Year: 1896

page_text: I, CURT ERNST WILHELM FREIHERR VON BIEDENFELD, Königlich-Preussischer
Lieutenant a. D. Mitglied-der Althessischen Ritterschaft, Rittergut Liebenz,
Provinz Hessen, Empire of Germany, at present residing at No. 184 Lake Street,
Chicago, County of Cook and State of Illinois, United States of America, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention is more especially designed for the journal bearings of vehicle
axles and one part thereof has reference to improvements in the means for holding
the axle nut against retrograde or unscrewing movement while at the same time
permitting such nut to be utilized for adjusting the bearing cones. The other
part of my invention has especial reference to means for closing the axle box and
forming a perfectly tight dust and water proof joint or connection which shall
be of such a character that there will be na substantial increase of friction between
the axle box and the axle spindle and will not impair in any manner the efficiency
of the anti-friction devices, and further shall be of such a character as to be
capable of being readily renewed when worn.
With a view to accomplishing these objects my invention consists in certain
features of novelty in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts
hereinafter described.
I will first describe the means for locking the axle nut and adjusting the bear-
ing cone with relation to the anti-friction balls. One end of the axle box is pro-
vided with a shell or cup preferably formed thereon integrally therewith while the
other end is provided with internal screw threads which receive the threaded
neck of an independent or removable shell or cup. These shells or cups are of
greater diameter than the main portion of the box, and the cup being adjustable
with relation to the main portion, the box may be drawn into and securely held in
the bore of the hub by first inserting the smaller end of the box and then screw the
neck in place as will be understood.
Secured within the removable shell is a concentric collar or flange and arranged
substantially at right angles to this flange is a retaining ring which is jammed
into the said shell; and located in the corner between this flange and the ring is the
outer series of anti-friction balls which support the axle box upon the outer
bearing cone. This outer cone is sleeved loosely upon the end of the axle spindle
so as to be capable of longitudinal adjustment thereon but it is held against rotary
movement with reference to the axle spindle by means of a pin or lug which
engages in a longitudinal groove formed lengthwise of the axle spindle. This
bearing cone is held up to its work against the balls by means of the axle nut
which is threaded on the tin end of the axle spindle in e ordinary manner and
is provided with a marginal rib or portion which bears against a corresponding
marginal rib or portion surrounding the outer edge of the cone, thus leaving a

page_text: space or chamber between the faces of the cone and the nut. The tip end or
threaded end of the axle spindle is provided with a concentric bore which is
threaded in the reverse direction to the threads on the exterior of the axle spindle
and in the direction in which the hub or wheel turns when the vehicle is moving
forward. That is to say, if the wheel turns to the right when the vehicle moves
forward the exterior of the axle is provided with a left hand thread so that the
tendency of the rotating wheel will be to unscrew the nut when the vehicle
moves forward, and in such example the bore will be provided with right hand
threads. This tendency of the nut to unscrew however, is arrested and the nut
firmly held against retrograde or unscrewing movement by means of a screw
which passes through the end wall of the nut and engages in the bore; the head
of the screw being preferably counter-sunk in the end wall of the
nut and abutting against such end wall and thus arresting the out-
ward movement or unscrewing movement of the nut, and inasmuch
as the thread of the screw is the reverse of the thread of the axle,
it follows that the tendency of the nut to unscrew, causes it to bind
with greater pressure against the head of the screw and any tendency to rotation
imparted to the screw by the nut only tends to drive the screw further into its
socket or bore and consequently to increase the resistance to the retrograde or
unscrewing movement of the nut. The screw passes loosely through the head or
end wall of the nut so that the latter will at all times be free to be screwed inward
against the cone for adjusting said cone, by simply turning the nut in a direction
the reverse of the direction in which the wheel turns when the vehicle moves
forwards. When the nut has been gently turned in against the cone it may be
firmly and positively locked in this adjustment by turning the screw in the
reverse direction until its head firmly binds in the end wall of the nut.
In forming the bore for the insertion of the screw it will be understood that it
is not carried inwardly sufficiently far to undermine the cone upon which the
entire strain or weight of the vehicle is supported, and consequently the weaken-
ing of the axle spindle by thus boring out its end is not detrimental inasmuch as
the nut does not receive any transverse or vertical, strain.
I will now describe the means whereby dirt and water or other foreign matter
are excluded from the bearings. The outer end of the removable cup or shell is
screw threaded interiorly and is completely closed by a cap which forms a housing
for the axle nut and also constitutes a further safe-guard against the axle nut
receiving rotation from the hub when connection is formed between the hub and
the nut by mud or other foreign matter liable to gather therein.
The inner shell is also provided with interior screw threads into which is
screwed a collar or band which is provided with two annular flanges, the former
of which surrounds a shoulder formed on the axle and in conjunction with such
shoulder substantially closes the end of the hub. But in order that the joint may
be made absolutely tight I locate between the said flanges a packing ring which
abuts against the second of the two flanges and also against the conical inner side
of the shoulder so that when the collar is backed off from the shell it will crowd
against the inclined side of the shoulder and be thus caused to snugly impinge
against the collar and a shoulder of less diameter than the before mentioned
shoulder, formed on the axle. In making this adjustment of the collar to take
up wear of the packing, the box takes its abutment against the outer bearing cone
through the intermediary of the anti-friction devices."
Surrounding a reduced portion of the axle spindle is the inner cone which is
provided with a square abutment against the side of the shoulder having the
smaller diameter and also has a groove or notch in which is fitted a pin driven into
the said shoulder for preventing the rotation of the cone with the box. Surround-
ing this cone is a second packing ring which fits between the first of the above
mentioned flanges and a retaining ring. This retaining ring rests against the
edge of a removable race in which the balls run and which balls are located between
and retained by the said retaining ring and a retaining flange or collar secured in

page_text: the axle box and being surrounded by the race as well as by a rubber or other
yielding cushion located between the race and the shell for relieving the balls and
cone of severe shock.
Dated this 12th day of November 1896
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Journal Bearings.
I, CURT ERNST WILHELM FREIHERR VON BIEDENFELD, Königlich-Preussischer
Lieutenant a. D. Mitglied-der Althessischen Ritterschaft, Rittergut Liebenz,
Provinz Hessen, Empire of Germany, at present residing at. No. 184 Lake Street,
Chicago, County of Cook and State of Illinois, United States of America, 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:
My invention is more especially designed for the journal bearings of vehicle
axles and one part thereof has reference to the improvements in the means for holding
the axle nut against retrograde or unscrewing movement while at the same time
permitting such nut to be utilized for adjusting the bearing cones. The other
part of my invention has especial reference to means for closing the axle box and
forming a perfectly tight dust and water proof joint or connection which shall
be of such a character that there will be na substantial increase of friction between
the axle box and the axle spindle and will not impair in any manner the efficiency
of the anti-friction devices, and further shall be of such a character as to be
capable of being readily renewed when worn.
With a view to accomplishing these objects my invention consists in certain
features of novelty in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts
hereinafter described and claimed with reference to the accompanying drawing
which illustrates an axle and the axle box equipped with my improvements, the
axle box and certain internal parts as well as a portion of the axle spindle being
shown in longitudinal section.
I will first describe the means for locking the axle nut and adjusting the bear-
ing cones with relation to the anti-friction balls. 1 repersents the axle, 2 the
axle spindle, 3 the axle box which surrounds the spindle and which is secured in
the hub (not shown) in the usual or any suitable manner. One end of the axle
box 3 is provided with a shell or cup 4 preferably formed thereon integrally there-
with while the other end is provided with internal screw threads at 5 which
receive the threaded neck 6 of an independent or removable shell or cup 7. These
shells or cups 4 and 7 are of greater diameter than the main portion of the box 3,
and the cup 7 being adjustable with relation to the main portion 3, the box may
be drawn into and securely held in the bore of the hub by first inserting the
smaller end of the box 3 and then screw the neck in place as will be understood.
Secured within the shell 7 is a concentric collar or flange 8 and arranged at
substantially right angles to this flange is a retaining ring 9 which is jammed
into the shell 7, and located in the corner between this flange 8 and the ring 9
is the outer series of anti-friction balls 10 which support the axle box upon the
outer bearing cone 11. This cone 11 is sleeved loosely upon the end of the axle
spindle 2 so as to be capable of longitudinal adjustment thereon but it is held
against rotary movement with reference to the axle spindle by means of a pin or
lug which engages in a longitudinal groove 13 formed lengthwise of the axle

page_text: spindle 2.
This bearing cone 11 is held up to its work against the balls 10 by
means of the axle nut 14 which is threaded on the tip end of the axle spindle 2
in the ordinary manner and is provided with a marginal rib or portion 16 which
hears against a corresponding marginal rib or portion surrounding the outer edge
of the cone 11 thus leaving a space or chamber 16 between the faces of the cone
and the nut. The tip end or threaded end of the axle spindle 2 is provided with a
concentric bore 17 which is threaded in the reverse direction to the threads on the
exterior of the axle spindle and in the direction in which the hub or wheel turns
when the vehicle is moving forward. That is to say, if the wheel turns to the
right when the vehicle moves forward the exterior of the axle is provided with a
left hand thread so that the tendency of the rotating wheel will be
to unscrew the nut 14 when the vehicle inpres forward, and in
such example the bore 17 will be provided with right hand threads.
This tendency of the nut 14 to unscrew however, is arrested and the nut
firmly held against retrograde or unscrewing movement by means of a screw 18
which passes through the end wall of the nut 14 and engages in the bore 17; the
head of the screw being preferably counter-sunk in the end wall of the nut 14 and
abutting against such end wall and thus arresting the outward movement or
unscrewing movement of the nut, and inasmuch as the thread of the screw 18 is
the reverse of the thread of the axle, it follows that the tendency of the nut to
unscrew, causes it to bind with greater pressure against the head of the screw 18
and any tendency to rotate imparted to the screw 18 by the nut 14 only tends to
drive the serew further into its secket or hore 17 and consequently to increase the
resistance to the retrograde or unscrewing movement of the nut 14. The screw 18
passes loosely through the head or end wall of the nut 14 so that the latter will
at all times be free to be screwed inward against the cone 11 for adjusting said
cone, by simply turning the nut in a direction the reverse of the direction in
which the wheel turns when the vehicle moves forward. When the nut 14 has
been gently turned in against the cone 11 it may be firmly and positively locked
in this adjustment by turning the screw 18 in the reverse direction until its head
firmly binds in the end wall of the nut.
In forming the bore 17 for the insertion of the screw 18 it will be seen that it
is not carried inwardly sufficiently far to undermine the cone 11 upon which the
entire strain or weight of the vehicle is supported, and consequently the weaken-
ing of the axle spindle by thus boring out its end is not detrimental inasmuch as
the nut does not receive any transverse or vertical strain.
I will now describe the means whereby dirt and water or other foreign matter
are excluded from the bearings. The outer end of the shell 7 is screw threaded
interiorly and is completely closed by a cap 19 which forms a housing for the
axle nut 14 and also constitutes a further safe-guard against the axle nut receiv
ing rotation from the hub when connection is formed between the hub and the
nut by mud or other foreign matter liable to gather therein.
The inner shell 4 is also provided with interior screw threads into which is
screwed a collar or band 20 which is provided with two annular flanges 21-22,
the former of which surrounds a shoulder 23 formed on the axle and in conjunc-
tion with such shoulder substantially closes the inner end of the hub. But in
order that the joint may be made absolutely tight I locate between the
flanges 21-22 a packing ring 24 which abuts against the flange 22 and also
against the conical inner side of the shoulder 23 so that when the collar 20 is
backed off from the shell 4 it will crowd against the inclined side of the shoulder 23
and be thus caused to snugly impinge against the collar 20 and a shoulder 25 of
less diameter than the shoulder 23, formed on the axle. In making this adjust-
ment of the collar 20 to take up wear of the packing 24, the box 3 takes its
abutment against the outer bearing cone 11 through the intermediary of the
anti-friction devices.
Surrounding a reduced portion 26 of the axle spindle 2 is the inner conè 27
which is provided with a square abutment 28 against the side of the shoulder 25

page_text: and also has a groove or notch 29 in which is fitted a pin 30 driven into the
shoulder 25, for preventing the rotation of the cone 27 with the box 3. Surround-
ing this cone 27 is a second packing ring 31 which fits between the flange 22 and
a retaining ring 32. This retaining ring 32 rests against the edge of a removable
race 33 in which the balls 34 run which balls are located between and retained
by the said retaining ring 32 and a retaining flange or collar 35 secured in the
axle box 3 and being surrounded by the race 33 as well as by a rubber or other
yielding cushion 36 located between the race 33 and the shell 4 for relieving the
balls and cone of severe shock.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. A device for the purpose described having in combination an axle box, an
axle spindle, a cone on said spindle adjustable with reference to said axle box and
Leing fixed against rotation, a nut threaded on said spindle and being
independent of said cone and a screw passing through said nut and being threaded
in the end of the said spindle, the threads of said screw and spindle being the
reverse of each other, whereby the forward rotation of the wheel will tend to
screw the nut off and the tendency of the latter to rotate will tend to screw the
said screw inward, substantially as set forth.
2. A device for the purpose described having in combination an axle spindle,
an axle box, a cone adjustable lengthwise of but fixed against rotation on said
axle spinde, an axle nut threaded on said spindle and bearing against but being
rotatable independently of said cone and having an end wall or head, and a screw
passing axially and loosely through said end wall or head of the nut and being
threaded in the end of said axle spindle, the said threads on the exterior of the
axle spindle being formed in a direction the reverse of the forward rotation of
the said axle box whereby the forward rotation of the wheel will have a tendency to
screw said nut off, the outer end of said screw being provided with a head abutting
against said end wall of the nut for arresting the outward or unscrewing movement
of the nut, and the threads of said screw being formed in the reverse direction of
the said exterior threads of the axle spindle whereby the unscrewing tendency
of the nut will tend to screw the said screw further into the axle, substantially
as set forth.
3. A device for the purpose described having in combination the axle box 3
having the shell 4 provided with interior screw threads, the axle spindle having
1.he conical shoulder 23, the shoulder 25, a cone abutting against said shoulder 25,
the pin 30 for preventing the rotation of said cone, a collar 20 screwing into said
shell 4 and having the flange 22, the packing ring 24 located between said conical
shoulder 23 and flange 22, the race 33, the retaining ring 32 and retaining
flange 35, and the anti-friction balls located between said race, retaining ring
and retaining flange, substantially as set forth.
4. The combination with an axle having a cone thereon and the axle box
surrounding said axle and containing anti-friction balls bearing upon said còne,
said box being provided with screw threads at its extremity, of a dust excluding
collar screwing into said screw threads of the box and being provided with an
internal annular groove, the packing ring let into and carried by said groove so
as to move back and forth with said collar when the latter is adjusted, the
shoulder 23 on the axle having a beveled ge against which said packing ring
abuts and said shoulder being surrounded by said collar, substantially as set forth.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.