Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Nov., 1898-Accepted, 25th Feb., 1899
statement;
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1, is a transverse sectional view of a wheel-bearing and hanger embodying
our invention.
Figure 2, is an enlarged detached sectional view of the wheel bearing block,
showing the balls in position therein and the specific form of the ball cavities.
Figure 3, is a similar view to Figure 2, showing a modification in the way of
connecting the bearing-block.
Figure 4, is a perspective and end view, respectively, of one of the wheel bear-
ing blocks.
Figure 5, is a sectional, end perspective, and end view, respectively, of the hanger
or support bearing block.
Referring now to the drawings, A indicates a wheel composed of sheet metal,
the center of the wheel consisting of the two side pieces a, each having a concentric
inwardly-projecting bearing block cavity b, in which the wheel bearing blocks e
are seated, as clearly shown in Figure 1. These wheel bearing blocks care
separate, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, and are united through the sides a of
the wheel in any desired manner. In Figures 1 and 2, we show these bearing
blocks united by means of a screw d, which passes through a concentric opening
in one of the bearing blocks and into a concentric threaded opening e of the other
bearing blocks. These bearing blocks thus serve to brace the center of the wheel
by being united therethrough and are adapted to be quickly attached to and
detached from the wheel either for substituting a new bearing block for one which
is worn or injured or for any other reason. In Figure 3, we show a modification
of the manner of attaching these blocks, which consists in providing one of the
bearing blocks with an integral projecting screw threaded stud f, which screws
into a concentric internally-screw-threaded opening g, thus serving to unite these
parts by the turning of one of the bearing blocks. In order to prevent these bear-
ing blocks e turning in their cavities b. the periphery of the inner ends of the bear-
ing blocks are provided with the tapered ribs i, whereby the forcing of the blocks
within the cavities will form in the sheet metal a corresponding groove, thus pre-
venting the bearing blocks from turning. Where the construction shown in
Figure 3 is used, one of the bearing blocks will not be provided with these ribs,
whereby it can be turned to position, and, if necessary, afterward secured against
turning in any desired manner.
In Figure 1, B indicates a trolley pole, and C the hanger-arms, which are pro-
vided at their extremities with bearing block openings D.
In Figure 5, are illustrated the hanger or supporting bearing blocks m, which
are provided with a projection n, adapted to fit in the openings D of the arms, and
071

page_text: are then clamped in position through the medium of a clamping nut E fitting upon
a projecting screw-threaded portion p. The inner ends of these bearing blocks are
provided with a ball cavity, similar to the ball cavities of the wheel bearing
blocks c.
The ball cavities in the wheel and supporting arm bearing blocks consist of an
annular bearing surface r, against which the large balls H rest and have their bear-
ings. The inner portions of these cavities are cut away, as indicated as s, whereby
the bearing surface can be reduced to any desired extent, and these cavities s
receive the dirt and dust. Owing to the small bearing surface r of the ball bearing
cavities, dirt is prevented from accumulating upon these surfaces, and owing to
the rotation of the balls and of the bearings upon the balls any dirt is prevented
from accumulating upon these narrow surfaces and will gradually find its way into
the dirt and dust receiving cavities s. The bearing blocks care provided with
outwardly-projecting concentric flanges t, leaving considerable space u for receiving
corresponding and oppositely projecting flanges v, upon the supporting arm bear-
ing block m, whereby approximately a dirt and dust proof bearing is provided.
The flanges do not engage the balls H, and sufficient space is left, as illustrated
in the sectional view Figure 5, to permit some play of the ball without engaging
the said flanges. This construction of ball bearing cavities is found to reduce the
friction and to make an easy running wheel, and in trolley wheels a large ball of
this character is especially desirable and effective in making a good electric con-
tact between the hanger or supporting arms C and the trolley wheel A. The large
balls are not subject to being burned or crystallized to the extent that small balls
are, and are found to make much better electric contact and one which is highly
satisfactory in practice.
In order to adjust the bearings, we provide a transverse adjusting bolt or
member, I, passing through the supporting arm or hangers and provided with
inside and outside adjusting nuts J, whereby the arms may be drawn together or
forced apart to effect the proper adjustment of the ball bearing, as will be readily
understood.
-¿
A wheel bearing as herein shown and described, is simple, effective, and cheap
to produce, and while especially adapted, as before stated, for use as a trolley
wheel is equally as well adapted for other purposes, and we therefore do not limit
our invention to the use of the wheel bearing for a trolley wheel.
If desired the supporting bearing block m may be provided with a longitudinal
opening w, as indicated by dotted lines in sectional view of Figure 5, through which
oil can be fed to the bearings, and these openings may be closed in any well known
manner.
While we have described the blocks c as "blocks" it will be readily understood
that they, in effect, form a shaft for the wheel when united and may aptly be
termed, generically as a "shaft."
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is:-
1st. A wheel bearing comprising a wheel having at each side a ball cavity situated
at the center of rotation thereof, supporting bearing blocks having registering ball
cavities, and a single ball in each pair of cavities, the balls projecting from the
wheel cavities into the supporting block cavities and a connection for the support.
ing blocks passing around the wheel and adapted to permit it to freely revolve,
substantially as described.
2nd. A wheel bearing comprising a wheel having bearing block cavities at each
side of its center, separate hearing blocks situated in the cavities, said blocks pro-
vided with ball cavities at the center of rotation, a uniting member for the separate
bearing blocks, supporting bearing blocks having registering cavities, and a single
ball situated in each pair of cavities, substantially as described.

page_text: 3rd. A wheel bearing comprising a sheet metal wheel having its center formed
of two thicknesses, each part of the center provided with a separate inwardly-pro-
jecting bearing block cavity, separate bearing blocks situated therein and each
provided with a ball bearing cavity at the center of rotation, a uniting member
passing through the inner walls of the bearing cavities and uniting the bearing
blocks, supporting bearing blocks having registering openings, and a single ball
for each pair of cavities, substantially as described.
4th. A wheel bearing comprising a wheel having a shaft provided with con-
centric ball cavities in the ends thereof, supporting bearing blocks having ball
cavities projecting in the opposite direction to those in the shaft, adjustable support-
ing arms for the said supporting bearing blocks, and a single ball situated in each
pair of cavities, substantially as described.
5th. A wheel bearing comprising a wheel having a shaft concentric ball bearing
cavities in the ends thereof, supporting arms provided with bearing blocks at each
end of the shaft and having oppositely extending ball bearing cavities, a single
ball situated within each pair of cavities and an adjustable member passing trans-
versely through the supporting arms at a point beyond the periphery of the wheel
and adapted to separate or draw together the said arms and thus adjust the bear-
ings, substantially as described.
6th. A wheel bearing comprising a wheel having a shaft provided at each end
with a concentric ball bearing cavity, supporting blocks provided with registering
ball bearing cavities, the shaft and the supporting bearing blocks having overlap-
ping flanges out of contact with the balls, and a single ball in each pair of cavities,
substantially as described.
T +1: 95th
Naha. 1900
F. WISE HOWORTH,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicants.