Improvements in Pyrotechnic Signalling Apparatus.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Oct., 1894-Accepted, 23rd Feb., 1895
Improvements in Pyrotechnic Signalling Apparatus.
I, JOHANN GEORG WILHELM BERCKHOLTZ of 5 Gartnerstrasse Hoheluft,
Germany, 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 apparatus for firing off flashing
signals and has for its object the production of flashing signals in one color or in
several successive colors which can be seen at a very great distance.
In the accompanying drawings which illustrate this invention
Fig. 1 is a side view of the firing off apparatus. Fig. 2 is a front view of the
same.
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the cartridge or rocket, Fig. 4 is a rear view
of the same.
The cartridge consists of a cylindrical casing a of paper pulp which is closed
behind by a metallic lid or cover and is provided with a percussion cap 6 the
appliance thus resembling an ordinary cartridge, internally this appliance differs
from ordinary cartridges by having a tube e placed in the direction of its axis aud
open at both ends this tube being fixed to the rear end of the cartridge and inside
the same by a flange in such a manner that the percussion cap is arranged
immediately in front of the opening of the tube the length of the tube is such that
the front and open end thereof is placed somewhat behind the edge of the cartridge
casing. The tube is filled with an igniting match cord d which leads from the
percussion cap b to the front open end.
The space between the tube c and the walls of the casing a is filled with several
layers of a flashing mass of one or several colors. The front layer fully covering
the short projecting end of the match cord. The firing off device resembles
a pistol without a barrel. To the stock is fixed the lock with hammer and
percutator theu comes a disc e provided at the sides with cheeks or guides and g.
In front of the diso e and below is arranged the bearing or bed. for the cartridge
furnished on both sides with the hinges and k. To the hinge is secured a
strap which is free to turn and is provided with a notch and a protuberance n
this strap being secured in its closed position by the spring o. The extractor
baving the shape of an angle iron is hinged at so as to turn freely thereon. To
fire off a cartridge the strap is turned back, until the spring o clicks with its end
rounded at the top, into the notch formed in the strap and thus firmly holds the
later as shewn in dotted lines in the drawings. The cartridge is then inserted by
its end between the cheeks or guides faud y so as to rest on its bed or bearing
and to come into contact by its closed rear end against the diso e.
The strap is now closed and the hammer cocked. The action of the percutator
explodes the percussion cap which ignites the match cord the latter communicating
the ignition to the front end of the tube c whereat the flashing material is ignited
and burns slowly down to the bottom of the cartridge thus producing an intense
flash which issues from the pistol and changes color according to the nature of the
different layers of the flashing mass. When the latter is entirely consumed the
strap is opened and the extractor or ejector p is depressed whereby the cartridge
case is raised from its position and removed. The extractor is immediately
brought back again into its former position by the spring and another cartridge
can be fired off without hinderance.

page_text: This invention has the great advantage as compared with other signalling
cartridges inasmuch as siguals of successively changing colors can be produced
which is obtained by not placing the percussion cap in immediate contact with the
flashing mass but causing the ignition to be communicated by the match cord
surrounded by a tube to the foremost layer which is the first to be iguited so that
the various layers are uniformly and slowly consumed. Moreover there is no limit
to the length of the cartridge; the number of colors may be selected according
to requirements.
The chief advantage of the firing off apparatus as compared with former similar
pistols is its extreme simplicity which is particularly enhanced by dispensing with
the barrel.
As my improvements are capable of some slight modification without departing
from the principle thereof I do not restrict myself to the precise form or placement
of the several parts thereof.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what I
claim is :-
1. Cartridges for sigualing purposes characterized by a tube open at both ends
and placed inside the cartridge in the direction of its axis, the tube being fixed
at one end directly over the percussion cap within the cartridge and at the front
end thereof and being filled with a match cord and surrounded by several layers of
flashing mass of different colors for the purpose of isolating the said mass from
the percussion cap, of igniting the layers of mass at the open front end of the
cartridge and of slowly consuming the variegated layers substantially as herein
described and shown.
2. A firing off apparatus without barrel characterized by a disc destined to hold
the cartridge and provided with two cheeks or lateral guides, a bed or bearing
having a shape corresponding to that of the cartridge and provided with a move-
able strap acted upon by a spring and securing the cartridge at the top, and an
extractor or ejector having the shape of an angle iron which is thrown out of
action after each stroke by a spring substantially as herein described and shown.
Dated this 2nd day of October 1894.
J. B. FLEURET,
5, Hatton Garden, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.