US830056A - Device for firing blast charges. - Google Patents

Description

PATENTED SEPT. 4, 1906. J. DOWD. DEVICE FOR FIRING BLAST CHARGES.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.19, 1906.

lNVENTOH fojzn Z0 wzZ WITNESSES. Edd, A0

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN DOWVI), OF CHICOPEE, KANSAS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO A. M. MASON, OF PITTSBURG, KANSAS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 4, 1906.

application filed January 19, 1906. Serial No. 296,785-

lb all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN Down, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicopee, in'the county of Crawford and State of Kansas, have invented a new and Improved Device for Firing Blast Charges, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The purpose of the invention is to provide a simple, economic, and reliable device especially adapted for firing blast charges, but which can be successfully used in connection with any form of powdercartridge.

A further purpose of the invention is to provide a device of the character described which is adapted to be embedded in the powder contained. in the cartridge and which after a certain interval of time automatically ignites the powder.

The invention consists in the novel construction and. combination of the several parts, as will be hereinafter fully set forth, and pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the im proved device. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section through the same, and Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken practically on the line 2 2 of Fig. 2.

A represents a capsule of predetermined size, preferably made of gelatin, which capsule is varnished or otherwise treated to prevent it from dissolving in water. The cap sule A is adapted as a container for two smaller and graduated capsules B and C, also made of gelatin, and each capsule is made in the customary two parts.

A space 10 is provided between the outer capsule A and the intermediate capsule B, which space is partially filled with water, as is shown at 11 in Figs. 2 and 3. The intermediate capsule B is empty, except for the inner capsule C, which it contains, and the said innermost capsule C is much smaller than the intermediate capsule B and is wholly or partially filled with a metal of the alkaline-earth group, preferably metallic sodium, as is shown at 12 in the drawings.

After the container A has received its charge the two parts of said container are ield together, for example, by a spring-wire 13, having circular terminals 14, into which the ends of the container A are fitted, as is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 but, if so desired,'a cement may be employed instead of the clamp just described, and a cement or wax composed of tallow, rosin, and tar is found very eflicacious, being applied in like manner as a sealing-wax.

When the device is complete, it is placed in the powder, when the powder is )laced in the cartridge, and after a certain length of time the water will penetrate the intermediate capsule B and will reach in due time the metallic sodium in the innermost capsule C, whereupon sodium oxid is formed,

and the flame resulting therefrom will burn its way through the outer capsule or container A and will explode the powder in the cartridge.

If speedy action is required, the inner capsules may be made quite thin or the intermediate capsule B may be pricked with a needle or other small sharp instrument.

The receptacle may be made of celluloid or like material, but gelatin is preferred, and, if desired, the container A may be provided with a small air-hole for the escape of air when the cover is placed on the body, after which the hole is closed by wax or its equivalent.

If very quick action is desired, the intermediate capsule can be omitted.

This device is exceedingly simple and is very effective in operation.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In a device for firing blast and similar charges, a consumable container, and ai fve'se sel therein, soluble in water containing metal of the alkaline-earth group, which vessel is in contact with water contained in the container.

2. In a device for firing blast and similar charges, a consumable container, graduated vessels contained therein, soluble in water, the innermost vessel being charged with a metal of the alkaline-earth group, and a column of water held in the container and adapted for timed access to the said alkaline charge.

3. In a device for firing blast and similar charges, a gelatin-capsule container having a Waterproof coating, and nested graduated gelatin capsules contained in the container, the innermost capsule having a charge of a metal of the alkaline-earth group and the container being provided With a column of Water surrounding the nested capsules.

4. In a device for firing blast and similar charges, a gelatin-capsule container having a Waterproof coating, nested graduated gelatin capsules contained in the container, the innermost capsule having a charge of a metal of the alkaline-earth group, the container being provided With a column of Water surrounding the nested capsules, and means for sealing the container.

5. In a device for firing blast and other cartridges, a gelatin-capsule container having a Waterproof outer covering, nested and graduated gelatin capsules located Within the container, a charge of metallic sodium carried by the innermost capsule, and a column of Water in the container surrounding the outermost of the nested capsules.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of tWo subscribing Witnesses.

JOHN DOWVD.

Witnesses:

THos. GLENNON, C. W. OSBORN.

Images