, S.W., Min-
ing and Machinery Expert, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to improvements in what is known as the "socket
signal" with a view to the displacement of certain parts thereof, as hitherto con-
structed and applied, and the substitution of other things, varying in construc-
tion and mode of application, from the former, also to modifications of other parts,
and for simplifying the construction of, and attaining increased safety and effici-
ency in, such signals.
66
The arrangement hitherto in use for igniting the star-composition at the
proper elevation consisted of a tube-nipple or shank which projected downwards
from the metallic disc or base-plate of the signal-case, the priming or time-com-
position was packed by hand into this tube-nipple, inside the signal and resting
upon the metallic disc or base-plate a composition for producing flame, and made
in the form of a ring, was acted upon (ignited) by the priming of the tube-nipple
when the latter acted efficiently and burnt through to the said flame-composition
or ring. An aperture was provided through the sound producing explosive charge
by which the flame referred to reached the star composition the latter in turn
igniting the priming of the sound-producing-charge within the signal-case.
The tube-nipple from its position and structure was liable to displacement
through the lateral force of the propelling charge within the discharging socket
or mortar, so also was the priming within the said tube-nipple the hand packing
of the said priming was an additional cause of irregularity in this important part
of the signal's structure.
Now this invention provides other means by which the said tube-nipple and
priming, and the flame-composition in connection therewith, are replaced for
which purpose prepared fuse or fuses are used which burn accurately from the
time of their ignition by the propelling charge to the time when the signal has
acquired its proper height in the air, the star-composition then being ignited by
this fuse or fuses without intermediate means or flame. What is known as safety
fuse is by preference used but other material may be prepared and used in the
same manner. For protecting the fuse metallic tube covering is used and, with
the central tube of the signal, passed through the centre of the metallic base-
plate the latter being altered and constructed for the purpose, that is to say, in
Lieu of the old form of metallic disc or base plate which was placed inside the
signal case where it was liable to be blown through the case by the propelling
charge, the base-plate in this invention is provided with a thin flange and fits
outside and over the signal case like a lid thus carrying the whole signal before
it and requiring no special fitting or fastening so placed, each disc or base-plate
being prepared by a
die
with the flange on the outer rim to take the signal-
"

page_text: case and the central aperture to receive the central tube and fuse protecting tubes
& ready for putting in their places. The tubes, that is to say, the central main
tube, through which the propelling charge is fired, and the time-fuse protecting
tube or tubes are so fixed within the signal-case and through and in the metallic
disc or base-plate as to strengthen each other and to form a stay and thus add
to the stability of the signal without complication. The tube protecting medium
and the fuse or fuses 80 protected are not liable to displacement by the force of
the propelling charge. În connection with the foregoing a shorter firing-tube
can be used for firing the propelling charge than heretofore, the old form requir-
ing the firing-tube to reach down to the base-plate close to the charge in order to
be effective at best and there were many misfires. In these improvements provi-
sion is also made for placing the detonator in the signal case at the time of requir
ing to use the signal, this is accomplished by making up the signal in two parts,
or rather placing the star composition in a small case made to fit into the ordinary
signal case such small case being removable for placing the detonator in position
and being easily replaced, the star composition within the case as described acts
and is acted upon as above described.
Improvements in Visible and Audible Aerial Signals.
I, DANIEL HICKIE, of 20, Aliwal Road, New Wandsworth, London, S.W., Min-
ing and Machinery Expert, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
-
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings represents the application of the
following improvements to an ordinary signal case in accordance with this inven-
tion.
The small tubes A are the time-fuse-protecting-tubes and explain the principle
of applying prepared time-fuse or fuses thus protected from lateral action, displace-
ment and deterioration, within and by such tubes. One such tube or more may be
used but two are found by preference and actual practice to be ample and safe for
the purpose required. Figure 2 explains the manner of securing these time-fuse-
tubes. The small holes (a) are punched out accurately to receive these tubes in,
and to attach them to, the base-plate or disc B. b. The place for the central tube C
is punched out at the same time and by the same operation, the latter is rivetted
to the base-plate as shown and the two time-fuse-tubes (A) are secured in the base-
plate by a slight application of solder, the central tube (C) being further secured in
the same way. Other means of securing the tubes may be used. Above the base
plate or disc the time-fuse tubes are tacked by solder to the central tube (C) for
further security. The tubes thus placed strengthen each other against the shock
of the discharge or displacement from any other cause.
The time-fuse tubes (A) correspond in length to that of the time-fuse to be
applied in this manner. It is essential that the time-fuse shall be carefully pre-
pared both as to size and material so that it shall fit into the said tubes accurately
and be regular in its action. The prepared time-fuse is cut into lengths accord-
ingly and inserted in the tubes, an operation which requires no special skill. To
further secure the fuse in position the time-fuse tubes may be pinched or squeezed
upon the fuse or a slight application of an adhesive solution may be applied
to the latter when placing it (the fuse) in position.

page_text: Figure 2 is a plan of the base-plate or disc constructed in accordance with
this invention. In this instance it is made in two parts (B b). B is the base and
rim or flange moulded from tinned steel sheets or other suitable material, a disc of
zine (b) is cut out by suitable means and pressed into the part B, the two
parts (B b) thus forming the plate or disc upon which the case or shell of the
signal rests, the rim or flange of the base-plate (B) fitting outside and securing
the signal-case within the said rim, a slight soldering process being sufficient to
prevent any displacement of the signal-case or of the plate or disc. It will be
seen that the signal-case in this process rests entirely upon the disc and by this
means all chance of the latter being blown through the case is avoided.
The base-plate (B 6) may be made also of one piece and of other suitable
material but by preference both of the materials used in this instance are applied
on account of their comparative freedom from oxidation and oxidizing influences
which is an important feature in regard to these signals. The necessity for
plating the base-plate and its surroundings is also avoided by the use of such
materials in its construction.
The propelling charge g is ignited through the central tube (C) as shown. The
tubes A with their time-fuses being embedded in the propelling charge are acted
upon and the fuses are in turn ignited at the moment of discharge, by the said
propelling charge, and burn within the protecting fuse tubes during the flight of
the signal to its highest point, without any intermediate composition, at which
point the fuse flashes from the upper orifice of the tubes and ignites the star
composition as aforesaid
This invention applies to other methods of igniting the propelling charge as
for instance that of firing the charge from the breech of a gun or mortar like a
cartridge, the propelling charge in each instance acting upon the time-fuses,
within the time-fuse tubes, in same manner as that described. The hollow lid F
(Figure 1) admits of the star composition E being increased and is intended to
replace the solid cap or lid hitherto used in these signals. D shows the position
of the sound producing charge, the principle referred to in this invention would
however apply to signals giving light or flash only (visible signals) or sound only
(audible signals) equally as to those giving light and sound combined.
Figure 3 represents a signal in section showing the method for placing the
detonator in the sound producing charge (D) at the time when the signals are
required to be used. The signal-case is shown in two parts. The upper part Fl
is fitted to a thin tube H the internal diameter of which equal to the external
diameter of the central tube (C) thus allowing the top portion of the signal-case
to be removed and replaced as required. In the tube (H) there is a catch h which
corresponds with a small stud or pin (C¹) on the central tube (C) this arrangement
admits of the two parts of the signal being securely fastened in a simple manner
and expeditiously. The part marked F³ is narrowed to fit inside the lower part of the
signal case Q. The belt or ring G¹ is intended to strengthen the structure and
secure the joint where the two parts meet. The star composition is placed in the
upper portion of the signal (E and F) and a small turn-over at the end of F
explains how the composition is held in position and moves with the upper part
of the signal as required. The star composition may be loaded from the part F³
or from the top but preferably from the former because of the advantage of mak-
ing the upper part of the case complete with the lid and sliding tube (H) attached,
prior to placing the said composition inside. The whole of the signal (Figure 3)
with the exception of the detonator is put together at the works ready for the
latter, when required. The system of fastening at H and C¹ may also be applied
to G and F¹.
Figure 4 is a view of the signal at the part marked thus X X. D is the sound
producing charge A the time-fuse tubes and fuses, C the central tube. The place
for the detonator is represented by D¹.
Figure 4 applies to Figure 3 also except that in the latter the arrangement for

page_text: fixing the detonator at the time of using does not apply as the latter is always in
position Figure 2 also applies to Figure 3 and the same letters apply to the
same things throughout.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:
1. In and for aerial signals the application and adaptation of tubes for protect-
ing and using time fuses as and for the purposes described.
2. In and for aerial signals the method of application and use of prepared time
fuses as and for the purposes described.
3. In and for aerial signals a base-plate or disc and the mode of its application
and construction as and for the purposes described.
4. The combination of the base-plate, as herein set forth, and tubes as and for
such signals and for the purposes described.
5. In and for aerial signals a signal case and signal in which separate parts are
removable and can be replaced and fastened as and for the purposes required and
described.