IMPROVEMENTS IN AXLES
Year: 1859

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Jones Mallett, of the City of New York,
but now Commercial Agent of the United States at Florence, in Italy,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AXLES.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Jones Mallett
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
10th September 1859.
I, EDWARD JONES MALLETT, of the City of New York, but now Commercial
Agent, of the United States at Florence in Italy, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN AXLES," to be as follows:-
Various unsuccessful methods have been devised to accommodate the
different velocities of wheels of the same size, which, in running round a
curve must necessarily pass over unequal extents of surface in equal time. It
is known that in attaching both wheels rigidly to the axle of a locomotive or
railway carriage, that any difference produced in the length of the parallel
rails by the deviation from a straight line will compel the outer wheel (for a
part of the increased distance) to drag or slide, and the contact of the flange
of the outer wheel against the rail causes so much abrasion that where curves
are sharp and frequent it has been found necessary to renew or reband the
wheels every six or eight months, and to relay the rails (at the curves) every
two or three years. Now, I have devised a new method of running one axle
within the other, and a new method of affording independent revolutions to
each wheel, by attaching them to separate axles; also a method of connecting
and securely coupling them for the performance of the service required. By

page_text: this contrivance the sliding or dragging process of the outer wheel is remedied,
and in consequence of the subdued friction a greater speed can be maintained,
and a heavier burden can be carried round a curve (with the same power)
than when both wheels are fixed on the same axle. And not only can the
draught and the speed be augmented, and the friction modified, but the safety
of life and property will be greatly enhanced. This method of running the
wheels will also obviate the necessity of elevating the outer rail, as is now done
at the curves.
I
The annexed Drawing represents my Invention in consecutive sections, and
then as a whole. I have assumed the whole length of the axle to be 6 feet
7 inches, and the distance from outside to outside of the naves to be 5 feet
2 inches. I call each bearing or outside journal 6 inches, and the shoulder
between the journal and the nave 2½ inches. I first draw an iron tube or
cylinder, 5 feet 2 inches long, ths of an inch thick, and 6 inches outer
diameter, and while it is hot I saw off one 6th of it, and the cylinder thus cut
will appear as represented in Figure 1 and Figure 1°. I then draw another tube
or cylinder of iron to be 4 inches outer diameter, ths of an inch thick, and
5 inches more than twice the length of Figure 1. cut this in the centre,
and it appears as represented in Figures 2 and 2ª. I then make a solid
3 inches in diameter, and 6 feet 7 inches long, and cut off a piece 6 inches
longer than Figure 2, and the whole piece thus cut will appear as represented
in Figures 3 and 3. I then put Figure 2 to a red heat, and drive one end of
Figure 3 through it to project 6 inches, and it appears as represented in
Figure 4. If this is immersed in salt water while at a black heat, an oxyde
will immediately form, which, with the shrinkage of the cylinder, will cause
the parts to adhere firmly and inseparably. They may, however, be further
secured by welding, or by rivets. I then put cylinder 1 to a red heat, and
force Figure 4 into it, allowing cylinder 2 to project 2 inches for a shoulder.
Let these parts be united by the same process as was
1, 2, and 3, may be considered as solid at their parts of contact, and will
appear as represented in Figure 5. It then can be placed in the lathe and
trued, and a journal turned for the bearing in the usual way, and Figure 5 is
ready for the next process, which is to turn the long part of the solid to a
smooth and uniform surface, and then make a movable ring 2 inches wide
and ths of an inch thick (see Figure 6), to be slipped on the solid as far as
the shoulder; the outer diameter of the ring should be 4 inches, so as to fit
tight into the large cylinder 1ª, and it should be placed in one end of the large
cylinder, and three holes (equidistant) drilled through cylinder 1, and at the
same points through the ring, say, 1 inches from the end of cylinder 1, and
done with Figure 4;

page_text: thus pierce the ring in the centre. The ring should then be slipped to its
place on the solid, and a journal made (see Figure 7) four inches wide, which
should touch the ring, or rather not quite touch it; this journal should revolve
freely inside the large cylinder 1*, but should be securely fastened to the solid.
Then make another like journal (see Figure 7) but six inches wide, and
fasten it securely to the extreme end of the solid, and these parts will then
appear as represented in Figure 8, and will be ready to be fitted to the wheel.
The revolving ring may be made of two semicircles (see Figure A), and come
together in its place with dowels, but in that case it will need four screw bolts
to secure it, but if it is in one piece, three bolts will suffice. I now take
cylinder 2 and unite it to the solid 3* by a like process as was done in the
first instance so as to leave a journal or projection of six inches (see Figure 9,)
then force it into one end of the cylinder 1*, leaving 2 to project 2 inches for
a shoulder as was done in the first instance, and these parts can be made
solid as far as the dotted lines in Figure 1; these three pieces will then
appear as represented in Figure 10. A mandril should then be run to the
bottom of cylinder 1, giving it a smooth and even inside surface to accom-
modate the free revolutions of the journals 7 and 7º, but the ring should fit
tightly. The journal 7* should not quite touch the bottom of the cylinder 1",
for if it does, severe and unnecessary friction will ensue. These parts, after
the bearing or outer journal is turned, will be ready for the wheel, and
Figures 8 and 10 will come together as represented in Figure 11; then send
the screw bolts through cylinder 1°, and nearly, but not quite through the ring,
and the two axles cannot come asunder while they can freely and firmly
revolve one within the other.
I give an additional preventive to the pulling apart of the wheels by letting
two screw bolts through cylinder 1" to drop inside of the wide journal 7º. I
have now an axle, which, with wheels attached, presents the appearance of
those in present use, and which can at once be put to the carriages now in
use; but in this axle each wheel can revolve backwards or forwards inde-
pendent of the other. It is evident that the wheels cannot get nearer
together, nor can they separate if the couplings are properly made and secured.
At the joint or point where Figures 8 and 10 meet I attach a box (see
Figure X) to contain tallow or other congealed lubricating substance; this box
should have a spring in the top so contrived as when close to press upon the
tallow. If the friction at the joint is sufficient to heat the metal, it will dissolve
the tallow and lubricate itself, and also grease the narrow journal 7 both in its
revolutions and its pressure against the ring; but if the friction is not
sufficient to heat the metal, then no grease will be required. A similar box is

page_text: attached to cylinder 1°, where the wide journal 7* revolves inside and at the
bottom of the large cylinder 1, so these self-greasing boxes will spontaneously
afford the necessary supply, or Figure 3" may be made, say 1½ inches shorter,
and when forced into 2º (and projecting 6 inches for the journal) it will leave
a cavity of 1 inches, and if these two parts are then forced into 3", these three
united pieces will represent Figure 10. The solid 3 must in this case be as
much longer as 3* is shorter, and when Figs. 8 and 10 come together, the
end of the solid 3 will enter and fill the cavity, (just avoiding contact with
Fig. 3*,) and the cavity in Fig. 2* will serve as a bush journal in which the
solid 3 will freely revolve, or the axles might be made to revolve one within
the other without bush or journal like joints of a spy glass, and they would be
quite as strong, but subject to greater friction, as the surfaces in contact would
be much increased.
The same screw bolts which are used in the couplings can be conveniently
used in attaching the boxes. The vertical friction on the bearings or outer
journals and the lateral friction on the rings or flanges of those journals
subjects them to such wasting attrition that the outer ends of the axle soon
become obsolete. To remedy this, I employ a movable journal, shown in
Figure Z. This journal can be cast of iron, brass, or other metal, with the
rings or flanges on it, and then turned to fit the axle, or it can be made of an
iron or steel tube or cylinder, and then have attached to it the rings or
flanges. It can be prevented from endwise slipping or from turning by two
screws with countersunk heads, and an additional security given by two screw
pins fixed into the nave of the wheel and two corresponding holes on the
inner flange of the movable journals. All the axles now obsolete can again
be put to use by simply turning down the old rings or flanges, and boring this
journal to slip snugly on the old bearings.
Although I have described this Invention only with reference to the axles
of railway carriages, I wish it to be understood that it is also applicable to the
axles of other carriages.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Edward Jones Mallett in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 10th March 1860.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, EDWARD
JONES MALLETT, of the City of New York, but now Commercial Agent of the S
United States at Florence, in Italy, send greeting.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Tenth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, in the twenty-third year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Edward Jones Mallett, Her special licence that I, the said Edward
Jones Mallett, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I,
the said Edward Jones Mallett, 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 AXLES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the
said Edward Jones Mallett, my executors or administrators, by an instrument
in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should par-
ticularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, 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 Edward Jones Mallett, do hereby
declare the nature of my 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 Drawings hereunto
annexed, that is to say:-
Various unsuccessful methods have been devised to accommodate the
different velocities of wheels of the same size, which in running round a
curve must necessarily pass over unequal extents of surface in equal time.
It is known that in attaching both wheels rigidly to the axle of a locomotive
or railway carriage, that any difference produced in the length of the parallel
rails, by the deviation from a straight line, will compel the outer wheel (for
a part of the increased distance) to drag or slide, and the contact of the flange
of the outer wheel against the rail causes so much abrasion, that where curves
are sharp and frequent it has been found necessary to renew or reband the
wheels every six or eight months, and to relay the rails (at the curves) every
two or three years. Now, I have devised a new method of running one axle
within the other, and a new method of affording independent revolutions to
each wheel by attaching them to separate axles, also a method of connecting
and securely coupling them for the performance of the service required. By
this contrivance the sliding or dragging process of the outer wheel is remedied,
and, in consequence of the subdued friction, a greater speed can be main-

page_text: tained, and a heavier burden can be carried round a curve (with the same
power) than when both wheels are fixed on the same axle, and not only can
the draught and the speed be augmented, and the friction modified, but the
safety of life and property will be greatly enhanced.
The annexed Drawing represents my Invention in consecutive sections, and
then as a whole. I have assumed the whole length of the axle to be six feet
seven inches, and the distance from outside to outside of the naves to be five
feet two inches. I call each bearing or outside journal six inches, and the
shoulder between the journal and the nave two inches and a half. I first
draw an iron tube or cylinder five feet two inches long, three-fourths of an
inch thick, and six inches outer diameter, and while it is hot I saw off
one-sixth of it, and the cylinder thus cut will appear as represented in
Figure 1 and Figure 1°. I then draw another tube or cylinder of iron, to
be four inches and a half outer diameter, three-fourths of an inch thick,
and five inches more than twice the length of Figure 1. I cut this in the
centre, and it appears as represented in Figures 2 and 2ª. I then make a
solid three inches in diameter, and six feet seven inches long, and cut off a
piece six inches longer than Figure 2, and the whole piece thus cut will appear
as represented in Figures 3 and 3. I then heat Figure 2 to a red heat, and
drive one end of Figure 3 through it to project six inches, and it appears as
represented in Figure 4. If this is immersed in salt water while at a black
heat an oxyde will immediately form, which with the shrinkage of the cylinder
will cause the parts to adhere firmly and inseparably; they may, however, be
further secured by welding or by rivets. I then put cylinder 1 to a red heat,
and force Figure 4 into it, allowing cylinder 2 to project two inches and a
half for a shoulder. Let these parts be united by the same process as was
done with Figure 4. 1, 2, and 3 may be considered as solid at their parts of
contact, and will appear as represented in Figure 5. It then can be placed
in the lathe and trued, and a journal turned for the bearing, in the usual way,
and Figure 5 is ready for the next process, which is to turn the long part of
the solid to a smooth and uniform surface, and then make a movable ring
two inches and a half wide, and three-fourths of an inch thick (see Figure 6),
to be slipped on the solid as far as the shoulder. The outer diameter of the
ring should be four inches and a half, so as to fit tight into the large
cylinder 1; and it should be placed in one end of the large cylinder, and
three holes (equidistant) drilled through cylinder 1, and at the same points
through the ring, say one inch and a quarter from the end of cylinder 1ª, and
thus pierce the ring in the centre. The ring should then be slipped to its
place on the solid, and a journal made (see Figure 7) four inches wide, which

page_text: should touch the ring, or rather not quite touch it. This journal should
revolve freely inside the large cylinder 1", but should be securely fastened to
the solid. Then make another like journal (see Figure 7), but six inches
wide, and fasten it securely to the extreme end of the solid, and these parts
will then appear as represented in Figure 8, and will be ready to be fitted
to the wheel. The revolving ring may be made of two semicircles (see
Figure A), and come together in its place with dowels, but in that case it
will need four screw bolts to secure it, but if it is in one piece three bolts
will suffice. I now take cylinder 2*, and unite it to the solid 3*, by a like
process, as was done in the first instance, so as to leave a journal or projection
of six inches (see Figure 9); then force it into one end of the cylinder 1*,
leaving 2 to project two inches and a half for a shoulder, as was done in the
first instance; and these parts can be made solid as far as the dotted lines in
Figure 1. These three pieces will then appear as represented in Figure 10.
A mandril should then be run to the bottom of cylinder 1*, giving it a smooth
and even inside surface to accommodate the free revolutions of the journals 7
and 7; but the ring should fit tightly. The journal 7 should not quite
touch the bottom of the cylinder 1, for if it does, severe and unnecessary
friction will ensue. These parts, after the bearing or outer journal is turned,
will be ready for the wheel, and Figures 8 and 10 will come together as
represented in Figure 11; then send the screw bolts through cylinder 1*,
and nearly, but not quite, through the ring, and the two axles cannot
come asunder, while they can freely and firmly revolve one within the other.
I give an additional preventive to the pulling apart of the wheels by letting
two screw bolts through cylinder 1ª to drop inside of the wide journal 7*.
I have now an axle, which with wheels attached, presents the appearance of
those at present constructed, and which can at once be put to the carriages
now in use; but in this axle each wheel can revolve backwards or forwards,
independent of the other. It is evident that the wheels cannot get nearer
together, nor can they separate, if the couplings are properly made and
secured. At the joint or point where Figures 8 and 10 meet, I attach a box
(see Figure X) to contain tallow or other congealed lubricating substance.
This box should have a spring in the top so contrived as when closed to press
upon the tallow.
If the friction at the joint is sufficient to heat the metal,
it will dissolve the tallow and lubricate itself, and also grease the narrow
journal 7, both in its revolutions and its pressure against the ring; but if the
friction is not sufficient to heat the metal, then no grease will be required.
A similar box is attached to cylinder 1, where the wide journal 7* revolves
inside and at the bottom of the large cylinder 1*; so these self-greasing boxes

page_text: will spontaneously afford the necessary supply. Or, Figure 3* may be made,
say, one inch and a half shorter, and when forced into 2* (and projecting six
inches for the journal) it will leave a cavity of one inch and a half (see
Figure 12), and if these two parts are then forced into 1; these three united
pieces will represent Figure 10. The solid 3 must in this case be as much
longer as 3* is shorter, and when Figures 8 and 10 come together, the end of
the solid 3 will enter and fill the cavity (just avoiding contact with Figure 3),
and the cavity in Figure 2ª will serve as a bush journal in which the solid 8
will freely revolve; or the axles might be made to revolve one within the
other without bush or journal, like joints of a spy glass, and they would be
quite as strong, but subject to greater friction, as the surfaces in contact
would be much increased. The same screw bolts which are used in the
couplings can be conveniently used in attaching the boxes. The vertical
friction on the bearings or outer journals and the lateral friction on the rings
or flanges of those journals subject them to such wasting attrition that the
outer ends of the axle soon become obsolete. To remedy this, I employ a
movable journal, shown in Figure Z. This journal can be cast of iron, brass,
or other metal, with the rings or flanges on it, and then turned to fit the axle ;
or it can be made of an iron or steel tube or cylinder, and then have attached
to it the rings or flanges. It can be prevented from endwise slipping or from
turning, by two screws with countersunk heads, and an additional security
given by two screw pins fixed into the nave of the wheel, and two corres-
ponding holes on the inner flange of the movable journals. All the axles now
obsolete can again be put to use by simply turning down the old rings or
flanges, and boring this journal to slip snugly on the old bearings.
Although I have described this Invention only with reference to the axles
of railway carriages, I wish it to be understood that it is also applicable to
the axles of other carriages.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I do not limit myself
to the precise dimensions, particular method, or materials herein-before
described for the construction of my axles, as the same can be varied
without departing from the essential features of my Invention; but what I
claim is,-
First, the running of one axle within the other to or nearly to the extreme
end of each axle, as herein-before described.
Second, the manner of coupling the parts of axles by a ring and screw
bolts, or any equivalent means, as herein-before described.

page_text: Third, the method of construction and the manner of uniting the parts
of axles into a solid piece, substantially as herein-before described.
Fourth, the combinations of the distinctive parts of each axle, in the manner
and for the purposes herein-before described.
And fifth, the improvements in journals for axles, as herein-before described
and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Jones Mallett, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-third day of February, One thou-
sand eight hundred and sixty.
E. J. MALLETT.
EDWARD JONES MALLETT. (L.B.)