Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Oct., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 22nd July, 1896-Accepted, 12th Sept., 1896
DUNCAN KENNETHI CAMPBELL RUSSELL of No. 2 Albert Terrace Edinburgh,
Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention in cycle gear relates to the most efficient and simple means for
effecting the largest ball on the smallest axle, or rolling periphery, with the least
thrust, and at the nearest point to the perpendicular of the load to reduce
friction.
My invention consists,
First. In diagonal bearings, in having a straight line hollow cone enclosing the
ball and axle cup, instead of the existing cup and axle cone and cup. This is
cheap to make and fits exactly and definitely automatically. Since the axle cone
is a receding curve, a straight line enclosing cup has equal bearing surface within
the limits of elasticity of the metal. Since all perpendiculars to an inclined
straight line pass through the same point, as the line travels horizontally as a
whole; and as a ball always touches a tangent; when the enclosing cone is a
straight line, the diameter of the ball in contact with the enclosing straight line
cone will always touch the same spot on the axle cone, no matter whether the balls
are large or small; hence, when the balls wear small they still maintain the same
rolling periphery: whereas with an enclosing cup, as the several radii of a
horizontally moving cup or arc are all directed to different points, and as those
furthest from the axle, or perpendicular to the axle are directed directly towards
it, and those nearest the axle are directed away from the axle, hence, a ball has a
certain rolling periphery on the axle cone, in the case of an enclosing cup, but as
it wears less, it has a nearer enclosing contact radius, and so has a correspondingly
larger rolling periphery which increases the axle bearing, and also increases the
load by the greater angle of deflection. The friction for a one fourth inch axle
being one fourth that of a half inch axle, and the load increased by 26 by
changing from an angle of thirty degrees to an angle of forty five degrees, from
the balls wearing smaller. In a one inch ball with inner and outer cups of 14 inch
diameter, a reduction from wear of inch in the ball makes a change of angle
from 30 degrees to 45 degrees. The size of ball and of axle cup to give the least
rolling periphery and best results being a subject of mathematical calculation for
my Complete Specification;
Second.--In having a junction in my axle in the middle or between the cones for
adjustment of the cones in any axle bearing;
Third. In having the load carried direct on the axle, or the smallest rolling
periphery, with the least thrust by large balls-5 or more being used for small
axles, to increase the rolling leverage, and proportion the contact area within the
limits of elasticity of the metal to the thrust to be carried to prevent fracture or
scratching, and each set of balls enclosed by two straight line cones approaching
each other, and the axle being small and supported immediately beside the load
carrying balls by solid cones fixed into and screwed and nutted outside the frame,
or the axle may pass through them and be fastened by nuts outside the frame;
the said axle being joined in the middle, in the case of the solid cones, by a screwed
or otherwise fixed ferrule, and in the case of the hollow cones having a ferrule fixed
on its centre; in both cases the said ferrule having raised edges which take the

page_text: side thrust on either side from a row of 6 or more balls bearing against a cup fixed
in the axle box on either side by a screw thread and through which the axle passes,
6 or more balls being used to secure a small rolling periphery. This bearing can
never stick by the balls becoming fast in a small angle. As side motion is inter-
mittent and spasmodic the inner row of balls will not be in constant use and so the
larger rolling circle does not count, and also as the load carrying balls will resist
trifling side thrusts from friction only;
Fourth. In the crank or other axle in having the cones next the cranks instead
of inside and the adjustment made by one moveable enclosing hollow cone only-
advancing outwards-this lengthens the leverage of the centre portion of the axle
and so prevents the excessive strains due to the less leverage of the inside and close
or near to each other cones and so reduces friction. It is applicable to both wheels
and pedals for effecting a small axle.
Fifth. In having the crank axle supported by 6 or more direct acting balls on
each side close to the cranks and supported by two straight line cones approaching
each other on either side, and a ferrule or swell being used in the centre for lateral
motion bearing against 8 or more balls, to reduce the rolling periphery, which are
enclosed in cups on either side, through which the axle passes, and which are fixed
or adjusted by screw threads in the axle box. This secures the load being carried
directly with the least thrust on the smallest rolling periphery, and with the least
pedal leverage to increase the load on the axle, and with large balls to increase the
rolling leverage, and small balls to diminish the lateral rolling periphery whose
load is quite trivial and only spasmodic.
Dated this 31st day of October 1895.
D. K. C. RUSSELL,
Of No. 2 Albert Terrace, Edinburgh, Civil Engineer.
1 DUNCAN KENNETH CAMPBELL RUSSELL of No. 2 Albert Terrace, Edinburgh,
Civil Engineer, 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 in cycle gear relates to the most efficient and simple means for
effecting the largest practicable ball on the smallest axle, or rolling periphery,
with the least thrust and at the nearest point to the perpendicular of the load to
reduce friction.
My said invention consists,-First, In a combination, as follows,-vic. --The
first part of the combination consists :-In diagonal ball bearings with solid cones
fixed in the frames and adjusted by a junction in the middle of the axle. In
having a straight line hollow cone enclosing the ball and axle cup, instead of the
existing cup and axle cone and cup.
This is cheap to make and fits exactly and definitely automatically. Since the
axle cone is a receding curve, a straight line enclosing cup has equal bearing
surface within the limits of elasticity of the metal. Since all perpendiculars to an
inclined straight line pass through the same point as the line travels horizontally
as a whole; and as a ball always touches a tangent, when the enclosing cone is a
straight line, the diameter of the ball in contact with the enclosing straight line
cone will always touch the same spot on the axle cone, no matter whether the balls
are large or small:-Hence, when the balls wear small they still maintain the same
rolling periphery whereas, with an enclosing cup, as the several radii of a
horizontally moving cup or arc are all directed to different points, and as those
furthest from the axle, or perpendicular to the axle are directed directly towards

page_text: it, and those nearest the axle are directed away from the axle; hence, a ball has a
certain rolling periphery on the axle cone, in the case of an enclosing cup, but as
it wears less, it has a nearer enclosing contact radius, and so has a correspondingly
larger rolling periphery, which increases the axle bearing, and also increases the
load by the greater angle of deflection. The friction for a inch axle being + that
of a half inchi axle; and the load increased by nearly 26, or over 25 per cent., and
the rise on the cone increased from 13 to 29 or nearly 16 per cent. by changing
from an angle of 30 degrees to an angle of 45 degrees from the balls wearing
smaller.
In a one inch ball with inner and outer cups of 14 inch diameter, a reduction
from wear of inch in the ball makes a change of angle from 30 degrees to
45 degrees. Hence a-straight line cone maintains a permanent minimum of load
and also of rotating periphery.
The second part of the combination consists:-In diagonal ball bearings with
solid cones fixed in the frames. In having a junction in my axle in the middle or
between the cones for adjustment of the cones. The said junction being made
either by a solid ferrule on one end of the axle into which the other end screws, or
the ferrule may screw on to both ends of the axle and be fixed on one end of the
axle by soldering or in any secure manner after being passed through the enclosing
cone.
For greater security a jam nut may be used inside the ferrule.
The third part of the combination consists :-In diagonal ball bearings. In the
axle being small and supported immediately beside the load carrying balls by solid
cones fixed into and screwed and nutted outside the frame. The said axle being
joined in the middle by a screwed or otherwise fixed ferrule on its centre, one end
being fixed and the other end screwed for adjustment and having a jam nut or nuts
for greater security.
The load being carried direct on the axle and part on the cone, or on the
smallest rolling periphery with the least thrust by large balls-5 or more being
used for small axles to increase the rolling leverage, yet limited by the increase of
rolling periphery, and proportion the contact area, within the limits of elasticity of
the metal, to the thrust to be carried to prevent fracture or scratching.
Second, my said invention consists, alternatively,-In the combination of a
small axle with solid cones fixed into and screwed and nutted outside the frame, and
having straight line hollow cones in the hub advancing outwards towards the balls
to effect adjustment; one of which recedes to admit the balls: keyways and set
screws being used to set and fix the cones.
This applies to the crank axle as well as to the hub axles; and lengthens
the leverage of the crank axle on the balls by nearly the diameter of two balls,
and so diminishes the thrust of the pedal on the balls.
Third, my said invention consists in the following combination, viz. :-
In direct acting hub axle bearings. In having the load carried direct on the
axle, or the smallest rolling periphery with the least thrust by large balls-5 or
more being used for small axles, to increase the rolling leverage and proportion
the contact area, within the limits of elasticity of the metal, to the thrust to be
carried to prevent fracture or scratching, and each set of balls enclosed by two
straight line cones approaching each other. And the axle being small and supported
immediately beside the load carrying balls by solid cones fixed into and screwed
and nutted outside the frame, or the axle may pass through them and be fastened
by nuts outside the frame. The said axle being joined in the middle, in the case
of the solid cones, by a screwed or otherwise fixed ferrule, and in the case of the
hollow cones, having a ferrule fixed on its centre by a key passing through it, or
otherwise fixed. In both cases the said ferrule having raised edges which take
the side thrust on either side from a row of 6 or more balls bearing against a cup
fixed in the axle box on either side by a screw thread and through which the axle
passes. This cup and its load carrying neighbour may be made in one piece;
one raised edge may be screwed or fixed on one end of the axle and adjusted by a
and

page_text: key through the axle box instead of on the ferrule-six or more balls being used to
secure a small rolling periphery. The ball cups and cones having suitable keyways
for adjustment and screw fasteners for fixing when adjusted.
This bearing can never stick by the balls becoming fast in a small angle. As
side motion is intermittent and spasmodic the inner rows of balls will not be in
constant use and so the larger rolling circle does not count; and also as the load
carrying balls will resist trifling side thrusts from friction only.
Fourth, my said invention consists in the following combination, viz. :-
In the crank, pedal, or hub axle. In having the crank or pedal axle supported
by 6 or more direct acting balls on each side, or in the case of the pedal by 5 balls
on the emall side only, close to the cranks and supported by two straight line
cones approaching each other on either side, and a ferrule, with a key, or a swell
with collars on either side being used in the centre for lateral motion, bearing
against 8 or more balls on either side, to reduce the rolling periphery, which are
enclosed in cups on either side, and through which the axle passes; and which are
fixed or adjusted by screw threads in the axle box, and having keyways for
adjustment and screw fasteners for fixing when adjusted. One load carrying and
one side thrust cup on either side may be in one piece for simplicity, but is not so
efficient.
This secures the load being carried directly with the least thrust on the
smallest rolling periphery: or a thrust of 1 lb. where diagonal bearings of
45 degrees give a thrust of 1.41 lbs., and a rolling periphery of one half inch
diameter where one fourth inch balls with 3 inch curve of coue at 45 degrees gives
inch diameter rolling periphery; or 50 per cent. more. And with the least pedal
leverage to increase the load on the crank axle which is a fourfold load or more:
the outside balls gaining say 8 inch leverage in 2 inch centres. And with large
balls to increase the rolling leverage, and small balls to diminish the lateral rolling
periphery, whose load is quite trivial and only spasmodic.
In the accompanying drawings illustrating how my said invention may be
conveniently carried into practice :
Figure I represents an elevation of my combination, in diagonal ball bearings,
of solid cones screwed and nutted outside the frame, adjusted by a junction with a
ferrule fixed at one end and a nut at the other in the middle of a small axle, and
having straight line hollow cones enclosing the balls and axle cups,
In which,

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what
I claim is :-
1. In diagonal ball bearings for cycle wheels and pedals, the combination of
solid cones screwed and nutted outside the frame to attain a small axle, and adjusted
in the middle of the axle by a junction and ferrule fixed at one end and a jam nut
at the other, and having straight line hollow cones enclosing the balls-
substantially as hereinbefore set forth and shown in the accompanying drawings.
2. In diagonal ball bearings for cycle wheels, the combination of solid cones
screwed and nutted outside the frame to attain a small axle, and having straight
line hollow cones internal of the balls advancing outwards for adjustment, one of
which recedes to admit the balls-substantially as hereinbefore set forth and shown
in the accompanying drawings.
3. In diagonal ball bearings for cycle crank axles, the combination of solid
external cones to lengthen the axle leverage and internal straight line hollow cones
advancing outwards for adjustment as set forth.
4. In direct acting ball bearings for cycle wheels, the combination of solid cones
screwed and nutted outside the frame to attain a small axle, adjacent to which are
a row of load carrying balls on either side, the axle being joined in the middle by
a screwed ferrule, on either end of which is a raised edge or collar, one end of
which is fixed or soldered to its half of the axle and on either side of which are a
row of side thrust balls-both load and side thrust balls having direct acting
bearings, substantially as herein before set forth and shown in the accompanying
drawings.
5. In direct acting ball bearings for cycle wheels, pedals and crank axles, the
combination of a row of load carrying balls at either side supported by direct acting
bearings; and at the centre on either side of a ferrule with raised edges or collars
kept in place by a key, or a swell, on either side of which are collars, a row of side
thrust balls supported by direct acting bearings, substantially as hereinbefore set
forth and shown in the accompanying drawings.
6. The general arrangement construction and combination of the various parts
constituting my improvements in cycle gear, substantially as hereinbefore set forth
and shown in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 20th day of July 1896
D. K. C. RUSSELL,
2 Albert Terrace, Edinburgh, Civil Engineer.