Year: 1886

page_text: I, HENRY HARINGTON LEIGH, practising as Phillips & Leigh, Engineer & Patent
Agent, of No 22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, W.C., 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:-
My invention relates to the construction of an improved ball-bearing. Up to
the present time, the practical application of ball-bearings has been confined to
comparatively light vehicles, as velocipedes; but I propose, according to my inven-
tion, to construct ball bearings in such a manner that the advantages resulting
from their, comparatively speaking, frictionless working, may be extended to the
journals and journal boxes of heavy vehicles and rolling stock.
In order that my invention, and the means by which the same may be carried
into effect, may be thoroughly understood, I will now describe the same in detail,
referring in so doing to the accompanying drawings which are to be taken as part
of this specification and read therewith, and in which like parts are marked
throughout with the same reference letter.
Fig. 1 is an elevation, partly in section.
Fig. 2 is a plan, taken through the axis of the shaft.
The journal box is formed in two halves, A, B, united by bolts passed through
pairs of lugs, a. A sleeve, b, is keyed upon the journal of the shaft. One or more
grooves, in section nearly semicircular, are formed on the external surface of the
sleeve b; and corresponding grooves are formed in the inner face of the journal
box, or in a lining fitted for that purpose.
The number of grooves is decided by the load, it being obvious that the heavier
the load the larger will be the journal, and the greater the number of grooves
practicable.
The balls are spherical and sufficiently numerous to fill the grooves, leaving
however a slight space for play, as shown in Figure L

page_text: .
An annular space between the sleeve, b, and the journal box is provided for the
purpose of allowing the air to have free access to the balls and grooves, for the
purpose of keeping them cool, which it will do in spite of the friction incidental to
a high velocity.
Suitable double-nutted bolts, d, are provided for the purpose of connecting a box,
made according to my invention, to the springs, or other part of the vehicle.
These, preferably, pass through the two parts of the box, thereby assisting the lug
bolts to hold the two parts firmly together.
I do not confine myself to any particular metals in which to manufacture my
invention, but make use of those which are respectively best adapted for the
various parts.
This invention can be applied to either fixed or rotating axles.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is;
1. The application of ball-bearings to the journal boxes of railway rolling stock
and of other vehicles intended to carry heavy loads.
2. Providing for the access of air to the balls and grooves of a ball bearing, for
the sake of keeping the same cool, even when rotating at a high speed, substantially
as described.
D
AL TOIL
1000
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
Agents for the Applicant.