Year: 1885

page_text: CHARLES HENRY MURRAY of the Elswick Works in Newcastle-upon-Tyne,
neer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
his invention relates in part to improvements on the apparatus described in a
ious Patent application N° 205 in the present year.
e purposes of the present invention are:-
Reduction in the number of parts and consequent simplification of the
machinery used for working the breech screw.
) An arrangement by which it will be possible at any time to lift off the
saddle and examine the hydraulic cylinder and pipes within the bed plate.
) An improved method of arranging the sliding trays the first of which is now
made to slide from underneath the second, the second one being supported
on a hinge with its axis at right angles to and above the centre line of the
trays.
A new netliod of turning the screw round in the gun by a ring fixed by a
guide to the rear of the gun, this ring surrounding the breech screw which
it engages by a series of notches corresponding in line with the cut away
portions of the divided screw.
A new arrangement of locking bolt to lock the breech screw in the shut or
safety position. This locking bolt being contained in a toe or knob which
depends from the lower edge of the ring surrounding the breech screw.
This toe or knob also serves as the striking piece for turning the breach
screw.
The breech end of the gun is so modified as to be comparatively free from
small parts liable to be struck by machine gun fire.
A single shaft is used to drive up either the breech screw or the loading tray
and to extract them.
The same hydraulic cylinder performs either of the above operations but
cannot move both at ouce nor can it move either if the troughs of the
saddle are not correctly opposite the gun.
e saddle as in my former arrangement is moved along a bed plate horizontally
at right angles to the axis of the gun the saddle by so moving unlocks the
h block receives the breech block upon it when withdrawn from the gun
eys it away brings the loading troughs into position removes them when done
brings back the breech block and when it has been replaced in the gun turns
lock it in position.
e ram working in the hydraulic traversing cylinder is connected to the saddle
crosshead which books into a forked projection on the underside of the saddle

page_text: is is done to facilitate the removal of the saddle for the inspection or repair of
e cylinder or of the ram.
The saddle is clipped on to the bed plate by clips four in number. These clips
n be removed by turning a pin which runs through them. These arrangements
able the saddle to be removed without undoing any nuts or bolts. Immediately
bind the saddle and parallel to, the bed on which it traverses is the main shaft.
The main shaft might be driven from any convenient position. An hydraulic
linder with a rack upon it engaging with a pinion on the main shaft is a
nvenient arrangement. This hydraulic cylinder is placed horizontally so that the
cking of this cylinder and its ram will be accessible.
To withdraw and return the breech screw and the loading tray one rack only is
sed and this rack is driven by a pinion on the main shaft.
The rack in withdrawing the breech screw or the loading tray travels out of the
ddle and enters a long stationary pocket under the third or rear section of the
ading tray.
Or if
The rack thus becomes a sort of locking bolt preventing the traversing motion
the saddle from taking place while the withdrawing motion is going on.
e traversing motion is begun first then the lower end of the rack running along a
op bar prevents the withdrawing notion from taking place while the traversing
otion is going on. This occurs when the breech screw is being revolved to lock
in the gun.
When the motion of traversing is being made in order to remove the breech
crew to one side then the rack will be in the pocket and its turned up end by
hich it engages with the parts which it moves then slides free of the hook on the
reech screw.
The rack in this case also becomes locked in position the moment the saddle is
aversed because the fore end will then bear on the rear face of the saddle.
Going through all the operations necessary to first open the breech of the gun
nd then again close it the action is as follows:-
(1) The saddle is traversed to the right to revolve the breech screw by striking
against a projection upon it. At the same time the end of the rack enters
the book on the breech screw, and thus becomes attached to the screw
completely at the moment the screw is fully unlocked.
(2) The withdrawing pinion is worked by the main shaft and brings the rack
back into the pocket and thus brings the breech screw out on the saddle.
(3) The saddle is traversed to the left to remove the breech screw and to bring
the loading tray into position for entering the gun.-The rack remaining
in the pocket its end is detached from the look on the breech screw and
becomes attached to a similar hook on the rear part of the front section of
the loading tray.
While passing from one hook to the other the rack cannot be moved as
it bears against the rear face of the saddle.
(4) The main shaft being rotated the pinion upon it then runs up the tray the
front section which enters the breech of the gun sliding forward from
under the middle section of the tray which is hung on a hinge as previously
stated.
The gun is now ready for loading after which
(5) The front section of the loading tray is withdrawn from the gun the rack
entering the pocket."
(6) The saddle is traversed to bring the breech screw opposite the gun.-The
rack remaining in the pocket and its end bearing against the rear surface
of the saddle which prevents its being moved till the breech screw is in
line.
(7) The rack is run up to put the breech screw into the gun. The rack remains
up to hold the screw until it is safely turned.
The saddle is now traversed to revolve the breech screw into the
locked position.

page_text: During this last operation the rack remains in gear with its driving pinion two
teeth of which are prolonged for this reason along the shaft.-The pinion cannot
turn because the lower end of the rack is held against the stop bar.
The number of parts on the breech of the gun which are destructable by machine
gun fire are much reduced and the rear of the gun is made as level and plain as
possible in the following manner.
The end plate of the breech screw is notched out to follow the line of the divided
screw thread and the screw is turned round in the gun by the projections so
formed, a ring closely fitting them. This ring is held to the gun by a guide ring
or plate.
The toe or striking piece by which the breech screw is revolved is on the ring
and remains attached to the gun when the breech block is withdrawn. Hence the
deep channel which was before necessary for the passage of this toe through the
saddle is no longer required.
The stops which were used in former arrangements to limit the angle of
revolution of the screw, are no longer necessary as the guide ring or plate is so
formed as to supply their place.
The toe or striking piece contains the safety locking bolt which locks the breech
block when the breech is closed.
The electric contact gear for preventing the electric primer from being fired
before the gun is safe, is attached to and worked by the locking bolt in the toe or
striking piece.
The locking bolt is withdrawn from its locked position by the wedge which is
struck by the saddle when it is traversed to unlock the breech screw. Springs
return this bolt to its locked position when the wedge pin is struck at its end by
the saddle when it is traversed to lock the breech screw.
When the bolt is in the electric contacts admit of the gun being fired but when
the bolt is not in place the gun cannot be fired by the electric primer.
A modification of the above arrangement is proposed where the room is. more
confined than usual whereby the rack is very much shortened and contains only
a few teeth-The rest of the teeth requisite are then cut on the underside of the
breech screw-These teeth do not interfere with the threads of the screw as they
are cut on one of the portions where the "divided" thread is cut away.
All the other parts belonging to the breech screw and fitted to the rear of the
gun, remain the same as above described except that the main shaft is advanced to
the front of the saddle.
There are two pinions which slide along this shaft and are driven by it one to
move the breech screw and the other to move the loading tray-These pinions are
carried in the saddle and slide along the shaft so that they are always engaged
each with its own rack. The first section of the loading tray is fitted with a rack
on the underside-The main shaft is fitted with only one set of keys which enter.
and drive whichever pinion is slid over them.
:
These keys enter keyways in the saddle when they leave the pinions so that the
shaft cannot be revolved unless the troughs of the saddle are exactly in line with
the gun.

page_text: CHARLES HENRY MURRAY of the Elswick Works in Newcastle-upon-Tyne
eer do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
lowing statement :-
invention relates in part to improvements on the apparatus described in
ecification of a previous patent granted to me No 205 in the present year.
purposes of the present invention are:-
Reduction in the number of parts and consequent simplification of the
machinery used for working the breech screw.
An arrangement by which it will be possible at any time to lift off the
saddle and examine the hydraulic cylinder and pipes within the bed plate.
An improved method of arranging the sliding trays, the first of which is now
made to slide from underneath the second, the second one being supported
on a hinge with its axis at right angles to and above the centre line of the
trays.
A new method of turning the screw round in the gun by a ring fixed by a
guide to the rear of the gun, this ring surrounding the breech screw
which it engages by a series of notches corresponding in line with the
cut away portions of the divided screw.
A new arrangement of locking bolt to lock the breech screw in the shut or
safety position. This locking bolt being contained in a toe or knob which
depends from the lower edge of the ring, surrounding the breech screw.
This toe or knob also serves as the striking piece for turning the breech
screw.
The breech end of the gun is so modified as to be comparatively free from
small parts liable to be struck by machine gun fire.
A single shaft is used to drive up either the breech screw or the loading tray
and to extract them.
The same hydraulic cylinder performs either of the above operations but
cannot move both at once, nor can it move either if the troughs of the
saddle are not correctly opposite the gun.
e saddle as in my former arrangement is moved along a bed plate horizontally
t right angles to the axis of the gun. The saddle by so moving unlocks the
h block, receives the breech block upon it when withdrawn from the gun,
ys it away, brings the loading troughs into position, removes them when
with, brings back the breech block and when it has been replaced in the gun
it to lock it in position.

page_text: Figures 1 and 2 are rear elevations of a pair of guns with their breech gear; in
Figure 1 the breech is closed and locked; in Figure 2 the breech screw is unlocked
and ready to be withdrawn.
Figure 3 is a vertical section taken on the centre line of the gun when the parts
are in the position shown by Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a vertical section taken on the centre line of the gun when the breech
is open and the loading tray advanced.
Figure 5 is a plan with the parts in the same position as in Figure 4 except that
the breech of the gun and the front section of the loading tray are omitted.
Figure 6 is a side elevation with the parts in the position they occupy just after
closing or before opening the breech.
Figure 7 is a longitudinal and vertical section of the breech end of the gun and
the breech screw.
Figure 8 is a rear elevation of the same.
Figures 9 and 10 show a modification of the breech gear; Figure 9 is a longi-
tudinal and vertical section at the centre line of the gun; the breech screw is
unlocked. Figure 10 is a like view with the breech screw removed and the
loading tray advanced.
A is the hydraulic traversing cylinder lying between the sides of the bed
plate B. C is the rain working in the hydraulic traversing cylinder; it is con-
nected to the saddle D by a crosshead E which hooks into a forked projection F
on the underside of the saddle; this is done to facilitate the removal of the
saddle D for the inspection or repair of the cylinder A or of the ram C.
The saddle D is clipped on to the bed plate B by clips G four in number.
These clips can be removed by turning a pin H which runs through them. These
arrangements enable the saddle to be removed without undoing any nuts or bolts.
Immediately behind the saddle and parallel to the bed on which it traverses is the
main shaft J.
The main shaft might be driven from any convenient position. An hydraulic
cylinder L with a rack upon it engaging with a pinion M on the main shaft is a
convenient arrangement. This hydraulic cylinder L is placed horizontally so that
the packing and ram will be accessible.
To withdraw and return the breech screw and the loading tray one rack N only
is used and this rack is driven by a pinion K on the main shaft J.
The rack N in withdrawing the breech screw or the loading tray travels out
of the saddle D and enters a long stationary pocket O under the third or rear
section of the loading tray.
The rack thus becomes a sort of locking bolt preventing the traversing motion
of the saddle from taking place while the withdrawing motion is going on. Or
if the traversing motion is begun first, then the lower end of the rack running
along a stop bar P prevents the withdrawing motion from taking place while the.
traversing motion is going on. This occurs when the breech screw is being
revolved to lock it in the gun.
When the motion of traversing is being made in order to remove the breech
screw to one side, then the rack N will be in the pocket O and its turned up
end R by which it engages with the parts which it moves then slides free of the
hook S on the breech screw.
The rack N in this case also becomes locked in position the moment the
saddle D is traversed because the fore end will then bear on the rear face of the

page_text: ing through all the operations necessary to first open the breech of the gun
hen again close it the action is as follows:-
e parts are brought into position for loading as shown by Figure 1 the rack N
in its highest position :-then
The saddle D is traversed to the right to revolve the breech screw by striking
against a projection upon it; this projection is shown by dotted lines.
At the same time the end R of the rack enters the hook S on the
breech screw and thus becomes attached to the screw completely at the
moment the screw is fully unlocked.
The withdrawing pinion K is worked by the main shaft J and brings the 1
rack N back into the pocket O and thus brings the breech screw out
on the saddle D; this position is shown by dotted lines in Figure 3.
The saddle D is traversed to the left to remove the breech screw and to
bring the loading tray into position for entering the gun. The rack N
remaining in the pocket O its end R is detached from the hook S on the 1
breech screw, and becomes attached to a similar hook U on the rear part
of the front section V of the loading tray.
While passing from one hook to the other the rack N cannot be moved, as
it bears against the rear face of the saddle D at T.
The main shaft J being rotated the pinion K upon it then runs up the tray
the front section V of which enters the breech of the gun sliding forward
from under the middle section W of the tray which is hung on a hinge X
as previously stated. This position is shown by Figure 4.
The gun is now ready for loading after which,
The front section V of the loading tray is withdrawn from the gun, the
rack N entering the pocket O.
The saddle D is traversed to bring the breech screw opposite the gun. The
rack N remaining in the pocket O, and its end bearing against the rear
surface of the saddle at T which prevents its being moved till the breech
screw is in line.
The rack N is run up to put the breech screw into the gun. The rack
remains up to hold the screw until it is safely turned. This position is
shown in full lines by Figure 3. The saddle D is now traversed to revolve
the breech screw into the locked position.
aring this last operation the rack N remains in gear with its driving pinion K
teeth of which are prolonged for this reason along the shaft J as shown at Y.
pinion cannot turn because the lower end of the rack N is held against the
bar P.
e number of parts on the breech of the gun which are destructable by machine
fire is much reduced, and the rear of the gun is made as level and plain as
ible in the following manner. As is shown by the Figures 7 and 8 the endl
e of the breech screw is notched out at A. A. to follow the line of the divided
thread and the screw is turned round in the gun by the projections B. B so
ed, a ring C. C. closely fitting them. This ring is held to the gun by a guide
or plate D. D.
he toe or striking piece E. E. by which the breech screw is revolved is on the
C. C. and remains attached to the guu when the breech block is withdrawn.
ce the deep channel which was before necessary for the passage of this toe
ugh the saddle is no longer required.
he stops which were used in former arrangements to limit the angle of
lution of the screw are no longer necessary as the guide ring or plate is so
ed at F. F. as to supply their place.
he toe or striking piece contains the safety locking bolt G. G. which locks the
ch screw or block when the breech is closed.

page_text: The electric contact gear H, H, for preventing the electric primer from being
fired before the gun is safe, is attached to and worked by the locking bolt in the
toe or striking piece.
The locking bolt is withdrawn from its locked position by the wedge J. J. which
is struck at its end J. J' by the saddle when it is traversed to unlock the breech
screw. Springs K. K. return this bolt to its locked position when the wedge pin
is struck at its end J. J' by the saddle when it is traversed to lock the breech
screw.
When the bolt is in, the electric contacts admit of the gun being fired but when
the bolt is not in place the gun cannot be fired by the electric primer..
It will be observed that the gun shown by the Figures 7 and 8 although similar
to that represented by the Figures 1 and 2 is not identical with it; the one gun is
right handed and 'the other left.
In the gun represented in Figures 7 to the breech block is locked for firing by
thrusting the projection beneath the breech block from left to right whereas in
Figures 1 and 2 the opposite is the case. In Figure 8 the block is shown in the
closed position, the larger end of the wedge J J has been driven out by the thrust
of the saddle against the other end and the springs behind the locking bolt & G.
have thrust it forward and caused it to engage and secure the breech bolt.
In unlocking the breech block the thrust of the saddle upon the wedge will be
in the direction from right to left; the bolt will then be withdrawn and imme-
diately after the breech block itself will be rotated to disengage its screw threads.
A modification of the above arrangement is proposed where the room is more
confined than usual, whereby the rack N is very much shortened and contains
only a few teeth. The rest of the teeth requisite are then cut on the undersi le of
the breech screw. The position of these teeth is shown at M. M. in Figure 7.
These teeth do not interfere with the threads of the screw as they are cut on one
of the portions where the "divided" thread is cut away.
All the other parts belonging to the breech screw and fitted to the rear of the
gun, remain the same as above described except that the main shaft J as shown in
Figures 9 and 10 is advanced to the front of the saddle.
There are two pinions N. N. which slide along this shaft and are driven by it
one to move the breech screw and the other to move the loading tray. These
pinions are carried in the saddle and slide along the shaft so that they are always
engaged each with its own rack. The first section P. P. of the loading tray is
fitted with a rack on the underside. The main shaft J is fitted with only one set
of keys which enter and drive whichever pinion is slid over them.
These keys enter keyways in the saddle when they leave the pinions so that the
shaft cannot be revolved unless the troughs of the saddle are exactly in line with
the gun.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:
-
1. The arrangement substantially as described of the saddle which works the
breech screw so that it may be lifted from the bed plate to give ready access to
the mechanism beneath.
2. The arrangement substantially as described of the loading trays employed in
connection with the said saddle and breech mechanism; the section of the tray
which enters the breech passing beneath the section in rear of it and this carried
upon a joint which admits of its being raised out of the way when required.
3. The arrangement substantially as described by which a single shaft drives up
and withdraws both the saddle and loading trays and is locked until these come
into position.
4. The arrangement substantially as described for turning the breech screw to
lock and unlock it, the said screw engaging with a ring through which it passes on

page_text: the breech of the gun and the ring having a toe or projection which is struck by
the opening and closing gear.
5. The arrangement substantially as described of a locking bolt in the toe or
projection by which the breech screw is turned, such bolt being withdrawn or
caused to engage by the opening and closing gear thrusting against a wedge
or moving part in the said toe or projection.
6. The general arrangement of hydraulic apparatus for opening and closing the
breech of heavy guns substantially as shown by the annexed drawings.
Dated this 10th day of June 1886.
.C. H. MURRAY.
Carpmael & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.