Improvements in Cannons.
Year: 1897

page_text: · Date of Application, Dec., 1st 1897-Accepted, 8th Jan., 1898
Improvements in Cannons.
I, EDWIN JAMES BLOOD, of 112 Clark Street, City of Chicago, County of Cook, and
State of Illinois, United States of America, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in, and by the following
statement:
This invention relates to improvements in ordnance construction, and while it is
more especially intended for use in the construction of cannons or large guns for
coast defence, yet it is applicable to ordnance or guns of different sizes, or those to
be used in the field, on board a man-of-war, or in other places; and it consists in
certain peculiarities of the construction, novel arrangement and operation of the
various parts thereof, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth and specifically
claimed.
The objects of my invention are to provide a cannon, in which by reason of the
peculiar construction, arrangement and operation of its parts, the initial strain of
the gun may be produced and regulated by mechanical means independent of the
agency of heat, and which neutralizes or prohibits the vibration produced by the
discharge or explosion of powder, from causing granulation or crystallization of
the fibre of the metal of which the cannon is composed to enable heavy cannon
to be constructed with all the advantages of great weight, but without the dis-
advantages thereof, the same being made and assembled or mounted in sections,
and in a very short time; to construct a gun possessing greater strength, as well
as greater durability, and which by the nature of its construction admits of an
accurate calculation being made to show the power of resistance which it possesses,
and enables the builder to detect and reject impure or weak metal; and also
guards against the liability of the gun sagging or becoming bent, or out of a true
line, which often occurs in large guns of the ordinary construction; to provide a
means to resist or counteract the concussion at the rear end of the bore, which shall
not be limited, restricted or confined by the diameter of the bore, thus allowing
any detail of the construction to be enlarged upon, to augment the strength or
resistance, to withstand the concussion; to neutralize or counteract the recoil, and
to enable the gun to be taken apart, and put together at pleasure, thus greatly
facilitating its transportation for use or other purposes; also to allow the inner
barrel to be readily removed when injured, and another one to be inserted in its
stead. Other objects and advantages will appear in the following description.
Figure 1, is a plan view, partly in section, of a cannon embodying my invention.
Figure 2, is a longitudinal section view, partly in elevation, taken on line 2, 2,
of Figure 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.
Figure 3, is a view, taken on line 3, 3, of Figure 1, showing the trunnions and
discs or plates in elevation and the securing bolts and re-enforcing ribs in section.
Figures 4 to 7, inclusive, are detail perspective views of detached parts of the

page_text: Figure 8, is a central sectional view of one of the sections of the cannon, formed
of a series of discs or plates illustrating them secured together in a body.
Figure 9, is an end view of said portion, showing the construction of the outer
disc to receive the securing rods and re-enforcing ribs.
Figure 10, is a view in side elevation of the rear or breech portion of the cannon.
Figure 11, is a rear face view of the sliding-bar which carries the lock or firing
mechanism.
Figure 12, is a plan view thereof..
Figure 13, is an enlarged view of the firing lock or mechanism detached from
the breech-block.
And-
Figure 14, is a sectional view of a portion of the body of the cannon, showing a
modification in its construction.
A represents the discs or plates, which compose or form the body
of the cannon, and are made of any suitable size and material, but
preferable of steel, and may be separated one from another throughout
the entire length of the body of the cannon, or a part only thereof,
by means of thin sheets, discs or layers of asbestos or other suitable material.
These discs are formed with central openings a, which taper towards the
muzzle end of the gun, and are for the reception of the removable tube or barrel B,
which is correspondingly tapered on its outer surface, and is provided at its muzzle
end with screw-threads to engage a nut b, to be used for adjusting said tube within
the sections composed of the discs or plates, thereby increasing or decreasing the
tension or initial strain throughout the entire length of the discs, into which the
tube is pressed. One or more of the discs A, are provided on their periphery with
forked projections a¹, and a³, for the reception and retention of the securing
bolts C, C and re-enforcing ribs C, respectively, which ribs extend the entire
length of the cannon and support the bearings D, for the tubular shaft E, used to
aid in resisting the concussion against the sliding-bar.
As is clearly shown in Figures 1, 4, and 8, of the drawings, the projections a¹,
are provided on their ends with longitudinal extensions or arms a³, under which
the nuts c, on the rods C, and C₁, rest and which will prevent the said rods being
displaced, as is apparent. As shown in Figure 1 of the drawing, the rod C, is
passed through an opening in the projection a, at the muzzle end of the cannon,
and also through an opening in the cross-head D₁, at the other end thereof, while
the rod C, passes through an opening in the projection at, on a disc at the muzzle
end of the gun, and through an opening in a like projection a5, on one of the discs
near the rear end of the gun. It will also be observed that the said rods pass
through openings in the discs, which form the trunnions and the boxes therefor,
and that the discs are more securely bound together in sections, by means of the
nuts c, on said rods. While I have shown the rod C, secured at its rear end to the
cross-head D, yet I may secure at its rear end to the disc having the projection a³,
or may secure the rear end of the rod C¹, to the cross-head, and thus attain the same
result. The discs A, forming the rear portion of the gun, or that portion thereof
to the rear of the trunnions, are provided with a number of openings, near their
peripheries, which taper rearwardly, and are for the reception of the corre-
spondingly tapered rods or bolts B¹, which extend at their rear ends through
openings in the cross-head D¹, and are tightened by means of nuts d, located on
said ends. The discs composing the aforesaid portion of the gun, as well as those
fcrming the other parts thereof, are formed with openings to receive tie-rods or
bolts b, to bind them into sections, as shown in Figure 8 of the drawing, and for
this purpose the discs at the end of each section are formed with counter-sunk
openings to receive the nuts 62, on said rods. One of said end dises is provided with
openings 63, to receive pins 64, on the surface of the adjacent disc thereto, so that
the several sections may be united. On that portion of the tapering bolts or
rods B, between the rear end disc and the cross-head D¹, are placed collars d',
which hold the said head at a distance from the rear disc and permits of the
operation of the breech-block F, which carries the lock or firing-mechanism. This

page_text: breech-block operates in a horizontal groove f, in the rear portion of the rear disc,
as is clearly shown in Figures 2 and 10, of the drawings and has on its rear
surface a sliding or movable wedge-shaped piece f¹, which is interposed between
the cross-head D', and the block F, and is moved longitudinally by means of a
screw f, having a bearing f3, on the rear surface of the block F, and is provided
at its outer end with a crank f, or similar device to be used for turning the same.
Located in a suitable recess in the breech-block F, is the firing mechanism, which
is composed of a casing g, on which is movably secured a sliding-bar g', near one
end of which is pivoted a sear g³, actuated by means of a spring h, on the sliding-
bar, and which sear engages a catch-h¹, on the casing. Near the sear is pivotally
secured a trigger h³, which is actuated by a spring h³, and has attached to one of
its ends a string or wire h, to be used when it is desired to release the sear from
its catch. Pivotally secured on the casing is a bell-crank-lever H, one end of
which engages a pin i, on the sliding-bar g', and its other end the firing-pin I,
which extends through the casing, and is normally held in a retracted position
as shown. Pivotally secured on the casing is a lever K, which engages a pin
on the sliding-bar, and is connected at its free end to an operating-rod K¹, which
extends through the casing, and the end of the breech-block F. When it is
desired to operate the firing mechanism, the string or cord h, may be pulled,
which will cause the lever or trigger h², to force the sear g³, out of engagement
with the catch h¹, and allow the spring H', which engages at one of its ends the
sliding-bar g, to force said bar in the direction indicated by dotted lines, which
operation will press the firing-pin I, against the cartridge or charge with sufficient
force to explode the same.
The mechanism-may-again be set or 'cocked" by drawing on the operating-
rod K', which will place the parts in the position shown by continuous lines in
Figure 13. The breech-block F, is provided with an opening f5, which may be
placed in alignment, with the opening e, in the cross-head D¹, and the opening in
the removable barrel B, when it is desired to insert the cartridge or charge, which
is passed through the tubular shaft E, said shaft being open at both of its ends for
this purpose.
Secured to the rear ends of the ribs C³, are two pieces D, which con-
stitute the bearings for the tubular shaft E, and said pieces are formed on their
adjacent surfaces with circular recesses 1, having annularly enlarged recesses ¹,
and 2, adjacent to the cross-head. Within the recesses 7, is placed a sleeve L, having
an annular enlargement or shoulder 13, which lies in the recess . The tubular
shaft E, is provided at its outer end with a hand-wheel E¹, to turn it, and on its
other end with a beveled or inclined annular flange e¹, which flange is located
within the recess 12, and acts on the shoulder 13, of the sleeve L, and the cross-head,
so that when the tubular shaft is slightly turned to tighten the parts, a support or
resistance equal to the tensile strength of the ribs will be given to the breech-block
to withstand the force of the concussion. The ends of the ribs C2, are formed so as
to over-lap and engage the disc at the muzzle end of the cannon, and a portion of
the discs near each end may be slotted to receive the ribs, as is shown. It is
therefore evident that by the transmission of strains through the ribs C, the
discs A, will be, as a whole, further compressed. The discs forming the section
on which are located the trunnions, are provided with lateral extensions e¹, which
may be turned so as to form cylindrical projections or trunnions C3, over which are
placed boxes or bearings C, through whose inner portions the rods C, and C¹, pass.
Each of these boxes is provided with a screw-bolt 2, in its outer central portion,
which passes there-through and contacts with the end of the trunnion, and is used
for removing the box from the trunnion, when desired, which is done by turning
the screw in the proper direction to force the box or cap outwardly.
Secured on the rear end disc, is a spring-bolt m, which engages the breech-
block F, and holds it in position, so that the opening f5, therein, will be in align-
ment with the removable tube and tubular shaft, so as to admit the insertion of
the cartridge or charge. When the breech-block is pressed inwardly to its limit,
this bolt will engage the outer end thereof and prevent its displacement,

page_text: In Figure 14 of the drawing, I have shown one of the composite sections of the
cannon, which illustrates a modification therein, and plainly shows the asbestos
or sheets A¹, or other material, which separate the metal discs. In this modifica-
tion one of the end discs of each section is provided as before with openings 63, to
receive dowel-pins b, on the adjacent disc, and besides using the tie-rods b¹, for
firmly securing the discs and sheets together in a body, the sections may be
provided with openings 66, near the periphery of the discs and diametrically
opposite, for the reception of guide-rods, the use of which will enable the sections
to be more readily placed and secured together, as is apparent.
It is obvious that by employing the above described construction, I utilize the
principle of an inclined plane to produce a given tension or initial strain through-
out the gun with mechanical precison, and by employing the removable composite
sections, which as before stated, may be made of thin discs or plates of steel and may
be separated one from another, by sheets or layers of asbestos or other material, I
avoid or neutralize the injurious effect of the vibration caused by the explosion of
the charge, which vibration as is well known, will change the molecular construc-
tion of the best of metal, and thus soon render the gun unfit for use. By using the
sheets of asbestos or other material between the metal discs or plates, it is evident
that said plates will be insulated so to speak, one from the other, and I may
therefore separate the metal discs in the rear portion, only, of the gun, and may
form the front portion of different substances, such as discs of compressed paper,
raw-hide, or other suitable material, which vary in weight, to prevent the gun
sagging at its muzzle. The rear or breech portion of the gun may be made much
heavier, than is really necessary to meet the demand for strength, so as to utilize
the great weight for neutralizing or counter-acting the recoil.
The openings through the different composite sections of the gun being tapered
towards the muzzle, to receive the removable barrel or tube, and the openings to
receive the tapered bolts B', tapering towards the rear of the gun, serve a double
purpose, as a means of producing a desired degree of tension, and also make it
practicable to easily remove the barrel or tube and bolts. It will be understood
that by tightening the removable tube B, by means of its nut b, the pressure of
said tube in and through the sections, is equally distributed throughout the body
of the cannon, and that when the gun is fired, the tension or force on the breech-
block carrying the firing mechanism tends to more firmly key the tapering-rods B¹,
in their seats, and the friction of the projectile in leaving the gun tends to more
firmly key the tapering tube or barrel in its seat against the discs in the sections
through which it extends.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:.
1. A cannon comprising layers or plates provided with a central opening
tapering towards the muzzle, means for securing the plates together, the discs or
plates in the rear portion of the cannon having openings tapering rearwardly, a
removable tube or barrel located in the central opening and correspondingly
tapered on its outer surface, rods tapering rearwardly located in said rearwardly
tapering openings and means for securing said rods therein, substantially as
described.
2. A cannon comprising layers or plates provided with a central opening tapering
towards the muzzle, means for securing the said discs or plates together,
the discs or plates in the rear portion of the cannon having openings
tapering rearwardly, a tube or barrel located in the central opening and
correspondingly tapered on its outer surface, rods tapering rearwardly located in and
extending through said rearwardly tapering openings, a cross-head secured on the
extension of said rods at a distance from the rear disc or plate, substantially as
described.
3. A cannon comprising layers or plates provided with a central opening tapering.

page_text: towards the muzzle, means for securing the said layers or plates together, the discs
or plates in the rear portion of the cannon having openings tapering rearwardly,
a tube or barrel located in the central opening and correspondingly tapered on its
outer surface, rods tapering rearwardly located in and extending through said
rearwardly tapering openings, a cross-head secured on the extension of said rods,
and a breech-block carrying a firing mechanism interposed and operating between
the cross-head and rear disc or plate of the cannon, substantially as described.
4. A cannon comprising layers or plates provided with a central opening tapering
towards the muzzle, means for securing the said layers or plates together, the discs
or plates in the rear portion of the cannon having openings tapering rearwardly,
a tube or barrel located in the central opening and correspondingly tapered on its
outer surface, rods tapering rearwardly located in and extending through said rear-
wardly tapering openings, a cross-head secured on the extension of said rods, a
breech-block interposed and operating between the cross-head and rear part of the
bore, a firing mechanism on said breech-block, and an inclined adjustable piece
between the breech-block and cross-head, substantially as described.
5. A cannon comprising layers or plates provided with a central opening tapering
towards the muzzle, means for securing the said layers or plates together, a corre-
spondingly tapered tube or barrel located in said opening, re-enforcing ribs
engaging the disc at the muzzle end of the cannon and extending past the rear end
thereof, a cross-head secured to the rear end of the cannon at a distance therefrom,
bearing pieces secured to the rear ends of the ribs and having in their adjacent
surfaces annular recesses provided with annular enlargements adjacent to the cross-
head, a sleeve having on its inner end an annular flange and located in said-recesses,-
a-tubular shaft having on its inner end an inclined annular flange, said shaft located
in said sleeve, and the flange thereof interposed between the bearing pieces and
the cross-head, substantially as described.
6. A cannon comprising layers or plates provided with a central opening tapering
towards the muzzle, means for securing the said layers or plates together, a
correspondingly tapered tube or barrel located in said opening, re-enforcing ribs
engaging the disc at the muzzle end of the cannon and extending past the rear end
thereof, a cross-head secured to the rear end of the cannon at a distance therefrom,
bearing-pieces secured to the rear ends of the ribs, and having in their adjacent
surfaces annular recesses provided with annular enlargements adjacent to the cross-
head, a sleeve having on its inner end an annular flange and located in said recesses,
a tubular shaft having on its inner end an inclined annular flange, said shaft
located in said sleeve, and the flange thereof interposed between the bearing-pieces
and the cross-head, a breech-block carrying a firing mechanism, an inclined piece
adjustably secured on said block, said piece and block adapted to be interposed
between the cross-head and rear end of the bore in the cannon, substantially as
described.
7. A cannon comprising a body, a cross-head secured to the body at a distance
from the rear of the bore in the body and having an opening in alignment with
the bore for the insertion of a projectile, the inner end of said opening being located
a sufficient distance from the rear end of the bore to admit of the insertion of a
breech-block between it and the bore, the cross-head forming a support for the
breech-block when the gun is fired, substantially as described.
8. A cannon comprising a body, a cross-head secured to the body at a distance
from the rear of the bore in the body and having an opening in alignment with the
bore for the insertion of a projectile, the inner end of said opening being located
a sufficient distance from the rear end of the bore, a breech-block located between
the inner end of the opening in the cross-head and the rear end of the bore of the
gun, the cross-head being formed to support the breech-block, when the gun is fired,
substantially as described.
9. A cannon comprising a body, a removable inner barrel located therein, a cross-
head secured to the body at a distance from the rear end of the bore of said barrel
and having an opening in alignment with said bore for the insertion of a projectile,

page_text: a breech-block located between the inner end of the opening in the cross-head
and the rear end of the bore in the barrel, the cross-head being formed to support
the breech-block when the gun is fired, substantially as described.
Dated this 1st day of December 1897
EDWIN JAMES BLOOD.
By Herbert Haddan & Co.,
Agents to the Applicant,
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, London, W.C.
EDWIN JAMES BLOOD.
By Herbert Haddan & Co.,
Agents to the Applicant,
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, London, W.C.