Patent GB-190813085-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Apparatus for Directing the Fire of Guns, which are behind Cover, on Targets unseen from the Sights of the Battery
Inventor: SCOTT LOTHIAN KERR
Filed: 1908-06-19
Granted: 1909-02-18
Abstract: 13,085. Scott, L. K. June 19. Telemeters theodolites.-Consists in an apparatus for determining, without calculation, all the data necessary to enable the fire of a battery of guns G ... G<5>, Fig. 1, to be concentrated upon one or more unseen targets T', T', or to be distributed in parallel lines, or to be " switched " from one target T' on to a second target T<2>. The apparatus, which is mounted upon a tripod and is used by an observer at a point 0 from which both the battery and the target are visible, comprises a telescope 1, Figs. 2 and 4, which carries upon supports 19<a> an adjustable triangle and can be rocked on trunnions 15 in a carriage 3, rotated in an horizontal plane by a deflexion screw 6, and levelled by screws 9, 11. The side of the triangle which corresponds to the line 0 T<1>, Fig. 1, is a graduated bar 19 mounted parallel to the axis of the telescope. A circle 28, pivoted to the bar 19 at a point which corresponds to the zero graduation, is formed with a graduated groove 20, in which works a slider 23 representing the side 0 G of the triangle 0 G T'. The third side G T' of the triangle is represented by a graduated bar 21, which is pivoted at the zero point of its scale to a vertical pivot 24 on the slider 23, and the other end of which slides through a swivel 32 on a slider 35 movable along the bar 19. The slider 23 carries a sighting-telescope 30 provided with a clamping-device whereby it may be held parallel to the slider, or released so as to be rocked about a transverse axis. A circle 26, with two sets of graduations as shown, is loosely pivoted about the pivot 24 and can be locked by a spring catch 36 to a rearward extension of the bar 21, which is provided with a vernier 21<a>. When the catch is released, the circle is held stationary, relatively to the slider 23, by friction or otherwise. The bar 21 carries a clinometer 31, which may be rocked about a longitudinal axis 31<a> into the vertical position. In use, the apparatus is first levelled, and the telescope 1 is directed towards the target T' by rotating the plate 7 and superposed parts upon the support 8, and rocking the telescope upon the trunnions 15 by the worm-gear 13, 14. The slider 35 is set to the range graduation on the bar 19 corresponding to the range 0 T<1> given by a range-finder ; the slider 23 is next set to the position in the groove 20 corresponding to the range 0 G, also given by the range-finder, and ia clamped by a clamping-nut 29 ; the telescope 30 is then layed on to the gun G by rotating the circle 28 for direction, and by rocking the telescope 1 in its bearings 16 for elevation and depression, and finally the clinometer 31 is rocked about the axis 31<a> into the vertical position. The following data may then be read off the instrument: (1) the " battery angle " 0 G T<1>, given by the vernier 23a on the slider 23 reading against the outer graduations on the circle 26, (2) the " angle of site from G to T', given by the clinometer 31, (3) the range G T<1> given by the graduations on the bar 21, and (4) the angle 0 T<1> G given by a vernier 34<b>, moved by the bar 21 over a graduated arc 34 on the slider 35. To obtain (5) the " battery concen- "tration angle" G T<1> G<5>, the slider 23 is adjusted to the range of the gun G<5> ; the angle 0 T<1> G<5> is thus determined, and from it is subtracted the angle 0 T<1> G, previously found. Byunclamping the circle 26 from the arm 21 and re-setting the apparatus for the target T<2>, (6) the "angle of " switch " T<1> G T<2> is read off the inner graduations of the circle 26 by the vernier 21<a>. The apparatus may be used also for ascertaining whether the fire of the gun will clear the crest of the hill behind which the guns are concealed, by determining the angle " of site from the gun to the crest of the hill. The apparatus also shows whether the target is within range of the battery, and if not, to what position the guns must be advanced to be within range.