Improved Mantlet for Intercepting Projectiles, also applicable for Armour Plates.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Mantlet for Intercepting Projectiles, also applicable for
Armour Plates..
I, BARON RICHARD WALTERSKIRCHEN, of Villa Zier, Krumpendorf, Worthersee,
Austria, Landed Proprietor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved construction of mantlet for intercepting
projectiles, which offers great resistance to penetration even to compound projec-
tiles of small arms and machine guns, and which possesses, in addition, the
advantage of comparative lightness and ready transportability.
The accompanying drawing shews a part vertical section of a mantlet constructed
according to my invention.
The outer surface which is presented to the impinging projectile is covered with
a layer of felt or wood, wood fibre or caoutchouc, or a combination of similar
materials, which have the property of expanding to such an extent after being
penetrated by a projectile, as to close up the hole made by the latter. If desired
the outer surface of this layer can also be covered by sheet metal. Behind the
above described layer of material A, follow one or more layers B of loose metal
balls, each such layer being separated from the contiguous layers by means of
either a cardboard partition C, or a combination of cardboard, sheet metal, and
wadding. Behind the layers B of loose balls follows a metal plate or sheet D¹
which is moveably imbedded in a layer of elastic material D, which also bears
against a spring backing; lastly a back surface E of suitable material is provided.
An impinging projectile first penetrates through the layer A, the hole in which
will close up sufficiently to prevent the balls from falling out.
When the pro-
jectile enters the layers of balls B, it will be completely deformed; the outer shell,
(in the case of compound bullets) will be torn from the lead core, and the latter
will be reduced to small fragments dispersed among the balls. The entire impact
of the projectile will be neutralised to such an extent, that parts of the projectile
will not even reach the rear elastic layer.
This layer serves for greater security when the mantlet is to be made very light.
The sheet metal or card-board C serves to maintain the balls in compact layers;
if desired, similar partitions may also be provided horizontally, thus rendering
the layers of a cellular nature.
The thickness of each layer of balls, as also the strength of the intermediate
metal and card-board partitions, will depend upon the nature of the projectiles
which the mantlet is to intercept, or the desired degree of strength thereof.
If great lightness and transportability is desired the balls may, advantageously
be made of aluminium.

page_text: Mantles of the above described construction may also be used as armour plates
or backings thereof.
Dated this 20th day of Santamber 1007
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improved Mantlet for Intercepting Projectiles, also applicable for
Armour Plates.
I, BARON RICHARD WALTERSKIRCHEN, of Villa, Zier, Krumpendorf, Worthersee,
Austria, Landed Proprietor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to an improved construction of mantlet for intercepting
projectiles, which offers great resistance to penetration even to compound projec-
tiles of small arms and machine guns, and which possesses, in addition, the ad-
vantage of comparative lightness and ready transport ability.
The drawing accompanying my Provisional Specification shews a part vertical
section of a mantlet constructed according to my invention.
The outer surface which is presented to the impinging projectile is covered with
a layer of felt or wood, wood fibre or caoutchouc, or a combination of similar
materials, which have the property of expanding to such an extent after being
penetrated by a projectile, as to close up the hole made by the latter. If desired
the outer surface of this layer can also be covered by sheet metal. Behind the
above described layer of material A, follow one or more layers B of loose metal
balls, each such layer being separated from the contiguous layers by means of
either a cardboard partition C, or a combination of cardboard, sheet metal, and
wadding. Behind' the layers B of loose balls follows a metal plate or sheet D¹
which is moveably imbedded in a layer of elastic material D, which also bears
against a spring backing; lastly a back surface E of suitable material is provided.
An impinging projectile first penetrates through the layer A, the hole in which
will close up sufficiently to prevent the balls from falling out.
When the pro-
jectile enters the layers of balls B, it will be completely deformed; the outer shell,
(in the case of compound bullets) will be torn from the lead core, and the latter
will be reduced to small fragments dispersed among the balls. The entire impact
of the projectile will be neutralised to such an extent, that parts of the projectile
will not even reach the rear elastic layer.
This layer serves for greater security when the mantlet is to be made very light.
The sheet metal or cardboard C serves to maintain the balls in compact layers;
if desired, similar partitions may also be provided horizontally, thus rendering
the layers of a cellular nature.
The thickness of each layer of balls, as also the strength of the intermediate
metal and card board partitions, will depend upon the nature of the projectiles
which the mantlet is to intercept, or the desired degree of strength thereof.
If great lightness and transportability is desired the balls may advantageously
be made of aluminium.
Mantlets of the above described construction may also be used as armour plates
or backings thereof.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
•
A mantlet having a front wall of material such that when penetrated by a pro-

page_text: jectile the hole made by it closes, having a back wall of metal plate imbedded in
elastic material or spring backing, and having between these walls a layer or
several layers of balls, substantially as described.
Dated this 10th day of June 1898.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant."