Improved Means for Fastening the Doors of Torpedo Tubes.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Mar., 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means for Fastening the Doors of Torpedo Tubes.
We, Sir W. G. ARMSTRONG, WITWORTH & COMPANY, LIMITED, Manufacturing
Engineers, and EDWARD WILLIAM LLOYD, late Commander R.N., both of Elswick
Works, Newcastle-on-Tyne, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to provide means for quickly and effectively
fastening the doors of torpedo tubes.
In order to press the door against the end of the tube with great force, two
semicircular straps of a V section are used each with a hinge pin at one end
while the other ends are forced together by means of the fastening described below
The inclines on the straps bear on corresponding inclines on the door and the
end of the tube thus pressing the door on the tube.
The straps have the great advantage of bearing all round the ring instead of
at points only as when bolts or clamps are used.
The gas or watertight joint is made by a steel ring on the door with spigots
which press into a white metal ring dove-tailed into the end of the tube.
As previously stated one end of each strap works on a hinge pin sliding in
an oval hole. The other ends are forced together by means of an adaptation
of the "knuckle or toggle joint." This may be also fitted with an eccentric
pin turned round by a lever to give extra power.
The end of one strap is connected by a pin to a tightening lever which is
connected by an eccentric pin to a pair of links which in turn are connected by
another eccentric pin to the end of the other strap.
When the tightening lever is pulled down the ends of the straps separate and
the door is free to be opened. Clearance between the strap and door is obtained
by the hinge pins sliding in oval holes as stated.
When the tightening lever is pushed up until the centres of the three pins
on the straps and tightening lever are in a straight line, the ends of the straps
are forced together and the door is pressed against the tube.
The door may be made still tighter by turning the eccentric pin which con-
nects the tightening lever to the pair of links by means of a lever fixed to it
for the purpose.
A spring catch may be provided to keep the eccentric pin in position.
The other eccentric pin is for adjustment to take up wear of joint.
A spring safety catch is provided on the tightening lever entering a notch in
a lug on the strap.
1 1000

page_text: Improved Means for Fastening the Doors of Torpedo Tubes.
We, Sir W. G. ARMSTRONG, WHITWORTH & COMPANY, LIMITED, Manufacturing
Engineers, and EDWARD WILLIAM LLOYD, late Commander R.N., both of Elswick
Works, Newcastle-on-Tyne, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement;
The object of this invention is to provide means for quickly and effectively
fastening the doors of torpedo tubes.
In order to press the door against the end of the tube with great force, two
semicircular straps of a V section are used each with a hinge pin at one end
while the other ends are forced together by means of the fastening described below
The inclines on the straps bear on corresponding inclines on the door and the
end of the tube thus pressing the door on the tube.
The straps have the great advantage of bearing all round the ring instead of
at points only as when bolts or clamps are used.
The gas or watertight joint is made by a steel ring on the door with spigots
which press into a white metal ring dove-tailed into the end of the tube.
As previously stated one end of each strap works on a hinge pin sliding in
an oval hole. The other ends are forced together by means of an adaptation
of the "knuckle or toggle joint." This may be also fitted with an eccentric
pin turned round by a lever to give extra power.
The end of one strap is connected by a pin to a tightening lever which is
connected by an eccentric pin to a pair of links which in turn are connected by
another eccentric pin to the end of the other strap.
When the tightening lever is pulled down the ends of the straps separate and
the door is free to be opened. Clearance between the strap and door is obtained
by the hinge pins sliding in oval holes as stated.
When the tightening lever is pushed up until the centres of the three pins
on the straps and tightening lever are in a straight line, the ends of the straps
are forced together and the door is pressed against the tube.
The door may be made still tighter by turning the eccentric pin which con-
nects the tightening lever to the pair of links by means of a lever fixed to it
for the purpose.
A spring catch may be provided to keep the eccentric pin in position.
The other eccentric pin is for adjustment to take up wear of joint.
A spring safety catch is provided on the tightening lever entering a notch in
a lug on a strap.
Figure 1 of the drawings annexed shows a front view of the fastening when
the door is closed and Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 Figure 1. Figure 3
is a cross section of a portion of the door, one of the straps and the end of the
tube. Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 when the fastening has been
opened while Figures and 6 show the method of carrying the hinge pins.
a al are the upper and lower straps, each having one end working on a hinge
pin sliding in oval holes in a T shaped bracket 62 fixed to the end of the
tube c.
d is the door (Figure 3) furnished with the steel ring with spigots
pressing into a white metal ring on the tube.
The end of the upper strap a is connected by a pin e to the lever f furnished
with a catch rod f¹ engaging with a notch in a lug f fixed to the strap a. The
lever is connected by an eccentric pin g to a pair of links h pivotted to the
end of the lower strap a¹ by a pin ; which is also eccentric and can be turned
to take up wear. The pin is turned by a rod y fast with it and is provided

page_text: with a spring catch 2. k is a stop on the tube to hold the strap a¹ in the open
position.
To fasten the door the lever f is raised from the position shown in Figure 4
to that shown in Figure 1 in which it is held by the catch rod f1 engaging its
notch, the centres of the three pins being thus brought into line and the door
can then be further tightened by turning up the rod g¹.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is:-
.
1. Fastening the door of a torpedo tube by means of a divided strap formed
with inclines to engage with corresponding inclines on the door and rear end
of tube, one end of each part working on a hinge pin in an oval slot and the other
ends being drawn together by a lever and toggle joint.
2. Fastenings for torpedo tube doors substantially as described and illustrated
in the drawings.
SIR W. G. ARMSTRONG, WHITWORTH & CO. LIMITED,
S. W. A. NOBLE,
Director.
A. PHALP,
EDWARD W. LLOYD.
For Secretary.