IMPROVEMENTS IN BEARINGS, SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VELOCIPEDES
Year: 1884

page_text: I, JAMES BRADBURY, of Braintree, in the County of Essex, do hereby declare
the nature of said invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN BEARINGS, SPECIALLY ADAPTED
FOR VELOCIPEDES, to be as follows :-
My Invention, which relates to improvements in bearings, specially adapted for
use in velocipedes, has for its object to reduce friction caused by "sagging" of the
axle or shaft; it is also applicable to axles or shafts of other kinds of machinery or
apparatus.
According to my improvements, the bearing is constructed in two portions so
arranged that the outer portion or boss may have a rocking motion over the inner
portion, the axle or shaft passing through both portions.
The orifice of the outer portion or boss is circular, and is turned to fit the axle or
shaft, but the orifice of the inner portion is slightly elliptical, so as to allow a
certain amount of play to the axle or shaft when weighted, and thus obviate
binding of the bearings, caused by the sagging of the axle or shaft, when weighted.
The inner portion may be retained in the outer portion by means of a flange or
flanges, which may terminate in a sorew or screws, or in a pin or stud, by means
of which the bearing is fitted or secured to the desired part of the machinery or
apparatus.
Either or both ends of the outer portion or boss may be constructed for ball
bearings, to take the friction off the axle or shaft when revolving.

page_text: I, JAMES BRADBURY, of Braintree, in the County of Essex, do hereby declare
the nature of said invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN BEARINGS, SPECIALLY ADAPTED
FOR VELOCIPEDES, 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, and to the letters and figures marked
thereon, that is to say :-
My Invention which relates to improvements in bearings, specially adapted for
use in velocipedes, has for its object to reduce friction caused by "sagging" of the
axle or shaft; it is also applicable to axles or shafts of other kinds of machinery or
apparatus.
According to my improvements the bearing is constructed in two portions, so
arranged that the outer portion or boss may have a rocking motion over the inner
portion, the axle or shaft passing through both portions.
In the outer portion or boss is a circular orifice, aperture, or opening turned to
fit the axle or shaft, and in the inner portion is a slightly elliptical orifice, aperture,
or opening, so as to allow a certain amount of play to the axle or shaft, when
weighted, and thus obviate binding of the bearings caused by the sagging of the
axle or shaft, when weighted. These two orifices, apertures or openings lie one
over the other.
The inner portion may be retained in the outer portion by means of a flange,
which may terminate in a screw or screws, or in a pin or stud, by means of which
the bearing is fitted or secured to the desired part of the machinery or apparatus.
Either, or both ends of the outer portion or boss may be constructed for ball
bearings to take the friction off the axle or shaft when revolving.
I proceed with reference to the accompanying drawings to more particularly
describe my Invention.
Fig. 1, is a plan of the improved bearing shewn attached, by way of example, to
the framing of a tricycle.
Fig. 2, is an end view of the same.
Fig. 3, is a detached view of the outer portion or boss.
Fig. 4, is a detached view of the inner portion shewing the elliptical orifice,
aperture, or opening.
Fig. 5, shews, in section, the invention adapted to a ball bearing.
The bearing is constructed in two two portions A, B, the outer portion A, of
which, fits over the inner portion B. In the portion A, is a circular orifice,
aperture, or opening a, and in the portion B, there is also an orifice, aperture, or
opening b, but this orifice, aperture or opening is slightly elliptical for the purpose
hereinafter described. These orifices, when the portions are fitted together, lie one
over the other, as seen in fig. 2. Through the orifices, apertures, or openings in
these portions the axle or shaft Z passes.
The inner portion B, is provided, at one end, with a head or flange c, which
bears against the boss and at its other end this inner portion terminates in a screw C.
This screw enters the frame F, of the machine and is securely held in place by a
nut. Thus, it will be apparent that, by reason of the difference of diameter and
shape, existing between the circular orifice a, and the elliptical orifice b, a certain
amount of play will be allowed to the axle or shaft and consequently to the outer
portion or boss A, and thereby prevents binding of the bearings consequent on the
sagging" of the shaft.

page_text: Although I have described and shewn my invention as applied to a tricycle, yet
it can be applied, in obviously similar manner, to other machines or apparatus for
the purpose of preventing binding of the bearings of axles or shafts.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
The improved bearing, consisting of two portions, provided with orifices,
apertures, or openings, and arranged one within or over the other, and through
which orifices the axle or shaft passes; the said orifices, apertures or openings being
in the one portion circular and in the other elliptical, substantially as herein
described and as shewn in the drawings, and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 10th day of November 1884.