IMPROVEMENTS IN TORSION SPRINGS AND THEIR BEARINGS FOR CARRIAGES AND MACHINERY
Year: 1871

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine,
Lake, & Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN TORSION SPRINGS AND THEIR
BEARINGS FOR CARRIAGES AND MACHINERY."-A communication from
abroad by Benjamin Hershey, Edward Geer, Richard Dudley, and
Richard Francis Gaggin, all of Eric, Pennsylvania, United States of
America.
Sealed the 26th February 1872, and dated the 19th September 1871.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 19th September 1871.
I, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co.,
Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN TORSION SPRINGS
AND THEIR BEARINGS FOR CARRIAGES AND MACHINERY," a communication,
to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the torsion spring or that class of spring
in which the tension or elasticity of the steel is exerted by twisting

page_text: or wrenching the rou to develop its torsional асыпод. Those ташная
with this class of springs are aware that their degree of tension or
elasticity in a great measure depends on the length of rods used in
their manufacture. Therefore any arrangement of spring which so
economizes the space of the bolster, bed-piece, or other support as to
secure an increased length of rod possesses positive advantages, and the
successful accomplishment of this object, that is to say, so forming the
springs that the greatest possible length of rod may be used, susceptible
of being arranged within the arbitrary dimensions of the bolster or bed-
piece, is
very desirable.
This Invention consists, first, in substituting for the ordinary straight
rod a curved rod so bent as to conform in contour to what is known as
the ordinary U V, or angular shape. This allows an immense increased
length of rod when desired. Especially is this the case when the V or
angular shaped rod is used, as then the beads or angles of the springs do
not meet at the centre of the bolster, but owing to their peculiar form aro
permitted to pass cach other, by which means on an ordinary bolster
two springs can readily be used, each of which shall be composed of two
arms or shanks whose length shall be nearly equal to that of the bolster.
Thus, instead of securing for torsional action, rods of only twice the
length of the bolster, as is the case when straight rods are used, nearly
four times this length will be obtained; and this too without unduly
crowding the springs, or in any manner interrupting their freedom of
action. Sometimes I use springs that cross each other diagonally, and
if desired may give to them an ogee or S form. These springs when
thus formed are connected at the centre of the bolster by a single staple
or bearing, their ends resting or working on the corners of the bolster,
which are diagonally opposite. The said springs, no matter what their
contour may be, are all formed with short lateral lever arms turned off
at right angles to the main arms or shanks of the spring. These lever
arms may be either turned in or turned out to work at or near cither the
'centre of the bolster or at the outer sides thereof. The said lever arms
are invariably turned down at an angle of inclination, so that when the
springs are in position the end of the lever arms shall rest on the
opposite bed-piece, leaving sufficient space for such depression of the
main body of the spring as to secure its proper torsional action. When
the lever arms are turned out to work on the opposite sides of the bolster
a spring having a looped form is desirable. This spring has a boss-

page_text: shaped head and is taper in form, its narrowest section being at the
point from which the lever arms are turned in or out. I also strengthen
the spring by upsetting the thickest part of its diameter at the bend of
the curves. When a spring of immense power is required, I simply take
straight steel rods, and so bend them as to leave the right angular lever
rods. These springs are so arranged one within the other that they shall
lic side by side throughout their entire length. The springs thus
arranged can be multiplied at pleasure, and are to be secured in two
sets. The lever arms of one set are at one end of the bolster, and those
of the other at the opposite end.
-
This Invention also consists in so securing suitable antifriction
bearings in connection with the lever arms that the springs shall in
operation be comparatively frictionless. These may consist of a sliding
plate on which the lever arm rests and which works in an anti-friction
cup; or the lever arm may rest and work on a rocking, plate or arm.
I prefer to arrange two sets of springs on the opposite plates in such
relative position that in their normal position the outer ends of theso
árms shall meet and bear slightly against each other. The result is that
when the springs are subjected to pressure the arms mutually yield, and
not travelling on each other act, without friction.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 16th March 1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London, send greeting.
1
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Nineteenth day of September, 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 William Robert Lake, Her special licence
that I, the said William Robert Lake, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Robert Lake, 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

page_text: 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 TORSION SPRINGS AND THEIR BEARINGS FOR CARRIAGES AND MACHINERY," a
communication to me from abroad by Benjamin Hershey, Edward
Geer, Richard Dudley, and Richard Francis Gaggin, all of Erie,
Pennsylvania, United States of America, upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said William Robert Lake, my executors or adminis-
trators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their
hands and seals, should particularly 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 William Robert Lake, 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 accompanying
Drawings forming a part of this Specification.
It is well known that in the class of springs which are designated as
torsion springs the power is exerted by a turning or twisting of the rod.
Consequently the degree of tension such springs possess depends entirely
on the length of rod which, in the operation of the spring, is subjected to
torsional action. To so construct the springs as to secure for the torsional
action the greatest length of rod possibly attainable within the pre-
scribed limits of their plate or support, and to secure such springs in
connection with each other, or anti-friction plates, as to render them
comparatively speaking frictionless, are the chief objects of these
improvements.
The said Invention consists in so doubling or bending the steel rod as
to give to it a UV, or loop shape, which secures to each spring, for
torsional action, two independent arms. These springs are provided
with lateral lever arms, which meet cach other in a conical form.
:
The said Invention also consists in so upsetting the spring that it
shall be much larger or greater in diameter at its curve, or angle, and
also at the angles where the short or lateral lever arms are turned off,
than at any other portion of its entire surface.

page_text: 1
In addition to the forms stated, a greatly increased length of, rod for
torsional action may be secured by bending the rods, which compose the
springs into an ogee or S shape, and so securing them that their
ends or lever arms shall rest and work at the corners of the bolster or
other plate, which are diagonally opposite. When springs of great
strength are required, I arrange them on the plate in independant sets,
the rods which compose each set lying within each other so that their
main shanks and lateral lever arms shall run parallel. This arrange-
ment permits the spring rods to be duplicated, triplicated, or so
multiplied as to cover, and thus utilize the entire space of the plate.
J
.
The said Invention also consists in forming the lateral lever arm,
(which, when the springs are required to yield to or resist pressure,
twists or turns the main arm or shank so as to develope its elasticity,)
out of one and the same rod with the torsional rod. These arms may be
turned in so as to work at the centre of the plate or turned out so as to
work at the opposite sides thereof.
'
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"
The said Invention also consists in avoiding the immense frictional
wear and tear incident to the use of such springs when their lateral
lever arms rest and work in stationary bearings. To accomplish this
object and render the springs comparatively speaking frictionless, in
operation I secure the torsional spring rods on the upper and lower
, bolster plates in such manner that when the plates are in position one
above the other the outer surface of the lateral lever arms of one series
of spring rods shall meet or be in contact with those of the other or
3 opposite series. This not only causes the pressure of the weight that the
springs are required to sustain to be equally divided between the
opposite series of rods, but also to be so equalized thereon as to cause
their lateral lever arms to yield or recede in exactly the same pro-
portionate ratio or degree. This arrangement of the lateral lever arms"
of course is impossible unless both the upper and lower bolster or other
plates is furnished with the torsional rods. When only one of such
plates are so provided on the opposite or lower plate within suitable
bearings are secured anti-friction rocker or sliding plates on which rest
or to which are secured the lateral lever arms of the springs. These
plates readily yield to the movement of 'the lever arms and operate with
but little or no friction. Or, if desired, curved standards may be used
sécured to the lower bolster or bearing, the lateral lever arm being
connected therewith by a link. Or, instead of the standard, a short.

page_text: support with a shoe secured on its upper surface may be employed, the
end of the lateral lever arm entering and travelling in the said shoe.
I make a spring for waggon seats, children's carriages, trucks, and
the like, which is rendered comparatively frictionless in operation by
securing the lateral lever arms to a rocking shaft attached to the lower
bolster.
These various improvements are admirably adapted to all classes of
land conveyances, such as railway and other carriages, waggons, buggies,
and other vehicles, and can be most advantageously employed in con-
nection with all branches of the mechanical arts in which other styles of
springs have heretofore been employed, as for cheapness, durability, and
effective power the torsion spring is unequalled. These improved
springs are especially applicable to the trip or drop hammer. When
thus employed there may be used in connection therewith an excentric
roller or cam to regulate the pressure.

page_text: 4
Figure 12 is an end view of Figure 1.
Figure 13 is a detached view of the friction bed plate and slide.
Figure 14 is an end view of Figure 1, a rocking plate being sub-..
stituted for the slide; Figure 15 is a detached view of the rocker and
lateral arm of the spring..
Figure 16 is an end view of a bolster plate, the lateral arms of the
spring being made concave.
Figure 17 is a detached view of the rocker and concave lateral arm of
the spring; Figure 18 is a side view of the bolster plates with rocking
springs attached; Figure 19 is a plan of Figure 18; Figure 20 is an end
view of Figure 18.
Figures 21, 22, and 23 are perspective front and side views illustrating
the application of torsion springs to trip hammers.
Figures 24 and 25 are side views of the lateral arms of the springs and
the standards connecting them with a vehicle.
Figure 26 is a plan of the double V shaped spring arranged on a
bolster plate.
A, A, represent rods of suitably tempered steel bent to such a form as
to give to the springs the desired contour, such for instance as the
V shape, Figures 1 and 2; the U shape, Figure 3; the loop, Figure 4;
the angular, Figure 10; the ogee, Figure 11; or the double V, formed
of a single rod. Each main arm or shank of these springs has turned
off therefrom a lateral lever arm B. These arms B extend out from the
main shaft at or near a right angle and at an inclination therefrom,
as shown in Figures 1 and 7, and may turn in and cross each other, as
shown in Figures 2 and 3, to work at the centre of the plate or turn out
to work at the opposite sides thereof, as shown in Figure 4, while the
steel rods A are so bent as to secure the contour desired, whether it be the
V, angular, or any other form. They are also so upset as to leave them
much larger in diameter at their angle or curve a, and also at the
angles 6 where the lateral lever arms B turn off. By reference to the
Drawing it will be seen that at the curves a or angles 6 the springs are
secured by suitable bearings to the plate A', and it is consequently at
these points, when the rods are twisted so as to develope the torsional
power or action of the spring, the greatest strain is to be resisted. Thus
.

page_text: it will be seen that I obtain a spring with all the advantages of strength
which ordinarily only a very large and heavy rod would. possess, and
without the expense and burden of a great and unnecessary weight to
carry, as in the springing of a railway carriage for instance, involving
the use of the heavy rod. In addition to this great advantage which
results from so manufacturing the springs as to secure this increased
strength at the curves and angles a, their form renders them admirably
adapted for the various devices used as a means for land conveyance, and
indeed in machinery or wherever else the plate or surface to which the
springs are to be secured and operated is necessarily limited and
prescribed. The springs when constructed of bent rods, as herein stated
and clearly illustrated in the Drawing, possess the greatest length of rod
for torsional action possibly attainable, and when it is remembered that
the degree of elasticity depends entirely on the length of rod which
is available for torsional action, the advantages of this feature of these
improvements, will be readily appreciated. With a straight rod con-
structed as is the old style of door-spring, even if it could be utilized for
purposes for which I. propose to employ my improvement, it would be.
impossible to secure for torsional action a rod greater in length than the
dimensions of the plate on which it is to be secured. When the rods are
bent into the U form, Figure 3, or ogce, Figure 11, a rod much longer
than the bolster or bed plate A* can readily be used, and when of the
V shape, Figure 2, loop, Figure 4, or angular shape, Figure 10, a still.
greater length of rod can be used. A still,longer rod can be used when
the double V form, Figure 26, is employed. The: V or angular shape is
specially advantageous, as these forms allow the springs to be alongside.
of each other on the bolster, and, as shown in Figure. 10, permit a rod.
nearly twice the length of the bolster to be employed in the construction
of each spring. Owing to the fact that these forms of springs more.
than others so economise the space on the bolster, they are preferable to
any other form of torsion spring, even when each is constructed of two
independent rods, as shown in Figures .5 and 6, provided they are so
arranged as to preserve the forms therein stated. The peculiar
advantages of these springs, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, chiefly consist
in the doubling of the rod at the head a of the spring.
"
i In Figures 18, 19, and 20, I have shown a style of torsion spring.
which is admirably adapted for railway carriage seats, children's
carriages, and the like. It consists in securing at the opposite sides of

page_text: ፡
each end of a board a pair of spring rods A* bent into a converse L
shape, to leave a longitudinal bearing arm, which is securely attached to
the bolster, and a long and short horizontal arm h, . These springs arè
arranged in pairs, one lying within the other, their short arms h¹ acting
as a brake lever to prevent the revolution of the bearing arm, and the
long arms h acting as the lever arms for developing the torsional action of
the spring. These arms h, h', are secured to a rocking shaft H attached to
a plate, as shown in Figure 19, or in brackets, as shown in Figure 20. 13
Another style of spring which possesses great strength and is
peculiarly useful where immense weights are to be supported. is shown
in Figures 7, 8, and 9. This spring is composed of a series of rods A
arranged in two sets. The arms of each set are arranged one within the
other, their long torsional arms and their lateral lever arms B, B,
running side by side and parallel to each other. The lever arms B, B,
of the sets work at the opposite ends of the bolster or other plate. The
ends of these rods terminate in short right-angular shoulders d, d, which
being confined in the sockets d', d', serve as it were as vertical pivot rests
for the rods to twist and turn on. Owing to this compact arrangement
it will be seen how readily the rods can be multiplied at pleasure, for
although in Figure 8 each set is composed of only two rods, this is not
meant at all as a limit to the number I may employ, as three, four, or
more may be used in each set when occasion requires.
In Figures 7 and 9 both bolsters A' are provided with springs, the
rods A of which are arranged, as shown in Figure 8. The upper of these
bolsters is provided with a rectangular plate C and the lower with a
rectangular socket C¹. The plate and socket are connected by a bolt c
and oblong slot c¹. The relative dimensions of the plate C and socket C
must be such as not only to allow the plate a positive vertical play, but
also a slight rocking movement, the former being indispensable in the
operation of the spring, and the latter most desirable; especially when the
weight to be sustained is not equally and uniformly distributed over the
bolster plate or spring. It will also be seen by reference to Figures 7
and 8 that the lateral lever arms of the series of rods of one bolster are in
immediate contact with the other, and these Figures illustrate a most im-
portant feature of my Invention, as when the lateral lever arms B are thus
arranged they are frictionless in operation, as will readily be understood.
In this style of spring, that is, wlien the upper and lower plates are
both provided with rods, either when, pressure or weight is applied, it

page_text: .
affects in like manner the spring rods of both the upper and lower
plates; this of course brings the rear ends of the arms B closer or nearer
together, but owing to the fact that they yield or recede toward their
respective plates in the same manner and degree their movements are
effected without creating any friction, as the only result of pressure on
the spring is to bring more of the surface of the arms B, B, in contact,
and not to cause them to travel transversely one on the other. This
manner of rendering the springs frictionless in operation is of course
impossible unless both the upper and lower plates are furnished with
springs. When this is not the case and only one of the same is pro-
vided with springs, I cause the lateral lever arms to rest and work on a
rocker plate E, as shown in Figures 14, 15, and 17, or a sliding plate F,
as shown in Figures 12 and 13. These plates E, E, are sécured in
suitable socket bearings E¹. The form of the socket is that of an angular
recess, which, while it allows full play to the plate, still at its angular
head e so fits around the same as to cause it to work in connection with
the lateral lever arm as if secured by a pivot centre. The lever arm
having a concave face, as shown in Figures 16 and 17, is admirably
adapted to the rocker plate. The degree of its curvature in not uniform
but varies a little so that the plate shall not enter and work on the lever
as in a close cap. The advantage of this modification is that while the
first bearing of the rocker is fixed the depression of the lever will so
alter its position as to change its bearing; and consequently, in effect,
lengthen or shorten the lever as the pressure to be borne is increased or
diminished. When the sliding plates F, F, are used they are arranged
so as to work on the inclined recessed faces of the bed plates F¹, F', as
shown in Figures 12 and 13. At proper positions on the bolster are
permanently secured these plates. The lateral lever arms are attached
to the sliding plates F by means of bearing pins f.
Figures 24 and 25 clearly illustrate another anti-friction device to be.
used in connection with the lateral lever arms.
These improvements in torsion springs as aforesaid arc admirably
adapted to all branches of the mechanical arts in which springs of other
styles have heretofore been used. In Figures 21, 22, and 23, where the
said Invention is shown as applied to a trip hammer, the anvil hammer
and its elevating cam may be of any desired construction, and the.
spring M is applied as shown. The action of the spring may bo
graduated and the stroke of the hammer regulated, or its power

page_text: increased or diminished at pleasure by employing in connection with the
spring eccentric cam rollers or plates M¹. These are secured to a shaft,
journalled in suitable bearings above the spring. By means of the per-
forated plate N and pawl lever n the roller can be moved to and secured
at any desired point.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondents, and the manner of performing the
same, I wish it understood that I claim,—
First. The U, V, loop, angular, or ogee shaped torsion spring, when
the same is constructed and formed by the doubling or bending of a
single steel rod as herein described.
Second. The steel rod A when so upset in bending as to leave an
increased weight of metal at the curves or angles a, b, as hercin
described.
Third. The rod A. so bent as to secure the desired contour and also
have lever arms B turned off at or nearly at a right angle therefrom as
herein described.
Fourth. The spring shown in Figures 7, 8, and 9, constructed by
multiplying on the bolster the torsional rods A, as herein described and
shown.
Fifth. The spring rods A, so arranged that their lever arms B shall
meet and operate in connection with each other, as herein described, and
as shown in Figures 7 and 9.
Sixth. The rocker plates E or sliding plates F, as shown in
Figures 12, 13, 14, 15, and 17, so 'arranged in connection with the
lever arms B, B, as to operate as described.
Seventh. The lever arm B, formed with a concave face as hercin
described and as shown in Figures 16 and 17.
Eighth. In combination with the lateral lever arms B, the anti-
friction bearings, as illustrated in Figures 24 and 25.
Ninth. The rocker spring, illustrated in Figures 18 and 19, when
constructed and arranged as herein described.
Tenth. In combination with a trip hammer the torsion spring M,
arranged to operate as herein described.
"

page_text: Eleventh: In combination with a trip hammer and torsion spring, the
excentric roller or plate N, applied as illustrated in Figures 22 and 23,
and operated as herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of March, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
two
Witness,
EDWARD C. JACKSON.
WM. ROBT. LAKE. (L.S.)