Improvements in or relating to Axle Boxes.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Nov., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Aug., 1889-Accepted, 14th Sept., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Axle Boxes.
I, ALFRED ROBBINS of Frog Mill, Andoversford, in the County of Gloucester, and
of No. 6 Section, Manchester Ship Canal Works, in the County of Chester, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The invention relates to axle boxes, and has partly for its object to facilitate the
adjustment of the bearing "brasses" of locomotive axle boxes.
In carrying out the invention, I make the division between the "brasses" at such
an angle or in such a position as to more readily facilitate their adjustment, neces-
sitated not only by the vertical pressure due to the weight of the locomotive, but by
the pressure due to the reciprocating action of the piston. I prefer to place the
division between the two "brasses" vertically, not along the vertical centre line of tho
axle, but in different planes, equidistant on either side of said centre line. By this
means, a fair and unbroken surface is provided for the vertical pressure, and for the
pressure due to the action of the piston rod. In some cases however, the dividing line
may be in such a position as to be perpendicular to the resultant directions of the two
pressures, or it may be in the same plane as the vertical centre line of the axle, or in
other suitable position.
The following is a description of the axle box I have designed, but I wish it
understood that it can be modified without materially altering the nature of the
invention.
The casting or body has a hollow recess, the sides of which are preferably made
sloping, but which may assume other forms according to the special arrangement of
the "brasses." Into this recess the "brasses," having sides of corresponding inclina-
tion or shape, are placed, and they are firmly held from shaking loose by dowels or
studs. They also have flanges extending the whole or part of their length, for keeping
them in place in the axle box. The recess is covered by a plate or cap fixed to the
box by bolts or studs, having nuts, cotters, or their equivalent, which hold the brasses
in position or press them closer together as required.
When the brasses" become worn, some metal may be removed from one or both
of their abutting faces, and the wear can then be taken up.
The brasses, (which is a technical term generally used to indicate the bearings in
which the journal of an axle revolves), are not of course necessarily made of brass,
but of any suitable material.
Dated this 1st day of November 1888.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Patent Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Axle-boxes.
I, ALFRED ROBBINS of Frog Mill Andoversford in the County of Gloucester, and of
No. 6 Section Manchester Ship Canal Works, in the County of Chester Engineer 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:
The invention has for its object an axle box for locomotives or other railway rolling
stock, in which the bearings are adapted to receive more effectively than in axle boxes
hitherto constructed, the vertical pressure due to the weight of the locomotive, and
the thrust or pull due to the reciprocating motion of the piston. The bearings of all

page_text: BAIC
DOACS BIC OF Course subject to wear in course of time, and I provide ready means
for adjustment.
The invention is best described by aid of the accompanying drawings, in which an
axle box is shown adapted for locomotives; in these,
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation on line A B, Figure 3.
Figure 2 a front elevation.
Figure 3 a plan of the axle box inverted.
Figure 4 a plan of the axle box in its normal position.
Figure a detail view showing a device for preventing the adjusting pin from
becoming accidentally unscrewed through vibration.
A is the journal of an axle, B the casting or body of the axle box, having a recess
or cavity, the sides of which are preferably made sloping, but which may be of other
suitable shape, if desired. Into this recess the brasses (C, having sides of
corresponding inclination or shape, are placed, and they are prevented from shaking
loose by dowels or studs 1). The brasses CC have flanges E extending the whole or
part of their length for keeping them in place in the body B.
The division between the two brasses CC is preferably placed vertically, not along
the vertical centre line of the axle A, but in different planes, equidistant on either
side of the said centre line, and preferably at a distance therefrom, equal to about half
the radius of the journal. By making the division in this way, a fair and unbroken
surface is provided both for the vertical pressure, due to the weight of the locomotive,
and for the thrust or pull, due to the reciprocating motion of the piston. In some
cases the dividing line may be perpendicular to the resultant directions of the two
pressuros, that is, on or about the line a, or a line at right angles thereto, or in
other suitable position.
In the drawings the opposing faces of the brasses are shown abutting against each
other, but, if desired, insertion or packing pieces may be inserted between them, and
the top faces of the brasses and the body A.
F is a keeper or cap, and G are adjusting screws, adapted to keep the brasses in
position, or press them closer together when the journal or brasses have become worn.
In the alternative arrangement, illustrated in Figure 5, a cheese headed screw II is
employed, having its head flush with the surface of the keeper F and prevented from
becoming accidentally unscrewed through vibration by a small countersunk retaining
screw 1. Other securing devices may be employed instead of the screws G, such as
bolts and nuts, or studs and cotters, etcetera.
To take up wear due to the rotation of the journal A, and the pressures herein
before referred to, the brasses Care removed from the box and some metal is taken off
one or both of their abutting faces, and also from their top sides. The brasses are
then replaced and adjusted by the keeper F and the screws G. If packing or inser-.
tion pieces are employed, the brasses need not be removed, but the insertion strips are
taken out, thinner ones inserted and the keeper F screwed up.
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. In an axle box for locomotives, a pair of bearing "brasses" having their abutting
faces so located that the dividing lines upon the bearing surface lie approximately in
a plane perpendicular to the plane of the resultant vertical and horizontal pressures,
due respectively to the weight of the locomotive, and the thrust or pull of the piston,
the said brasses being formed either with or without exterior sloping sides. adapted to
fit against the similarly inclined inner sides of the axle box, substantially as and for
the purposes set forth.
2. In an axle box, a pair of bearing brasses, having their abutting faces located one
on each side of, and at a suitable distance from, the vertical central plane of the axle
in planes approximately parallel to the said vertical plane, and having also their
exterior sides inclined, as described, for the purpose of adjustment within a
correspondingly inclined recess in the axle box, substantially as described.

page_text: 3. The improved axle box for locomotives adapted to present a solid bearing surface
to both the horizontal and vertical pressures due respectively to the thrust or pull of
the piston and the weight of the locomotive, and to facilitate adjustment of the brasses
when wear takes place, substantially as described and shown.
Dated this 1st day of August 1889
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Patent Agents for the Applicant.