Improvements in or connected with Tramcar Wheels and Axles.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Dec., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 26th Jan., 1895-Accepted, 16th Mar., 1895
Improvements in or connected with Tramcar Wheels and Axles.
I, JOSEPH WILLOUGHBY, of Erme House, Mutley, Compton Gifford, in the
County of Devon, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in or connected with tramcar wheels
and axles.
In tramways at crossings, points, sidings and other places, some very sharp curves
or angles are met with which, owing to the difference in the distance to be travelled
by the inner and outer wheels of a pair of wheels fixed with their axle, recessitate
one of the wheels slipping with relation to the rail upon which it is running thus
causing a great amount of friction, and throwing a severe strain upon the horses
and seriously increasing their work.
The wear and tear upon the rails is also very severe and a heavy cross strain is
thrown upon the axle bearings with an increase of friction at those parts.
Now, the object of the present invention is by a simple and inexpensive device to
obviate the defect above pointed out.
In carrying the invention into effect, the axle of the wheels is divided transversely
and at about the centre of its length, the wheels being fixed with the axle as
beretofore, and the two lengths of the axle are at their meeting ends coupled by
means of a sleeve which covers the joint and embraces a considerable length of the
two parts of the axle.
This sleeve is interiorly provided with grooves or collars engaging corresponding
parts formed or provided upon the two parts of the axle so that any longitudinal
movement of the two parts of the axle with relation to each other is prevented and
the proper gauge of the wheels is thus maintained, whilst the sleeve efficiently
keeps the two parts of the axle in proper alignment and at the same time preserves
the rigidity and transverse strength of the compound axle.
In order to facilitate its application to the divided axle the sleeve may be divided
longitudinally into two parts bolted together.
By this arrangement of parts, when the car is running in a straight path and the
wheels consequently have the same distance to travel they will run at an equal
speed whilst upon running over a curve or angle the wheels will by reason of the
sleeve coupling run at differential speeds, the sleeve coupling permitting the inde-
pendent movement of the wheels with relation to each other, whilst, at the same
time, all the advantages of the continuous axle are maintained.
By these means,
, the work of the horses will be considerably lessened and the cars
and permanent way will be subject to less wear and tear than heretofore.
Dated thin 2nd day of December 1894
VAUGHAN & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: I, JOSEPH WILLOUGHBY, of Erme House, Mutley, Compton Gifford, in the
County of Devon, 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:-
My said invention relates to improvements in or connected with tramcar wheels
and axles.
In tramways at crossings, points, sidings and other places, some very sharp curves
or angles are met with which, owing to the difference in the distance to be travelled
by the inner and outer wheels of a pair of wheels fixed with their axle, necessitate
one of the wheels slipping with relation to the rail upon which it is running thus
causing a great amount of friction, and throwing a severe strain upon the horses
and seriously increasing their work.
The wear and tear upon the rails is also very severe and a heavy cross strain is
thrown upon the axle bearings with an increase of friction at those parts.
Devices have been suggested for obviating this difficulty but they have not
proved altogether successful.
Now, the object of the present invention is by a simple and inexpensive device to
obviate in a more satisfactory manner the defect above pointed out.
In carrying the invention into effect, the axle of the wheels is divided
transversely and at about the centre of its length, the wheels being fixed with
the axle as heretofore, and the two lengths of the axle are at their meeting ends
coupled by means of a loose sleeve which covers the joint and embraces a
considerable length of the two parts of the axle.
This sleeve is interiorly provided with several grooves or collars of considerable
depth engaging corresponding parts formed or provided upon the two parts of the
axle so that any longitudinal movement of the two parts of the axle with relation
to each other is prevented and the proper gauge of the wheels is thus maintained
whilst the sleeve efficiently keeps the two parts of the axle in proper alignment
and at the same time by reason of the deep and closely fitting grooves and collars
preserves the rigidity and transverse strength of the compound axle.
In order to facilitate its application to the divided axle, the sleeve is divided
longitudinally into sections bolted together.
By this arrangement of parts, when the car is running in a straight path and the
wheels consequently have the same distance to travel they will run at an equal
speed whilst upon running over a curve or angle the wheels will by reason of the
loose sleeve coupling run at differential speeds, the sleeve coupling permitting the
independent movement of the wheels with relation thereto and to each other whilst
at the same time all the advantages of the continuous axle are maintained and
the strain is not borne by any one point.
By these means, the work of the horses will be considerably lessened and the
cars and permanent way will be subject to less wear and tear than heretofore.
And, in order that the said invention may be more clearly understood and
readily carried into effect, I will proceed aided by the accompanying drawings
more fully to describe the same.

page_text: Figure 2. is a transverse section thereof taken on the line 1-1. of Figure 1.
Figure 3. is a plan partly in section of part thereof, one part of the sleeve being
removed in order to expose the axle.
Figure 4. is a similar view to Figure 3. but representing a slight modification.
In the several figures in which like parts are indicated by similar letters of
reference, Figures 3. and 4., are drawn to an increased scale with respect to
Figures 1. and 2.
Referring to Figures 1. to 3. a. represents a pair of tramcar wheels, and
7. represents the axle which is fixed with the wheels in the ordinary manner.
The axle b. is divided, transversely thereof and at about the centre of its length,
into two parts, which are at their meeting ends coupled by means of a sleeve c.
which covers the joint and embraces a considerable length of the two parts of th
axle b.
The sleeve c. is interiorly provided with a number of projecting rings of
considerable depth engaging corresponding grooves & formed in the two parts of
the axle b. or in lieu of forming grooves & in the axle b. collars or flanges might
be fixed thereon and corresponding grooves might be formed in the coupling
sleeve c.
The rings c of the coupling sleeve c. are formed to closely fit the grooves b¹ of
the axle and thus any longitudinal movement of the two parts of the axle with
relation to each other will be prevented by the projecting rings c¹.
The number of rings and grooves employed will vary according to
circumstances but the aggregate surface of contact should be sufficient to prevent
undue wear of the parts.
By this arrangement of parts, the correct guage of the wheels a. is always
maintained whilst the coupling sleeve c. efficiently keeps the two parts of the axle b.
in proper alignment and at the same time in consequence of the deep and closely
fitting grooves and collars preserves the rigidity and transverse strength of the
compound axle whilst by reason of the sleeve being loose upon both parts of the
divided axle it is enabled to follow the differential movements of the two parts of
the axle and thus undue friction upon either part is avoided.
In order to facilitate the application to the divided axle b. of the sleeve c. the
latter is divided longitudinally into two or it might be more than two parts provided
with lugs c through which are passed bolts c3 by the aid of which the two parts
of the coupling sleeve are firmly connected together.
In the example given at Figure 4., the device is provided with means adapted to
take up any longitudinal movement of the two parts of the axle b. with relation to
each other in an inward direction consequent upon wear and to assist the rings and
grooves and for this purpose one or both parts of the axle b. is or are formed with
an axial stud or projection 63 upon which is mounted with capability of revolution
an apertured washer or distance piece of elliptical shape or it might be of
other suitable form in transverse section, and having for its object to present a
bearing surface of contact to the ends of the two parts of the axle b.
The employment of the washer or distance piece 3 also has the advantage that
in the event of the parts becoming worn a thicker washer 6³ may be readily
introduced to compensate therefor.
It will be evident that in lieu of the apertured washer b³ mounted upon one or
both parts of the axle b. any other suitable loose distance piece may be employed.
The action of the device may be described as follows:-
When the car is running in a straight path, and the wheels a. consequently have
the same distance to travel, they will run at an equal speed and the sleeve c. will
revolve freely with the two parts of the axle b. whilst upon running over a curve
or angle the wheels a. will by reason of the axle b. being divided into two parts
coupled by means of the sleeve coupling c. run at differential speeds the sleeve
coupling c. permitting the independent movement of the wheels a. with relation
thereto and to each other, whilst at the same time all the advantages of a

page_text: continuous axle are maintained and by reason of the bearing surface afforded by
the several deep grooves and flanges or collars the rigidity of the axle is preserved.
Although one of the chief objects of the invention is to afford relief to the
horses when horse traction is employed it will be understood that the invention is
also applicable to tramcars propelled by steam or other motive power.
By these means, the work of the horses when horse traction is employed will be
considerably lessened, and the cars and permanent way will in all cases be subject
to less wear and tear than heretofore.
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 :-
The combination of a tramcar axle, divided transversely into two parts, a
coupling sleeve loose upon both parts of the axle and adapted to turn therewith
and connecting together, with capability of independent revolution, the two parts
thereof and rings or grooves or the like upon the axle and corresponding parts
upon the interior of the coupling sleeve for preventing independent endway
movement of the two parts of the axle and preserving the transverse rigidity
thereof, substantially as herein shown and described and for the purpose stated.
Dated this 26th day of January 1895.
VAUGHAN & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.