US2491005A - Gun mount - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 13, '1949 s. G. GREEN ET Al.

GUN MGUNT Y Original Filed Dec. 31,` 1943 13 Sheets-Sheet l .-Dec. 13, 1949 original Filedpeo. 31, 1945 s. G. GREEN ET AL.

GUN Mouw l5 Sheets-Sheet 2 WILL /HM EIA/f, WEBER QEVGRE) Dec. i3, 1949 s. G. GREEN ET L GUN MOUNT 13 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed Dec. 51, 1943 GREEN,

Dec. 13, 1949 s. G. GREEN ET AL 2,491,005

GUN MOUNT original Filed Dec. 31, 1943 lasheets-sheet 4 www 2M a 1 RQW- btmmm Dec. 13, 1949 v s. G. GREEN ETAL 2,491,005

GUN MOUNT Original Filed Dec. 31, 1943 13 Sheets-Sheet 5 s l' c m y mln- I l G2 \5 l-J) Dec. 13, 1949 s. G. GREEN ETAL 2,491,005

GUN MOUNT original Filed Dec. :51, 1945 1:5 sheets-sheet e WHT-mh?" Dec. 13, 1949 Y s. G. GRYEEN ErAL GUN MOUNT 13 Sheets-Sheet '7 v Original Filed Dec. 31, 1943 Dec. 13, 1949 s. G. GREEN E-rAL GUN MOUNT Original Filed Deo. 31, 1943 13 Sheets-Sheet 8 Dec. 13, 1.949 s. G. GREEN ET AL E 2,491,005

GUN MOUNT Y Original Filed Dec 3l, 1943 13 She'ets-Sheet 9 WEBER OEI/ORE) Dec. 13, 1949 s. G. GREEN ET Al. 2,49LOO5 GUN MOUNT Original Filed Dec. 3l, 1943 15 Sheets-Sheet 10 Dec. 13, 1949 s. G. GREEN ETAL 2,491,005

GUN MOUNT original Filed Dec. 31, 194s 15 sheets-sheet 11 glu/vantare Dec. 13, 1949 s.`G.GREEN ET AL 2,491,005

GUN MOUNT Original Filed Deo. 31, 1943 13 Sheets-Sheet l2 Dec. 13, 1949 s. G. GREEN ET AL 2,491,005

GUN MOUNT 13 Sheets-Sheet 13 Original Filed Dec. 31, 1943 Patented Dec. 13, 1949 Samuel G. Green, Alexandria, Va.,and WalterlH. DArldcnne, Jenkintown .Manon William J. .MeineL Huntington Val-ley, :and Weber Devero, Horsham Township, Montgomery County., Pa., Aa'ssg-mn's, by -d-irect and `mesne assignrnents,to Heintz ,Manufacturing Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Original application- December 31, 1943, Serial Divided and this application .May

23,1946, SerialN'o. 671,8.'75

(Cl. Sil-42) 3 crains. 1

This application is .a division of copending application, Serial No. 516,520, filed December .341, 1943, which issued .on July 30, .1946, as Patent No. 2,404,958.

rThis invention relates to gun mounts and more particularly to a shielded machine `gun mount primarily for anti-aircraft use and .employable at ease through 360D in traverse and .at all angles .from a depression to an elevation of +90". It is a principal object of .the invention to k'provide such a mount.

1n the more modern and now conventional gun mounts for anti-aircraft use it has been necessary to employ `shoulder braces and back supports for `the gunner., for without such accessories the mounts could `not -be voperated With any degree of eiciency. While this comprised an advantage in one sense, .the use of such `appendages possessed two principal disadvantages. First, much of the recoil upon rng was trans-- mitted directly to the gunner, and secondly, the gunner was thus forced 'in operation to assume a squatting and somewhat cramped position.

1t is another principal object of thisinvention to obviate these disadvantages and the present mount is so constructed and arranged so that the gunner operates at all times from a. standing position which results in greater Afreedom of action, faster operation and greater accuracy. Moreover, the arrangement makes .possible the elimvmation of shoulder braces and back straps thus greatly reducing the amount of recoil shock transmitted to the gunner.

A further object of the invention .resides Ain providing such a mount which may be used either as a tripod or a Xed pedestal mount.

Moreover, the invention has for another object the provision of a mount the 'pedestal suppor't construction o'f which is adapted, through a Vnovel cushioning arrangement, to withstand shock and to dampen the vibration caused` by normal recoil thus increasing the .accuracy offire.

T'ne invention has for Van important object the provision of Ea, mount of relatively simple and rugged construction, comprised of a number .of light weight components capable of easy transport and ready assembly.

7These and other important objects of the yinvention will become more .apparent .from the following description and claims when .read in conjunction with the Vaccompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation ofthe =preferred iorm of the invention.

Figure 2 is a frontview.

Figure 3 is a toppl'an'view.

`Figure 4 .is an elevational View, `partly in vsection,l of the pedestal 'or stand.

.Figure 5 is a section taken on the line 5 5 lof Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the stand illustrated in Figure f4.

Figure '7 'is an 'enlarged detail of the bearing support shown in Figure '4.

Figure 8 .is fa section taken ion ythe line 8-8 of .Figure 4.

Figure `9 lis a 'top plan view of the cradle assembly.

Figure 101s a side elevational view ofthe cradle assembly,

.Figure '.11 'is aside elevational view of lthe cradle assembly showing'the vopposite side.

Figure `12 is a rear end elevation of the 'cradle assembly.

Figure 13 'isa front velevation 'of the shield support and armor platesh'eld.

Figure v14 is a side elevation of the shield support and shield.

Figure 15 is a Section taken on the line |5-15 o'f Figure 14.

Figure '16 is a 'section 'taken on the line IB--IG off Figure '14.

Figure 1'7 is a 'top plan view of the counterbalance :arrangement for lighter barrel guns.

Figure 18 is a side elevation 'of the 'arrangement shown in Figure v17.

Figure v1"@ is `a 'detail vertical `section through the vvval'l of 'the pedestal support of a 'modied forrn of mount.

Figure "2`0 is ane'levation, partly in section, lof .another modiiied form `or pedestal support.

Figure 21 is -an' lenlarged section through a further modified form Aof pedestal support.

Figure 22y is 'an enlarged section through yanother modified orm vof pedestal support.

The preferred .embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 1 to 18, inclusive. The gen-eral assembly of this mou-ntis shown in Figures l1--2 inclusive; The mount includes a vertical pedestalv support or stand l adapted to support detachable legs Ziorming a tripod support. A trunnion bracket 3 is detachably secured to the upper 'endof they stand I. The upper ,portion of 'the'stand l is mounted for 'ro-tary move- 'ment about 'the vertical yaxis of the stand so that -trunnion :bracket :3 is capable vof movement in a horizontal plane over 360.

TheA upper end o the trunnion bra'cketf vsupports the cradle ass'emibly for pivoting movement in a Vertical''plane'.y 'The Acradle assembly is adapted Lto carry 'a gun', such as `a ca'l...50 Brown- `ing 'Wateracoqled .machine Agun 5 v(sh-own in broken lines). The cradle assembly 4 and gun may be elevated from minus 15 to plus 90.

The cradle assembly 4 further includes a trigger frame, indicated generally by the reference numeral 6, a trigger side plate mechanism 'I adapted to be secured to the side of the gun 5, a recoil mechanism 8 (see Fig. 3), and a spent ammunition link chute 9. The cradle assembly 4 is adapted to detachably receive an ammunition chest I (shown in broken lines).

The trunnion bracket 3, at its base, is provided with means for detachably receiving a shield support Il carrying an armor plate shield I2 at its upper end.

The invention further includes a sighting assembly I3 adapted to be supported by clamping means I4 to the forward end of the barrel of the gun 5.

This mount, as can already be appreciated, is

- constructed of a number of separate assemblies or units which render the mount capable of easy transportation and quick assembling and equally facile disassembling.

In order to make clear the structural features of the mount, the various units and assemblies will be separately described.

Pedestal support or stand The stand I is comprised of a tubular member I5 (Fig. 4) the lower end of which is provided with a circular base plate I6. Disposed circumferentially around the lower end of the tubular member I5 and welded to it and to the base plate I6 are three socket or leg housing members Il adapted tc receive the inner ends of the tubular legs 2 (see Fig. 2).

The inner ends of the tubular legs 2 are adapted to be clamped in the leg housing members I'I by means of the clamping arrangement shown in Figures 4 and 5. This arrangement is comprised of two clamping jaws i8 and I9 disposed on a shaft 20 passing through transverse openings in the leg housing member Il. One end of the shaft 20 is threaded through the clamping jaw I9 and a threaded locking collar 2I and locking pin 22 keep 'the jaw from disengaging from the shaft. The other end of the shaftl 20 is provided with a pivoted handle 23 which can be adjusted to permit operation in a limited space to turn the shaft 20. The lower surface of the jaws I8 and I9 are fiat and having sliding arrangement with a transverse flat bar 24 rigid with the leg housing member I1.

It will be noted that turning of handle 23 in one direction will turn the shaft 28 thus causing the jaws I8 and I 9 to be drawn together to clamp the leg 2 in the leg housing member. Operation of handle 23 in the other direction will move the jaws apart thus unclamping the leg 2. clamping means provides a quick, accurate and simple mechanism for clamping and unclamping the legs.

The pedestal support or stand I is provided with a trunnion bracket supporting member 25 at its upper end. This member is mounted coaxially on the main portion of the pedestal stand I for rotary turning movement about the vertical axis of the stand. The details of the structure are illustrated in Figures 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.

Withrreference to Figures 4 and 7 it will be noted that the supporting member 25 is itself supported by means of a bearing unit in the following manner. The outer circumference of Vthe tubular member I5 is provided with two spaced annular grooves which receive the rings Such a 26, 21 (similar to piston rings). The reference numeral 28 indicates an annular channel bearing race housing which is secured to a ange 28 on the lower end of the support 25. A four ring ball race 30 is disposed within the housing 28 but is vibration insulated therefrom by element 28', 28" and 28 The vibration insulating element is of laminated cloth and rubber material of the type generally known as Fabreeka. This bearing assembly is completed by the ball bearings 3I and the bolts 32, the latter serving to secure the housing 28 to the iiange 28 of the support 25. The support 25 is thus adapted to rotate 360 about the vertical axis of the pedestal stand I.

Means are provided for locking the support 25 in any position. Such means is shown in Figures 4 and 8 particularly as comprising a handle 33 Y mounted on a shaft 34 threaded in projection 35 extending laterally from the support 25V and formed integrally therewith (see Fig. 8). The inner end of the shaft 34 carries a clamping element 3S having a surface complementary to the outer surface of the pedestal tube I5 and adapted to bear against the same tightly when the handle 33 is actuated to turn shaft 34 in one direction. This locks the support 25 against rotary movement. Actuation of the handle in the other direction moves the shaft 34 and clamping element 36 out of engagement with the tubular member I5 thus permitting free rotation of the support 25. The shaft 34 is provided with a groove 3l and the limit screw 38 of lesser diameter than the width of the groove projects into this groove to prevent the shaft 34 from being removed while still permitting limited movement suflicient to lock and unlock the support 25.

In accordance with an important feature of the invention a shock absorber or dampener is disposed between the support 25 and the tubular member I5. The structure embodying this is shown in Fig. 4. It includes an outer cone member 33 shaped substantially as a hollow diabolo provided with a narrow slit from top to bottom. Two inner hollow frusta-conical members 40 and 4I are adapted to t respectively in each end of the diabolo 39. The conical member 40 is provided with a central threaded bore. Fiber composition packing pieces 42, 42 are disposed between the member 39 and the members 4I) and 4I. Each packing piece is cone-shaped and is provided with a slit from top to bottom. A bolt 43 is adapted to pass through members 4 I, 42, 42 and to be threaded in member 4i! so as to draw the two members 4@ and 4I together thus clamping them to the member 39 with the ber composition pieces 42, 42 therebetween. The member 39 engages the inner wall of the tubular member I5. The lower member 4e also engages this inner wall. The upper conical member 4I engages the inner wall of the support 25.

The physical properties of the composition are important and should equal or closely approximate a composition known under the trade name of Fabreeka It is possible to employ two or more laminations of packing pieces and by this means and by adjusting the tightness of the bolt 43 it is possible to obtain the desired preload. It has been demonstrated, the proper preload will have the effect of dampening the shock caused by normal a3 when assembling and for adjustment :and a cover plate e4' normally `closes this opening.

The upper end of the support is provided with clamping means to enable the trunnion bracket 3 to be removably secured thereto. Such clamp- .means (see Figs. 4 and 6) are vcomprised of three upstanding lugs `135, 46 and 41, the lug (35 having a conical -recess andthe lugs l5 and 41 each having an undercut recess as clearly noted in Fig. 4.

-The Mannion-bracket The trunnion bracket 3 is provided "at its lower end 'with a pair of 'forwardly projecting lugs 438, e9 (Figs. 9 and lo) adapted-'to nest in the undercut recesses of the lugs 4t kand 4l on the support 25. The base of the 'trunnion bracket 3 is 'also provided with 'a notch Y'59 (see Fig. 9) in which the rear lug et on the support '25 is disposed when 'the trunnion bracket is positioned on the l support 25.

A clamping bolt 52 threaded on its inner end and also provided with 'an operating handle 53 (see Figs. 2 and3) which threaded into a bore 5| inthe ybase of the trunnion bracket -3. the handle 53 is turned lin one direction the trunnion bracket 3 will be secured tightly to the support 25, due to the fact that the end of bolt 52 engages the undercut portion kof lug l5 (Figs.

"4 `and 6) and lurges lugs i8 'and W9 of trunnion bracket '3 (Figs. 9 and 1-0) more tightly into wedging vengagement with lugs 4t vand lll (Figs. 4 and 6). Y v Y The trunnion bracket 3 has two curved arms 511i, 55 extending upwardly from each side of its base (see Fig. 9). The general outline oithese curved arms 5t, 55 is indicated in dotted lines in Fig. l. The upper `ends of these arms are p'rovided with `aligned 'openings 'for receiving the tru-rmion'bearing pin 5S (Figs. l, 9 and l0) which comprises the pivot point -f-'o'r `permitting the cradle assembly 'l and gun 5 r(with the parts they carry) to pivot in la vertical plane, as will be described hereinafter. The trunnion bearing pin 5t comprises the principal means for supporting the 'cradle '4, gun 5 (and parts carried thereby) 'on the carriage trunnion 3.

From Figs. 1, 9, 1o and'll in particular it will 'be 'seen that the trunni'on bracket 3 carries clamping means for clamping the Y'cradle i with respect to the trunnion bracket 3 thus locking the gun lin elevation 'in any of "a plurality of its positions from minus to plus 90. Such clamping means is 'comprised of a 'shaft 5l (Fig. 9) extending through valigned 'openings in the "arrns 5d, 55 'of the trunni'on bracket 3 and provided on one "end with a clamping block 58 and a threaded nut 59, and 'on the other vend (Figs. 1, 9 'and 10) with va similar clamping block 50 and a pivoted operating handle A61. When the shaft "5l is turned 'in one 'direction by the handle 6I, 'the clamping blocks 58 and 5t bear against the side plates of the cradle 4 to lock the cradle assembly with respect 'to the trunnion bracket 3.

Finally, the trunnion `bracket 3 lhas side brackets 62, 62 and 63, 63 (Figs. :9, 10 and 1'1) with 'threaded holes 64, 65 adapted t'o receive bolts to secure the shield support lilY (Fig. 1) to the trun- -nion-bracket 3 as will -be described.

The shield The armor plate shield lf2 and -its support H are shown particularly in l, 2, 13, .1.4, 15

two uprli'glits Il, the upper ends for bend rearwardly.

The upper Vportion or .the armor plateshild l2 is welded to the '.rear side of 'the supports Il. The upper edge ofthe shield extends slightly above the upper `ends o'f supports Il so as to provide room 'for a weld `joint rat-6567(Fig.-.14). The lower 'portion of the shield l2 lis bent away from the supports Il into a vertical plane. .From Figs. -2 and -13 lit will be 'seen that the lone lower Cornel Of the Shield i'S olli, 'away t() pl'vellt 1121*- terfere'nce with the vamrmmiti'on chest Il).

The .lower 'ends of the supports H are reinforced 'cn three faces Iby Aa reinforcing member t?, andthe outer sides are eachprovided with -a notch E8 (see Figs. 13, '14 and T6). The inner `side of each support ll is cuit short as at 69.

With such an arrangement the lower :reinforced When and 316. The shield 'assembly is comprised of' the t5 ends or the supports Il fare adapted to be ire- -ceived by the side brackets 62, 62" and T63, 53' (Figs. 9, 10 and 1`1) of the trunriion bracket '3 with bolts l'l, T9' (Fig. l) which pass through the notches 6'8l and into vthe threaded openings to and 55 respectively in the tru'nn-ion bracket -3. The arrangement is l'such that the shield support il can .be quickly and easily assembled and removed.

The cradle assembly The cradle assembly 4 is perhaps best rshown in Figs. 9, 1'0, 11 and T12. It is comprised grenerally of two parallel spaced Iside plates ll., lf2 bolted in spaced relation by the blocks 73, M of a recoil device, the details .ci which will :be described flater.

The forward lower edges lof the `side plates 1li and l2 'are out c'n the are foi a `circle the center l which is the pivot point-'5G aft'which the cradle is supported on the trunnion bracket 3 .for vertical pivoting movement. vThese arcuate edges of the side plates H -and 'l2 ya-re adapted to be clamped by the clamping means 5l, 53, 159., St, el previously described. The cradle assembly can thus be clamped at will any of the positions of its vertical ,pivoting movement.

The cradle .side plate 'l2 also carries an ammunition chest bracket l5 while the vcradle side plate 'li supports the ammunition link chute 9.

The rear portion of the cradle .plate ll 'carries the trigger plate assembly 'It (Fig. 10) connected by arod 16 to a trigger operating system which is carried by the tubular trigger frame e bolted to the side plates 1l., 1.2.

The tubular trigger :frame y6 is comprised of two endless tubular members l1, .18 disposed .in upright parallel planes (and --each of which is bolted to a cradle side plate). and atubular rear cross support i8 (see Fig. 9).

Each of the mem-bers il., 18,. is provided with series of brackets i9, T9 respectively, for supporting the operating handle grips Bil. All of the handle grips 88 carried by one of themembers '.ll, '58 are rotatably mounted 'and are .piv- Aotally attached to :an -arcuate connecting .member Se which is in turn connectedv to a. bell crank lever S2. Lever 82' is connected to the trigger plate assembly T6 by -a rod 1'6" so 'that actuation of any one of the `rotatable fhandle grips 8l! .ii-res the gun. The gunner may thus control the gun entirely from a'standin'g position since when the gun is elevated and the tubular trigger'fframe is depressed, `it .is only necessary tor itl-.le gunner to grasp a pair of handle gripsfdisposedvhlg'her up on the tubular trigger iframe@ fand operate `the gun thereby.

The forward part of the tubular trigger frame B is adapted to carry a small armor plate shield 81 which may be removably bolted thereto as seen for example in Figs. 9, and 11.

The trigger control mechanism just described and a modiiication thereof are described in greater detail and claimed in -copending application, Serial No. 516,520, filed December 31, 1943 (Patent No. 2,404,958).

The mount described is well balanced so that the gunner can rapidly swing it through 360 in traverse and from minus 10 to 90 in elevation. Moreover, because of the tubular frame and the trigger firing arrangement, the gunner may operate at all times from a standing position. The arrangement of the two shields I2 and 81 are such that the gunner is protected in all positions of re.

It will be noted that the arrangement described eliminates the necessity for conventional shoulder braces and back strap and thus not only aiiords the gunner greater `freedom of movement, but also results in less shock recoil being transmitted to the gunner, both of which factors lead to quicker and more accurate operation.

From Fig. 1 it will be seen that the gun 5 is provided with a sighting arrangement comprising front and rear sights |05, 06, respectively, carried by a bracket arrangement adapted to be removably clamped to the water jacket of the gun by the clamps |01, |08. The line of sight through sights 105, E06 (indicated by the broken line) extends slightly above the shield I2. This sighting arrangement is normally used only for initial sighting after which, according to the usual practice, the gun is maneuvered as the result of watching the tracer bullets.

Counterbalance for lighter guns While the mount has so far been illustrated and described as employed with a Browning cal. .50 water cooled machine gun, other types of guns may be employed. For example, it is possible to employ a heavy barrelled air cooled machine gun. Since the barrel of this gun is lighter than the water cooled barrel including the water jacket, the balance of mount would be disturbed. To compensate for this lightness at the forward end of the gun, use may be had of a counterbalance weight such as illustrated in Figs. 17 and 18.

The counterbalance shown in Figures 17 and 18 is comprised or a bent tubular member |09 adapted to carry at its outer end a weight which advantageously may be of pear shape. The weight IIO is provided with a central passage to receive the tubular member |09 and after adjustmcnt may be secured to the member |09 by a tapered pin Hl passing downwardly through the weight and through a transverse bore in the member |09.

The other, inner end of the tubular member |09 is rigidly secured to a rectangular block ||2 the width of which is equal to the distance between the cradle plates 1|, 12. The block II2 is provided with threaded openings to receive the bolts i I3 which also are adapted to pass through openings in the cradle plates 1I, 12. In this manner, the block H2 can be quickly secured to the cradle plates when it is desired to use the mount with a heavy barrel gun instead of the heavier water cooled gun.

The counterbalance compensates for the difference in weight at the forward end of the guns and Ythus Venables the gunner to maneuver the mount with a heavy barrel gun with equal ease and facility.

M odz'fed forms Figures 19 through 22 disclose modified forms of mounts having some features in common with the mount heretofore described.

In the modication shown in Fig. 19, the lower end of the trunnion bracket 203 corresponding to trunnion bracket 3 in the preferred form of the invention described in Figs. 1 through 16 is formed as a tubular member 206 which is adapted to be disposed within the pedestal support 20| corresponding to supporting member in the preferredform of the Vinvention described in Figs. 1 through 16. The upper wall of the pedestal support 20| is of reduced thickness and a sleeve 201 is interposed between the wall and the tubular member 206. A portion of the tubular member 206 and of the sleeve 201 is threaded as The sleeve 201 is provided with a hole 209 for reception of a pin 2|0 which passes through the wall of the tubular support 20| and is under tension of the leaf spring 2| I.

The tubular member 206 is provided with an inward bulge 2|2 to make room for the annular recess 2I3 which is engaged by a spring pressed lug 2 I4 carried by the tubular support 20|. This lug 2 I4 normally retains the member 206 in operative position in which it may rotate about its vertical axis but cannot be drawn upwardly. The lug 2 I4 may be disengaged by moving handle 2I5 thus permitting the member 206 to be removed.

In the modication shown in Fig. 20 the trunnion bracket 242 is provided with a cylindrical portion 243 adapted to extend downwardly within the pedestal support 244. The cylindrical portion 243 is supported for rotary movement within the pedestal support 244 by the member 245 which is provided with frusto-conical ends 245, 241.

The end 246 is provided with a shoulder 248 which rests on the upper edge of the pedestal support 244. This end 246 is also provided with a circular cut-out 249 in which the bearings 250 are disposed. A shoulder 25| on the trunnion bracket 242 rests on the bearings.

The end 241 is provided with a hole 252 adapted to receive a spring pressed pin 253 which retains the member 245 in place.`

The member 245 is formed of outer and inner pieces, the inner piece having the reference numeral 245. At its lower end, inner piece 245 is threaded to receive a ring nut 254 having a beveled surface which is separated from the other piece by a cushioning means 255 and a steel cone 255'. The cushioning means 255 is preferably of material having the same characteristics as the insulation pads 42, 42 in the embodiment of Fig. 4. A plate 256 is secured to the cylindrical portion 243 by means of the bolt 251 and keeps the cylindrical portion 243 from rising upwardly with respect to the member 245.

The two parts of member 245 at its upper end are separated by a similar cushioning means 240 and a steel cone 246".

The two part construction of element 245, 245', together with cushioning means 255 and 246', provides a shock absorbing mounting for cylinder 243 which supports the gun, and thereby increases the accuracy of nre.

Figure 21 shows an adapter for use in the arrangement of Fig. 19 so that a trunnion bracket for a diierent type machine gun may be used in place of trunnion bracket 203 (Fig. 19)

As shown in Fig. 21, the trunnion bracket 258 is provided with a long downwardly extendingr cylindrical portion 259 which is supported for rotation by tapered bearings 260, 26| supported by the adapter sleeve 262 having a iiared upper end.

Concentric with the sleeve 262 and surrounding the latter is a second adapter sleeve 263 which in turn fits within sleeve 201 within the cylindrical wall of the pedestal support 20|. The lower end of the sleeve 262 is threaded to receive the threaded ring 264 which bears against the lower edge of sleeve 263.

The upper end of the cylindrical portion 259 is sealed by the sealing means 265.

The lower end of the cylindrical portion 259 is threaded to receive two ring nuts 266, 261 disposed within a sealed housing 268 held in place by the wire ring 269.

It will be observed that the use of the adapter sleeves 262 and 263 and parts carried thereby readily permit the pedestal support 20| to receive a trunnion bracket 258 (Fig. 21) differing from trunnion bracket 203 (Fig. 19), thus rendering a single pedestal support 20| capable of use with trunnion brackets for different types of guns.

Fig. 22 illustrates a form of pedestal support which embodies some of the features of the types shown in Figures 20 and 21. Like Figure 21, this new embodiment includes a trunnion bracket 258 having a downwardly depending shaft 259 which is rotatably mounted in a sleeve 262 by means of the bearings 260 and 26|. Like Figure 21 this new embodiment is provided with ring nuts 266 and 261, housing 268 and wire ring 269. Also like Figure 21 the sleeve 262 is disposed within pedestal support 20|. It is, however, held in spaced relation to the pedestal support by means similar to that employed in Figure 20.

These means comprise the member 210 which has frusto-conical top and bottom ends. The top end has a shoulder 21| engaged by the upper end of the pedestal support 20|. The lower end of member 210 rests within the pedestal support 20| and is removably held in place by means of the spring pressed pin 212 adapted to engage in a hole in member 210.

At its upper end the member 210 abuts the ared upper end of the sleeve. A cushioning pad 213 and steel cone 214 similar to those employed in Figure 20 are disposed between the two.

At its lower end the sleeve 262 is threaded to receive a beveled nut 215. A cushioning pad 216 and steel cone 211 separate the beveled surface of the nut from the lower frusto-conical end of the member 210. The cushioning means and cone are similar to those already described.

It will be obvious that the structure can be easily assembled and that the eiect of the cushioning means can be adjusted by tightening the nut 215. Here, as in the previously described embodiments having the cushioning feature, the construction which includes members 262 and 210 and cushioning pads 213 and 216, provides absorption of vibration which increases the accuracy of re.

10 While several preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in structure and arrangement may be made without departing from the inventive concepts which are only to be limited to the extent dened in the following claims.

. What is claimed is:

1. In a gun mount, a standard including an upright tubular element, a member mounted over and covering the upper end of said tubular element, said member being mounted for rotation about the axis of said element, means on the upper end of said member for detachably receiving gun supporting means, and shock absorbing means in the mounting between said tubular element and said member, said shock absorbing means including outer cone-shaped means bearing against the inner wall of said tubular element, inner cone-shaped means bearing against the inner wall of said member at the top thereof and vibration insulation means between said outer and inner cone-shaped means.

2. In a gun mount, a standard including an upright tubular element, a member mounted over and covering the upper end of said tubular element, said member being mounted for rotation about the axis of said element, means on the upper end of said member for detachably receiving gun supporting means, and shock absorbing means in the mounting between said tubular element and said member.

3. In a gun mount, a standard including an upright tubular element, a member mounted over and covering the upper end of said tubular element, said member being mounted for rotation about the axis of said element, means on the upper end of said member for detachably receiving gun supporting means, shock absorbing means in the mounting between said tubular element and said member, said shock absorbing means including outer cone-shaped means bearing against the inner wall of said tubular element, inner cone-shaped means bearing against the inner wall of said member at the top thereof and Vibration insulation means between said outer and inner cone-shaped means, and adjustable means for placing the insula tion means under a predetermined pressure.

SAMUEL G. GREEN. WALTER H. DARDENNE. WUJLIAM J. MEINEL. WEBER DEVORE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,608,595 Green et al. Nov. 30, 1926 1,611,814 Butler Dec. 21, 1926 1,625,124 Jervey et al Apr. 19, 1927 2,030,889 Negrotto Feb. 18, 1936 2,415,340 DArdenne et al. Feb. 4, 194'? FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 118,132 Great Britain Aug. 12, 1918 241,083 Great Britain Oct. 15, 1925

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