Revolving Tower Fortifications.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd May, 1892-Accepted, 4th June, 1892
Revolving Tower Fortifications.
I, THEODORE RUGGLES TIMBY, of 1329 F Street, Northwest, in the City of
Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America, 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:
The object of my invention is to produce a fortification for coast defence of
greater efficiency than any heretofore devised. To this end I construct a revolving
tower or turret of bell or funnel shape, supported by rollers upon a firm foundation
constructed as hereinafter described. The walls of the revolving tower or turret.
are inclined preferably at an angle of about 45 degrees, extending at about this
angle in substantially straight converging lines from a vertical skirt at bottom,
forming the margin of the revolving tower, to the dome shaped apex, so as to
afford the greatest extent of deflecting surface, and are constructed of two shells of
steel or other metal with an interposed packing of elastic fibrous material to deaden
the force and sound from the impact of projectiles, the outer metallic shell being
of much greater thickness and the inner metallic shell being backed or supported
by a bed of wood which has a further effect in deadening blows which may be
received on the outer surface of the tower.
The foundation is constructed with a number of concentric walls of masonry
affording direct support to the ways on which the supporting rollers travel, and
with a fixed central hollow standard, from the upper portion of which extends in
all directions the stationary floor on which the carrying rollers of the revolving
tower or turret travel upon annular concentric ways directly over the concentric
foundation walls before referred to, which thus afford firm and unyielding support
to the revolving tower or turret. The fixed central hollow standard of the
foundation and the floor connected thereto are furthermore braced and supported
by radial stays or trusses of metal.
Ball or other antifriction bearings are provided between the floor or base of the
revolving tower or turret and the fixed central standard about which it revolves.
The foundation is provided with one or more horizontal tunnels affording a sub-
terranean approach to the base of the fortification and to the interior of a hollow
independently revolving column which carries a sighting platform within the dome
of the revolving tower or turret, and through which the gun floor and the sighting
platform are reached by means of a suitable stairway.
Upon the floor of the revolving tower or turret, a pair of heavy guns are
mounted in parallel position on opposite sides of a concentric wall, within which
the central hollow column carrying the sighting platform is capable of reciprocating
rotation, independently of the tower or turret, to any necessary extent, which
usually need not exceed 180 degrees. This central hollow column is supported at
bottom on a suitable step and is braced and stayed concentrically within the hollow
standard of the foundation by means of a supporting packing of fibrous material,
which prevents the transmission of shocks to the revolving column and thence to
the sighting platform. The hollow revolving column, besides affording access to
the gun floor and sighting platform, is useful in affording ingress of air for venti-
lation, and also accommodates electrical and other conductors for power and by
which the guns may be automatically fired.
Upon the sighting platform is carried a sighting telescope mounted in an elastic
bearing or support, which prevents the transmission of shocks to the sighting
telescope. The sighting platform is also provided with one, two, or more, additional

page_text: telescopes also mounted in elastic supports and adapted for independent use in
surveying the field. The sighting is done through a narrow horizontal slot in the
dome extending partially around upon the side toward which the guns are
presented.
The electric contacts for effecting the discharge of the guns automatically at the
proper point by the movement or position of the sighting platform, are located
on the exterior of the central wall of the revolving tower so as to be in full
view of the gunners upon the gun floor of the tower and thus avcid danger
of accidents by the closing of the firing circuits when the guns are not ready for
firing.
A fixed cover of metal surrounds the skirt or base of the revolving tower, so as
to afford light and ventilation to the interior of the foundation while effectually
protecting the base of the tower, said cover being embedded at its lower part in
concrete and presenting an oblique surface so as to deflect an enemy's missiles and
prevent their direct impact.
In order that the invention may be fully understood, I will proceed to describe
it in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :-
Figure I is a perspective view of the structure.
Figure II is a vertical section of the same.
Figure III is a vertical section of the same in a plane at right angles to that
shown in Figure II, representing the revolving column and the sighting platform in
elevation, and the sighting telescope in dotted lines.
Figure IV is a horizontal section above the gun floor showing the guns and firing
conductors in plan view.
Figure V is a detail view of the sighting platform and telescope on a larger
scale, showing the tower wall and the housings of the telescopes in section in the
plane of the horizontal sighting slot.
Figure VI is a detail elevation of the sighting telescope, also on a larger scale.
represents a base or bed of concrete, in which are embedded plates of metal
forming a base floor 2. The bed 1 also affords support to a number of concentric
annular foundation walls 4, 5, 6, which are surmounted by a bearing floor 7 for the
revolving tower or turret, said bearing floor 7 being formed with annular
ways 7, 7, 7° directly over the annular foundation walls 4, 5, 6 respectively, which
are thus adapted to sustain the said bearing ways and the load carried thereon.
Fitted on the respective ways 7, 7, 7, are a sories of concave faced conical
rolls 8, 8, 8, mounted upon radial horizontal shafts 8, any desirable number of
which are arranged equidistantly around the foundation to carry the revolving
tower or turret and permit its ready rotation. The foundation is furthermore
constructed with a central hollow supporting standard 3 firmly supported at
bottom on the bed 1 and at the top by the foundation floor 7, above which it
extends to furnish a central bearing for the revolving tower or turret. The fixed
hollow standard 3 is braced by radial trusses 9, and the entire foundation is
securely tied together by rods 7d secured beneath the floor 2 and above the
concentric walls 7ª, 7º, 7º.
The revolving tower or turret is constructed with a base floor 10 formed with
annular bearing ridges or ways 10°, 10°, 10° resting on the carrying rolls 8*, 86, 8°
respectively, and with a central annular flange 11, between which and the upper
part of the hollow standard 3 are fitted antifriction balls 12 to accurately centre
the revolving tower or turret while permitting its easy rotation. A pair of heavy
guns 13 are mounted on the gun floor 10 in parallel position on each side of a
concentric wall 14, which rises from the central annular flange 11 of the tower
floor. The external walls of the tower or turret are approximately bell or funnel
shaped inclined about 45 degrees in order to afford the greatest possible extent of
deflecting surface within given dimensions. Said walls are constructed of a massive
outer shell 15 of steel, and an inner shell of steel 16 of less thickness, and an
interposed packing 17 of fibrous material for the purpose of deadening the shock

page_text: and sound produced by the impact of projectiles upon the exterior of the tower.
The interior shell 16 is supported by a wooden backing 18.
At a suitable height in the dome of the revolving tower, is a horizontal sighting
slot 19, which I prefer to extend about one half way round the tower, or 180 degrees
of the circumference, this being the maximum extent to which it is necessary to
make observations. Additional sighting ports may be provided on the opposite
sides of the dome if desired.
Within the hollow foundation standard 3 is a vertical hollow column 20 supported
on a step 21 and capable of revolution independently of the tower. Said revolving
column is stayed near the upper end of the fixed hollow standard 9 by an anti-
friction collar 22 backed by a fibrous packing, which, while it supports the column
in central position, serves to deaden and prevent the transmission of shocks. Access
is had to the gun floor by means of a stairway 24 within the hollow column, and
through suitable doors 20 and 20° in the hollow column 20 and well 14. The
hollow column 20 is surmounted by a sighting platform 23, to which access is had
by the stairway 24. Upon this platform is mounted a telescope 25 upon elastic
bearings 26, so that any shocks or vibrations which may be received by the sighting
platform will not impart vibration to the telescope. The telescope 25 is intende !
for use in sighting an object in order to accurately determine the line upon which
the gun shall be discharged automatically when the said line is reached in the
revolution of the tower. The two guns are advantageously used by firing one at
one revolution of the tower or turret and the other at the next revolution, or, on
an emergency, both can be fired at once. Additional telescopes 25* are also
mounted upon elastic bearings 26" upon the sighting platform for other observation
purposes.
To effect the automatic discharge of the guns, a suitable conductor 27 is carried
from the sighting platform downward into position to reach a contact plate 28,
which is connected by independent switches 29, 30 with conductors 31, 32 con-
necting with the fuse or primer of the respective guns 13.
36 represents gearing by which the column 20 and the sighting platform 23 are
rotated, and 37, a key-board for controlling electric circuits for revolving the
tower, firing the guns, signalling, and other purposes. 38 may indicate a seat for the
operator.
The electric circuit may be formed by means of wires carried from a battery or
dynamo through the tunnel 33 in the foundation and upward through the column 20.
The said tunnel 33 and hollow column 20, besides giving access to the interior of
the tower, also afford ingress for ventilation and permit the carrying in of a hose
or other conduits by which electric wires may be conveyed for signalling or for
automatic firing as described, or for power for any purpose, the aperture 20° shown
in the lower part of the column 20 being of sufficient capacity to admit of the
vibration or reciprocating rotation of the hollow column and sighting platform
in a horizontal plane, which revolution need not have a maximum extent beyond
180 degrees.
At 39, 40, are shown suitable ventilation apertures in the walls and top of the
tower.
To protect the skirt or lower margin of the revolving tower or turret, I provide
a fixed annular cover 34 of massive metal, the outer portion of which is protected
by the upper concrete foundation 35. The cover 34 is formed and constructed to
present an oblique surface, so as to deflect impinging shots and prevent their striking
directly against the surface of the revolving tower or turret.
The manner of constructing the protecting cover, while effectually preventing
the direct impact of shots, affords ample light and ventilation to the foundation of
the structure.
The construction of the foundation provides ample well ventilated and lighted
5 chambers which may be used for garrison stores and for other purposes.
By constructing my revolving tower with an outer surface formed on straight

page_text: converging lines inclined at a proper angle, preferably about 45 degrees, I combine
the advantages of effectually deflecting shots striking at any point with the largest
possible amount of room for working the guns and height to accommodate the
sighting platform and its accessories.
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 :-
1. A revolving tower fortification constructed with a bell or funnel shaped tower,
the surface of which extends upward on nearly straight converging lines at an angle
of about 45 degrees to the horizon, as shown and described.
2. A revolving tower for fortifications having an outer surface formed on sub-
stantially straight converging lines and with a dome shaped apex and a nearly
perpendicular skirt around its lower margin, as shown and described.
3. A revolving tower or turret constructed as herein described with walls inclined
ou substantially straight converging lines, and formed of an inner and outer shell
with an interposed body or packing of yielding material to deaden or break the
shock or concussion from the impact of shots, as explained.
4. A revolving tower or turret constructed with inclined walls, in combination
with an annular fixed cover of metal masking the outer margin of the revolving
tower and presenting an inclined surface for the deflection of shots and a glacis or
embankment in which the outer margin of the fixed metal cover is embedded, as
herein shown.
5. A revolving tower fortification constructed with a central hollow column
supporting a sighting platform communicating with a passage way in the foundation
of the structure, giving access to the sighting platform and affording ingress of air
for ventilation, a conduit for electrical and other conductors for power and other
purposes, said column being capable of rotary movement independently of the tower,
us explained.
6. The combination of the revolving tower or turret, a central hollow column 20
supporting a sighting platform 23 and giving access thereto, and a packing 22
bracing the hollow column concentrically in the foundation of the tower and pre-
venting the communication of the shock from the impact of projectiles.
7. A revolving tower fortification constructed with a turret having a well 14 in
combination with a central hollow column 20, sighting platform 23 carried thereby,
electrical conductors and connections 27, 28, 31 external to the well, and guns 13 to
be fired automatically by said conductors, as explained.
8. The combination of the revolving tower or turret with a central well 14, the
central hollow column 20 moving independently therein, sighting platform 23
carried by said column, external electrical conductors and connections 27, 28, 31,
guns 13, and switches 29, 30, and flexible conductors 31, 32 permitting the automatic
discharge of the guns either simultaneously or independently, as explained.
9. In combination with a revolving tower or turret, the foundation constructed
as herein described with concentric walls 4, 5, 6, having chambers between tunnel 23
giving approach to the interior, and hollow column 20 having an opening 20° com-
mmunicating with the tunnel, said column being capable of oscillating movement
independently of the tower, as explained.
10. The combination of the independent annular foundation walls 4, 5, 6, base
plate 2, upper foundation floor 7, tie rods 7ª connecting the plate 2 and floor 7, and
the revolving tower or turret supported on the floor 7, as explained.
11. In a revolving tower fortification, the combination of a sighting platform
capable of rotary or oscillating movement independently of the tower, and one or
more sighting telescopes mounted on said platform in cushioned bearings to take
up shocks or vibrations, substantially as described.
12. In a revolving tower fortification, the combination of a sighting platform
capable of independent rotary or oscillating movement, and three or more sighting

page_text: telescopes for independent use mounted on said sighting platform in cushioned
bearings, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Dated this 3rd day of May 1892.
THEODORE R. TIMBY,
By Harris & Mills,
23, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.