Improvements in or appertaining to Ball Bearings.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Sept., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 29th July, 1893-Accepted, 2nd Sept., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or appertaining to Ball Bearings.
I, PRESTON DAVIES, of No. 12 Kempson Road, Walham Green, Fulham, in
the County of Middlesex, Watchmaker, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows :-
Ball bearings as at present more generally made, and applied, for instance, to
cycle and other wheels, consist only of a number of hard metallic balls held in
position and bearing upon an axle at each end of the hub of the wheel, there being
no bearings at any intermediate points.
According to my present invention bearings are provided at any desired number
of intermediate points and improved means are obtained by which each bearing is
adjusted approximately to the same degree by one mechanical action.
In applying my invention to a hub intended to revolve on a fixed axle, I affix to
the axle a collar provided on one side with a groove in which balls are inserted
forming a lateral ball bearing for the cone next hereinafter mentioned. This cone,
constructed with a flat face on one side and provided with a pathway for balls on
the other, is next passed over the axle with its flat face towards the collar
hereinbefore mentioned. After inserting the requisite number of balls in the usual
manner, a cone, constructed with a pathway for balls on each cheek, is passed over
the axle, this operation being repeated till the desired width of total bearing is
built up. The final cone is similar to the one firstly herein before mentioned and is
retained in position by a collar screwing into the end of the hub of the wheel, and
capable of being fixed, and by means of which the whole bearing can be adjusted.
A collar similar to the one firstly hereinbefore mentioned, and also provided with a
lateral ball bearing, is then screwed over the axle and held in position by a lock
nut. The whole bearing is enveloped in a case or by the hub of the wheel, the
cones being prevented from revolving independently of the hub by a key and
key-way or other equivalent device. The cone firstly hereinbefore mentioned may
form part of the case or hub or if constructed separately it is essential that it be
rigidly affixed thereto.
Although above more particularly described as applied to a hub revolving on a
fixed axle, I do not wish to limit myself to that construction it being evident that
my present invention may be equally well adapted to a shaft intended to revolve in
a fixed bearing without departing from its tenor.
Dated this 20th dow of Sentember 1892
A. F. SPOONER,
124, Chancery Lane, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or appertaining to Ball Bearings.
1, PRESTON DAVIES, of No. 12 Kempson Road, Walham Green, Fulham, in
the County of Middlesex, 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:-
Ball bearings as at present more generally made and applied, for instance, to
velocipede and other wheels consist only of a number of hard inetallic balls held in
position and bearing upon an axle at each end of the hub of the wheel, there being
no bearings at any intermediate points.

page_text: According to my present invention bearings are provided at any desired number
of intermediate points all capable of adjustment approximately to the same degree
by one mechanical action, the load on the hearing being equally distributed over
the axle.
The annexed drawings illustrate my invention applied to a bearing suitable for
a bicycle or like wheel, Figure 1 being a longitudinal section of the bearing with
its appurtenances, Figure 2 a cross section thereof through the line x, x, and
Figure an end elevation.
Similar letters refer to similar parts in each figure.
The axle, a, upon which the bearing revolves I prefer to make of mild steel and
the ball paths, a¹, a², a³, of hardened steel (either as shown or provided with radial
grooves for the balls) securely attached to the axle, but capable of adjustment
laterally in any convenient manner. At the ends of the axle I provide collars, b, b',
having annular grooves for the balls, c. The collar, b, is made fast to the axle
against the solid collar, a*, but the collar, , is capable of adjustment for lateral
wear of the bearing by means of the screw on the axle as shown and is secured or
locked in position by the lock-nut, d. A washer, d', is placed between the collar, b',
and lock-nut, d, and is prevented from revolving by its engaging with a flat upon
the axle. Contiguous to the collars, b, b, are flat plates, e, e¹, one screwed into
each end of the hollow tube or hub, f. The plate, e, is normally held in a fixed
position by the set screw, e², and need only be moved when it is desired to alter the
position of the bearing in its case; but the plate, e', is capable of adjustment for
wear of the bearing by means of a key (not shown in the drawings) having
projections which engage with the openings, e*, in the face of the plate. This
plate is secured in any desired position by a set-screw, e³, which can in turn be
secured by the lock-nut, e.
The hub or casing, f, which forms the outer part of the bearing is shown in the
drawings plain on its exterior, but it will be understood that such casing can be of
any desired shape or form for the purpose for which it is intended to be used. For
example, if intended for use as a hub for a velocipede wheel flanges or projections
are added for the reception of the spokes; if used as a driving bracket or bearing
it would be necessary to cast in one with it projections or stumps for attachment
to the framing of the machine. I place in the casing single end cones and any
desired number of double cones, g, each formed with bevelled edges as shown so
that in tightening the bearing in the manner hereinafter shown any looseness
produced by radial wear is overcome. These cones, which form bearings for the
balls, h, are capable of lateral adjustment for position and wear by the plates, e,
and, e. They are caused to revolve (in the case of the bearing being used for a
wheel) with the outer casing, f, by means of a feather or key, f¹.
The adjustment and action of the bearing will be readily understood:-Upon
turning the plate, e', the cones, g, will be brought to bear equally upon all the
balls, h, the bevelled edges of such cones serving to force the balls on to their axial
paths overcoming all radial wear and distributing the load equally along the
bearing. Any usual or suitable means may be provided for the lubrication of the
bearing.
The number of cones and bearing surfaces may be varied in accordance with
the size of the total bearing and the load intended to be put upon it.
Although illustrated only as applied to a hub revolving on a fixed axle, I wish it
to be understood I do not limit myself to that form of construction, it being evident
that my invention is equally applicable to a revolving shaft in a fixed bearing.
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 I
claim is :-
1. A ball-bearing comprising cones or their equivalents such as, g, provided with
bevelled edges or other equivalent means for permitting both radial and lateral
adjustment of the bearing secured to the outer casing, ;;, by the feather or key, f¹,

page_text: or its equivalent, and end-pieces such as e, e¹, by either or both of which radial as
well as lateral adjustment is effected by operating to bring the balls, h, to bear
equally on their paths, substantially as set forth.
2. The combination with a ball-bearing having intermediate rows of balls and
wherein such balls are capable of both radial and lateral adjustment, of collars
such as, b, b', adapted to contain balls, c, and serving as a bearing for lateral strain
or end thrust substantially as set forth.
Dated this 29th day of July 1893.
A. F. SPOONER,
124, Chancery Lane, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.