Improvements in Anti-friction Journal Boxes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Complete Specification Left. 28th Nov., 1890-Accepted, 28th Feb., 1831
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Anti-friction Journal Boxes.
I, THOMAS NELL SUBERS, of 2403 South Street, Philadelphia, in the County of
Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, United States of America, Manufacturer,
do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN ANTI-FRICTION
JOURNALS, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The object of my invention is to so construct an anti-friction journal-box for axles
or shafts as to provide a roller-bearing throughout; and this object I attain in the
manner hereinafter set forth, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in
which―
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of part of the wheel and axle of a vehicle with
journal-box and anti-friction bearing therefor constructed in accordance with my
invention. Fig. 2 is a section on the line 12, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of
one of the anti-friction washers forming part of the bearing, and Fig. 4 is a sectional
view of another element of the bearing.
A represents part of the axle of a vehicle; B, the journal of the same, and D the
journal-box, secured to the hub of the wheel. The main bearing of the journal-box
upon the journal is formed by a series of anti-friction rollers a, the journals of which
are adapted to recesses in suitable end frames b, the latter being connected at
intervals by bolts or stays d, so as to preserve their proper relation to each other.
Between the inner flanged end e of the journal-box and the usual collar fat the
inner end of the journal is interposed a washer composed of inner and outer rings 9,
connected by stays glat proper intervals, and to recesses in these rings g are adapted
the journals of a series of anti-friction rollers h, which project laterally in both
directions beyond the rings, so as to serve by contact with the flange e and collar f
as bearings for the inner end of the journal-box. A similar washer with anti-friction
rollers is interposed between the outer end e¹ of the journal-box and the retaining-
nut F, which is adapted to the threaded outer end of the journal. The rollers h of
the end washers of the bearing project radially inward beyond the bore of the journal-
box and serve as bearings for the end-rings 6 of the frame carrying the rollers a, so
as to prevent contact of said rings with the flange and nut at the ends of the journal.
By this means roller-bearings are presented throughout. Consequently the move-
ment of the journal-box is effected with the minimum of friction. The journals of
the rollers simply rest in bearings in the rings g, although in some cases the
bearings may be capped after the insertion of the rollers, so as to confine the journals
and prevent the escape of the rollers from the washer when the latter is removed
from the axle.
I am aware that washers carrying balls have been heretofore used as anti-friction
bearings at the ends of a journal-box; but a ball is not effective as an anti-friction
device when interposed between flat bearing-surfaces, as it has a tendency to form a
recess or groove in these surfaces and embed itself therein; and such a device is
not, moreover, capable of constituting a roller-bearing for the rings of the main

page_text: roller-frame. In my bearing, therefore, I use the flat-faced rollers at the ends of
the journal-box, in order to provide an extended bearing and prevent the wearing away
or grooving of parts, as well as to present a roller-bearing for the end rings of the
central frame. The rollers may, if desired, be slightly flared from the inner to the
outer ends to accord with the difference in diameter of the bearing at these points;
but I have found in practice that such flaring of the rollers is not absolutely
essential.
Although my invention is shown as applied to the journal of a vehicle, it
may be
used in journal or shaft bearings generally, and a flange-collar or other projection
on the shaft or axle may in many cases replace the nut F, and the projections at the
ends of the journal may in some instances carry the rollers h.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
==
1. The combination of the shaft or axle having a journal, a journal-box, a frame
carrying rollers interposed between said box and the journal, and rollers mounted in
bearings at the ends of the journal-box and serving as bearings both for said ends of
the box and for the ends of the central roller-carrying frame, the ends of both box
and frame being in direct contact with the said rollers, substantially as specified.
2. The combination of the shaft or axle having a journal with projecting portions
at opposite ends, a journal-box, a frame carrying rollers interposed between said
box and the journal, and washers interposed between the ends of the journal-box
and the projections on the journal, and serving as bearings both for the ends of the
journal-box and for the ends of the central roller-carrying frame, the ends of both
the journal-box and the frame being in direct contact with said rollers, substantially
as specified.
Dated this 28th day of November 1890.
F. W. BARKER,
Applicant's Agent.