US32768A - Improvement in breech-loading ordnance - Google Patents

Description

2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

E. HAMILTON. Breech-Ldading Ordnance.

Patented July 9, 1861.

Witnesses:

'2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

E. HAMILTON.

Breech-Loading Ordnance.

Patented July 9, 186! I Nd;

illul all' Witnesses? UNITED -STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD HAMILTON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN BREECH-LOAD ING ORDNANCE.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 32,768, dated July 9, 1861.

drawings, in which- Figurel represents a side elevation of a cannon constructed according to the princi- 1 ples of my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan of the cannon detached from its carriage. a vertical longitudinal section of the cannon Fig. 3 is through the central line of thebore. Figs. 4,

- 5, and-dareviews-of the-fixed breech deinched. Figs. '7, 8, 9, and 10 are views of the movable breech detached, and Figs. 11 and I 12 are views of the breech-stopper detached. I The object of my invention is to enable cannon to be loaded at the breech wit-h facility and to be fired with safety; and the first part of my invention consists in the combination of a movable conical breech with the fixed breech of a cannon in such manner that the axis upon which the movable conical breech turns is inline, or thereabout, with the central line of the bore of the cannon, the movable conical breech and the fixed breech being each perforated with a lateral opening for the insertion of the cartridge, which openings correspond when the movable breech is turned into the position for loading and do not correspond when the movable breech is ina position for firing.

This construction .and arrangement retains the advantages which accrue from the arrangement of a movable breech turning in line with the axis of the gun and at the same time obviates the disadvantages which are incident to the employment of a cylindrical turning breech, which becomes loose by wear and permits the escape of smoke and gas. As my turning breech is conical and is also in line (or thereabout) with the bore of the cannon, the wearing of the surfaces does not render it loose. The cone does, indeed, become smaller by wear; but as it is in line with the bore of the cannon it is forced back in its socket by the pressure within the gun when the charge is fired and bears closely against its seat notwithstanding the wear.

The second part of my invention consists in combining with the movable and fixed breeches of a cannon, as above described, a removable stopper for the lateral opening in the movable breech, this stopper being fitted I in such manner that it is retained in place by the fixed breech when the movable breech is.turned within the fixed breech. Both parts of my invention are embodied in the cannon represented in the accompany? ing drawings. *In this cannon the fixed breech A has a conical socket within it into which. the movable conical breech B is fitted. The axis of the movable conical breech is in line with the axis of the bore 0 of the-cannon, and the movable breech has a chamber (1 withiir it which is aiprolongation of the bore of the-g cannon, and is of suitable size to receive the, cartridge. The movable conical breechter x, minates at its hinder extremity in a shank f, which extends backward throughan opening 5 in the butt of the fixed breech and is'fitted at 1 its outerextremity with a lever G, by means of which the movable breech may be turnedv on its axis. The movable conical breech is I perforated at one side with an opening m of sufiicient size to admit the cartridge and the stopper hereinafter described, and a similar i opening n is made in the upper side of. the A 1 fixed breech, so that when the lever G is turned up, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, thetwo openings correspond, and when the lever v is turned until it points down to the ground 9 the two openings are diametrically opposite to each other. The shank of the movable breech has a stop-screw e secured to it, and a stop i is secured to the hinder face of the fixed breech. The relative positions of this stopscrew and stop are such that if the movable breech be turned in one direction by its lever G the stop-screw strikes the stop onthe fixed breech and prevents the further turning ofv r the movable breech in that direction when the opening in the movable breech corresponds with the opening in the fixed breech, and if the movable breech be turned in the opposite direction its further movement is. stopped when the opening in it is diametrically opposite that in the fixed breech.

A stopper K is fitted to the opening in the movable breech, and as the opening in the movable breech is wider than the bore of the chamber the sides or legs a a of the stopper rest upon shouldersb 0 in the breech. This of a the movable breech that was removed to form the opening, so that when the stopper is in place the periphery of the interior of the chamber is unbroken and the conical periphery of'the exterior of themovable breech is also unbroken; hence when the stopper is in place and the movable breech is turned within the fixed breech the stopper passes round within the conical socket of the stationary breech '1 which holds it in place when the cannon is fired.

V The stopper has a cup-formed. socket 1' in its outer side, which socket is crossed by a bar 8, to which the hand or a hook can -be applied to draw the stopper from its place or to v replace it. The fixed breech is perforated with a touchhole t, and the butt of the movable breech is perforated with a similar touch-hole. The ,latter is in' such position that when the movablebreech is turned 'until the stop-screw e wnchholes are in line, so that-fire can be ommunicated through themto the charge; tgwhen'the movable breech is in any other sition the, toucheholes. do'not correspond, dihjelnce ialLdan geii thatwonld accrue from ring-the charge before the lateralcommunifnd-theexterior of the cannon is'cutoff is efiectually prevented,

stopper corresponds in form with the portion trikes thestop onthe fixed breech the two cation between the chamberin the breech The fined breech is firmlyscrewed fast to the barrel D of the cannon, andthe latter is fitted with trunnions in the usual manner.

When the cannon thus described is to be loaded, the movable breech is turned by its lever to cause thetwo lateral charging-openings to correspond in position. The stopper is then withdrawn and the cartridge is inserted.

After this the stopper is replaced and the movable breech is turned in the reverse direction by means of the lever until the stopscrew strikes the stop. Then the cannon is primed and fired in the usual manner.

Having thus described a cannon embodying my improvements, what I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is I 1. The combination of a fixed breech and a movable conical breech, the two being constructed and arranged substantially as described.

2. The combination of a movable breech and a fixed breech constructed and arranged substantially as described; witha removable stopper for the charging-opening, substantially as described. V

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 1st day of March, A. D. 1861 Witnesses: I

BENJN. E. GALLUP, EDWARD S. EVARTS.

., E. HAMILTON. H

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