IMPROVEMENTS IN LUBRICATING AND PROTECTING FROM DUST THE STEPS AND BEARINGS OF SPINDLES FOR SPINNING AND OTHER MACHINERY
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Harcourt Thompson, of Oldham, in the County of
Lancaster, Civil Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LUBRICATING
AND PROTECTING FROM DUST THE STEPS AND BEARINGS OF SPINDLES FOR
SPINNING AND OTHER MACHINERY."
Sealed the 2nd January 1880, and dated the 4th July 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Harcourt Thompson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th July 1879.
THOMAS HARCOURT THOMPSON, of Oldham, in the County of Lancaster, Civil
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN LUBRICATING AND PROTECTING FROM DUST. THE
STEPS AND BEARINGS OF SPINDLES FOR SPINNING AND OTHER MACHINERY."
This Invention, which relates to improvements in the lubrication and protection
of spindle steps and bearings, consists of means whereby the lubricant is fed con-
stantly and equably to the spindle bearing while the spindle is in motion, at the
same time that the bearings are protected from dust and other clogging matters and
influences. According to my Invention I enclose the lower part of the spindle and
step within a circular or other shaped shield or box, the lower part of which is
inserted into the rail carrying the spindle steps, the upper part being provided with
an air tight cover through the centre of which the spindle passes. Within the said
box or cylindrical shield there is an oil reservoir consisting of an annular space, the
inner wall of which surrounds and fits closely to the spindle. Near the bottom of
the protecting cylinder the annular reservoir is terminated by a horizontal partition.
The aforesaid inner wall has in it one or more perforations a short distance above
the partition, and a curved spring is provided and attached above each perforation,
the free end of the spring entering into and filling the said perforation and pressing
upon the spindle. When in use the annular space or reservoir is filled with oil,
which operation can be effected by removing the air tight cover. While the spindle
is at rest the nose of the spring occupies the perforation and prevents the oil from
having access to the bearing, but when the spindle is running the consequent vibra-
tion causes the spring, by partaking of the vibratory movement, to shake slightly
in and out of the perforation, and thus to induce a scanty but constant and sufficient
supply of oil to find its way to the spindle, and thereafter to the step. The waste

page_text: of oil which takes place under the present system is thus avoided, and the bearings
require-much-less:attention, as-the-reservoirs-only-require-to-be-replenished with oil-
when the supply has become exhausted, and also by the employment of the herein-
before described shield, and the consequent exclusion of the clogging matters; the
bearings and spindles work better, last longer, and require less driving power. To
lubricate the upper bearing of the spindle a similar cylindrical shield, in combina-
tion with an oil reservoir, is employed, and is held in position against the lower side
of the upper rail by means of a spiral spring which rests in a state of compression
between the bottom of the shield and the driving pulley of the spindle. In lieu,
however, of the springs and perforations herein before described, as applied to the
lower reservoir, I prefer to employ a wick, which dips into the oil reservoir and
embraces the spindle at the neck of the bearing, which is thus kept properly supplied
The reservoir of the upper shield may be filled by pushing it down against
the pressure of the spiral spring until the upper mouth is clear of the top rail.
with oil.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Harcourt Thompson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
3rd January 1880.
THOMAS HARCOURT THOMPSON, of Oldham, in the County of Lancaster, Civil
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN LUBRICATING AND PROTECTING FROM DUST THE
STEPS AND BEARINGS OF SPINDLES FOR SPINNING AND OTHER MACHINERY."
My Invention, which relates to improvements in the lubrication and protection
of spindle steps and bearings, consists of means whereby the lubricant is fed con-
stantly and equably to the spindle bearing while the spindle is in motion, at the
same time that the bearings are protected from dust and other clogging matters and
influences. According to one arrangement I enclose the spindle within a circular or
other shaped shield or box provided with a cover through which the spindle passes.
Within the said box is an annular space or reservoir which surrounds the spindle.
The inner wall of the reservoir has in it a perforation, and the free end of a spring
enters into and fills the said perforation and touches the spindle. In a second
arrangement I employ a cylindrical wick which dips into the oil reservoir and
surrounds the spindle and the aforesaid inner wall in which the perforation is formed,
the aforesaid spring being dispensed with.
In order that my said Invention may be fully understood I have attached here-
unto a sheet of Drawings, to which I will now refer. Fig. 1 of the said Drawings
illustrates my Invention as applied to two mule spindles, Fig. 2 representing one of
the spindles with the improved lubricators in section. In these Figures the aforesaid
first arrangement is applied to the lower part of the spindle, and the second arrange-
ment to the upper part. Surrounding the lower part of the spindle is a cylindrical
oil reservoir a which is provided with a cover b. Attached to the bottom of the
reservoir is a tube c which forms the inner wall of the said reservoir. In the said
tube is formed a perforation through which passes the free end of a spring d; the
end of the said spring fills, or nearly fills, the said perforation, and prevents the oil
from having access to the bearing when the spindle is at rest, but when the spindle
is revolving the vibration of the spring induces a scanty but coustant supply of oil
to pass through the perforation to the spindle. The upper part of the spindle is
also surrounded by a cylindrical oil reservoir e; inside the said reservoir is an
annular space to contain oil, and in the tube or inner wall fa perforation g is formed.
The tube f is surrounded by a cylindrical envelope h, which is the same as or similar
to an ordinary cylindrical lamp wick. The oil rises in the said envelope by capilliary
attraction, and is drawn through the perforation during the revolution of the spindle,
and the bearing becomes thereby supplied with lubricant. When the spindle is at
rest the supply of oil through the perforation ceases. It has been found that a small
perforation will permit a sufficient quantity of oil to pass to efficiently lubricate the
bearing, and that the supply of oil contained in the reservoir will last for several
weeks, so that great economy in oil and in the time now required to apply oil to the
spindles are obtained. In the example the reservoirs are kept in position by means
of spiral springs i, and can be drawn down when requiring replenishment, but I do
not consider this to be a good arrangement. In Fig. 3 the oil is supplied by similar
means to both top and bottom bearings, and I may mention in this place that I
prefer to employ the second arrangement, that is to say, the cylindrical wick or
envelope, for both bearings. In Fig. 3 the outer and inner walls of the reservoir
are fixed or formed on or to the lower footstep bearing, so that the ordinary footstep
may be removed and a complete lubricator be fixed in its place. A cover b prevents
dust and fluff from getting into the reservoir. A hinged rod k sustains the upper
reservoirs in lieu of the spiral springs. The remaining Figures illustrate the arrange-
ment which I consider to be most suitable. Fig. 4 represents a front view, and
Fig. 5 a cross section of portions of the top and bottom rails of a mule carriage with
spindles mounted in position. In this example the spindle bearings are formed in

page_text: paps, whih are cast upon, or formed, or fixed on or to the bottom of a metal trough
ɩ which is let into or fixed to the rail. In practice have made the said trough-long-
enough to contain the bearings of twelve spindles, but this may be varied. Each
pap is perforated, and is surrounded by a cylindrical wick or envelope, as in the
example previously described. The trough is provided with a lid or cover, which
is perforated to clear the paps, and by preference touches the upper ends of the
wicks, whereby dust is more effectually excluded from the trough. Fig. 6 represents
-a-plan-of-a-portion of the trough with the cover removed. Fig. 7 represents a
modification wherein one side of the trough is made to form the front of the rail,
especially in the case of the upper rail. To check the access of dirt to the bearing I
apply a washer of leather m to the spindle, which washer revolves with the spindle
and receives any dirt which might otherwise fall upon the top of the pap. An
important feature in my Invention is that the wick or envelope effectually filters
the oil before admitting it to the bearing. Although only one perforation is men-
tioned in each case, if necessary, the oil may flow to a bearing through more than
one perforation. The Invention is applicable to the lubrication of the bearings of
throstle spindles and of other spindles.
Having now fully set forth and indicated the nature of my said Invention, and
the manner in which I carry the same into practical effect, I would have it to be
understood that I claim,―
First. The arrangements substantially as and for the purposes set forth and
indicated hereinbefore, and in and by the accompanying Drawings.
And secondly.. The employment of a wick surrounding the bearing and supplying
oil thereto from a reservoir, substantially as set forth and indicated.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Harcourt Thompson, have hereunto set
my band and seal, this Second day of January, in the year of our Lord 1880.
Signed and sealed by the said
Thomas Harcourt Thompson,
in the presence of
EDWARD K. DUTTON,
Agent to the Patentee,
St. Ann's Churchyard,
Manchester.
1. Ц. ІдолгрVIY. (L.B.)