Improvements in Cycle Axles and Ball Bearings.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cycle Axles and Ball Bearings.
JOHN TATE WILLIAMSON, Consulting Engineer, 14, Marden Terrace, Culler-
coats, County Northumberland, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
Consisting of the axles and ball bearings of similar form and construction to
those now in general use in bicycles being extended to the outside of the forks,
with the object of being more accessible without the necessity of disturbing any
other portion of the bicycle or wheel not directly connected therewith.
The construction of my axle and ball bearings retain and mainly consist of such
parts as are generally known and understood as, balls; moveable cones;
box or cap and spindle.
cone
The cone box or cap which forms a portion or continuation of the hub of
existing patterns and which in consequence revolves with the hub, is in my
invention a separate part from the hub, and may be attached to or part of the
fork and therefore does not revolve. In the case of the driving wheel, the said
cone box or cap may be connected with the chain adjustment screw similar to
existing methods and secured if necessary to the fork by a jamming nut on the
inside of the fork.
The moveable cone may screw into the cone box or cap as in existing methods,
or screwed and secured on an adjusting collar or nut which may be in conjunc-
tion with the through spindle or tie bolt, the whole being secured by a nut on
either end of the spindle screwed against the said moveable cones.
The adjusting collar or nut referred to, may be screwed onto the through
spindle or tie bolt with an opposite hand thread to that of the moveable cone in
the cone box or cap.
The adjusting collar or nut determines the position of the said moveable cone
for the adjustment of the balls in the ball bearings.
Improvements in Cycle Axles and Ball Bearings.
I, JOHN TATE WILLIAMSON, Engineer, now of 31, Alma Place, North Shields,
in the County of Northumberland, late of Marden Terrace, Cullercoats, in the
County of Northumberland, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
rDie. R

page_text: in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention has for its object the ready accessibility of the axle and ball
bearings and wheel as a whole, complete with axle and ball bearings without
undoing the chain or disturbing any portion of the frame or its component parts
belonging thereto.
<
68
«
66
"
To accomplish this the
cone box" or cap" (B Fig. 1) referred to in my
Provisional Specification-which I would now have understood as a cup or
"ball box "may be constructed with a suitable projection on the outside, such
as a shank" or spigot" circular or otherwise in its cross section (B¹ Figs. 1
and 4) to engage with and secured in a suitable "bracket or "socket" (B2 Figs. 3
and 4) attached to or part of the stays or fork (B³ Figs. 3 and 4) in case of the
back driving wheel.
$6
"
"
"lugs"
"
The said bracket" or socket" may
be provided with one or more
(A Figs. 3 and 4) split through in its thickness and into the "bracket or
socket" provided with a jamming or nipping bolt (A Figs. and 4) whereby
the complete wheel axle and bearing is secured or released immediately.
fi
The same lugs (A¹ Figs. 3 and 4) and bolt (A Figs. 3 and 4) máy by preference
be employed to secure the horizontal fork (A2 Fig. 3) in its junction to the wheel
axle, acting also as a means of adjusting the chain, in which case the face of the
lugs and the slotted portion (C Fig. 3) of the horizontal fork (A2 Fig. 3) in
contact with each other are serrated. It will be seen from the aforesaid descrip-
tion and drawings that there are no bolts or nuts or fittings to be separated or
taken off in order to release the wheel complete with the axle and bearings-
the front wheel being similarly attached to the forks as in the case of the driving
wheel with the additional advantage that the springing of the forks to release
the wheel is avoided. The aforesaid method of attachment to the forks makes
the axles interchangeable with all patterns of machines fitted accordingly.
I do not however restrict myself to the aforesaid method of axle attachment
to the fork, also, I do not restrict myself to the aforesaid chain adjustment. If
by preference the "bracket" or
"
"socket
attachment be adopted, it is important
that the forks are completed in all respects before the machining out of the
" brackets"
sockets"
or
shanks'
to receive the
or "spigots" of the axle
complete; the said forks should be secured in a mould of their normal shape
and condition, thereby preventing springing or any distortion during the said
process of machining which may be advantageously done by a machine operating
simultaneously on both 'brackets" or sockets," boring or milling out the
holes and shouldering the ends, thereby ensuring both legs of the forks being
the same length, and the centre of holes and their measurements generally being
mathematically correct, requiring no additional hand labour to perfect them.
The aforesaid "cup" and "ball box" is provided with a dust proof arrange-
ment (J & J Fig. 2) it consists of a thin disc of metal secured to the
«
66
66
66
"
ball box
by three or four small studs, in its cavity some light fibrous material such as
cotton wool may be inserted. This feature is the subject of a subsequent
application" of mine No. 21137/97.
33
My Provisional Specification refers to "moveable cones" I would now have
the same to be understood as cups (A Figs. 1 and 2) corresponding to the
cups" in the bottom bracket of the cycle.
66
"
By preference I screw the said " cups" in the "ball box" also being centred
"adjusting collars," or nuta (Ô Fig. 1 and 2) by a tapered or parallel
surface thereon and against a shoulder of the said "adjusting collars" or
on
66
nuts."
I may adopt a modification of the cup" by combining with that portion of
دو
or
it which screws in the "ball box" and centres on the "adjusting collar
"nut," the coned "ball race as a separate fitting whereby it can be turned
round within the outer cup as desired, in the event of wear which may to some
extent occur on the top side, thus providing an additional adjustment. This
"

page_text: modification may allow of the " cup" being attached to the "ball box" by bolts
or other means instead of screwing in, in which case I may then centre, the
combined" cup" and "ball race to the adjusting collar" or
*"* nut by
screwing.
66
"
"6
«
وو
"
66
66
"
29
66
"
The adjusting collar" or nut” (H Figs. 1, 2 and 4) is screwed tightly on
a well formed thread of the "spindle or tie bolt" on which it can be turned
for the purpose of adjustment by the application on its shoulder with a suitable
tool, when the " cup" (A Figs. 1, 2 and 4) is removed; or it may be so actuated
from the outside by slackening back the "spindle or tie bolt" nut, but in that
case without removing the said "cup" (A Fig. 1 2 and 4) also by a suitable tool,
applied to the holes (H Fig. 2). The outside nut (F Figs. 1, 2 and 4) on the
spindle" or tie bolt" acts as a locking nut to the adjusting collar" or
nut," also securing the said "cup" A in the "ball box" (B Figs. 1, 2 and 4)..
I have employed the term a spindle or tie bolt" and would now dis-
tinguish it from a spindle as at present understood for cycles generally,
which have to bear-in the capacity of a beam-the strains due to weight of
rider and other causes; whereas, in my axle and ball bearing its function is that
only of a tie bolt," having the nut at each end and the "adjusting collar" or
"nut" the latter answering the additional purpose of a fixed collar or its equiva-
lent to hold and limit in position the forks in combination with the "ball boxes."
A screw driver nick (L Figs. 1, 2, 3 & 4) is cut in the end of the "tie bolt,"
whereby it can be held when the said " adjusting collar" or "nut" is being
adjusted.
دو
6
"
By this device it will be unnecessary that the tie bolt" should have opposite-
hand threads for the "regulating collar" or "nut" to those of the " cups as
referred to in my Provisional Specification.
""
The adjustment for the "ball races' can be accomplished for each end
separately as desired, or all from one end.
" 66
"
It will be seen from the aforesaid description and the drawings, that in making
the balls accessible from the outside of the cycle by removing the nut (F Fig. 1)
and the cup (A Fig. 1) that in replacing them they are screwed home to a fixed
position at all times, without any readjustment being necessary. I would draw
special attention to the combination of such parts already described,, and illus-
trated, as the " cups," adjusting collars or "nuts," and "tie bolt" with its
nuts, that they may be machined in their places on the "tie bolt," which will
ensure their being mathematically correct in true plane and line with the hub,
not being disturbed in the said relationship by any outside influence, such as for
instance, a slight irregularity or damage to the forks, but which could be met
by the threads of the "cups" and "ball boxes."
The hub, is a modification of existing patterns any form of which may be
adapted to my outside-of-fork bearings. Fig. 1 represents the relative proportions
of the spoke flanges and the overall length of the spindle of an existing racer
hub, in combination with my "ball race," thereby increasing the centres or base
ball base" of such a racer hub
thereof nearly fifty per cent. in excess of the "
referred to. In adapting an existing hub, it may only be necessary to substitute
a modification of the "ball race or cone (E Figs. 1 and 4) to take the place
of the existing "cups" where they are at present fitted in the hubs.
"
"
"
My "ball race may be but half the diameter of the "internal" ball race in
ordinary hubs, consequently the wear and tear is reduced in proportion, and in
" to that of the
addition, the greatly increased ratio of the centres of "ball races
wheel diameter, again reduces in proportion the angular strains connected there-
with, producing as a result a much steadier and truer running wheel.
By this combination of outside diameter "ball race," it may be more accurately
races."
machined in line and plane than in the case of inside "
It should be understood that by this combination the spread of the forks is not
increased, but may in some cases be considerably closer.

page_text: "
In my illustrations of a front and back hub (Figs. 1 & 4) I may attach the
"ball race
(E Figs. 1 and 4) to or in one with the hub; may also adopt the
small barrel hub (Figs. G 1 and 4) and build it up to a larger diameter with a
suitable material (G₁ Figs. 1 and 4) so that the space between of the two diameters
of barrel may constitute an oil chamber. I may adopt a ball cup or cone con-
sisting of two parts such as an "inner" and "outer" cup or cone. The "inner"
portions outer diameter, may be eccentric or concentric to the "outer" portion
adjustable and secured by suitable means (A¹ Fig. 2).
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. A cycle axle and ball bearing (for safety cycles in particular) constructed
with the ball bearings immediately under or outside the forks, thereby giving
increased ball or racer base within the ordinary limits and over-all length of
the spindle or its equivalent, in combination with access to the balls; cones;
cups; ball adjustment, and spindle by removing the spindle (tie-bolt) nut and
ball cup only, at either outside end, without disturbing the ball adjustment, or
the opposite end containing the corresponding parts, or any other portion of the
cycle. The replacing of the said ball cup and nut without the necessity of re-
adjustment; the relative positions of cup, cone and balls being determined by
an independent and separate means of adjustment used only in the event of wear
to such part affected, substantially as described and illustrated.
2. Cup and ball adjusting collars or nuts accessible for adjustment by removing
the spindle (tie bolt) nut and ball cup only, at either end, or without removing
them according to the pattern preferred; in combination with the said adjusting
collars or nuts as fixed collars or their equivalents for holding the fork ends or ball
boxes in position, in conjunction with the spindle (tie bolt) nuts; substantially
as described and illustrated.
3.-Cup and ball racers or cones, attached to or part of the hub in continuation
at each end and in like manner adaptable to existing hubs; substantially as
described and illustrated.
4. Ball cups screwed in, or otherwise attached to the ball boxes, and centred
by a central hole on the regulating collars or nuts by securing or fitted to a
plane surface thereon, according to the pattern preferred; substantially as
described and illustrated.
5. Cup and ball boxes; cups, regulating collars or nuts and spindle (tie
bolts) with nuts constituting one combination, separate and distinct from the
hub, substantially as described and illustrated.
Seven. Cup and ball boxes with shanks or spigots in combination with suitable
brackets or sockets attached to or part of the fork ends substantially as described
and illustrated.
Total thin 14th day of March 1900