Improvements in Adjustable Universal Bearings.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Oct., 1895-Accepted, 30th Nov., 1895
Improvements in Adjustable Universal Bearings.
A communication from ERNST J. MULLER, Mechanical Draughtsman, of Butte
City, Silver Bow County, State of Montana, United States of America.
I ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex
Chartered Patent Agent, 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:-
The main objects of this invention are to facilitate the adjustment of the
bearing and the removal of shafting therefrom without disturbing its adjustment.
and generally to simplify and improve the construction and arrangement of the
component parts of the device as hereinafter particularly described and pointed
cut in the claims.
1.
In the accompanying drawings like letters designate the same parts in the several
figures.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation and partial vertical section cutting its axis transversely,
of an adjustable universal hanger bearing embodying this invention;
Fig. 2 is a front elevation and vertical section on the line 2, 2, Fig. 1 ;
Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line 3 3, Fig. 1 ;
Fig. 4 is a similar section on the line 4, 4, Fig. 1;
Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate a modification of the bearing for floor stands, Fig. 5
being a side elevation and vertical cross section' on the line 5, 5, Fig. 6 and Fig. 6
a front elevation and longitudinal section on the line 6, 6, Fig. 5;
Figs. 7 to 12 inclusive illustrate a modification of this improved bearing for
hangers, Fig. 7 being a side elevation and a partial vertical section transverse to
the axis of the box, Fig. 8 a front elevation of the same, Fig. 9 a horizontal
section of the yoke on the line 9, 9, Fig. 7, Fig. 10 a vertical section parallel with
the axis of the box on the line 10, 10, Fig. 7, Fig. 11 a horizontal section on the
line 11, 11, Fig. 7 and Fig. 12 a' vertical section on the line 12, 12, Fig. 7;
Figs. 13 to 16 inclusive show another modification of the bearing, also adapted
to hangers, Fig. 13 being a vertical section crosswise of the box and a partial
side elevation, Fig. 14 a front elevation, Fig. 15 a horizontal section on the
line 15, 15, Fig. 13, and Fig. 16 a vertical section on the line 16, 16, Fig. 13; and
Figs. 17 to 20 inclusive show still another modification of the invention,
Fig. 17 being a partial side elevation and vertical section crosswise of the box,
Fig. 18 a front elevation, Fig. 19 a plan view of the lower half of the 'box
and the yoke supporting it, and Fig. 20 a horizontal section on the line 20, 20,
Fig. 17.
Referring to Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive; A designates a bracket for attachment to
a ceiling or overhead support in the usual way. It is formed on the front side
with hubs a a¹ bored in the same vertical line which intersects the axis of the
box or bearing. The bracket is formed between these hubs with a vertical
elongated recess or opening a².
'
B is a yoke formed on opposite sides with hubs b, b₁ b² and b, the hubs bb1
being bored and internally threaded in line with each other, & the hubs 62 & 1,3
being bored in line with each other at right angles to the hubs band b¹.
Cis the box, the lower half of which is formed integrally on opposite sides.
with hubs. cc, having squared portions c'c', as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, which are
fitted between projections on the cap, and thus assist to hold the parts

page_text: of the box in their proper relation to each other and to relieve the bolts by
which they are connected, of strain. The hubs c c are bored and threaded in line
with each other at right angles to the axis of the box.
D and D' are pivot pins having threaded portions which are adapted to be
screwed fast into the hubs c c. The pivot pin D is formed with an enlarged
angular head d, and between its plain and screw-threaded portions with a shoulder
adapted to abut against the end of the hub e, into which it is screwed. The
pivot pin D is fitted to turn and move lengthwise' in the bore of hub b³ and is
squared at its outer end to receive a wrench.
E and E' are like or similar pivot pins threaded at one end so as to be screwed
fast into the hubs 6 and b¹ of yoke B. The pin E has an enlarged angular head e
and a shoulder between its plain and screw-threaded portions, and the pin E' is
fitted to turu and move endwise in the bore of hub a, and is squared at its outer
end to receive a wrench.
F is a hollow screw threaded in the bore of hub 62 and fitted on the pivot pin D
which is adapted to turn therein. F¹ is a similar hollow screw threaded in the
bore of hub a', and adapted to turn on the pivot pin E. These screws are
formed at their outer ends with squared portions to receive a wrench for
turning them, and they are made slightly shorter than the distance between the
heads and shoulders cf the pins D and E, so as to prevent said pivot pins from
binding therein when their shoulders are screwed snugly against the hubs and c.
The hubs a¹ and 62 are split through their outer and upper sides respectively,
and provided with clamping bolts G and G¹ for contracting them upon the hollow
screws and holding the latter in place when they are adjusted as desired.
It will be observed that the axes of the several pivot pins intersect each other
in the axis of the box C; and said pins constitute with the yoke B a universal
joint connection with the bracket A, whereby the box adapts itself readily to any
deflection or irregularity in the shaft which it supports.
To adjust the box vertically, the screw G is loosened and the hollow screw Fl
is turned by means of its head or squared portion f, in the proper direction to raise
or lower the box as desired. When the required adjustment is effected, the parts
are secured in place by tightening the screw G. The horizontal adjustment of the
box is effected by a like manipulation of the clamping screw G₁ and the hollow
screw F. If it is desired to take down the shaft, the pivot pins D and D¹ may be
unscrewed from the box C and the box removed with the shaft from the yoke B
and bracket A; or the pivot pins E and E¹ may be unscrewed from the yoke,.
and the shaft together with the box and yoke, removed froin the bracket, in either
case without disturbing the adjustments of the bearing, it being, unnecessary to
disturb the screws and F¹.
It will be observed that by the construction and arrangement of parts above
described, the heads or squared portions ff of the adjusting screws F and F', as
well as the heads of the pivot screws D D¹, E and E', are all exposed and easily
accessible, thus greatly facilitating the adjustments of the bearing and the taking
down and putting up of shafting without disturbing such adjustments.
Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, A' designates a stand adapted to be secured by bolts
to a floor or other horizontal foundation. It is formed with hubs a³ and a having
their bores in the same vertical line with each other. The 'hub a is internally
threaded. and split on one side and provided with a clamping bolt a³, as shown in
Fig. 6. B' is the yoke carrying the box C, the horizontal pivot and adjusting
connections of which are like those herein before described in connection with
Figs. 1 to 4. The yoke B' is provided with a central vertical pivot stem or pin E²
which is preferably cast therein, and is fitted to turn freely in the hub a³. The
lower protruding end of the stem E, which is preferably slightly reduced in
diameter where it projects from the surrounding portion of said yoke, is fitted to
turn in the bore of a hollow externally threaded sleeve or screw F2, held therein
by a collar f¹ pinned to the lower end of said stem. The screw F2 engages the
threaded bore of hub at, and is formed with a head ƒ³, by means of which it may

page_text: When
be readily turned for the purpose of adjusting the box C vertically.
adjusted it is held from turning by the bolt a, which serves to clamp the split
hub at upon it. It is evident that the box may be adjusted vertically or horizontally
transversely to its axis by the manipulation of a single screw, and that the box
with or without the yoke may be removed from the stand without disturbing its
adjustments.
Referring to Figs. 7 to 12 inclusive, A' designates a bracket or hanger adapted
to be bolted in the usual manner to a ceiling or overhead support, and formed with
split hubs a a', which are bored in line with each other and are provided with
clamping bolts as aº. In one hub a is threaded a hollow screw or sleeve F³,
having a squared end f³, and in the other hub a', is fitted a plain sleeve H.
B2 is a yoke formed on opposite sides with hollow pins or stems D2 and D³ fitted
respectively in the hollow screw F³ and sleeve H. The stem D2 is provided at its
outer end with a washer f, secured thereto by a bolt f³, whereby said stem is held
in the hollow screw F³ and prevented from moving endwise therein, said screw
abutting at its inner end against a shoulder on said stem and at its outer end
against said washer. Sufficient play is allowed to permit the stem to turn freely
in said screw.
The yoke B2 is formed perpendicular to the stems D2 and D³ with
a sleeve , in the lower end of which is threaded a hollow screw F¼, squared at its
lower end f3.
C' designates the box, the lower half of which is formed or provided with a
vertical pivot pin or stem E³, reduced at its lower end and fitted in the hollow
screw in which it is secured by a washer f and bolt f. The unreduced
portion of said stem is fitted to bear and turn in the upper end of the sleeve.b.
For convenience in manufacturing and assembling the parts of the hanger, the
stems D2 and D³ are flattened on the sides, as shown in Figs. 9. 10, and 12, so as to
permit of their being passed sidewise upwardly between the ears of hubs aⓇ and a
into the bores thereof. The screw F and sleeve H are then passed over the ends
of said stems and inserted in said hubs, and when properly adjusted are secured in
place by the clamping bolts a³. The sleeve 6 of yoke B2 is split at its lower end
and formed on opposite sides with ears, which are connected by clamping bolts 66 6º,
as shown in Figs. 8 and 11, whereby the screw F' may be secured in place..when
adjusted as desired.
The stems D2 and D³ being free to turn in their bearings in the bracket or
hauger A², and the stem E3 at right angles thereto being free to turn in the
sleeve of yoke B² it is obvious that the box C₁ has iniversal joint connections
with its support and is free to turn in all directions about its centre and to adapt
itself to any springing or deflection from a straight line of the shaft which it
supports.
By loosening the nut on the bolt as in hub a' and turning the hollow screw F³
thus released by means of its squared end 3, the box C¹may be readily
adjusted horizontally crosswise of its axis, and in like manner, by loosening the
nuts on bolts 6 in sleeve 64 and turning the hollow screw F thus released, said box
may be adjusted vertically. The alignment of a number of boxes with each other
is thus readily effected without disturbing the brackets, hangers or other supports
which carry them. The hollow screw or sleeve F³ threaded in the bore of hub a
and the stem D2 of yoke B2, constitute an adjustable pivot connection between the
hanger A2 and said yoke, and the hollow screw or sleeve F threaded in the bore
of sleeve of yoke B2 and the stem E³ of the box C¹ constitute a similar
adjustable pivot connection between said yoke and box.
Referring to Figs. 13 to 16 inclusive, showing another modification of the
bearing, A designates a bracket or hanger adapted to be secured to a ceiling or
other over-head support in the usual manner by bolts, and formed with hubs a®
and a bored in line with each other. The hub a is split and formed on opposite
sides with ears which are connected by a clamping bolt as, as shown in Figs. 14
and 16. F3 is a hollow screw threaded in the hub as and formed with a squared
end by means of which it may be turned therein. B³ is a yoke. formed. on
2 :

page_text: opposite sides with internally threaded hubs 66 66 in which are secured pivot
steins or pins D D' in line with each other. The pivot pin D is formed with a
head d, between which the adjacent hub a hollow screw F³ is held, sufficient play
being allowed to permit said pin to turn freely in said screw. The pin D is fitted
in the hub a and squared at its outer end to receive a wrench for turning it into
and out of the hub 6. The yoke is also formed in a line perpendicular to the
pivot pins D D', with hubs 67 and 68.
The box is formed or provided on the under side with a hollow internally
threaded pivot pin or stem F, which is fitted to turn in the hub .
I is an adjusting screw threaded in the hollow stem E' and formed with a plain
extension or shank 1, which is fitted to turn in the hub 8, and is held therein by a
head or shoulder and a nut or collar 2 pinned upon said screw. It is provided
with a check nut 3, which is forced against the lower end of the stem E to secure
the parts in place when they are properly adjusted.
To assemble the parts of this form of the improved hanger, the yoke B³ with
the box c¹ is placed between the hubs a and a of the hanger, with the hubs 66 66
in line therewith.
The pivot pins D D are then passed from the outside through the hollow
screw F³ and the hub a respectively and screwed into said hubs 66. The horizontal
adjustment of the box is effected in the same manner as explained in connection
with the form shown in Figs. 7 to 12. The vertical adjustment of the box is
accomplished by loosening the check nut and turning the screw I by means of
its nut or collar, which projects below the yoke B³..
Referring to Figs. 17 to 20 inclusive, showing still another modification of the
improved hanger, the bracket A is formed or provided with internally threaded
hubs ao ao, in line with each other, and in these hubs are threaded pivot pins or
stems JJ, which are provided with check nuts jj, for securing them in place when
they are adjusted as desired.
The yoke B is formed on opposite sides with hubs 66 having sockets to receive
and afford bearings for the inner ends of the pivot pins J J. It is also formed
with hubs and 610 in a line perpendicular to said pivot pins, like or similar to
those shown in Fig. 13. The box C¹ is formed or provided on the under side with
a pivot stem E, the upper part of which is fitted to turn in the hub and the
lower part of which is reduced and externally screw threaded.
e is a sleeve fitted to turn in the hub 10 and made a little longer than said hub.
The reduced portion of the stem E is made to pass loosely through said sleeve
and is secured therein by nuts e² and e³, the nut e2 being placed on said stem in an
opening in said yoke, and formed with holes in its edges to receive a spanner
wrench or pin for turning it.
The box is adjusted horizontally by loosening the check nuts jj and turning the
pivot pins J J in or out as required, of the threaded hubs a¹0. The vertical
adjustment of the box is effected by turning the nuts e² and e³ up or down on the
threaded portion of the stem E as required. When adjusted as desired it is
secured in place by turning the check nuts jj against the hubs a¹ and the nuts e
and e against the ends of the sleeve e¹.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent and in what manner
the same is to be performed declare that what I claim is :-
1. The combination with a suitable support of a box formed or provided with a
stem rigid therewith and perpendicular to its axis, and a yoke having a sleeve in
which said stem is adapted to turn freely, and pivot connections with said
support perpendicular to the axis of said stem, substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
2. The combination with a suitable support having hubs in line with each other,
of a box formed or provided with a stem rigid therewith and perpendicular to its
axis, a yoke having a sleeve in which said stem is adapted to turn freely, and

page_text: pivot pins connecting said yoke with said hubs perpendicular to the axis 'of
said stem and adjustable end wise in said hubs, substantially as and for the purposes.
set 'forth.
3. In a universal bearing comprising two parts, an adjustable pivot connection
between said parts consisting of a hollow screw externally threaded in a bore in one
part, and a stem rigid with the other part fitted and adapted to turn in said
screw, but held from endwise movement therein, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
4. The combination with a box support having hubs in line with each other, of a
box having a pivot stem transverse to its axis, a yoke having a sleeve to receive
said stem and transversely thereto pivot stems or pins, and a hollow adjusting screw
in which one of said stems or pins is held, threaded in one of the hubs of said
support, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
5. The combination with a support and box, the latter having a pivot stem.
transverse to its axis, of a yoke having pivot connections on opposite sides of the
box with said support, and a sleeve transverse to said pivot connections, an 1
a hollow screw in which the stem of the box is held, threaded in said sleeve,.
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
6. The combination with a suitable support of a yoke provided with pivot
stems or pins having bearings in said support, a box provided with a pivot stem
having a bearing in said yoke transverse to its stems, and hollow adjusting screws
secured one on the pivot stem of the box and threaded in the yoke, and the other
secured on one of the pivot stems of the yoke and threaded in.said support,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
7. The combination with a suitable support having separated hubs or parts bored
in line with each other, a yoke having two stems rigid therewith in line with each
other and adapted to turn freely in the bores of said hubs, and a box pivoted to
said yoke in a line perpendicular to said stems, substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
8. In a universal bearing the combination with a box and a suitable fixed
support therefor, of a yoke, four pivot pins arranged in pairs perpendicular to each.
other, one pair detachably and rigidly secured in line with each other in opposite
sides of the box, and adapted to turn freely in bearings therefor in the yoke, and
the other pair detachably and rigidly secured in line with each other in opposite
sides of the yoke, and adapted to turn in bearings in said support and means of
adjusting said pins endwise in their bearings and of holding them in place therein,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
9. In a universal bearing the combination with a box, of a fixed support having
two bores in line with each other, one being threaded and provided with a hollow
screw, a yoke having two bores in line with each other, one being threaded and
provided with a hollow screw, and pivot pins secured in pairs to opposite sides of
the box and yoke transversely to each other, one pair being adapted to turn in the
hollow screw and opposite bore of the yoke, the other pair being adapted to turn in
the hollow screw and opposite bore of said support and one pin of each pair being
held from end wise movement in the hollow screw in which it is inserted substantially
as and for the purposes set forth.
10. In an adjustable bearing the combination of a box, a suitable fixed support,
a yoke, said support and yoke each having a plain bore and a split hub with a
threaded bore in line therewith, and a clamping screw for contracting its bore,
hollow screws threaded in the split hubs of said support and yoke, and pivot pins
secured to opposite sides of the box and yoke transversely to each other, and
adapted to turn in the bores and hollow screws of said support and yoke, one pin of
each pair being held from end wise movement in one of said hollow screws,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
11. In an adjustable bearing the combination with a fixed support and yoke,.
each having a hollow screw threaded therein and a plain cylindrical bore in line
therewith, of a box and pivot pins threaded at their inner ends into opposite sides

page_text: of said box and yoke, and adapted to turn in the hollow screws and bores of said
yoke and support in lines intersecting the axis of the box and transverse to each
other, the outer ends of said screws and pins having exposed wrench heads,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
T
12. In an adjustable bearing the combination with a fixed support, of a yoke
pivotally connected therewith, a box formed on opposite sides with hubs having
screw threaded bores, a cap formed with lugs adapted to engage with said hubs and
to hold said cap in place on the box, and pivot pins threaded into said hubs
and adapted to pivotally connect the box with said yoke in a line transverse to the
pivot connection between said yoke and support, substantially as and for the 1
purposes set forth.
Dated this 29th day of October 1895.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.