IMPROVEMENTS IN AXLES FOR RAILWAY CARRIAGES OR OTHED VEHICLES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Ash, of Stoke-on-Trent, in the County of Stafford,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AXLES FOR RAILWAY CARRIAGES OR
OTHED VEHICLES"
Scaled the 13th September 1878, and dated the 24th May 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Ash at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th May 1878.
Jonn Asu, of Stoke-on-Trent, in the County of Stafford.
AXLES FOR RAILWAY CARRIAGES OR OTHER VEHICLES."
"
" IMPROVEMENTS IN
My Invention relates to improvements in the axles of railway carriages, trum
cars, road carriages, or other vehicles, and consists in providing an axle with a
self-supporting centro bearing," which is composed of a cylindrical or other shaped
bush or sleeve made in halves, bolted together, and fitted to or embracing the
centre portion of the axle which is cut in two at that part, so as to give perfect
and separate rotating power.
In order to secure firmness and solidity of bearing to the axle, the cylindrical or
other shaped bush or sleeve is made of considerable length, and is formed inside
with two projecting rings or collars fitting into corresponding grooves in the divided
axle.
By this arrangement, perfect liberty and independent action is given to each
separate wheel, especially in traversing a curve in which the inner plane of traction
is less in proportion to degree of angle, thereby reducing the great strain and danger
to life and property, which is the case with the present system of fitting wheels on
through rigid axles, where the wheels being of equal diameter necessarily by the
law of equal traction endeavour to make a straight course, in consequence of which,
accidents often occur, especially in the case of fast railway trains.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John Ash in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 23rd November
1878.
JOHN ASH, of Stoke-on-Trent, in the County of Stafford.
AXLES FOR RAILWAY CARRIAGES OR OTHER VEHICLES.”
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
My Invention relates to improvements in the axles of railway carriages, tram
cars, road carriages, perambulators, tricycles, or other vehicles, and consists in pro-
viding an axle with a "self-supporting centre bearing," which is composed of a
cylindrical bush or sleeve made in halves, bolted or otherwise secured together, and
fitted to or embracing the centre portion of the axle which is cut in two at that
part, so as to give perfect and separate rotating power to each separate portion of
the axle.
To secure firmness and solidity of bearing to the divided axle, the cylindrical
bush or sleeve is made of considerable length, and is formed inside with two pro-
jecting rings or collars fitting into corresponding grooves round the divided axle.
And in order that my said Invention may be well understood, I shall now proceed
more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall refer to the
accompanying Drawing, like letters of reference indicating corresponding parts in
all the Figures.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of my improved axle, and Figure 2
a plan thereof.
A represents an axle divided into two parts at its centre, as shewn, and provided
thereat with a "self-supporting bearing," composed of a long cylindrical wrought-
iron, brass, or other metal bush or sleeve B, made in halves, and accurately fitted to
or embracing each end of the axle A at its divided part, the two halves being
afterwards bolted (or otherwise secured) together by the bolts 11, as shewn.
Projecting from the inside of the cylindrical bush or sleeve B are two curved or
other shaped rings or collars a, a, which take into corresponding grooves cut
respectively on each part of the axle A near its divided ends. These rings or
collars a, a, serve to maintain the proper relative positions of the bush or sleeve B
with the divided axle A.
By this arrangement, separate or independent rotating action is given to each
divided part of the axle A, and consequently to each wheel of a railway or other
vehicle, a feature which in the case of turning corners or traversing curves, when
the plane of traction of the inner wheel is less than that of the outer, is of immense
advantage in reducing the great strain on the axle, and the danger to life and
property consequent upon the present system of fitting wheels on through rigid
axles in which the wheels being of equal diameter, necessarily endeavour to describo
equal distances.
Amongst other important advantages of this Invention are great steadiness with
freedom from oscillation and reduced weight of axle combined with neatness and
strength.
Figures 3 and 4 shew a method of securing the halves of the cylindrical bush or
sleeve B, or "self-supporting bearing" by steel or other rings o, o, which are shrunk
round the ends and middle of the bush or sleeve B, after the latter has been fitted
to its place on the divided parts of the axle A. Or the halves of the bush or sleeve
B may be secured together, after being fitted to the axle A in any other manner
that may be found most suitable.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said In-
vention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect,
I would observe in conclusion that what I claim as my Invention is,
The application and use of a self-supporting centre bearing" to the axle of a

page_text: railway or other vehicle, the axle being divided into two parts, substantially as and
for the purposes herein-before described, and illustrated by the accompanying
Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Ash, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, the Fourteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
TAKUP