US1825589A - Firecracker - Google Patents

Description

T. G. HITT FIRECRACKER Sept. 29, 1931.

Filed Oct. 2, 1929 131g. 5. 3 7710111115 5'- Hi Patented Sept. 29, 1931 W it,

l hl glt l @Fhl THOMAS G. lilTT, OF SEATTLE, WASHING-T625 FIRECRACKE-R Application filed October 2,

This invention relates to pyrotechnics; and more particularly, firecrackers of the type covered in my Patent No. 1,253,596, patented January 15, 1918, and improved to be used with explosives containing flash compositions.

The principal object is to provide a stru ture which will produce the maximum flash with a detonation, but particularly for the w production of colored flash detona-tions, since th short outer tube does not interfere with the depth and brilliancy of the color.

In my invention covered by Letters Patent No. 1,253,596, I stated that it was not neces- 15 sary to use a plug, wad, or other means for closing the end of the tube, as by having a substantial length of tube project beyond the explosive, a cushion of air was formed which acted in exactly the same manner as the so plug to confine the gases and result in an explosion vhen the same was ignited.

Wi h the advent of flash compositions, as covered in my Letters Patent No. 1,253,597, it became highly desirable to have a flash 25 as well as detonation. As a result of numerous tests and experiments, I have found hat by extending the tube beyond the explosive superior'detonation is obtained, but that the extension of the tube serves to so smother the flash. By having the bag containing the flash and explosive composition extend slightly beyond the tube, a much superior flash is obtained, and at the same time, the walls of the tube confine the explo- 3 sire sufliciently to result in a detonation.

When I remove the tube altogether from the bag; where the bag has a very thin wrapping, no detonation results, there being merely a flash; but, where the tube surrounded the bag, I found a very substantial detonation was obtained, although not as superior as where the tube extended beyond the end of the explosive.

Still another object is to provide a firecracker with a fuse that will prevent leakage of the powder and insure positive ignition.

Still another object is to provide means for securing the bag containing the explosive in such a Way as to secure the fuse in 1929. Serial No. Q

place, and yet prevent sive from the bag.

Heretofore, where several. folds wereused in making the the end that was tied became so bulky and cumbersome, that the same could not be securely closed, with the result that there was, considerable leakage of the explosive composition, and of the gases after the ignition of the explosive.

Other objects will be disclosed in the specification and drawings made a part of this application.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a section in elevation showing the preferred form of securing the fuse;

Figure 2 is a section in elevation showing a modified form of securing the fuse;

Figure 3 is a section in elevation, showing another form of securing the fuse;

Figure 4 is a bottom plan of the invention.

as shown in Figure 1;

' Figure 5 is section taken on line 55 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawi 's, in which like parts are designated by sinn numerals Numeral 6 designates a tube or casing 0 light wrapping material, within which is a bag 'Tformed of paper. i

This bag is usually formed by placing a char e of explosive, which contains a flash material, within a piece of paper, turning upone end and rolling the same in the form of a'cylinder, pasting the sides and tying the top with string or thread 8.' An ordinary bag, as shown in the illustration, w th a cylindrical bottoin 9 may be used and the explosive placed therein. A looped fuse 10 is inserted in the bag 7, as shown in the preferred form, :Figure 1, and the loose ends bent over and looped back into the be prosenting two loops 11 and 12 on the outside, and a loop 13 on the inside.

As shown in Figure '2, two loopsv 11 and 12 will be inserted on theinside of the 7 and a single loop 18 placed on the outside, leaving two loose ends 14 and 15 extendii'ig therefrom.

The modification, in Figure 3, comprises two pieces of fuse 17 and 18,'the fuse l7 bent to form a loop 17 the loop portion extendleakage of the exploQ mouth of the bag 19 inside the short leg 20.

acts as a protective covering The loop 17 for the long leg 22 to prevent loss of powder from the fuse 18.

I have found that with theordinary open I ended fuse which extends into the explosive,

the quick burning power which-forms the fuse becomes dislodged, with the'resuit that there is no explosion, or where the slow burn ing explosive, which is generally used in the or tube, works up into the fuse a very slow explosion is caused, which is exceedingly dangerous, as often the person firing the cracker believes the cracker is dead and picks the same up, only to have it explode in his hand. By having the fuse extend into the explosive in the form of a continuous loop, there is no danger of the contingencies taking place which I have mentioned; and further, by having either a-single loop extend into the explosive or a double loop, as shown in Figure 2, a dual ignition is always ob tained, which results in the explosion of the cracker.

A flash composition, embodying various color ingredients, may be used in the bag so that the cracker may be used at night as Well as in the daytime for its pyrotechnic display effect, the short outer tube allowing the depth of color to show vividly.

One of the greatest problems in connection with the manufacture of firecrackers is that of leakage either of the materials before they have exploded, or the gases after the materials have ignited.

I find that where a plurality of folds are used in construction of the bag, it is diflicult to secure the end into which the fuses have been inserted without having a substantial leakage, particularly of the material. By tearing the outer strips adjacent the mouth of the bag so that only a few strips of paper are left, the mouth of the be securely closed with little or nov leakage of material (shown in Figure 2).

Obviously I do not confine myself to any particular bag or tube, so long as the tube is open-ended and does not extend beyond the end of the bag containing the explosive and the bag is suitable for holding the explosive.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and novel is: l

l. .A firecracker comprising an openended tube, a bag containing a flash composaaSse sition Within saidbag, said bag extending beyond the ends of said tube.

2. A firecracker comprising an open-ended tube, a bag within said tube containing a flash composition, said bag extending beyond the ends of said tube, said bag formed with a plurality of wrappings, and having a mouth, a fuse within said bag and extending from said mouth, a reduced number of layers of'wrapping material forming said mouth, and means for securing said fuse in place within said bag.

3. A petard comprising a container having an explosive therein, a fuse extending into and out of said container, said fuse forming a single loop exterior of said container and a double loop within said container.

4:. A firecracker comprising an open-ended tube, a bag containing a flash composition within said tube, said bag extending beyond an end of said tube.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

THOMAS G. HITT.

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