Year: 1886

page_text: I, THOMAS ROWBOTHAM, Commercial Traveller, of 121, Victoria Street, Newton Hyde,
in the County of Chester, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
--
This invention relates to the construction of Axle Boxes for Colliery Trams, or
other similar wagons, and by being made closed and Self Acting, prevents the
enormous waste of oil, grease, and Labour, which takes place in the use of ordinary
open bearings.
I make that part of the Box which bears upon the axle, of cast iron, and of the
shape of an ordinary bearing now in use for Trams.
The Box is made so as to clip the axle, and bolt to the bearing in the same way as
an ordinary wrought iron clip, but the clip is left open at the bottom.
Around the clip I make a Box of semicircular shape which holds the oil. The box
being deepest at the bottom.
When working the oil will rest at the bottom of the box, right under the bottom of
the clip left open.
The box is made round the clip in such a way, that, when the Tram is turned over
for emptying, the oil will not escape at the bottom of the clip, but will run to the side
of the box, and return to the bottom when the wagon is on wheels.
For the purpose of bringing up the oil from the bottom of the box, to lubricate the
axle, through the hole in bottom of clip; I use a light flat Spring, with a round iron
pin passed through the end, and on the pin I place a Bobbin or Bobbins which are
made to work loosely on the pin.
The Spring and Bobbins are fixed in the box in such a way, that the spring will
hold the top of the bobbin against the axle, while the bottom part dips in the oil.
Thus when the axle turns round the Bobbin revolves in the oil and brings it up to
the axle, which is in this way constantly lubricated.
Ali ...מ

page_text: To supply with oil, and guage the quantity, I place a hole in the side of the box, just
on a level with the bottom of the clip, so that when the wagon is turned over, and the
side of the box filled up to the hole, it will receive its proper supply, and need no
further attention so long as the oil will last.
As the axle must have abundance of play in the clip, thus exposing the box to dust, I
purpose for boxes used in dusty mines, to fix a washer on the axle, close against the
box, which while moving about with it, will keep close to the box, and keep out all
the dirt.
I fix a lid on one side of the box, so as to facilitate cleaning or inspection.
I may remark in conclusion that I claim as my invention, particularly the use of
the Spring and Bobbin, in conjunction with the special construction of Box herein
described, which together form a complete Self Lubricating Axle Box for Colliery
Trams or other similar Wagons.
D: 1
1000

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Self Lubricating Axle Boxes for Colliery Trams or other similar
Waggons.
I, THOMAS ROWBOTHAM, Commercial Traveller, residing at 121, Victoria Street,
Newton Hyde, in the County of Chester, do hereby declare the nature of my invention
for SELF LUBRICATING AXLE BOXES FOR COLLIERY TRAMS, OR OTHER SIMILAR
WAGGONS 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 the construction and working of Axle Boxes or Pedestals
for Colliery trams or other similar waggons. The Boxes are made in such a form as
to carry a supply of oil-the oil being retained even when the tram is upturned for
emptying, and arranged so as to lubricate the axle as the waggon moves along, or is
turned over for emptying, thus preventing the enormous waste of oil, grease, and
labour that takes place in using ordinary open hearings.
I make the boxes to suit either outside or inside the wheels. The outside boxes in
one casting; the inside in two parts like an ordinary pedestal.
Fig. 1 is an interior view of my self lubricating axle box-shewing the working
parts of an inside box with position of oil when the tram is on wheels.
Fig. 2 is the same box upside down, with the position of oil when so turned.
Fig. 3 is an interior view of an outside box made in one casting, and shewn without
spring and bobbin.
Fig. 4 is an exterior view of an outside box as seen when working.
(a) is in all the views my box made of cast iron, steel, or other suitable material.
(b) shews the axle of tram or waggon.
is the oil space in the box-space at the bottom of the box to carry oil when the.
waggon is on wheels. Also up each side to receive the oil when the waggon is
upturned, and through centre of bearing to convey oil to the axle each time the train
is turned over.
(d) is a loose bobbin so fixed as to dip in the oil at the bottom, and bear against the
axle at the top, so that when the axle turns round the bobbin revolves in the oil, and
lubricates the axle as the waggon is running.
(E) is the spring holding bobbin against the axle, but I may here remark that this
spring may be made in various simple forms, spiral or flat, without altering the
principle.
(G) is the oil hole through bearing which receives the oil each time the tram is
upturned.
(H) dotted lines shewing oil in Figs. 1 and 3 when the waggon is on wheels, and
in Fig. 2 when the tram is upturned..
(1) is a loose lid to keep out dirt, and facilitate inspection.
I may here remark that I have shewn my self lubricating axle box in Fig. 3 without
the Spring and bobbin, as where trams have short runs, and often turned over; they

page_text: may be dispensed with, but in very long runs, or when not often upturned the spring
and bobbin will be required to give constant lubrication.
I wish to be understood, that, in reference to the annexed drawings, (shewing a
small box drawn to about quarter size) I do not confine myself to precise details,
or relative proportions, which may be altered without interfering with the principles
of the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is-
(1) The application of the Spring and bobbin for the lubrication of Colliery trams
or other similar waggons, along with special Box.
(2) And particularly the special construction of Box herein described, and shown
in drawings which will
Carry a supply of oil when the waggon is working.
(2) And will retain the oil when the tram is upturned for emptying.
And will at the same time carry a supply of oil to the axle cach time the tram
or waggon is upturned.