Improvements in Apparatus for Lubricating the Axles of Coal Tubs and similar Vehicles.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Mar., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 21st Dec., 1893-Accepted, 27th Jan., 1894
PROVISIONAL. SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Lubricating the Axles of Coal Tubs
and similar Vehicles.
I, JAMES RUSSELL of 3 Pudding Chare, in the City and County of Newcastle
upon Tyne, Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of this invention is to secure a more economical and efficient supply
of lubricant to the axles of tubs and similar vehicles whilst in motion.
In all existing mechanical apparatus for this purpose, with which I am acquainted,
there is more or less waste from the supply of the lubricant being continued in the
intervals between the contact of the axles, whilst in some cases the supply is
uncertain, from the viscid nature of the lubricaut clogging the apparatus.
According to my invention I use an intermittently revolving brush enclosed
within a hollow disc, made in halves, which does not revolve but is depressed by a
66 cam "like projection coming in contact with the axles as they pass over it, against
the resistance of a spring, or equivalent device, which returns it to its normal
position. The disc has an outlet at about the centre of the projection, through
which only the lubricant exudes, by the brush being squeezed in passing a
contracted part of the circular chamber in the disc, and the disc is cut straight
across its lower portion to allow the brush to project out of it and enter a box
containing the lubricant.
"
The intermittent revolution of the brush is obtained by a "ratchet" wheel fixed
on its axle into the teeth of which a spring "pawl' on one side enters and, when
the disc, with the brush, is depressed by the tub axle, the "pawl" pushes round
the ratchet a certain portion of a revolution and when the disc and the brush again
rise, after the axle has passed over, by the action of the spring or other device
another spring pawl on the opposite side of the ratchet pulls round the brush a
further portion of a revolution. At each portion of a revolution the brush, in
passing the contracted part of the circular channel in the disc, is squeezed so as to
press out of the outlet in the top of the disc a portion of the lubricant which is
taken by the axle. The contracted part of the channel may be made adjustable
so as to continue to squeeze the brush when the bristles or hair become worn by
working.
Thus the brush acts only at the intervals, when the axle is passing over the disc,
and then only through a certain portion of a revolution which can be regulated to
suit the speed of running of the tubs, and when one axle of tub has passed over,
the further portion of a revolution made by the brush forces out another supply of
the lubricant for the following axle by the action of the second "pawl.”
The apparatus with the lubricant reservoir stands in a cavity underneath the tub
railway the upper half of the disc only being above the rails and it is intended
to be double, that is having a disc, brush &c. on either side under the "journals
of the tub axles.
"
In an alternative form of my invention I may use, instead of a brush, a disc
with corrugated, serrated or plain circumference to lift and supply the grease
wbich will have the same intermittent revolving action and will apply the grease to
the axle in a similar manuer to the brush.
Deted this 21st day of March 1902
T. J. DANSON,
By L. W., per F. B.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Lubricating the Axles of Coal Tubs
and similar Vehicles.
1, JAMES RUSSELL of 3 Pudding Chare, in the City and County of Newcastle-
upon-Tyne, Agent, 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:―
The object of this invention is to secure a more economical and efficient supply
of lubricant to the axle of tubs and similar vehicles whilst in motion.
In all existing mechanical apparatus for this purpose, with which I am acquainted,
there is more or less waste from the supply of the lubricant being continued in the
intervals between the contact of the axles, whilst in some cases the supply is
uncertain, from the viscid nature of the lubricant clogging the apparatus.
66
دو
According to my invention I use an intermittently revolving brush enclosed
within a hollow disc, made in halves, which does not revolve but is depressed by a
cam like projection coming in contact with the axles as they pass over it,
against the resistance of a spring, or equivalent device, which returns it to its
normal position. I have found it desirable in practice to control the upward
reaction of the spring to prevent the disc rising to such an extent as to bring it in
violent contact with the tub axles and to effect this I propose to apply a
"bridle "
to the spring. The disc has an outlet at about the centre of the projection,
through which only, the lubricant exudes, by the brush being squeezed in passing
a contracted part of the circular chamber in the disc, and the disc is cut straight
across its lower portion to allow the brush to project out of it and enter a box
containing the lubricant.
The intermittent revolution of the brush is obtained by a "ratchet" wheel fixed
on its axle into the teeth of which a spring “pawl" on one side enters and, when
the disc, with the brush, is depressed by the tub axle, the "pawl" pushes round
the ratchet a certain portion of a revolution and when the disc and the brush
again rise, after the axle has passed over, by the action of the spring or other
device another spring pawl on the opposite side of the ratchet pulls round the
brush a further portion of a revolution. At each portion of a revolution the brush,
in passing the contracted part of the circular channel in the disc, is squeezed 80
as to press out of the outlet in the top of the disc a portion of the lubricant which
is taken by the axle. The contracted part of the channel may be made adjustable
so as to continue to squeeze the brush when the bristles or hair become worn by
working.
Thus the brush acts only at the intervals, when the axle is passing over the disc,
and then only through a certain portion of a revolution which can be regulated to
suit the speed of running of the tubs, and when one axle of tub has passed
over, the further portion of a revolution made by the brush forces out another supply
of the lubricant for the following axle by the action of the second "pawl."
The apparatus with the lubricant reservoir stands in a cavity underneath the tub
railway, the upper half of the disc only being above the rails and it is intended to
be double, that is having a disc, brush, &c. on either side under the "journals" of
the tub axles.
In an alternative form of my invention I may use, instead of a brush, a disc
with corrugated, serrated, or plain circumference to lift and supply the grease
which will have the same intermittent revolving action and will apply the grease
to the axle in a similar manner to the brush, but I have hitherto used the brush
form which I prefer.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.

page_text: Fig. 1 is a side elevation, Fig. 2 an end elevation, one half only of the apparatus
being shewn, and Fig. 3 is a plan, also shewing one half only.
The coal tub or similar vehicle runs upon rails and beneath, in a cavity formed
to receive it, is the lubricating apparatus constructed as follows:-
The main frames and bed plates A are secured upon timber the horns forming
guides for sliding blocks B, (supported upon the springs C) and having formed
upon or attached to them the hollow discs D enclosing the circular brushes E.
The shaft F runs freely in bearings provided by the sliding blocks B and also
through the eyes of the discs, and has keyed upon it, on both ends, the ratchet
wheel G and the circular brushes E. The lever pawls H H work upon
fulcrums K K and are kept in contact with the teeth of the ratchet wheel G
66 cam
by springs L under their tail ends. The discs D are each formed with a
like projection at top and cut off straight across the bottom, so that the
brushes project below it into the trough or reservoir (not shewn) containing the
lubricant. The upper portion of one of the plates, forming the disc D, is shewn
broken away to expose the brush E revolving intermittently in a circular cavity
in the direction of the arrow by the operation of the tub axles passing over and
forcing down the discs D shaft or axle F the brushes E and ratchet wheel or
wheels G with the blocks B sliding in the guides formed by the horns of the
frames A against the resistance of the springs C. When the sliding blocks B
carrying the ratchet wheel G are so forced down by the passing tub axle the teeth
of the lever pawl H, being engaged with those in the ratchet wheel, push the
latter round in the direction of the arrow the teeth of the other pawl H¹ slipping
over the ratchet teeth and thus the brush, charged with lubricant, is revolved a
certain distance, and coming in contact with the adjustable tongue piece M, the
lubricant is squeezed up the outlet N, and exuding at the top is taken up by cach
of the running axles as it passes over the tops of the discs D which then rise by
the reaction of the springs C, with the ratchet wheel G, the pawl H' now acting to
pull round the ratchet and with it the brush a further distance and deliver another
charge of lubricant through the outlet N to the following axle. The bridles O
prevent the sliding blocks B, shaft F, discs D, brushes E, and ratchet wheel or
wheels G from rising beyond a certain height, adjustable by a screw P on the end
of the bridle O.
The squeezing out of the lubricant can be adjusted according to its nature and the
wearing of the brushes allowed for by the tongues M being made of various depths,
and the intermittent movement of the brushes can be altered to suit the speed at
which the sets of tubs are to run by altering the diameter of the ratchet wheel or
When the circular
wheels G and proportioning the lever pawls HH' to suit.
"
brushes require cleaning or renewal one of the plates of the disc is separated from
the other and drawn along the shaft F by unscrewing the set bolt Q when access
is given to the interior. The " cam shaped portion of the discs D being liable to
wear by the constant friction of the axles in passing over them may be fitted
separately in the discs so as to be readily renewed when worn.
I have not illustrated the apparatus in the modified form in which a corrugated,
serrated, or plain disc may be used in place of the revolving brushes as I much
prefer the arrangement shewn which I have found to work well under very exacting
conditions.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. In apparatus for lubricating the axles of tubs or similar vehicles, inter-
mittently revolving brushes, enclosed within hollow "cam" shaped discs mounted
in a frame so as to have automatic vertical reciprocating movements, downward
by the passage over them of the tub axles and upward by springs or equivalent
mechanical devices, and the brushes having automatic intermittent revolving

page_text: movements by ratchet or other equivalent gearing with the objects hereinbefore
stated.
2nd. The improvements in lubricating the axles of tubs or similar vehicles con-
sisting of an apparatus comprising the various mechanical parts in combination,
constructed, arranged, and operating substantially as described and shewn by the 5
accompanying drawing.
Dated this 21st day of December 1893.
T. J. DANSON, F.I.P.A.,
Chartered Patent Agent, Agent for Applicant.