US2393257A - Gun seat - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 22, 1946. G. MAURY,'JR

GUN S EAT '7 Sheets-Sheet l Filed June 6, 1940 Jan. 22, 1946. G. MAURY, .JR 2,393,257

' GUN SEAT Filed June 6, 1940 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jmn. 22, E946.

G. MAURY, JR

GUN SEAT Filed June 6, 1940 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 GUN SEAT Filed June 6, 1940 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 www Jan., 22, 1946. G. MAURY, JR

GUN SEAT Filed June 6, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 .u Nm

gmc/who@ 'reez/azyazw J7@ @M JW www Jan. 22, 1946.v G. MAURY, JR

GUN SEAT Filed June 6, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 G. MAURY, JR

Jan.. 22, 1946.

GUN SEAT Filed June e, 1940 '7 Sheets-Sheet '7 gmc/whom Patented Jan. 22, 1946 FIC l GUN SEAT 17 Claims as they occur and the gun correspondingly rel stored to its normal position.

A second important object of the invention is to accomplish this result by means of an adjustable mounting which will not interfere with the aiming of the gun through a depression or elevation.

A third important object of the invention is to provide a mount of this character from which the gun may be readily detached, and to which the gun may be readily attached.

A fourth important object of the invention is to provide a mount of this description wherein the recoil element includes an absorbing element not liable to fracture or displacement.

A fifth important object of the invention is to provide a gun mount of this description wherein the firing handle may be carried by the mount in a position free from excessive vibration, thus avoiding shock to the hand and arm of the operator of the gun.

A sixth important object of the invention is to provide a mount of this description which may be attached to any of a number of the carriages or supports now in use without materially changv ing the character of the mount.

A seventh important object of the invention is to provide for adjusting the flexibility of the cushioning member and recoling springs to thereby control the build up of recoil force caused by successive shots.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in general of certain novel details of construction and combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and specifically set forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, like characters of reference indicate like parts in the several views; and Y.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a rapid fire gun ,mounted on the improved recoil shock absorbing gun seat, the gun in the present instance being illustrated as a Browning 30 calibre M-1917 water cooled gun, and the support being that commonly known as a Stanley machine gun tripod mount;

Fig. 2 is a side view, partly in section, of the recoil shock absorbing gun seat, means being shown for adjustment of the shock absorbing member;

Fig. 3 is a front or.forward end View thereof;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a modiiied gun seat for what is known as the M-17 machine gun (water cooled infantry gun) which discharges spent cartridges through the bottom of the gun, the gun seat being provided with an opening on the median line for permitting the used cartridges to drop through the seat:

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the front part of the type oi' gun seat shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a recoil absorbing element, suitable for use in connection with the gun seat of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a detail section on the line 'I-l of Fig. 1i;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view of the gun seats shown in Figs. 2 and 4 with the upper seat in recoil position;

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view of a modified form of the gun seat showing one means or securing the recoil absorbing element in the gun seat, the means there shown being used where the recoil absorbing element lacks suiclent elastacityy said means also preventing the recoil elements from. slipping between the seat member on movement of one of them;

Fig. 10 is a view of a similar mount having a seat suitable for use with an airplane gun or other gun, feeding and exhausting from the side, and employing such a mount as is shown in the patent to Johnston, No. 1,953,080 of June 29, 1937;

Fig. 11 is a detail longitudinal section through the rear portion of the seat shown in Fig, 10;

Fig. 12 is a section on the line l2-I 2 of Fig, 11; Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the rear part of the gun seat shown in Fig. 10;

. Fig. 14 is a front view of the device as applied to a Johnston gun mount;

Fig. 15 is a, transverse median section through such device showing means for attaching the lower gun seat memberto the gun carrying head;

Fig. 16 is a plan view, showing the arc face and the wedge face of the Johnston mount cut out to allow space for the guide plates to move on recoil;

Fig. 17 illustrates another modification of the Johnston gun mount wherein the lower member is attached to the gun, while the upper member is attached to the upper part of the mount;

Fig. 18 is a side elevation of one form of the invention, wherein the gun handle and trigger are mounted on an immovable part of the gun seat assembly;

Fig. 19 is a section on the line IS-IS of Fig. 18; Fig. 20 is a modication of the arrangement shown in Fig. 18;

Fig. 21 is a detail of the apparatus shown in Fig. 18;

Fig. 22 is a plan view showing details of the gun spade grip and brace member;

Fig, 23 is a side elevation showing means for carrying the ammunition case on the gun mount;

Fig. 24 is a section 'approximately on the line 24-24 of Fig. 23;

Fig. 25 is a horizontal section on the line 25-25 of Fig. 23.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 1, the Stanley mount is indicated in general at ID, this mount having a head II and tripod legs I2 secured in inclined positions by means of bolts I3 which not only pivot the legs to the head II, but also are provided with handles I4 by which the bolts may be tightened and thus clamp the legs to the head. Extending upwardly from the head is a pair of standards I which carry at their upper ends a pivot bolt I6, and on these standards is mounted a cradle member consisting of a pair of side members I1, havingf arcuate slots I8 concentric to the bolts I 6 and through the standards I5 and slotsv I8 passes a clamping bolt I9 which has on one end a nut 20 provided with a handle 2l by which the clamping bolt may be used to clamp the member I'I in any desired adjusted position of vertical angularity. Extending rearwardly from the cradle members I1 is a pair of arms 22, which are connected by a pivot bolt 23, whereon swings a sleeve 2li through which passes a screw 25. A nut 26 engages with the scre'w25 to raise and lower the screw in the sleeve 2E. At the lower end of the Vscrew is a collar 21 between which and the nut is a spring 28 which urges the screw downwardly in the sleeve. A clamping screw 29 is provided with handle 3B which serves to clamp the screw 25 in adjusted position in the nut. The screw 25 extends upwardly above the nut or sleeve as at 3l, and carries on its upper end a bolt 32. The gun seat includes a lower plate member 33, having at its rear end downwardly extending lugs 36, provided with alined openings 35, wherethrough passes the bolt 32. At its forward end this lower gun seat member is provided with upturned lugs 35, having alined openings 3l, and through these openings 3? and the members Il passes a pivot bolt 38. Thus the lower gun seat member is connected at its forward end to the member Il, and at its rear end to the post 3l, so that this lower member may be adjusted tiltably with respect to the arms 22 by manipulation of the nut 26 when the screw 29 is released by -means of the handle 30. The upper or gun carrying member is similarly provided with a plate body 39, having at its rear end down-turned lugs 40, provided with bolt receiving openings 4 l,

and at its forward end with upturned'lugs 42..

provided with bolt receiving openings 43.' The gun is indicated in general at 44, and at its rear end has a laterally spaced pair of lugs 45, wherethrough passes a handle bolt i5 whichalso ex l tends through the openings lll.' At the forward end of the breech of the gun there is provided a handle bolt i'i which extends through the lower forward part of the breech and also through the openings d3. By this means the upper plate recoil members are connected by short links 48 and 49 which are of the same length, and are pivoted with equally spaced pivots. Normally. the links 48 extend vertically, and the upper and lower plate members are sufficiently spaced to permit the upper member upon firing of the gun, to move rearwardly and downwardly through equal arcs at both ends.

In order to retain the two members 33 and 39 in normally spaced relation, there is provided at each end of the seat an elastic member 56, of which the rear portion is carried on a longitudinally adjustable plate 5|, secured in position by a locking screw 52 so that this rear portion may be moved toward and against the upper It is further desired to point out that for differ ent types of machine guns; the recoil force is different. and therefore it is desirable to vary the compression under which the elastic member functions, and this may be done by the adjusting means above set forth. Stated differently, one of the novel aspects of the present invention resides in the conditioning of the elastic member, that is controlling the compression thereof to take care of various recoiling effects.

At the front of the member 33 there is provided a slot 53, and below this slot there is a spring shaft 54 which is slotted to receive a rear angular spring member 55 which turns back over the plate 33 and is `riveted thereto as at 55. Also there is carried bythis spring shaft 54 an upstanding second spring member 51 which engages between a pair of angle plates 58, carried by the upper member 39. Suitable elastic means such asrubber 59 or the like, are provided between the lower and downwardly projecting ends 59 of these two spring members. Thus when the recoil takes place in this form of the invention, the upper plate 35 swings on the links lli and tlg, compresses the member 50, and tensions the springs just mentioned, but the instant after firing the elastic member 5G tends to expand, while at the same ltime the springs tend to throw the upper plate forwardly and restore it to its normal position.

The spring assembly above described functions in two ways. When the gun is in action, there is a tendency for the gun, due toits recoil movement, to not return quickly to its normal position. The spring assembly elements 5t, 55, 5l and 5% act as a booster and insure positive action. The spring is so regulated or tensioned that when the gun ceases firing, the upper plate is automatically returned to its normal position.

vThe packing member 50 will prevent any recoil Fig. 2. The rubber member 59a functions as a cushioning member for spring member 5l when l the spring rebounds from its recoil position.

`It is also desired to point out that when the gun is not in action and the barrel thereof is elevated, there is a natural tendency, due to gravi- I tation, for the weight oi the gun to pull the upper plate 39 rearwardly and away from its normal position, that is to pull the plate to the left of its normal position, as shown'in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The spring assembly above set forth functions to hold the upper gun seat plate and the gun carried thereby in normal position as related to the lower plate member 33.

For the purposes of this invention the material 50 will be termed rubber, but it is to be understood that this term rubber is not to be restricted to the material usually known as rubber, but may be in the form of a soft or hard rubber, synthetic rubber, or other plastic material capable of being compressedand returning after compression to substantially its original form. Instead of using rubber, there may be substituted therefor a spring arrangement, although in the best form of the invention it is desired to use/the naturally occurvInstead of using the above compounds which may be vulcanized, intermediate products may be used which, although they possess definite elastic properties, do not lend themselves to complete vulcanization. These compounds are Koroseal, a polymer of vinyl chloride; Thiokol, a condensation product of aliphatic chlorine-containing compounds and sodium polysulde; and Vistanex Poiybutene, a linear polymer of isobutylene.

Referring to the bunas and their related com-A pounds, and particularly those which contain styrene or acrylonitrile, it may be stated that` said products are characterized by superior heat resistance and .aging properties, as compared to ordinary soft or hard rubber, and further have a greater resistance to abrasion. Rubber known as Buna S has better electrical properties than natural rubber.

Instead of using rubber alone as the shock absorbing medium, the rubber may have incorporated springs, as shown in Fig. 7, it being obvious that the arrangement of the springs in the rubber is merely illustrative and is not by way of limitation. The springs may be incorporated in the rubber in various ways. Instead of rubber, any elastic, natural or synthetic material may be used.

Instead oi' using a solid elastic medium, there may be substituted therefor a fluid medium, as for example air, nitrogen gas, or any other relatively inert gas. Further, the shock absorbing medium may comprise an elastic medium which is hollow in the center portion, said cavity being e provided with a uid medium such as air, nitrogen, or the like.

In Figs. l to 3, inclusive, there is shown in general one form of gun mount adapter which is especially adapted for attachment to a Stanley gun mount. In Figs. 4 to 8, inclusive, there is shown in detail a similar gun seat assembly and adapter which is modied in some details from that shown in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 4 to 8 inclusive, there is provided an upper plate G0 and a lower plate 6|, similar to the plates 39 and 33 of the previously described form. In this form,

the plate has upstanding ears 82, and the plate 8| has upstanding ears 83 at its forward end.

Referring specifically to Figs. 4 to 8, it is to beA noted that the bolt 41 passes through the ears 62 to connect ythe mount to the gun proper, while the bolt 88, as shown in Fig. 1, pases through the ears 63. Also these upper and lower plates are connected by links 85, corresponding in structure and function to the links 49 of Fig. 1. However, beneath the loading chamber of the gun in each of these plates is provided an opening or slot 65, the upper plate being suitably positioned relative to the'bottom of the gun so that when the shell of the cartridge is discharged it will drop through these openings downwardly. In order to provide upperV and lower plates, there is shown in Fig. 6

a compression member V8BV of rubber, it being understood that the term rubber includes the various compression elements, previously described. This compression element has in its body a slot Sl-which registers with and is of substantially equal size to the slot 65. Furthermore, in either this form or the form previously described, the rear end of the compression element may be provided with vertically extending openlngs 68 wherein may be mounted springs 69 which coact with the compression element or elements to urge the upper and lower plates apart.

As shown in Fig. 8, Whenever the gun recoils at the instant of rapid fire, the upper member, indicated in general at 60, moves rearwardly and, by the inuence of the links 6d, downwardly to cornpress the compression elements.

Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 9, the upper element 60 in this case, as well as in the other cases previously described and to presently be described, is provided with pins l0, while the lower element Si is provided with pins ll which engage in the compression element 89 and thereby prevent this compression element from shifting longitudinally between the upper and lower members.

Considering now theform shown in Figs. 10 to 16, inclusive, there is indicated a gun mount of what is known as the Johnston class, wherein there is a lower rigid member l2 on top of which is supported an upper member 13, which is pivoted to the member i2 for rotation by a bolt or pin Iii. Shock absorbing packing l5 is provided to prevent excessive vibrations. This upper member is provided with a pair of spaced arms i6 and Tl. Through the arm T6 extends a pivot bolt 18. Pivoted on the bolt 78 is a cam member 89, and in the arm i6 is supported a spring pressed member 8i which bears against the cam member and thereby resists rotation thereof, since any movement of the cam member 80 from its normal position causes compression of the spring 82, so that deflection from the normal or central point of the cam is resisted, as shown in the patent to Johnston, No. 1,990,491. Also, the arm ll carries a frictional resisting clamp 83, adjustable by nuts 34, and having an axle or shaft 85. On this shaft is mounted a plate or disc 86, and between this plate and the cam 80 is mounted a lower plate member 81, secured to the parts 80 and 86 by bolts 86, so that this member canl not move longitudinally with respect to the members 89 and 8B. This member 81 corresponds to the lower members 33 and 6l of the previously described forms. Above this member 81 is an upper member 88, and between these members lis located the compression block or member 89 oi the same character as before described. The members 88 and 81 are connected as before respectively to the gun 19 and, as before described, to the parts carried by the upper mount member 13. Furthermore, these parts are connected by links 90, corresponding to links previously described.

In order to regulate the stress of compression of the member 89, there is provided a plate 9| which rests on the lower member, and projecting downwardly from the lower member 01 is a lug 92, wherethrough passes a screw threaded rod 93, provided at one end with a turning eye 94, and having a pair of washers 95 spaced to engage a bell crank lever 96, which is pivoted at 91 to lugs 98, extending downwardly from the member 81'.

The member BlY has a slot 99 wherethroughpne arm ofthe bell crank lever 96 operates to engage and press upwardly the plate 9|, which rests on the member 81 beneath the elastic member 89. Obviously, by turning the threaded rod 93, the bell crank lever will be movedv to compress or release themember 89.

In Fig. 16, the members 16 and 11 are shown in horizontal section, and it will be noted that the member 80 is rabbeted at i0! to provide space for the link 90 in recoil, while the member 06 is rabbeted at |03 to provide space on recoil for the other linkiiil. Friction means |02 is provided between arms 11 and plate 86.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 17, the upper part of the Johnston gun mount is indicated at l|05, and this upper part carries a pair of oppositely disposed plates |06, one only being shown, to which are connected the sides of the upper gun seat member |01. The lower gun seat member |93 is connected to the upper member by the usual links |09, and between these two members is the compression member H0. The lower member |08 is connected by bolts and H2 to the gun l I3. The upper member |01 is provided with a spring seat l B, while the lower member is provided with a spring seat i l5, and between these spring seats is arranged a coil boosterl spring i which constantly urges the gun forwardly to its normal position for each ring.

It is to "oe noted that using the above arrangement, the lower member |03 is suspended from the links |09 and moves. rearwardly, that is to the left of the position shown in Fig. i7, upon the recoil of the gun, the spring iiii nrst expanding and then contracting to return the gun seat to its normal position. Suitable means may be provided for adjusting the operating tension under which the spring it operates. as shown in Fig. i7, the screw H5 is operatively connected to the spring |116, said screw being mounted in the spring seat i5.

It is desired to point out that in the form of the invention shown in Fig. 11, the upper plate is stationary relative to the lower plate, and the lower plate swings` by parallel motion on the surfa'ce of arcs, the radius of which is the pivot point |09, the arc itself being shown in dotted lines |09". It is to be noted that in this form oi the invention the gun is attached to the lower member |08, the latter being suspended from the upper member |01 by links |09. It is also noted that the upper plate |01-is attached to the machine gun mount, whereas in the form of the invention shown in Figs. 10 and 14, the lower member is attached to the machinegun mount. The weight ofv the gun does not rest upon the shock absorbing element 50 or 66, thereby avoiding excessive fatigue of the shock absorbing medium. It will be noted in this arrangement shown in Fig. 17 that when the gun returns from the exf further to Fig. 1'7,V it will be noted that the pivntY .terminating in said arc.

treme movement of the recoil, the action of the recoil is on a down swing rather than on an upward swing, as occurs in the arrangement shown in Figs.'1, 10 and 14. 'Ihe distance of the recoil, however, in either case may be only the very small fraction of an inch. The links |09 are each pivoted at |09a to swing on arcs, one of which is shown at |091.

To further explain the difference in the recoil of the gun seat assembly in Fig. 17 from the recoil taking place in that form of the invention shown in Figs.- 1 and 10, reference is made to Fig. 8, which shows the pivot point 6 la from which the radius r of the arc extends toward the point 60a. wise position, as shown [by the arrow. Referring point |09El extends through the top plate |01, and when the gun is in recoil the bottom plate |08 recoils in parallelism on the arcs in the direction indicated by the arrow, the links |09 swinging on arcs whose centers are the pivot points |095.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 18. therev is indicated a method of controlling the ring from the lower or stationary plate of the gun seat. In this form there is shown an upper gun seat ||1 and a lower plate ||8, connected` in the usual manner by the links H9, the upper plate being connected with the gun at |20 and I2 In the present instance, no attempt is made to explain the cushioning pads further than to say that between the upper member H1 and the lower member H8 there is provided cushioning means |22. Secured to the upper plate H1 is a bracket |23, and on the gun is secured a similar lbracket |24. In 4these brackets is rotativeiy mounted a firing shaft |25, controlling the trigger mechanism |26. It will be noted that the arcuate form of the member |29 corresponds to the radius 1" emanating from the eccentric point |39El and 'When the upper gun plate is in recoil, the plate |21 is carried vertically, and moves back and forth, sliding underneath the pin |29. The plate |21 is held to the member by means of a b'olt |30, passing through a vertical slot |3|. On the rear end of the member H8 is mounted a bracket |32, carrying a frame |33. whereon is mounted the handles i3d, which may be utilized fby the gunner for aiming the gun. The bracket |32 encompasses the left and right side of the gun, as shown in Fig. 22. Pivoted to the bracket |33 is a trigger i3d in position to be engaged by the foreinger of the operator, and this trigger is normally held forward by a spring |38. On the lower or free end of the trigger |35 is pivoted a rod |31 having a forward end pivoted at |33 to a cam member |39 which, upon the trigger being drawn backwardly rotates and lifts the member |21, and thereby operates the rod |25.

More specifically, the ring of the gun is initiated by the drawing of the trigger and this, as stated, results in rotation of the cam |39, the latter functioning to lift the member |21, which in turn engages the pin |29 and causes the shaft |25 to rotate. Upon rotation of the rod |25, the trigger mechanism |26 will be actuated to thereby cause the trigger |269' of the machine gun to be actuated. The trigger |35 remains drawn during the entire firing operation, and during this same period the member |21 remains in its elevated position, and the pin |29 remains in its elevated position. During this rng period the gun seat member H1 repeatedly recoils `and returns to its normal position, and during said pe- The top plate 60 recoils in a counterclock-Vf the cam`member |56.

, face |51 of the slidable member |55 contacts riod the arcuate surface of the member |21 slides beneath and against the pin |29 which remains in its elevated position. This insures the trigger |26 being maintained in its firing position during the time the operator holds backwardly the trigger mechanism |35. The member |21 is grooved at |21a to receive the pointed upper surface of the cam member |39, as shown in Fig..19. This arrangement, whereby the upper surface portion of the cam member is nested into the lower portion of the member |21, functions to assist in keeping these two members in alinement. Also, to prevent accidental lifting of the plate |21, there is provided on this plate a pin |40 which is normally engaged by a hook |4i, ilxed on the plate |30. and this pin can only be released upon the trigger |36 being pulled. It will be noted on referring to Fig. 18 that the arcuate portion i |28 is extended on each side beyond the rim of the plate |21 and that the arcuate portion and extensions have a rounded upper surface cont forming to a circle having its center at the pivot In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 20, there is indicated as applied to an M2 aircraft machine gun a dlierent method of controlling the firing from the lower or stationary plate of the gun seat than shown in Fig. 18, wherein an M 1'7y water cooled gun is illustrated. Referring to Fig. 20, the various parts are more or less similar, except that in place of the pin |29 and the shaft there is provided a bell crank lever |42 pivoted at |43, the pivot member being mounted on a post |44, the latter being attached to the top gun seat plate |46. The bell crank lever |42 has connected by a shaft |48 with a trigger |49, adapted to fire the gun, it being noted that the shaft |48 passes through the bracket or guide block |50 and extends around the rear lof the gun |5| in a manner which adapts it to operate the trigger |49 of the machine gun |5|. 'I'he upper gun seat plate |46 is connected to the lower gun seat plate |41 by means of links |52, as shown in dotted lines, which are the same length on opposite sides of the gun plate members, and are pivoted with equally spaced pivots, the connection being such that the plate |46 can move in a manner similar to the upper plate illustrated in Figs. l, 2 and 10. The pivot members are indicated at |53 and |54 respectively. Pivoted on the pivot bolt |53 is the member |56, said member being adapted to slide vertically when actuated by the cam member |66. The cam member is carried by the pivot bolt |54. From the above, it is clear that the pivot bolts |53 and |54, respectively, not only function to carry the link members |52 but also to carry the vertical slidable member |55 and The upper arcuate surwith a roller |58 on the end of the bell crank lever |42. On the rear portion of the lower gun plate member |41 there is mounted a bracket |45, which carries a frame |59 in which is mounted a handle (not shown) by means of which the aiming of the gun may be obtained. Pivoted on the back at |59 is a trigger |60, said trigger being shown in a position to be engaged by the forenger of the operator. This trigger is normally held by a spring member such as described in connection with that form of the invention shown in Fig. 18. On the lower end of the trigger member |60 there is pivoted a rod |6| which is connected at its forward end to the cam member |56.

Referring back to Fig. 14, it will be seen that on one side of the device there is provided a cartridge case |13, while there is provided on the other side a case |14 for empty shells. Now in order to have these cartridge cases and the shell receivers move with the device, the apparatus shown in Figs. 23 to 25 is used, and in this apparatus it is necessary that the ammunition box be mounted in such a manner that it can move with the gun, both as regards the recoil and the pivoting of the gun to aim the same. An X-shaped member |63 is. therefore, secured to member |64 in Fig. 24, this member corresponding to disc 06 as shown particularly in Figs. 10, 14 and 15. The X-shaped member will therefore rotate with the gun when the latter is aimed. Pivoted to the X-shaped member on pivots |65 and |66 are the arms |61 on which the ammunition case is secured by the pins |68. It is to `be noted that the rod |69 is pivoted at |10 to the link |1I. The rod |69 is secured by bolts |12 to the side of the recoil shock absorbing upper plate 88, and it will therefore be seen that when the gun recoils, the rod |69 will move with the gun, thereby causing link |1| to actuate the arms |61, suspended at points |65 and |65. These arms in turn carry the ammunition box |13, and when the arms |61 are moved during the recoiling movement, the ammunition box likewise moves.

It is to be noted that the firing mechanism for the gun, both as shown in Fig. 18 and in Fig. 20 is so arranged that no vibratory motion is given to the trigger or spade handle through the recoil of the gun. It will be seen that in Fig. 18 the member |21 is free to move backward and forward with relation to the cam |35 irrespective of any direct connection, and that it is only the movement of the cam that produces the ring action. The same thing is true with relation to the sliding member |55 in Fig. 20 and the cam |56 in the trigger. This prevents any vibration of the gun recoil being carried back to the trigger and is especially valuable when guns of large calibre are used and where a large amount of vibration is produced.

It is desired to point out that although a specic machine gun is set to fire a certain number of times per minute, due to weakening of the bolt spring of the gun, the speed of firing `may be changed and when this occurs the speed of the recoil packing 50 may have its elasticity or tension or compression changed to conform with the new operating conditions. In most cases, the elastic backing may be put under greater tension, but it is obvious that under some circumstances the elastic tension may be reduced. It is therefore clear that in one aspect of the present invention means are provided for increasing or decreasing the elastic tension of the vibratory absorbing member 50, all in accordance with the operating conditions. In other Words, not only is a medium provided for absorbing vibrations and reducing the vibratory effect due to the recoil, but such medium may have its vibratory absorbing characteristics changed in accordance with the firing characteristics of the gun.

Instead of having the gun seat adapter recoil at the same speed of recoil as the gun, under some conditions, it may be advantageous to slow down the number of gun seat adapter recoils. In other words, the gun seat adapter would not recoil every time the gun recoils, but it would vonly recoil for example once for every three or four shots. While various means may be provided to accomplish the above, it may be very economically and efilciently accomplished .by providing a packing or shock absorbing material l) which may be made of exceedingly soft or shock absorbent material, so that the elastic strength of the shock absorbing material is insuficient to return the gun seat to normal position after each shot. In other words, the packing or shock absorbing material is conditioned so that it can only act to return the gun seat recoiling member when there has been a build up of pressure by successive rapid shots which will be sumcient to cause the recoiling member of the gun seat to rebound to its normal position. As stated, the shock absorbing material which may be any of the materials herein set forth, including a solid or uld material or mixture of the same, may be adjusted so that it will return the recoiling mem- :ber of the gun seat adapter to its normal position, not upon every gun shot, but only upon a plurality of gun shots which may be 3, 4, 5 or even a considerably greater number, depending on circumstances. A plurality of shots will build up or create a 'suilicient pressure to cause the recoiling member of the gun seat to rebound.

It is to be remembered that the firearm, as for example a machine gun, is red at a relatively high speed, ranging from 1200 to 1500 shots per minute or 2O to 25.shots per second. When the compressible member is made of hard rubber or its equivalent, the tendency will be to return the gun to or almost to its normal position after the vibrations have been absorbed by the hard rub- 'ber and the rubber has Ibeen released from cornpression on the rebound movement. Using a softer rubber, the rebound movement of the recoling member is slower, and the shock absorbing mem-ber will only expand to bring the gun almost to or to its normal position on the firing of aplurality of shots. By conditioning the shock absorbing member 50', as above set forth, so that it only returns the gun to or towards its normal position upon the firing of a plurality of shots, the aiming of the gun is greatly improved.

While the basic objects of the present invention have been disclosed and explained by reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that these are illustratively presented and not .by Way of limitation, and that the invention is susceptible of various changes in construction, all of which maybe made within the scope of the accompanying claims without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

While the present invention has been set forth in connection with guns of .30 calibre, it is to be understood that the invention may be used for both automatic and stationary guns of unlimited size or calibre, including machine guns. It is to be understood that the term gun mount, as used in the specification and the claims, includes any suitable support upon which the gun seat assembly may :be mounted, as for example a tank, an airplane, a naval vessel, or stationary walls, plates, shields, and objects of similar character.

The mount for the gun may be considered a gun mount adapter, since the arrangement herein set forth adapts the gun or other firearm to be mounted either on a tripod or upon any other movable object such as a tank or plane, or upon a stationary object such as a post, a Well, or steel or similar plates oi various forms.

While. the invention has :been illustrated in connection with Johnston and Stanley mounts, it is clear in view of the above that these mounts are set forth for purposes of illustration and are not to be considered a limitation as to the character of the mount to which the present invention may be applied.

It is desired to point out that the upperl and lower members of the gun seat move in parallel with one another and the motion means connecting the same move in parallel with one another. Therefore, the gun seat members malntain the form of a parallelogram when the gun seat is in its recoil position, and maintain the form of an oblong when the gun` seat is in its normal position.

In accordance with the present invention, there has Ibeen provided a gun seat for connecting a gun and a mount for said gun, including a pair of members, one of which is fixed to the gun and the other of which is attached to the gun mount, together with motion means connecting said members whereby one of them may move with respect to the other. compressible means are interposed between said members and are adapted to absorb the vibrations due to the recoil movement of the gun and to assist on release from compression to return the gun completely to its normal position, or partially towards the normal position, said return occurring during the rebound movement. Means are also broadly provided for varying the elastic tension of the compressible means.

The gun is capable of having its ring characteristics ch'anged by repeated iiring, and, therefore, there may be provided means for varying the elastic tension of the compressible means in accordance with the firing characteristics of the gun.

Means are also connected to the gun seat to vassist the compressible member in quickly returning the gun to or towards its normal position. The gun trigger means is preferably so connected and mounted as to inhibit shock` to the gun operator, and for this purpose th'e trigger means is attached to a member connected to the mount and loosely connected to the firing mechanism. In other words, the trigger and firing mechanism are loosely connected to inhibit or minimize the recoil' of the gun from producing vibration of the trigger means.

From a method standpoint, the invention resides in conditioning th'e shock absorbing member in accordance with the recoil force generated by the ring of the gun. In other words, the shock absorbing member is maintained in a condition to completely return the gun to its normal position or to partly return the gun to its normal position, or to operate as above set forth upon the firing of a plurality of shots, all as set forth.

The above features and others have been fully described in the specication and claimed in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A gun seat for connecting a gun and a mount for said gun including a spaced pair of gun, compressible elastic means having a relatively large area bearing on said opposed surfaces and interposed between said members urging means connecting said members and resisting displacement from such normal longitudinal ren them into separated positions, said members having a normal longitudinal relation, and spring lation 4relative to one another and displaceablen therefrom during recoil movement of the gun.

3. A gun seat for connecting a gun and a mount for said gun including a pair of vertically spaced members in general alinement with the longitudinal axis of the gun and having relatively large opposed surfaces, one of which is fixed to -the gun, and the other of which is attached to the gun mount, means connecting said members for generally parallel movement toward and away from one another during recoil and firing of said gun, at least one elastic pad having a relatively large area bearing on said opposed surfaces and interposed between said members and urging them apart, and means carried by said members holding said pad against longitudinal displacement relative thereto.

4. A gun seat for connecting a gun and4 a mount for said gun including a pair of vertically spaced members in general alinement with the longitudinal axis of the gun and having relatively large opposed surfaces, one of which is iixed to the gun, and the other of which is attached to the gun mount, means connecting said members for generally parallel movement toward and away from one another during recoil and f'ring of said gun, at least one elastic pad having a relatively large area bearing on said opposed surfaces and interposed between said members and urging them apart, means carried by said members holding said pad against longitudinal displacement relative thereto, said members hav-` ing a normal longitudinal relation relative to one another and displaceable therefrom during recoil movement of the gun, and spring means connecting said members and resisting displacement from such normal longitudinal relation.

5. A gun seat for connecting a gun and a mount for said gun including a pair of vertically spaced members in general alinement with the longitudinal axis of the gun and having relatively large opposed surfaces, one of which is xed to the gun and the other of which is attached to the gun mount, means connecting said tively large opposed surfaces, one of which is fixed to the gun and the other of which is attached to the gun mount, means connecting the said members for generally parallel movement toward and away fromone another during recoil and firing of said gun, and an elastic pad having a relatively large area bearing on said opposed surfaces and interposed between said members and urging them apart, said pad and members having registering openings for shell discharge on their median lines between their ends. and means to hold said pad against longitudinal slipping with reference to said members.

'7. A gun seat for connecting a gun and a mount for said gun including a pair of vertically spaced members in general alinement with' the longitudinal axis of the gun and having relatively large opposed surfaces, one of which is xed to the gun, and the other of which is attached to the gun mount, means connecting said members for generally parallel movement toward and away from one another during recoil and ring of said gun, an elastic pad having a relatively large area bearing on said opposed surfaces and interposed between said members and urging them apart, said pad and members having registering openings for shell discharge on their median lines between their ends, said members having a normal longitudinal relation relative to one another and displaceable therefrom during recoil movement of the gun, and spring means connecting said members and resisting displacement from such normal longitudinal relation so as to normally maintain said openings in registry.

8. A gun seat for connecting a gun and a mount for said gun including a pair of vertically spaced members in general alinement with the longitudinal axis of the gun and having relatively large opposed surfaces, one of which is fixed to the gun and the other of which is attached to the gun mount, means connecting the said members for generally parallel movement toward and away from one another during recoil and iring of said gun, and an elastic pad having a relatively large area bearing on said opposed surfaces and interposed between said members and urging them apart, said pad and members having registering openings for shell discharge on their median lines between their ends, means to hold said pad against longitudinal slipping with reference to said members, said members having a normal longitudinal relation relative to one another and displaceable therefrom during recoil movement of the gun, and spring means connecting said members and resisting displacement from such normal longitudinal relation'so as to normally maintain said openings in registry.

9. A gun seat for connecting a gun and a mount for said gun including a pair of members in general alinement with the longitudinal axis of the gun and having relatively large opposed surfaces, one of which is xed to the gun 'and the other of which is attached to the gun mount, means connecting said members for generally parallel movement towardand away from one another during recoil and firing of said gun, and compressible elastic means having a relatively large area bearing on said opposed surfaces and interposed between said members urging them into separated positions, said parallel motion means consisting of a pair of spaced parallel links each having one end pivoted to one member and its other end pivoted to the other member.

l0. A gun seat for connecting a gun and a mount for said gun including a pair of members, one of which is connected to the gun and the otherl of which is connected to the gun mount, motion means connecting said members whereby one of them may move with respect to the other, compressible means interposed between said members adapted to absorb vibration due to the recoil of the gun and to assist on release oi compression to return the gun to its normal position, spring means operatively connected to th'e gun seat to assist said compressible member in quickly returning the gu'n to its normal position, said spring means including a slotted spring shaft extending across one of said members, and a leaf spring mounted in said slotted shaft and having one end fixed to one of the members and the other end held to move with the other member.

11. A gun seat for connecting a' gun and a mount for said gun including a pair of members in general alinement with the longitudinal axis of the gun and having relatively large opposed surfaces, one of which is connected to the gun Vand the Vother of which is connected Yto the gun mount, means movably connecting said members whereby one of them may move with respect to the other, compressible means having a, relatively large area bearing on said opposed surfaces and interposed between said members adapted to absorb vibration due to the recoil of the gun and to assist on release of compression to return the gun to its normal position, spring means operatively connected to the gun seat to assist said compressible member in quickly returning the gun to its normal position, said spring means including a pair of spring seats extending in spaced opposition from said members and a coiled compression spring having its ends mounted on said seats..

12. The combination of a gun having a firing mechanism and its mount with a gun seat including a pair of members one of which is xed to the gun and the other of which is supported by the mount, parallel motion means connecting said members, compressible elastic means interposed between said members and urging them into separated positions, trigger means carried by the member attached to the mount, and an operative connection between said trigger means and ring mechanism, including a cam mounted on the seat member carried by the mount, a trigger pivotally supported from said member, a link connecting the cam and trigger, a pusher member mounted for vertical sliding movement on the seat member carrying the gun, a rock shaft for actuating the liring mechanism and rotatably supported on the gun and the seat mem-ber attached thereto, and a lug projecting from th'e rock shaft and resting on the vertically slidable member.

13. The combination of a gun having a firing mechanism and its mount with a gun seat including a pair of members one oi which is fixed to the gun and the other of which is supported by the mount, parallel motion means connecting said members, compressible elastic means interposed between said members and urging them into separated positions, trigger means carried by the member attached to the mount, and an operative connection between said trigger means and ring mechanism, including a cam mounted on the seat member carried by the mount, a trigger pivotally supported from said member, a link connecting the cam and trigger, a pusher member mounted for vertical sliding movement on thev seat member carrying the gun, a bell crank pivotally supported from the gun carrying seat member and leaving one arm resting on the vertically slidable member, and a link connecting the other arm of the bell crank with the firing mechanism.

14. A. gun seat for suspending a gun from a tributed pressure on the last mentioned means to thereby eiect absorption of recoil. vibration and return the gun to its normal position on release from compression.

15. A gun seat for suspending a gun from a mount including a pair of relatively long members having opposed surfaces spaced from eachY other, motion means suspending one of said members from the other for moving one member substantially parallel with respect to the other, means to connect the suspended member to the gun, means to support the other of said members from the `mount, adjustable, compressible and stretch'able means interposed between said members and having a relatively large area of contact with said opposed surfaces so that the recoil of the gun exerts a uniformly distributed pressure on the last mentioned means to thereby eect absorption of recoil vibration and return th'e gun to its normal position on release from compression, and additional adjustable means operatively connected to the gun seat to help resist force causing compression and to assist said compressible member in quickly returning the gun to its normal position.

16. A gun seat for connecting a gun and a mount for said gun including a spaced pair of members generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the gun and having relatively large opl posed surfaces, one of which is ilxed to the gun,

and the other of which is attached to the gun mount, means connecting said members for generally parallel movement towards and away from one anoth'er during recoil and ring of said gun,

compressible elastic? means interposed between said members urging them into separated positions, and additional means operatively connected to the gun seat to assist said compressible member in quickly returning the gun to its normal position.

1'7. A gun seat for connecting a gun and a mount for said gun including a pair of spaced members generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the gun and having relatively large opposed surfaces one of which is iixed to the gun and the other of which is attached to the gun mount, means movably connecting said members for generally parallel movement towards and away from each' other during the recoil and firing of the gun, and compressible means having a relatively large area bearing on said opposed surfaces and interposed between said members to urge them into separated positions, said compressible means being adapted to absorb vibrations due to the recoil movement of the gun and to assist on release from compression to return the gun to its normal position, said compressible means being conditioned to absorb the energy of successive recoils and return the gun towards its normal position a distance equivalent to the movement accompanying each recoil only upon the ring of a plurality of shots.

Lumi i MAURY, Je.

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