Improvements relating to the Construction of Corve Wheels and Axles.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Dec., 1888
Complete Specification Left. 11th Sept., 1889-Accepted, 12th Oct., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to the Construction of Corve Wheels and
Axles.
We FRANCIS WILLIAM THOMAS BRAIN, Trafalgar Colliery, Forest of Dean in the
County of Gloucester, Colliery Manager and MOSES EDWARD TEAGUE of The Steam
Mills, Foundry and Engine Works Cinderford in the County of Gloucester, Engineer
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Our Invention relates to the construction of wheels and axles for corves or similar
wagons such as used in collieries, mines, quarries, iron works, and the like, and has
reference to the wheels which work "loose on the axles as distinguished from "fast"
wheels which are keyed or otherwise secured to the axles. The improved wheels in
accordance with our Invention are so constructed as to allow of their obtaining
constant lubrication while the curve is running, the working parts being protected
from dirt and all waste of lubricant prevented as hereinafter fully described.
As.
In accordance with our Invention in order to constantly lubricate the wheel and
axle we form round the inner boss or nave of the wheel one continuous cavity or
chamber for containing tallow, grease, oil or other suitable lubricating mediumn. The
centre of the wheel is formed to receive the axle and give a long bearing surface, a
sufficient number of slots being provided therein to allow of the lubricant contained
within the cavity or chamber aforesaid coming into direct contact with the axle.
a means for preventing the wheels from coming off the axle, we may drill, punch or
otherwise form near the end of the latter, a hole or keyway, through which is passed
a suitable pin or key. (We however wish it to be understood that we do not confine
ourselves to any particular method for securing the wheels loose upon the axles).
The cavity or chamber aforesaid is onclosed in front by a moveable lid or covering,
or other convenient means, secured by set pins or equivalent fastenings, or said lid,
may, when desired be hinged and securely fastened, when closed. To allow of this
latter arrangement being effected the portion of the axle passing through the centre
of the wheel must be of such a length as not to protrude beyond the chamber con-
taining the lubricant. Should it be. desired to employ a collar on the axle at the
back of the wheel, we prefer to construct same so as to be readily removable, by
which means the wheel may be put back on the axle so that the axle end may protrude
beyond the chamber aforesaid to allow of the pin or key being inserted into the hole
or keyway formed near the end of the axle as hereinbefore described.
When lubricating the wheels and axles as above described in accordance with our
Invention, if grease, tallow, or other solid lubricant is employed, the enclosing lid is
thrown back or removed, the chamber completely filled with lubricant and the lid
closed or replaced. Should oil or other lubricant in a fluid state be used, we propose
to saturate cotton waste, hemp or similar substance with the oil, and fill the chamber
with the saturated material.
From the foregoing it will be seen that the whole rubbing or bearing surface is
embedded in lubricant which latter being enclosed in a. chamber, cannot run to
waste, and that the whole of the working parts are effectually protected free from
dirt.
The wheels and axles may both be made of steel or other suitable material or
materials and may also be of shapes that may be desired to suit varying requirements.
Dated this 11th day of December 1888.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to the Construction of Corve Wheels and
Axles.
We, FRANCIS WILLIAM THOMAS BRAIN, Trafalgar Colliery, Forest of Dean, in the
County of Gloucester, Colliery Manager, and MOSES EDWARD TEAGUE of The Steam
Mills, Foundry and Engine Works, Cinderford, in the County of Gloucester,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
samo is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
Our Invention relates to the construction of wheels and axles for corves or similar
wagons, such as used in collieries, mines, quarries, iron works, and the like, and has
reference to the wheels which work "loose' on the axles, as distinguished from "fast"
'wheels which are keyed or otherwise secured to the axles. The improved wheels in
accordance with our Invention are so constructed as to allow of their obtaining
constant lubrication while the corve is running, the working parts being protected
from dirt and all waste of lubricant prevented as hereinafter fully described.
In the accompanying sheet of drawings illustrative of our said Invention Figures I
and 2 represent, in vertical section, our improved wheel adapted to the outside and to
the inside respectively of the framework of the corve or wagon, Figure 3 one of the
methods for retaining the wheel on the axle, and Figures 4 and 5 detached views of
the lid or covering hereinafter referred to.
In accordance with our Invention, in order to constantly lubricate the wheel A and
axle B we form round the inner boss or-nave of the wheel one continuous cavity or
chamber C for containing tallow, grease, oil or other suitable lubricating medium.
The centre of the wheel is formed to receive the axle and give a long bearing, as
will be seen on reference to the drawing, a sufficient number of slots or openings a
being provided therein to allow of the lubricant contained within the cavity or
chainber C aforesaid coming into direct contact with the axle. As a means for
preventing the wheels from coming off the axle we may drill, punch, or otherwise
form near the end of the latter a hole or keyway through which is passed a suitable
pin or key & Figure 3. The washer e preferably fits on a square termination of the
axle B and may be kept in place by the bolt d screwing horizontally within the end
of the axle Figure 1. (We however wish it to be understood that we do not confine
ourselves to any particular method for securing the wheels loose upon the axles.)
The cavity or chamber C aforesaid is enclosed in front by a moveable lid or covering D,
Figures 1 and 4, secured by set pins, bolts, or equivalent fastenings e; or, said lid
may, when desired, be hinged and securely fastened, when closed. To allow of this
arrangement of closing the chamber C being effected the portion of the axle passing
through the centre of the wheel must be of such a length as not to protrude beyond
the chamber aforesaid containing the lubricant.
In the application of our improvements to corves where the wheels run inside the
framework we adopt the arrangement shown at Figure 2. The wheel here illustrated
is retained on the axle by the collar E. The lid or covering D', shown detached
Figure 5, for enclosing the chamber containing the, lubricant,-fits over the boss
of the wheel and is secured, as above described with reference to Figure 1, by pins
or bolts e.
When lubricating the wheels and axles as above described in accordance with our
Invention, if grease, tallow, or other solid lubricant is employed, the enclosing lid is
thrown back or removed, the chamber completely filled with lubricant and the lid
closed or replaced. Should oil or other lubricant in a fluid state be used; we propose.
to saturate cotton waste, hemp, or similar absorbent material with the oil, und fill the
chamber with the saturated material, the chamber being kept supplied with oil
through a suitable aperture i in the wheel, casting closed by a screwed plug or its
equivalent. To refill the chamber with lubricant it will therefore only be necessary
to remove the screwed plug without unfastening or otherwise interfering with any
other part of the wheel.

page_text: From the foregoing it will be seen that the whole rubbing or bearing surface is
embedded in lubricant, which latter being enclosed in a chamber cannot run to waste,
and that the whole of the working parts are effectually protected free from dirt or
other foreign matter.
The wheels and axles may both be made of steel or other suitable material or.
materials, and may also be of shapes that may be desired to suit varying require-
ments; they may also with equal facility be adapted for use with carts, wagons, and
other similar vehicles.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we wish it to be understood
that as we are aware it has already been proposed, prior to the date of our Invention,
to employ the naves of wheels to form chambers for the reception of the lubricant,
we therefore make no claim generally to wheels so constructed, but what we claim
and desire to secure by Letters Patent is :-
The combination with corve or like wheels having a continuous cavity or chamber
provided within the inner boss or nave for containing lubricant, of the arrangements
adopted as herein described for maintaining the wheels loose on the axle, and for
retaining and enclosing the lubricating medium in the cavity or chamber aforesaid,
substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.
1014 1
Can 1000
JAMES STEVENSON,
Gray's Inn Chambers, 20, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agent for Applicants.