CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN CARRIAGE AXLES
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Richard Richards, of Wednesbury, in the County
of Stafford, Gentleman, for the Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN
CARRIAGE AXLES."
Sealed the 14th March 1865, and dated the 17th September 1864.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard Richards at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
17th September 1864.
I, RICHARD RICHARDS, of Wednesbury, in the County of Stafford,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "CERTAIN
IMPROVEMENTS IN CARRIAGE AXLES," to be as follows:-
The object of the first part of this Invention is to secure the bush upon the
axle in a simpler manner than formerly, though in quite as effectual a mode.
Hitherto a right and left handed screw and a collet has been used, but I
propose instead thereof to employ a single button. I also tighten the bush,
as the leather washer in the collar wears away by means of a slot with which
the button is fitted, and through which slot a linch pin is projected when the
bush is adjusted to its proper tightness.
The second part of my Invention has for its object to make the collar of a
reduced size, which I do by altogether dispensing with the usual inner flange,
and instead thereof 1 provide a perfectly flat bearing for the axle. In this
manner strength is given where it is needed, but at the same time no greater
weight of metal is employed than is absolutely necessary.
The third part of my Invention relates to the lubrication of the axle.
Formerly the oil or other lubricating material has been supplied from the
front of the nave, but in this Invention an aperture is constructed in that

page_text: part of the bush which is at the back of the wheel, and this being the highest
point of the axle, the oil by its own ravity runs down into the cap and parts
where it is required.
I believe it will be found that axles made according to this improved
manner will not require taking to pieces more than once in twelve months,
though they may be in constant use.
I propose to apply this Invention to all kinds of axles which may bo
employed in the construction of any description of vehicles travelling upon the
turnpike road.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Richard Richards in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 17th March 1865.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, RICHARD
RICHARDS, of Wednesbury, in the County of Stafford, Gentleman, send
greeting.
WHEREAS IIer most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing dato the Seventeenth day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-eighth year
of Iler reign, did, for Herself, Iler heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said Richard Richards, Her special licence that I, the said
Richard Richards, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said Richard Richards, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time agreo with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times thereafter 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 "CERTAIN
IMPROVEMENTS IN CARRIAGE AXLES," upon the condition (amongst others) that
I, tho said Richard Richards, my executors or administrators, by an instru-
ment 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 saine to be filed
in the Great Seal l'atent Office within six calendar months next and imine-
diately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Richard Richards, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the follow-
ing statement (that is to say) :-

page_text: The object of the first part of this Invention is to secure the bush upon
the axle in a simpler manner than formerly, though in quite as effectual a
mode. Hitherto a right and left handed screw and a collet has been used,
but I propose instead thereof to employ a single button. I also tighten the
bush as the leather washer in the collar wears away by means of a slot with
which the button is fitted, and through which slot a linch pin is projected
when the bush is adjusted to its proper tightness.
The second part of my Invention has for its object to make the collar of a
reduced size, which I do by altogether dispensing with the usual inner flange,
and instead thereof I provide a perfectly flat bearing for the axle. In this
manner strength is given where it is needed, but at the same time no greater
weight of metal is employed than is absolutely necessary.
The third part of my Invention relates to the lubrication of the axle.
Formerly the oil or other lubricating material has been supplied from tho
front of the nave, but in this Invention an aperture is constructed in that
part of the bush which is at the back of the wheel, and this being the highest
point of the axle, the oil by its own gravity runs down into the cap and parts
where it is required.
I believe it will be found that axles made according to this improved
manner will not require taking to pieces more than once in twelve months,
though they may be in constant use.
I propose to apply this Invention to all kinds of axles which may bo
employed in the construction of any description of vehicles travelling upon
the turnpike road.
That Invention may
my
be better understood, I have annexed Drawings
thereof, which I now proceed to describe.
Figs. 1, 2, & 3 shew an axle and bush constructed after my method, and
Figs. 4 & 5 shew my improved spanner; Fig. 1 is a part elevation and part
section of a bush and axle in which the bush enters into the collar upon
the axle.
a is the bush fitting truly upon the axle 6; it is screwed at c to receive the
cap d, and has at its other end a screw e for the introduction of oil, and a
recess f into which the oil may run. 9, 9, are the usual feathers cast upon
the outside of the bush. The shaft 6 is formed square at one end as usual,
and has a collar h forged upon it, which is recessed, as shewn, to receive the
end of the bush a; a leather collar or washer is interposed at i. The shaft
has a groove (Fig. 2) extending along the top of that part which enters
into the bush; this is for the purpose of supplying oil to all parts of the
bearing surfaces. The shaft is screwed at 1, and has a button m, which

page_text: prevents the axle from withdrawing from the bush. The button has a
slot n through opposite sides of it, and tho shaft has a linch pin o passing
through it and through the slot of the button, and so the latter is prevented
from turning; at the same time the slot allows of the linch pin being
re-introduced after the button has been adjusted, to compensate for end wear.
Fig. 3 is a part olevation and part section of a bush and axle, in which tho
collar upon the axle enters into a recess in the end of the bush; in all
other respects it resembles Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a side elevation, and Fig. 5 is a plan of my improved spanner.
The improvement consists in making the internal shape of the end, as at p.
circular, instead of hexagonal or octagonal, as at 7. The cap d to be moved
by it is also made circular externally, and has a hole s in its flange, into which
the pint of the spanner enters, and so affords the necessary holding power.
The end r of the spanner is for the purpose of turning the button ni, and may
bo also of the improved form.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and the manner in which
the same is or may be performed, I desire it to be understood that without
limiting myself to the precise details herein-before described (as these may
bo varied or modified to some extent without departing from the nature of
said Invention), I claim to be protected by the part herein-before recited
Letters Patent,—
my
First, the mode or manner of fitting and securing the bush upon the axlo
in manuer described.
Second, the mode or manner of so constructing the collar that strength is
given where it is required, although the collar is considerably reduced in size,
in manner described.
Third, the mode or manner of lubricating the axlo in manner described.
Fourth, the improved spanner as shown in Figs. 4 & 5.
In witness whereof, I, the said Richard Richards, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord
Ono thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.
Witness,
G. R. HOLLAND,
Patent Office,
Birmingham.
RICHARD RICHARDS. (L.B.)