A New and Improved Apparatus for Producing Flash Lights for Photographic Exposures, Signalling and other Purposes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Mar., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Dec., 1897-Accepted, 5th Feb., 1898
A New and Improved Apparatus for Producing Flash Lights for
Photographic Exposures, Signalling and other Purposes.
I, FREDERIC GEORGE EDEY, of 256, Ferndale Road, Brixton, S.W., Electrical
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-.
This invention, which relates to a new and improved apparatus for producing flash
lights in giving photographic exposures, signals and for other purposes, consists of a
portable tripod or permanent fixture having a central vertical extension in the form
of a tee or cross, which is capable of being raised or lowered to any required height,
(and fixed with a thumb screw) to which is fixed a horizontal platform containing a
trough four feet long, or other suitable length, and also a series of small trays, for
containing a highly explosive powder or powder compound; the trough and trays
being connected to an electric battery or other generator.
The trays or the troughs are provided with connecting plates and fuses or sparking
points with which the battery or generator is connected and a suitable switch or
contact piece is provided for breaking or completing the circuit.
The flash light power of a highly explosive nature is placed in the trays or troughs
and on the circuit being completed the fuses become heated or sparks pass between
the sparking points whereby the powder is ignited thereby causing a flash of light.
I do not confine myself to the use of any particular composition or powder as any
highly explosive powder which when burnt is sufficiently rich in actinic rays may
be used.
Dated this 1st dow of Manch 1007
A New and Improved Apparatus for Producing Flash Lights for
Photographic Exposures, Signalling and other Purposes.
I, FREDERIC GEORGE EDEY, of 256, Ferndale Road, Brixton, S.W., Electrical
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said 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 portable means or apparatus by means of
which flash lights may be produced for photographic exposures, signalling, and other
purposes, the apparatus giving what is known as a broad flash but also capable of
producing a narrow flash.

page_text: According to my invention, I provide an adjustable support mounted on a tripod or
on a permanent socket, the upper end of the support carrying a T piece to which a
horizontal trough or a number of trays is or are attached. The trough or each of the
trays is provided with fuses or sparking points so arranged as to fire the flash light
powder on an electric circuit being made by a switch or the like.
And in order that my said invention may be particularly described and ascertained
reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings in which similar letters of
reference indicate corresponding parts.
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus provided with one long trough.
Fig. 2 is a section illustrating the application of a fuse.
Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the arrangement of a number of trays.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a is a trough carried by a T piece b suitably jointed to the
standard c. The standard or support is preferably made telescopic and provided with
one or more thumbscrews d for fixing the tubes at the desired height. e is a tripod
supported by legs as shown. The tripod and legs may be dispensed with and the
standard supported in a fixed socket or by other suitable means.
The T piece b is fitted with terminals and binding screws f to which the electric
conductors are connected the terminals and binding screws being insulated from the T
piece by the insulating eyelet g, as shown in Fig. 2. h is a fuse electrically connected
to the terminals as shown.
In Fig. 3 a battery of trays i is shown provided with terminals and the like f and
fuses or sparking points h. These may be so connected with a switch that any
number may be placed in circuit as desired.
In using my improved apparatus, the various parts are assembled and the flash
light powder of a highly explosive nature is placed in the trough or trays; on the
circuit being completed the fuses become heated or sparks pass between the sparking
points whereby the powder is ignited thereby causing the desired flash of light. The
current may be taken from a battery, a dynamo, or other source of electric power.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The new or improved apparatus for producing flash lights, substantially as
set forth.
2. In apparatus for producing flash lights, the combination with a trough or tray
of means for electrically igniting the flash light powder, substantially as hereinbefore
described and illustrated by the drawings.
3. The combination with a portable stand of a trough or number of trays provided
with fuses or sparking points electrically connected with a source of electricity for
igniting the flash light powder constructed arranged and operated substantially as
herein before described.
Dated 1st December 1897