Improvements in Ball or Roller Bearings.
Year: 1897

page_text: Improvements in Ball or Roller Bearings.
We, GEORGE JAMES SCHILLING COLLINS of 3255 Groveland Avenue, Chicago,
Illinois, United States of America, Civil and Mechanical Engineer, and GEORGE
WASHINGTON SCHWARTZ, of 1315 Venitian Building, Chicago aforesaid, Dentist,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to improvements in Ball Bearings or roller bearings,
and pertains especially to means for separating the balls or rollers, and has for
its object the arrangement of the balls with relation to each other and to the
bearing parts of the journal as to prevent sliding friction between any of the
contacting surfaces, or in other words from having movement in opposite
directions with relation to each other.
The hub of the wheel, is provided near its end with a bearing which has a
central opening at its inner end, through which the axle projects. The bearing
surface of the cup is formed at an angle of 7-1/20 with respect to the longitudinal
axis.
A cone is carried by the axle which has a bearing surface shown as arranged
say at 450 with respect to the axle. The cone has an externally screw threaded
hub which carries a ring having a tapered face which is formed say at an angle
of 30° with respect to the axle. Main balls or roller elements rest between the
bearing surface of the cone and the tapered face above referred to and upon which
the surface of the cup rests.
After careful experiment we find that a three point bearing surface in which
the outer bearing surface is formed at an angle equal to one half of the difference
between the angles of the inner bearing surfaces, produces the very best results,
other things being equal, affords less opportunity for cramping, and diminishes
the friction, and to this we shall make a claim separately, as well as to the other
features of the invention. We claim any arrangement of angles wherein the
relation set forth are preserved, using those shown for the purpose of illustration.
The balls or rollers are confined between separating devices which consist of
rollers arranged parallel to the bearing surface of the cup. The separating
elements are mounted upon a pin, the ends of which project through the plates
which form the sides of the housing. The outer margins of the said plates are
separated by blocks or pins. The roller elements are or may be of greater
diameter than the width of the housing and hence project through suitable slots
between each pair of separators. The distance between adjacent separators is
such that the rollers project beyond the margins of the plate. Therefore the
plates do not interfere with the roller elements engaging their respective bearing
surfaces.
Owing to this construction we produce simply a rolling action between all
parts of the bearing, which reduces friction, and prevents rubbing friction.
In another arrangement the construction is the same as that just described
with the exception that in the latter the separating elements are substantially

page_text: of the same length as the separating blocks and the plates are substantially parallel,
while in the present arrangement the separating elements are very much shorter,
and the plates are therefore bent, the pins being arranged and passing through
the plates.
7.
The plates may be so bent as to bring the outer margins against each other,
and the pins before referred to become rivets. This construction is convenient
with a bearing consisting of the hub having a portion with internal surfaces one
of which is screw threaded and the other is given a suitable angle to form a
bearing. A nut having a bearing is carried by the hub engaging the screw
threaded portion together forming a bearing surface for the roller elements.
The axle is here provided with an additional cone and the other cone is carried
by the axle in the usual manner as is also the cap. A convenient space is
provided for the outer margins of the plates.
In another form of bearing two cones form a bearing surface separated by an
extension which forms a groove. In this instance the plates are brought together
and secured by rivets.
The margins of the plates are bent laterally and constitute an interior annular
bearing surface for the housing. This construction will be such that it will
tend to steady the housing, while at the same time there is to be no substantial
friction between the parts. The roller elements can be removed bodily through
the medium of the housing.
It will be manifest that other modifications may be made of the invention by
a skilled mechanic, without departing from the spirit of the invention.
In one construction the wheel hub is provided at its end with an angular
enlargement having a wall which forms the outer bearing part of a roller race.
The axle is screw-threaded and upon it is fitted a sleeve the surface of which
forms the bearing for the inner side of the roller race. The sleeve has a flange
fitting easily within the enlargement, thus forming the enclosure of the roller
race.
A cap encloses the sleeve by a flange which serves to exclude the dust. A
clamping nut, between which and the cap the fork is clamped, also serves to form
a step.
In the preferred form of our invention a single roller element is arranged to
hold each pair of main supporting elements separated from each other, while two
guide rollers serve to hold the ball supporting rollers from contact with the
bearing parts of the journal, and in proper position between the balls. The
rollers constituting the separating devices are held in triangular relation by a
caging device, which consists of plates held apart and united by studs or rivets.
Each of the guide rollers above referred to is reduced at its ends to form trunnions
which extend through the journal apertures the width of said side plates being
slightly less than the diameter of the guide rollers. The two guide rollers thus
connected are arranged within the journal box between adjacent pairs of main
rollers and in contact with the bearing parts. The ball supporting roller is of the
largest diameter that may be arranged within the space between the guide rollers,
and the adjacent main supporting balls. From this arrangement it will be seen
that one roller elements are so supported as to prevent them becoming displaced.
The trunnions serve to prevent the cage from coming in contact with any part of
the bearing or journal, and are rounded to reduce friction.
When constructed and arranged as hereinbefore described it will be seen that
none of the contacting bearing parts of the journal will have a movement in
opposing directions with relation to each other, but that all of the roller elements
and those of the ball separating devices whenever they have contact with each
other and with the bearing surfaces of the box and journal, will move in the
same direction relatively with each other, and at the same surface speed, thus
insuring a perfect rolling contact.
In one arrangement two rollers we will call for distinction A A are provided at
each end with trunnions which are engaged at their ends with parallel side

page_text: .
members of a caging device, which serve to hold said rollers parallel with and
in fixed relation to each other. Resting in contact with the rollers, and the
surface bearing, are one or more rollers or balls. The position and diameter of
these elements are 'such, that the separating device as a whole will be held in
position and from moving radially inward. In other words the arrangement is
such that a right line drawn from the centre of either of the two rollers A A to
the centre of the main' roller against which it rests, will enter the main roller
at a point radially outside of a line drawn concentrically with the journal and
centrally through" the main rollers. This insures that the roller elements will
all be maintained in proper relation to each other. The side members are held
together in fixed relation by studs and the trunnions extend through them to
prevent contact of the members with the bearing surfaces.
It will thus be seen that the arrangement is such that all of the engaging
members have a rolling contact, and which obviously reduces the friction to a
minimum, and produces a roller-bearing more nearly perfect than has heretofore
been known.
It will be noted that obvious changes may be made in the invention, without
departing from the spirit of the invention, and without involving more than
ordinary mechanical skill.
F. WISE HOWORTH,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.
Improvements in Ball or Roller Bearings.
We, GEORGE JAMES SCHILLING COLLINS, of 3255 Groveland Avenue, Chicago,
Illinois United States of America, Civil and Mechanical Engineer, and GEORGE
WASHINGTON SCHWARTZ, of 1315 Venitian Building, Chicago, aforesaid, Dentist,
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:-
Our invention relates to improvements in ball bearings or roller bearings, and
pertains especially to means for separating the balls or rollers, and has for its
object the arrangement of the balls with relation to each other and to the bearing
parts of the journal as to prevent sliding friction between any of the contacting
surfaces, or in other words from having movement in opposite directions with
relation to each other.
In the accompanying drawings:-
Figure 1 is a central vertical sectional view of a bearing embodying the invention.
Figure 2 is an end view of the same with the cap removed.
Figure 3 is a side view of the ball or roller element housing shown in Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a plan view of a modified form of housing.
Figure 5 is a side elevation of the same.
Figures 6 and 7 are plan views of modified forms of the housing.
Figure 8 is a perspective fragmentary view of the housing shown in Figure 6.
Figure 9 is a sectional view of the bearing showing the application of the
housing shown in Figure 6.
Figure 10 is a sectional view showing the application of the housing illustrated
in Figure 7.
Figure 11 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in axial section showing
a modified form.

page_text: Figure 12 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 1-1 of Figure 11.
Figures 13 and 14 are views similar to 11 and 12 respectively, illustrating a
modification.
Figure 15 is an inside plan view of one of the ball separating devices, con
siderably enlarged.
Figure 17 is a central longitudinal section thereof.
Referring to Figure 1 A designates the hub of a wheel, provided near its end
with a bearing. B, which has a central opening b, at its inner end, through which
the axle C projects. The bearing surface 6 of cup B, is formed at an angle
of 7-1/20 with respect to the longitudinal axis c.
D is a cone carried by the axle C, which has a bearing surface d, shown as
arranged 45° with respect to the axle C. The cone D has an externally screw
threaded hub d', which carries a ring having a tapered face which is shown
as formed at an angle of 30° with respect to the axle C. E, E, are main balls
or roller elements resting between the surfaces d and d² and upon which the
surface of cup 13 rests. After careful experiment we find that a three point
bearing surface in which the outer bearing surface is formed at
an angle to one half of the difference between the angles of the
inner bearing surfaces, produces the very best results, other things
being equal, affords less opportunity for cramping, and diminishes the friction,
and to this we shall make a claim separately, as well as to the other features
of the invention. We claim any arrangement of angles wherein the relation
set forth are preserved, using those shown for the purpose of illustration.
Referring to Figures 4 and 5, it will be noted that the rollers E are confined
between separating devices which consist of rollers F arranged parallel to the
surface, of the cup B. The separating elements F are mounted upon a pin f,
the ends of which project through the plates F1 which form the sides of the
housing. The outer margins of the plates F1 are separated by blocks or pins f¹.
In Figures 4 and 5 the roller elements E are of greater diameter than the width
of the housing and hence project through suitable slots f between each pair
of separators F. The distance between adjacent separators F is such that the
rollers project beyond the margins of the plate F¹. Therefore the plates do
not interfere with the roller elements engaging their respective bearing surfaces.
Owing to this construction, we produce simply a rolling action between all
parts of the bearing, which reduces friction, and prevents rubbing friction.
Figures 2 and 3 are the same construction as Figures 4 and 5 with the excep-
tion that in the latter the separating elements F are substantially of the same
length as the separating blocks f¹, and the plates F1 are substantially parallel,
while in Figures 1, 2 and 3 the separating elements F are very much shorter,
and the plates are therefore bent as shown at f³, the pins being arranged and
passing through the plates as shown.
Figures 6, 8 and 9 show the housing in its general arrangement the same as
previously described. In this instance the plates I are so bent as to bring the
outer margins f against each other, and the pins f¹ before referred to become
rivets f.
This construction is convenient when a bearing like that shown in Figure 9
is employed. The bearing consists of the hub G having the portion Gi with
internal surfaces g, g', the latter being screw threaded, and the former g is given
a suitable angle to form a bearing. A nut H having a bearing his carried by
hub Gengaging the portion g¹ together forming a bearing surface for the roller
elements E. The axle is here provided with a cone C, and the cone D is carried
by axle E in the usual manner as is also the cap C. A convenient space his
provided for the outer margins of the plates F as shown.
In Figure 10 we show another form of bearing, the same as Figure 9 except
as to the cones D and C. In this figure the cones I and I¹ form a bearing
surface i,, which are separated by an extension, which forms a groove 23,

page_text: as illustrated. In this instance the plates F¹ are brought together and secured
by rivets fo
The margins of plates F¹ are bent laterally as shown at f and constitute an
interior annular bearing surface for the housing. This construction will be
such that it will tend to steady the housing, while at the same time there is to be
no substantial friction between the parts. It will of course be noted that the
roller elements can be removed bodily through the medium of the housing.
B is the
It will be manifest that other modifications may be made of the invention by
a skilled mechanic, without departing from the spirit of the invention.
Referring now to the constructions illustrated in Figures 11, 12, 13, 14 and
15, A is the wheel hub provided at its end with an annular enlargement a,
having a wall a¹ which forms the outer bearing part of a roller race.
axle screw-threaded at b, upon which is fitted the sleeve C, the surface c of which
forms the bearing for the inner side of the roller race. The sleeve C has a
flange fitting easily within the enlargement a, thus forming the enclosure of
the roller race.
Dindicates a cap enclosing the sleeve a¹ by a flange d, which serves to exclude
the dust. E is a clamping nut, between which and the cap D the fork is clamped,
and which also serves to form a step D¹.
Referring now to our invention F, F, represent a plurality of main supporting
elements, here shown as balls. Situated between each pair of rollers F, F, is
a ball separating device.
In the preferred form illustrated in Figure 11 and 12 a single roller element G
is arranged to hold each pair of main supporting elements separated from each
other, while two guide rollers H, H serve to hold the ball supporting rollers
from contact with the bearing parts of the journal, and in proper position between
the balls. The rollers constituting the separating devices are held in triangular
relation as follows:-L designates as a whole a caging device, consisting of the
plates II held apart and united by studs or rivets i, . Each of the guide
ollers His reduced at its ends to form trunnions h, h, which extend through
the journal apertures, the width of said side plates being slightly less than
the diameter of the guide rollers. The two guide, rollers thus connected are
arranged within the journal box between adjacent pairs of main rollers F, F,
and in contact with the bearing parts . The ball supporting roller G is of
the largest diameter that may be arranged within the space between the guide
rollers, and the adjacent main supporting balls F, F, as indicated clearly in
Figure 11. From this arrangement it will be seen that the roller elements are
so supported as to prevent them becoming displaced. The trunnions h serve to
prevent the cage from coming in contact with any part of the bearing or journal,
and are rounded to reduce friction.
When constructed and arranged as hereinbefore described it will be seen that
none of the contacting bearing parts of the journal will have a movement in
opposing directions with relation to each other, but that all of the roller elements
and those of the ball separating devices whenever they have contact with each
other and with the bearing surfaces of the box and journal, will move in the
same direction relatively with each other, and at the same surface speed, thus
insuring a perfect rolling contact.
In Figures 13 and 14, two rollers J J are provided at each end with trunnions j, j,
which are engaged at their ends with parallel side members k, k of a caging
device K, which serve to hold said rollers j, j parallel with and in fixed relation
to each other. Resting in contact with the rollers J, J, and the surface bearing a¹,
are one or more rollers or balls L, L. The position and diameter of these elements
are such, that the separating device as a whole will be held in the position shown
and from moving radially inward. In other words the arrangement is such that
a right line drawn from the centre of either roller J, J, to the centre of the main
roller F, against which it rests, will enter the main roller at a point radially
outside of a line drawn concentrically with the journal and centrally through

page_text: the main rollers. This insures that the roller elements will all be maintained
in proper relation to each other. The side members k, k are held together in
fixed relation by the studs ; &, and the trunnions j, j, extend through them
to prevent contact of the members with the bearing surfaces.
It will thus be seen that the arrangement is such that all of the engaging
members have a rolling contact, which arrangement obviously reduces the friction
to a minimum, and produces a roller bearing more nearly perfect than has heretofore
been known.
It will be noted that obvious changes may be made in the invention, without
departing from the spirit of the invention, and without involving more than
ordinary mechanical skill.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is:
:-
1st. A roller bearing substantially as herein shown and described.
2nd. A roller bearing comprising a journal box, an annular roller race therein,
main supporting roller elements within the race, and ball or roller separating
devices each embracing one or more smaller roller elements interposed between
adjacent pairs of main supporting roller elements, and supported free from contact
with the journal and opposing wall of the housing.
3rd. A roller bearing consisting of a journal box and annular roller race therein,
main supporting elements within the race, and roller separating devices each em-
bracing one or more smaller roller elements, interposed between adjacent pairs
of main supporting elements, and one or more guide rollers arranged to support
said ball separating elements free from contact with the journal or housing.
4th. A roller bearing comprising a journal box, an annular roller race therein,
main supporting roller elements within the race, and ball or roller separating
devices each embracing three smaller roller elements arranged and confined in
triangular relation to each other, within the space between pairs of adjacent
main supporting surfaces of the bearing.
5th. In a ball bearing the combination with an axle, and a plurality of roller
elements, of a pair of oppositely disposed surfaces forming a ball race, the sur-
faces of each of which are arranged at different angles with respect to the longi-
tudinal axis of the axle, and an outer bearing surface arranged at an angle
equal to one half the difference between the angles of the inner bearing surfaces.
6th. In a ball bearing, a housing for the roller elements comprising two annular
plates, means for securing the same together, and at a suitable distance apart,
a plurality of roller elements located intermediate of the plates, and a rotating
ball separating device between adjacent roller elements and located inside of a
line passing through the centres of the roller elements.
7th. In a ball bearing housing comprising two annular or ring plates, means
for securing the plates a suitable distance apart, a plurality of roller elements
located intermediate said plates between opposite arranged recesses therein, a
rotatable ball separating device between adjacent roller elements and recesses.
Sth. A housing for a ball bearing substantially as herein shown and described.
9th. A combined housing and ball separating device substantially as herein
shown and described.