Improvements in Axle Lubricators.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 14th (pr., 1891-Accepted, 16th May,
1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Axle Lubricators.
We, CHARLES WILDER BREWER, of 69 Mount Auburn Street, Cambridge, in
the County of Middlesex, State of Massachusetts Mechanic, and THEOPHILUS
KING, of 56 South Street City of Boston, County of Suffolk in said Massachusetts
Merchant, both in the United States of America, 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 :-
My invention relates especially to means for lubricating the axles of carriages
and Similar vehicles; and it consists in a novel construction and arrangement of
parts, as hereinafter more fully set forth the object being to produce a more
effective and otherwise desirable device of this character than is now in ordinary
use.
The nature and operation of the improvements will be readily understood by all
conversant with such matters from the following explanation:
In the accompanying drawing
Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved axle;
Figure 2 a vertical longitudinal section of the same;
Figure 3 a like view showing a modification in the arrangement of the groove;
Figure 4 a cross-section of the same;
Figure 5 a cross-section of the axle as shown in Figure 1; and
Figures 6 and 7 vertical transverse sections of the axles illustrating modifications
in the formation of the grooves.
Like letters and figures of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different
figures of the drawing.
A represents the axle considered as a whole, said axle being screw-threaded
at, b, to receive the nut and provided with the ordinary hub-shoulder or flange d.
A longitudinally arranged groove, f, is formed in the upper face of the axle and
extends from a point near the threaded portion, b, to the shoulder d.
A strip of felt, g, or similar material suitable to absorb and hold oil is disposed
in said groove with its upper edge flush with the surface of the axle.
A supplemental groove or oil-duct, i, is formed in the axle at one edge of the
groove, said duct being preferably about one-half the depth of the main groove
and formed in one wall thereof.
The duct may be any suitable form as shown in Figures 5, 6, and 7, and of the
same or shorter length than the main groove as preferred.
I am aware that axles have been provided with a lubricating pad, as g, disposed
in a groove as before. In this construction the friction of the wheel-hub rapidly
causes the upper face of the pad to glaze or become hardened so that when oil is
applied, said pad will not absorb or retain it and no effect is attained other than by
the ordinary methods of lubricating.
In the use of my improvement, the oil is inserted in the supplemental duct or
groove,, where it is rapidly absorbed into the side of the pad and distributed
therethrough, serving to lubricate the journal much longer with the same quantity
of oil than when applied in the ordinary manner. Morcover the use of the duct
avoids the necessity of removing the pan to apply the lubricant.
The groove f, and duct i, may be extended through the axle-shoulder, d, as
shown at m, in Figures and 4, enabling the lubricant to be applied without
removing the wheel.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:
First. An axle provided with a main groove in its journal adapted to receive an
absorbent pad, and a supplemental groove or oil-duct opening into said main
groove substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Second. In a device of the character described, an axle provided with a
longitudinal groove in its journal and an oil duct opening therein said duct being of
less depth than said groove and arranged longitudinally in one wall thereof in
combination with an absorbent pad disposed in said groove, substantially as
described.
Third. In a device of the character described, the axle A, provided with the
groove, and duct i, formed in one wall thereof substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
Fourth. In a device of the character described, an axle having a longitudinally
arranged groove in its journal and an oil-duct formed in one wall thereof, said duct
and groove opening through the hub-flange, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
1
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.