Improvements in Antifriction Wheel Bearings for Rotary Axles.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Apr., 1801
Complete Specification Left, 13th Jan., 1892-Accepted, 20th Feb., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Antifriction Wheel Bearings for Rotary Axles.
1, WILLIAM JOHN BREWER, Civil Engineer, care of Charles Mason Esq.,
10 Lyndhurst Square, London S. E.. do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
The improvements consist in so fixing the axles that they work in hollow auti-
friction wheels, & they are constructed in such a manner, that the pressure, or
weight is brought to bear on the inner periphery of the hollow wheel so that the
working strain cannot deflect or cause the said hollow antifriction wheel to move
from its proper position.
To more fully describe the improvements, I particularly mention the fact that
in its application to rolling stock the hollow antifriction wheel is partly underneath
the centre of the said axle, but in its application to the spindle or spindles of pulley
block sheaves the antifriction wheel or roller is partly above the centre of the said
spindle or spindles.
On the ends of all axles and spindles to which the above said antifriction wheel is
applied, I fit a collar or collars to run in the prepared groove or grooves of the
inner periphery or peripheries of the antifriction wheel, this collar being preferably
of a semicircular shape to conform with the semicircular or concave surface of the
inner periphery of the said hollow antifriction wheel.
The axle or spindle to which this antifriction wheel or roller may be applied may
be fitted with tooth gearing in the following manner; on the axle or spindle fit a
pinion with suitable gearing to revolve with similar gearing cast on to or fitted to
the outside of the said antifriction wheel, the outside in this sense is understood to
mean the outside of the antifriction wheel facing the car wheel, pulley sheaf, or
other operating wheel. The antifriction wheel may be fitted with a wrought iron
tyre on its outer periphery.
The rim or collar above referred to at the end of the axle or spindle will performi
the following functions, the first of which is to create a perfect revolution of the
antifriction wheel with direct vertical pressure, the second duty is that the rim or
collar running in the concave groove in the hollow antifriction wheel prevents any
tendency of the antifriction wheel to spread open when under heavy working strain.
This system, when applied to rolling stock will have special covers fitted above
and below the antifriction wheel to protect its working parts from dirt or grit.
When applied to pulley blocks, covers can also be supplied in a similar manner and
for a similar purpose.
The said antifriction wheel or wheels can be fitted with ball bearings, when
necessary, in the usual manuer. The bearing pin of the antifriction wheel may be
fixed to the frame and remain stationary, or it may be fixed in the antifriction
wheel, the said pin revolving in the usual plain bearings or ordinary well known ball
bearings fitted in the usual manner.
To
The box or frame for holding this hollow antifriction wheel for rolling stock
purposes will have a slot in its centre in which the said antifriction wheel and its
bearings are mounted, the springs being fitted to same in the usual manner.
further increase the efficiency of this hollow antifriction wheel 1 fit or fix a plate
at its hollow side but not revolving with it, the said plate being for the purpose of
excluding dust, dirt, &c., in the said plate I allow sufficient space for the axle or
spindle to pass through into the hollow of the antifriction wheel. Suitable guide
frames and braces and means of lubrication will be supplied.
Dated this 12th dow of I-1901

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Antifriction Wheel Bearings for Rotary Axles.
WILLIAM JOHN BREWER Civil Engineer care of Charles Mason Esq. C.E.
10 Lyndhurst Square London S.E. 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 certain improvements in antifriction wheel bearings
for rotary axles of vehicles and pulley blocks, and consists in fixing upon the ends
of axles of the main carrying wheels of railway and similar vehicles, a small circular
collar preferably of steel, said collar being for the purpose of taking a central
bearing in the concave surface of the hollow antifriction wheels. By this method
the working strain cannot deflect or cause the said hollow antifriction wheel to
move or work loose from its proper position.
To more fully describe the intent and purpose of this invention 1 particularly
refer to the fact that the circularly curved collar fitted at or near the end of the
operating axle, in the correspondingly curved recess in the antifriction wheel permits
of a rolling motion without causing the strain to take other than a vertical direction
and thereby preventing any tendency of the hollow antifriction wheel to spread
open when under heavy working strain.
To cause the hollow antifriction wheel to at all times make a positive revolution
I fit on the inner side of the said antifriction roller, knuckle or toothed gearing
to be operated by a pinion with corresponding gearing fitted on to the main axles
or spindles of railway carriages and similar vehicles or spindles of pulley blocks and
similar operating devices.
To strengthen the antifriction wheel, I place round its outer periphery a
wrought iron or steel tyre which may be shrunk on in any well known manner, thus
relieving the body of the antifriction wheel from liability to fracture.
The rim or collar at the end of the axle or spindle will perform the following
functions, the first of which is to create a perfect revolution of the antifriction
wheel with direct vertical pressure; the second duty is that the rim or collar
running in the concave groove in the hollow antifriction wheel prevents any
tendency of the antifriction wheel when under heavy strain to spread open.
This system when applied to rolling stock will have special covers fitted above
and below the antifriction wheel to protect its parts from dirt and grit; when applied
to pulley blocks, covers can also be supplied in a similar manner and for a similar
purpose.
The said antifriction wheel or wheels can be fitted with ball bearings when
necessary in the usual manner. The bearing pin of the antifriction wheel may be
fixed to the frame and remain stationary, or it may be fixed in the antifriction
wheel, the said pin revolving in the usual plain bearings or upon the ordinary well
known ball bearings fitted in the usual manner. The box or frame for holding the
hollow antifriction wheel for rolling stock purposes may have a slot in its centre
in which the said antifriction wheel and its bearings are mounted. The springs
being fitted to same in the usual manner.
To further increase the efficiency of the hollow antifriction wheel I may fit or
fix a plate at its hollow side but not revolving with it, the said plate being for the
purpose of excluding dust, grit or other substance or matter. In the said plate I
allow sufficient space for the axle or spindle to pass through into the hollow of the
antifriction wheel. Suitable guide frames and braces and means of lubrication will
also be supplied.
Having described my invention as applied to rolling stock I now refer to its
application to pulley blocks. In this case the antifriction wheel is mainly above

page_text: the main spindle of the pulley block, but in rolling stock it is mainly below the
main axle (as the drawings plainly shew).
The spindle of the main wheel or sheave is a fixture in said main wheel or
sheave so that neither can work independently of each other. The spindle passes
through suitable openings in the frame of the sheave to allow of the said spindle
taking its bearing in the groove provided for it in the antifriction wheel, these
openings are large enough to allow of the passage of the collars on ends of said
spindle.
The pin or spindle supporting the antifriction wheel is held in position by the
frame of the block in the usual manner.
In the accompanying drawings Sheets 1 and 2
Figure 1 (Sheet 1) shews a side elevation of a car wheel fitted with my improved
antifriction bearing.
Figure 2 (Sheet 1) is a section of the same part being shewn in elevation.
Figure 3 (Sheet 1) is a sectional plan of Figure 1.
Figure 4 (Sheet 2) shews an elevation of a modification of my invention as applied
to an ordinary street car wheel and
Figure 5 (Sheet 2) a plan view of the same partly in section.
In the several views Figures 1, 2 and 3 (Sheet 1) and Figures 4 and 5 (Sheet 2)
the following letters of reference indicate like or corresponding parts.
A represents a car wheel mounted on an ordinary axle B. around the end of wbich
is placed or fixed the convex collar C. This collar works in the concave recess d of
the hollow anti-friction wheel D. The wheel D is mounted on a hollow spindle E.
which communicates by a passage E' to the grease box F. This hollow antifriction
wheel D is provided on its inner edge with a toothed gear G adapted to gear with
a corresponding pinion H mounted on the axle B. This gearing being for the
purpose of preventing slip in case of an obstruction or greasy matters getting in
between the bearing parts of C and D.
Around the outer periphery of the hollow antifriction wheel DI place a tyre
or band for the purpose of preventing any excessive strain or jolt fracturing the
said hollow antifriction wheel. Suitable covers K are provided to exclude dust or
grit. Bearings 1 are provided for the hollow antifriction wheel D.
Figs. 4 and 5 shew the hollow friction wheel applied to tram car bearings the
bearings being held in position by upright or vertical bolts M passing through tie
rods springs and the bearings Q into the sole piece P of the car the usual
pedestals or horn plates employed for carrying the bearings and springs being
dispensed with, the bearings being free to yield or move sideways and thus prevent
shocks to the car-body when the wheels meet with or pass over obstructions.
Figure 6 (Sheet 2) is n front elevation of a pulley block arranged in accordance
with my invention and Figure 7 (Sheet 2) is a vertical front view partly in section
on line A. B. of Figure 6: wherein A represents the main wheel or sheave of the
pulley block.
B is the spindle fixed into the said main wheel or sheave to prevent
either of these working independently of each other. H H are the convex collars
fitted one to each end of the axle or spindle B. Care the hollow antifriction
wheels with the concave recesses in which the collars II engage. D is the spindle
or pin upon which the hollow antifriction wheel C revolves. B is an enlarged hole
in the inner frame to allow of the collar H H on the end of the spindle B
passing through the same for the purpose of taking its seating or bearing in the
groove provided for it in the hollow antifriction wheel C. EE is the framework
holding all the parts (which are suitably connected) together. F is the hook by
which said pulley block is suspended when in use.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed-I declare that what 1
claim is:-
1. In antifriction wheel bearings for rotary axles hollow antifriction wheels with
a concave groove therein in combination with an axle having corresponding collars

page_text: at the ends engaging in and bearing against the concave grooves of the antifric-
tion wheels as and for the purpose specified.
2. In combination with the subject matter of the preceding claiming clause
gearing wheels such as are marked G and H as and for the purpose specified.
Dated this 12th day of January 1892.
WILLIAM JOHN BREWER.