Improvements in or applicable to Wheels and Axles for Trolleys, Trams, and other similar Wagons.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Mar., 1896-Accepted, 25th Apr., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or applicable to Wheels and Axles for Trolleys,
Trams, and other similar Wagons.
I THOMAS ROWBOTHAM of Shaw Villa, Stockport, in the County of Chester,
Engineer, 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 the construction of self oiling and dust-proof wheels
and axles for trolleys, trams and other similar wagons as used in mines, collieries,
and the like.
The wheels are made of steel, iron, or other suitable metal, and are made to run
loose upon the axles, as distinct from the usual method of fastening the wheels
upon the axles.
The latter may be either fixed or mounted loosely upon the trolley, tram, or
wagon as may be preferred.
The nature of my said invention and the manner of carrying the same into
practical effect will be readily understood on reference to the drawings hereunto
annexed.
Fig. 1 on the drawings is an elevation of a trolley axle having a pair of improved
wheels fitted thereon complete according to my invention one of the wheels being
shown in section.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of one of my improved wheels complete, and Fig. 3 a
similar view with the hub and oil-box shown in section.
Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are detached views of separate parts hereinafter more
particularly referred to.
a is the axle, b the wheel, e the boss or hub, and e the oil box which is cast
around it in one piece with the hub and the wheel. fis the cap which is screwed
into the face of the oil box, and this cap is provided with an oil hole in the
centre.
To admit the oil to the oil box e, and to retain the same therein and prevent
it from escaping I fix in this hole a spring stopper (see detached view Fig. 5)
composed of a spiral spring g having a button h at the outer end pressing against
the inside of the cap and at the inner end a conical point i fitting into a conical
hole made in the end of the axle a.
This arrangement allows of the introduction of the oil on forcing in the button h
by a syringe or otherwise, and at the same time prevents the spring plug from
getting out of place.
I fit the inside of the hub or boss of the wheel with a bush k of bronze or other
suitable metal or alloy.
To prevent loss of oil at the back of the wheel, and to keep out dirt and dust I
bore out a cavity in the interior of the hub and I bevil the back end of the bush to
receive a packing of cotton wool or other suitable material to bear close
against the axle a all round, and I insert in this cavity at the back of each
wheel a ring or gland m (also bevilled inside) and it will be evident that the
V-shape of the packing space thus formed will always incline the cotton wool
or other packing 1 to bear gently against the axle, and the ring or gland m
(which is driven in tight) will keep it in position. I make a slot (or slots) n

page_text: through the boss or hub to facilitate the removal of the gland m to renew the
packing when required.
At or near the end of the axle a (see detached view Fig. 4) I turn a square
circumferential groove or neck a¹ and round this neck at each end of the axle I
bend and close whilst hot a square iron collar a+ (see detached view Fig. 6) and
in each end of the axle I make a conical central hole to receive the conical point i
of the spring stopper.
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. In axles for trolleys, trams, and other similar wagons fitted with loose self
oiling wheels the combination of the square circumferential groove or neck at or
near each end of the axle with the iron ring or collar bent round and closed whilst
hot to keep the hub of the wheel in place; and the conical central hole in the end
of the axle to receive the point of the spring stopper.
2. In loose self oiling wheels for trolleys, trams, or other similar wagons, the
bush of bronze or other suitable metal or alloy on the inside of the hub or
boss in combination with the cotton wool or other suitable packing in a V-shaped
or other suitable recess and the metal ring or gland for keeping the same in
place.
3. The construction and use of the double ended spring stopper for closing the
hole in the oil box in such wheels in combination with a conical central hole in
the end of the axle to receive the inner pointed end of the said stopper, sub-
stantially as shown and described.
Dated this 12th day of March 1896.
GEO. DAVIES & SON,
4, St. Ann's Square, Manchester, Agents for the Applicant.