CASES FOR THE CARRIAGE AND STORAGE OF GUNPOWDER AND OTHER EXPLOSIVE COMPOUNDS
Year: 1876

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Judge at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 24th July 1876.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
THOMAS JUDGE, of Putney, in the County of Surrey.
CASES FOR THE CARRIAGE AND STORAGE OF GUNPOWDER AND OTHER EXPLOSIVE
COMPOUNDS."
This Invention has for its object improvements in cases for the carriage and
storage of gunpowder and other explosive compounds, and by the use of which
improvements I make a case calculated for the more conveniently and safely
carrying and storing gunpowder and other explosive compounds than has hitherto
been practicable.
For this purpose I proceed as follows:- -I make the body or shell of the case
cylindrical in shape and of wrought iron subsequently galvanised, or of any
other suitable metal and of any suitable thickness, say, from to an inch
thick. Such case may be either cast in a mould or it may be made by hand,
and if by hand then I securely close and rivet the seam existing down one side
thereof by soldering and screwing the same together, or in any other suitable
manner.
Around each end of the body of such case or cylinder I form a stout projecting
rim or flange which not only serves to protect the body of such case or cylinder so
that it can be rolled along when being moved from place to place, but it also forms
a shield or protection for a circular screw, which I place around the inside of the
top of such case or cylinder, and which screw serves to take and secure the cover
or lid thereon, as hereafter described. This screw may either be cast with the
body of the case or cylinder, or may be fixed therein afterwards by any suitable
means, and is placed at a suitable depth so as to allow of the cover or lid when
screwed thereon being sunk in a depth of one to one and a half inches.
I make such lid or cover of any suitable metal and dimensions and in the
following manner :-I furnish it all around its inner circumference with a broad
rim, having a screw thread formed thereon so as to allow of its being tightly and
securely screwed home into the above-mentioned screw, so formed around the
inside of the top of the cylinder. The edge of such lid or cover I make to project
slightly beyond such under rim, so that when screwed into the case or cylinder such
projecting end extends all round over the worm of the screw, thus not only securely
protecting the contents of the case or cylinder from dust, water, or other injury, but
also effectually preventing their escape.
.

page_text: On the under side of such lid or, cover I affix any suitable lock by screws or
otherwise, a suitable orifice being formed in such lid or cover to permit of a key
being inserted therein. Such lock is placed in such a position that when locked
the lock bolt shoots under the screw placed inside the top of the cylinder or case
as before described, and I case such lid or cover internally with any suitable sheet
metal so as to preclude all danger of any sparks falling through such keyhole, and
so igniting the contents, and also to prevent such contents escaping in the event of
their becoming loose inside. The bottom of such case or cylinder is made of sheet
metal and of any suitable dimensions and thickness, and such bottom may either
be cast with the body of the cylinder or fixed therein afterwards by soldering or
otherwise.
Outside the top and bottom of such case or cylinder I attach suitable handles
either similar to ordinary trunk handles, or such handles may be made sunken, and
so fall flush with the surface of the top and bottom of the case. 1 prefer the
bottom to be sunk in the case in a similar manner to the top thereof as already
described.
My improved case may be made in a variety of sizes so as to suit all require-
ments, and the outside thereof may be painted of any suitable color with the word
gunpowder or any other suitable label legibly painted thereon in white or other-
wise, and either in one, two, or more places, as may be desired, while the inside
thereof may be painted white or any other suitable color.
Gunpowder and other explosive compounds may be safely carried and stored in
my improved cases either in pags or canisters or in both, and either by railway or
any other conveyance.
My improved case is also adapted for the use of dealers in gunpowder and other
explosive compounds and others as a safe receptacle therefor at the same time that
is is considerably lighter and more convenient and portable than those hitherto
in use.