Improvements in Projectiles for Ordnance.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Dec., 1891-Accepted, 16th Jan., 1892
[Communicated from abroad by JOHN WESLEY Ross, of the City of Washington,
in the District of Columbia, United States of America, Attorney-at-Law.]
Improvements in Projectiles for Ordnance.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine Lake & Co. Patent
Agents, 45 Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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 relates to improvements in projectiles for heavy orduance, the
purpose thereof being to provide a solid shot or a shell having such formation that
it may not only plough through, penetrate or tear up the armor of a vessel, but
that its flight from the piece firing said projectile may be accurate in aim, and the
range as great as in projectiles of usual or different construction.
It is my further purpose to provide a projectile having a hollow, imperforate,
conoidal point, detachable from and attachable to the body of the projectile and
composed of any suitable frangible material, such as cast iron, a thin plate of high
steel, or even porcelain or glass, although the two latter materials may prove, in
practice, less desirable; the enclosed end of the projectile which is the active
working, penetrating or ploughing end being provided with one, two, or more, con-
centric rings, or angular shoulders of successively increasing diameter from the
point of the projectile toward its base, whereby the impact of the shot upon the
armor of a vessel at any angle will shatter the conoidal point, and expose the active
working, penetrating or ploughing end having angular shoulders which will
instantly bite into and plough up or penetrate the metal of the armor, preventing
the projectile from deflection, or glancing, and causing far greater destruction and
a deeper penetration than is possible with a solid, conical shot or a shell unprovided
with my said invention.
The invention consists to these ends in the several novel features of construction
and new combinations of parts hereinafter fully set forth.
In the accompanying drawing
Figure 1, is a side elevation of a projectile embodying my invention.
Figure 2, is a detail perspective of the same, showing the cap removed.
Figure 3, is a central vertical section of the projectile.
Figure 4, is a sectional elevation showing a modified construction.
Figure 5, is a similar view showing the application of the invention to a shell.
In the said drawing the reference numeral 1, denotes the body of the projectile
which may be solid as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, and which is formed of suitable
metal in the usual manner and of any desired form and provided with a head,
which is composed of angular and substantially concentric shoulders 2, having a
successively diminished diameter as they proceed toward the extreme point 3, of
the projectile.
These angular shoulders will preferably be of circular form, though it is evident
that they may be made of polygonal shape, whereby sharp cutting angles will be pro-
vided, which may alternate one with another, so that one or more will invariably
come in contact with the object aimed at. Said shoulders, also, may be of any
number from two upward and will usually be made of hardened steel, or other
suitable metal.
Surrounding and enclosing the active, working, penetrating or ploughing point of
the projectile upon which the angular shoulders 2, are formed, is a conoidal or
approximately cone-shape imperforate cap 4, which surrounds the lower shoulder
upon the end of the projectile, the exterior of said cap forming flush surfaces with
CD
013

page_text: the body of the projectile. This cap is constructed of some brittle and easily
shattered material, such, for example, as a thin shell of cast iron or other metal,
though glass, porcelain or even earthenware may be used, provided a sufficient
body is employed to impart the necessary strength. This cap may be shrunk upon
the shoulder next to the end of the body, 1, or it may be screwed thereon or, if
preferred, it may, if formed of metal, be brazed, whereby the scam, or point will be
practically imperceptible. Its presence preserves the symmetry of the projectile,
ensures accuracy of flight and increases the range, whereas should the projectile be
fired without the conical or conoidal cap, or point 4, the resistance exerted by the
atmosphere upon the series of angular shoulders 2, would necessarily impede its
flight, and might seriously interfere with the accuracy of the aim.
When the projectile strikes the object at which it is fired, the point or cap 4, is
shattered instantaneously and the angular shoulders 2, which are thereby exposed,
are driven into the wall, armor-plate or other object, such as the armor of a vessel
of war, instead of being deflected or glancing off, as is usually the case with conical
shot unless they strike fairly upon the point. The angular shoulders, however, of
whatever form they may be made, bite into, plough up, and shatter the metal of
the armor, and not only make a deeper penetration, but effect far more damage and
destruction than is possible with a conical shot not provided with my invention.
I have shown in the drawing, in Figures 1, and 2 and 3, a smooth joint between
the cap and the projectile, whereby the two may be united by shrinking, or by
brazing, or such other suitable means as are adapted to this form of construction.
I have also illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, a male and female thread cut upon the
head of the projectile or shell and within the cap, respectively, whereby said parts
are united.
I may, however, unite these parts in any other suitable manner and
my invention is not limited in this respect, to any specified construction.
My invention may be applied without material change to shells, of whatever
construction, provided that they are of such form as to require a conical or
conoidal point, as shown in Figure 5. These shells may be exploded by any of
the usual means, such as high explosives or time fuses, or other means.
Having now particularly described, and ascertained the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated
to me by my foreign correspondent I declare that what I claim is :-
:-
First. A cap, or conoidal point, for projectiles, composed of frangible material,
and adapted to enclose and protect the active, working penetrating or ploughing
point of said projectile during handling and transportation, and during its flight,
when fired, whereby its range and accuracy of aim are preserved, and whereby,
upon impact, said cap, or conoidal point shall be shattered, to expose the active
working, penetrating or ploughing point of the projectile and enable it to plough
into, or penetrate, the object struck, substantially as described.
Second. A projectile for ordnance, consisting of a body portion having a striking
point composed of two or more angular shoulders and a frangible, conical cap
enclosing said point, substantially as described.
Third. A projectile for ordnance, consisting of a body portion having a striking
point composed of a series of angular shoulders having their diameter diminishing
successively toward the extremity of said point, and a conical, imperforate cap
enclosing said shoulders and forming flush exterior surfaces, said cap being formed
of easily frangible metal, or material, substantially as described.
Fourth. A projectile for ordnance, consisting of a solid body, having a striking
point formed of concentric, angular shoulders, which have successively diminished
diameters, in combination with a frangible conical cap, enclosing said point and
forming flush exterior surfaces, said cap being secured upon the shell in any
suitable manner, substantially as described.
Fifth. A projectile for ordnance, consisting of a body portion having a striking,
ploughing and penetrating point composed of a series of angular, concentric
shoulders, of successively diminished diameters, and an imperforate conical or

page_text: conoidal cap composed of frangible material, the open base of said cap being
engaged with the shoulder at the end of the projectile, the exterior of the cap
being flush with the outer surface of the projectile, the striking point of which is
received in and enclosed by said cap, substantially as described.
Sixth. A projectile for ordnance, consisting of a cylindrical body-portion having
at one end a striking point composed of a series of circular and angular shoulders
having sides which are parallel to and concentric with the axis of the projectile
and flat faces at right angles to said axis, in combination with a frangible, conical,
or conoidal imperforate cap forming flush exterior surfaces with the body of the
projectile, its open base surrounding and engaging the circular, angular shoulder
nearest the end of the projectile, the said striking point of which is received in
and enclosed and protected by said cap without contact with the angular shoulders,
the latter being successively diminished in diameter as they approach the apex of
the striking point, substantially as described.
Dated this 15th d
1001
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.