Patent GB-1223861-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in large caliber smooth bore mortars
Inventor: BARBE GEORGES
IPC: F41F3/052
Filed: 1955-03-08
Abstract: 1,223,861. Launchers; projectiles. G. BARBE. 8 March, 1955 [16 March, 1954], No. 6777/55. Headings F3A and F3C. A weapon for launching by means of powder charges large calibre projectiles having a tail provided with fins, and in particular antisubmarine projectiles, is characterized in that it comprises a plurality of parallel large calibre smooth bore barrels rigidly connected together to form a single recoiling unit slidable in a cradle with the interposition of a resilient recoil and counter-recoil mechanism between the unit and the cradle, the barrels being provided with firing means arranged to be operated successively so that, after all the barrels have been loaded, they can be fired only one after the other, and means being provided in the barrels for yieldingly locking the projectiles therein whereby, upon one of the barrels being fired, the projectiles in the other barrels are prevented from moving whereas the locking means in the barrel that is being fired yield after a short resistance to the force of the propellant. Referring to Fig. 1a the weapon comprises four barrels 1 (of which only the first two are shown in Fig. la) rigidly connected together and slidable as a unit in a cradle 3; a resilient recoil and counter-recoil mechanism, which may comprise brake and recuperator cylinders C 1 , C 2 , is interposed between the unit and the cradle. The cradle 3 is pivotable about a horizontal axis in a training base 4 which is itself pivotable about a vertical axis on a pedestal attached to the deck of a ship. A breech block 10 is movable transversely in a sleeve la of square outer section surrounding the end of each barrel. In the rear end of each barrel there is fitted a steel plug 7, Fig. 3, forming the combustion chamber and the rear end of which is provided with a cylindrical bore adapted to receive the powder case 8. The front portion of plug 7 forms an enlarged chamber provided with holes 9 for the passage of the powder gases to the rear part of the projectile, and a mushroom shaped head 15 of the plug 7 forms a mounting to which the projectile may be secured. The four barrels are preferably loaded simultaneously, the barrels being depressed as shown in Fig. 1a and the projectiles pushed into them from a carrier 23 by rammers 24 of the chain type. When the carrier 23 is returned to its lower position beneath the deck it can be loaded with projectiles carried by two rotating barrels 26, Fig. 2; four projectiles 11a 11b, 11c, lid on the barrels 26 are pushed on to carrier 23 by push members 27. Fresh projectiles are supplied to barrels 26 by carriers 28 slidable along vertical rails 29. The charge igniting means may be electrical and controlled by a switch comprising a single operating member 21 capable of occupying four different positions in each of which it closes one of the ignition circuits. If the ignition is by mechanical means a rotating disc capable of occupying four active positions may be provided; in the first position the disc closes the breech of the first barrel but leaves the three other breeches slightly open so that their firing pins cannot strike the charge primer; in the second position the disc closes the second breech mechanism and so on. Ammunition.-The projectile 11, of which the rear end and the tail fins 12 are visible in Fig. 3, is provided on its rear face with a plate 16 on which are pivoted arms 14 the hooked rear ends of which engage under the mushroom shaped projection 15 to secure the missile in the barrel. The bent front ends of the arms 14 are provided with notches engaging projections from an annular member 17 movable axially. An annular block 18 of resilient material is interposed between the member 17 and another annular member 19 slidable axially in member 17. When the powder charge is fired the pressure of the gases is sufficient to deform the arms 14, after a short resistance, to release the projectile. If it is desired to release the projectile from the barrel a screw 30 may be rotated by means of a tool 31a so that it presses on the plate 16 and forces back the member 17, thus causing the arms 14 to pivot outwardly.