Improvements in Anti-friction Bearings.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Feb., 1899-Accepted, 20th May, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Anti-friction Bearings.
A communication from EDWARD HANSON CONNOR, of Alton, Madison County,
Illinois, United States of America, and ALBERT HENRY ZELLER, of 7th and
Pine Streets, St. Louis, Missouri, Civil Engineers.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT, of 111, Hatton Garden, in the County of Middlesex,
Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to that class of bearings in which balls or rollers are
used, the object of the invention being to so construct such a bearing that the
bearing surfaces are reduced to a minimum and the balls and rollers are so sup-
ported and arranged as to turn with the greatest possible ease and to roll through-
out instead of grinding one against another.
The invention consists in features of novelty hereinafter fully described and
pointed out in the claims.
Fig. I is a cross sectional view taken on the line I-I, Fig. II, the bearing
balls being shown in elevation and the central portions of the intermediate rollers
being shown in cross section.
Fig. II is a longitudinal sectional view of the bearing with the balls, rollers
and shaft shown in elevation.
Fig. III is a detail view of two of the bearing balls and one of the intermediate
rollers, illustrating the points of contact of the parts.
Fig. IV is a sectional view similar to that shown in Fig. II, of the bearing in
a form used for machinery shafting
Fig. V is a sectional view similar to that shown in Fig. II, of the bearing in
a form used for vehicle wheels.
Figs. VI and VII are detail views of varied forms of balls and rollers used in
the bearing.
1 designates the bearing shaft and 2 the housing. The shaft may be the axle
of a wheel, such as a bicycle, or it may be the crank shaft of a vehicle or
machine. Likewise the housing 2 may be the hub of a wheel or the hanger in
which the shaft is mounted. In one instance the housing would turn around
the shaft and in the other instance the shaft would turn within the housing.
The housing is provided with an internal screw thread 3. 4 is a ring having
an outer screw thread 3 on the interior of the housing. The ring 4 is preferably
formed with inner inclined faces 5 that extend toward each other to a common
center and form a V shaped channel for the bearing balls. This ring is provided
with recesses 4b adapted to receive the prongs of a spanner or other implement
by means of which the ring may be turned into position in the housing 2.
The ring
is preferably made of one piece but it may be a divided ring and
consist of two pieces having the opposing inclines. The main purpose of the
ring 4 is to prevent the end thrust of the bearing balls and instead of using a

page_text: ring having two inclined faces, a ring having a single inclined face may be used
and a ring having a single inclined face opposing that of the first may be used,
in an opposing bearing in order to overcome the end thrust in both directions.
6 designates balls arranged in the V shaped receptacle formed by the inclined
faces, but which, by virtue of said ring faces having straight inclines, contact with
but the least possible portions and affords small rolling frictional contact and con-
sequently a limited degree of resistance to the free turning of the balls.
The bearing shaft 1 is provided with a screw thread 1ª. On the shaft are a
pair of cone members 7 having screw threaded central portions that fit the screw
thread 1 of the bearing shaft. The cone members each have tapering inner
faces in contact with which the balls 6 travel, said tapering faces forming a
raceway for the balls, similar to that formed by the inner faces of the ring 4.
At the outer ends of the cone member portions are tapering faces 8.
Each cone member 7 carries a surrounding disk 9 having an inwardly pro-
jecting flange rim 10, the inner face of which is tapered, the flange rims
opposing each other. Each cone member is provided with suitable recesses for
the reception of an implement by which they are turned onto the shaft 1 to
adjust them.
11 designates rollers arranged intermediate of the balls 6 to separate them
and also to distribute and equalize the slack between the balls. These rollers
are in the form of double cones, so that they taper inwardly from each end. By
reason of the rollers being tapered as stated the balls bear against but limited
portions of them and consequently less rolling frictional contact exists between
balls and rollers.. The outer ends of the rollers 11 ride against or on the flange
rims 10 of the cone members 7, such rims forming tracks for the rollers, and
travel with and partake of the axle or shaft movement.
The cone members are preferably alike in all particulars and are consequently
interchangeable.
12 designates a cap that fits in the outer end of the housing 2 to enclose the
parts of the bearing and prevent the ingress of dust or dirt. This cap is connected
to the bearing housing by an external screw thread that engages the internal
screw thread in the housing. The cap is provided with a central aperture 13
which is tapered to correspond to the tapered face 8 of the outer end of the outer
cone member, which arrangement enables the formation of a close joint without
the aid of washers. The cap is provided with a wrench or spanner seat to permit
of its being engaged to turn it tightly against the cone member. In this con-
nection it may be stated that by tightening the cap 12 onto the central portion
of the outer cone member to a sufficient extent it is possible to so clamp the
bearing shaft and housing together as to render the parts rigid and prevent the
action of the bearing, thereby locking it. As seen in Fig. II, the end 1b of the
bearing shaft is adapted to receive the crank of a bicycle and when a crank is
placed thereon it may fit against the outer end of the outer cone member 7 and
there is intended to be sufficient space between the crank and the cap 12 for the
insertion of an implement to turn the cap.
:
In the practical use of this improved bearing, the parts are arranged upon the
shaft and in the housing as shown in Fig. II. To obtain the proper adjustment
of the bearing balls and rollers, the inner cone member being moved into its
innermost position, the outer cone member is moved toward the inner one for
the purpose of adjusting the bearing balls and rollers and take up the slack be-
tween them. The flange rims 10 forming tracks for the intermediate rollers 11
provide for the adjustment of said rollers 11 between the balls 6 so that the balls
may be adjusted to a nicety and only the desired amount of slack be left between
them and the intermediate rollers. The adjustment of the cone members 'cause
changes in the position of the balls 6.by reason of the inner inclined faces of the
cone members at the same time that it causes adjustment of the intermediate
rollers through the medium of the flange rims 10. In the operation of the bearing
the intermediate rollers 11 are carried by the flange rims 10 and these rollers con-

page_text: sequently travel in the same direction with the shaft 1 by reason of said flange
rims having direct connection with said shaft. The balls 6 travel in an opposite
direction to the intermediate rollers 11 by reason of their bearing contact with
the cone members 7 and the intermediate rollers. In the movement of the parts
it will be readily observed that by the arrangement set forth the flange rinis 10
effect a pull on the intermediate rollers at their points of contact and the inter-
mediate rollers effect a pull on the balls 6 while the cone members effect a push
on the opposite portions of the balls 6 and consequently there is a double action
on the balls 6 that cause them to be turned much more readily and to turn freely
without grinding or slipping. In this bearing there is an absolute certainty
of the balls all turning freely as every one is operated upon the intermediate
rollers in addition to their bearing against the inner faces of the cone members,
and the intermediate rollers being operated through the flange rims having
direct contact with the bearing shatt, such intermediate rollers are compelled to
roll continuously and there is no grinding or slipping as in other forms of roller
bearings. It will be observed that there is no direct bearing of any other parts
upon the intermediate rollers 11 and these rollers do not sustain any weight in
the operation of the bearing, as all of the weight or load is borne by the balls 6
which contact with the other weight sustaining portions of the bearing.
An important advantage involved in the construction of this bearing lies in
the fact that owing to the balls of the bearing being compelled to roll by reason
of the arrangements of the parts, it is impossible for any sudden jolt or jar to the
bearing causing the balls to stick, slide or grind as is the case with other forms
of bearings.
The bearing shown in Fig. IV is of a form designed for use upon machinery
shafting. The shaft in this form is designated by 1° and as a whole the parts
of the bearing are substantially the same as those described in connection with
Figs. I and II with the exception that two caps 12" are used, one at each end of
the bearing. The remaining parts of the bearing are designated by like numerals
with lower case affix letter "a," except for the ring 4°.
In Fig. V the bearing is shown applied to a vehicle wheel, in which the
The
housing 2b constitutes the hub of the wheel and receives the spokes 14.
shaft 1 is provided at its outer end with a jam screw 15 set therein that bears
against the outer cone member 7. 4d designates the ring carried by the housing.
The remaining parts are similar to those previously described and are designated
by like numerals with lower case affix letter "b".
In Fig. VI elongated rollers 6° are shown in place of the balls 6 and the inter-
mediate rollers 11° are elongated so that the rollers 6 hear against the central
portions of said intermediate rollers instead of the conical parts thereof. In
this case the inner contact face of the ring 4 would be widened to conform to the
elongated rollers so that the bearing on the ring is produced in the same manner
as against the intermediate rollers. This form of roller is particularly intended
for use where the bearing is subjected to heavy loads and great strain.
In Fig. VII the balls 6d are separated by intermediate small balls 11d that take
the place of the rollers 11. The operation in this instance is the same as where
the intermediate rollers are used. This form would be in many cases desirable.
All parts that effect the working of the bearing are mathematically calculated
so as to be of proper proportion to roll smoothly without any slipping or sliding,
consequently doing away with all friction excepting natural rolling friction,
this having also been reduced to the minimum.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, as communicated to me by my foreign correspondents, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The combination of a housing, a shaft, cone-members providing an annular
roller-channel having disks formed with flanges and mounted on said shaft, a ring
secured rigidly within the housing, said ring being provided with a roller-channel,

page_text: a series of main rollers working in the channels, and a series of intermediate
rollers working between the main rollers and on the flanges, substantially as
described.
2. In an anti-friction bearing, the combination of a shaft, a housing, a ring
mounted in said housing, said ring having opposing inclined faces forming a
trough-like channel, a pair of opposing cone-members having inclined faces, said
cone-members carrying disks provided with inwardly projecting track rims, a
series of rollers arranged between said cone-members and said ring, and a series
of rollers arranged intermediate of the first named series of rollers, substantially
as described.
3. The combination of a shaft, a cone-member having an outer tapering face
and carried by said shaft, a housing, an adjustable cap secured within the housing
and having an outwardly tapering central aperture fitting the tapering face of
the cone-member, substantially as described.
4. In an anti-friction bearing, the combination of a shaft, a pair of cone-
members carried by said shaft, the outer one of said cone-members being pro-
vided with a tapering face, a housing, a cap secured in said housing and pro-
vided with a central tapering aperture, a ring mounted in said housing, said ring
having opposing inclined faces, a series of rollers arranged between said cone-
members and said ring, and a series of rollers arranged intermediate of the first
named series of rollers, substantially as described.
5. In an anti-friction bearing, the combination of a shaft, a housing containing
roller receiving channels, two series of rollers, a pair of adjustable cone-members
carried by said shaft, said cone-members carrying track rims for one series of
said rollers, substantially as described.
6. In an anti-friction bearing, the combination of a shaft, a housing containing
roller receiving channels, two series of rollers, a pair of adjustable cone-members
carried by said shaft, said cone-members carrying track rims for one series of
said rollers, said track rims being formed with inclined bearing surfaces whereby
on their adjustment the series of rollers in contact therewith are moved to govern
the slack between the rollers of the outer series, substantially as described.
7. In an anti-friction bearing, the combination of a housing containing roller
receiving channels, a shaft, two series of rollers, and a pair of track rims mounted
in said housing and arranged to receive the travel of one of said series of rollers,
substantially as described.
Dated this 2nd day of February 1899.