Improvements in Ball Bearings.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Oct., 1896-Accepted, 12th Dec., 1896
Improvements in Ball Bearings.
I, MATHIEU FOIDART of 6 Rue de la Comète, Brussels, in the Kingdom of
Belgium, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
A
This invention relates to an improved ball-bearing for fixed axles or rotary shafts.
of any kind.
In the accompanying drawing-given by way of example-the invention is shown
as applied to the nave of a wheel.
Figure 1 is a view in longitudinal section of a wheel-nave, provided with my ball
action and mounted on an axle.
Figure 2 is a view in transverse section.
Figure 3. is a view showing the way in which the ball action is set up in
the nave.
Throughout the views similar parts are marked with like letters of reference.
On the journal J of the axle, is keyed the groove-ring C. In the grooves the
balls E are secured and the cover B turns directly on these balls.
The cover is provided inwardly, near its forward end, with a shoulder b, against
which the ring rests thus preventing the ingress of dust.
The cover is made of tempered steel, or it may have, as an inner lining, a cylinder
of tempered steel and in this case the cover may be made of cast-metal, since it
would not be exposed to any work. To the back part of the cover is screwed
the ring G, which surrounds the collar K of the axle and protects the ball action
from outside influences.
When the wheel is slipped on to the journal of the axle, tightening is effected.
by means of the nut L, and the washer H.
The mounting of the apparatus is effected in the simplest possible manner, which
constitutes one of its chief advantages.
To introduce the ball ring into the cover of the nave, a cylinder, or pipe F is.
made use of. This is made of sheet irou and of suitable dimensions and bored to.
correspond with the interior diameter of the cover. This cylinder has at one
end a right and at the other end a left-handed thread, so as to serve for right and
left wheels.
The wormed, or threaded end corresponding to the rear end of the cover is screwed
thereto in the place of the ring G. The groove ring C is introduced into the cylinder,
and the ball grooves are filled through the opening f according as they present
themselves to the said opening.
The accompanying drawing represents a right wheel, in the case of a left
wheel, the cylinder F is screwed into the cover at its other end and the filling of
the grooves is effected through the opening f¹.
When the grooves are filled, the ring C is simply allowed to slip into the cover
up to the shoulder b; the cylinder is then unscrewed and replaced by the
ring G. which retains the movement in its place, allowing the necessary scope for
action.
To set up the wheel, all that is required is to slide it on to the journal of the
axle, to scotch the ring C and to tighten in the usual way.
It will be understood, from what has been said that the mounting of the apparatus

page_text: and the wheel is exceedingly simple, that the apparatus is by no means bulky,
contains no delicate parts, and is consequently sure to work well.
The description and the drawing refer to the movement adapted to a fixed axle.
It is clear, however, that the use of my apparatus is not limited to such an
application and that it can be equally well employed for moving shafts.
The improved apparatus as above described is reduced to its simplest expression
and it can be applied, without great outlay, to any existing system of fixed axle, or
movable shaft.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
(1.) A ball bearing for fixed axles or rotary shafts of all kinds, distinguished
by a groove-ring, keyed on the axle or on the shaft and a cover made of tempered
steel, or lined with a cylinder of tempered steel, rolling on the balls of the neck
ring and provided with a shoulder to hold the said ring which is fixed in its position
by a screw-threaded ring.
(2.) In combination with the ball-bearing claimed by the preceding claim, a
cylinder of sheet iron, screw-threaded at its two ends and furnished with two
openings for the insertion of the balls in the grooves of the ring and the mounting
of the latter on the axle or shaft and in the nave or bearing the whole substantially
as above described and as shewn in the accompanying drawing.
Unated then 0174h do
day of October 1909
ROBERT E. PHILLIPS, Assoc. M. Inst. C.E., M.I. Mech. E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Associate Agent.