US1297445A

US1297445A - Motor-driven gun-carriage.

Info

Publication number: US1297445A
Application number: US20320817A
Authority: US
Inventors: Walter Christie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1917-11-21
Filing date: 1917-11-21
Publication date: 1919-03-18
Anticipated expiration: 1936-03-18

Description

W. CHRISTIE.

MOTOR DRIVEN GUN CARRIAGE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 21. 1917.

1 ,297,4:4L5 Patented Mar. 18,1919.

3 SHEET SHEET 1- MZZWAM w. CHRIS-TIE.

MOTOR DRIVEN GUN CARRIAGE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 21. I917.

1 ,297,445. Patented Mar. 18, 1919.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

Mafia W. CHRISTIE.

MOTOR DRIVEN GUN CARRIAGE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV,2l. 1917.

Patented M111. 18,1919.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3- 5 vwewfoz WALTER CHRISTIE, OF WEEHAWKEN, NEW JERSEY.

MOTOR-DRIVEN GUN-CARRIAGE.

mamas.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, \VALTER CHRISTIE, a

. citizen of the United States, and a resident .of lVeehawken, county of Hudson, and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Motor-Driven Gun-Carriages, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereo My invention relates to motor driven gun carriages, and its object-is to provide a simple and rugged automobile mounting for comparatively heavy guns, by means of which such ordnance may be quickly moved from place to place, and on which the gun is so mounted and supported that it may be adjusted for all-around fire and may be given any desired elevation. Another object is to so construct the carriage that the gun may be discharged from it in any of its po- I sitions without any especially prepared base, without dislocating its position and without disturbing its adjustments.

These and other objects of my invention will be set forth hereinafter, and in order that my invention may be thoroughly understood, I will now proceed to describe the same in the following specification, and then point out the novel features thereof in appended claims.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a motordriven gun carriage made according to and embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same apparatus with the gun and its mounting removed.

Fig. 3 is an elevation of certain parts of the device, the view being taken from the line 33 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of certain parts shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a sectional end elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 5, the section being taken on the line 6-6 of the latter figure.

Like characters of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures.

10 designates the side frames of the central portion of the apparatus. These are spread apart as shown in Fig. 2. to embrace a circular gun carriage base 11 in which are a plurality of bolt holes 12 equally spaced Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Mar. 18, 1919. Application filed November 21, 1917. I

Serial No. 203,208.

upon a circular line. 13 are transverse beams and 14 are angle brackets. All of these parts are securely fastened together. Over the frame thus formed and surroundmg the gun carriage base is a plate plat form 15.

Secured to the forward ends of the side frames 10 are front plates 20 which are curved upwardly immediately in front of the side frames and then extend horizontally as shown in Fig. 1. These are connected by a transverse beam 21 and by a front fender bar 22. On these front plates are supported an internal combustion engine 23, a radiator 24, a steering wheel 25, control and brake levers 26 and 27with their respective mechanisms, and a drivers seat 28 under which is a fuel tank 29.

The engines shaft is connected through suitable transmission gearing with two sprocket wheels '30 and 40. The first of these is connected by a chain 31 with a sprocket wheel 32, a. clutch and differential gearing 33 on a shaft 34 by means of which it may be connected with or disconnected from driving pinions on the ends of shaft 34 which are in mesh with internal gears afiixed to the front wheels 35. These front wheels are centrally pivoted on vertical stub axles 36 on the ends of an axle 37 and flexible joints are provided between the driving shaft 34 and the pinions so that the wheels may be steered by a rod 38 connected by suitable mechanism with the steering wheel 25 without interfering with the drive, as more fully described in Patent No. 1,203,647 November 7, 1916.

The sprocket wheel 40 is connected by a chain 41 with a .sprocket Wheel 42 on a front jack shaft 43 which is raised to clear the front' wheel drive mechanism. On. one end of jack shaft 43 is a sprocket wheel 44 connected by chain 45 with a sprocket wheel 46 on a lower transverse shaft 47 on which is a similar sprocket wheel 48. A chain 49 connects the latter sprocket wheel with a sprocket wheel 50 on a short shaft located in the center of one of the side frames 10. On the same short shaft is another sprocket wheel 51 from which a chain 52 runs back to a sprocket wheel 53 on one end of a rear jack shaft 54:. On the other end of jack shaft 54 is another sprocket wheel 55 which is connected by a chain 56 with a sprocket wheel 57 on a differential gearing 58. This 1' on the ends of shaft 59 and internal gears on the rear wheels 60 and driving connection is completed. In neither the front or rear wheels are these pinions and gears shown as they are not a part of the present invention and including them would only complicate the drawings. 61 is the axle upon which the rear wheels 60 are supported.

On the rear driving shaft 59 are flanged extends from the drivers seat 28 down to the front end of the platform plate 15.

70 is a standard gun mounting, in this case for a marine type 3-inch rifle designated by 71. The base of this mounting is a circular flange provided with bolt holes which register with the holes 12 in the base 11. 72 is a gun support bracket removably fastened to the rear of the vehicle frame.

. Rigidlyafiixed to the side frames 10 and to the gun carriage base, are heavy brackets 80. Supporting truss arms 81 are pivotally connected with these brackets 80 at 82. A cross pin 83 passes through each of these truss arms near their outer ends. A. heavy bolt 84 has an eye at one end through which the pin 83 passes and its other end portion is provided with a left hand screw-thread. 85 is a similar bolt pivoted at one end as at 86 to the bracket 80. Its other end portion is provided with a right-hand screw-thread. These two bolts are joined by an intermediate member 87 which is internally threaded to engage the threads of

bolts

84 and 85. It is also provided with projections 88 by means of which it may be rotated. These

parts

84, 85 and 87 form an adjustable brace for the transverse arm 81.

90 is a flat shoe supported at the end of a truss arm by a ball and socket joint 91. It has cross ribs 92 and 93 on its upper side which serve to strengthen it and the latter rib is provided with two openings through -which may be driven spikes 94- which are made of T-iron pointed at one end as at 95.

At the front and rear of the vehicle other adjustable braces are provided. Those at the front are mounted in guides 100 on a plate affixed to the front plates 20. 101 is slide in these guides, and 1.02 is a shoe similar to shoe 90. connected with the lower end of slide 101 by a ball and socket joint 103. 1.04 is a screw which fits in internal threads in the upper part of the slide 101. A bevel gear 1.05 meshes with a similar gear 106 on a short shaft, the outer end of which is squared for the reception of the hub of memes a crank handle bv means of which the screw 104 may be turned to adjust the slide.

The adjustable braces at the rear of the vehicle are similarly constituted and are designated by the reference numeral 110.

It is obvious that this apparatus may be moved from place to place under its own power. The frame of the vehicle is so constructed that a much larger foundation for the gun carriage is provided than is possible on a truck made according to former practice and that the base for this gun mounting is much lower than is possible with former constructions. It is of great importance that a structure of this kind be propelled by all four of its wheels. In order to accomplish this result with an enlarged depressed base for a gun mounting, it has been found necessary to make the driving connections between the motor and the wheels at the opposite end of the vehicle base around the side of the gun mounting in 'a manner which I have shown and described. When the vehicle with the gun thereon has reached the desired position the truss arms 81 are placed in position with the shoes 90 resting upon the ground and with the spikes 94 in place, after which the adjustable braces therefor are turned to make a rigid connection between the base for the gun mounting and the ground.

The adjustable braces at the front and rear of the vehicle are also moved into position to exert a desired amount of pressure upon the surrounding ground. The whole structure then becomes a rigid and firm support for the gun and its mounting.

The flanged drums 62 are provided for use as power driven winches by means of which chains or cables attached to some rigid object may be wound to pull the vehicle over obstacles or out of ditches or the like.

i do not mean to limit myself to any specitic form or construction of parts or intend. no limitations other than those imposed by the appended claims.

What :5: claim is:

1. in a motor driven gun carriage, a ve' hicle frame having raised. front and rear portions, vehicle wheels upon said portions. a motor transmission mechanism connecting said motor with all of said wheeis, and a lower intermediate section wider than said front and rear portions, adapted to receive a gun mounting, the transmission mechanism to the wheels near the end opposite the engine being extended transversely at said wider intermediate section.

2. in a motor driven gun carriage, a vehiele frame having raised front and rear portions. a motor on said front portion of the frame, adjustable wheels on said front portion of the frame. driving connections between the motor and the adjustable wheels, manual means for adjusting said wheels to mamas steer the apparatus, a pair of vehicle wheels on the rear portion of the frame, said frame having a lower intermediate section wider than said front and rear portions adapted to receive a gun mounting, and driving connections between the motor and the rear wheels extended laterally at said intermediate section.

3. In a motor driven gun carriage, a vehicle frame having raised front and rear portions, a motor on said front portion of the frame, adjustable wheels on said front portion of the frame, driving connections between the motor and the adjustable wheels, manual means for adjusting said wheels to steer the apparatus, a pair of vehicle wheels on the rear portion of the frame, said frame having a lower intermediate section wider than said front and rear portions adapted to receive a gun mounting, and driving connec tions between the motor and the rear wheels extended laterally at said intermediate section, and a winch drum in said driving con nections near said rear wheels.

4. in a motor driven gun carriage, a vehicle frame having raised front and rear portions, amotor on said front portion of the frame, adjustable wheels on said front portion of the frame, driving connections between the motor and the adjustable wheels, manual means for adjusting said wheels to steer the apparatus, a pair of vehicle wheels on the rear portion of the frame, said frame having a lower intermediate section wider than said front and rear portions comprising a circular base, adapted to receive the base of a gun mounting, a. plurality of transverse shafts and interconnecting chains between the motor and the rear wheels, arranged to provide a driving connection offset at said wider intermediate section, and winch drums in said driving connection near said rear wheels.

5. ltn a motor driven gun carriage, a "ehicle frame having raised front and rear portions, vehicle wheels upon said portions, a motor, transmission mechanism connecting said motor with all of said wheels, and a lower intermediate section wider than said front and rear portions, adapted to receive a gun mounting, the transmission mechanism to the wheels near the end opposite the engine being extended transversely at said Wider intermediate section, and adjustable truss arms connected with said frame, adapted to form rigid supports between the frame and the ground.

6. ln a motor driven gun carriage, a vehicle frame having raised front and rear portions, a motor on said front portion of the frame, adjustable wheels on said front portion of the frame, driving connections between the motor and the ad ustable wheels, manual means for adjusting said wheels to steer the apparatus, a pair of vehicle wheels on the rear portion of the frame, said frame having a lower intermediate section wider than said front and rear portions adapted to receive a gun mounting, driving connections between the motor and the rear wheels extended laterally at said intermediate section, truss arms connected with the sides of said intermediate section, and adjustable braces therefor under said truss arms.

7. In a motor driven gun carriage, a vehicle frame having raised front and rear portions, a mot-or on said front portion of the frame, adjustable wheels on said front portion of the frame, driving connections between the motor and the adjustable wheels, manual means for adjusting said wheels to steer the apparatus, a pair of vehicle wheels on the rear portion of the frame, said frame having a lower intermediate section wider than said front and rear portions adapted to receive a gun mounting, and driving connections between the motor and the rear wheels extended laterally at said intermediate section, truss arms connected with the sides of said intermediate section, adjustable braces therefor under said truss arms, and adjustable braces on said front and rear portions of the frame.

8. In a motor driven gun carriage, a vehicle frame having raised front and rear port-ions, a motor on said front portion of the frame, adjust-able wheels on said front portion of the frame, driving connections between the motor and the adjustable wheels, manual means for adjusting said wheels to steer the apparatus,- a pair of vehicle wheels on the rear portion of the frame, said frame having a lower intermediate section wider than said front and rear portions adapted to receive a gun mounting, and driving connections between the motor and the rear Wheels extended laterally at said intermediate section, truss arms connected with the sides of said intermediate section, adjustable braces therefor under said truss arms, adjustable braces on said front and rear portions of the frame, flat shoes at the ends of said truss arms and front and 'rear braces and universal joints between said shoes and the truss arms and braces.

9. In a motor driven gun carriage, a vehicle frame having raised front and rear portions, a motor on said front portion of the frame, adjustable wheels on said front portion ofthe frame, driving connections between the motor and the adjustable wheels, manual means for adjusting said wheelsto steer the apparatus, a pair of vehicle wheels on the rear portion of the frame, said frame having a lower intermediate section wider than said front and rear portions adapted. to receive a gun mounting, and driving connections between the motor and the rear wheels extended laterally at said intermediate section, truss arms connected With the sides of said intermediate section, adjustable braces therefor under said truss arms, adjustable braces on said front and rear portions of the frame, fiat shoes at the ends of said truss arms and front and rear braces, universal joints between said shoes and the truss arms and braces, said shoes having slotted T shaped ribs, and T shaped spikes sharpened at one end adapted to be driven into the ground through said shoes.

10. In a motor driven gun carriage, a vehicle frame having raised front and rear portions, a motor on said front portion of the frame, adjustable Wheels on said front portion of the frame, driving connections between the motor and the adjustable wheels, manual means for adjusting said wheels to steer the apparatus, a pair of vehicle wheels on the rear portion of the frame, said frame having a lower intermediate section wider than said memes front and rear portions comprising a circular base, adapted to receive the base of a gun mounting, a plurality of transverse shafts and interconnecting chains between the motor and-the rear Wheels, arranged to provide a driving connection offset at said wider intermediate section, and winch drums in said driving connection near said rear wheels, truss arms connected With the sides of said intermediate section, adjustable braces therefor under said truss arms, adjustable braces on said front and rear portions of the frame, fiat shoes at the ends of said truss arms and front and rear braces, universal joints between said shoes and the truss arms and braces, said shoes having slotted T shaped ribs, and'T shaped spikes sharpened at one end adapted to be driven into the ground through said shoes.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 19 day of November, 1917.

A WALTER CHRISTIE.