GB214961A - Locking arrangement for gun carriages with longitudinal pivot and elastic suspension - Google Patents

Abstract

214,961. Compagnie des Forges et AciÚries de la Marine et d'HomÚ- court. April 24, 1923, [Convention date]. Field carriages.-Relates to field carriages in which the gun carriage proper is mounted for cross-levelling on a longitudinal pivot supported by springs on the wheel axle, means being provided for locking the carriage to the pivot during travel and the pivot to the wheel axle during firing. According to the invention, both locking devices are operated simultaneously in opposite directions by means of one controlling element or handle. As shown in Figs. 1, 2, 5, and 7, the carriage 7 is mounted on a longitudinal pivot 9 supported by springs 10, 11 on the wheel axle 2. A pair of wedges 1 are guided by ribs 5 along the wheel axle 2, and are threaded over left- and right-handed screw threads on a rod 3 provided with a ratchet or crank handle 4. When the wedges are separated, Fig. 7, their outer faces are adapted to bear against rollers 14 on brackets 13 on the carriage 7, thereby preventing movement about the pivot 9, while allowing the springs 10, 11 to act as required during travel. For firing, the wedges are brought one against the other, Fig. 1, and form a supporting surface 6 for the carriage 7, which puts the springs 10. 11 out of action, but allows movement about the pivot 9, the supporting surface being made cylindrical and coaxial with the pivot 9. In this position, the wedges are embraced by a strap 12 depending from the pivot 9, whereby upward movement of the pivot is also prevented. The rod 3 is cushioned by springs 15. In a modication, the locking operations are performed by arms hinged about the pivot 9 and pivoted to nuts worked by a left- and right-handed screw rod suitably jointed to the spindle of the operating handle.