AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE MEANS FOR EFFECTING THE LUBRICATION OF BOLSTERS AND OTHER VERTICAL BEARINGS FOR REVOLVING SPINDLES OR SHAFTS "
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Balderston of Paisley in the County of Renfrew
North Britain for an Invention of "AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE MEANS FOR
EFFECTING THE LUBRICATION OF BOLSTERS AND OTHER VERTICAL BEARINGS
FOR REVOLVING SPINDLES OR SHAFTS "
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Balderston at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th April 1883.
ROBERT BALDERSTON of Paisley in the County of Renfrew, North Britain,
"AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE MEANS FOR EFFECTING THE LUBRICATION OF BOLSTER
AND OTHER VERTICAL BEARINGS FOR REVOLVING SPINDLES OR SHAFTS "
My Invention relates principally to the bolsters and long collars in which the
revolving spindles of spinning and twisting machinery are mounted and has for its
object to ensure a constant circulation or upward and downward flow of lubricant
through the bearings. Previously to my invention attempts have been made to
raise lubricant from a cup upon the spindle by the action of spiral grooves which
have been cut in the bearings the spiral groove in each case usually making one or
several complete turns around the spindle. These grooves have not had the desired
effect of producing a circulation as they have lifted the oil too rapidly and have
prevented it from returning through the bearing to the oil cup so that the oil has
overflowed at the tops of the bearings and the oil cups have become empty or the
oil has had to be returned outside the bearings. When right and left hand grooves
crossing each other have been tried the oil has returned by the first crossing of the
grooves without ascending to the upper part of the bearing.
To remedy these defects I cut two grooves in the bearing or spindle and
preferably in the bearing one groove being cut right-hand and the other left-hand.
Each groove makes about half a complete turn or less than half a turn round the
axis of revolution of the spindle in the length of the bearing as for example the
ends of the two grooves may run into each other at the two ends of the bearing
but must not cross each other at intermediate points or at an intermediate point.
The result of this formation is that the lubricant ascends to the top of the
bearing by one groove and returns to the reservoir by the other groove so that a
constant circulation is obtained. A further advantage is that the action is not
dependent upon the direction of revolution. My invention is also applicable to the
bottom bearings or footsteps and to so called self-contained spindles and to the
bearings of machinery other than spinning or twisting machinery.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent fi.ed by
the said Robert Balderston in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 5th October
1883.
ROBERT BALDERSTON of Paisley in the County of Renfrew, North Britain
"AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE MEANS FOR EFFECTING THE LUBRICATION OF BOLSTER
AND OTHER VERTICAL BEARINGS FOR REVOLVING SPINDLES OR SHAFTS
"
My Invention relates principally to the bolsters and long collars in which the
revolving spindles of spinning and twisting machinery are mounted, and has for its
object to ensure a constant circulation or upward and downward flow of lubricaut
through the bearings. Previously to my Invention attempts have been made to
raise lubricant from a cup upon the spindle by the action of spiral grooves which
have been cut in the bearings, the spiral groove in each case usually making one or
several complete turns around the spindle. These grooves have not had the desired
effect of producing a circulation as they have lifted the oil too rapidly and have
prevented it from returning through the bearing to the oil cup so that the oil has
overflowed at the tops of the bearings and the oil cups have become empty or the
oil has had to be returned outside the bearings. When right and left hand grooves
crossing each other have been tried the oil has returned by the first crossing of the
grooves without ascending to the upper part of the bearing.
To remedy these defects I cut two grooves in the bearing or spindle and
preferably in the bearing one groove being cut right-hand and the other left-hand
Each groove makes about half a complete turn or less than half a turn around
the axis of revolution of the spindle in the length of the bearing as for example
the ends of the two grooves inay run into each other at the two ends of the
bearing but must not cross each other at intermediate points or at an intermediate
point.
In order that my Invention may be fully understood I have attached hereto a
sheet of drawings marked with letters of reference and illustrating the application
of my Invention in the formation of the bearings of a spindle such as is used
in the spinning of textile materials. In Fig 1 of the said drawings a is a spindle
which revolves in a footstep bearing b and an upper bearing c. The lower end of
the bearing b extends downwards into the oil contained in a lubricant reservoir d
and the lower end of the upper bearing c extends into an oil cup e which is
formed on or in the wharve whereby the spindle is rotated. All the parts with
the exception of the spindle are represented in section and the bearing c is
separately represented in section by Fig 2. In- each bearing two grooves or oil
ducts ff are cut. The grooves are of right and left hand helical or spiral
formation and may be cut in a lathe or be formed in any other suitable manner.
In the example each groove makes about one quarter of a turn around the axis of
the bearing so that at their lower ends the two grooves are on opposite sides of the
axis their upper ends being close together as seen most clearly in Fig 2. The
result of this formation is that the lubricant ascends to the top of the bearing
through one groove and descends to the oil cup or reservoir through the other
groove so that a constant circulation or regular lubrication of the bearings is
obtained. It is obvious that the two grooves might be close together at their lower
ends and wide apart at their upper ends, or each groove might make more than a
quarter of a turn or about half a turn so that the ends of the grooves would meet
or nearly meet at both ends of the bearing. I do not confine myself to the use of
two grooves only. My Invention is applicable to the bearings of other forms and
descriptions of spindles and to the bearings of so termed self contained spindles

page_text: and to the vertical or inclined bearings of machinery other than spinning or
twisting machinery.
Having now fully set forth and indicated the nature of my said Invention and
the manner in which I carry the same into practical effect I would have it to be
understood that I claim :-
First. The cutting or formation in the vertical or inclined bearings of spindles
and shafts of right and left-hand helical or spiral grooves substantially as and for
the purpose set forth and indicated.
And Secondly. Effecting the upward and downward circulation of lubricant in
the vertical and inclined bearings of revolving spindles and shafts by means of
right and left hand spiral grooves cut or formed in the bearing or in the spindle or
shaft or of grooves inclined in opposite directions from what would be a straight
line through the bearing such grooves extending from top to bottom of the bearing
but not crossing each other.
In witness whereof I the said Robert Balderston have hereunto set my hand
and seal this fourth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and eighty-three