Improvements in Apparatus for Reducing Friction of Axles and Bearings.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Oct., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 8th July, 1893-Accepted, 9th Sept., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Reducing Friction of Axles and
Bearings.
I, JOHN EDWARD NOTT BARNES, Gentleman, of 89 Fortess Road, London,
N.W. do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to certain improvements in apparatus for reducing friction
of axles and bearings and consists in the application of rollers or balls to the
purpose of reducing friction in the axles of vehicles, ships' pulley blocks and similar
apparatus. The improvements consist in fitting rollers or balls in a cradle or
carrier-ring preferably of cast metal either solid or in sections in which they are to
run the centre portion of this cradle will be made with an opening sufficiently large
to admit of the insertion of the car axle or other revolving spindle or spindles of
similar apparatus. The cradle is provided internally with projecting bearing arms
or continuous collars which will bear upon the main axles to prevent uneven thrust
upon the balls or rollers. Through the body of this cradle will be provided other
openings in which the rollers or balls are to be fitted so that the weight of the car
will be supported partly on the periphery of the rollers or balls and partly on the
cradle, but this cradle being supported by the axles of said antifriction rollers it
will not touch any part of the surrounding annular-ring-jacket in which said rollers
and cradle revolve. I may also fit rollers or balls in said cradle which will not
touch the annular ring or the main axle, said latter rollers reducing the friction of
the spindles of the first rollers. This annular ring or jacket is case hardened on its
inner side, it has formed on its outer periphery a swell or bulge of a circular form
so that when this annular ring is fitted into the axle box, the said bulge or swell
will admit of a rocking motion and prevent cross strains being thrown either upon
the axle or antifriction bearings whilst the vehicle is in motion and allow for the
inequalities of the rail or road or I may provide for the rocking motion by a swell
or bulge on inner side of axle box holding the annular-ring-jacket.
According to a modification I may provide the axles of the rollers or balls with
other antifriction bearings in vehicles having a great weight to carry. To cause
said rollers or ball bearings to have as little outward thrust as possible upon their
bearings, I fit round their axles rings or small endless chains on their outer
peripheries, thus minimising the outward thrust as much as possible and holding
them together.
The outside will be supplied with a cover so that said cover being removed the
bearings can be easily examined when necessary. To further facilitate the fitting
or examination of said antifriction bearings I propose to make the axle boxes or
other devices in such a manner that their outer sides and at the ends of said axles
or spindles will be removable and the annular-ring-jacket may be constructed in
sections therefore.
For light work a modification of the above will consist of two rings at each end
of the antifriction bearings having regulating distance arms arranged radially to
prevent the rollers or balls from touching, said rings are held together by suitable
boltings as usual to keep them parallel.
The cradle above referred to enables me to secure a greater bearing surface for
ends of axles of the antifriction devices and also to fit said rollers or balls in a more
suitable manner to break joint with and in relation to the bearing surface of each
other.
All the bearing parts for the spindles of the balls or rollers may be constructed
in such a manner that when found necessary they may be renewed without having
to throw away the cradle or rings thereby effecting economy in repairs.
Retaining rings may be used to keep the rollers or balls in position; these said

page_text: retaining rings being fixed near the ends of the cradle and attached to same.
These rings are for the purpose of receiving the end thrust of the aforesaid balls or
rollers and also to retain them in their bearings.
The balls or rollers can be inserted in the cradle either from the inside or the
outside of its body.
Dated this Thirteenth day of October 1892.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Reducing Friction of Axles and
Bearings.
JOHN EDWARD NOTT BARNES, care of W. J. Brewer Esq. C.E. 44 Temple
Chambers, Temple Avenue, London E.C., Gentleman, 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 certain improvements in apparatus for reducing friction
of axles and bearings, and consists in the application of rollers or balls for the
purpose of reducing friction in the axles of vehicles, ships' pulley blocks and similar
apparatus and to bearings generally, as will be hereinafter described.
The improvements consist in fitting rollers or balls in a cradle or carrier rings,
preferably of cast metal, either solid or in sections within which they are intended
to be retained and to run; the central portion of the cradle or of each carrier ring
will be made with an opening sufficiently large as to admit of the insertion of the
car axle, or other revolving spindle or spindles of other or similar apparatus as the
case may be. The cradle or carrier rings are provided externally with projecting
bearing arms or continuous collars which will bear upon the main axles to prevent
uneven thrust upon the rollers or balls.
Through the body of the cradle other openings may be provided in which the
rollers or balls would be fitted, so that the weight of the car or other body will be
supported partly on the periphery of the rollers or balls and partly on the cradle
or carrier ring, but this cradle being supported by the axles of said antifriction
rollers, it will not touch any part of the surrounding annulus or jacket in which
said rollers and cradle will be received and be free to revolve.
This annulus or jacket (when employed) would be case hardened on its inner
side, and have formed on its outer periphery a swell or bulge of a circular form so
that when this annulus is fitted into the axle box, the said bulge or swell will admit
of a rocking motion and prevent cross strains being thrown either upon the axle or
anti-friction bearings whilst the vehicle is in motion, and allow for the inequalities
of the rail or road; or I may provide for the rocking motion by a swell or bulge on
the inner side of the axle box holding the annulus or jacket.
According to a modification I may provide the axles of the rollers or balls with
other antifriction bearings in those vehicles having great weight to carry or to
other revolving spindles likewise if desired. To cause said rollers or ball bearings
to have as little outward thrust as possible upon their bearings I fit round their
axles rings or small endless chains on their outer peripheries, thus minimising the
outward thrust and holding them together.
To facilitate the fitting or examination of said antifriction bearings, I make the
axle boxes in such a manner that their outer or front sides may be removable and
the annulus or jacket may be constructed in sections when necessary.
For light work a modification of that previously described may be adapted so as
to consist of two rings at each end of the antifriction bearings having regulating
distance arms arranged radially to prevent the rollers or balls from touching; the
said rings being held together by suitable boltings to keep them parallel.

page_text: The cradle above referred to enables me to secure a greater bearing surface for
the ends of axles, also to fit the said rollers or balls in a more suitable manner to
break joint with and in relation to the bearing surface of each other.
To keep the rollers or balls in position, retaining rings may be employed, these
said retaining rings being fixed near the ends of the cradle and attached to
same.
These rings are likewise intended for the purpose of receiving the end thrust of
the aforesaid rollers or balls and to retain them in their bearings.
The carrier rings of cradle may be formed with circular openings to receive the
spindles of large antifriction rollers or the feather edge, which would be left in
that case, may be cut away so that the spindles of the rollers can be inserted from
the outside of the body of the cradle.
All the bearing parts may be arranged in such manner that when found necessary
they may be easily renewed, without having to discard the cradle or rings, thereby
effecting eronomy in repairs.
In the accompanying drawings Sheet 1, I have shewn several views of my general
arrangement of apparatus for reducing friction of axles and bearings in accordance
with my invention; as applied to cars or such like vehicles in which Figure 1 exhibits
a half front elevation; Figure 2 a half cross section, and Figures 3 and 4 half plan
and sectional views respectively of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 5 shews a longitudinal
section of same; Figure 6 exhibits an inside elevation of a cradle or carrier ring,
such as I propose to employ for my purpose, and Figure 7 a side elevation of same:
in which the following letters of reference refer to like or corresponding parts.
A, is the car axle or main spindle, the end of which takes and fits into an opening
provided in each cradle or carrier ring B, B. C. C are rollers, the spindles of
which C, C, are fitted in operings provided in the body of each of the said cradle
or carrier rings B, B, which have projecting or continuous collars B1, B' bearing upon
the main axle A, the weight of the car or body being supported (as shewn) partly
on the periphery of the rollers and partly upon the cradle or carrier rings.
D, D is a metal tube, annulus or jacket (which may be constructed in sections)
case hardened on its inner side, and formed with a swell or bulge as at D', D¹ on
the central portion of its outer periphery or the swell or bulge referred to may be
formed on the inner portion of the axle box instead ; so that when the tube is fitted
into the axle box the said swell or bulge will permit of a rocking motion being given
whilst the vehicle is in motion, and prevent cross strains upon the axle. E, E, is
the axle box suitably constructed and in such manner that the outer end or front of
same E is formed separately in section, and held in positiou by screws and nuts,
and when required can be readily taken apart so as to permit of the working
parts therein being examined or removed at will.
Figure 6 exhibits an inside elevation of end of cradle or carrier ring B, B,
taken on the line a, b, of the side elevational view, Figure 7, shewing openings C2, C²
formed in the arms of the cradle or carrier rings in which the roller spindles C1, C1
take their bearings; also positions of horizontal tie rods F, F, which may be made
of wrought iron or other suitable metal, for the purpose of keeping the two ends
of the cradle parallel to each other.
In Sheet 2, Figure 1 exhibits a half front elevation; Figure 2 a half cross
section and Figures 3 & 4 half plan and sectional views respectively of Figures
and 2, and Figure 5 a longitudinal section of same; Figures 6 and 7 exhibit
inside or front and side elevational views of the cradle or carrier ring.
In these several views, Sheet 2, as just referred to like letters of reference
indicate similar or corresponding parts to those as in Sheet 1 but in this case
(Sheet 2, I have shewn a somewhat different application of my antifriction
roller axle box arrangement, as adapted for light car work, wherein A is the main
axle of the car fitting into openings provided in the cradle, which is of a different
fo.m consisting of two rings B2, B2, at each end of the antifriction bearings, having
regulating distance tie rods F, F for the purpose of keeping the two ends of the

page_text: cradle parallel to each other. C, C are rollers, each spindle C¹, C', of which
works upon two of the short rollers B³, which latter rollers act for the purpose
of keeping the larger antifriction bearing rollers C, C, entirely apart, so that they
do not touch each other. The rings 132 forming the cradle do not approach or
get in contact with any surrounding part or portions of either the bearing rollers C,
their spindles C¹.C' or jacket D, or that of the axle box E. D, D is a metal
tube annulus or jacket likewise formed with a swell or bulge D2, D' on its outer
periphery, which when fitted into the axle box E, permits of a rocking motion
being given to prevent cross strain upon the axle as before described.
In Sheet 3 I have shewn a further system or method of applying my invention.
Figure 1 exhibits a half front elevation, Figure 2 a half cross section and
Figures 3 and 4 half plan and sectional views of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 5 is
a longitudinal central section. Figure 6 is a cross section inside the axle box
taken on the lines b, Figure 5; Figure 7 is a section at the lines d, d Figure 6,
with the axle A removed.
In these several views (Sheet 3) A is the main axle of the car, the end of which
takes and fits into the cradle or carrier ring B, B. C, C are rollers; the spindles
of which C, C₁ fit into the carrier ring B, B. Within the body of the cradle or
carrier ring B, B, a circular recess or groove G, may be formed to receive a series
of balls or rollers J, J which would be fitted and take therein, and upon the main
axle A of the car as shewn. H. H. are retaining rings to keep the said balls or
rollers in position. F, F are rods for keeping the ends of the cradle parallel to
each other within the axle box E.
The axle box in this instance will be likewise provided with a cover E' at the
end capable of removal to examine or remove any of the working parts when
needed.
I have shewn a further modification on Sheet 4 by which the said rollers or ball
bearings may have as little outward thrust as possible upon their bearings and fit
round their axles, rings or small endless chains on their outer peripheries, thus
minimising the outward thrust and holding them together.
Figure 1 exhibits a cross section of the axle box E, and antifriction bearing
rollers C, C, likewise regulating distance arms F, F, to keep the two carrier rings
of the cradle B, B, parallel to each other. The said distance arms F, F, being
clear of the antifriction rollers C, C.
Figure 2 shews two different methods of fitting ball bearings with spindles as
at C1, C2, to work in the carrier rings of the cradle B, B.
Figure 3 shews a section of axle box E, with the front end of same removed
to allow of examination or removal of the cradle B, and antifriction rollers C, C.
Figure 4 shews an application of antifriction rollers C, C fitted and working in
carrier rings of the cradle B, B, so as to secure a greater bearing surface for the
ends of axles of the antifriction devices, and also to fit said rollers or balls in a
more suitable manner to break joint with and in relation to the bearing surface of
each other.
Figure 5 is a sectional view shewing a modification of a carrier ring of the
cradle B, B, wherein the outward radial projecting arms are each formed with a
groove as shewn by dotted lines to receive a disc B', having a circular opening
wherein the spindles C¹ of antifriction rollers C take their bearings.
Figure 6 is a sectional plan of same.
Figure 7 shews the antifriction bearing rollers C, C fitted with small endless
chain K or band L on their outer peripheries, for the purpose of minimising the
thrust upon the radial arms and holding them together.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. In the combination of the particular form of cradle or carrier ring or rings

page_text: either solid or in sections, and in the application and method or methods of fitting
rollers or balls therein for the purpose of reducing friction on the axles of vehicles
and other similar apparatus, and to bearings generally, as herein set forth.
2. The external cradle or carrier-ring with projecting bearing-arms or continuous
collars, as and for the purpose substantially as hereinbefore illustrated and
described.
3. The fitting around the outer peripheries of the axles of the rollers or balls,
endless chains, so as to minimise the outward thrust, and the fitting of said balls or
rollers in position, as and for the purpose substantially as specified.
4. The axle boxes constructed in sections, held in position by nuts or other
suitable mechanical means, so that when desired they can be readily taken apart to
permit of the working parts therein being examined or removed, substantially as
hereinbefore illustrated and described.
5. The cradle or carrier rings (as described) with arms and removable working
parts, substantially as set forth.
6. The method of fitting balls or rollers within the cradles or carrier rings to
break joint with and in relation to the bearing surface of each other, substantially
as hereinbefore illustrated and described.
7. The annular metal tube or jacket, fitted into the axle box, formed with a swell
or bulge on the central portion of its outer periphery, or on the inner side of the
axle box, as and for the purposes herein specified.
8. The circular recess or groove within the body of the cradle or carrier ring,
wherein a series of balls or rollers are to be placed, and kept in position by means
of "retaining rings as described and illustrated.
D
"
thin outh dow of Amil 1802
J. E. NOTT BARNES.