Improvements in Rocket Apparatus.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Dec., 1891
'Complete Specification Left, 27th Apr., 1892-Accepted, 28th May, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Rocket Apparatus.
We, 'WILLIAM EDSALL MATTHEWS and HENRY EDWARDS MATTHEWS, both
of Sea View, in the Isle of Wight, in the County of Hants, Confectioners,' do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to improvements in rocket apparatus, and its object is to
provide for the rocket or whatever may be the exact type of the projectile or line-
carrier made use of, for carrying the line with it.
In carrying our invention into effect we provide a suitable case or base in or on
which the line is coiled or rolled in such a way that from the moment the projectile
is started, it pays out line behind it. Accordingly, the weight of the projected
line is constantly diminishing in proportion as the projecting force grows weaker ;
and it is no longer necessary to draw the line behind the projectile through
the air.
Our invention does not confine us to the exact shape of the above mentioned
case or base, inasmuch as we may use any which may be suitable, either a cylinder,
a sphere, a rod or any other hollow or solid.
Dated this 24th day of December 1891
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
Agents for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Rocket Apparatus.
We, WILLIAM EDSALL MATTHEWS, Baker and Confectioner, and HENRY
EDWARDS MATTHEWS, Builder and Contractor, both of Sea View, in the Isle.of
Wight, in the County of Hants, 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 :—
Our invention relates to improvements in rocket apparatus, and its object is to
provide for the rocket, or whatever may be the exact type of the projectile or line-
carrier made use of, carrying the line with it.
In carrying our invention into effect, we provide a suitable case or base in or on
which the line is coiled or rolled in such a way that, from the moment the projectile
is started, it pays out line behind it. Consequently, the weight of the line
remaining in the case is constantly diminishing in proportion as the projecting force
grows weaker. Moreover as a second result and advantage of our invention, it is
no longer necessary to drag the line behind the rocket through the air.
Our invention does not confine us to the exact shape or type of the above
mentioned case or base, inasmuch as we may use any which may be suitable, either
a cylinder, a sphere, a rod or any other, either hollow or solid.
In order that the invention and the best means by which it is to be carried into
practical effect may be thoroughly understood, we will describe it and them in
detail, referring in so doing to the accompanying drawings. These do not profess
to illustrate every modification of the invention but only its application to the
ordinary rocket. Subject to this reservation they are to be taken as part of this
Specification and read therewith.
Fig. 1 shows the early part of the flight of the rocket. The rocket gun is
omitted as not forming part of the invention nor being necessary to its

page_text: Fig. 2 is a longitudinal elevation and Fig. 3 a sectional longitudinal elevation of
a rocket.
a is a fixed point on the beach or cliff, e.g. a post to which the shore end of the
line b is to be made fast before firing. c is the rocket tube. For the purpose of
our invention both ends c', c², are removable from the tube, being in fact screw
caps. d is the rocket stick. e is the leading end of the line. This is made fast
to the rocket by being passed through the nose of the front cap c' and knotted
there, or in any other convenient way. Nearly all the remaining portion of the
. line is then coiled up within the tube from the inner surface towards the centre, as
clearly illustrated in Fig. 3, in order that the paying out may begin with the
innermost spiral and proceed through the others one by one. The shore end ƒ of
the line is then led through a hole g in the centre of the back cap c².
The nose of the front screw cap is prolonged into a tube c which is closed water-
tight with a cap c. Any other equivalent device may be employed for closing the
'front cap water-tight. The object of this closure is to prevent the water getting
into the tube and so causing it and the line in it to sink in the event of the rocket
'falling short into the sea. If it should fall short it would float upright and remain
visible.
The stick dis advantageously in two portions which are hinged together. The
advantage of making the sticks in two portions is to allow of their being packed
away more compactly when they are in store. Each stick is provided with a
bolt or equivalent device by which the two portions may be held rigidly aligned
with each other when the stick is required for use.
Although the foregoing represents the line-carrier being projected from the
shore on which the stationary end is made fast, it must be distinctly understood
that the invention can be used from a ship to the shore, or to another ship or boat,
or from a lifeboat to a ship. In other words, the invention is independent of and
outside the particular nature of the scene from which, and that to which the line-
carrier is projected.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :-
1. The combination of rocket, removable caps and line made fast by one end to
the front cap of the rocket and coiled spirally within the tube from the latter
towards the centre, the opposite end being led through the back cap, as set
forth.
2. The combination of line-carrier or projectile of any type or shape with a line
made fast to it by one end, the opposite end of the line adapted to be made fast
ashore, or to whatever may be the spot from which the line-carrier is projected,
whereby the line is carried with and by the carrier during its flight and paid out
behind it, as set forth.
Dated this 57th day of Amil 1000
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
No. 22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.