Year: 1885

page_text: the portion under the Axie.
The portion above the Axle is divided into two parts the near and the off; of
these, one consists of three plates united together by hinges; the hinge uniting the
two upper plates being placed at right angles with the hinge uniting one of them
to the third or lower plate) which latter is attached by a hinge to the axle (or axle
plate) of the Gun Carriage.
The two plates forming the other part are also united together by a hinge and
one of them the lower is in like manner attached by a hinge to the axle of the Gun
Carriage.
N.B. This portion of the Shield can also be made in three plates instead of
five viz-two plates attached by hinges to the Axle the third plate being attached
by a hinge at right angles to the upper part of one of them.
The near and the off lower plates (those which are attached to the axle) should
be of such dimensions that when the shield is unfolded or set up and the plates are
in a vertical or nearly a vertical position upon the axle then the hinges which unite
the lower to the upper plates shall be about one inch or less or thereabouts above
the upper surface of the Gun at a point in a line with and above the trunnions (or
axle of Machine gun) and of a width sufficient to occupy conveniently the space
above the axle between the wheels and the trail near the trunnions.
The dimensions of the upper plates depend upon the amount of shelter required.
When the shield is unfolded or set up the third plate (before referred to as being
united by a hinge at right angles to the other) the hinge of which is now in
a vertical or nearly vertical position is moved across by a door so as to close the
space above the Gun between the upper side plates (already set up) a loop near the
edge of this door plate passes through a slot in the upper plate on the other side of
the Gun (these plates slightly overlap) and is secured behind the Shield by a
movable pin passing through the loop and a similar corresponding loop permanently
attached to the back of the upper side plate between these two loops the same pin

page_text: also secures the extremity of a rigid stay the other end of which works upon
a pivot on the trail near the breach of the Gun-Another similar stay is connected
with the lower plate immediately below the hinge uniting the upper- and lower
plates usually four stays will suffice viz:-two to support the near and two the off
side of the Shield but this number may be increased, they serve equally to maintain
the shield erect under fire and when the Gun is recoiling violently after being
discharged.
When the Shield is folded up those portions which are above the axle lie flat
upon and in rear of the axle and the stays are secured along the trail.
The portion of the Shield under the Axle consists of one, two or more plates
united together by hinges, it is attached to the axle by a hinge so adjusted as to
admit of the plates swinging either backwards or forwards up to the level of the
axle, so that this portion of the Shield shall under no circumstances cause any
hindrance to the Gun being advanced or withdrawn however rough the ground
may happen to be.
This part should be just large enough to occupy conveniently the space between
the Wheels under the axle of the Gun carriage, when not in use it can be folded
back and secured to the trail.
N.B. Although no part of this Shield either above or beneath the Axle, need be
detached from the Carriage the hinges being designed to enable it to be folded up
practically out of sight nevertheless the entire Shield or any portion of it may be
removed and replaced when desired; as every part can be attached to the Gun,
Carriage by bolts and nuts or by keys.
In the annexed drawings the plates marked A, B, C, D constitute the portion of
the shield above the axle to which plates A D are attached by hinges marked L.
The plate marked E constitutes the portion of the Shield under the axle.
The plates A DE may be composed each of a single sheet of steel or other
material or they may be divided by hinges as shewn approximately by the dotted
lines G G G and all the plates may be made either larger or smaller than as shewn
in the drawings.
The dotted line H H shews where the plate C which is attached by a hinge to
plate D lies behind plate B which it supports and strengthens when the shield is
set up.
The two slots marked I are cut through the plate C to enable corresponding
strong loops fixed at the back of plate A to pass through when the shield is
set up.
Two similar loops marked K are attached to plate B and pass through corre-
sponding slots in plate D when the shield is set up.
M M are the hinges uniting plate B to A and C to D and which enable
plates B and C to be folded like doors across the gun to close the space above
the gun.
N is one of the supporting stays, it is attached to the trail of the Gun carriage at
or near the point marked R where it works on a pivot. There is one stay at each
side of the Gun.
When the shield is being set up as soon as the side plates A and D are in
a vertical or nearly vertical position the door plates are closed. Plate C being
closed first and brought partly behind plate A, the supporting stays N N are placed
in position behind so that the head of each stay rests against the back of the shield
between the loops K K which project at the back of the shield the locking pins or
keys marked O one of which is attached to each stay are now passed through the
loops and the stay head which is perforated for this purpose thus locking the shield
together and firmly securing the stays in their proper position.
The dotted lines marked T shew approximately the swing of the under-axle-
plates.
One or two loops or narrow flanges may be attached to the Gun Carriage near
the point marked S to enable the stays to be secured when the shield is not
set up.

page_text: At or near the point marked V some simple and convenient form of attachment
will be provided to secure the shield when it is not set up.
Having now particularly described the nature of my said invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is originality for
an Invention which supplies a great want viz :—
A Folding Shield which shall be effectual to protect the men serving a gun from
an enemy's fire; be simple in design; of few separate parts; not liable to loss or
miscarriage of parts not liable to become easily unservicable or unworkable;
which shall not disfigure the appearance of the Gun; and which can easily be
attached to or removed from the Carriage either in time of Peace or war.
2nd The division and union of the Plates in the manner herein before described.
3rdly The method of closing the space above the Gun.
4thly The method of closing the space under the Axle of the Gun Carriage.
5thly The method of using rigid stays having a push and pull action calculated
to resist the alternate and directly opposite forces viz the severe recoil tending to
pull the shield forward and the enemy's fire tending to drive it back.
6thly The method of locking or closing the shield by a single Pin and stay.