Patents Assigned to The Ensign-Bickford Company
  • Patent number: 4771694
    Abstract: A connector for a nondestructing blasting signal transmission tube including a housing; for engaging the extensions of at least two signal transmission tubes in adjacent relationship, the housing serving to establish a signal path permitting direct signal communication between openings in the adjacent portions of the signal transmission tubes. Preferably the connector includes a suitable device for cutting the adjacent portions of at least one of the signal transmission tubes to expose a portion of the reactive interior of the tube. Also, a method of connecting at least two signal transmission tubes by securing portions of the signal transmission tube in adjacent relationship to another; establishing a signal path between the adjacent portions of the signal transmission tubes; and cutting each of the adjacent signal transmission tubes to expose a sufficient portion of the interior of the tubes to permit direct signal communication between each of the tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Assignee: The Ensign-Bickford Company
    Inventors: Stephen W. Bartholomew, Daniel C. Rontey, Clifford N. Kaiser, William J. Necker
  • Patent number: 4757764
    Abstract: A nonelectric blasting system, method and device is disclosed for use in establishing a time sequential firing of blasting elements, the device comprised of an elongated tube which contains a low velocity deflagration mixture adhered to the inner walls of said tube. The device, by itself, controls a desired initiation pattern of a plurality of blasting elements by transmitting an initiation signal at a much reduced velocity than conventional shock tube or explosive cord by use of preselected material mixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1988
    Assignee: The Ensign-Bickford Company
    Inventors: Gary R. Thureson, Ernest L. Gladden
  • Patent number: 4742773
    Abstract: A transmission tube signal delay assembly comprising a delay element containing a shaped delay composition having a preselected combustion time from a first side of the delay element to a second side of the delay element; a first transition element adjacent to the delay element at the first side for transferring a transmission tube signal to the delay element; and a second transition element adjacent to the delay element at the second side for transferring a signal from the delay element to a transmission tube, each of the transition elements comprising a shaped transition composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Assignee: The Ensign-Bickford Company
    Inventors: Stephen W. Bartholomew, Daniel C. Rontey, William J. Necker, Craig F. Adams
  • Patent number: 4730560
    Abstract: A combination signal transmission tube connector and delay assembly having a housing; means on the housing for engaging at least one signal transmission tube; means on the housing for cutting the transmission tube to expose at least two transmission tube interior portions; a signal delay assembly mounted in the housing for interposition between exposed transmission tube interior portions; and means on the housing for establishing a signal path permitting signal communication between the delay assembly and exposed transmission tube interior portions. The delay assembly preferably has a delay element containing a shaped composition having a preselected combustion time from one side of said element to another side of said element; and at least two transition elements adjacent to the delay element for transferring a signal between the delay element and exposed transmission tube interior portions, each of the transition elements containing a shaped transition composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Assignee: The Ensign-Bickford Company
    Inventors: Stephen W. Bartholomew, Daniel C. Rontey, William J. Necker, Clifford N. Kaiser
  • Patent number: 4716831
    Abstract: A detonating cord signal delay connector having a housing; means on the housing for engaging a first detonating cord end and a second detonating cord end; a signal delay assembly in the housing for connection between the first detonating cord end and the second detonating cord end, the signal delay assembly being operable to delay a detonating signal between the detonating cord first and second ends; and gripping means for securing the detonating cord first and second ends in the housing to prevent removal of the ends before signal delay operation of the connector. The preferred embodiment of the connector further includes means on the housing for severing detonating cord to produce the detonating cord first and second ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Assignee: The Ensign-Bickford Company
    Inventors: Stephen W. Bartholomew, Daniel C. Rontey, William J. Necker
  • Patent number: 4187780
    Abstract: A connector block for mounting a blasting cap and detonating cord in intimate side-by-side association and having an elongated body with a longitudinally extending slot for receiving a signal transmitting shock tube and an elongated cavity for receiving the blasting cap above the shock tube, a knob chock on the forward end of the body for receiving a loop of the flexible tube and a pair of opposed upstanding cleat extensions for receiving a detonating cord and connecting a free end of the detonating cord to the connector block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1980
    Assignee: Ensign-Bickford Company
    Inventor: Guy S. Petruccelli
  • Patent number: 4130061
    Abstract: A fumer exhibiting reduced base drag and a high specific impulse is provided by using as the pyrotechnic charge in the projectile a composition comprising a metal powder/alkaline earth metal compound formulation containing at least about 20 percent by weight of a plasticized resin and at least about 10 percent by weight of an active oxidizer for said resin. The metal powder is present in greater than stoichiometric amounts relative to the amount of alkaline earth metal compound and the pyrotechnic composition is effective to provide rapid burning in the near wake area of the projectile and fuel-rich combustion products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1978
    Assignee: Ensign Bickford Company
    Inventors: Brian F. Boggs, Hector J. Zilcosky, William M. Smith
  • Patent number: 4102428
    Abstract: A seismic explorative system for wilderness areas is described having a nonincendiary high core load linear detonating cord as the seismic energy source. The cord rests on the earth's surface in essentially an uncovered condition and comprises an elongated core of detonating explosive having a core load of about 100-400 grains per foot, an encircling layer consisting essentially of flame quenching particulate material adjacent the core along its entire length, a textile covering circumscribably confining both the core and the encircling layer and a fire retardant outer sheath protectively enclosing the textile covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1978
    Assignee: Ensign-Bickford Company
    Inventors: Stanley R. Kelly, John P. O'Brien, William C. Morrow
  • Patent number: 3987733
    Abstract: A millisecond delay surface connector suited for explosive blasting operations is provided in the form of a flexible detonation transmitter tube having a length of about one half foot and more with a delay cap connected to each end of the tube. The tube provides a hollow elongated gas channel having the inside periphery of said tube coated with a layer of explosive for sustaining a percussion wave at high velocity along the length of the tube. Each cap includes an elongated tubular shell of rigid material having a closed terminal end portion, a layer of explosively inert material within the shell at the terminal end portion, a delay element within the shell and a detonating charge intermediate to said delay element and said explosively inert layer. The delay element is in propagative relationship with the tube and the detonating charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1975
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1976
    Assignee: The Ensign-Bickford Company
    Inventors: Richard William Spraggs, Ernest Laird Gladden
  • Patent number: 3987732
    Abstract: A non-electric double delay borehole downline unit is provided for delaying transmission of an explosive signal down a borehole and also delaying initiation of the charge within the borehole after the signal has been received therein. The double delay unit comprises a length of flexible impulse propagating tubing having first and second ends and an impulse propagating hollow channel extending along the length thereof, a non-electric high strength blasting cap containing a first delay element connected to the first end for initiating a borehole explosive charge, an impulse amplifying and transmitting cap containing a second delay element connected to the second end and a protective block having a plurality of elongated apertures with one of said apertures fully and snugly receiving the amplifying cap therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1975
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1976
    Assignee: The Ensign-Bickford Company
    Inventors: Richard William Spraggs, Ernest Laird Gladden
  • Patent number: 3981240
    Abstract: A detonating cap assembly is provided with a fuse-retaining bushing for protecting the charge within the cap from accidental ignition by static charges accumulating on the fuse. The bushing is an elongated semi-conductive plastic member slidably received within the shell of the cap and having a longitudinally extending axial bore for receiving the fuse and providing a stand-off from the charge within the cap. The bushing incorporates a thin rupturable membrane at its innermost end within the stand-off and a side notch adjacent the membrane forming a shunt path extending laterally outwardly from the bore toward said shell for diverting static charge from the fuse toward the shell of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1976
    Assignee: The Ensign-Bickford Company
    Inventor: Ernest Laird Gladden