IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION, FORMS, AND MEANS OF APPLYING DEFENSIVE ARMOUR, AND IN THE FORMS AND IN THE USE OF SOME PARTS THEREOF, AND ALSO IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND USE OF APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING THE ABOVE PURPOSES FOR THE DEFENCE OF SHIPS AND OTHER VESSELS, FORTS, BATTERIES, AND OTHER FORTIFICATIONS, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Berney at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 19th
September 1868.
I, THOMAS BERNEY, of Bracon Hall, in the County of Norfolk, Clerk,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE CONSTRUCTION, FORMS, AND MEANS OF APPLYING DEFENSIVE ARMOUR, AND
IN THE FORMS AND IN THE USE OF SOME PARTS THEREOF, AND ALSO IN THE
CONSTRUCTION AND USE OF APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING THE ABOVE PURPOSES FOR
THE DEFENCE OF SHIPS AND OTHER VESSELS, FORTS, BATTERIES, AND OTHER
FORTIFICATIONS, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO OTHER
PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists of several parts both with regard to the
construction, forms, and means of applying defensive armour, and in
the forms and in the use of some parts thereof; and also with regard to
the construction, forms, and use of apparatus for effecting the above
purposes for the defence of ships and other vessels, forts, batteries, and
other fortifications, parts of which improvements are applicable also to
other nummoses

page_text: This Invention is principally based upon an Invention for which a
Patent was granted to me, bearing date A.D. 1867, 25 January, No. 193,
entitled "Improvements in Constructing and Applying Defensive
Armour and also Bullet-proof Porthole Covers for the Defence of Ships
and other Vessels, Forts, Batteries, and other Fortifications, parts of
which Improvements are applicable also to other Purposes;" and in
the first place consists of using six or more armour blocks to form a loop,
porthole, or embrasure. These six or more blocks I prefer in some cases
when for a shield with a loop for a porthole to be spherical or more or less
and arranged as if they were hexagons and with an angle upwards. In
addition to this size they have in some cases a zone around the middle,
and in some cases of a rounded form and of sufficient dimensions to
contain within it the form and dimensions of the interlocking member.
These six zoned spherical blocks so arranged fit against cach other in
circular planes and zonal sections, and they have on these planes any
suitable interlocking members, see diagram Figure II. Instead of the 45°
preferred in the before-mentioned Patent, the sides of the interlocking
member are preferred to be at angles of about 60° with their sectional
base line, see diagram.
Blocks of this description are particularly applicable for use in forts
formed in rock or in other sufficiently strong and solid structure into
which the zones, the outer sides, and as far as can be the back of the
blocks are bedded; but in some cases, such as where other additional blocks
are required, the outsides of the blocks are reduced to my hexagonal.
system. Otherwise I prefer in the above case convex members instead
of alternately convex and concave. The loop between the six blocks
thus arranged together by addition and otherwise to the blocks is reduced
to the size of the porthole required, and they are in some cases farther
supported by a collar of wrought iron or steel fitted into a groove formed
to receive it. Screw bolts and other means are used to secure the blocks
from being displaced. Except in some cases the same plane on onc
side of each block is provided with the convex interlocking member,
while the other is provided with a corresponding cavity, so that the
convex members all tend in one direction round the centre of the shield.
By this means the same form of mould answers for all the blocks, and
this applies also to shields where backing is used. The strength of the
shield is farther increased in some cases by the blocks being arranged
as a shallow arch based as far as possible on the solid rock.
I have now indicated several different parts of this Invention, and I

page_text: claim the forms described, included, and provided for in this Specification
and in my before-mentioned Patent, whether they be made in iron,
steel, stone, concrete, compressed wood, fibre, or in any material what-
soever; and I claim the right to cast metal in the forms of any number.
of blocks of any suitable form together when desirable, so as to form
any sized areas of armour presenting externally nodulous, undulating,
and other forms of a rounded or other curved projecting character.
The second part of this Invention consists of moveable blocks to form
porthole covers; I propose to use them or any modification of them not
only with suitably formed armour blocks but also with other armour.
They are of several arrangements, and they may be of any suitable form
& material, and they are caused by any suitable means and manner
to open so as to allow full action to the gun and also to close so as to
prevent as far at least as their strength, will admit of the entrance of
projectiles of any kind. Several forms are preferred. The first is that
of a single block, which when closed over the porthole would fit against
the inner faces of the blocks forming the loop, and would present, as
would the other covers & any other blocks also, a semicircular, a
conical, a conoidal, an oviform, or other projecting form, except such
parts as may form protection to the hinges. For this I prefer to use
seven blocks. The second forms would be the same divided into two
parts; the third form would be same divided into three parts; and the .
fourth would be divided into four or more parts.
Each block or part of a block forming a porthole cover is mounted in
any suitable manner. The following mechanical means are preferred:-
When the six blocks are spherical the several planes in contact with
each other are circular, beyond which circles the sections of the zones
project, and in between and about any two such planes when suitably
modified any suitable hinge is formed; and by any suitable mechanical
means these moveable blocks are caused to rotate around the modified
planes of the said blocks, and have for their axis the straight line
connecting the centers of the same. These parts of porthole covers are
in some cases caused to open and close sympathetically and to close by
preference by the recoil of the gun, but may be moved independently
of each other by means of balanced levers or otherwise.
Of these different forms the one most preferred is that which is divided
into two parts, and by preference with the one part opening upwards and
the other downwards. Each hinge is preferred to be formed with strong

page_text: interlocking members, to fit which the circular planes of the hinge
blocks are suitably modified. The planes whereat the porthole covers
meet are formed with interlocking parts to give them mutual stability,
and to prevent bullets glancing inwards. When using a porthole cover
formed of two parts I should in some cases prefer to make the shield
with eight blocks.
The next part of this Invention consists in constructing shields with
a porthole where armour backing is used. In forming such shields I
prefer to follow most of the same rules as before, and I fit the blocks
onto each other on two sides, arranging them suitably according to
whether the loop be formed of six, seven, or eight blocks. Sets of blocks
for portholes may vary in size according to requirements and width
between the ports.
The next part of this Invention consists in means of giving suitable
support to the blocks next the top, the sides, and bottom of any areas of
armour blocks. I prefer to do it as follows:-I prefer to turn the top
and also the sides of the backing frame forwards at any suitable angle,
and by preference at an angle of 135° in any suitable practicable manner.
These blocks, which I call tie blocks, are formed to fit this bend in the
backing. By preference the blocks forming the side of a fort are all
arranged with one of their angles upwards, & the upper or outer sides
of the "tie blocks" are in some cases continued in circles in the samo
manner as described for blocks for shields. The " cap blocks" (which
are also preferred) form the capping row to the top and the angle row to
sides of areas of armour blocks. It is formed by preference to fit upon
the before-mentioned turn in the armour backing framework, and is
returned over so as to fit the top or side respectively of the backing, and
farther supports the outer line or back of the row of tie blocks and it
is farther secured by bolts.
Another part of this Invention consists in the tie blocks having the
segmental curves of their heads carried downwards so as to fit over and
upon the face of the blocks respectively below them so as to cover the
joint of the armour, as also are those of the shields preferred to overlap
those of the porthole row of blocks.
Another part of this Invention consists in a modification of the hollow
form generally provided for by Drawing and otherwise in my before-
mentioned Patent in the construction of blocks, and also in means of

page_text: securing such blocks to the sides of ships, the roofs of forts, and to other
structures. Roof blocks in some cases I prefer to make longer.
Another part of this Invention consists of modifications for the rifle
battery. It consists by preference in forming loopholes through the
domes of blocks in conjunction with means of stopping bullets from
entering. The blocks are suitably cored for such purpose, and to admit
of shrinking I particularly prefer to use the porthole row of blocks and
to make the opening through the backing for insertion of the rifles in
the line of the row of holes for the projecting sockets. The loopliole
then branches off right and left, a strong central division being left, but
narrow enough to admit of a rifle at each side of it covering any central
object. These loopholes are further subdivided, and bullets are stopped
by radiating moveable stoppers.
Another part of this Invention consists of protecting opening through
the loopholes covers and of strengthening the domes of rifle blocks
so as to cause more certain deflection of projectiles striking them. This
I prefer to do by inclining the backing of any fort to receive blocks 5°
backwards, or more or less, so that the central vertical plane of the
row of blocks is at an anglo of 5° with the horizon while that of the
loop holes is horizontal so that they open below it; and farther by
making a part of such blocks to project before the others, but of a conoidal
oviform character which can be attacked only from the. It consists of
a pair of mantlet doors, one on each side of the porthole, mounted in
any suitable manner. They are self-acting and are caused to extend'
over part of the opening and to press against the side of the barrel of
the gun on each side so as to stop bullets which strike them. They
are so arranged that the muzzle of the gun on being moved presses one
of them back, and are so mounted that though capable of stopping
bullets heavier projectiles will force them back.
Another part of this Invention consists of an improvement in the
form of countersunk rivets and in tools for making them for use, not
only in armour plates and armour backing but in any part of a ship
or fort which may be affected by the impact of projectiles upon the
armour upon them. Upon the plan of this Invention instead of making
the hole as usual tapering conically down to the size of the shank it is
preferred to sink a hole of the usual size of the head to the depth of
about one-half of the diameter of the rivet. The hole is then farther
opened by a tool which is formed with a hollow curve, as shown by the

page_text: Drawing Fig. 3. The top of the rivet also instead of being beaten down
flat as usual is formed by a preferred shallow cupped tool with in some
cases a slightly projecting center, as shewn by the form of the rivet
Fig. 3, or more or less. A similar hollow lined opening tool I prefer to
use or in any way so to open the holes for all semicircular headed
rivets for use with armour, as shewn by the form of the rivets Fig. 4.
The dome or other part of the block being cast in a metal mould I
use by preference a mould of steel and so constructed and used as to
have the fullest effect of chill hardening upon that part of the block.
And farther another part of this Invention consists when using the
two courses of bars shewn and described in my before-mentioned former
Patent of inverting the position of the back course of bars and in
arranging them in some cases in similar & equal lines one over the
other, and, in adding, a single flange on the inside at the base of cach
pair of bars, but upon opposite sides, so that they lap over & upon each
other, completing the other flanches where practicable. These two
flanges are first fastened together by rivets or otherwise. The other
two bars of the four being then placed in position against them
their outer base flanges are them fastened together respectively. The
double box frame thus formed is then secured in suitable manner to the
outer and inner members of my girder backing, and in forming shields
I prefer to make the front and back plate of three thicknesses each and
to arrange them in each case in diverse directions. These girders & bars
are suitable for other purposes.
་
Having now entered into particulars I should observe that although
the arrangement and construction of parts and the means of actuating
the same as herein shewn and described are those which I prefer and
consider to be the most advantageous and advisable for explaining the
object of this Invention as far as a Provisional Specification needs to
go, I do not confine myself thereto, as the construction and form and
arrangement of parts, and also the means of actuating the working parts,
admit of considerable variation and modification without departing
from the nature of this Invention or the principles upon which it is
founded.