IMPROVEMENTS IN DIVIDED CAR AXLES
Year: 1885

page_text: We HANS THIELSEN and. HENRY WILLIAM DILG both of Portland, in the County
of Multnomah, and State of Oregon, in the United States of America, gentlemen,
do hereby declare the nature of our invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN DIVIDED
CAR AXLES" and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The object of our invention is to provide a simple and effective means of con-
necting the parts of a divided car-axle in such a manner as to facilitate access for
lubricating or replacement of parts, and so that the bearings and packing of the
loose axle section in the connecting shell can be readily adjusted to diminish or
prevent undue wear of the same as hereinafter set forth.
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of our improved divided axle,
Fig. 2 is a plan view.
'
Fig. 3 is a cross section through the packing devices.
Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section.
Fig. 5 is a cross section through the brasses.
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the brasses.
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one of the keys.
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the packing blocks or glands, and
Fig. 9 represents a modified manner of packing by means of a cylindrical flanged
gland inserted in the end of the box portion of the connecting shell.
A and B designate respectively what we shall term the fixed and loose portions
or sections of a divided car-axle, each part of which in practice will be arranged to
rotate in a suitable journal box and have secured to it one of the car wheels, in the
usual manner.
To the inner end of the fixed axle section A is firmly secured the tubular hub or
shank portion C, of a coupling box or shell D by which the loose axle section B is
received.
The body of the shell or box D is three-sided, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5 and
together with its hub or ring portion C may be cast of steel or other suitable
metal

page_text: In each lateral wall of the coupling box D is an oblong rectangular opening a
for the reception of one of the brasses E, that take the wear of the loose axle.
These brasses may be made of any suitable material and are each formed with
a concaved under surface corresponding with the circumference of the adjacent
axle.
On their upper surfaces and sides the brasses E, are provided with grooves or
depressions, b, b, that form in conjunction with the contiguous walls of the shell or
box D, a series of cups or receptacles for lubricating oil.
Beyond each end of the large oblong opening a is a smaller opening, c, and, c³,
each of which extends across the box D. The opening c which is nearest the fixed
axle is for the reception of a key F, while the opening c¹ at the other end of the
box receives a packing block or gland G. The keys F and packing blocks G are
similarly formed as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the block G, being of less depth how-
ever to afford room between it and the loose axle B, for an elastic packing ring, d.
and also to provide space for a spring, e. between the top of the block G and the
under side of a lid H that is attached to the wall of the box D on each side.
The circumference of the loose axle B, is preferably formed as shown in Fig. 4,
that is with reduced portions F¹ E and G¹ for engagement with the keys F,
brasses E and packing blocks G, respectively, an elastic packing ring d being placed
beneath the latter as before remarked. The intervening collars f. f. thereby formed
on the axle B, and which are of equal diameter therewith thus serve as shoulders
or bearings for the inner portions of the brasses and keys by which the parts of the
axle are connected. The lower edges of the brasses E and keys F are beveled
slightly as shown in Figs. 5, 6 & 7 to afford spaces to prevent them from coming
in contact with their fellows, and thus admit of adjustment inward upon the axle
to compensate for wear of their concave surfaces.
The arrangement of the brasses, keys and packing blocks in three sets within a
three sided box or shell fixed to one portion or half of a divided axle and adapted to
engage the loose half of said axle, as described, combines the obvious advantages of
great strength with lightness of structure and facility in the adjustment of the
brasses against the loose axle section in any required direction.
The lids H may be secured by means of screw bolts g. and nuts h. or they may
be formed on each side with perforated lugs, k. k. which interlock with similar
lugs, m. m. on the box D. headed hinge-pins K K being passed through said lugs
and secured by bow pins p. p. passed through perforations near their ends.
That portion of each lid H which is immediately over the adjacent brass, is
thickened to furnish a suitable bearing for a screw bolt and nut L by means of
which the pressure of the several brasses can be regulated.
A packing of india rubber or other suitable material should be placed beneath
the edges of the lids before they are secured. It will be observed that the lids H
extend over the keys F, brasses E and packing blocks G with their interposed
springs and thus hold said parts firmly in position, the elastic packing ring, d.
beneath the blocks G being forced in close contact with the loose axle so as to
exclude dirt and prevent the escape of oil. In each lid H is an aperture closed by a
screw plug M for introducing oil to the space above the brasses without removing
or unfastening the lid. The lubricating oil obtains access to the axle through the
grooves b. b. that extend down the sides of the brasses.
It will be observed that the loose axle B meets the fixed axle A in the tubular
portion C of the shell or coupling box D and that it has three bearings in the box
portion of the shell besides its bearing in the tubular portion.
The triangular form of the box D with the corresponding arrangement of enclosed
brasses keys and packing blocks, secures the greatest possible strength, and admits
of considerable diminution in weight, material and cost as compared with some of
the connecting devices heretofore in use. The peculiar shape of the box D' further-
more permits a vertical force to be exerted upon the axle at three equidistant points
thereby improving the action of the brasses and keys. The brasses E not only

page_text: serve as part of the connections for coupling the two halves of the axle and main-
taining the gage or distance between the wheels without variation, but are also
adjustably arranged so as to receive the greater part of the wear that would other-
wise come directly on the body of the shell.
As the brasses may be replaced when worn and are adjustable to a more or less
close contact with the loose parts of the axle they thus serve to lessen the wear of
the shell and thereby preserve its integrity for a long period. The keys F are an
additional means of strength and afford further bearing surfaces for the axle. The
manner of securing these brasses and keys by means of the removable lids greatly
facilitates their adjustment and enables them to be readily and quickly removed
and replaced whenever required The construction of the lids is also such that the
brasses can be adjusted to any desired pressure, and the introduction of lubricating
oil effected without detaching said lids.
By packing the loose axle within the box D by means of packing blocks, G, set
in recesses, c¹, with their lower ends resting on an elastic packing ring, d. and
having springs e above, between said blocks G and the lid H we provide a very
simple way of rendering the box dust proof and preventing the escape of oil. This
construction also enables the pressure of the packing ring, d. to be made greater or
less by using springs, e. of a greater or less tension. Instead of arranging the
packing in this manner however, the recesses, c', blocks G and springs, e. may be
dispensed with, the packing ring in that case being introduced into an annular
recess at the end of the shell and surrounding the loose axle where it is secured by
a flanged gland N, secured by screw bolts and nuts as shown in Fig. 9. By this
latter method of packing, the loose axle B would be made without the reduced
portion G, and would be diminished in diameter only at those portions required to
come in engagement with the brasses E, and keys F. If desired both methods of
packing might be used together.
The advantages of our devices for connecting the parts of a divided car-axle will
be clearly apparent in the facility with which the several parts can be disconnected,
replaced and adjusted.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is
1. In combination with the axle sections A B a coupling box D triangular in
cross section and fixed to one of said axle-sections, and the brasses E and keys Fin
three sets removably secured within said box in engagement with the loose axle
section substantially as described.
2. In combination with the fixed axle section A and the loose axle section B,
baving collars f, f and reduced portions F¹ E' and G¹, the three sided coupling box D
secured to the fixed axle section and provided with recesses, a, c, c', the keys F,
brasses E, and packing blocks G, placed in said recesses, the packing ring d,
springs, e, and removable lids H, substantially as described.
3. The combination in a divided axle of the three sided box D having recesses a,
c, c', the removable keys F, brasses E, packing blocks G, and the detachable lids H
having screw plugs M and adjustable screw bolts L substantially as described.
4. The combination with the fixed axle section A and loose axle section B having
shoulders or collars and reduced portions of a three sided coupling box D, secure I to
the fixed axle section, the keys F, brasses E, having oil grooves or depressions b, b
and the removable lids H, provided with screw plugs M and adjusting bolts L for
regulating the pressure of the brasses against the loose axle substantially as
described.
5. In a divided car-axle, the combination with a three sided coupling box, of
three sets of brasses E. E. E, formed with concaved lower surfaces provided with
beveled edges and having depressed upper surfaces provided with oil grooves b, b.
substantially as described.

page_text: 6. In a divided car-axle the combination with the loose axle section B, and
coupling box D, having recesses c¹, of the packing ring, d, packing blocks G,
springs, e, and lids H substantially as described.
7. In a divided car axle, the combination of the axle sections A B coupling
box or shell D, brasses E, keys F, packing ring, d, and gland N, substantially as
described.
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