US743881A - Apparatus for sighting and firing ordnance. - Google Patents

Description

PATENTED NOV. 10, 1903.

H. W. JONES. APPARATUS FOR SIGHTING AND FIRING ORDNANOE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 13, 1903.

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APPLIGATION FILED FEB. 13, 1903.

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(J1: ucufoz PATENTED NOV. 10, 1903.

, H. W, JONES. APPARATUS FOR SIGHTING AND FIRING ORDNANGE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 13, 1903.

N0 MODEL PATENTED NOV. 10, 1903.

lie/743,881.

H1 W. JONES. GHTING ANDFIRING ORDNANGE. APPLICATION FILED FEB.13, 1903.

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PATENTED NOV. 10, 1903.

H. W. JONES. APPARATUS FOR SIGHTING AND FIRING ORDNANGE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 13, 1903.

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No. 743,881 PATENTED NOV. 10, 1903 H. W. JONES.

APPARATUS FOR SIGHTING AND FIRING ORDNANGE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 13, 1903.

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NO MODEL. 7 SHEETS-SHEET '7.

Q VMMW M8 .mowem/K UNITED STATES ATENT FFICE.

HORACE WV. JONES, OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY,'ASSIGNOR TO IlUGII EVERETT CURTIS, OF ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS.

APPARATUS FOR stem-me AND FIRING ORDNANCE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 743,881, dated November 10, 1903. Application filed February 13, 1903. Serial No. 143,262. (No model-l,

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HORACE W. JONES, lieutenant United States Navy,a citizen of the United States, residing at \Vashington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Sighting and Firing Ordnance; and I do hereby declare the f lowing to be a full, clear, and exact descrip ion of the in vention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in apparatus for pointing and tiring ordnance; and it is intended for use with heavy ordnance mounted onsuitable gunplatforms either aboard ship or in fortifications on shore.

1n the methods of'sighting and firing guns now most generally used the person sighting the gun either himself completes the operation of firing, as bypulling the trigger or pressing a button, or he orders some one else to fire, in which case there is generally a substantial personal error, commonly called the personal equation of the gun captain or the firing interval. According to my invention it is the duty of the gun-pointer merely to keep the cross-hairs of a. telescope constantly on the target and then for other persons to so adjust the gun in train and elevation that when the direction of the axis ofthe bore of the gun bears the desired relation to the collimation-axis of the telescope the gun will be automatically fired. In this way the operation of firing the gun will be made more or less mechanical. The man at the telescope does not know when the gun is to be fired, andhencehis personal equation is eliminated and the gun is fired automatically when in the desired position. The men at the training and at tho e evating gear do their work. in a purely mechanical way, and there is little skill and less judgment required, thus avoiding personal errors. I accomplish these ends by providing electric contacts so arranged that they will complete an electric circuit through the primer and tire the gun when the gun is properly laid in elevation and in train when at the sam'etime the crosshairs of the telescope bear on the target. In order to prevent the gun from being prema- -erly l aid in elevation and in train.

turely or accidentally fired when the cross hairs of the telescope do notbear on thetarthrough any cause he is unable to keep the cross-hairs of his telescope on the target.

My invention will be understood by reference to the aecom panyingdrawings, in which the same parts are indicated by the same lotters' throughout the several views.

Figure l is a side elevation of a gun mounted on a pedestal-mount, such as are used on sponsons aboard ship. Fig. 2 is a plan View of the gun shown in Fig. 1, parts of theinount being omitted for the sake of clearne'ss in the drawings. Fig. 3 is a detail, on a large scale, showing a front elevation of the sighting attachment. Fig. 4 shows a section along the line 4 4 of Fig. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. Sis a rear elevation of the sighting attachment. Fig. (3 is a detail showing in side elevation and in plan the sector-arm for completing the electric circuit when the gun is laid at the desired elevation. Fig. 7 shows in side elevation and in plan the pointerarm that sweeps over the sector shown in Fig. (i. Fig. 8 shows in plan and in side elevation the sector whi h completes the electric circuit when to gt is properly trained. 'Fig. 9 shows in inverted plan and in side elevation the pointer arm which sweeps over the sector shown in Fig. 8. Figs. 6 to 9 are on a reduced scale. Fig. 10 shows a rear view of a modified form of the invention in which a single sect-or is used to adjust both for elevation and for train. Fig. 11 is a detail showing a rear view of the sector shown in Fig. 10 with the electric contact-strips for completing thocircuit whenthegun is prop- Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the device shownin Fig. 10. Fig. 13 is a plan, partly in section and partly broken away, of the means for adjusting the sector in elevation. Fig. lat is a diagrammatic view showing the invention applied to the pointing and tiring of two guns by means of a single gun-pointer using a single telescope. Fig. 15 is a section along the line15 15 of Fig. 14 and looking in the direction of the arrows, and Fig. 16 is a detail showing the arrangement of pointers and contact-arms by which thefiring elevation of two or more guns may be simultaneously controlled from a single telescope.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 9, A. represents a gun mounted in the sleeve or cradle A, which is trunnioned, as at (4, o the .top can riage 13, which is pivoted on a pedestal or lower carriage B". The. gun is elevated and depressed by means of the elevating-gear C, controlled by a man standing on the platform 13. The training of the gun effected by means of suitable training-gear D, preferably located at t he opposite side of the gun from the I elevating-gear, and it may be operated by a man standing on the platform B which platform is also carried by the top carriage. The special form of elevating and training gear does not constitutea part of my presentin vention, and any suitable elevating and training gear, whether bperated by hand or by other motive power, may be adopted. The top oarriage also carries an adjustable seat 15 preferably screwing up and down in a nut 12 like a piano-stool and with a foot-rest b for the gunpointer. E represents a telescope which is mounted to swing on a vertical axis 0, and this axis e is mounted in the yoke F on the horizontal axis F, so that the telescope may be caused to point in any desired direction. Pivoted on the horizontal axis F is a pointer and contact-arm F carrying a pointer-arm f and a contact-maker f (Shown most clearly in Fig. 7.) The hub F of this arnrF is perforated, as at f to pass over the shaft F and carries tin eccentric F, the function of which will be hereinafter described. The arm F projects beyond this hub F", as shown at F in Fig. 7, and against this downwardly-projecting arm F the point f of the screw F carried by the drum F normally bears. f indicates a spring to keep the point f and the arm F in contact. This drum is grad uated either to ranges or to angles of elevation, or both, and the angle of elevation or the range is indicated by the pointer f. (See Fig. 1.) suitable part of the arm F which carries the telescope. The sector H carries the are H, which is faced with insulating material h, in which is embedded a contact wire or strip h. the shaft F and is provided with an arm H to which is pivotally connected the rod 1, which may be provided with a turnbuckle or other adjusting device I, (see Fig. 1,) and this arm is connected to the arm K, fast to one of the trunnions a. The length of the arm K from its center of motion is the same or bears some known relation to the length of the arm H from its center of motion, so that as the gun is elevated or depressed the are H swings about the shaft F. ow if the drum F be turned to the desired elevarf tion indicated by the range-scale the pointer f will be moved along the are H, and if sub- This pointer f is attached to any.

This sector is pivoted, as at it", on

00nd uctor O is th'e well-k nown insulateld scquently the gun be brought to the desired elevation the contact f will make electrical connection with the strip h, inlaid in the insulating material h ou-the face of the are H. Thus it will be seen that if the drum be turned to the desired elevation and the crosshairs of the telescope he kept on the target that wnen the gun is turned to the proper elevation the electric circuit will be completed as far as the elevating-gear is concerncd. In order, however, that the gun be fired at the proper instant, it is necessary notgonly that tho cross-hairs shall be on the target and the trigger be pulled or the corresponding switch be closed, but that also the gun must be trained in the proper position in the horizontal plane. The method of automatically completing the elect ric circuitwhen the cross-hairs are on the target and the gun is properly trained will now be described. E represents a pointer-arm carryinga pointer e, which swings in azimuth with the telescope E while the pointer sweeps over the arc M of the training-sector M. This sector is faced with insulating material, as at m, (see Fig. 8,)

and is provided, with a contact-strip m to make contact with the contact-piece e on the arm E when the gun is properly trained. This traiiiing sectoi' is pivoted, as at m", on

the shaft 6, preferably above the telescope E,

as shown in Figs. 5 and 8. This sector has two downweirdly-projectingarms M which bear against opposite sides of the eccentric F on the hub F of the pointing-arm F Thus the raising or lowering of this pointing-arm F will cause the trainingsector to swing slightly about its pivot and automatically apply a correction for drift of the projectile. As is well known, the error due to drift varies ICC with the range, and the correctionfor drift may be readily applied by the use of the occentric F It will be seen that when the cross-hairs of the telescope are on the target and the gun properly trained, being automatically compensated for drift, as aforesaid, that the contact 2 will make connection with the contact-strip m. Since the segment M is swung with the gun and the pointing-arm E hasswung with the telescope and both gun and telescope are 'in the proper position, the electric circuit will be complete as far as training the gun will elfect' it. If now the gun he at the proper elevation, the cross-hairs of the telescope be pointed at the target, and the gun be properly trained, the trigger 'n, be pulled the electric circuit will be completed through the primer, as indicated by the doted lines in Fig. 2, where the currentis shown as going from the positive pole of the battery through the trigger, through the arm E, the

, contact e the strip m, the training-sector M,

the arm F, the sector H, the conductor 0, the primer P, then through the mass of the gun, and back to the negative pole of the battery. This trigger it operates air ordinary electric switchinclosed in the handle N}; This wire IIO and is merely indicated indottedlinesin Fig. 2. Thus it will be seen that the gun cannot be fired electrically until, first, it is properly elevated; second, it is properly trained, and,

third, the trigger nbe pulled or an equivalent switch be closed. The man at the telescope would only keep the triggerpulled when the cross-hairs of the telescope are on the target, so that it follows that the gun cannot be fired electrically until it is properly elevated and properly trained. As will be seen, the elevating and training are done by two men, eutirely independent of the sighting of the telescope, and with a little practice the men at the elevating and training gear can so elevate and train the gun that the pointers f and, c are always at or very near the index or firing points on the sectors II and M. Thus the skill involved in properly pointing the gun consists in the ability of one man to keep the cross-hairs of the telescope on the target and of two other men to keep two pointers continuously pointed at given marks on correspondingsectors. None of the three men just referred to will know just when the gun will be fired, and as a consequence the personal errors due to excitement or other causes will be largely obviated.

While I have shown the invention as applied to a pivoted recoil-mount, it is equally applicable to almost any of the mounts used for heavy ordnance.

In the form of invention shown in Figs. 10 to 12 I combine the two sectors into one, and I also combine the two pointing and contact arms, so that they may be both attached to a common stem. Thus, referring to'these figures, K represents an arm fast to the trunnion of the sleeve or cradle, which arm carries a pointer 7a, which points to the range-scale on the drum R. The range-drum R is mounted on a shaft It, journaled in the arm K, which shaft carries a worm R which engages in a worm-wheel on the shaft R This shaft B carries a pinion R", which meshes with the rack Q of the sector Q, and thus the sector is raised or lowered to correspond to the range at which the gun is to be fired, the sector being pivoted on a projection from the trunnion a, as shown in Fig. 12. The outer face Q of this sector is curved, as shown at Fig. 13, and is insulated, as at q. Into this insulated portion of the sector are inlaid the electric contact for train 9 the electric contact for elevation while lines q and g (see Fig. 11) are drawn on the face ot the sector to aid the eye of the men at the elevating and training gear. The telescopeErotates aboutthe same axis andswings laterally with the shaft '1, which shaft carries the pointing-arms If and i, each provided with pointers t and respectively, and each having a contact-maker t and If, respectively, which contactmakers are adapted to make contact with strips q and r (Shown in Fig. 11.) Thus it will be seen that as the telescope is elevated or depressed the arm I will swing vertically along the arc Q, while if the telescope be swung laterally the arm 15 will be moved laterally over the curved face of the sector, as indicated in Fig. 13, and it will be evident that unless the gun is in the proper position with regard to the telescope both in elevation and in train electric contact will not be made with both of the strips and q, and consequently the gun cannot be fired electrically. In this form of invention the telescope is shown as carried by a yoke S, pivoted on a spindle S, which is mounted on roller-bearings sin the arm B of the bracket B secured to the gun-mount.

A hand-grip b may be provided for the man at the telescope to steady himself. The device would be operative if the telescope were journaled directly on the shaft T, projecting into the yoke S; but to allow.ior corrections of lateral errors-such as drift, error due to wind, velocity of the target or of the gunplatform the telescope maybe mounted in a yoke U, pivoted in the yoke 7', which turns with the'shaft T, and devices for adjusting the elevation u and for adjusting for latera errors V may be supplied. In Fig. 12 I have shown a gun-stock N, carrying the in agar n to facilitate the pointing of the telescope. These details may be varied at will. The electrical connections through the two pointing-arms and the trigger would be similar to those already described with reference to Fig. 2.

Inthe form of device shown in Figs. 14 to 16 a single telescope is used to direct the pointing of two turret-guns. In these figures the telescope is shown as mounted on a bracket 8 in a similar way to that shown in Fig. 10; but the spindle 5 is carried downward and carries a pointer E, which sweeps over the circle M, fast to a flange M on a cylindrical bracket M, which is secured to and is carried by the turret. X represents a shaft journaled in hangers from the top of the turret and carrying pointing-arms X, one for each gun, with pointers x and contacts @1 This shaft is preferably curved forward, as at on, so as to have its center of motion intersect the center of motion of the spindle S, and the said shaft carries a forwardly-projecting arm X, which is connected by the rod Y to the telescope or a lug beneath the same, as shown in Fig. 15. It will be seen that any motion of the telescope about its transverse axis will rock the shaft'X, causing the pointers 11: to swing about the elevation-sector Z. This elevation-sector is carried by a shaft journaled in the hangers Z", (see Fig. 14,) and this shaft carries an arm Z, connected by the rod 1 to the arm K on the trunnions a of the sleeve or cradle A of the gun .A. Thus it wil be seen that the two contacts for elevation will be simultaneously put in the operative position by the gun-pointer at the telescope, and his keeping the crosshairs of the telescope on the target will a utomaticaily direct the training-arm E to the desired position, so that when the turret is properly trained electric contact will be made by the training-arm, and when either tric contact will be made by the elevatingarm. Finally, when either gun is properly elevated and the turret properly trained and when the trigger is pulled the electric circuit will be completed and that gun will be automatically fired. As before stated, the trigger should be kept pulled when the cross-hairs are on the target and when the guns are properly loaded and ready for firing. At other times the trigger should be released, and firing by electricity will be interrupted. It will be obvious in superposed turrets having the upper turrets rigidly attached to the lower that a single telescope may be used to direct the pointing of four of the guns.

For the sake of clearness in the drawings parts are shown diagrammatically, and many parts are omitted in Figs. 14; and 15.

It will be obvious that the hefi'ein-described method of and apparatus for directing the pointing of one or more guns by means of a single telescope will be widely varied, and I do not mean to limit my invention to the present form of. construction nor to the combination or arrangements of parts herein 'de- Thus it will be evident that instead of the sectors moving with the guns the sectors may move with the telescope and the pointers with the gun, and in the claims I consider these two alternative constructions as equivalent.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is- 1. In an apparatus for sighting ordnance, the combination with the gun and cradle, of

a telescope mounted inbearings on the gunmount so as to be turned freely in every direction and independent of the gun, arms moving in elevation and laterally, respec-' tively, with said telescope, a source of electricity, an electric firing-circuit, and electric contactsin said circuit adjustably connected to but moving with the cradle of the gun, said arms and contacts automatically closing said circuit when the cradle reaches a definite known position relative to the telescope, substantially as described. I

2. In an apparatus for sighting ordnance, the combination with the gun and cradle, of a telescope mounted in hearings on the gunmount so as to be turned freely in every direction and independent of the gun, arms moving in elevation and laterally, respectively, with said telescope, a source of electricity, an electric firing-circuit, and electric contacts in said circuit adjustably connected to but moving with the cradle of the gun,

said arms and contacts automatically closing said circuit when the cradle reaches a definite known pbsition relative to the telescope,

and a trigger 'or cut-out switch normally breaking'said circuit but closing same when desired, substantially as described.

3, In an apparatus for sighting ordnance, thecombination with the gun and cradle, of means for elevating and depressing said cradle, and independent means for training the cradle and gun, a telescope mounted in bearings on the gun-mount so as to be turned freely in every direction and independent of the gun, arms moving ineleva-tion and laterally, respectively,with said telescope, a source of electricity, an electric firing-circuit, and electric contacts in said circuit adjustably connected to but moving with the cradle of the gun, said arms and contacts automatically closing said circuit when the cradle reaches ardefinitc known position relative to the telescope, substantially as described.

4. In an apparatus for sighting ordnance, the combination with the gun and cradle, of means for elevating and depressing said cradle, and independentmeans for training the cradle and gun, a telescope mounted in bearings on the gun-mount so as to be turned freely in every direction and independent of the gun, arms moving in elevation and laterally, respectively,with said telescope, a source oLelectricity, an electric firing-circuit, and

'rection and independentof the gun, of an arm moving in elevation and another arm moving laterally with said telescope, a sector, with means for adjusting the same for elevation,

arranged to swing in elevation with the gun, and a sector arranged to swing laterally with the gun, a source of electricity, an electric firing-circuit, and electric contacts in said circuit adjustably connected to but moving with the cradle of the gun, said arms and contacts automatically closing said circuit, when the cradle reaches a definite known position rela tive to the telescope, substantially as de-' scribed.

6. In an apparatus for sighting ordnance, the combination with the gun and cradle, of a telescope mounted in hearings on thegu-nmount so as to be turned freely in every direction and independent of the gun, of an arm moving in elevation and a second arm moving laterally with said telescope, a sector, with firing-circuit, and electric contactsin said circuit adjustably connected to but moving with the cradle of the gun, said arms and contacts automatically closing said circuit when the cradle reaches a definite known position relative to the telescope, and a trigger or cut-out switch normally breaking said circuit but closing same when desired, substantially as described.

7. In an apparatus for sighting and firing ordnance, the combination with the gun, means for elevating and depressing the gun, and independentmeans for training the gun, of a telescope mounted in bearings on the gun-mount so as to be turned freelyin every direction independent of the gun, an arm moving in elevation, and a second arm movinglaterally with sa l telescope, a sector with means for adjusting the same for elevation arranged to swing in elevation with the gun, and a second sector arranged to swing laterally with the gun, a source of electricity, and an electric firing-circuit made up in part of conductors carried by said arms and sectors and automatically closed by the movement of said arms over said sectors, substantially as described.

8. In an apparatus for sighting and firing ordnance, the combination with the gun,

means for elevating and depressing the gun,

and independent means for training the gun, of a .telescope mounted in hearings on the gun-mount so as to be turned freely in every direction independent of the gun, of, an arm moving in elevation, and a second arm moving laterally with said telescope, a sector with means for adjusting the same for elevation arranged to swing in elevation with the gun, and a second sector arranged to swing laterally with the gun, a source of electricity, and an electric firing-circuit made up in part of conductors carried by said arms and sectors automatically closed by the movement of said arms over said sectors, and a trigger or cutout switch normally breaking said circuit but closing same when desired, substantially as described.

9. In an apparatus forvsighting ordnance, the combination with a telescope mounted in bearings on the gun-mount so as to be turned freely in every direction independent of the gun, of an arm adapted to move in e1evation,- and a second armadapted to move laterally,

both connected to and moving with said telescope, a sector with means for adjusting the same for elevation arranged to swing in elevation with the gun andarranged to cooperate with the first arm, and a sector arranged to swing laterally with the gun and arranged to cooperate with the second arm, a source of electricity, and an electric circuit through the primer made up in part of conductors carried by said arms and sectors, automatically closed by the movement of said arm over said sectors, substantially as described.

10. In an apparatus for sighting ordnance, the combination with a telescope mounted in hearings on the gun-mount, so as to be turned freely in every directionindependent of the gun, of an arm adapted to move in elevation, and a second arm adapted to move laterally, both connected to and moving with said telescope, a sector with means for adjusting the same for elevationarranged to swing in elevation with the gun and arranged to cooperate with the first arm, and a-second sector arranged to swing laterally with the gun and arranged to cooperate with the second arm,

a source of electricity, and an electric firingcircuit made up in part of conductors carried by said arms and sectors automatically closed by the movement of said arms over said sectors, with a cut-out switch normally breaking said circuit, but completing same when the gun is in the firing position and the switch is closed, substantially as described.

11. In an apparatus for sighting ordnance, the combination with a telescope mounted in bearings on the gun-mount so as to be turned freely in every direction independent of the gun, 0t an'arm moving in elevation, and a second arm moving laterally with said telescope, a sector with means for adjusting the same for elevation arranged to swing in elevation with the gun, and a second sector arranged to swing laterally with the gun, with means for adjusting said second sector for lateral errors in the flight of the projectile, a source of electricity, and an electric firingcircuit made up in part of conductors carried by said arms and sectors automatically closed by the movement of said arms over said sectors, substantially as described.

12. In an apparatus for sighting ordnance, the'combination with a telescope mounted in hearings on the gun-mount so as to be turned freely inevery direction independent of the gun, of an arm moving in elevation, and a second'arm moving laterally with said telescope, a sector with means for adjusting the same for elevation arranged to swing in elevation with the gun, and a second sector arranged to swing laterally'with the gun, with means for adjusting said second sector for lateral errors in the flight of the projectile, a source of electricity, and an electric firingcircuit made up in part of conductors carried by said arms and sectors automatically closed by the .movement of said arms over said sectors, with a cut-out switch normally breaking said circuit, but completing same when the gun is in the firing position and the switch is closed, substantially as described.

13. In an apparatus for sighting ordnance, the combination with the gun, means for elevating and depressing the gun, and independent means for training the gun, of a telescope mounted in hearings on the gun-mount so as to be turned freely in every direction independent of the gun, of an arm adapted to move in elevation, and a second arm adapted to move laterally, both connected to and moving with said telescope, a sector with means for adjusting the same for elevation arranged to swing in elevation with the gun, and ar ranged to cooperate with the first arm, and a second sector arranged to swing laterally with the gun and arranged to cooperate with the second arm, a source of electricity, and.

an electric circuit through the primer made up in part of conductors carried by said arms and sectors automatically closed by the movement of said arms over said sectors, substantially as described.

14. In an apparatus for sighting ordnance, the combination with the gun, means for elevating and depressing the gun,'and independent means for training the gun, of a telescope mounted in b earings on the gun-mount so as to be turned freely in' every direction independent of the move in elevation, and a second arm adapted to move laterally, both connected to and moving with said telescope, a sector with means for adjusting the same for elevation arranged to swing in elevation with the gun and arranged to cooperate with the first arm, and a second sector arranged to swing laterally with the gun, and arranged to cooperate with the second arm, a source of electricity, and an electric circuit through the primer made up in part of conductors carried by saidarms and sectors automatically closed by the movement of said arms over said sectors, with a cut-out switch normally breaking said circult, but completing same when the gun is in the firing position and the switch is closed,- substantially as described.

15. In an apparatus for sightingv and firing ordnance, the combination with a turret and a plurality of guns mounted therein, of a telescope mounted in bearings carried by said turret, and independent of said guns, so as to be turned freely in every direction, of an arm moving-finelevation, and a second arm moving laterally with said telescope, a sector for each gun arranged to swing in elevation with said gun, with means for adjusting the elevation of said sectors, a single sector'arranged to swing laterally with the turret, a source of electricity, and an electric firingcircuit made-up in part of conductors carried by said arms and sectors and automatically closed by the movement of said arms over said sectors, and a trigger or cut-out switch norma'liy breaking said circuit but closing same when desired, substantially as described.

16. In an apparatus for sighting and firing ordnance, the combination with a turret, and a plurality of guns mounted therein, of means for elevating and depressing each gun sepa- -rately, and means for training the turret with all the guns, of a telescope mounted in bearings carried by said turret, and independent of said guns, so as to be turned freely in every direction, an arm moving in elevation, and a second arm moving laterally with said telescope, a sector with means for adjusting the same for elevation provided for each gun and arranged to swing in clrvation with the gun,

gun, of an arm adapted to and a sector arrangedto swing laterally with the turret, a source of electricity, and an electric firing-circuit made up in part of conductors carried by said arms and sectors and automatically closed by the movement of said arms over said sectors, substantially as described.

17. In an apparatus for sighting and firing ordnance,the combination with a turret and a plurality of guns mounted therein, of means for elevating and depressing each gun separately, and independent means for training the turret, of a telescope mounted in bearings carried'by said turret, and independent of said guns, so as to be turned freely'in every direction, of an arm moving in elevation, and a second arm moving laterally with said telescope, a sector with means for adjusting the same for elevation provided for each gun and arranged to swing in elevation with said gun,

and a second sector arranged to swing laterally with the turret, a source of electricity, an electricfiring'circuit made up in part of conductors carried by said a :ms and sectors and automatically closed by the movement of said arms over said sectors, and a trigger or cut-out switch normally breaking said circuit but closing same when desired, substantially as described.

18. In an apparatus for sighting and firing ordnance, the combination with a turret and a plurality of guns mounted therein, of a telescope mounted in bearings, carried by said turret, and independent of said guns, so as to be turned freely in every direction, an arm adapted to move in elevation, and a second arm adapted'to move laterally, both arms being con=nected to and moving with said telescope, a sector with means for adjusting the same for elevation provided for and arranged to swing in elevation with each gun and ar-- ranged to cooperate with the first arm, and a sector. arranged to swing laterally with the turret and arranged to cooperate with the sec ond arm, a source of electricity, and an electric firing-circuit made up in part of conductors carried by said arms and sectors automaticallyclosed by the movement of said arms over said sectors, substantially as described. 19. In an apparatus for sighting ordnance,

the combination with a turret, and a plurality of guns mounted therein, a telescope mounted in bearings, carried by said turret, and independent of said guns, so as to be turned freely in every direction, an arm adapted to move in elevation and a second arm adapted to move laterally, both arms being connected to and moving with said telescope, a sector wit? means for adjusting the same for elevatio: provided for and arranged to swing in elevation with each gun, and arranged to cooperate with the first arm, and a sector arranged to swing laterally with the turret and arranged to cooperate with the second arm, a

sourceof electricity, and an electric circuit through the primer made up in part of' conductors carried by said arms and sectors automatically closed by the movement of said arms over said sectors, with a cut-out switch for each gun, normally breaking the circuit for that gun, but completing same when the gun is in the firing positionand the switchis closed, substantially as described.

2i). In an apparatus for sighting and firing ordnance, the combination with a turret and a plurality of guns mounted in cradles therein,.of a telescope mounted in bearings, carried by said turret, and independent of said guns, so as to be turned freely in every di rection, arms moving in elevation and laterally, respectively with said telescope, electric contacts adj nstably connected to but moving with the cradle of each gun,'asource ofelec-l tricity,' and an electric firing-circuit for each gun, automatically closed by the movement of said arms over said contacts, substantially as described.

21. In an apparatus forsighting ordnande, the combination with a turret, and a plurality of guns mounted in cradles therein, of a tele scope mounted in bearings, carried by said turret, and independent of said guns, so as to be turned freely in every direction, arms moving in elevation and laterally, respec tively, with said telescope, electric contacts adjustably connected to but moving with the cradles of each, gun, a source of electricity, and an electric firing-circuit for each gun automatically closed by the movement of said arms over said contacts, and a trigger or cutout-switch at each gun normally breaking the circuit for said gun, but closing'same when desired, substantially as described.

22. The combination with a gun, means for elevatingand depressing same, and independ entrmeans for training the gun, of a telescope mounted independent of the gun, adapted to .bes'wungthrongh the desired angle in elevation and laterally, a source of electricity, and an electrical firing-circuit controlled by the relative movements of said gun and said telescop e, snbstantia1ly as described.

' 23. '-.The combination with a gun, means for elevating and depressingsame, and independcut means for'training the gun, of a telescope cut-out'switch normally breaking said circuit, but adapted to complete same when the gun is in the firing position and the switch is closed, substantially as described.

-24. The combination with a gun and cradle, and means for training and for elevating and depressing said gun and cradle, of a telescope mounted to move freely about a point in every direction and iudependentof the gun, as-nirce of electricity, an electric firing-circuit, and contacts completing said circuit, made by moving said cradle to a definite known position relative to said telescope, substantially as described.

25. ln an apparatus for sighting and firing ordnance, the combination with a telescope mounted in bearings on the gun-mount so as to be turned freely in every direction independent of the gun, of an arm moving inelevation, and another arm moving laterally with said telescope, a sector, with means for adjusting the same for elevation arranged to swing in elevation with the gun and to indicate visually the desired position of the arm moving in elevation, and a second sector arranged to swing laterally with the gun and adapted to indicate visually thedesired position of the armswinging laterally, asource of electricity, and an electric firing-circuit, carried partly by said arms and said sectors and automatically closed by the movement of said arms over said sectors, when the gun reaches a definite known position relative to the'telescope, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

' HORACE W. JONES.

Witnesses:

R. M. PARKER,

FRED W.,ENoLnRr.

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