Improvements relating to Machine-guns, and to Cartridge Feed Mechanism therefor.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Mar., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 17th Dec., 1894-Accepted, 16th Mar.,
1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Machine-guns, and to Cartridge Feed
Mechanism therefor.
I, OWEN JONES, of 68 Great Russell Street, in the County of London,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to machine-guns and has for its object to provide improved
means whereby the cartridges will be fed into the same with the aid of gravity.
In some kinds or classes of machine-guns, the cartridges are placed one above
another in a grooved bar, hopper or feeder which is secured in or to the top of the
gun-frame, and in which the cartridges descend by gravity so that they fall
successively into the required position in rear of the barrel or barrels of the gun,
or into a transversely moving slide, or equivalent device, whereby they are moved
into the required position in rear of the barrel or barrels.
In such guns, the descent of the cartridges in the said grooved bar or feeder is
resisted by the friction between the flanges of the cartridges and the sides and
back of the T-shaped groove down which they move. The consequence is that,
when the gun is used at high angles of elevation or depression, the cartridges do
not slide freely down the grooved bar or feeder, and, with very high angles of
elevation, the descent of the cartridges is often completely arrested.
In the Specification of former Letters Patent granted to me and dated
10th February 1892 No. 2624, I have described means whereby this defect is
entirely obviated. The invention described in my said former Specification was
chiefly designed to provide for a positive intermittent downward movement of the
cartridges in the grooved feed-bar, hopper or feeder; and I consider it most
advantageous that the feeding of the cartridges should be positive. The con-
struction and arrangement of the feed-mechanism can, however, be simplified in
cases where the action of gravity is depended upon either wholly or partially for
effecting the downward movement of the cartridges in the feed-bar, hopper or
feeder. And according to my present improvements, I obviate the above mentioned
defect without rendering the descent of the cartridges in the feed-bar, hopper or
feeder independent, of the action of gravity.
I accomplish this result by providing for imparting a reciprocating, shaking or
vibrating motion to one or more surfaces against which the flanges or other parts
of the cartridges bear in the feed-bar, hopper or feeder, such motion being imparted
from the loading and firing mechanism of the gun or in any other convenient
manner. The cartridges are thereby relieved more or less from the friction which
resists or tends to prevent their descent, so that they will move freely downward
under the action of gravity.
In carrying my invention into practice, according to one method, I arrange
within the groove of the feed-bar, hopper or feeder, one or more bars each of
which serves as one of the surfaces against which the cartridges bear in the said
feed-bar, hopper or feeder, and to which an up-and-down motion or a shaking or
vibrating motion is imparted. The reciprocating, shaking or vibrating bar may
form the back or one or other or both of the sides of the groove or a part of the
back or of one or other of the sides of the groove. According to another method,
I provide for imparting a reciprocating, shaking or vibrating motion to the
fond han bonuer or fueder itself.

page_text: In some cases, the reciprocating bar, whilst being moved up and down, is
simultaneously moved backward and forward, so that it will alternately be pressed
against, and caused to recede from the heads or flanges of the cartridges in the
feeder; and I sometimes so construct and arrange the parts that the reciprocating
bar will be moved downward and forward simultaneously, so that the said bar will,
in each forward movement thereof, impart a downward impulse to the cartridges in
the feed-bar, hopper or feeder.
In other cases, I mount the feed-bar, hopper or feeder, or the bar within the same,
upon a suitable pivot, and provide for imparting a vibratory movement to the said
feeder or bar; or I provide for turning the feed-bar, hopper or feeder, or the bar
within the same, about a vertical axis through a suitable angle alternately in either
direction, without imparting to it an up-and-down movement.
I find it advantageous to provide for the operation of the reciprocating or
shaking bar by means of the breech-bolt or plunger of the gun, or by means of the
breech-bolts or plungers alternately. I sometimes employ, for this purpose, a
curved or bent lever which is pivoted to the grooved bar or feeder, or in the frame
of the gun, and is suitably connected to the reciprocating or shaking bar, and
which is arranged to be turned through a small angle about its axis, alternately in
either direction, by a projection on the plunger of the gun, or first by a projection
on one of the plungers and then by a projection on the other plunger. Or I
employ one or more levers operated by the plunger or plungers of the gun,
substantially as described in my said former Specification.
The backward and forward motion of the reciprocating or shaking bar is
sometimes provided for, by connecting the said bar with the grooved bar or feeder
by means of short links, which are, in the up-and-down motion of the bar, moved
alternately in either direction about their stationary pivots. Or the shaking bar
is provided at the back with curved, inclined or other suitably shaped projections,
which, in the up-and-down motion of the bar, come against projections on the inside
of the grooved bar or feeder and thus move the shaking bar backward and forward.
Or the shaking bar is provided with curved or inclined slots through which are
passed pins or studs fixed in the grooved bar or feeder. Or other suitable means
are provided for effecting the backward and forward motion of the said bar.
I can, if desired, provide in some other convenient manner for imparting up-and-
down or shaking or vibratory motion to the said bar from the operating shaft of
the gun. For instance I sometimes provide a lever worked by a cam on the said
shaft and suitably connected or combined with the said bar. In other instances,
I provide the breech-bolt or plunger with a peculiarly shaped projection or arm
which will act upon the reciprocating bar in such a manner as to move the same
up and down in the forward movement and also in the backward movement of the
breech-bolt or plunger. In the case of a two-barrelled gun provided with this
arrangement, each breech-bolt or plunger will, in each to-and-fro motion thereof,
move the bar twice up and down. The said projection or arm may, however, be
arranged to move the bar only once up and down in each to-and-fro movement of
the plunger.
A very simple and convenient arrangement of my improved mechanism consists of
a reciprocating bar arranged within the T-shaped groove of the feed-bar, hopper or
feeder, behind the heads or flanges of the cartridges, so that the lower edge of the
said heads or flauges bears against the said reciprocating bar, the bar being
arranged to be moved up and down as above mentioned.
In some cases, I combine, with the reciprocating, shaking or vibrating bar,
suitable springs in which energy will be stored when the bar is moved in one
direction, and which will, by their reaction, move the said bar in the reverse
direction.
I sometimes roughen the operative surface of the reciprocating bar or form
notches therein or small projections thereon so as to increase its effect on the
cartridges. In other cases, I form ratchet-teeth or other suitable projections
on the reciprocating bar and so arrange the said bar that the said projections
. 1

page_text: will act upon the cartridges in the downward but not in the upward motion of the
said bar.
Dated the 16th day of March 1894.
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements relating to Machine-guns, and to Cartridge Feed
Mechanism therefor.
I, OWEN JONES, of 68, Great Russell Street, in the County of London,
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 relates to machine-guns and has for its object to provide improved
means whereby the cartridges will be fed into the same with the aid of gravity.
In some kinds or classes of machine-guns, the cartridges are placed one above
another in a grooved bar, hopper or feeder which is secured in or to the top of the
gun-frame, and in which the cartridges descend by gravity so that they fall
successively into the required position in rear of the barrel or barrels of the gun or
into a transversely moving siide or equivalent device whereby they are moved into
the required position in rear of the barrel or barrels.
In such guns, the descent of the cartridges in the said grooved bar or feeder is
resisted by the friction between the flanges of the cartridges and the sides and back
of the T-shaped groove down which they move. The consequence is that, when
the gun is used at high angles of elevation or depression, the cartridges do not
slide freely down the grooved bar or feeder, and with very high angles of elevation,
the descent of the cartridges is sometimes completely arrested.
In the Specification of former Letters Patent granted to me and dated
10th February 1892 No. 2624, I have described means whereby this defect is
entirely obviated. The invention described in my said former Specification was
chiefly designed to provide for imparting a positive intermittent downward
movement to the cartridges in the grooved feed-bar, hopper or feeder; and I
consider it most advantageous that the feeding of the cartridges should be
positive, though it is evident that, when some of the devices described in my
said former Specification are arranged at the back instead of at the side of the
cartridge-hopper or feeder, there is not necessarily a positive connection between
them and the cartridges, as their pawls or projections will in such case, only come
in contact with the back of the Hange of the cartridges, without taking hold
thereof.
The construction and arrangement of the feed-mechanism can, however, be
simplified in cases where the action of gravity is depended upon either wholly or
partially for effecting the downward movement of the cartridges in the feed-bar,
hopper or feeder. And according to my present improvements, I provide simpler
means than heretofore whereby the above mentioned defect is obviated without
rendering the descent of the cartridges in the feed-bar, hopper or feeder independent
of the action of gravity.
I accomplish this result by providing for imparting a reciprocating, shaking or
vibrating motion to one or more surfaces against which the flanges or other parts
of the cartridges bear in the feed-bar, hopper or feeder, such motion being
imparted from the loading and firing mechanism of the gun or in any other

page_text: convenient manner. The cartridges are thereby relieved more or less from the
friction which resists or tends to retard or prevent their descent, so that they
will move freely downward under the action of gravity.
In carrying my invention into practice, according to one method, I arrange
within the groove of the feed-bar, hopper or feeder, one or more bars each of
which serves as one of the surfaces against which the cartridges bear in the said
feed-bar, hopper or feeder, and to which an up-and-down motion or a shaking or
vibrating motion is imparted. This reciprocating, shaking or vibrating bar may
form the back or one or other or both of the sides of the groove or a part of the
back or of one or other of the sides of the groove. According to another method
I provide for imparting a reciprocating shaking or vibrating motion to the
feed-bar, hopper or feeder itself.
In some cases, the reciprocating bar, whilst being moved up and down, is simul-
taneously moved backward and forward, so that it will alternately be pressed
against, and caused to recede from the heads or flanges of the cartridges in the
grooved bar, hopper or feeder; and I sometimes so construct and arrange the parts
that the reciprocating bar will be moved downward and. forward simultaneously,
and will, therefore, in each forward movement thereof, impart a downward impulse
to the cartridges in the feed-bar, hopper or feeder.
In other cases I mount the feed-bar, hopper or feeder or the movable bar within
the same upon a suitable pivot, and provide for imparting a vibratory movement to
the said feeder or bar; or I provide for turning the feed-bar, hopper or feeder
or the bar within the same about a vertical axis through a suitable angle alternately
in either direction, in the working of the gun with or without imparting to it an
up-and-down movement.
The shaking or vibration of the feed-bar, hopper or feeder or of the movable bar
at the back of the cartridges causes the alternate raising and lowering of the bullet-
ends of the cartridges, thus relieving or diminishing the friction between them and
the surfaces against which they bear in the said hopper or feeder and allowing the
cartridges to descend more freely under the action of gravity.
In the accompanying drawings I have shown how my said invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section, and
Figure 2 a plan partly in horizontal section on the line e, c, Figure 1, shewing a
part of a machine-gun having one form of my improved feed-mechanism fitted
thereto.
Figures 3 and 4 are vertical longitudinal sections illustrating other forms or
modifications of iny improved feed-mechanism.
Figure 5 is a vertical longitudinal section, and
Figure 6 a plan partly in horizontal section on the line c', ', Figure 5, shewing
another form or modification of my improved feed-mechanism.
Figure 7 is a vertical longitudinal section, and
Figure 8 a plan, partly in horizontal section on the line 2, 2, Figure 7, shewing
a further modification of the said mechanism.
Figure 9 is a vertical longitudinal section, showing another modification of my
invention.
Figure 10 is a vertical longitudinal section, and
Figure 11 a transverse section on the line ³,x³, Figure 10, shewing a further
modification of my invention, and
Figure 12 is a vertical longitudinal section, and
Figure 13 a plan, partly in horizontal section on the line x, x, Figure 12,
illustrating a still further modification of my said invention.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
A is the gun-frame; A¹ is the cover of the same; B, B are the cartridges; C is
the feed-bar, hopper or feeder; D, D are the reciprocating brecch-bolts or plungers
of the gun
E is a transversely-moving feed-slide or feed-piece such as is used in
guns, and wherein the cartridges are received from the feeder.or
" Gardner
21

page_text: hopper and are moved into position in front of the barrel or barrels of the gun as
required.
In the arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 2 a curved or bent leverf is pivotted
at to the grooved bar or feeder C and is pivotally connected at f to a bar
supported in the groove of the hopper or feeder C by means of the said lever and
by a link h. The lever fis provided at one end with a cross-piece f³ so that, in
the to-and-fro motion of the plungers D, it will be. turned through a small angle
about its axis, alternately in either direction, first by a projection D³ on one of the
plungers D and then by a similar projection on the other plunger. Or, if desired,
I can provide for the operation of the movable bar g by one or more levers,
nctuated by the plunger or plungers of the gun, such as are described in my said
former Specification.
By these means a combined up-and-down and backward-and-forward movement
will be imparted to the bar 7 in the working of the gun, so that the said bar will
be alternately pressed against and caused to recede from the heads of the
cartridges. The bullet-ends of the cartridges will thus be alternately raised and
allowed to fall, and the friction between them and the surfaces against which they
bear will thereby be relieved or diminished so as to facilitate the descent of the
cartridges into the feed-slide E under the action of gravity.
In Figure 3 I have shown a modification of the feed-mechanism above described
in which the cross-piece f³ of the lever works in a cam-groovej formed in a
projection on the plunger D, so that the bar g will be operated as required in the
working of the gun. A spring n is sometimes combined with the link to assist
the return movement of the bar g.
Figure 4 shows another modification of my invention in which the bar gis
provided at the back with inclined projections k, which, in the up-and-down motion
of the bar, slide in contact with projections kl on the inside of the grooved feed-bar
or feeder C and thus impart a backward-and-forward motion to the bar g
simultaneously with the vertical reciprocation thereof.
In this arrangement the bar g is moved up and down by means of an inclined
projection D on the plunger acting upon a correspondingly inclined lug / formed
on the lower end of the bar g. The hopper or feeder C is, moreover, provided
with inclined slots m in which work pins m' secured to the bar g, whereby the said
bar is supported in the hopper or feeder, a spring or springs n being attached at
one end to the bar and at the other end to the hopper or feeder C, for assisting
the return movement of the bar g to its lowermost position after being raised by the
projection D².
In the arrangement shown in Figures 5 and 6 I provide for imparting only a
backward-and-forward motion to the bar g. For this purpose the said bar is
formed with slots m into which extend pins m³ secured to the hopper or feeder C,
and which permit a backward-and-forward motion of the said bar. This backward-
and-forward motion is produced by means of an auxiliary bar g' sliding in suitable
guide-grooves C in the hopper or feeder C; the said auxiliary bar g₁ is provided
with an inclined lug whereby it is raised by a correspondingly inclined
projection D on the plunger D; the said bar g' is, n.oreover, provided with inclined
projections which slide in contact with correspondingly inclined projections k on
the bar g and operate to push the bar g forward as the auxiliary bar g' is raised by
the projection D'; a spring n is provided, if necessary, to assist the return movement
of the bars g and g¹.
.
Figures 7 and 8 show an arrangement in which the shaking-bar is provided
with lugs having inclined slots m into which extend pins m³ fixed in the grooved
bar or feeder C. In this case the bar g is kept normally pressed outwards by
springs n secured to the feeder C. An up-and-down motion is imparted to the barg
by means of an inclined projection D on the plunger D, acting upon a lug
formed on the lower end of the bar g and having an inclined surface. This motion
is converted into a combined up-and-down and backward-and-forward motion by
means of the inclined slots m and pins m¹.

page_text: In the arrangement shown in Figure 9 the bar is adapted to be moved up and
down from the operating shaft p of the gun through the medium of a leverf pivoted
at to the gun-frame, the said lever being provided at one end with a slot into
which extends a pin or stud m¹ on the bar g, and at its other end with an anti-
friction roller f engaging with a cam-groove q formed in one of the discs K of the
crank-shaft p.
I make the portion of the lever f between the pivot and the
slotted end sufficiently elastic to enable it to readily spring over the end of
the pin or stud m² so that the hopper or feeder C with the bar g may be readily
removed or replaced when required. By these means, as the shaft protates, the
required up-and-down movement will be imparted to the bar a through the cam-
groove and lever f. A backward-and-forward motion is also imparted to the
shaking-bar g by supporting it in inclined slots m² in the hopper or feeder C by
means of the pins m¹.
In the arrangement shown in Figures 10 and 11, the breech-bolt or plunger D is
provided with a peculiarly shaped projection or arm t, which, in the forward
movement and also in the backward movement of the said breech-bolt or plunger,
acts upon projections or lugs A, 1 on the reciprocating barg in such a manner as to
move the said bar up and down. In this arrangement the bar g is attached to the
hopper or feeder C by means of pivoted links / so that the said bar will have a
combined up-and-down and backward-and-forward motion as the projection t moves
relatively to the lugs l¹².
In the case of a two-barrelled gun provided with this arrangement, each breech-
bolt or plunger will, in each to-and-fro motion thereof, move the bar twice up and
down. The said projection or arm may, however, be arranged to move the bar
only once up and down in each to-and-fro movement of the plunger.
In Figures 12 and 13 I have shown a further modification of my invention,
wherein I provide for imparting a vibratory motion to the feeder or hopper itself.
For this purpose the said feeder is mounted on pivots or trunnions suitably
attached to the gun-frame, and its lower end is kept normally pressed against a
stop A³ by means of a spring s acting through a presser-bar s¹ which is mounted in
a frame secured in the gun-frame. Vibratory motion is imparted to the said
hopper or feeder by means of a projection D* on the plunger D, the said projection
engaging with the lower end of said hopper or feeder at the end of the forward
stroke of the said plunger and thus turning the hopper through a small angle,
against the pressure of the spring 8, which by its reaction returns the hopper or
feeder to its normal position when the plunger retires.
I sometimes roughen the operative surface of the reciprocating bar g or form
notches therein or small projections thereon so as to increase its effect on the
cartridges; but these projections are not sufficient to form a positive connection
between the said bar and the cartridges. In other cases, I form ratchet-teeth or
other suitable projections on the reciprocating bar g as shown at u in Figure 3, and
so arrange the said bar that the said projections will act upon the cartridges in the
downward but not in the upward motion of the said bar.
It is obvious that other suitable means may be provided whereby, in the working
of the gun, the hopper or feeder or the movable bar therein will have an
up-and-down motion or a shaking or vibrating motion or both imparted to it for
the purpose above specified.
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:-
First. A cartridge-hopper or feeder for a machine-gun, in which suitable
provision is made for assisting the descent of the cartridges therein under the
action of gravity by imparting a reciprocating, shaking or vibrating motion to one
or more surfaces against which the flanges or other parts of the cartridges bear in
the said hopper or feeder, and which have no projections to engage with the
cartridges.

page_text: Second. The employment, in a cartridge-hopper or feeder for a machine-gun, of
one or more reciprocating, shaking or vibrating bars therein, which, whilst they
have no projections to engage with the cartridges, operate to facilitate the
descent of the cartridges under the action of gravity, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
Third. A cartridge-hopper or feeder for a machine-gun, in which suitable.
provision is made for relieving or diminishing the friction between the cartridges.
and the surfaces against which they bear in the said hopper or feeder, by the
movement of the said cartridges, during the working of the gun, in such a
manner that their bullet-ends are alternately raised and lowered, for the purpose.
above specified.
Fourth. The combination, with a cartridge-hopper or feeder for a machine-gun,.
of a bar or bars therein to which a backward-and-forward motion is imparted in the
working of the gun, for the purpose above specified.
Fifth. The combination, with a cartridge-hopper or feeder for a machine-gun,
of a bar or bars therein to which an up-and-down motion and a backward-and-
forward motion are simultaneously imparted in the working of the gun, for the
purpose above specified.
Sixth. The modification of my invention wherein I provide for facilitating the
descent of the cartridges by imparting a reciprocating, oscillating, or shaking
motion to the hopper or feeder itself.
Seventh. The modification of my invention wherein ! provide for moving the.
hopper or feeder or the movable bar therein alternately in either direction about
a vertical axis with or without simultaneously imparting to it an up-and-down.
movement.
Eightb. A machine-gun provided with my improved feed-mechanism constructed
substantially as described with reference to either of the forms or modifications.
shown in the accompanying drawings, and operating as, and for the purposes, above-
specified.
Dated the 17th day of December 1894.
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12, Southampton Buildings, Agents for the Applicant.