Patent GB-191200098-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or connected with the Breech Mechanism of Ordnance.
Inventor: BACON REGINALD HUGH SPENCER
IPC: F41A19/57
Filed: 1912-01-01
Granted: 1913-01-01
Abstract: 98. Bacon, R. H. S., and Redpath, R. Jan. 1. Ordnance breech mechanism.-Relates to percussion primer-locks of the magazine type, in which the lock is automatically actuated by the opening and closing movements of the breech. According to the invention, the longitudinallysliding closing member of the primer lock is actuated from the main breech-operating lever through the medium of an intermediate lever, and is provided with a transversely-sliding member, actuated by a stud and cam-slot device, of known construction, which device effects the locking of the closing-member and thereafter permits a sleeve to be advanced relatively to the striker and the closing-member, to compress the striker spring from the rear end. The striker rear is released by a rod which slides in the breech-actuating hand-lever and is actuated by a member on the gun-cradle that is operated from a trigger on the elevating-gear handle, in the manner described in Specification 22,209/10. Between the ejection of the fired tube and the insertion of the next tube, the vent is closed by a transversely-sliding shutter which is operated by the closing-member by means of a pivoted arm. Figs. 2 and 3 are a sectional plan and elevation, respectively, of the mechanism showing the position of the parts after firing, but before the gun-breech is opened. The breechactuating lever c is formed with a cam-slot s, a portion of which is concentric with the pivot of the lever c. The slot is engaged by a roller on one arm r of a cranked lever m<1>, r, which is pivoted at m<2> to a bracket on the breech-screw carrier b. The arm m<1> of the lever has a slot m in its outer end engaged by a stud h<3> on the forwardly-extending arm h<1> of a sleeve h. The sleeve is disposed within the closing-member g of the primer-lock, and surrounds the striker i. The closing-member is locked by a transverselysliding bolt n<1>, shown in Fig. 2<a>, which enters a recess n<0> in the lock-frame f, as shown in Fig. 2. When the lever c is pulled to open the gun-breech, the cam-groove s rocks the lever m<1>, r on its pivot, and, through the cam-slot m and stud h<3>, moves the sleeve h backwards, thereby retracting the striker i and causing projections n<3> on the sleeve to enter cam-slots n<2> in the bolt n<1> to withdraw the bolt from the recess n<0>. The closing-member g, being thus unlocked, moves rearwards with the sleeve h and striker, and extracts the case of the fixed primer. The shape of the cam-groove is such that the primer-lock is operated only during the initial opening and final closing movements of the gun-breech. While the member g is fully withdrawn, as shown in Fig. 8, the vent is covered by a shutter v operated by an arm v', which arm is pivoted to the lock frame f at v<2>, and is actuated by a projection on the front end of the member g. When the lever c operates the lever m<1>, r to close the vent, the sleeve h is moved forwards and carries with it the closing-member g. A fresh primer from the magazine j is thus inserted into the vent from which the shutter v has been withdrawn by the initial advance of the member g. The projections n<3> operate the bolt n' to lock the member g in the closing position, and the bolt is itself locked by studs o<1> on the sleeve h entering recesses o in the bolt. The striker i is arrested by a pivoted sear p, before the advance of the sleeve h is completed, and the striker-spring i<1> is cocked by the subsequent advance of the sleeve. The sear is released either by a lanyard or by a sliding rod t<2> mounted in the handle c, which rod contacts at its outer end, but only when the breech is closed, with a lever t<3> on a rocking-shaft t<4> operated by a trigger on the elevating-gear hand - wheel, as described in Specification 22,209/10. To operate the lock mechanism by hand without opening the gun-breech, the roller on the lever r is lifted out of the cam-groove s, and the lever is rocked by a handle r<2> at the extremity of the arm r. The extent of the rocking movement is limited by two stops x<1>, x<2> according to whether it is desired only to recock the striker or to extract a primer and insert a new primer. The following details, which do not in themselves form part of the invention, arc also described. (1) A primer-guide q<5> which rises when the closing-member g is retracted; (2) a clip j<1> for holding the primers k, which clip has a spring catch for retaining the primers until the clip is inserted into the magazine j, and a spring catch for holding the clip in the magazine; (3) a primer ejector sliding in the lock-frame f and operated by an arm in a similar manner to the vent-shutter v; (4) a device t adapted to re-set the firing-rod t<2> as the lever c is swung inwards; and (5) a spring-bolt e<2> for securing the lock-frame f against rotation on the obturator stem d.