IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ARRANGEMENT OF PLACING THE RAILWAY VEHICLES ON WHEELS WHICH ARE NOT FIXED ON A COMMON AXLE, BUT ARE EACH FIXED TO A SEPARATE ONE
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Conradi, of 8, Lower James Street, Golden Square,
in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
ARRANGEMENT OF PLACING THE RAILWAY VEHICLES ON WHEELS WHICH ARE
NOT FIXED ON A COMMON AXLE, BUT ARE EACH FIXED TO A SEPARATE ONE"
A communication from abroad by Charles Speidel, of Carlsruhe, in Baden,
Germany.
Sealed the 21st May 1878, and dated the 23rd November 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Conradi at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd November 1877.
HENRY CONRADI, of 8, Lower James Street, Golden Square, in the County of
Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ARRANGEMENT OF PLACING THE RAILWAY
VEHICLES ON WHEELS WHICH ARE NOT FIXED ON A COMMON AXLE, BUT ARE
EACH FIXED TO A SEPARATE ONE." [A communication from abroad by Charles
Speidel, of Carlsruhe, in Baden, Germany.]
The accidents on railways very often occur through the breakage of the axles,
which is in the most cases produced through placing two wheels on the same axle,
as the irregular wear of the wheels and their running in curves produce vibrations
in such a direction against the fibres that they are strained in torsion and break,
especially in cold weather. An arrangement avoiding therefore the placing of
two wheels on the same axle but by offering the same security is therefore
preferable.
The wheels A, A, as shown in the adjoining Drawing, are not fixed on a common
axle, but are each placed on a separate one of smaller size a, a.
These axles are
as in the usual way provided with axle boxes b, b, each of which is carried by axle
holders or brackets c, c. These brackets and the supports d, d, of the springs aro
fixed on a strong iron plate e, e, in such a manner that a wheel with its accessories
forms an independent system. By means of the cross beams or girders B, B, the
wheel system is provided with a base underneath the vehicle, by means of which
the vehicle can rest on the plates e, e.

page_text: The supports or brackets f, f, keep the bearing plates fixed to the frame of the
vehicle in such a manner that some clearance given to them as well as to the
axle holders or brackets, the springs, and the wheel, in order to revolve freely upon
the vertical axis of the system. The plates are therefore provided with holes to
receive the brackets f, f, which are of a certain circular shape, by running in curves
each wheel moves independently from the other, revolving therefore as many times
as the corresponding space traversed requires, and which is greater in the outer
curve than in the inner.
The great accuracy, in the equal sizes of the. diameter of the wheels is not
necessary in this. system, as some clearance is left for each of the wheel chairs to
enable it to revolve slightly upon its vertical axis; provision has been made that the
wheels return to their former position (at right angles to the direction of the rail),
after having changed it during their running in curves, the axles adjusting them-
selves in the meanwhile to the corresponding radius of the curve. For this pur-
pose each front wheel is connected to the corresponding back wheel system by
means of steel rods c, c, which are fixed to the plates e, e. These rods act then like
springs, bending slightly when the axles place themselves in the direction of the
radius of the curve, but become immediately straight, placing the wheel system in
its former position as soon as the vehicle re-enters the straight line. The vibrations
of the vehicle assist the action of the springs c, c.
The improvements upon which the claims are based consist,-
1. In placing railway vehicles on wheels which are themselves not placed on the
same common axle, but are each fixed to a separate one.
2. In the disposition of wheels of which each is provided with two axle holders,
supports, or brackets, and two springs which are united to a whole complete system
by being fixed to a common bear plate.
3. In the connection of the wheel system to the frame of the vehicle, so that it
can turn upon its vertical axis.
4. In the providing of steel rods acting as springs which bring the wheel system
in its usual position. after having left the curves.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Conradi in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 22nd May
1878.
HENRY CONRADI, of 8, Lower James Street, Golden Square, in the County of
Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ARRANGEMENT OF PLACING THE RAILWAY
VEHICLES, ON WHEELS WHICH ARE NOT FIXED ON A COMMON AXLE, BUT ARE
EACH FIXED TO A SEPARATE ONE." A communication from abroad by Charles
Speidel, of Carlsruhe, in Baden; Germany..
The accidents on railways very often occur through the breakage of the axles,
which is in the most cases produced through placing two wheels on the same axle,
as the irregular wear of the wheels and their running in curves produce vibrations
in such a direction against the fibres that they are strained in torsion and break,
which takes places especially in cold weather. An arrangement avoiding therefore
the placing of two wheels on the same axle, but offering in regard to all other con-
ditions the same security seems to be preferable, and is represented in the adjoined
Drawings.
The wheels A, A, are not fixed on a common axle, but are each placed on a
separate one of smaller size a, a. These axles are, as in the usual way, provided
with axle boxes b, b, each of which is carried by axle holders or brackets c, c. These
brackets and the spring bearer or supports d, d, are fixed on a strong iron plate e, e,
in such a manner that the wheel with its accessories form an independent system.
By means of the cross beams or girders B, B, the wheel system is provided with a
base underneath the vehicle, and by means of which the vehicle can rest on the
plates e, e.
The supports or brackets f.f, keep the bearing plates fixed to the frame of the
vehicle in such a manner that some clearance is left for them as well as for the
axle holders or brackets, for the springs and the wheel, in order to be able to revolve
freely upon the vertical axis of the system. The plates are accordingly cut out to
receive the brackets f, f, the cuts being formed of a corresponding circular shape.
By running in curves each wheel moves independently from the other, making con-
sequently as many revolutions as the space traversed required, and as correspond to
it, the space to be traversed being greater in the outer curve than in the inner
curve.
The great accuracy in the minute equality of sizes of the diameters of the wheels
is not required in this system. Some clearance is left for each of the wheel chairs to
displace or shift itself slightly upon its vertical axis. As the axles of the wheels by
running in curves adjust themselves to the corresponding radius of the curve, com-
pelling the wheels to take accordingly a somewhat inclined position, provision has
been made that the wheels after leaving the curve return to their former position
at right angles to the direction of the rail. For this purpose each front wheel
system is connected to the corresponding back wheel system by means of the steel
rods c, c, which are fixed to the plates e, e. These rods act then like springs, bending
slightly when the corresponding axles place themselves in the direction of the radius
of the curve, but spring back, straightening themselves, and place consequently the
wheel system in its former position as soon as the vehicle re-enters the straight line.
The vibrations of the vehicle, produced through its motion, assist the action of the
springs c, c.
The improvements upon which the claims are principally based consist―
1. In placing railway vehicles on wheels which are themselves not fixed on the
same common axle.
2. In the disposition of the wheels, of which each is provided with two axle
holders, supports, or brackets, and two springs, and which are fixed to a common
bearing plate, base, or bed plate, so as to form a united complete system.
3. In the connection of the wheel system to the frame of the vehicle, so that it
can turn upon its vertical axis.

page_text: 4. In the providing of steel rods, and their disposition, acting like springs in order
to place the wheel system in its usual correct position as soon as the vehicle has
passed the curves.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Conradi, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Sixteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.
H. CONRADI. (L.S.)