US700179A - Journal-box and roller-bearing for railway-car axles. - Google Patents

Description

No. 700,|79.- Patented May 20, I902 E. F. CROWTHER. JOURNAL BOX AND ROLLER BEARING FOB RAILWAY CAB. AXLES.

(Application filed Aug. 2'6, 1901. I (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet I.

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I E. F. snowmen. JOURNAL BOX ANDRULLER BEARING FUR RAILWAY CAB AXLESL I (Application filed Aug. 26, 1901.) (No IlqdeL) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 11- I JJ jizwzzfazf @mzwmwzm UNI-TED STATES PAT NT @FFICE.

FEDGA'RYF. oRoWTnER, or VICKSBURG,lllISSISSIPPI.

[JOURNAL-BOX AND ROLLER-BEARING FOR RA|L WA Y-CAR AXLES.

srnorrrcarron forming part of Letters Patent No. 700,179, dated May 20, 1902.

' Application filed August 26, 1901. Serial No. 731,332." on model.)

for its object to provide a simple,-durable,,

and efficient device of the character referred to wherein friction and wear willbe reduced to a minimum and from-which dust,- grit, and

the like will be eflectually excluded; v

To these ends my invention consists in the 1 featuresand in the construction, combination, and "arrangement of parts hereinafter described,- and particularly pointed out in the claims following the description, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, wherein a Figure l i's a view in side elevation of my improved box and bearing. Fig. 2 is a transverse verticalsectional View thereof. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional View of the same. Fig. 4 is an end View, a portion of the end cap being broken-away. Fig. 5 is a de tail sectional View taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2. Fig. (5 is a vertical central sectional View of the journal-box, the journal, rollers, and sleeve being removed. Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the lower half-box. Fig.8 is a vertical longitudinal centralsectional viewof the upper half-box. Fig. 9 is a detail perspective View illustrating two abutting portions'of the two half-boxes.

tracti'ble sleeve, the sections the'reofbeing shown separated; Fig. 11 is an end View thereof; and Fig12 is an enlarged detail view' showing the relative'arrangementof the-journal, rollers, and'sleeve.

Referring-to the d'rawings, the numeral 1- indicates 'arailwaycar axle which is providedat its opposite ends with enlargements-5,-

(most clearly shown in Fig. 12 of the drawanother, "excepting radially;

v Fig. 10 is a ve'r-- tical longitudinal sectional view of the conings,) having concave shoulders 6. Disposed around and in contact with the rollers 4 is a series-of antifriction-rollers 7, said rollers being'preferably of greater diameter than the rollers l, and'eac'h is provided'with rounded ends 8. Surrounding the outer series of rollers 7 is a sectional contractible'sleeve consisting of a plurality'of segmental sections 9, provided on their. adjacent or meeting edges with tapered or approximately wedgeshaped tongues 10,.the tonguesbeing so arranged that the tonguesofone section project into thespa'ces between the "tongues 'on'the adjacent sections, or, in other'words, the adjacent tongues loosely interlock, whereby said sections areimmovablerelatively to one The ends of each of the sections 9 are providedwith inwardly-projecting concave shoulders 11, that overhang the. rounded ends of the rollers 7. The relative dimensionsof the sections 9 and their tongueslO are such' that the ends of the tongues'never con fact with the'bottoms of the spaces between the adjacent tongues under any circumstances. As shownmost clearly in Fig. 12 of the drawingsythe rounded ends of the rollers 7 and the'concave shoulders '6 and 11 are formed on the arcsof difierent-civ cles, whereby the instant said rounded-ends and concave shoulders commence to deviate from a straight line they diverge from one another, and'thus do not normally contact. The concave shoulders 6' at'thebuter ends of. the

rollers 4 overhang .tlie'roundededgeti of the outer end'of' t'he axle,*an'd th'e' shoulders on the inner ends of said rollersproject into the circumferential groove 2 of the axle, whereby 'the sai'd rollerst are held against end move- ;ment. The rounded ends Sfof thef rol lers 7 are 'c'onfinedbetween "the" concave shoulders .6 of the rollers and the' concave shoulders 11 of the contractible 's'leev'e{ and are th us-held against end movement.

The roller-bearing, constructed as above described, is inclosed within a journal-box con= 'structed-as follows I-nclosing the bearing are two approximately rectangular metallic halfboxes 12 and 13, provided on their adjacent faces with semicylindrical recesses 14, which are confined at their ends between inwardlyprojecting semi-annular flanges 15, formed integrally with the ends of the boxes. The re cesses 14 form seats for the reception of the contractible sleeve, the rollers, and the axle. Formed on the inner face of the upper halfbox 12 and parallel with the recess 14 therein are two longitudinalgrooves 16, which in practice are filled with cotton or other suitable .fibrous material, and preferably a suitable quantity of tar is placed in said grooves before the cotton is inserted therein. On the adjacent face of the other half-box 13 are formed two projecting serrated or toothed ribs 17, which project into the grooves 16 and hold the packing and effectually prevent its dis placement. Endless rectangular grooves 18 are formed in the opposite ends of each of the half-boxes and in practice are also packed with cotton and tar in the same manner as the grooves 10. Fitted over the opposite ends of the two half- boxes 12 and 13 are end caps 19 and 20, each consisting of a flat rectangular plate that fits flush against the ends of the half-boxes, and formed on the inner face of each of said plates is an endless rectangular projecting serrated or toothed rib 21, that projects into the adjacent endless groove 18 and engages the packing therein and holds it securely against displacement. The caps 19 and 20 are tightly clamped against the ends of the half- boxes 12 and 13 by bolts and nuts 22 and 23. The upper and lower portions of the grooves 18 are made of such width that the ribs 21 fit loosely thereon in order that the two half-boxes may have a limited movement toward and away from one another, as will hereinafter more fully appear. The inner end cap 19 is provided centrally with a circular aperture 24, through which the axle 1 passes, and the wailof said aperture is provided with an internal annular groove 25, in the bottom of which are formed thin transverse ribs or webs 26. and tar are packed in said groove, the ribs 26 engaging the cotton and preventing its displacement. As before stated, the end caps 19 and 20 are clamped and held in place by bolts 22, and said bolts pass through longitudinal grooves 27, formed in the adjacent faces of the two half-boxes parallel with the recesses 14. Each of said grooves is slightly greater than a semicircle in cross-section and are so disposed that the grooves of one halfbox register with those of the other half-box to form passages for the reception of the bolts, and by making the said passages slightly larger than the bolts, in the manner described, the half-boxes are permitted to have a limited movement toward and from one another.

The two half-boxes l2 and 13 are adj ustably secured together in the following manner: Formed on the inner adjacent edges of each of the half-boxes is a plurality of vertically-projecting lugs 28, formed equidistant apart and each provided with a transverse horizontal slot 29. The lugs on one half-box are so disposed that they alternate with the lugs on the otherhalf-boxthat is to say, the

(See Fig. 4.) Cottonlugs break joints with one another,where- 4 by when the two half-boxes are assembled together the lugs interlock, or the lugs of one half-box project between the lugs of the other half-box, and to permit such interlocking the inner edge of each half-box is recessed 0r mortised between the lugs 28, as at 30, to permit the ends of the lugs on one half-box to project into the recesses or mortises of the other half-box. are in place, the slots 29 of one series of lugs register with the slots of the corresponding series of lugs, and loosely fitted in the slots are tapered or wedge-shaped keys 31, each of which is provided at its smaller end with a threaded tenon 32, over which is screwed a nut 33. (See Fig. 6.) Arranged on the tenons between said nuts and the adjacentlugs 28 are coiled springs 34. It will be manifest that by screwing up the nuts 33 the tapered keys will be moved eudwise in the slotted lugs and bearing against the outer walls of the slots in the several lugs will draw the two half-boxes together. At the same time the springs 31 will be compressed and will continually operate to draw the keys tighter in the slots. Hence as fast as any wear occurs on any of the parts the springs will antomatically act to draw the half-boxes to gether tighter to compensate for such wear. The outer end cap 20 is provided with two ports or apertures 35 and 36, (see Fig. 1,) the port 35 being for the introduction of lubricant and the port 36 forming a vent for the escape of air during the operation of lubricating the bearing.

In practice the parts are loosely assembled together on the axle in the positions described,

and the nuts 33 are screwed up tight, drawing the two half-boxes'firmly toward one another, thus contracting the sectional sleeve about the rollers and confining the latterin place. The screws 23 are then tightened up, tightly clamping the end caps against the ends of the half-boxes.

By forming the rollers 4 and 7 in the manner described the enlarged ends 6 of the roll ers 4 overhang the rounded outer end of the axle and engage the groove 2 in the latter and prevent endwise movement of said rollers. Said enlarged ends 6 and the concave shoulders 11 of the contractible sleeve also overhang the rounded ends of the rollers 7 and hold the latter against end movement. As before described, however, the said rounded ends and concave shoulders diverge from one another, and hence they are not normally in contact and generate no friction. The described packing surrounds the bearing on all sides and effectually prevents the entrance of dust, grit, and the like. When the parts are first assembled, lubricant is poured into the bearing in the manner described, and the ports 35 and 36 are then plugged up. As fast as any wear occurs the springs 34 automatically operate to draw together the half-boxes and contractible sleeve and tighten up the When the two half-boxes aroundand contacting With the first-named series and having rou nded ends lyin gbetween parts of the bearing to compensate for such wear.

rollers provided with conical recesses in their ends. These recesses are for the reception of pins that form part of an implement 'for assembling the rollers in the boxing and form 'no part of the present invention, the same being included in a separate application for their opposite ends which overhang the round-' ed end of the axle and engage said circumferential groove, said concave shoulders di-' verging from the adjacent portions of the axle, and-a casing'inclosing said rollers, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a railway-car axle having a circumferential groove near its end and having the edge of its end'rounded, of a series of rollers arranged around the axle and having enlarged concave shoulders at their opposite I ends which overhang the rounded end of the axle and engage said circum forential groove, a second series of rollers arranged the enlarged concave shoulders of the firstmentioned rollers, said rounded ends and concave shoulders diverging from one another, and a casing inclosing said rollers,

substantially as described. I

3; The combinationwith a railway-car axle having a circumferential groove near its end and having the edge of its'end rounded, of a series of rollers arrangedaround the axle and having enlarged concave shoulders at their opposite ends which overhang the rounded endof the axle and engage said circumferential groove, a second series of rollers arranged around and contacting with the first named series andhaving rounded ends'lying between the concave shoulders of the first-" named' rollers, and a contractible sleeve inclosing said rollers and provided within- Wardly-projecting concave shoulders on its opposite ends which overhang the rounded ends ofthe outer rollers; said rounded ends and concave shoulders diverging from one another, substantially as described.

4. The combination with a railway-car axle' having a circumferential groove near its end and having the edge of its end rounded, of a V series of rollers arrangedaroun'd the axle and having enlarged concave shouldersat their opposite ends which overhang'the rounded end of the axle and engage said circumferential groove, a second series of rollers arrangedaround and contacting-with the firstnamed series and having rounded ends lying In Fig. 12 of the drawings I have shown thebetween the concave shoulders of the firstnamed rollers, and a contractible sleeve in closing said rollers and comprising a plurality of segmental sections providedon their adjacent edges with interlocking tongues, the ends of said sections havingiinWardly-projectingconcave shoulders overhanging the rounded ends of-the outer rollers, substantially as described.

5. The combination with arailway-car axle, of a plurality of rollers arranged around the axle, acontractible sleeve surrounding said rollers and comprising a plurality of segmental sections provided on' their adjacent journal-box'inclosing said sleeve, and means for clamping said two i part box about the sleeve, substantially as described.

. 6. The combination with a railway-car axle, of a journ al-box mounted on the axle and comedges withinterlocking tongues, a two-part prising two half-boxes, said half-boxes'being provided on their inner adjacentedges'with" vertically-projecting and interlocking slotted lugs; tapered keys loosely fitted in said slotted lugs, means for adjusting said keys end-' wisein said lugs to draw the half-boxes'together, and means for yieldingly holding said keys in their adjusted positions whereby they will'be automatically tightened-in said lugs to compensatefor Wear of the parts, substantially. as' described.

7. The combination with a railway-car axle,

of a j ournal boxmounted onthe axle and com prising tWohalf-boxes provided on their inner adjacent edges with vertically project ing and interlocking slotted lugs, tapered keys. fitted" loosely in said slottedlugsand provided at their smaller ends with threaded 'tenons, nuts screwed oversaid tenons, and

coiled'springs arrangedon said tenons-between said nuts and the adjacent lugs, substantially asdescribed.

8. The combination with a railway-car axle, of a journal-box mounted on the axle andcom prising two half-boxes provided on" their ad-' j acent edges with vertically-projecting slotted" lugs, thelugs of one half-box loosely fitting between thecorresponding' lugs'of the other box, and saidin'ner adjacentjedges 'ofth'e' boxes being mortiscd u'pon'itheir'in'ner sides 1 between the lugs for thereception'of the ends of the opposing lugs, tapered keys fitted in the slotted lugs, means for adj ustingsaid' keys endwiseinthe lugs to draw the half-boxes tog'ether, and springs'arranged toautomatically draw said keys tightly totheir seats in the lugs to compensate for wear of the parts, substantially as described.

9. The combination with a railway-car axle,

of a j ournal box'mounted on the axle and comprising'two half-boxes provided with means f for clamping them' about the axle, the inner face of one of'said half-boxes'being provided with longitudinal grooves near itsedges for the reception ofa fibrous packing and theinner-face of 'the'other half-box being'provided with longitudinal serrated ribs arranged to project into said grooves and engage and hold the packing against displacement, substantially as described.

10. The combination with a railway-car axle, of a journal-box mounted on the axle and comprising two half-boxes provided with means for clamping them about the axle, said half-boxes being provided on their adjacent faces with semicylindrical recesses for the reception of a sleeve and at their ends with inwardly-projecting semi-annular flanges inclosing said sleeve, the inner face of one of said boxes being provided with longitudinal grooves for the reception of a fibrous packing, and the inner face of the other half-box being provided with longitudinal serrated ribs arranged to project into said grooves and engage and hold the packing, and antifrictionrollers arranged in the box between said flanges, substantially as described.

11. The combination with a railway-car axle, of a journal-box comprising two halfboxes provided with means for clamping them about the axle, said half-boxes being provided on their opposite ends with continuous grooves for the reception of fibrous packing, and end caps fitted against the ends of the half-boxes and provided on their inner faces with serrated ribs projecting into said grooves and engaging and holding the packing therein, substantially as described.

12. The combination with a railwaycar axle, of a journal-box comprising two halfboxes provided with means for clamping them about the axle, end caps clamped against the ends of the half-boxes, the outer end cap being imperforate and the inner end cap being provided centrally with an aperture for the reception of the axle, the wall of said aperture being provided with an internal annular groove for the reception of fibrous packing, and transverse ribs formed in the bottom of said groove, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EDGAR.F. CROWTIIER. Witnesses:

GEO. W. REA, 0. D. KESLER.

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