US3698318A

US3698318A - Adaptable pyrotechnic candle with disposable folding shield

Info

Publication number: US3698318A
Application number: US100017A
Authority: US
Inventors: Glenn L Shira; Joseph N Ruff
Original assignee: US Department of Navy
Current assignee: US Department of Navy
Priority date: 1970-12-21
Filing date: 1970-12-21
Publication date: 1972-10-17
Anticipated expiration: 1989-10-17

Abstract

A high intensity pyrotechnic candle with disposable, foldable shield for producing a temporarily blinding light source as a mob dispersal means during periods of reduced light and consists of a conical shield of aluminum backed, asbestos cloth, reinforced by a plurality of flat steel springs secured longitudinally to the cloth and attached at their rearward ends to a bushing which receives the candle. The bushing is inserted into an adaptor having embedded electrical contacts. The adaptor is screwed onto the lens cap threads of a standard hand flashlight. The candle is then ignited by turning on the flashlight''s switch.

Description

United States Patent Shira et al.

[54] ADAPTABLE PYROTECHNIC CANDLE WITI-I DISPOSABLE FOLDING SHIELD [72] Inventors: Glenn L. Shlra, Newark, Del.; Joseph N. Ruff, Havre de Grace, Md.

[73] Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy [22] Filed: Dec. 21 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 100,017

[52] U.S. Cl. ..l02/37.8, l02/37.3., 1'02/37.4 [51] Int. Cl. ..C06d 1/10, C06d 1/04 [58] Field of Search....l02/37.3, 37.4, 37.8, 35, 35.2,

[56] References Cited UNl'lED STATES PATENTS 2,003,660 6/1935 Yamaguchi et a1...102/37.3 X 2,751,582 6/1956 Kuykendall ..102/37.8 X

[451 Oct. 17, 1972 Huff ..102/35 Albin ..102/356 [57] ABSTRACT A high intensity pyrotechnic candle with disposable, foldable shield for producing a temporarily blinding light source as a mob dispersal means during periods of reduced light and consists of a conical shield of aluminum backed, asbestos cloth, reinforced by a plurality of flat steel springs secured longitudinally to the cloth and attached at their rearward ends to a bushing which receives the candle. The bushing is inserted into an adaptor having embedded electrical contacts. The adaptor is screwed onto the lens cap threads of a standard hand flashlight. The candle is then ignited by turning on the flashlights switch.

9 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDUBTIY 2 3.698.318

INVENTORS,

Glen/7 LShira Joseph N. Ruff WM 5% y- ATTORNEYS.

ADAPTABLE PYROTECHNIC CANDLE WITH DISPOSABLE FOLDING SHIELD The invention described herein may be manufactured, used, and licensed by or for the Government for governmental purposes without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

The present invention relates to a pyrotechnic candle and collapsible heat and light shield assembly for attachment to a standard, hand held flashlight for use in producing a temporarily blinding light source for quelling mobs; etc.

Recent civil disorders in various cities have necessitated various ways of controlling and/or disbanding groups of people intent upon or performing acts of violence and destruction. Conventional law enforcement practices include high pressure water and lachrymators and these means may be somewhat difficult during periods of darkness due to inability of aiming a water hose or throwing a tear gas grenade without causing bodily harm.

The present invention proposes to employ a high density pyrotechnic candle to produce a temporarily blinding light, much as a photographers flash. However hand held pyrotechnic candles also blind the user, and further, there is no protection from the heat of the burning candle.

The present invention provides a means for conveniently holding a pyrotechnic candle while burning and also to protect the user from the illumination and heat produced by the burning. The invention consists of a collapsible shield attached to the base of the candle and an adaptor fitted to a standard flashlight. The candle and shield is quickly inserted into the adaptor and the candle is ignited by the flashlight batteries when the operator actuates the flashlights switch. The burning candle will cause temporary disorientation, confusion and flash blindness, thereby transforming mass action ofa mob to individual reaction.

It is therefore a principal object of this invention to provide a heat and light shield pyrotechnic candle to be quickly mounted or dismounted to a standard hand flashlight for mob control.

Another object is to provide an adaptor having electrical contacts embedded therein to be substituted for the lens and reflector of a standard flashlight, the adaptor detachably receiving a shielded pyrotechnic candle.

A still further object is to provide a collapsible heat and light shield for attachment to the base of a pyrotechnic candle.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. l is a side elevation of the shield and pyrotechnic candle assembly as attached to a standard flashlight;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial sectional view of the adaptor and in assembled condition, and,

FIG. 3 is a detail section taken along line 33 of FIG. 1. v

. Referring in detail to the drawing wherein like reference numerals denote like parts throughout the several views, reference character 1 refers generally to a standard flashlight and which includes a hand held battery case 2, operating switch 3 and an externally threaded portion 4 for receiving a lens cap, omitted.

An adaptor, designated generally by 5, best seen in FIG. 2 is provided for the substitution of the usual lens and reflector, not shown, of the flashlight. Adaptor 5 is a tubular body of electrically insulated material having an internally threaded, annular recess 6 in its rearward end adapted for threadable engagement on externally threaded portion 4. An annular recess 7 is provided in its forward portion for a purpose to be described. Electrical contacting members are provided in adaptor 5 and consists of a central positive contact 8 embedded in adaptor 5, and a negative contact 9 also embedded in adaptor 5. A modified reflector 10 connected to contact 9 and disposed in recess 6 provides a negative contact through the case of flashlight 1, as shown.

A pyrotechnic candle and heat and light shield is provided and this assembly consists of a tubular bushing 11 of an electrically insulating material and is of a diameter to fit snugly in annular recess 7 of adaptor 5. A high intensity pyrotechnic candle 12 is secured at its base in bushing 11. A heat and light shield indicated generally by 13 is fixed to bushing 11 as shown best in FIG. 2. Shield 13 is of an aluminum backed cloth 14 and is conical in shape when extended. A plurality of stays 15 are made of flexible material secured to the outer surface of cloth 14 in a longitudinal manner. A method of securing stays 15 is seen in FIG. 3 wherein a strip of material 17 such as woven cloth or plastic is secured to cloth 14 to form a pocket in which stay 15 is contained. Each of the stays 15 are connected to bushing 11 at its rearward end by screws 16 which pass through bushing 11 and into the base of candle 12, as shown. Stays 15 may be constructed of flat spring steel or similar resilient metal, and normally the unattached ends spring out to support cloth 14 in an outwardly flaring shape, seen in FIG. 1.

In assembly, the lens, lens cap and reflector of flashlight 1, not shown, are removed. Adaptor 5 is threadably mounted on portion 4 and screwed tight. Positive contact 8 will contact the positive contact 18 of flashlight 1 and the negative side of the circuit will be established by modified reflector 10 which is in contact with the metal of portion 4 and through negative contact 9 in adaptor 5.

The flashlight 1 is now ready to receive the bushing 11, base of candle l2 and shield 13. Bushing 11 is inserted into recess 7 and a positive contact 19 in candle 12 contacts positive contact 8 of adaptor 5. Leads 20 connect

contacts

8 and 9 with an igniter, not shown in the forward portion of candle 12. To ignite candle 12 the operator merely turns on switch 3 of the flashlight. Usually, two D batteries, not shown, in battery case 2 supply the necessary electric power source.

After candle 12 has burnt out, the assembly can be quickly removed and another candle and shield as sembly inserted. Normally a pyrotechnic candle will burn approximately 60 seconds and furnishes a brilliant light. Shield 13 will protect the user from the heat and light, thus enabling the user to hold the device by hand to direct the light at will.

Shield 13 may be folded by gathering together the forward portion and encircling the stays with a rubber band, or the like. When the assembly is inserted into adaptor 5, the band, not shown, is removed and the stays i5 spring outward, thus opening the shield automatically.

The device of the invention may have many other uses besides mob control, some are: a tactical ambush light for military forces, emergency lighting during power failures, signal light for downed airmen or yet a light source for search parties.

It is apparent that a novel means has been devised for quelling mobs as well as for many other uses.

What is claimed is:

l. pyrotechnic device comprising, in combination with a flashlight body including a battery housing, a switch, a positive electrical contact, a negative electrical contact, and a substantially cylindrical open end portion in the region of said contacts:

a tubular adaptor of electrically insulating material removably engaged with said open end portion of said flashlight body, electrical contact means mounted in said adaptor and coating with said contacts in said flashlight body, a bushing detachably interfitting with said adaptor, a high intensity pyrotechnic candle secured at its base in said bushing and a heat and light shielding member secured at its rearward end to said bushing;

whereby said candle may be ignited by operation of the switch of said flashlight to produce a light of high intensity.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said substantially cylindrical open end portions of said flashlight body and said tubular adaptor are screwthreaded for releasable engagement with each other.

3. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said adaptor comprises a tubular body of electrical insulating material having an internally threaded rearward portion for threadable engagement on the lens cap portion of said flashlight, an annular recess in the forward portion of said adaptor for the insertion of said bushing, a positive contact embedded centrally therein and a modified reflector having a negative contact embedded in said adaptor, said modified reflector being disposed within said internally threaded portion of said adaptor whereby said positive and negative contacts in said adaptor will mate with the positive and negative contacts of said flashlight when said adaptor is mounted thereon and whereby said candle may be ignited by operation of the switch of said flashlight.

4. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bushing comprises a tubular length of electrical insulating material adapted for insertion in said adaptor.

5. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said heat and light shielding member comprises a flexible, outwardly flaring cone and a series of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally disposed stays secured to said cone and attached at their rearward ends to said bushing.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5 wherein said flexible cone is fabricated from an aluminum backed, heat resistant cloth.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein said heat resistant cloth is asbestos cloth.

8. A device as claimed in claim 5 wherein each said stay comprises a length of flat, spring steel.

9. A pyrotechnic device comprising a tubular adaptor of electrically insulating material, said adaptor being removably engageable with the upper end of the body of a switch operated flashlight, a pair of electrical contacts mounted in said adaptor for making filectrjcal connections with electrical contacts in san ashlight egg-33 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE QERTIFICATE OF CQRREfiTWN Patent No. 3,698,318 Dated 11 October 107? Inventor(s) GLENN L. SHIRA AND JOSEPH N. RUFF It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Face page, left column, Item 73], third line "Navy"should read. --Army--.

Column 3, line 9 (Claim 1, first line), before "pyrotechnic" insert --A--.

Signed and sealed this 10th day of April 1973 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents age UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORREC'NN Patent No. 3,698,318 Dated 17 t ber 97 Inventor(s) GLENN L. SHIRA AND JOSEPH N. RUFF It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Face page, left column, Item L 73 7, third. line "Navy"should read. --Army-- Column 3, line 9 (Claim 1, first line), before "pyrotechnic" insert --A--.

Signed and sealed this 10th day of April 1975 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 698318 Dated 17 October 197? Inventor(s) GLENN L. SHIRA AND JOSEPH N. RUFF It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Face page, left column, Item 73], third line "Navy"should read --Army--.

Column 3, line 9 (Claim 1, first line), before "pyrotechnic" insert --A--.

Signed and sealed this 10th day of April 1973.,

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M FLETCHER JR ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

Claims

1. PYROTECHNIC DEVICE COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION WITH A FLASHLIGHT BODY INCLUDING A BATTERY HOUSING, A SWITCH, A POSITIVE ELECTRICAL CONTACT, A NEGATIVE ELECTRICAL CONTACT, AND A SUBSTANTIALLY CYLINDRICAL OPEN END PORTION IN THE REGION OF SAID CONTACTS: A TUBULAR ADAPTOR OF ELECTRICALLY INSULATING MATERIAL REMOVABLY ENGAGED WITH SAID OPEN END PORTION OF SAID FLASHLIGHT BODY, ELECTRICAL CONTACT MEANS MOUNTED IN SAID ADAPTOR AND COATING WITH SAID CONTACTS IN SAID FLASHLIGHT BODY, A BUSHING DETACHABLY INTERFITTING WITH SAID ADAPTOR, A HIGH INTENSITY PYROTECHNIC CANDLE SECURED AT ITS BASE IN SAID BUSHING AND A HEAT AND LIGHT SHIELDING MEMBER SECURED AT ITS REARWARD END TO SAID BUSHING; WHEREBY SAID CANDLE MAY BE IGNITED BY OPERATION OF THE SWITCH OF SAID FLASHLIGHT TO PRODUCE A LIGHT OF HIGH INTENSITY.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said substantially cylindrical open end portions of said flashlight body and said tubular adaptor are screw-threaded for releasable engagement with each other.

9. A pyrotechnic device comprising a tubular adaptor of electrically insulating material, said adaptor being removably engageable with the upper end of the body of a switch operated flashlight, a pair of electrical contacts mounted in said adaptor for making electrical connections with electrical contacts in said flashlight body when said adaptor is in place on said flashlight body, a bushing detachably insertable in said adaptor, a high intensity pyrotechnic candle secured at its base in said bushing and a heat and light shielding member secured at its rearward end to said bushing; whereby said candle may be ignited by operation of the switch of said flashlight to produce a light of high intensity.