Improvements in Ball Bearings.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 24th July, 1896-Accepted, 29th Aug, 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Ball Bearings.
I ALPHONSE BICKEL of 21 Lyonergass, Mülhausen, Elsass, in the German
Empire, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
The object of my invention is to effect improvements in ball bearings for
velocipedes and other vehicles; my invention being also applicable to shafts and
the like.
According to my invention I arrange the conoidal surfaces, with which the balls
come in contact, so that the balls rotate with great freedom, and with the least
possible friction.
And in order that my said invention may be particularly described and
ascertained, reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings, in which
similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section, showing one method of carrying out my
invention.
Fig. 2 is an end view of the sleeve g, showing the recesses for spacing the balls.
Fig. 3 is a diagrammatical detail, illustrating the position of the balls in the
recessed conical ends of the loose sleeve q.
Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section, illustrating another method of carrying out my
invention.
Fig. 5 is an end view of the loose sleeve 7 shown in Fig. 4.
Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section illustrating another modification of my invention,
in which a double set of balls are fitted at each end of the hub.
Fig. 7 is an end view of the loose sleeve Q, shown in Fig. 6.
Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, u u are two conical frustums, integral with the
axle a, their smaller diameters being outwards, as shown. 2 is the loose sleeve, the
two ends of which are formed with conical recesses or cavities p, each recess being
terminated on each side (radially) by a ridge p'. vv are two adjustable rings
screwed into the hub b, and having internal annular conoidal bearing surfaces
formed therein. The rings are further secured in position by the lock nuts e.
The angles of the conical surfaces of u and v are not parallel, but are so formed
relatively to each other that the largest diameters of the internal conoidal surfaces
in v, are proportionately larger than the corresponding diameters of the frustums u u.
The effect of this arrangement is that the balls r r are held in contact with the ends
of the sleeve q, as well as, and in consequence of their contact with the surfaces of u
and v.
The variation in the angles of the frustums is very slight, and therefore the
pressure of the balls against the conical ends of the louse sleeve
4/2
in the direction
of the dotted line from towards ', is also very slight. The recesses pp
effectually prevent the balls coming in contact with each other, as they cannot pass
over the ridges pl.
Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, the modification consists in the reversing of the
conoidal surfaces, the principle being similar to that above described in reference
to Figs. 1, 2 and 3. In Fig. 4 adjustable frustums u' are fitted to the axle a, their
positions being governed by nuts c. The corresponding internal frustum is formed
in the hub, as shown at v', and the loose sleeve 7 being coned in a reverse direction
to that shown in Fig. 1, with similarly constructed recesses. The relative angles
of the conoidal surfaces of u' and ' are arranged similarly to those above described

page_text: in reference to Fig. 1, whereby the balls rr are retained in the recesses p p of the
loose sleeve g.
The arrangement shown in Figs. 6 and 7 is intended more especially for heavy
machinery, the balls being doubled at each end of the hub, or its equivalent. olis
a conical ring permently fixed in position. The ring v2, similarly coned internally,
is adjustable by means of its screw thread and the cap or cover e, which acts as a
lock nut to the ring v. Q, is the loose sleeve, each end of which is formed as shown
and described in reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3; and the relative angles of the
conoidal surfaces of U and v' are similarly arranged as above described, whereby
the balls rare retained in the recesses of the sleeve Q. The sleeve U is keyed to
the axle a.
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 :-
1. The improvements in ball bearings, substantially as and for the purposes
described and illustrated by the drawings.
2. In ball bearings, the combination of conoidal surfaces with varying angles
between which the balls are caused to roll, and whereby the balls are also equally
spaced by being retained in recesses formed in the ends of the loose sleeve,
substantially as herein before described and illustrated by Figs. 1 to 7 of the
drawings.
3. In ball bearings, the application and use of a loose sleeve, the ends of which
are formed with recesses p and ridges pl substantially as and for the purposes
described and illustrated by the drawings.
Dated 23rd July 1896.
GEO.
DOWNING,
8 Quality Court, London, W.C., Agent.