Improvements in Ball Bearings for the Axles of Tram Cars and other Descriptions of Vehicles and Carriages.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 7th July, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 8th Apr., 1895-Accepted, 24th May, 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Ball Bearings for the Axles of Tram Cars and other
Descriptions of Vehicles and Carriages.
We, CHARLES HERBERT SIMS, of. 117, Entwisle Road, Rochdale, Lancashire,
Draughtsman, and EDWIN SYKES, of St. Andrews Road, Huddersfield, Yorkshire,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
:-
Our invention consists in adapting or applying ball bearings to the axles of tram
cars and other vehicles or carriages. According to our invention we secure upon
the axle in any. suitable manner one or more conical rings. Surrounding the
conical ring or rings is a shell or tube and between the conical ring and shell we
arrange a series of antifriction bowls. The antifriction bowls are kept in position
hy a washer made secure by lock nuts screwed onto the end of the conical ring.
As the upper surface of the conical ring wears, the antifriction bowls can be moved
higher up the inclined surface by means of the lock nuts thereby compensating for
the wear.
When two conical rings are employed the larger ends of each cone adjoin each
other so that when the anti-friction bowls are adjusted they are made to approach
each other.
All of the parts are covered and surrounded by a metallic box or casing so that
they are protected from dust. By the application of antifriction bowls to the axles
of tram cars less power will be required to propel them, consequently a saving in
motive power will be effected whether the cars be propelled by steam or horse
power.
Dated this 6th day of July 1894
TASKER & CROSSLEY,
Halifax, Agents.
Improvements in Ball Bearings for the Axles of Tram Cars and other
Descriptions of Vehicles and Carriages.
We, CHARLES HERBERT SIMS, of 117, Entwisle Road, Rochdale, Lancashire,
Draughtsman, and EDWIN SYKES, of St. Andrew's Road, Huddersfield, Yorkshire,
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 :-
Our invention consists in adapting or applying ball bearings to the axles of tram
cars and other vehicles or carriages.
In order that our said invention may be more fully understood reference is
hereafter had to the annexed sheets of drawings, wherein
Fig. 1 is longitudinal section (taken on line 1-2 of Fig. 2) of an axle box fitted.
with ball bearings constructed and arranged according to our invention, and
Fig. 2 is front elevation of same, the lid or cover being removed to shew the
interior.

page_text: Fig. 3 is longitudinal section, (taken on line 3-4 of Fig. 4) shewing a modified
construction and arrangement of ball bearing for the axles of tram cars, road
engines or other description of rolling stock; and Fig. 4 is transverse section (taken
on line 5-6, of Fig. 3).
Fig. 5 is sectional elevation of a wheel for tram cars or rolling stock shewing the
application of our improved ball bearings to the hubs of same.
Figs. 6, 7, 8, and 9, are longitudinal sections of ball bearings for road vehicles.
The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout.
The bearings shewn in Figs. 1 to 5 are intended more particularly for tram cars,
road engines or other description of rolling stock, but it will be understood that the
same construction and arrangement of the ball bearing proper may also be applied
to the axles of omnibuses and other road vehicles without material alteration,
beyond fitting the same in the hub of the wheel instead of in the axle box, or to
suit the difference in the mounting of the wheel on the axle. Likewise, the
construction and arrangement of ball bearings for omnibuses and other road
vehicles as shewn in Figs. 6 to 9 may be adopted for the axles of tram cars or
rolling stock. In both these cases the external parts may be modified or omitted
as found necessary and strengthened or lightened to suit the weight upon the axle,
but the arrangement of the bearings as illustrated in the several figures will remain
practically the same.
Referring firstly to Figs. 1 and 2 letter A represents the axle box provided with
lid or cover B, and C the axle. On the end of the axle and abutting against a
shoulder thereon is a collar or bush D having a double cone thereon whose bases
are. opposed to each other. The said double conical bush is made fast to the axle C
so as to rotate therewith, by means of a washer E secured to the axle by screw a
and having on the face thereof lugs or projecting ribs b, b, which enter and engage
with corresponding recesses formed alike in the end of the conical bush D and the
end of the axle C.
1
Surrounding the double conical bush D are two straight rings F, F, of larger
diameter, each resting on the shoulders of a collar or distance piece F¹ occupying
a position over the centre or middle of the bush D. In the annular spaces or
chambers thus formed between the bush D and rings F, F, are placed a number of
antifriction balls or metal spheres G which fill up said annular spaces as shewn in
Fig. 2. The antifriction balls are held in position and in proper adjustment..by
washers H, H, which are supported and held in engagement-with said balls by
flanged plates I, I, secured together by bolts and nuts J, J. The whole of the
several washers and balls forming the bearing fit into and are enclosed within a cap
or cover K which projects downwards a short distance at each end over the
plates I, 1. The said cover K adds strength and additional support to the bearing
where the weight of the car is most felt and it enables the bearing to be easily
slided into and out of the axle box A when applying it to the axle or removing it
'therefrom for examinations, repairs or renewals..
•
Between the axle box and the bottom of the bearing is introduced packing L for
preventing vibration or jolting.
Leather washers M are placed between the rings F, F, and the flanges on
plates I, I, to make- tight joints, and between the washers H, H, and plates 'I, I,
are placed compressible or yielding cushions P..
The antifriction balls at first occupy a position at the foot or base of each cone
on the bush D or on the horizontal portions of said ring, as shewn in Fig. 1, but
when adjusted to compensate for wear and tear of the balls or bearing surfaces,
said balls are moved or forced toward's each other and therefore rise up the inclined.
planes or cones into a gradually contracting space or chamber which compensates
for the wear and again establishes the proper adjustment of the balls with the
bearing surfaces. The adjustment of the balls is effected by screwing up the nuts
on the bolts J, J, which draw the flanged plates and intermediate parts towards
each, other to the extent required.
The rings F, F, are formed with flat surfaces ou the four quarters of their
1

page_text: +
peripheries (as shewn in Fig. 2) which engage with three sides of the axle box
and with the cap or cover K and prevent rotation of said rings. In addition to
holding the rings F rigidly in the axle box, the said flat surfaces enable the rings
to be turned round to present each quarter of the four sides in turn to the top of
the bearing where the weight of the car is borne as the wear of the bearing surface
is greater there than at any other portion of the rings. When each quarter
of the rings has been presented at the top of the bearing and further renewal. is
necessary, the rings F, F, can be taken out and replaced the opposite way about
so as to bring the sides of the rings which were nearest the summit of the cones
and therefore out of reach of the balls, to the outer sides, or against the washers H, H,
whereby the rings will, in all, allow seven renewals to be made before being rendered
useless.
In Figs. 3 and 4 the construction of the bearing is slightly modified.
The double conical bush D is secured in any suitable manner on the axle C and
the rings F, F, are placed in a metal casing K into which they are adapted to fit
nicely and to engage with the central shoulder or neck K', projecting from the
inner walls of said casing. The said rings are secured to the casing K by screws c
(see Fig. 4) to prevent independent movement thereof, and the casing K is flattened
on its four sides so as to fit into and engage with the interior of the axle box A.
Each end of the metal casing K is provided with an internal screw thread adapted
to receive nuts J, J, which hold the washers H, H, in position and, when screwed
inwardly, force the balls G up the cones and adjust them as required to compensate
for wear and tear of the bearing surfaces.
Compressible or yielding cushions P are inserted between the nuts J, J, and
washers H, H.
A second lock nut may be employed in this bearing.
In Fig. 5 the bearing is similar in construction and arrangement to that shewn
in Fig. 3 and 4, but instead of fitting into the axle box, it is placed into the hub
of the wheel O as shewn. The straight ring F forming the upper or outer bearing
surface may be in one piece as shewn in Fig. 5, or in two pieces as previously
described, and said ring and washers H, H, are made secure and the latter adjusted
'to force the balls G up the cones by nuts J, J, at each end of the bearing. On
the outer end of the bearing a second lock nut J' is screwed into the casing K.
Where the ball bearings are applied to the hubs of the wheels, the tendency of the.
latter to skid when passing over a sharp curve is avoided.
At Figs. 6 to 9 the bearings shewn are intended for supporting the axles of
lighter bodies such as omnibuses, carriages and other vehicles.
In Figs. 6 and 7 a sleeve or tube D is secured on the axle C by plate E as
described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2. On one end of the said sleeve or tube
is formed or secured a cone D and on the opposite end thereof is placed a conical
bush D' which is adapted to be forced endwise in the direction of the fixed cone
by means of nut J which is locked by a second nut J' screwed outo the tube D, as
shewn in Fig. 6, or into the casing Kas shown in Fig. 7.
Surrounding the tube D is a second tube F which is enlarged or recessed at each
end to receive the balls G which fill the annular space between the said tubes and
form the bearing upon which the wheel can turn. The outer tube F may be
secured in or to the hub of the wheel in any suitable manner and the bearing be
enclosed in a box or casing as shewn in Fig. 7, or in somewhat the same manner as
the axle bearing is protected in ordinary hubs.
In Fig. 8 two pairs of conical bushes are placed on the ring or tube D secured
to the axle, the bushes marked D', D', being moveable laterally on the tube D and
these marked D', D', being fixed. The conical bush D' is adapted to be forced
endwise towards its opposing conical bush by nut J, and in its movement it abuts
against teeth or fingers d formed on the end of a sleeve N and passing through
slots in the fixed conical bush D', said conical bush D' pushing the sleeve N
end wise a corresponding distance, whereby the conical bush D', which is fast on
the said sleeve, is likewise moved towards its opposing bush D* and the balls Gare

page_text: forced upwards to compensate for the wear of the bearing. A lock nut J¹ secures:
the nut in the position to which it is screwed.
In Fig. 9 the conical bushes D', D', are adjusted by nut J which is locked by
nut Jboth screwed on the end of the axle C."
Instead of the nut J and lock nut J¹ being screwed onto the axle, they may be
screwed into the casing or hub, as the case may be, each nut being provided with
recesses somewhat as shewn in Fig. 5 to admit of the insertion of a suitable key.
By the application of antifriction balls to the axles of tram cars, engines and
other rolling stock or to omnibuses, carriages and other vehicles, in the manner
herein described less power is required to draw them and a considerable saving is
therefore effected in motive power or in horse flesh.
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 :-
Firstly. In bearings for the axles of train cars and other vehicles or rolling
stock, the combination, with antifriction balls G, of a double conical bush Ď
secured to the axle, a straight ring or rings such as F forming the outer bearing
surface, and straight faced washers such as H, H, forming the ends of the bearings
all arranged, constructed and fitted within the axle box or hub of the wheel
substantially as herein described and shewn in Figs. 1 to 5.
Secondly. The combination, with antifriction balls G, double conical bush D,
straight ring or rings F and washers H of bolts J and flanged plates I as shewn
in Fig. 1, or nuts J as shewn in Figs. 3 and 5 for securing the balls G in position
and forcing them up the cones to compensate for wear substantially as herein
shewn and described.
Thirdly. In ball bearings for the axles of tram cars and other vehicles or rolling
stock, the combination with washers H and flanged plates I. or nuts J of flexible or
compressible cushions P interposed between said parts, substantially as shewn
and described.
Fourthly. The combination of antifriction balls, conical bushes, straight rings F
and means for adjusting the balls, substantially as herein shewn and described.
Fifthly. The combination with antifriction balls, conical bushes, and straight
outer bearing rings of a sleeve N and adjusting nuts constructed and acting
substantially as herein shewn and described.
Dated this 6th day of April 1895.
TASKER & CROSSLEY,
Halifax, Patent Agents.