IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY CARRIAGE AXLES AND WHEELS
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY CARRIAGE AXLES AND WHEELS."-A com-
munication from abroad by Ellis Doty and George Washington
Miltimore, both of Janesville, Rock County, State of Wisconsin,
Reuben Mickel, of Chicago, Cook County, State of Illinois, and
Ira Mickel, of New Lisbon, Otsego County, State of New York, all
in the United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville
Clark at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 23rd January 1872.
I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County
5 of Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY CARRIAGE AXLES AND WHEELS,"
to be as follows:-

page_text: described, and are moved in a straight line upon the track, the said
wheels and hollow axle revolve uniformly as one piece as if solid; con-
sequently there is no wear upon the journals between the wheels and
hollow axle; as the journal between the hollow axle and stationary axle
is smaller, the bearing thereof is consequently nearer the centre. When
the wheels move out of a straight line, or in rounding a curve, each
wheel has an independent movement upon the hollow axle so as to admit
of sufficient difference in the rotation of the wheels to gain the difference
in the length of track, thereby reducing the friction of the moving
carriage and avoiding the dragging or slipping of one or both wheels
upon the track the same distance and the usual twisting strain upon the
axle and consequent crystallization and destruction of the axle.
By securing the oil within the chamber of the wheels and revolving
axle a greater quantity of lubricating material can be carried than usual,
and consequently the journals are less liable to run dry, and less time
and attention are required thereto. By means of the lubricating as
aforesaid and the avoiding of the forward strain and pressure and
consequent friction upon the journals sufficient to slide the wheel upon
the track when rounding a curve and the avoiding of the usual lateral
friction upon the boxes consequent upon the lateral motion of the
carriage, and throwing such friction upon the hubs of the wheels and
carriage frame which rests upon the stationary axle outside of the
carriage wheels, hot and burning boxes and consequent loss of property
and of life are entirely avoided. .

page_text: This Invention has for its object to provide a carriage axle so arranged
as to allow each wheel a separate and independent revolving movement,
thereby facilitating the movement of the carriage in rounding a curve,
and consists in a hollow revolving axle upon which are loosely mounted
the wheels supporting the carriage, said axle being supported upon a
fixed axle and so arranged as to revolve thereon simultaneously with an
independent revolving movement of the wheels; also in the construction
of said hollow axle and wheels whereby the same can be properly
· lubriented

page_text: I do not wish to confine myself strictly to the chambers D of the
revolving axle having the openings d, d, communicating with the fixed
axle, as said chamber may be so formed as to extend directly to the said
axle.
When the wheels and axles of a railroad carriage are arranged as
described, and are moved in a straight line upon the track, the said
wheels and hollow. axle revolve uniformly as one piece, as if solid,
consequently there is no wear upon the journals between the wheels and
hollow axle as the journal between the hollow axle and stationary
axle is smaller, the bearing thereof is consequently nearer the centre.
When the wheels move out of a straight line or in rounding a curve
each wheel has an independent movement upon the hollow axle so as to
admit of sufficient difference in the rotation of the wheels to gain the
difference in the length of track, thereby reducing the friction of the
moving carriage, and avoiding dragging or slipping of one or both
wheels upon the track the same distance, and the usual twisting strain
upon the axle, and consequent crystallization and destruction of the
axle.
By securing the oil within the chamber of the wheels and revolving
axle a greater quantity of lubricating material can be carried than usual,
and consequently the journals are less liable to run dry, and less time
and attention are required thereto. By means of the lubricating as
aforesaid, and the avoiding of the forward strain and pressure and con-
sequent friction upon the journals sufficient to slide the wheel upon the
track when rounding a curve, and the avoiding of the usual, lateral
friction upon the boxes consequent upon the lateral motion of the
_carriage, and throwing such friction upon the hubs of the wheels and
carriage frame which rests upon the stationary axle outside of the
carriage wheels, hot and burning boxes and consequent loss of property
and of life are entirely avoided.
Having described the nature of the Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be
protected by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
1st. The combination of the fixed axle A, the hollow and revolving
axle B, and wheels E, E¹, loosely mounted thercon, substantially as and

page_text: 2ndly. The combination of the fixed axle A, the hollow axle B,
chamber D communicating with the fixed axle A, wheels E, E, and
chambers F, communicating with the bearings of axle B, substantially
as and for the purpose described.
chambers F, communicating with the bearings of axle B, substantially
s and for the
purpose described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Ninth day of July, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-.
two.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Ninth day of July, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-.
two.
Witness,
JAS. O. DEWEY,
53, Chancery Lane,
London.
A. M. CLARK. (L.S.)