Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for the Production of Magnesium Flash-light.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Feb., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 13th Nov., 1890-Accepted, 7th Feb., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for the Production of
Magnesium Flash-light.
A communication from CHARLES LANSIAUX and CHARLES MERVILLE, of
42, Boulevard Bonne Nouvelle, Paris, in the Republic of France, Photo-
graphic Apparatus Manufacturers.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT, of 323, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex,
M.I.M.E., do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
The subject of the present invention is a novel portable apparatus for the
instantaneous production or generation of the magnesium light required for taking
photographs in otherwise dark places.
This extremely simple apparatus gives a light sufficiently powerful to permit of
the taking of instantaneous photographs in the open air and during the worst
weather.
The apparatus consists of a small box acting as a reservoir and containing a
bent tube which passes through the box and is connected at one end with a
collapsible ball by means of a caoutchouc or other flexible tube. This box
intended to be filled with magnesium powder is closed by means of a screw or
equivalent stopper.
The bent tube within the box is cut away to admit the magnesium powder
into its interior and in addition has at its lower end a small conical tuyere
covered by a single or double sheet of thin metal gauze.
The upper end of the bent tube is slightly pointed or reduced in area for the
purpose of converging or directing the particles of magnesium powder issuing
from the box against the burning portion of a fuse or fusee.
The fusee the name of which indicates that it is a sort of match of which
each portion remains a certain time in combustion after it has been lighted, is
held in position by a socket soldered to the box and slightly inclined on one side.
The apparatus acts as follows:-
The reservoir box having been filled with magnesium powder through the
removable stopper a fusee is inserted into the socket or holder.
When the moment has arrived for commencing an operation friction is applied
to the phosphorus-coated end of the fusce by the box in which it is contained
by which means it is lighted. The ball is then pressed so as to cause the air it
contains to traverse the tuyere and the holes in the metal sheet and to propel
all the powder contained in the bent tube and which had been admitted by the
before mentioned opening in such tube against the fusee. The magnesium powder
ignites instantly on coming in contact with the red portion of the fusee and
produces the magnesium flash light.
If it be desired to take a second proof it is sufficient to place another fusee
in position and to light it and to press the ball for the purpose of expelling a
fresh charge of powder. It is thus possible to go on producing flashes until
the box no longer contains any powder.
The object of the before mentioned metal gauze is to permit the air to pass
into the bent tube when the ball is compressed and to prevent by the fineness
of its holes or interstices the magnesium powder from being sucked into the
flexible connecting tube and collapsible ball when the pressure is removed from
the latter and when it re-inflates itself.
1
10
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant,

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion as communicated to me by my foreign correspondents, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
An apparatus for producing magnesium flash light by means of a match or
equivalent, the said apparatus being especially characterised by
1. A metallic box or case forming a reservoir for magnesium powder and in front
of which is attached a holder or socket for receiving the fusee the said box or case
containing a bent tube of which the horizontal portion is open at the top to admit
the magnesium powder and of which the vertical portion is terminated by a slightly
contracted end for the purpose of making the particles of the magnesium powder
converge and come in contact with the part of the fusee or match in combustion
substantially as described.
2. A. bent tube the horizontal portion of which is connected by a flexible tube to
an air ball and containing a small conical nozzle the point of which is covered by a
thin perforated metal sheet or wire gauze having for its object to permit the
passage of air on the application of pressure to the ball in order to expel the
magnesium powder and to prevent its being sucked in to the ball when the latter
re-inflates itself substantially as described.
3. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete
magnesium flash light apparatus substantially as described.
Dated this 13th day of November 1890.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.