IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF AXLE BOXES APPLICABLE TO LOCOMOTIVE STEAM ENGINES, RAILWAY CARRIAGES, AND OTHER LAND VEHICLES
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Augustus Collingridge, of No. 2, Lombard Court,
in the City of London, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF AXLE BOXES APPLICABLE TO LOCOMOTIVE
STEAM ENGINES, RAILWAY CARRIAGES, AND OTHER LAND VEHICLES."―A
communication from abroad from Louis Folliet and Marie Gally,
of Paris, in the Republic of France.
Sealed the 21st July, 1874, and dated the 29th January 1874.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Augustus Collingridge
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 29th January 1874.
I, AUGUSTUS COLLINGRIDGE, of No. 2, Lombard Court, in the City of
London, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN. THE CONSTRUCTION OF AXLE BOXES APPLICABLE TO
LOCOMOTIVE STEAM ENGINES, RAILWAY CARRIAGES, AND OTHER LAND VEHICLES,”
to be as follows:-
The improved axle box consists of a metallic outer casing with parrallel
sides of adequate cubical interior capacity. and composite in its structure,

page_text: being divided into two horizontal sectional portions united together
when in working order by corresponding exterior flanges fitted with
ordinary screw bolts and nuts, the upper section of the box being
in tended to be permanently affixed to the part of the vehicle to which
it pertains and the lower section rendered capable of being detached from
the upper section for the purpose of facilitating access to the internal
fittings of the box.
To one of the external sides of the box and to its upper section in a
convenient position is affixed a reservoir provided with a close fitting
cover and atmospheric valve destined to contain the necessary supply of
lubricating matter, which by the improved mode of construction herein
set forth may consist not only of any oleaginous lubricating fluid but
also of water, and if the latter either with or without the addition of
any alkaline ingredient, and which is conveyed to the parts requiring
lubrication by capillary attraction produced through the agency of tubes
in which are inserted plaited wicks or meshes constructed of cotton or
of other suitable fibrous material so arranged as to conduct the contents
of the reservoir to their points of destination and to the fulfilment of
their intended uses as herein-after described.
In close juxtaposition with that portion of the extremity of the axlo-
tree which enters into and is contained within the sides of the box, and
with their axes running in a sense parallel with the line of the axis of the
axletree are three antifriction rollers of cylindrical form and of suitable
dimensions, and which may be constructed of metal, wood, or other
suitable material, so disposed that the points of their contact with the
journal may either encircle the latter at equidistant intervals, or may
only extend to and embrace the upper semicircumference of the same.
The upper antifriction roller (preferably of relatively greater diameter
than the other twin satellite rollers) forming the apex of the triangular
figure produced by an end view of the three rollers in position reposes
longitudinally on the axle journal, and is maintained in its position by
means of a stationary centre pin or clongated bolt (around which the roller
rötates) passing through the hollowed out centre of the roller from end
to end, and transversing the interior of the axle box from side to side,
the axis of the bolt being also and necessarily in a line parallel with 'the
axis of the axletree, and the extremities of the same being rivetted or
keyed to two of the sides of the axle box opposite to and parallel with

page_text: each other. Within the body of this bolt are worked certain cavities
representing a main central longitudinal canal with irrigating branches
extending from the canal in the corc of the bolt at a right or some other
convenient angle and radiating from the centre towards the periphery.
The orifices of these branches are left open, but tho extremities of the
main canal are closed hermetically, except in so far as communication
with the contents of the reservoir is obtained by means of a junction of
the canal with the lower ends of two of the tubes before spoken of, con-
taining meshes and leading into the reservoir.
The two inferior satellite antifriction rollers occupy lateral positions
with relation to that portion of the extremity of the axletree contained
within the sides of the axle box, the nature of their construction, the
sense of their disposition or line of bearing, their system of main-
tenance in their places, and their principle of rotation around fixed per-
forated bolts traversing the interior of the axle box, and secured at their
ends to two of the corresponding parallel sides of such box, and the
mode of the communication of the lubricating fluid to the internal
cavities of the bolts by means of meshes contained within tubes com-
municating with the outer reservoir being identical with each and all of
the distinctive characteristics of the upper bolt and antifriction roller
bearing upon the upper surface of the journal of the axle, which latter
in its turn in the case of application to an ordinarily constructed railway
carriage rotates within the space contained between the points of
contact of the three satellito antifriction rollers disposed and working in
the manner and form described.
•
The extremities of the rollers require to be bevilled off or moulded at
an angle inclining from their peripherics towards their centres so as to
afford and ensure a perfect correspondence and adjustment with the lines
of formation or profile of the neck and shoulder of that portion of the
axletree contained within the interior of the axlo box and on which it
is intended they should bear and work.
The horizontal cross line of section of the axle box at the point where
it is divided as before described, into two separate and independent
portions is situated below the line of the side fastenings of the two
lowermost centre pins or bolts, so that the inferior segment of the axle
box may be detached from the superior section without interfering
with or weakening any of the permanent interior fittings, although suffi-.

page_text: ciently exposing them to admit of free access for any purpose desired.
The lower segment of the axle box should also be so constructed as in.
addition to its use above described, to enable it to serve the purpose of a
pan or cistern for the reception of the drippings of the lubricating fluid
descending from the rollers and the journal. And for the purpose of more
effectually precluding the possibility of any flying particles of dust being
caught up between the antifriction rollers and the journal, it is pro-
posed to line the bottom of the axle box with a layer of sponge con-
fined in its place by a moveable but tight fitting frame, or by extended
net work, or both united, such sponge to be well saturated with water
or other fluid in the first instance, but always so arranged as to admit of
the sponge and of the fluid being removed and replaced at will.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Augustus Collingridge in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 29th July 1874.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, AUGUSTUS
COLLINGRIDGE, of No. 2, Lombard Court, in the City of London,
Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-ninth day of January, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the thirty-
seventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Augustus Collingridge, Her special
licence that I, the said Augustus Collingridge, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Augustus Collingridge,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE CONSTRUCTION OF AXLE BOXES APPLICABLE TO LOCOMOTIVE STEAM ENGINES,
RAILWAY CARRIAGES, AND OTHER LAND VEHICLES," a communication to me
from abroad from Louis Follict and Maric Gally, of Paris, in the
Republic of France, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the

page_text: said Augustus Collingridge, 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 Augustus Collingridge, 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 following statement :-
Whereas the attempts hitherto made to arrive at the greatest possible
attainable economy of traction power in the case of locomotive steam
engines, railway carriages, and other land vehicles transporting licavy
loads or running at high rates of speed, by the substitution in axle boxes
of antifriction rollers in lieu of the ordinary journal or gudgeon brasses
or other metallic castings, have constantly failed in practice to realise the
incontestable advantages that according to the known laws of mechanics
might otherwise reasonably be expected to accrue by the reduction of
friction to a minimum through the application and use of such anti-
friction rollers, in consequence (amongst other defects of construction
and arrangement) of the want of existence heretofore of any system
capable of ensuring the maintenance of such a perfect and regular
lubrication of the surfaces of the apparatus as is necessary for the
effectual prevention of undue griping or heating of the journal of the
axle and its bearings, and at the same time offering in point of
mechanical construction sufficient resistance to the wear and tear
occasioned by the great and incessant vibration of the parts when
travelling.
Now my Invention (as communicated to me from abroad by Louis
Follict and Marie Gally, of Paris, in the Republic of France), for im-.
provements in the construction of axle boxes, consists as follows:-
. In a metallic outer casing of adequate cubical interior capacity, which
may either be rectangular in form with parallel sides or of any other
convenient form, such as cylindrical or drum shape, or polygonal,
according as the axle box may be intended to be affixed to the bearing
springs under framing or body of the vehicle itself, as between the guard

page_text: irons (for example) of a railway locomotive or carriage of any descrip-
tion, or to be sunk into the nave of an ordinary road wheel. Such outer
casing should be divided into sectional portions (horizontally in the case
of railway carriages and other land vehicles, where the wheel and the
axle rotate together in one), the union between the parts being effected
and maintained when in working order by corresponding exterior pro-
jecting flanges faced smooth and drilled with bolt holes for the reception
of ordinary screw bolts and nuts, the upper or standing section being
intended to remain permanently affixed to the bearing springs under
framing or body of the vehicle to which it pertains, and the lower or
moveable section rendered capable of being detached at will from the
upper or standing section for the purpose of facilitating access to the
interior fittings of the box. To the exterior of such axle box and to
the upper or standing section in a convenient position is affixed a
reservoir (provided with a close fitting cover and an atmospheric valve,
the latter for the purpose of securing the maintenance of a uniform
pressure as the level of the fluid becomes lowered by exhaustion)
destined to contain the necessary supply of lubricating matter, which by
the nature of the improvements herein set forth may consist not only of
any oleaginous, vegetable, or mineral fluid, but also of water; and if
the latter, then with or without the addition or admixture of any
alkaline ingredient, such lubricating matter being conveyed to the parts
or surfaces of the rollers and journals requiring lubrication by means of
capillary attraction produced through of syphon-like tubes or conduit
pipes, in which are inserted for sufficient portions of their entire
length (say from two-thirds to five-sixths of such length) plaited wicks
or meshes constructed either of cotton or of some other suitable fibrous
material, arranged as herein-after described, so as to convey the contents
of the reservoir into proper channels, from whence they flow to their
points of destination and to the fulfilment of their intended uses in
relation to the interior mechanism of the box.
In the case of application of the improved axle box to the nave of an
ordinary road wheel rotating in the journal or gudgeon of a fixed axle
shaft the reservoir or reservoirs (if more than one) above spoken of may
encircle the standing section of the box sunk into such nave, and the
atmospheric valve may if desired be dispensed with.
In close juxtaposition with the outer surface of the turned cylindrical
portion of the extremities of the axle projecting beyond the wheel of

page_text: railway locomotives and carriages constituting a bearing neck, and com-
monly known and described before as the journal, and which enters into
and is contained within the sides of the axle box, and with thoir axes
running in a sense parallel with the line of the axis of the axle, are three
(or more) antifriction rollers of cylindrical form and suitable dimensions
constructed wholly or partially of metal, wood, or other suitable enduring
material so disposed that the points of contact of their surfaces with the
surface of such journal may either encircle the same at equidistant or
unequidistant intervals, or may only extend to the limits of and embrace
its upper semicircumference.
In the case of a box with three antifriction rollers so embracing the
upper semicircumference only of the journal the upper antifriction roller
(preferably of larger diameter than the other twin satellite rollers acting
as lateral guides to the journal) forming the apex of the triangular pilo
or figure produced by an end view of the three rollers in position reposes
longitudinally on the journal, and is maintained in its position by means
of a stationary centre pin or bolt (around which such roller rotates),
passing through the hollowed out centre of the roller from end to end,
and traversing the interior of the box from outside to outside (the axis'
of the centre pin or bolt being also and necessarily in a parallel line withi
the axis of the axle), the extremities of such centre pin or bolt being
firmly secured by some such means as rivetting, keying, or fore-locking
on the outer and opposito sides of the axle box, which should be pierced
with holes corresponding exactly with tho form and dimensions of the
bolt.
Within the body of the centre pin or bolt are wrought certain tubular
cavities representing, 1st, a main central longitudinal channel running
in the sense of the axis of such centre pin or bolt; 2nd, irrigating
branches extending from the main channel at right angles, or some
other convenient and approved angle, and radiating from the centre
towards the periphery. The orifices of these branches are left open, but
the extremities of the main central channel are closed hermetically by
means of plugs and screws, a junction being effected nevertheless with
the lower end or ends of one or more of the syphon tubes or conduit pipes
containing plaited wicks or meshes and communicating with the contents
of the reservoir before spoken of.
The two inferior satellite antifriction rollers in the case of an axle box,
with the rollers disposed in a triangular form, occupy lateral positions

page_text: with respect to the journal, and serve as side guides. The nature of
their construction, the sense of the line of bearing of their axes in relation
to the axis of the journal, the system of maintenance in their places, and
their principle of rotation around permanently fixed internally perforated
centre pins or bolts, as described above, and the mode of communication
of the lubricating fluid by means of plaited wicks or meshes of some
fibrous material contained within syphon tubes or conduit pipes being
substantially identical in principle with the distinguishing features of
the upper centre pin or bolt, and its antifriction roller bearing upon the
upper surface of the journal, which latter, in the case of a locomotive or 1
railway carriage, is intended to rotate when in motion within the space
contained between the points of contact of the trio of partially surround-
ing antifriction rollers disposed and working in the manner and form
described.
The extremities of the rollers require to be bevilled off or moulded so
as to afford a perfect corresponding alineation with the outline or profile.
of the recess and projections of the turned length of axle forming the
journal, but exhibiting in point of collar length a slight diminution
(such as the sixteenth or eighth of an inch) as margin to be allowed for
play against the possible effects of lateral strain or "side thrust " when
going round curves at a high rate of speed.
In the case of a vertically disposed axle box with three antifriction
rollers, as already described, the horizontal cross line of section of the
box at its point of division into separate portions is situated below the
line of the side fastenings of the two lower centre pins or bolts, so that
the inferior section may be detached when occasion requires without
interfering with or weakening either the main structure or any of its.
permanent interior fittings..
In the case also of a vertically disposed box, where restricted
dimensions as to width of space between guard irons or other con-
siderations may render a different disposition of antifriction rollers
necessary or expedient, four rollers may be substituted for the triangular
system above described. In such event the upper half and the lower
half of the box should each contain two rollers, and each half box should
be supplied with a separate reservoir with syphon tubes or conduit pipes
and meshes for the purposes of lubrication.
Where space is so limited as not to admit of the possibility of the

page_text: existence of lateral antifriction rollers rotating on their centre pins or
bolts, a portion of the advantages of my system may still be retained
by placing solid antifriction rollers to work in side chocks or cleats
wherein are grooved lengthwise semicircular or otherwise segmentally
formed sockets, such chocks or cleats being affixed to the interior of the.
sides of the box, the rollers receiving their lubrication from interior
tubular perforations of the solid portion of such chocks or cleats and
their communication with the reservoir of oil or other matter being,
obtained in the same manner as in the centre pins or bolts by means of
syphon tubes or conduit pipes containing plaited wicks or meshes of.
some fibrous material.
The lower section of a vertically fixed axle box should also be so
constructed and disposed, as, in addition to its uses before described, to
enable it to serve the purpose of a pan or cistern to recieve the
drippings of the lubricating fluid descending from the antifriction
rollers and the journal. And for the purpose of more effectually pre-
cluding the possibility of any flying particles of dust or dirt being
caught up between the surfaces of such rollers and journal it is proposed
to line the bottom portion of the lower section with a bed or layer of
sponge or some such analagous substance maintained in its place by a
moveable frame or by network or by both united; such sponge or other
similar substance being well saturated with clean water or other approved
fluid in the first instance, and so arranged as to admit of its being taken.
out and replaced at will.
Where sufficient space is available for the purpose an additional
saving of friction and consequent economy in expenditure of traction.
power may be obtained by so increasing the diameter of the antifriction
rollers as to admit of the introduction between the outer surface of the
fixed perforated centre pin or bolt and the inner surface of its accom-
panying antifriction roller a necklace of smaller bolts or rollers equal
in length to the main roller, of convenient size, and so adjusted as to fill
up with exactitude the concentric and otherwise vacant space between
the outer surface of the centre pin or bolt and the inner surface of its
proper antifriction roller.
Having described my said Invention, as above, in order that it may
be most fully understood and readily carried into effect, I will proceed
to describe the Drawings as hereunto annexed.

page_text: rotating (2nd) within the grooved cavities of segmentally or otherwise
hollowed-out chocks or cleats, such latter being also perforated in the
sense described for the purposes of lubrication. Such antifriction
rollers when working in contact with the surface of the journal or
gudgeon of the axle (whether the latter be fixed to the bearing springs,
under framing, or body of the vehicle or rotating in one with the wheel)
recieving their supply of lubricating matter by means of capillary
attraction obtained through the medium of plaited wicks or meshes
composed of some fibrous material contained within tubes or conduit
pipes communicating with the contents of a reservoir or reservoirs
conveniently affixed to such box and leading into the longitudinal or
other perforted passages in the centre pins or bolts, or chocks or cleats,
substantially in the manner and form and for the purposes described, or
any other similar combination or arrangement of the mechanical
parts and other matters above described tending to produce the like
effects.
Signed & scaled, by the said
Augustus Collingridge, in the
presence of
ROBERT ATKIN,
3, Lombard Court,
E.C.
A. COLLINGRIDGE. (L.S.)