Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 16th May, 1888
Complete Specification Left, 10th Oct., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 14th Dec., 1888

page_text: Sheet 1 and before described in the sloping shield not presenting a rigid surface Fig. 1
shows an elevation and Fig. 2 a plan A. B represents the sloping shield hinged at 6 to
a supporting carriage running on the rail or guide D and connected at G-with the
piston H of an hydro-pneumatic buffer supported on trunnions at T on the supporting
carriage N which runs on the rail or guide C, only one shield is shewn in the design.
The shields are drawn aside as before explained for the gun to fire between them and
closed after firing.
The hydro-pneumatic buffer partially absorbs the blow of the hostile projectile and
deflects it upwards.
:
The weakening of the parapet E F is compensated for by lining the channels cut out
with metal plating.
Sheet 3 represents one method of applying my invention for concealing and protect-
ing Ordnance and mountings and men. Fig. 1 an elevation and Fig. 2 a plan. The
sloping shield A B is hinged at b to the plate or support D fixed to the parapet EF
and is connected at G with the piston H of a ram or buffer hinged at T to its support. N
which rests on a bed C formed on or in the parapet E F. The sloping shields in this
design do not move laterally but are lowered to allow the gun to fire over them and
raised immediately afterwards. This is effected by hydraulic, pneumatic, or steam
power acting on the ram or buffer. The number of sloping shields used would depend
on the arc training of the gun.
The sloping shield as represented at Fig. 2 has a piece broken out to show the
action and position of the ram or buffer.
Sheet 4 represents a method of applying my invention for the protection of guns
and detachments during loading by means of hinged sloping shields as applied to
guns firing through embrasures Fig. 1 is the plan and Fig. 2 the elevation.
During the loading and laying of the gun by arc and quadrant the position of the
sloping shield A. B. is shown by the dotted lines supported at A by a wire rope
passing over pullies C D E and counterweight F being attached to the other end
of the rope. The sloping shield hinged at b to the plate or support D fixed in the
sill of the embrasure is lowered to allow the gun to be fired.
It will be evident that by suitably arranged connection. between the gun or its
carriage and the sloping shield the running up of the gun and its recoil may be utilized
to place the sloping shield into the desired position.
Sheet 5 represents a method of applying my invention for the protection of range
and position finding stations from quick firing and machine gun fire by means of a
lateral moving sloping shield Fig. I is an elevation Fig. 2 a plan A B represents the
sloping shield in this case semi-circular pivotted at a' on an upright H supported at
outer edge on flanged wheels running on a rail or guide D.
The shield is pierced with slits a b c sufficiently wide to enable an observer to use
the telescope of the range finder, the length of the slits should allow the extreme
elevation and depression of the range finding telescope.
Suitable mechanism or appliance must be provided for traversing and controlling
the position of the shield round the central support. Angle iron may be fixed outside
the edge of the shield as at x to cover and protect the bottom of the shield.
Sheet 6 represents another form of carrying my invention into practice in connection
with the deck or other portion of the ship in this illustration A B represents my sloping
shield hinged at to the deck of the ship E the position of the shield being controlled
by the ram H worked either by steam, hydraulic, or pneumatic pressure.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I wish it to be understood
that I do not confine myself to the exact details of the arrangement shewn and
described but what I claim is:--
1st. The application of armour plates in the form of sloping shields for the protection
of Ordnance, mountings, and men in the manner shewn and described.
2nd. The application of rigid sloping shields substantially as shown on sheet 1 and
described and for the purposes set forth.

page_text: 3rd. The combination of a sloping shield binged at base either to moveable or fixed
supports with an hydraulic, pneumatic, or steam power ram or buffer substantially as
represented on Sheets 2 and 3 and described and for the purposes stated.
4th. The combination of a sloping shield hinged at base with a balance weight or
its equivalent substantially as shewn and described for the purposes set forth.
5th.. Using the movement of the gun and its carriage in running up and its recoil.
for controlling the position of sloping shield substantially as described and for the
purposes set forth.
6th. The application of Armour plate in the shape of a sloping shield substantially
as shown on Sheet 5 and described and for the purposes hereinbefore stated.
7th. The combination of a sloping shield and set at an angle and separated as
described for the purposes set forth.
Dated the 28th day of September 1888.
BENJAMIN
VAUGHAN-ARBUCKLE,
Lieut. Colonel Royal Artillery.