Improvements in Axle Guards for Rolling Stock.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Jan.. 1894
Complete Specification Left, 27th Sept., 1894-Accepted, 17th Nov., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Axle Guards for Rolling Stock.
WILLIAM GRIERSON GLEDHILL 8 Albermarle Terrace in the City of York
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in the construction of axle guards for
rolling stock and has for its object improving the method of removing and replacing
broken or damaged axle guards and axle boxes without using any lifting appliance
or raising the vehicle for the said purpose.
Under the present system the breakage of an axle guard and axle box is a very
frequent occurrance which causes much inconvenience and loss necessitating a
process at once cumbersome and laborious and attended by danger to those engaged
in repairing the damage, the vehicle having to be raised, the wheels, springs,
bearings, axle boxes and guards removed before the defect can be remedied that
such a process requires the service of several men and the cause of great delay
frequently occurring, in the case of a goods train, the goods have to be unloaded
and transhipped to another wagon in order to allow the train to proceed on its
journey, whilst the damaged wagon has to be conveyed to the workshops of the
company to which it belongs, sometimes a long distance if the breakdown occurs
on a foreign line. It is plain therefore that a vehicle rendered temporarily useless
from a long train causes great delay in traffic and loss through demurrage claims.
My improved axle guard is wider at the opening above the axle box, which in
case of fracture or damage, allows of its being removed and replaced without either
raising or unloading the vehicle, or disturbing the springs, axle box or wheels.
To remove axle guard a man only requires a hammer, screw key and drift, to drive
the bolts out then the axle guard falls in the larger opening and becomes clear of
axle box, then turn it over to the right or left as the case may be.
If the vehicle has outside axle guards a man only requires, screw key, chisel and
hammer to remove the axle guard. With my improved axle guard a breakage
could be remedied on the spot in a few minutes; also if axle box gets broken or
fresh bearings are required, by raising the vehicle a little at one corner to relieve
the spring, then the axle box is raised to the wider part of axle guard, which
allows the axle box to be taken off and replaced, and exposes the journal for
examining and fitting the bearings without disturbing the wheels.
Dated this day 29th December 1893.
WILLIAM GRIERSON GLEDHILL.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Axle Guards for Rolling Stock.
I WILLIAM GRIERSON GLEDHILL 8 Albemarle Terrace, The Mount in the
City of York Engineer, 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 the construction of axle guards for
rolling stock and has for its object improving the present, slow and dangerous
practice of removing and re-placing axle guards, also for removing axle boxes,
when required for re-newals, cleaning and providing fresh bearings, and in a more
certain safe and rapid manner than has been heretofore used for such purpose in

page_text: order to do this. I construct the axle guard wider at the opening above the axle
box, which in case of fracture allows the axle guard to be rapidly removed and
replaced without un-loading, lifting, or removing vehicle from the train, and
without disturbing wheels, axle boxes or brakework and without the use of any
lifting appliance, thereby removing danger to life and limb.
Also for removing and re-placing axle boxes, when required for renewals, bearings
or cleaning axle boxes, and without shunting or unloading the vehicle, without
disturbing wheels, axle boxes, springs and brakework. In order to do this the
vehicle requires to be raised a little at one corner to relieve the spring, then raise
the axle box to the wider part or aperture of axle guard, for withdrawing and
replacing axle box.
My further improvement of axle guard, having uniform strength of metal
throughout.
In the annexed drawings,
Fig. 1. axle guard without branches.
Fig. 2 axle guard with branches.
Fig. 3 axle guard removed and replaced without the use of any lifting
appliance.
Fig. 4. present slow and dangerous, expensive practice of removing axle guards
and axle boxes.
Fig. 5 axle box removed for renewals, cleaning, also renewing bearings, to be
fitted in workmanlike manner, having free access to axle for the said purpose.
Similar letters refer to like parts in all views.
A. is the body of the axle guard. B is the wider part or aperture, therein
arranged for rapidly removing and re-placing axle guards and axle boxes. C is
the branches. D is the bolt holes for securing the axle guard to vehicle.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner it is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :
Claim No. 1. In the improved axle guard hereinabove referred to, the con-
struction and insertion of wider part or aperture B. is suchwise, that it can be
rapidly removed and then replaced and secured in position, without disturbing
wheels springs, brakework and without the use of any lifting appliance.
Claim No. 2. In the improved axle guard herein before referred to, the use of
wider part B. of axle guard, capable of instant removal of axle box, giving free
access to the axle, for fitting bearings, and examination of axle, and renewals of
axle boxes, also for removing waste lubricant, cleaning axle box and without
discharging load from vehicle, or removing the same from a train for such purpose,
also means for rapidly replacing and securing axle guards and axle boxes in normal
position, and absolutely safe, substantially for the purpose specified.
Dated this 26th day of September 1894.
WILLIAM GRIERSON GLEDHILL,
Applicant.