Improvements in and relating to Ball-bearings.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Dec., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 25th Aug., 1892-Accepted. 1st Oct.. 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by GEORGE FREDERICK SIMONDS, of Fitchburg,
Massachusetts, United States of America, Engineer.]
Improvements in and relating to Ball-bearings.
1, HENRY HARRIS LAKE of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co. Patent
Agents, 45 Southampton Buildings in the County of Middlesex do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to ball-bearings and cages therefor, and more particularly
to ball-bearings of that kind or class wherein one or more sets of spherical rollers or
balls are arranged to revolve between parallel plane bearing surfaces to resist
thrust or end pressure, and one or more other sets of spherical rollers or balls are
arranged to revolve between concentric cylindrical bearing surfaces to sustain
radial pressure or weight.
The present invention comprises improvements in such ball-bearings, whereby
they are rendered very efficient and especially well adapted for certain purposes.
In one construction of ball-bearing made according to this invention, and adapted
for example for a pulley, wheel, railway car axle or the like, a sleeve having an
external rib or collar is mounted on the shaft or axle and is detachably secured
thereto by a screw or other means and a pair of detachable tubular pieces or sleeves
each having an internal flange are located in the boss of the wheel or pulley or in
the journal box of the car axle, and secured in position by detachable end caps,
which caps also serve to close the ends of the bearing. The internal flanges of the
said tubular pieces are arranged one on each side of the external rib or collar of
the said sleeve, and spherical rollers or balls are arranged between the sides or
plane surfaces of the said rib or collar and the flanges of the tubular pieces to resist
thrust or end pressure, while other spherical rollers or balls, are arranged between
the concentric bearing surfaces of the tubular pieces and the sleeve to resist radial
pressure or weight. The said balls are retained in suitable cages to facilitate the
assembling of the balls in and removal of the same from the bearing, these cages
being constructed to permit of the balls revolving freely in all directions when
placed therein.
If desired I may arrange that the balls for sustaining radial pressure shall roll on
the shaft or axle directly instead of on a sleeve mounted thereon, the said shaft in
such a case being hardened on the surface to prevent undue wear.
I sometimes according to my invention combine with this bearing a device for
excluding dust, and moisture and other foreign matter therefrom arranged as
follows. That is to say, I fix in any suitable manner on the shaft or axle near each
end of the bearing a recessed collar to which is secured preferably by screw bolts
an annular packing that surrounds the shaft. On the said bolts I mount a series
of springs for the purpose of forcing the said packing into a recess in the end cap
of the bearing in which position the said packing will effectually exclude dust and
the like from the bearing.
In a modification of my invention particularly applicable to a car axle the balls
for resisting end thrust are arranged in a cage situated between two hardened discs
which are secured in a cap fixed on the outer end of the journal box, said cap being
further provided with an elastic cushion to obviate jar. In this bearing the cage
containing the balls for sustaining radial pressure is enclosed in a removable sleeve
which is flanged at one end, and provided at its other end with an annular packing
ring and retaining devices whereby the sleeve and enclosed cage can be inserted in
and removed from the journal box together. The cage is capable of a certain
amount of longitudinal movement in the bearing.

page_text: I sometimes modify this construction, and provide a ring or annular cap for
holding the cage containing the balls for resisting end thrust in the cap at the end
of the axle box, and allow the balls to roll direct on the end of the axle which in
this case is preferably hardened.
Another part of my invention relates to an improved form of ball cage for a
thrust ball bearing. According to this part of my invention I construct the said
cage of concentric rings connected by double sets of wires or wire rods so arranged
as to form oblong compartments of uniform width. These compartments are
intended to contain the balls and are such as will allow the balls to have free lateral
play and also to revolve freely in all directions.
My invention also comprises ball cages constructed for special applications as
for instance for application to a pulley or other rotary part intended to revolve on a
vertical shaft or spindle. These cages are so constructed that the horizontal or
the vertical axes of the several balls are in different planes so that each ball is
adapted and arranged to roll in a path of its own, and thus the balls collectively
cover nearly or substantially the whole of the bearing surfaces and thereby
uniformly distribute the friction and wear.
One convenient form of the said cages constructed according to this invention
consists of end rings joined by inner and outer rods to form elongated chambers
for the balls, one of the said end rings having its inner face formed spirally or
inclined. By this means each ball is caused to travel along a path of its own.
A further modification of my invention consists of a form of ball-bearing specially
applicable to self-contained bearings and to ordinary footstep and bolster bearings
for the spindles of spinning machinery. In such bearings I provide the spindle
with a sleeve in which are two or more circumferential grooves for containing balls
for resisting radial pressure, and beneath which sleeve I locate a series of balls in
a suitable cage for supporting the weight or end thrust. Or the balls for resisting
radial pressure are contained in a cage located between the sleeve and the
bearing.
1
han 1001
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Ball-bearings.
1, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co. Patent Agents,
45 Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:―
This invention relates to ball-bearings, and cages therefor, and chiefly to ball-
bearings of that kind or class wherein one or more sets of spherical rollers or balls
are arranged to revolve between parallel plane bearing surfaces to resist thrust or
end pressure, and one or more other sets of spherical rollers or balls are arranged
to revolve between concentric cylindrical bearing surfaces to sustain radial pressure
or weight.
The present invention comprises improvements in such ball-bearings, whereby
they are rendered very efficient and especially well adapted for certain purposes.
In the accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention,
Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation illustrating the application of my
improvements to a loose pulley.
Figure 2 is a detail plan view showing a mode of fastening a sleeve or collar to a
cylinder shaft or axle.
Figure 3 is a partial end elevation of Figure 1 showing how a cap may be secured
in the hub of a wheel or pulley.

page_text: Figure is a longitudinal sectional elevation illustrating an application of my
improvements to the hub and axle of a vehicle wheel, and showing the balls for
sustaining radial pressure arranged in rolling contact with a hardened cylindrical
shaft or axle.
Figure 5 is a plan of a packing ring.
Figure 6 is a plan of a washer.
Figures 7 and 8 are sectional plans of a car axle bearing illustrating modifica-
tions of my invention.
Figure 9 is a side elevation of a ball bearing cage constructed according to my
invention and containing spherical rollers or balls for resisting end thrust.
Figure 10 is a similar view of a ball bearing cage in which provision is made for
a movement or play of balls across the centre of the cage.
Figure 11 is a side elevation of another ball bearing cage embodying my
invention.
Figure 12 is a cross section of a cage constructed according to my invention.
Figure 13 is a sectional elevation of a ball bearing provided with a ball cage
according to another part of my invention.
Figure 1 is a plan or end view of the cage containing the spherical rollers or
balls for resisting or sustaining radial pressure.
Figure 15 is an elevation of the cage and confined balls for sustaining radial
pressure, showing the manner in which said balls are supported and retained in
slightly varying planes.
Figure 16 is a sectional elevation illustrating the application of my invention to
spinning spindles and showing the balls for resisting radial pressure arranged in
annular grooves or recesses between slightly tapering concentric bearing surfaces,
and the balls for supporting thrust or end pressure confined in a cage arranged
between parallel plane bearing surfaces one of which is supported in a stationary
part and adjustable toward the rotary plane bearing surface.
Figure 17 is a similar view in which both groups of balls are caged.
Referring now to Figures 1 to 6 of the drawings the numeral 1 designates a
shaft or axle composed of a plain cylindrical bar of metal that need not have any
collar or shoulder formed thereon. In Figure 1I have shown a loose pulley or
other rotary part 2 mounted on a through shaft of this description with balls 3, for
sustaining radial pressure, confined in annular cages 4 that are freely movable
between hardened concentric bearing surfaces on and against which said balls are
adapted to revolve in all directions, and balls 5, for resisting thrust or end pressure
confined in cages 6, that permit said last named balls to revolve freely in all direc-
tions between and in contact with hardened plane bearing surfaces. On the shaft 1
is secured a sleeve or collar 7 having an external circumferential rib or projection 8
intermediate its ends. This sleeve 7 may be secured on the shaft by means of a
screw 9 passed through a suitable threaded orifice in the circumferential rib 8 and
tapped into the cylindrical shaft as shown in Figure 1, and, as shown in Figure 2,
the screw 9 after being driven hone may be made fast by upsetting a portion of
its head into a recess 10 in the rib 8, in such a manner that the punched or upset
portion 11 slightly engaged in the said recess will prevent the screw from working
loose and yet permit it to be withdrawn when required.
The sleeve 7 may form one of the hardened concentric bearing surfaces for the
spherical rollers or balls 3 that sustain radial pressure, the other hardened con-
centric bearing surfaces for said balls being furnished with sleeves or tubular
pieces 12, substantially L-shaped in longitudinal section, that are inserted and
secured in the pulley, wheel or other rotary part. As shown in Figure 1 the
adjacent ends of the outer sleeves 12 may abut against each other outside of and
in line with the circumferential rib 8 of the inner sleeve 7, and the inward projecting
annular ribs 13 of said sleeves 12 will then be located at such a distance from the
adjacent ends of the outer sleeves as to afford space between the ribs or inward
projections 13 of the outer sleeves 12 and the rib or outward projection 3 of the
inner sleeve 7 to receive the cages 6 in which are confined the spherical rollers or

page_text: balls 5 that roll on and against the hardened plane surfaces of said projections 8
and 13 to resist thrust or end pressure from both directions.
Both ends of the pulley shown in Figure 1, are closed by annular screw caps 14
abutting against the outer ends of the sleeves 7 and 12, and the inner faces of these
caps may be recessed to receive and carry annular packing rings 15 of any suitable
character to exclude dust and moisture from the bearing. The screw caps 14 may
be readily attached or detached by means of a spanner and when in position they
may be secured from working loose by upsetting or punching a portion of the rim
of said cap or caps into slight engagement with a recess 16, Figure 3, in the end of
the hub.
In Figure 1, I have shown the hub of the pulley or other rotary part 2 provided
with an inlet orifice 17 for the introduction of oil or other lubricant into an annular
groove 18 formed in an inner face of the hub surrounding the inner ends of the
tubular pieces or sleeves 12 which are provided with orifices 19 for passage of the
oil to the balls 5 and thence between the annular inward projections 13 and sleeve 7
to the balls 3, the inner sleeve, if desired being reduced in diameter opposite the
projections 13, to afford free passage and circulation for the oil. Similar provision
for lubrication may be applied to the construction shown in other figures of the
drawing. Ordinarily, however, but little lubrication will be required.
As shown in Figure 4 which is adapted to the wooden hubs of carriages or wagon
wheels the annular inward projections 13 of the outer tubular pieces or sleeves 12
may be formed directly at the inner ends of said sleeve, and these sleeves, instead
of abutting against each other, may abut against against ledges 20 formed in a metal
sleeve 21 that may be inserted in the hub outside the tubular pieces 12 against
which the balls 3 and 5 act. The opposite ends of this sleeve 21 are internally
screw threaded to receive and engage a cap plate 22 located at the outer end of
the bearing and an annular cap 23 located at the inner end and surrounding
the axle. Both these caps may be screwed into place or removed by means of a
spanner.
The exterior face of the annular cap 23 may be provided with an annular recess
to receive an annular elastic packing 24, Figure 5 having a metal washer 25
Figure 6 on its exterior face. This packing 24 and washer 25 are carried or
supported by screw bolts 26, Figure 4 secured in a recessed collar 27 detachably
fastened to the axle 1, by means of a screw 28 tapped therein. On the screw bolts 26,
between the washer 25 and collar 27 and located in the recessed portion of said
collar, are placed spiral springs 29 that are adapted to hold the packing 24 in
yielding contact with the cap 23, while the screw bolts 26 prevent said packing
and its washer 25 from turning with said cap 23 as it rotates with the wheel or
other rotary part. The elastic annular packing 24 is in close contact with the
axle or shaft and effectually excludes dust and moisture from the bearing, so that
little or no oiling will be required.
In Figure 4 I have shown a construction in which the long inner sleeve 7 is
omitted, the cylindrical axle 1 being then treated in a suitable manner to provide
it with a hardened surface for contact with the balls 3 in the cages 4, while a short
sleeve or tubular piece 30 is secured to the axle between the L-shaped tubular
pieces 12 by means of a screw 9, in such position that the balls 5 in the cages 6
will have a rolling contact with the ends of said sleeve 30 and the sides of the pro-
jections 13 on the sleeves 12 to resist thrust or end pressure from both directions.
By omitting the inner sleeve 7 from between the axle and anti-friction balls and
hardening the axle to furnish a suitable bearing surface for said balls, the diameter
and weight of the bearing can be reduced with great advantage in certain classes
of work.
It will be observed that the caps 14, 22 and 23, are so arranged as to hold the
sleeves or tubular pieces 12 in place and at the same time close the ends of the
bearing and prevent the entrance of dirt and moisture.
It is obvious that in ball bearings of this character the described construction
and arrangement of the various parts will result in great advantages in the facility

page_text: with which a plain cylindrical axle or shaft can be employed an 1 the largely reduced
expense incident to the production of a metal axt formed from a straight cylindrical
bar without permanent or integral collars or shoulders.
By the employment of a detachable circumferential projection 8 or 30 located
between the inner ends of the tubular pieces or sleeves 12, and the arrangement of
tae detachable caps for holding these sleeves in place and closing the ends of the
bearings a large economy is effected in the practical construction of ball bearings
of this character.
All the several and distinct series or groups of spherical rollers or balls for
resisting radial pressure or end thrust are adapted to revolve freely in all dire tions
independent of the respective concentric and plane bearing surfaces on and against
which they roll or act and said groups of balls being separately confined or retained
in suitable loosely placed cages, and removable in a body therewith can be handled
with great convenience and without difficulty or loss of time in assembling or
detaching the various parts of the bearing.
It will be understood, of course, that the shaft 1 instead of being stationary,
may be arranged to rotate in bearings having substantially the construction and
arrangement herein described as applied to a pulley, wheel or other rotary part,
the operation of the ball bearings being in both cases the same.
Referring to Figure 7 the numeral designates a car axle spindle which may
have a hardened metal sleeve 2 fast thereon. The axle is supported in a journal
box 3 which may be of any suitable construction.
The spherical rollers or balls 4 for sustaining the radial pressure of the axle
are confined in an annular cage 5, that is adapted to surround the axle spindle.
The said cage 5 is enclosed in a sleeve 6, having an inwardly projecting flange
or shoulder 7 at its outer end. Before the cage 5 and sleeve 6, are placed in
position within the bearing, the cage and its contained balls are inserted in the said
enclosing sleeve. In the inner end of the sleeve 6, beyond the cage 5 is an internal
annular shoulder or ledge 8 against which abuts a packing ring 9, that may be
faced with metal washers 10, arranged on its opposite sides. The inner end of the
sleeve 6, is closed by a shouldered aunular cap 11 abutting against the packing ring 9
or outer washer 10 and secured in place by screw bolts 12, or otherwise. By this
construction the sleeve 6 and inclosed cage of balls can be inserted into and
removed from the journal box in a body without any difficulty or loss of time. When
the sleeve 6 and its contents are placed in position within the bearing or journal
box the annular cap 11 abuts against a packing ring or cushion 13 surrounding the
axle and supported by a shoulder 14, in the inner end of the journal box.
The outer end of the journal box 3 is closed by a cap 15 secured in place by
screw bolts 16 or other suitable means. Within this cap 15 is secured by means
of screw bolts 17, a disc or hardened steel surface 18 and an interposed elastic
cushion 19 that is placed between the outer face of said dise and the inner face of
the cap. In the centre of the stationary disc 18 is secured a screw bolt 2 that
forins a central support for a movable disc or hardened steel surface 21 and for an
annular ball retaining cage 22 containing a series of spherical rollers or balls 23
that project laterally from the opposite sides of said cage in position to take the
end thrust of the axle.
It will be observed that the cage 5 containing the balls for resisting radial
pressure, is of less length than the ball bearing surfaces of the concentric sleeves 2
and 6, or the space between the shoulder 7 and packing ring 9 thus permitting the
cage 5 to have a free movement longitudinally with the axle as well as in a
rotary direction so that while the balls 4 may be placed close together within the
cage they will not be compelled to move in circular paths on the bearing surfaces,
but, by the movement of the cage, they will have sufficient play to distribute the
wear uniformly. In this construction I may provide for a longitudinal movement
of the axle so that the balls confined in the cage will be compelled to roll in contact
with the whole of the bearing surfaces. It will also be observed that all the parts
of the bearing are so constructed that they can be easily disconnected and replaced,

page_text: and that the arrangement of the devices for sustaining radial pressure is such that
by permitting the removal of the annular ball retaining cage and its enclosing
sleeve together, or in one body, quick and ready access is afforded for replacing
the packings at the inner end of the bearing or for making any required adjustments
of the several parts.
In Figure 8 the hardened metallic sleeve or casing 2 has a closed end that covers
the end of said shaft or axle.
Within the cap 15 is a hardened plate 18 forming a bearing surface for the
spherical rollers or balls 23 and receiving the end thrust. The plate 18 and
cage 22 are held in place by means of a shouldered ring or annular cap 24 secured
by bolts 25, or other suitable means in such a manner that the cap 15 and its
contents can be attached or removed in a body. It will be observed that when the
cap 15 is in position the balls 23 and their cage 22 will be free to revolve between
the plate 18 and the hardened end or surface of the shaft or axle in such a manner
as to take the thrust or end pressure thereof with a minimum of friction, and as
the balls are arranged to have a free movement within the cage compartments and
together cover the whole of the bearing surfaces the wear thereof will be evenly
distributed.
My improved form of ball cage shown in Figures 9 to 12 is composed of inner
and outer concentrically arranged rings 1 and 2 that are connected at suitable
points by double sets of wires or wire rods 3 between which the spherical rollers or
balls 4 are loosely placed and by which they are retained in operative position, in
such a manner as to revolve freely in all directions. The double sets of wires or
wire rods 3 that retain the balls are so arranged as to form oblong compartments
of uniform width in which the balls will have free lateral play so as to be capable
of moving in varying lines and thus evenly distribute the friction and wear over the
whole of the bearing surfaces.
In the centre of the cage the inner ring 1, Figures 9 and 11 forms an opening
by which the cage may be made to surround a shaft or axle.
The several ball compartments can be arranged at any desired angles with each
other and at any desired distances apart as shown in the different figures of the
drawing.
If it is desired to have a movement of the balls across the centre of the cage the
inner ring 1, can be divided as shown in Figure 10 so that one of the oblong ball
compartments can be extended entirely across the cage and permit a play of the
balls across or through the centre. The cage shown in Figure 10 is intended to be
placed at the end of a vertical or horizontal shaft.
It will be observed that a ball bearing cage of this construction is comparatively
light and inexpensive and that it provides a convenient means for inserting and
removing the balls in a body, and for confining them in operative position inde-
pendent of the bearing surfaces against which they act. By this construction, also,
the cage can be first completed and the wires then sprung apart to permit the
insertion of the balls.
Referring now to Figures 13 to 15 the numeral 1, designates a vertical stationary
shaft or spindle that may be detachably secured in a suitable base or support 2, as
in a curve of a cable railroad or other situation.
Surrounding the lower part of the shaft 1, above its support is a centrally
perforated plate or disc 3, preferably composed of steel or having a hardened
bearing surface on which roll a number of balls or spherical rollers 4, that are
retained in a cage
composed of concentric rings and radial wires or wire rods,
substantially as shown in Figure 11. In this cage are placed several concentric
series of spherical rollers or balls.
Above the cage 5, and in bearing contact with the contained balls 4 is placed a
hardened centrally perforated plate or disc 6, that surrounds the shaft 1 loosely so
as to rotate thereon. The disc 6 supports a single circular series or group of
spherical rollers or balls 7 confined in an annular cage 8, surrounding the shaft 1.
The lower end of the loose pulley or other rotary part 9 is in contact with and

page_text: may be secured to the rotary disc 6 but ordinarily it is not necessary to rigidly
connect these parts, as the weight of the pulley will hold it on the disc so that they
will rotate together.
On the shaft or spindle 1 above the cage 8 may be fitted a hardened metal
sleeve 10, and in the pulley 9 may be secured a similar sleeve 11 of larger diameter.
Instead of employing these sleeves 10 and 11, the concentric bearing surfaces of
the shaft and pulley may be hardened in any suitable manner.
Between the shaft and pulley and supported on the circular group of balls 7 is
an annular cage 12, Figures 14 and 15 containing a number of spherical rollers or
balls 13 for sustaining or resisting radial pressure and diminishing friction. The
annular cage 12 is composed of end rings 14 and 15 connected by concentric sets
of inner and outer longitudinal wires or wire rods 16 and 17 that form elongated
longitudinally extended spaces or chambers to receive the balls or spherical
rollers. In order to provide for supporting the balls 13 in such a manner
that each ball will occupy a slightly varying transverse plane from that of
the adjoining ball in the adjacent vertically elongated compartiment or chamber,
and thereby distribute the rolling action of said balls uniformly over substantially
the whole of the concentric bearing surfaces, the inner edge of the lower end
ring 14 of the cage 12 may be formed on an inclined plane, as shown in Figures 13
and 15 so that the ends of the several chambers will be in different planes at one
end of the cage; or, if preferred, the same object can be accomplished by
providing the inner edge of said ring 14 with a succession of steps or slight
graduations. By this arrangement of balls the transverse axes of those in adjacent
spaces or chambers will be in slightly varying planes so that the collection of balls
in the cage will be in rolling contact with substantially the whole of the bearing
surfaces, thereby uniformly distributing the friction and wear. If desired, the
cage 12 may be divided into annular compartments by means of an inclined ring 18
that will also cause the balls to occupy the position just described, in which the
axes of balls in adjacent chambers will be in gradually varying planes.
After the pulley 9 and the several cages of spherical rollers or balls have been
arranged in operative position a cap 19 and a nut 20 may be placed on the upper
screw-threaded end of the vertical shaft or spindle.
It will be observed that the spherical rollers or balls + confined in the cage 5 are
adapted and arranged to revolve freely in all directions between and in contact
with the discs or hardened plane surfaces 3 and 6 in such a manner as to take the
thrust or end pressure of the pulley or other rotary part, while the revolving balls 7
in the cage 8 sustain the thrust or end pressure of the cage 12 iu which are placed
the balls 13 that are in rolling contact with the hardened concentric surfaces of the
shaft and pulley for the purpose of resisting radial pressure. Each of the several
sets or groups of balls is removable in a body with the cage in which they are
confined, thereby facilitating the manipulation of the parts in assembling and
detaching the several devices.
In the last part of my invention ilhistrated in Figures 16 and 17 the numeral 1
designates a hollow cylinder which may be fixed to a suitable support. One end of
this cylinder is internally screw threaded to receive and engage an externally screw
threaded disc 2 having in its centre a recess, groove or slot 3 to receive a screw
driver or other suitable instrument by which said dise can be rotated or adjusted to
proper position within the inclosing cylinder. The other end of the hollow
cylinder 1 is internally screw threaded to receive and engage an annular externally
screw threaded cap 4 that can be screwed into place by means of a spanner.
opening in the centre of the annular cap 4 is sufficiently large to permit the
insertion and free rotation of the spindle 5 and its ready withdrawal when required.
The cylinder 1 incloses a sleeve 6 having a slightly tapering longitudinal bore 7
that is adapted to have a wedging engagement with a corresponding tapering
surface of the spindle 5 so that said sleeve and spindle may rotate together and
yet be readily detached or drawn apart when necessary.
The
As shown in Figure 16 the inner surface of the cylinder 1 and the outer surface

page_text: of the sleeve may be made correspondingly tapering or conoidal from one end to
the other, and the outer surface of the said conoidal shaped sleeve 6 may be
provided with annular grooves or recesses 8 to receive circular groups of spherical
rollers or balls 9 adapted to revolve freely in all directions in bearing contact with
concentric surfaces of said cylinder and sleeve for the purpose of resisting radial
pressure and to enable the spindle to rotate without wobbling.
It will be observed that the annular grooves, channels or recesses 8 have each
two plane surfaces parallel to each other and substantially at right angles to the
concentric surfaces on which the balls 9 roll. The said balls 9 are thus arranged
to bear only at diametrically opposite points against and roll upon the concentric
surfaces and are retained in place by the parallel plane surfaces of the annular
channels 8 in which they are placed.
The end thrust of the sleeve 6 is supported by a number of spherical rollers or
balls 10 confined in a cage 11. These balls 10 are adapted to revolve freely in
all directions in contact with the parallel plane bearing surfaces of the adjustable
disc 2 and the adjacent end of the sleeve 6, as shown. By means of the adjustable
disc 2 and the tapering surfaces of the cylinder 1 and conoidal shaped sleeve 6, the
balls 9 for sustaining radial pressure can be readily brought to a proper bearing so
that they will roll freely in contact with the concentric bearing surfaces, without
any tendency to wedging. It will be seen, also, that the construction and
arrangement of the externally threaded disc 2 and the externally threaded annular
cap 4 enables either or both of these paris to be so adjusted with relation to the
cylinder 1 and sleeve 6, as to prevent any excessive end-wise movement of the spindle.
In Figure 17 I have shown the cylinder 1 and sleeve 6, as formed without
tapering surfaces, and the balls 9 for sustaining radial pressure, instead of being
located in grooves are confined in an annular cage 12.
It will be observed that the annular cap 4 retains the balls and the sleeve 6
within the cylinder or casing and that the spindle 5 which is in wedging
engagement with said sleeve can be readily withdrawn when necessary, without
disturbing or removing the ball bearings. Should it be necessary to adjust the
disc 2 to give a nice adjustment to the sleeve 6 or to the balls 9 for any purpose,
the required adjustment can be readily accomplished by simply withdrawing the
spindle and then passing a suitable instrument through the cap 4 and sleeve 6 into
engagement with the disc 2 which can be thus rotated or adjusted. In like manner
on removing the spindle and attached wharve any required adjustment can be
given to the annular cap or retaining ring 4 by means of a spanner.
The metal surfaces against which the several groups of balls act may be hardened
in a well-known manner.
In a bearing of this description the rolling action of the balls will reduce
friction to a minimum so that little or no oil will be required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is
1. A ball-bearing for a pulley or the like constructed substantially as described
with reference to Figure 1 or to Figure 4 of the drawings, and operating as specified.
2. The packing device for excluding dirt and moisture from the bearing,
substantially as described with reference to Figure 4.
3. In a ball-bearing, the combination, with an axle, its journal box, and a cage in
which are confined spherical rollers or balls for sustaining radial pressure, of a
removable sleeve in which said cage is inclosed, said sleeve having at one end an
inwardly projecting flange or shoulder and provided at its other end with an annular
packing ring and retaining devices whereby the sleeve and inclosed cage of balls can
be inserted and removed together, substantially as described.
4. A ball-bearing for a car axle constructed substantially as described with
reference to Figure 7 or to Figure 8, and operating as specified.
5. A ball-cage for a thrust ball-bearing, said cage consisting of concentric rings

page_text: connected by double sets of wires or wire rods arranged to form oblong compart-
ments of uniform width in which spherical rollers or balls are capable of revolving
in all directions with free lateral play so as to move in varying lines, substantially
as set forth.
6. In a ball-bearing, a rotary cage having a series of parallel longitudinally
extended chambers the ends of which are in different planes at one end of said
cage, in combination with spherical rollers or balls supported and retained in said
chambers in such position that the transverse axes of the several balls are in slightly
varying planes, whereby the balls are adapted to roll in separate paths and cover
nearly the whole of the bearing surfaces, substantially as described.
7. A pulley or the like provided with ball-bearings constructed and arranged
substantially as described with reference to Figure 13 for the purposes specified.
8. A ball-cage constructed substantially as described with reference to Figures 14
and 15 for the purpose specified.
9. A. self-contained spindle bearing constructed and arranged substantially as
described with reference to Figure 16 or to Figure 17, and operating as specified.
Dated this 25th day of August 1892.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.