IMPROVEMENTS IN, FUSEES AND IN THE MEANS OF MANUFACTURING FUSEES
Year: 1858

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Charles Grimes, of Wandsworth,, in the
County of Surrey, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN, FUSEES AND
IN THE MEANS OF MANUFACTURING FUSEES."
Sealed the 9th November 1858, and dated the 14th September 1858:
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said. George Charles Grimes at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
14th September 1858.
I, GEORGE CHARLES GRIMES, of Wandsworth, in the County of Surrey, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FUSEES
AND IN THE MEANS OF MANUFACTURING FUSEES," to be as follows:
The improvements relate, first, to forming the paper or other matter upon
which the ignitable composition is applied of a disc, square, lozenge, or other
form upon the end of a short length of wire, in' such manner that whilst the
head of prepared matter thus formed is capable of, being held by the wire as a
stem, when friction is applied thereto, such stem may be readily pushed through
the head to serve, if desired, as means of connecting it to a cigar, either before
or after ignition.
Secondly, the improvements apply to means by which lengths of wire may
be applied as stems or holding means to fusees. For this purpose a frame is
provided capable of receiving and holding pieces of paper or such like material

page_text: employed in the manufacture of fusees, each of which is cut to form a head of
the character referred to under the first part of the Invention, or of receiving
slips to be afterwards cut into separate heads. Each part to form a head is
then pierced, and the hole obtained is by preference countersunk on that side
to which the composition is applied. This frame is then placed in position to
have a step-by-step sliding movement given to it to bring successively the
respective rows of fusee heads opposite the ends of wire to be passed through
them. There are as many coils or lengths of wire as there heads or material
for heads in each row across the frame, and these wires are capable of being
pinched between two surfaces of india-rubber or other holding material
carried by a frame capable of sliding, and at such times of drawing the lengths
of wire with it, in order to push them through the matter for the heads and to
a distance governed by a suitable stop or stops adapted to the length of stem
required to each fusee, guides being provided to guide them correctly in
position; cutters then operate to cut off the respective length of wire passed
through the paper or other matter for the head, when the slide for drawing
forward the lengths of wire releases its hold thereof, to go back a distance equal
to the length required to be brought forward for the next row of fusee heads,
and the operations are repeated. Friction is applied to the wires to prevent
their going back with the back motion of the frame employed to draw them
forward.
Another improvement relates to forming the fusces of that kind produced of
slips of prepared paper, or such like material with part of the length of such
slips thinner than the other, for the purpose of obtaining elastic pressure
thereto when in use.
Also the improvements relate to the composition or matters applied to the
ends of splints of wood or other material. I first dip the ends of the splints in
a compound formed of gum arabic or other suitable gum dissolved in water
and mixed with whiting; and I, so apply this matter by preference, that it
may form a sort of flat head to each splint, the better to enable it to receive
suitable pastile composition to be applied to the heads thus obtained; when
they have become dry, such composition having sufficient gum mixed with it
to cause it to remain hard during burning, and when this composition is dry,
ignitable composition is applied, as is well understood. The object of applying
first such matter to the splint is to obtain a holding means, for the ignitable
composition, and also to prevent combustion of the splint.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said George Charles Grimes in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 14th March 1859.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE-
CHARLES GRIMES, of Wandsworth, in the County of Surrey, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fourteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, in the twenty-second year of Her
-reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said George Charles Grimes, Her special licence that I, the said George
Charles Grimes, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as:
I, the said George Charles Grimes, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN FUSEES AND IN THE MEANS OF MANUFACTURING FUSEES," upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said George Charles Grimes, my execu-
tors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my or their, or one-
of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
month's next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW. KNOW YE, that I, the said George Charles Grimes, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in 'and by the
following statement thereof, that is to say:
The improvements in the manufacture of fusees, or cigar or such.like lights,
relate, first, to forming the paper or other matter upon which the ignitable.
composition is applied of a disc, square, lozenge, or other form, upon the end.
of a short length of wire, in such manner that whilst the head of prepared
matter thus formed is capable of being held by the wire as a stem, when friction.
is applied thereto, such stem may be readily pushed through the head to serve,
if desired, as a means of connection to a cigar, either before or after ignition.
Secondly, the improvements apply to means by which. lengths of wire may.
be applied as stems or holding means to fusees. For this purpose a frame is
provided capable of receiving and holding pieces of paper or such like material;
employed in the manufacture of fusees, each of which is cut to form a head of

page_text: the character referred to under the first part of the Invention, or of receiving
slips to be afterwards cut into separate heads. Each part to form a head is
then pierced, and the hole obtained is by preference countersunk on that side to
which the composition is applied. The frame is then placed in position to
have a step by step sliding movement given to it to bring successively the
respective rows of fusee heads opposite the ends of wire to be passed through
them. There are as many coils or lengths of wire. as there are heads or
material for heads in each row across the frame, and these wires are capable
of being pinched between two surfaces of india-rubber or other holding
material, carried by a frame capable of sliding, and at such times of drawing
the lengths of wire with it in order to push them through the matter for the
heads and to a distance governed by a suitable stop or stops adapted to the
length of stem required to each fusee, guides being provided to guide them
correctly in position. Cutters then operate to cut off the respective length of
wire passed through the paper or other matter for the head, when the slide
for drawing forward the lengths of wire releases its hold thereof, to go back a
distance equal to the length required to be brought forward for the next row
of fusee heads, and the operations are repeated. Friction is applied to the
wires to prevent their going back with the back motion of the frame employed
to draw them forward.
Thirdly, the improvements relate to forming fusees of that kind produced
of slips of prepared paper, or such like material, with part of the length of
such slips thinner than the other, for the purpose of obtaining elastic pressure.
thereto when in use.
Fourthly, the improvements relate to the composition or matters applied to
the ends of splints of wood or other material.
i
I first dip the ends of the splints in a compound formed of gum arabic or
other suitable gum dissolved in, water and whiting; and I so apply this
matter, by preference, that it may form a sort of flat head to each splint, the
better to enable it to receive suitable pastile compositions to be applied to the
heads thus obtained. when they have become dry, such composition having
sufficient gum mixed with it to cause it to remain hard during burning; and
when this composition is dry ignitable composition is applied, as is well under-
stood. The object of applying, first, such matter to the splint is, to obtain a
bolding means for the ignitable composition, and. also to prevent combustion.
of the splint, or to any material extent...
But that these my improvements may be more fully understood, I will-
.proceed to describe the means pursued by me, aided by the accompanying.
Drawings.

page_text: Figures 1, 2, and 3 show several forms of fusees constructed according to
the first part of the Invention. The parts a, a, in each case are formed from
paper prépared, as is well understood by persons acquainted with the manu-
facture of fusees, so as to burn by slow combustion when ignited by friction
upon suitable ignitable composition applied to the outer surface thereof. b, b;
are stems of wire, by which not only facility is given to hold them, but which
may be employed to connect such fusees to the cigar to be lighted; and the
connection of such fusees to cigars may be effected either before ignition, by
first pushing the wire stem fully into the cigar, and then igniting the end a,
when the combustion thereof will communicate a light to the cigar; or the
end a may be first lighted, and then, by pushing the wire stem b, with the
head a, against the end of the cigar to be lighted, the stem may be slided
through the head a and into the cigar, so as to hold the head thereon till a full
lighting of the cigar is obtained.
:
Figure 4 shows a sectional view, and Figure 5 a plan, Figure 6 a side
view, and Figure 7 a front view of apparatus adapted to produce the required
forms a, Figure 1. When prepared paper or such like material is.used,. it is
formed in sheets, which I, by preference, first cut into breadths suitable to
the diameter or width of the parts a; and I place several of such slips side by
side, resting edgewise on the surface c in position for the cutter d, when. the
slips of prepared paper are pressed forwards to cut through the several
thicknesses of matter a. And in order that the surface c carrying the slips of
prepared paper may thus operate, it is affixed to a frame c', which is supported
with a capability of sliding freely on the supports c. The forward movement
to this frame c' for the purpose of causing the cutter d to operate is effected
by the foot of the operator acting on the treddle c³, to which is connected one
end of each of two cords or bands c', which pass up over guide pulleys c³, and
are, at their other ends connected to the frame c', whilst this frame c¹ is at all
times acted upon so as to have a tendency to be borne in the opposite
direction by means of the weight e.
The operator having, by means of the cutter d, obtained a series of forms
from the series of slips of prepared paper, or other suitable material, then
slides such series of slips so as to bring a fresh surface thereof opposite the
cutter d to be cut in like manner, and so on till the slips have been cut up.
The forms as obtained pass through the cutter, and falling on to the guide f
are conducted by the tube or conductor f' to a bag or other suitable receiver,
whilst the waste pieces of paper or such like material left after the cutting of

page_text: the forms fall by the opening g. If any particles of prepared paper should be
left adhering to the cutter d, the slide h removes them therefrom by the
spring acting thereon to produce a constant forward tendency except when
the slide is pushed back by the motion of the frame c¹ towards the cutter
Other forms a may be cut by other shaped cutters, or by other suitable means:
Figure 8 shows a side view, Figure 9 à longitudinal section, and Figure 10
a plan of apparatus arranged according to the second part of the improve-
ments. Figures 11, 12, 13, and 14 show other views of parts of the
apparatus separately, in order that their nature and the means I adopt may be
more fully understood. i, i, is the main framing of the apparatus; j is the
fraine for receiving and holding the pieces a, as cut by the apparatus just
described, or by other suitable means.
о
Part of this frame is shewn separately at Figures 13 and 14, by which it
will be seen that it is so arranged that cach piece of prepared or other
suitable materiál a to form part of a fusee, is capable of being received into
a separate compartment, and when so placed such pieces a may be retained
in position by a plate or cover *, so as to prevent the pieces a falling out
when the frame j is in the position represented by Figures 8, 9, 10. The
cover is formed by preference, of a metal plate, and there are small
countersunk holes through it corresponding one with each of the recesses in
the frame for the pieces a, and that these holes ³ may always, when once
adjusted, come correctly over the centre of each piece a, carried by the
frame j; the plate * has holes to pass on to adjusting pins projecting
from the frame, when the pieces a have been placed in the frame j with
the plate thereon, as shown by the enlarged sectional view, Figure 15;
piercers are passed through each of the holes j³, so as to make a hole through
each piece a contained in the frame j; and I prefer that such piercers be
formed with a conical shoulder adapted to produce a hollow or countersunk
rim or cup on the hole through each piece a. In order to expedite the
piercing of these holes, I combine several piercers together in a frame, such
as is shown by Figure 15, and separately at Figure 16, where k, k, are a
series of piercers affixed on a frame ¹ adapted to pierce one row of pieces;
but several rows might be adopted in like manner. is the part of each
piercer which first enters a piece a, and it is, by preference, forced through
the piece a till the conical part or shoulder has been pressed therein so as to
form a countersunk recess. These countersunk recesses or openings to the
holes in the pieces a facilitate the introduction of the wires thereto, as here-
after explained, as well as form recesses for subsequent reception of the
paste and ignitable composition.

page_text: The frame with the pieces a therein (all of which have been pierced) is
now to be placed in the frame J, and so as to rest against the stops J¹ thereof,
in which position it will be held steadily by means of the adjusting screws J².
The frame J is formed with eyes to embrace the guide rods Js, upon which the
frame J is capable of sliding, and the tendency of it is, to be lifted by means of
the weight J affixed to the one end of the cord J, the other end of which is
connected to the frame J, as shown whilst it is guided by the guidé pullies
J", J. In cominencing to work with a frame j of pieces a, a frame J is
lowered to its lowest position, and it is for the time retained by the spring
stop K acting on one of the notches in the rack J' affixed to the side of the
frame J, so as to hold the frame opposite the ends of the series of wires l, so
that when the ends of these wires are brought forward, they may be pushed
correctly through the countersunk holes j in the plate, and thence througli
the pieces a, forming the top row of those pieces as held by the frame j, and
the notches on the rack are so arranged that as the stop K is successively
released to take into a fresh notch in that rack J', a fresh row of pieces a
carried by the frame j may be brought up opposite the ends of the wires l
until wire has been passed through and cut off, as hereafter explained, for
every row of pieces a carried by such frame j. The lengths of wire / to form
the stems of the pieces a arc, for convenience, drawn from reels or bobbins
m, m, and they are condueted thence through the guides m³, m², and thence
between the plates n and n¹, over the table o, which (for convenience of the
Drawings) is shown broken, but may be of any convenient length, and through
holes in the plates p, p, thence between the guides p, and between tho
plates and p, the surface of one of which is covered by preference with
india-rubber or other suitable elastic material, and the other with felt, in order
that when those bars are pressed together by the tightening of the thumb-
screws p, frictional pressure may be put upon the wire for the purpose now to
be referred to. The ends of wire l, as they project from the front of the
plates p, p, are clipped between the surfaces of the plates 7, q', one of which
I prefer to be covered with india-rubber, and the other to be formed, serrated,
or otherwise roughened on steel or other suitable metal, so as to obtain holding
means, capable, when pressed together of drawing the lengths of wire
forwards between the plates p³, p. For this purpose the plate q is affixed to
5 a frame q³, capable of sliding, as shown on the main framing, and the plate q¹
is hinged thereto at q', and it has a handle q, by which the workman or
attendant may readily press that plate q' on to the plate q, to nip the wires
as required. The parts are shewn with ends of wires 7 between the plates q, q',
and projecting beyond to the extent desired through the guide po, ready, when

page_text: carried forward, to pass through a row of pieces a, and the attendant will now,
in order to pass such ends through a row of pieces a, press on the handle q, to
clip the ends of wire l, and then by acting on the treddle q to depress it' (the
cords 97, one end of each of which is connected to that treddle, whilst the other
ends are connected to the frame q³) will cause that frame with the plates q, q',
to move towards the frame J, and in so doing to draw the wires so as to push
their ends for a certain distance through pieces a, forming a row in the frame j.
Whilst the parts are in this position the attendant will, with his other hand,
act upon the lever handle r, which turns upon a centre of motion 1, and at its
other end is connected to the rod, to which is connected by pin joint
one end of each of the levers 7, which turn upon centres ra, and at their other
ends are formed with cutting edges to act witli the stationary cutting edge,
in order to cut off the respective lengths of wire; that in the motion thus
given by the lever r to the levers 75, lengths of wire will be cut off and left
projecting through a row of pieces a. The attendant will then release his
hand from the handle q5, when the spring 98 will raise the plate q¹ from the
wires, and the weight will by means of the cord 210, draw the frame q back
again against the adjustable stops q", and in position for the plates g. 91 to take
hold of fresh lengths of wire l. The friction of the surfaces p³, p* preventing
the wires being pushed back by such motion. The lever is moved in the
direction of the arrow for the purpose of the cutters cutting lengths of wire,
and the lever r is also by means of the link. 7 connected to the lever 7-8, which
at one end turns upon a fixed centre, whilst its other end is connected to
the catch, the notch of which will, in the return motion of the lever 2, take
into the spring stop K, to release it for an instant from the rack J'; but in
the further motion of this catch 7, it will, by the stud 12, be released from
the stop K, to admit of that stop taking into a fresh tooth on the rack J', and
so on with each row of pieces a.
In order to straighten the various lengths of wires when necessary in
drawing them from the respective reels, I pass the wires not only between the
plates n, n', but also between plates s, s¹, the surfaces of which in contact with
the wires are roughened, the better to hold on to them when they are pressed
together by the set screws s", and then by screwing the two plates n, n',
together by the screws n³, the wires will at that part be also held tightly, so
that any movement of the plates n, n', in a direction opposite to that of the
plates s, s', may have a tendency to stretch, and thereby straighten the wires;
this movement to the plates n, n', I effect by means of the lever handle 2³,
which turns upon the fixed centre n', and at its other end is forked to embrace
the opposite ends of the plate n.

page_text: A. short length of wire having been thus passed into each of the series of
heads a to form a stem thereto, that frame j.is removed and another sub-
stituted in its place, to be acted with in like manner, and so on. For which
purpose there are several of such frames j, and parts acting therewith to eacli
apparatus. From such frame; I remove the plate or cover *, and apply to
the projecting ends of wires a slight quantity of paste, and when such paste is
partly set, the wires are pushed farther through the parts a, so as to be flush
with the outsides of them when they are dried. When the paste is fully dry,
the fusees are finished for use by the application thereto of the ignitable
composition. The method which I have found to answer well for this purpose;
consists in adapting a series of brushes in a bar, such as represented by
Figure 17. I first dip the points of these brushes in the ignitable composition,
and then brush these points across the picces a, the distance apart of the
brushes being arranged to correspond with that of the, picces a in the frame j;
or other holding means for them.
When the lengths of wire 6 are to have pastile composition applied to them
as a head, I find it convenient to employ apparatus such as described for
cutting and holding such lengths of wire, but it will be unnecessary in such
case to have the frame; provided with the receivers for the pieces a; and I
place a sheet of thin metal, paper, or other suitable material perforated to
correspond with the holes for the stems b in the frame j, and oiled or otherwise
greased between the part j and the plate, so that when the plate * is
removed, and the pastile composition is applied to the ends of wire, such
composition may be prevented sticking to the parts of the frame j. And when
the composition has become dry, the stems with the composition thereon may
readily be removed from the frame by the plate or sheet of paper, or other
matter referred to, which, being greased as stated, will not adhere, or but
slightly to the composition.
The means which I have found well to answer for the purpose of applying
the composition to the ends of such lengths of wire, consist of a frame with a
series of small pieces or pegs of wood, arranged at distances apart corre-
sponding with the wires. I dip the ends of these pegs of wood or other
suitable material into the composition, so as thereby to take up sufficient, that
the required quantity may run therefrom on to the ends of the wires.
In carrying out the third part of the improvements, the paper or such like
material employed in the manufacture of fusees is prepared in sheets of the
thickness usually employed for that purpose, but with one thickness only of
such material extending the full size of the fusee, whilst the other extends
only partially over such surface, leaving a thin and more elastic part, which I

page_text: prefer to be at the holding end of the fusee. Several of such fusees together
are represented by Figure 18. I do not, however, confine myself to this
method of forming one part of the fusee thinner than the other, so long as the
fusee is formed to give increased elasticity thereto whilst in use, by one part
thereof being formed thinner than the other..
In carrying out the fourth part of my improvements, I, according to one
method, mix by preference, about 16 lbs. of whiting with 6 pints of water, so
as to form a smooth paste, and add thereto a solution of gum arabic, obtained
by mixing about 2 lbs. of gum arabic in two pints of water, also about 1 lb. of
tragacanth. When these matters have been well mixed and ground together,
I first dip the ends of splints of wood or other material therein, so as to obtain
a slight coating thereon, to say, about half an inch. I then remove any surplus
by shaking therefrom, and turn them with the dipped ends upwards. When
this composition applied to the splints is dry, I dip the splints in a com-
position obtained in the following manner :-I dissolve about 5 lbs. of gum
arabic in 14 pints of water, and to every two pints of the liquor thus obtained
I add about 4 lbs. of whiting. When the splints have been dipped in this
composition, shaken, and turned with their dipped ends upwards as before,
and dried, those ends of them are to be dipped several, say three, times in a
pastile composition, which I prefer to have mixed with it rather more than the
ordinary quantity of gum employed to combine the same, and when dry tipped
with, ignitable composition as usual. If desired to produce flat heads to the
splints, I make use of equal parts of the foregoing compositions mixed
together. Into this composition the ends of the splints are dipped, and then
placed so as to rest with their dipped ends on an oily paper, or other greasy
surface, by which a flattened head will be formed by the composition to the
splints to receive pastile and then ignitable compositions. I would here state,
that although I have mentioned whiting as that which I prefer to employ, from
its clean and neat appearance, other non-combustible matter may be employed.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, I would have it
understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details referred to, so
long as the peculiar character of any part thereof be retained; but what I do
claim is,
First, the manufacture of fusees with wire stems of the character described.
Secondly, I claim the adaptation and combination of means employed in the
manufacture of parts of fusces, as explained.
Thirdly, I claim the making fusees elastic by forming one part weaker than
the other, as described..
Fourthly, I claim the application to wood or other splints used for fusees of

page_text: explained.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Charles Grimes, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of March, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine.
GEORGE CHARLES GRIMES. (L.S.)
Witness,
WILLIAM BROOKES,
73, Chancery Lane, London,
Patent Agent.