Improved Adjustable Ball Bearing for Axles.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Mar., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 14th Dec., 1899-Accepted, 3rd Mar.,
1900
[Communicated from abroad by MARIE DÉSIRÉ CHARLES VINCENT DE KERCKHOVE,
of No. 5, Rue du Midi, Liège, in the Kingdom of Belgium, Engineer.]
Improved Adjustable Ball Bearing for Axles.
I, HERBERT SEFTON-JONES, of the Agency for Foreign Patent Solicitors, 322,
High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, G, Lord Street, Liverpool, and
6, Bank Street, Manchester, both in the County of Lancaster, and Lower
Temple Street, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Chartered Patent
Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The present invention relates to an improved bearing for axles. The bearing
is applicable to axles of all kinds whether they be horizontal, vertical, or solid
or tubular axles revolving within the bearing or conversely hollow axles
evolving around a fixed solid or tubular shaft. The central piece whether
stationary or revolving is provided with two grooves or ball races at a suitable
distance apart, and the outer piece in the form of a sleeve or envelope has like-
wise two corresponding grooves forming the outer limits of the hall race.
Between the two, steel balls of the well known kind are inserted preferably
through a hole or holes in the outer piece. Said holes may he closed by screws
or other convenient devices, and should not be at the corresponding part of
each ball-race but be at differing points thereof. Provision is made where
requisite for a ring or washer abutting against an annular collar on the shaft, in
order to prevent the entrance of dust or dirt into the bearing. Means for
lubrication are also provided, preferably at the end of the shaft, consisting of an
oil chamber and oil hole closed by a screw plug or the like. In order to com-
pensate for the gradual wear of the balls, and consequently too free play thereof in
the ball races, means are provided for adjusting the outer envelope upon the
inner shaft, whereby the said parts are moved laterally with regard to one
another, and the capacity of the ball race is thereby slightly diminished, and
the slack caused by the wear of the balls is taken up. In one modification,
the part of the outer envelope containing one of the races may be caused to
move upon the axle under the influence of a set screw or the like, the said part
being arranged to slide accordingly. In another modification the same part may
be caused to move automatically under the pressure of a spiral spring or the
like. Obviously the said part may be arranged to move either inwards or out-
wards with regard to the end of the shaft. It is preferable to exclude all dust
from the bearing, and for this purpose a washer of cloth, leather or the like may
be made use of, covering the part where the ring on the shaft abuts against the
outer envelope. The advantages of this improved bearing over ordinary con-
structions are manifold. The wheel hub or axle revolves perfectly smoothly upon
its bearing, and any slackness in the bearing can he at once adjusted with very
little trouble and loss of time. The bearing is practically dust and moisture
proof, and can very easily be lubricated. The balls can be easily put in or taken
ont, and when in place and the holes filled by the screws, the bearing and the

page_text: axle are firmly locked together, and cannot come apart. Various detail modifica-
tions may be made in the apparatus above described without departing from the
scope of the said invention.
Dotad the 14th dow of Varoh 1800
Improved Adjustable Ball Bearing for Axles.
I, HERBERT SEFTON-JONES, of the Agency for Foreign Patent Solicitors, 322,
High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and
6, Bank Street, Manchester, both in the County of Lancaster, and Lower
Temple Street, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Chartered Patent
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 present invention relates to an improved bearing. The bearing is
applicable to axles of all kinds whether they be horizontal or vertical, and
whether they be solid or tubular axles revolving within the bearing or con-
versely hollow axles revolving around a fixed solid or tubular shaft. The central
piece whether stationary or revolving is provided with two grooves or ball races
at a suitable distance apart, and the outer piece in the form of a sleeve or envelope
has likewise two corresponding grooves forming the outer limits of the ball race.
Between the two, steel balls of the well known kind are inserted.
Means for lubrication are provided preferably at the end of the shaft, while
in order to compensate for the wear of the balls and ball-races, means are pro-
vided for adjusting the relative position of the ball races on the inner and outer
members of the bearing.
In order that the invention may be the better understood I will now proceed
to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the
same reference letters refer to similar parts in the various figures.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of one form of my ball bearing
provided with an oil chamber.
Figure 2 is a transverse section of my bearing at the line II-II of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of another form of my ball
bearing having means for adjustment to take up the slack due to wear.
Figure 4 is a transverse section on the line IV-IV Figure 3.
Figure is a transverse section on the line V-V Figure 3.
Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of another form of my bearing
provided with means for automatic adjustment to take up the slack due to wear.
Figures 7 and S are transverse sections on the lines VII-VII and VIII-VIII
respectively. Figure 6.
Figure 9 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of another modification of my
ball bearing.
Figure 10 is a transverse section on the line X-X Figure 9.
Figure 11 shews means for the introduction of balls into the ball races.
In the first instance I will describe forms of my bearing which are especially
adapted to those cases in which the inner member of the bearing revolves while
the outer remains stationary. Figures 1 to 8 illustrate such forms.
In Figures 1 and 2, A is the revoluble axle provided with two grooves or ball

page_text: races B B adapted, together with the ball races C C formed in the outer mem-
ber D of the bearing which envelopes the axle A, to maintain the anti-friction
balls E E between the revolving surface of the axle and the stationary inner
surface of the sleeve D of the bearing. The balls E E also serve to lock. the
axle in the bearing whereby any longitudinal motion of the axle is prevented.
Between the end of the axle A and the end cover of the envelope D, an oil
chamber F is formed into which oil is introduced through the hole G in the end
cover of the envelope. This hole may be stopped after the introduction of oil
by the screw H.
To prevent the entrance of dust and dirt at the other end of the bearing, I
provide an annular collar I on the axle and a washer J of cloth leather or the
like is attached to the envelope D and is adapted to cover the opening between
the two members of the bearing.
The balls E E are introduced and when necessary extracted, through the
holes KK formed in the outer member of the bearing D through the ball
races CC, the said holes K K being preferably circumferentially displaced
with regard to one another as shewn in Figure 2 of the drawings.
The holes K K are stopped by the screws L L after the balls have been
introduced, and the position of the outer member of the bearing should be such
that the stopped holes K K are not at that portion of the bearing where the
weight of the revolving axle is supported. In the present instance they should
be over the axle at the upper part of the bearing.
Figures 3, 4 and 5 show a bearing similar to that above described with the
addition however of means for adjustment, whereby the slack due to the wear
of the balls and the ball races may be taken up. The outer member D is as
above described but the two ball-races on the axle are formed on two parts
Thus
capable of being moved longitudinally away from or towards each other.
the race B is formed on the main part of the axle, while the other race B is
formed on a sleeve A embracing the reduced end of the axle said sleeve being
prevented from revolving around the axle by means of the key M Figs. 3 and 5,
while it is revolubly supported on the screw N which screws into the end of the
axle. If then it is desired to reduce the end-play in the bearing, due to wear,
the screw H is unscrewed from the end cover of the outer member D and the
screw N is screwed in or out as desired by means of a tool introduced through
the cover the ball race B is thereby caused to approach or recede from the
ball race B. A spring may be provided to retain the screw N in any desired
position. This action causes the races B and C, B and C to be relatively
displaced as shown in Figure 3 which illustrates the relative position of the
races after the race B has been caused to recede from the race B'. The
relative motion of the superimposed races causes, as is evident from the said
figure, a virtual reduction of the capacity of the ball races, whereby any slack
due to the wear of the balls or of the ball races is taken up.
By this arrangement when one side of each ball race has been worn down,
by say causing the races B and B to recede from one another, it is possible
to use the other side of each ball race by causing the races B and B to approach
nearer each other than they were in their original position.
Figures 6, 7, and 8 shew means whereby slack due to wear may be continuously
taken up automatically. These figures shew means causing the races B₁ and Bil
to recede as wear takes place, but similar and equivalent means may be used to
cause the approach of said races.
These means consist of the sleeve A¹ mounted on the reduced end of the axle A
as shewn in Figure 7. Between this sleeve and the shoulder of the axle A is
placed a spring O adapted to continually press the sleeve A¹ outwards causing the
race B to recede from the race B₁ as wear takes place. The action is the same
as that above described in reference to Figure 3. It is evident that equivalently
the sleeve may be arranged for the approach of the two races B and B to take
place and these two arrangements may be consecutively used on the same bearing so

page_text: that after one side of each of the races has been used and worn out, the other
may be used.
A further advantage secured by the use of a spring is that the balls are always
held against the surfaces of the ball races so that there is less liability of
breakage.due to, the jolting of the axle when the bearings are used on carriages
and the like.
I will now describe, a modification of my bearing in which the outer member of
the bearing is adapted to revolve on the inner member.
Figures 9, 10 and 11 shew such a form. A is the fixed axle, E are the
balls in their respective ball races, D. is the outer revoluble member of the
bearing and..may be considered as the inner part of the boss of a wheel the
outer end of said member is fitted with a screw-plug P.
The means for introducing the balls are as follows;-In the surface of; the
axle A a
longitudinal slot Q is cut, through which the balls are introduced by
means of the tools R, R, Figure 11, after the outer member D without the
screw cap has been placed around the axle. The tool R is inserted in the
slot Q and the balls are run in along the tool R. After striking the curved
shoulder S the balls enter the further ball race B. After the requisite number
of balls have entered this race, the supplementary tool R is placed in the slot Q.
thereby blocking up the slot as far as the second race B so that on the further
insertion of balls the balls enter the race B to the requisite number. The
pin T is then driven in and the screw plug P screwed in the said pin containing
recesses corresponding to the ball races so that the balls may run smoothly.
Should it become necessary to extract the balls or to remove the wheel from the
axle, the screw plug P is removed and the pin T is driven out by striking its
end U. The balls can then be extracted.
The advantages of my improved bearing over ordinary constructions are mani-
fold. The wheel hub or axle revolves perfectly smoothly upon its bearing and
any slackness in the bearing can be at once adjusted by hand with very little
trouble and loss of time, or it can be adjusted automatically. The bearing is
practically dust and moisture proof and can be very easily lubricated. The
balls can be easily put in or taken out, and when in place, the holes being
filled by the screws, the bearing and the axle are firmly locked together and
cannot come apart. Various detail modifications may be made in the apparatus
above described without departing from the scope of the said invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent I declare that what
claim is:
1. A ball bearing in which means are provided for causing, either auto-
matically or otherwise, the ball races in one of the members of the bearing to
move towards or away from each other in order to take up slack due to wear,
substantially as described.
2. A ball bearing constructed and operating substantially as described with
reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, either with or without an
oil chamber and with or without a collar and washer for excluding dust and dirt.
3. Ball bearings constructed substantially as described with reference to
Figure 3, or to Figure 6, or to Figure 9 of the accompanying drawings.
1
143
ד.
1000
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of London, Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham.