IMPROVEMENTS IN BOXES AND BEARINGS FOR AXLES AND OTHER SHAFTS, AND IN COMPOSITIONS TO BE APPLIED THERETO.
Year: 1870

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn
Fields, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BOXES AND BEARINGS FOR AXLES AND OTHER SHAFTS,
AND IN COMPOSITIONS TO BE APPLIED THERETO.' -A communication from
abroad by Eliza Dexter Murfey, of the City, County, and State of
New York, in the United States of America.
"
Sealed the 22nd December 1870, and dated the 1st November 1870.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 1st November 1870.
I, JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County
of Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BOXES AND BEARINGS FOR AXLES AND OTHER
SHAFTS, AND IN COMPOSITIONS TO BE APPLIED THERETO, a communication from
abroad by Eliza Dexter Murfey, of the City, County, and State of New
York, United States of America, to be as follows:―
"
This Invention relates, firstly, to certain improvements in axle and
journal boxes, applicable also to loose pulleys.

page_text: Secondly. To improved bearings, especially applicable to the said
boxes and pulleys, and also to certain improvements in the manufacture
of such bearings.
And, thirdly. To a composition which may be combined with fibrous
or other materials to form a packing, or may be applied to bearing
surfaces as a substitute for metallic bearings.
According to the first part of this Invention it is proposed to fit
between shoulders at the top of the box a detachable block, which may
be of vulcanized rubber or other material, and the form of which is
similar to that of the ordinary brass bearings, and between the curved
lower side of this block and the journal is interposed a sheet or lining of
non-metallic absorbent material, which is impregnated with plumbago,
ivory dust, or equivalent substance or substances, and forms the bearing
of the journal.
.
The said bearing may consist of impregnated felt, or it may be of
cloth, leather, paper, or like material coated with a suitable composition,
or it may be of any similar material; it is preferable, however, to use
impregnated strands connected to form a sheet or mat, as described
under the second head of this Invention. The lining is folded over one
or both ends of the block, so as to form bearings for the shoulders of the
journal, and cords are passed through longitudinal recesses in the block,
and are connected to the lining, so as to secure the latter to the block.
Through the top of the box extend tubes tapered internally, and corre-
sponding with openings in the block, forming tapering chambers, and on
the end of each tube screws a cap, between which and a loose disc in
the tube is interposed a spring. The mat or lining beneath the chambers
is more open than at other points, this being effected by perforating the
mat at the said parts, or in any other suitable manner. A longitudinal
recess or slot in the lower face of the box communicates with each
opening. A detachable thrust plate near the front end of the box has
on its inner side a rounded projection, and through openings in the said
plate are passed impregnated strands or cords, which cover the face of
the rounded projection forming a bearing for the end of the axle. The
chambers are filled with a lubricant in a powdered or semi-fluid or pasty
condition, and the discs, springs, and caps are secured in their places, so
that a continual pressure will be exerted to force the lubricant out of the
chambers and through the recess on to the bearing or lining, which
absorbs the said lubricant in proportion as the material with which it is

page_text: impregnated is dissipated. When the bearing becomes worn the block
which forms a holder for the bearing may be removed in the same
manner as the usual bearing, and the lining may be detached from the
block after severing the cords, a new lining being substituted for that
removed. The strands are effectually sccured to the thrust plate by
passing them through openings for the purpose, but may be readily
removed and replaced, the plate being withdrawn for this purpose
through the top of the box. A sheet of rubber or other clastic material
is placed at the back of the block to deaden the shocks imparted by the
movements of the axle. A block or holder overlapping the enlarge-
ments of the axle near the shoulders may be employed, the bearing
being continued over the entire lower surface of the holder or block:
Where the bearing is employed in loose pullies it may be secured to
blocks fitting in and detachable from the hub, or may be fitted directly
to the opening of the hub.
A. material which may be employed for the bearing or lining con-
stitutes the second head of this Invention, and is made in the following
manner: Hemp, cotton, fur, or other fibrous material is formed into a
loose lap by means of a carding machine, by partially felting the fibres,
or by any other means. The lap of loosely aggregated fibres is drawn in
a horizontal direction against and between upright pins, which divide
the lap into narrow slivers, and each of the latter is passed through a
heated tube to a twisting machine, by which it is converted into yarn.
As the sheet of fibres approaches the dividing pins, and before the slivers
are twisted, a bearing material, such, for example, as powdered plumbago,
soapstone, and the like is sifted on to the sheet, and passes among the
fibres, with which it is effectually combined when the sheet is twisted
into a rope or yarn. Parraffine holding rubber in solution, tallow, or
other suitable lubricating material may be discharged with the powdered
substances upon the sheet, or the slivers may be drawn through the
liquid after being impregnated with the powders, the subsequent twisting
in the heated tubes expelling all the paraffine, except a residuum, which
serves to prevent the escape of powder from the strands when the rope
is handled, and also increases the efficiency of the bearing. After the
yarns have been thoroughly impregnated with bearing material they are
woven together in a loom, or plaited or interlocked, or connected in any
manner whereby a flat sheet or mat may be produced. The said mat
when inserted as a lining in an axle or journal box, so as to bear

page_text: uniformly on the journal, as above described, will in a short time
acquire a surface upon which the journal will turn with but little
friction, and without materially heating the bearing is more durable
than those of soft metal, is cheaper, and may be effectually employed
without the use of other lubricants than those used in impregnating
the fibres; the chief advantage of the bearing, however, arises from the
fibres of the strands composing the mat being so firmly united that the
bearing will not become disintegrated and crumble away when subjected
to the excessive pressure imparted by heavy shafts.
In some instances, especially in the axle boxes of vehicles, it is
desirable that the bearing shall be slightly elastic, in order to deaden or
absorb the shocks imparted by the lateral movements of the vehicle, or
by passing over uneven tracks. To accomplish this result a bearing
made in the following manner may be used:-Upon a sheet of rubber
fabric (that is, cloth, leather, paper, or any suitable material coated with
rubber,) is spread a bearing material or composition, such as is herein-
after described under the third head of this Invention. The sheet thus
coated is passed between heated rolls, which soften the rubber, and at
the same time work the powdered bearing material into the plastic
rubber. To cause a thorough combination of the bearing material with
the sheet to which it is applied, the said sheet may be perforated
throughout its entire extent with fine needles or punches, so that on
the application of pressure the material will be forced into the per-
forations. After the sheet is pressed it may be cut into strips, pads,
or washers, for use as substitutes for the ordinary metallic bearings.
A sheet of any suitable material may be impregnated with bearing
material by perforating the sheet as described, and in some instances a
sheet having rubber only on the bearing face may be used; or the back
of the sheet may be coated with rubber, a bearing composition being
applied to the bearing face,
A composition suitable for this purpose, and forming the third head of
this Invention, consists of pulverized plumbago combined with finely
comminuted leather, hide, or skin, and if necessary with burnt hair,
ivory dust, and paraffine, or their equivalents. The leather, hide, or
skin is torn, rasped, or otherwise finely comminuted, and is thoroughly
mixed with finely powdered plumbago, with which it is preferable to
.combine sufficient melted paraffine to form a liquid or pasty mass.
After the shreds have become thoroughly impregnated with plumbago

page_text: the mass is condensed under heat and pressure, so as to expel nearly all
the paraffine, and form a hard solid block. After the said block has
become cool it is broken up, and then ground to form a powder, which
may be employed as above described, or in bearings and journals in the
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 29th April 1871.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the First day of November, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy, in the thirty-fourth
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said John Henry Johnson, Her special
license that I, the said John Henry Johnson, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said John Henry Johnson,
my executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
BOXES AND BEARINGS FOR AXLES AND OTHER SHAFTS, AND IN COMPOSITIONS TO BE
APPLIED THERETO," a communication to me from abroad by Eliza Dexter
Murfey, of the City, County, and State of New York, in the United
States of America, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
John Henry Johnson, my executors or administrators, by an instrument
in writing under my hand and seal, should particularly describe and
ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after
the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Henry Johnson, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the

page_text: Johnson's Improvements in Boxes and Bearings for Axles, &c.
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement, reference being had to the accom-
panying Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that
is to say):
The said Invention relates, firstly, to certain improvements in axle
and journal boxes applicable also to loose pulleys.
Secondly. To improved bearings especially applicable to the said
boxes and pulleys, and also to certain improvements in the manufacture
of such bearings.
And, thirdly. To a composition which may be combined with fibrous
or other materials to form a packing, or may be applied to bearing
surfaces as a substitute for metallic bearings.
And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood I shall
now proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that
purpose shall refer to the several Figures on the annexed Sheet of 1
Drawings, the same letters of reference indicating corresponding parts
in all the Figures.
Figurge 1 of the Drawings is a sectional elevation of the improved
axle box as constructed under the first part of this Invention, and
showing part of a railway axle; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a 2
portion of the axle box detached; Figure 3, a longitudinal section
taken along the line 1-2 in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a modification of
the improved arrangement; and Figure 5 is a section showing the
application of the improvement to a loose pulley.
A is the casing of the box which is recessed at the rear in order to 2
admit the journal x of an axle B, the front end of the casing being
provided with the usual cap C. Between shoulders y, y, at the top of
the box there is fitted a detachable or moveable block D which may
be of vulcanized india-rubber or other suitable material, and the form
of which is similar to that of the ordinary brass bearings, and between a
the curved lower side of this block and the journal x there is interposed
a sheet or lining of non-metallic absorbent material I which is
impregnated with plumbago, ivory dust, or equivalent substance or
substances, and forms the actual bearing surface for the journal to
revolve against. The said bearing or lining may consist of impregnated 3
felt, or it may be of cloth, leather, paper, or like material coated with

page_text: a suitable composition; it is preferable, however, to use impregnated.
strands connected so as to form a sheet or mat as hercin-after described
under the second head of this Invention. The bearing or lining is folded
over one or both ends of the block D so as to form bearings for the
_shoulders t, t, of the journal; and cords a, a, are passed through longi-
tudinal recesses in the block and are connected to the bearing or
lining so as to secure the latter to the block as shown in Figures 2 and 3.
Through the top of the box extend tubes, by preference, tapered slightly
internally and corresponding with openings in the block D forming
tapering chambers c, c, although not so shown in the Drawings. On
the end of each tube screws a cap e.between which and a loose disc f
inside the tube there is interposed a spring i. The lining beneath the
chambers is more open than at other points, this being effected by
perforating the same at the said parts or in any other suitable manner.
A longitudinal recess or slot m in the lower face of the block D com-
municates with each opening c. A detachable thrust plate near the
front end of the box has on its inner side a rounded projection n, and
through openings wo in the said plate are passed impregnated strands
or cords s which cover the face of the rounded projection forming a
bearing for the end of the axle. The chambers c are filled with a
suitable lubricant in a powdered or semi-fluid or pasty condition and
the discs f, springs i, and caps e are secured in their places, as shown
in Figure 1, so that a continual pressure will be exerted to force the
lubricant out of the chambers and through the recess m on to the bearing
or lining which absorbs the said lubricant in proportion as the material
with which it is impregnated is dissipated. When the bearing becomes
worn the block D. which forms a holder for the bearing may be removed
in the same manner as the usual bearing, and the lining may be detached
from the block after severing the cords a, a new lining being substituted
for that removed. The strands s are effectually secured to the thrust
plate F by passing them through the openings w, but may be readily
removed and replaced, the plate being withdrawn for this purpose
through the top of the box. A sheet of india-rubber or other clastic
material is placed at the back of the block D to deaden the shocks
imparted by the movements of the axle. A block or holder D over-
lapping the enlargements v, v¹, of the axle near the shoulders t, t, (as
shown in Figure 4) may be employed, the bearing being continued over
the entire lower surface of the said block or holder. Where the bearing
is employed in loose pulleys it may be secured to blocks D fitting in.
·

page_text: and detachable from the hub, as shown in Figure 5, or may be fitted
directly to the opening of the hub.
A material which may be employed for the bearing or lining I con-
stitutes the second part of this Invention, and is made in the following
manner- Hemp, cotton, fur, or other fibrous material is formed into
a loose lap by means of a carding machine by partially felting the fibres
ór by any other suitable means. The lap of loosely aggregated fibres is
drawn in a horizontal direction against and between upright pins which
divide the lap into narrow slivers, and each of the latter is passed through
a heated tube to a twisting machine by which it is converted into yarn.
As the sheet of fibres approaches the dividing pins and before the slivers
are twisted a bearing material (such, for example, as powdered plumbago,
soapstone, and similar substances) is sifted into the sheet and passes
among the fibres with which it is effectually combined when the sheet
is twisted into a rope or yarn. Paraffine, holding rubber in solution,
tallow, or other suitable lubricating material may be discharged
with the powdered substances upon the sheet, or the slivers may be
drawn through the liquid after being impregnated with the powders,
the subsequent twisting in the heated tubes expelling all the paraffine
except a residuum which serves to prevent the escape of powder from
the strands when the rope is handled, and also increases the efficiency of
the bearing. After the yarns have been thoroughly impregnated with
bearing material they are woven together in a loom, or plaited or inter-
locked or connected in any manner whereby a flat sheet or mat may be
produced. The said mat when inserted as a lining in an axle or journal
box so as to bear uniformly on the journal, as above described in
reference to the first part of the Invention, will in a short time acquire
a surface upon which the journal will turn with but little friction, and
without materially heating the bearing; it is more durable than those
of soft metal, is cheaper, and may be effectually employed without
the use of other lubricants than those used in impregnating the fibres,
the chief advantage of the bearing, however, arises from the fibres of the
strands composing the mat being so firmly united that the bearing will
not become disintegrated and crumble away when subjected to the
excessive pressure imparted by heavy shafts.
In some instances, especially in the axle boxes of railway vehicles,
it is desirable that the bearing shall be slightly elastic in order to deaden
absorb the shocks imparted by the lateral movements of the vehicle,
or

page_text: or by passing over uneven rails. To accomplish this result a bearing
made in the following manner may be used:-Upon a sheet of india-
rubber fabric (that is to say, cloth, leather, paper, or any suitable
material coated with india-rubber) there is spread a bearing material or
composition which may consist of any suitable ingredients, the sheet
thus coated is then passed between heated rolls which soften the rubber
and at the same time work the powdered bearing material into the
plastic india-rubber. In order to cause a thorough combination of the
bearing material with the sheet to which it is applied the said sheet may
be perforated throughout its entire extent with fine needles or punches,
so that on the application of pressure the material will be forced into the
perforations. After the sheet is pressed it may be cut into strips, pads,
or washers for use as substitutes for the ordinary metallic bearings,
the continued integrity of the bearing under the heaviest pressure is
insured by the fabric or sheet on which the materials forming the
bearing surface are cemented by the india-rubber whilst the latter
without yielding sufficiently to materially deflect the shaft or axle will
absorb all the jars which would otherwise be communicated to the frame
of the machine or to the vehicle.
A sheet of any suitable material may be impregnated with bearing
material by perforating the sheet as described, and in some instances a
sheet having india-rubber, only on the bearing face may be used, or the
back of the sheet may be coated with rubber, a bearing composition
being applied to the bearing face.
A composition suitable for this purpose and forming the third part
of this Invention consists of pulverized plumbago combined with finely
comminuted leather, hide, or skin, and if necessary with burnt hair,
ivory dust, and paraffine, or their equivalents. The leather, hide, or
skin is torn, rasped, or otherwise finely comminuted, and is thoroughly
mixed with finely powdered plumbago, with which it is preferable to
combine sufficient melted paraffine to form a liquid or pasty mass.
After the shreds have become thoroughly impregnated with plumbago
the mass is condensed under heat and pressure, so as to expel nearly all
the paraffine and form a hard solid block. After the said block has
become cool it is broken up and then ground in any suitable grinding
machine to form a powder which may be employed as above described,
or in bearings and journals in the same manner as the usual lubricating
and bearing composition.

page_text: .
き
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the
said Invention and the manner in which the same is or may be used or
carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider.
to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured
to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,--
First. The combination of a case or box A, holder or block D, fitting
in the case or box and adapted to the journal x and a lining I of the
material herein-before described carried by the holder, as herein set
forth.
5
Second. The lining I secured to a block or holder, so as to be detach- 1
able therefrom as herein-before described.
Third. The combination of the lining I and chamber c, as and for the .
purpose herein-before described.
Fourth. The springs i and discs fin combination with the chambers c,
for the purpose herein-before set forth.
Fifth. The detachable thrust plate F carrying the impregnated bearing
materials, as specified.
Sixth. The clastic material r arranged at the back of the holder D, as.
and for the purpose herein-before described.
"
1
Seventh. The bearing or lining I of material substantially as described 2
combined with a loose pulley as herein-before set forth.
Eighth. A bearing for journals consisting of impregnated yarn plaited,
woven, interlocked, or otherwise connected together so as to form a
sheet or mat, as herein-before described.
Ninth. The process of impregnating the strands by introducing the 2
impregnating material among fibres formed into a lap and then twisting
the latter into a yarn.
Tenth. A bearing for journals consisting of a sheet of fabric or other
material to which rubber and a bearing material are applied, substantially
as herein set forth.
Eleventh. A rubber-coated sheet, the bearing face of which consists
of a bearing material worked into the face of the rubber, as hercin-before
described.
Twelfth. The combination of a bearing material with a perforated
sheet, as hercin set forth.
3
3

page_text: Thirteenth. A composition for bearings and journals consisting of the
ingredients herein-before described.
Fourteenth, The process of manufacturing the said composition by
combining, condensing, and then grinding the material, as herein-before
set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have to this
my Specification set my hand and seal, the Twenty-eighth day
of April One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.