Improvements in Flash Light Apparatus.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 10th July, 1895-Accepted, 10th Aug., 1895
CUMI LIED.
Improvements in Flash Light Apparatus.
I, GEORGE THIRD SHIRAS of Allegheny, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania,
U.S.A., Attorney at Law, 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 improvements in flash light apparatus.
Referring to the accompanying figures,
Fig. 1 is a perspective of my apparatus with lid raised, and a portion of the side
and end broken away, showing trigger in position to fire.
Fig. 2, is a central longitudinal section of Fig. 1, showing hammer driven forward
and explosion about to take place.
Fig. 3, is an enlarged section of the flash light powder box and support for same;
Fig. 4 is a like section with Fig. 3, but showing the ordinary magnesium powder
box with fuse connection to explosive;
Fig. 5, an under plan of the box with supporting pins broken off and
Fig. 6, is a detail of trigger and push pins.
In daylight photographic art the detective or instantaneous cameras have made
possible results that could not be obtained by the cumbersome tripod instruments
which required time to adjust, and with which no secrecy was possible.
The use of these detective cameras at night has been embarrassed by the want of
a portable quick firing flash light apparatus.
Prior to my invention the usual method of producing artificial illumination for
photographic purposes was to throw magnesium powder, ordinarily by air pressure,
into the flame of an alcohol lamp.
The lighting of an alcohol lamp and the injecting the powder into the flame
involved delay and publicity, besides requiring virtually two sets of apparatus, and
one fed by liquid material not always accessible nor easy to carry.
Another and more primitive way of producing a flash light was by igniting a box
of flash light powder by means of a fuse or tuft of guncotton running through or
under the magnesium powder.
The magnesium powder here was contained in a box like the ordinary pill box
and this box in firing rested loosely on a piece of a broken plate or other equally
crude support.
This latter method also produced slow firing, afforded no security of position for
the powder box and there was danger of the discharge flashing in the face of
the operator.
The present contrivance is intended to give to cameras designed for instan-
taneous use, the same desirable features for night use, which they already possess
for daylight photography. Furthermore, I provide a safe and convenient receptacle
for carrying and burning flash light powders, whether the ignition be produced
while the apparatus is held in the hand, or by securing the apparatus to some
stationary object and firing at a distance by means of a cord or equivalent device
connected with the trigger.
I also preferably but not essentially combine with the same a lid which acts

page_text: .
hand.
23
101 The Mash and a shield for the operator, when nirea in the
In the accompanying drawings which make part of this Specification, 1, is the
box proper containing the operative parts. I prefer to make this of japanned
The inside may be enameled or painted white to add to the reflection as
well as the lid and wings.
tin.
The lid 2, I prefer to make with folding wings 3, 3, which increase the size
of the reflector and shield.
The lid has a suitable snap 4 to engage with catch 5 on box 24, is a spring
to hold lid vertical when up. Upon the bottom of the box I secure by screws
a bed plate 6 which carried a sleeve 7, in which moves a firing pin 8, actuated
by spring 9. 10, is a button by which firing pin is drawn back. The sleeve is
slotted to permit of the movement of this button.
The firing pin is notched at its rear end at 11, to engage with: the catch of a
spring trigger 12. 13, is a push pin extending through the side of the box and
loosely connected with trigger. 14 is a safety catch to prevent premature explosion.
15, is a stud or forward end of spring trigger to which may be attached cord 16,
when distance firing is desirable. At the forward end of bed plate 6 and in line
with firing pin 8, is the support 17 for flash light powder box. This support is
recessed to receive an explosive cap 18. 20 is the flash light powder box having
opening in bottom to receive flash from explosive. I prefer to put gun cotton 21
in bottom of box to make the ignition quicker and more uniform.
I also prefer to use a metal box for the flash light powder and when the opening
is made in the bottom the flaps of metal are turned back as ears a, a, scen in
Figs. 3 and 5.
The support 17, has horizontal pins 22, 22, which slip under these ears a, a, and
hold the box in position.
To prevent the scattering of the powder, I prefer to use a loose tray 23 by the
back edge of which the powder is kept from scattering rearwardly.
.
When the ordinary pasteboard box with a fuse is used the box may be pierced
by the pins 22, 22, and the fuse brought in contact with the explosive as seen in
Fig. 4.
I prefer the
apparatus as seen in the drawings, but the following modifications
• may be made. The wings on the lid, or even the entire lid may be omitted.
Catch 14 may be omitted.
When used for long distance firing, or even under some other circumstances, the
bed plate 6 may be unscrewed from the bottom of the box and secured to any
support and the box entirely dispensed with it, by using screw holes 25, 25.
When held in the hand the cord 16 and stud 15, may be omitted.
Instead of sleeve 7 any depression in the bottom of the box or any guide may be
substituted. Tray 23 can be taken away. Numberless equivalent devices for
securing the powder box aside from the pins and ears may be used.
The form and shape of the powder boxes may be widely varied. For instance, a
powder box extending the full width of the inclosing box may be used. Powder
boxes may be made of any material and with or without covers. The Scovile and
Adam's magnesium cartridges may be used.
I prefer however to use a metal box with a lid to avoid spilling when carrying,
and then remove the lid when firing.
Bed plate 6, can be omitted and firing pin and box support he directly in bottom
of box. The position of the explosive relative to the powder box may also be
changed, as it would be possible to put it on the sides thereof or even above. The
spring trigger may be indefinitely modified and the spring therefor. The firing
pin being drawn back cocks itself."
To use the apparatus, all that is necessary is to throw up the box lid of powder
box, if of metal, and if the trigger has been previously set, push in pin.13. If the
safety catch is used this must be previously raised, or the trigger may not be set
until occasion requires.

page_text: For distance firing when the apparatus is not held in the hand; the safety catch
must be raised if used and the lid of the box proper raised and the lid of the powder
box removed if of metal. Either of the above operations, will require only a few
seconds to perform, and therefore makes the use of the camera well nigh as
instantaneous at night.as in the day time..
By the aid of my apparatus, the detective camera may be used at night, or in
dimly lighted premises to accomplish results heretofore difficult of accomplishment
and often impossible.
Yet, while specially designed for instantaneous work in doors and out, it can be
so adjusted as to be conveniently used in ordinary flash light photography, or for
any other purposes requiring a flash light.
Briefly then it is claimed that this invention serves the following useful purposes.
1st. The production of a compact and safe receptacle wherein the metal box when
closed contains the complete flash light apparatus and powder for use therein, and
when opened for use possesses no superfluous parts but all contribute to the
different functions shown in the design or drawing.
2nd. When loaded and primed can be drawn from the pocket and fired in half a
second, before the purpose of its use could be divined.
3rd. Can be used in streets or alleys at night, for the most difficult and dangerous
detective work or equally well in interiors, whether in the cellar or garret or in
hallways, doorways, porches, in warehouses or vehicles or anywhere and everywhere
that fancy or design suggests.
4th. By setting the extra spring trigger and affixing the apparatus to a support,
may be fired at any distance or it may be so set as to be exploded involuntarily by
any person passing within a given distance of the apparatus, thus making possible
important photographic results without either fatigue or danger of detection to the
photographer.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The combination of a box; a flash light powder box contained in the same;
an explosive in close proximity with said powder box; means for firing said
explosive and a lid to said first named box, to act as a reflector and shield when
thrown up.
2. The combination of a box; a cover for the same, folding wings on said lid;
a flash light powder box contained in said first box; an explosive in proximity with
said powder box and means for firing said explosive.
3. The combination of a box; a support in said box for a flash light powder
box; said powder box having an opening in the bottom and ears on said bottom
and pins extending from said support to slip through said ears.
4. The combination of a box; a support in said box for a flash light powder box;
said flash light powder box; an explosive lodged in said support and a firing pin to
discharge said explosive.
5. The combination of a box; a removable bed plate in said box having a guide
for a spring actuated firing pin; said firing pin ; an explosive in the line of
movement of said pin and a flash light powder box in proximity with said explosive.
6. The combination of a box; a flash light powder box contained in said box;
a fuse extending from said powder box; an explosive in proximity to said fuse, and
a spring actuated firing pin to discharge said explosive.
7. The combination of a box; a flash light powder box contained in said box;
an explosive in proximity to said powder box; a spring actuated firing pin to
discharge said explosive; a trigger to hold said pin and a pushing device to release
said trigger.
8. The combination of a box; a flash light powder box contained in said box;
an explosive in proximity to said powder box; a spring actuated firing pin to

page_text: discharge said explosive; a trigger to hold said pin and a pulling device to release
said trigger.
Dated this 10th day of July 1895.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
22 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.