Improvements in Photographic Flash Lamps.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Apr., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 5th Jan., 1895--Accepted, 9th Feb., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Photographic Flash Lamps.
HENRY ALPHONSE KEYS, 17, Apsley Road, Walthamstow, Essex, Tin Plate
Worker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
:-
A magnesium flash lamp for photographie purposes, consisting of an oval tin box,
with more than one wick and a certain number of small tubes so placed that the
magnesium when blown thro' such tubes would give a wide spreading flame.
16th April 1894.
HENRY ALPHONSE KEYS.
Improvements in Photographic Flash Lamps.
I, HENRY ALPHONSE KEYS of 17, Apsley Road, Walthamstow, in the County
of Essex, Tin Plate Worker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to a new or improved flash lamp, for burning magnesium
powder for the purpose of producing artificial light for photographic purposes, the
object of my invention being to provide a means whereby the lighting or igniting
surface covers the largest possible area (consistent with the portability of the lamp,
and the usual limited space in a photographer's outfit) in order that a small portion
of magnesium powder may be distributed over such area, and so extend the field of
intensified light.
In order that my invention may be fully and clearly understood I have hereunto
appended a sheet of drawings, in which.
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the outer case or container.
Fig. 2 is a like view of an inner case or partition which is fixed inside Fig. 1.
Fig. 3, is a perspective view of another case, arranged to go inside Fig. 2, and be
also fixed to Fig. 1.
Figs. 4, and 5, are elevation and under surface views respectively, in perspective,
of a tube carrying case, which goes inside Fig. 3, and is also fixed to Fig. 1.
Figs. 6, and 7, are front and back elevations respectively of a case for containing
the magnesium powder, and this also is fixed to Fig. 1, and to a certain portion of
Fig. 4, as hereinafter explained.
Figs. 8, 9, and 10 are front perspective view, plan, and end view respectively, of
the complete apparatus.
I carry my invention into effect by constructing of any suitable metal, or alloy
of metals, a box or outer case Fig. 1, preferably elliptical in plan, and consisting of
a bottom A, and sides or wall B, in the latter of which is formed an opening C.
In the said box I place a metallic partition D. Fig. 2, of the same shape in plan
as B, but of lesser dimensions in length and breadth, and preferably in height, so
that when soldered or otherwise fixed to A, a space exists all round between D,
and B, which is ultimately occupied by suitable lamp cotton E, as shewn at
Figs. 8, and 9, which may be flush with the top of D, and B, or stand up thereabove,
073

page_text: but always resting upon the bottom A of, the 'box or case B. In the lower
edge of D, an opening F, is formed corresponding to C in B, and coinciding
therewith when D, is fixed to A, as stated, a like space being also left in the
cotton E. In the lower edge of D any number of suitably shaped openings G are
formed for purposes hereinafter explained.
Within the partition D, I place a partition H, Fig. 3, of the same shape as D,
but of lesser dimensions in length and width, and preferably, but not imperatively
of the same height, so that a space exists between these as at Fig. 9, and this is
also provided with openings G and an opening J, the latter corresponding with
othe openings C, and F, in B and D, and coinciding therewith when H, is placed in
position.
Within the partition H, I place the device Figs. 4, and 5, which consists of a
series of tubes K, circular in cross section, enclosed within a metallic casing L, the
lower ends of said tubes being preferably narrowed or pinched together in order
to give à splay form to these as a whole, and their casing L. The lower surface of
the casing L is provided with an opening similar to C, F, and J, and connected
to L at the upper surface and sides of said opening I provide a metallic portion M,
which when soldered or brazed to L stands out at right angles therefrom, with its
lower edges flush with the lower end of L, as shewn by Figs. 4, and 5. The lower
surfaces of L and M I solder, braze, or otherwise connect, fluid tight, with
the bottom A. of Fig. 1, so that the free end of the portion M comes through the
open space J in H, the open space F, in D, and terminates in and flush with the
opening C in B, and is soldered, brazed, or otherwise connected fluid tight with B
at this point, so that if a draught of air be forced into the opening & in B, its
only outlet would be through the tubes K in an upward direction. For simplifi-
cation of description I have stated that the partition H, would be placed in
position within D, first, and the device Fig. 4 after, but in practice L, and M,
would be first soldered to A and B as stated, and the partition H be then placed
thereover. The space existing between H, and L, would be occupied by cotton
wick E, similar to E, which may terminate level with the top of H and L, or
stand slightly above both, but always resting upon A.
To the mouth M of the so far constructed apparatus, I fix the device Figs. 6
and 7, which consists of a metallic box N, preferably of elliptical shape in
horizontal cross section, and having in one side an opening O, corresponding to the
opening C in B, and these when placed together are soldered at the junction of their
edges, in such a manner, that N stands out from B at a slight angle, preferably,
such as shewn by Figs 7, and 8, and in such a manner that the bottom of N, is in
line with the bottom A of B, the said bottom of N being angled for that purpose.
The said box N has in its cover a screw plug or cap P, and at its lower,
extremities internally is provided with a metallic tube R, soldered thereto, one end
of which extends outwardly through one end of N, and receives an elastic tube.
That portion of R facing the opening O is provided with a suitable number of
holes S, and it will be understood from the foregoing explanation of the junction
of N and B, that if air be forced into the tube R, that its only outlet would be
through the holes O, into and upwardly through the tubes K.
A suitable cap T
may be provided to cover the case B and its contents when not in use.
manner of operation is as follows.
The
I may use any suitable spirit, hydrocarbon or other oil, for providing the
necessary flame, but in practice prefer to use spirits of wine, wood naptha, or
methylated spirit, and a suitable quantity of this I pour into the space between D
and H, and this percolating through the openings G in D and H, would saturate
the cottons E, and E', ready for ignition at any moment. The magnesium powder
- would be placed into the box N, through the opening covered by the plug P, and
this would fall down, and cover the tube R, and the holes S, thereof in N. Now
given that the box N is so charged and the cottons E and E' are ignited, it will be
understood that if a puff of air be forced by the mouth through the elastic tube -
on the end of R, that on this emerging from O, a portion of the magnesium

page_text: powder would be thereby forced upwardly through the tubes K, and on emerging
from these would spread over and be ignited by the flames from the cottons E
and E', and so furnish the flash necessary for the purposes stated.
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 :-
First. In an improved flash lamp for photographic purposes, the herein described
combination of parts connected and operating substantially as and for the purposes
herein described and shewn by the accompanying drawings.
Second. In an improved flash lamp for photographic purposes, the combination
of a metallic case A, B, having opening C, and containing a partition D, the
latter provided with an opening F, and apertures G, with cotton wick E,
between D, and B. The partition H having an opening J, and apertures G
placed within, and a suitable distance from D, surrounding a case L, containing
tubes K, the said case L having an extension piece M, with a lamp wick E' placed
between H and L. The box N with aperture covered by a plug P, and having an
opening O, and containing one end of a tube R, the latter provided with any
number of holes S, the said box N being soldered at a suitable angle with, and to B,
the whole connected and operating in combination with the use of magnesium
powder, and any suitable oil or spirit for producing a flame substantially as and for
the purposes herein described and shewn by the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 5th day of January 1895.
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
1, Broad Street Buildings, London, E.C., Agent for Applicant.