Improvements in Journals and Boxes or Bearings therefor.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Jan., 1894-Accepted, 3rd Mar., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Journals and Boxes or Bearings therefor.
I, ISBON METZGER, of Louisa, near Winfield, in the State of Iowa, United
States of America, Farmer, 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:-
My invention relates to improvements in journals and the bearings or boxings
therefor of ordinary shafting, railroad car axles and other similar parts of
machinery.
The objects of my invention are to provide an improved form of journal and box
or bearing therefor which will prevent the introduction of sand or grit; will
automatically take up and apply the lubricant to the wearing surfaces; will limit
the end thrust of the axle without producing continual friction; will provide for
the oscillation of the journal in both a horizontal and a vertical plane independently
of the boxing without disturbing the relation of the journal to its bushing; and
will prevent the escape of the oil from the box.
A further object of my invention is to reduce the wearing surface of the journal
without reducing its diameter or its length.
And a still further object of my invention is to provide improved means for
removing from the surface of the journal any particles of grit or wearings that may
adhere thereto, and readily removing the same from the interior of the boxing or
bearing.
With these ends in view my invention consists in certain features of novelty
hereinafter more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings and
more particularly pointed out in the claims.
In the said drawings,
Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved journal and box, the cap or cover of the
box being removed and certain parts being shown in section.
Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same.
Figure 3 is a view drawn to a smaller scale looking down on the bushing or
bearing, showing the rounded edges of the same for permitting lateral twisting or
oscillation.
Figure 4 is a detail view of a modified form of journal.
Figure 5 is a similar view of a still further modification.
Figure 6 is a cross section of the journal in Figure 4.
Figure 7 is a modified form of dust guard.
Figure 8 is a plan view of a pair of bearings or boxes with a piece of shafting
constructed according to my improvements, journalled therein, one of the bearings
or boxes being shown in section.
Figure 9 is a similar view looking from the side.
Figure 10 is a plan view with the cap or cover of each of the boxes removed, and
Figure 11 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 4-4 Figures 8, 9.
Like signs of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views.
In Figures 1 to 7 inclusive of the drawing I have shown my improvements as
applied to a car axle 1, but it will nevertheless be understood that I do not limit
myself to this particular application of the invention and that the same may be
applied to shafting or to any other form of revoluble axles, such for instance as I
have shown in Figures 8 to 11 inclusive.
Referring now more particularly to Figures 1 to 7 inclusive, it will be seen that
the usual axle box which is preferably formed in two sections, an upper one 2 and a
lower one 3 is provided at one end with an opening 4 for the admission of oil or

page_text: lubricant to the interior of the box, the lower section of which is of sufficient depth
to contain a supply of oil into which the journal and other parts dip as will be
hereinafter described, and the edges of the two sections being provided with tongue
and groove joint 5 for preventing leakage of oil between the two parts. The
opening 4 is closed by a door or valve 6 which is preferably constructed of a thin
sheet pivoted by the bolt 7 to the end of the box and being secured in place over
the opening 4 by an extension 8 which engages between the two lugs or cars 9, so
that by lifting the extension 8 out of engagement with such ears 9 the door may be
turned from side to side for uncovering the opening 4, if desired a spring 10 being
interposed between the head of the bolt 7 and the inner side of the box 8 for
holding the door or valve firmly in place and at the same time permitting of its
described movements.
Formed on the inner walls of the box, preferably on the lower section 3 are two
guide ways 11 which support and upon which slide a follower 12 having extensions 13
engaging with such guide ways. This follower 12 is arranged adjacent to aud
preferably directly opposite the end of the journal 14 and it is provided with an
abutment for limiting the end thrust of such journal as the axle moves to and fro
endwise independently of the box, or vice versa. This abutment may be formed
directly upon the follower 12 if desired as shown by the dotted line 15; but for
the sake of reducing the friction to a minimum the abutment is made revoluble
with the journal. To this end the follower 12 is provided with a socket 16 which
is preferably conical as shown and in this socket is arranged the conical end 17 of
the revoluble abutment 18, the outer end of the abutment being provided with an
enlarged head or flange as shown which dips into the oil in the box and carries it
upward so that it will run down over the upper side of the conical end 17 and thus
keep this part freely lubricated. A further object of the conical shape of the
end 17 is to take up lost motion resulting from the reduction of the surfaces by
wear, the parts being so proportioned that the end 17 will have a bearing both at
the inner end of the socket 16 and on its sides while the inner face of the enlarged
head or flange of the abutment will bear against the face of the follower.
In this
way the parts will wear away equally and retain their described bearings.
The revoluble abutment may be held in place in the socket of the follower by
means of a stem 19 formed on or otherwise secured to the portion 17, and projecting
through a suitable opening in the follower and being provided with a nut 20 bearing
against the back of the follower and being held against displacement by an
ordinary pin 21 passing through the stem 19.
Interposed between the upper side of the journal 14 and the under side of the
top of the box are the usual bearing blocks or bushings 22, 23, the upper one of
which is provided with an enlarged socket 24 in which engages the end of a lug
formed by an ordinary screw bolt 25 passing through the top of the box, the bolt 25
being arranged to one side of the seat 26 which is provided for the usual spring not
shown. This lug 25 holds the block 23 against displacement while at the same
time the enlarged socket 24 permits the block 23 a slight freedom of movement in
all directions. The lower block or bushing 22 is held against displacement by an
overhanging projection 27 formed on the upper side of the follower 12, the
projection 27 and the abutment carried by the follower being normally located at a
slight distance from the end of the journal and the block 22 so as to permit the
two latter a slight freedom of movement lengthwise of the axle and thus avoid
undue friction.
When it is desired to remove the blocks 22, 23, for replacing them with new
ones, the bolt 25 is withdrawn until its end no longer engages in the socket 24
whereupon the block 23 may be drawn out over the projection 27 through the
door 4 at the end of the box, the ends of the blocks 22, 23, being provided with
sockets 29 for the insertion of any suitable hook for this purpose. This having
been done the block or bushing 22 may be lifted above the projection 27 and
drawn out in a similar manner without removing the follower 12 or altering its
adjustment.

page_text: The follower 12 is held up to its work by means of two rods 30 having_heads 31
as a convenient means of securing them to the inner end of the box. The inner
ends of the rods pass through suitable openings in the projection 13 of the follower
and are threaded and carry nuts 32 by which the follower may be forced towards
the journal. In order however that the follower may be held in the position in
which it is adjusted and not vibrate against the end of the journal, I interpose a
cushion between the follower and the inner end or some other convenient part of
the box. As a convenient way of accomplishing this I provide each of the rods 30
with a coil spring 33 sleeved thereon, as clearly shown in Figure 1.
In rounding curves the axle undergoes a torsional strain or oscillation in a
horizontal plane, such movement taking place independently of the boxing and
consequently causing the bushings or bearings to bear unevenly upon the journal.
In order that this lateral movement of the axle may take place without disturbing
the bearings or bushings with reference to the journal, the blocks or bearings 22, 23,
are rounded on their side edges as shown at 34 in plan in Figure 3 so that they may
oscillate or twist on a vertical axis within the box without losing perfect contact
with the journal.
The axle or shaft 1 is provided with an enlarged shoulder 35 upon which the car
wheel 36, or the pulley or other element to be driven by the shaft or axle, is keyed.
The journal 14 is of enlarged diameter so as to dip down into the oil in the box 3
below the opening 37 in the box through which the axle passes; and between this
enlarged shoulder 35 and the journal 14, the axle is provided with a reduced
portion 38, which may be approximately the same in thickness as the main part of
the axle. This reduced portion 38 is bevelled or tapered outwardly on the exterior
of the box so that any sand or grit falling upon it will have a tendency to work
towards the wheel and not into the box; and within the box this reduced portion
is tapered inwardly or towards the journal 14 so that the oil climbing up upon the
journal 14 and running down onto the portion 38 will not have a tendency to run
out but will leak back into the box. In order however that this inwardly tapering
of the inner end of the portion 38 may not assist the oil on the under side of such
portion in running towards the opening in the box, I provide the portion 38 at a
point within the box, with a peripheral groove 39 which serves the two-fold
purpose of catching oil in its course towards the opening in the box and causing it
to again drop down into the oil receptacle, and further in arresting the progress of
any grit or sand that might find its way past the glands 40 into the box, the same
being caught by the groove and washed out by the oil so that it falls to the bottom
of the oil receptacle and does not come in contact with the journal 14.
also that the oil may be further guarded from escaping through the opening 37 the
inner edges of such opening are bevelled inwardly so that oil splashing up onto them
will again run back into the box.
To the end
The glands 40 may be of the usual or any suitable construction but preferably
have semi-circular openings for the passage of the portion 38 which they hug and
against which they are firmly pressed by the springs 41.
Instead of the glands 40 however the reduced portion 38 may be formed with a
flange 42 as shown in Figure 7 about equal in diameter to the journal 14 and
having its upper half working in the socket 43 in which the gland 40 is ordinarily
arranged. The lower section of the box however instead of being provided with a
socket like the socket 43 is cut away on the outside immediately under the flange 42
while on the inside is provided a wall or projection 44 which may be constituted by
the end of the box. Thus it will be seen that dust and grit will be precluded from
entering the box over the top of the flange 42, by the outer side of this enclosing
socket 43, while any dirt and dust lodging upon the portion 38 or upon or against
the flange 42 will drop off and fall clear of the box when the revolution of the axle
brings the same to the under side. The socket 43 for the reception of the flange 42
may be made of sufficient size to permit of the requisite end play of the axle
without injury to the parts.
It will be understood that the journal 14 is slightly less in diameter than the

page_text: sboulder 35 so that in putting the wheel in place on such shoulder it may be readily
passed over the journal.
Any of the nuts which are apt to work loose may if desired be conveniently
locked against retrograde movement by means of pins 45 one of which passes
through a perforation in each of the screw rods or bolts and engages with two
lugs 46 formed on or otherwise secured to the nuts.
In order that the wearing surface of the journal 14 may not be unduly increased
by reason of its enlarged diameter, I may if desired provide the surface of such
journal with grooves or channels 47 extending in the direction of its length. These
grooves or channels may be strictly parallel with the axle or journal as shown in
Figure 4, but for the sake of making the bearing surface of the journal approxi-
mately continuous throughout its periphery, they are preferably formed in a spiral
direction as shown in Figure 5, so that the ribs formed by the grooves will rotate
in a more or less end wise direction and will consequently lessen the friction or
cutting tendency that might result from the arrangement of the ribs as shown in
Figure 4. These ribs have a further useful function in catching the oil as they
pass through it and conveying the same to the surface of the bushing or block 22.
In constructing an axle or shafting according to my improvements shown in
Figures 8 to 11, it is provided at each end or at any points where boxings or
bearings are located, with enlarged journals 1ª similar to the journal 14 before
described; and wherever a wheel, pulley or other kindred device is to be keyed to
the shafting, the shafting is provided with a shoulder 2", which is preferably larger
in diameter than the journal 1 so that it will be snugly fitted in the hub of the
wheel or pulley and at the same time such hub will readily pass over the journal.
Each of the boxes or bearings is preferably composed of two sections 3" 4" which
are held firmly together when in place by suitable bolts 5. These
upper and
lower sections of the box or bearings are provided respectively with semi-circular
recesses or seats substantially corresponding to and fitting the periphery of the
journal 1º, but the semi-circular bores through which the smaller sections 6" 7" of
the shafting pass, are slightly larger than the diameter of those sections, so that
there will be no friction or wear on those sections or on the wails of the boxing at
those points, but the entire wear and friction will be borne by the enlarged
journal 1°. The lower edges of these bores through which the sections 6" 7" pass,
are slightly bevelled or inclined inwardly as in the other form as clearly shown in
Figure 9, so that the lubricant which finds its way into these bores, will have a
tendency to leak or retrograde back into the boxing. In order that the tendency
of the oil to work its way out of the box over the upper sides of the sections 6ª 7*
may also be reduced to the minimum, I bevel or taper these sections 6" 7" inwardly
or towards the journal 1ª so that any oil lodging on them will run towards the
journal, while any adhering to their under sides will run therealong until it
comes in contact with the inwardly bevelled edges of the bores and will then leak
back into the box.
The
In the lower section of the box is cut an oil well 8 which is provided with a
feed opening 9; and the upper section or cap of the box is also provided with a
corresponding feed opening 10% coinciding with the opening 9" and being provided
with a door or cover 11ª hinged to a pair of ears 12ª in any suitable manner.
lower circular seat upon which the journal rests is recessed as shown at 13ª at a
point intermediate of the ends of the journal and the recess extends back to a
point substantially under the centre of the journal as shown in Figure 11, so that
any grit adhering to the journal will be scraped off by the edge formed by the
inner end of this recess and will fall into the oil contained therein, the recess
being in communication with the oil well 8" and the bottom of the recess and the
oil well being inclined outwardly towards a discharge opening 14ª which is
normally closed by a plug 15ª and through which the oil together with the
particles of dirt or foreign matter may be drained off.
The circular seat upon which the lower side of the journal rests is also recessed
or cut away at each end of the journal as shown at 16". These latter recesses

page_text: also communicate with the oil well 8" and they preferably extend back beyond the
reduced sections 6" 7 of the shaft. The object of these latter recesses and of
extending them to the back of the journal as described, is to provide for a fluent
feed of the oil at both ends of the journal whereby the feed which takes place.
through the recess 13* and which is insufficient in some instances, may not be
solely depended upon.
It is of course understood that in supplying the well with oil the same is filled
to a point substantially level with the bores through which the sections 6ª 7*.
project, the outer side of the lower section of the box being provided with a
suitable glass window or peep hole 17* to enable the operator to observe the
level of the oil. It will also be understood that the object in increasing the
diameter of the journal 1* beyond that of the sections 6" 7*, is not only to enable
such journal to dip down into the oil, and thus be self lubricating, but also to hold
the shaft against end movement, the journal being embedded in its semi-circular
seats in the upper and lower sections of the box so as to form shoulders 18" at each.
end thereof as will be understood.
It is obvious that if desired the oil well 8ª and its feed openings 9" 10" may be
located at the end instead of the side of the box without departing from the spirit
of my invention; and it is also obvious that many other changes may be made in
the details of construction, as for instance, the enlarged shoulder 2 and the
journals 1 may be formed integrally with the shafting or may be made in separate
pieces in the form of collars and shrunk thereon or secured therein in any other
suitable way.
Hence I do not limit myself to these details of construction.
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 means for limiting the end thrust of the axle or journal, substantially as
herein shown and described.
2. The improvements in axles or journals in combination with the boxing or
bearing whereby the lubricant is applied to the wearing surfaces automatically,.
substantially as herein shown and described.
3. An axle or shaft having the improved form, substantially as set forth.
4. The herein described cushion follower for limiting the end thrust of the axle.
or journal, substantially as set forth.
5. The herein described follower having a revoluble abutment for limiting the
end thrust of the journal, and the means for holding said abutment in place,.
substantially as set forth.
6. The herein described improvements which enable the journal to oscillate
independently of its box without disturbing its relation to its bearing or bushing,
substantially as set forth.
7. The herein described improvements for preventing the escape of the lubricant
or oil from the interior of the box, substantially as set forth.
8. The herein described improvements for preventing the admission of dust or
grit to the interior of the box or bearing, substantially as set forth.
9. The herein described improvements for keeping the journal free from grit,
substantially as set forth and shown.
10. The general form and arrangement of the improvements in journals and
boxings or bearings therefor combined and operating, substantially as herein.
shown and described.
Dated this 30th day of January 1894.
YN
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.