EP1291613B1 - Illuminating flare - Google Patents

Abstract

The flare consists of a support base (1) on which is located a tube (3) carrying the flare charge. There is a frame (2) able to be mounted on the support base in two opposite positions. In one position the tube and flare charge are hermetically sealed by a toroidal joint and in the other position it constitutes a handle sleeve for the flare which leaves the cardboard tube with the charge totally free to be seen.

Description

The present invention deals with a new flare, which can be used for rescue purposes, to make signals (land / air, sea / air, land / earth, etc.) and / or for other purposes (eg shows, lighting, etc.). The rocket illuminant, according to the invention, occupies a minimum space in the transport position or storage and offers, in the operational position, significantly superior to conventional flares, which is particularly advantageous in relief situations, which are the times when this type of rockets is the most employed.

Flares used, for example, for the localization of misplaced people who are particularly useful-and for that, abundantly used in maritime rescue, are already well known.

Examples of flares of this type, which are part of the state the current state of the art, consist, among others, of the Spanish Utility Models U285753 and U1005643, as close precedents, and Utility Models U219520, U129269 and U113396, as more distant precedents.

US-A-3954059 shows a rocket of the prior art. The rocket includes a support base on which is arranged and carrying tube of the charge of the flare and consumable and und carcass. The base can be mounted in a position of use with a mounting fast. In the other position, that of storage, rapid assembly is not used. The carcass is closed by a head.

The general structure of conventional flares is constituted by: a metal tubular body, inside which a body is arranged tubular cardboard, carrying the load and that burns with it when using of the flare.

The tubular metal body serves as a handle in rockets manual lighting.

• Le gros volume occupé par les fusées éclairantes dans leur position de stockage ou de transport (autrement dit, lorsque les fusées éclairantes ne sont pas opérationnelles ou utilisées).
• Les limitations fonctionnelles, c'est-à-dire les prestations de la fusée éclairante elle-même, dont la capacité luminique et de signalisation sont légèrement descendantes, à mesure que la charge se consume, étant donné que la charge fumifère/luminique émise doit parcourir tout le corps tubulaire métallique, jusqu'à ce qu'elle atteigne son extrémité, où elle commence à s'étendre et à remplir sa fonction.
• L'utilisation d'un tube métallique entourant la charge lumineuse pyrotechnique réduit le rendement luminique total de la fusée éclairante. C'est-à-dire qu'avec la même quantité de charge pyrotechnique, il y a une plus grande intensité lumineuse avec une enveloppe exclusivement en carton (toujours indispensable pour réguler la vitesse de combustion), logée dans le tube extérieur en acier. Autrement dit, pour une même intensité lumineuse, il faut une moindre quantité de mélange pyrotechnique dans le premier cas (fusée éclairante objet de le l'invention) que dans le second (fusée éclairante conventionnelle). Cette amélioration du rendement peut être de l'ordre de 50%.

There are problems that are inseparable from this type of flare and are, among others:

• The large volume occupied by flares in their storage or transport position (that is, when flares are not operational or used).
• The functional limitations, that is to say the performance of the flare itself, whose light capacity and signaling are slightly downward, as the load is consumed, since the smoke / light load emitted must go through the entire tubular metal body until it reaches its end, where it begins to expand and fulfill its function.
• The use of a metal tube surrounding the pyrotechnic light load reduces the total light output of the flare. That is to say that with the same amount of pyrotechnic charge, there is a greater luminous intensity with an envelope exclusively made of cardboard (always essential to regulate the rate of combustion), housed in the outer tube made of steel. In other words, for the same light intensity, it requires a smaller amount of pyrotechnic mixture in the first case (flare object of the invention) than in the second (conventional flare). This improvement in efficiency can be of the order of 50%.

The new flare, according to the invention, introduces an idea different flare, in which there is no metal tubular body:

a) une base-support, sur laquelle on a disposé un tube porteur de la charge de la fusée éclairante et se consumant avec elle;

b) une carcasse qui est susceptible d'être montée sur cette base-support dans deux positions antagoniques, grâce à une solution de montage rapide. Dans l'une de ces positions, elle cache hermétiquement cette charge et le tube porteur, lorsque la fusée éclairante n'est pas utilisée et, dans l'autre position, elle constitue un manche-poignée pour la fusée éclairante, laissant le tube de carton avec la charge totalement libre et visible, pour que, lors de l'ignition de la charge fumifère/luminique, l'efficacité opérationnelle maximale soit obtenue.

It consists of:

a) a support base, on which a tube carrying the charge of the flare is placed and burning with it;

b) a carcass that can be mounted on this support base in two opposing positions, thanks to a quick mounting solution. In one of these positions, it hides the load and the carrier tube hermetically, when the flare is not in use and, in the other position, it constitutes a handle-handle for the flare, leaving the tube cardboard with the load completely free and visible, so that, upon ignition of the smoke / light load, the maximum operational efficiency is obtained.

Any quick mounting solution between carcass and base is included in the subject matter of the patent, without, however, altering the essence of the invention.

Any solution ensuring hermeticity inside the defined enclosure between the carcass and the support base, in the mounting position, which hides the load of the flare and the cardboard tube consuming with it, is considered in the object of the patent.

The inclusion of an ignition device for the initial ignition of the charge of the flare (not described or claimed, although necessary and commonly used in all flares) is considered in the object of the invention.

a) Réduction considérable des dimensions et du poids, sans préjudice des prestations: on peut dire qu'elle est "pliable" et qu'elle est stockée "pliée".

b) Augmentation considérable du temps d'utilisation pendant lequel les prestations maximales de la fusée éclairante sont conservées (de fait, la même intensité initiale est maintenue pendant toute la combustion de la fusée éclairante).

c) Simplification constructive notable, avec élimination du tube métallique (existant dans toutes les fusées éclairantes conventionnelles).

d) Amélioration du rendement luminique, qui peut atteindre 50%, ce qui entraíne une diminution importante du coût de l'artifice.

The benefits of this new flare over conventional rockets are obvious and immediate. Let's mention the most important ones:

a) Considerable reduction in size and weight, without prejudice to the benefits: it can be said that it is "foldable" and that it is stored "folded".

b) Significant increase in the time of use during which the maximum benefits of the flare are maintained (in fact, the same initial intensity is maintained throughout the combustion of the flare).

c) Significant constructive simplification, with removal of the metal tube (existing in all conventional flares).

d) Improved luminous efficiency, which can reach 50%, which leads to a significant reduction in the cost of the device.

To better understand the object of the present invention, we have represented in the plans a preferred form of practical implementation, capable of incidental changes that do not distort the foundation.

FIG. 1 represents a general schematic view of a new flare, according to the invention, in the closed position (of non-use, transport or storage). A half section is shown to observe the internal elements of the component.

Figure 2 shows a schematic overview of a new flare, according to the invention, in the open position (operational or use).

An example of a practical, non-limiting embodiment of the present The invention is described below.

1.- Base-support.

2.- Carcasse

3.- Tube porteur de la charge

R.- Enceinte fermée

4.- Dispositif pour l'ignition initiale

5.- Solution de montage rapide

6.- Solution d'hermétisation.

Enumeration of components:

1.- Base-support.

2.- Carcass

3.- Tube carrying the load

R.- Enclosure closed

4.- Device for the initial ignition

5.- Quick assembly solution

6.- Hermeticisation solution.

• La base-support (1) reçoit, dans une disposition fixe et coaxiale avec elle, le tube (3) porteur de la chargeur de la fusée éclairante et un dispositif (4) - non décrit car étant connu- nécessaire à son ignition initiale.
• La base-support (1) reçoit la carcasse (2), dans l'une ou l'autre position, au choix entre deux positions antagoniques coaxiales avec elle et, respectivement, de transport / stockage -figure 1- ou opérationnelle d'utilisation -figure 2-.

In the new rocket, according to the invention, which is composed of the elements listed:

• The support base (1) receives, in a fixed arrangement and coaxial with it, the tube (3) carrying the loader of the flare and a device (4) - not described because it is known - necessary for its initial ignition.
• The support base (1) receives the carcass (2), in one or the other position, at the choice between two antagonistic positions coaxial with it and, respectively, transport / storage -figure 1- or operational use -figure 2-.

In the transport / storage position -figure 1-, the carcass (2) delimits with the base-support (1) a closed enclosure (R), hermetic thanks to the means (6), wherein the tube (3) carrying the load of the flare and its ignition device (4) is closed and isolated.

In the operational position -figure 2-, the carcass (2) constitutes a handle-handle for the user of the flare, which fully retains its characteristic benefits during all combustion (given the non-existence a metal tube or an equivalent limiting obstacle).

a) La base-support (1) et la carcasse (2) sont en plastique.

b) Le tube (3) porteur de la charge est en carton.

c) La solution de montage rapide (5) entre la base-support (1) et la carcasse (2) est constituée par deux filets mâles (Sa), (5b) antagoniques sur le corps-base (1) et par un filet femelle (5c) sur la carcasse (2) qui se vissera sur l'un ou l'autre de ceux-ci (Sa), (5b) en fonction de l'utilisation ou non de la fusée éclairante.

d) La solution d'hermétisation (6) entre le corps-base (1) et la carcasse (2) en position "pliée" (de transport ou de stockage) est constituée par un joint torique disposé sur le corps-base (1) et où prend appui "à fond" la carcasse (2).

For the illustrated embodiment:

a) The support base (1) and the carcass (2) are made of plastic.

b) The tube (3) carrying the load is cardboard.

c) The rapid mounting solution (5) between the support base (1) and the carcass (2) consists of two male threads (Sa), (5b) which are antagonistic on the body-base (1) and a thread female (5c) on the carcass (2) which will screw on one or the other of them (Sa), (5b) depending on the use or not of the flare.

d) The sealing solution (6) between the base body (1) and the carcass (2) in the "folded" position (transport or storage) is constituted by an O-ring disposed on the base body (1). ) and where is supported "fully" the carcass (2).

a) Par exemple, en installant un ou plusieurs joints toriques dans d'autres zones de confluence entre la carcasse (2) et le corps-base (1), de sorte que la carcasse demeure "adossée" à ce(s) joint(s) torique(s).

b) Par exemple, en faisant un montage "à baïonnette" entre le corps-base (1) et la carcasse (2).

No other constructive and / or technically equivalent solution to ensure the same hermeticity (6) and rapid assembly (5) is not excluded:

(a) For example, by installing one or more O-rings in other areas of confluence between the carcass (2) and the body-base (1), so that the carcass remains "backed" to the joint (s) ( s) O-ring (s).

b) For example, by making a "bayonet" fitting between the body-base (1) and the carcass (2).

Claims (4)

1. Flare, consisting of:

   a) a support base, with a tube to carry the charge for the flare and to be used in conjunction with this.

   b) a case that can be mounted on this support base in two different positions using a rapid assembly solution, with the charge and carrier tube being tightly sealed in one of these positions when the flare is not being used; in the other position, it turns into a handle for the flare, leaving the cardboard tube with the charge completely free and in full view, so that when the smoking / luminous charge is lit, maximum operative efficiency is achieved along with a significant improvement in its light output.
2. Flare, in accordance with the foregoing claim, with the particular feature of a support base and case made of plastic and a tube for carrying the charge made of cardboard.
3. Flare, in accordance with Claim 1, with the particular feature of a rapid assembly solution for the support unit and the case, each with threads, in opposing directions on the base unit, in either one of which there is a conjugated thread, shaped for the case.
4. Flare, in accordance with the previous claims, with the particular feature of a solution for sealing the base unit to the case in the form of an o-ring disposed in the base unit, and in which the case is folded and screwed into place, thereby hiding the tube carrying the charge from view.

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