US476590A - Machine-gun - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

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3 Sheets-Sheet 1L Patented June '7, 1892.

2N0 Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet t I. N. AROHBOLD. MACHINE GUN.

No. 476,590. Patented June 7, 189 2..

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,No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet; 3.

I. N. AROHBOLD. MACHINE GUN.,

No. 476,590. Patented June '7, 1892.

ene Tamas A'EENT Fries.

ISRAEL N. ARCIIBOLD, OF RIDGE FARM, ILLINOIS.

MACHINEFQGUN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 476,590, dated June 7, 1892.

Application filed July 13, 1891- Serial No. 399,416- (No model.) I

To aZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that 1, ISRAEL N. ARCHBOLD, a citizen of the [in itcd States, residing at Ridge Farm, in the 'county of Vermilion and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in lrlaehine-Guns,of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in revolving cannon or machinegnns and loading devices therefor, which will be fully hereinafter described, and particular-l pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal elevation of the gun embodying my invention, the loading or charging device being omitted for clearness; Fig. 2, a transverse sectional elevation on line 0: ac, Fig. 1, made on a larger scale and showing the ammu nition or cartridge carrier in place, the'latter being broken off at either end; Fig. 3, a broken sectional elevation on lines 1 1, Figs.

and 4-, showing the cam devices for operating the cartridge striking or exploding mechanism; Fig. 4, a broken transverse sectional elevation on line 2 2, Fig. 3, of said cam devices; Fig. 5, a transverse sectional elevation on liney y of Fig. 1, showing the manner in \\lliCll:-tt cylindrical shield or casing may be appliciito the part of the gun containing the cluster of barrels; Fig. (3, a broken longitudinal section of the parts shown in Fig. 5; Fig. 7, atransverse section on line as 11;, Fig. l, of the hl'u nection therewith as they appear in the opera. ation of revolving and firing the gun; Fig. 8, a full-size tnokcn-oif portion of the breech of my gun, showing the parts on the sectional line .2 .2, Fig. 7, a cartridge being in place in its carrier shell or cylinder and the tiring mechanism just in the act; of striking the blow for the explosion of the cartridge; Fig. i), a plan view of the central cap or top plate of the carrier-guide mechanism, the side guides being shown broken cit; Fig. 10, a bottom view of the adjustable plate forming part of the carrienguide mechanism and when in place located beneath the cap shown in Fig. 5); Fig. 11, a transverse sectional elevation on line 3 23, Fig. 8, of the cartridge-striking device; Fig. 12, abroken sectional plan on line eh of the gun, showing the cartridgecarrier and its guiding devices in eon-j t 4, Figs. 2 and 7, showing a segment of the breech, vertical portionsof the carrier-guides, and parts of the cartridge-carrier, theadjacent arrows showing the direction of movement of said parts; Fig. 13, a longitudinal elevation of the cartridge-carrier, showing it broken off at either end, the first cylinder to the left being shown in end elevation and having an unexploded cartridge therein, the nexteylinder and its connections being shown in section and also having a loaded cartridge therein, and the next cylinder, with its connections to the right being shown in elevation and having its cartridge chamber or bore empty; Fig. 14, a longitudinal elevation of one ot'the cartridge-cylinders detached from the carrier connections; Fig. 15, a central longitudinal section of the cylinder shown in Fi 14, and Fig. 16 a broken detail side elevation ofthe cam devices shown in Figsi 3 and 4.

A represents a base-platc or timber upon w llCll I have shown my gun mounted simply for convenience; but it is obvious thatin use it will be applied similar to other like implemcntsof warfare-vim, pivotally mounted on arriages, tripods, or stands having suitable elevatingand depressing as well as other training mechanism, which I do not claim or deem it necessary to show or describe herein.

a a are upright bearings on base A, and A the central longitudinal shaft of the gun "ournaline; at either endin said bearin s a l e v and a and provided with a manipulating handle or crank A B represents the muzzle head or disk, and" 3 the breech head or block, both of which are keyed to shaft A, so as to revolve there'- with.

Z) represents each one of a circular series or cluster of barrels or tubes firmly secured at their opposite ends in said heads l; and

3. The bore of these barrels may be either smooth or rifled, as desired, to suit the service or purpose intended.

Breech-block Bis provided with peripheral flanges C C, as clearlyshown in Fig. 8, havflan annulus or circular channel between 'm, which forms a receiving breech-chamher" and passage-way for the cartridge-carrierD.

E represent upright inlet-guideways or jaws having flaring inner faces 6, as clearly shown in Fig. 12, and mounted on the base A adjacent the feed side of the breech-block ll. F F are upright outlet-guideways, also constructed with flaring inner faces); similar to those on the guideways E E, and mounted on base A adjacent thecartridge carrier, exit side of the breech-block. The main or innerportions of these guideways E E and to. F F are each of the same width or thickness as the'adjacent flange of the breech-block, and the opening or space between them is also the same as that between said flanges of the breech-block, as shown in Fig. 12, so that IS the cartridge-carrier D is positively and uniformly guided to and from operating position within the breech-block.

G represents a central top plate or cap connecting the upper ends of the guideways E E on one side with those F F on the other, either integrally or otherwise. as desired, the said guideways forming suitable supports therefor.

G is apresser plate or shoe suspended from the cap or top plate G by means of vertical bolts 9 9, so that it lies freely within the upper part of the cartridge-carrier annulus or passage-way of the breech-block.

g g are spiral springs on the bolts r seat- 0 ing within the sockets or chambers in the cap G and exerting a downward pressure on the shoe g g are nuts on the upper ends of bolts 9 for holding, said shoe in position and adjust- 5 ing it and'the tension of its presstue-springs g in relation to the under passing cartridgecarrier.

g g are set-screws in cap G foriauxiliary use in case it is desired to adjust the shoe G 40 firmly or rigidly in position or said spiral springs become impaired,temporarily.

II represents-a horizontal spring-lip attached to the bottom of resser-plate G,'as shown in Figs. 7 and'lO, and projecting outwardiy into theinlet side of the cartridge-earrier passage-way, thus forming a positive guard and guide device, whereby the said cartridge-carrier is properly seated in the bottom of said passage-way of the breech-block for subsequent action.

It represents each one of-a series of concavities or sockets. in the bottom of the breechchamber, constructed in line with the respective gun-barrels and immediately following 5 their inner ends, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

c is a central circumferential groove or race in the bottom of said breech-chamber, and c an upright arm,whose tapered upper end lies within said groove and serves as an ejector to engage the underside of the spent part of the eartridgecarrier and readily, as well as positively,causes its disengagement or withdrawal from the breech-head during action of the gun, all as very clearly shown in said Fig. 7.

Ejector-arm c is mounted on base A,just inside the guideways F F on the cartridge-(ta rier-exit side of the breech.

The cartridge-carrier D is in the nature of a long flexible chain composed of small cylinders or shells (Z, straps (Z and (F, (the latter having upwardly-turned ends or hooks (1 and links d. The cartridge-cylinders d are flanged or shouldered, as shown in Figs. 14: and 15, the depth of the recess between the flanges corresponding with the thickness of the material in the upper and lower bindingstraps cl and (1", respectively, so that when the opposite fastening ends of these straps are secured by flat-headed rivets, (or otherwise, as desired,) as shown in Fig. 13, the outer faces of the semicircular portions around the recessed cylinders shall lie in the same plane as the faces of said flanges, and thereby present an even surface for a free and easy passage into and through the breech-chamber. The opposite ends of the links (Z engage the hooks (1, formed at the opposite ends of the lower cylinder-straps (P, as also clearly shown in said Fig. 13.

The bore or caliber of the cylinders d corresponds with that of the gun-barrels b and also with the size of the cartridges to be used in the gun, and a countersunk recess (Z is con structed in the rear end of each one, as shown in Figs. 8 and 15, to accommodate or seat the usual flange or rim on the cartridge and prevent any part. of the head of the cartridge projecting rearwardly beyond the back face of the cylinder to come into frictional or other contact with the flange O or adjacent parts, thus successfully receiving and carrying cartridges with defective rims or heads, as well as those that are perfect, and without danger of accidental discharge.

1- represents each one of a circular series of firing or strike pins mounted in boxes J, the latter being in turn mounted or screwed into suitable chambers in the flange O" of the breech-head and corresponding in radii and number with the gun-barrels b. The inner end of each of the box-chambers terminates in an opening 2', which is of lesser diameter and forms a bearing-passage for the inward movement of the firing-pin.

J represents an expansive spiral spring in each'of the boxes J, surrounding the accompanying firing-pin and abutting at one end a collar or flange i on said pin and at its other end the shoulderj, which latter forms the bottom orinner end of each box-chamber.

lloxes J aije provided with square outward- IIO ly-projectingheadsj' for receiving the wrenclr.

or other adjusting-tool. The internal opening or bore of these heads forms a bearingpassage for accommodating that part of the tiring-pins which project from their collars z" outward beyond said headsj, and a shoulderj is provided, against udiieh the said collars 11' normally bear, owing to the expansive action of springs J, all as clearly shown in Fig. 8. c

K represents a nut on the outer threaded end of each of the firing-pins. 'lhese'nuts are preferably mounted on said pins for the purpose of accurately adjusting the amount of their inward movement or stroke, so that their inner pointed ends shall enter the percussion-cap of the cartridge just sufficient to explode it and not far enough to materially batter or upset the metal therein to cause any wedging of the cartridge-carrier in the breech- L represents blocks from which the hammers L project. These blocks are each adjnstably and detachably secured in place on the outer end of a bar I by means of a screw 1, so that the blow or impact of the hammer may be readiiy adjusted and regulated, thus readily preventing too great or too light a blow on the strike-pin for the discharge of tne cartridge. Each of the bars Z is provided at its inner end with a circular head Z' and lies within chamber M in the ln'eech-head. m represents a screw-plug in the mouth of each chamber M, and m is a spiral spring surrounding barlin the chamber between circular head Z and said screw-plug m and exerting an expansive or longitudinal pressure against said circular head and screw-plug to give too necessary firing strength to the blow of the hammer, and also cause the hamnier to react or strike the blow after its retraction backward by the cam device I shall presently describe. Each of the bars 6 is preferably square 0?. osssection thc greater part of its lengtln clearly shown in Figs. 7, 8, and ll, so that the hammer-block cannot accidentally turn thereon, thus maintaining the hammer itself in a direct line with the strike-pin at all times.

The hammer device is set or arranged in proper position by't'irst introducing barl and spring in in chamber hi, then sliding on said bar the screwplug "m, which latter has a square opening to correspond with the square bar. 'ihen thchammer-bloek is slipped upon the outer end of the said bar and the screw plug turned home by using the hammer as a handle and the block as a wrench until the face of the hammer assumes the position shown in Fig. S, just touching the strike-pin head. Then the hammer block is removed from the bar Z and an auxiliary right-angled bar N havin a head '11 is sli )ed u on said.

holes or chambers N in the breeelrhead.

The set-screws n adapt the bars N to be set in proper position on the bars Z and cause both sets of bars to move in unison, either inwardly or outwardly, and an auxiliary safety deviceisthusfurnishedforeaehhammer'mechanism, so that it cannot possibly turn out of line at any time, and particularly cluringthe revolutions and firing of the gun. 'Without this auxiliary device for each hammer mechanismit is quite obvious that he hammer mechanism might accidentally turn with the screw-plug m in case the latter'bccame loose in the mouth of its chamber M, and the l1am mer would'thcrefore get out of line with thefiring-pin and the gun miss fire.

0 represents a trundle or roller on the inner face of each hammer-block L, as clearly shown in Figs. 8 and 11.

P is a plate or disk loosely slipped over shaft A, being rigidly secured by means of bolts j) to the inner face of the upright support of bearing a, and provided on its pe riphcry with cam-tracks Q and R. The track Q has an inclined rib (1 upon whose outer inclincd face the roller 0 of each hammer-block in its turn travels, and thereby causes the retraction of the hammer mechanism until the latter reaches its uppermost position at the top of said rib, at which time, upon the further movement of the handle A the hammer device is released and the firing of the gun results. The cam-track R is inclined on the same side as the cam-track Q, as shown in Fig. 16, the inclination beginning at the uppermost part of the track, which is a short distance beyond the upper end of the cam-- track Q, as shown in Figs. '52 and 4, and increases gradually till. it reaches a point slightly beyond a perpendicular line drawn through the center of the shaft, as seen in line 1 1, Fig. 4. This track R again receives each roller 0 immediately after the firing-action, and causes a slight retraction of the hammer mechanism, which permits the point of the adjacent firing pin to retract entirely free from the spent cartridge, and allows the ejector-arm 'c' to readily throw or release the outwardly-passing portion of the cartridge-carrier from the breech-block. I provide the cam-track R as an extra precaution, sothat the hammer devices will" p'o' -itively retract out of the way of the backward movement or retraction of, the firing-pins subsequent to a firing operation. This track R is bolted to the diskl, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4; but it is obvious that it could be made integral therewith, the same as is the track Q. In operating my gun the loaded cartridge carrier D is fed or admitted transvcrsel y from the side into the breech-chamber after first passing between the guides or jaws E E, the end of the carrier being composed of one of the cartridge cylinders or holders d, which is placed in the first socket h to the left of the guard spring or lip II. The crank A is then turned or revolved to the 'right,which action simultaneously causes the gun to revolve and the cartridge-carrier to be conveyed or advanced under said lip 1i and the presserblock G (both of which serve to properly seat the cartridge-cylinder (Z in its socket 7L) until the cartridge is brought perpendicularly above the central shaft, or, in other words, in its uppermost position. Simultaneous with the revolving of the gun and the advancement therewith of the cartridge-carrier by crank A the hamin r-block is being retracted by its contact with the cam-track Q, and at the time the cartridge is in said uppermost position the hammer device is released from said cam-track Q, and the hammer strikes the firing-pin, which in turn is thereby forcibly driven against the cartrid e and its point explodes the fulminate, causing the shot to be fired. On the further turning of the crank the succeeding cartridgecylinders in the chain are consecutively brought into the same position as the first one, just described, for the action of tiring, and immediately after each cartridge has been fired that part of the carrier in which its'cylindcr is mounted passes outward and downward within the breeclrblock until said cylinder comes-in conmet with the rigid ejector-arm c, which disengages it from its socket 7t and leads the chain outward to the right between the exitguideways F F, all as clearly shown in Fig. 7, the arrows therein indicating the direction of movement of the several parts. As stated hereinbeforc, the cam-track R causes each of the hammer devices to retract slightly immediately after the firing of a shot, so that the adjacent firing-pin may assnmesits normal position without hindcranco, thereby withdrawing its point from the head of the spent cartridge and bringing it within the flange C, so that the operation by the ejector-arm 0' can successfullyand immediately follow Itwillbe seen that at each full revolution of the crank the whole six barrels (or as many, as there may be in the gun) arc dischargcd,and as the gun cannot possibly become heated, owing to the open breech and barrelsgand also the independent cartridge-cylinders, which leave the breech immediately after firing the contents of each, the faster the said crank is turned the greater the nnmberof shots fired. I have found that in actual practice with inygnn the shots follow each other in such close succession that their discharge is all but simultaneous, so rapid is their firing and so quickly can 1 he cartridgc-carrier be fed into and conveyed through the breechwayby the simple turning of the crank. The circulation of air through the barrels, which are open at both ends, serves to keep them normally cool,and it will be seen by reference to Fig. 7 that one-half of the barrels are open at all times and that but a single one of the others is really in tiring operationat a time. The cartridge-carrier can of course be made or connected in any length desired, and charged chains oi prescribed lengths in any number may be kept inreserve. As soon as a chain has been exhausted and passed from the gun another may be readily fed into the breechway without stopping the crank and the spent cartridges or empty shells in the discharged chain readily removed and the cylinders again charged ready for action. It will also be seen that in the turning of the crank the following actions take place: The gun is revolved, the cartridge-carrier is simultaneously advanced or drawn into and expelled from its open breechway, and the retraction and firing operation of the hammer devices. The act of drawing the cartridge carrier into and through the gun is similar to that of the passage of a chain over a sprocketwheel, which is positive and reliable at all times, and the cylinders, with their cartridges, are consecutively presented at the rear of each barrel, and as soon as firmly seated are at once fired and passed out of the breechway. \Vhatever recoil there is after firing each cylinder is readily taken up by the presser-block G, whose springs well adapt it to such action, and the flange C readily takes any back-pressurefrom discharging cartridges.

It is obvious that a cylindrical shield or.

casing A can, if desired, be applied to the gun-barrels by attaching its ends to the muzzlehead 13 and flange C of the breech-block, as partly shown in Figs. 5 and (i.

I claim- 1. In a machine-gun, a revolving integral breech block or head having flanges O and C at its ends and an open annular groove or breechway between them, one or more bar rcls projecting from the flange (l, and a suitable firing mechanism in the flange C, anda stationary shoe or pressure-plate within the groove at the point of firing, said groove being adapted to receive the cartridges orother ammunition and pass it under the shoe, substantially as described.

2. In a machine-gun, a revolving breech block having a flange at each end and an open groove 0r brcechwaybetween them, one or more barrels projecting from the front flange and suitable firing mechanism in the rear flange, a stationary prcssure-plate'or shoe within the groove, and a cartridge carrier or I chain provided with cartridge-cylindcrs ol' the same length as the width of the groove and adapted to pass bctwcenthe shoe and the bottom of the groove, substantially as described.

33. In a machine-gun, a revolving breechblock having an open breechway between its peripheral flanges U U, one or more barrels leading from flange 0, suitable firing mechanism in the llango U, and a flexible cartridge carrier or chain D, comprising aseries of cartridge-holders (Z, binding-straps cl and (F, the latter having hook ends, and connecting-links It, engaging the hooked ends of said straps, said carrier being adapted to be fed into the gun and passed through the said open brecclnvay for the llring operation, substantially as described.

l. In a machine-gun, the combination of a TIC muzzle block or disk 13 and breech-block I3, mounted on a revolving shaft, a cluster of barrels mounted in said blocks, said breechblock having an open breechway constructed between its peripheral flanges O O and said barrels beingopen both at muzzle and breech, adjustable firing-pins I, mounted in flange C in line with said barrels, hammers L, suitable cam devices for operating said hammers, and a cartridge carrier or chain D, the latter be ing adapted to be fed into and conveyed through the open breechway ot said breechbloek, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

5. In a machine-gun, a muzzle-block and a breech-block mounted on a revolving shaft, a circular cluster of barrels grouped around said shaft in said blocks, said breech-block having an open breechway between its flanges G G, firing-pins I, mounted in flange C, hammers L, mounted. on spring-controlled bars 1, projecting from the breech-block, rigidlymounted cams Q and R on the shaft-bearing a, and cartridge-carrier D, the latter being fed and conveyed through the breechway transversely, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

G. In a machine-gun, the combination, with breech-block 13', having an open breeehway between its flanges C U,of a top plate or can G, having plate or shoe G, suspended from said cap G within said open breechway and adapted to seat the advancing cartridge-carrier cylinders in the sockets 1 of the breeehway, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

7. In a machine-gun, the co1nbinatiou,with

breech-block 13, having an open breechway between its flanges C C, of a top plate G, mounted centrally over the said breech-block upon the upper ends of supports 1*. 1C and .or race 0 in the bottom suitable supports, and a presser-' F F, the said supports having flaring inner faces e and f, respectively, which form inlet and outlet guideways or jaws to and from said open breechway, presser-plate or shoe G, suspended from said top plate G within said open breechway at its uppermost portion, vertical bolts g g and springs g g for adjusting the position of said presser-plate, and a spring l p or guard ll, attached to the bottom of said presser-plate on the inlet side of the breech-' way, substantially as herein set forth.

8. In a machine-gun, the combination,with a-breech-block B, having an open breechway between its flanges C C, and a central groove of said breeohway, of an upright arm or ejector c, the latter being adapted to positively release or dislodge the paying-out or spent portion of the cartridgecarrier D from said breechway on the exit side of the gun, substantially as herein set forth.

9. The combination, with the breech-block B, having the open breechway between its flanges. C O, of the tiring-pins I, boxes or chambers J, springs J, collars i on the said pins, and the adjusting heads or nuts K on the outer threaded ends of the pins, substantially as herein set forth.

10. The combination, with the breech-block 3', having the open breechway between its flanges O C, of the firing-pins I, hammers I1,

1no1n1ted,\headed bars l, springs m, screwpiugs m, and right-angled bars N a, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

ISRAEL N. AROllllOLD.

Witnesses:

ll. 0. I lnmo'rr, C. WM. DAVIS.

upon which the hammers are

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