Improvements in Anti-friction Bearings for the Axles of Bicycles and other Vehicles and for the Journals of Machinery generally.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Nov., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 4th Aug., 1909-Accepted, 10th Nov., 1900
Improvements in Anti-friction Bearings for the Axles of Bicycles and
other Vehicles and for the Journals of Machinery generally.
I, FREDERICK HENRY HEATH, of 709, North L Street, Tacoma, in the County
of Pierce and State of Washington, United States of America, Architect, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention is an improvement in the class of bearings in which balls or
rollers are arranged around a stationary or rotatable shaft or axle and havo
either a fixed relation to the hub while rotating on their own axes, or are adapted
to travel bodily between the hub and the shaft or axle.
My invention is more particularly an improvement in the class of spherical
and ball bearings, that is to say hearings in which one of the two members or
surfaces between which the balls run is formed on spherical lines. It is demon-
strable that bearings of this character have great superiority over those in
which the ordinary non-spherical or straight-faced cone is employed since no
cramping or binding action, and hence no increase of friction, results in case
of a mal alignment of parts or a bend or "spring " of the axle or shaft, the
balls continuing in any case to run in circular paths of the same diameter, as
in the normal relation or position of parts.
over &
In other words, in a perfect bearing of this class each ball travels
common path on the surface of the cone and at right angles to its axis, and over
a common path on the surface of the cup or concave portion and at right angles
to its axis. These paths are the parallel circumferences of two parallel circles.
These elements constitute what are called concentric bearings.
It is impracticable to make bearings so perfect that the path of the balls
shall never deviate from the circumference of a circle on either cup or conc, on
account of the mechanical impossibility of making perfect threads on cup or
cone, and on shaft or hub; by means of which perfect alignment shall be always
preserved; and for the further reason that the least vibration, spring, or bend
of the shaft changes the path of the balls on the cup or cone, which path then
assumes an ovoid instead of a circular form. The lock-washer and jam-nut
also increase the difficulty.
The use of a spherical bearing-surface as one member of a bearing, according
to my arrangement, produces an absolutely concentric bearing, giving an even
and uniform bearing on each ball in which it is impossible for the balls to
become cramped or pinched by vibration spring, or bend of the shaft, or by
imperfection of the adjusting threads.
I will first describe a spherical bearing particularly intended for bicycles and
carriages. The axle journal is provided with a bearing member at each end.
one being fixed and the other capable of adjustment and both formed on spherical
lines, and with cone members or annuli interposed between the balls and the
spherical members and annular cups secured to the ends of the hubs. The
inner side of the cone members is made concave to adapt them to fit upon the
hemispherical members, and their outer sides are preferably grooved circum-

page_text: ferentially to form a seat and circular path for the balls which are arranged
to run between such members and the cups. The cone members are adapted for
movement upon the hemispherical members to allow for irregularities in the
aligument of the cup members or for bend or spring of the axle..
A series of rows of balls may be employed in which case the annular or cone
members are made wider and have a series of grooves forming circular paths
for the balls and the ends of the cups are flared and grooved interiorly to also
form paths for the balls and the cups are secured together so as to form a box
by a screw joint which permits of adjustment. This form of bearing will
obviously sustain a greater pressure or crushing strain than the single form and
is hence particularly adapted for motor carriages or other forms of vehicles
carrying heavy loads.
In another form of bearing the stationary and main portion of the bearing
is composed of two parts, namely: a block-like member having a central trans-
verse opening, or bore, also a lateral (circular) recess, and a smaller circular
block which is provided with a transverse opening, and fitted and screwed into
the aforesaid recess, whereby the two members are firmly secured together 80
as to form practically a solid block. The interior surface of the latter is formed
on spherical lines whose radii have a common centre. Within such spherical
concavity are arranged two cones and two series of loose balls which run between
the respective cones and the opposite spherical surface of the block bearing.
One cone is bored to fit upon the shaft and provided with a cylindrical,
exteriorly-threaded extension upon which the other cone is screwed. That is
to say, the one cone has a short cylindrical extension that is threaded interiorly and
screwed upon the extension of the other cone and is secured in any required
adjustment by a jam nut.
It will be understood that the block bearing is to be held suspended in a
hanger or otherwise fixed in position. It will be further understood that in
case two or more bearings of this kind are employed on the same shaft, the
cones of but one of them will be secured by a clamp-screw, so that the others
may be left free to allow for expansion and contraction of the shaft.
In applying my invention to car axles and the like, the axle journal has
secured thereon a spherical bearing which should be of hardened steel; and,
in practice, this bearing may be secured upon the journal by hydraulic pressure
after being hardened, or in any other manner which will serve the purpose. A
hardened ring having a bevelled surface is secured upon the journal inside of
the spherical bearing, and a similar ring may be secured upon the outer end
of the journal, and the last named ring may serve to prevent the spherical bearing
from being displaced endwise.
The manner of securing the ring upon the outer end of the journal is to form
a series of teeth or projections upon the outer end of the journal in such
manner as to leave a space or groove between the inner surface of the teeth and
the shoulder upon the journal, and to form corresponding teeth upon the ring.
so that by passing this ring over the teeth upon the journal until
it reaches the groove which corresponds in thickness to said ring and
turning the ring upon its axis sufficiently to carry the teeth thereof
behind the teeth of the journal, it will be held against endwise movement.
The ring is held against rotation, after being thus placed, by a block of the proper
dimensions to fit between two teeth upon the journal, and this block is secured
to a spring-strip which in turn is secured to the ring by screws or rivets. By
this arrangement when the ring is secured in place it cannot be displaced
except by the removal of the block and the turning of the ring upon its axis
to cause its teeth to correspond with the spaces between the teeth upon the
journal, and so long as the ring is held in place it in turn will hold the spherical
bearing against endwise displacement.
The upper half of the journal box, is of hardened steel, the inner portion
thereof being concaved upon spherical lines to correspond with the spherical

page_text: bearing, and the lower portion of this box is likewise concayed upon spherical
lines, and this lower half of the box is secured to the upper half by means of
bolts and nuts; a pocket is formed in the lower section to act as a catch for
grit and dirt, or other foreign substances which may gain access to the journal,
and which will, by gravity, tend toward this pocket, and if desired an outlet may
be connected with the pocket for withdrawing said foreign substances, as occasion
may require.
A series of spacing rings are set in grooves formed in the spherical bearing,
and serve to separate the series of balls which are interposed between this
spherical bearing and the inner surface of the journal box, the object being to
confine each series of balls and thereby avoid one series from interfering with
another the rings serving to sustain the two outer series of balls.
The spacing rings are constructed of steel and divided transversely so that
they may be sprung into circumferential grooves in the spherical bearing; and
it is apparent they may be readily removed from position by reason of the same
features of construction.
Cage rings having holes therein for the reception of the balls may be employed,
these rings also having wire loops or staples projecting inward therefrom, which
further serve to inclose each of the balls, the object being to maintain the
balls at a given distance from each other during their travel, and to provide
for readily placing a series of bulls in position, or removing the same in con-
nection with the cage rings. For instance, a series of balls may be placed in
the cages of these rings by forcing them between the wire staples and they will
there be sufficiently held to be placed in position as a series, or they may be
removed as such, or any one or all of the balls may be removed from the ring,
by exerting sufficient force thereon to spring open the wire staples, as will be
readily understood. These cage rings are mude in two sections, the end of each
section being secured together by screws the heads of which may be soldered
after being turned into place so as to prevent them from being shaken loose.
The front end of the journal-box is closed by the face plate having a rubber
or other suitable washer attached thereto, so as to fit against the face of the
journal box to exclude dust and foreign matter therefrom; the face plute being
held in position by a spring-bar, the cuds of which are forced into engagement
with hooked lugs formed upon the lower half of the journal-box. This provides
a convenient means for closing the front end of the journal-box and one which
permits of the ready removal of the face-plate for introducing oil, or for
inspecting the journal.
The box is made dust-proof at its inner side by a felt or other suitable washer
being fitted around the journal and against the inner face of the box, said
washer being held in place by a flange ring. In practice, I prefer that this
ring shall be of spring material and divided transversely in order that it may
be sprung into place, or sprung from the shoulder of the journal, thus per-
mitting access to the washer for its removal when occasion requires.
In practice a small quantity of oil introduced into the box is sufficient to
lubricate the journal, and, as the box is sealed this oil cannot escape and there-
fore there is no waste of oil, and the particular shape of the journal and box is
such as to cause the balls to practically travel in oil, and thereby prevent heating
or cutting under high speeds and heavy loads.
It will be obvious to any one familiar with journals and their bearings that
should an axle become sprung or bent within certain limits, the balls will not
cramp between the bearing surfaces, since the spherical bearing will always
present a true circular path for the balls, thereby giving each ball its propor-
tionate amount of pressure to sustain, which is of great importance in car axle
journals and the like when high pressures are exerted upon the bearing surface
and the journal runs at a high rate of speed.
By this construction of a journal bearing, the friction incident to the ordinary
arrangement is greatly reduced, and, if the axle be sprung or be out of true

page_text: within certain limits, the cramping which would usually result is prevented.
Unevenness of the ordinary railway track is compensated for.
Dated this 10th day of November 1899.
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
Chartered Patent Agents, 53, Chancery Lane, London.
Improvements in Anti-friction Bearings for the Axles of Bicycles and
other Vehicles and for the Journals of Machinery generally.
1, FREDERICK HENRY HEATH, of 709, North L Street, Tacoma, in the County
of Pierce and State of Washington, United States of America, Architect, 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:-
My invention relates to improvements in bearings in which balls are arranged
around a stationary or rotatable shaft or axle and have either a fixed relation
to the hub while rotating on their own axes, or are adapted to travel bodily
between the hub and the shaft or axle.
My invention is more particularly an improvement in the class of spherical
und ball bearings, that is to say bearings in which one of the two members or
surfaces between which the balls run is formed on spherical lines. It is demon-
strable that bearings of this character have great superiority over those in
which the ordinary non-spherical or straight-faced cone is employed, since no
cramping or binding action, and hence no increase of friction results in case
of a mal-alignment of parts or a bend or spring" of the axle or shaft, the
balls continuing in any case to run in circular paths of the same diameter, as
in the normal relation or position of parts.
"
In other words, in a perfect bearing of this class cach ball travels over a
common path on the surface of the cone and at right angles to its axis, and over
a common path on the surface of the cup or concave portion and at right angles
to its axis. These paths are the parallel circumferences of two parallel circles.
These elements constituto what are called concentric bearings.
It is impracticable to make bearings so perfect that the path of the balls
shall never deviate from the circumference of a circle on either cup or cone, on
account of the mechanical impossibility of making perfect threads on cup or
cone, and on shaft or hub; by means of which perfect alignment shall be always
preserved; and for the further reason, that the least vibration, spring, or bend
of the shaft changes the path of the balls on the cup or cone, which path then
assumes an ovoid instead of a circular form. The lock-washer and jam-nut
also increase the difficulty.
The use of a spherical bearing-surface as one member of a bearing, according
to my arrangement, produces an absolutely concentric bearing, giving an even
and uniform bearing on each ball in which it is impossible for the balls to
become cramped or pinched by vibration, spring, or bend of the shaft, or by
imperfection of the adjusting threads.
My invention is embodied in the construction, arrangement and combination
of parts hereinafter described. In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a central longitudinal section of a bearing for a bicycle or the
like.
Figure 2 is a similar section of a modified hearing.
Figure 3 is a central longitudinal section of a block-like bearing which is
particularly adapted for shaft hangers.
Figure 4 is a similar section, the shaft being at a different angle.

page_text: Figure 5 is an end view of a journal-box for car axles which is provided with
a spherical and ball bearing according to my invention.
Figure 6 is a similar view, the face plate being removed so that the end of
the journal is shown.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a means for locking or holding the spherical
bearing and balls in place.
Figure 8 is a vertical transverse section of the bearing shown in Figures 5
and 6.
Figure 9 is a vertical longitudinal section on line, of Figure 8.
Figure 10 is a face view of one of the ball-spacing rings employed in this
form of bearing.
In Figures 1 and 2, 1 show a form of spherical hearing which I particularly
intend for bicycles and carriages, although well adapted for use in other
vehicles.
A indicates the axle journal and B the hub of the bicycle or the like. Two
annular cups CC are secured in the ends of the hub. Upon the ends of the
journal A are arranged two bearing menibors D), D', one being the fixed, and
the other the adjusting member. These are formed on spherical lines.
The inner or cone bearing members have an annular form, and their immer
side is made concave to adapt them to fit upon the hemispherical members D, D'.
Their outer sides are preferably grooved circumferentially to form a seat and
circular path for the balls F, which are arranged to run between such members
and the cups (as shown. The members are adapted for movement upon the
members D, D, to allow for irregularities in the alignment of the cup members
or for bend or spring of the axle.
Figure 2 shows a modification in which a series of rows of balls is employed,
the annular or cone members E being made wider than in the first instance,
and having a series of grooves forming so many circular paths for the several
series of balls. The ends of the box ("are flared and grooved interiorly as
shown, to adapt them to enclose and provide paths for the balls F'. The box C
is also made in two parts, which are connected by a screw joint to adapt them
for detachment or adjustment.
This form of bearing will obviously sustain a greater pressure or crushing
strain than the single form shown in Figure 1, and is hence particularly adapted
for motor carriages or other forms of vehicles carrying heavy loads.
The dotted lines in Figure 2 will be seen to represent a form of wooden hub
in which the metal box C is secured.
In the form of bearing shown in Figure 3, the stationary and main portion
of the bearing is composed of two parts, namely: a block-like member 1, having
a central transverse opening, or bore, also a lateral (circular) recess, and a
smaller circular block 2, which is provided with a trausverse opening, and fitted
and screwed into the aforesaid recess, whereby the two members are firmly
secured together so as to form practically a solid block. The interior surface
of the latter is formed on spherical lines whose radii have a common centre.
Within such spherical concavity are arranged two cones 3 and 4, and two series
of loose balls 5, 5, which run between the respective cones and the opposite
spherical surface of the block bearing. One cone, 3, is bored to fit upon the
shaft, and provided with a cylindrical, exteriorly-threaded extension 3, upou
which the other cone 4 is screwed. That is to say, the said cone 4 has a short
cylindrical extension 4*, that is threaded interiorly, and screwed upon the
extension 3 of coue 3, and is secured in any required adjustment by a jam
nut 6.
In assembling the several parts of the bearing, the block member is first
secured in a hanger or the like, the part 2 having been first removed to allow
insertion of the cones 3, 4, and series of balls 5. 5.
The cones, screwed together, are moved to the left into the cavity of the
block 1. The block member 2 is next screwed into place.

page_text: The coues 3, 4, are then adjusted to secure the proper bearing for the balls 5, 5*.
That is to say, the cone 4 is rotated upon cone 3, to adjust them apart so as to
bring the balls 5,5 into contact with and proper bearing upon the spherical
inner surface of blocks 1,2.
The last step is to secure the cones in their due position relatively by means
of the jam nut 6, and together upon the shaft by a clamp-screw 7.
Figuro 4 shows the shaft inclined while the relation of other paris remains
unaltered.
It will be understood that the block bearing 1,2, is to be held suspended in
a hanger or otherwise fixed in position.
It will be further understood that in case two or more bearings of this kind
are employed on the same shaft, the cones of but one of them will be secured
by a clamp-screw, so that the others may be left free to allow for expansion and
contraction of the shuft.
In applying my invention to car axles and the like, as shown in Figures 5
to 10, inclusive, the axle journal A has secured thereon a spherical bearing B,
which should be of hardened steel; and, in practice, this bearing may be
secured upon the journal by hydraulic pressure after being hardened, or in any
other manner which will serve the purpose. A hardened ring C, having a
beveled surface is secured upon the journal inside of the spherical bearing, and
a similar ring, D, may be secured upon the outer end of the journal, and the
last-named ring may serve to prevent the spherical bearing from being displaced
endwise.
The manner of securing the ring 1) upon the journal as here shown, is to form
a series of teeth or projections E (Figure 7) upon the outer end of the journal
in such manner as to leave a space or groove between the inner surface of the
teeth and the shoulder Fupon the journal, and to form corresponding teeth
upon the ring D, so that by passing this ring over the teeth upon the journal
until it reaches the groove which corresponds in thickness to said ring and
turning the ring upon its axis sufficiently to carry the teeth thereof behind the
teeth of the journal, it will be held against endwise movement. The ring D
is held against rotation, after being thus placed, by a block G of the proper
dimensions to fit between two teeth upon the journal, and this block is secured
to the spring-strip E, which in turn is secured to the ring D by screws or rivets,
as indicated at I in Figure 6. By this arrangement it will be seen, that when
the ring D is secured in place it cannot be displaced except by the removal of
the block and the turning of the ring upon its axis to cause its teeth to
correspond with the spaces between the teeth upon the journal, and so long
as the ring is held in place it in turn will hold the spherical bearing against
endwise displacement.
represents the upper half of the journal box, which is of hardened steel,
the inner portion thereof being concaved upon spherical lines to correspond
with the spherical bearing B; and K is the lower portion of this box, which
is likewise concaved upon spherical lines, and is secured to the upper hall by
means of the bolts L and the nuts M run thereon. A pocket N is formed in
the lower section to act as a catch for grit and dirt, or other foreign substances
which may gain access to the journal, and which will, by gravity, tend toward
this pocket, and if desired an outlet may be connected with this pocket for
withdrawing said foreign substances, as occasion may require.
A series of spacing rings (Figure 9) are set in grooves formed in the spherical
bearing, and serve to separate the series of balls P which are interposed between
this spherical bearing and the inner surface of the journal box, as clearly
shown, the object being to confine each series of balls and thereby avoid one series
from interfering with another and to cause them to track; the rings C and D
serving to sustain the two outer series of balls.
The spacing rings 0 are constructed of steel and divided transversely (see
Figure 10), so that they may be sprung into circumferential grooves in the

page_text: spherical bearing; and it is apparent they may be readily removed from position
by reason of the same features of construction.
In Figures 8 and 9, I have shown cage rings Q, having holes therein for the
reception of the balls P and these rings also have wire loops or staples R pro-
jecting inward therefrom, which further serve to inclose each of the balls, tho
object being to maintain the balls at a given distance from each other during
their travel, and to provide for readily placing a series of balls in position, or
removing the same in connection with the cage rings. For instance, a series
of balls may be placed in the cages of these rings by forcing them between
the wire staples and they will there be sufficiently held to be placed in position
as a series, or they may be removed as such, or any one or all of the balls may
be removed from the ring, by exerting sufficient force thereon to spring open
the wire staples, as will he readily understood. These cage rings Q are made
in two sections, the end of each section being secured together by the screws 1,
the heads of which may be soldered after being turned into place so as to prevent
them from being shaken loose.
The front end of the journal-box is closed by the face plate V having a rubber
or other suitable washer W attached thereto, so as to fit against the face of the
journal-box to exclude dust and foreign matter therefrom; the face-plate being
held in position by a spring-bar X, the ends of which are forced into engage-
ment with the hooked lugs Y formed upon the lower half of the journal-box.
This provides
a convenient means for closing the front end of the journal-box
and one which permits of the ready removal of the face-plate for introducing
oil, or for inspecting the journal.
The box is made dust-proof at its inner side by a felt or other suitable washer a
being fitted around the journal and against the inner face of the box, suid
washer being held in place by the flange ring b. In practice, I prefer that this
ring shall be of spring material and divided transversely in order that it may
be sprung into place, or sprung from the shoulder d of the journal, thus per-
mitting access to the washer for its removal when occasion requires.
In practice a small quantity of oil introduced into the box is sufficient to
lubricate the journal, and, as the box is sealed this oil cannot escape and there-
fore there is no waste of oil, and the particular shape of the journal and box
is such as to cause the balls to practically travel in oil, and thereby prevent
heating or cutting under high speeds and heavy loads.
It will be obvious to any one familiar with journals and their bearings that
should an axle become sprung or bent within certain limits, the halls will not
cramp between the bearing surfaces, since the spherical bearing B will always
present a true circular path for the balls, thereby giving each ball its propor-
tionate amount of pressure to sustain, which is of great importance in car axle
journals and the like when high pressures are exerted upon the bearing surface
and the journal runs at a high rate of speed.
By this construction of a journal bearing, the friction incident to the ordinary
arrangement is greatly reduced, and, if the axle he sprung or be out of true
in certain limits, the cramping which would usually result is prevented.
Unenness of the ordinary railway track is also compensated for.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:.
1. An anti-friction bearing having a cone member or annulus interposed
between the bearing balls and the spherical member on the axle, substantially
as described
2. The provision, in an anti-friction bearing, of a cone member or annulus
engaging a spherical member of the axle on the inside, and provided on the
outside with parallel circumferential grooves for the reception of the bearing
balls, substantially as shown in Figure 2 and described with reference thereto.

page_text: 3. The construction of an anti-friction bearing in two sections spherically
recessed and fitting one into the other, with cone members arranged within the
spherical concavity of the hearing to form a space for loose balls, which are
thus provided with a true circular path whatever be the angle of the shaft or
axle to the surrounding bearing, substantially as shown in Figures 3 and 4
and described with reference thereto.
4. In a ball bearing such as claimed under head 3, the provision of radial
flanges, concaved upon their outer surfaces, upon the cone members adjustable
toward or from each other, substantially as described with reference to Figures 3
and 4.
5. An anti-friction bearing provided with a spherical member secured to the
axle and having a series of fixed rings arranged around it to form a series of
paths for the bulls, substantially as shown in Figures 5 to 10 and described
with reference thereto.
6. In a ball bearing such as claimed under head 5, the compressible washer
held at the end of the bearing, and arranged substantially as described with
reference to Figure 9.
7. In a ball bearing such as claimed under hend 5. the spring bar adapted
to engage the hooked lugs and to hold the face plate in position, substantially
as shown in Figures 5, 6 and 9 and described with reference thereto.
8. In a ball bearing such as claimed under head 5, the rings (such as C and D)
secured to the axle at the ends of the spherical portion (B), to hold the first
and the last series of bulls, substantially as shown in Figures 6 and 9 and
described with reference thereto.
9. In a ball bearing such as claimed under heads 5 and 8, the formation of
teeth upon the end of the journal or axle and upon the ring, in conjunction with
a block adapted to fit between teeth of the journal and secured to a spring fast
fo the ring, substantially as described with reference to Figures 6 and 7.
10. In a ball bearing such as claimed under head 5, the spacing rings split
so as to enable them to be sprung into the grooves of the spherical journal,
substantially as described.
11. In a ball bearing such as claimed under head 5, the arrangement, between
the spacing rings, of cage rings having holes to partly enclose the balls, sub-
stantially as described.
12. The several constructions of anti-friction bearings constructed and operating
substantially as herein shown and described.
D
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
Chartered Patent Agents, 53, Chancery Lane, London.