Improvements in Projectiles.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Sept., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 21st June, 1898-Accepted, 23rd July, 1898
Improvements in Projectiles.
I, GODFREY BINGHAM HINTON, of 99, York Road, West Hartlepool, in the County
of Durham, Lieutenant and Honorary Captain in the Royal Artillery, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to projectiles, particularly such as are intended for use with
heavy ordnance, and consists in an improved method of construction whereby steadier
flight is secured and atmospheric resistance diminished, the striking velocity and
penetration being correspondingly increased. The complete perforation of such an
object as an armour plate is, moreover, more readily accomplished.
A projectile constructed according to my improved method has the usual ogival
form of head, but, from the base of the head, the body is conical and gradually
diminishes in diameter towards the rear extremity, where it terminates in a
cylindrical portion, or a portion partly rectangular and partly cylindrical in cross-
section. This portion is furnished with a cylindrical body, having a diameter
corresponding with the bore of the gun; same being attached to the projectile by
means of a suitably protected locking ring provided with a stud for engaging in a
bayonet or L-shaped groove or feather-way formed in the surface of the cylindrical
extremity of the projectile. For muzzle-loading guns, the bands or studs which
engage in the rifle grooves are formed upon the circumference of the cylindrical body,
whilst for breech-loading guns, the gas-check is attached to the rear face thereof.
4
When in position in the bore of the gun, the fore end of the projectile rests upon
the shoulder at the base of the head, whilst the rear end thereof is supported by the
detachable body, so that the axis of the projectile coincides with that of the gun.
Upon the gun being-fired, the bands, moving in the rifle-grooves, or the expanded
gas-check, have the effect of rotating the detachable body with which the neck at
the rear end of the projectile is furnished; so that the stud horne by the locking
ring arrives in a position whence it can escape from the bayonet groove and thus
unlock the detachable body from the projectile. So long as the projectile remains
within the bore of the gun, the pressure of the gas keeps the detachable body up to
its work of propelling the projectile; but upon the latter leaving the muzzle of the
gun, the resistance of the air, acting upon the projecting surface of the detachable
body retards the same, with the effect that it becomes separated from the projectile,
the latter being thus left free to proceed on its course unimpeded.
Owing to the body of the projectile proper tapering to a comparatively small
diameter at its rear extremity, the vacuum which is ordinarily formed in the rear of
a cylindrical projectile and which seriously retards its flight is largely diminished.
Moreover, after the shoulder of the projectile has penetrated an armour plate or other
object, no further resistance is offered to the passage of its entire body, the diameter
in the rear of the shoulder being smaller.
Dated this Int don of Contraba 1007

page_text: мирго
I, GODFREY BINGHAM HINTON, of 99, York Road, West Hartlepool, in the County
of Durham, Lieutenant and Honorary Captain in the Royal Artillery, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to he per-
formed, to be particularly 'described and ascertained in and by the following
statement
This invention relates to projectiles, particularly such as are intended for use with
heavy ordnance, and consists in an improved method of construction whereby steadier
flight is secured and atmospheric resistance is diminished, the striking velocity and
penetration being correspondingly increased. The complete perforation of such an
object as an armour plate is, moreover, more readily accomplished.
In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a view partly in elevation and partly in
section of a projectile constructed according to my improved method; Fig. 2 being a
plan of the detachable cylindrical body. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but
looking at right-angles thereto; Fig. 4 being a corresponding view of the underside.
Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8 are respectively similar views of an alternative mode of
construction.
A projectile constructed according to my improved method may comprise a
body a having the usual ogival form of head but, from the base x-x of the head, the
body is conical and gradually diminishes in diameter towards the rear extremity,
where it terminates in a portion a partly rectangular and partly circular in cross-
section. This portion is furnished with a cylindrical body b, having a diameter
corresponding with the base x-x of the head or with the bore of the gun; same
being attached to the body at of the projectile by means of a locking ring c provided
with a stud c¹ for engaging in a bayonet or L-shaped groove or feather-way a² formed
in the surface of the cylindrical part of the extremity a¹ of the projectile. The
ringe may be protected by any suitable means. If desired, the extremity a¹
may be wholly circular in cross-section, the cylindrical body being connected
therewith by means of a loose key. For muzzle-loading guns, the bands or
studs which engage in the rifle grooves are formed upon the circumference of the
cylindrical body b, whilst for breech-loading guns, the gas-check is attached to
the rear face thereof.
According to an alternative method of construction, illustrated in Figs. 5 to 8,
the body a of the projectile is parabolic in formation the rear extremity terminating
in a portion a partly hexagonal and partly circular in cross-section. The
cylindrical body bx is hollow and is retained upon the hexagonal portion by means of
the cup-shaped locking nut cx and stud c¹x; the latter engaging in the L-shaped
groove or feather-way a²x. The mouth of the cup-shaped nut c is provided with
saw-cuts cxx to permit its being sprung into the cylindrical hollow body bx; the nut
being morever furnished with a square tang c² for the reception of a key for turning
the same when effecting the locking of the parts. d is a protecting cap whereby the
powder gases are excluded from the interior of the body bx.
When in position in the bore of the gun, the fore end a of the projectile rests
upon the shoulder at the base of the head, whilst the rear end thereof is supported
by the detachable body b or 6x, so that the axis of the projectile coincides with
that of the gun.. Upon the gun being fired, the bands, moving in the rifle-grooves,
or the expanded gas-check, have the effect of rotating the detachable rear body b or bx
and with it the body a; so that the open portion of the L-shaped groove or feather-
way a² or a2x is brought opposite the stud c¹ or clx borne by the locking ring or
nut c or ex in which position the stud is free to escape from the groove and the
+]

page_text: cylindrical body to detach itself from the projectile; the locking ring or nut mean-
while remaining stationary. So long as the projectile remains within the bore of
the gun, the pressure of the gas keeps the detachable body b or 6x up to its work of
propelling the projectile; but upon the latter leaving the muzzle of the gun, the
resistance of the air acting upon the projecting surface of the detachable body retards
the same, with the effect that it becomes separated from the projectile, the latter
being thus left free to proceed on its course unimpeded.
If desired, the parabolic form of fore end and the hollow base may be combined
with a rear extremity partly rectangular and partly circular in cross-section, as shown
in Figs. 1 to 4; the parts being similarly attached.
'
The feather-way and locking stud may be applied upon opposite sides of the rear
extremity a' or a¹³.
Owing to the body of the projectile proper tapering towards its rear extremity, the
vacuum which is ordinarily formed in the rear of a cylindrical projectile and which
seriously retards its flight is largely diminished. Moreover, after the shoulder of the
projectile has penetrated an armour plate or other object, no further resistance is
offered to the passage of its entire body, the diameter in the rear of the shoulder
being smaller.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I claim :-
1. A projectile constructed substantially as described with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
2. A projectile whereof the body or fore end is reduced in diameter in the direction
of its rear extremity and there provided with a detachable cylindrical body, same
being fitted in such a manner that upon the firing of the gun the rotation of the
projectile renders the said detachable body capable of separating from the fore end,
whereby the latter, upon the projectile issuing from the muzzle of the gun, is free to
pursue its course without impediment, substantially as herein described.
3. In a projectile, the combination, with a fore end, such as herein referred to,
of a detachable cylindrical body and a ring or nut, the latter serving temporarily to
lock the detachable body to the fore end and releasing the same on the projectile
being fired, substantially as herein described.
4. For use with projectiles, a detachable cylindrical body secured to the projectile
by means of a locking ring or cup-shaped nut and stud, the latter occupying a
groove or feather-way formed in the rear extremity of the projectile; the rotation
of the projectile being ensured by means of the detachable body being fitted upon
an angular portion of the rear extremity of the fore end, substantially as set forth.
For the Applicant,
G. G. M. HARDINGHAM,
Chartered Patent Agent, 191, Fleet Street, London, E.C.