Patent GB-472475-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in gun mountings
IPC: F41A23/54
Filed: 1936-03-18
Abstract: 472,475. Gun mountings ; universal joints. BOCHUMER VEREIN FUR GUSSSTAHLFABRIKATION AKT. - GES. March 18, 1936, Nos. 8176 and 8177. Convention dates, March 18, 1935 and April 26, 1935. [Class 92 (i)] [Also in Group XXV] In gun mountings, particularly for trench mortars and howitzers, comprising a levelling- plate carrying the barrel or cradle and having a three-point base-support consisting of two adjustable spindles and a universal joint, the end of the barrel or cradle is articulated through the trunnion-pin to a member rotatably mounted in the levelling-plate to provide a universal joint in axial alignment with that between the levelling-plate and the bed. Preferably, the latter joint is provided between a traversing-member, rotatably mounted in the levelling-plate, and the bed. In the form shown in Fig. 1, the levelling-plate 101 is supported on the bed 108 by a pair of adjustable spindles at B, C and a ball-joint at A. The latter is constituted by a spherical cup 103, secured to the bed by a nut 107 and a spherical head 102<1> on the traversing-member 102 which is fitted with a set-screw 104 for angular adjustment in the flanged end of the levelling plate. The elevating trunnion-pin 106 is journalled in the member 102, the centre of the pin being in alignment with the axis of the ball-joint. In the modification shown in Fig. 3, the ball-end 2<1> of the traversing-member 2, engaging the fixed cup 3 in the bed 8, is secured by a mushroom-piece 5 which is shaped to wipe the undersurface of the cup 3, the trunnionpin 6 passing through the stem of the part 5 and ears on the member 2. The pin 6 is formed with squared end-portions which traverse slots in the levelling-plate 1, during training of the gun. Figs. 9 and 10 show a modification in which a plate 30 rotatably fitted in the cup 29 forms a spherical guide for the lower end of a block 31 having a cylindrical upper end 31<1> engaged by the traversing-member 32. Fitted within the part 31 is a part 34 having an upper cylindrical surface arranged at right-angles to the co-operating surfaces of the parts 31<1>, 32, and secured to the cup 29 by a set-screw 35. In the form shown in Fig. 14, the traversing- member 49 is formed with internal and external cylindrical surfaces on its upper and lower portions respectively to co-operate with complementary surfaces on a member 48 which is adapted to rock, coaxially with the trunnionpin 51, on a part 47 rotatably fitted in the cup 46. Figs. 15 and 16 show a further modification in which the fixed cup 203 of the universal joint is mounted obliquely on the bed-plate to receive spherical formations 204<1> on the traversing-member 204 and similar formations on the end of the gun 202. The trunnion-pin 206 is secured by a member 209 having a flanged base 209<1> mounted for rotation in a collar 210 about an axis normal to that of the pin 206. Fitted within the member 209 is a sleeve 208, these parts being relatively rotatable about the axis of the pin 206, the part 208 being mounted for rotation about an axis normal thereto on a sleeve 207 keyed to the pin 206. In the form shown in Fig. 22, a ball 227 on the trunnion-pin 228, and housed in the slotted end of the gun 224, engages the spherical bore of a support 226 secured to the fixed cup 225. Fig. 24 shows a simplified form in which the trunnionpin 234 is housed within the ball formed by the parts of the traversing-member 231 and the gun 230, and the cup 232.