IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF AXLES AND SHAFTS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Campbell Evans, of 2, Powis Gardens, Bayswater,
in the County of Middlesex, and John Watson Spencer, of Newburn, in the
County of Northumberland, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF AXLES AND SHAFTS."
Sealed the 12th March 1880, and dated the 19th December 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Campbell Evans and
John Watson Spencer at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
19th December 1879.
JOHN CAMPBELL EVANS, of 2, Powis Gardens, Bayswater, in the County of
Middlesex, and JOHN WATSON SPENCER, of Newburn, in the County of Northum-
berland. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MAnufacture of AXLES AND SHAFTS."
Our Invention has for its object the prevention of the liability of axles or shafts
made of homogeneous steel to break suddenly and unexpectedly if there is a flaw
or if a partial rupture should occur in the same.
And our Invention consists in breaking the continuity of the structure of the
metal of which the axle or shaft is composed, so that should a fracture take place
it will be interrupted at the line where the homogeneity of the outer metal ends,
and so be prevented from extending further.
For this purpose we cast ingots, having a central core of iron or steel, which core
is separately prepared and inserted in the ingot mould, and around which steel to
form the outer envelope is cast.
The ingot containing the central core of iron or steel is then hammered or rolled
in the ordinary way into axles or shafts, as required.
From the ingot so manufactured an axle or shaft can be made which will not be
liable to break suddenly in the manner hitherto experienced in axles or shafts made
of homogeneous steel.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Campbell Evans and John Watson Spencer in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 18th June 1880.
JOHN CAMPBELL EVANS, of 2, Powis Gardens, Bayswater, in the County of
Middlesex, and JOHN WATSON SPENCER, of Newburn, in the County of Northum-
berland. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF AXLES AND SHAFTS."
"
Our Invention of "Improvements in the Manufacture of Axles and Shafts ” has
for its object the prevention of the liability of axles or shafts made of homogeneous
steel to break suddenly and unexpectedly if there is a flaw in the metal or if a
partial rupture should occur in the same; and our Invention consists in breaking
the continuity of the structure of the metal of which the axle or shaft is
composed, so that should a fracture take place it will be interrupted at the line
where the homogeneity of the outer metal ends, and so be prevented from extending
further.
For this purpose we cast ingots, having a central core of iron or steel, which core
is separately prepared and inserted in the ingot mould, and around which steel to
form the outer envelope is cast.
The ingot containing the central core of iron or steel is then hammered or rolled
in the ordinary way into axles or shafts, as required.
From the ingot so manufactured an axle or shaft can be made which will not be
liable to break suddenly in the manner hitherto experienced in axles or shafts
made of homogeneous steel.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, we hereby declare that what we claim as of our Invention
is, the manufacture of axles and shafts by casting the steel to form the outer
envelope thereof around a central core of iron or steel, as and for the purpose
described.
In witness whereof, we, the said John Campbell Evans and John Watson
Spencer, have hereunto set our hands and seals, the Seventeenth day of
June, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighte