Improvements in Journal-bearings.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 9th June, 1897-Accepted, 22nd Jan., 1898
Improvements in Journal-bearings.
1, WILLIAM JAY TRIPP, of 359, Lenox Avenue, New York City, in the County and
State of New York, United States of America, Doctor of Medicine, 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 improvements in journal bearings of the class generally
designated as "ball bearings," and the objects thereof are to reduce friction of the
bearing parts to a minimum and to provide means for lateral adjustinent of the cones
forming part of the construction; a further object being to allow for a slight lateral
thrust of the axle or shaft in constructions where such a movement is desirable or
essential without disturbing the bearing surfaces. To allow for such adjustment and
movement, the cones or rings forming the bearing surfaces are constructed in
segmental sections, so assembled that lateral movement of one sectional ring will
automatically cause a radial movement of the segments of an opposing sectional ring
to automatically equalize the bearing surface upon which the spheres are journaled.
The invention comprises a simple and durable construction designed for use on
bicycles or other vehicles and machinery, as will be hereinafter fully described and
specifically set forth in the annexed claims.
In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification :
Figure 1 is a plan view, partly in section, of the rear hub of a bicycle wheel
showing a portion of the frame attached thereto.
Figure 2 is a similar view of the crank shaft and hub of a bicycle frame, having
the cranks connected thereto.
Figure 3 is a side elevation of the cranks.
Figure 4 is a side elevation of a segmental section of one of the rings adapted for
carrying the balls or spheres formning part of the construction.
Figure 5 is an end elevation thereof.
Figure 6 is a vertical sectional elevation of a vehicle wheel hub having my
improved journal bearing attached thereto.
Figure 7 is a similar view, illustrating a different construction of the hub.
Figure 8 is a side view, partly in section, showing the relative position of the wheel
spokes and the journal bearing.
Figure 9 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of a journal box adapted for railway
cars having my improved bearings mounted therein.
Figure 10 is a cross sectional elevation, taken on the line xx of Fig. 9.
Figure 11 is a side elevation, partly in section illustrating the application of my
invention to a journal box for mounting a longitudinal driving shaft.
Figure 12 is a sectional elevation on the line y-y of Fig. 11; and
Figures 13, 14, 15 and 16 are detail views of parts of the construction.
In the practice of my invention, the balls or spheres A are mounted between

page_text: annular V-shaped bearing surfaces, B and B', the two V-shaped bearing surfaces
being arranged opposite to each other, to permit each ball to make four contact
points thereon, the sides or bevels of the bearing surfaces being arranged at right
angles to each other, whereby a practically square path, 1, is provided for the spheres
to travel in.
Preferably, each sphere A is provided with an opening formed in the shape of two
conic frusta having their apex ends at the centre of the ball. Through this opening
passes a spindle, a, secured at its ends to rings, C and C¹, each formed in
segmental sections, c. The adjacent ends of the sections c of the rings C and C¹
may be flexibly connected to each other by means of links, c', as illustrated in Fig. 15
of the drawings, or the said segmental sections may be entirely independent of each
other, as illustrated in Fig. 14 of the drawings. It is obvious, that by this
construction, the sections will independently yield or move to allow the balls A to
bear at all times at four points on the annular bearing surfaces, B and B₁; further,
by this construction of sectional rings, the balls can be readily inserted within their
bearings.
The bearing surfaces or rings, B and B¹, are also composed of segmental sections b
and they are held together by means of dowels b¹ and sockets 62 or they may be
arranged without any active connection with each other.
In the construction illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the outer bearing
surface B comprises an annular head, 2, threaded to the shaft, 3, and the sectional
ring 4, mounted within a cap, 5, secured to the head, 2. This said cap has a flange, 6,
projected therefrom with an annular groove therein carrying a rubber washer, 7,
which fits around the hub, 8, to exclude dust from the bearing surface.
In the construction shown in Fig. 2, the outer bearing surface B comprises two
sectional rings 2ª and 20 mounted within a cap 5 which carries a washer 7" to exclude
dust from the bearing surface. In this construction, the cap 5* is threaded to a
head 9 forming part of the crank 10, and the crank shaft 11 is also threaded to a
recess formed within this head. As a further means for securing the shaft to the
crank head and to prevent independent rotary motion of the crank on the shaft, I
provide countersunk screws, 12, and accidental displacement of said screws is
prevented by means of a large headed bolt, 13, which is screwed into the shaft 11.
In the application of my invention, as illustrated by Figs. 6, 7 and 8 of the
drawings, the outer bearing surface B comprises a ring 14 having an annular V-shaped
groove 15 formed therein, and the inner bearing surface B¹ comprises rings 16 and 17
arranged opposite to each other and a segment 18 having a V-shaped groove therein,
these said parts being secured around the end of the axle, E, and locked thereon by
means of the nut, e, and a washer, e¹.
In Figs. 9 and 10 I have illustrated the application of my invention to a journal
box for railway cars and in this construction the outer bearing surface B is formed in
the shape of an annular V-shaped groove within two adjacent sections, f and f¹, of
the journal box, f. The inner bearing surface comprises a grooved ring, 19, secured
around the axle, G.
To exclude dust from the bearing surface in this construction, telescopic rings, H
and H¹ are placed around the shaft G. The said rings are respectively supplied with
flanges h and h¹ and engaging between these flanges is a normally expanded spiral
spring, I, adapted to force the rings away from each other. Both rings are arranged
within an annular recess f2 formed in the journal box, and a rubber washer, h², is
interposed between the flange h¹ and the inner wall of the said recess to prevent dust
from reaching the bearing surfaces, the whole structure being held in place by means
of a ring, J, which is bolted to the box, F, by means of bolts j.
In the application of my invention as a means for hanging a longitudinal driving
shaft, K, I provide an upright box, L, comprising two sections and connected to
each other by means of bolts, 12, and nuts, 18. This said box is supplied with an
annular recess 14 adapted to receive the sectional rings 20 and 21 forming the outer
bearing surface B, the inner bearing surface B' comprising a sectional ring 22 which

page_text: is mounted within an annular groove, . formed in the shaft, K, the groove being
wider than the ring to permit of a lateral thrust of the shaft.
The rings comprising the outer bearing surface, B, are in this instance held in
position adjacent to each other by means of a screw-head, M, formed in two
sections, m and m³, these sections being held together by means of a dovetail
joint, m². This said head is adapted to adjust the bearing rings 20 and 21 laterally
for the purpose of tightening or loosening them and it is held in position by means
of a pawl, N, which engages with grooves n formed in the periphery of the flange m³
forming part of the head, M. In this construction, it is obvious that the shaft may
be tightened by lateral adjustment of the bearing rings when desired.
It will be noted that in the construction described in paragraphs 5 and 6, page 3,
the inner bearing surface is adjustable laterally upon the shaft, see Fig. 11, but in
other constructions, the bearing is fixed as in Figs. 6, 7 and 8.
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
1. A journal-bearing, comprising two annular bearing-surfaces arranged one around
the other to form an annular path, approximately square in cross section, a plurality
of spheres mounted between said bearing surfaces, a shaft or axle and enclosing
boxing, substantially as shown and described.
2. A journal-bearing, comprising two annular-sectional-bearing-surfaces arranged
one around the other and forming between them an annular path approximately
square in cross section, a plurality of spheres arranged to run in the said annular
path, a shaft or axle and means for enclosing the bearing surfaces, substantially as
shown and described.
3. In a journal-bearing, the combination, with a dust cap or casing, of a rotative
hub, two sectional-bearing-surfaces arranged one around the other adapted for
adjustment toward and from each other and having their adjacent faces grooved in
the form of a V, whereby an annular path, square in cross section is formed; and a
plurality of spheres pivotally mounted between sectional rings and running within
the said annular path, substantially as shown and described.
4. In a journal-bearing, the combination of two annular bearing surfaces which
are V-shaped in cross section and arranged one around the other to form an annular
path, square in cross section, the outer bearing surface comprising two adjacent rings
composed of segments, and an annular series of spheres journaled on spindles secured
between rings composed of segmental sections, whereby the bearing surfaces may be
laterally and radially adjusted; with a dust cap, a hub and an enclosed shaft adapted
for connection to the frame or the pedal crank of a bicycle or similar vehicle,
substantially as shown and described.
5. In a journal-bearing, the combination of two inner collars adjustable toward and
from each other and having their adjacent faces beveled to form a V-shaped bearing
surface between them, an outer ring surrounding the collars and having on its inner
face a V-shaped bearing surface adapted to form in conjunction with the bearing
surface of the said collars an annular path approximately square in cross section, a
plurality of spheres within said path, a shaft or axle carrying the said collars and a
box or hub enclosing the said parts, substantially as shown and described.
6. In a bearing, the combination of two rings adjustable to and from each other
and composed of segments, said rings having their adjacent faces beveled to form in
conjunction a V-shaped bearing surface, and an inner collar composed of segments
and having a V-shaped groove formed in the periphery thereof, whereby in
conjunction with the bearing surface of the said rings an annular path, square in
cross section is formed, a shaft having an annular groove thereon engaging the said
collar, whereby lateral thrust of the shaft is allowed, and a box enclosing the said
parts and a threaded-sectional-head engaging the end opening of said box and
adapted for adjusting the said rings and means for locking the head to guard against
accidental turning thereof, substantially as shown and described.

page_text: 7. The journal-bearings adapted for the purposes described and constructed
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
D
نديد
T1907
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.