IMPROVEMENTS IN AXLE-BOXES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Denton Abel, of No. 28, Southampton
Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, for an Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AXLE-BOXES." A communication from abroad by
Desire Gilbert Labbé. of Paris. France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Denton Abel at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th January 1881.
"
CHARLES DENTON ABEL, of No. 28, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in
the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AXLE-BOXES.' [A communication
from abroad by Desire Gilbert Labbé, of Paris, France.]
According to the present Invention axle-boxes that revolve upon fixed axles,
such as those for the wheels of road carriages and other vehicles, agricultural
machines, and the like, have screwed on to their outer ends a cap into which
projects the extreme end of the axle, secured in the box by a screw nut in the
usual manner, there being sufficient space in the cap surrounding the end of the
axle to constitute a reservoir for lubricating liquid. The end face of the cap
has a central hole through which the lubricating liquid is introduced into its
interior, and on the inner surface of such end face is formed a projecting button
surrounding the said hole, and terminating in a lateral flange or rim. This rim in
revolving dips into the lubricating liquid and throws it outwards by centrifugal
action, and thus while insuring the proper circulation of the liquid over the surface
of the axle, also prevents its escape through the said hole.
According to another improvement, which may be employed either in
combination with that above described or by itself, a helical groove or channel
is formed at the inner end of the axle box in the surface which is in contact
with the axle, such groove being made to extend to any desired length along the
axle box, whereby the proper circulation of the lubricating liquid will be insured.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Charles Denton Abel in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
29th June 1881..
CHARLES DENTON ABEL, of No. 28, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in
the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AXLE-BOXES." A communication
from abroad by Desire Gilbert Labbé, of Paris, France.
According to the present Invention axle-boxes that revolve upon fixed axles,
such as those for the wheels of road carriages and other vehicles, agricultural
machines, and the like, have screwed on to their outer ends a cap into which
projects the extreme end of the axle, secured in the box by a screw nut in the
usual manner, there being sufficient space in the cap surrounding the end of the
axle to constitute a reservoir for lubricating liquid. The end face of the cap has a
central hole through which the lubricating liquid is introduced into its interior,
and on the inner surface of such end face is formed a projecting button surrounding
the said hole, and terminating in a lateral flange or rim. This rim in revolving
dips into the lubricating liquid and throws it outwards by centrifugal action, and
thus while insuring the proper circulation of the liquid over the surface of the axle,
also prevents its escape through the said hole.
According to another improvement, which may be employed either in
combination with that above described or by itself, a helical groove or channel
is formed at the inner end of the axle-box in the surface which is in contact.
with the axle, such groove being made to extend to any desired length along
the axle-box, whereby the proper circulation of the lubricating liquid will be
insured.
The accompanying Drawings represent an axle to which are applied the
improvements above described. Fig. 1 is a side view of one end of the axletree A
with its box B in position on it retained by the nut C, the cap D which covers the
nut being shewn detached in the perspective view Fig. 2. The box and nut are
shewn in longitudinal section by Figs. 3 and 4, and an end view of the cap is
shewn by Fig. 5. The cap D which forms a reservoir for the lubricant has in its
centre a hole E, which is internally surrounded by a projecting rim preventing
egress of the lubricant and scattering it by centrifugal force. The axle can
obviously be oiled by introducing the lubricant through the hole E without taking
off the cap or box. Within the box near its inner end is formed a helical groove F,
or there may be several such grooves for the purpose of equably distributing the
lubricant over the rubbing surfaces.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent,
I claim in respect of axle-boxes,-
First. Making the cap with a central oil hole surrounded internally by a
projecting rim, substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.
Second. Forming the box with internal helical groove or grooves for distribution
of lubricant, substantially as herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Denton Abel, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty eighth day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.