Improvements in the Method of Applying Armour Plates to Ships, Forts, and other Structures Requiring Defensive Covering.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Dec., 1886
Complete Left, 24th Sept., 1887
Complete Accepted, 25th Oct, 1887
Improvements in the Method of Applying Armour Plates to Ships,
Forts, and other Structures Requiring Defensive Covering.
We THOMAS OSBORNE, and CHARLES HENRY WOODHOUSE, both of the Hoxthorpe
Brass Works, Doncaster, Manufacturers, and JOHN THOMAS SHIPMAN, of Arbitration
Street Doncaster aforesaid, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
Our invention of improvements in the method of the application of armour plates
to Ships, Forts, and other structures requiring defensive covering, has for its chief
object to construct a plating that will yield on the impact of the shot, and thereby
deflect the shot so as to materially reduce the penetrating power of the shot or
shell.
The broad principle of our invention consists in hanging or suspending the plates
by their top edge or thereabouts, not rigidly, but so that they can swing, or be move.!
backwards upon the joint-like attachment when sufficient force is applied to cause such
movement, such as the impact of a heavy shot or shell, thus altering the angle of the
plate and causing the projectile to be deflected downwards.
In applying this principle to the armour-plating of a ship (for example) it may be
carried out in, various ways, thus according to one arrangement we propose to support
the plates from the top edges by means of suitable projecting brackets or supports
fixed to the outside of the vessel, so that the lower ends will hang free from the
receding side of the vessel.
We prefer to curve and slightly taper the lower ends of the
desirable the supports may be constructed so that they can be
plates, and if found
و"
run out or made to

page_text: project further from the ships side when ready for action, than when in their normal
position; also to be so constructed that they may be removed from their supports
when not required.
According to a second arrangement the plates may be arranged after the manner of
scale armour, but each plate suspended upon a joint, in such a manner that the plates
can be moved-back, by-a swinging movement, when force is applied sufficient for that
purpose.
At the back of each plate, we fix one or more springs or buffers, the said springs
or buffers being of any suitable construction or material, but we do not bind ourselves
to use such springs.
In any case, when the plate is struck by a projectile, it gives way, and swings back
upon its joint or hinge in such a manner as to deflect the said projectile (in the case
of a vessel) downwards, into the water.
שות
801 1
1000

page_text: Improvements in the Method of Applying Armour Plates to Ships,
Forts, and other Structures Requiring Defensive Covering.
We, THOMAS OSBORNE, and CHARLES HENRY WOODHOUSE, both of the Hexthorpe
Brass Works Doncaster, Manufacturers, and JOHN THOMAS SHIPMAN, of Arbitration
Street Doncaster aforesaid, Engineer, 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 of Improvements in the method of applying Armour Plates to Ships,
Forts, and other structures requiring such defensive armour, has for its chief object to
construct a defensive covering of plates that will yield on the impact of shot or any
projectile sufficient to deflect the said shot or projectile, so as to throw off such
projectile, or at least to materially reduce its power of penetration.
The broad principal of the invention consists in hanging or suspending the armour
plates in juxta-position by their top edges (or thereabouts) in such a manner that
when sufficient force is applied, they will swing back or vibrate upon their jointlike
attachment, consequently the angle of the plate will be altered and its tendency will
bo to deflect the shot downwards.
In order that our invention may be clearly understood we have annexed a sheet of
drawings illustrating same similar letters of reference indicate similar parts in any of
the figures in which they occur.
Fig. 1, represents a section of a Vessel with armour plates applied to its sides according
to our invention.
Figs. 2 & 3,-modifications of same.
Fig. 4 enlarged view of suspending joint.
Our invention, in its application to the sides of a Ship for example, can be carried
out in various ways, and the details may be varied and modified to a very great
extent according to the position of the plates and for other reasons and therefore we
have not entered into such mechanical details.
According to one arrangement seen in Fig. 1-we have shown an armour plate A
which may be made on any of the well known processes such as a hardened steel face
with back plates of a softer or tougher material; near the top end and at the back of
such plate we form a joint of any suitable construction, and we attach and support
the said Plate by the said joint to suitable joint plates, brackets, B or supports,-securely
fixed to the side of the Vessel-and so that the plates will hang free at their lower
ends.
To prevent the lower ends of the plates from swinging outwards with the roll of
the vessel or from other causes-we secure them by chains C-preferably by fixing
them in a crossed position like the letter X that is by fixing the end of the chain
attached to one edge of the plate, to the side of the vessel opposite the other edge of
the plate and vice versa-Between each plate and the side of the vessel we fix one or

page_text: more springs D of any desirable or suitable construction or material such as those
known as the "Voluto" and capable of sustaining the plate in its normal position
that is at some angle that is found suitable for the purpose. The springs are not
intended to act as buffers to the action of shot or projectiles but to return the plates to
_their normal position after the shot has struck them inwards.
In Fig. 2, we show a modification of the arrangement, the joints being made on
the top or outside plate, and the springs being placed between each plate-In
Fig. 3 the springs are reversed. Figs. 4 & 5, show two arrangements by which
the armour plates may be unshipped and removed and which we consider especially
applicable for the conversion of vessels of the mercantile Navy into armoured vessels
in case of a sudden outbreak of war.
In any case the plates are fixed, hung or suspended in such a manner that when
struck by a shot they can give way by swinging on their joint or joints and thus
tend to deflect the shot downwards into the water.
The joint pieces or brackets B are not necessarily to be stationary fixtures-as for
example in a converted mercantile vessel where light armour plates were used-the
brackets may be made so that when preparing for action they can be run out or
projected from the side of the vessel by suitable mechanical appliances, such as a
slide worked by a rack and pinion (for example), and thus leave a space between the
plates and the side of the vessel. In this case the plates would hang vertically and
no springs would be required. We do not bind ourselves to any kind of springs, and
in some instances the springs may be omitted altogether.
The hinges or joints may also be constructed in any way suitable for the purpose
for which they are intended, namely to support the armour plates, so that they may
swing back when struck by a shot.
Instead of Chains, other substitutes may be used, such as stay rods properly
constructed and jointed so that they will answer the purpose.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we claim is :-
1 The improved method of applying armour plates to Ships, Forts, and other
structures substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated.
2-In armour plating Vessels or Forts, suspending the armour plates in such a
manner that when struck by a shot, the said plates shall be able to give way or swing
so as to cause the projectile to be deflected, substantially as described.
Dated the 22nd day of September 1887.
ROBT. F. DRURY,
Agent for the Applicants.