Improved Self Lubricating Adjustable Wheels and Axles for Corves or other similar Waggons.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Apr., 1890-Accepted, 28th June, 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Self Lubricating Adjustable Wheels and Axles for Corves
or other similar Waggons.
I THOMAS ROWBOTHAM residing at S7 Shaw Heath Stockport in the County of
Chester, Commercial Traveller 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 the construction of wheels & axles for colliery trams,
or corves, or other similar waggons, and consists of a certain arrangement and
construction of a hollow box around the ordinary boss, whereby a supply of oil is
contained in the box, and constantly carried to the bearings when the wheels are at
work, while the working parts are protected from dirt, and waste of oil prevented.
Both wheels and axles may be made of steel, or iron or other suitable material.
I form a hollow box around the boss of the wheel as in my specification- No. 68–
1888 and again in my specification No. 10118-1889.
I also form a cap in front of the wheel to contain oil, and keep out dirt, similar
in form in the interior to that shewn in Fig. 2 of No. 10118-but instead of securing
the cap to the wheel by means of set pins outside the oil spaces as in Fig. referred
to or by means of bolts passed through the midfeathers as in No. 68-1888-or by
the alternative plan of placing a thread inside the rim of the hollow box, and chasing
the cap to suit, as in specification No. 68-1888-lines 22-3-1.
I form the cap in this improved wheel by continuing the hollow box in such a
manner as to form a cap in front covering the axle collar-leaving only a hole in
centre, large enough to receive the axle collar-thus forming the cap-cast together
with the wheel.
I screw a plug into the hole in front of cap which has the double use of keeping
the wheel in position, and of being adjustable, as it may be screwed farther in or out
to adjust the play allowed to the wheel.
The advantages of this wheel over those shewn in No. 68-1888, and again in
No. 10118-1889-are fewness of parts, durability, and cheapness of manufacture
together with the advantage of the plug in front being adjustable while the cap is
fixed.
To admit oil, I place a small screw in the centre of the plug, which can be taken
out for that purpose.
The novelty of placing the oil hole in the centre of the wheel as in No. 10118-
1889 is very important.
Fig. 1. is an elevation of a pair of improved wheel castings shewn in section, as
they are fitted on axle, with the adjustable plugs in front.
Fig. 2. is an elevation of an improved wheel casting as seen in front, fitted with
adjustable plug.
Fig. 3. is a front view of wheel shewn in section.
A are the oil spaces.
Bare the midfeathers which conduct the oil round to the
bearings, and which may be more or less as required. C to D is the continuation of
hollow box in wheel casting to form the cap in front of wheel. E is the adjustable
plug with small screw in centre, to admit oil. F is a small lock pin to lock the
plug when in right position. G is the axle with collar rivetted on.
I wish to be understood, that, in reference to the annexed drawings, I do not
confine myself to precise details or relative proportions, which may be altered without
interfering with the principles of the invention.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is.
(1) The special construction of wheel castings, herein described and shewn in
drawings annexed with the oil spaces A, and midfeathers B, or their equivalent, and
particularly the continuation of hollow box in one casting from point C to D in
formation of cap in front.
(2) And particularly the use of the adjustable plug E. or its equivalent (with the
oil hole in the centre), by which, in conjunction with my special wheel casting I
(1) secure an adjustable wheel (2) prevent waste of oil (3) obtain constant lubrication
(4) and protect the bearings from dirt.