IMPROVEMENTS IN RADIAL AXLE BOXES FOR LOCOMOTIVE & OTHER RAIL OR TRAMWAY VEHICLES
Year: 1882

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Francis William Webb at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th October 1882.
FRANCIS WILLIAM WEBB, of Crewe, in the County of Chester, Mechanical
Engineer, "IMPROVEMENTS IN RADIAL AXLE BOXES FOR LOCOMOTIVE & OTHER
RAIL OR TRAMWAY VEHICLES,"
"
The object of the invention is to permit a lateral motion of the axle of a
Locomotive and a corresponding lateral swing of the frame to facilitate working
around curves in the track, and will be described in reference to Locomotives
though also applicable to other rail and tramway vehicles.
When a Locomotive is entering a curve the first effect as is well understood,
will be for the axle to tend to move laterally to accommodate the change in
direction, and upon leaving the curve the locomotive frame will tend to move on
the axle box to accommodate the change in motion. The axle and frame in their
lateral movements, in either direction, operate to compress a spring or a nest of
springs placed in the axle box midway or thereabouts between the wheels, and these
springs, whether acted upon in one direction or the opposite, impart a tension and
elasticity to the parts and tend always to return them to their normal central
position, I employ a nest or number of springs so that in case of breakage of one
of them, there will still be another or others to receive the thrust of the lateral
movements.
Under the organization of my invention above indicated, engines can work
around curves without any shock, jar or strain upon the frame or running gear.
Locomotive, and the lateral motion of the axle box is in the curved path of which
the centre is at a point in the rear of the axle and about in the centre of the usual
group of four main carrying wheels. Of course the arc of motion may be described
from any suitable point.
The wheels are mounted upon the axle in any usual and ordinary manner.
The frame of the Locomotive is rigidly bolted to the front and rear plates or
walls of the axle box. These walls are united centrally across the top by a

page_text: straddling arch or bridge which is firmly bolted to each wall, and gives the
necessary strength and rapidity to the parts.
The skeleton axle box formed by the walls or plates and the bridge is open at
top and bottom, and in horizontal section shows a curved shape the centres from
which the similar arcs or lines of the walls are struck being in rear of the axle as i
above mentioned. This box which is rigid with the Locomotive frame is to receive
a correspondingly shaped axle box which moves laterally therein and on which
the frame and skeleton box in turn swing laterally, as will be hereinafter described.
Midway between the wheels a spring frame is rigidly bolted to the front and rear
plates of the outer box near their lower edges. The ends of this frame are
preferably curved or arched.
The axle has its bearings in suitable journals which are carried in the laterally
moving internal boxing which fits snugly in the external boxing. This internal
boxing is preferably cast and is rectangular in general cross section. It is open at
the bottom but closed at the top, its upper solid face being preferably formed in
one piece with the side plates or sections.
Its side walls are however cut out so as to straddle the spring frame and permit
the necessary lateral motion of the parts without coming in contact with it.
Two cross heads are rigidly bolted to the laterally moving internal boxing
opposite each end of the spring frame.
These cross-heads are provided with bosses or hubs, which project through the
elongated openings in each end of the spring frame and bear against internal
annular shoulders on washers or socketed thrust heads. The nest of springs (two
coiled springs being used) is placed between the ends of the heads, and the springs
and washers are held in place by a rod or bolt which passes through them and the
cross-heads and is secured by suitable nuts. The axle passes through the upper
portion of the axle box, and the springs, cross-heads, etc, are placed below the axle,
a plate being placed between them and bolted to the cross-heads as a guard against
dirt, etc.
The frame of the Locomotive as above described, is securely bolted to the outer
axle box. It is also supported upon the top of the internal box at each end by
strut rods having steel bearing shoes which bear and work in sockets on the ends
of the box.
Under the above organization it will be obvious that when the Locomotive
strikes a curve in the track the axle will be thrown laterally to accommodate the
change in direction. The internal boxing which carries the axle will therefore
slide laterally within the outer boxing. One of the bosses on the cross heads
according as the axle is thrown to the right or left will compress the nest of
springs within the spring frame which is rigidly secured to the boxing. In this
movement the bearing shoes on the frame-struts will slide in the sockets on the
frame. It will be obvious that the frame may also swing laterally independently
of the axle and its boxing.
In the latter case, the outer boxing will slide on the inner boxing and the shoes
on the frame-struts will slide in their sockets to accommodate the movement.
Under my improved construction the Locomotive possesses an elasticity and
flexibility which greatly facilitate its working around curves and prevent shocks
and jars to the engine and running gear.
The details of my organization may be varied by those skilled in the art without
departing from the principle of my invention; thus the springs might be carried
by the laterally moving axle box, and the thrust bosses or heads might be
secured upon the outer frame, such modifications of structure will readily present
themselves and do not involve substantial departues from my construction. The
fact that the axle box moves laterally in the curved path described enables
liability to strain.
with less

page_text: 0
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Francis William Webb in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
14th April 1883.
FRANCIS WILLIAM WEBB, of Crewe, in the County of Chester, Mechanical
Engineer,
"IMPROVEMENTS IN RADIAL AXLE BOXES FOR LOCOMOTIVE AND OTHER
RAIL OR TRAMWAY VEHICLES,"
The object of the invention is to permit a lateral motion of the axle of a
Locomotive and a corresponding lateral swing of the frame to facilitate working
around curves in the track, and will be described more particularly in reference to
Locomotives though also applicable to other rail and tramway vehicles.
When a Locomotive is entering a curve the first effect, as is well understood, will
be for the axle to tend to move laterally to accommodate the change in direction
and upon leaving the curve the Locomotive frame will tend to move on the axle
box to accommodate the change in motion. The axle and frame in their lateral
movements in either direction operate to compress a spring or a nest of springs
placed in the axle box midway or thereabouts between the wheels, and these springs
whether acted upon in one direction or the opposite impart a tension and elasticity
to the parts and tend always to return them to their normal central position, I
prefer to employ a nest or number of springs so that in case of breakage of one
of them there will still be another or others to receive the thrust of the lateral
movements.
In place of metal springs india rubber springs may be used.
Under the organization of my invention above indicated, engines can work
around curves without any shock, jar or strain upon the frame or running gear.
I will now describe my improvements in detail referring to the accompanying
drawings in which;
Figure 1 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 1-1 of fig 3 looking in the
direction of the arrows.
Fig 2 is a plan view, partly in section looking at the underside of my improved
axle box.
Fig 3 is a vertical section on the line 3-3 of figs 1 and 4 looking in the direction
of the arrows.
Fig 4 is a transverse section on the line 4-4 of figs 2 and 3 looking in the
direction of the arrows.
Fig 5 a transverse section on the line 5-5 of figs 2 and 3 looking in the
direction of the arrows and
Fig 6 is a longitudinal sectional detail view on the line 6-6 of fig 4 looking
in the direction of the arrows.
My improvements are designed to be applied to the front or trailing carrying
wheels of a Locomotive, and the lateral motion of the axle box is in the curved
path of which the centre is at a point behind the front, and in front of the trailing
axle as the case may be and about in the centre of the usual group of four main
carrying wheels. Of course the arc of motion may be described from any suitable
point.
The wheels a are mounted upon the axle a¹ in any usual and ordinary manner.
The frame of the Locomotive, represented by the letter b, is rigidly bolted to the
front and rear plates or walls b' of the axle box. These walls are united centrally
across the top by a straddling arch or bridge c, which is firmly bolted to each wall,
and gives the necessary strength and rigidity to the parts.
As shown in the drawings, the skeleton axle box formed by the walls or plates b'
and the bridge c is open at the top and bottom and in horizontal section shows a

page_text: curved shape, the centres from which the similar ares or lines of the walls are
struck being in the rear of the axle as above mentioned. This box which is rigid
with the Locomotive frame is to receive a correspondingly shaped axle box which
moves laterally therein and on which the frame and skeleton box 61 in turn swing
spring
laterally as will be hereinafter described. Midway between the wheels a
frame d is rigidly bolted to the front and rear plates b' of the outer box near their
lower edges. The ends of this frame are preferably curved or arched as shown
at d¹ figure 4.
The axle a' has its bearings in suitable journals a² which are carried in the
laterally moving internal boxing e, which fits snugly in the external boxing b', as
clearly illustrated. This internal boxing e, is preferably cast and is rectangular in
general cross section as illustrated in figs 4 and 5. It is open at the bottom but
closed at the top, its upper solid face e¹ being preferably formed in one piece with
the side plates or sections.
Its side walls are however cut out at e2 so as to straddle the spring frame d and
permit the necessary lateral motion of the parts without coming in contact with it.
This construction is clearly illustrated in the bottom view fig 2 and in figs 4 and 6.
Two cross heads f, are rigidly bolted to the laterally moving internal boxing e
opposite each end of the spring frame d, see figs 2, 3 and 6.
These cross-heads are provided with bosses or hubs f¹, which project through the
elongated openings f2 in each end of the spring frame, and bear against internal
anuular shoulders on washers or socketed thrust heads g. The nest of springs h
(two coiled springs being shown) is placed between the ends of the heads g¹ and
the springs and washers are held in place by a rod or bolt which passes through
them and the cross-heads f, and is secured by suitable nuts. It will be noted that
the axle a¹ passes through the upper portion of the axle box and that the springs,
cross-heads etc are placed below the axle, a plate i is or may be placed between
them and bolted to the cross-heads as a guard against dirt etc.
The frame of the Locomotive as above described, is securely bolted to the outer
axle box b¹. It is also supported upon the top of the internal box e, at each end by
strut rods having bearing shoes k¹ which bear and work in sockets on the ends
of the box, as shown clearly in fig 3. Under the above organization it will be
obvious that when the Locomotive strikes a curve in the track the front axle will
be thrown laterally to accommodate the change in direction; the internal boxing e
which carries the axle will therefore slide laterally within the outer boxing b¹.
One of the bosses f¹ on the cross-heads f according as the axle is thrown to the
right or left will compress the spring or nest of springs within the spring frame d
which is rigidly secured to the boxing 6'. In this movement the bearing shoes k
on the frame-struts k will slide in the sockets / on the frame. It will be obvious
that the frame may also swing laterally independently of the axle and its
boxing e.
In the later case the outer boxing b', will slide on the inner boxing and
the shoes on the frame-struts will slide in their sockets to accommodate the
movement.
Under my improved construction the Locomotive posesses an elasticity and
flexibility which greatly facilitate its working around curves and prevent shocks
and jars to the engine and running gear and there being only one spring or set of
springs acting for both directions there can in no case be such unequal pressure as
may arise when two independent springs are employed.
be secured
The details of my organization may be varied by those skilled in the art without
departing from the principle of my invention thus the springs might be carried by
the laterally moving axle box and the thrust bosses or heads might
upon the outer frame b¹ such modifications of structure will readily present
themselves and do not involve substantial departures from my construction. The
fact that the axle box moves laterally in the curved path described enables the
wheels to follow the curvature of the track with greater ease and with less liability
to strain.

page_text: I have now particularly described the nature of my said invention and the modes
of carrying the same into effect and claim as my invention.
Firstly. The combination substantially as set forth, of the outer boxing or
frame (1) rigidly secured to the Locomotive or carriage frame, the inner laterally
moving boxing carrying the axle, the elastic cushion carried by the outer frame,
and the thrust bosses or heads carried by the inner laterally moving box.
Secondly. The combination substantially as set forth of an axle boxing or frame
rigidly secured to the main frame of the locomotive or carriage, a laterally moving
boxing carrying the axle, and a spring or elastic cushion, which receives the lateral
thrust of the axle box in either direction.
Thirdly. The combination substantially as set forth of an axle boxing or frame
rigidly secured to the locomotive or carriage frame a laterally movable axle-box
carrying the axle of the locomotive or carriage, a spring or elastic cushion which
receives the side thrust of the moving box in either direction and the strut rods
which support the frame upon the top of the laterally moving boxing.
Fourthly. The combination substantially as set forth of the outer skeleton
boxing or frame rigidly bolted to the locomotive or carriage frame, the inner
laterally moving box carrying the axle of the locomotive or carriage, the spring or
nest of springs or elastic cushion carried by the outer frame or boxing, the thrust
cross-heads carried by the laterally moving boxing, and the frame struts which
support the locomotive or carriage frame upon the laterally moving boxing.
Fifthly. The combination substantially as set forth of the outer boxing or frame
rigidly bolted to the locomotive or carriage frame and shaped in the arc of a circle
in horizontal section, the correspondingly shaped axle-box moving laterally within
the outer casing and an elastic cushion which receives the thrust of any side wise
movement of the parts.
In Witness whereof I the said Francis William Webb have hereunto set my
hand and seal this sixth day of April in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and eighty three.