US2119697A

US2119697A - Float light

Info

Publication number: US2119697A
Application number: US36032A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert J Anderson
Original assignee: VICTORY FIREWORKS AND SPECIALT
Current assignee: VICTORY FIREWORKS AND SPECIALT; VICTORY FIREWORKS AND SPECIALTY Co
Priority date: 1935-08-13
Filing date: 1935-08-13
Publication date: 1938-06-07
Anticipated expiration: 1955-06-07

Description

June 7, 1938.

R. J. AND ERSON FLOAT LIGHT Filed Au 13, 1955 Y 2 Sheets-Sheefl fi rf ancmzson;

3& \f-

Junej, 1938. R. .1. ANDERSON FLOAT LIGHT Filed Aug. 13, 1935 2 sheets-sheet 2 amen tom Patented June 7, 1938' 5 UNITE 5p;-

PAT

FLOAT LIGHT Application August' 13, 1935, Serial No. 36,032

28 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in float lights which are primarily for use at sea and adapted to burn fora substantial period of time.

These float lights are ordinarily released from an aeroplane, generally in series, and when floating on the water, the aviator is enabled to determine the direction of the wind on the water, as well asthe wind draft.

These devices may, of course, be put to various other uses either on land or sea.

One objectof this invention resides in the provision of a firing pin assembly and in arranging and locating of the assembly in the upper part of the buoyant housing or casing of the device, whereby the burning is from the upper portion of the device downwardly.

Another object is the provision of safety means for retainin'gthe firing pin out of contact with the priming cap until it is desired to utilize the same.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel firing pin assembly including a hollow firing stem providing a passage for gases and smoke from beneath and past the firing pin.

Another object is the provision of a self aligning firing pin which telescopes over the delay train tube, whereby misalignment is avoided.

Another object is the provision of an insulating airspace around the pyrotechnic mixture container,preventing cooling of this mixture from the outside air orwater, thereby insuring proper burning, as anyv change in temperature interferes :vith the volume of smoke generated by the mix ure.

Still another object is the provision of a stabilizing attachment to insure a true downward flight of the device and a speedy descent thereof.

Other objects will appear as the descriptionproceeds.

In the present invention the lower part of the housing or body of the device is completely sealed and closed against the entering of water and the firing pin assembly is fitted in the upper portion .of the housing or casing and the firing started in that part of the device.

In the accompanying drawings, one form of the present invention is illustrated, whereinz,--

Fig. 1 is an elevation of the. device as it appears in its downward flight;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the device; 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of 8- i I. il igi'a. 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 5--5 of Fig. 2; Y I

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on line 5-6 of Fig. 2;

' and Fig. '7 is a detail view of the telescoping firing stem and the upper portion of the tubular memher which aids in guiding the firing pin.

The housing or casing comprises an air tight tube or casing l of sheet tin, aluminum or any desired material, and has its lower end hermetically sealed by means of a bottom 2 filled with ballast or any desired weighting material 3. The upper end of the tube 'is sealed by means of the cover 4 crimped around the upper edge of the tube I. Said cover 4 is provided with a central opening in which is mounted part of the firing assembly so as to securely close the opening against the entrance of water.

Mounted in the lower portion of the casing l is a tubular member 5 made of thin sheet material, such as tin, aluminum or the like, or any desired material, provided with a bottom 6. In this tube 5 is mounted a tube 1 of insulating material such as paper, pulp, or the like. Said tube member I is of smaller diameter than the tube 5, and accordingly is spaced away from the wall of the tube 5 providing an insulating air space 8. Covering the top of this air space 8, and securely fastened to the upper edge of the tube 1 and the tube 5, is an annular member 9.

The tube 1 is'loaded or packed for a substantial part of its length with pyrotechnic material [0, preferably a red phosphorous mixture which will burn readily and very brilliantly, and with a very dense smoke. This pyrotechnic material is of the usual type now in common use.

On top of this pyrotechnic material is placed a celluloid or fusible disc II. On the celluloid disc II is placed a starter mixture l2 which may be of anyof the usual compositions for this purpose, such for example, as lead peroxide, copper oxide and fusesilicate.

Secured to and mounted on top of the tube i above the annular member 9 covering the insulating space 8 and resting on the starter mixture is a dished cover or closure i3 provided with "perforations or vent holes i l, and a central opening through which is affixed the tubular delay stem l8 as hereinafter set forth. The space between the disc II and the cover or closure l3, formsa container or chamber for the starter mixture l2.

On top of the central portion of the cover I3 is placed a thin disc l5 of fusible material such The tubular delay stem [8 is loaded or packed with a. delay mixture l9, such as a meal powder and copper oxide, that is, a slow burning mixture. Any other slow burning mixture could well be utilized, as desired.

The lower end of the delay stem is reduced and is exteriorlyscrew threaded, and is passed through the central opening of the cover l6 and the disc l5 and the cover [3 into the starter chamber or container, and threaded into a lock nut 2| in the interior of the starter chamber.

Through perforations in opposite sides of this lock nut are passed pieces of black match 22.

Securely mounted on the cover or closure I6 is a tubular member 23 preferably of paper, cardboad or other light material but of sufficient ri-, gidity to support the top or cover 4 against collapsing or the like.

Securely attached to the cover 4 on its lower surface in any desired manner is a metal disc 24 of substantial thickness and which rests on top of the tubular member 23.

The delay stem I8 is provided at the upper end thereof on top of the delay mixture IS in the stem with a primer. cap 25.

Snugly fitting the opening in the cover 4 is the upper portion of the firing pin assembly. This firing pin assembly comprises a tubular member I 26 of any desired material, of metal or bakelite,

or the like; the upper portion 21 thereof being enlarged, and the lower portion of a reduced diameter forming thereby a flange which rests on the cover 4 of the casing, and having an external screw thread 28, thereon which is screwed through the cover 4, and the heavy disc 24 and thus securely held in position. A

The firing stem 29 is hollow or tubular and is provided along its length with a series of openings 30 through which the burning gases, smoke, etc., pass into the interior of the stem and upwa'rdly and out of the upper end of the firing pin assembly.

This firing stem is slidably guided at its upper part in the tubular member 21, and held in position so that openings in the member 21 and in the firing stem for the cotter pin will register, by means of a. pin or projection 3| which slides in the slot 32 in the lower portion of the tubular member 21. The firing stem 29 is of suf ficient length to telescope over and readily slide on the delay stem [8. Rigidly secured in the interior of the firing stem 29 is a firing pin 33 pcsitioned between the openings 30.

A bottle neck head 34 is formed on the upper end of the tubular member 21, and on this beaded bottle neck is crimped a cap 35' provided with a central opening 36. A disc 3'! or celluloid or the like, provided with a tiny vent hole 38, rests on upper edge of the member 21 beneath the cap 35 after it: is crimped into place.

It is desirable to hold the firing pin 33 out of contact-with the primer cap 25, after the cotter pin, hereinafter referred to, has been released and untilthe time for the'firing pin to contact with the primer cap, which is usually when the device strikes the water. For this purpose there is provided a small piece of transformer Wire 39,

although any other flexible, easily severed wire or thread may be utilized. This transformer wire 39 is passed through a small hole in the firing pin 33 and secured therein and upwardly over the bead 34, and is held in place by means of,

and the lower portion of the bead 34 against the tension of spring 42. This collar or sleeve 40 is of a width suflicient to cover and close the openings through which ,the cotter pin passes when the cotter pin is released, and the collar or sleeve drops under the'tension of the spring 42 into engagement with the flange of the tubular member resting on the cover 4. The sleeve in effect at this stage acts as a closure for the openings 40 and prevents the entrance of water therein when the device is dropped into the sea. Pivotally mounted in one end of the cotter pin is a swivel 43. To the other end of the swivel is secured a cord 44, which carries the stabilizing member 45 which in the present instance is shown in the form of a linen tag. A cord 46 is secured to the last mentioned end of the swivel, and its other end is passed beneath the cap 35 and securely held in place thereon when the cap is crimped over the bead.

The upper end of the firing stem 29 is provided with elongated slots 41 through which the cot=- ter pin passes. When the retaining cotter pin is in place the upper ends of these slots engaging the cotter pin hold the firing stem out of firing position away from the primer cap.

The operation of the device will be readily understood from the foregoing, and it will be seen that when the device is dropped from a height, the cotter pin having been removed, that on impact with the water, and the device usually descends into the water from eight to ten feet beneath the surface, the firing stem on impact will shear or break the wire 39 and the cap 25 being exploded .-will immediately start the burning of the delay charge I9 in the stem [8, and when this reaches the material l2 in the starter con-' tainer chamber, the black match 22 will be ignited and fire the composition therein. The gases from this burning composition will escape through the vent hole in-the covers l3- and IS, the tin foil disc l5 having fused, and up into the tubular member 23 and through the openings 30 into the interior of the firing stem 29 and out through the celluloid disc 31, beneath the crimped .cap, and this will be followed by flame and smoke caused by the burning of the composition and the charge l0 in the tube I.

The celluloid disc of course is fusible and destroyed-by reason of the heat due to the burning operator changes his mind and decides not to' drop the float light after he has withdrawn the cotter pin. Itiwill be seen that if such should occur that all he would have to do would be to replace the cotter or safety pin as the position or location of the firing stem is not altered until the support or wire has been broken.

This wire oi string or support acts as a safety device for holding the firing stem in its upper position, and when the float strikes there is a shearing action which causes a separation of the wire and permits the firing stem and firing pin to perform its function.

The firing stem is unique in. several ways. It

acts as a carrien for the firing pin and in turn is so cutout and provided with openings through which the gases escape into the interior of the firing stem and from thence out through the opening in the cap. when the cotter pin is released the sliding ring drops and closes the opening through which the cotter pin had passed.

Another important feature of this device is that there is provided a water tight container. In

. former devices of this character where the water 15 enters at the bottom and the impact starts the primer, more or less water is bound to enter the burning mixture and this,'of course, is objectionableyand such objection it will be readily understood is overcome by the present device.

Another very important feature resides in the provision of an insulating air space between the mixture containing tube I and the tube 5, whereby the pyrotechnic mixture contained in said tube is unaffected by any outside temperature either of the air or water.

This application is a continuation-in-partof application Serial No. 18,653, filed April 27, 1935.

Having thus described my invention, what I 30 Patent of the United States, is:

1. In a float light, a hollow buoyant casing, a charge of inflammable pyrotechnic material in the lower portion of the casing, and a firing pin assembly mounted in the upper part of the casing, and a stabilizing device flexibly connected to the upper part of said firing pin assembly.

2. In a float light, a hollow buoyant casing, a charge of inflammable pyrotechnic material in the lower portion of the casing, and a firing pin assembly mounted in the upper part of the easing, and a stabilizing device flexibly and swivelly connected to the upper part of said firing pin assembly.

3. In a float light, a hollow buoyant casing, a charge of inflammable pyrotechnic material in the lower portion of the casing, and a firing pin assembly mounted in the upper part of the casing, and a stabilizing device flexibly connected to the upper part of the casing.

4. In a float light, a hollow buoyant casing, a charge of inflammable pyrotechnic material in the lower portion of the casing, and a firing pin assembly mounted 'in the upper part of the casing, and a stabilizing device flexibly and swivelly connected to the upper part of the casing.

5. A float light comprising a buoyant casing, a pyrotechnic material container mounted in the lower part of said casing with its walls spaced from the interior walls of the casing. a closure for said container at the bottom and top thereof, a primer cap, a firing pin assembly mounted in the upper part of said casing, said assembly including a hollow sliding firing stem, a firing pin rigidly secured therein, and means for tem- -65porarily holding said firing pin out of contact cluding a hollow sliding firing stem, a firing pin 75 rigidly secured therein, and severable means for claim as new and desire to secure by Letters holding said firing pin out of contact with said primer cap.

7. In a float light, a buoyant casing, a pyrotechnic material container mounted in the lower portion-thereof, said container being of smaller diameter than the casing and having its walls spaced from the walls of said casing to form an insulating chamber, a delay stem containing a charge of delay mixture extending upward from said container, a priming cap on said delay stem and a firing pin assembly comprising a hollow tubular memberfitted in the upper part of the casing, a hollow firing stem mounted to slide in the tubular member and to telescope over the delay stem, a firing pin rigidly secured in the firing stem above the delay stem, and openings through the wall of the firing stem to allow the products of combustion from the pyrotechnic material to pass upward into the firing stem and out through the tubular member.

8. A-fioat light comprising a buoyant casing, a tubular member at the upper portion thereof,

member at its upper part, said firing-stem provided with openings into its interior and a firing pin rigidly secured in said firing stem normally out of contact with said primer cap.

9. A float light comprising a buoyant casing, a tubular member at the upper portion thereof, a pyrotechnic material container mounted in the lower portion of said body spaced from the walls of said casing to form an insulating chamber for the container, a delay stem mounted on said container, a primer cap, a hollow firing stem telescoping at its lower end over the delay stem and slidable in the tubular member at itsupper part, said firing stem provided with openings into its interior and a firing pin rigidly secured in said firing stem and means for retaining said firing pin normally out of contact with said primer cap.

10. In a float light, a buoyant casing having a weighted lower end, a pyrotechnic material container mounted in the lower portion of the casing and spacedfrom the walls of the casing to provide an insulating air space, a starter chamber, a.

lock nut in said starter chamber provided with a black match, a delay stem engaging the lock nut and extending upward from the starter chamber,

. a primer cap on the top of the delay stem, and a firing pin assembly comprising a tubular member fitted in the top of the casing, a sliding tubular firing stem, telescoping over the upper end of the delay stem and in the bore of the tubular member, a firing pin rigidly secured in the'firing stem, and a perforate cap crimped over said tubular member.

11. In a fioat light having the construction defined in claim 7, the provision of an opening through theside wall of the firing stem below the firing pin to'allow the products of combustion from the delay charge to pass therethrough' and thence back into the firing stem above the firing pin andout through the tubular member. v

12. In a float light having the construction defined in claim 7, the provisionof severable means for retaining the firing stem elevated with the firing pin out of contact with the primer cap.

13. In a float light having the construction defined in claim 10, the provision of means for re- .a pyrotechnic material container mounted in the movably retaining the firing stem with the firing pin out of contact with the primer cap.

14. In a. float light having the construction defined in claim 10, means for weighting the lower end of the casing to maintain the float light upright and a stabilizer device flexibly connected to the upper end of the casing.

'15. In a float light, a hollow buoyant casing, a charge of inflammable pyrotechnic material in the lower portion of the casing, a delay stem extending upward from the lower portion or the casing, a primer cap on the delay stem, a firing pin assembly mounted in the upper part of the casing comprising a member in alignment with the delay stem, and a firing stem carrying a firing pin and mounted to telescope both with the said member and the delay stem thus to insure rectilinear movement of the firing stem and accurate cooperation of the firing pin and primer cap.

16. In a float light, a hollow buoyant casing, a charge of inflammable pyrotechnic material in the lower portion of the casing, a delay stem extending upward from the lower portion of the casing, a primer cap on the delay stem, a firing pin assembly mounted in the upper part of the casing comprising a hollow tubular member in alignment with the delay stem, and a hollow firing stem carrying a firing pin therein and mounted to telescope. both withthe tubular member and with the delay stem, thus to insure rectilinear movement of the firing stem and accurate cooperation of the firing pin and primer cap.

1'7. A firing pm assembly for a float light, comprising a tubular member, a sliding firing stem provided with a firing pin mounted in said tubular member, said stem being provided with openings.

leading intothe interior of the stem, a cap securely fastened on the upper end of said tubular member, and means secured to said sliding stem and to said cap for retaining said sliding stem in inoperative position.

18. In a float light, a buoyant tubular body or casing, a charge of pyrotechnic material in the lowerpart of said tubular casing, means forming a starter chamber mounted therein, a delay stem containing a charge of delay mixture secured to said means, a priming cap on the upperend of said delay stem, and a firing pin assembly comprisinga hollow tubular member fitted in the upper part of the casing, a hollow sliding firing stem having a firing pin at its lower end and mounted in said tubular member, said firing stem being provided with an opening through its side wall above the firing pin to allow gases, smoke, etc., to pass from the lower part of the casing through the firing stem and upward through the tubular member and casing, and means for temporarily retaining the 'firing stem out of contact with the priming cap.

19. A firing pin assembly for a float light com prising a tubular member with abore extending therethrough, a hollow firing stem slidably mounted in said bore, and provided withopenings into the interior of said stem, removable means for retaining said stem ininoperative position in said bore, a cap provided with an opening securely clamped on the upper end of said assembly, and a disk with a small vent hole between said cap and tubular member.

20. A firing pin assembly for a float light, comprising a tubular member provided with an enlarged head, afiring stemslidably mounted in said tubular member, means for retaining said stem in inoperative position in said tubular member. said stem provided with openings for the passage of said retaining means, a sliding sleeve or ring encircling said head above said retaining means, said sleeve when the retaining means is removed adapted to drop and close said openings.

' 21. A firing pin assembly for a float light, comprising a tubular member provided with an enlarged head, a firing stem slidably mounted in said tubular member, means for retaining said stem in inoperative position in said tubular memopenings.

22. In a float light, a buoyant tubular casifng or body, a charge of pyrotechnic material in the lower part of said tubular casing, a fusible disc mounted on said charge, a starter container containing a starter charge, a delay stem secured in said starter container, a charge of delay composition in said delay stem, a primer cap in contact with said delay charge, and a firing pin assembly comprising a tubular member fitted in the upper part of the casing, a hollow firing stem carrying a firing pin and having an opening through its side wall adjacent the firing pin and mounted to slide in the tubular member, and removable means for retaining said firing stem out of contact with the primer cap, the said assembly thus presenting a discharge passage for the gases and smoke from the pyrotechnic material through the firing stem and tubular member.

23. In a float light, a buoyant casing or body provided with a bore extending therethrough, a charge of pyrotechnic material in said casing, a fusible disc mounted on said charge, means above said disc forming a starter chamber, a charge of starter composition within said chamber, a delay stem opening into said starter chamber, a charge of delay composition in said stem, a primer cap in contact with said delay charge, and means for firing said primer capdue to impact of the casing.

24. A firing pin assembly for a float light, comprising a tubular member, a hollow sliding firing stem provided with a firing pin mounted in said tubular member, said stem being provided with openings adjacent the firing pin leading into the interior of the stem, a cap having a discharge opening into the tubular member at its outer end,

and said firing stem having openings through its side wall adjacent the firing pin into'the bore whereby a passage is formed for gases, smoke,

, etc., irom below the firing pinout through the firing stem and tubular member.

26.- An-assembly for a float light comprising a tubular member with a bore extending therethrough for permitting the discharge of gases,

upper end of the tubular member. a metal cover having a central opening for permitting maximum discharge of gases, smoke, etc., from the tubular member when the fusible disk is destroyed, an interlocking means on the cover 01' the tubular member acting to hold the cover securely to the tubular-member with the disk clamped between the cover and the end of the tubular member.

27. A firing pin assembly for a float light com prising a tubular member, a firing stem slidably mounted in said tubular member, a retaining pin acting when inserted transversely through the tubular member and firing stem to retain said a stem in inoperative position, and a collar surrounding and slidable on the exterior of the tubular member normally abutting the retaining pin and moved into position to cover the openlugs for the retaining pin when the'retaining pin is withdrawn.

28. A firing pin assembly for a float light com prising a tubular member, a firing stem slidably.

mounted in said tubular member, a. retaining pin acting when inserted transversely through the tubular member and firing stem to retain the said stem in inoperative position, a flange on the tubular member beneath the retaining pin, a collar surrounding and slidable" on the tubular member and normally held by the retaining pin thereabove, and means acting to move the collar toward the flange whereby, when the retaina ing pin is withdrawn, the collar will move into engagement with the flange and cover the hole from which the retaining pin was withdrawn.

ROBERT J. ANDERSON.