Year: 1885

page_text: I HARRY KENNETH AUSTIN of Carn Brea Villa. Washwood Heath Road Saltley
in the County of Warwick Civil Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
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•
The axle box is made with a lower chamber containing the lubricator and
lubricant and closed in by a cover bolted to it also it may have a cover on a spring
hinge at one end as herein after described. In one form the axle box lower casing
has the inner end made at an angle and carried up to the journal and also partition
walls serrated on their upper edges and extending longitudinally along the whole
length of the axle box. The partition walls are continued outside the front of axle
box as a curved projection and terminate above the level of the lubricant in the
axle box; a screwed or other stopper closes the space included between these walls.
Upon the top of the serrated walls of the partition there rest plates (one on either
side of journal) and they extend from thence to the sides of the lower chamber of
the axle box. The plates are inclined and are secured by screws. They have their
lower edges adjacent on the partition walls bent to a trough like form to serve as
receptacles for gritty deposits from used up oil or grease. The lubricator by means
of which the journal is oiled is of semi-cylindrical form and it has pieces at each
end to retain the oil within it so that it forms a dish or bath in which the journal
revolves. It has attached lubricating pads with attached or interwoven wicks in
direct contact with journal and the end pieces of the lubricator prevent these being
unduly pressed against the journal by the supporting spring. This spring is held
in position by a suitably chamfered stud rivetted to bottom of the semi-cylindrical.
frame. Another form of lubricator consists of a pliable steel frame of such width
as to be held in place by the partition walls extending along the underside of the
journal. The frame is covered with cotton or woollen fabric corrugated or in folds
sown together; threads or siphon wick pass through the folds and descend into the
oil chamber; these may be in direct contact with the surface of the journal. The
ends also of the corrugated fabric are extended into the oil chamber below.
The steel frame is rivetted to an elliptical spring which presses it upward against
the under side of the journal; the, ends of the spring are bent into a hook by
means of which the lubricator can be bodily drawn out from the interior of the
axle box. The inner sides of the axle box opposite the end collar of the journal
project to keep the journal in place when subject to severe oscillation. This may
also be effected by means of a wrought iron axle shacklo fixed to the cover of the
axle box. The cover of the axle box has a screwed stopper for filling in oil from

page_text: above; the aperture is connected with channels cut in the underside of the cover
and these distribute the oil to the journal and lubricator. The bearing which
transmits the weight of the vehicle to the journal has in the centre a circular pro-
jection which keeps it in place and through the centre of the projection is a hole
connecting together the oil passages of the cover. The front of the axle box is
also provided with moveable front lids with springs to facilitate the examination of
the interior and for removing a loose bottom oil chamber or separate tray. I some-
times employ a moveable oil chamber having inclined sides as before described with
edges resting on the edges of the partition wall. I make this tray or chamber all
in one moveable piece. The inner edge of the loose tray is made to bear close to
the journal and the whole tray is held up in place by a packing piece underneath it.
The inclined sides of the loose tray form a receiver for grease or oil which can be
put into the axle box by the front lid. As the grease is melted by the journal it
runs down and comes into contact with the journal and the lubricator. Any grit
settles in the inclined side plates. The whole body of axle box can be made in one
piece flat or corrugated of wrought iron or steel having the grooves for the axle
guards of channel or angle section welded rivetted or shrunk on to the body. The
ends are of same material bolted or rivetted on The spring seat is formed of
channel pieces suitably fixed on to the top of the axle box which has a packing
piece inside with oil channels and bearing having lugs at the sides. The dust
shields are held in position against end of axle box by suitable studs. Dust shields
for preventing the entrance of dust to the interior of the axle box I make of the
following forms; they may be of wood, metal, felt, leather, ebonite or other
material either simple or compound. A sheet of metal has attached to it at each
side, springs which force it against the outer edge of the axle box groove. In the
middle of this plate is a hole of the same size as the collar of the journal and
attached to the plates with rivets are semicircular pieces which bear against the top
of the collar. Similar pieces are on the underside of the collar and are kept down
against plate by the projecting ends of the top pieces. To provide for. wear a
spring rests against the bottom of the lower pieces and also presses them down at
the ends against the sheet metal. The edge or edges of the plate have felt, leather
or other material riveted to the inner side when it is required to fill up exposed
apertures. Another form of dust shield is made in two parts of U form having
springs attached to them at top and bottom which press against axle box and
provide for wear. Each plate has attached to the lower part of the U a thickness
piece equal in thickness to the fellow plate and extending only partially around the
collar of the journal. The ends of the thickness pieces provide the guide to the
other plate, so as to ensure parallel working. Another form of dust shield is made
in three parts and may be made solid or with recesses in the plates to hold other
materials. The centre plate has projections at the top bearing against the collar of
journal and of the same thickness as the whole three plates. The two outer plates
have on their under side projections each of the same thickness as half the thick-
ness of the centre plate and may be recessed to hold any of the materials before,
described. The centre plate has on each side rivetted to the lower outer faces two
springs the ends of which press against. the bottom edge of the side plates and
press them upwards at the same time pulling the centre plate downwards to
provide for wear, These three plates may be loose or held together with rivets
working in slots to provide for movement as before mentioned.

page_text: the oscillation of the vehicle. This inner end also is formed with a lip which is
carried up and around the sides of journal J to prevent the lubricant escaping.
The partition walls W which retain the lubricator in place are serrated on their
upper edges as shewn in Figures 6, 7, 8, 9 and to give passage to the lubricant.
These walls extend longitudinally the whole length of the axle-box.
The partition-walls W are continued outside the front end of axle box, as a
curved projection C and terminate in a hole above the level of the lubricant used
in the axle box a screwed or other stopper C¹ (Figures 1 and 5) closes the space or
aperture between the walls W.
Upon the top of the serrated partition walls W, there rest plates W1 on each
side of the journal, and they extend upwards to the sides of the lower chamber of
the axle-box A.
The plates are inclined and are secured by screws D D¹ which screw into the
side walls.
The lower edges of the plates resting on the partition walls are bent into a
trough like form T and serve as receptacles for gritty deposits from the used up
lubricant which falls therein.
Figure 3 is a plan of the axle box. The end cover A' and also the curved
projection C before described are seen in this Figure and also in Figure 4 which is
a front elevation.
One form of lubricator which I employ is shown by Figure 10. It consists of a
pliable steel frame B¹ which is rivetted to an elliptical spring made with two
pieces of steel rivetted together at their ends. The width of the frame and
lubricator is such that the whole is held in place by the partition walls W extending
_ along the under side of journal.
The frame is covered with cotton or woollen fabric corrugated in folds as in
Figure 11 or sewn together in longitudinal folds as in Figure 12. Threads or
siphon wicks S pass through the folds and descend into the oil in the oil chamber.
The upper ends of these siphon wicks S are in direct contact with the surface of
journal J and the lower ends of the wicks are in the oil below.
The ends B of the corrugated covering also extend so as to be saturated with
the oil contained in the oil chamber.
The elliptical spring tends to press the whole lubricator B upwards against the
under side of the journal.
The end of the spring is bent into a hooked form B³ so that by this means the
lubricator can be withdrawn from the interior of axle-box when required. The
lubricator shown in Figure 1 is slightly different in form.
The sides of the axle-box opposite the end collar of the journal project as shown
in Figure 3 at A7, A8, so that the journal may be kept in its place when subjected
to severe oscillation and also the projections form strengthening ribs where most
required. The cover of the axle box A¹ has a screwed stopper E for filling in oil
from above (see Figure 1). The aperture closed by the stopper E is connected
with channels cut or cast in the underside of the cover as shewn at E E³, Figure 5.
The screwed stopper E may be removed and oil poured into the aperture. The oil
so introduced is distributed by the channels in the cover directly on to sides of the
journal and the lubricator below.
The bearing F (Figures 1, 2,) which transmits the weight of the vehicle on to
the journal has in the centre of it a circular projection F¹ which keeps the bearing
in place in the cover. Through the centre of this projection is a hole F° which
connects the oil passages in the cover on either side of the projection with each
other.
The whole front of the axle box may as is illustrated by the Figures 37, 38 39
and 40, be provided with a moveable front cover or lid M' fitted with springs to
keep it down and to facilitate the examination of the interior of the axle box.
Such a moveable front cover also admits of the use of and for removing a loose
bottom oil chamber or separate tray as shewn separately in Figures 31, 32,
33 35 36

page_text: The tray bears close to the journal on the under side and around the sides of
the same so as to prevent the oil escaping the whole being held in place by the
springs L (Figures 31, 32, 33, 35, 36).
The lubricator shown on Figures 31, 32, 33, 34, and by means of which the
journal J is supplied with oil, is of semi-cylindrical form it is made from sheet
metal and encloses the journal. G is the lubricator frame, it has pieces at each
end G G (figures 33, 34) so that it forms a dish or bath in which the under part
of the journal is enclosed. In Figure 32 the lubricator frame has a projecting end
extending beyond the journal but in Figure 33 it is shown without this addition.
The surface of the lubricator frame has attached lubricating pads made of
woollen or cotton material prepared with interwoven or attached wicks which are
in direct contact with the journal. The lubricating pads and wicks are shown in
detail in Figures 13, 14, 15.which are sectional elevations of the pads with inter-
woven and attached wicks, J being the journal, K being the pads and K' K' K³
the beforo mentioned wicks. It will be seen that the wicks are introduced
between the folds of the fabric of which the pad is composed and they come into
actual contact with the journal. Their lower ends dip into the lubricant which
rises in the wicks by capillary action and is applied by the wicks directly to the
journal.
The before mentioned end pieces G G at the ends of the lubricator frame,
besides forming a bath retaining lubricant in which the journal J revolves, also
prevent the pads and accompanying wicks from being unduly pressed upwards
against the journal by the supporting springs H.
The lubricator frame may be made as shown in Figures 31, 32 so as to extend
beyond the end of the journal or may be made as shown in Figures 33 and 34 with
the end pieces G₁ G² resting against the journal within the ends of the same.
The spiral spring H is held in position by a stud or strap rivetted or soldered to
the bottom of the lubricator frame before mentioned.
I sometimes employ a moveable oil chamber or tray having inclined side pieces
as previously described and as shown in Figure 35-L³ L. The side plates
terminate as previously described along their lower edges in hook or trough shaped
receivers for the oil which drips from the journal. The lubricator represented in
Figure 35 is similar to that shown at Figure 1.
In some cases when oil cannot be got for lubricating the journal, grease is used
and then the inclined side pieces L L (Figure 35) form a receiver for the grease
and keep it constantly against the journal; as it melts it saturates the lubricator
below, or L plates alone may be used as shown at L-Figure 38. Any grit or
dirty particles collect at the bottom of the inclined side plates L, L, L, as before
described.
When preferred the whole body of the axle box surrounding the journal can as
in Figure 37 be made in one piece in wrought iron or steel. The section enclosing
the journal may be rectangular or partly round with flattened sides.
Figures 38, 39, 40 also show an axle box of this construction.
The grooves M for the axle guard as shown in Figure 38 are made of channel
section or they may be of angle section. They can be welded or rivetted on to
the body.
The ends M³ M³ may be of the same material as the body and bolted or rivetted
on to the same or may be made so as to be screwed on by a screwed pin M* as
shewn in Figures 37, 39.
An intermediate or packing piece P is introduced between the top of the box
and the bearing; this is shown in section by Figure 37.
The intermediate or packing piece is provided with oil channels P¹ for the
distribution of oil poured in through the screwed hole closed by the screwed
pin P³.
The spring seat is formed on the top of the axle box, by the channel pieces M
they are fixed to the body of axle box and packing piece P with bolts or rivets.

page_text: The packing piece P fits into the inside of the axle box and receives the
bearing P³ which transmits the weight of vehicle to the journal J and distributes
the oil on to the same by means of the oil channels P¹ before described.
Dust shields are provided for the purpose of preventing the entrance of dust to
the interior of the axle box.
•
The dust shields are held in position against the end of the axle box by studs
fixed into the side of axle box or are fitted into a groove at the back end of the
axle box.
Figure 25 is an elevation of a dust shield which is made of a sheet of metal
with a hole in the centre of it of the same size as the collar of the journal to which
it is applied.
Side springs N N¹ are attached to the plate, and these tend to force the plate
close up against the outer face of the groove at the back of the axle box formed for
reception of the dust shield.
A semicircular piece to bear on the collar of the journal is attached at the top to
the metal plate by rivets; it may be of the form shown by N' Figure 29. A
similar semi-circular piece N° Figure 30 rests against the plate and is pressed
upwards by the spring N³ which compensates for the wear of the dust shield.
Figures 26, 27 are sections of the shield with the springs N N' fixed to the plate N₁.
Figure 28 is a plan of the plate with the side springs attached but without the
semicircular pieces before described. Figure 16 is an elevation of a similar kind
of dust shield with plate and attached side springs N but with the top and bottom
semi circular pieces cast in metal. The top piece attached to the plate is shown
by N°. The bottom piece N° rests against the plate and is actuated by a spring
bearing against its under side. A piece of felt is attached at top to the dust shield
when the groove at the back of axle box is open as shown at O Figure 5 so as to
entirely fill up the opening. This piece of felt is only necessary when the axle box
is open at the top or bottom and is intended to block up the opening against the
entrance of dust.
Another form of dust shield is shown in Figures 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24.
This shield is made in three parts and may be solid in section as shown in
Figures 19, 20, 21 or recessed as shown in Figure 23 to receive a strip of wood or
other material.
The centre plate Figure 20 has projections T bearing against the top of the
collar of the journal and is at this part of the same thickness as the body of the
whole three plates.
The two outer plates Figures 19, 21, have on their under side projections T¹ T
which are each one half the thickness of the centre plate and may also be recessed
to hold a strip of wood or other material as shown in Figure 23.
The centre plate bas springs T³ T* rivetted to it and the ends of these springs
press against the underside of the two outer plates and press them upward against
the journal at the same time pulling the centre plate downwards so as to provide
for wear.
This latter dust shield may be held together by rivets working in slots or the
parts may be loose.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1. The axle box casing, with end A' inclined or formed at an angle to the bottom
to accommodate the lubricator and carried up and around the journal to prevent
lubricant escaping.
2. The partition walls W. W. serratted on their upper edges and continued
outside the axle box above the level of the oil enclosing a passage through which
the lubricator may be withdrawn.
< 3. The inclined side plates W₁ made trough form on their lower edges to catch
any gritty matter which falls thereon, and prevents its return to the lubricator.

page_text: 4. The lubricator made of pliable steel covered with fabric in a corrugated or
folded form and with syphon wicks in the folds of the covering, the whole supported
against the journal by an elliptical spring and arranged to be readily withdrawn
by hooked ends.
5. The sides of axle box ribbed or strengthened with projections A' A³ on the
sides opposite the end of the journal such projections serving both to strengthen
the axle box and to keep the journal in place when subjected to severe oscillation.
6. The axle box cover A¹ with aperture and stopper E for the admission of oil
and with oil channels closed for the purpose of distributing the oil on to the sides
of the journal and the lubricator.
7. The axle box cover A' with oil channels in it and the bearing F with a centre
circular projection F¹ and a hole F2 through it connecting the oil channels in the
cover.
8. The moveable interior oil tray L containing the lubricator and parts con-
nected therewith; the said tray bearing against the under side of the journal to
prevent oil escaping and supported by spring packing pieces.
9. The lubricator frame G of semi-cylindrical form supported by a spring against
the journal and having end pieces G³ G³ forming a bath or dish of oil in which the
journal revolves and preventing the lubricating pad from being unduly pressed
against the journal.
10. The lubricating pad K attached to the surface of lubricator frame, with
wicks entering between the folds of the pad and passing into direct contact with
journal.
11. The inclined plates D. and L¹ L³ L' so arranged as to serve both as oil
collectors when oil is employed and as grease receivers when grease is in use.
12. The dust shield made of a sheet of metal with a hole in centre and springs
attached to the plate at the sides which when the shield is in place in its groove
or recess in the axle box keep the plato tight against the outer face of groove; such
plate carrying semi-circular or U pieces one fixed to the plate. and the other
adjustable by a spring which takes up the wear.
13. The improvement in dust shields consisting in attaching felt or other
compressible material at the top of the shield in such manner that the felt or
material fills up and closes at the top the groove or cavity provided in the axle box
to receive the dust shield and prevents the entrance of dust.
14. The dust shield consisting of a centre part bearing against the top of journal
and where it so bears being of the full thickness of the three parts, and outer plates
or parts bearing against the lower side of journal and where they so bear also
being increased in thickness, on their inner sides; and also springs attached to
the centre.