Improvements in Ram-rods and Sponging-rods for Ordnance.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Jan., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 20th Oct., 1890-Accepted, 17th Jan., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Ram-rods and Sponging-rods for Ordnance.
We, THOMAS HAYLOR HOWARD of the Roupell Arms, Lower Woolwich Road,
Charlton, in the County of Kent, Manager, and JAMES MARTIN LAPPING of 4 Hicks
Terrace, Lower Woolwich Road, East Greenwich in the County of Kent, Clerk, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Ordnance as now made are so long that a ram-rod or sponging rod would be
very inconvenient for transport if made in one piece; to obviate this inconvenience
such rods have been divided into two or more lengths, and have been made to
screw together, or the ends have been balf cut away and made to fit closely
together, being held together by a cross screw.
The arrangement first described is objectionable on account of the length of time
occupied in connecting the parts together, and the latter on account of weakness.
Now, according to our invention, we obviate both of these objections by forming
one part to pass into a socket formed on the other, when by a partial turn of
the one in relation to the other, the parts are securely connected together. In
carrying our invention into effect, we preferably form the male part of the joint in
the shape of a T to pass into a correspondingly shaped opening in the female part of
the joint, then, by turning the same, the projecting portions of the T part pass over
suitable ledges in the female part.
If desired a spring or sliding catch or bolt on one part may pass into a hole
or recess in the other part, so as to prevent rotation of one part on the other
when in use.
Or the two parts of the joint may be inclined on the faces, which
come together, so that when turned the one on the other, the two parts will jam
tightly together.
Dated this 18th day of January 1800
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Ram-rods and Sponging-rods for Ordnance.
We THOMAS HAYLOR HOWARD of the Roupell Arms, Lower Woolwich Road
Chariton in the County of Kent, Manager, & JAMES MARTIN LAPPING 4 Hicks
Terrace, Lower Woolwich Road, East Greenwich in the County of Kent, Clerk,
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:
Ordnance are now made of such a length that a ram rod or sponging rod would
be very inconvenient for transport if made in one piece, to obviate this incon-
venience such rods have been divided into two or more lengths and have been
made to screw together or the ends have been half cut away and made to fit
closely together being held together by a cross screw.
The arrangement first described is objectionable on account of the length of
time occupied in connecting the parts together and the latter on account of weakness.
Now according to my invention I obviate both of these objections by forming
one part to pass into a socket formed in the other, when by a partial turn of the
one in relation to the other the parts are securely connected together. In carrying
my invention into effect I preferably form the male part of the joint in the shape
Price dl

page_text: of a T to pass into a correspondingly shaped opening in the female part of the
joint, then, by turning the same, the projecting portions of the T part pass over
suitable ledges in the female part.
If desired a spring or sliding catch or bolt on one part may pass into a hole
or recess in the other part so as to prevent rotation of one part on the other when
in use.
In order that my invention may be properly understood and readily carried into
practice I have appended hereto one sheet of drawing in which
Fig. 1 is a vertical section of part of a ram rod or sponging rod shewing the joints
coupled or locked together.
Fig. 2 is an elevation of the same.
Fig. 3 is a section through the line A B Fig. 1.
Fig. is a vertical section of the female joint detached.
Fig. 5 is a cross section thereof.
Fig. 6 is a vertical section of the male joint detached and
Fig. 7 is a plan thereof.
Fig. 8 is a vertical section of the male joint shewing the spring catch or bolt.
It will be seen on reference to the drawings the male portion a of the joint is con-
structed of a T shape and the arms or projecting pieces a¹ thereof are flattened to
allow of its passage through the opening corresponding thereto in the female part of
the joint when so soon as the T piece of the male part of the joint is inserted in the
female part thereof and either of the parts given a partial turn the two parts a and b
of the rod will be secured together through the projections of the T piece of the male
part of the joint passing over suitable ledges 62 in the female part of the same, to
prevent rotation of the parts when in use 1 employ a spring or sliding bolt or catch c
which may be secured to either part so that when the joint is made as above described
the bolt c will spring into a hole formed in the other part of the rod and thus prevent
the parts turning or rotating.
In some cases the two parts of the joint, the faces of the projections of the T piece
and the faces of the ledges or projections in the female part of the joint may be
inclined or formed at a slight angle so that when turned the one on the other the parts
will jam tightly together, thus doing away with the spring catch or bolt e above
described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
Ram rods or sponging rods for ordnance constructed in two or more lengths, the
one length preferably having a T shaped head and the other a corresponding opening
therein for the reception of the said shaped head which parts on being turned will
lock or jam together and having a spring catch or bolt to prevent rotation thereof
substantially as herein described and shewn in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 18th day of October 1890.
T. H. HOWARD.
J. M. LAPPING.