IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OF PROCURING ROTATING MILITARY GUNS AND OTHER INTER- MEDIATE ANTIFRICTIONAL ROLLER BEARINGS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Watkins, of the City of Westminster, in the County
of Middlesex, Mechanical Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MEANS OF PROCURING ROTATING MILITARY GUNS AND OTHER INTER-
MEDIATE ANTIFRICTIONAL ROLLER BEARINGS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Watkins at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 30th October 1878.
JOHN WATKINS, of the City of Westminster, in the County of Middlesex,
Mechanical Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OF PROCURING ROTATING
MILITARY GUNS AND OTHER INTERMEDIATE ANTIFRICTIONAL ROLLER BEARINGS."
This Provisional Specification establishes my claim which relates to other im-
provements over a Patent granted to me, and sealed October 6th, 1877, for the
application of antifrictional rollers, spherical, cylindrical, and tubular, to the bearings
of railway and other axles for carriages, and applied thereto for lubricating pur-
poses, and to avoid friction upon the axle bearings. The improvements herein-after
described relate to means which I employ to procure antifrictional rotary guns for
military purposes, and intermediate antifrictional rollers for mechanical or other
rotary bearings employed for engineering purposes in general, and consists in the
application of a series of perforated revolving or rotary bushes, collars, plates, or
flanges in conjunction with a series of guns or barrels, and other rollers being
applied to the external diameter of a heavy or light gun, which forms the axis
upon which a series of military guns are placed to revolve round the barrel in the
form of a compound roller bush; cach barrel or gun thus applied is provided with
the ordinary chambers to receive an ordinary charge either at the breech or muzzle,
as desired, and by the rotation of the barrels the loaded chambers are brought in
line of gun sights, needles, or trigger provided in the ordinary way for military

page_text: guns; the revolving loose or fast flanges to which the barrels are connected (I term
barrel carriers), and each barrel employed is made to revolve freely in the holes
placed in the carriers, or otherwise secured fast in the said barrel carriers as desired.
I avoid concussion of the barrels or guns when discharged by encasing each barrel
or the centre barrel in india-rubber liners, or I apply the same to other rollers
employed upon other encased bearings of axles, or other rotary bearings. By this
Invention I convert military cannon or baggage waggons into rotary batteries by
surrounding the axle bearing-with-a-series of fire-arms or barrel rollers which rotate
round the periphery of the axle bearing in the same manner as the antifrictional
rollers round my patent axle bearings. And, secondly, I construct an intermediate
skeleton compound roller bush to be applied to any kind-of-internal-or-external-
rotary bearings of axles, shafts, or spindles, or axle boxes, wheels, naves, or pulleys,
plumber blocks, pulley blocks, or other bearings employed for heavy winding gear,
and also wherever frictionless rotary bearings can be procured; and I do not
specially confine myself to any particular way in securing the rollers and gun
barrels with carriers to the bearings, as the nature of my Invention consists in the
united application of the rollers and roller carriers to the rotary bearings, and
secured and connected to the said bearings, internal or external, horizontal or
vertical, by any suitable means whereby the said rollers can rotate as intermediate
rollers round the periphery of railway or other axles, as described in my previous
Specification, No. 1397, for carriage axle bearings. And by the said Invention, I em-
ploy military guns or barrels to rotate when secured in the perforated holes provided
in the said revolving bushes, collars, plates, or flanges, in which the said barrels are
inserted to rotate independently or simultaneously round the periphery of the barrel
of a heavy or light gun or other bearing upon which they are placed. My previous
Specification, No. 1397, sealed the 6th October, and dated the 10th April 1877,
establishes my claim, which I base upon the records of previous Specifications
hitherto, lodged in the Great Seal Patent Office, whereby any claim by other
inventors can be made for procuring intermediate antifrictional rotary bearings by
the combined connection and united application of a series of rotary guns, barrels,
or other rollers in conjunction with a series of intermediate barrel, gun, or other
roller carriers, thus being applied to rotate between the internal and external dia-
meters of any description of rotary bearings in the same manner as before patented
by me, and applied as intermediate antifrictional rollers to the bearings of railway
and other carriage axles. And further, as explained in my Specification, No. 1397,
slight modifications may be made without departing from the nature of my Inven-
tion, which I herein declare to be primarily in the united connection and application
of military guns, barrels, and barrel carriers employed for military purposes to
rotate round the outer or external diameter of heavy or light guns or other bearings
upon which they may be placed, and connected thereto by any suitable means,
which are various and applicable; and in like manner the intermediate anti-
frictional rollers I apply to other bearings, in the shape or form of a compound
intermediate skeleton roller bush, when employed for mechanical rotary bearings.
Any number of rotary guns can be placed tier upon tier around the centre barrel of
a gun, cannon, or other bearing, each tier being intersected by a metallic liner, upon
which the rotary barrels or other rollers are placed to take their bearings, or the
said barrels may be made to rotate between perforated face plates or flanges, in
which each barrel is separately inserted and secured thereto to rotate round the
bearing in the shape of the skeleton compound roller bush used for intermediate
antifrictional roller bearings, a series of gun sights, triggers, and needles being con-
veniently placed in centre line with each tier of guns or barrels to obtain accurate
aim and precision in firing. The intermediate or external roller or barrel carriers,
which rotate with the barrels or other rollers, are provided with intermediate stay
rods or spindles placed longitudinally, and take their end bearings against the said
roller carriers or barrel carriers, between which the rollers or barrels are interposed
and there secured from accidental disconnection by screw bolts or pins which firmly

page_text: brace the intermediate stay rods and roller or barrel carriers together. It will be
observed that the gun or other roller barrels slide telescope fashion along the
bearings, by which means the barrels may be charged at the breech and then slide
back to the collar or shoulder, against which they recoil on firing. By this Inven-
tion, and the application of a series of guns or barrels or other rollers being thus
employed, antifrictional bearings are procured for the rotation of any number of
either which may be required for military or engineering purposes. The said roller
bush thus constructed according to my Invention I apply to the rotary bearings of
cranks and other shoulder bearings, between which I place the intermediate roller
bush in two halves or by sections. I also apply to the collar or shoulder bearings a
series of revolving rollers secured to a single roller carrier by a series of spindles
passing vertically through the holes in the roller carrier and the centre holes of the
rollers, which avoids friction upon the bearings; the same can be applied in con-
junction with the compound roller bush upon any kind of bearing.

page_text: -SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Watkins-in-the Great Seal Patent Office on the 29th April
1879.
JOHN WATKINS, of the City of Westminster, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OF PROCURING ROTATING MILITARY GUNS AND
OTHER INTERMEDIATE ANTIFRICTIONAL ROLLER BEARINGS."
My said Invention consists of improvements in antifrictional rotary bearings,
and in carrying the same into effect I employ a compound intermediate skeleton
roller bush composed of a series of cylindrical rollers supported-at-each--end-by-an-
annular roller carrier. This compound roller bush revolves freely between the axle
and the box which is secured to the nave of the wheel, and thereby diminishes the
friction which would otherwise occur.
I also employ annular roller carriers provided with small rollers carried by
spindles at right angles to the centre line of the main axis. These small rollers
revolve between the compound roller bush and the collars or rings on the axle, and
thereby diminish friction produced by pressure in the direction of the length of the
axle. By making what are above described as the rollers in my compound skeleton
roller bush as barrels, and by substituting for the annular roller carriers plates of
suitable shape, I obtain a series of rotating guns for military purposes. In this case,
the central axis is the axle of a baggage or other waggon, or a heavy or light gun.
I also employ, if necessary, a second series of rotating barrels outside those above
described, with a cylindrical bush interposed, also, if required, a third tier or more,
as convenient. My compound intermediate skeleton roller bush, either with or
without the roller carriers and small rollers at their ends, may be applied to very
many purposes in mechanical engineering where antifrictional bearings are required
of any length or diameter, either in a horizontal, vertical, or inclined position, such
as the wheels and axles of ordinary carts, waggons, and carriages of all descriptions
for common roads and tram lines or ways, bicycles, railway carriage, and waggon,
tender, and locomotive bearings, plummer blocks, pulleys, journals, or bearings in
steam engines, both locomotive, marine, portable, and stationary, with especial
reference to cranks either single or double, having either one, two, three, or more
throws, used for engines, pumps, and other such like purposes.
And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood I shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall refer to
the accompanying Sheets of Drawings, and to the letters of reference indicated
thereon.
The same letters of reference upon the several Figs. indicate the same parts.
Figure 1 shews a new elevation of the box and screw cap of an ordinary axle
bearing; Fig. 2 a cross section of my compound roller bush axle and box; Fig. 3 an
end view of screw cap; Fig. 4, elevation of compound roller bush axle, roller carriers,
and rollers withdrawn from box; Fig. 5, an end view of axle and nut; Fig. 6,
elevation of smaller roller carrier and rollers; Fig. 7, longitudinal section of com-
pound roller bush axle, nut, roller carriers, and roller box and cap complete; Fig. 8,
elevation of larger roller carrier with rollers. A is the box; B, B, are projections
on same for securing to the nave of the wheel; C is the screw cap; D is the axle;
E is the nut; F, a pin for securing same; G, G, are the main cylindrical rollers
forming part of the compound roller bush; H, H, small holes in main rollers for
lubricating the same; I, I, are the roller carriers for main roller in compound roller
bush; J, J, are garter pins for securing the main rollers in their carriers; K, K, is
the smaller roller carrier; L, L, are the rollers in same; M, M, are pins for small
rollers; N is a revolving ring; O is the axle collar; P is the larger roller carrier;
Q, Q, the rollers in same; R, R, centre pins for rollers; S is a recess or chamber in
which rotates the ball T.
Fig. 1 shews a view in elevation of the box and screw cap of an ordinary axle
bearing; Fig. 2, a cross section of my compound roller bush axle and box ; Fig. 3, an

page_text: end view of same screw cap; Fig. 4, elevation of compound roller bush axle, revolving
rings, roller carriers, and rollers withdrawn from box, with collar and circular plate
for attaching to nave drawn in proper position in section; Fig. 5, an end view of
axle and nut; Fig. 6, elevation of smaller roller carrier and rollers; Fig. 7 is a
longitudinal section of compound roller bush axle, nut, roller carriers and rollers, rings,
box, and cap complete; Fig. 8, elevation of larger roller carrier and rollers, shewing
also collar and circular plate; Fig. 16 is a view in perspective of the interior of the
compound roller bush, shewing also end roller, carrier, and box; Fig. 17 is an
elevation of my compound roller bush, complete upon a reduced scale. A is the
box; B, B, are projections on same for securing to the nave of the wheel; C is the
screw cap; D is the axle; E is the nut; G, G, are the main cylindrical rollers
forming part of my compound roller bush; H, H, small holes in main rollers for
lubricating the same; I, I, are the roller carriers for main rollers in compound roller
bush; J, J, are garter pins for securing the main rollers in the carriers; K, K, are
the smaller roller carriers; L, L, are the rollers in same; M, M, the pins for small
rollers; N, N, are revolving rings; O is the axle collar; P is the larger roller carrier;
Q, Q, the rollers in same; R, R, centre pins for rollers; U is the circular plate for
attaching to nave; V. V, V, countersunk bolt holes in same; A¹ are bolts in compound
roller bush; B' is an open collar screwed on box. Fig. 9 is an elevation of compound
roller bush, rollers, axle box, collar, and pin complete; Fig. 10, end view of same
with collar removed; Fig. 11, longitudinal section of compound roller bush, rollers,
axle box, collar, and pin complete; Fig. 12, section through compound roller bush
and box; Fig 13 is an elevation of a crank having the crank pin and side bearing
each provided with my compound roller bush; Fig. 14 is a section through the side
bearing or journal; Fig. 15 is a section through the crank. A is the box; D is the
axle; G, G, are the main cylindrical rollers forming part of my compound skeleton
roller bush; I, I, are the roller carriers for main rollers; J, J, are garter pins for
securing the main rollers in their carriers; L, L, are the smaller rollers; M, M, the
pins for same; A', A¹, are the stay bolts; C₁ is an end collar; W, W, are roller
carriers; X, X, are the cheek plates of a double crank; Y is the crank pin; Z, Z,
are the bearings, one upon each side of the double crank.
My compound intermediate skeleton roller bush, Fig. 17, is composed of a series
of cylindrical rollers G, G, either solid, tubular, or of one material cased in another,
supported at each end by an annular roller carrier I. The ends of each roller Í
make either cylindrical, conical, conoidal, hemispherical, or of any other suitable
shape circular in cross section, and I insert them, each in a separate hole, in holes
in the annular roller carriers I, I, which holes are placed equidistant from each
other. By this means it is impossible that the rollers should be brought into
contact with each other, either when at rest or when at work. Each roller of the
series which compose my compound skeleton roller bush has thus a separate and
independent rotary motion which is imparted to do it by its friction against the
axle 1 or the box A. In order to secure the rollers G, G, in their annular carriers
I, I, from motion in an endlong direction. I employ garter pins J, J, Figs. 4 and 7,
which passing through grooves turned in the ends of the rollers G, G, keep these
rollers in position; I also employ, either as an alternative arrangement or in con-
junction with the use of these garter pins, stay bolts A', Figs. 2, 12, and 17, passing
from one annular roller carrier I to the other. I do not limit myself to either of
these methods, or to both in conjunction, but adopt any other convenient means of
securing the rollers G. G, from endlong motion.
To adopt my compound skeleton roller bush and box for particular situations, as
in the case of double cranks and similar arrangements, I make them in halves, as
shewn in Figs. 2 and 12.
'
In each of the rollers G, G, I provide holes H, H, for the purpose of lubrication.
When used for military purposes barrels take the place of the rollers G, G, and
suitable plates are provided in place of the roller carriers I, I; the whole is mounted
on the cylindrical outer surface of a gun or the axle of a baggage or other waggon,
which thus becomes converted into a battery. To prevent, concussion I cover each

page_text: barrel with india-rubber; if required a cylindrical bush is placed so as to surround
the first tier of barrels, and over that a second tier in a similar manner, and if
-necessary a third or other convenient number. On each barrel being brought into
its proper position-it-is-fired by appropriate_mechanism, having-been-previously_
loaded, either at the breech or muzzle, according to its special construction.
Having now described my compound intermediate skeleton roller bush both in its
application with solid or tubular rollers to engineering and mechanical purposes and
the substitution of barrels for rollers to military purposes, I will now proceed to
describe my improvements-in-the-means of avoiding friction arising from pressure
in the direction of length of the shaft or axle bearings to which my compound
_roller bush is applied; for this purpose I employ roller carriers K, K, P, P, Figs. 4,
6, 7, 8, and 16, having oblong openings, in number, three,-four,-or more if convenient;
in each of these openings revolves a roller L mounted on a spindle or centre pin M.
These rollers rotate between rings N or other suitable collars on the shaft or axle.
The centre line of each of the spindles M, M, is at right angles to that of the main
shaft or axle D. By securing the rollers L, L, Q, Q, in this manner it is impossible
for them to get out of place. The rollers L, L, I make cylindrical, conical, partly
spherical, or otherwise, according to the special circumstances of each case, the
Eurface of the rings N, N, or other collars being made to correspond.
On Sheet 3, Figs. 9, 10, 11, is shewn another arrangement of the rollers L, L, by
which the roller carriers K, K, P, P, Figs. 4, 6, 7, 8, 16, are dispensed with, and the
roller spindles M, M, are screwed or otherwise secured into the annular roller
carriers I, I, which carry the main rollers G, G, of iny compound intermediate
skeleton roller bush.
When desired, balls I, I, Sheet 1, Fig. 8, rotating on spindles in recesses S, S, may
be substituted for the rollers L, L.
On the accompanying Drawings my Invention is shewn applied to ordinary axles,
on Sheets 1 and 2; on Sheet 3, Figs. 9, 10, 11, 12, is shewn a modification by which
it may be applied to wheels, pulleys, and other engineering purposes or appliances,
and in Figs. 13, 14, 15 my compound skeleton intermediate roller bushes are shewn
applied to an ordinary crank.
It is to be understood that I do not limit myself either to the applications of my
Invention that are shewn upon the accompanying Sheets of Drawings nor to those
herein-before enumerated, but that I can apply my compound skeleton interme-
diate roller bush with parts before enumerated in all cases where an antifrictional
bearing is desired, and the roller carriers with rollers on spindles at right angles to
the main axis in all cases where it is desired to obviate friction hetween collars
caused by pressure in the direction of the length of the shaft.
It will be strictly observed, the improvements herein described which relate to
nut collar or shoulder bearings of carrriage axles, in order to dispense with the
rubbing surface and to avoid the use of leather washers which are ordinarily placed
between the said shoulder collar nut or collett bearings, consist in the application
of the single roller carrier and rollers attached thereto, as described in Figs. 6 and
8, and as shewn, may be applied either at the front or back of the collars of
carriage axles or any other description of rotary collar bearings placed either in a
vertical or horizontal position in connection with or separate from the said interme-
diate compound skeleton roller bush.
The said improvements over the intermediate compound roller bush, as described
in my Specification, No. 1397, consist in the construction of a combined intermediate
roller bush, whereby the said roller which rotate between the shoulder or other
collar bearings are united to and or connected with the said roller carriers in which
the longitudinal rollers which compose the ordinary bush are placed, as will be seen
on reference to the Drawings, Figs. 9 and 10.
I employ loose revolving collars, similar to Colling's solid axle collars, provided
with an internal screw thread which takes upon an external screw thread provided
upon the outer diameter of the axle box and connected thereto in the manner of
an ordinary union joint.

page_text: Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature and object of my
said Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, I declare that the improvements which I clain as comprehended in my said
Invention are as follows:-
1. A compound intermediate skeleton roller bush, substantially as herein-before
described, and as shewn upon the Sheets of Drawings accompanying this Specifica-
tion or any modification thereof.
2. One or more roller carriers at each end of the compound roller bush provided
with rollers mounted on spindles at right angles with the centre line of the
main axle and compound roller bush, or with balls in recesses, as herein-before
described and shewn on Drawings, or any modification thereof.
3. The application of my compound intermediate skeleton roller bush, as herein-
before described, and either with or without the roller carriers and rollers at right
angles with the centre of the main axis to bearings or journals of any length or
diameter for various purposes in mechanical engineering in either horizontal, ver-
tical, or inclined positions, such as the wheels and axles of ordinary carts, waggons,
and carriages of all descriptions on common roads and tramways, bicycles, railway
carriage, waggon, tender, and locomotive bearings, plummer blocks, pulleys,
journals, or bearings in steam engines, both locomotive, marine, portable, and sta-
tionary, with especial reference to cranks, either single or double, having either one,
two, or more throws, used for engines, pumps, and other purposes, and generally
where antifrictional bearings are required in machinery or any modification
thereof.
4. The application of a modification of my compound intermediate skeleton roller
bush by the substitution of barrels for the rollers, and suitable plates for the annular
carriers to the purpose of a rotating fire-arm for military purposes, for which purpose
the central axis is a heavy or light gun, or the axle of a baggage or other waggon;
when applied to this purpose I use one or more concentric tiers of barrels, as the
necessity of each special case may require.
In witness whereof; I, the said John Watkins, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-eighth day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
THOMAS KENDRICK,
Witness.
JOHN WATKINS. (L.S.)