Year: 1886

page_text: JOHN FORMBY of Formby near Liverpool in the County of Lancaster Gentleman
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:-
This Invention relates to that description of Machine Gun in which barrels are
arranged side by side in a frame with a noveable breech block which when closing
forces the Cartridges into the barrels, and when opening after firing withdraws
the cartridge cases.
The purpose and object of these improvements is the construction of a Machine
Gun of the above description which will comprise the following essential features.
First. Simplicity and fewness of parts.
Second. The working parts of the Gun to be so constructed that if any one or
more parts should be damaged it or they can be readily removed and duplicates of
the same refitted.
Third. So arranging and actuating the mechanism in connection with each
barrel, that if any one barrel becomes disabled it can be thrown out of gear
without interfering with the effective action of the remaining barrels.
Fourth. The opening and closing of the breech block to be so operated that
shocks or blows are avoided thereby preventing any disturbance in the position or
aim of the Gun.
Fifth. To arrange and construct the slides for the breech block so that no
accumulation of dust or extraneous matter can jam or impede the effective action
of the breech block.
Sixth. Giving the traverse of the motion bar which opens and closes the breech
block on its endless slides a length of stroke which is not limited to the extent
required for opening or closing the breech but amply sufficient for that purpose, so
that if any excess of motion to the working handle is given, it will not come
against any stop or affect the working of the Gun, but will transmit to the
working parts a freedom of action which will enable the firing to be performed.
with rapidity and steadiness.
Seventh. To so balance the effort of motion for working the Gun that any
swivelling movement or wrench tending to divert the aim is reduced to a
minimum and
Eighth. To confine the mechanism working the breech and apparatus in
connection therewith within the framing of the Gun without any on the hopper or
magazine, and so shield the working parts from damage.
In order that the manner of performing the Invention may be well understood
I have hereunto annexed two Sheets of Drawings upon which letters of referénce
are marked on corresponding parts on all the Figures alike.

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1. represents a longitudinal section of the Gun shewing the breech closed
ready to fire, this view also shews the mechanism feeding the Cartridges to the
breech.
Fig. 2.-represents a similar view minus the feeding mechanism shewing the
motion bar and breech block in their back or open position receiving the
Cartridge.
Fig. 3.-represents a plan view of Fig: 1. with the Cartridge holder or magazine
removed, one half being shewn with the mechanism feeding the Cartridges from
the hopper or magazine to a receptacle below ready for admission to the breech,
and the other half in which the upper feeding mechanism is removed, shews the
lower mechanism feeding such Cartridge to the breech. The breech block being
shewn partly open.
Fig. 4. represents a transverse section of Fig. 1 through the line y. y shewing
the hopper or cartridge holder, and feeding, and extracting mechanism.
Fig. 5.-represents a rear end view of the breech block with opening and closing
mechanism and cartridge catchers shewn in dotted lines.
Fig. 6. represents a longitudinal section of the striker mechanism.
Fig. 7.-represents a plan view of the Cartridge catcher, and
Figs. 8, 9, 10, 10ª 11 and 11ª represent supplemental detached views of parts of
the Gun hereinafter referred to.
In these Figs. A is the axle or trunnion on which the Gun is mounted A¹ is the
framing supporting the barrels, and breech 'mechanism, there are four barrels A³.
In an intermediate position between these barrels (as shewn in detail Figs. 3
and 11 I place the motion bar a provided at its front end with the handle a¹, this
handle can be arranged as shewn or in any convenient position. In an intermediate
position on this bar is fixed, the extractor catch piece a³, the opposite or rear end
of this bar terminates in bearings a³. This end of the motion bar has also an
enlargement or cam surface as formed on the underside thereof. The bearing a³ of
this bar forms the support for the upper rocking hook c above the barrels, the
short arm c¹ of which rests on the upper surface of the motion bar a when the
hook is in its raised position (as seen in Fig. 1) and the opposite end of its long
arm c terminates in an inclined surface hook c, a stop c which shields the firing
key is also formed on its under surface. Underneath the barrels on the main
axis bis supported the under rocking lever b', the short arm of this lever supports
a small friction bowl which bears against the under surface of the sliding motion
bar a, and the end of its long arm ba is turned up, and terminates on its inner side
in an inclined surface 63. At the rear end of the barrels A² the breech block d is
supported in sliding bearings d. The rear end of the breech block & on its surface
only where the hook catches it is provided with the inclined surface piece d², this
said piece when worn can be faced up or renewed.
Conveniently placed above the breech of the Gun I support the hopper or
magazine e in the bearings e¹ secured to the framing A', or such hopper may be
placed on its seating and secured in position by set screws or their equivalent.
This hopper is divided into. eight vertical compartments for containing the
Cartridges i.e. two compartments for each of the four barrels A and its frame or
case is so constructed that it can be bodily moved in its bearings e¹ or on its
seating so as to bring any one set of the compartments into position for discharging
its cartridges into the breech of the Gun. The top plate e of the Gun which
forms the base of the bottomless hopper when in its place for delivering its
cartridges to the breech is provided with thoroughfares for the passage of the
Cartridges into the intermediate compartment es of which it forms the top-see
Fig. 4-cach of which said interinediate compartments is also provided in its base
with similar tlioroughfares for the escape of the Cartridge into the Cartridge
catchers. In order to regulate and time the passage of the cartridges from the

page_text: .
compartments of the magazine to the intermediate receptacles and from thence to
the cartridge catchers I support them by means of the levers or bars e¹ and e³ of
which those shewn in the drawings at Figs. 1. 3 and 4 are an example. The levers
or bars e and e3 have their fulcrum at h and when in their normal position in
which they are maintained when not otherwise acted upon by the springs e or
their equivalent form a partial abutment or stop, blocking the thoroughfares
through which the Cartridges pass from the magazine into the intermediate com-
partment e and from thence on to the cartridge catchers. These levers or bars are
acted upon during the time the motion bar a is making its backward stroke by the
projecting studs d³ and d' secured to and carried by the sliding breech block & in
manner as bereinafter described. The roller facts upon the inclined surface c* of
the rocking hook c when the motion bar is being withdrawn in a manner which
lowers the same into a locking position on to the inclined surface of the rear breech
pièce d' as seen in Fig. 2, this position of the hook c is firmly maintained whilst
the breech is being opened, and closed, by the said roller f assisted at the rear end
of the stroke by the cross bar of the framing A¹
Immediately underneath the breech opening I support on the axis pin & passing
through a central supporting bearing carried by the under cross bar of the frame
the lever or cartridge catcher i seen in plan Fig. 7. the position of this lever is
such that when the breech is withdrawn, the bottom rear edge of the breech
block d will come into contact with the end of the short arm of such lever i¹ and
tilt or raise its long arm into the space left by the withdrawal of the breech block
(as seen in Fig. 2) into a position for receiving or catching the Cartridge at the
time it is dropped from the intermediate upper compartment c. This long arm of
the lever seen more clearly in detached plan at Fig. 7. is provided with a cross
bar in which are cut or formed the striker catches, and also with a slide i³ which
can be readily removed for relieving the Cartridge in the event of a jam taking
place. The long arm or cartridge catcher of the lever is held up firmly against
the underside of the breech block when closed by the spring thus keeping the
strikers held back. This spring thus acts as a sort of " Bear spring, and also
being fastened on the under rocking lever 62 tends to make this lever fall sharply
when released by the movement of the cam a Near the rear end of the sliding
breech block d, and in an intermediate position between the barrels I place in a
recess of the same the firing key the upper surface of which is provided with a cam
surface k, this surface is kept in its normal raised position by the coiled spring k¹,
the underspindle of this firing key terminates in a cross bar c² which is constructed
to project out sideways from the central firing key to the cartridge catchers on
which are fixed the striker catch cross bars by this means the motion of the
central firing key k is communicated direct to such cross bars . These cross bars
are maintained in position for holding up the strikers by the spring as described
until the firing key comes into action at which time the ends of the cross bars
come down on the cartridge catchers (as seen in the detached side view of breech
Fig. 9) and force them down, the action of which releases the strikers o exploding
the cartridges. The cross bar k³ when not so acted upon is withdrawn by the
spring (see Fig. 1) into a recess cut in the underside of the breech block so as to
be flush therewith thereby allowing the end 63 of the rocking lever when the
breech is being moved to pass freely,
In front of the breech block and at the rear of the Gun barrels I support on the
main axle 6 the cartridge extractors m and their actuating levers or arms m' seen
more clearly in Figs. 1. 2 and 4, a stop m² on each of the distance pieces m³ pro-
jecting backwards so that when the breech is open the extractor arms and
extractors will have a backward movement sufficient only to allow the extractor
catch on the motion bar a to pass freely over without check or jerk, the breech
block when closed brings the extractors into their vertical position, the said
extractors are so formed, and placed in relation to the barrels that each forms with
the cartridge catcher an additional support and guide for the cartridge when
being forced into the barrel with the forward advance of the breech block.
L

page_text: In order that the extractors m shall be directly actuated by the extractor
arms m³ which are separate pieces and also that any of them can be removed
without affecting the action of the others, or replaced by a duplicate if necessary, a
small key is put in the tube of each and a key groove cut along the whole length
of the axis pin b so that by drifting out this pin any piece may be removed and if
not replaced by a spare one, the space so formed may be filled in by a short tube or
distance piece.
The interior of the breech block is bored as shown in detached section at Fig. 6
in a line with and at a slight angle to the axis of such barrel, in each of the
cavities so formed a striker o for exploding the cartridge is placed, this striker has
secured to it the sliding catch or head o³ which is raised by the inclined axis of the
striker as shewn in Fig. 6 during that part of the stroke in which it is cocked.
This arrangement is for the purpose of providing plenty of metal to withstand the
blow of the head when coming in contact with the striker catchers and com-
pressing the striker springs, it also enables the strikers when cocked to be cocked
lightly so that a long stroke of the firing key k is not necessary, the length of
stroke though short will be able to fire the four shots in succession with perfect
distinctness. If fired simultaneously the stroke of the firing key may be shorter
still. The spindle of the striker o is also provided with a groove o' so that when
any one of such strikers is required not to act (in the event of its breech
mechanism being disabled or from other cause) a lock bolt o² on the rear end of the
breech block (vide Fig. 5) near each striker spindle can be inserted into any one of
such grooves when in the position as shewn at Fig. 10 and so prevent the action
of the striker so locked.
The method of operating the Gun will now be understood by the following
description reference being bad to the drawings.
The motion bar a can be actuated either by the handle as shewn or by a
reciprocating lever, or a rotary motion through the medium of a crank or
connecting rod, but for the purpose of this description I will as an example use
a handle in which case the gunner after sighting his Gun takes hold of the
handle a which first depresses the spring lever a shewn in the detached
view Fig. 10 and raises the catch from the draw bar slide a secured to the frame
which acts as a safety stop, the raising of the catch frees the draw bar a which he
then pulls towards him, the action of which withdraws the breech block d from
its closed position as shewn in Fig. 1, to its open position as shewn in Fig. 2.
During the backward traverse of the draw bar a the mechanism for supplying
cartridges to the breeches of the four barrels together with the manner in which
the breech block is prepared for being returned to the firing position is actuated as
follows:
I would first remark that the motion bar a actuating the feeding and breech
mechanism has a free traverse in its parallel slides a without check or stop
backwards and forwards which prevents jarring or knocking. During the first
backward start of the motion bar a the end of the short arm of the lower rocking
lever slides up the incline of the enlarged portion a of the bar a the action of
which allows the end 6s of its long arm to drop out of contact with the inclined
breech piece d thereby unlocking the breech block and leaving it free to move
back, simultaneously with which the upper rocking hook c is caused by reason of
its inclined termination c. to be forced under the friction bowlf into locking
contact with the rear end of the breech as shewn in Fig. 2 in which position it
remains during the whole of the backward stroke, it being firmly retained in such
position during the time the breech is open by the roller fand towards the rear
end of its stroke also by the cross bar g, a stop c' on the underside of this lever;
forms a shield or guard for the firing key when the hook c is fully down see Fig. 2
at which time the end of the motion bar bears against the face of the breech block.
Whilst the draw bar is thus being drawn back carrying with it the breech
block & the projecting catches or tappets & and d' on such breech block are also
being carried with it, these tappets whilst thus traversing come into contact with

page_text: the cam surfaces of their respective lever bars e³ and e³. The long arms of the top
lever bars seen more clearly at Fig. 3 when not otherwise acted upon are
maintained by the spring e' which may be an elastic rubber spring or a metallic
spring) in a position which prevents the Cartridges in the hopper e passing
from such hopper into the lower compartment e but when the stud or tappet, d³ is
brought into contact with the cam surfaces of such lever. bars they are caused to
expand and clear the thoroughfares for the passage of cartridges from the hopper
into the intermediate compartments e³. The Cartridges thus received in these
compartments rest on the long arms of the lever bars e² until the backward stroke
is being finally completed at which time the ends of such lever bars are brought
into contact with the catchers or tappets d' which forces such lever bars inwards so
as to clear the lower thoroughfares allowing the cartridges to pass from the
intermediate compartments e5 on to the cartridge catchers in which position they
are ready with the forward action of the motion bar and breech block to be forced
into the barrels A², this is accomplished through the hooked end of the rocking
arm c being retained during the forward stroke in contact with the rear end of
the breech block as described but immediately the breech is closing ready for
firing as seen at Figs. 1 and 10 the inclined surface b³ of the lower rocking arm
wedges up on to the rear end of the breech and so firmly jams and closes such
breech whilst the explosion takes place.
As the cam surface a engages with the end of the lever b' the corner of the
book runs out from under the roller f and so is free to rise on to the top of the
breech block as seen in the detached view Fig. 9. As it moves into this position
with the movement of the motion bar which is unchecked it depresses the firing
key k, but it is prevented from rising more than just sufficient to pass along the
top of the breech block by reason of its other end c¹ acting as a stop when resting
on the top surface of the motion bar a. Firing is at this time effected by the
continued movement of the motion bar drawing the closing hook c³ over the firing
key (vide Fig. 9 thus depressing it and releasing the strikers o.
In Fig. 11 a method is shown for making the strikers rebound slightly after
the cartridge has been exploded. According to this arrangement (which is shewn as
an example) I place in front of the striker head o a short stiff spring p or an elastic
buffer, this spring is so constructed that it will yield to the momentium of the
striker when released and allow the striker to explode the cartridge, but it will
immediately afterwards overpower the long extended spring, and so bring back the
striker point within the breech block and so avoid all danger of igniting the
cartridge it it is accidentally pushed home rapidly.
The bolts and catches employed for retaining the several parts in position may
also be provided with rebounding springs or buffers which will enable them when
released to rebound automatically.
Immediately the explosion has taken place the motion bar is again drawn back
which as the breech is opened causes the extractors m to take hold of the exploded
cartridge cases and withdraw them from the breech as described, the action is then
repeated and continued with each to and fro movement of the motion bar a.
-
The axle bis formed with a key groove in a manner which will allow auý
mechanism which has become disabled to be removed or reinstated without-
interfering with the remaining portions of the Gun, this axle is locked or secured
in position by the bolts n seen in detail at Fig. 8 or its equivalent.
The axis pin is also held in place by similar bolts and can be drifted out to
remove or replace a cartridge catcher in a similar manner but it has no key groove,
likewise the catches or tappets d³ opening the levers admitting the cartridges to
pass from the hopper to the intermediate chamber above the breech are so
constructed that one half of any one of such catches can be removed so as to
allow the cam of the lever corresponding to that catch to pass free in the event of
any one of the corresponding breeches which they supply becoming disabled. The
parts of the Gun generally are so arranged that the effective barrels can be worked
and the remaining ones not in order can be thrown out of gear.

page_text: For sighting the Gun I prefer to use high sighting pieces so as to sight over the
top of the hopper, and to so arrange and; place the foresight that it can be lowered
as required for each set of ranges thereby getting the sighting for all the ranges in
the power of the Gun with a limited range of motion of the back sight.
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. In a machine Gun in which a reciprocating motion is imparted to the breech
block the manner of opening and closing such breech block by the direct action of
the motion bar a in combination with the closing hook c together with the means
by which the breech block is seized and released substantially as described' and
shewn in the drawings annexed.
2. The arrangement and combination with such sliding breech block of the
rocking lever b. for wedging and locking such breech block when closed in the
manner substantially as described and shewn in the drawings annexed.
3. The employment of loose axle spindles for the main axis b and cartridge
catcher axis i together with the means of securing them in position by bolts as
shewn at Figs. 4 and 8 or their equivalent which will enable. any of the parts of
which they form the axis being taken out or replaced in the manner and for the
purpose substantially as described herein.
4. The arrangement and combination of parts forming the cartridge catcher i
cocking catcher and catcher slide 2³ for enabling a cartridge in the event of
any impediment arising being taken out if required substantially as described.
5. The novel construction of the Firing key k and cross bar i³ for actuating
the strikers in the manner substantially as described:
6. The arrangement combination and actuation of the levers or bars e² and e³
for feeding Cartridges first from the hopper to the intermediate chamber e³ and
then to the Cartridge catchers i (preparatory for being forced into the barrels) at
different periods of time so as to avoid jamming or confusion in the manner
substantially as described herein and shewn in the drawings annexed.
7. The construction and adaptation to the breech block of the catches or
tappets da for actuating the upper feed levers or bars e² whereby such levers or
bars or any one of them can be cut out of action or made non-effective by simply
removing the said catchers or tappets out of their respective sockets or holders
substantially as described.
8. The adaptation to the back of the breech block of the bolts o' for locking
any one of the strikers and so prevent it or they from working substantially as
described herein.
9. The novel arrangement and construction of hopper or magazine for holding
a double supply of cartridges for each barrel adapted to and employed in connection
with the Gun in manner substantially. as described herein and shewn in the
drawings annexed.
10. The general arrangement construction combination, and actuation of the
working parts of the Gun for effecting their various functions and carrying out
the objects of this Invention in the manner as substantially described set forth
and fully illustrated in the drawings annexed.
1 1
T1000