Improvements in Bearings for the Spindles of Swinging Bells.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Bearings for the Spindles of Swinging Bells.
I, WILLIAM FLOOD AGGETT, of Chagford, Devon, Church Bell Hanger, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention consists in improvements in bearings for the spindles of swinging
bells such as are commonly used in church and other towers. As is. well-known,
the headstocks and bearing frames of such bells are liable to warp, or the frames
may become canted, and the spindles on which the bells are swung are accordingly
thrown out of truth in the bearings. This gives rise to increased friction and
to unevenness in the bearing of the spindles. and, consequently, the labour of
ringing is made more arduous, and the wear and tear, both of the bushes and the
spindles, are increased.
According to this invention, the bush, of gun-metal or other suitable metal, in
each bearing block is so made and arranged that it has a limited play or move-
ment so that the spindles are always kept on an even bearing notwithstanding
any warping of the headstock of the bell or any warping or tilting of the frames
carrying the plummer blocks.
Under one arrangement, the bush resembles in shape a ball which has been cut
vertically from two opposite sides and so presents a rounded periphery and two
flat faces or sides: Each bush has a centrally-situated passage through it to
receive the spindles of the head-stock of the bell. The bush is recessed at bottom
in the centre, and into the recess extends upwards from the block a pin of steel
or other suitable metal. This pin, which is of smaller diameter than the recess,
does not extend up to the top of the recess. Accordingly, the bush does not rest
on the pin. The bed provided in the block for the bush is shaped to correspond
with the bush, and is extended on the inner face to the edge of the flat face of
the bush, so that the bush cannot fall sideways out of the block. A cover of suit-
able kind is placed on the top of the block. The bush is also recessed at top and
is accordingly reversible. Oil or other suitable lubricant is contained in the ton
recess and flows to the spindle of the headstock through a channel provided
therefor.
The bush. having a limited range of movement sideways and backwards and
forwards, accommodates itself to any warping or other tilting or distorting influence,
as aforesaid, and, therefore, the spindle has always an even bearing throughout in
the bush Moreover, labour in fitting is reduced. as the bushes take their
positions mechanically.
According to a modification, the bush, instead of being circular, is only partially
ი. Like the bush above described, it is recessed on the under side and has like
motion within the limits allowed by the pin projecting up from the bed on which
the bush lies.
A further improvement in relation to such bells is the provision of a can or
cover for the bush, which cap or cover overlaps the spindles and prevents lodgement

page_text: thereon of dust or grit. A groove is made in the block and receives any dust or
grit. An oil cup or box is provided in the cap or cover.
Dated this 8th day of September 1898.
NICHOLAS WATTS,
Chartered Patent Agent, Bristol.
Improvements in Bearings for the Spindles of Swinging Bells.
I, WILLIAM FLOOD AGGETT, of Chagford, Devon, Church Bell Hanger, 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:—
This invention has reference to the bearings for the spindles of swinging bells
such as are commonly adopted in church and other towers..
A usual method of arranging such bells is to secure each bell to a headstock of
wood to which are fixed brackets known as shields, which shields carry spindles
which are supported and free to swing in bearings mounted on trestle or other
frames. As is well known, the headstocks and the frames carrying the bearings
for the spindles are liable to warp. Or the frames may become canted. Where
warping or canting or other distorting or displacing effect occurs,
are thrown out of truth. This occasions increased friction between the spindles
the spindles
and the bushes of the bearings and, consequently, the labour of ringing is made
more arduous, and the wear and tear, both of the spindles and bushes, are increased.
By this invention the spindles are always kept on an even bearing notwithstand-
ing warping of, the headstock or canting of the frames carrying the plummer
blocks, or other like effect. This is accomplished by so shaping and arranging
the bush in each bearing block as to afford it a limited extent of play or move-
ment, thereby enabling it to accommodate itself to any variation from the original
adjustment axially of the spindle, and so to preserve running of the spindle on
an even bearing surface in the bush. In other words, the bush follows the spindle
in any tilting.
"
According to one arrangement comprised in this invention, the desired effect
is obtained by shaping the bush so that it resembles a ball which has been cut
vertically from two opposite sides, and thus presents
two flat faces or sides.
a rounded periphery and
The bush is recessed at bottom in the centre. Into the
recess extends upwards from the block a pin of steel or other suitable, metal.,
This pin, which is of slightly smaller diameter than the recess, does not extend
up to the top of the recess. The bush is recessed also at top and is therefore
reversible. Oil, or other suitable lubricant, is contained in the upper recess and
flows to the spindle of the bell headstock through a channel provided for that
purpose.
ול
The bush has a limited range of movement which enables it to accommodate
itself to any tilting of the spindle, so that the latter is always maintained on an
even bearing in the bush, notwithstanding any warping or canting as aforesaid.
It has been found in practice that, although the above-stated desired effect is
obtained by the arrangement above set forth, the bush has a tendency, to rock
transversely to the axis of the spindle, and that a certain amount of noise, results
and the free swing of the bell is impeded. In order to prevent these latter effects,
while preserving the end desired, it is preferred to modify the arrangement by fixing
the controlling pin in the cover of the plummer block and by shaping the recesses
in the bush to form straight-sided cavities having semi-circular ends.. The

page_text: diameter of the pin is such that it justs fits the width of the recess, so that no
rolling movement of the bush transversely to the spindle of the bell headstock
can take place. A second pin may be provided in the bed of 'the block. to
keep the bush in place if the cover of the plummer block should be left off.
Referring to the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 represents a plan of one form
of my improved bearing for the spindle of a bell headstock-the cover being re-
moved. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section with the cover shown on. Fig. 3
is a plan, also with cover on.
The bush a, of gun-metal or other suitable metal, shaped as shown, has a
circular recess made in it at bottom. Into this recess loosely fits the pin b extend-
ing upwards from the bed of the block c. The pin 6 does not reach to the top
of the recess. A similar recess is formed at the top of the bush, which is thereby
made reversible. Oil or other suitable lubricant flows from the top recess to the
spindle through a channel provided therefor. The spindle d is, as ordinarily, fixed
in the shield e which is bolted to the headstock which carries the bell..
The bush a has a limited amount of play or movement in the plummer block c
and, therefore, the bush can tilt in its bed in obedience to the direction taken by
the spindle d and can accordingly accommodate itself to variation in the axial line
of the spindle due to warping of the headstock, or warping or canting of the
frames carrying the plummer blocks, or other cause of displacement of the spindle
from the original line of truth.
A further improvement comprised in this invention consists in the provision of
the bonnet or hood f on the plummer block and cover, and of the grooved collar g
on the face-plate h of the shield e, to which the headstock is, as ordinarily,
secured. The projecting bonnet f protects a part of the spindle d from the lodge-
ment thereon of grit or dust. Such grit or dust as descends between the bonnet f
and the face plate h of the shield e is received in the groove of the collar
formed on the face plate h.
g
It has been found in practice that in the arrangement above described with
reference to Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive of the drawings, there is a tendency on the
part of the bush a to rock in the direction of the swing of the bell. Such rocking
gives rise to noise and is liable to check free swinging of the bell. In order to
prevent these defects and yet to allow the bush to follow displacement of the
spindle from the line of original adjustment as aforesaid, it is preferred to use
the arrangement shown in vertical section at Fig. 4. In this modification, the
controlling pin is formed in or secured to the cover of the plummer block, and
the recesses in the bush a are not circular but have straight sides and semi-circular
ends, as seen more clearly at Fig. 5. A number of recesses is provided so that
the bush may be turned round, when desired, to present a fresh bearing surface for
the spindle. The pin j, which is circular in section, fits closely any of the recesses,
that is to say, its sides are in close contact with the sides of the recess in which it
is placed. This side fitting, which is seen clearly at Fig. 4, prevents the bush from
rocking to either side in the direction of the swing of the bell, but allows the
desired tilting of the bush in obedience to any line of tilt upwards or downwards
taken by the spindle d.
At Fig. 6 is shown a modification in the shape of the bush. In this modification
the bush is only partially round. The recesses for the controlling pin are formed
at the bottom and in a neck at the top. The cover of the pluminer block is, as
will be understood, shaped to correspond with the top of the bush.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. In bearings for the spindles of swinging bells, bushes so shaped and arranged
and fitted so to enable them to move in obedience to tilting or displacement of
the spindles of the headstocks, and thus to maintain the spindles on an even bear-
ing in the bushes, substantially as hereinabove described.

page_text: 2. Bearings for the spindles of swinging bells, comprising a bush such as a,
round on the periphery and flat at the sides, a plummer block such as c, having a
pin or stud such as b projecting upwards into a recess formed for it in the bush,
substantially as hereinabove described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive of
the accompanying drawings.
3. The modified bearing for the spindles of swinging bells, in which a pin or
stud such as is secured to or formed with the plummer block cover, and the
recesses in the bush provided to receive the said pin or stud are of oblong shape,
as hereinabove described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5 of the accompanying
drawings.
4. The modified bush, hereinabove referred to and shown at Fig. 6 of the accom-
panying drawings as being partly circular only and recessed at the top and bottom.
Dated this 6th day of June 1899.
NICHOLAS WATTS.
Chartered Patent Agent, Bristol.