Improvements in Self Lubricating and Adjustable Vehicle Axles.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 28th June, 1887.
Specification Accepted, 29th July, 1887.
Improvements in Self Lubricating and Adjustable Vehicle Axles.
I, EDWIN FIRTH of No. 200 Hill Street, Troy, Rennselaer County, New York, in
the United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of my invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to a self lubricating and self adjusting axle for vehicles, and
the object of the present improvement is to revolutionize inventions in this class by
providing a device of this character possessing superior advantages over all other axles
in point of simplicity, durability, cheapness and general efficiency.
The invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of
parts as will be hereinafter set forth and particularly pointed out in the claims:
In the accompanying drawings:
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through a vehicle axle, showing the axle box
and nut in section and the spindle in elevation.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the axle spindle with the box detached.
Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the axle box and nut detached from the spindle.
Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the axle spindle similar to Fig. 2, but with the
revolving thimble and its retaining washer removed.
Fig. 5 is a transverse section on the line -.c Fig. 1, showing how the kink or
indentation on the axle fits in the groove of the revolving thimble.
Fig. 6 is an end elevation of the axle box to show more clearly the construction of
the kink or indentation at the threaded end thereof.
Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view showing the revolving thimble and washer
fitted on the reduced diameter end of the spindle, before said end is swaged or rivetted
down to hold the washer in place.
Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view of the washer showing the bevelled front edge.
Fig. 9 is a sectional view of a modification.
Fig. 10 is an end view of the axle box showing a preferred mode of forming the
indentation.
Like letters are used to designate corresponding parts in the several figures of the
drawing.
Referring to the drawings:
A designates an axle of the usual pattern, to which I apply my improvement. The
axle shown has its spindle B provided with the usual oil groove or channel C, designed
to convey and diffuse oil over the surface of the axle box and spindle. At the junction
of the axle proper with the spindle are the usual flanges and shoulders, against which
shoulders the axle box abuts, and over which flanges the box covers to provide
intermediate spaces for the reception of packing material that serves to exclude sand,

page_text: dust, and other foreign matter froin obtaining access to the spindle, as is well known.
The axle box D is provided with feathers a at or about this point to engage with the
hub and cause the axle box to revolve with the hub.
To the construction set forth above, I lay no claim, since such features are common
to all axles. My invention relates to more important parts of the axle where improve-
ments are most needed, as will more fully appear hereinafter.
The outer end of the axle spindle B is turned down and reduced in diameter at two
points to form two shoulders E F, the diameter of the spindle at the space between
the shoulders E F being greater than the diameter at the point between the shoulder F
and the extreme outer end of the axle spindle.
The shoulder F is abrupt, while the shoulder E, though deeper than the shoulder F,
is hevelled or inclined, as is clearly shown in Fig. 4.
G designates a revolving thimble bored centrally to fit over the reduced diameter of
the spindle in the space between the shoulders E F, the inner end of the bore being
bevelled or flared to fit the bevelled or inclined portion of the shoulder E.
The diameter of the thimble G is such that when placed upon the reduced end of
the spindle, the outer face of the thimble will come flush with the normal diameter of
the spindle. The thimble G on its exterior face is formed with a plain portion band
a threaded portion d, the diameter of the latter being somewhat less than the diameter
of the plain portion.
Over the second reduced portion of the axle spindle is slipped a washer H (see
Fig. 8) that is caused to fit in the space on the spindle between the shoulder F and
the extreme outer end of the spindle. This washer bears against the thimble G to
hold it from coming off. In order to lock the washer in place I proceed as follows:
When the washer is fitted on (see Fig. 7) it will appear that a slight portion of the
axle spindle projects beyond the washer. I utilize this projecting portion to lock the
washer in place, by swaging or turning the edge of this end over so as to occupy
the bevelled or flaring portion e of the bore or opening in the washer. Fig. 8 shows
clearly the bevelled or Haring portion e in the washer, Fig. 7 illustrates the position of
the parts before the washer is rivetted in place, while Figs. 1 and 2 show how the
washer is retained on the spindle by turning down or rounding off the edge of the
projecting spindle end. Though the washer is rivetted in place, still it does not press
against the thimble to such an extent as to keep it from turning. The thimble is
allowed free movement at all times.
A channel J is cut from one side of the exterior face of the thimble, and this
channel is wider at the plain portion b of the thimble than at the threaded portion, as
shown clearly in Fig. 2.
The axle box D has its outer end threaded at fand on one side of this threaded
portion at the extreme end is formed a nib, kink or indentation K. This kink or
indentation is formed by a suitable machine, and is made by swaging or punching the
threaded end of the axle box at the point stated, this swaging or punching serving to
force the metal of the box bodily inward beyond the plane of the inner bore of the
box, (see Fig. 6).
In some cases I prefer to make the kink or indentation on the axle box as follows:
Before the outer end of the box is threaded I form on said end a swell or enlargement
at the point where it is intended to make the indentation. This enlargement is shown
in the end view Fig. 10. This swell or enlarged portion is forced or swaged in to
form the indentation, and thus when the threads are cut over the swell or enlargement,
after the kink has been formed, it will be apparent that no groove or recess will show
on the outside face of the axle box. The cutting of the threads will shear off any
surplus metal left by the enlargement and leave the box as seen by the dotted lines
Fig. 10. Thus, the kink or indentation will not be seen from the outside, and cannot
mar the appearance of the axle box.
L designates a hollow steel drop-forged cap nut flanged at i to bear against the end
of the hub of the wheel when applied in position. The interior of the nut is formed
with a double set of screw threads, the outer threads k engaging the threads of the
axle box, while the inner threads i engage the threaded portion d of the thimble G.

page_text: Beyond the threads 1, the interior of the cup nut is hollow and forms a reservoir to
contain oil, to supply it to the surface of the axle spindle and box.
I fit a rubber washer ring M2 within the cap at the shouldered or drop portion m of
the nut. The end of the axle box bears against this washer ring, which fits around
the interior shoulder of the nut. Usually the outer ends of the axle box are chipped
or slightly uneven, so that this washer ring, being made of rubber and elastic, fills
these uneven places in the outer end of the axle box, and thus makes the axle perfectly
liquid tight. Oil cannot possibly escape from the cap nut and ooze out into the axle
box. I have found in practice that a leather washer will not answer. Only a rubber
ring will answer for the purpose, since it is elastic.
Thus constructed, the parts are applied by slipping the axle box over the spindle
and turning it thereon until the kink or indentation of the box is caused to drop
into the channel J of the thimble, as shown clearly in the cross sectional view Fig. 5.
The cap nut L, being supplied with the proper quantity of oil is then screwed over
the threaded end of the thimble G and the threaded part of the axle box, until the
parts are caused to assume the position shown in Fig. 1.
The operation of my invention will be readily understood.
When in use the contact of the hub with the flange i of the cap nut and the
feathers a of the axle box, causes the said axle box and the nut to revolve with the
wheel, and since both the axle box and the nut are connected with the thimble, it will
be understood that all three parts are thus caused to revolve together. By this
arrangement it will be understood that in my axle no nut can casually turn off, as
they revolve with the wheel, and furthermore there is no friction generated between
the axle nut and the hub of the wheel. Oil cannot escape from the bearing as it is
always contained in the cap nut. I have no plugs or stoppers to lose, such as
are often found in self lubricating axles. The axle box cannot pull through the hub.
Sand or grit is excluded from the box and the necessity of providing a washer at the
nut end is obviated. The wheels need not rattle as my improvement makes them
self-adjusting.
In my axle there will be no necessity of oiling two or three times a week, as once
every four weeks is found sufficient. Notwithstanding these advantages, and the fact
that the axle is equally adapted to light or heavy loads, the cost of the axle is moderate,
and will well repay for the slight advance over the common axles. The cap nuts are
interchangeable, as all threads are right handed, and should be nickel-plated so that
they can be kept clean and neat.
In practice I case-harden the thimble and its washer in oil. In order to overcome
any tendency of the thimble to wear by the endwise play of the thimble, I propose to
counterbore the thimble, as shown in Fig. 9, and fit over the reduced end of the
spindle, between shoulders E F, a spiral spring N, which spring is received within the
counterbored portion of the thimble and bears against the shoulder formed therein, to
push the thimble against the outer end of the axle spindle. By this arrangement the
nut will take hold of the thimble and screw down a certain distance before the nut
catches the box.
The bevelled or inclined portion of the shoulder E of the spindle serves to give
strength to the thimble journal. It will be understood that the channel J in the
thimble serves two purposes. It forms a bearing for the kink or indentation k of the
axle box, and prevents the thimble from turning during the withdrawal or replacing
of the cap nut. It also allows the oil to pass from the reservoir of the nut to the axle
spindle, the oil from the channel J passing up the groove B and diffusing itself over
the surface of the spindle. By this means the expense of cutting grooves in the nut
is dispensed with. The cap nut thus forms a double nut all in one, which acts as a
lock nut, oil cup and axle nut.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. In an axle, the spindle having the revolving thimble provided with the channel,

page_text: combined with the axle box having a nib, kink or indentation to fit in the channel of
the thimble as set forth.
2. In an axle, the spindle provided with the spring actuated revolving thimble, as
set forth.
3. In an axle, the spindle having the revolving thimble provided with the threaded
portion, combined with the axle box threaded at the outer end, and the cap nut
screwed over the threaded portion of the thimble, and also upon the threaded end of
the axle box, as set forth.
4. In an axle, the spindle having the revolving thimble provided with the channel,
and the threaded portion, combined with the axle box having the threaded outer end,
and the kink or indentation to fit in the channel of the thimble, and the cap nut
forming the reservoir for oil, said nut screwing upon the thimble and also upon the
threaded outer end of the axle box, as set forth.
5. In an axle, the spindle having the reduced outer end forming the two
shoulders E F, combined with the thimble G bored to fit over the reduced end of
the spindle between the shoulders E F, and a washer H to fit the spindle between
the shoulder F and the extreme outer end, said washer being arranged outside the
thimble so as to bear against the outer end of the thimble and held in place by
rivetting, as set forth.
6. The axle having the revolving thimble G on the spindle provided with a
channel J, and an oil conducting groove on the spindle, combined with the axle
box, a cap nut screwed upon the axle box and hollowed out beyond the end of the
thimble to forin a reservoir for oil, as set forth.
7. In an axle, the spindle having the revolving thimble, combined with the axle box
having a nib, kink or indentation to engage the thimble, as set forth.
8. In an axle, the spindle having the oil conduit or groove Cand provided with a
revolving thimble having a groove or channel J, the latter serving to conduct the
oil to the conduit or groove of the spindle, as set forth.
9. The axle having the revolving thimble G and the locking washer H therefor, the
latter being provided with the flaring or bevelled portion at the outer edge, for tho
purpose set forth.
10. In an axle, the spindle having the revolving thimble having the threaded
portion, in combination with the axle box, threaded at its outer end, and a cap nut
screwed upon the threaded portion of the thimble, and also upon the threaded portion
of the axle box, and having an internal shoulder or drop portion m to bear against the
end of the axle box, and a rubber ring M2 fitted within the nut against the shoulder m,
so that the end of the axle box abuts against the ring, as set forth.
11. In an axle, the spindle having the revolving thimble, combined with the axle
box, having a connection with the thimble to cause the latter to turn with the axle
box, said axle box having a threaded outer end, and the cap nut screwed over the
outer end of the axle box so as to turn with the same, whereby the axle box, thimble
and cap nut will all turn together, as set forth.
12. In an axle, the spindle having the revolving thimble, in combination with the
axle box, provided with a threaded outer end and having a connection with the
thimble, whereby the latter will turn with the axle box, and the cap nut also having
connection with the thimble and screwing over the threaded end of the axle box, as
set forth.
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