Improvements in Ball Bearing Axles for Wheels for Bicycles, Vehicles, and other Devices.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Feb., 1894-Accepted, 7th Apr., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Ball Bearing Axles for Wheels for Bicycles,
Vehicles, and other Devices.
We, JOHN BELL, residing at 236 Crawford Street in the City of Toronto in
the County of York and Province of Ontario, Canada Carriage Builder, and
EDWIN F. MOORE, residing at 42 Coolmine Road in the said City of Toronto,
Journalist, 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 :-
The object of this invention is to devise a ball bearing axle adapted for use in
all classes of wheels, but more particularly for use in vehicle and bicycle wheels,
and by means of which the wheel can be removed from the axle without the
necessity of removing or displacing the balls, thus removing the only objection
which has hitherto been made in regard to the use of ball bearings; the whole
device being constructed and arranged as hereinafter more fully set forth and more
particularly pointed out in the claims.
In the drawings :-
Fig. 1 is a transverse sectional view of a vehicle hub and bearing.
Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view on the line a-a Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the hub of a bicycle wheel showing the ball bearings
forming a part of the hub.
Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the forks of a bicycle frame, and a section of the
hub of a bicycle wheel showing the ball bearings secured to the fork.
Like numerals of reference refer to like parts throughout the Specification and
drawings.
The improvements as shown in the drawings have been applied to a vehicle hub,
but the same improvements are also applicable to any other class of wheel and more
particularly to a bicycle wheel. Encircling each end of the hub 1 is a collar 2 and
each of these collars, it might be stated, projects sufficiently beyond its respective
end of the hub 1 to receive the ball bearings and bearing case. The inner face of
the outer end 2 of each of the collars 2 is screw-threaded and fitted within the
outer end 2 of each of the collars 2 is a bearing case 3. The outer diameter of
each of the bearing cases 3 is the same as the inner diameter of each of the ends 2*.
The outer face of the inner end 3ª of each of the bearing cases 3 is screw-threaded
to correspond with the screw-threads on the inner face of each of the ends 2, in
order that each of the bearing cases 3 can be readily fitted into and securely held
in its respective end. To facilitate the insertion and removal of each of the
bearing cases 3 respectively into or from its respective end 2ª each of the bearing
cases 3 is provided at its outer end with a polygonal shaped nut 3b to which can be
applied a wrench or other tool. The inner end of each of the bearing cases 3 is
partially closed by an annular plate 4 which may either be formed integrally with
or subsequently fitted to the bearing case. Within the bearing case 3 and at its
inner end is a hardened bearing surface 5 for the balls 6 to run on. Removeably
locked within the bearing case 3 is a coned bearing 7, and securely locking the
coned bearing within the bearing case is a ring 8 tightly fitting the outer end of
the bearing case 3 and held in place by a set screw 9. It will be noticed that the
coned bearing has formed through it a rectangular shaped opening 10 to receive a
correspondingly shaped axle 11. I do, not, however, confine myself to the use of
any particular shaped opening 10 or axle 11, as I may make use of any other shape
or shapes suitable for the purpose as long as the axle and the coned bearing can
be separably locked together thereby. It might here be stated that each of the

page_text: coned bearings 7 remain stationary on the axle 11, and that the balls 6 running
upon the bearing surfaces 8" and bearing surfaces 5 relieve the device from
unnecessary friction. It might also here be stated that the axle passes through
each of the coned bearings 7 and is fitted on its inner end with a dust collar 12 and
on its outer end with a nut 13. In this construction the balls and the several parts
of the bearing are securely locked within the hub, and owing to this fact the wheel
can be removed from the axle at pleasure without danger of losing the ball or the
balls becoming displaced, and the wheel can also be replaced in the same convenient
manner.
The description regarding Fig. 3 is exactly the same as that regarding Figs. 1
and 2 above described, with the exception that the collars 2 are formed integrally
with the hub. In Fig. 4 each bearing case 3 is screwed into its respective fork 14
in place of being screwed into the collar 2, and this construction is employed in those
instances where the axle and hub revolve together and it is necessary to hold
stationary the bearing case.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion we declare that what we claim is:
1. The combination of the hub, a collar encircling each end of the hub, secured
thereto and projecting therebeyond, a bearing case fitted into each collar and locked
thereto, said bearing case having a bearing surface, a coned bearing within the
bearing case, means for revolvably locking the coned bearing within the bearing
case, said coned bearing having a bearing surface, balls running upon the said
bearing surfaces, the axle, and means for separably locking the axle to the coned
bearings, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
2. In a ball bearing axle the combination of the hub, a collar secured to each
end of the hub and projecting therebeyond, each of said collars screw-threaded on its
inner face bearing cases threaded on their outer faces, and one screwed into each of
said collars, said bearing case having a bearing surface, a coned bearing within
each bearing case, said coned bearing having a bearing surface, means for revolvably
lucking each coned bearing within its respective bearing case, each coned bearing
having a rectangular shaped opening formed therethrough, a rectangular shaped
axle passing through the openings in the coned bearings, and adapted to fit the said
openings to hold the coned bearings with it, a nut fitting the outer end of the axle,
and balls running upon the said bearing surfaces, substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
3. The ball bearing axle hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2
of the accompanying drawings.
4. The ball bearing axle herein before described and illustrated in Fig. 3 of the
accompanying drawings.
5. The ball bearing axle hereinbefore described and illustrated in Fig. 4 of the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this 12th day of February 1804
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicants.