Method of and Apparatus for Igniting Flash Powder in taking Photographs by Artificial Light.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Dec., 1897-Accepted, 12th Feb., 1898
Method of and Apparatus for Igniting Flash Powder in taking
Photographs by Artificial Light.
I, AUGUST WEISS, of 3, Meisengasse, Strassburg, County of Alsace, Germany,
Photographer, 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:-
=
The object of my invention is to provide a method and means by which the
igniting of flash powder is effected instantaneously from the interior of the body
of powder without any danger and without preambulatory noise or development
of light.
Hitherto in igniting flash powder for taking photographs, exposed flames, glowing
wires, priming cartridges, gun-cotton, and the like have been employed. By this
kind of ignition there is always developed noise and light before the proper
ignition of the powder, and the employment of the apparatus is extremely dangerous
in consequence of the powder being easily ignited, whilst the ignition always is
effected on the exterior of the body of powder. Besides the danger to the operator
inherent to the apparatuses hitherto employed, any ignition of the powder on the
exterior thereof produces as with any kind of flame a dark non-illuminous core,
and consequently neither an amount of light corresponding to the quantity of
powder nor a sufficient degree of light intensity, a defect particularly observable,
in the taking of large groups. The greatest technical defect in the hitherto known
methods lies, however, in the development of noise and light preceding the proper
ignition.
i
According to the teachings of physiology as set forth by Swansen the time
clapsing between an unexpected sensible impression and the movement evoked
thereby is 1/5 second, whilst the respective space of time is but 1/13 second, when
the sensible impression has been expected. The time of explosion of the best
flash powder likewise lasts nearly 1/5 second. According to this, if the explosion
occurs unexpectedly, the photographic picture is already taken before the move-
ment evoked by its perception has taken place in the person of the individual who
has been sensible of it. In the opposite case, on the contrary, any movement of
the body of the person affected, calculated to detract from the excellence of the
picture, will occur whilst the photograph is still in course of formation. Accord-
ingly photographs hitherto taken by artificial light represent the persons photo-
graphed with more or less distorted features, semi or wholly closed eyes, open
mouth, besides being defective as regards sharpness in the outlines consequent
upon movements of parts of the body.
The present invention obviates all these defects in a simple and perfect manner
and produces pictures which cannot in any way be distinguished from the best

page_text: photographs taken by bright day light, and without involving any danger to
the operator.
The essential feature of my invention is the ignition of the flash powder by
means of an igniting substance which is ignited but itself by friction during a
rapid movement, and that this igniting substance enters so rapidly the interior
of body of the powder to be ignited, that the explosion of the igniting substance,
which is associated with noise and development of light only occurs when the
igniting substance is already in the interior of the body of powder, that is to
say, simultaneously with the explosion of the latter. As the two explosions occur
together they cannot be perceived separately, the happening of them cannot con-
sequently be expected, so that according to Swansen as also confirmed by facts,
no disturbing movements of the photographed person's body occur during the
taking of the picture.
An almost accurate idea of the proceedings in my invention will be gathered by
rapidly striking a lucifer match on the friction surface of a match box, in accordance
with the fundamental principle of my invention.
It will thus be seen that the explosion which is associated with noise and the
developement of light only occurs when the match has left the friction surface.
If, accordingly, a mixture capable of being easily ignited were arranged in the
extension of the friction surface lying in the direction of movement, the explosion
of the match would only occur upon its entering this mixture, and both explosions
would come together in one combined explosion.
I attain these objects by the apparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawings
in which Figure 1 is a side view and Figure 2 a rear view of one feature of
my apparatus, and Figures 3 to 5 inclusive a side view, a rear view, and a partial
top view respectively of another feature thereof. Figures 6 to 9 inclusive are
details hereinafter fully explained.
Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.
In the apparatus represented in the drawings a lucifer match is employed as
igniter and the rough surface of a match box as friction surface by reason of the
facility and cheapness attending their use. It is obvious that my apparatus will
not be restricted to these but may be worked with any other suitable igniting
substance and any other suitable friction surface.
Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, the apparatus consists of a foot 1 provided
with a screw thread 2 for screwing on to a stand or other support; an angular
iron sheet 3, 4, fixed to the said foot and provided with an opening 5, and of two
spring actuated sliding pieces 6, 7, with guides belonging thereto and fastened to
the angular iron sheet.
Sliding piece 6 is guided with two bent edges 8, 9 of a projecting part 10
on two rods 11, 12 supported by rearwards extending supports 13, 14 of the rear
wall 4. On rod 12 is coiled a spiral spring 15 resting against edge 9 and pressing
sliding piece 6 constantly towards the left of Figure 2. To the edges and corners
of the sliding piece are provided holders 16, 17, 18, 19 for receiving the friction
plate 20.
Sliding piece 7 consists of an arm attached to a square rod 21 and provided with a 4
slot 22 for the reception of one or more lucifer matches 23 which are firmly held
by a screw 24. Square rod 21 is guided in an underneath projecting part 25 of
the bed plate 3 and in the foot 1, and is actuated by a coiled spring 26. Slot 22
of sliding piece 7 is opposite to the opening 5 of plate 4. The flash powder 27
is accumulated on plate 3 in front of the opening 5.
At the left hand ends of rods 11, 12, are provided india rubber buffers 28, 29,
a similar buffer 30 being mounted on rod 21, Figure 1. A catch lever 32 under
the influence of a spring and operated by a string 31 is pivoted to the back of
plate 4.
―
The operation of the apparatus is as follows:-
The apparatus is fixed to a stand or other support by means of the screw

page_text: thread 2, and the sliding piece 6, after introduction of the friction surface 20, is
pushed towards the right against the pressure of spring 15, until catch lever 32
falls behind edge 9, as shown Figure 2.
Thereupon sliding piece 7 is drawn backwards against the pressure of spring 26,
a match (or matches) is introduced, with the head against plate 4, through slot 22
and fastened in its position by the screw 24.
Sliding piece 7 is then gradually released until the head of the match rests
against the friction surface, as shown Figure 1. The apparatus is then ready
for operation.
'
If, accordingly, the string 31 be pulled at a suitable moment and lever 32
thereby actuated, edge 9 and sliding piece 6 are no longer held, and the latter
rapidly moves towards the left under the action of spring 15, the friction surface
passes over the lucifer match instantaneously and under friction, and the latter
likewise instantaneously and rapidly passes, under the action of spring 26, through
the freed opening 5 into the powder.
In consequence of these rapids and instantaneous movements the igniting sub-
stance of the match, as previously stated, explodes with noise and light develop-
ment but only when the match is already in the body of powder, and thereby the
simultaneous explosion of the flash powder takes place.
In order to ensure the igniting of the match it is advisable to give the same a
In order to ensure the igniting of the match it is advisable to give the same
suitable position with respect to the friction surface by somewhat inclining slot 22
to the latter, as shown Figure 2.
The india rubber buffers 28, 29, 30 deaden the sound from the shock of the
sliding pieces, although this sound, even if not deadened, could not injuriously
affect the technical effect, as it does not occur before the explosion but simul-
taneously therewith.
Figures 3, 4, 5 show in side view, rear view, and partial top view respectively
a modified feature of my invention, in which the friction surface is stationary, and
the lucifer match by one and the same instantaneous movement carried over the
friction surface and introduced into the powder. In this case the friction surface
is provided by the rough surface of the outside casing of an ordinary match box 34
pushed over the elastically yielding stirrup frame 33 fastened to the rear wall 4.
The carrier for the lucifer match consists of an arm 35 provided with a slot 36 in
its upper part and with a binding screw 37. Adjoining the slot is a flap 38 sup-
porting laterally the match and leaving free only the head of the same.
Slot 36 and flap 38 are somewhat inclined to the friction surface, Figure 5, in
order that the match may only come in contact with the latter by its head.
Arm 35 is carried by a rod 41 guided in a tube 39 and actuated by a spiral
spring 40. Rod 41 is furnished with a guiding piston 42 serving at the same
time as supporting piston for spring 40.
An india rubber buffer 43 is inserted at the end of the tube for deadening the
sound of the piston shock. The tube is closed by a plug 44 and supported by
the foot 1.
Rod 41 is secured against turning by means of a groove 45 and the point of a
screw 46 fixed in the tube, the said point entering groove 45. Arm 35 is adjustably
mounted on rod 41, and can be fastened thereto by means of a screw 47 in order
to enable the pressure between the friction surface and the lucifer match to be
regulated.
A spring actuated catch lever 48 entering tube 39 through a slot, serves for
arresting rod 41 in its drawn back position, when the spring is under tension and
the nose 49 of lever 48 catches piston 42.
The working is as follows: The outside casing 34 of a lucifer match box is put
on the spring stirrup frame 33, arm 35 drawn back until the nose 49 catches
piston 42, Figure 3, and a match 23 is then introduced through slot 36, the head
thereof in easy contact with the side of the box, Figure 5, and screw 37 screwed
down. If catch lever 48 be now released by means of the string 50, arm 35

page_text: instantaneously and rapidly moves forward, guiding the match over the friction
surface and at the same time introducing the same through the opening 5 into the
flash powder. In this position the explosion of the igniting substance of the match
is accomplished and simultaneously therewith the explosion of the flash powder
takes place.
For the taking of large groups it would be necessary to have the plate 3 con-
siderably longer in order to allow of a greater horizontal spreading of the flash
powder. The apparatus, however, would'thereby become immanageable. It is
therefore preferable to provide an extra plate which in case of necessity is pushed
on to plate 3, so as to lengthen the same on both sides, as shown in plan view
Figure 6, and in front view Figure 7. A detached plate of this kind is repre-
sented in plan view Figure 8, and in front view Figure 9. For ease in carrying,
this plate is made so as to be capable of being folded up by means of' hinges.
It consists of two parts 51, 52 provided with edge borders 53, 54, 55, 56 and tongue
pieces 57, 58 pivoted together by means of a hinge 59. Small tongue pieces 60, 61,
projecting downwards, are stamped out in the tengue pieces 57, 58. The free space
between the tongue pieces 57, 60 on the one side and between the tongue
pieces 58, 61 on the other side, Figure 9, serve to receive the plate 3, Figure 7,
the tongue pieces coming from above and below close to the bent ends of plate 3.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
1. The method of igniting flash powder in taking photographs by artificial light,
which consists in subjecting a priming composition to the rubbing action of a
rapid frictional movement, and instantaneously introducing the same into the
flash powder to be ignited, substantially as and for the purposes described.
2. The method of igniting flash powder in taking photographs by artificial light,
which consists in subjecting a lucifer match to the rubbing action of a rapid
frictional movement, and instantaneously introducing the same into the flash
powder to be ignited, substantially as and for the purposes described.
3. In an apparatus for igniting flash powder in taking photographs by artificial
light, the combination of a supporting plate for the flash powder, a support for a
rubbing surface, a spring actuated carrier for a priming composition or a lucifer
match, means for guiding along each other the said support and the carrier, and
means for timely releasing the said carrier, substantially as and for the purposes
described.
4. In an apparatus for igniting flash powder in taking photographs by artificial
light, the combination of a supporting plate for the flash powder, a movable spring
actuated support for a rubbing surface, a spring actuated carrier for a priming
composition or a lucifer match, means for controlling the said carrier by the
support for the rubbing surface, a catch for locking the said support, and means
for releasing the same from the catch, substantially as and for the purposes
described.
5. In an apparatus for igniting flash powder in taking photographs by artificial
light, the combination of a supporting plate for the flash powder, a stationary
support for a rubbing surface, a spring actuated carrier for a priming composition
or a lucifer match, a catch for locking the said carrier, and means for releasing
the same from the catch, substantially as and for the purposes described.
6. In an apparatus for igniting flash powder in taking photographs by artificial
light, the combination of a supporting plate for the flash powder, a stationary
elastically yielding support for a rubbing surface, a spring actuated carrier for
a priming composition or a lucifer match, a catch for locking the said carrier, and
means for releasing the same from the catch, substantially as and for the purposes
described.
7. In an apparatus for igniting flash powder in taking photographs by artificial
light, the combination of a supporting plate for the flash powder and an additional

page_text: plate or additional plates to be applied to the said supporting plate, for the
purpose described.
Dated thin 10th day of Decarbon 1907
R. CORE GARDNER,
Patent Agent, 166, Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the said August Weiss.