Improvements in or relating to the Construction of Armour Plates.
Year: 1894

page_text: አለ.
1007
Date of Application, 19th Nov, 109
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Sept., 1895-Accepted, 9th Nov., 1894
valt u Application,
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Sept., 1895-Accepted, 9th Nov., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to the Construction of Armour Plates.
A communication from PAUL R. DE F. D'HUMY, residing at 50 Bellevue Place,
in the City of Chicago, County of Cook, and State of Illinois, United States
of America, Civil Engineer and Electrician.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in the method of constructing plates
which may be used. for armour plates for iron-clad vessels; and consists in certain
peculiarities of the construction, novel arrangement, and form of the various parts
thereof, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.
The object of this invention is to provide a means by which the production or
manufacture of armour-plate can be accomplished with a minimum of cost and
labour, and in a much shorter time, than by the method ordinarily employed.
In constructing an armour plate according to this invention the cap or exterior
plate is formed of steel or other metal of any desired dimensions and preferably
rectangular. The inner surface of this plate is provided with a number of
transverse grooves and corresponding projections within which grooves and
against the ends of the projections fit and rest a series of alternately wider and
narrower metal slabs provided at suitable points with holes which when the slabs
are laid one on another are in line with each other. The holes in alternate slabs
are larger in diameter than the holes or openings in the intervening plates. The
slabs and the exterior plate are placed together, and a frame consisting of a series
of slabs or sheets in the shape of nested boxes, is placed around the same, and the
exterior plate is held in position by means of bolts which pass through the sides of
the frame and through registering holes in the projections and wider slabs. The
rear portion or opposite side of the frame is provided with openings or seats for the
reception of bolts which pass through the backing and are secured within the hull
of the vessel. The frame, at suitable points to correspond with the slab openings,
is also provided with similar openings, through which molten metal is poured into
the openings of the slabs where, when it becomes cool, it will join the slabs into a
compact and almost solid mass. Between the rear side of the frame and the
backing are placed a series of tubes having within them similar tubes, between
which is placed suitable packing. These tubes are to furnish resistance to the
force of the projectile thrown against the exterior plate aud as is well known
greater strength is attained by the cylindrical form of the tubes, and by having oue
within the other, if the outer one should become broken, the inner one will still
resist the force. It is obvious that if the exterior plate is destroyed by a projectile,
it can be readily removed, and a new one replaced. It is also obvious that by
employing the series of slabs placed transversely to the exterior plate greater
strength is acquired, and as the slabs are divided one from the other, the force of
the projectile striking against the exterior plate will be distributed, and thereby
rendered less effective. The frames are united together on their inner surface by
means of suitable bolts or in any other desired manner.
In a modification of the construction of the armour plate the alternate slabs are
itted into grooves of the exterior plate, as above described, and are secured

page_text: together by means of bars, extending across the group of slabs at points preferably
about midway between their front and rear ends; while the projections of the
exterior plate or cap may be secured to the wider slabs, by plain bolts or keys, or
by means of molten metal inserted in the openings passing transversely there-
through. That portion of the slabs in this modification turned towards the
interior of the vessel, is provided with a cap or interior plate having recesses and
corresponding projections which unite with projections and recesses at the edges of
the slabs. Transversely to the said recesses and projections the slabs are formed
with other recesses within which fits the transverse extension on the interior cap
or plate. When these exterior and interior caps or plates and the slabs are united
they will form a compact section, which may be enclosed in a frame as before
described and secured to the vessel.
In another modification the slabs are placed transversely against the inner surface
of a series of other slabs which form the exterior plate in this case, and which latter
named slabs are formed with grooves, for the reception of the ends of alternate
slabs. The slabs are held together by means of metal bars inserted or molten
metal poured into the openings therein, and an enclosing frame or box. The series
of slabs forming the exterior cap or plate is secured to the other series of slabs by
means of metals bars passed, or by molten metal poured, transversely through the
openings in the projections of the slabs and around the united parts may be placed
a frame as before.
Another manner of securing the plate to the transverse slabs consists in forming
the exterior plates with dove-tail mortises within which are fitted correspondingly
formed projections on the ends of the transverse slabs.
Dated this 10th day of November 1894.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in or relating to the Construction of
A communication by PAUL R. DE F. D'HUMY.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT, of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
Chartered Patent Agent, 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 improvements in the method of constructing plates
which may be used for armor plates for iron-clad-vessels or even parts of
machinery; such as shaftings, crank-shafts, and fly-wheels; and consists in certain
peculiarities of the construction, novel arrangement, and form of the various parts
thereof, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth and specifically claimed.
In order to enable others skilled in the art to which the invention pertains to
make and use the same, it will now be described, reference being had to the
accompanying drawing, in which―
Figure 1 is a vertical section of armor-plate, showing the manner of uniting the
parts together and of attaching the same to the body of a vessel, F being the water
fine;
Figure 2 a detail view of a portion of the plate;
Figure 3 a perspective view of a portion of the plate, showing a modification in
the construction thereof;
Figures 4, 5 and 6 detail views of said modification;
Figure 7 a perspective view of a portion of the plate, showing still another
modification;

page_text: F
Figures 8, 9 and 10 detail views thereof;
Figure 11 a slight modification of. Figure 2;
Figures 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 are views of a portion of a fly wheel,
illustrating the application of the invention to its construction.
Figures 19, 20 and 21 views of a portion of a crank shaft and connecting rod
illustrating the application of the invention to the construction thereof.
. Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, A represents a plate of steel or metal of any
desired dimensions, but rectangular in form. The inner surface of this plate is
provided with a number of transverse grooves a, and corresponding projections a¹.
within which grooves and against the ends of the projections fits and rests a group
or series of alternately wider and narrower metal slabs B standing edgewise to the
impact, which slabs are provided at suitable points with holes and. ', so that the
said holes or openings shall be in a line drawn across the slabs B, or transverse
plates. By reference to Figure 1, of the drawing, it will be seen that the holes b',
in every alternate slab are larger in diameter than the holes or openings b, in the
intervening plates. The slabs B, and the plate A, are placed together, as shown
in Figure 1, and the frames or boxes C consisting of a set of nested boxes is placed
around the same, as shown, and the plate A, is held in position by means of the
bolts C', which pass through the frames C, plates A and alternate slabs B. The'
opposite side of the frame C, from the plate A, is provided with openings or seats
for the reception of bolts D, which pass through the backing D', and are secured
within the hull of the vessel. The frames Care also provided at suitable points to
correspond with the openings b and b', with similar openings through which melted
metal is poured into the openings and b' of the slabs B, where when it becomes
cool, it will join the slabs into a compact and almost solid mass. Between the rear
side of the frames C, and the backing D', is placed a series of tubes E, having
within them similar tubes E', between which is placed suitable packing. These
tubes are to furnish resistance to the force of the projectile thrown against the
plate A, and as is well known greater strength is attained by the cylindrical form
of the tubes, and by having one within the other, if the outer one should become
broken, the inner one will still resist the force. It is obvious that if the plate A, .
is destroyed by a projectile that it can be readily removed, and a new one replaced..
It is also obvious that by employing the series of slabs B, placed transversely with
the plate A, that greater strength is acquired, and that as the slabs are divided >
one from the other, that the force of the projectile striking against the plate A,,
will be distributed, and thereby rendered less effective. The frames C, are united;
together on their inner surface by means of suitable. bolts, or in any desired >
manner.
In Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 is shown a modification of the construction of the armor-
plate, in which the slabs B, are fitted into grooves a and against the end of the.
projections a' of the exterior plate A, and of the interior plate A' these plates A
and A' being the same size as the area of ends of the slabs B. The plate and
slabs are secured together by means of bars or melted metal inserted in the
openings a². This modified construction of the plate can then be placed within the
frames or boxes C, as in the other construction. :
3
In Figures 7, 8, 9 and 10 is shown still another modification, in which the slabs B,
are placed transversely against the inner surfaces of a series of slabs A secured
together edgewise to the impact and standing in planes at right angles to the planes
occupied by the slabs B. The slabs A form the exterior plate or cap, and they.
are formed with projections and grooves a, and for the reception of the front ends:
of the slabs B, as shown. They are provided with openings d, extending trans-
versely through the same, which openings are for the reception of bars or melted>
metal. The slabs B, are held together by means of bars or melted metal inserted
in the openings e, which unite the parts together, and form a strong and compact
mass, which may be placed within frames C or nested boxes and secured to the;
vessel, as above stated.
Figure 11 is a slight modification of Figure 2, the only difference being the
:

page_text: method of securing the plate to the transverse slabs. It consists in forming the
exterior plates with dovetail mortices a within which are fitted correspondingly
formed projections on the ends of the transverse slabs.
As hitherto stated this method of constructing plates may be applied to armor
plates, but it is obvious, it may also be applied to parts of machinery such as
shafting, crank shafts, fly wheels etcetera.
In Figures 12 to 21 inclusive, is shown a manner of thus applying the invention.
It consists in a number of slabs B of any suitable dimensions and length placed
one on the other, provided with openings into which bars or melted metal is
passed to unite the slabs firmly together. Figures 12 to 18 inclusive show the mode
of applying the invention to fly wheels formed as described of a series of slabs
united together. The slabs forming the rim of the wheel are made in sections,
there being shown in this rim about six sections in each layer of slabs. The
boss of the wheel is formed of the slabs shown in Figures 16 and 18, these
being arranged alternately so as to form grooves and projections for the slabs
composing the arms to fit into the former and against the latter. The slab
shown in Figure 17 fits into the grooves, and that shown in Figure 15 fits
against the projections of the boss. In applying the invention to a crank shaft,
I take a number of slabs shaped as shown in Figure 19 and unite them firmly
together, by means of holes into which bars or melted metal is run.
The hole in every alternate slab is larger in diameter than the hole b in the
intervening plate. One end, or any part or parts, of the united slabs may then be
turned into a cylindrical piece as shown in Figure 20. Figure 21 shows the
manner of making a connecting rod, the mode of construction being identical with
that already described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as cominunicated to me by
my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The method of constructing armor-plate consisting of placing a series of slabs
edge-wise and transversely against an exterior or face plate and then enclosing the
same in a frame, substantially as described.
2. The method of constructing armor-plate, consisting of providing an exterior
or face plate with a series of transverse grooves, and then placing a series of slabs
edge-wise in said grooves and against said plate, then securing the slabs to one
another and the plate to the slabs by means of metal passed through transverse
openings therein, then placing a frame around the plate and slabs, substantially as
described.
3. As an improved article of manufacture, an armor made in sectione ecch
consisting of a group of slabs secured together and standing edgewise to the
impact, a frame surrounding the sides and rear of each group and consisting of a
set of nested boxes, and means for securing the frame to the slabs.
4. As an improved article of manufacture, an armor made in sections each
consisting of a group of slabs secured together and standing edgewise to the
impact, a frame surrounding the sides and rear of each group, and an exterior
plate secured to the outer edges of the slabs.
5. As an improved article of manufacture, an armor made in sections each
consisting of a group of alternately wider and narrower slabs secured together
edgewise to the impact, and an exterior plate of the size of the group having
alternate projections aud grooves on its inner face engaging the outer edges of the
slabs, and bars passing through aligned holes in the projections of the plate and the
wider of the slabs.
6. As an improved article of manufacture, an armor made in sections each
consisting of a group of slabs secured together edgewise to the impact, an exterior
plate of the size of the group secured to their outer edges, and an interior plate of
the size of the group secured to their inner edges.
7. As an improved article of manufacture, an
armor made in sections each

page_text: consisting of a group of slabs secured together edgewise to the impact, an exterior
plate of the size of the group secured to their outer edges, an interior plate of the
size of the group secured to their inner edges, a frame surrounding the sides and
rear of the entire section, and means for securing it to the slabs.
8. As an improved article of manufacture, an armor made in sections each
consisting of a group of slabs secured together edgewise to the impact, an exterior
plate composed of a number of slabs also secured together edgewise to the impact
and standing in planes at right angles to the planes occupied by the slabs, and
means for connecting the exterior plate with the group.
9. As an improved article of manufacture, an armor made in sections each
consisting of a group of slabs secured together edgewise to the impact, an exterior
plate composed of a number of slabs also secured together edgewise to the impact
and standing in planes at right angles to the planes occupied by the slabs, means
for connecting the exterior plate with the group, a frame surrounding the sides and
rear of the group, and bars passing through the sides of the frame and transversely
through the slabs in the group.
10. As an improved article of manufacture, an armor section consisting of a
group of alternately wider and narrower slabs set edgewise to the impact and
secured together, an exterior cap consisting of a number of plates also set edgewise
to the impact and standing in planes at right angles to the planes of the slabs the
rear edges of the plates being formed with projections and grooves to engage the
front edges of the slabs, said plates and slabs being formed with transverse
openings through their interlocking portions, and bars passed through the aligned
openings.
11. The general combined arrangements and construction of parts forming the
improved plate which may be used in the construction of armor plate, substantially
as set forth.
Dated this 2nd day of September 1895.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.