Improvements in Electric Fuzes.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 11th May, 1894
Complete Specification Left, 11th Feb., 1895-Accepted, 4th May, 1895
Improvements in Electric Fuzes.
I, FRANK BRAIN of Trafalgar House, Cinderford, Gloucestershire, Civil and
Mining Engineer and Electric Fuze Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to and consists in improvements ou the methods at present
adopted of constructing high tension, (spark), and low tension electric fuzes. Said
improvements being devised with the objects of securing amongst other advantages
greater certainty of action, more economical manufacture, greater efficiency, and
Tess liability to be affected by climatic and other influences.
In carrying out said invention, I proceed as follows:-That is to say :-I first
take a small circular wad or disc, of any convenient thickness and made of wood,
paper, ebonite, china, clay or other suitable insulating material. Through this
wad or disc two small holes are pierced vertically, at convenient distances apart,
and into said holes are inserted the bared ends of two insulated wires of copper
or other suitable metal. These wires constitute the "leading" wires of the electric
fuze, and may be made up, with proper insulating material upon them, either in
twin, twisted, or separate form, as may be desired. The bared ends of said wires
are taken the requisite distance through the holes in the disc or wad aforesaid, to
allow of the bared ends of the wires being turned back over the top, and also, if
considered to be necessary, down the one side of the wad or disc. 1 do not, however,
confine myself to any particular direction which the turned over ends of the wire
are caused to assume, as this may be varied at discretion.
By the means above described, the distance for the "jump" of the electric spark,
(in the case of high tension fuzes) or the transmission of the electrical current (in
the case of low tension fuzes)-may be regulated as desired.
"
In order to strengthen and solidify the whole device, I apply to the back of the
wad or disc a composition of vulcanized india-rubber, gutta percha, shellac and
whiting, resin and glue, or other suitable insulating material, or compound, and
which is simply "served or applied round the leading wires. Otherwise, and if
preferred. I may introduce over and through which the leading wires are passed,
a small tube-made of paper, wood, ebonite, glass, china, clay, or other suitable
non conducting material. The top of the tube is brought up to the underside or
face of the disc or wad aforesaid: and, in order to secure and maintain said
enveloping tube firmly in its place and at same time act as a waterproofing, the
wires for a short distance-say for about the length of the tube or envelope
aforesaid may be covered with shellac, india rubber solution, gutta percha or
other suitable cement: The fuze head, prepared in accordance with either of the
above described methods, is then inserted into an outer casing or tube of paper,
wood, or other suitable material; a sufficient space being left therein, above
the wad or disc at the head of the fuze, to contain the necessary quantity of
explosive compound (priming material); said cavity or space when charged or
filled, may be closed with a plug or pellet of cardboard or other suitable material,
the rear end of the outer enclosing casing or tube being filled in with any suitable
insulating compound.
For low tension fuzes, I bridge over the space at the head of the fuze by means
The fuze
of a fine wire of platinum or other suitable metal in the usual manner.
head in this case being otherwise finished off as last above described in reference to
high tension fuzes.

page_text: If desired, a metal capsule may be fitted over the outer casing of the completed
fuze head above described, with or without a detonating cap affixed, or, if preferred,
the detonating cap may be affixed direct to the outer casing in the usual manner.
Dated this 26th day of April 1894.
JAMES
STEVENSON,
1, Furnival Street, Holborn, London, E.C., Agent for Applicant.
Improvements in Electric Fuzes.
I FRANK BRAIN, of Trafalgar House, Cinderford, Gloucestershire, Civil and
Mining Engineer and Electric Fuze Manufacturer 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 and consists in improvements on the methods at present
adopted of constructing high tension spark, and low tension electric fuzes. Said
improvements being devised with the objects of securing, amongst other advantages,
greater certainty of action, more economical manufacture, greater efficiency, and
less liability to be affected by climatic and other influences.
In carrying out my said invention I proceed as follows:-I first take a small
circular wad or disc of any convenient thickness and made of wood, paper, ebonite,
china, clay, or other suitable insulating material. Through this wad or disc two
small holes are pierced vertically, at convenient distances apart, and into said
holes are inserted the bared ends of two insulated wires of copper, or other
suitable metal. These said wires constitute the "leading" wires of the electric
fuze, and may be made up, with proper insulating material upon them, either in
twin, twisted, or separate form, as may be desired. Their bared ends are led
through the holes in the disc or wad the requisite distance to allow of the bared
ends of the wires being turned back over the top, and also, if considered to be
necessary, to be turned down the one or both sides of the wad or disc. I do
not however confine myself to any particular direction which the turned over
ends of the wires are or may be caused to assume, as this may be varied at
discretion.
By the means and mode of procedure above described, the distance for the
"jump" of the electric spark (in the case of high tension fuzes) or the transmission
of the electric current (in the case of low tension fuzes) may be regulated as
desired.
In order to strengthen and solidify the whole device, I apply as a backing to
the wad or disc, vulcanized india rubber, gutta percha; a composition of shellac
and whiting, in equal proportions; a composition of resin and glue in equal
proportions; or other suitable insulating material or compound, and which is
simply "served" or applied when in a plastic or semi plastic condition. round the
leading wires. Otherwise, and if preferred, I may introduce over, and through
which are passed the "leading" wires, a small tube,-made of paper, wood, ebonite,
glass, china, clay, or other suitable non conducting material. The top of said tube
is brought up to the disc or wad; and in order to secure and maintain firmly in its
place, the said small enveloping tube, as also to act as a waterproofing, the wires,
for a short distance, may be covered with shellac, india rubber solution, gutta
percha or other suitable cement. The fuze head, prepared in accordance with
either of the above described methods is then inserted into an outer casing or tube
of paper, wood, or other suitable material, a sufficient space being left therein
above the wad or disc at the head of the fuze to contain the necessary quantity
of explosive compound, (priming material) said cavity or space when charged or
filled, may be closed with a plug or pellet of cardboard or other suitable material,

page_text: the rear end of the outer enclosing casing or.tube being filled in with any suitable
insulating compound.
For low tension fuzes, I bridge over the space at the head of the fuze by means
of a fine wire of platinum or other suitable metal, in the usual manner. The fuze
head in this case, being otherwise finished off as last above described in reference
to high tension fuzes.
If desired, a metal capsule may be fitted over the outer casing of the completed
fuze head above described, with, or without, a detonating cap affixed; or, if
preferred, the detonating cap may be affixed direct to the outer casing in the usual
manner.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be carried into effect, I wish
it to be understood that I make no claim in respect of the wad or disc or in
respect of the inner and outer casings or tubes herein referred to, but; what I
claim is :-
In electric fuzes of the types herein described, after bringing the bared terminals
of the two wires up through the wad or disc at two defined points, turning the
bared ends of the wires back and over the outside of the wad so as to clip it as and
for the purposes herein set forth.
Dated this Eleventh day of February 1895.
V. LAZARUS,
1, Furnival Street, E.C., Agent for Applicant.