Improvements in Adjustable or Self-adjusting Bearings.
Year: 1897

page_text: Improvements in Adjustable or Self-adjusting Bearings.
We ARTHUR DREW of No. 2 Salisbury Place Richmond Road Drumcondra County
Dublin Mechanical Engineer and HENRY Cox of No 122. Steelhouse Lane Birmingham
in the County of Warwick Mechanic Do hereby declare the nature of this Invention
to be as follows-
It has hitherto been the practice to adjust the bearings of wheels and other
bearings for instance of cycles and other purposes by means of a screw threaded cone
or cup employed in the usual manner.
Our present Invention consists in dispensing with this cone or cup and substituting
therefor a sliding cone, said sliding cone being kept in position and prevented from
turning round by a small stud suitably fixed in the axle or spindle or by a D shaped
hole.
The hole at the back of the sliding cone is bored to a tapered section into which is
fitted a ferrule turned to the same size and section as the tapered hole in the said
sliding cone and which projects out from the back of the cone to any convenient
distance. This ferrule is drilled out to the same size as the axle or spindle and then
cut down either upon the one side only or divided into two parts. The split or
divided ferrule it may be stated is only needed when ball bearings are used such as
in cycles or otherwise.
The end of the axle or spindle is screwed down sufficiently far to allow a milled
edged nut to be screwed up against the tapered ferrule which presses the same against
the sliding cone, said ferrule being split either on one or both sides allows of it being
closed onto the axle or spindle as the case may be by pressure and at the same time
being tightened in the cone and forcing it along the axle until checked by contact
with balls (when used) or other parts.
The milled nut has a number of small holes drilled close to its edge for the after
mentioned purpose.
When in connection with cycles we propose fitting a small
flexible spring by preference upon the blade of the fork (or may be elsewhere) in a
suitable position which when under tension engages one of the holes in turn in the
milled nut and has a tendency to pull the saine a little further round and thus making
the bearing self acting. Or instead of using a nut as above described we may
sometimes employ a tapered slide which is drawn or forced along by a spring suitably
arranged one side pressing against the tapered ferrule the other side pressing against
a fixed collar which forces the cone into position. Or again by means of a coil spring
which fits along or around the axle a nut at the one end is engaged thereby the other
end being titted with a ratchet arrangement which is actuated by the hand until there
is a tension exerted on the spring.
As the bearing wears the spring uncoils and turns the nut and thus keeps the
bearing adjusted. Our main object is to produce adjustable bearings where such are
required by the employment of a spring or springs or some such suitable means
acting in conjunction with a screw threaded nut, tapered slide or cams, in order to

page_text: keep said bearings properly adjusted and up to their work even after a certain amount
of wear may have taken place.
Dated this 2nd day of January 1807
EDWD. J. PAYNE & SON,
Warwick Chambers 104. Colmore Row, Birmingham,
Patent Agents for the Applicants.
Improvements in Adjustable or Self-adjusting Bearings.
We ARTHUR DREW of No 38 Eton Road Sparkbrook Birmingham in the County
of Warwick Mechanical Engineer formerly of No 2 Salisbury Place Richmond Road
Drumcondra County Dublin and HENRY Cox of No 122 Steelhouse Lane Birmingham
aforesaid Mechanic. 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 reference being had to the Drawing accompanying
this Specification and to the Figures and Letters shewn thereon.
It has hitherto been the practice to adjust the bearings of wheels and other bear-
ings particularly those of Cycle Wheels by means of a screw threaded cone or cup
employed in the usual manner and which are locked into position by nuts or other
devices.
Our present Invention consists in applying certain arrangements whereby we sub-
stitute springs in connection with other attachments instead of the lock nuts and so
provide an adjustable or self adjusting bearing for the above named or other
purposes.
We will proceed to describe the nature of our said Invention firstly in relation to
one of the methods we employ for a Cycle Wheel bearing.
Figure 1. Represents a Sectional. Elevation of a bearing.
Figure 2. Represents an Elevational plan view.
Figure 3. Represents a Vertical Elevation and plan of the split cone or Ferrule
we use.
Figure 4. Is a plan of a fixed round nut having a tapered slot.
Figure 5. Represents an End Elevation of Figures 1 and 2.
Figures 6 and 7 Are respectively Front and Side Views of the tapered slide.
Figure 8. Represents in Plan a Sliding Cone.
This Method consists in the use of a sliding cone A in the place of the ordinary
kind, this cone is kept in position on the spindle or axle B by means of a fixed collar
or nut C and a tapered slide or wedge D. The sliding cone A is bored out with a
hole tapering from the back of saime towards the front into which is fitted a split
cone or ferrule E turned to the same size and diameter as the tapered hole in the
said sliding Cone A, the split cone or ferrule E may project out from the back of the
sliding cone to any convenient distance. This split cone or ferrule E is formed to
the same size as the axle or spindle B upon which it fits and is tapered exteriorly to a
knife edge, and cut down or split either upon the one side only or divided into two
parts. The purpose of this split core or ferrule is to provide for the sliding cone
being a perfect fit around the axle or spindle that is to say it acts as a bush for the
same and allows for possible variation in boring out the said sliding cone or in turning
the axle or spindle or for variations caused by the wear of the parts.
The split or divided Cone or ferrule E may be only necessary when ball bearings
are used such as in Cycles or otherwise.
According to the arrangement shewn in Figures 1 and 2 it will be seen that the

page_text: said sliding cone A is cut down so as to provide a flange or projecting part A¹ the
fixed nut or collar C being correspondingly cut out as at C¹. Figure 2 shews this
clearly. The adjustment of the bearing is effected by the operation of the tapered
slide D which is forced along between the parts A¹ of the sliding cone and C¹ of the
fixed collar or nut by means of a spring F suitably arranged which bears upon and
governs the said tapered slide D and causes one side thereof to press upon or against
the projecting end of the tapered split cone or ferrule E the other side of the tapered
slide pressing against the interior side of the fixed collar or nut C.
causes the sliding cone to be forced into position.
This action
The interior sides C' of the fixed collar or nut may be tapered to correspond with
the tapered slide D. As the bearing wears the tapered slide D governed by it's
spring F automatically adjusts itself between the parts it connects and tightens
obviously by reason of the pressure exerted upon the slide D by the said spring and
thus wedges the parts and keeps the bearing always rigid so that it cannot shake
loose or rattle.
It will be understood that the pressure of the said spring_being_vertical and the
sliding cone operating horizontally the action of the ball bearings or of the hub or
bracket or upon whatever part of the cycle the adjustable bearing portions may be
used cannot force the sliding cone back from its position.
A modification of our Invention is represented in Figure 9 Sectional view and
Figure 10 Side Elevation. This Method consists in screw threading the axle or
Spindle B sufficiently far to allow of a milled edged nut H being screwed up by hand
against the tapered split cone or ferrule E which presses the same against the sliding
cone A. the split cone being closed on to the axle or spindle B by the pressure of the
milled nut at the same time being tightened in the sliding cone and forced along the
axle until checked by contact with the ball bearings when used or other parts. In
this case we may dispense with the use of the slide before described by substituting
the screwed nut H upon the face of which are drilled a number of small slot holes H¹
close to the edge Figure 10. As stated this nut is turned until it touches the split
cone or ferrule E and the sliding cone A, a spring I suitably arranged on the fork J
of the frame or elsewhere is hooked on to the screwed nut so as to engage one
of the slots or holes in turn. As the bearing wears the screwed nut H is pulled
round by the action of the spring when under tension which thus renders the bearing
self adjusting the effect produced being practically the same as that of the tapered
slide and spring already described.
The sliding cone A is prevented from turning round by means of a small stud or
pin K suitably fixed on the axle B and engaging a slot in said sliding cone or by
forming the latter with a horizontal D shaped hole the axle upon which it fits being
made to correspond or by any other suitable method.
A modification of this arrangement is shewn in the following Figures in connection
with a carriage axle though it must be understood that a precisely similar arrange-
ment can be employed for cycles by adapting the parts accordingly.
Figure 11 Represents in Front Elevation a disc or nut having ratchet teeth upon
its periphery.
Figure 12 Represents a Side Elevation of a collar. Figures 13 and 14. are front
and back views of same. Figure 15 a form of spring we employ. Figure 16
Represents a part Elevation.
The sliding collar A (or in the case of a cycle a sliding cone will be employed)
may have a D shaped hole to fit on the axle B or other means of connection, the nut
or disc H is wormed to engage (preferably) a cross pitched screw thread L upon the
axle. Upon the periphery of the nut or disc H are ratchet teeth H¹ a spring F fits
around a collar or flange M upon the collar A or upon the nut or disc H the one end
of which engages a slot hole N in the sliding collar A the other end forms a catch P
to engage the ratchet teeth H¹, The self adjusting action as the bearing wears is
similar to the previous arrangement the spring F governing the toothed disc or
nut H.

page_text: A further modification (not illustrated) consists of a coil spring which fits along
or around the axle or spindle and whereby a nut at the one end is engaged the
other end being fitted with a ratchet arrangement which is actuated by the hand
until there is torsion exerted on the spring, as the bearing wears the spring uncoils
and turns the nut and thus keeps the said bearing adjusted.
•
Figure 17. Represents in Elevation a further modification of our Invention.
Figure 18. The same in Section.
Figures 19 and 20 Represent the sliding collar in Side Elevation and plan. .
Figure 21. Is a vertical section of sliding collar.
Figures 22 and 23 The tapered Slide.
In connection with what are known as Collinge Axles the usual fixed collar will
have a Dhole therein and will be made a sliding fit on the axle B. At the back of
this sliding collar A is a fixed collar C so arranged as to allow of the tapered
slide D being pressed between the two collars A and C by the action of the part E
which may be arranged in any suitable manner such as shewn and operated by a
spring E which passes through and is enclosed within the fixed collar C. The
tapered slide D is pressed between the two collars and thus forces the sliding
collar A along the cone part of the axle B said sliding collar pressing against a
leather washer G which in turn presses against the axle box H and forces it
along the axle B until checked by contact with the collet which is held in position
at the other end of the axle box H by a right hand screw threaded nut that is
screwed tightly up to the face of the collet and so keeps the bearing properly
adjusted or the collet may be dispensed with altogether and a screwed nut substi-
tuted to act as a collet bearing.
We desire it to be understood that modifications as to details may be effected
without departing from the essential principle of our said Invention--but
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, We declare that what we
claim is.
Firstly In combination The use of automatic adjustable bearings for cycles
carriages and for like purposes and the application of springs and adjustment
devices in connection with said bearings substantially as described.
Secondly. For Cycles, Carriages and for other purposes, the method of adjusting
bearings by means of a spring or springs so arranged in combination that the direct
pressure of the bearing is not thrown on to the spring but on to a tapered slide or a
screw threaded nut or disc as the case may be situated at such an angle relative to
the other parts that the pressure of the work cannot force said slide or the screw
threaded nut out of position whilst the spring or springs operate at such an angle
coincident with said bearing as to force said slide into position or turn the nut or
disc and thus automatically adjust the bearing substantially as described.
Thirdly. In adjustable or self adjusting bearings the employment of a loose tapered
split cone or ferrule fitting around the axle or spindle within a sliding cone or other
device in combination with a tapered slide or wedge fitting between said sliding cone
and a fixed collar or nut formed to engage the tapered slide in combination with the
use of a spring suitably arranged to govern said tapered slide as and for the purpose
set forth.
Fourthly. In adjustable or self adjusting bearings a milled edged screw nut having
perforations upon its face in combination with and governed by a spring as and for
the purpose described.
Fifthly. In adjustable or self adjusting bearings a loose nut or disc working on a
screw said nut having ratchet teeth upon its periphery in combination with a spring
suitably arranged to engage said teeth as and for the purpose described.
Sixthly. In self adjusting bearings. The employment of a tapered slide or wedge
governed by a spring or similar means said slide engaging a sliding collar or nut and
a fixed collar all in combination for the purpose of automatically adjusting and
⚫tightening the said bearing as it wears substantially as described.

page_text: Seventhly. Self adjusting bearings consisting of the use of a coiled spring fitting
along or around the axle in combination with a nut and ratchet arrangement as
described herein.
EDWD. J. PAYNE & SON
Warwick Chambers, 104, Colmore Row, Birmingham.
Patent Agents for the Applicants.