IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF RAILWAY CARRIAGES
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Malcolm William Hilles, of No. 138, Finborough Road,
S. Kensington, in the County of Middlesex, Gent, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF RAILWAY CARRIAGES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Malcolm William Hilles at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th June 1880.
MALCOLM WILLIAM HILLES, of No. 138, Finborough Road, S. Kensington, in
the County of Middlesex, Gente. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
RAILWAY CARRIAGES.".
L.
The substitution of a fixed transverse plate or bar of wrought iron for the
axletree as at present in use, extending from side to side between the supports
.within which the wheels revolve. These supports consist of brackets' of wrought
iron bolted on to the frame work of the carriage, one for each wheel. The said
brackets may be made in one piece or composed of two pieces, so as to admit moro
easily of the fixing or removal of the wheel or wheels. Each bracket will contain
an axle or short spindle fixed in its place, on which the wheel revolves. The spindle
may also revolve with the wheel. The shape and size of the brackets will vary
according to the size and intended use of the carriage. The frame work of the
carriage should be composed of two longitudinal beams of timber on each side to
which the bracket is bolted. I recommend that the body of the carriage, where
elastic material, such as springs, indian rubber, &c. is used, should be separate from
the frame, and that the elastic material should be placed between the said frame
& body. The brackets may be dispensed with, and the springs connected with
the axles & frame in the usual manner, but this I do not commend. The oiling or
greasing of wheels is supplied in the usual manner.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Malcolm William Hilles in the Great Scal Patent Office on the 27th
December 1880.
MALCOLM WILLIAM HILLES, of 138, Finborough Road, South Kensington, in
the County of Middlesex, Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION
OF RAILWAY CARRIAGES."
The "Improvements in the Construction of Railway Carriages" consist in the
adoption of certain mechanical means by which the axle-trees at present in use in
railway carriages are superseded, as follows:-
==
1. A "transverse fixed shaft" of iron (in plan A) which passes from the wheel
apparatus of one side to the other, being bolted to the "brackets which contain
or enclose the wheel. One transverse shaft is required for each pair of wheels in use.
This transverse shaft is made of the best wrought iron or steel, and may be plain,
of the anglo T or + pattern.
2. "Brackets" (in plan B) which enclose or contain the wheels revolving on
spindles or short axles; these brackets consist each of two transverse or cross plates
of wrought iron and two vertical or perpendicular plates, the upper transverse or
cross plate (in plan 1) passes transversely from one timber fruine to the other
resting on the upper surface thereof, the under transverse or cross plate (in plan 2)
supports the timber frames one on each side; this is joined to the perpendicular
plate, and does not pass further. The perpendicular plates (in plan 3) pass
vertically from the upper transverse plate downwards, being consolidated with the
under transverse plate, as just stated; where this supports the timber frame each
perpendicular plate is perforated to receive the spindles or short axles corresponding
with the centre or axis of the wheel. The upper transverse plate is bolted or
rivitted to the perpendicular plates, and is firmly fixed by a vertical bolt which
passes through the timber frame and is fixed by a nut and screw beneath the under
transverse plate. The brackets are made of the best wrought iron and of sufficient
strength to carry from 5 to 10 tons, as required.
3. The spindles or short axles (in plan C) pass transversely between the vertical
or perpendicular plates of each bracket supporting the wheels (in plan D) which
rovolve upon them, or may be made so as to revolve with the wheel; one spindle
supports each wheel. The spindles are bolted, when fixed, to the vertical plates of
each bracket. The spindles aro made of the best wrought iron and are provided, if
necessary, with steel linings or mandrils capable of being removed or replaced.
The timber frames are composed on each sido of two strong pieces of timber
which pass from front to rear, and are connected in the usual manner by two or
more transverse ties. The carriage bodies are supported on the upper surface of
the frame by means of springs or other elastic material; the exact position is not
essential. They are provided with, chuck-plates and other means to restrain too
violent action on the springs, as in ordinary use.
The oiling or greasing of the wheels is effected in the usual manner.
The objects of and advantages to be derived from the above "Improvements
in the Construction of Railway Carriages" are considered to be as follows:-
1. Perfect security against the fracture of axletrees as at present used.
2. Increased facility of motion from the greater freedom of the wheels.
3. Increased facility of rounding curves, passing points, &c., as each wheel acts
independently of the other.
4. Considerable saving of steam power from the non-rotation of the heavy
axletrees and the increased facility of motion possessed by the wheels.
5. Diminished weight of axle apparatus and diminished cost in construction.
Having thus described the nature and objects of the said Invention, I cluim,

page_text: under the head of "Improvements in the Construction of Railway Carriages,"―The
mechanical means described in combination, as, 1, the transverse shaft in plan A;
2, the brackets, B; 3, the spindles or short axles C, however applied to or connected
with the frame work, as substitutes for the axle apparatus as at present in use.
In witness whereof, I, the said Malcolm William Hilles, have hereunto set my
band and seal, this Twenty seventh day of December, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty.
M. W. HILLES. (L.S.)
DETAILS OF PLAN.
A, transverse shaft, in lieu of axle, supporting brackets.
B, brackets enclosing wheels bolted to frame; 1, upper transverse or cross plate;
2,2, lower transverse or cross plates; 3,3, vertical or perpendicular plates;
4,4, screw bolts connecting cross plates.
c, spindles or short axles.
D, revolving wheels.