used on Railroads, Tramways, and the like.
Year: 1888

page_text: used on Railroads, Tramways, and the like.
I, PEDRO ALEJANDRO ATRISTAIN of Elgoibor, Spain, 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
The object of my invention is to facilitate the movement of carriages cars or
trucks upon rails, whether those of tramways or railways. For this purpose I so
arrange or dispose the wheels that they shall turn freely upon and independently of
their axles, the said axles turning in their bearings in the usual manner. The effect
of this is that when in motion the wheels not only turn with the axles but when the
exigencies of a curve require it they turn independently of the same.
In carrying my invention into effect 1 furnish the axles towards their inner part
with fixed shoulders or collars, as shown at E E in the accompanying drawing, against
which the wheels abut. Nearer the extremities of the axles, and external to the wheels,
are collars or ferrules VV serving to keep the wheels in position. These latter
ferrules or collars are fastened by means of keys or pins or the like and in such
manner as not to rub too heavily against the bearings. Each wheel bears an oil
receptacle or lubricator oo screwed or otherwise suitably affixed to the extended
naves CC of the wheels which naves serve to furnish an extended bearing
surface upon the axle. The ends ee of the axle rotate in bearings of the usual con-
struction and are lubricated in the usual manner.
The action of my invention is as follows. When the vehicles are running in a
straight line on the rails the axle rotates in its bearings in the usual manner, but when
a curve is reached the wheels rotate independently upon the axle, the amount of such
rotation upon the axle depending upon the radius of the curve; and the result being
that the wheels are always well seated upon the axle, and the principal friction and
the greater proportion of the work thrown upon the end bearings of the axle as is
usual.
By means of my invention several advantages are obtained. First, an increased
number of vehicles can be drawn by the same power, especially when the line of rails

page_text: is much curved. Second, the rails are not subject to so much tear and wear. Third,
the notion of the vehicles is more even and smooth and shocks less frequent. Fourth,
in the case of railways it is almost impossible for the cars to run off the rails so long
as the engine and the brake-van remain on the rails.
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 improvement connected with the wheels and axles of vehicles used on rail-
roads tramways and the like consisting in the employment of wheels and axles
capable of independent movement with respect to one another substantially as set
forth.
2. The improvement connected with the wheels and axles of vehicles used on rail-
roads tramways and the like consisting in an axle rotating in its bearings in the usual
manner and having upon it wheels capable of independent action substantially as set
forth.
3. The improvement connected with the wheels and axles of vehicles used on rail-
roads tramways and the like consisting in a wheel capable of running loose upon an
axle whilst the said axle is itself capable of running on its own bearings in the usual
manner substantially as set forth.
4. The improvement connected with the wheels and axles of vehicles used on rail-
roads tramways and the like consisting in the combination of wheels capable of rotating
independently upon the axles and an axle itself capable of rotating in bearings in the
usual manner substantially as set forth.
5. The improvement connected with the wheels and axles of vehicles used on rail-
roads tramways and the like consisting in the arrangement and combination of parts
substantially as set forth with reference to the accompanying drawing.
11 101 ...
Cantan 1000
Dated this 10th day of September 1888.
For the Applicant,
J. G. LORRAIN, M. Inst. M.E., M.S.T.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
Norfolk House, Norfolk Street, London, W.C.