IMPROVEMENTS IN AXLES FOR CARRIAGES, CARTS, OR SIMILAR VEHICLES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Harris Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Like,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN AXLES FOR CARRIAGES, CARTS, OR SIMILAR VEHICLES."
A communication from abroad by Albert Cohen, of Thaszewice, Poland,
Engineer.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Harris Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th July 1881.
HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AXLES FOR CARRIAGES,
CARTS, OR SIMILAR VEHICLES." [A communication from abroad by Albert Cohen,
of Thaszewice, Poland, Engineer.]
The object of this Invention is to provide means whereby the axles of carriages
carts, and similar vehicles may be lubricated without requiring the wheels to be
removed therefrom; and the said Invention is carried into practice in the following
manner, that is to say-I bore a longitudinal hole centrally in each end of the
axle, this hole extending from the end to a point about midway between the said
end and the shoulder, against which the hub of the wheel abuts, or the hole may,
if desired, extend somewhat farther.
The inner end of this hole is in communication with two radial apertures of
smaller diameter than the longitudinal one, and these radial apertures extend to
the periphery of the axle. The end of the axle is screw-threaded to receive a screw
threaded cap or nut, and there is a small aperture in the nut which communicates
with an aperture in the axle extending to and beyond the longitudinal aperture
above mentioned. A screw passes through this aperture in the nut. When it is
desired to lubricate the axle the cap or nut is released by withdrawing the screw
and liquid lubricating material is poured into the aperture; or if tallow or similar
material is to be used the cap or nut is entirely removed. When the lubricant has
been supplied the screw and cap are readjusted, and the lubricant is compelled to
penetrate through the central longitudinal hole and into the radial apertures,
whence it escapes to the surface of the axle, thus getting between the latter and
the box or sleeve.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Henry Harris Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
9th January 1882.
HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AXLES FOR CARRIAGES,
CARTS, OR SIMILAR VEHICLES." A communication from abroad by Albert Cohen,
of Thaszewice, Poland, Engineer.
The object of this Invention is to provide means whereby the axles of carriages,
carts, and similar vehicles may be lubricated without necessitating the removal of
the wheels therefrom.
In the accompanying Drawing I have shewn various methods of carrying the
said Invention into practice. In this Drawing,
Figure 1 is an exterior- view partly in longitudinal section.
Figure 1 an end view, and
Figure 1b a transverse section illustrating my improvements as applied to an
axle for carts or heavy vehicles.
Figures 2, 2, and 2b are similar views representing my improvements as applied
to a carriage axle.
Figure 3 is an exterior view partly in longitudinal section.
Figure 3a an end view, and
Figure 3b a section on the line A¹, B¹, Figure 3, representing the method of
lubricating I prefer to employ.
Figures 4 and 4ª are an exterior view, and end view of devices suitable for
carriage axles; and
Figures 5 and 5ª are similar views of devices suitable for the axles of carts or
heavy vehicles.
In carrying the said Invention into practice I bore a hole C (which may be
about one half an inch in diameter) centrally within each end of the axle A, on
which the hub of the wheel revolves; this hole extends longitudinally, and com-
municates with radial apertures c, c.
When it is desired to lubricate the axle the screw b, Figure 3, is removed, and
the cap or nut B is unscrewed from the end of the said axle; the said cap is then
filled with lubricating material and screwed again upon the end of the axle, so that
the lubricating material will be forced into the channel C, and thence into the
apertures or openings c, c, from which it escapes and spreads over the whole surface
of the end of the axle.
If a liquid, such as oil, is employed as a lubricant the cap (Figure 3) need not be
entirely unscrewed or disconnected from the axle, that is to say, by partially
unscrewing the said cap and removing the screw boil may be poured in through
the aperture into which the said screw fits; the screw b is then inserted and the
cap or nut B screwed up to its place, the said cap being retained in its position by
the aforesaid screw b when the same is screwed inward. The cap or nut B while
being screwed up to its proper place forces the oil or lubricant through the hole C
and apertures c, c, and causes the lubricant to spread over the surface of the end of
the axle.
When a vehicle provided with my improvements is in motion it is very desirable
that the loosening of the small screw b in the cap or nut should be prevented. For
this purpose I prefer to remove a portion or portions of the screw threaded part
of the axle end, so that a flat surface is formed thereon, as shewn in Figures 1b
and 2b at f
A collar F provided with a suitable aperture is arranged upon the axle, being
preferably screwed thereon in the same manner as the cap.

page_text: The jarring and friction which would be exerted upon the cap or nut, provided
the hub of the wheel were in direct contact therewith, is obviated by means of this
collar F fixed to the shaft, and consequently the accidental loosening of the said
cap or nut is prevented.
In some cases the cap or nut may be secured in position by means of a pin
passed through a hole d, or by a flange h either cast upon or brought into contact
with the cap B, thus preventing the said cap from becoming displaced.
The advantages of my improvements are as follow, that is to say :-The wheel
does not require to be removed for lubricating purpose; the lubricating material
may be either liquid or solid; when solid lubricating material is used it is instantly
spread over the surface of the axle by the pressure exerted by the cap or nut when
being screwed up, and no heating of the said material is needed in order to render
it liquid, so that it may flow to the bearing surfaces, as is ordinarily the case ;
wheels and axles at present in use may be readily provided with my improvements;
my improved axles will not exceed in cost ordinary axles; and economy in the
lubricating material is ensured.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it under-
stood that I claim,―
An axle whose ends are provided with a central hole communicating with radial
apertures in combination with the cap or nut and the screw b, or with the cap or
nut and the collar, substantially as above set forth and for the purposes specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Harris Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Ninth day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.