Improvements in Antifriction Bearings for Vehicle Wheels.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Dec., 1889
Complete Specification Left,. 30th Dec., 1889-Accepted, .1st Mar., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Antifriction Bearings for Vehicle Wheels.
I, HOSEA W. LIBBEY, of Boston, in the County of Suffolk and State of
Massachusetts, United States of America, Medical Doctor, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows: -
My invention has for its object the diminution of friction in axle bearings
of vehicles and the invention consists in certain details of construction hereinafter
described.
In carrying the invention into practice I arrange upon the axle spindle or journal
a sleeve of metal the internal diameter of which is slightly larger than that of the
said axle spindle and is tapered to conform to the axles now in use and on its
peripherical face are formed (preferably three) longitudinal ribs or projections.
Between the ribs or projections slots are formed through the sleeve. I prefer to
have six of these slots as shown arranged in pairs longitudinally so that there are
only three circumferentially, a recess is formed in the sleeve around each of these
slots to receive a cover or plate and the antifriction rollers are of a diameter to just
fit between the underside of the plates and the axle spindle, so that the outer surface
of the sleeve between the ribs is perfectly smooth when adjusted upon the spindle
with the rollers and plates.
The hub, is bored out the exact size of the diameter of the sleeve and grooves are
cut therein to correspond with the projections on the sleeve so that when the sleeve is
inserted it is prevented from turning, while the hub forms a bearing for the plates.
I prefer to insert a plate on the inner side of the hub for the collar of the axle to
work against and the hub is held on the spindle by a washer and nut, in the usual
manner. Instead of plain rollers, corrugated rollers may be employed or a series of
balls, or spirally corrugated rollers may be used.
In applying this antifriction bearing I first place the sleeve around the spindle then
insert the rollers and plates and then force the sleeve into the recess in the hub and
secure the hub on the axle by the nut.
It will be seen that by this construction of bearing all friction is between the
spindle, rollers and the plates, and as the spindle is only touched in three points of
its diameter and the rollers are free to rotate, the friction is reduced to a minimum.
Dated this 23rd day of December 1889.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.
'
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Antifriction Bearings for Vehicle Wheels.
I HOSEA W. LIBBEY of Boston in the County of Suffolk and State of
Massachusetts, United States of America, Medical Doctor, do hereby declare the
nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ANTI-FRICTION BEARINGS FOR
VEHICLE WHEELS" and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention has for its object the diminution of friction in axle bearings of
vehicles and the invention consists in certain details of construction hereinafter fully
described and pointed out in the claims.
Referring to the accompanying drawings:-
Fig. 1, represents a longitudinal vertical section through a wheel hub embodying

page_text: :
Fig. 2, is a cross section of same taken on line x, x, of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3, is a perspective view of the sleeve that embraces the axle drawn to a larger
scale.
.
Fig. 4, is a view of one of the antifriction rollers.
Fig. 5, is a view of one of the covering plates.
Fig. 6, shows a series of balls to be used instead of a roller.
Fig. 7, shows a corrugated roller.
Fig. 8, shows a spirally corrugated roller.
:A, represents the axle, B, the axle spindle, C, the hub, and D, the spokes; E, is a
sleeve of metal the internal diameter of which is slightly larger than that of the axle
spindle and tapering to conform to the axles now in use and on its peripherical face
are formed (preferably three) longitudinal ribs or projections e.
Between the ribs or projections e, slots F, are formed through the sleeve E, I
prefer to have six of these slots as shown arranged in pairs longitudinally so that
there are only three circumferentially, a recess is formed in the sleeve around each of
these slots to receive a cover or plate H, and the antifriction rollers F, are of a
diameter to just fit between the underside of the plates H, and the axle spindle B, so
that the outer surface of the sleeve between the ribs e, is perfectly smooth when
adjusted upon the spindle with the rollers and plates.
The huh C, is bored out the exact size of the diameter of the sleeve E, and grooves
are cut therein to correspond with the projections e, on the sleeve so that when the
sleeve is inserted it is prevented from turning, while the hub forms a bearing for the
plates H.
I prefer to insert a plate I, on the inner side of the hub for the collar a, of the axle
to work against and the hub is held on the spindle by a washer and nut J, in the
usual manner.
Instead of plain rollers F, as shown in Fig. 4, corrugated rollers F¹, as shown in
Fig. 7, may be employed or a series of balls F³, as shown in Fig. 6, or spirally
corrugated rollers F³, as shown in Fig. 8, may be used.
In applying this antifriction bearing I first place the sleeve E, around the
spindle B, then insert the rollers F, and plates H, and then force the sleeve into the
recess in the hub and secure the hub on the axle by the nut J.
It will be seen that by this construction of bearing all friction is between the
spindle B, rollers F, and plates H, and as the spindle is only touched in three points
of its diameter and the rollers are free to rotate the friction is reduced to a
minimum.
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. In an antifriction bearing for vehicles a sleeve having longitudinal ribs on its
peripherical face and slots between said ribs in combination with friction rollers, and
covers or plates substantially as shown and described.
2. In an antifriction bearing for vehicles the combination of a sleeve the internal
diameter of which is slightly larger than the spindle and having longitudinal ribs on
its peripherical face, slots between said ribs, a recess around each slot, plates fitting
said recesses and friction rollers of a diameter to just fit in the slots and between the
plates and spindle substantially as set forth.
3. In an antifriction bearing for vehicles the sleeve E, having longitudinal ribs e,
slots F, and a recess around each slot in combination with the plates H, and friction
rollers F substantially as set forth.
Dated this Twenty-ninth day of October 1880
HOSEA W. LIBBEY.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.