IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REDUCING THE FRICTION OF REVOLVING WHEELS, AND IN THE MEANS OF LUBRICATING THE SAME."
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William John Brewer, of 23, Rood Lane, in the City of
London, Engineer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR
REDUCING THE FRICTION OF REVOLVING WHEELS, AND IN THE MEANS OF
LUBRICATING THE SAME."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William John Brewer at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th November 1881.
WILLIAM JOHN BREWER, of 23, Rood Lane, in the City of London, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REDUCING THE FRICTION OF REVOLVING
WHEELS, AND IN THE MEANS OF LUBRICATING THE SAME."
My Invention relates to a device designed to reduce the frictional resistance of
revolving wheels, whether the said wheels be the carrying wheels of a vehicle or
antifriction bearing wheels in a pulley block or in other situation; and further, to
a lubricating device combined with said wheels to afford a proper supply of lubricant
in a continuous and cleanly manner.
The antifrictional device which I employ in the wheel consists of three or more
antifriction wheels carried loosely on axles. These axles of my antifriction wheels
have their bearings in steps in the main wheel with which they revolve; they may
be radially adjustable towards the centre. The journal of the main wheel bears
upon the peripheries of the antifriction wheels, the pressure thus transferred to the
antifriction wheels is borne at the ultimate rubbing contact in large slots or holes
filled in with plumbago to fit tight on their axles.
The lubricating device which I may employ in combination with my antifriction
wheels, where these are loose on their axles, consists of a grease chamber (con-
veniently recessed in the substance of the antifriction wheels where these are cast
solid). At the back of this chamber is a spring expanding to the extent of the
chamber which presses by a plate upon the grease or lubricant in the chamber, and
causes it to exude with regularity through a channel conducting from the chamber
to the axle.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William John Brewer in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
5th May 1882.
WILLIAM JOHN BREWER, of 23, Rood Lane, in the City of London, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REDUCING THE FRICTION OF REVOLVING
WHEELS, AND IN THE MEANS OF LUBRICATING THE SAME.'
"
My Invention relates to a device designed to reduce the frictional resistance of
any wheels revolving on fixed journals, whether the said wheels be the carrying
wheels of a vehicle or antifriction bearing wheels in a pulley block, or in other
situation; and further, to a lubricating device combined with the said wheels to
afford a proper supply of lubricant in a continuous and cleanly manner.
In order that my Invention may be fully understood, I now proceed to describe
the same with reference to the Drawings annexed hereto and forming part hereof,
in which like letters refer to similar parts in each of the Figures.
Figure 1 shows a crane jib pulley in elevation (with cover partly removed) and
transverse section.
Figures 2 and 3 show a tramway wheel in perspective (with cover removed), an
elevation (with cover removed) and transverse section.
Fig. 4 shows an elevation (with cover partly removed)-of-an-iron-cargo-gin
Fig. 5 shows an elevation (with cover removed) and transverse section of a pulley
wheel fitted with lubricating device.
Fig. 6 shows an enlarged detail of my lubricating device.
The anti-frictional device which I employ in the wheel consists of three or more
antifriction wheels A carried loosely on axles B. These axles B are fitted into or
run loose in bearings in the main wheel at C with which they revolve. The axles
may be constructed radially adjustable towards the centre. The journal D of the
main wheel bears upon the peripheries of the anti-friction wheels A by a collar or
directly; the pressure thus transferred to the antifriction wheels is borne at a
greatly reduced speed, and consequent reduction of friction, at the ultimate
rubbing contact B which may be further fitted with known antifriction rollers or
balls.
The lubricating device which I may employ in combination with my antifriction
wheels, where these are fixed in the main wheel, consists of one or more grease
chambers E conveniently recessed in the substance of the anti friction wheels,
where these are cast solid, but which may be in the form of separate boxes or
chambers fitting into such recesses. At the back of each of these chambers is a
spring F expanding to the extent of the chamber, which presses by a plate G upon
grease or lubricant H in the chamber, and causes it to exude with regularity from
the mouth of the chamber, as shown, or through a channel conducting from the
chambers to the axles.
And having now fully described and ascertained the nature and objects of my
Invention, and the manner in which it is to be performed, be it known that what
I claim as novel and useful, and desire to protect by my Letters Patent is,-
1st. The combination with any wheel revolving on a journal of three or more
anti-friction wheels rotating therewith running loose on their axles, with or
without the interposition of known anti-friction balls or rollers, to receive the
main journal bearing upon their peripheries, substantially as and for the purposes
specified.
2nd. The combination with my anti-friction wheels as aforesaid of a lubricating

page_text: device carried in the hub thereof, consisting of a chamber containing a spring and
pressing plate, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William John Brewer, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fourth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty-two.
Signed, sealed, and delivered in
the presence of
JOHN C. FELL,
of Fell & Wilding,
(Patent Agents),
23, Rood Lane,
London.
W. JNO. BREWER. (L.S.)