CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN ME- CHANISM, APPLICABLE TO TURN-TABLES FOR CHANGING THE POSITION OF CARRIAGES UPON RAILROADS, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO CASTORS FOR FURNITURE, AND OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1840

page_text: HANDCOCK'S SPECIFICATION.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ELIAS
ROBISON HANDCOCK, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Esquire,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at West-
minster, the Eighteenth day of December, in the fourth year of Her reign,
did for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Elias Robison Handcock, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and
authority, that I, the said Elias Robison Handcock, my exors, adiñors, or
assigns, should at any time agree with; and no others, from time to time and
at all times during the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town
of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN ME-
CHANISM, APPLICABLE TO TURN-TABLES FOR CHANGING THE POSITION OF CARRIAGES
UPON RAILROADS, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO CASTORS FOR
FURNITURE, AND OTHER PURPOSES;" in which said Letters Patent is contained
a proviso that I, the said Elias Robison Handcock, shall cause a particular
description of the nature of my, said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being there-
unto had, will more fully and at large appear.

page_text: NOW KNOW ID, that in comp
Elias Robison Handcock, do hereby déclare the nature of my Invention to
consist, first, in the application of antifriction collars to axles, whether vertical
or horizontal; secondly, in an improved mode of retaining the oil which is to
lubricate the same; and lastly, in arranging and supporting vertical axles or
pivots, so as to sustain heavy weights thereon. And in further compliance
with the said proviso, I; the said Elias Robison-Handcock, do hereby describe
the manner in which my said Invention is to be performed, reference being
had to the Drawings annexed, and to the figures and letters marked thereon,
that is to say-
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
First, with reference to the application of my said Invention to turn-tables
for changing the position of carriages upon railroads, Figures 1, 2, 3, 4,
(Sheet A) exhibit my improved turn-table for railways, Fig. 1 being a plan of
the upper side of the table or platform on which the carriages are placed, and
Figure 2 a plan of the framing which is sunk into the ground. Fig. 3 is an
elevation of the entire machine, in which the parts shewn in Figs. 1 and 2
_may be seen in their proper positions. Fig. 4 is a diametrical and vertical
section of Fig. 3; in the direction indicated by the dotted line 2, 2, 2, made
through Figures 1 and 2. The letters of reference, wherever they occur, indi-
cate the same parts. a is a vertical bearing shaft, which is fixed into the
foundation frame b, by its lower end, which is partly tapered, and having at its
upper end a steel centre step c. At d and d are two gun-metal collars, which
fit loosely around the vertical bearing shaft a, and within recesses made in the
outer cylinder e, e. f is a circular flange bolted to the centre of the table or
platform 9, 9, at its under side. At the middle of this circular flange f is the
conical pivot h, the apex of which is formed of steel, and works in the stud
step c. i, i, is a massive flange, cast to the outer cylinder e, e, to which are
bolted a series of stay bars j, j, the upper ends of which are bolted at equi-
distant points near the periphery of the table or platform. The effect of these
stays is a general support and stability to the table or platform. At k, k, is a
series of rails disposed in the usual manner for the passage to and fro of the
carriages. The action of this my improved turn-table is as follows:-A car-
riage being placed upon the table, and the same being turned in the usual
manner, the pivot h is thereby made to revolve on the steel cup c, and with it
the whole table and its stay bars around the central bearing shaft a. Figs. 5,
6, 7, 8, and 9, on this Sheet of Drawings, represent the mode of keeping in the
oil and fastening the screw plug, which are better shewn and described with
reference to horizontal shafts or axles in Sheet E.
.

page_text: Secondly, with reference to the application of my said Invention to castors.
for furniture, Figure 1, Sheet B, is a side elevation of one modification of my.
said Invention; as applicable to castors, and Figure 2 is a front elevation of the
same: Figure 3 is a plan, and Figure 4 a vertical and diametrical section.
Figures 5 to 12 represent detached portions of the same castor. a is the
socket of the castor to be fastened on the leg of the table or other furniture, in
which leg is made a hole for the reception of the cylindrical piece b, con-
taining the parts to be hereafter described. c are the horns of the castor, d
its wheel, and e the axis of the wheel. 6 is a hollow cylinder of cast iron,
closed at one end, and having near its open end a flange by which it is attached
to the socket a, by rivetting, screwing, or in any other convenient manner.
This cylindrical piece is shown in elevation in Figure 5, and in section Figure 6.
It will be seen by l'igure 6 that the interior is conical at the top and enlarged
at the bottom; on the outside around this enlarged part a screw is cut, as
scen in both Figures. Figuro 7 is an elevation, and Figure 8 a section of a
collar, cylindrical both internally and externally (as seen in Figure 8); and
having a flange at its lower end.. This collar in the complete castor is situated
in the interior of the hollow cylindrical piece b, as may be seen at f, in the
section Figure 4, and around the pin g, to which the horns of the castor are
fixed and on which they turn. This pin is represented in clevation in Figure 9,
and in section, Figure 10. It will be seen by the Figures that it is a cylin-
drical piece of iron, on the lower end of which a thread has been worked, and
whose upper end is capped with a cone, the diameter of whose base exceeds
that of the cylindrical part. Figure 11 is a plan, and Figure 12 a vertical
section of a cap h, screwed in its interior for the purpose of fitting the lower
screwed end of the cylindrical piece b, Figures 4, 5, and 6. There is a hole in
the centre of the cap, through which the pin 9 passes.
Having now described the separate parts of this modification of my Inven-
tion as applied to castors, I will proceed to describe the manner in which they
are combined and arranged. The external cylindrical piece 6 is attached by
means of its flange to tho' socket a of the castor in any convenient manner;
the flanged coller is placed around the pin g, with its flanged end towards
the screwed end of the pin; the cap h is next introduced on the same end, and
both it and the flanged collar retained there by the horns c being screwed on to
; the end of the pin. The pin thus furnished with its flanged collar and cap.is
next introduced into the hollow cylindrical pieco b; its conical end fitting the
conical cavity made in the upper end of the cylinder.. It has already been
explained that the interior, of the cap h has been screwed so as to fit the
external and screwed part of the cylindrical piece b, and it is evident that, by

page_text: screwing the cap on to the part thus intended to receive it, the whole of the
parts will become properly adjusted and securely connected. The flange of the
collar f being of greater diameter than the opening in the cap the collar is
.prevented falling out of the external, cylindrical piece b, and, as the base of the
cone with which the upper part of the pin is furnished is of greater diameter
.than the collar in which the pin works, that also is effectually secured in its
-place. The whole of the parts are thus securely held in their proper positions
at the same time that the most perfect freedom of motion is permitted..
Another modification of my said Invention as applied to castors is repre-
sented in elevation, Fig. 13, and in section, Fig. 14. The castor here
.represented is of that kind. called a "plate castor," though the mechanical
.arrangements contained in it, as well as all the other modifications described in
.this my Specification, are equally applicable both to plate and socket castors;
and I desire it to be distinctly understood, that all the mechanical arrange-
ments herein described, and to which I claim, exclusive privilege as being of
my Invention, are quite applicable both to plate and socket castors. i is the
cylindrical piece, and j its flange, representing the cylindrical piece 6 in the
castor last described (Figs. 1 to 12), excepting that its flange is somewhat
broader and is perforated with holes, for the purpose of fastening it to the fur-
niture. k, Figure 14, represents the section of the pin formed into a cone at
its summit,. and contracted at its lower end, so as to form a shoulder 1, which
.shall prevent its falling through the opening in the cap m. The novelty in
this modification is the use of the cap m, which is screwed to the lower end of
the cylindrical piece i, for the purpose of holding the pin in its place. Fi-
gures 15 and 16 are designed to shew that the application of loose cylindrical
collars is not confined to the vertical pins or pivots of castors, they being
equally applicable to the bowls or running wheels. n represents one of the
bowls; o, the axis which connects the bowls to the horns; and p, the loose
cylindrical collar, designated to reduce the friction as in the vertical pins.
Figure 1 (Sheet C) represents a side elevation, Figure 2 a vertical and dia-
metrical section, and Fig. 3 a plan of a third modification of my said Inven-
tion as applied to castor. a is the socket, 6 the horns, ċ the wheel, and d the
axis of the wheel. A conical piece of cast iron e, having a hole drilled at its
upper end for the reception of the pin or axis of the castor is attached to the
socket, by screwing, rivetting, or other convenient means. The pin or axis f
is. fixed to this conical piece by its screwed end passing through the-hole
formed at its upper part, and being there secured by the screwed nut g. The
lower part of this pin is an inverted cone, whose base is of greater diameter
than the cylindrical part. The point of this inverted cone works in a cap

page_text: formed on the bridge i, connecting the two horns, the bottom of which cap is
formed of a small piece of steel h, screwed therein. The pin is shewn in
elevation in Fig. 4, and in section Fig. 5. Around the cylindrical part of the
pin or axis is situated a loose iron collar j, which is surrounded by a socket
k, that is cylindrical within and slightly conical without. There is. a shoul-.
der or enlargement at the lower part of this socket, which is screwed internally
for the purpose of attaching it to the screwed cup / on.
เ the bridge of the
horns i, and there is also a small internal shoulder at the upper end of this.
socket, as seen in the section, Figure 9.
. I'will now describe the combination of these parts as shewn in the section,
Fig. 2. The upper end of. the pin or axis f is firmly fixed by the nut'g to the.
conical-shaped piece e, and the socket is attached to the horns, by being.
screwed to the cup on the bridge i of the horns; between the pin' f and the
socket k the cylindrical collar jis inserted, as seen in the Figure. Now, the
collar j is supported by resting upon. the base of the inverted conc at the bottom
of the pin, and the outer socket & is supported by the shoulder at its upper
end; resting upon the top of this interior collar j; the various parts of the
castor are thus properly held together. The collar j is shewn -in'elevation at?
Fig. 6, and in section at Fig. 7, and Figure 8 is an elevation, and Figure 9 a
section of the socket k. Figure 10 is a side elevation, and Figure 11 a vertical!
and diametrical section of another modification of my improved castor, designed-
principally for those uses where very heavy-weights are to be supported, or in
which it is to be subjected to much wear; in some cases, however, .I-apply 'it
to castors of a smaller size. The principal difference between this castor-and-
that delineated in Figures 1 to 16, Sheet B, previously described, is the intro-
duction of a small conical bed of steel, l, at the upper end of the cylindrical
piece 'm, the point of the pin or axis of the castor n working in a small-
cavity formed in the base of this steel cone. It will be seen in the section, <
Fig. 11, that the cone is situated in a recess formed for its reception in the
top of the cylindrical piece m, and that it is retained there by the pressure or
the point of the pin against it. At o is the loose collar, and
p.the сар, which
is screwed to the lower end of the cylindrical piece m, and retains the parts in"
their proper places. Instead of making the loose cylindrical collars intro-
duced into the several previously described Figures of one entire length, I
sometimes divide them, so as to make two shorter ones, in the manner™
explained in the Drawing and description of my improved railway turn-table;
and I have found the same principle operate advantageously when the cylin-
drical collar is so short as to constitute a mere ring working in a recess, as

page_text: shown at q, q, in the section of the castor, Fig. 12, Sheet C. In those cases
in which very light weights .have to be borne, I dispense entirely with the
loose cylindrical collar, and introduce in lieu of the same a guide collar. or
washer at the bottom of the socket surrounding the vertical axis, and then
burnish or turn over the metal of the edge of the bottom, so as to retain it
from falling out, as will be sufficiently explained by reference to Figure 13,
Sheet C; r, r, being the guide collar, and s, s, the edges of the bottom of the
socket that are turned over by the burnisher to hold in the collar.
It has already been pointed out that one of the leading characteristics of my
improvements, as applicable to turn-tables and castors, consists in the application
and employment of loose cylindrical collars to their axles, and also a combina-
tion of these collars, with the action of a pivot, and hence it must be obvious
that the, said cylindrical collars are equally applicable to the axles of carriage
wheels as well as to the axles or spindles of other revolving machinery. The
axles of carriage wheels being, however, of more extensive use than most
others that might be adduced, I will now proceed to give an example of the
application of my Invention to that purpose, by reference to the Drawings,
marked Sheet D. Figure 1 exhibits an external view of my improved car-
riage axle and box, and Figure 2 a longitudinal and diametrical section of
the same. All the other Figures marked 3 to 14 represent the various parts
of the axle and box in their separate state, in all of which the same letters of
reference, wherever they occur, indicate the same parts. In Figure 3 is repre-
sented the solid axletree alone, having a collar a welded on to it, which collar
as an annular cavity, for the retention of the oil, as shewn at b in the section
(Figure 2). Figures 4 and 5 represent an elevation and plan of a loose cylin
drical collar c, which is put on the cylindrical step of the axis d, and moves freely
thereon. Figures 6 and 7 shew another similar collar e of less diameter, which
runs freely on the step of the axle. On the side of the fixed collar a is put
a turned steel collar g, separately shewn on plan, section, and elevation by the
Figures 8, 9, and 10, and against this collar is next placed a turned flange h, h,
shewn in plan by Figure 11, and against this flange is put on a brass boss or
collar i, i, which is fastened to the axle by screws. The axle thus furnished
may now have the axle-box j (shewn in elevation and section in Figures 1.and
2, and partially in plan by Figures 12, 13, and 14) put over it, as is shewn
best in the section, wherein it will also be observed that the end of the axle is
provided with a conical cavity into which fits the conical extremity of an
adjustable iron plug k, which is screwed into the metal of the axle-box, and is
kept in its place by an external brass cap 1, which is screwed on to the outside

page_text: of the end of the axle-box. For the purpose of supplying oil a cylindrical
hole.n is bored transversely in the axle so as to open into the hole m. By
means of a funnel with a properly formed spout entering the hole.m, the
charge of oil is given, which, flowing through m, n, passes around the axis and
the various crevices to lubricate all the parts that have motion, as sufficiently
indicated by the brown color and liquid marking. To prevent any lateral
play or end.shake between the axle and box beyond that which is required for
easy revolution the following contrivance is resorted to:-On the recess or
chamber of the box into which the plug k is screwed are cut out a series of
notches or cavities o, o, one of which is shewn in the section. Another series
of equidistant notches p, p, are made on the end of the screw plug k, and each
series is so disposed that only one notch in each coincides at the same time, and
wherever this occurs after the adjustment has been made by screwing or
unscrewing the plug, a small square piece of steel q is put into the cavity
formed by these combined or coinciding apertures, which effectually prevents all
motion in the screw plug, and the parts are kept in adjustment by screwing on
the brass end cap.
Att is a square hole for the insertion of a key to screw or
unscrew the plug. u, u, u, are screws for fixing the axle-box to the axletree.
Figure 13 exhibits the end of the axle-box covered with its cap. Figure 14
shews the end of the box and axle with the cap off. Figure 12 an end view
of the inside of the box.
Another modification of my said improvements particularly adapted to
cranked axles is illustrated by the Drawings on Sheet E. The principal points
of difference between this axle and the one already described are the mode of
retaining the oil, the manner in which the moveable collars are retained in
their places places, and the mode of keying or screwing up the box and axle
in the proper positions.
First, at a is the axle, and b the box; c is the fixed collar of the axle, and d
the enlarged end of the box. A V groove is made in the collar C, in which is
placed a turned collar of leather e (shewn separately in Figure 3). This collar
is pressed into the V groove by a ring of brass f, also grooved, which 'ring
works in a recess g, and is pressed forward by helical springs h, h. This ring
of brass with its V groove is shewn separately in Figure 4. The oil is intro-
duced as in the former described axle, and is prevented from escaping between
the shoulder of the axis and the box by the interposition of the leather collar,
for which, whatever degree of tightness the box may be screwed, the elasticity
of the springs maintains the leather collar in close contract in the groove, "and
prevents the escape of the oil..
Second, the moveable collars i and j.have conical flanges at their ends, as

page_text: shewn in the section, the collar i being placed on the axis before the box, is.
retained in its place by its conical: end fitting into the countersunk end of the.
box: The collar is introduced after the box. is placed upon the axle, and its.
conical flange resting on the shoulder k, of the box is prevented from going
further on the axis. Within this collar is introduced another, collar l,. also
furnished with a conical flange, which; by pressing against the interior of the
flange of the collar-j, prevents it from coming off the axle. This interior
collar fits upon a reduced part of the axis; and by the plan shewn in Figure 5,
it will be seen that it is incapable of turning therein.
1"
?
Third, on the screwed nut a ring is formed, out, of which are, cut, of series.
of equidistant notches,. and n.is.a, circular piece of steel having in its centre an
hexagonal-hole for fitting on to the end of the axis, and on its, periphery a pro-
jecting stud calculated to fit into the notches of the nut m, and thereby.retain
it, in the position, to which, it has been screwed. This ring key is further:
prevented from.coming off the axis by the flanged, bead of the screw o.... P is
the cup of the box, and q a collar, for the purpose of preventing the intro-
duction of .dust into the working parts. ..The. modes of keeping, in a loose':
collar or a screw plug by such a ring key, it will be seen, is equally applicable.
to the, vertical, shaft of my turning-table, shewn at. Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8, in
Sheet A:
Dear
Having now described the nature of my Invention of Certain Improvements.
in Mechanism.applicable to, Turn-tables for Changing the Position of Carriages
upon Railroads, and illustrated their application to that purpose, and to castors
for furniture and axles for carriages, I wish it to be understood that I do not
limit the application of my Invention to the purposes herein-before pointed out.
But I claim my said Invention as applicable to all kinds of machinery in
which axles are employed, such as the collars of lathes, the axles of pulley.
blocks, hinges, and so forth. And I wish it also to be understood, that I do not
claim as of my Invention all the parts of the apparatus or articles described in
this my Specification, as many such parts are or may be in common use.
.
But I do claim as my Invention,-
First, generally the combination of parts which constitute the turn-table for
railways herein-before described and separately considered; the loose cylindrical
collars and pivots or points smaller than the cups they work in employed as
antifriction mechanism in turn-tables here shewn; also the stay bars radiating
from a central vertical shaft or centre of motion to support the table.
Second. The same loose cylindrical antifriction collars or rings when applied
to castors for furniture, and the pivots herein-before described applied in connec-
tion therewith, as also the mode of supporting the vertical shaft by the collar, as

page_text: shewn in Figs. 13 and 14, Sheet B, and which collar is equally applicable to
support the lower friction collar of the turn-table.
Third. The same loose cylindrical antifriction collars or rings, as applied to
the axles of carriages, and illustrated by the Drawings on Sheets D and E,
and combined with the screw plug k, Sheet D, for preventing the end motion
of the axle in the box, and the method of preventing the said plug from
becoming unscrewed therein, shewn by means of the ring key, the leather
collar lying in a metal collar, which is pressed forward by springs for the
purpose of preventing the escape of oil, and the fast collar 1, Figure 5, Sheet E,
by which the loose collar j is retained in its place, and the whole of which
mechanism is equally applicable to the vertical shafts of turn-tables supported
on my principle.
Fourth, the same loose cylindrical antifriction collars applied to the collars
for lathes, to the axles of pulley blocks, the pins of hinges, and other similar
articles.
In witness whereof, I, the said Elias Robison Handcock, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of June, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-one.
E. R. HANDCOCK. (L.S.) ·