Improvements in or applicable to Wheels and Axles for Trolleys, Trams, and other similar Waggons.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Oct., 1897-Accepted, 13th Nov., 1897
COM DELD DI MULTIOIION
Improvements in or applicable to Wheels and Axles for Trolleys,
Trams, and other similar Waggons.
I, THOMAS ROWBOTHAM of Shaw Villa Stockport in the County of Chester
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:-
This invention relates to the construction of self oiling and dust proof wheels
and axles for trolleys, trams, and other similar waggons as used in mines collieries
and the like.
The wheels are made of steel, iron, or other suitable metal, and are made to run
loose upon the axles. as distinct from the method of fastening the wheels to the axles.
The latter may be either fixed, or mounted loosely upon the trolley, tram or
waggon as may be preferred.
The nature of my said invention, and the manner of carrying the same into
practical effect will be readily understood on reference to the drawings annexed.
Fig. 1 on the drawings is an elevation of a trolley axle having a pair of improved
wheels fitted thereon complete according to my invention, one of the wheels being
shewn in section.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of one of my improved wheels complete, and Fig. 3 is
a similar view with the hub and oil box shewn in section.
Fig. 4 is a detached view of a full sized oil cap, with centre cover and spiral
spring and button shewn in section.
(t is the axle b is the wheel, c is the boss or hub, and e is
the oil-box, which is cast arround it in one piece with the hub and
the wheel. f is the cap which is screwed into the face of the oil-box, and this cap
is provided with a hole in the centre reduced in size on the inside, and key holes J
on the outside to screw it in or out. G is the centre cover (enclosing the spiral
spring and button) screwed into the cap f.
I fix the centre cover G with the spring and button enclosed for the purpose of
admitting oil into the oil box e, and to retain the same therein. It will be seen
that one end of the spring will press the button against the inside seating of the
cover, and the other end is against the inside of the cap f. This arrangement
allows the introduction of the oil on forcing in the button by a syringe or other-
wise, and saves the spring from wear by contact with the axle and the spring or
button can be renewed without moving the cap f that is by taking out the centre
cover G.
I fit the inside of the hub with a bush of Bronze K or other suitable allov.
To prevent loss of oil at the back of the wheel, and to keep out dust and dirt I
leave the bush K about three eights of an inch shorter than the hub c at the back,
thus forming a cavity h at the end of the hub, which cavity I tool out larger on
the inner edge up to the bush to receive a packing of lamp wick, or other suitable
material, which is made to fill the cavity, and to bear closely against the axle all
round. I also put a loose ring i on the axle made to fit close on it and against the
hub to protect and retain the packing. It will be seen that the ring can be

page_text: quickly moved, and the packing renewed.. At or near the end of the axle I turn
a square circumferential groove or neck L, and round this neck at each end of
the axle I bend whilst hot a square iron collar M to secure the wheel.
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 loose self-oiling wheels for trolleys trams or other similar waggons the
special construction and use of the cap shewn in Fig. 4 of drawings annexed, by
which the spring and button are entirely enclosed within the cap, and particularly
the combination of the centre cover with the cap and spring and button, or their
equivalent.
2. The formation and use of the cavity at the extreme end of the hub in combina-
tion with the packing of lamp wick or other suitable material (not rubber) and
the loose ring or washer.
Dated this 29th day of September 1897
THOMAS ROWBOTHAM,
Shaw Villa Stockport.