Improvements in Anti-friction Bearings.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd July. 1895-Accepted, 24th Aug., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Anti-friction Bearings.
I, GEORGE CROYDON MARKS, Engineer and Patent Agent, of 18 Southampton
Buildings, London W.C. (being a communication from The Rubber Tire Wheel
Co., an Ohio corporation having its principal place of business at Springfield, in
the County of Clark, and State of Ohio, United States of America, 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 anti-friction bearings, and it especially relates to such
bearings as are adapted in their constructions to be applied to vehicle wheels.
The invention consists in the various constructions and combinations of parts
hereinafter described and set forth in the claims.
In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this Specification―
Figure is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a wheel hub and axle with
my improved anti-friction bearing applied thereto.
Figures 2 and 3 are detail view of parts of the same.
Figure 4 is an end elevation of the rear portion of the bearing removed from
the axle.
Figures 5 and 6 are detail views of some of the portions of the front end of
the axle.
Figure 7 is an end elevation showing the retaining and adjusting devices.
Like parts are represented by similar letters of reference in the several views.
In the said drawings, a a represents the hub of an ordinary vehicle wheel, and
is the axle. The axle is provided with a collar 6', on the outer periphery of
which is an annular flange b2, projecting laterally therefrom. The hub a is provided
with an inner sleeve a¹, each end of which is enlarged into a chamber a², the
sleeve a being made in two parts preferably screwthreaded so as to be joined
together, as shown at a³, for the purpose of inserting the sleeve with the enlarged
chambers a² into the hub. The axle bis preferably shouldered down at its front
end to a reduced diameter, as shown at 3, and is screwthreaded, as indicated at b*.
On the screwthreaded end 6 of the axle is adapted to screw a nut c, which is
preferably provided near its outer periphery with an annular flange c', projecting
laterally therefrom to form a cap and corresponding in shape to the flange 63 on
the collar of the axle. The nut c is extended beyond the end of the axle and
within the screwthreaded portion thereof is inserted an auxiliary nut c², provided
with an opening c³, preferably in the center thereof and square in cross-
section.
In each of the chambers a² is placed an annular bearing ring d in the nature of a
sleeve, the outer periphery being shaped to conform to the inside of the chamber a²,
and the inner wall being beveled, as shown, from the inside outwardly so as to form
a conical seat or wearing face. Within this bearing ring is a second sleeve d¹, the
outer periphery of which is beveled or cone-shaped and adapted to fit within
the outer bearing ring d and leave an annular wedge-shaped space d³ between
the same; the inner wall of said sleeve d' being constructed to conform to the size
and shape of the axle & on which it is adapted to fit. Within this annular wedge-
shaped space d³ is placed a series of rollers e, each of which is tapered or cone-
shaped to correspond to the wedge-shaped opening, the respective ends of said
rollers being each of a diameter directly proportionate to the diameter of the inner
sleeve at the point at which said roller contacts therewith so that said rollers will

page_text: revolve around said sleeve and in contact therewith but maintain their proper
position in the radial planes extending through the center of said axle. The
bearing rings, sleeves and tapered rollers at each end are held in position in the
chambers a by means of a ring e¹, which is provided on its outer face with an
annular groove e². This ring is adapted to bear against the end of the bearing
ring d, and against a shoulder d' on the sleeve d', said sleeves d' being shouldered
down to a smaller diameter, as indicated at d³, to receive said ring and permit it to
engage with said shoulder d', as shown. The ring is held firmly in place within
the chamber a² by small retaining screws e³, which engage in the wall of said
chamber and in said ring, said screws being provided with heads which are counter-
sunk so as to lie half in the ring and half in the outer casing of the chamber, as
shown in Figs. 4 and 7. As thus constructed it will be seen that the bearing
proper, which includes the chamber, the two bearing sleeves, the rollers and the
retaining ring, is held securely in the hub, no matter whether in place on the axle
or otherwise. When assembled for operation the flange on the axle collar b, and
the flange c¹ on the nut e, engage in the annular grooves e³ in said retaining rings;
the construction being such that it is practically impossible for dirt to get into the
bearing surfaces.
The nut c is adapted to bear (preferably through intermediate agencies) against
the end of the bearing sleeves d' at the outer end of the axle and when screwed
onto said axle so that the auxiliary nut 2 comes in contact with the end of said
axle, the parts are in their proper operative position. By adjusting the auxiliary
nut c² with reference to the main nut c, the main nut c may be adjusted to a greater
or less extent on the axle and thus adjust the position of the respective bearing
sleeves d' into the chambers and in contact with the friction rollers, said sleeves
being free to move inwardly but retained against outward movement by the
retaining ring which is shouldered thereon. To provide for varying the wearing
surfaces on the inner wearing sleeves, intermeshing parts are employed for
retaining said sleeves normally against revolution but permitting them to be
adjusted to different positions. This is accomplished by providing in one end of
each of said sleeves a series of notches d. At the inner end the axle is provided
with a stationary pin or projection f, adapted to fit in one end of said notches when
the wheel is on the axle and thus retain said sleeve against revolution thereon.
the opposite end an interposed collar fis employed between the retaining nut
and the said sleeve. This collar is provided at one point with a projecting key f²,
which projects from one end thereof and also inwardly in the opening through the
same. The axle is provided with a slot or key seat f³, in which said key is
adapted to fit so that this collar always maintains the same position with reference
to the axle. The bearing sleeve d², however, may be adjusted to any desired
position by bringing any one of the notches de opposite said projection so that it
engages therewith.
At
It will be seen that the construction thus described provides an anti-friction
bearing for vehicles which is at once simple and at the same time capable of ready
adjustment to compensate for any wear thereon. The wheel may be taken off
or replaced on the axle without disturbing any of the wearing surfaces so long
as the auxiliary adjusting nut is unchanged. As the wheel is replaced after being
removed from the axle the probabilities are that the same notches in the ends of
the collars will not engage the retaining projections so that the sleeves d' will
naturally be turned from time to time so as to bring a new wearing surface
thereon, or it is evident that if desired they can readily be adjusted to any
position to compensate for wear by removing the spindle nut until the sleeves can
be disengaged from the projections and turning each or either of said sleeves until
a different notch is brought opposite the proper engaging projection.
As shown the auxiliary nut c2 is provided with a square opening c³ extending
entirely through the same. It is obvious that this may be made in the form of a
socket extending only partially through the nut, or the nut may be provided with
any other means for turning the same to adjust it in the main nut or cap c.

page_text: While the bearing rings d, separate from the chambers and fitted therein, are
preferably employed, it is obvious that the inclined walls or seats might be formed
in the chambers themselves, in which case the bearing ring, as a separate element,
would be dispensed with.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. In an anti-friction bearing, a chamber having therein an inclined or tapered
seat, a bearing sleeve within said chamber and a series of tapered rollers disposed
around said sleeve and within said chamber, the small ends of said rollers being
arranged opposite the small end of said sleeve so that the rollers travel uniformly
around said sleeve, and means as described for retaining said sleeve and rollers in
said chamber and for adjusting the parts of the same to compensate for the wear
thereon, substantially as specified.
2. In an anti-friction bearing, a chamber having therein a bearing ring, a spindle
extending through said chamber having thereon a movable conical sleeve, tapered
rollers between said bearing ring and sleeve, the small end of each of said rollers
being opposite the small end of said sleeve, a retaining ring having an annular
groove and secured in said chamber so as to close the opening between said sleeve
and bearing ring within which the rollers are inserted and a cap at the end of said
chamber having a laterally-projecting flange to fit in said groove, substantially as
specified.
3. The combination with a chamber having therein a bearing ring with a tapered
opening to form an inclined bearing surface, a sleeve arranged within said ring and
tapered rollers between said sleeve and ring, of a spindle around which said sleeve
is mounted, and means as described, for securing said sleeve on said spindle in
different positions of adjustment around said spindle, substantially as specified.
4. The combination with an outer chamber, and a spindle extending through said
chamber, a tapered seat in said chamber, and a conical sleeve on said spindle, inter-
meshing parts on said sleeve and spindle to cause said sleeve to retain the sarne
relative position with reference to said spindle when the device is in operation,
tapered rollers hetween said sleeve and seat, said interneshing parts being so
constructed as to permit of an adjustment of said sleeve about said spindle,
substantially as specified.
5. The combination with a vehicle hub having a chamber at each end thereof
with tapered seats therein, of a spindle extending through said hub and through
said chambers, conical bearing sleeves on said spindle adapted to extend into said.
tapered seats, tapered rollers between said sleeves and seats, grooved retaining
rings for holding said sleeves and rollers in said chambers, a stationary collar on
said spindle having a lateral flange to engage with the grooved ring at one end of
said hub, and a movable collar having a flange to engage with the grooved ring in
the opposite end of said hub, and means, substantially as described, for retaining
said movable collar in different positions of adjustment on said spindle, substantially
as specified.
6. The combination with a vehicle hub having at each end thereof a chamber
with a tapered or inclined inner wall therein adapted to form a bearing seat, a
spindle extending through said hub, a conical sleeve at each end of said spindle
adapted to project into one of said chambers, tapered rollers between said sleeves
and bearing seats, a stationary collar on said spindle adapted to contact with the
sleeve at one end thereof, and a screwthreaded nut on said spindle adapted to move
the conical sleeve at the other end of said spindle, intermeshing parts on the
spindle and sleeve respectively to prevent said sleeves from turning on said spindle
when the devices are in position for operation, said parts being so constructed that
the sleeves may be placed in different positions around said spindle, substantially
as and for the purpose specified.
7. The combination with a spindle and a hub having a chamber therein, a tapered.

page_text: seat in said chamber, and a conical sleeve on said spindle, tapered rollers between
said seat and sleeve, and a grooved retaining ring secured in said chamber so as to
close the opening between said sleeve and seat and retain the rollers therein,
a movable cap screwthreaded on said spindle and provided with a laterally pro-
jecting flange to engage in said grooved ring, said cap being provided with an
auxiliary adjusting nut by means of which its position on said spindle may be
determined, substantially as specified.
8. The combination with a vehicle hub and a spindle therefor, a conical sleeve
on said spindle, and a conical or tapered seat in said hub, conical rollers between
said sleeve and seat, said sleeve being shouldered down to receive a grooved ring
which fits thereon, said ring being also adapted to close the end of said hub and
retain said rollers, engaging parts on said spindle and sleeve respectively by means
of which said sleeve may be retained in different positions of adjustment about said
spindle, a screwthreaded cap on said spindle having a projecting flange to engage
in said grooved ring and adapted to bear against the end of said conical sleeve, and
an auxiliary nut screwthreaded in said cap so as to contact with the end of said
spindle and thus determine the adjustment of said cap on said spindle, substantially
as specified.
9. A vehicle hub having a chamber at each end, and a spindle adapted to extend
through said hub, said spindle being shouldered down or reduced and screw threaded
at one end, a stationary collar having a projecting flange at the inner end of said
spindle, a movable cap having a projecting flange at the outer or screwthreaded
end of said spindle, conical sleeves arranged on said spindle between said stationary
collar and movable cap, one of said sleeves being fitted onto the main body of said
spindle and the other on the reduced portion thereof, an inclined bearing seat
within each of said chambers, tapered rollers within said chambers between the
conical sleeves and tapered seats respectively, grooved retaining rings in the ends
of said chambers, each of said rings being fitted to the end of one of said sleeves
which is shouldered down to receive the same, and projecting flanges on the
respective collars to engage said grooved rings, intermeshing parts on said spindle
and sleeves respectively, said intermeshing parts being so formed as to permit of
an adjustment of said sleeves around said spindle, substantially as specified.
10. The combination with a chamber and an inclined seat therein, a spindle
having a conical sleeve thercon to project into said chamber, tapered rollers
between said sleeve and seat, a grooved retaining ring secured in the end of said
sleeve and adapted to bear against a shoulder or projection on said sleeve, a
movable cap having a laterally projecting flange to engage in said groove, a
movable collar on said spindle between said cap and sleeve, said collar having
a projection to engage said spindle and sleeve respectively, and said sleeve being
provided with a series of notches adapted to engage said collar in different positions
of adjustment, substantially as specified.
مد
100*
MARKS & CLERK,
18 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13 Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for Applicant.