IMPROVEMENTS IN BOXES AND IN BEARINGS FOR LUBRICATING THE AXLES AND JOURNALS OF WHEELS, ALSO APPLICABLE TO LUBRICATING THE SHAFTS OR AXLES OF MACHINERY IN GENERAL
Year: 1861

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Albert François Delannoy, of Paris, France, Civil
Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BOXES AND IN BEARINGS
FOR LUBRICATING THE AXLES AND JOURNALS OF WHEELS, ALSO APPLICABLE TO
LUBRICATING THE SHAFTS OR AXLES OF MACHINERY IN GENERAL."
Sealed the 19th September 1861, and dated the 13th April 1861.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Albert François Delannoy
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
13th April 1861.
I, ALBERT FRANÇOIS DELANNOY, of Paris, France, Civil Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of my sad Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BOXES AND
BEARINGS FOR LUBRICATING THE AXLES AND JOURNALS OF WHEELS, ALSO APPLICABLE
TO LUBRICATING THE SHAFTS OR AXLES OF MACHINERY IN GENERAL," to be as
follows, that is to say:-
My Invention relates to improvements upon my former Patent dated
August 6th, 1859, No. 1818, and consists,-
Firstly, in constructing the axle-box or bearing in one piece, with an opening
of an elliptical form where used for revolving axles with fixed wheels, and
the collar at the end of the journal.
Secondly, in an improved method of constructing the oil box or lubricating
apparatus, whereby the oil is maintained at a uniform level, and constant
lubrication is insured.

page_text: Thirdly, in obtaining an air-tight closing, whereby the loss of lubricating
material and the introduction of foreign bodies is prevented.
In constructing my improved axle-box I cast with it the lubricating box or
reservoir, which projects laterally and extends in a line with the axle or
journal. The opening in the axle-box for receiving the axle or journal is of
an elliptical form, and provided with a brass bearing, which partly surrounds
the journal. This bearing has cast on its outer extremity an opening which
receives the end of a set screw screwed into the upper part of the axle-box for
securing the bearing to the axle-box. The axle-box is drilled with necessary
holes for the packing ring and fixing bolts.
The construction of the lubricating apparatus and mode of lubricating is as
follows: A wick or cloth is held in contact with the axle or journal by means
of a T-formed bracket working in guides in the sides of the oil box, the lower
part of such bracket being hollowed out to receive a spiral spring which is
attached to a screw plug fitted into the bottom of the oil box. The wick
being attached by a spring to the top of the T-bracket, it is forced against the
axle or journal by means of the spiral spring before mentioned, thus lubricating
the journal; and when the oil gets below the wick the lubrication is effected
by capillary attraction. A leather washer or packing piece is applied against
the collar of the axle extending as far as the bearing closes the axle-box,
and is fixed by screws to an elliptical flange cast upon the axle-box; the
hinder part of the axle-box is grooved out to receive a leather washer or
caoutchouc'd cord packing, which hermetically closes the oil box, such
packing being beld in its place by means of a packing ring screwed by bolts
to the binder part of the box.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Albert François Delannoy in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 10th October 1861.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALBERT
FRANÇOIS DELANNOY, of Paris, France, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of April, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, in the twenty-fourth year
of Iler reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Albert François Delannoy, Her special licence that I, the
said Albert François Delannoy, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or

page_text: such others as I, the said Albert François Delannoy, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time
to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should
and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdoni
of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BOXES AND BEARINGS FOR LUBRICATING THE
AXLES AND JOURNALS OF WHEELS, ALSO APPLICABLE TO LUBRICATING THE SHAFTS OR
AXLES OF MACHINERY IN GENERAL," upon the condition (amongst others) that I;
the said Albert François Delannoy, my executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same
to be filed in the Great Scal Patent Office within six calendar months next
and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Albert François Delannoy, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawing hereto
annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
My Invention relates to improvements upon my former Patent, dated
6th August 1859, No. 1818, and consists,―
Istly, in constructing the axle-box in one piece with an opening of an
elliptical form where used for revolving axles with fixed wheels and the collar at
the end of the journal.
!
2ndly, in an improved method of constructing the oil box whereby the oil is
maintained tangentially to the journal and in a lubricating apparatus con-
ducting the oil to the journal when the level is lowered.
3rdly, in obtaining an air-tight closing, whereby the loss of lubricating
material and the introduction of foreign bodies is prevented.
In constructing my improved axle-box I cast with it the lubricating
apparatus or oil reservoir which projects laterally, and extends in a line with
the axle or journal. The axle-box for receiving the axle or journal is of an
elliptical form and is provided. with a brass bearing, which partly surrounds the
journal. This bearing has cast with it on its upper surface a projecting piece
or key provided with an opening, which receives the end of a set screw screwed
into the upper part of the axle-box for securing the bearing to the axle-box.
The axle-box is drilled with the necessary holes for the metallic ring and
fixing bolts.
The construction of the lubricating apparatus and the mode of lubricating is

page_text: as follows: A wick or cloth is held in contact with the axlo or journal by
means of a T-formed bracket working in guides in the sides of the oil box, the
lower part of such bracket being hollowed out to receive a spiral spring which
is attached to a screw plug fitted into the bottom of the oil box; the wick
being attached by a spring to the top of the T-bracket it is forced against the
axle or journal by means of the spiral spring before mentioned, thus lubricating
the journal, and when the oil gets below the wick the lubrication is effected
by capillary attraction.
To prevent the escape of oil and the introduction of foreign bodies a leather
washer or packing piece is applied on the collar of the axle, and, extending as far
as the bearing, closes the oil box. This washer can be fixed by screws to the
elliptical part cast with the oil box and surrounding the journal. Against the
hinder part of the axle a leather washer is applied, closing hermetically the
oil box. This packing is secured in its place by a metallic ring fixed by bolts
to the box.
Figure 1 of the Drawing shows a vertical longitudinal section of an axle-box
for revolving axles with fixed wheels, and the collar at the end of the journal
taken through the middle of the oil box through the lines 1 and 2; Figure 2
is a vertical and transverse section through the lines 3, 4, and 5, 6; Figure 3
is a plan of the same. In these Figures the samo letters refer to similar
parts.
a is the ordinary axle journal having at its extremity the collar b; c, bearing
set on the journal a. The part of the bearing in contact with the collar is on
the same level as the collar to permit the introduction of the oil box.. The
bearing is provided at its upper surface with a projecting part or key r cast
with it, which fits into a slope cut out of the upper part e of the box which
fixes the position of the latter. This key r is formed in its centre with a hole v
corresponding with a screw thread cut in the upper part of the box. d, screw
bolt which screws into the upper part of the box and enters the hole made in
the key r of the bearing, and thus connects the box to the bearing; e, sides of
the axle-box cast with it in one piece, with the necessary holes for the metallic
ring and fixing bolts. The lower part has a hole closed by a screw plug f
h, oil reservoir cast with the sides e, e, and having an inlet opening closed
by a screw plug ; i, leather crescent-formed piece, which can be fixed by screws
to the crescent of the box. The piece i being applied against the collar of
the axle and extending as far as the bearing closes the oil box. 7, crescent-
formed piece at the back of the box, and which by its elliptical form almost
touches the journal, and leaves but a small space between it and the lower
part of the box; j, metallic ring, penetrating in a groove at the hinder part

page_text: of the box with which it is fastened by the bolts k, and pressing the packing g
This packing consists either of a leather washer or a caoutchouc'd cord, known
as Tuck's cord, which completes the air-tight closing of the oil box. m, a
piece of cloth or wick immersed in the oil for lubricating the lower part of
the journal. When the oil is below the wick the lubrication is effected by
capillary attraction. s, spring, to which is fixed the wick m, which it holds in
contact with the lower part of the journal; o, bracket of a T form, in which
the spring s rests. The two arms of the T bracket slide in two grooves made
in the interior of the box. The lower part of this bracket o is hollow, and
receives a spiral spring p, p, wound round the screw plug f, to which it is
fixed. The screw plug allows the emptying of the box, and the raising by
means of the spiral spring of the bracket o, so as to secure the contact of the
wick with the journal.
The setting up of the oil box differs from that of others, and is as follows:-
1stly, I adjust on tho key projection the metallic ring and bolts; 2ndly, the
packing g. The bearing being set on the journal a the box receives the
apparatus supporting the wick, and is presented to the journal with the front
part slanted for facilitating the introduction of the lower part of the collar of
the journal. The collar being introduced the box is raised to a horizontal
position, and it is brought some inches closer to the nave of the wheel. I
introduce the piece i, and place it against the side l and parts n, n, of the
bearing c, and continue to advance the box until it meets the projecting part
of the bearing. The hole v of the bearing should correspond exactly with the
hole in the upper surface of the box, so that by applying the screw plug d
the end t may enter the hole of the bearing. It is now merely necessary to
tighten the metallic ring, and apply the lower screw plug f, which cannot be
introduced before, as by raising the wick it would prevent the introduction of
the journal.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner
of performing the same, I would have it understood that I do not confine
myself to the precise details of construction herein laid down, as the same may
be varied; what I claim as new, and intend to be protected by the herein in
part recited Letters Patent, is,-
1st, the general arrangement of the box and the parts composing it, for
lubricating the journals of the axles of railway and other carriages.
2ndly, the construction of the oil box of one piece with an elliptical opening,
as herein-before described and represented in Figures 1 and 2 of the annexed
Drawing.
3rdly, the form of the bearing c, and the mode in which it is connected to

page_text: the box, as herein-before described and represented in Figures 1 and 2 & 3
of the Drawing.
4thly, the construction of the lubricating apparatus o, f, as herein-before
described and represented in Figures 1 and 2 & 3 of the Drawing.
5thly, the system of metallic ring J as herein-before described and repre-
sented in the annexed Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said Albert François Delannoy, have hereto
set my hand and seal, this Ninth day of October, in the year of
our Lord One thousand-eight hundred and sixty-one.
ALBERT FRANÇOIS DELANNOY. (L.S.)