Improvements in Gun Mountings.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Feb., 1887
Complete Left, 28th Nov., 1887
Complete Accepted, 3rd Feb., 1888
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Gun Mountings.
I JOHN TATE WILLIAMSON of 4 Madeira Villas Plum Lane Woolwich in the
County of Kent Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention to be
as follows:-
"
"
My Invention has for its object improvements in Gun mountings whereby the
various strains or structures due to firing are reduced to a minimum and by which the
working of the Gun is completely under control of the Officer in charge also with
the important object of making Naval and Land service Guns interchangeable thereby
requiring but one pattern of Gun in the service of the class termed trunnionless.
According to my Invention the Gun is automatically raised into the running out
position by the energy of recoil as hereafter described. The traversing is effected by
varying speeds from one constant motive speed either by manual or power
appliances for the purposes of final adjustment or otherwise as hereafter described.
The loading platform is in two parts hinged in a manner so that it will turn back in
order that the men after they have loaded the gun may descend if necessary to operate
the elevating gear, and left in that position whilst the gun is fired and for the men to
reascend. The hand elevating gear comprising ordinary gear and friction clutch
together with an elevating rack specially arranged and fitted to the automatic elevating
system. A brake is fitted and applied from the Officers platform to arrest or release
the elevating gear as the Officer may desire. I encircle the gun by a "thrust" band
"
secured thereto by bolts or other fastenings connected to or forming part of a recoil'
cylinder which will allow of the gun being readily mounted or dismounted without
otherwise disturbing the carriage mounting. The said recoil cylinder is preferably
plain on its inside and situated under the axis of gun it is fitted with a pipe ram
the latter attached to a relief-valve-box-crosshead and provided with an adjusting
valve operated by hand or mechanical means for regulating the recoil. The said
recoil cylinder and pipe ram being in communication at the rear of a "pivotted
.

page_text: beam
"
gun-
with a vertical or approximately vertical pipe ram-piston working in an
oscillating elevating cylinder the latter having its seat in a portion of the "under
carriage." One elevating cylinder is here preferred but more may be employed if
desired. A fluid fills the recoil cylinder "pipe-rams" and elevating cylinder. The
connection of the upper end of the "pipe-ram-piston" (working in the oscillating
cylinder as aforesaid) is made to a relief valve box at the rear end of the aforesaid
"pivotted beam" by means of a "ball and socket" or other suitable joint the relief-
valve-box being in communication with a reservoir above which constitutes the "
guiding band" encircling the breech end of the gun, and provided with rollers
against which the gun bears in recoil. When the Gun is fired the recoil forces the
liquid through the aforesaid adjusting or regulator-valve and cams pressing on the
under side of the vertical "pipe-ram-piston" thus raising the gun into the running-
out position. The gun on being thus automatically raised during the recoil is arrested
in the running out position by the fluid pressure being communicated to the top of
the vertical pipe-ram-piston the latter being fitted with a relief valve giving
access to the cylinder prevents an excess of pressure boing set up due to momentum
of mass.
32
The recoil of the gun raises at certain times ordinary relief valves permitting the
excess of fluid that is necessary to put the gun into the running out position to pass
into the air vessel constituted by the "gun guiding band" wherefrom it is at will
allowed to flow back into the recoil-cylinder when running out for loading and firing.
The aforesaid "pivotted beam" (fitted with the aforesaid relief valve box and seat for
the elevating "pipe-ram-piston ") is pivotted on specially fitted pivots the latter
secured by suitable keys or cotters in the front end of "under carriage" and is like-
wise fitted throughout with rollers upon which the gun itself rests and recoils on.
The aforesaid "under carriage" is centre pivotted and clipped on a turned centre
encircling the upper end of a casing forming a central chamber with doors through
which the ammunition is supplied and access obtained to stores and machinery beneath
the gun mounting. The said "under carriage" is traversed or rotated by front and
rear trucks or rollers or metallic surface plates bearing on a "roller ring" of suitable
material the latter provided with toothed racks for hand and power gear and resting
on coned live rollers (or for small mountings on ball rollers) upon which the whole
mass is traversed or rotated at varying speeds under complete control being provided
with a brake that when applied by the Officer in charge to lock the "under-carriage
to the circular fixed rack when about to fire or when applied lightly for the purposes
of final adjustment, the said "roller-ring" continues to travel at which time the trucks
or rollers on "under carriage" rotate on their axis the gun and carriage remaining
stationary but when the brake is released the gun and carriage instantly follows the
"roller ring" in the direction rotated. The coned live rollers are arranged and
mounted so that they can each be removed readily there being no need for the present
accurate setting of the axles. They are connected together by adjustable means and
fitted with frictionless thrust flanges the whole revolving on a fixed roller path secured
to circular standards. The aforesaid combination of rollers, roller-ring and controlling
gear is suitable to Turrets.
"
The traversing may also be effected by and through a centre pivot shaft in the case
of broad-side mountings for ships each mounting when convenient may be coupled up
by any suitable or ordinary means to a common motive "manual
or "power" shaft
passing fore and aft under the deck beams each mounting being independent in its
action of traversing.
Other than manual labour may in addition be employed for traversing. Also for
elevating, fluid pressure may be communicated to the elevating cylinder the whole being
connected and disconnected readily by any suitable or ordinary means. I may apply
the energy of recoil to operate alternately on recoil cylinders fitted with rams or
pistons and rods (hollow or otherwise) in the case of " disappearing guns and
mounted in pairs so that one gun may be up ready to fire whilst the other is down
being loaded. The cylinders are in communication by a passage for the fluid to pass
from one cylinder to the other acting with sufficient force (under control) upon the
93

page_text: gun to raise it into firing position. The whole system being in combination with
an accumulator the latter used only when one gun is in action or for one gun
mounted.
The elevating gear for disappearing guns is common to both guns acting on both
alike but to no purpose on the one being loaded. My Invention is applicable to
carriages or mountings for land or sea service guns generally whether the former be
used in Forts or Batteries or as Field or Siege guns.
Dated this noth dow of WL 1007

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Gun Mountings.
I, JOHN TATE WILLIAMSON now of 3 Overhill Road East Dulwich in the County
of Surrey late of 4 Madeira Villas Plum Lane Woolwich in the County of Kent
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 :-
My Invention has for its object to improve Gun mountings so that the various
.strains on structures due to firing the Gun are reduced to a minimum and so that the
working of the gun is completely under the control of the Officer in charge and it also
has the important object of making naval service and land service guns inter-
changeable thereby rendering it possible to use in the naval and military services but
one pattern of gun of the class termed "trunnionless."
According to my Invention the Gun is automatically raised into the running out
position by the energy of recoil as hereinafter, described-The training or traversing
is effected by means of manual or power" appliances as hereinafter described by
which the speed can be varied from one constant motive speed for the purpose of final
adjustinent or for other purposes. The hand elevating gear comprises ordinary gear
and a friction clutch together with an elevating rack specially arranged as hereinafter
described and fitted to the automatic elevating system--A brake is fitted so that it
can be applied from the Officers platform to arrest or release the elevating gear as the
Officer may desire I encircle the gun by a "thrust band which may be secured to
the gun by bolts or other fastenings connected to or formed in one with a recoil
cylinder which will allow of the Gun being readily mounted or dismounted without
otherwise disturbing the carriage mounting The said recoil cylinder may be plain
on its inside and is by preference situated immediately under the axis of the gun it is
fitted with a hollow or pipe ram which is attached to a relief valve box. or pivotted
beam and provided with an adjusting valve regulated by hand either directly or with
the intervention of mechanical means for the purpose of regulating the recoil-The
said recoil cylinder and hollow ram are in communication at the rear of the aforesaid
pivotted beam with a vertical or approximately vertical hollow or pipe ram or piston
working in an oscillating elevating cylinder the latter having its seat in a portion of
an under carriage One elevating cylinder is preferred but more may be employed
if desired The recoil cylinder the hollow ram and the elevating cylinder are filled
with liquid. The upper end of the hollow ram piston which works in the oscillating
cylinder is connected to a relief valve box at the rear end of the aforesaid pivotted
beam the connection being made by means of a ball and socket or other suitable joint
with a passage for liquid there through the relief valve box being in communication
with an air chamber or liquid reservoir which may constitute the gun guiding band
encircling the breech end of the gun and it is provided with rollers against which the
gun bears in recoiling When the gun is fired the recoil forces the liquid through the
aforesaid adjusting or regulator valve and hollow rams so as to cause the liquid to

page_text: press on the underside of the vertical hollow ram thus raising the said ram in the
oscillating cylinder and likewise raising the gun into the running out position The
gun on being thus automatically raised during the recoil is arrested in the running
out position by the fluid pressure being communicated to the top of the vertical
hollow ram piston and the latter being fitted with a relief valve prevents an excess of
pressure being set up due to the momentum of the mass.
The recoil of the gun opens at certain times ordinary relief valves permitting the
excess of fluid that is necessary to put the gun into the running out position to pass
into the air vessel constituted by the gun guiding band where-from it is at will
allowed to flow back into the recoil cylinder when running out for loading and
firing.
The aforesaid pivotted beam (fitted with the aforesaid relief valve box and seat for
the elevating hollow ram) is pivotted on pivots especially fitted as hereinafter
described secured by keys or otherwise in the front end of the under carriage and is
likewise fitted throughout with rollers upon which the gun itself rests and upon which
it runs during recoil The said under carriage is centre pivotted and may be clipped
to a turned centre encircling the upper end of a support or casing which may form a
central chamber and be provided with doors through which the ammunition can be
supplied and access be obtained to stores and machinery beneath the gun mounting-
The under carriage is traversed or rotated on front and rear trucks or rollers or
metallic surface plates bearing on a roller ring provided with toothed racks, for hand
and power gear to operate on the roller ring, which rest on coned live rollers (or for
small mountings on ball rollers) upon which the mass above can be trained traversed
or rotated at varying speeds under complete control, being provided with a brake
which can be applied by the Officer in charge to lock the under carriage to the
circular fixed rack when about to fire (the said roller ring continuing to travel) the
trucks or rollers on the under carriage then rotating on their axles the Gun and
carriage remaining stationary but when the brake is released the gun and carriage
instantly follow the roller ring in its rotation, or the brake can be applied lightly to retard
the speed of motion of the under carriage whilst the roller ring continues to travel
as before The coned live rollers arranged and mounted as hereinafter described, so
that they can readily be removed, are fitted with antifriction thrust flanges the whole
revolving on a fixed circular roller path secured to or forming part of standards or
supports. The aforesaid combination of rollers roller rings and controlling gear is
suitable for turrets-The training or traversing may also be effected by a shaft from
below deck in the case of broad side mountings for ships Each mounting when
desired or convenient may be coupled up by any suitable or ordinary means to a
common motive manual or power shaft passing fore and aft under the deck beams or
the like each mounting being independent in its action of traversing or rotating.
The loading platform may be in two parts hinged in such a manner that it can be
turned back in order that the men after they have loaded the Gun may descend if
necessary to operate the elevating and traversing gear and be left in that position for
the men to ascend after the gun is fired.
Other than manual labour may in addition be employed for traversing Also for
elevating fluid pressure may be communicated to the elevating cylinder the whole
being connected and disconnected readily by any suitable or ordinary means-I may
apply the energy of recoil to operate alternately on recoil cylinders fitted with rams
or pistons and rods (hollow or not) in the case of "disappearing" guns and mounted
in pairs so that one gun may be up ready to fire whilst the other is down being loaded
-The cylinders are in communication by a passage for the fluid to pass from one
cylinder to the other acting with sufficient force (under control) upon the Gun to raise
it into firing position-The whole systein may be combined with an accumulator which
is used only when one gun is in action or for one gun mounted-The elevating gear
for disappearing guns is common to both guns acting on both alike but to no purpose
on the one being loaded.
My Invention is applicable to carriages or mountings for land or sea service guns
generally whether the former be used in ports or batteries or as field or seige guns.

page_text: And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood I shall now proceed
more particularly to describe the same and for that purpose shall refer to the several
figures on the annexed sheets of drawings the same letters of reference indicating
corresponding parts in all the figures.
Figures 1 and 2 Sheet 1 of the drawings are sectional elevations at right angles to
each other of a gun mounting constructed according to my Invention and Figure 3
is a plan of the same. Figure 4 represents in plan and transverse section one of the
conical live rollers and a portion of the roller rings Figure 5 a longitudinal section of
the recoil cylinder and ram and regulator and bye-pass valves and Fig. 6 a horizontal
section of a portion of the pivotted beam and ram of the recoil cylinder shewing the
fluid passages connecting the recoil cylinder with the elevating cylinder Figures 7
and 8 are views at right angles to each other illustrating a modification of the
mounting suitable for naval purposes and small guns and the remaining Figures are
details which will be hereinafter described.
Referring to Figures 1. 2 and 3 Sheet 1 the gun and mounting are supported on a
circular standard A of such a height from the ground or bottom of the pit in which
it is erected as to give great stability by having the centre of gravity. of the moving
mass at a minimum height from the roiler path.
The standard A may be formed in one piece or built up of several sections and it
is provided with openings or ways D for the passage of men and ammunition and
for giving accommodation for stacking shot as shewn at E in Figure 1. On the top of
the standard A is a roller path 1 which may be formed thereon or be a separate piece
fitted thereto, other fittings including a double rack ring B and a bracket C for the
power training shaft being also attached to the upper end of this standard. The
said standard A is secured on a fitted surface to a bed plate F by means of keys and
bolts or otherwise. The said bed plate which may be of any suitable form and section
is preferably a series of radial arms and fitted to or formed in one with a centre pivot
casing G. The casing G is provided with one or more openings 2 (fitted or not with
doors) by which access may be had to stores Engine Rooms and the like and through
which the ammunition is supplied to the Gunners. Round the upper end of the pivot
casing G is a roller path H against which bear rollers "3" carried on a bracket J,
fixed to the under carriage U and provided with a projection 4, engaging a clip ring L
formed on or attached to the centre pivot casing G. On the top of the centre pivot
casing is the pivot M (shewn by dotted lines in Figure 3) having around it an
annular trough to contain oil or other lubricant. Around this pivot and in this
trough the lower end of the mounting is fitted to rotate. The rack ring B is provided
with two racks, one (5) being on the top side and the other (6) on the under side.
With the rack 6, pinions 7 gear for effecting the training by means of the hand
gears hereinafter referred to, whilst the other rack 5 is in gear with the pinion O for
checking or instantly stopping as required the training (whether worked by hand or
power) by means of the brake wheel and strap N, controlled by the hand-lever P.
The mounting is supported on a continuous ring of coned rollers R (one of which is
shewn drawn to an enlarged scale in Figure 4) fitted to travel on the path 1, and on
these rollers is another roller path S. having formed thereon or fitted thereton a power
training rack T, with which gears a pinion t keyed on a shaft driven by any
suitable motive power when available for increased speed of training. This training
gear is equally applicable to turrets employed with gun mountings. On the axles
of the coned rollers R are anti-friction flanges R¹ (see Figure 4) fitted with thrust
collars or rings and being free to rotate on the axles so as to transfer irregular
movements and thrusts due to rotation to the grooves "8" in the path 1, and the
underside of the path S whereby the rotation of the mounting is not retarded by
flange friction and the roller R and the upper path S are maintained concentric
with the pivot M. The outer ring 9 in which the spindles of the rollers R are
fitted is made in segments connected together by links and bolts "10" so that
any one of the rollers can be readily removed from its spindle without otherwise
disturbing the mounting. The under-carriage U which pivots at M is formed of
two side cheeks connected together at the front and rear ends by transoms supported

page_text: "
"
2
on rollers which travel with or rest upon the upper part S. The rollers Q
are preferably built up of a number of dises and their peripheries and also the
path S are preferably parallel the said discs rotating on their axles. The "under
carriage is fitted with removable trunnions or pivot pins V (requiring no cap
squares) on which the beam W oscillates. To the rear of the "under carriage" U
is hinged or otherwise attached a loading platform X made in two parts capable of
being raised into the position shewn by dotted lines at X (Figure 2) when the
loading and the like has been performed or to admit of the men ascending and descend-
ing by means of ladders 11, which rotate with the mounting. The pivotted beam W
contains fluid passages Y (shewn clearly in Fig. 6 and by dotted lines in Figure 3)
the centre or joint 19 for the oscillating vertical ram "K" and the tank or reservoir Z
with relief valves, also the bearing rollers "f" Figures 2 and 3 on and over which
the gun itself rests and recoils. A clip flange g is formed on the beam "W"
engaging a clip piece / fitted on or formed in one with the thrust band j. To the
beam W is also attached a hollow band "Z" which communicates with the recoil
cylinder and the tank "Z" in beam W This hollow band encircles the breech end
of the gun, without binding on it and contains bearing rollers Zagainst which the
gun itself bears in recoiling. This hollow band Z constitutes a fluid reservoir and
an air vessel to the recoil cylinder k Fitted in or formed in one with the rear of the
beam W is a hollow or pipe ram Z3 shewn drawn to an enlarged scale in Figure 5, it
is fitted with an automatic recoil regulator valve (shown at n in Figure 5) consisting
of two plates or discs 12 and 13, each provided with ports or passages 14 by which
the passage of the fluid in the Cylinder is regulated to govern the recoil. These
plates or discs work in contact with each other, in guides 15, the disc 12 being
operated by means of an eccentric 16 (or other means) on the end of a hollow rod a
passing through a stuffing box in the recoil cylinder and adjusted by means of a
handle 17, whilst the other disc 13 is provided with a projection 18 fitted to slide in
an inclined groove formed in the interior of the cylinder k, with which groove it is
kept engaged by a concealed spring or otherwise, so that during the recoil of the
gun, the said disc is caused to cover, more or less, the ports on the disc 12, and
thereby regulate the passage for the fluid through the valve during the length of
recoil. The ports or passages 14, are preferably of a triangular shape as shewn
or the equivalent of that shape. The incline groove v. may be either straight or
irregular or undulating throughout the length of the recoil cylinder.
Passing through the hollow rod a is another rod c fitted with or attached to a "bye
valve e situated at the rear end of the pivoted beam W and communicating
with the tank or reservoir therein.
pass
This "bye pass valve consists chiefly of an inner and outer disc (e) and (e)
respectively fitted to or forming part of a suitable case or seating (e) having a
rotating valve disc e between the discs (e) and (e) actuated by the rod (c). The valve
and discs are provided with suitable passages ways or ports whereby the admission of
the fluid to the recoil cylinder is permitted when required and whereby the fluid under
pressure is prevented passing to either side except by the turning of the valve by the
Officer in charge.
Instead of the spring hereinbefore described for maintaining the projection 18
engaged with the groove van additional projection may be provided on the disc 13
to engage a groove in the diametrically opposite side of the cylinder to the groove v
the said additional groove inclining in the reverse direction so that when the gun
returns to its position for loading the latter groove will effect the movement of the
discs to re-open the ports 14. If found necessary I may form with or attach to the
back of the recoil regulator valve hereinbefore described an additional valve or valves
of any suitable form controlled in conjunction with or independent of the bye pass
valve hereinbefore described such additional valve opening freely to the recoil pressure
but closing to a back pressure so as to retain the gun at the end of the pivoted beam,
after recoiling, and whereby the fluid may be prevented from passing again into the
recoil Cylinder, except at the will of the Officer in charge. This additional valve
may be connected to a rod or handle (such as the rode hereinbefore described) by

page_text: which it may be operated as a bye-pass valve in another direction independently of
the recoil pressure.
"
The thrust band j, figures 1, 2 and 5, is made in two parts (top and bottom) suited
to Guns known as "trunnionless guns, and fitted to rings or projections formed
thereon. The under portion of this thrust band may be attached to, but is preferably
made in one with the recoil cylinder, as shewn in figure 5; it may however be con-
nected to or form part with a bracket connected to the ram or piston-rod of the
recoil cylinder, as illustrated in figure 8, Sheet 2, hereinafter referred to.
In order to exclude small shot, a shield or protecting cover m is attached to the
sides of the "under-carriage," and covers or nearly covers the whole area of pit or
"barbette; " to this, is attached another shield 1, to protect the men, whilst loading.
An ordinary shot derrick is shewn at m² for hoisting the ammunition, and a suitable
form of shot and powder trolley is shewn at n, figure 1. The elevating cylinder K,
is oscillated on trunnions in the bracket J, and to one of these trunnions is attached a
rotary hydraulic pressure, coupling for hydraulic power (if required) with pipes
leading from the pressure supply to the bottom of the cylinder. The pressure supply
is coupled to a pipe situated in the centre pivot G, and may be used where quick
elevation is desired in heavy mountings, and when in use, the hand-elevating gear o
(which is attached to the cylinder K, and consists of Spur-wheels and pinion and a
release clutch) would rotate idly without being disengaged. The elevating rack p,
is attached to a thrust ring p' on the ram K². The elevating gear is provided with
a brake
q, operated by means of a rod q¹ from the platform r, from which platform,
also, the hydraulic elevating final adjustment for training, sighting, recoil and running
out mechanism are all controlled. The elevating ram K2 and the piston K¹ on the
lower end thereof are hollow throughout and at the top end of the ram are hollow
trunnions 19, see Fig. 6 having their seat in and communicating with the fluid
passages Y in the pivoted beam W. The hand-training gear "s" is self-contained
in a bracket s' attached to the under-side of the under carriage U, and engages in
the rack 6, on the underside of the ring B, as herein before described. The pinion t
on the power training shaft t¹ engages the rack T, and is used where motive power is
available for greater speed of training.
23
When the gun is arranged to be loaded, at about the horizontal position, the
horizontal and vertical cylinders k K, and the passages communicating therewith
are charged with fluid up to a fixed level above the relief valves at Z, when the gun
is at its extreme depression. To elevate the gun the "bye-pass" valve at e must be
opened from the platform by the handle d which will cause the ram K to displace
the fluid necessary to elevate the gun to the required extent, after which the handle d,
will automatically close the "bye-pass valve. When the gun is thus elevated and
fired the fluid is driven into the cylinder K from the recoil cylinder (at a controlled
pressure and velocity through the automatic valves herein before referred to, in the
rams or cylinders) thereby raising the piston K' to a position which admits of the
pressure acting on the top of the said piston whereby the gun is brought to rest
at the end of recoil and at about the extreme limit of depression; when, by opening
the "bye-pass valve e, the gun will run out on the bearing rollers, and the fluid
will fill up the recoil cylinder and maintain the gun in position for firing. The relief
valves in the tank Z, are so loaded as to yield only to an abnormal pressure, when for
instance, the gun is fixed at an elevation less than the maximum, the whole or part,
as the case may be, of the contents of the recoil cylinder will pass the valves, at such
times a valve specially loaded and fitted to the entrance of the vertical ram K' will
close against such increased strains entering the cylinder K.
When the gun is
arranged to be loaded below the horizontal position, (as in turret mountings for
example,) a valve is provided in the vertical ram K to close against the pressure of
the fluid during recoil, and thereby compels the fluid to pass the relief valves.
When the gun, in recoiling, reaches a certain position, it, with the pivoted beam W
will gently descend by gravity to the desired loading position, the fluid in the
cylinder K, giving way by passing through openings in the piston on to the top side
thereof. Under such conditions, hydraulic pressure would be required to elevate the

page_text: gun, as desired, raising the valve in the vertical ram K, and consequently by acting
on the recoil cylinder the gun will run out by one operation. I do not confine myself
to a horizontal hollow ram for the recoil cylinder, but may, if desired, adopt the more
general form of piston and rod, as employed for turret and similar mountings, only
that the rod should be hollow for the purposes of elevating and running out, as
above described. In such cases, the fluid in the recoil cylinder would be driven
behind the piston and be controlled by a rotary or other form of automatic valve
attached to the face of the piston. Or, in the preceding arrangements, I may employ
(instead of a hollow or pipe ram) a solid piston and rod, in which case, the piston
would be fitted with the relief valves and the space at one side of the piston would
take the place of the fluid reservoir Z hereinbefore referred to. Or the recoil
cylinder may be fitted to or form part of the beam W instead of the hollow or pipe
ram or the piston and rod being so arranged.
Having described my Invention applicable to heavy mountings, I now describe the
modification suited to smaller mountings, as illustrated on Sheet 2, Figures 7 and 8,
of which, represent views at right angles to each other, of a "centre-pivot" mounting,
suitable for Naval purposes. The horizontal recoil cylinder k is here shewn attached
to or formed in one with the pivoted beam W and the ram attached to or forming part
with the gun "thrust-band j," which is preferably in one piece, screwed on to a
screwed cone surface on the gun and secured thereto in any suitable manner. In this
modification, the automatic valve regulator, illustrated by figure 10, Sheet 2, is
arranged in the rear end of the recoil cylinder k. This valve contains one or more
ports, 14, which is or are covered more or less by a "scythe" shaped rotary valve or
valves, 12, actuated by the gun, during recoil, turning the frictional rollers T₁ mounted
on a spindle t² on which is also a worm t³ in gear with a wheel or segment on the
valve spindle a. The shape and position of ports 14, in the valve face, together with
the scythe-shaped cut off edge of the rotary valve 12, enables a uniform and
accelerating cut off to be effected.
The said valve is adjusted by turning the spindle 2, as required when the gun is off
the rollers T'. The object of this valve is the same as that hereinbefore stated in
connection with heavy mountings.
I do not restrict myself to any particular number of elevating cylinders in a
mounting and have shewn in Figures 7 and 8 two such cylinders K in combination
The under carriage" U is of a form to suit a circular path ring on the turn table
rack Sand carries a cone shaped shield 7, training and elevating gear and a plat-
form for the gunners, also the pivot bar around which the mounting turns as
hereinafter described. The turn table rack S supports a loosely fitting rack ring B
(see Figure 9) capable of being held stationary whereby the mounting is rotated as
follows. There are provided several pauls or drivers D₁ hinged to the racer path
which pauls or drivers when out of use are flush with the surface of the deck or floor
but which can be readily raised into an upright position to engage suitable lugs or
projections on the rack ring B thereby fixing it to the deck or floor and thus
avoiding the usually raised and fixed rack on the decks or floors for training the
racer or training path d³ being also flush with the surface of the deck or floor as
hereafter described.
A special hand training and clutch gear E¹ is arranged for ready manipulation final
adjustment or instantly stopping the hand or power training as required as follows.
The band wheel F¹ of the hand training gear is connected with a pinion G¹ gearing
with a spur wheel H¹ the latter being combined with the rack driving pinion 7 gearing
in the teeth 5 of the rack ring B. The hand wheel "K" is for putting the clutch L¹
in or out of gear or for effecting the final adjustment or instant stopping of the
training. It will be seen by reference to the enlarged sectional view Figure 11 that
the wheels H¹ and 7 and parts connected with the clutch are supported on a bracket M¹
of which the clutch box may be a portion and attached to the under carriage U. By
turning the clutch hand wheel K³ the clutch L' and spindles L and L³ are raised or
lowered as desired by the nut or screw at M² without turning the lower spindle L³
B

page_text: which drives the spur wheel H¹ and pinion 7 this being accomplished by a clip
coupling N fitted with friction balls n thereby allowing of hand training without
disturbing the clutch L' while out of gear. Two such gears are provided one on each
side of the gun so that the man who may be laying on the gun can control the training
by one, while a gunner may be training by the other and also for the convenience of
control when sighting at either side of the gun. Power training is provided by a
shaft and pinion the shaft t¹ passing through the deck or floor and capable of being
lowered flush therewith when not in use. This shaft may when convenient be made
to gear (by clutch or other means with a continuous motive shaft under the deck or
floor so that a series of mountings may be worked simultaneously or any one or more
of such mountings may he worked independently of each other by the same driving
shaft. Instead of the under carriage being supported and rotated on rollers Q as in
the case of the heavy mountings hereinbefore described it is in close contact with a
lubricated metallic surface H³ forming part of or attached to the turn table rack S or
on the surface H³ on the forward pivot quadrant H¹ Figure 13 hereinafter described.
The turntable rack S rests and rotates on two or more circular rows of balls S² the
balls in each row being of different sizes so as to form the frustrum of a cone as shewn
in Figure 9. The whole mounting and balls rest and rotate on a racer training path 1.
flush with the deck or floor as shewn in Figure 9. The centre pivot bar G' Figures 8
and 12 is specially arranged to render the whole mounting readily removable by
having three centres arranged in a triangle the centre bar G being the centre of
rotation and the centre G³ receiving the pins for connecting the pivot bar to deck or
floor suitable hand holes being provided in the under carriage to permit of the with-
drawing and replacing of the said pins when required and which pins when not in use
for securing the pivot bar in position are placed in the holes in the deck or floor and
are then flush therewith there being then no obstruction on the deck or floor if the
mounting should be removed. The hand elevating gear o is of any ordinary kind
with releasing clutch and wheels geared in a rack attached to the pivotted, beam W.
When the gun is fired the fluid discharged from the recoil cylinder acts on the
elevating cylinder in the manner hereinbefore described with reference to heavy
mountings, & are the bye pass valve handles and e are the relief valves communicating
with the air vessel guide band Z.
The mounting thus described is equally suited for a forward pivot without any
alteration whatever except that the racers D2 and turntable rack B are necessarily of
a different type as shewn in Figure 13 sheet 2 in which figure in place of the turn-
table rack there is substituted a coned roller quadrant A' pivoted at G2 in front of the usual
position of the gun trunnions and travelling on front and rear racer training paths D³
flush with the surface of the deck or floor. The training is effected by means of the
gear herein before described engaging a continuous or endless pitch chain E¹ the latter
passing round pulleys or rollers e² on the rear end of the coned roller quadrant A' and
round similar pulleys or rollers attached to the side of the vessel or other suitable
fixture and at a suitable distance apart to admit of the required range of training.
One of the latter pulleys is driven by a power shaft when available or required for
quick training but is at rest hen training by the hand gear. If the chain E¹ is being
driven by power the pinion 7 of the hand training will be held stationary by the
clutches L being in gear and the mounting will then train right or left as required
but if the chain he also at rest and the clutch L' in gear the whole mounting will
be stationary and securely housed. If it be desired to have a "final adjustment"
when driving by power the clutches L' should be released and the hand training
wheel F turned in the opposite direction to that traversed by the chain E¹ or if a
quicker movement be required this may be accomplished by turning the hand
wheel F in the same direction as that in which the chain is travelling. The hand
training is controlled in the manner described for the " centre-pivot" mounting or
both modes of training may be controlled by an independent lever connected to the
under carriage and brought more or less into contact with the racer training path
deck or floor whereby the movement of the mounting may be impeded or stopped. A

page_text: holding down clip D³ is provided on the rear racer training path D' and is engaged
by one or more clips D secured to the pivotted quadrant A' and travelling in a
groove D³ in the deck or floor which is covered by flaps De raised separately by the
clips D as the mounting is being trained but which fall again by gravity as the
clips leave them and the groove is thereby covered.
"
::
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27
The thrust due to force of recoil is taken up by the quadrant A' the centre boss
of the under carriage U transmitting the strain thereto and which is finally taken up
by the pivot G. In place of the coned shield hereinbefore described with reference
to the centre pivot mounting I protect the mountings of the "forward pivot"
type last described by a circularly formed shield attached to the front of the pivotted
beam Wand encircling the gun as shewn partly by dotted lines and partly by full
lines at II in Figures 8 and 13 sheet 2. The part I faces the "port reducing'
portion I at a suitable distance to admit of the required manipulations of the gun,
the said portion I2 is of a curved formed corresponding to the curve of the part I'
and attached to the inside of the ship or battery as shewn in Figure 13.
Figure 14 sheet 3 illustrates my invention as applied to a disappearing type
of gun mounting and shews two guns in a battery. Each gun is supported on side
levers W the levers of the one gun being independent of those of the other gun. The
recoil cylinders & of the two guns are or may be in communication with each other at
the bottom thereof or they may communicate by the trunnions and trunnion pipes k²
as shewn. The recoil cylinder and ram is provided with suitable stop and regulator
valves for controlling the recoil as in the arrangements hereinbefore described. The
cylinders of both guns are charged with fluid so that when one gun is fired the energy
of recoil thereof exerts sufficient pressure on the fluid to raise the other gun into
position for firing. The. guns are about equally balanced so that they can be raised
and lowered by mechanical or hydraulic power in a similar manner to that hereinbefore
described with reference to heavy mountings (when the latter power is available or
desired) whereby both guns may be housed in a mid position. When a single
disappearing gun is employed or in case of one of a pair being injured or disabled
an accumulator may be arranged in a convenient position to the battery and
communicating with the cylinder k in connection with the gun in use so that when
the gun is fired the power of recoil will raise the accumulator and by opening a
bye-pass" valve the said accumulator would again fall and give pressure to the
fluid thereby causing it to return the gun to its firing position. The elevating gear
consists of a hand wheel o fast on one end of a rod or spindle o³ carrying at its
opposite end a pinion driving a shaft in connection with both guns by wheels which
gear with the teeth of the racks p so that by turning the hand wheel o both guns are
elevated as desired. The training gear is or may be the same as that already
described for heavy mountings.
«
In single centre pivot gun mountings I may construct the centre pivot of the deck
or floor tubular through which may pass the ammunition from below and into a
corresponding tubular opening in the under carriage and by suitably diverting the
said opening in the under carriage the charge can be delivered to the gunners at the
side of the mounting the gunners being protected by the shield.
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 :-
:-
First In gun mountings a recoil cylinder and an elevating cylinder communi-
cating with each other and having rams or pistons as described and combined with
an air vessel or fluid reservoir or the equivalent thereof substantially as and for the
purpose hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Second-In gun mountings the combination of a recoil cylinder and an elevating
cylinder communicating with each other and having rams or pistons as described
with means for applying hydraulic power for simultaneously elevating and running
out the gun to firing position whether or not there be used in combination therewith.

page_text: hand elevating gear or brake mechanism or both all substantially as and for the
purposes herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Third-In gun mountings a recoil cylinder with an inclined groove and a recoil
regulator valve operated by the said groove and by a spring or a counter groove to
automatically open and close a valve such as is herein before described and illustrated
in Figure 5 Sheet 1 and Figure 10 sheet 2 all substantially in the manner hereinbefore
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Fourth-In gun mountings the combination with the recoil cylinder and ram or
piston of a recoil regulator valve and a bye-pass valve arranged and operated
substantially in the manner hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
Fifth In gun mountings recoil regulating valve constructed and arranged
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figure 5 sheet 1 or in
Figure 10 Sheet 2 of the accompanying drawings.
Sixth-In gun mountings a pivotted beam having a movement in a vertical
plane provided with passages for fluid in communication with combined recoil and
elevating cylinders and fluid reservoir or air chamber substantially as hereinbefore
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Seventh-In gun mountings two removeable trunnions or pivotting pins fitted
and secured to a fixed or removeable carriage or other like support and carrying an
oscillating lever constituting part of the gun mounting substantially as hereinbefore
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
=
Eighth In gun mountings a top carriage slide or pivotted beam fitted with
rollers upon which the gun itself directly bears and upon which it travels when
recoiling and running out substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to
the accompanying drawings.
Ninth In gun mountings a hollow guiding band encircling the breech end of the
gun and constituting an air vessel or fluid reservoir or both substantially as herein-
Before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Tenth In gun mountings the combination of upper and lower traversing paths
having between them conical live rollers the upper path supporting the under
carriage or other structure being provided with means for rotating it by hand or
power or both substantially as and for the purpose herein before described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
Eleventh In gun mountings the combination of conical rollers provided with
separate antifriction flanges capable of rotating in grooves or guides in the roller
paths with or without the outer ring of the live rollers being constructed so as to
admit of any roller being readily removed and replaced without disturbing other
parts of the mounting substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
Twelfth In gun mountings a raised circular standard A with a roller track or
path upon it so that the leverage of the mass above is reduced and great stability to
the mounting and space beneath are obtained with or without the double roller paths
provided with a double toothed rack ring for hand training and final adjustment or for
instantly stopping and with or without openings in the sides thereof substantially as
and for the purpose hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
Thirteenth-In gun mountings the combination of a fixed faced bed plate
standard A and centre pivot on which bed plate and standard the roller path is
supported or fixed so that the centre pivot bearing and the said roller path give
between them a true surface for the training movements substantially as herein before
described with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
Fourteenth-In gun mountings means whereby the training or traversing may
be effected by hand or when required by power for rapid training in combination
with means for final adjustment under control of the Officer in charge substantially
as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

page_text: Fifteenth In gun mountings the combination with a recoil cylinder and a ram
or piston rod of a recoil regulating valve operated by the gun during its recoil
substantially as herein before described with reference to Figures 7 and 8 of the
accompanying drawings.
Sixteenth-In gun mountings the combination of the power turn table rack the
hand training rack and hinged pawls or their equivalents and deck or floor fittings
arranged and operating substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein-
before described with reference to Figures 7, 8 and 9 sheet 2 of the accompanying
drawings.
Seventeenth-In gun mountings (whether central or forward pivotted) an under
carriage with a circular base in combination with hand and power training racks
turning centrally with a pivot bar secured to the deck or floor in the manner and for
the purpose substantially as herein before described with reference to Figures 7, 8,
12 and 13 sheet 2 of the accompanying drawings.
Eighteenth-In gun mountings a pivotted quadrant provided with bearing
surfaces at the front and rear upon which the base of the under carriage bears in
combination with coned rollers on which the mounting traverses, the traversing being
effected by means of an endless pitch chain in connection with hand or power gear
substantially as herein before described with reference to Figure 13 sheet 2 of the
accompanying drawings.
Nineteenth-In centre pivotted gun mountings the combination of a training path
or racer flush with the floor or deck pawls or clips attached thereto for holding the
mounting in position but which when not in use turn down flush with the floor or
deck substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 7, 8, 9 and 13
Sheet 2 of the accompanying drawings.
Twentieth-In forward pivotted gun mountings the combination with races and
flaps flush with the deck or floor of clips for holding the mounting in position and for
raising the said flaps during traversing substantially as herein before described with
reference to Figure 13.Sheet 2 of the accompanying drawings.
Twenty first-In centre pivotted gun mountings the arrangement of two or more
series of balls of different sizes upon which the turn table rack and mounting rests
and rotates substantially as herein before described with reference to Figures 7, 8,
and 9 Sheet 2 of the accompanying drawings.
Twenty second-With forward pivotted gun mountings the combination of a
shield constructed and arranged substantially as herein before described with reference
to Figures 8 and 13 Sheet 2 of the accompanying drawings.
Twenty third-The combination with gun mountings in series of a horizontal or
approximately horizontal driving shaft and means for engaging or disengaging
therewith so that the mountings may be operated separately or collectively under
control of manual or power gear for reducing the number of men otherwise exposed
to the fire of an enemy by being under cover of the deck or floor substantially as
herein before described.
Twenty fourth-ln gun mountings for disappearing guns combined recoil and
raising cylinders and rams or pistons together with side levers or equivalent con-
nections arranged and combined together to operate substantially as hereinbefore
described with reference to Figure 14 Sheet 3 of the accompanying drawings.
Twenty fifth-In gun mountings for disappearing guns the combination with one
or more guns of a combined recoil and raising cylinder or several such cylinders and
an accumulator substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described with
reference to Figure 14 Sheet 3 of the accompanying drawings.
Twenty sixth-In gun mountings for disappearing guns the arrangement of one
elevating gear capable of working both guns in common either by hand or power
substantially as herein before described and illustrated in Figure 14 sheet 3 of the
accompanying drawings.
Twenty seventh-The general construction combination and arrangement of parts
constituting a gun mounting substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated
on sheet 1 of the accompanying drawings.

page_text: Twenty eighth-The general construction combination and arrangement of parts
constituting a gun mounting substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated on
sheet 2 of the accompanying drawings..
Twenty ninth-The general construction combination and arrangement of parts
constituting a mounting for disappearing guns substantially as herein before described
and illustrated on sheet 3 of the accompanying drawings.