Year: 1860

page_text: in the metal of the box or inserted therein. The arrangement is completed
by the insertion of the axle end in the inner collars to which it is keyed or
otherwise secured. The same system is carried out in the construction of
axle-bearings, the spheres being distributed round the axle either with or
without the interposition of the moveable collars, the latter being, if so desired,
replaced by corresponding grooved bands cast on or fitted to the extremities of
the axle itself. The ranges of spheres in each box or bearing may vary in
nuniber from one or two upwards, according to the nature of the machinery
to which they are adapted, but for ordinary purposes the double series as
above is most advantageous. The diameters of the spheres also vary according
to the dimensions of the machinery, and the nature of the movement.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Marc Antoine François Mennons in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 23rd February 1861.
- TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, MARC
ANTOINE FRANÇOIS MENNONS, of the British and Foreign Patent Offices,
39, Rue de l'Echiquier, Paris, in the Empire of France, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh day of August, in the year of our
Lord One. thousand eight hundred and sixty, in the twenty-fourth year of Her
reign, did, for Horself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Marc Antoine François Mennons, Her special licence that I, the
said Marc Antoine François Mennons, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Marc Antoine François Mennons, 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 THE CONSTRUCTION OF AXLE-
BOXES AND AXLE-BEARINGS," a communication from Augustin Joseph Cambon,
a person resident at Rosière-sur-Mouzon (Dept des Vosges), Mechanical
Engineer), upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Marc
Antoine François Mennons, 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

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Marc Antoine François Mennons, of the British and
Foreign Patent Offices, 39, Rue de l'Echiquier, Paris, in the Empire of
France, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF AXLE-
BOXES AND AXLE-BEARINGS."-A Communication from Augustin Joseph'
Cambon, residing at Rosières-sur-Mouzon (Dept des Vosges), Mechanical
Engineer.
Sealed the 22nd February 1861, and dated the 27th August 1860.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Marc Antoine François
Mennons at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Peti-
tion, on the 27th August 1860.
I, MARC ANTOINE FRANÇOIS MENNONS, of the British- and Foreign Patent
Offices, 39, Rue de l'Echiquier, Paris, in the Empire of France, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUC-
TION OF AXLE-BOXES AND AXLE-BEARINGS," to be as follows:-
These improvements consist in the application of hard metal spheres of
unequal diameters to the working surfaces of, axle-boxes and bearings of
machinery and rolling stock of all kinds. In each end of the axle-boxes con-
structed on this system is placed a metallic collar, round the outer cir-
cumference of, which is formed a groove or canal. Around this groove is
distributed any desired number of hard metal spheres in pairs of unequal
dimensions, and over these spheres is fitted a second grooved collar formed.

page_text: 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 Marc Antoine François Mennons, 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, reference being had to the Figures of the accompanying
Drawing, and to the letters marked thereon (that.is to say) :-
.
These improvements consist in the application of hard metal spheres of
unequal diameters to the working surfaces of axle-boxes and, axle-bearings of
machinery, and rolling stock of all kinds. In each, end of the axle-boxes
constructed on this system is placed a metallic collar, round the outer circum-
ference of which is formed a groove or canal. Around this groove is dis-
tributed any desired number of hard metal spheres in pairs of unequal dimensions,
and over these spheres is fitted a second grooved collar formed in the metal
of the box or inserted therein. The arrangement is completed by the insertion
of the axle end, in the inner collar to which it is keyed or otherwise secured.
The same system is carried out in the construction of axle-bearings, the
spheres being distributed around the axle, either with or without the inter-
position of the moveable collars, the latter being, if so desired, replaced by cor-
responding grooved bands cast on or fitted to the extremities of the axle
itself. The ranges of spheres in each box or bearing may vary in number
from one or two upwards, according to the nature of the machinery to which
they are adapted, but, for ordinary purposes, the double series as above is most
advantageous. The diameters of the spheres also vary according to the dimen-
sions of the machinery, and the nature of the movement.
'
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawing represents an
axle-box,, comprising the above improvements.
independent wheel
. A is the journal of the axle; B, cast-iron box in two parts, connected
by the screw bolts C. At each extremity of this box is adjusted, a steel
collar O, secured at one end by the iron counterplates F, and the screw
bolts E. The collar mounted at the hind extremity of the journal is secured
by the carrier S, and the front collar by means of the nut K, covered by a
brass cap J, which is kept in position by the screws I. In the length of the
journal is formed a small groove N, in which slides the steel ring M, thus
permitting the wheel to be as readily dismounted as from an ordinary axle ;
Dis the wooden nave or boss in which is inserted the axle-box; G, ferrule
fitted on the nave; H, ferrule covering the cap in front; L, fore gorge ring
or collar carrying the spheres; P, Q, spheres of unequal diameters enclosed
between the grooved collars O, and the gorge rings L, M; R, space reserved

page_text: between the steel bearings; T; washers in caoutchouc, on which reposes the
ring M, and serving to impart a certain degree of elasticity to the orbicular
movement of the spheres.
Figure 2-represents a-waggon axle-box constructed on the principle above
described. Figure 3 represents an application of the same system to the
axles of drums, cylinders, and similar pieces of machinery. Figure 4 repre-
sents an application to the bearings of the axles or shafts of machinery.
In these. Figures, the lower section X of the collar enclosing the spheres
is fitted to the cast pedestal X³, and the upper section Y to the cap Y¹,
secured in position by the screw bolts Z, Z. Figure 5 represents a pivot
adjustment to the axle of the steel gorge ring carrying the splieres. Figure 6
represents the same gorge ring secured to the axle: by a key piece.
It will be seen, by reference to the Drawing, that in all the combinations
above described two sizes of spheres are employed, every second sphere of each.
range being of lesser dimensions (say, by about one-twentieth part) than those
with which it is in contact on either side. The object and effect of this
arrangement, which forms the essential feature of the present improvements is
to increase the smoothness of the movement, while doing away with the
destructive friction which has been found to result from the rotation in the
same direction of spheres of equal diameter.
Having now described the nature of the said improvements, and the
manner' of carrying them into effect, I would have it understood that I do not
confine myself to the precise details of construction, proportion, or arrange-
ment above laid down, as these may be modified without deviating from the
principle or main features of the Invention; but what I claim is; the applica-
tion of hard' metal spheres in couples of unequal diameters to the working
surfaces of axle-boxes, and axle-bearings of machinery, and rolling stock in
general, substantially as above described and represented in the different
Figures of the accompanying Drawing.
•
In witness whereof, I, the said Marc Antoine François Mennons; have
hereto set my hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of' February, in
the vear of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one.