CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY OR OTHER CARRIAGES, PARTLY CONSISTING OF NEW MODES OF CONSTRUCTING THE AXLE BOXES AND JOURNALS OF WHEELS, ALSO AN IMPROVED METHOD OF LUBRICATING THE SAID JOURNALS OR OTHER PORTIONS OF MACHINERY BY THE INTRODUCTION OF AQUEOUS, ALKALINE, OLEAGENOUS OR SAPONACIOUS SOLUTIONS
Year: 1848

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
JOHN NORMANVILLE, of Park Village East, Regent's Park, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westininster, the Second day of May,
One thousand eight hundred and forty-eight, in the eleventh year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
William John Normanville, my exccutors, administrators, and assigns, Her
especial licence, full power, sole privilege, and authority, that I, the said
Willian John Normanville, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as I, the said William Jolui Normanville, my executors, administrators,
or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and
at all times during the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully
night make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of
Berwick-upon-Tweed my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY OR
OTHER CARRIAGES, PARTLY CONSISTING OF NEW MODES OF CONSTRUCTING THE AXLE
BOXES AND JOURNALS OF WHEELS, ALSO AN IMPROVED METHOD OF LUBRICATING THE
SAID JOURNALS OR OTHER PORTIONS OF MACHINERY BY THE INTRODUCTION OF AQUEOUS,
ALKALINE, OLEAGENOUS, OR SAPONACIOUS SOLUTIONS;" in which said Letters Patent
is contained a proviso that I, the said William John Normanville, should cause
a particular description of the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, by an instrument in writing under my

page_text: band and seal, to be inrolled in Her Majesty's High Court of Chancery within
six calendar months next and 'immediately after the date of the said in part
recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being thereunto had,
will more fully and at large appear..
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
William John Normanville, do hereby declare the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and. by the following statement thereof, reference
being had to the two Sheets of Drawings .hereunto. annexed, and in which said
Sheets of Drawings similar parts are marked and referred to by similar letters
or figures :-
"
Before entering into the description of my Invention I would premise, that
very great labor and expence is at present incurred by railway companies in
"lifting" railway carriages for the purpose of removing worn out "brasses
and substituting others; much of this wearing out is consequent upon the
introduction, during the running of the trains, of extraneous substances, dirt,
grit, &c., into the axle boxes between the rubbing surfaces of the journals and
brasses, owing to the defenceless or open state of the backs of the axle boxes,
which dirt or grit acting upon such surfaces cuts or otherwise so injures them
as to render the brasses useless, over-heating the parts and otherwise deterio-
rating the property. Thus it is a frequent occurrence for a carriage, which
either new or just repaired should run many thousand miles, to be returned to
the shop after its first journey for repairs from the before-mentioned causes.
may
I will now proceed to describe the first part of my Invention, which has
reference to making the axle boxes of a railway or other carriage an air-tight
vessel; and be it observed, that although I have shewn in the accompanying
Drawings my Invention as applied to railway carriages, it is obvious the same
means are applicable to other carriages and machinery, the construction whereof
admit of its use, for the purpose of guarding the rubbing surfaces of
such machinery from injury by dirt as aforesaid; or for the more effectual
lubrication of such surfaces by the introduction of more suitable lubricators,
which can only be effected by holding such lubricators in a vessel that is air-
tight, except at the air-hole in the screw or other kind of lid, and surrounding
the parts requiring lubrication. For the above purposes, as regards the axle
boxes of railway carriages, I make a shield or diaphram or collar, of vul-
canized india-rubber, gutta percha, leather, or other suitable elastic substance
either animal, vegetable, or mineral, of the form shewn at Figure 8, Sheet 1
and 7, 9, and 11, Sheet 2, and, marked 0, 0, manufactured to that form for
the purpose, and attached to the axle box at its outer edge, as hereafter

page_text: described. The shield or diaphram 0, 0, is perforated in its centre, such per-
foration being cut with great care in a lathe and to a perfectly smooth surface;
to allow the passage of the journal through it, such perforation is made of less
diameter than the actual diameter of the journal; and by the tendency of the
material of which the shield is made to collapse, it presses so closely to the
journal that an air-tight joint is maintained. The material which my ex-
perience has hitherto demonstrated as most suitable for making the shield is
vulcanized india-rubber, either usable on the journal by itself, or with metal
or leather or other collars, as herein-after described. The diameter of the
perforation in the said shield or diaphram for a four inch axle should be three
inches and five-eighths of an inch; the outer diameter of the said shield should
be one-cighth of an inch less than the metal disc of the axle box into which
it is to fit, and it will then be found to completely fill it; after having been
stretched over the axle, the shield tapers from its contro to its outer edge,
as will be seen by reference to Figure 9, Sheet 2 of the Drawing. For the
protection of the clastic shield, and behind it, is placed a thin cast iron or
other metal shield A, as shewn at Figures 3 and 7 of Drawings, secured
to the axle box B by four bolts C, C, Figure 5, which being more or less
tightened presses upon the outer periphery of the elastic shield, and occasion
more or less pressure as required to maintain the joint upon the axle. In
adjusting this box upon the journal no more compression should be put upon
the outer diameter of the elastic shield than is necessary to make an air-tight
joint; should there be more than is necessary for the above purpose, it will
cause so great a pressure upon the axle that there would be considerable
risk of the shield firing when the axle acquires motion, and before it could
become properly lubricated; to prevent an accident of the above nature, I
introduce four leather washers (through which the bolts C pass between the
metal shield and the box, such washers being of proper thickness to prevent
the bolts being over-tightened). After a period in which that portion of the.
elastic shield in contact with the surface of the axle has worn so much as to
no longer maintain a perfect joint, these washers may be thinned so as to
allow the bolts to be tightened, by which operation the perforation in the clastic;
shield will contract, and again make an air-tight joint round the axle. I.
show three niodes of using the elastic shield; firstly, where the surface of
the perforation forms the joint round the axle; secondly, where a metal
collar is used; thirdly, where a leather collar is used. The first method
has been partially herein-before explained; it consists simply of an elastic
shield, shewn at Figure 3, 0, 0, Sheet 1 of Drawings, passed over the journal
D of the axle; and secured in its position by the means already. described.

page_text: When by continued wear the air-tight joint can be no longer maintained, a
loose ring of inlia-rubber of the same diameter as the axle, and about a
quarter of a inch in thickness, may be placed upon the axle. The original
shiehl, whose orifice has become enlarged by wear, is then stretched upon
this ring, and by its contractile force clasps it so tightly that a perfect joint
is maintained between the two surfaces of india-rubber, while the axle revolves
within the inner or loose ring, and the operation of tightening by the means
of the four bolts is repeated as required.
The second modification of this arrangement consists in the introduction of a
metal ring E in contact with the axle, as shewn at Figures 8 and 9 of Drawing,
Sheet No. 2, an end view and elevation, using the contractile force of the
india-rubber shield O, to keep the ring in close contact with the polished axle.
This ring should be in four parts, with the joints so arranged as to intercept
the passage of the grease, and yet allow the parts to close as the surface
of the ring wears; it will be obvious that this arrangement increases the
expence.
The third modification of arrangement of the elastic shield O, and its ap-
purtenances, and to which, from its easy application, efficiency, and cheapness,
I give the preference, is the introduction of a leather ring round the axle;
using the contractile force of the india-rubber, as before described, to maintain
a close pressure upon the axle. The leather used for this purpose should be of
he best quality, and as flexible as possible, one inch wide and a quarter of an
inch thick to prepare it for the purpose required it should be secured on to a
wood mandril of the same diameter as the axle, and a groove turned out in a
lathe; the said collar is shewn in section at G, Figure 7 of the Drawing,
Sheet No. 2, and in elevation at Figure 10 of the same Sheet of Drawings.
The elastic shield fitting into the groove, which is of the width of the inner
surface of the perforation of the shield, keeps it in its place.
axle the lap joint as at a, a, Figure 10, allows the collar to
surface of the leather wears by the rubbing of the axle. I do not turn
the groove in the leather collar too smooth, as a certain degree of roughness
prevents the possibility of its turning round within the elastic shield; after
running a few miles the surface of the leather grasping the axle becomes
polished, but its duration, as would that of any other material, depends upon
the accuracy and perfect polish of the axle revolving within it. These axle
boxes should be filled with a saponaceous grease in a semi-fluid state, so that it
may flow towards the shield or collar, and lubricate it without delay, because
the india-rubber or other material, being in close contact with and grasping the
axle, would wear and become injured should, the rubbing surfaces be allowed
When on the
contract as the

page_text: to revolve without proper lubrication. It is not intended that free oils should be
used in connection with this improved axle box, because they would be absorbed
by the india-rubber, and so injure it, while grease in ordinary use, which, however,
must be in a semi-fluid state as before mentioned, may be used without injury to
the elastic shield, even should the heat generated by the friction of the journal
arrive at boiling point. The top H of the axle box, as shewn at Figures 3, 4, 5,
is of a circular form, with a lid furnished with a small air hole screwed or
hinged thereon, and so effectually enclosing the box. The grease is introduced
through the aperture whenever required; this can be ascertained by touching
the axle boxes at the stations appointed, when should undue heat be apparent,
a small quantity of grease may be added. The mode of applying this box to
thegournal is as follows:-First pass on to the axle the cast iron shield with the
four bolts in it, and let it rest against the nave of the wheel; then pass on the
vulcanized india-rubber shield, stretching it over the shoulder of the journal,
previously well greasing the surface of the axle and the surface of india-rubber
in contact with it; a small notch should be cut in the edge of the india-rubber
on the inside towards the axle box, and about half way across, to facilitate the
passage of the lubricator under it. Then bring the axle box to the journal,
and when the brass is bedded in its place on the journal, press the india-rubber
shield into the disc, and bring the cast iron shield up to it, inserting the four
bolts C into the holes prepared for them, when they may be screwed up as far
as the leather washers previously described will allow; the springs are then
attached in the usual manner, and the box filled and screwed down ready for
use. It is unnecessary for me to describe the slight variation in this arrange-
ment, when the brass or leather collars are used, as every workman will be
aware that it will not then be necessary to cut the groove in the clastic shield,
and that in using these collars the elastic shield does not touch the journal, but
grasps the collars as herein-before described.
I now proceed to describe another modification of the above arrangements,
as referred to on Sheet No. 2, Figure 11. It will be observed in this case
that I still use the vulcanized india-rubber as a spring for maintaining an air-
tight joint between the axle box, substituting its expansive for its contractile
force. I make the india-rubber in this instance a fixture; on the axle 0; 0,
is the india-rubber collar, which must be three-sixteenths of an inch wider
than the actual space it is intended to occupy, and be compressed into the
position shewn, and by its expansive force presses tightly on one side against
the nave of the wheel, and on the other presses a brass washer I, against a
polished plate K, fastened by four screws to the axle box, and forming the
end of it; the india-rubber collar O, filling up the space between the two, and

page_text: being a fixture upon the axle, necessarily revolves with it, and causes the brass
washer to rub upon the polished surfaces of the plate forming the end of the
axle box, and effectually closes it. At the back of the brass washer I fix two
small studs or pins which press into the india-rubber, and cause the brass
washers to revolve with it. The other portions of the axle box would remain
as previously described. I intend to work this modification of my arrange-
ments with the grease in ordinary use upon railways, and commonly called
"Booth's grease," which I find to answer the purpose exceedingly well. The
mode of applying this box to the journal is exceedingly simple, as it lifts on
and off' in one piece; previous to applying it to the journal it requires to be
filled with the grease, merely allowing room for tlie journal in the centre; it
is then lifted on to the journal, and pressed forward against the brass washer,
when the operation is complete. I wish it to be understood that; although I
have referred to the Drawings hereunto annexed in order to illustrate my
Invention, I do not limit or confine myself to the precise details of the
methods described of making and fixing the 'elastic shield, or the collars
described, or to the precise size thereof, or to any particular size, or to'
the thickness of the elastic shield or collars or rings, or to the material
of which such shield, collars, or rings, or springs are made, as such details
must be varied to suit journals of different sizes, or for other purposes or
portions of machinery to which these arrangements are applicable.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed or carried into practical effect, 1 desire it to be
distinctly understood that I do not claim the separate use of any of the
materials or parts above mentioned and referred to, except in so far as they
may be employed in combination, and for the purposes of iny said Invention,
which I hereby declare to consist,-
.:
Firstly, in my peculiar combination of various elastic and other materials, as
herein-before described, with the axle box and journal, for the purpose of
rendering the lubrication of the journals of railway wheels and other moving
parts of machinery more perfect.
Secondly, in the arrangements herein-before described for enclosing the
lubricator within a vessel which shall retain it and exclude the dirt.
In' witness whereof, I, the said William John Normanville, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of October, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twenty-sixth day of October,
in the twelfth year of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, the said
William John Normanville came before our said Lady the Queen in Her
Chancery, and acknowledged the Instrument aforesaid, and all and every thing
therein contained and specified, in form above written. And also the Instru-
ment aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of the Statute made in the
fifty-fifth year of the reign of His late Majesty King George the Third.
Inrolled the Thirty-first day of October, One thousand eight hundred and