US190263A

US190263A - Improvement in signal-cartridges

Info

Publication number: US190263A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1877-05-01
Anticipated expiration: 1894-05-01

Description

E. VERY.

SIGNAL-CARTRIDGE.

No. 190,263. v Patented May1,,-1877.

NQPETzns, FHOTD-LITHOGRAPNER. wnsnmurom a. C.

UNITED STATES PAT NT QEEIQ EDWARD w. vERY, OF ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND.

IMPROVEMENT IN SIGNAL-CARTRIDGES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent bio-190,263, dated May 1, 1-877; application filed February 14, 1877.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, EDWARD W. VERY, of

Annapolis, Maryland, have invented a new and useful Improvement in PyrotechnicYSignal Cartridges, of which the following is a clear, full, and exact description, reference t'o be thrown into the air by means of the explosive force of a charge of common gunpowder; and it consists of a percussion-capped signal cartridgeor shell, having a charge of powder, and being provided with two or more signal-balls directly ignited by the flame of the burning gunpowder, and showing their light from the time they leavethe cartridgecase and pistol until they are entirely consumed. V

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe the exact manner in which I have. carried it out.'

In the drawings,-A represents .a common cartridge-case capped, and provided with the charge of powder B. Upon this powder I place an ordinary wad to keep it in place, and upon the wad one or more lumps of signal composition, 0 0, made of the required shape and density, and of such materials as will cause it to burn with a flame of any desired color. Above this charge an air-space, c, is left, and the mouth of the case is covered with a light and suitable wad or cover to secure the signal from damage or deterioration.

This signal can be thrown to a height of three hundred feet by means of a pistol constructed for, the purpose.

In my system of signals I use but two colors, usually red and white; other colors may, however, be used without departing from the spirit of my invention. The balls, representing a digit of any numbered. code,

are thrown either simultaneously or in quick succession, so that they are all seen at once,

the combination beingso arrangedthatno more than three balls are visible at once. The combination is so arranged that odd numbers. are distinguished from even ones in a manner distinct from the particular arrangement by which the integer is designated.

The'time of burning is eight .or more secends,- and the balls have a brilliancy sufficient to be distinguished at least three miles, they 'clear all ordinary obstructions to vision. The

signal-cases may be loaded or unloaded at the will of the operator, in order to make any desired change in color or force of discharge.

Signals may be examined thoroughly, taken apart and surveyed, and if found good the same parts may be returned to place without loss, change, or damage to the signal.

The observer sees the whole combination forming a digit at once. The arrangement of colors, groups, and combinations is entirely at the will of the operator. V

Having thus explained my invention, that which I claim as new, and which I desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A percussion-capped signal cartridge or shell, having a charge of gunpowder, and being provided with two or more signal-halls, directlyignited by the flame of the burning gunpowder, and showing their light from the time they leave the cartridge-case and pistol until. they are entirely consumed, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

ED WARD W. VERY. Witnesses G. H. EVANS, W. E. GUY.