IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIO SPRINGS, AND IN THE MODE OF AND APPARATUS FOR ADAPTING THEM TO VARIOUS PURPOSES
Year: 1871

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Simon, of No. 7, St. Peter's Square,
Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIO SPRINGS, AND IN THE MODE OF AND APPARATUS
FOR ADAPTING THEM TO VARIOUS PURPOSES."-A communication from
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Simon at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
21st November 1871.
I, HENRY SIMON, of No. 7, St. Peter's Square, Manchester, in the
County of Lancaster, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC SPRINGS, AND IN THE MODE OF AND APPARATUS
FOR ADAPTING THEM TO VARIOUS PURPOSES," to be as follows:—

page_text: centric corrugations formed thereon, which discs are employed either
separately or fitted together in couples, with the outer circumferences of
their concave sides in contact with each other, each disc consisting either
of a single thickness of metal or of two or more thicknesses fitted upon
each other, or simply put together. The said discs may either be of
uniform thickness throughout, or they may decrease in thickness from
the circumference towards the centre.
Such springs are employed according to two different systems :—
According to one system the discs are simply placed in contact with each
other, being kept in position by a rod or bolt passing through central
holes in all the discs, or being otherwise fixed between bars or guides, in
which case the springs act simply by the elasticity of the metal.
According to the second system the elasticity of the metal is combined
with that of compressed air by securing together the meeting surfaces
of the discs in an air-tight manner by means of soldering, rivetting,
screwing, or other suitable known means, and then forcing air under any
required pressure into the enclosed spaces between the discs.
When two or more couples of the discs are employed in combination
according to this system, the contiguous central portions of each two
couples may be conveniently secured together in the requisite air-tight
manner between two washers screwed together, and having a central
hole through which the compressed air can pass into the enclosed spaces.
For filling these springs with the compressed air, the end disc of the
spring has a socket or nozzle secured to its centre, which nozzle has a
hole communicating with the interior of the spring and closed externally
by a slightly conical screw plug. On to this nozzle is screwed a tube
having a lateral branch communicating by means of a pipe with a force
pump or with a reservoir for compressed air, and a spindle passes
through a stuffing box and the end of the tube, and fits with a socket on
to the before-mentioned screw plug, so that by turning such spindle by
means of an external handle the plug may be unscrewed so as to allow
the compressed air to pass from the lateral branch through the tube and
into the inside of the spring through the hole in the nozzle. When the
spring is by this means filled with compressed air the screw plug is
screwed into the nozzle of the spring again so as to close it in an air-tight
manner, and the tube is unscrewed from the nozzle. The air reservoir or
force pump is provided with a pressure gauge, by which the degree of

page_text: ԱՍԱՆՇԱ ԱՄ the spring can De observed and
regulated.
The improved springs constructed according to either of the before
systems may be employed as bearing springs, buffer springs, or draw-bar
springs for the rolling stock of railways, as also for suspended springs,
and generally for any purposes for which springs acting by compression
are employed.
In applying such springs when constructed according to the first
described system as suspended springs, the discs may either be placed
upon a tube passing through the central holes of the discs, and provided
with a plate bearing against the one end disc of the spring, while a rod
passing through the tube is connected by a T head passing through slots
in the tube to a plate bearing against the other end disc of the spring,
or the spring is enclosed in a cylinder, to one end of which is attached
the eye or hook by which the spring is suspended, while a rod serving as
the other point of attachment passes through the other end of the
cylinder and through central holes in all the discs of the spring, and is
fixed to a plate or piston bearing upon the one end disc of the spring,
the other end disc of which bears against the opposite end of the
cylinder.
When springs constructed according to the second system are
employed as suspended springs, they are placed between two looped
straps, one of which bears with its loop against the one end disc of the
spring and is connected at its ends to the one point of suspension, while
the other strap bears against the other end disc of the spring with its
loop, and is connected at its ends to the other point of suspension.
In applying the said springs according to the first system to the draw-
bars of railway carriages, the draw-bar is made to pass through central
holes in all the discs, and the end discs are made to bear against bars
passing transversely through slotted holes in the draw-bar and bearing
against stops on the carriage framing.
When employed as bearing springs, the discs, when constructed
according to the first system, are fitted with their central holes upon a
rod connected to the axle box or other point of support and sliding in
the carriage frame, and when constructed according to the second system
the spring is confined in a framing or spring holder attached to the

page_text: carriage frame, and which has a loose supporting piece passing through
a hole in the bottom thereof, and bearing with its one end against the
bottom disc of the spring, and with its other end against the top
of the axle box; or the spring discs may be placed on a rod attached to
the carriage body and sliding through a hole in a bracket projecting
from the under frame, the discs in this case being placed between the
carriage body and the bracket. Also the rod passing through the
bracket may be extended below it, and pass through other spring discs
placed below the bracket and between it and a collar or washer on the
sliding rod, these under discs serving to limit the upward spring of the
carriage body.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Henry Simon in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 13th May 1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HENRY
SIMON, of No. 7, St. Peter's Square, Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-first day of November, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, in the thirty-
fifth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Henry Simon, Her special licence that
I, the said Henry Simon, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as I, the said Henry Simon, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to
time and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed,
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands,
and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC SPRINGS,
AND IN THE MODE OF AND APPARATUS FOR ADAPTING THEM TO VARIOUS PURPOSES,'
a communication to me from abroad by Alfred Egan, of Pest, in the
Kingdom of Hungary, upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said Henry Simon, my executors or administrators, by an instru-
ment in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals,
"

page_text: should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the
same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Henry Simon, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, reference being had to the accompanying.
Drawings and to the figures and letters marked thereon, that is to
say: :―
This Invention consists mainly in constructing springs of discs of steel
or other suitable metal of a dished or concave form, with circular
concentric corrugations formed thereon, which discs are employed either
separately or fitted together in couples, with the outer circumferences
of their concave sides in contact with each other; each disc consisting
either of a single thickness of metal or of two or more thicknesses
fitted upon each other or simply put together. The said discs may
either be of uniform thickness throughout or they may decrease in
thickness from the circumference towards the centre.
Such springs are employed according to two different systems:
According to one system the discs are simply placed in contact with
each other, being kept in position by a rod or bolt passing through
central boles in all the discs, or being otherwise fixed between bars or
guides, in which case the springs act simply by the elasticity of the
metal.
According to the second system the elasticity of the metal is com-
bined with that of compressed air, by securing together the meeting
surfaces of the discs in an air-tight manner by means of soldering,
rivetting, screwing, or other suitable known means, and then forcing
air under any required pressure into the enclosed spaces between the
discs. When two or more couple of the discs are employed in com-
bination according to this system, the contiguous central portions of
each two couples may be conveniently secured together in the requisite
air-tight manner between two washers screwed together and having a
central hole through which the compressed air can pass into the enclosed
spaces. For filling these springs with the compressed air the end disc.
of the spring has a sooket or nozzle secured to its centre, which nozzle

page_text: has a hole communicating with the interior of the spring and closed
externally by a slightly conical screw plug. Onto this nozzle is screwed
a tube having a lateral branch communicating by means of a pipe with
a force pump or with a reservoir for compressed air, and a spindle
passes through a stuffing box and the end of the tube, and fits with a
socket on to the before-mentioned screw plug, so that by turning such
spindle by means of an external handle the plug may be unscrewed so
as to allow the compressed air to pass from the lateral branch through
the tube and into the inside of the spring through the hole in the nozzle.
When the spring is by this means filled with compressed air the screw
plug is screwed into the nozzle of the spring again so as to close it in
an air-tight manner, and the tube is unscrewed from the nozzle. The
air reservoir or force pump is provided with a pressure gauge, by which
the degree of compression of the air forced into the spring can be
observed and regulated.
The improved springs constructed according to either of the before
systems may be employed as bearing springs, buffer springs, or draw-
bar springs for the rolling stock of railways, as also for suspended
springs, and generally for any purposes for which springs acting by
compression are employed.
In applying such springs when constructed according to the first-
described system as suspended springs, the discs may either be placed
upon a tube passing through the central holes of the discs and provided
with a plate bearing against the one end disc of the spring; while a
rod passing through the tube is connected by a T head passing through
the tube is connected by a T head passing through slots in the tube to
a plate bearing against the other end disc of the spring. Or the spring
is enclosed in a cylinder, to one end of which is attached the eye or
hook by which the spring is suspended, while a rod serving as the other
point of attachment passes through the other end of the cylinder, and
through central holes in all the discs of the spindle is fixed to a plate or
piston bearing upon the one end disc of a spring, the other end disc of
which bears against the opposite end of the cylinder.
When springs constructed according to the second system are
employed as suspended springs, they are placed between two looped
straps, one of which bears with its loop against the one-end disc of the
spring, and is connected at its ends to the one point of suspension, while

page_text: the other strap bears against the other end disc of the spring with its
loop, and is connected at its ends to the other point of suspension."
In applying the said springs according to the first system to the draw-
bar of railway carriages, the draw-bar is made to pass through central
holes in all the discs; and the end discs are made to bear against bars
passing transversely through slotted holes in the draw-bar, and bearing
against stops on the carriage framing.
When employed as bearing springs the disos, when constructed
according to the first system, are fitted with their central holes upon a
rod connected to the axle box or other point of support, and sliding in
the carriage frame; and when constructed according to the second
system the spring is confined in a framing or spring holder attached to
the carriage frame, and which has a loose supporting piece passing
through a hole in the bottom thereof, and bearing with its one end
against the bottom disc of the spring and with its other end the top of
the axle box. Or the spring discs may be placed on a rod attached to
the carriage body and sliding through a hole in a bracket projecting
from the under frame, the discs in this case being placed between the
carriage body and the bracket. Also the rod passing through the
bracket may be extended below it, and pass through other spring discs
placed below the bracket, and between it and a collar or washer on the
sliding rod, these under discs serving to limit the upward spring of the
carriage body.

page_text: A is the axle, and B the axle box, arranged to slide in a vertical
guide framing C in the usual manner; D is a bracket projecting
from the guide framing, having a hole through which is passed a bolt E
free to slide therein. The head of this bolt lies in a recess in the upper
part of the axle box, and the other end is provided with a nut, by
screwing which the strength of the spring can be adjusted. Upon the
bolt E are strung a number of the corrugated steel discs F, so as to
meet each other at their circumferences and centres alternately, and
these discs act as a spring between the axle box and the body of the
carriage.
Fig. 2, Sheet I., represents the application of such a spring between
the under framing and the body of a carriage. G is one of the girders
forming part of the under framing; H is a bracket fixed to the girder.
This bracket has a boss partly shewn in section, through a hole in which
passes a bolt E secured at top to the body of the carriage K, and
provided with a washer and an adjusting nut at bottom. A number of
the corrugated discs F are strung on the upper part of the bolt E to
act as a spring between the under framing and the body of the
carriage.
By preference another set of discs F¹ of lighter metal and smaller size
than the upper discs F are placed under the boss of the bracket, so
as to act as a spring against the upward movement of the carriage
body.
Fig. 3, Sheet I., represents a buffer fitted with a spring according to
this Invention. L is the buffer head fixed on a tube, which slides
within the tube M fixed to the carriage in the ordinary way. E is a
bolt attached to the buffer head, and free to slide through holes in the
framing of the buffer tube, with adjusting nuts at its back end. Fare
a number of the corrugated discs strung on the bolt E within the buffer
tube, which act as a spring to the buffer.
Fig. 4, Sheet I., shews the application of the corrugated disc
springs to a draw bar. N, N, is the draw bar which passes freely
through holes in O, O, parts of the under framing of the carriage.
F are a number of the corrugated discs springs strung upon the bar N, N.
Two cotters, P, P, are passed through slotted holes in the draw bar, and;
bearing against sliding bosses Q, Q applied between them and the
outermost discs of the spring. The draw bar N, N, is preferably swelled

page_text: in its middle part, as shewn in the Figure, to allow sufficient strength
notwithstanding the slotted holes for the cotters being cut through it.
When the bar is pulled in one direction, the one cotter bears against a
plate or washer on one of the parts of the carriage framing O, O, the
other cotter is drawn forward, carrying with it the sliding boss Q in
front of it, and thereby compressing the discs springs F.
Fig. 5, Sheet I., shews the adaptation of springs constructed according
to this Invention to the suspension of a weight, as for a spring balance.
Here the corrugated discs F are strung upon a tube U, on the lower end
of which is screwed or otherwise fixed a boss or washer V, forming a
seat for the lowest disc of the spring, and to the upper end of which is
attached the suspending eye U¹. A rod R attached to the swivel R¹, by
which the weight is hung, passes through the tube U, and has at its
upper end a cross piece or cotter 8, beneath which is a sliding boss or
washer T resting on the uppermost disc of the spring. The tube U has
two slots through it for the passage of the cotter S. When a weight is
suspended from R¹ the rod R is pulled down, and with it the cotter S¹,
free to slide in the slots of the tube U; the boss T is thereby borne
downwards, and compresses the spring discs.
Figure 6, Sheet I., shews another mode in which these springs can
be applied for a similar object. In this case the bar R from which the
weight is hung is fixed to a piston W working freely in a cylinder X.
The spring discs F are strung on the bar R between the piston W and
the bottom of the cylinder.
Fig. 7, Sheet I., represents a section, and Fig. 8, Sheet I., a plan of
an arrangement for a similar object. Here two cylindrical segments Y,Y,
are suspended to the top link Y¹, and united to a bottom piece Y*, and
two other cylindrical segments Z, Z, are made to slide in grooves formed
in the segments Y, Y. The two segments Z, Z, are united to a disc or
piston at top Z³, and carry at bottom a pin and link 7, from which the
weight is suspended. The spring discs F are placed between the fixed
bottom Ys and the disc or piston Z. The weight suspended at Z' draws
down the two segments Z, Z, and piston Z, and thereby compresses
the springs.
In Sheet II., Fig. 9 represents a section; Fig. 10, an elevation; and
Fig. 11, a plan shewing the construction and use of the corrugated disc
ensings cheroad with compressed air. F. F. are the corrugated discs.

page_text: each pair of which is united by rivetting or soldering at their peripheries.
Their central parts are also united in pairs in bosses A, A, which consist
of two parts screwed together, embracing the inner edges of the discs
in a recess between them. The union of the discs in this recess may be
completed by soldering to render it air-tight. Each of the bosses A
has a hole through it for passage of air from one of the cavities between
the disc to another. The uppermost disc is secured to the fixed
framing B. by means of a perforated boss C secured by a nut C¹ screwed
on the boss B. The lowest disc rests on a sliding cushion D, which
may either carry a buffer head, or which may rest on an axle-box, or
bear against any other object to which it is intended that the spring
should be applied. The cavities of the spring having been charged with
compressed air, the orifice through C is stopped by a screw plug E.
The end
as to be
Fig. 12, Sheet II., shews to an enlarged scale and in an inverted
position an apparatus applicable to such a spring when it is charged
with compressed air. It consists of a tube F having a branch G con-
nected to an air-compressing pump. A spindle H passes through a
stuffing-box in the tube F. The outer end of this spindle is provided
with a handle or lever H¹, by which it can be turned. The inner end
is made with a socket to take the end of the screw plug E.
of the tube F is provided with an internal screw thread, so
screwed on to the boss C. It is to be understood that the parts marked
E and C in Fig. 12 correspond to the parts marked by the same letters
in Fig. 9. For the purpose of charging the interior of the spring, the
tube F is screwed on the boss C, and the screw plug E is unscrewed so
far as may be necessary to let air pass it, and for this purpose part of
the screw may have a groove cut in it longitudinally, or a hole may be
bored up the plug from the inner end, and a cross hole bored through
the side some distance from the collar. The pump is then worked so
as to send compressed air by the branch G into the interior of the tube F.
From this it flows past the plug E, or along the groove, or through the
hole in that plug into the cavity of the spring. When the cavity has
been charged with air at such pressure as may be desirable, the plug E
is screwed tightly home by turning the spindle H, and the tube F is
then unscrewed from the boss C.
Having thus described the nature of this Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, I would have it understood that the concave.
3

page_text: corrugated discs herein described may be used for springs singly when
not charged with compressed air, or in pairs when charged, or in any
numbers to give the elasticity that may be required; also that the metal
of which these discs are made may be of uniform thickness, as shewn in
3 the Drawings, or may be of thickness tapering from the centre outwards,
or from the circumference inwards; also that instead of stringing such
discs on a rod, or enclosing them in a cylindrical casing, they may be kept
in line by other means, such as guide bars. I would also have it under-
stood that I do not claim generally the use of dished or concave discs
meeting alternately at the periphery and the centre, so as to constitute
a spring; but I claim,-
First. The use for springs of dished or concave discs of elastic metal
with circular concentric corrugations formed thereon, substantially as
herein described.
Second. The use of springs, consisting of such concave corrugated
discs united, so as to form cavities charged with compressed air,
substantially as herein described.
Third. The various arrangements herein described whereby the said
corrugated disc springs are applied to various uses.
Fourth. The mode of charging the cavities of such discs springs with
compressed air, and the apparatus therefor, substantially as herein
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Simon, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Ninth day of May, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two.