Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Dec., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 30th Aug., 1897-Accepted, 2nd Oct., 1897
We, EDWARD BEADLE of No. 5 Sandown Villas, Grove Road, Upper Mitcham in the
County of Surrey, Engineer and JOSEPH JUDD of No. 2 Spencer Terrace, Spencer Road,
Mitcham in the County of Surrey, Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to the construction of safety distress signals in such a manner
that they are quite safe during transport and handling and have no risk of premature
ignition until they are actually in firing position.
For this purpose we make a strong tube preferably of paper which at its base is
bound in by a cord so as to present a thick bottom into the centre of which is
screwed a time fuse plug having over it a time flashing star. The interior of
the tube above the bottom is charged with a tubular explosive cartridge which is
protected against ignition by a coating of wax, and beyond this there are several
coloured stars, the whole being covered by a cap which may be of wood. Under
the bottom of the case is a charge of gun powder or other suitable explosive
contained in a waterproof bag which may be of caoutchouc. The signal when
placed in the mortar from which it is to be fired, has inserted in it through a
hole in the cap and through coinciding holes in the stars and in the cartridge,
a time detonator, the whole then being ready for firing. This is effected by
passing through a lateral hole near the bottom of the mortar a sharp pointed fuse
which may be either a burning or an electric fuse. This fires the explosive in the
bag and by this the whole tube is propelled to a height. The explosion also ignites
the fuse in the centre of the bottom, and it, after a time, ignites the flashing star
above it. The gaseous products of the combustion ascending the tubular centre of
the cartridge propel the stars and ignite the detonator fuse, which shortly fires the
cartridge bursting the tube with loud explosion.
Dated this 7th day of December 1896.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicants.
Improvements in Distress Signals.
We, EDWARD BEADLE, of No. 5 Sandown Villas, Grove Road, Upper Mitcham in the
County of Surrey, Engineer, and JOSEPH JUDD of No. 2 Spencer Terrace, Spencer
Road, Mitcham in the County of Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
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page_text: this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
Our invention relates to the construction of safety distress signals in such a manner
that they are quite safe during transport and handling and have no risk of premature
ignition until they are actually in firing position. The accompanying drawing is a
vertical section of a distress signal according to our invention.
A is a strong tube preferably made of paper pasted coiled round a mandrel, and
compressed in a mould made in halves moulding near its end a deep groove which is
bound in by a cord C so as to present a thick bottom into the centre of which is
screwed a time fuse plug B having over it a time flashing star D. The interior of
the tube above the bottom is charged with a tubular explosive cartridge E which is
protected against premature ignition by a coating inside and outside of wax, and
beyond this cartridge there are several coloured stars F G H, the whole being covered
by a felt wad and a cap K which may be of wood. Through the cap K, the wad, and
the stars F G H, there are eccentric holes arranged all in line with a hole in the
cartridge E made to receive a time detonator N, which, however, in order to ensure
safety, is not introduced until the signal is to be fired.
Under the bottom of the case is a charge of gunpowder or other suitable explosive
contained in a waterproof bag L which may be of caoutchouc.
The signal when placed in the mortar M from which it is to be fired, has inserted
through the hole in the cap and the coinciding holes in the stars the time detonator N
which is thus lodged in the cartridge E the whole then being ready for firing.
This is effected by passing through a lateral hole m near the bottom of the mortar a
sharp pointed fuse P. This fuse terminates in a sharp metal socket which is hollow,
containing a charge of detonating material and is perforated with several lateral holes.
A burning fuse Q being inserted in the mouth of the socket when the fire arrives at
the detonating material it ignites it. Instead of a burning fuse Q a pair of insulated
conducting wires may be inserted, their ends connected by a platinum wire or strip,
which, being heated by the passage of an electric current, ignites the detonating
material. This fires the explosive in the bag and by this the whole tube with its
contents is propelled to a height. The explosion also ignites the time fuse B and
it, after a time, ignites the flashing star D above it. The gaseous products of
the combustion ascending the tubular centre of the cartridge ignite and propel
the stars F G H and also ignite the detonator fuse N which shortly fires the
cartridge bursting the tube with loud explosion.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. A distress signal constructed and operating substantially as described with
reference to the accompanying drawing.
2. In combination with the cartridge having an eccentric hole to receive the
fused detonator the stars and cap made with holes in line with the hole in the
cartridge, so that the fused detonator can be introduced after the signal is in
the mortar, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
3. For firing the signal a fuse having at its end a sharp pointed socket charged
with detonating material, substantially as described.
Dated this 30th day of August 1897.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicants.