Improvements in and relating to Ball and Roller Bearings.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Dec.,
1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Ball and Roller Bearings.
I, JAMES YEOMANS, of Powerscroft House, 145, Powerscroft Road, Clapton,
London, N.E., Teacher of Music, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
My invention relates to ball and roller bearings for all kinds of machinery and
also for cycles, motor-cars and railway and other vehicles.
Hitherto in either ball or roller bearings, or in a combination of the two, the
rolling action has never been theoretically perfect, by reason of the grinding or
rubbing of the surfaces causing frictional resistance to motion, as, for instance,
occurs in ordinary ball-bearings between the adjacent balls.
Now to remedy this defect I so construct my improved bearing (taking first
an example in which the axle is fixed or non-rotative) that the ordinary balls (or
rollers) are separated and kept at a suitable distance apart by means of other
rollers held in position by circular paths or surfaces, in contact with which they
will roll as they revolve with the balls about the common axis, the diameters of
each separating roller at the part in contact with the halls and at the parts in
contact with the said circular surfaces being so proportioned as to ensure a rolling
action between the balls and rollers as well as between these parts and the surfaces
with which they are in contact thus entirely preventing any grinding or rubbing
of any of the surfaces.
The
I find it advantageous to use for this purpose dumb-bell-shaped rollers, the
heads of which roll within circular paths (preferably slightly coned) formed in
cups fixed to, concentric with and adjustable longitudinally upon the axle.
balls and rollers are preferably so arranged that the effort to cause the balls to
approach one another tends to force the stems of the dumb-bell rollers outwards
(ie. away from the centre of the axle); but this tendency is entirely counteracted
by the heads of the dumb-bells being constrained to roll within the above-men-
tioned circular or coned cups. The respective diameters of the balls and of the
stems and heads of the dumb-bells, and of their circular tracks, are so propor-
tioned that the two-fold movement which the balls impart to the dumb-bell
rollers is of exactly the same character as the dumb-bell rollers would have were
they separately and independently allowed to roll freely within the circular
tracks or cups.
I prefer to form a shallow groove round the axle, for the balls to run in their
external track being the inner circumference of a cylindrical casing slightly
coned, but preferably in the opposite direction to the cups for the dumb-bell heads.
The stems of the dumb-bell rollers are also slightly grooved, if desired, where
they touch the balls. Any requisite adjustment for wear (also the preliminary
adjustment) is provided for by the coning of the cups, wherein the dumb-bell
heads revolve, and by the cones in the exterior cylindrical casing, which encircles
the balls, which cones are adjustable by means of a symmetrical horizontal move-

page_text: ment (supposing the axle horizontal), the dumb-bell cups sliding and being
adjustable upon the axle and the ball-casing or cones upon or in the hub.
These adjustments may be effected in any other suitable manner, as, for
instance, by split casings.
Any end-thrust in the bearing not taken up by the grooves and the coned cups
and casing, may be provided for by a "revolving lock-nut," consisting of two
opposing plates or discs one of which is secured by a screw-adjustment to the axle
and preferably flanged, while the other revolves freely thereon; these discs enclose
between them a series of balls running in a circular race and it is the free revoly-
ing plate which receives the end-thrust. Here I prefer to use, instead of the
usual circular series of balls, a group of 4 isolated balls which are kept equidis-
tant from each other by a ring with a loosely-fitting hole for each ball.
Although I have described my improvements more particularly in connection
with a combined ball-and-roller bearing, yet, for some purposes, as in a bearing
subject to heavy pressure, I sometimes use cylindrical or approximately cylin-
drical rollers instead of the balls.
Similarly the dumb-bell-rollers may be replaced by rollers with any number
of heads or enlargements, and any number of points of bearing on the stems for
a corresponding number of ball-races situated either between or outside of the
said heads or enlargements.
For some purposes the bearing may be modified by the stems of the dumb-bells
which separate the balls being so placed in the spaces between the balls that
the tendency will be for the balls to squeeze the dumb-bell-rollers inwards, in
which case the heads of the latter are arranged to bear on the external circum-
ferences of cylindrical tubes fixed to and turning with the hub.
In cases where there are more than one race of balls, the balls may be joined
by connecting stems or other suitable means.
The coning of the cups and ball-casings (or hubs), and the grooving of the
dumb-bell stems, axles or other parts may be dispensed with when so preferred
or for special purposes.
For those types of bearing in which the spindle or axle revolves, the construc-
tion is the same in principle as the foregoing; but the casing or casings which
encircle the balls are fixed, while the cups within which the dumb-bell heads roll,
revolve with the axle.
The surfaces in contact may, if desired, be toothed, milled, or otherwise varied
in shape.
:
Improvements in and relating to Ball and Roller Bearings.
I, JAMES YEOMANS, of Powerscroft House, 145, Powerscroft Road, Clapton,
London, N.E., Teacher of Music, 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 ball and roller bearings for all kinds of machinery and
also for cycles, motor-cars and railway and other vehicles.
Hitherto in either ball or roller bearings, or in a combination of the two, the

page_text: rolling action has never been theoretically perfect, by reason of the grinding or
rubbing of the surfaces causing frictional resistance to motion, as, for instance,
occurs in ordinary ball-bearings between the adjacent balls. Now to remedy this
defect, I so construct my improved bearing (taking as an example the case in
which the axle is fixed or non-rotative) that the ordinary balls (or rollers) are
separated and kept at a suitable distance apart by means of other rollers held in
position by circular paths or surfaces, in contact with which they will roll as
they revolve with the balls about the common axis, the diameters of each separat-
ing roller at the part in contact with the balls and at the parts in contact with
the said circular surfaces being so proportioned as to ensure a rolling action
between the balls and rollers as well as between these parts and the surfaces with
which they are in contact, thus entirely preventing any grinding or rubbing of
any of the surfaces.
I find it advantageous to use for this purpose, dumb-bell-shaped rollers, the
heads of which roll within or on circular paths (preferably slightly coned) formed
in cups fixed to, concentric with and adjustable longitudinally upon the axle.
The balls and rollers are preferably so arranged that the effort to cause the balls
to approach one another tends to force the stems of the dumb-bell-rollers outwards
.., away from the centre of the axle; but this tendency is entirely counteracted
by the heads of the dumb-bells being constrained to roll within the above-men-
tioned circular or coned cups. The respective diameters of the balls and of the
stems and heads of the dumb bells, and of their circular tracks, are so propor-
tioned that the two-fold movement which the balls impart to the dumb-bell rollers
is of exactly the same character as the dumb-bell rollers would have were they
separately and independently allowed to roll freely within the circular tracks
or cups.
For some purposes, the bearing may be modified by the stems of the dumb-bells
which separate the balls being so placed in the spaces between the balls that the
tendency will be for the balls to squeeze the dumb-bell rollers inwards, in which
case the heads of the latter are arranged to bear on surfaces formed on the
external circumferences of cylindrical tubes fixed to and turning with the hub.
Suitable means are moreover provided for resisting end thrust. For this pur
pose according to one method the bearing can be provided with an additional
row or rows of balls suitably arranged for resisting the end thrust in one or both
directions. Or the end thrust can be taken up by suitably forming the ball or
roller races.
My said invention moreover comprises other improvements hereinafter described.
In the accompanying drawing I have shown how my said invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice;-
Figure 1 is a longitudinal central section, and
Figure 2 a transverse section on the line a,, Figure 1, showing one form of
my improved bearing.
Figure 3 is a partial longitudinal section, and
Figure 4 a transverse section on the line, ¹, Figure 3, showing another form
or modification of my improved bearing.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawing.
is the spindle which is fixed to any suitable supports, for example, in the
forks of a bicycle-frame. 6 is the hub of a velocipede or other wheel. c is a
cone made integrally with or fixed to the spindle a and c is a cone which is
adjustably mounted on the spindle a by means of a lock-nut . The balls d
run between the cones c, c¹ and cones 3,3 on the hub b.
Between adjacent balls are arranged the dumb-bell or separating rollers e
which are made with curved faces e to fit the balls d and are provided at their
ends with heads e². These heads 2 are made so that their surfaces shall form
parts of spheres and are adapted to roll on conical surfaces f formed in the
interior of caps fi adjustably secured on the spindle a by means of screw-threads
and lock-nuts. The relative diameters of the balls d, roller faces e¹, heads c

page_text: and conical surfaces f are such that rolling contact only will take place between
the interengaging parts.
In the bearing shown in Figures 1 and 2, end thrust is taken up by means
of a row of balls g on each side moving in channels f³ formed in the inner sides
of the caps f. These balls engage at their other sides with radially arranged
flanges formed on nuts or rings h¹ which are screwed onto the ends of the
hub and are adapted to be secured in any desired position by means of lock-
nuts and washers h³.
Any requisite adjustment for wear, and also the preliminary adjustment, is
provided for by the coning of the interior of the cups f, wherein the dumb-bell
heads revolve, the wear of the balls d and cones c, c, c, e being taken up by
means of the adjustable cone c¹; or if desired, one or both of the cones in
the exterior cylindrical casing or hub a, can be made adjustable by means of
screw-threads and lock-nuts, the dumb-bell cups f¹ being" adjustable upon the
axle and the nuts or rings h upon the hub a.
If desired, the surfaces f. in the cups f¹ can be made curved instead of conical
in order to better compensate for wear. Or, in some instances for example, in
the case of large bearings, the bearing surfaces e¹ can be formed on pieces adjust-
ably secured on the stems e.
These adjustments may be effected in any other suitable manner, as for
instance by means of split casings.
If desired, the end-thrust in the bearing not taken up by the grooves and the
coned cups and casing, may also be provided for by a "revolving lock-nut,” con-
sisting of two opposing plates or discs one of which is secured by a screw-
adjustment to the axle and preferably flanged, while the other revolves freely
thereon; these discs enclose between them a series of balls running in a circular
race and it is the free revolving plate which receives the end-thrust. Here I
prefer to use, instead of the usual circular series of balls, a group of 4 isolated
balls which are kept equi-distant from each other by a ring with a loosely-fitting
hole for each ball.
If desired I can dispense with the end-thrust balls g and make the cones c, e¹
and, of steeper pitch in order to afford resistance to end thrust.
Although I have described my improvements more particularly in connection
with a combined ball-and-roller bearing, yet, for some purposes, as in a bearing
subject to heavy pressure, I sometimes use cylindrical or approximately cylin
drical rollers instead of the balls.
Similarly the dumb-bell-rollers may be replaced by rollers with any number
of heads or enlargements, and any number of points of bearing on the stems for
a corresponding number of ball-races situated either between or outside of the
said heads or enlargements.
In the modification of my bearing shown in Figures 3 and 4, the balls are
replaced by rollers and the separating rollers e are arranged so that they will
tend to be squeezed inwards or towards the spindle a. In this case the heads e
of the separating rollers e bear on adjustable cones secured within the caps f¹
which, in this case, turn with the limb b.
In constructing a bearing according to my said invention the diameter of
the heads of the dumb-bell or separating rollers can be advantageously deter-
mined, after the diameters of the ball-races, balls and the parts of the rollers in
engagement therewith have been settled upon by trial (i.e., with compasses,
or in any other suitable manner), from the following equations;--
=
=
Kr
D+r
2.1
Rr
r
for the
case illustrated in Figures 1 2, and r¹
for the case illustrated in Figures 3
and 4 where D the inner diameter of the ball-or roller race, i.e., the effective
diameter of the inner cones c c¹; R = the diameter of the circular path followed by
the axes of the dumb-beli or separating rollers; and r = the effective diameter of
the said separating rollers at the place where they engage with the balls or rollers.

page_text: In cases where the balls do not roll on their fum diameters, for example,
the end thrust is taken up by the balls themselves, the above formulæ will he
modified as follows;-
1
r1 =
Rr
KD-r
and r¹
=
Rr
KD+r
respectively, where D is the effective diameter of the axis, i.e., diameter of the
actual track, on the axis of the balls, and K is the ratio of the diameter of the
balls, to the diameter of the paths on the balls formed by the points of contact
thereof with the cones, i.e., the secant of the angle of inclination of the cones to
the axis of the wheel.
In cases where there are more than one race of balls, the balls may be joined
by connecting stems or other suitable means.
The coning of the cups and ball-casings (or hubs), and the grooving of the
dumb-bell stems, axles or other parts may be dispensed with when so preferred
or for special purposes; for example, the said rollers e can be of the same
diameter throughout.
If desired, moreover, each row of balls can be provided with a separate series
of dumb-bell or separating rollers having separate guide-surfaces for their heads.
For those types of bearing in which the spindle or axle revolves, the construc-
tion is the same in principle as the foregoing; but the casing or casings which
encircle the balls are fixed, while the cups within which the dumb-bell heads
roll, revolve with the axle.
The surfaces in contact may, if desired, he toothed, milled, or otherwise varied
in shape.
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. A ball or roller bearing wherein the balls or rollers are separated by means
of rollers having their ends or heads guided by suitable guide-surfaces, substan-
tially as described.
2. A ball or roller bearing wherein the balls or rollers are separated by dumb-
bell shaped rollers, the ends or heads of which are adapted to roll in contact with
conical guide-surfaces, substantially as, and for the purposes, hereinbefore
described.
3. The modification of my improved bearing wherein end-thrust is taken up
by means of rows of balls arranged in channels formed in the fixed part of the
bearing and engaging with surfaces at the ends of the rotary part of the bearing,
substantially as, and for the purposes, herein before described.
4. The improved bearing constructed substantially as described with reference
to Figures 1 and 2, or to Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawing, for the
purposes specified.
Datal the oth
a
1000