US2481987A

US2481987A - Emergency signaling device

Info

Publication number: US2481987A
Application number: US565672A
Authority: US
Inventors: Dwyer Martin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1944-11-29
Filing date: 1944-11-29
Publication date: 1949-09-13
Anticipated expiration: 1966-09-13

Description

Sept.r 13, 1949. M. DwYER 2,481,987

EMERGENCY SIGNALING DEVICE Filed Nov. 29. 1944 s sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR Jua MZ TTORN EY Sept. 13, 1949. M. DWYER@ 2,481,987

EMERGENCY SIGNALING DEVICE Filed Nov, 29, 1944 s sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR BY` f ATTORNEYS` Sept. 13, 1949. M. DWYER 2,481,987

l EMERGENCY SIGNALING DEVICE v Filed Nov. 29, 1944 l `s sheets-sheet 3 IIENTOR .Aby/l,

ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 13, 194

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE v 2,481,987 l t EMERGENCY sIGNALING DEVICE Martin Dwyer, Hewlett Harbor, N. Y. Application November 29, 1944, Serial No; 565,672 4 claims. (o1. 1oz-347.8)

This invention relates to signalling devices and more particularly to smoke r pyrotechnic signal devices adapted to be carried in emergency life rafts, boats or the like and is a continuation in part of my co-pending application Serial No. 487,261, filed May 17, 1943, now Patent No. 2,448,521.

Increasing air transport over large bodies of water has made it extremely important that all crews operating such transport have in their emergency life rafts day and night-time signalling devices capable oi expelling large volumes of colored smoke or light-emitting composition. The same situation exists with respect to ships and lifeboats.

One of the principal requirements of such devices or signals is that they remain absolutely watertight and moistureproof until they are used, irrespective of the weather conditions and other environment to which they are exposed prior to such use, because the ignitible contents of the devices must be dry or else they cannot be used effectively, if at all.

One of the principal features of the invention relates to novel container constructions for such devices that are of extremely rugged construction, that are absolutely water and moistureproof, Y

i. e., hermetically sealed, and that are capable of keeping the ignitible contents dry even under the severest conditions so that the devicesV may be used whenever required in an emergency.

Another object of the invention is to produce devices of this character that will be comparatively simple in construction, cheap and easy to assemble.

Another object of the invention is to provide devices of the character described that will be self-contained, each including everythingnecessary for its operation in an emergency and which may be put into use without requiring any tools.

' In the past,Y it has been common practice to design a smoke or pyrotechnic signal to t on a detachable handle, and to include such a handle in a kit including several signals so that the signals could be affixed individually to the handle and held thereby a safe distance away from the users hand while being fired, ignited or burned. This made it essential to include an extra piece of equipment, namely, a handle with each kit, and had the great disadvantage that, if the individual handle were lost overboard or elsewhere, it would become impossible to fire, ignite or burn the signals of the kit. In other words, the dependency of these kits upon a detachable handle was one of their principal weaknesses.

Y v Y 2 Another principal object of the present invention is to provide signalling devices that may be safely fired, ignited, burned or otherwise used and which are independent entirely of each other and of any requirement for a detachable handle.

Another principal object is to provide devices which may be safely held in hand by the user during use without requiring any handle Whatsoever.v

Another object is the provision on signalling devices, each of which is a completely independent entity, so that the loss of one or more will have no effect whatsoever on the ability to use those remaining.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as may hereafter appear, this invention consists in the` novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter to be described and then sought to be deiined in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof and which shows, merely for theV purposes of illustrative disclosure, preferred embodiments of the invention, it being expressly understood, however, that various 'I changes may be made in practice within the scope of the appended claims without digressing from the inventive idea.

In a drawing, in which similar reference characters denote corresponding parts,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view partially in section of one form of my device;

Fig. 2 is asimilar, view of a modiiied form of the device the section being taken along lines 2-2 of Fig.` 3,

*i Fig. 3 is a top plan View of the device of Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view thereof, and Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic View of the device of Fig. 2 embodying other features of the invention.

Referring to the drawing and first to Fig. 1, i0 denotes an external casing or container of metal or other suitable material. In the embodiment shown,V this casing is of cylindrical form but it may be of any desired form. Its walls may be smooth as shown or have the configuration of my aforementioned application. A member or spacer Il of substantially cup-like form and preferably of metal is admeasured to fit within the upper end of the container l0. The bottom portion lla of this member has reduced diameter and is provided with a central opening I2 to permit rapid escape of products of combustion from the device as will be presently described. This member or spacer H forms a positioning guide for other parts of the device as will be presently described.

A cover member I4 preferably of metal is provided for the member II. This cover member is admeasured to t within the upper portion IIb of said member II resting on the shoulder I Ic of the member I I so that the wall of portion I Ib lies between the side walls I4a of the member I4 and the rim portion of container I0. The upper edges of the member I4 and of the container I9 are beaded over together very securely to provide Aan `annular sealing bead or rib I5. This bead is very secure and -is -made moisture and leak proof in any well known manner, as by the use of solder or the like.

The cover member I4 has a comparativelfylarge opening I6 defined by an upstanding shoulder Ia that is normally sealed by a removable tear strip or member Il also preferably oimetal .which is secured over said opening in well-known manner as by soldering or the like. This tear strip II, while removable, electively and completely seals `the opening .I6 againstmoisture, lWaterfand gas until it is removed. A ring IS-or other equivalent means is attached `to the tear .strip Il to facilitate removal of thelatter'by the userzwithout tools. It is merely necessary for the user to grasp the ring I8 and -pull oi .the tear strip rIl to expose the opening 1It.

The entire1inner Wall-o the v.container or `casing Ill may be coated with an insulating lining V-of lacquer or the like that may be applied either by spraying, dipping or :in any other suitable manner. This lining preferably .hasheat insulating properties.

An inner container I9 of metal 1Vorothervsuit'- able material for holding the burning compound C to be presently described is provided. This container I9 has smaller diameter than that of the external casing I so that a substantial air space may be provided between 7the walls or the two containers I0 and I9. The Wall of container I is completely mperiorate as -isthat of container Il? so that the'air in space 20 serves as an eii'ective heat insulator. Thus the container I may be safely-and comfortably held without danger by the user while thecompound Ciincontainer I9 is burning.

A cover 22 preferably of metal is provided for the upper end of the container I9. This cover has a central opening 23 and aplurality of' additional openings 24 arranged about the opening 23 to provide for the escape of' the smoke and gases of combustion of the compound `C within the container I9 upwardly through said coi/e1. The cover 22 is tted reentrantly within the top of container I9 and its edge beaded over .with the upper edge lof said containerat 25. The-reduced portion IIa of the cup-like member ylor spacer II is admeasured to t withinthiscover 22 and thereby serves to center the upper vend of inner container I9 With respect .to outer `container ID.

The inner container I 9 is provided with an insulating lining similar tothatof .container or casing I9 and is iilled with the suitable -smoke compound C which is capable of producing large volumes of smoke when Vburned that will be visiblev as a cloud even in afhigh wind. The constituentsv of this smoke compound include a vdyeior :coloring the smoke as desired, .av burning agent to produce the smoke andfuel so vthat a sustained volume .of smoke willbe produced when -the compound is ignited. Any of the commercially known satisfactory.smokefproducing fcompounds may be utilized.

The smoke compound may, for example, corisist of a mixture of z Per cent Dye 69.2 Sucrose 14.2 Potassium chlorate 16.2 Halowax oil #1000 0.4

The sucrose may be a good commercial grade of confectioners XXXXsugar, the polarization of which is not less than.99.9% sucrose. It shall be of such lneness that shall pass a 100 .mesh sieve and not more than 20% shall be retained on a 200 mesh sieve.

The'potassium chlorate used in the device is preferably at least 99% pure with not more than .5% moisture. It should pass 100% through a 100 mesh screen.

YA dyedsH. V. Orange B which is a naphthaleneazo dimethylaniline,paranitrobenzene azo B naphthol coupling.

YThe Halowax oil #1000 is a commercial product sold under the name andnumber given. 'Halowax oil #.1'000 is described in Handbook .of 'Material Trade Names-Zimmerman'z Levine-Industrial Research Service, 1946, as Awater-Whitehydrocarbon liquid. Boiling range 18o-'540 F.; sp. gr., 1.19-125.; flash point, 203 F.; firepoint', 338YF.; readily soluble in commonhydrocarbon solvents. The materials in the above proportions are intimately mixed in a suitabletumbling machine for the blending ,of the smoke Iproducing chemicals untilY a smooth even texture of compound is obtained. Deviation 'from the formula because of Variation in chemicals especially dyes may be necessary to obtain the desired resultas to color of smoke and burning time.

A fuse 21 extends through the compc'und C and terminates in apull wire lighter 28 that will serve to light .the fuse 21. This .igniter 28 has a striking member 29'which in turn has a pullcord or wire 30 .attached thereto which extends through the tear strip I1, a bent-over portion'3lla thereof being soldered .at 3| to said tear .strip .in such a way as Ito seal .the opening in `the tear strip I' through which the bent-over portion has been Ypassed in .the assembling of the device. Since.porti0n.,3.0a of wire 30 .is attached directly to the tear. strip vITI removal of -the tear strip I'I will .automatically cause the striker -2-9-'to re the igniter 28. The lower-end of the fuse 2.7 is secured against withdrawal by the cross pin .32 around. which :the fuse is` looped. This pin is preferably of combustible `materialY such ias zinc or the like.

Spaced apart Washers 3.3V of paper or-other desirable material lie at the bottom .of the -comp ound C and serve tof-.retain .it in container I9 and to protect the fuse 21.. vA similar washer 34 of paper or -lthe like having.,perforation-.34a and 34h corresponding `to the .perforatin'g 23 and 324 in the -top `22 of -the 4inner mmtainerxand `.underlying the latter is provided.

Abottom-or |end -wall [9b 'preferably .of .metal is provided for the :container I 9, v:being reentrantat I9c and attached at I9d to said-container -a'sby beading or the like Ito insure :a leak prooi-seal.

A lcup-shaped vmember or spacer 35 Ysimilar to the'member -I I is admeasured to t Within the lower end of outer container 4.0. This spacer isr of the same material as spacer I-I. The upper portion V35d of'thislmember has=reduced diam-'- eterand isadmeasured .to t'within the reentrantportion lsgcotthe bottom If9bffof =the inner foontainer I 9. ltfseryes as-a positioningl'fguide for amigas? the lower eiid of container I9 so that the latters lower end is centered with respect to the outer container I0.

. The bottom member 36 of the outer container Ill completely closes the lower end of the latter and is secured to the container I together with the cup-like member 35 as by beading over the rim 36a with the lower edge Illb of said container I0 to form a water-tight and moisture-proof hermetic sealing bead 31. Solder or other similar material may be used about the bead 31 to obtain a very strong water-tight, moisture-proof seal. The bottom member 36 preferably is of the same material as container I0.

The entire construction described is very conveniently and simply assembled. The component parts or ingredients of the inner container I9 are loaded therein from the bottom end thereof. Then the bottom end is closed off by the bottom I9b. The pull wire 3D then protrudes from the upper cover 22 of container I9, being held in place by a suitable disc D of adhesive material such as Scotch cellulose tape or the like. The inner assembly is inserted into the outer container Ill through its top and so that the bottom I9b is centered on the lower spacer or cup member 35. The bottom 36 of the outer container I0 has been previously attached to the latter. Then the cup member II, assembled cover Ill and tear strip I1 are placed over the top end of outer container I0. The portion 39a of pull wire 3o projects through the opening O in the tear strip I1. The cup member or spacer II serves to center the upper end of the inner container I9. The bead I5 is formed, and the bent-over portion 30a of the pull Wire soldered at 3| to the tear strip I1 closing opening O. This completely seals the contents of the inner container from atmosphere and in leak proof manner. In use, the tear strip I1 is pulled ofi by grasping the ring I8. As the tear strip is pulled olf the pull wire 30 is pulled with it so that the striker 29 automatically fires the igniter 28 and starts burning of the fuse 21 and combustion of the smoke producing compound C. The voluminous smoke produced by the burning smoke compound C then escapes to atmosphere through the perforations 24 in inner lid 22 and the opening I6 in the outer cover I4 of container I0 left by removal of the tear strip I1.

It will be noted that air spaces 38 are provided between the bottom 36 and the bottom I9b of the inner container and between the washers 33. This provides heat insulation at the bottom of the unit.

The heat insulation provided by the

air spaces

20 and 38 and the imperforate walls of containers I9 and I0 provide safe heat insulation and make it possible to hold the device comfortably during use.

The modied form of device of Fig. 2 has substantially similar construction with a few differences in detail to be presently described.

In this construction the outer cover I4 of the outer container I0 differs from that of cover I4 of Fig. 1 in that the shoulder Ia adjacent opening I6 extends downwardly rather than upwardly. The tear strip I1 is secured to the downwardly extending shoulder Ia in the same manner as tear strip I1 is attached to shoulder I6a of Fig. 1. The pull cord or wire 30' of the pull wire lighter or igniter 28' is attached to a dependent member 39 carried by the tear strip I1', The various other parts having identical but primed reference characters as those of Fig. l denote corresponding identical parts.

The air spaces 20', 38' function in identically the same manner as the

air spaces

20 and 38 of the device of Fig. 1 to provide adequate heat insulation so that the device may be safely held in hand during combustion of the compound C' which is red when the tear strip I1' is removed.

It is important to note that the walls of the containers I9 and I0 are imperforate in the same way as that of containers I9 and I0 and forthe same purpose namely to augment the heat insulation provided by the air spaces so that the device may be safely held in hand during combustion. The imperforate nature of the walls of the outer containers I0 or I0 also is important for elective protection of their contents.

An auxiliary handle construction may be provided in order that either the container IB or I0' may be held further away from the user during burning of the smoke compound C or C' or any other type of compound, for example a pyrotechnic compound producing brilliant light that may be substituted for the smoke compounds C or C. In the drawings it is shown as applied to container I0. It should be understood that it may -be applied in the same way to container Ill. Referring to Figs. 2-4 inclusive, a member 40 may be secured to the bottom 36 as by spot welding or in any other suitable way. Eyelets or hinges 49a are provided on the member 4D at suitably spaced-apart points. Rods or handle members 2| of bendable metal such as iron wire or any other suitable material are pivotally secured to the hinges or eyelets 40a. These rods 4I are bent at 42 around the bead 31' so that in position of non-use they extend substantially parallel with and lie against the side wall or walls of the container I9. The rods or members 4I may be extended and bent over at 4Ia to hook over the upper annular bead !5 of container I9', and will thus be retained to their non-use position until released by the user. A frangible annular band (not shown) of cellophane tape, Scotch cellulose tape, or any other suitable binding tape could serve, as an alternative or an adjunct, to secure the rods against the container IIB' in their non-use position. When the device is to be used, the band or tape if used is destroyed. The rod members 4I then can be rotated about eyelets 40a to extend below the bottom 36' and serve as a convenient handle for the container that may be grasped -by the user. One or more of such rods 4I can be used. The rods 4I may be applied in identical manner to container I0 of Fig. 1 for the same purposes.

In addition to the features described, either the device of Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 may be equipped with anchoring means. AS shown in Fig. 5, a suitable cord or chain 44 is secured to the bottom 35 of container III'. A safety pin 46 or other similar fastening element is secured to the cord so that the signal device may be securely fastened either to a part in a life raft or to part of the users clothing to prevent loss in the water or elsewhere. This same anchoring means may be provided for the container I0 of Fig. 1 in the same way.

To use the device if it is equipped with the handle members or rods 4I, the hooked-over portions 4-Ia. are released from the bead I5' or I5 and the rods are rotated to open position. Thereafter, the ring I8' or I3 is grasped and the tear or pull strip I1 or I1 is removed. This agencer fighi-tes the igniter 28" or Zat and lights the fuse 21 or 2l. The. burning of fuse 21'" or 21 ignites the compound C* or C, and such ignition produces voluminousA smoke which then escapes to atmosphere through the openings, left in the tops llt" or mbv removal of tearV strips t1 or I'i..

The outer surfaces ofv containers l or i!!! .and other' exposed parts are preferably coated with a protective coating after the device has been completely assembled. Such coating for example may lbe a corrosion preventative coatingr.A Otherprotective coatings also may be used.

The pull wire igniters 28. or 21Bn in the embodiment. shown are of a type that ignite when the null wires` 3.0 or 30 are pulled out. The fuses 2T; or- ZL" which are inserted into the bodies of these igniters as shown in the drawings are red bythe igniters. The igniters 28, 28' can be of other types.

'I he construction of the inner containers I9 or i8' may be applied to any of the modifications 0f my aforementioned co-pending application. Other modifications in construction are possible too without departing from the spirit of the inrvention and are contemplated. There is no intention of limitation to the exact details shown and described.

What is claimed is:

1 In a device of the character described, an outer container, inner container for com bustible signalling compound., said inner container having imperforate sides and one imperforate reentrant end and one perforated reentrant end, an apertured cup-like member adjacent one end of said outer container, said member having a portion adapted to fit into the said perforated reentrant end of said inner container and center the latter, said perforated reentrant end of said inner container serving to permit free and voluminous escape therethrough of products of combustion developed by said combustible compound upon its being burned within said` inner container,l a covering member Closing said one end of said outer container, means, providing a hermetic seal between said covering member and said outer container, said covering member having an opening, a removable member normally hermetically closing said last-named opening, means secured to said outer container and extending into said imperforate reentrant end of said inner container for centering this latter end of said inner container, a second covering member closing the opposite end of said outer container and means forming a hermetic seal between said sconed covering member and said outer container whereby the contents of said outer container are hermetically sealed therein.

2. In a device of the character described, an outer container, an inner container for combustible signalling compound, said inner container having imperforate sides and one imperforate reentrant end and one perforated reentrant end, a cup-like member secured to one end of said outer container and extending inwardly thereof, said member having a reduced portion adapted to lit Ainto the perforated reentrant end of said inner container and center the latter, said reduced portion having an opening, and Said perforated reentrant end and said opening serving to permit free and voluminous escape therethroughV and through said opening in said reduced portion of products of combustion developed by said combustible compound upon its being burned within said inner container, a covering member "8 closing said. one endl off said outercontainer, means providing a hermetic. seal between said covering member, said outer container and said cupi-.like member, said covering memberr having an. opening, a removable member normally her- .metically Closing said lastenamed opening, means .whereby the. @Qi-items. of Said Outer @entamer are hermeiically Sealed therein. and said. Que-libe memberarid said. means. extending inte the .reentrant mnerforete en@ Qi Said, inner Container serving to maintain Said. two containers spaced apart t0 provide an air Space therebetween fer eirectively' neat in .siuatine the outer terminer ,from the inner container and its burning Contents when the device. is in use.

`3.1 I n a device of the character described, an outer container., an inner container for combusti.- ble signalling compound, a cup-litre member ad.- jacent one end of said outer container, said member having a portion adapted, i0 t .into an find 'of said., inner container and center the latter, said 'inner container being provided with openings at one end to permit ifree and voluminous escape therethrough of' smoke developed by said smoke Vproducing compoundv upon its being burned' within said inner container, land said inner container beiijig iinperforate in its sides and at its other end, a covering member closing said rst-named end of said' outer container', means providing a hermetio seal between said coveringr member, said container and said cup-like member, said covering member havingv an openingy a removable member ncrmallyhermetically closing said lastnamed opening, a second cup-like member adjacent the opposite end of said outer container having la portion adapted to fit into the other end of said inner container to center the latter, a second covering member closing the opposite end of said outer container and means forming a hermetic seal. between said second covering member and said outer container whereby the contents of said outer container are hermetically sealed therein.

4. In a device of the character described, an outer container, an inner container for combusti.- ble. signalling compound, said inner container having. imperforate sides, an imperforate cover .SBCuied toon@ end of saidinner container with an hermetic Seal, Seid @over having a reentrant nortion, a cup-like member secured to said outer ,conasi-jacent one. end thereof and having a nortion admeasured to fit into said reentrant portion of .said imperforete @over to @enter the leiter, a perforated cover secured to the other. end of said inner container, said perforated cover having a reentrant portion, a second .cup-like member seured to said outer container adjacent its opposite end and having a portion provided with an open- `ing, said last-named portion being admeasured to fit intothe reentrant portion of said perforated cover tov center thelatter, a covering member for said .first-named end 0f 4Said outer container, providing an hermetic Seal between said covering member and said first-named end of said outer container, a covering member for the said opposite end of said outer container, and means providing an hermetic s eal between said secondnamed covering member and said opposite end of lsaid outer container, whereby the contents of said outer container are hermeticallyy sealed therein,

and said inner container being of smaller dimensions than said outer container and being maintained in spaced relationship from the end and side Walls of said outer container by the engagement of said reentrant portions of said twocuplike members in the respective reentrant portions of said two end covers of Said inner container, and being thereby heat insulated from said outer container so that said outer container may be held in hand during combustion of said com-v pound, and removable means secured over an opening in said second-named covering member of said outer container for exposing the contents of said outer container for use.

MARTIN DWYER. 1

10 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS