Improvements in Plummer Blocks or Bearings for Revolving Shafts or Spindles.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Oct., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 4th July, 1894-Accepted, 4th Aug., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Plummer Blocks or Bearings for Revolving Shafts
or Spindles.
I, JOHN CHARLES ETCHELLS, of Heaton Chapel, near Stockport, in the County
of Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to plummer blocks and pedestals for supporting horizontal
revolving shafts, spindles or the like.
It consists essentially in constructing the bearing portion or steps entirely
enclosed in an outer casing or shell formed of two parts-a body portion and
cover or cap-in which the steps are secured with a spherical or universal joint
and between the ends of the steps and the casing I place a scraper or wiper of metal
which is held up against the shaft and removes any oil thereon and prevents it
travelling up the shaft.
In carrying out the invention the outer portion or shell which forms the
pedestal or support for the bearings is constructed of a length to completely
embrace and enclose the inner bearing portions or steps. This outer casing or
shell is made in two parts a lower body portion and a cap or cover to be bolted
thereon. The steps are formed in two parts which are clamped or held together
by the two parts of the pedestal. The external surfaces of these steps are formed
with annular bearings of spherical shape or of parts of a sphere which rest upon
or fit into a corresponding seat on the inner side of the outer casing or shell. This
arrangement of part sphere and seat allows the steps to automatically adjust
themselves to the shaft or spindle revolving therein.
The bottom portion of the outer casing or shell is constructed with a recess
or oil well capable of containing a considerable quantity of oil or other lubricant.
And the top step or bearing is provided with a recess or cavity through which
a piece of wool wick or other fibrous or absorbent material is allowed to pass and
rest upon the top of the shaft. The ends of the wick (one at each side of the
shaft) dip into the oil or lubricant contained in the lower portion of the casing
or shell. By this means a constant flow of the oil or lubricant is maintained over
the shaft.
In the lower part of the outer.casing is placed a wiper or scraper which extends
to each side of the steps and the ends fit up into the space between the ends of the
steps and the ends of the outer casing. This wiper or scraper is made of metal or
other suitable material and is held up by a spring or other device so that the ends
press against the shaft. This scraper or wiper pressing against the shaft outside the
ends of the steps removes any oil which might have a tendency to travel along the
shaft to the outside of the bearing and returns it to the well in the lower portion of
the outer shell.
The outer shell may be sufficiently close at the ends around the shaft and at the
other joints to render it dust proof and it is provided with a set screw or the like by
which the oil in the well can be removed when required.
Dated this 3rd day of October 1893.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
6, Bank Street, Manchester, Patent Agents.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Plummer Blocks or Bearings for Revolving Shafts
or Spindles.
I, JOHN CHARLES ETCHELLS, of Heaton Chapel, near Stockport, in the County
of Lancaster, 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 :-
This invention relates to plummer blocks and pedestals for supporting
horizontal revolving shafts, spindles or the like of the type known as swivelling
bearings.
It consists essentially in constructing the bearing portion or steps entirely
enclosed in an outer casing or shell formed of two parts-a body portion and cover
or cap-in which the steps are secured with a spherical or universal joint and
between the ends of the steps and the casing I place a scraper or wiper of metal
which is held up against the shaft and removes any oil thereon and prevents it
travelling along the shaft.
The invention will be fully described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 1. Longitudinal sectional elevation.
Transverse sectional elevation.
Plan (with top cap removed).
Fig. 3.
Fig. 4.
shaft.
End elevation of scraper for preventing the oil travelling along the
The inner bearing portion or steps of the pedestal which embrace the shaft is
constructed in two parts A and B with external surfaces a and 6 of spherical shape
or parts of a sphere of the ordinary construction common to this type of pedestal.
These external spherical surfaces a and b rest upon or fit into a corresponding seat
on the internal side of the outer casing or shell C, D, and the two parts A and B
are clamped or held together by the two parts C and D of the pedestal. This
arrangement of part sphere and seat allows the steps to automatically adjust
themselves to the shaft or spindle revolving therein.
The outer portion or shell which forms the pedestal or support for the inner
bearings or steps A and B is constructed in two parts a lower body portion C
and a cap or cover D to be bolted thereon and is constructed of a length to
completely embrace and enclose the ends of the steps A and B with a space or
cavity cat each end.
The bottom portion C of the outer casing or shell is constructed with a recess or
oil well c capable of containing a considerable quantity of oil or other lubricant.
And the top step or bearing A is provided with a recess or cavity d through which a
piece of wool wick or other fibrous or absorbent material E is allowed to pass and
rest upon the top of the shaft. The ends of the wick (one at each side of the shaft)
dip into the oil or lubricant contained in the cavity c of the lower portion C of the
casing or shell. By this means a constant flow of the oil or lubricant is maintained
over the shaft.
In the lower part C of the outer casing is placed a wiper or scraper F which
extends to each end of the steps and the ends f of this wiper fit up into the space c
between the ends of the steps and the ends of the outer casing. This wiper or
scraper F is made of metal or other suitable material and is held up by a spring f
or other device so that the ends press against the shaft. The ends of the
scraper or wiper F pressing against the shaft outside the ends of the steps A and B
remove any oil which might have a tendency to travel along the shaft to the
outside of the bearing and return it to the well c in the lower portion C of the
outer shell.

page_text: The outer shell may be sufficiently close at the ends around the shaft and at the
other joints to render it dust proof and it is provided with a set screw G or the like
by which the oil in the well can be removed when required.
The parts C and D of the pedestal are secured together in the usual way by
bolts H or by screws.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. A swivelling bearing constructed with the ends of the outer shell or pedestal
extending out beyond and enclosing the ends of the steps to prevent the entry of
dust or dirt to the working surfaces substantially as described.
2. In a bearing constructed with an inner bearing portion or steps A and B and an
outer shell or pedestal C provided with an oil reservoir c the combination of the
scraper or wiper F to prevent the oil or lubricant travelling along the shaft
substantially as described.
3. A swivelling bearing constructed with the several parts arranged in combination
substantially as described and shown.
Dated this 28th day of June 1894.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Manchester, Liverpool, and London, Patent Agents.