mprovements in or relating to Ball-bearings.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Feb., 1896-Accepted, 21st Mar., 1896
mprovements in or relating to Ball-bearings.
A communication from GEORGE G. BRANDENBURG, of 7631 Bond Avenue,
Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States of America, Managing Salesman.
1, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT, of 323 High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex,
Chartered Patent Ageut, 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 improvement in ball-bearings for vehicles generally,
though more especially for bicycles. The object is to provide a ball-bearing
construction which shall render the parts readily adjustable to take up any wear in
use; which shall house the bearing-surfaces effectively against access thereto of
dust and afford altogether a particularly light, strong, durable and effective
anti-friction bearing for its purpose.
To the above ends this invention consists in the general construction of the
improvements, and it also consists in details of construction and combinations of
parts, all as hereinafter set forth and claimed.
In the drawings-
Figure 1 is a bicycle pedal involving the improvements; Figure 2, an inner
end view, Figure 3, a side view, Figure 4, an outer end view, and Figure 5, an
enlarged broken longitudinal section of the same;
Figure 6, a broken sectional view of the inner end portion of a pedal, showing a
modified form of nut-lock;
Figure 7, a bicycle-wheel hub and axle provided with the improvements;
Figures 8 and 13 sectional and elevational views respectively of a bearing
nut;
Figures 9 and 11 sectional and elevational views respectively of a dust washer;
Figures 10 and 12, sectional and elevational views respectively of a dished ring
which when pressed into position forms a washer retaining collar; and
Figure 14, an enlarged broken sectional view of a detail of the construction.
A is a foot-piece or pedal-frame, consisting of a loop of soft steel or other
comparatively soft metal, formed with the serrated side-bars t, and stop-
projections t, and inward projecting cup-shaped outer-end flanges and inner-end
Hanger. The cups or flanges s r are provided at their outer end-portions with the
internal screw-threads forming threaded sockets, sr, and terminate at their inner
end portions in the cylindrical projections s³, . Extending at opposite ends into
the cylindrical projections and fastened thereto, preferably, with rivets g', is a
housing cylinder q. The cups &r and cylinder q form the hub of the pedal. B is
shaft or crank-pin, which for the sake of lightness is made hollow and tapering
as shown. At its outer end-portion the crank-pin is formed with a cone-bearing p
aving an annular, preferably concave, ball-bearing surface p'. The inner end
portion of the crank-pin is formed with a cone-bearing n, having an annular,
referably socketed, ball-bearing surface n', a straight cylindrical surface n³,
houlder n³, and threaded end-portion n'. C is a ball-bearing cup having a threaded
art m², to engage the threaded socket s' of the pedal frame, and a central conical
rojection m surrounded by an annular ball-bearing recess m. The end of the
ollow bearing-pin B is recessed to fit loosely over the projection m. D is a
earing nut having a flange / formed with a peripheral ratchet 1, a cylindrical
Pains 17

page_text: part threaded on its outer side to enter and engage the threaded socket », and an
inwardly projecting annular stop or shoulder P. In the face of the flange 1, is
an annular shallow dovetailed recess ; and between the recess and shoulder is an
annular recess of less diameter than the recess 1. The inner circumference of
the part with the annular shoulder form a concave ball-bearing surface.
Fitting loosely in the recess is a preferably metal dust washer D' which is held
in place by means of a washer-retaining collar D. As I prefer to construct the
parts, the washer D' is placed in the recess 2, and a collar D' is provided having a
chamfered edge and of dished shape, as shown in Figures 10 and 12, and which,
while dished, is just capable of entering the recess Pressure is then exerted
against the dished collar to flatten it out, and cause it to expand at its chamfered
periphery to fill out the dovetailed recess.
In adjusting the parts together, the cap C is first screwed into place, and the
desired number of balls X is dropped into the housing cylinder 9. The crank-pin
is then passed into the end r of the pedal frame, and when pressed in the direction
of the benring cup, the conical projection m³ of the latter will operate to sprend
and position the balls so that they will lie between the bearing surfaces m.
The bearing-uut D is then passed over the end of the bearing pin, Glled with the
balls X, and then screwed into the threaded socket r. The dust-washer D fits
closely over the surface a of the crank-pin B, and fits loosely in the socket afforded
by the recess and collar D. The arrangement of the parts is such that the
joints between the washer and surface n' and between the washer and the side walls
of the socket in which it is held, are dust tight while permitting free rotation of the
washer in the socket. In practice the diameter of the base of the socket lis
materially greater than the diameter of the dust washer D', whereby the latter
may play in the socket to a limited extent in the plane at right-angles to the shaft.
Thus any wear upon the adjacent balls or bearings will cause the washer to shift
in the socket to compensate for such wear, so that the weight will always be
upon the bearings and never upon the washer. This is a very important feature of
the construction because it enables my correspondent to maintain a dust proof joint
about the shaft with a metallic washer which will not be affected by wear upon the
shaft bearings.
It has been usual, hitherto, to provide dust washers of leather, or other flexible
material, sprung into annular sockets on the bearing nut crank-pin or shaft; and it
is found in practice that such washers from the very fact of their being sprung into
their seats are loose and do not produce dust-tight joints. When saturated with oil
they swell and bind more or less against the bearing surfaces, producing material
friction; and they also tend to hold dust and grind it against the bearing surfaces
to the injury of the latter. The improved washer is not only dust excluding,
but as it may revolve freely in its retaining socket friction is reduced practically to
the minimum.
Tightening of the bearing nut D, presses the balls X' into the socket bearing',
and the balls X into the bearing nut C, so that there will be to looseness of the
parts. In the flange r, at the location shown, is an oiling opening through which
oil may be poured to lubricate all the bearing surfaces. Adjacent to the opening
is a threaded opening t through the frame A. for à screw k. The screw k has a
threaded shank provided in one end with a socket &, to receive a screw-driver,
and its opposite end portion is flared and recessed to form a cup . In the side of
the cup-portion is a slot . The screw k performs the offices of a lock for the
bearing nut D and a cover for the oil opening. When the nut D is tightened,
the screw may be turned in the threaded opening to draw it into one of the
peripheral sockets of the ratchet A, whereby the nut is locked against turning in
the threaded socket . When it is desired to oil the bearings, the screw may be
turned to cause the slot to register with the opening . The spout of an oil can
may then be inserted into the cup 3, and the oil poured without danger of its being
spilt. After pouring in the oil, as described, the screw should be turned to move
the slot out of register with the opening +, whereby the side of the cup portion

page_text: 5
will close said opening to prevent egress of oil and ingress of dust. The pedal is
secured to its crank by passing the pin B through an opening therein, the crank
being confined between the uut y and jamb washer y' in the usual way.
The pedal frame A should be of comparatively soft steel and more or less springy,
so that under a severe blow in use it will yield or bend. It is found that such frames
are much more durable than those of hard steel. The crank pin B, bearing cup C,
and bearing nut D, should be of very hard metal, such as tool steel to resist wear at
the ball-bearings, and the construction which permits the frame to be of soft steel,
or the like, and the bearings to be of tool-steel, or the like, contributes materially to
the durability and anti-friction properties of the pedal.
In the modified construction shown in Figure 6, the oiling opening is threaded
to receive a plug in the form of a screw i, which screw also operates to tighten a
spring finger which by engaging a socket of the ratchet on the bearing-nut. D.
locks the latter against independent rotation. To unlock the nut D, the screw may
be loosened and the finger turned to one side; and to oil the bearings the screw
must be withdrawn.
Figure 7, shows the improvements applied to the hub and shaft or axle of a
bicycle wheel. On the axle are two bearing cones n with adjacent bearing surfaces n¹,.
constructed substantially like the similarly designated parts on the crank-pin
described. Two bearing nuts D, constructed in every way like those described, are.
employed, and they are screwed into cups or flanges h, forming part of the wheel
hub, and corresponding in construction with the flange or cup r described. At
opposite ends entering the flanges h and riveted thereto is a housing cylinder h',.
corresponding with the cylinder y described.
In Figure 5, the end portion of the crank-pin B where it is to pass through the
crank is shown somewhat longer than in Figures 1, 3 and 6, so that it may be
fastened to the crank by means of the nut y. The other form is to be screwed into
a threaded opening in a crank, a siot y' being provided for the insertion of a screw-
driver. The two forms shown meet the requirements of the constructions of cranks.
provided by different bicycle manufacturers.
While I prefer to construct the improved ball-bearing mechanism in every way
as shown and described, it may be modified in the matter of details without departing
from the spirit of my invention as defined by the claims.
Having now particularly described & ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. In a ball-bearing, the combination with the shaft and hub surrounding the
shaft and the inner bearing surface for the balls upon the shaft, an outer bearing
comprising a nut having screw-threads to engage screw-threads in the hub and
provided with a peripheral ratchet, a threaded screw-hole and an oiling opening in
the hub, and a screw working in said screw-hole across the said oiling-opening and
engaging the said ratchet, whereby it closes the said oiling-opening and locks the
aid nut, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2. In a ball-bearing, in combination with the shaft and hub surrounding the
haft and the inner bearing surface for the balls upon the shaft, an outer bearing
omprising a nut having screw-threads to engage screw-threads in the hub and
rovided with a peripheral ratchet, a threaded screw-hole and an oiling-opening in
he bub, a screw having a hollow flaring end and slot k, the screw passing
hrough the said screw-hole to engage the said ratchet and lock the nut and
xtending across the oiling opening, the screw being operative to register at its
lot with the said oiling opening, substantially as and for the purpose described.
3. In a ball-bearing, the combination of a shaft provided with a ball-bearing
urface, a hub provided with an internal ball-bearing surface, and the interposed
alls, the hub having a socket on its inner side about the shaft, extending in a plane
right-angles to the shaft, and a metallic dust-washer fitting closely about the shaft.
nd of less diameter than the base of said socket, and fitting in said socket in a.

page_text: manner to rotate freely and have play therein in the direction at right-angles to the
shaft, substantially as and for the purpose set.forth.
4. In a ball-bearing, the combination with the shaft provided with the inner
bearing-surface for the balls, of a hub loosely surrounding the shaft and provided
with an end socket, an adjustable nut in the said socket, forming an outer bearing
for the balls, and provided with an inner circumferential recess, a metallic dust-
washer fitting closely upon the shaft and extending loosely into said recess and of
less diameter than the recess to have play therein in the direction at right-angles to
the shaft, a dove-tailed collar receiving recess in the outer face of the nut, and a
chamfered washer retaining collar fastened in the said collar receiving recess, sub-
stantially as and for the purpose set forth.
5. In a bicycle-pedal, the combination of a crank-pin provided with an inner ball-
bearing surface p' at its outer end and an inner ball-bearing surface n' toward its
opposite end, a pedal-frame having a cylinder q, an outer-bearing cup at one end and
an internally threaded socket at its opposite end, balls X between said bearing cup
and the bearing surface p', a bearing-nut D adjustably secured in the socket », balls X
between the said nut and bearing-surface n¹, an inner circumferential shoulder 1³
and recess in the nut, a metallic dust-washer fitting closely upon the crank-pin
and extending loosely into the recess 1, and of less diameter than said recess to have
play therein in the direction at right-angles to the crank-pin, a dove-tailed collar
receiving recess in the outer face of the nut, and a chamfered washer-retaining collar
fastened in the said collar-receiving recess, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
6. In a ball-bearing, the combination with the shaft and hub surrounding the
shaft and the inner bearing surface for the balls upon the shaft, of an outer bearing
nut D baving screw-threads to engage screw-threads in the hub and provided with an
inner bearing-shoulder 1, recess and dovetailed recess and a dust-washer in the
recess and a chamfered washer retaining collar in the dovetailed recess, the parts
being constructed and arranged to operate. substantially as described.
7. A bicycle pedal comprising a pedal-frame A of comparatively soft metal
provided with internally threaded socketed end flanges rs, a housing cylinder q
extending at opposite ends into and secured to the said socket-flanges, a hard metal
bearing-cup (externally threaded to fit the sockets, a hard metal bearing nut D
having screw-threads to engage the threads of the socket-flange r, in combination
with the crank-pin B provided with ball-bearing surfaces n p and the balls all
constructed and arranged to operate substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 8th day of February 1896.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.