AN IMPROVEMENT IN AXLE BOXES FOR. RAILWAY CARS
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Arthur Boyden, of Harrisburg, in the
County of Dauphin, in the State of Pennsylvania, United States of
America, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVEMENT IN AXLE BOXES FOR.
RAILWAY CARS."
Sealed the 20th September 1872, and dated the 1st August 1872.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Arthur Boyden'
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition and
Declaration, on the 1st August 1872, pursuant to the 9th Section
of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
ARTHUR BOYDEN, of Harrisburg, in the County of Dauphin, in the
State of Pennsylvania, United States of America, send greeting.
WHEREAS I am in possession of an Invention for "AN IMPROVEMENT.
IN AXLE BOXES FOR RAILWAY CARS," and have petitioned Her Majesty to
grant unto me, my executors, administrators, and assigns, Her Royal
Letters Patent for the same, and have made solemn Declaration that I
am the first and true Inventor thereof.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Arthur Boyden, do hereby
declare that the following Complete Specification, under my hand and
seal, fully describes and ascertains the nature of the said Invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawing forming a
part of this Specification:-
The first part of the Invention relates to the combination of metallic
plates which have semicircular edges with a car axle and with a recess
which surrounds it in the rear end of the journal box in such a manner
as to clasp the axle to prevent, the passage of dust into the box, and
also to prevent the splashing of oil from the same.
For the more perfect accomplishment of the object a washer of leather
or other soft elastic material is placed in the recess against the rear
side of the outer plate. A perfect binding of the washer upon the axle
prevents the dust passing into the journal box, and also arrests the out-
ward passage of any oil which may happen to pass the bearing surfaces
of the plates. The said plates are half lapped with each other outside of
their semicircular bearings to secure that part of the joint against the
passage of dust or oil. Their semicircular bearings are caused to press
gently upon the periphery of the axle by means of wire springs placed
in suitable recesses of the car box at radii with the axle.
The second part of the Invention relates to the construction of the
under side of the top plate of the journal box with a longitudinal swell,
against which the upper side of the bearing presses, and upon which it
is free to partially rock, so that the wearing surface of the bearing may
automatically change its position, and bed fairly upon the journal in
all the variations of the latter from its normal horizontal position.
The third part of the Invention relates to a dovetail connection of the
cover of the front end of the journal box with the latter, so as to dispense
with the use of screws or othe device for fastening the cover.
Figure 1 is a plan view of the improved journal box; Figure 2 is a
cross section at the line a, b, of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a longitudinal
section at the line c, d, of Figure 1; Figures 4 and 5 are a face and
edge views of the washer E; Figures 6 and 7 are like views of one of
the clasping plates C; Figures 8 and 9 are like views of the cover H.
Like letters in all the Figures indicate the same parts.
A is the improved journal box, which is 'constructed with a recess a

page_text: at its rear end surrounding the axle B. In said recess are placed
metallic plates C, C, which I usually make of brass. Their inner edges
are constructed with semicircular bearings b, which fit the periphery of
the axle. The straight parts of the edges outside of the bearings have
rebates c, c, which lap together so as to break joints, to prevent the
passage of dust into the box A. The plates are pressed inwards, by
mcans of the springs D, D, so as to cause their curved, bearings b, b, to
clasp the axle B, as seen in Figures 2 and 3.. In connection with the
plates C, C, there is a washer. E made of leather or other suitable
material. The washer and plates fill up the recess a crosswise, as seen
in Figure 3. The washer is shown in detail in Figures 4 and 5, and one
of the plates in Figures 6 and 7.
i
It will readily be seen that by the combined action of the washer E
and plates C, C, the dust may be completely arrested from entering into
the box at its rear end, and the oil thus kept clean and free from grit
to prevent the cutting of the bearing F and journal G, and also the
splashing of oil out of the box prevented.
J.
:
ul.
The under side of the top plate d of the box A has a longitudinal
swell e, against which the upper side of the bearing F presses to admit
of the latter slightly rocking automatically in accommodation at all
times to any variation of the journal from its horizontal position.
In order to facilitate the opening and closing of the cover H of the
front end of the box A, seen in detail in Figures 8 and 9, I construct
its vertical edges f, f, of dovetail form, and slide it into its place from
the top of the box between the dovetail ribs g, g. The cover is slightly
wider at its top than at its bottom edge to admit of its being tightly
connected by means of a top of a hammer, and loosened in the same
manner for its removal from the box.
What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,—
First. The clasping plates C, C, constructed substantially as described
in combination with the recess a¹ and axle B, the said plates being
pressed inwards (to cause their semicircular bearings b', 6', to clasp the
axle) by means of the springs D, D, substantially in the manner and for
the purpose above described.
Second. The combination of the washer E with the recess a¹,
plates C, C, and axle B, substantially in the manner and for the purpose
set forth.

page_text: Third. The horizontal swell e on the lower side of the top plate d in.
combination with the bearing F to admit of the automatic adjustment
of the latter in accommodation to any variation of the axle B from its
horizontal position, substantially as specified.
Fourth. The combination of the cover H with the front end of the
box A by means of its dovetail edges f,f, and the ribs 9, 9, of the box,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Arthur Boyden, have
hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal, this Nineteenth day of
July One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two.
WILLIAM ARTHUR BOYDEN. (L.S.)