Improvements in and relating to Locomotive Gear.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Sept., 1894-Accepted, 24th Nov., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Locomotive Gear.
We, JOSEPH FLETCHER TOOMER Engineer and GEORGE CASPER MORTON
Master Mechanic both of Zumpango, Mexico, 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 :-
This invention relates to improvements in the construction of locomotive gear,
and has for its object to provide a means by which engines of long wheel base can
be made to travel around curves of short radii with ease.
The invention consists of an improved method of connecting the driving wheels…
and the axle boxes used in conjunction with the same.
The cranks on the axles of the driving wheels, or a number of them are fixed at
the centre underneath the frame of the locomotive, instead of being at the sides in
the usual manner.
In order to permit of certain pairs of driving wheels being given a circular
motion in going round curves, the cranks are formed with curved or ball bearing
surfaces, and the central coupling rod is formed with a correspondingly curved
bearing, a slight play being allowed between the two sides of the crank.
The axle boxes are also arranged to have a slight play in a direction at an angle
to the axle, one axle box sliding forward while the other moves to the rear, thus
allowing for the necessary turning of the axle.
The boxes are bored parallel to the axles, but baving their sides at an angle of
about 22° to the axis of their bore.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood reference is had to
the accompanying sheet of drawings in which
Fig. 1 shows the locomotive with long wheel base fitted with this gear, a
section being taken through the lower portion of the frame.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the said locomotive,
Fig. 3 shows the axle and crank,
Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the central coupling rod,
Fig. 5 is a plan and Fig. 6 a side view of an axle box.
A is the locomotive with cylinders A' and side connecting rods a connected in
the usual manner to the rear driving wheels B and B which are not allowed
transverso motion. The axle C belonging to the driving wheels B formed with
the central crank D, the bearing portion & of which is curved as shown.clearly in
Fig. 3. The central coupling rods E connect this crank with the cranks D¹
belonging to the axles C of the front pair of driving wheels B².
All the cranks are formed with the curved bearing portion.d, and the coupling
rods have their bearings e of corresponding shape.
The cranks and axles can thus turn through a small angle without interfering
with the action of the coupling rods. The axle boxes F are fitted in the guide
plates fixed to the sides of the locomotive frame, with their guiding surfaces at an
angle to the axle.
The axle boxes are bored at parallel to the axles, but the sides fare formed
at an angle to the bore, so that when fitted in the frame they may move & short
distance diagonally in the guides or shoes.
To permit of the required motion the axle boxes are recessed about 2 inches
broader than the shoes and ridges.
The axle boxes on one side of the frame are arranged in opposite directions to
those on the other side, so that while one set is moved towards the front the

page_text: other will slide to the rear permitting the axles to turn slightly' round on vertical
axis.
1
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
(1.) A new or improved locomotive gear, cranks formed to the centre of
the axles of the driving wheels connected by central coupling rods substantially
as described.
(2.) In an improved locomotive gear forming the axles of the driving wheels,
with a central crank having a curved or ball bearing surface, with centre coupling
rods, substantially as described and for the purposes specified.
(3.) In an improved locomotive gear the combination with crank in the centre
of the axles of their wheels, having a curved or ball bearing surface, of central
coupling rods with concave bearings to fit the cranks substantially as and for the
purposes specified.
(4.) In locomotive gear the combination with central oranks, driving wheel,
axles and central coupling rods, of sliding axle box on the frame permitting
of a slight turning motion of the axles substantially as and for the purposes
specified.
.
(5.) In locomotive gear the combination with central cranks on the driving
wheel, axles and central coupling rode, of sliding axle boxes having their front and
rear sides formed at an angle to the driving axle, substantially as described and for
the purposes specified.
(6.) In locomotive gear the combination with central cranks on the driving
wheel, axles and central coupling rods of sliding axle boxes, having their front and
rear sides formed at an angle to the driving axle, the axle box on the one side of
the engine being fitted in the reverse direction to those on the other side
substantially as and for the purposes specified.
(7.) The improved locomotive gear constructed and operating substantially in
the manner described and shown in the accompanying drawings, and for the
purposes specified.
Dated this 28th day of September 1894.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicants.