Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 27th June, 1887
Complete Left, 27th Mar., 1888
Complete Accepted, 22nd June, 1888
We, RICHARD COPLEY CHRISTIE, MANASSAH GLEDHILL, and HERBERT HANBUBY
SMITH (CARINGTON, all Directors of Sir Joseph Whitworth & Co. Limited, of Openshaw,
Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to gun-carriages and has for its object to provide improved
means for allowing the gun through the effect of the recoil to disappear at, or
immediately after, the moment of firing, whilst preserving the advantages obtained by
the use of hydraulic brakes for limiting this recoil and regulating the return to the
firing position.
These gun-carriages can be employed on board ship or on land mounted upon
any suitable platform working either with or without wheels, rollers or halls on a
saddle or racer.
The said invention comprises a rocking or oscillating lever with one arm extending
upward and arranged to support the gun by trunnions. This rocking lever is mounted
upon an axis carried by a turning platform which is provided with a flanged clip to
prevent its overturning, and is supported upon a suitable base or saddle through the
medium of a roller-ring or series of balls working around a pivot formed with the
saddle or racer.
The moving or turning platform carries a brake designed to limit
the recoil.
The brake comprises a cylinder wherein is fitted a moving piston having orifices the
opening of which is variable. The piston rod is connected with a cross head which
works between two guides on the platform, and is attached to one end of two connecting
rods which at their other end are secured to the lower arm or end of the aforesaid
rocking lever.
On each side of the recoil cylinder are two recoil presses with plungers acted upon
hy springs.

page_text: Communication between the aforesaid cylinder and presses is established through
passages provided with a suitable valve or valves."
arm,
Upon the fulcrum pin or pivot of the aforesaid rocking lever is loosely mounted an
the outer extremity of which is connected to the gun by a rod or link. The said
arm which is preferably double carries on each side a toothed segment which engages
with a pinion mounted upon the same shaft as a worm wheel driven by a suitable
worm. The said worm wheel imparts motion to its axis by means of friction cones,
and thereby effects the vertical pointing or elevation of the gun.
The movements of the gun can be followed by observation of an indicator arranged
in sight of the gunner upon one of the aforesaid arms, the upper surface of this arm
being in a plane parallel to the axis of the gun.
The training of the gun in either direction is effected by hand.
At the rear of the platform is a cross-piece which carries two spring buffers or
cushions, upon which the oscillating frame or lever abuts or impinges in the
recoil.
In its recoil the gun is displaced in such a manner that throughout its downward
movement its successive positions are parallel by reason of its connection with the
rocking lever turning upon an axis as above described.
During this movement the lower arm of the rocking lever acts through the medium
of the connecting rods upon the piston rod of the brake and a volume of liquid corre-
sponding with that of the piston rod passes to the two recoil presses after having lifted
the aforesaid valve.
At the termination of the recoil movement the valve is closed; the gun is rendered
temporarily immovable; and the loading is effected.
To effect its return to the firing position the pipes leading from the aforesaid cylinder
to the recoil presses are caused to communicate with the cylinder through a passage
provided with a regulating valve. The liquid, by reason of the pressure of the springs,
which act on the recoil press plungers, acts upon the piston and thereby moves the
gun back to the firing position, with a velocity which is controlled by the said regulating
valve. The apparatus again turns upon the axis of the rocking lever and the gun is
brought to the firing position.
In some instances we use a recoil cylinder provided with a piston having a hollow
rod which is attached to the front part of the frame or to a connecting rod. In this
hollow rod is placed a central rod of varying diameter which is designed to afford the
means for varying the capacity of the annular space between this rod and the inner
surface of the aforesaid hollow rod. At the moment of the recoil the liquid raises
valves in the piston which valves allow the liquid to pass from one to the other
side of the said piston. A portion of the liquid enters the aforesaid annular space
in the hollow piston rod left free by the central rod. The remainder partly fills the
cylinder.
At the moment of the return of the gun to the firing position the liquid compressed
in the hollow piston rod by the central rod passes through orifices in the rod and
returns with the rest of the liquid to the other side of the piston through very
narrow orifices in the circumference of the said piston. By regulating the
dimensions of these orifices the return of the gun to the firing position can be
controlled.
The central rod is adjustable so that its position in the piston rod can be changed,
and its orifices diminished or enlarged as required.
3
P
1007
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.

page_text: We, RICHARD COPLEY CHRISTIE, MANASSAH GLEDHILL and HERBERT HANBURY
SMITH CARINGTON, all Directors of Sir Joseph Whitworth & Co., Limited, of Openshaw,
Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, 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 :-
Our invention relates to gun carriages or mountings and has for its main object to
provide improved means for allowing the gun, through the effect of the recoil,
to disappear or descend behind or below a parapet or wall at, or immediately after the
moment of firing, whilst preserving the advantages obtained by the use of brake and
recuperative apparatus for controlling the recoil of the gun and regulating its return
to the firing position. Moreover we provide for converting to a great extent the
downward stresses due to the recoil into horizontal stresses.
Our improved gun carriages can be employed on land and, under certain circum-
stances, on board ship, mounted upon any suitable platform or racer either with or
without wheels, rollers or balls.
The said invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which
Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal central section of one form of our improved
gun-carriage showing the gun in the firing position.
Figure 2 is a similar view showing the gun in its recoiled position.
Figure 3 is a rear elevation of the said carriage, the buffer-beam hereinafter referred
to being removed.
Figure 4 is a plan, partly in horizontal section on the lines x, x, and x1, ¹, Figures 1
and 3.
Figure 5 is a plan, partly in horizontal section on the line y, y, and partly in
horizontal section on the line y', y, Figure 1.
Figure 6 is partly a rear elevation and partly a transverse section on the line z, <,
Figure 4, some of the parts being removed.
Figure 7 is a plan, and
Figure 8 a rear elevation, both drawn to an enlarged scale, illustrating a modification
of our invention.
Figure 9 is a longitudinal central section, also drawn to an enlarged scale, of an
improved hydraulic recoil-brake hereinafter described.
Figure 10 is a longitudinal central section, and
Figure 11 a transverse section on the line 2, 2, Figure 10, illustrating a modifi-
cation of the said hydraulic recoil-brake.

page_text: Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
A is the base-plate or racer which, in a centre-pivot mounting, is made with a central
projection or pivot A*. B is the platform or turn-table which is supported on the
said base-plate through the medium of the rollers A¹ (or otherwise) so that it may be
rotated thereon. C is a rocking or oscillating lever which is mounted upon a fulcrum-
pin or pivot-pin D carried in bearings B¹ formed in the brackets B* on the turning
platform or turntable B. The lever is shown as a single casting; it may, however,
be built up if desired; for example it may be formed of two side-pieces connected by
transoms. The gun E is supported, preferably by trunnions E', in the long arm c' of
the rocking lever C. The platform or turntable B has attached to a portion of its
periphery one or more flanged clips B2, which engage with a flange A² on the
base-plate or racer A and prevent the lifting or tilting of the said platform or
turntable.
The platform or turnable B carries the brake-apparatus for controlling the recoil.
This brake-apparatus is constructed as follows, viz. :-it has a cylinder F in which
works a piston G having in it variable orifices or apertures. These orifices may be
controlled by any of the devices shown in the specification of Letters Patent
No. 34525 or by the device hereinafter described, or by any other suitable device.
The piston-rod G¹ is connected with a cross-head E, which moves in guides B³ on the
platform or turntable B, and which is coupled, by means of two connecting rods I,
to the short arm c² of the rocking lever C.
On each side of the brake-cylinder F is a recoil-press K provided with a plunger Ki
which acts upon and is acted upon by a spring or springs L (preferably so-called
"Belleville" springs) enclosed in a cylinder or casing M. These recoil-presses and
springs act as recuperators, that is to say, during the recoil they store up energy to be
subsequently utilized for effecting the return of the gun to the firing position. The
piston G may, if desired, act through the medium of the liquid, on pistons or plungers
working in cylinders charged with air for the purpose of compressing the air and
causing it to act as a recuperator.
Communication between the brake-cylinder F and the presses K is established
through a pipe or passage N provided with a loaded valve N', and pipes or passages N²
extending therefrom to the said presses; and through a bye-pass provided with an
adjustable or regulating valve f", as hereinafter described.
Upon the fulcrum-pin or pivot-pin D of the rocking lever Care loosely mounted arms
or levers O, the upper or outer extremities of which are connected to the gun by rods or
links P. The said arms or levers are formed or otherwise provided with toothed
segments which are geared with pinions Q fixed upon a shaft Q. A worm-wheel R
arranged upon this shaft is geared with a worin R' provided with a hand-wheel R² for
rolating it, and is connected with the shaft Q by means of the well-known device of
friction cones or clutches Q2 for the purpose hereinafter specified. By turning the
band-wheel R2, the worm-wheel R may be operated to impart motion to the shaft Q¹
and pinions through the medium of the friction cones Q2, and the vertical pointing
or elevation of the gun, or movement of the same about its trunnions, will be thereby
effected. The arms O and rods P arranged in combination with the gun and the
rocking lever as above described form a jointed parallelogram whereby the gun, in its
recoil, unless subjected to abnormal or exceptionally severe stresses, is kept parallel to
the line of fire; and, by making the vertical angle of the gun dependent upon the
position of, and controllable through the arms O, we are enabled to effect the elevation
or depression without impairing or changing the action of the parallelogram in respect
of preventing deviation of the gun from the line of fire in its recoil or in its return
to the firing position. Moreover, the elevating mechanism is behind or below the
wall or parapet, therefore the elevation or depression of the gun can be effected
without exposure of the gunners to an enemy's fire.
By employing the friction cones or clutches Q2 between the worm-wheel R and
shaft Q, we provide for preventing injury to the elevating mechanism by concussion
when abnormal or excessive stresses occur, any vertical movement of the gun about its

page_text: trunnions, when fired, causing the rotation of the shaft Q¹ and cones Q² without
affecting the worm-wheel R and worm R¹.
It will be seen that, in the mounting shown in Figures 1 to 6, the elevating
mechanism and the mechanism for keeping the gun parallel to the line of fire in its
recoil and in its return movement, are arranged forward of the trunnions. By this
arrangement we are enabled to make the mounting very compact. We wish it
understood, however, that we can, though with less advantage, arrange the said
mechanism in rear of the trunnions.
The training of the gun is effected by the rotation of the turntable, which can be
performed by hand or by any suitable mechanism.
At the rear of the platform B is a buffer-beam S which carries two spring buffers
or cushions S¹, or hydraulic or other suitable buffers, upon which the rocking or
oscillating lever Cabuts or impinges when the gun has descended to the extreme
position of recoil. Two cars or hooks S* are cast on the buffer-beam S to allow of
the lever C being lashed or secured in the recoiled position. The lever C is, moreover,
provided with eyes e³ for this purpose.
To allow the gun-lever to be operated without firing, we provide for permitting the
escape of liquid from the cylinder to allow the gun to descend, and we use a pump for
introducing liquid into the said cylinder to again raise the gun to the firing position ;
or we use any other suitable devices for this purpose.
An indicator d is arranged upon one or upon each of the arms or levers O, the
upper surface of which is always in a plane parallel to the axis of the gun; and
another indicator or pointer e is placed at the rear of the turntable. These indicators
afford convenient means for observing and facilitating the directing of the movements
of the gun. Any well-known or suitable arrangement of reflector-sights may, if
desired, be applied to our gun-mounting.
The gun, in its recoil, is displaced in such a manner that, throughout its down-
ward movement (unless slipping of the frictional device should occur) it will, as
above stated, remain parallel to its firing position by reason of its connection with
the rocking lever (and with the arms or levers O. Moreover it will, during its
upward or return movement, remain unchanged in respect of its angle of elevation.
Therefore it can be adjusted, or approximately adjusted to any desired angle of
elevation while in the recoiled position, that is to say, before it appears above its
parapet.
During the downward movement of the gun, the short arm c² of the rocking
lever Cacts, through the medium of the connecting rods I and cross-head H, upon
the piston-rod G₁ and piston G of the brake, which are thus moved forward in the
cylinder F, and a volume of liquid is displaced by the progressive immersion of the
said rod, this liquid passing through the orifices in the piston and through the
passage N and, after having lifted the loaded valve N', through the passages N² to
the recoil-presses or recuperator-cylinders K. At the termination of the recoil,
the valve N closes, and the gun is rendered temporarily immovable within the shelter
of the pit, during which time the loading may be effected.
To effect the return of the gun to the firing position, communication is established
between the cylinder F and the recoil-presses K through the bye-pass or passage f by
means of the regulating valve. The liquid, by reason of the pressure of the springs L
on the plungers K', is forced from the recuperators K into the cylinder F and through
the variable orifices in the piston G, and moves the said piston backward thereby
returning the gun to the firing position with a velocity which can be regulated or
controlled by means of the said regulating valve f¹ and the variable orifices in the
piston. The final adjustment of the gun for elevation can then, if necessary, be
effected through the medium of the above described gearing by turning the hand-
wheel R².
In Figures 7 and 8, we have shown a modification of our improved carriage or
mounting, wherein the buffer-beam S is fitted between and firmly secured to the
cylinders M, and is provided with a socket S' in which is inserted a spring buffer or

page_text: cushion S³, or a hydraulic or other suitable buffer. The cross-head H is formed with
a projection H¹ which, at the termination of the upward movement of the gun,
that is to say, when the gun reaches its firing position, will impinge against the buffer
or cushion S³ which will diminish any shock or concussion.
Any suitable brake and recuperative apparatus may be used in our improved gun-
mounting. We prefer, however, to use in combination with the recuperative apparatus
herein described, a hydraulic brake wherein the liquid flows from one to the other side
of the piston through orifices in or around the same as described in our said former
Specification No. 3452.
In some instances we use improved brake-apparatus constructed as shown in
Figure 9, or as shown in Figures 10 and 11. This apparatus is provided with a
piston G having a hollow rod G. In this hollow rod is arranged a rod T of unequal
or varying diameter, designed to afford the means for varying the area of the annular
opening G² between it and the piston G for the purpose of controlling the flow of
liquid through the orifices or passages and thus regulating the recoil of the gun and
its return to the firing position.
At the moment of the recoil, the liquid opens valves g in the piston G and passes
from the space on one side thereof through the orifices or passages to the other side
of the said piston. In the brake-apparatus shown in Figure 9, orifices i and a passage i
are formed through the rod T to permit the flow of liquid to and from the space k at
the rear of the said rod. In the apparatus shown in Figures 10 and 11, grooves or
orifices are formed in the said rod T for this purpose. Small orifices are formed in
the valves g or in the seats of the said valves to permit the passage of liquid from one
to the other side of the piston during the return of the gun to the firing position, the
velocity of which will in some measure depend upon the size of these orifices, the
flow of the liquid through the piston being, moreover, regulated or controlled by
the variation of area of the aperture G2 by the rod T. In the apparatus shown in
Figure 9, during the return of the gun to the firing position the liquid in the space k
is subjected to pressure which forces it through the passage and orifices in the
rod T; this device will, therefore, assist in checking or controlling the return of the
gun to the firing position. In the apparatus shown in Figures 10 and 11, the said
device may, if desired, be arranged to assist in checking or controlling the
recoil.
The rod T is screwed into the cover F¹ of the cylinder F as at T¹ Figure 9, and
can be adjusted longitudinally by turning it in one or the other direction, so that its
position in the piston-rod G¹ can be changed, and the annular opening G2 for the flow
of liquid between it and the piston G diminished or enlarged as required.
Our improved hydraulic recoil-brake constructed as above described with reference
to Figure 9, or to Figures 10 and 11, is applicable to gun-mountings of various kinds,
with or without recuperator-apparatus. It is evident that, if desired, the piston of
the said brake may be fixed and the cylinder movable.
We prefer to provide a cover or shield over the pit to protect the gun, men and
mounting against injury by small projectiles. This shield may be so arranged that it
will be rotated with the gun and mounting, and the gun can rise and descend through
an opening in the said shield, which may be fitted with shutters or slides to close the
opening when the gun is down.
Although we have herein before described our improvements as applied to centre-
pivot gun-carriages, we wish it understood that our said improvements are also
applicable to forward-pivot gun-carriages, that is to say, we do not confine ourselves
to the particular arrangement shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. We may mount the
platform or turntable on any suitable base or racer-path either for all round fire or
for any are of a circle.
Moreover, the construction of our improved gun-carriage or mounting may be
otherwise modified if desired. For instance, we may employ other gearing than that
shown in the drawings for operating the arms or levers 0 to elevate or depress the
gun.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we wish it understood
that we are aware that the mounting of a gun upon an arm or lever arranged in
combination with hydraulic or other brake or controlling apparatus and the
employment of a parallel arrangement of bars or rods for keeping the gun, in its
recoil, parallel to its firing position are features or devices which have already been
used or known, and we therefore do not claim these devices otherwise than as forming
parts or elements of the improvements hereinabove described, but we claim :—
First. A gun carriage or mounting in which a disappearing gun is supported on
a rocking arm or lever, in combination with devices which, in the recoil of the said
gun, tend at any angle of its clevation to keep it parallel to the line of fire, but which
will yield to abnormal or exceptionally severe stresses and thus prevent straining or
breaking of the parts, and whereby the gun, after disappearing and before returning to
its firing position, can be adjusted to, or nearly to the angle of elevation at which it is
to be fired.
Second. A gun carriage or mounting in which injurious downward or oblique
thrusts or stresses are prevented or diminished by the above described arrangement of
the parts, that is to say, the lever rocking upon a fulcrum on the platform and
carrying at its upper end the gun which, while recoiling, keeps parallel to the line of
fire (unless subjected to abnormal or exceptionally severe stresses) and descends against
the resistance of a brake and recuperative apparatus acting horizontally or nearly so,
on the lower extremity of the said lever and capable of regulation so that the
movements of the gun can be controlled as desired for the purposes above specified.
Third. A gun carriage or mounting wherein the gun is carried on the arm of a
lever so arranged that the gun in recoiling will descend through an angle of about
ninety degrees and disappear behind or below a wall or parapet, and having a short
arm extending below its fulcrum and connected with brake and recuperative apparatus
combined and operating substantially as hereinbefore described and for the purposes
specified.
Fourth. A gun-mounting wherein a gun, which, on being fired, descends through
an angle of about ninety degrees and disappears behind or below a wall or parapet, is
carried by a rocking lever arranged in combination with a parallelogram or mechanism
for keeping the gun parallel to the line of fire and with elevating apparatus which acts
through the medium of the said parallelogram without impairing the action or effect
thereof for the purposes above specified.
Fifth. The combination, with a gun mounted upon a rocking or oscillating lever
and so arranged that on being fired it will disappear or descend behind or below a
wall or parapet, of mechanism for clevating and depressing the gun and for keeping
it parallel with the line of fire during its recoil, arranged forward of the trunnions of
the
gun, for the purpose above specified.
Sixth. The combination, with the gun and the rocking or oscillating lever, of the
mechanism comprising the arms or levers pivoted on the same axis as the said rocking
lever and connected with the gun by rods or links and arranged to be operated by
means of suitable gearing through the medium of friction cones or clutches,
substantially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Seventh. The apparatus consisting of a hydraulic brake in which the liquid flows
from one to the other side of a piston through orifices in or around the same; in
combination with one or more recuperator-cylinders communicating with the brake-
cylinder through pipes or passages provided with a loaded valve and with a bye-pass
and regulating valve, and having plungers arranged to act upon and be acted upon
by springs or compressed air, substantially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Eighth. The improved gun-carriage or mounting comprising the rocking or
oscillating lever, the brake and recuperative apparatus connected with the lower or
short arm of the said lever, the means for maintaining, or tending to maintain the gun
parallel with the line of fire, and the elevating mechanism, all constructed and

page_text: combined substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 of the drawings,
and operating as, and for the purposes, above specified.
Ninth. The modification of our invention substantially as described with reference
to Figures 7 and 8 of the drawings whereby we provide for diminishing concussion
when the gun reaches its firing position, as above specified.
Tenth. The employment, in a hydraulic brake, of a piston having orifices or
passages through the same and provided with a hollow rod having arranged within it
an adjustable rod of unequal or varying diameter for regulating the flow of liquid
through the said orifices or passages, substantiatly as described with reference to
Figure 9, or to Figures 10 and 11 of the drawings for the purposes specified.
Dated this 27th day of Maren 1000.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.