IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR LUBRICATING SPINDLES, SHAFTS, OR OTHER FRICTIONAL SURFACES
Year: 1865

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Rippon, of Sheffield, in the County of York,
Grocer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR LUBRICATING
SPINDLES, SHAFTS, OR OTHER FRICTIONAL SURFACES." -A communication from
abroad by William Francis Rippon, of Providence, Rhode Island, in
the United States of America, Machinist.
Sealed the 4th July 1865, and dated the 13th April 1865.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Rippon at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 13th
April 1865.
I, JAMES RIPPON, of Sheffield, in the County of York, Grocer, do hereby
5 declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR
LUBRICATING SPINDLES, SHAFTS, OR OTHER FRICTIONAL SUBPACES," (a communica-
tion to me from abroad by William Francis Rippon, of Providence, Rhode
Island, in the United States of America, Machinist), to be as follows:-
The principal feature of novelty in this Invention consists in the employ-
O ment or use of a chamber containing cotton or other similar fibrous material,

page_text: such chamber being so placed that the oil passing from the cup or reservoir
to the spindle, shaft, or other surface to be lubricated shall be compelled to
pass through the said cotton or material in order that the oil shall be thoroughly
cleansed and filtered, and the passage of any foreign substance to the frictional
surface will be entirely prevented, at the same time that the supply of oil
thereto is constant, and can readily be regulated, so that no waste shall
take place and the time consumed in oiling, and the oil itself are considerably
economized.
It is obvious that this may be accomplished in a variety of ways, the
particular form and adaptation of the Invention depending in a great measure
upon the nature and situation of the surfaco which it is desired to lubricate,
for example, in lubricating the spindles used in machines for preparing,
spinning, and doubling cotton or other fibrous substances, a groove or channel
should be cut or formed longitudinally in the upper surface of the bolster rail
so as to connect all the bolsters together. This groove or channel forms a
reservoir in which the oil is placed, and it may be protected from dust by a
small tin or other cover fitting in between each pair of bolsters. Each bolster
is provided with one or more ducts leading from the groove or channel above-
named to its interior or bore, wherein the spindlo revolves, such ducts being
formed by making a vertical saw cut across the centre line, or by drilling holes
therein, and in theso ducts about midway between the exterior-and interior of
the bolster a chamber is formed (by drilling vertical holes or otherwise) into
which the cotton or other fibrous material is introduced, so that the oil in
passing from the channel or reservoir to the interior of the bolster must pass
through the cotton or other fibrous material, and thus become filtered, and at
the same time the latter prevents the oil from running too freely, and thus
being wasted. If the oil runs too fast, the cotton should be compressed in the
chamber, and on the contrary should the flow not be sufficient, the cotton
should be loosened, and thus the supply of oil can be regulated with great
nicety.
In making an oil cup for ordinary lubricating purposes according to this
Invention a simple cup is fitted with a vertical tube extending from the bottom
of the cup to nearly the top of the same. From the bottom of this tube
(and in a line therewith) a hole is drilled through the cup of rather smaller
diameter than the bore of the tube, so as to leave a shoulder in the interior.
The tube has a vertical saw cut extending to 'nearly the bottom of the same
(or holes may be drilled through the sides,) and is to be fitted with cotton or
other fibrous substance.

page_text: It will be evident that any oil placed in the cup in flowing through the
openings in the tube to the hole through the bottom of the cup will have to
pass through the cotton or other fibrous substance as in the preceding case.
The top of the oil cup is made to screw on, and in the centre of the under
side a pin which fits inside the upper part of the tube projects down-
wards, so that upon screwing down the lid the cotton will be compressed in
the tube.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said James Rippon in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 12th
October 1865.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
RIPPON, of Sheffield, in the County of York, Grocer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, in the twenty-eighth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said James Rippon, Her special licence that I, the said James
Rippon, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said James Rippon, my executors, adminstrators, and assigns, should at
any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR LUBRICATING SPINDLES, SHAFTS, OR OTHER FRICTIONAL
SURFACES," (a communication to me from abroad by William Francis Rippon,
of Providence, Rhode Island, in the United States of America, Machinist,)
upon the condition (amongst others) that 1, the said James Rippon, my
executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their,
or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be
performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said James Rippon, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following

page_text: statement in writing, and on reference to the accompanying Sheet of Draw-
ings, that is to say:
The principal feature of novelty in this Invention consists in the employ-
ment or use of a chamber containing cotton or other similar fibrous material,
such chamber being so placed that the oil in passing from the cup or reservoir
to the spindle shaft or other surface to be lubricated, shall be compelled to
pass through the said cotton or material, in order that the oil shall be thoroughly
cleansed and filtered, and the passage of any foreign substance to the frictional
surface will be entirely prevented, at the same time that the supply of oil
thereto is constant, and can readily be regulated, so that no wasto shall take
place, and the time consumed in oiling, and the oil itself are considerably
economized.
It is obvious that this may be accomplished in a variety of ways, tho
particular form and adaptation of the Invention depending in a great measure
upon the nature and situation of the surface which it is desired to lubricate,
for example, in lubricating the spindles used in machines for preparing,
spinning, and doubling cotton or other fibrous substances, a groove or channel
should be cut or formed longitudinally in the upper surface of the bolster rail so
as to connect all the bolsters together, this groove or channel forms a reservoir in
which the oil is placed, and it may be protected from dust by a small tin or other
cover fitting in between each pair of bolsters. Each bolster is provided with one
or more ducts leading from the groove or channel above named, to its interior
or bore wherein the spindle revolves, such ducts being formed by making a
vertical saw cut across the centre line, or by drilling holes therein, and in
these ducts, about midway between the exterior and interior of the bolster, a
chamber is formed (by drilling vertical holes or otherwise) into which the
cotton or other fibrous material is introduced, so that the oil in passing from
the channel or reservoir to the interior of the bolster must pass through the
cotton or other fibrous material, and thus become filtered, and at the same
time the latter prevents the oil from running too freely, and thus being wasted.
If the oil runs too fast the cotton should be compressed in the chamber, and
on the contrary should the flow not be sufficient, the cotton should be loosened,
and thus the supply of oil can be regulated with great nicety.
In making an oil cup for ordinary lubricating purposes according to this
Invention, a simple cup is fitted with a vertical tube extending from the
bottom of the cup to nearly the top of the same; from the bottom of this
tube (and in a line therewith) a hole is drilled through the cup of rather
smaller diameter than the bore of the tube, so as to leave a shoulder in the

page_text: interior. The tube has a vertical saw cut extending to nearly the bottom of
the same (or holes may be drilled through the sides) and is to be filled with
cotton or other fibrous substance.
It will be evident that any oil placed in the cup in flowing through the
openings in the tube to the hole through the bottom of the cup will have to
pass through the cotton or other fibrous substance as in the preceding case.
The top of the oil cup is made to screw on, and in the centre of the under
side a pin which fits inside, the upper part of the tube projects downwards, so
that upon screwing down the lid the cotton will be compressed in the tube.
Such being the nature and object of the said Invention for "Improvements
in Apparatus for Lubricating Spindles, Shafts, or other Frictional Surfaces," I
will now proceed to describe more in detail the manner in which the same is to
be or may be performed or carried into practical effect. And in order that the
same may be distinctly understood I have annexed hereunto a Sheet of Draw-
ings illustrative thereof, and have marked the same with figures and letters
of reference corresponding with those in the following explanation thereof,
that is to say :-
Figure 1 in the annexed Sheet of Drawings shows a transverse section, and
Figure 2 a plan view of part of the bolster rail of a spinning machine shewing
the application of this Invention thereto.
a, a, is the bolster rail in the upper surface of which a groove or channel
b, b, is formed longitudinally, so as to connect all tho bolsters together. This
groove or channel is to be filled with oil, and may be protected from dust by a
series of small tin covers (see Figure 3) placed between each pair of bolsters.
The form of the bolsters c, c, will be clearly seen on reference to Figures 1
and 2; d, d, being the ducts leading from the grooves or channels b, b, to the
interior bore e, e, wherein the spindles revolve, and conveying the oil from the
grooves or channels to the latter, and f, f, being the vertical holes filled with
cotton or other fibrous material through which the oil has to pass.
:
Figures 4 and 5 shew (in plan view and section) a modification of the above
wherein the chamber f, f, for containing the cotton or other fibrous material
extends all round the bolster.
Figure 6 is an external elevation; Figure 7, a vertical section; and Figure 8
a sectional plan view of an oil cup for ordinary lubricating purposes.
a, a, is the cup, in the interior of which is a tube b, b, the lower end of
which communicates with the opening c, c, through which the oil flows to the
surface to be lubricated; the bore of the tube being larger than the opening
c, c, so as to leave a shoulder which prevents the cotton or other fibrous

page_text: material from being jammed into the opening. In the sides of the tube b, b,
are openings or slits d, d, through which the oil passes, and filtering through
the cotton or other fibrous material in the tube b, b,. passes to the opening c, c.
If preferred holes. may be drilled through the sides of the tube in place of the
slits d, d. In the centre of the interior of the lid e, e, of the cup is a pin f,
which enters the top of the tube, so that upon screwing down the lid the
cotton or other fibrous material will be compressed, and the supply of oil thus
reduced, or (if need be) stopped entirely. It will be evident that a tap may
be added to this oil cup if preferred.
Figure 9 is an external elevation, and Figure 10 a vertical section of a tube
to be applied to any ordinary oil cup by merely screwing the same into the
interior of the cup. This tube is made in a similar manner to the tube b, b,
in Figures 6 and 7, with the addition of the screw plug 9, 9, at the top in
place of the pin f.
Figures 11 and 12 represent the application of this Invention to lubricating
the axle of a carriage wheel. Into the boss a, a, of the wheel is fixed by
screws a small reservoir b, b, for oil, which is closed by means of a screw plug
c, c; inside the reservoir b, b, is a tube (similar to the tube b, b, Figures 6
and 7) containing cotton or other fibrous substance, and in communication with
a smaller tube d, d, which conveys the oil to the axle.
Figure 13 is a transverse section, and Figure 14 a longitudinal section of
a railway axle box, showing the application of this Invention thereto; a, a, is
the axle box, and b, b, the brass; c, c, is an oil cistern or drawer furnished with
two chambers d, d, for containing the cotton or other fibrous substance, having
ducts e, e, leading therefrom, to convey the oil to the brass and axle. These
chambers d, d, are cut or perforated at the sides to allow the oil to enter from
the cistern c, c. f, f, is the lid of the oil cistern which is moveable on the
pin or screw g, g, in order to supply fresh oil, or to withdraw the cistern
altogether from the axle box when required.
It will be evident that by various slight alterations or modifications this
Invention may be readily adapted to the lubrication of other frictional
surfaces.
Having now described the nature and object of the said Invention for "Im-
provements in Apparatus for Lubricating Spindles, Shafts, or other Frictional
Surfaces," together with the manner in which the same is to be or may be
performed or carried into practical effect, I would remark in conclusion, that
I claim, as the Invention communicated to me by the said William Francis
Rippon, the employment or use of a chamber containing cotton or other

page_text: fibrous material, so placed that the oil in passing from the cup or reservoir to
the surface to be lubricated, shall be compelled to pass through the said cotton
or other fibrous material.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Rippon, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Tenth day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.
Witness to the Signature of
James Rippon,
W. BARLOW,
Sheffield.
JAMES RIPPON. (L.S.)