IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF WHEELS FOR RAILWAY CARRIAGES, AND IN THE MACHINERY TO BE EMPLOYED THEREIN
Year: 1865

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Greenwood, of Leeds, in the County of
York, Machine Maker, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF WHEELS FOR RAILWAY CARRIAGES, AND IN THE MACHINERY
TO BE EMPLOYED THEREIN."
Sealed the 27th February 1866, and dated the 27th October 1865.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Greenwood at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
27th October 1865.
I, THOMAS GREENWOOD, of Leeds, in the County of York, Machine
Maker, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF WHEELS FOR RAILWAY CARRIAGES, AND IN THE
MACHINERY TO BE EMPLOYED THEREIN," to be as follows:-
The object of the present Invention is to construct railway wheels with a
wooden filling between the felloe or rim and the hub, boss, or nave of the
wheel in a more expeditious and economical manner than has been hitherto
done. In carrying out my Invention the first operation is to cross-cut the
wood by means of a cross-cut circular saw.
The saw traverses and the wood

page_text: is laid stationary against a fence at right angles to the saw, and is by this
means cut to the required form. The blocks of wood are then secured upon
the table of a planing machine, having a revolving disc table provided with
a number of dogs fixed upon slides provided with screws. Two revolving
cutter heads are mounted in bearings opposite to each other. An attendant
takes a block and fixes it between the dogs by means of the slide and
tightening screws, and as the table rotates horizontally it carries the blocks
under the cross head and cutting-tools, which as they rotate truly surface and
level the outside or upper side of the blocks. When each block has passed
beneath the cutters and has thereby been smoothed or levelled on one-side,
another attendant turns it over, and thus presents the other side of the
block to the cross head and cutting tools on the opposite side of the machine.
The blocks are by this means cut and reduced to one uniform thickness, and
each block after it has passed under the two sets of cutting tools is taken
out and removed by the attendant and another block put in its place. The
blocks are now taken to the jointing saw, which is a fine circular saw. The
machine is supplied with a sliding table and an angular fence, so that the
blocks may be cut into a true sectional shape. The machine which performs
the next operation is a compound sawing and cutting or rebating machine,
which consists of a rotating table planed out to hold as many of the blocks
as can be conveniently placed upon it. This table represents the diameter
of the inside of the tyre of the wheel. A reciprocating web saw is mounted
in and works through the opening in the centre of the circle of the blocks
and cuts the narrow ends of the segmental blocks to one uniform gauge to
suit the diameter of the nave or boss of the wheel. An endless ribbon saw
is mounted outside the circle, and as the table with the blocks thereon-rotates
this saw cuts the outer or broad ends of the segmental blocks to suit the
diameter of the inside of the tyre. An adze cutter can also be adapted to
cut the ends of the segmental blocks after they have been sawn to the proper
length. For the purpose of making them fit the inside of the tyre more
accurately two rebating spindles provided with suitable cutters are placed in
a convenient position for cutting the rebates on the under and upper sides of
the segmental blocks of wood to receive the hoops or flanges. It must be
observed that this circular table continues to rotate slowly, and that the
recesses which receive the blocks are planed out to the exact size and act as
gauges, thereby ensuring the formation of the blocks of uniform size. They
are held in position by means of cramps or screws, so that all the attendant
will have to do is to loosen the screws or clamps, take out the finished block,
and replace it with another as the table continues to rotate. The segmental

page_text: blocks are next taken to a single spindle boring machine. Two of the blocks
are put into a recess planed out to hold them, and placed upon a rising table
for the purpose of boring the bolt holes in the joint between the blocks to
suit the flange in the nave.
The next operation is to put the wheels together, for which purpose the
prepared blocks are taken to a compound hydraulic press. The tyre with the
hoop or flange is placed upon an annular table fixed upon the ram of a
(vertical) hydraulic press. An inner table is placed upon the top of another
ram, which is inserted inside a larger ram of about double its diameter, and
which forms the cylinder for the smaller ram. Upon this inner table are
placed the nave and the segments of wood which are intended to form the disc
or inside of the wheel, so that the holes between the joints of the segmental
blocks correspond with the bolt holes in the flange of the nave. The small
ram is then forced up, and thereby brings the segments into contact with an
annular surface attached to the top of the press, thus gripping the whole
surface of the segmental blocks of wood on both sides, and holding them even
with each other. A screw provided with a fly wheel passes through the head
of the press, and is brought down upon the nave so as to bring the flange
tightly in contact with the wooden segments. This screw is for adjusting any
small variation in the length of the nave between the flange and the end of
the boss. The large ram is then put in motion, and the tyre is forced upon
the segmental blocks of wood while the latter are held firmly between the two
surfaces. The press is then released, and the loose hoop or flange laid upon
the wooden disc; and forced into the rebate. The wheel is next taken to a
compound drilling machine, in which the drills driven by suitable gearing are
arranged in a circle adjustable radially to the required diameter of the wheel
to be operated upon. The wheel is laid upon that part of the table which
projects to receive it, and is then pushed home under the drills, which are
equal in number to the bolt holes in each wheel required to hold the disc or
interior of the wheel and the flanges together. The table is raised by suitable
cams, in order to bring the wheel up against the drills, and all the holes are
simultaneously bored through both iron and wood. The wheel is now ready.
to have the bolts put in to secure the wooden blocks in their places, and is
then finished in the ordinary manner.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Thomas Greenwood in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
27th April 1866.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
GREENWOOD, of Leeds, in the County of York, Machine Maker, send.
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh day of October, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, in the twenty-ninth year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Thomas Greenwood, Her special licence that I, the said Thomas
Greenwood, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I,
the said Thomas Greenwood, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should
at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times:
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF WHEELS FOR RAILWAY CARRIAGES, AND IN THE
MACHINERY TO BE EMPLOYED THEREIN," upon the condition (amongst others) that
I, the said Thomas Greenwood, my executors or administrators, by an instru-
ment in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed
in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and imme-
diately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Thomas Greenwood, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the Drawing hereunto annexed
and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):-
The object of the present Invention is to construct railway wheels with a
wooden filling between the felloe or rim and the hub, boss, or nave of the
wheel in a more expeditious and economical manner than has been hitherto
done.
In carrying out my Invention the first operation is to cross cut the wood
by means of a cross-cut circular saw. The saw traverses and the wood is
laid stationary against a fence at right angles to the saw, and is by this means

page_text: cut to the required form. The blocks of wood are then secured upon the
table of a planing machine having a revolving disc table provided with a
number of dogs fixed upon slides provided with screws.
This machine is shewn in Sheet I. of the Drawings, in which Fig. 1
represents an elevation of one side of the machine. A, A, is the bed of the
machine supported upon four standards; P is a circular rim placed upon the
bed A, and truly turned on the upper edge to receive the rotating table C,
which is moved slowly round by means of a series of bevil, spur, and worm
wheels driven from a counter shaft, as indicated by the dotted lines in the
Drawing. On this counter shaft is mounted the driving pulley, and by
means of the bevil gear, shown by dots in the Drawing, drives a pinion D on
the upper end of the vertical shaft D'. This pinion D takes into an internal
toothed wheel on the under side of the circular rotating table C, and thereby
actuates the latter. The upper surface of this table is provided with a number
of slides C¹, say six or eight. These slides C¹ are adjustable by means of the
screw and hand wheel a and b, and are also provided with dogs c to hold the wood
segments in position against the fixed dogs c¹; E is an upright or standard of
where there are two, one on each side of the machine; they are firmly bolted.
to the bed A. On the inner surface of these uprights are slides E*, into
which is fitted the headstock F, which is adjustable vertically by means of
the screw and hand wheels d and e.. In these headstocks on each side of the
machine are mounted in suitable bearings spindles G which carry the pulleys
G¹, whereby they may be rotated. by means of bands or straps. At the lower.
ends of the spindles G are fitted the cross heads H, provided with suitable
cutters h..
In operating with this machine an attendant takes a block and fixes it
between the dogs c and c¹ by means of the slide C and tightening screws a;.
and as the table C rotates horizontally it carries the blocks of wood under the-
cross head and cutting tools H, h, which as they rotate will truly surface
and level the outside or upper side of the blocks.. When each block has
passed beneath the cutters of one beadstock, and has thereby been smoothed.
or levelled on one side, another attendant on the opposite side of the machine
turns it over, and thus presents the other side of the block to the other cross
head and cutting tools on the opposite side of the machine. The blocks are
by this means cut and reduced to one uniform thickness, and each block after
it has passed under the two sets of cutting tools is taken out of the machine
and removed by the attendant, and another block is put in its place. The
blocks are now taken to the jointing saw frame, which is provided with a fine
circular saw.

page_text: This machine is shewn in plan at Fig. 2, Sheet II. A is the table of the
machine, and B is the saw mounted upon a horizontal spindle in the usual
manner; C, C, are slides fixed alongside the saw table at right angles to the
saw spindle and D is a saddle or sliding table made to move freely upon the
slides C, C; E is a fence provided with a fixed dog a at one end, and a
moveable or swivelling dog a* at the other end. This dog a* oscillates upon
a pin a', and is provided with a sector rack which is actuated by a worm as
and band wheel b. The block of wood having been placed against the fence E
is pushed forward by the moveable dog a* against the fixed dog a, and is
thereby held fast. Then upon moving forward the sliding table or saddle D
on which the block of wood is placed, the latter is brought under the action
of the circular saw B, and is cut into the required angular or segmental
form.
The machine which performs the next operation is a compound sawing and
cutting or rebating machine, which is shewn in plan and elevation at Figures
3 and 4, Sheets III, and IV. The machine consists of a rotating table C, planed
out to hold as many of the angular or segmental blocks as can be conveniently
placed upon it. C is the circular rotating table, the upper surface of which
is divided into compartments or recesses. These compartments act as gauges
for the purpose of ensuring that the wood segments shall be cut of uniform
size. Above this table C is placed a strong ring A, carrying a number of
cramp screws B, corresponding with the recesses, for the purpose of holding
the wood segments firmly in their places while being operated upon. One
side of the upright a is provided with slides upon which a sliding frame c is
fitted. This frame has a vertical reciprocating motion given to it by means
of the eonnecting rod d and crank e, keyed on the end of the horizontal shaft f,
which is actuated by a strap on the driving pulley. A web saw his stretched
in the frame c, and moves up and down therewith. D is the upright casting
carrying two pulleys, over which passes an endless ribbon saw g actuated by the
driving pulleys. Guide pulleys g¹ are mounted in an adjustable carriage for
the purpose of guiding the ribbon saw. An adjusting screw is adapted to the
upright D for the purpose of adjusting the saw g to cut the required diameter
of segments; j,j, are adjusting screws for moving the journals of the lower
saw pulley so as to give the required bevil to the outer ends of the wood
segments. F is an upright carrying two compound slides which are provided
with journals for carrying two horizontal spindles k, k. On these spindles are
fitted two rebating cutters i for the purpose of rebating the outer ends of the
wood segments to receive the rings or flanges which are used for holding the
wood segments and the tyres firmly together by means of bolts and grooves.

page_text: G is another upright provided with journals to receive the trunnions of the
vertical headstock l. In suitable journals in this headstock is mounted the
spindle for carrying suitable edge cutters n, for the purpose of cutting the
ends of the wood segments to the exact diameter and bevil required; o is the
driving pulley upon the spindle m. On one side of the upright a, opposite to
the vertical saw frame c, are fitted the compound slides p. In journals upon
the outer slide is mounted a spindle q, carrying a cutter for the purpose of
cutting off the extreme corner of the inner end of the wood segments so as to
correspond with the shape of the nave. K, K, are cone pulleys for giving
motion to the shaft L. On this shaft is keyed the worm r, which takes into
the worm wheel s. On the shaft carrying the worms is a spur pinion taking
into the spur wheel t, which is bolted to the rotating table C. M is a pulley
for giving motion to the horizontal spindles k. The circular rotating table
being partly charged with wood segments, the machine is set in motion and
the inner ends of the wood segments are brought into contact with the
reciprocating web saw h, which shapes them to fit the nave. The outer ends
of the wood segments come in contact with the ribbon saw g, and are cut to
the required diameter. As the table continues to rotate the outer ends of
the wood segments come in contact with the rebating cutters i; the inner ends
of the wood segments next come in contact with the cutter on the spinde q, which
removes the corner, and lastly the outer ends of the wood segments come in
contact with the adze cutters n, which finish them to the exact diameter and
bevil. The recesses which receive the blocks are planed out to the exact size,
and therefore act as gauges, thereby ensuring the formation of the blocks of
uniform size. The blocks are held in position by means of the cramps and
screws B, so that all the attendant will have to do is to loosen the screws or
clamps, take out the finished block, and replace it with another as the table
continues to rotate. The segmental blocks are next taken to a single spindle
boring machine. Two of the blocks are put into a recess planed out to hold them
as shewn in the plan view, Fig. 5, Sheet I. The recess for the blocks is capable of
being adjusted to receive different sizes of segmental blocks, for which purpose
the parts a, a, forming the recess are capable of moving in and out, and of
being fixed at any point by the tightening screws b, b. This block holder
is placed upon the boring machine table for the purpose of boring the
bolt hole in the joint between the blocks se as to form a half hole to suit
the flange in the nave.
The next operation is to put the wheels together, for which purpose the
prepared blocks are taken to a compound hydraulic press, which is shewn in
sectional elevation at Fig. 6, Sheet V.

page_text: ?
Fig. 7, Sheet VI., is a vertical section taken through the cylinders. The
tyre with the hoop or flange is placed upon. the rim a of the annular tablo
fixed upon the ram of the vertical bydraulic press.
.
A, A, is the foundation plate of the compound press; B, B, are four pillars
which support the top of the press; C, C, the top of the press held firmly to
the bottom by means of bolts passing through the pillars B, B; D is the
large cylinder into which is fitted the large ram E; F is the table on the top
of the ram E, and carrying the rim. a, which is fitted with adjustable dogs b
for the purpose of adjusting the tyres concentric. with the centre of the
cylinder D; G is a small ram which is fitted into the large ram E, and acts
as a cylinder for the ram G; H is a table fitted on the top of the ram G, and
carries the iron nave c, and around this nave are placed the wood' seg-
ments.d, d, d. Inside the table H is a guide ring or ferrule e which fits into
the bore of the iron nave c; f, f, are cushions of india-rubber to support the
iron nave c; g is a bolt which passes through a plate on the upper side of the
nave and takes into a corresponding thread cut into the centre of the cross
piece h, as seen in Figure 7. This cross piece supports the washer or ring i
forming part of the nave, and the bolt g being tightened holds the segments
firmly between the flanges of the nave c and ring i; j is a guide pin for the
purpose of setting the bolt holes in the nave segments and ring directly over
each other; is a socket fitted into the top of the press C. On the upper
end of this socket is cut a screw which takes into the bevil wheel l.
On the
cross shaft I is keyed the pinion m which takes into the wheel l. On the end
of the cross shaft I is a spur wheel n, into which the pinion o gears. p is a
hand wheel for the purposes of rotating this gearing and forcing down the
socket upon the nave c. Inside this socket k is fitted a spindle q, in the
lower end of which is formed a recess to fit the head of the bolt 9, so as to be
able to turn the same round. On the top of the spindle q is fitted a worm
wheel r. On the end of the shaft J, which is mounted in journals ou the
press top C, is keyed a worm which takes into the worm wheel r, and on the
opposite end of this shaft is keyed a cross levers for the purpose of giving
motion by hand to the shaft J. It will be seen that when the rams are at
their lowest position the tyre t is placed upon the ring a, which rests upon the
table F. The small ram G is then raised until the surface of the table H is
slightly above the upper side of the tyre t. The ring i and the nave care
then placed in the centre of the press and also threaded, upon the guide pin j.
The wood segments are next placed in position around the nave; the small
G is then further forced up until the upper surface of the segments como
in contact with the ring u, which is fixed on the under side of the press top C,
ram

page_text: where they are firmly held by the hydraulic pressure of the ram and cylinder
G and E. The handle p is then put in motion which forces down the
socket kupon. the nave, thereby bringing the flange of the nave chard down'
upon the wooden segments. The handle s is then turned so as to move round
the bolt-g and-force the ring i against the under side of the segments d: The
large ram E is next. moved upwards by hydraulic pressure until--the wood-
segments are forced into their proper position inside the tyre. The wheel is'
next taken to a compound drilling machine in which the drills driven by
suitable gearing are arranged in a circle, and are adjustable radially to the-
required diameter of the wheel to be operated upon.. The wheel is laid upon'
that part of the table which projects to receive it, and is then pushed home'
under the drills, which are equal in number to the bolt holes in each wheel
required to hold the disc or interior of the wheel and the flanges together.
The table is raised by suitable cams in order to bring the wheel up against
the drills, and all the holes are simultaneously bored through both iron and
wood.
:
Fig. 8, Sheet VII., is a sectional elevation of my improved multiple drilling:
machine for boring the bolt holes in the rings and segments. A, A, the
foundation plate of the machine; B, B, B, are three pillars fixed into the
foundation plate and support the framework which carries the headstocks for
the spindles, and also the entablature which carries the gearing; C, C, is the
frame which carries the headstock ; D, D, the entablature plate which carries
the gearing; E is a circular hollow casting bored out to receive another
socket F which is fitted so as to slide vertically in the socket E. G is a table"
fixed upon the end of the inner socket F, the interior of which is bored out to
receive the plunger H; this plunger is made to rise and fall by means of a
rack and pinion taking into a series of grooves cut in the plunger so as to form
a continuous rack and allow the plunger H to rotate. The object of this'
plunger is to rise into the centre hole in the nave, and thus secure the wheel
being placed concentric with the drills. Upon this plunger is fitted a worm"
wheel I, shewn by dots in, the Figure, and through- which the plunger slides
upon a groove and key. J is a worm on the end of the horizontal shaft K,
and takes into this worm wheel. On the upper end of the plunger H is fixed with
a projecting key, which takes into the groove of the hole in the nave, and by'
means of the hand wheel L on the end of the shaft K the operator can rotate
the wheel. so as to bring the desired part of the wood segments under the
drills. On the under side of the foundation plate A is mounted in suitable'
journals the cam shaft M, on one end of which is the worm wheel N, having
a corresponding worm taking into it keyed on the shaft o. Also upon this

page_text: shaft is keyed the spur wheel P, and a pinion on the shaft Q, and on the
other end of this shaft is a cone pulley driven by a corresponding cone on
the end of the shaft T, mounted in bearings on the entablature plate D. On
the shaft M are keyed two cams, upon the periphery of which rest two friction
bowls mounted on axles formed on the ends of the cross head U. In the hole
in the centre of this cross head is cut a thread, into which passes the lower end
of the vertical screw V, on the upper end of which is the collar a; upon this
collar rests the inner socket or boss F, thus supporting the socket F and
table g.
On the vertical screw V, below the collar a, is mounted a worm
wheel provided with a key which takes into a groove in the vertical screw V,
and into this worm wheel takes a suitable worm actuated by the spur wheel,
pinion, and handle. On the upper side of the entablature plate D is mounted
the driving shaft X in suitable journals; Y, Y, are two pairs of driving pulleys
at each end of the shaft X. Also on this shaft is keyed the spur pinion Z,
which takes into a spur wheel b, on the shaft c, on which is keyed a bevil
pinion d, which takes into the bevil wheel e on the vertical shaft f. On the
upper side of the bevil wheel e is fixed the mitre wheel g, which takes into a
corresponding wheel on a shaft placed at right angles to the driving shaft.
The vertical shaft f is supported in a step on the framework C, and the upper
end in a journal in the entablature. D; on this vertical shaft are keyed two
spur wheels h and i, which take into corresponding spur pinions keyed upon
the spindles, which are made to receive the drills. These spindles are
mounted in headstocks which are adjustable radially, so as to suit different
diameters of wheels. The wheels h and i are capable of being changed to
suit the various diameters of railway wheels required. It will be seen that
motion being given to the driving shaft X, motion will be communicated to
the shaft T and the cone on the end of this shaft will drive the cone on the shaft
Q, which will drive the spur and worm wheels which actuate the cam shaft M.
The cams on this shaft raise or lower the table G through the intervention of the
friction pulleys on the ends of the cross head U. The wheel is now ready to have
the bolts put in to secure the wooden blocks in their places, and is then finished
in the ordinary manner. It will now be understood that the segmental blocks
and metal rings, having been secured on the table G in the manner already
described, and the table being capable of being raised so as to bring the
segmental blocks and rings against the drills which are fitted into the rotating
spindles all the bolt holes will be drilled through the rings and wooden
segments simultaneously.
Having now described my Invention of "Improvements in the Manu-
facture of Wheels for Railway Carriages, and in the Machinery to be employed

page_text: therein," and having explained the manner of carrying the same into effect, I
claim as the Invention secured to me by Letters Patent,―
First, the mode herein set forth of manufacturing wheels for railway
carriages.
And, secondly, the arrangement and combination of machinery herein shewn
and described, whereby the several operations required for manufacturing such
wheels are effected.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Greenwood, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, the Twenty-sixth day of April, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.
THOMAS GREENWOOD.
(L.B.)