IMPROVEMENTS IN CONTINUOUS IGNITION FUSES AND IN THE FRICTION MATCH COMPOSITION EMPLOYED THEREWITH, WHICH COMPOSITION IS APPLICABLE TO FRICTION MATCHES GENERALLY, ALSO IN APPARATUS OR MEANS FOR PROPELLING and IGNITING THE SAID FUSES APPLICABLE TO THE LIGHTING OF LAMPS AND GAS BURNERS OF ALL KINDS, CIGAR LIGHTERS, TORCHES, AND OTHER PURPOSES OF IGNITION
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Augustus Leonard, of Holborn Viaduct,
in the City of London, Chemist, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN CONTINUOUS IGNITION FUSES AND IN THE FRICTION MATCH COMPOSITION
EMPLOYED THEREWITH, WHICH COMPOSITION
IS APPLICABLE TO FRICTION
MATCHES GENERALLY, ALSO IN APPARATUS OR MEANS FOR PROPELLING and
IGNITING THE SAID FUSES APPLICABLE TO THE LIGHTING OF LAMPS AND GAS
BURNERS OF ALL KINDS, CIGAR LIGHTERS, TORCHES, AND OTHER PURPOSES OF
IGNITION."
Sealed the 9th December 1875, and dated the 12th October 1875.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Augustus
Leonard at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 12th October 1875.
I, WILLIAM AUGUSTUS LEONARD, of Holborn Viaduct, in the City
of London, Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CONTINUOUS IGNITION FUSES AND IN THE FRICTION MATCH

page_text: COMPOSITION EMPLOYED THEREWITH, WHICH COMPOSITION IS APPLICABLE TO FRICTION
MATCHES GENERALLY, ALSO IN APPARATUS OR MEANS FOR PROPELLING AND IGNITING
THE SAID FUSES APPLICABLE TO THE LIGHTING OF LAMPS AND GAS BURNERS OF ALL
KINDS, CIGAR LIGHTERS, TORCHES, AND OTHER PURPOSES OF IGNITION," to be as
follows.
First, to what are known as continuous ignition fuses, and consists
in making the body or combustible part of such fusos of a preparation
of soluble cotton, similar to that set forth in the Specification of Letters
Patent granted to John Arthur Chandor, as a communication from me
the said William Augustus Leonard, bearing date the 27th of October,
1874, No. 3717, but of a much lower grade so that the admixture of
rcsinous gums therewith with a view to check the too rapid combustion
thereof is rendered unnecessary. I add a small per centage of camphor,
say from 5 to 10 per cent. of the mass, for the sole purpose of rendering
it more plastic, and thereby facilitating the shaping of the same when
moulding under heat and pressure. This camphor is driven off from
the fuse bodies after they have been properly shaped by subjecting
them to a temperature of about 100° Fahr. for several days. As the
said compound is less combustible than the compounds which have
hitherto been proposed for the same purpose, the addition of the extra
quantity of camphor or gums hitherto required to prevent too rapid
combustion is rendered unnecessary. In some cases I dispense with the
notches or serrations hitherto employed at the back of the fuse, sub-
stituting therefor a roughened or cloth surface for the propeller and
retaining catch to act against.
Secondly. My Invention relates to an improved friction match
composition, applicable to the covering or coating of the improved fuse
bodies herein-before described, or other continuous ignition fuses, or to
ordinary wooden and wax matches. According to this part of my
Invention, I render the said composition positively impervious to water
or moisture by the substitution of shellac, copal, resin, or other resinous
gum, for the gum arabic or glue hitherto employed in friction match
compositions. I also thereby obtain the further advantage of a firmer
adhesion of the match composition to the collodion of the fuse. The

page_text: ignited, the fuse being inserted from the opposite or breech end of the
said holder. Through a slot or slots in the side of this holder enter a
retaining spring catch or a spring propelling pall, the latter being
attached to a tubular or other slide which is caused to move longi-
tudinally to and fro to the required extent to propel a portion of the
fuse beyond the end of the holder nearest to the wick or burner. This
longitudinal to-and-fro motion may be obtained by the aid of double
inclined or spiral cam surfaces fast on a spindle, and acting upon
corresponding double inclines or spirals on the opposite ends of the
slide which is situate between them, the said slide receiving a positive
to-and-fro motion when the spindle is rotated in either direction by
turning a milled button or its equivalent on the end thercof. This
rotation, or partial rotation of the spindle in either direction, causes a
sharp pointed igniter on the end of such spindle to scratch and
consequently ignite the fuse, whilst the simultaneous longitudinal
motion of the slide causes the fuse to be protruded beyond the end of
the holder to the extent required. The combustion of this protruded
portion of the fuse suffices to ignite the gas jet, lamp wick, "spunk,"
or other substance to be ignited. In lieu of using two cams so as to
produce a positive motion to and fro of the slide, a single cam may be
used in conjunction with a helical spring, or, if desired, the slide itself
may be moved to and fro longitudinally along its spindle by means of
a lateral pin, stud, or button, passing through a slot in the outer tube
or casing of the apparatus, the said motion by acting on the cams
imparting the rotatory motion to the spindle requisite for igniting the
fuse. Or in lieu of using a sliding pin, stud, or button, a lever may be
connected to the slide so as to impart the desired motion thereto.
a double inclined or elliptical slot may be made in the slide, into which
a lateral stud on the revolving spindle engages, so that whether the
spindle be rotated or the slide moved longitudinally, the combined
actions of the propeller and igniter will be simultaneously obtained.
In some cases, where found convenient, I combine a holder or magazine
for reserve fuses with the poculiar apparatus above described.
Or

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Fatent,
filed by the said William Augustus Leonard in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 12th April 1876.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
AUGUSTUS LEONARD, of Holborn Viaduct, in the Oity of London,
Chemist, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twelfth day of October, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in the thirty-
ninth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said William Augustus Leonard, Her special
license that I, the said William Augustus Leonard, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William
Augustus Leonard, 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN CONTINUOUS IGNITION
FUSES AND IN THE FRICTION MATCH COMPOSITION EMPLOYED THEREWITH, WHICH
COMPOSITION IS APPLICABLE TO FRICTION MATCHES GENERALLY, ALSO IN APPARATUS
OR MEANS FOR PROPELLING AND IGNITING THE SAID FUSES APPLICABLE TO THE
LIGHTING OF LAMPS AND GAS BURNERS OF ALL KINDS, CIGAR LIGHTERS, TORCHES,
AND OTHER PURPOSES OF IGNITION," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said William Augustus Leonard, my executors or admini-
strators, 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 months next and immediately after
the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Augustus Leonard, 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, reference being had to the

page_text: First, to improvements in the manufacture of the body or combustible
part of what are known as continuous or repeating matches or ignition
fuses employed in the lighting of lamps and gas burners, and for other
purposes of ignition, and consists in the employment for that purpose of
a preparation of soluble cotton somewhat similar to that set forth in the
Specification of Letters Patent granted to John Arthur Chandor, as a
communication from me, the said William Augustus Leonard, bearing
date the 27th day of October 1874, No. 3717, but of a much lower grade
than xylonite and non-explosive. Consequently as this particular pre-
paration of cotton has the property of burning at a slower rate it does
not require the admixture therewith of camphor or any other gums, in
order to check its combustion, as is the case with xylonite. A cotton of
this quality may be prepared by treating the cotton in a finely divided
state with a weak mixture of nitric and sulphuric acids, or by a very
short immersion in cold and strong acids, the object being only to render
the cotton soluble, but not explosive. The treatment to produce this
result may be greatly varied, but a cotton of the quality desired may be
obtained by quickly saturating the cotton with a mixture of nitric and
sulphuric acids and water, and after pressing out the greater part of the
acid, subjecting it for several hours in a closed room to a temperature
not exceeding 130° Fahrenheit until the desired degree of solubility is
aquired; it is then to be thoroughly washed with water until all traces
of acid are removed. After being dried it is treated in the manner
herein-before described, in order to convert it into the sheet form, and
out into strips. With a view solely to rendering the mass more plastic,
and thereby facilitating the shaping of the same when moulding under
heat and pressure I add thereto a small per-centage of camphor, say,
from 5 to 10 per cent. of the mass. This camphor in no wise affects
the burning of the fuse, as it is entirely driven off from the fuse bodies
after they have been properly shaped by subjecting them to a tempera-
ture of about 100° Fahrenheit for several days. I may here observe that I
lay no claim to any particular process for the manufacture of this pre-
paration of non-explosive slow burning soluble cotton; but I reserve to
myself the exclusive right of applying the said soluble cotton so pre-

page_text: pared to the manufacture or the boules of continuous or repeatin
matches or ignition fuses for the purposes specified.
The second part of my Invention, which relates to friction match
composition applicable to the covering or coating of the improved fuse
bodies herein-before described or other continuous ignition fuses or to
ordinary wooden, wax, or other matches, consists in rendering the said
composition positively impervious to moisture by the substitution of
shellac, copal, resin, or resinous gums for the gum arabic or glue hitherto
employed in the preparation of friction match compositions. I also
thereby obtain the further advantage as regards continuous ignition
fuses of the kind herein-before described of a firmer adhesion of the said
match composition to the collodion of the fuse body. I have found the
following composition to give good results, namely:-
Shellac
Red phosphorous
White phosphorous
Nitrate of potash
-
40 ounces avoirdupois.
وو
33
-
14
-
12
23
"
32
:
"
وو
bi-}
12
رو
27
Puce lead or peroxide or bi-
noxide of lead
-
-
Methylated spirit about
60 fluid ounces.
The shellac is first dissolved in the alcohol, which should have a
specific gravity of not less than 810; it is then to be mixed with the
white phosphorous and heated to a temperature of about 150° Fahrenheit,
care being taken to agitate or stir the mixture until a perfect emulsion
is obtained. The other ingredients in a fine state of division are then to
be added to this emulsion and well stirred, so as to ensure a perfect
admixture therewith. If a composition of special fineness be required
the entire mixture should be ground in a paint mill. During the process
of manufacture of this composition care should be taken to prevent as
much as possible the evaporation of the alcohol therefrom by keeping
the vessel containing the same closely covered. After the said improved
waterproof friction match composition has been painted on or otherwise
applied to the fuse strips or bodies and allowed to harden it is to be
covered or coated with a film of collodion, in order to prevent adhesion
of the shellac to the interior of the fuse tube when such tube becomes
heated. If desired other ingredients hitherto employed in the manu-
facture of friction match composition may be substituted for those above

page_text: specified, provided they be combined with shellac, copal, resin, or other
resinous gum in lieu of with the gum arabic or glue ordinarily employed.
The shellac or other resinous gum moreover may be dissolved in any
other known solvent in substitution for the alcohol, and the proportions
of the different ingredients may be varied according to the particular
uses to which the said composition is to be applied.
Thirdly. My Invention relates to improved mechanical arrangements
for propelling and igniting continuous ignition fuses, and to the appli-
cation of the said improved arrangements to gas burners and lamps,
such, for example, as what are known as Roman or Pompeian hand
lamps, carriage lamps, mining lamps, railway and signal lamps, ships'
lamps, submarine lamps, domestic lamps of all kinds; also to cigar
lighters, and torches for lighting candles, lamps, or burners in elevated
positions, and to other purposes of ignition.
And in order that the last part of my said Invention may be fully
understood I shall now proceed more particularly to describe the same,
and for that purpose shall refer to the several Figures on the explanatory
Sheet of Drawings hereunto annexed, the same letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the Figures.
Figure 1 of my Drawings represents a sectional elevation of one
arrangement of my improved apparatus or mechanism for propelling
and igniting a continuous ignition fuse.
Figure 2 is a corresponding plan of the lower or that end of the said
apparatus which is furthest from the point of ignition, and through
which end the fuse is inserted.
Figure 3 is a similar view of the ignition end of the said apparatus.
In these and the remaining Figures the same letters of reference
indicate corresponding parts.
is the outer tubular metal casing containing the fuse tube or
holder e, which extends through the said casing, and is open at both
ends. is the fuse in the form of a narrow strip, which is inserted into
the holder through the lower end thereof, or that part which is situate
furthest from the point of ignition. This fuse may either have inclined
teeth or notches formed on the back thereof to facilitate the propelling
of the same, or the teeth or notches may be replaced by a simple

page_text: roughening of the back, or the application of a cloth surface thereto to
enable the end of the propeller d to take a sufficient bite or hold of the
fuse to propel it forward as herein-after described. / is a spring
retaining catch, the point of which is hooked so as to retain or hold the
fuse stationary during the downward or backward movement of the
propeller. This propeller is secured to or forms part of the collar 1,
which slides freely to the required extent along the outside of the fuse
tube, and is soldered or otherwise secured to the cylindrical slide m
mounted loose upon the rotary spindle f. A double inclined cam
surface is formed on each end of this slide, the inclines being disposed
in opposite directions, as shown clearly in the Drawing. Acting against
these cam surfaces are other double inclined cam surfaces formed on the
contiguous ends of the cylindrical cams n and o, which are fast on the
spindle f, so as to turn therewith, their acting or cam surfaces being
made in reverse directions, as is also clearly shown in Figure 1.
On the end of the spindle which protrudes through that end of the
apparatus nearest the point of ignition is fixed the rotary scratcher or
igniter i, consisting of a small disc with sharp points on its circumference
(see Figure 3), and on the opposite end of the said spindle is fitted a
milled button or its equivalent g for turning the spindle in either
direction. p is a spring collar surrounding and gripping the tubular
casing b, and made adjustable thereon, the said collar carrying a hoop c,
which when applied to gas burners is slipped over the burner a as
shown, and secured by the pinching screw q.
By making the apparatus adjustable through the spring collar p its
igniting end can be readily placed in the best position as regards the
burner for igniting the gas jet; or in lieu of a spring collar surrounding
the pipe a fork may be used, which will enable the attachment to be
slipped on sideways.
On turning the spindle f in cither direction it is obvious that the
double inclined rotary cams n and o by acting against the corresponding
inclined ends of the cylindrical slide m will impart a positive to-and-fro
sliding motion thereto along the spindle f, and will thereby cause the
propeller d, the point of which passes through a slot in the fuse tube,
to act upon and propel the fuse, whilst at the same time the rotation
of the points of the igniter i across the match composition on the
protruded end of the fuse will ignite the same. The fuse will burn only

page_text: to the mouth of the holder or fuse tube, and will then expire, the
period of combustion however being long enough to ensure the lighting
of the gas jet, lamp wick, "spunk," or tinder, or other substance to be
ignited.
A. notch may be made in the side of the actuating button g, as shown
in Figure 2, in order to leave the charging end of the fuse tube
unobstructed for the reception of a fresh fuse when required.
Figure 4 is a partial section and elevation of a slight modification of
the arrangement last described, the cylindrical slide m receiving its
longitudinal motion direct from a stud or button g, which is moved
to-and-fro along a slot in the outer casing b. This imparts the required
motion to the propeller d, and at the same time induces a rotary motion
of the spindle fand igniter i through the action of the double inclined
cams n and o. The rotary milled head or button g of the previous
arrangement is thus dispensed with.
Figure 5 is a similar arrangement to Figure 4 with the substitution
of a lever g for the sliding stud or button.
Figure 6 resembles Figure 1 with the substitution of a helical
spring n for the cam n, the spring imparting the back or return motion
to the slide m.
Figure 7 shows another modification wherein the cams n and o are
dispensed with, and in lieu thereof a continuous inclined groove or
slot is made circumferentially in or through the slide m, a pin pro-
jecting laterally from the spindle fand working in the said continuous
inclined slot, serving to impart the longitudinal motion to the slide
and propeller when the spindlefis turned in either direction by the
button g.
Figures 8 and 9 illustrate one of the numerous applications of my
said improved propelling and igniting appliance, it being here shown as
combined with a cigar lighter, which I prefer to make of a horse-shoe
form.
in the tubulan matal nacing containing the neanalling and inniting

page_text: or tinder, which is propelled outwards as required by rotating the central
portion, which turns freely in the hollow outer parts, teeth being
formed on its periphery to engage with the "spunk" as shown. t is a
hinged lid or cover for closing over the end of the "spunk" and of the
igniting appliance when not required for use. 2 is a magazine or reserve
for the reception of spare fuses, the same being closed by a convenient
lid or cover hinged or otherwise.
In some cases I propose to connect the gas cock with the fuse pro-
pelling and igniting apparatus in such a manner that the act of turning
on the gas shall simultaneously effect the propulsion and ignition of the
fuse, whilst the act of turning off the gas shall in like manner cause the
propeller to move down sufficiently far along the fuse to be in readiness
to propel the fuse the next time the gas is to be lighted.
Figure 10 shows an arrangement whereby I accomplish this object by
the aid of a bevel pinion or quadrant w, which is mounted upon the
spindle (carrying the cams m, n, o, Figure 1) in the place where the
milled button would be situate. This pinion or quadrant gears into
another bevel pinion or quadrant of twice the number of teeth
mounted on the end of the plug of the gas cock y. Thus by turning
the cock one quarter of a revolution in either direction the pinion w, and
with it the propelling cams, will be caused to make a half revolution
either to propel and ignite the fuse or to withdraw the propeller for the
next stroke, according as the cock is opened or shut. A slot or opening
may be made through the bevel pinion 10 to admit of the passage of the
fuse when charging at the breech.
In Figure 11 I have represented a mode of accomplishing the same
object by the aid of a spur pinion 10 mounted on the cam spindle f, and
actuated by a reciprocating toothed rack a connected to a crank pin in
the end of the plug of the gas cock y; or in lieu of the spur pinion 10
and rack a short projecting lever arm and connecting rod may be
substituted.
I have not considered it necessary to illustrate any mode of adapting
my improved contrivance for igniting and propelling continuous fuses to
lamps, as it is obvious that various modes of application will readily
suggest themselves to the practical man, according to the different con-
structions of lamps and the uses for which they are intended, but I may
observe that all that is essential in such applications is to so fix the said

page_text: apparatus as that the igniting end thereof shall be in convenient
proximity to the wick or other substance to be ignited.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my
said Invention, and the manuer in which the same is or may be used or
carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that I am aware that
other mechanical arrangements have been proposed and employed for
propelling and igniting continuous or repeating matches or ignition
fuses for the purposes herein set forth, such arrangements consisting of
a vibrating lever carrying a propelling pall and a vibrating scratcher in
conjunction or not with a spring detent, or consisting of a rotary screw
spindle to be turned in one direction only by a stud or button, and
carrying a rotary scratcher, the said spindle actuating a travelling nut
and propelling arm, and therefore I do not claim such mechanical
arrangements; but what I consider to be novel and original, and there-
fore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part
recited Letters Patent is,--
First. The application and use to and in the manufacture of continuous
or repeating matches or ignition fuses of the particular preparation of
slow burning and non-explosive soluble cotton, herein-before described
for the purpose specified.
Secondly. The manufacture of a waterproof friction match com-
position by the employment therein of shellac, copal, resin, or other
resinous gum in substitution for the gum arabic or gluc hitherto
employed as the adhesive material in such compositions, and the
application and use of the said waterproof friction match composition
to and in the manufacture of continuous ignition fuses and other
matches generally.
Thirdly. The application and use to and in the propelling and igniting
of continuous or repeating matches or ignition fuses for the purposes
specified of the peculiar combinations or arrangements of double
inclined cam surfaces in conjunction or not with a spring or a con-
tinuous inclined groove and rotating stud or pin worked by turning in
either direction, whereby the to-and-fro motion of the propeller and the
rotary motion of the igniter are simultaneously obtained by rotating in
either direction the spindle which carries the igniter, or by imparting a
direct reciprocating motion to a slide carrying the propeller, as herein-
before described and illustrated by my Drawings.

page_text: Fourthly. The so arranging or constructing the fuse tube or holder in
the said apparatus as to admit of its being charged at the breech or that
end farthest from the point of ignition, as and for the purposes herein-
before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Augustus Leonard, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Tenth day of April, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
six.
WILLIAM AUGUSTUS LEONARD. (L.S.)