The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-05-28

A new invention Of Seattle man 10
shortly to be tested on the Grant street
electric railway, and if it carries out all
that he predicts for it. will enable him to
give up the humble work of the farm and
the sawmiil which he has been en-
gagged in for the purpose of per-
fecting his designs and securing
patents on them. The inventors name
is Diam Il. Jacobs, and he has been turn
ing his attention TO the perfecting of
fric.ionless journal bearings. He has al
ready secured patents on three designs
and has two other claims pending in the
patent Office. He has now made q car
axle box designed TO be used without oil,
with which Grant street electric car has
been fitted for the purpose OF making q
practical test.
BY this arrangement the axle Il encased
in n combination of balls and rollers.
which almost eliminate friction. l, is
claimed that car equipped with this de-
vice will require three-fourths less power,
and cost one-third less 10 operate than one
of the old pattern. and if a practical test
proves thar il is able 10 stand hard usage
it may be widely adopted.
Mr.. Jacobs is young man Of II, who
may be styled Jack OF all trades" Since
coming to Washington. shortly after the
fire. he has followed ranching and sawmill
work Although not claiming to be a me-
chanic, he has shown considerable me-
chanical insight. being of a naturally
inventive turn OF mind. Things would sug-
gest themselves where usefulne IS or saving
could be accomplished, but. lacking the
necessary mechanical. training. ne has not
until lately ventured TO bring any of them
into use Mr. Jacobs states that he was
much in the habit Of tinkering and irving
things rs a pasiime. Being fond Of canoe
ing and boat riding. he devised several
methods OF rropellng boats, and the
study of boats led 10 the conclusion
that life boats are lar from per-
feet IS sure method of
life saving. The so-cal!ed self-richtiug
boats are sometimes n,cknamei roly-polv
boats. through the fact that while increas-
ing their seif-rightinr qualities they lose
STABILITY. Mr.. Jacobs then set out TO make
them more stable. yet increase their self.
rightiny tendencies. combining 4 propel-
ing method invented hy himself
whereby several desirable points nigh. he
gained and more Objectionable ones done
away with. In carrying out this design IL,
vas necessary TO have a bearing a. A po,n.
where i, would be- immersed and could
not be conveniently gotten mt 10 .ubricate
IL. In looking about for n suitable bearing
he was led TO the study Of antt-.r.csion
bearings, when he again found place for
Improvement. In investigating q great
number ot the so-ealled anli-.ricfion bear
iugs ne found none that we're entirely free
from fric,ional parts. Mr., Jacobs SAYS:
conceived the idea OF DONG away with all
friction Al parts. which would save large per
cegfass OF the poser and require Little o. 20
oA came ~ the conclusion that 10 MAKE such
Bearings dHFsa2e aua Practical they should lie
adjusted 20 wear IS - occurs therefore. de.
signed q bearing entirely without auy frietianaI
paris, aud adjustable 10 wear In AL ra-sS
determined 10 pAseat this aa3 hslny IL into
asa, a0pl M ia thai was - make money encag.
u ears oct my N.ssoat experiGren hat the
Undertaking Mss 40 easy oae. Considering rty
limited means saa my 20. being practical
mechanic lal2 Eny Ilsas and garfield thea
cat accordingly. aai.e working Tor NJ
NAggAea. ~ho owns wsle- paweF saw
Eaa. near Gilman. ! Procured capy
u Eosss mechanics, Drawing sel:-
zaaEat@ crswtag tEssrususats tgoxs Oh
srsvinx team hauling ioes ana sazater in the
asy tine SIS aasy IN The evening over lay
GraSia-s and Sce2s. sad Ia = sAor; time se q
.a&t s4y drawings s3t Specifications weaaf
pas critical examination. / had a yresisaiaaxy
examination made. shIca resulted fsroraaly. I
thea cssae 10 seattle. intending 20 secure ausn-
cfa. AL 81 The Ezss4s 81 tae Gaycn.lya- Al
though al practical mechanics ssrass isa; Is
aAS - ir.es.oaA. pxEAs ssvsTs. Questions were