Improvements in turn-
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 18th July, 1888.
Specification Accepted, 24th Aug., 1888
We, ROBERT HUDSON of Gildersome Foundry, Gildersome near Leeds, and
CHARLES WILLIAM LYON also of Gildersome, in the County of York, Engineers, 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:
This invention relates to Improvements in railway turn-tables, and consists in con-
structing such articles of fewer working parts than heretofore usual, such parts not
requiring lubrication, thus reducing the cost in the manufacture and the working of
such articles.
A turn-table according to our invention comprises a flanged outer casing or
foundation, by preference of cast iron, at the bottom of which, and of a suitable
diameter we form a circular concentric race having a segmental cross section in
which we place a number of metallic balls so that they can roll freely in the
said race.
The table, which is also of cast iron, or which may be a combination of other
materials such as cast and wrought iron or steel and of wood, as may be found
most serviceable, carries the rails on its upper face, and is provided on its underside
with a concentric race similar to and corresponding in diameter with that in the outer
casing or foundation, and rests upon the aforesaid metallic balls and rolls thereon, the
balls, at the same time that the table is turned, roll round the lower race and thus act
as anti-friction rollers and cause the table to rotate easily.
In the centre of the outer casing is a circular boss or projection and in the table an
opening to pass easily over it. A bolt passes through the said central boss and is
provided with a washer or plate large enough to overlap the opening in the table,
a nut is placed upon the aforesaid bolt and fixes the said washer to the central boss,
but in suchwise as to allow the table to rotate freely beneath it.
In some cases we provide around the central opening of the table a circular hollowed
race in which we place a number of small metallic balls, and the washer or plate
covering such central opening is also hollowed similarly to and correspondingly with
the last named race in the table and keeps the balls in position and is secured by
a central bolt and nut as in the case of the beforementioned washer or plate.

page_text: These last named balls are so arranged between the top of the table and the central
washer as to allow turning of the table to take place freely and at the same time to
prevent its tilting on a vehicle passing thereon.
In the annexed drawings similar letters represent similar parts wherever they
occur. Fig. 1. is a plan of a turn-table according to our invention, one half of the
inovable part being removed to shew the race and anti-friction balls below. Fig. 2. is
a vertical section on line 1. 1. of Fig. 1.-Fig. 3, a partial vertical section shewing
the arrangement above referred to of the race and balls on the upper side of the table
near or around the centre.-Fig. 4. is a plan of the central part shewing the balls in
position at the top of the table, and Fig. 5. is a section on the line 2. 2. Fig. 1.
shewing the stop catch k.
a. Figs. 1. 2. and 3. is the outer casing or foundation, b, the circular race therein.
c. the anti-friction balls interposed between the said race and the corresponding race e,
in the movable part or table proper, d, which thus bears upon the balls c,-, are the
rails on the upper surface of the table d, g, a central boss in outer casing a, with a
bolt, passing through it and through the washer i, and nut j, for fixing the said
washer upon the central boss 9, and for preventing the table from tilting when a load
enters upon it. k, Figs. 1 and 5. is a faller or catch taking into the four notches 1, for
maintaining at each quarter point the table in any required position. Fig. 3. is a
vertical section in part shewing the arrangement of anti-friction balls m. on the top
side of the table and around the central boss g,-n. is the central washer or plate held
in position by the bolt h, and nut j and provided with a circular race o. for maintaining
the balls m, in position and preventing tilting as in the case of the washer or plate i,
previously referred to. Fig. 4, shews the series of the balls m, in plan. Fig. 5. shews
in elevation the stop catch k.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The use in Railway Turn Tables of a circular race in the outer cusing or
foundation thereof, and a corresponding circular race on the underside of the
movable part or table, anti-friction and supporting metallic balls interposed between
the said races, substantially as and for the purpose hereinabove described and shewn in
the drawings annexed.
2. The use in Railway Turn Tables of a central bolt h, nut j, and a central washer or
plate such as i, substantially as described and shewn for the purpose specified.
3. The use in Railway Turn Tables of anti-friction balls m, above and around the
centre of the table, and a plate with circular race for admitting the balls m, substantially
as described and shewn for the purpose specified.
4. The improved Railway Turn Table constructed, arranged and operating
substantially as hereinabove described and shown in the drawings annexed.
Dated this 18th day of Jul 1000
ROBT. HUDSON.
CHARLES WILLIAM LYON.
Thos. E. Craven, C.E., Fel. Inst. P.A.,
24, Victoria Chambers, Leeds,
Agent.