IMPROVEMENTS IN AXLE BOX BEARINGS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Edward Newton, of the Office for Patents, 66,
Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AXLE BOX BEARINGS." A communication from
abroad by Jackson R. Baker, of Jersey City, in the State of New Jersey,
United States of America.
aled the 18th July 1879, and dated the 22nd January 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Edward Newton at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd January 1879.
HENRY EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AXLE BOX BEARINGS."
[A communication from abroad by Jackson R. Baker, of Jersey City, in the State
of New Jersey, United States of America.]
The object of this Invention is to enable the bearing surface of axle boxes to
accommodate itself to the motions of the journals of railway axles when passing
over curvatures and other irregularities in railroad tracks. This result is obtained
by the use of a peculiar construction of saddle or bearing block which follows the
line of the journal or axle, thereby preventing the jamming or bending of the
journal in the axle box.
In carrying out this Invention, the saddle or bearing block is made with slightly
tapering ends, its largest width being made to fit closely within the sides of the
housing. This arrangement provides for a slight lateral swinging or oscillating
movement of the saddle or bearing block.
In the centre of the back of the saddle a cup shaped socket is countersunk to
receive a plano-convex metallic ring fitted so as to work easily in the socket. The
flat side of this ring bears against the top or roof of the housing or against a flat
plate interposed between it and the housing, such plate being employed when
adapting the Invention to housings of the ordinary construction. This plate may
be conveniently flanged on its outer end to overlap the saddle piece and retain it
in place. This ring is also thicker in the centre at the point where a pivot boss is
attached than at the ends (except at the shoulder projection), it being bevilled at
its under side in each direction in slightly curved lines so as to allow of the saddle
or bearing block rocking freely on the socket ring.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Edward Newton in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 22nd
July 1879.
HENRY EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AXLE BOX BEARINGS."
A communication from abroad by Jackson R. Baker, of Jersey City, in the Stato
of New Jersey, United States of America,
The object of this Invention is to enable the bearing surface of axle boxes to
accommodate itself to the motions of the journals of railway axles when passing
over curvatures and other irregularities in railroad tracks. This result is obtained
by the use of a peculiar construction of saddle or bearing block which follows the
line of the journal or axle, thereby preventing the jamming or bending of the
journal in the axle box.
In the accompanying Drawing, Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of an axle box
shewing the bearing constructed according to this Invention in position; Fig. 2 is
à cross section taken in the line y, y, of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view partly in
section taken in the line 2, z, of Fig. 1; and Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 represent
the various parts detached. A is the " housing or axle box; B, the axle; C, a
saddle or bearing block shewn at Fig. 6, in plan view at Fig. 7, in longitudinal
section taken on the line v, v, of Fig. 6, and in end view at Fig. 8.
"
The saddle or bearing block C is made with slightly tapering ends, its largest
width being made to fit closely within the sides of the housing or axlo box A.
This arrangement provides for a slight lateral swinging or oscillating movement
of the saddle or bearing block.
In the centre of the back of the saddle C a cup-shaped socket c is countersunk
to receive a plano-convex metallic ring D, Figures 9 and 10, fitted so as to work
easily in the socket c.
The flat side of this ring D bears against the top or roof of the housing or axle
box A or against a flat plate E, Figures 4 and 5, interposed between it and the
housing A, such plate being employed when adapting the Invention to housings
of the ordinary construction.
This plate E has a shoulder or stop h (see Figures 4 and 5) on its outer end
which overlaps the saddle piece or bearing block C, and serves not only to prevent
the displacement longitudinally of the saddle C, but also to control its lateral move-
inent or degree of oscillation. This plato E is also thicker in the centre at the
point where a pivot boss c is attached than at the ends (except at the shoulder
projection), it being bevilled at its under side in each direction in slightly curved
lines so as to allow of the saddle or bearing block C rocking freely on the socket
ring. The pivot boss e is of such a diameter that it will fit loosely into the ring
D, and will thereby serve to keep the ring D in its place, and control its operation,
allowing to it only a circular motion, while at the same time it centralizes the
bearing of the saddle C. The plate E is also provided with an oil cup i and a
channel from the same to an opening in the centre of the plato whereby a suitable
lubricant may be convoyed to socket c of the saddle C, whence it passes by the
holo o in the centre of the socket to the axle
Having now described the nature of this Invention of "Improvements in Axle
Box Bearings" as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, and having
explained the manner of carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be understood
that under the above in part recited Letters Patent, I claim, the arrangement
of axle box bearing substantially as herein shewn and described, whereby the extra

page_text: friction on the journals of railway axles when passing over curves and other
irregularities in railroad tracks will be greatly reduced.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Edward Newton, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, the Twenty second day of July, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
TOTAAT
H. E. NEWTON. (LB)