An Improved Dustproof Lubricating Cap for Perambulator and other Wheels.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 20th June, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 23rd July, 1891-Accepted, 5th Sept., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Dustproof Lubricating Cap for Perambulator and
other Wheels.
I, THOMAS HENRY BROOKE HITCHING of 19 Ludgate Hill, London, Manu-
facturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Instead of inserting a lubricating oil box as is usually done, I make a hole in the
cap which is screwed on the hub or axle box of the wheel. This hole is counter-
sunk on the inside so as to form a seat for a small ball, which is pressed against
this seat by a small spring so as to keep the hole airtight, unless pressure be applied
from outside to overcome the resistance of the spring. The play of the ball and
spring is regulated by an inside staple or checkplate.
To oil the axle it is only necessary to press in the ball with the nozzle of the
oil-can, when the oil can be injected. On withdrawing the oil-can the ball auto-
matically closes the aperture.
Deted this 20th dor of Tuna 1901
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, London, E.C., Patent Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Dustproof Lubricating Cap for Perambulator and
other Wheels.
I, THOMAS HENRY BROOKE HITCHING of 19 Ludgate Hill, London Manu-
facturer, 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 refers to the protecting cap used to exclude dust and to give an
ornamental appearance to various kinds of wheels, and which is usually fixed so as
to project outside the hub of the wheel.
Instead of inserting a lubricating oil box in the hub or axle-box of the wheel, as
is sometimes done, I make a hole in the cap itself, and by preference I place this
hole in or near the centre of the top of the cap. This hole is countersunk on the
inside so as to form a seat for a small cone, ball or button-shaped valve of corre-
sponding outline and size, which is fitted accurately so as to completely fill the
hole and project slightly outside when preferred. This valve is pressed tightly
against the inside of the hole by a special curved flat spring to which it is attached,
and one end of which is rivetted inside the cap.
I am aware that lubricating caps have been employed in which a sunk orifice
has been closed inside by a small disc attached to a spiral spring, but such orifice
not being countersunk, and not flush on the outside, formed a recess in which dust
and dirt readily lodged, and by which when oil was injected the dust often entered
the cap. A great objection to the spiral spring is the comparatively large amount
of space it requires, necessitating a specially high cap for its accommodation.
I will now proceed to describe my invention as set forth in the accompanying
drawings, in which
Fig. 1 shows a sectional elevation of a cap of the ordinary kind, as used for
perambulators, fitted with my improvements.
Fig. 2 shows a plan or exterior view of the cap, the position of the spring being
shown by dotted lines.
Fig. 3 shows a curved spring with a semispherical valve, detached from the cap.
a is the curved spring 6 the valve, the countersunk seat.
C

page_text: The cap may if preferred be made in two parts, and the summit or lid be screwed
onto or into the neck or ring.
In this case the valve and spring can be easily attached inside the lid. It is
however one of the advantages of my method that any ordinary cap can be
employed.
Another and very important advantage obtained by my improvements, is that a
lodgement of dust or dirt is not possible. Again the special form of my spring
gives the necessary play with entire accuracy of closing, while occupying very
little space.
By inserting the nose of the oil can the button is easily pushed back and the oil
injected, when the oil can is withdrawn the valve closes automatically.
No checkplate or stop is necessary in small sizes of cap, but in large sizes it can
be added if preferred.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is;
1. In a lubricating axle-cap, a centrally-placed cone-seated dustproof auto-
matically closing valve for admitting oil, as herein described and set forth.
2. In a lubricating axle-cap the combination of a projecting cone-seated valve
with a curved flat spring, as herein described and set forth.
Dated th
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, London, Patent Agent.
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, London, Patent Agent.