IMPROVEMENTS IN THE RADIATING OF THE AXLES OF RAILWAY CARRIAGES, TRAMWAY CARS, AND OTHER VEHICLES, AND IN THE MECHANISM EMPLOYED THEREFOR
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Mac Lachlan, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
North Britain, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE RADIATING OF
THE AXLES OF RAILWAY CARRIAGES, TRAMWAY CARS, AND OTHER VEHICLES,
AND IN THE MECHANISM EMPLOYED THEREFOR."
Sealed the 20th September 1878, and dated the 1st June 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Mac Lachlan at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st June 1878.
.
JOHN MAC LACHLAN, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE RADIATING OF THE AXLES OF RAILWAY CARRIAGES,
TRAMWAY CARS, AND OTHER VEHICLES, AND IN THE MECHANISM EMPLOYED THERE-
FOR."
This Invention, which relates to improvements in the mechanical arrangements
for compelling the proper radiation of the axles of railway carriages, tramway cars, or
other vehicles when travelling on curved portions of railways or tramways, consista,
in the case of a six-wheeled carriage, in mounting the central axle in a framing sepa-
rate from and free to move horizontally and crosswise underneath the framing of the
vehicle itself. The two end axles are also carried in framings separate from the
main framing of the carriage, and are pivoted to the body of the carriage by a pin,
preferably over the centre of the said axles. The inner parts of the framings in
which the end axles are carried are prolonged until they meet over the central axle,
at which place they are united together by a pin which works in oblong slots in
these terminal portions, whereby freedom of radial motion on the pivots is afforded.
The ends of the framing of the central axle are also united to the frames of the
end axles by pins working in oblong slots, and the effect of the arrangement is such
that in passing over a curved part of a railway or tramway the end axles are com-
pelled by the transverse position of the central axle at any instant relatively with
the body of the vehicle to become radial or normal to the curve.

page_text: Under a modification of this arrangement, the prolongation of the inner parts of
the framings of the end axles, so far as the central axle may be dispensed with, in
which case it becomes necessary to fit the framing of the central axle in slides
attached to the under side of the framing or body of the vehicle, in the case of
short carriages or cars, such, for example, as those which are usually provided
with two pairs of wheels, one of the pairs of wheels is dispensed with, and the
inner ends of any or every two adjacent carriages are carried upon the sepa-
rate framing in which the central axle runs, the said separate framing and
central axle being in other words common to both carriages. The inner ends of the
two carriage bodies are pivoted to the end portions of the framing of the central
axle, being also connected together by a link, which, according to the direction in
which the leading carriage is radiated, thrusts the after or trailing carriage in the
opposite direction, and thus brings all the axles radial or normal to the curve.
It is preferred that one of the wheels in each case revolves upon instead of being
fixed to the axle.
་
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said John Mac Lachlan in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 27th November
1878.
JOHN MAO LACHLAN, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE RADIATING OF THE AXLES OF RAILWAY CARRIAGES,
TRAMWAY CARS, AND OTHER VEHICLES, AND IN THE MECHANISM EMPLOYED THERE-
FOR."
. My said Invention relates to improvements in the mechanical arrangements of
the parts of railway carriages, tramway cars, or other vehicles, for causing the
proper radiation of their axles and wheels when travelling round curved portions
of their carrying and guiding railways or tramways, and the nature, novelty, and
mode of performing or putting my said Invention or improvements into effect or
practice consist, all as shown in side and end section and inverted under plan,
Figures 1, 2, and 3 respectively, on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, according
to one modification or arrangement of the parts as suitable for a six-wheeled
carriage 3, in mounting the central axle a, with its pair of wheels 1, 1, by their
usual bearing frames, block, and brushes 111 in a framing A of their own, separate
from and free to move horizontally and transversely or crosswise underneath the
ordinary lower main framing 2 of the carriage or vehicle, indicated by the dotted
lines 3. The two end axles a¹, a¹, with their wheels 11, 11, are also carried in
separate frames B, B, from the main framing 2 of the carriage 3, but which in this
case are each pivoted as a bogie frame by a strong central pin or pivot b, and
bearing centre 6', and side blocks 6, 6%, to the under side of the carriage
frame 2, preferably centred, and swivelling over or nearly over the middle or centre
of the said axles a', a¹. The framings B, B, in which the end axles a¹, a', are
.

page_text: carried are prolonged or formed with long strong levers B', B", projecting towards
each other until they meet under the centre of the sliding frame A of and over the
centre axle a, where they are jointed together by a pin 63 secured in the end of one
arm or lever B, so as to work in an oblong slot 611 in the end of the other lever B¹,
which allows and regulates the free motion of the end frames or bogies B, B', B, B¹,
on their pivots b, b, to either side, so as to radiate their axles a' and wheels 11
equally to suit the arc or curve of the rails round which they may be turning for
the time being. The ends of the framing A. of the central axle a and wheels 1 are
also prolonged by arms A¹, A¹¹, and united to the arms B', B", of the frames B, B,
by strong pins 6 secured thereto, so as to work in oblong slots 6111, near the middle
of the arms B¹, B", which has the effect of simultaneously pressing the frame A
with its axle a and wheels 1 transversely to suit the curve of the railway or tram-
way z, z, the end frames B, B, and their axles a', a', having been equally angled or
radiated, as before stated, all so as to cause the axles of the shafts and wheels a, a, a,
and wheels 1, 1', 1', at any instant to become transversely true and radial or normal
to the curve of the rails, leaving the long carriage frame 2, 21, truly secured and
steadied over its under carrying frames A, B, B, the centre one A being preferably
loosely guided and secured to the under side of the frame 2 by the edge or side blocks
or guides As, while the swivelling bearing blocks 6" are secured to the upper side of
the under frames B, B, and those 62 are similarly secured over them to the under
side of the upper main frame 2 of the carriage.
Under unother modification or improved arrangement applicable to duplex or
long six-wheeled carriages, as shown in sectional side elevation and under side plan
in Figures 4 and 5 respectively, or in the case of short carriages or cars, such for
example as those which are usually provided with two pairs of wheels, one of the
pairs of wheels is dispensed with, and the inner or adjacent ends of any or every
two adjacent carriages 2, 3, are carried upon the separate framing in which the
central axle runs, and which thus supports the inner ends of the two carriages, in
other words, being common to both carriages.
In this arrangement the end wheels 11, 11, and their axles a¹, a¹, are mounted
as usual by their bearing brackets, boxes, and bushes 1", 1", to the under side of
the actual main frame 2 of the end carriages 3, these two frames or carriages being.
coupled together at their adjacent ends 21 by swivel pins c and centre bearing
blocks c¹ and outer segmental bearing plates cl, c³, to and over the projecting.
ends C¹, C¹¹, of the frame or bogie C below, of the central axle a and its wheels 1, 1,
all these frames 2, 2, and C, C¹, C", thus swivelling freely on these joint centres c, c²,
preferably placed near the centre of the frames 2, between the centre axle a and
wheels 1, 1, and the end ones a 1¹, a 1', and the adjacent ends 2¹, 21, of the
frames 2 are coupled by a pin and slotted arms B, 63, and B, 6¹¹¹, or other equi-
valent, so that according to the direction in which the leading carriage is angled
or radiated it thrusts the after or trailing carriage in the opposite direction equally
and simultaneously, and thus brings all the axles truly radial to suit or nearly suit
the curve of the rails z, z; they may be turning or passing round for the time being,
all otherwise substantially as described in reference to the former Figures.
To prevent shocks or jerks in hauling or backing in this arrangement, in which
two carriages and frames 2 and 2 are coupled by swivelling the joint pins c, c, it is
preferred to place buffer or other springs D between the ends of the frames 2, 2, and.
to couple the traction hooks 4 of the carriage or frames 2, 2, by one or two
rods d, d, crossed in the middle at d³, and carried round the bearing blocks c¹ by
chains at d¹¹, where the motion on the drawing rods d, d, takes place, and the
drawing hooks 4 might, when desired, have their stems coupled or fitted with
spiral or other draw springs at d² on the inside of the end frames 2" of the frames 2,
all which would tend to prevent jerking or straining on the swivelling coupling
pin c.
Another improvement of my said Invention has reference to an arrangement of
the parts for swivelling and radiating the two axles of four-wheeled tramway cars.
or railway carriages, for the turning of these round quick-curves, and which is:

page_text: most suitable for long vehicles, or where the axles and wheels have to to be placed
far apart, to give stability and steadiness to the vehicle with the least possible
strain and friction in turning curves, and of which one modification or construction
is shown in the longitudinal and transverse sections, and inverted or under side
plan, Figures 6, 7, and 8 respectively.
Referring to these Figures this improved arrangement consists in mounting the
two axles a¹, a', and their wheels 1', 1', on separate swivelling frames or bogies B, B,
by centre pins b, and bearing centres 6' over the axles, or nearly so, and side
bearing blocks 61, 63, to the under side of the main or under frame 2, 2, of the
tramway car or carriage 3, having the long arms B and B secured to their
respective bogies B, B, and connected in the centre under the main frame 2 by the
pin and slotted joint 63, 6111, at their inner adjacent ends, so as to radiate in turning
curves to either side, and equally, the leading bogie and its axle and wheels through
its lever B¹ or B¹¹, as the case may be, always turning the other or trailing wheels
and axle radially to the curve of the rails z, they may be passing for the time being,
all as shown in these Figures 6, 7, and 8, and substantially as described in reference
to the end axles and wheels and their bogies, indicated by the same reference letters
as in Figures 1, 2, and 3, without the central sliding frame A and its axle and
wheels a 1, but having a connection at the centre joint b to the under sides or
edges of the main frame 2 by the two spiral or other springs E, which would
always tend to keep the swivelling arms or levers B', B", in the straight line, and
also bring them and their bogies to their true normal position after turning a curve
to suit the straight line of the rails or tramway 3, 3.
When this arrangement is used for tramway cars, to be drawn by horses or a
separate traction engine, the bars B¹, B¹¹, or other equivalent would be prolonged 2
out towards or beyond the ends of the car 3, or its platform 31 at B³, where they
would be coupled by an eye or other equivalent to the traction couplings of the
horses or traction engine before it, and which in turning the curve would really
steer the car by one of its levers B³ round the curves by simultaneously swivelling
both bogies radially as they entered the curved part of the line. But where a
traction was not used, as for combined steam and passenger carriages, any ordinary
arrangement of steering gear, such as used on road steam engines, with segmental
toothed or chain wheels and pinion, which would right themselves when not in
action, might be fitted in the advanced bogie, with hand wheel and spindle carried
on the platform 3" for steering the vehicle, and radially swivelling axles and wheels
in a positive manner equivalent to that described in reference to the levers Bs.
As seen in Figures 1 and 2, the centre bearings b¹ round the swivelling pins 6 of
the bogies are formed with a hollow recessed and bearing part, the upper bearing
projecting down into this cup-like part, which may contain the oil or other lubricant
used for reducing the friction of this bearing, either with or without a few layers
of woollen fabric 6x or other equivalent which might retain the lubricant and
deliver it to the bearing joint c, c¹, as pressed out. And, when desired, this joint
might be fitted with a spiral, india-rubber, or other block or circular spring c* round
the pin c. to assist in taking the strain off the bearing c¹ and prevent shocks or
breakage of these parts, as shown in Figure 4.
And although only one axle a¹ and pair of wheels 11, 11, have been shown in
Figures 6, 7, and 8, as mounted on each bogie B, it is to be understood that two
axles, each with its pair of wheels, might be mounted close to each other on the
bogie frame B (as in many other bogies, such as used for railway locomotive engines)
and so have these swivelled radially, or nearly so, to the curve of the rails the
vehicle is passing round by the arms B¹, B¹¹, B³, substantially as described in
reference to these Figures 6 to 8.
In all these arrangements or combinations of mechanism for swivelling or
radiating the axles a, a¹, of railway and tramway vehicles, as described, it is
advisable that the wheels should be capable of revolving loosely in opposite
directions to save friction on them and the rails, and assist the swivelling of the
axles and this has been done heretofore by allowing the one wheel 1 or 1' to.
4

page_text: revolve loosely by its eye on the main axle a or a¹; but as this does not seem to
me to be a durable or satisfactory mode, I, by another improvement, fix the one
wheel 1' on the main axle a', which revolves in its bearings 11, 111, all as usual,
and fix the other or second wheel 1' on the outer end (close up to the bearing 111
on that side) of a hollow shaft or spindle a mounted on the inner main shaft a¹, as
seen particularly in Figures 2 and 7, preferably with end bushes a fitting the
inner shaft, so that the centre part of the hollow axle a² can form or be used as a
box for containing grease or other lubricant, and allow the two axles a¹, a³, and
their wheels 11, 11, to turn in reverse directions while being swivelled or radiated,
as described, with very little strain or friction, and yet allow both axles to revolve
at the same speed without turning upon each other when the wheels are rolling as
usual on the rails, and cause little wear and tear of the bushes all of the hollow
axle a³.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I have to state that I do not confine myself to the precise
details herein described or delineated; but what I consider novel and original, and
therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited
Letters Patent is,―
First. The new or improved general arrangement or combination of the parts of
the under frames 2, and the carrying moving frames A, B, C, and their actuating
levers B¹, B, and connections of railway carriages and tramway cars for oscillating
or radiating their axles and wheels simultaneously to suit the curves or lines of
railways or tramways while passing over them, all substantially as herein described
in reference to and shown in the accompanying Drawings, or any mere modification
thereof.
Second. The oscillating or swivelling of the two or three under carrying
frames A, B, B, of railway carriages or tramway cars through two coupling levers
or frames B¹, B, B³, and as a consequence their two or three carrying axles and
wheels, simultaneously and equally or radially to suit the curve or line of railways
or tramways over which they pass, substantially as herein described in reference to
and shown in the accompanying Drawings, or any mere modification thereof.
Third. The mounting of a loose hollow tubular shaft or spindle a² on the outside
of the solid central radiating shaft a' with one wheel keyed or otherwise fixed on
each, of railway carriages and tramway cars for assisting them in turning the
curves of their rails, substantially as herein described in reference to Figures 2 and
7 of the accompanying Drawings, or any mere modification thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Mac Lachlan, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
JOHN MAU LACHLAN. (18.)