An Improved Axle Box and Bearing for Railway and other Vehicles.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Jan., 1887.
Specification Accepted, 15th Mar., 1887.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Axle Box and Bearing for Railway and other Vehicles.
We, JAMES FLETCHER MORELL, of the City and County of Camden, in the State of
New Jersey, Minister of the Gospel, and JOHN JACKSON HOOD, of Philadelphia in the
State of Pennsylvania, Publisher, and WILLIAM WALTON of the City and County of
Camden, in the State of New Jersey, Minister of the Gospel, 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 :-
In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a journal
bearing embodying our invention. Fig. 2 represents a vertical section thereof, and
Fig. 3 represents a section of a detached portion on an enlarged scale.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.
Our invention consists of a journal-bearing formed of a roller which bears against
the upper side of the journal, a box fitted in a hanger and supporting said roller, and
springs which are interposed between the box and the sill, frame, &c., to which the
hanger is secured, whereby the journal rotates on its bearings with but little friction,
and the car or vehicle to which the device is applied rides with ease, the journal being
also nicely sustained above and on its sides.
It further consists of rollers bearing upon opposite sides of the journal, thus laterally
sustaining the same.
It also consists of a slightly convex surface given to the faces of the rollers, in order
to furnish an equal bearing on the axle when turning curves, and in order to give
more even motion. The rollers may be faced with an elastic substance, such as india-
rubber, to reduce noise.
It also consists of anti-friction metal applied at various places, as will be hereinafter
fully described.
Referring to the drawings, A represents the journal of the axle of a car wheel of
usual construction.
B represents a hanger, which is connected with the sill C of a car truck and fitted
to the box D, in which the journal is mounted.

page_text: E represents a roller, which is mounted on a stationary axle, F, the latter being
secured to the walls of the box D, said roller being in contact with the upper side of
the journal. The lower portion of the box has two arms, G, which extend inwardly or
toward each other and form bearings for rollers H, which, as will be seen, bear against
opposite sides of the journal. Interposed between the box and the sill are springs J,
which receive the weight of the car and transmit the same to the journal.
It will be seen that when the car is in motion the journal rotates in contact with
the rollers EH, which latter also rotate, whereby there is reduced friction on the
journal and the car rides with case, and as the journa! has the rollers E H respectively
above and on its sides it is nicely sustained and prevented from running irregularly.
The pin or axle F has a facing of lead or other soft or anti-friction metal or
material, K, on which the roller E runs thus preventing heating of the roller and axle
and reducing the friction thereof.
The portion of the box D in front of the end of the journal has a removable cap, L,
the inner side whereof has a lining of lead or other soft or anti-friction metal or
material, M, against which the end of the journal bears, the lateral thrust of the
journal being against said lining, so that the journal is sustained at its outer end
against the box D, preventing irregular lateral motions, the lining preventing heating
of the parts in contact and reducing the friction thereof. The inner side of the box has
an annular guard, N, of leather or other suitable material, which encircles the journal,
and is secured to a ring, P, the latter being removably fitted to the box. By this
provision dust is prevented from entering between the journal and box, and when
the guard is worn it may be replaced and readily re-applied in position.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we claim, is
_:
1. A journal box having the journal of the car axle supported therein and provided
with rollers hearing against the same, a hanger supporting said box and a spring or
springs bearing against said box, all of said parts being combined substantially as
described.
2. A hanger and a box therein and springs bearing against said box, in combination
with rollers mounted on the box and bearing against the top and opposite sides of the
journal substantially as described.
3. The bearing roller E, in combination with the box D and stationary axle F, the
latter having a facing of anti-friction material, substantially as described.
4. The box D, having a cap, L, with a lining of anti-friction material, substantially
as described.
HORN & SON,
Agents for the Applicants.