Improvements in Weather Proof Metal Linkage and similar Joints.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Weather Proof Metal Linkage and similar Joints.
I, CHARLES THOMAS CROWDEN, Engineer, of The Motor Mills, Coventry, in the
County of Warwick, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
This invention relates to metal joints for various purposes, particularly where
they are exposed to the weather and rain. The joints may be used for many
different purposes, but I will describe them as applied to the steering gear of self-
propelled vehicles. The joint may take the place of an ordinary joint with a pin
and jaw and may be single or compound.
In carrying out this invention I provide upon one portion of the joint a tapered
socket which may be recessed at one or both ends and is adapted to receive a
tapered pin, the diameter of a portion of which may be reduced either to shorten
the total length of the bearing or to provide a receptacle for lubricant. The
bottom portion of the pin may carry a leather or other washer which would be
received in the recessed portion of the bottom of the socket, thus making at that
end a weather-tight joint. At the top the pin may carry another leather or
equivalent washer and preferably a metal washer or cap outside of which may
be screwed an enclosing cap which may be held in position by a split pin in a
manner well understood the edges of the enclosing cap may be extended so as to
overlap a portion of the socket so as to efficiently close that end in. Such a joint
as this will be found to be for practical purposes weather tight as the rain cannot
get into it and being closed in and having no outlet through which the lubricant
is likely to escape the bearing may be kept in good working order though it may
be constantly exposed to rain. If desired special means of lubricating the bear-
ing may be provided as for example a hole or channel may be formed at the centre
of the pin with radiating branches to convey the lubricant to the required parts;
instead of, or in addition to the recess already mentioned in the pin, one or more
other recesses may be formed inside the socket in which the lubricant can lodge.
Where a compound joint is required one of the parts say for example the socket
may carry one or more joints which may either be of a similar nature or of an
ordinary pattern according to requirements and the work that has to be performed.
It will be understood that these joints may be applied in any desired manner
and position, and although I prefer that they should where convenient be in such
position that the axis of the socket is vertical with the small end at the top, yet as
they are so completely closed in they may be used in other positions.
If desired an extra flange or collar may be formed near the bottom of the pin
which would receive the extended end of the socket, thus making another overlap.
Dated this 8th day of May 1897.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the applicant.

page_text: Improvements in Weather Proof Metal Linkage and similar Joints.
I, CHARLES THOMAS CROWDEN, Engineer, of Vernon Lodge, Leamington, in the
County of Warwick, 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 weather-proof linkage and similar joints for various
purposes more especially adapted for use with the steering gear of self-propelled
vehicles. The joint may take the place of an ordinary joint with a pin and jaw
and may be either single or compound.
In the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1 is a side view, partly in section and partly in elevation of a single joint
constructed according to this invention.
Figs. 2 and 3 are views of a compound joint, Fig. 2 being a section on the
line 2-2 of Fig. 3.
Fig. 3 a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is a similar view to Fig. 3 showing a modified form of joint.
Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.
The single joint represented in Fig. 1, comprises a pin A, and a socket B having
a cap C.
The pin A, preferably conical or tapered, is formed with, or fixed to, the bracket;
lever, or other fitting which forms one of the members to be movably joined, the
other member being formed with, or having fixed to it, the socket B, as shown
at E. In Fig. 1, the pin is shown screwed at D¹ into a rod D, such as is used in
the steering gear of a self-propelled vehicle. The pin may be recessed at A¹ which
would provide a receptacle for lubricant, and a vertical groove or grooves A³ may
be provided to distribute the lubricant over the bearing surfaces. Or a hole or
channel, with radiating branches as shown by dotted lines at A³ may be formed in
the body of the pin for this purpose.
The top, A, of the pin is preferably made of smaller diameter, and carries a
collar A5 secured on it by a tapered pin A6 or other device.
The lower end of the socket B is recessed as at B to receive a leather or other
washer B, and a washer B3 may also be placed between the top of the socket and
the collar A5.
The top of the socket B is enclosed by a cap C conveniently secured thereto by
a screw joint, as shown at C; or it may be held in place merely by frictional con-
tact in which case it should be made a good water tight fit. The cap both protects
the joint from the weather and acts as a receptacle for lubricant, a plug C², or cock
being provided for filling purposes.
In cases where a compound joint is required, as for example for the connecting
rods or levers of the steering gear of a motor car, where a horizontal movement
is required for steering purposes, and a vertical one is desirable to accommodate
the vibration caused by inequalities in the road way, instead of the rod or other
body E forming part of the socket, as shown in Fig. 1, a boss F is provided on the
side of the socket, to which is affixed a second joint, similar to that herein before
described, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and in Fig. 4; the rod or other member E
being secured to or formed with the socket of this second joint. It is evident that
the pin may be placed in any desired position relative to the socket to which it is
fixed.
Although the single joint is preferably placed as shown in Fig. 1 in such a
position that the axis of the socket is vertical with the end covered by the cap
at the top, it may be placed so that its axis is horizontal or at any desired angle
4

page_text: between the vertical and horizontal positions, in which case the plug C would
preferably be placed on one side of the cap, instead of on the top. Or the position
may be reversed from that shown in Fig. 1, so that the cap would be at the lowest
part of the joint. In this case a passage way for the lubricant, with radiating
branches may conveniently be formed, starting from the fixed end of the pin
as shown in dotted lines at A Fig. 3, the mouth of the channel being closed by
a plug or capped oil cup A8.
Although in the compound joint hereinbefore described and illustrated only two
pins and sockets are shown, it is evident that more than two pins may be fixed
on the same socket. Or instead of combining two or more joints both constructed
according to this invention a joint of an ordinary pattern may be connected to the
socket of the improved joint.
In a modified form the pin A may be formed with a flange A9, as shown in
Fig. 3, forming a recess to receive the washer and end of the socket.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. A weather-proof joint comprising a pin and a capped socket such as BC
working thereon substantially as and for the purpose described or illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
2. A compound weather-proof joint substantially as described or illustrated in
the accompanying drawings.
3. The complete weather-proof joint substantially as described or illustrated in
Figure 1 or in Figure 2 or in Figure 3 or in Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.
4. The employment in a weather-proof joint of a pin such as A A9 substantially
as and for the purpose described or illustrated in Figure 3 of the accompanying
drawings.
5. In a weather-proof joint the combination with a pin and socket such as A B of
a cap such as C at one end, and a washer B2 sunk into the socket as in Figure 1 or
into the pin as in Figure 3 for the purpose described.
Dated this 4th day of February 1898.
CHARLES THOMAS CROWDEN.