An improved self-acting Lubricator for Plummer Blocks, Machinery and Engine Bearings, Journals for Railway Trucks and the like.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 20th June, 1898-Accepted, 25th Feb., 1899
An improved self-acting Lubricator for Plummer Blocks, Machinery
and Engine Bearings, Journals for Railway Trucks and the like.
I, SIDNEY HERBERT ARLINGTON JONES, of Fairfield; New South Wales, 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 follow-
ing statement:-
This invention has for its object, the construction of a self-acting lubricator for
plummer blocks, machinery and engine bearings, journals for railway trucks,
and the like.
The invention as applied to plummer blocks, and similar bearings, consists of
a removable box, placed in a groove beneath the lower brass or bearing, and which
is held in position by a wedge or other suitable contrivance.
In the said lower brass or bearing, a hole is cut or cast opening into said box,
which latter is longer than the bearing and projects beyond each face.
The box is charged with the requisite quantity of oil on which floats a piece
of cork or other suitable material which may be in the shape of a ball, cylindrical
or disc-shaped with its periphery flat, V shaped or rounded, or the float may be
of any other suitable shape.
The float when in position, is in contact with the revolving shaft or spindle
inside the bearing, which as it revolves, rotates the float, which picks up oil and
conveys it to the shaft, thus effectually lubricating same. As the oil is used, it
works towards the flanges of the brasses, or the faces of the bearing, in the inside
circumference of which a groove is cut, the oil collects in this groove and runs
down into the box, a piece being cut out of the flange or bearing to allow this to
be done.
In journals for railway trucks and the like, where the weight is supported by a
top brass only, and the lower brass or bearing dispensed with, and lubricating
oil is placed in the axle box, I arrange the float or a series of floats as before de-
scribed, inside a simple removable frame, which keeps them in position.
The annexed drawings will facilitate explanation.
Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 shew the invention applied to a plummer block.
Figure 1 being a front elevation of a plummer block, half being in section.
Figure 2 a section at A, B.
Figure 3 a section at C, D, and Figure 4 a detail of one flange showing part cut
away for the purpose hereinafter described.
Figures 5 and 6 represent a front and side section of an axle box with ball floats.
Figures 7 and 8 represent a front and side section of an axle box, with disc floats.

page_text: In Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, a represents a plummer block in which are the brasses b,
the bottom of each flange is cut away as at d (as shewn in Figure 4) to enable the
box 9 to be placed in position, and to allow the oil after being used to fall back
into the box. A groove e is cut near the ends of the brasses to collect the oil and
return it to the box g. A slot is either cut or cast in the block the full width of
same. A box, of iron or other suitable material g, fits in the slot f, the ends of the
box being higher than the sides, and projecting beyond the flanges c.
In the bottom brass, a tapered hole h is cast, the lugs i being cast on to prevent
the oil from splashing over the side of the box. A wedge of any suitable con-
struction is used for raising the box to its highest position, and securing it in
place.
A float is shewn, which is of such dimension, that when but very little oil /
is in the box, it floats in contact with the shaft or spindle above it.
The box g containing the float k is placed in the slot f with its ends projecting
beyond the flanges e, then raised by means of the wedge to its highest position;
the wedge I prefer to make as shewn in Figure 3 with one end tapered and hinged
and the other end turned down. In this manner the box is held rigidly in position;
it is charged with oil, when the float k is made to ride in the tapered opening h.
in which is space for lateral movement. As the shaft or spindle revolves, the ball k
being in contact with same, rotates, thus conveying oil to the shaft, which oil will
gradually work towards the flanges c, where it will he caught in the grooves e.
and running down same will fall into the box g, to be used again, whilst dirt and
other foreign matter will collect at the ends of the box, and may be removed.
I wish it understood that I do not confine myself to the shape of the box g,
which may be of any suitable construction, nor do I confine myself to a cork ball,
as I may sometimes use a float of any other suitable shape and material, it being
evident that what may be suitable for one class of machinery, may not be suitable
for another.
In Figures 5 and 6, a represents an axle box in which is the bearing b, beneath
which the journal A revolves; the ball floats are placed in the removable frame B
which is preferably of galvanised iron, but which may be of any other suitable
material, and constructed so that it fits in the bottom of the axle box, and cannot
be displaced by vibration. The floats & being in contact with the journal A, rotate,
and convey oil to same from the bottom of the axle box.
In Figures 7 and 8, a represents an axle box, in which is the bearing 6, the disc
floats are centred on a pin m, which is capable of rising and falling vertically in
slots n and o in a frame B, which latter is preferably constructed of wire soldered
to a thin metal base p, which fits in the bottom of the axle box, and cannot be
displaced by vibration. The frame B may be constructed of any other suitable
material.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and the manner in which the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. In a self-acting lubricator for plummer blocks, machinery and engine bearings
and the like, a float capable of rotating in contact with the shaft or spindle in said
plummer blocks, machinery and engine bearings, substantially as herein set forth
and shewn on the drawings.
2. In a self-acting lubricator for plummer blocks, machinery and engine bear-
ings and the like, the combination of a box containing oil, with a float capable of
rotating in contact with a spindle or shaft, substantially as described and shewn
on the drawings.
3. In a self-acting lubricator for plummer blocks machinery and engine bearings
and the like, a groove, such as e cut in the brasses or bearings, substantially as
described and shewn on the drawings and for the purpose herein set forth.
4. The combination of the box g and float k with the wedge j, and the brass b

page_text: in which are the tapered opening hand the lugs i, and grooves e, substantially
as shewn in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, and for the purpose herein set forth.
5. In a self-acting lubricator for journals for railway trucks and the like, a
float or floats, capable of rotating in contact with said journals, substantially as
described and shewn in Figures 5, 6 and 7, 8 of the drawings.
Dated this 17th day of May 1898.
SIDNEY HERBERT ARLINGTON JONES.