Improvements in Means for Lubricating the Wheels of Conveyers, and other like Wheels.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Mar., 1897-Accepted, 22nd May, 1897
Improvements in Means for Lubricating the Wheels of Conveyers,
and other like Wheels.
I JAMES MAPES DODGE of Clapier and McKean Streets, Germantown, in the
City and County of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, one of the United States
of America, Mechanical Engineer, 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 :—
The object of my invention is to provide efficient means for labricating the axles
of travelling wheels such for example as the supporting wheels of conveyers by
providing means whereby oil can be picked up and applied to the axle of each
wheel at a certain point during the travel.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of one form of conveyer embodying my
invention;
Figure 2 is a plan shewing part of the conveyer with its supporting wheels, and
also a rail structure combined with a reservoir for lubricant ;
Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of the rail structure the section being taken on
the line 3-3, Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a transverse section on the line 4-4, Figure 2; on an enlarged
scale;
Figure 5 is a side view of a supporting wheel with its oil scoops or dippers; and
Figure 6 is a view illustrating a modification of the invention.
While my invention is especially adapted to endless chain conveyers which are
provided with carrying wheels running upon tracks, it will be understood that it
can be applied to any conveyer or analogous apparatus whether of the endless chain
type, or the independent trolley, or car, type.
A is a section of the track on which travel the wheels B, these wheels being
shewn as being flanged and mounted on axles B₁ which carry the endless chains
and conveyer buckets, the wheels being hollow so as to retain a certain amount of
liquid lubricant. Projecting from one side of each wheel are curved scoops or
dippers b, two arc shewn on each wheel, although one such scoop or two or more
such scoops on each wheel may be used as desired. Each scoop has a stem b' which
enters an opening in the wheel B and has a slot therein, so that as the wheel
rotates in the direction of the arrow, Figure 5, the scoops can pick up lubricant
from a suitably situated reservoir, which lubricant will be discharged into the cavity
of the wheel.
In order to firmly attach the scoops to the wheel I tap a hole in the end of the
stem of each scoop and pass a bolt d through an opening in the wheel and into the
screw threaded opening in the said stem, so that by tightening this bolt the scoops
can be secured to the wheel, a shoulder on the stem bearing against the face of
the wheel and serving to prevent rotation of said stem, and also to close the opening
in the wheel, so as to prevent escape of lubricant therefrom.
D is a trough which is shewn as being cast in one piece with the track section A,
the inside flange of this trough being carried upward to as high a point as
permitted by the scoops on the wheels, as shewn in Figure 4.
It will be seen by reference to Figure 3, that the upper face of the rail section A
on which the wheels B travel is lower at the centre than at the ends, the said upper

page_text: face being on the same plane as the connecting rail at each end, but in order to
enable the scoops to enter the trough this face is depressed at, and near, the
longitudinal centre of the trough, so that as the conveyer passes over the trough
the scoops will enter. the lubricant and convey a certain amount thereof into the
body of each wheel, it being understood that the conveyer runs so slowly that
centrifugal action will cause no discharge of lubricant.
I preferably form a lip g on the trough so that it can be conveniently charged
with lubricant and I also provide a cock through which the lubricant can be
.drawn off from the trough.
It will be seen that by my invention I am enabled to automatically charge each
wheel with lubricant the attendant simply keeping the trough properly supplied
with lubricant.
The rail section A has base flanges i whereby it is secured to its supports, the
end flanges also serving to support the ends of the abutting rails, and at each end
of the said section A are lugs m between which the web of the said abutting
rail fits.
The trough may, however, be bolted to an ordinary rail which is bent to form
the depression, an essential feature of the invention being the depression of the
track at a certain point to permit the scoops on the wheel to pick up a certain
amount of lubricant and convey it to the bearings.
The wheels may have scoops on each side to dip into troughs on each side of the
track, and, if desired, the trough may extend throughout the entire lower run of
the conveyer, or the like, as shewn in Figure 6, the construction shewn in Figures 2
to 4, however, being preferred.
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 with a travelling wheel, of a scoop or scoops communicating
with its bearing or axle, a rail over which the wheel travels, and a trough or troughs
for lubricating material so arranged that as the wheel traverses the rail its scoop or
scoops will enter the trough or troughs and take up lubricant therefrom,
substantially as herein before described.
2. The combination of a rail having a depression therein, a trough at the side of
the rail, a wheel, an axle therefor and a scoop or scoops on the wheel, whereby
when the wheel runs upon the said rail the scoop or scoops will take up lubricant
from the trough, substantially as hereinbefore described.
3. The combination of a rail having a depression therein, a trough at one side of
the rail, a chambered wheel, an axle therefor, and a scoop or scoops communicating
with the chamber of the wheel and adapted to take up lubricant from the trough
as the wheel passes the said trough, substantially as hereinbefore described.
4. The combination of the rail section having a depressed face over which the
wheel travels, with a trough for lubricant formed integral with the said rail section
and situated at the side of the said rail, substantially as hereinbefore described.
5. The combination of a depressed rail, a trough adjacent thereto, a chambered
wheel, an axle therefor, a scoop projecting from the side of the wheel and having
a stem extending into the chamber of the wheel, and a bolt adapted to hold the
scoop in position on the wheel, substantially as hereinbefore described.
6. The combination of an endless chain conveyer having axles, wheels on the
said axles, a scoop or scoops on each wheel, and a trough over which the conveyer
passes and into which the scoop enters or scoops enter in passing so as to take up
lubricant therefrom, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Dated this 23rd day of March 1897.
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.