Improvements in and relating to Axle-boxes.
Year: 1887

page_text: Improvements in and relating to Axle-boxes.
I, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine Lake and Co., Patent Agents
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex 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 :-
This invention has relation to axle-boxes and their spring supports, and it has for
its objects to provide a simple and effective form of dust-shield for the rear end of the
box and for the lid or its joint; a brass or bearing having tapered ends provided
with vertical corner-beads to adapt it to be removed, for replacement or for other
purposes, through the front end of the box without removing or displacing any of the
parts of the box except opening its lid, a simple, effective and durable oiling device
composed of a metal frame and a packing or layer of fibrous material arranged to
feed the oil to the sides of the journal and to rise in the box with the journal as its
bearing wears away; abutting lugs for preventing side movement of the box; a
closed oil-well integral with the axle-box and which is filled from the interior of the
box; and supports for the springs of a car, which supports are arranged to obviate
chafing or wearing of the springs.
The invention consists of the combinations, construction and arrangement of parts
as hereinafter described.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section, partly in elevation, showing an axle box
embodying my improvements.
Figure 2 is a plan, in detail shewing screw or bolt and nut, and lug for nut, for
fastening the lid to the axle box.
Figure 3 is a cross-section of part of box, and axle shewing in elevation the oiling-
device for the axle.
Figure 4 is a perspective view, partly broken away, of frame of oiling-device.
Figure 5 is a perspective view shewing a preferable configuration of fibrous
material for the oiling-device.

page_text: Figure 6 is a longitudinal section of the oiling-device.
Figure 7 is a rear view of axle-box lid.
Figure 8 is an elevation of key for front end of axle-journal to prevent end
movement or thrust of the axle.
Figure 9 is a plan of axle-bearing.
Figure 10 is an elevation of pressure rings for the dust-shield plates of the
axle-box.
Figure 11 is an elevation, partly sectional, shewing front end view of axle-box with
depending brackets or lugs engaging with stops on the truss or brace-rod to prevent
side movement of axle-box, and also bearings for the supporting springs, part of car
and a wheel for same, and
Figure 12 is a plan partly sectional of brace rod, and axle box lugs, shewn in
Figure 11.
A represents the axle-box the front part of which is open as shewn at a and the
front edges a¹ of its sides a² are made rounding as indicated, and are more or less
finished to make said edges smooth. At the bottom of opening a and on the front
of the box are formed lugs a³ having curved recesses a* of any suitable shape.
The opening a is closed by a lid B which is curved to correspond to the outline of
opening a and said lid rests or bears upon the finished front edges a¹ of the sides a²
and upon the upper side of the top a³ of box A.
The bottom edge of the lid is shaped or curved to correspond with and snugly fit
the outline of the recesses a' in lugs a³ to hold the bottom part of the lid securely in
position. At the upper part of the lid B is formed a projecting central lug & having
an opening for the passage of a bolt 3 which screws into a nut resting or cast in
a lug a on the top of the box as shewn in Figures 1 and 2, the lug a being preferably
formed with an open-top transverse slot a so that the nut may be loosely placed
therein, and with an open longitudinal slot as for the passage of bolt 3 seen more
plainly in Figure 2, but any suitable construction of lug may be employed.
When the lid B is in position on the box, it is securely held thereon by the lugs a³
and the bolt 63, and by turning or screwing up the latter the lid is brought in close
contact with the curved edges a of the sides and with the top as of the box thus making
a tight joint therewith. In order to avoid any possibility of an imperfect joint between
the lid and box, and in order to make a perfectly dust tight joint, we prefer to line
the rear side of the lid with a plate of spring metal so that as the screw & is
adjusted the spring plate 6" will be subjected to pressure between the lid and box
and hermetically seal the joint between them. This plate may be secured to the lid
in any suitable manner, but I prefer to cover the entire inner side of the lid with the
plate as shown in Figures 1 and 7, and to rivet it to the lid, the rivets & being placed
within or away from the edges of the lid so as to leave the edges of the plate free,
loose, or flap-like so. that they will have more or less elasticity and admit of conforming
more readily to the outline of the edges of the sides and top of the box or to any
imperfections therein when not finished or smoothed off.
The rear end of the box is open and is preferably formed with a rearwardly
projecting annular flange e within which is another parallel annular flange c' which
does not project rearwardly as far as the flange c or the flange c', is shorter than the
flange c, and between these flanges is a wide annular space or recess into which
passes an annular flange d projecting forwardly from a collar D suitably fastened to
the axle E in any desired manner. This collar D is separate or disconnected from
the wheels, so that the improved box may be applied to tram-cars, railway rolling
stock, and similar vehicles already constructed.
Between the edge d' or flange d and the side e³ of space or recess is an annular
ring fitting snugly in space or recess c² and held in close contact with the edge d'
of flange d by a spring or pressure ring G located between ring F and side c³.
The ring is preferably prevented from turning by means of one or more lugs c
formed in space or recess c³ fitting in or engaging with slots f in the periphery of
ring F as shewn in Figure 1.
The springs 9 for the ring G may be plate springs of any suitable shape rivetted or

page_text: otherwise secured to the ring as indicated in Figure 10, or any other form of springs
may be used. They bear against the side and press the ring G and in turn the
ring F against the edge d' of flange d to make a tight joint therewith and form a
shield for excluding dust from the interior of the axle box.
Between the outer edge.c of flange c' and the collar D is another annular ring H
which snugly but loosely fits the axle and the interior of flange d and is prevented
from rotating by ribs or luga d² on the inside of flange d entering peripheral
recesses in said ring. Its front face abuts against the edge es of flange c¹ and is
maintained in close contact therewith by a pressure or spring ring G¹ loosely sur-
rounding the axle and located between collar D and ring H and constructed in a
manner similar to spring or pressure ring G..
The ring H forms a second plate or shield for excluding dust or dirt from
the box A.
These dust shields F and H being loose on their bearings give with the axle as it
moves longitudinally, during such movement, however, their contact with the parts
of the box against which they bear, is maintained by the spring or pressure rings.
These shields it will be noted are so arranged that the larger one of them F is in
advance of the smaller one H, that the former has its bearing or closing surface
against the edge or collar-flange d and the latter or smaller shield bears against the
edge of box flange c and that shield F is supported upon the box, and shield H
upon the axle.
This described arrangement of the two shields, it will be noted, provides a tortuous
path for the travel of dust or dirt to the interior of the axle box and gives virtually
two separate shields, so that if by any possibility any dirt gains access through or by
the first shield F, the second shield El prevents its entrance to the box.
The flange c is made deep as shewn in Figure 1, to form a guard or shed to exclude
dust from the collar flange d.
The lugs c d on box A and collar and recesses fand in shields F and H may
be dispensed with, in which case, the shields may either rotate or be held stationary
by friction or pressure of the spring rings.
The shields may be made of wood, fibre.or any other suitable material. I prefer
to make them of fibre, or one of fibre and the other of wood.
The lower part of flange c¹ has its upper surface inclined downwardly to meet a
false bottom I in box A, which bottom inclines from its centre to flange c¹ and to the
front of the box. This inclination is provided to conduct waste or surplus oil back to
the oil well i which is located between the false bottom I and the bottom a' of
the box.
The bottom or top I of the well has an opening near the front of the box with
removable plug through which oil is filled into the well i.
In the centre of the bottom I is an elongated opening in which loosely fits an
oiling device K for the axle journal e. This oiler is preferably composed of a sheet-
inetal frame K' having top k in which are elongated side openings or slots &¹ centrally
located, depending sides and ends with open bottom k and upwardly projecting
side flanges or laps 45. To the latter and also to the sides k² of frame K' are secured
"T"-shaped pieces of fibrous or wick like material L, the vertical limbs 7 of which
pass down through the slots k¹ to, and if desired project below, the bottom of frame K'.
The horizontal limbs of the fibrous material are substantially the same length as
the flaps or flanges and are tacked to the latter by stitching as shewn at Figure 1,
or in any other suitable manner.
When stitched or similarly secured to frame K' suitable openings are provided for
the passage of the thread.
Within frame K' and at each end are placed, preferably,
spiral springs M held in place by cups or pins m depending from the under side of
frame top-plate k as shewn more plainly in Figure 6. These springs rest upon the
bottom of the box and impart an upward pressure to the oiling device.
The flaps with fibrous lining L are spread apart to embrace the sides of the axle
as shewn in Figure 3, the sheet metal flaps being elastic or flexible enough to
permit this spreading and the spring pressure of the oiling device being an upward

page_text: one, maintains the fibrous lining in contact with the journal at all times during
the vertical vibrations of the box and as the journal wears.
The oiling device or its frame is of such an economical construction that when
worn it can be cheaply replaced by a like device.
If desired the upper end of the fibrous material L may project above the flaps
as indicated in Figure 3 but this is not essential.
Near the forward end of axle E is an annular groove e¹ for engagement with an
inverted "U" or yoke shaped key m² see Figures 1 and 8, which key slides in
vertical grooves al in or on the inner surfaces of the box sides a³. The top of
these grooves are in front of the front edge of the top of the box so that when thei
lid B is opened or removed the key m' can be readily remove or inserted as desired.
To facilitate removal it is formed on its front side with a handle, knob or lug m².
The journal brass or bearings P is made or formed with contracted or tapering
ends p having at its corners vertical beads, ridges or ribs p² to adapt it to be taken
hold of and drawn out through the box opening a while the box is on the car or on the
axle; the key m¹ being first removed. The latter it will be noted not only prevents
end thrust of the axle but also maintains the brass or bearing in position and the
usual or independent keys heretofore employed for the brass may be dispensed with.
If desired, the groove in journal may be dispensed with and the key then abuts
against the end of the journal.
The axle box A is formed with side flanges or platforms R having spring-bearings r
and openings between the bearings and the sides of the box, see Figure 11.
To prevent undue lateral movement of the box, it may have depending lugs or
brackets S which abut against lugs t on the bracs or truss-rod T located below the box
as shewn in Figures 11 and 12. The spring-bearings rof the latter have a central
opening of a larger diameter than that of the stay bolt t¹ for the reception or
passage of a plunger 2 depending from a plate or cap and surrounding the bolt t'
as shewn in Figure 11.
Between the bearings and capt³ is a rubber spring or block t and as the lower
edge of the cap-plunger passes down into the bearing-opening said edge does not
come in contact with the sides of the opening in said rubber block and all chafing,
wearing or deterioration; of said block is avoided.
The capt has on its upper side a pin to for holding the lower end of a spiral
spring N in position or line and as this pin is within the mandrel hole of the spring
any dirt deposited thereon works off of the same over the top of the cap t³. The
upper end of spring N-is-held in place by a cap to having a pin t and between the cap
and still plate or cup is a rubber block and between truss or rod T and bearing
is a like block v².
2°
This described construction of bearings for the springs and the arrangement of the
latter afford a strong; durable and economical support for the car.
From the foregoing description it will be noted that the upper end of the lid is not
permanently affixed to the axle box, or in other words the lid opens from above
downwardly, that the bottom edge of the lid has a loose interlocking engagement
with the box to admit of such described manner of opening or removing the lid,
that it has at its upper edge a bolt and nut fastening with the box, which nut is
preferably of wrought iron or is separate from and loosely located-upon the top of
the box.
The lid is not therefore a self locking lid but one that is locked by manually
adjusting the bolt or fastening devices and by suitably screwing up the bolt a varying
pressure is applied to the free or flap edges of plate to make a tight joint between
the lid and box. The loose nut being separate from the box, it is when stripped worn
or lost, readily replaced by a new one. It will be further noted that the collar D with
its flange for impingement against the dust-shields in the axle box, is separate
from the wheels, that it is affixed to the axle and the box and it may therefore be
economically applied to cars already in use without necessitating the removal of the
wheel from the axles and in-building new cars the old form of wheels are used as
heretofore; and that the oil well of the box is cast integral therewith and the oiling

page_text: device is composed of a metal frame to which the oiling pads are secured, hence as the
pads wear away they are detached from the frame and replaced by new ones.
I am aware that axle boxes having rear open ends in which are placed one or more
dust shields against which annular flanges or sleeves bear to close the rear open ends
of the boxes are not new. But heretofore these flanges or sleeves are either an
integral part of the wheel or are separate from and bolted to the front side of the
wheels.
In the one case the axle boxes as described can only be applied to new wheels
which have the flanges or sleeves cast on thein, and in the other while the flanges
may be bolted to old wheels yet patterns of flanges or sleeves must be made to suit the
different shapes and sizes of different styles of old wheels and when in use the
hammering of the wheels upon the rails loosen the fastening bolts of the sleeves or
flanges and impair their usefulness.
In either case, however when these wheel flanges and boxes are used upon tram
cars or railway rolling stock for narrow gauge of track wherein the wheels in practice
are located some distance from the car sleepers or from the axle journals, the wheel
flanges must be extended to meet and enter the rear end of the axle boxes or extra
sills must be secured to the side sills of the cars in order to provide for locating the
boxes within suitable range or distance of the flanges.
Upon the different gauges of roadway as the distance from the axle-journals to the
side of the wheel vary, the exact degree of extension for the flanges or the width of
the extra sills also varies, and no standard gauge can be made when the flanges or
sleeves are secured to the wheels, but where the flanges, or collar D, upon the axle is
used as above described a standard gauge or point of location upon the axle is
allowable for all the variations in gauge of the wheels of the car and the axle-boxes
are always located below the sleepers of the car. Hence the main advantages to be
derived from the use of collar D upon the axle instead of upon the wheels are the
collars can be put as close to the axle box as desired in different gange of cars; the
axle boxes are thus always located directly under the car sleepers, which position is
the proper one; and no extra car sill pieces or extension of flanges are necessary
when changing the gauge of cars.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, 1 declare that what I claim is;
First. A car axle box having at its front end and at the lower edge of its lid-
opening, a lug or lugs a³ provided with recess a* and upon its top a lug a having a
longitudinal and a transverse slot, a nut 6 having a threaded opening and located in
said transverse slot which opening aligns with said longitudinal slot, in combination
with lid having its lower edge fitting into recess a and a lug at its top edge having
a screw or bolt 3 for engagement with nut to secure the lid to the axle-box,
substantially as set forth.
Second. A car axle box having at the lower edge of its lid-opening a lug or lugs
provided with recesses, and on its top a slotted lug and a loose nut having threaded
opening, in combination with a lid the lower edge of which fits into said recesses and
having at its upper edge a screw or bolt for engagement with said nut, substantially
as set forth.
Third. A curved axle-box lid having at its lower edge a loose interlocking engage-
ment with the axle box, a spring metal plate 6 on its inner side and a bolt and nut
fastening device for the top of the lid, substantially as set forth.
Fourth. A curved axle box lid having on its inner side a spring metal plate
rivetted or secured to the lid, and having free or flap edges, substantially as
set forth.
Fifth. A car axle-box lid curved from top to bottom and having on its inner side
a spring metal plate provided with free or flap edges, a loose interlocking engagement
between the lower edge of the lid and axle box, and a nut and bolt fastening for the
upper end of the lid, substantially as set forth.

page_text: Sixth. The combination with a car axle box having an open rear end, of two
separate dust shields located in said open end, and a collar rigidly affixed to the car
axle, bearing against one of said shields, and having a peripheral flange which extends
into said open end of the box and bears against the remaining shield, substantially
as set forth.
Seventh. An axle box having in its rear side a recess c² lugs c in said recess, a
plate F, having peripheral notches fitting lugs c and a pressure or spring ring
between the box and plate F, substantially as set forth.
Eighth. An axle box having a rear open end, a recess in said end enclosing a dust
shield, in combination with an axle having a collar separate from the car wheel and
projecting into said recess and impinging against the dust shield, substantially as
set forth.
Ninth. An axle box having a well i false bottom I cast integral with the box and
having opening and an oiling device in said opening for conducting oil to the sides
of the journal, substantially as set forth.
Tenth. An axle or journal oiling device composed of a metal frame having top k
sides and ends k³, upwardly projecting side flaps or plates 4, fibrous material L
secured to flaps and springs H, substantially as set forth.
Eleventh. An oiling device composed of a metal frame K' having top plate / with
slots, upwardly projecting flexible sides ko, and "T".shaped layers or strips of
fibrous material tacked or secured to said sides, substantially as set forth.
Twelfth. An oiling device composed of a metal frame K¹ having open bottom,
pins m, springs M, sides lined with fibrous material L, substantially as set forth.
Thirteenth. An oiling device composed of a metal frame K¹ having sides or
wings provided with openings and layer of fibrous material L stitched to said
sides through openings 6, substantially as set forth.
Fourteenth. The axle brass P having contracted or tapering ends P and vertical
corner beads or ribs p¹, substantially as set forth.
P
Fifteenth. An axle-box having brass P provided with contracted or tapered ends
and vertical corner beads or ribs p' in combination with key m³, substantially as
set forth.
Sixteenth. The combination of an axle box having bearing or plate c with central
aperture c³, stay bolt or rod D of less diameter than aperture c³, cap c' having
plunger depending into aperture c³ and spring between said bearing and plate
substantially as set forth.
Seventeenth. The combination with an axle box, of a plate or bearing c, rubber
block or spring on said plate, and a cap c¹ having plunger passing through said
spring and plate as and for the purpose set forth.
Eighteenth. In combination with axle box C, the bearing c, cap chaving
plunger c, rubber block or spring t, spiral spring N upon cap c², cap I, still plate
and rubber block, substantially as set forth.
Nineteenth. In combination with an axle-box a rubber block or spring supported
by the box, of a cap for the block, having a plunger passing through the block and
into the box support for the block, substantially as set forth.
Twentieth. In combination with an axle box having an oil well i and false bottom I
provided with opening of an oiling device K having upwardly diverging sides or
flaps provided with a lining of fibrous material for contact with the sides of the
axle-journal, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 1st day of October 1887
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.