Improvements in Gun Carriages mounted on Wheels.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 21st June, 1897-Accepted, 21st Aug., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Gun Carriages mounted on Wheels.
We, MICHEL DARMANCIER, and AIMÉ DALZON, both of Aciéries de la Marine
St. Chamond (Loire) in the Republic of France, Engineers, 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 :-
This invention relates to certain improvements in the construction of gun carriages
mounted on wheels.
In order to enable the combined gun and carriage to recede or recoil bodily
whenever the gun is fired, and to automatically resume its initial position prior to
firing again, we employ an inclined compressible prop or recoil arm, which may be
either single or double, and is jointed on to the front of the gun carriage; this prop
terminates in the rear in a spade-shaped anchor or fluke resting in contact both
with the ground and with the trail of the carriage, and provided with a hydraulic
brake and a device for storage and re-delivery of energy, which may consist either
of metal springs-exposed or enclosed-or of a compressed air pad or buffer; the
arrangement being such that the prop or recoil arm is compressed during the recoil
and thereby made to alter its angle or inclination, but that it will resume its initial
length and angle of inclination under the counteracting impulse of the (spring or
air) energy storing device, as soon as the recoil ceases.
The prop or recoil arm need not necessarily comprise the energy storing devices
within itself, and when it does not, its construction will be rigid; such rigid, inclined
prop being at one end connected to the front part of the gun carriage through a
metal spring or compressed air energy storing device, provided with a hydraulic brake,
and supported entirely by the gun carriage; while the rear of such prop will in this case
also carry an anchor or fluke which, at the time of firing, will be in contact with
both the ground and the lower surface of the carriage trail.
The object of the provision of this anchor or flake at the rear end of the prop is to
facilitate the retaining of said prop in position by the said anchor being driven into
the ground under the percussion of the gun-carriage trail; and in the case of soft
or sandy soil, an extension is added to such anchor or fluke, so as to increase its
soil-engaging surface and prevent its untimely release.
In order to maintain the prop or recoil arm in its raised position, when the
gun-carriage is in motion, or to prevent its entering the ground too deeply, without.
however interfering with its recoil movement, we employ links formed of chains or
rods extending from the rear of the prop to the carriage; and with a view to rigidly
and permanently connecting the rear of the prop with the carriage trail, when
coupled with the fore-carriage-i.e., in position for travelling, we employ chains,
hooks or bolts.
The gun is pointed or 'laid' laterally by the aid of a small additional or auxiliary
carriage provided with a vertical pivot in the rear and with a circular horizontal
shackle, concentric with, and situated in front of, the said pivot. The pivot and
shackle connect the auxiliary carriage with the main carriage frame, thereby, in
combination with the lateral pointing apparatus, securing the connection between
these two parts of the gun carriage,

page_text: The arrangement for rectifying or readjusting the lateral pointing is so constructed
as to enable the sinall carriage to be turned a few degrees upon its pivot ; either from
left to right, or inversely. This apparatus, as well as the mechanism for upright
pointing, is placed in front of the small or auxiliary carriage, that is to say, near to
the mouth of the barrel.
The brake we prefer to employ comprises friction shoes actuated by means of a
screw handle, a set of rods, and a lever, which enables such brake shoes to be applied
to both the wheels with the same force or effect, no matter how considerable a
difference there may be between the respective diameters of the wheels of one and
the same gun carriage.
The wheel axle is strengthened by means of a metal slicet or plate made rigid in
the vertical direction by the curvilinear outline of one of its three edges...
The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which:
Figure 1, is a side elevation of the small or auxiliary carriage, comprising also a
section of the frame on line A. B. (Figures 8 & 9), and a central vertical section of
the compressible prop or recoil-arm with the springs exposed; the pointing trail-lever
being in this figure supposed to be turned back, and all being in readiness for firing.
Figure 2, is a rear elevation of the gun-carriage frame and of the prop or
recoil-arm in position for travelling on roads.
Figure 3 is a section of a compressible prop or recoil-arm with the springs
concealed.
:
Figure 4 is a plan of a single compressible prop or recoil-arm, with the rear chain
'forked' or divided.
Figure 5 is another plan of a single compressible prop or recoil-arm with two side
chains linked to the chains of the gun-carriage.
Figure 6 is an elevation corresponding to Figure 5.
Figure 7 is an elevation of the auxiliary carriage with mechanism for correcting
the lateral pointing of the gun, and a central vertical section of the gun-carriage
frame.
Figure 8 is a horizontal section on the broken line C. D. E. F(Figure 7) of the
carriage frame and of mechanism for the adjustment of lateral pointing; a plan of
the arrangement for strengthening the axle and wheels; a plan of a double
compressible prop or recoil arm; and a plan of the chains for connecting such prop
to the carriage. The auxiliary carriage is supposed to be removed.
Figure 9 is a plan of the main gun-carriage, together with an auxiliary carriage
and mechanism for the adjustment of lateral pointing; the carriage trail-lever being
turned back.
Figure 10, illustrates a mode of connection of the prop or recoil-arin to the frame,"
by means of telescoping rods; the parts being shewn in position for firing.
Figure 11 is an elevation corresponding to Figure 10, the parts being shown in
position for travelling, i.e. limbered up.'
Figure 12 13, are vertical sections of a compressed air compressible prop or
recoil arm.
Figure 14 is an elevation of the auxiliary carriage and a vertical section of the
carriage frame and the energy storing device, with the metal springs immersed in
the liquid of the hydraulic brake.
Figures 15 and 16, represent respectively a spring and a compressed air energy-
storing device, the liquid of the brake being contained in the central rod.
Figure 17 is a cross section of a rigid prop or recoil-arm with a single energy-
storing device.
Figure 18 is a plan of a rigid prop or recoil-arin with a double energy-storing
device, shown in cross section in Figure 19.
->
Figure 20, is a modified form of the energy-storing device illustrated in
Figures 14 or 15.
Figures 21 and 22 show two modified forms of metal springs for energy-storing
devices for returning the gun to the firing portion,

page_text: Figure 23, is an elevation of a gun carriage trail and of the rear of a prop or
recoil arın, either compressible or rigid-adapted, when required for purposes of
conveyance, to be connected by a hook.
Figures 24 and 25 are respectively a cross section and an elevation of an
extension of the anchor or fluke.
Figures 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 and 32 represent an auxiliary carriage in vertical
section and part sectional elevations of various mechanisms for the correction or
adjustment of lateral pointing.
Figure 33, is an elevation corresponding to Figure 32.
Figure 34, is a horizontal section corresponding to Figures 32 and 33.
Figure 35 is a horizontal section of the front part of the auxiliary carriage and
frame, and a plan of another mechanisin for the adjustinent of lateral pointing.
Figure 36 represents the left hand side of a gun-carriage in position for firing,
fitted with our improved brake-shoe arrangement the carriage being provided with an
inclined compressible prop or recoil-arm also shewn in the drawing; the carriage
being supposed to have reached the end of its recoil movement and the brake-shoes
being turned back against the sides of the carriage-frame.
Figure 37 shows the left hand side of the gun-carriage supposed to be coupled to
the fore-carriage, and with the brake-shoes in readiness for operation.
Figure 38 is a plan of the brake shoes in the position they take up while the
gun-carriage is in motion; and:
Figures 39 and 40 are, respectively, a cross-section and a front elevation of a metal
sheet or plate for strengthening the gun-carriage wheel axle.
The inclined compressible recoil-arm (Figures 1, 3, 4, 8, 12 and 13) consists of a
brake-cylinder a, properly packed and containing liquid and within which there is
adapted to slide a solid piston b (Figure 1) or a plunger b (Figure 3), a tube d, for
strengthening the prop or recoil-arm enveloping the piston (Figure 1), being
arranged to slide along the hydraulic cylinder and to serve as a guide for a simple or
compound metal spring c having any suitable shape in section, such spring extending
over the greater part of the length of the prop or recoil-arm. The end of such prop,
which is situated near the trail, comprises a tube e for protecting the spring. This
spring is shown exposed in Figure 1, but it may be enclosed within the cylindrical
rod of the piston or plunger b (Figures 3 and 4), in which case the tubes d and e,
shown in Figure 1, may be dispensed with.
The prop or recoil-arin may be arranged along (below, within, over, or side-by-side
with) the gun-carriage frame, it being connected to the front part of the carriage by
a centre of rotation h such as a pin, pivot or trunnion which is held in the bearing or
bracket i, secured to or integral with the carriage frame J, and extended rearwardly,
said extension terminating in an anchor or fluke f, which is arranged in contact with
the carriage trail and extends practically in the direction of the percussion stress
transmitted by such trail; such anchor being provided with a sharp edge that
terminates in a more or less obtuse point and carries a shoulder g.
Instead of employing springs for the storage and redelivery of energy, compressed
air may be utilised (Fig. 12), being caused to fill the spaces c₁ c₂, left between the
parts. The hydraulic cylinder in this figure is supposed to be situated in the rear,
and the strengthening tube acts as a piston within the protecting tube. In
Figure 13, the hydraulic cylinder is shewn as arranged in front (i.e. on one side of
the mouth of the barrel) and the piston or plunger in the rear; the strengthening
tube d (Figure 13) constitutes a compressed air reservoir, and the hydraulic cylinder
forms a piston within such tube, a packing ring being provided to separate the liquid
from the air.
The prop or recoil-arın may consist of one or more parallel cylinders, or sets of
cylinders, such as a¹ a² (Figure 8), and a corresponding number of pistons such as
bi 62 (Figure 8).
The operation of this inclined compressible prop or recoil-arm is as follows:-
At the moment of firing the trail exerts great pressure on the lower part of the
anchor or fluke f thereby driving it into the ground; then the combined gun and

page_text: carriage recoil bodily, the edge of the fluke f remaining in the cut or indentation it
has made in the ground, and the piston b, as it enters the cylinder a, forcing the
liquid therein from the rear forwards (Figures 1, 3, and 12) and from the forward
portion backwards (Fig. 13) through orifices or ports provided in the piston, or
through grooves formed in the cylinder wall. In the meantime the spring is
compressed and the prop or recoil-arm rises a few degrees from its inclined position,
its length being somewhat reduced as it does so.
When the recoil is over, the movements just described are reversed.
The energy-storing device may be entirely supported by the gun-carriage frame,
instead of by the prop or recoil-arm, in which case the construction of such prop will
be rigid (Figures 14 to 20). The prop or recoil-arm proper (Figure 14) composed
of wood or metal, and of any suitable shape in section, is terminated in the rear by
the edge of the anchor f, and the shoulder g, which is in contact with the trail. At
the front part of the gun carriage it is connected by a pivot, or its equivalent, h, to
the rod b the head of which forms a piston adapted to reciprocate within the tube a
secured to the gun-carriage J and closed at the ends. A single or compound spring c,
of any desirable shape or size in section, is placed within the tube a about the rod b
which it serves to guide, and to support by its head; and the free space left in the
tube a by this spring is filled with liquid.
Where the spring is immersed in the liquid, the outer tube may, or may not, be
provided with outlet grooves, for the discharge of the liquid, the central tube also.
being provided, or not, with discharge orifices, as desired.
Instead of immersing the spring in the liquid, it may be kept separate therefrom
(Fig. 15) in which case the brake liquid would be contained in the hollow spring-
compressing rod b acting as a hydraulic cylinder, with or without discharge grooves.
The energy-storing device furthermore comprises a hydraulic piston 6 (with or
without an outlet-port) secured to the rear wall or bottom of the tube a, a tightly
packed plug d being in this case provided at the rearward extremity of the hollow
rod b.
We may also substitute compressed air in the chamber e (Fig. 16) in place of the
energy-storing spring c which in that case is dispensed with.
The tube a may be movable instead of being stationary. In this case (Fig. 20)
its connection is made by means of a pivot h while its front wall is attached to the
rigid prop or recoil arm k. The tube a is adapted to move in the direction of its
axis in brackets provided for the purpose on the gun-carriage J. The compressing
rod 6 with its head, which in this arrangement is fast, is fixed by its rearward end to
the carriage trail.
The rigid prop or recoil-arm may comprise one or more energy-storing apparatus
a a² (Figure 18).
The springs of the energy-storing arrangement may be single or compound and of
any suitable shape in section. In Figures 21 and 22 we have shewn sections of
springs of circular and rectangular shape, respectively.
The operation of the inclined rigid prop or recoil arm is as follows :-
When the gun is fired, the percussion stress conveyed by the carriage-trail to the
anchor causes the latter to enter the ground. Then the combined gun and carriage
bodily recoil, while at the same time the anchor remains in the cut or indentation it
has made in the ground. The rod b, or rods b' and 62 as the case may be (see
Figures 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19) are held by the prop k and thereby prevented
from participating in the recoil movement. The tube a recoils, the spring or air is
compressed, the liquid passes from the front to the rear of the head of the rod b
(Figure 14), or from the rear to the front of the head of the piston b¹
(Figures 15 & 16), through the ports in the piston, or the grooves in the
corresponding cylinder wall; and the inclination of the prop k to the horizontal
slightly decreases by reason of the slope of the power-storing device.
After the recoil the spring or compressed air re-acts and restores the gun-carriage
to its initial position in relation to the anchor f, causing the liquid to flow inversely
to its preceding direction.

page_text: In the example illustrated in Figure 20, it is the outer tube a which is held by the
prop or recoil-arm k, while the red b participates in the recoil of the gun-carriage;
the resulting effects are, however, similar to those produced in the preceding
instance, and the final result is that the carriage returns to its initial firing
position.
The anchor or fluke consists of a sharp portion f (Figures 1, 17, 19 and 25)
and a shoulder g, designed to check the sharp portion or blade as it enters the
ground. The shape of such blade is made to correspond to the direction of the
percussion stress which is to drive it into the ground, and terminates below in a
projecting point or apex situated centrally the length of the fluke and in the central
vertical plane of the gun carriage.
The angle x (Figure 25) at the point of the fluke may vary, but is preferably an
obtuse angle, and the incline of the part f practically corresponds to the direction in
which the percussion stress is transmitted through the carriage-trail.
Where the soil is very soft or sandy, we increase the soil-engaging surface of
the anchor by the addition thereto of an extension f¹ (Figure 25), consisting of a
hollowed plate or dish fixed against the cutting edge of f.
We have already shown how the prop or recoil-arm is connected to the front part
of the gun-carriage by means of a pivot, trunnion, or pin h. At the back this connec-
tion is effected by means of a "forked" or divided chain l, one end of which is hooked
to the prop or recoil-arm and the other to the carriage frame (Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4.)
Or, instead of this single chain l, two side-chains such as . (Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, 14,
15, 16, 18 and 23) may be employed; or one or two telescoping rods (Figures 10
and 11) may be provided in lieu thereof. The object of this mode of connection is
to prevent the carriage trail from receding too far from the anchor at the end of the
recoil movement (see Figure 36) and to hold said anchor in contact with the trail,
when the latter is raised; and with this object in view the energy-storing devices are
subjected to compression the effect of which is to stretch the chain or chains or the
telescopic rods, l'or ₁, l, or ', as the case may be, and such tension is so regulated as
to produce an upward transverse strain strong enough to produce the above named re-
sult. The inclined position and the length of the chain or chains permits the gun-
carriage to recede for a pre-determined distance, without removing the fluke from its
cut or indentation in the ground.
"
In order to impart increased rigidity to the connection between the rear of the
prop or recoil-arm and the carriage-trail, in the "limbered up or travelling position,
we employ a short chain with a hook n adapted to be connected to the inclined chain
1,-whether single or double,--the connection being made, either direct or through
an intermediate chain m, whenever the trail-lever is turned down upon the gun car-
riage, i.c. in the inoperative or travelling position (Figures 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 36
and 37). As a modification, one or two short 1.ooked chains, such as n₁ n₂, may be
fastened to the carriage frame J direct and hooked on to the rods or chains or ₁ or.
to the anchor, when firing is over (Figures 10 and 11).
Or again, we may employ hooks, without any chains, such as n¹, n², operated by
the trail lever and so arranged as to engage with the anchor when the trail lever is
turned down upon the carriage frame (Figures 14, 15, 16, 17 19 and 23).
The gun-barrel rests upon the main carriage with the interposition of a small
auxiliary carriage 2 (Figures 1, 3, 7, 14, 15 and 16). This auxiliary carriage carries a
vertical pivot on the cross-piece V at its rear, while in front it has a large claw q rest-
ing upon the horizontal flange 7 concentric with the pivot O and forming part of the
stout movable cross-piece u of the gun-carriage. (The terms "vertical" and
"horizontal" are here used on the assumption that the gun carriage is resting on
horizontal ground in a line of battery and with the anchor driven into the ground).
The flange r engages, without any appreciable amount of "play," with the claw q.
The pivot is situated near and somewhat in the rear of the centre of gravity of the
entire arrangement-i.e. the combined gun carriage and gun. Its axis lies either in
the axial plane of the gun carriage or upon one side of such plane.
The devices for pointing in the vertical direction, and for correcting or adjusting

page_text: the lateral pointing of the gun, are arranged in advance of the pivot. The recoil and
raising stresses are transmitted by the pivot and the annular claw of the auxiliary
gun carriage or pivot bearing to the circular tie-board. The front part of the
auxiliary carriage may undergo a lateral angular displacement of a few degrees in
extent about the pivot.
The mechanism for the adjustment of the lateral pointing enables the front part of
the auxiliary carriage to be actuated. It consists (as shown in Figures 7 and 28) of
a screw-threaded cross spindle t carried by the front part of the frame J and operated
by means of a crank handle s (Figure 9), situated on the right or left, in front,
behind or in alignmeut with the pivot 0, and connected either directly (Figures 26
and 29), or through the medium of bevel gearing, (Figures 27 and 30), or helical or
worm-wheel gearing (Figures 28 to 31).
This screw-threadedj shaft can only turn ou its own centre, not being movable
axially. As shown in Figures 26, 27 and 28, its threaded portion acts upon a nut
the nipple of which engages in a recess provided for the purpose in the auxiliary
carriage, so that it has no lateral "play"; or upon a toothed arc or rim ₁ formed in
the auxiliary carriage in front of the pivot (Figure 35); or, again, upon a worm wheel
(Figures 32 and 33) supported by the frame or by the movable piece u and connected
with a pinion in gear with the toothed are formed at the front part of the
secondary carriage.
The screw-threaded spindle t¹ may also be made incapable of turning but capable
of moving axially (Figures 29, 30 and 31); in which case it is retained in the direc-
tion of the wheel-axle of the gun-carriage by a pin or nipple x, of the auxiliary carriage
or by some equivalent means; such nipple being engaged, without any lateral play,
in a recess of such spindle t¹ which is drawn along in the direction of its axis by a fast
nut co-axial therewith. This nut is formed by the boss or nave of the crank or of one
of the intermediate gear-wheels.
1
The differential brake fitted with friction shoes (Figures 36, 37 and 38) has its shoes
A, A, (Figure 38) linked to the sides of the frame, at N, and N₂ respectively, and con-
trolled by the rods B₁ and B₂, which in their turn are manipulated by cranks D₁ D.
These cranks are respectively mounted upon the two spindles C, and C₂, one of which
forms an extension of the other, and which are held by the supports L L. secured to
the main gun-carriage and kept separate by a bell-crank lever F, or its equivalent,
adapted to turn on the common centre of the two crank-spindles. The two spindles
C₁ and C₂ carry the cranks R₁ and R, respectively, which cranks are connected
together, with a limited amount of play, by the piece E which engages with both
cranks R₁ R, at the same time as well as with one arm of the bell-crank lever F, the
other arm of such lever being connected by the pivot to the screw threaded rod H inter-
posed between the two cranks R₁ R, and being equidistant from each. This rod
carries the nut I controlled by the crank handle J.
The brake operates as follows:
Whenever the handle J is manipulated with a view to applying the brake, the
lever F, through the medium of the piece E, compels the two shafts C₁ and C₂ to
revolve, so as to draw the brake shoes towards the wheels. These brake shoes are in all
cases pressed against the wheels with the same force, even though the wheels should
differ in diameter, the lever being equi-distant from both R₁ and R₂ and the piece E
being inclined automatically according to the requirements of the wheels.
In Figure 36 the brake shoes are shown turned down against the frame, being
retained in this position by the bolts or pins M, and M₂, and the rods B₁ and B₂ being
hooked on to the frame.
In Figures 39 and 40 we have shown the axle cover-plate. This cover plate, P, is
placed over the axle S of the gun carriage and is curved at R so as to acquire great
rigidity in the vertical direction and also, consequently, to impart perfect rigidity to
the axle. The gun carriage frame is indicated by the letter Q.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said invention

page_text: and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we claim in
wheeled gun carriages is :-
1. For the purpose of limiting the recoil of the combined gun and carriage, and,
whenever the gun has been fired, restoring them bodily to the position they occupied
before firing, the provision of an inclined compressible prop or recoil arm arranged
along (i.e. below, within, above or in juxtaposition to) the gun-carriage frame; the-said.
prop being connected to the front part of the gun-carriage by means of a centre of rota-
tion (pin, pivot or trunnions), and extended to the rear thereof, where it terminates
in an anchor or fluke; it being furtherinore adapted to receive or take up the percus-
sion stress transmitted to it by the gun carriage trail, such stress serving to drive the
fluke into the ground after firing; and the said prop being, lastly, constructed to
admit of a considerable recoil relatively to its length; the said inclined compressible
prop or recoil arm-the general arrangement whereof is exemplified by Figure 1 of
the drawings consisting of a combination or assemblage which comprises a suitably
"packed "hydraulic cylinder a, situated near the gun-carriage trail and terminating
in an anchor or fluke f (with a shoulder) g, resting in contact with the said trail; a
solid piston b adapted to move within the cylinder a, the rod, of which piston is con-
nected to the front part of the gun-cariage by means of a centre of rotation (such
as a pin, pivot or pair of trunnions); a tube d for strengthening the prop, which tube-
envelops the piston and is adapted to slide on the hydraulic cylinder, its object being to
guide an uncovered simple or compound metal spring c, of. any convenient shape in
section, and extending over the greater part of the length of the said prop, its
bearing points being afforded by the head of the piston rod and the bottom.surface
of the cylinder carrying the anchor; while in the rear of the prop the said spring is
protected by a guard tube e.
•
2. For the purpose stated in the 1st claim, the provision of an inclined compressible
prop or recoil arın, substantially such as is referred to in the said 1st claim, but
wherein, by way of modification, the piston b, mentioned in said claim, is replaced by
a piston b of the hollow-rod and plunger type (Figure 3) adapted to receive within it,
and to guide, the metal spring c, which is enclosed thereby; in which arrangement
the strengthening tube d and guard tube.e are dispensed with..
3. For the purpose indicated in the 1st claim, the provision of an inclined com-
pressible prop or recoil-arm, substantially such as is referred to in the said 1st claim, but
wherein, by way of modification, the energy-storing metal spring c, mentioned in
Claims 1 and 2 is replaced by compressed air, filling up the spaces c¹ and c² (Figures 12
and 13) left between the parts, by the aid of either of two arrangements, viz.
(a) The arrangement shown in Figure 12, comprising, between the hydraulic
cylinder, situated in the rear (i.e. near to the trail), and the piston, the strengthening
tube d, forming a piston within the guard tube e; or
(b) The arrangement shown in Figure 13 comprising a hydraulic cylinder situated
at the front part (i.e. towards the mouth of the barrel) and connected to the gun-
carriage by means of the pivot h or any equivalent device; the piston located at the
back (i.e. towards the carriage trail); and the strengthening tube, d, constituting a
compressed air chamber, wherein the hydraulic cylinder forms a piston; and, lastly,
a packing ring for separating the liquid from the air.
4. For the purpose indicated in the 1st claim, the provision of an inclined com-
pressible prop or recoil arm, which may be either single, double or multiple, i.e.,
may consist of one, two or more cylinders, such as a₁ a₂ (Figure 8), and pistons such
as b₁ b₂, as characterised in the preceding claims, or of one or more sets of hydraulic
cylinders and pistons, both of which may be placed, at will, either in the rear of the
prop or recoil arm (i.e. near to the gun carriage trail) or at the front part of such
prop (near the mouth of the barrel), according to the device adopted for the storage
of energy (i.e. whether springs-exposed or concealed, or compressed air.)
5. For the purpose indicated in the 1st claim, the provision of an inclined rigid
prop or recoil-arm and of a device for the storage and re-delivery of energy, both
these parts being arranged along (below, within, over or side by side with) the gun

page_text: carriage frame, and being connected together near the front end of the gun carriage
by a suitable centre of rotation (a pin, pivot or pair of trunnions); the said prop
being constructed of wood or metal, in any desirable shape in section, and termin-
ating at its rear end in an anchor in contact with the gun-carriage trail, so that the
percussion of such trail on firing may cause the said anchor to enter the ground;
the said energy storing device, which forms part of the rigid prop or recoil-arm,
being entirely supported by the gun-carriage with which it is connected, and consist-
ing of an outer liquid-containing tube a (Figure 14) with or without grooves or
channels for the discharge of the liquid, such tube being closed at its ends and
rigidly secured or connected to the frame; and in which tube there is adapted to
move a central tube b, the head of which forms a piston with or without an outlet
orifice or port; which piston is connected by means of a pivot such as h to the rigid
prop or recoil-arm proper, ; the said central rod serving, in conjunction with the
tube a, to guide a simple or compound spring e immersed in the liquid; whose
shape in section may be either circular (as shown in Fig. 21) or rectangular (as
shown in Figure 22); and which should bear at one end on the upper end of the
tube a, and at the other, on the head of the rod b.
$
6. For the purpose indicated in the 1st claim, the provision of an inclined rigid
prop or recoil arm, as characterized in the 5th claim, and, in a modified form, con-
sisting of a hollow spring compressing rod, as shown at b, Figure 15, containing the
brake fluid and forming a hydraulic cylinder with or without channels or grooves
for the passage of the fluid, provided with a tightly fitting or packed plug such as d
within which rod there is adapted to move a hydraulic piston b, secured to the rear
end of the outer tube a, which, in conjunction with the said hollow tube b, serves to
guide the spring c, which however may be dispensed with and replaced by compressed
air if preferred, as illustrated in Figure 16.
;
7. For the purpose indicated in the 1st claim, the provision of an inclined rigid
prop or recoil-arm as characterized in the 5th, and 6th claims, in a modified form of
which the outer cylinder a (Figure 20) is hinged to the prop and adapted to slide
axially in supports or brackets secured to the frame; the said rod b being connected
to the rear end of the said frame.
8. For the purpose indicated in the 1st claim, the provision of an inclined rigid
prop or recoil-arm, as characterized in the 5th, 6th and 7th claims and comprising
two or more devices for the storage and re-delivery of energy, i.e., consisting of two
or more cylinders a, a, (Figure 18), and rods b₁ b₂, capable of being rigidly connected
together, or to the gun-carriage frame (as shown in Figure 20), according to the
energy storing device (either consisting of springs, which may or may not be.
immersed in the brake-fluid, or worked by compressed air) that is employed.
9. In connection with the inclined props or recoil arms, whether compressible or
rigid, and whether used alone or in any of the combinations referred to in Claims 1
to 8, or in any sections of such claims, in order to facilitate the engagement of such
props with the ground, under the pressure of the gun-carriage, the employment of
(a) an anchor or fluke (Figures 1, 17, 19, 25) consisting of a sharp edge f and a
shoulder g for limiting the depth to which it can enter the ground; the cutting edge
being shaped to correspond to the directions of the percussive force by which it is
to be driven into the ground, and terminating below in a projecting point situated
in the centre of the length of the anchor or fluke in the central vertical plane of the
gun carriage and formed by two lines producing together a more or less obtuse
angle ẞ (Figure 25) and of
(b) An anchor or fluke extension f¹ (Figure 25) consisting of a bent or hollowed
plate secured against the cutting portion of the anchor or fluke, for the purpose of
increasing the soil-engaging surface in the case of the soil being soft or sandy.
10. For the purpose of connecting the rear part of the prop or recoil-arm, the gun
carriage, and the gun-carriage trail, whether taken singly or in any of the combina-
tions referred to in Claims 1 to 9, or in any of the sections of such claims,-
the employment of
(a) Chains or telescoping rods so directed that under the initial tensile stress

page_text: transmitted by the energy storing device, the anchor remains in contact with the
gun-carriage trail when the latter is raised; the length and position of the said
chains or rods being such as to prevent the anchor from being torn out of the ground
at the end of the recoil movement, unless it were driven into the ground in an
abnormal position which contingency it is also the object of the said chains or rods to
prevent; and of
(b) Chains with hooks, bolts, or rigid hooks alone, adapted to rigidly connect
the rear end of the prop or recoil-arm to the gun-carriage trail when the gun-carriage
is coupled to the fore-carriage; these means of engagement being by preference
supported or actuated by the pointing lever, so that theengagement may only take
place in the position where the trail lever is turned down upon the gun carriage, that
is to say, is no longer in the firing position.
11. The employment either singly, or in any of the combinations referred to in the
Claims 1 to 10, or in any section or sections of such claims, of a secondary or
auxiliary carriage p interposed between the gun barrel and the main carriage;
provided in the rear with a vertical pin or pivot 0 projecting from the cross-tie V
of the gun carriage, situated in the vicinity of the centre of gravity of the com-
bined gun and carriage, and preferably somewhat in the rear of that point, and, in
front, a claw resting upon the horizontal flanger of the gun carriage cross
piece u; the said flange r being concentric with the said pivot 0 and engaging
without any appreciable amount of play with the claw q, in such a manner that
the front part of the auxiliary carriage may be angularly displaced a few degrees
on its pivot 0.
12. In combination with the arrangements claimed in the 11th claim, the
employment of mechanism for correcting or readjusting the lateral pointing of the
gun, enabling the auxiliary carriage to be angularly displaced (Figures 8 and 28),
characterized by a screw-threaded cross spindle t supported by the front part of
the frame J and controlled by a handle s, situated on the right or left, in front or
rear, or in a line with the pivot 0, either direct (Figures 26 and 29) or with the
interposition of bevel gearing (Figures 27 to 30) or of worm gearing (Figures 28
to 31); the said screw threaded spindle being adapted either
(a) to turn on its own axis only, without being capable of any axial movement
(Figures 26, 27 and 28), in which case its threaded portion acts upon a nut fitted
with a nipple, stud or pin engaging in a recess in the auxiliary carriage without any
lateral play; or upon a toothed arc z, provided on the auxiliary carriage in advance
of the pivot (Figure 35); or upon a worn wheel (Figures 32, 33) mounted on the
frame or on the piece u and coupled with a pinion engaging with a toothed arc z¹
formed at the front end of the auxilliary carriage; or
(b) Not to turn on its centre, but only to be movable axially (Figures 29, 30, 31),
in which case it is secured in position in the direction of the gun-carriage wheel axle
by means of a nipple, stud or pin provided on the auxiliary carriage, or by any
equivalent means; such nipple engaging, without any lateral play, in a recess formed
in the said threaded spindle, which is set in axial motion by means of a fast nut
co-axial therewith; such nut being formed by the boss or nave of the crank or of
one of the intermediate gear wheels.
13. The employment-either singly or in combination with any of the parts or
arrangements referred to in the foregoing clains-of a differential brake with brake
shoes and a crank (Figures 36, 37, and 38) comprising two brake-shoe carriers A, A₂
hinged to the gun-carriage frame and controlled by the rods B, B., which are operated
by the cranks D, D₂ mounted respectively on two shafts C₁ C, one of which shafts
forms an extension of the other, and both being held by the supports L L, and
separated by a cranked lever F or its equivalent; each of the said shafts C, C, carry-
ing, in addition to this, a crank, R, R, respectively, connected together-with a little
play by means of the piece E which engages both with the two cranks R, R, and
with one arm of the bell-crank lever F, the other arm of which is connected by the
spindle to the rod H situated equidistantly between the two cranks R, R. and carrying
the nut I controlled by the crank J in such a manner that the slight rotary

page_text: movement of the crank-operating nut, I J, by setting the crank shaft, and
consequently the two crank supporting spindles, in rotary motion, enables the brake-
shoes to be applied to the wheels (or alternatively to the cheeks of the gun carriage),
whatever the respective diameters of the wheels may be.
14. The employment, either singly or in combination with any of the arrange-
ments referred to in the foregoing claims, of an axle-covering metal sheet or plate
(Figures 39 and 40) rendered rigid in the vertical direction by the curved outline of
one of its edges.
Dated this 1st day of June 1897.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, E.C., Agents for the Applicants.