US1813779A - Axle - Google Patents

Description

July 7, 1931. G. w. TAYLOR KYLE Filed Dec. 17, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l July 7, 1931. G. w. TAYLOR AXL E Filed Dec. 17, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 7, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE W. TAYLOR, OF WELLESLEY, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO HAROLD J. CLARK, OF WATERTOWN, MASSACHUSETTS ,AXLE

Application filed December 17, 1926. Serial No. 155,391.

My present invention is a novel and improved axle, particularly adapted for utilization on railroad rolling stock, and designed and intended to be utilized in conjunction with the novel roller bearings shown and describedin my co-pending application Serial No. 155,390, filed Dec. 17, 1926.

The present axle construction, particularly of railroad cars, wherein the wheels are rigidly mounted upon a rotating axle is impracticable and undesirable, being a constant source of danger, wear, and tremendous wastage of power. Attempts have been made to vary this, rotating axle construction in various manners, none of which, so far as I am aware, have been satisfactory or practical, in some instances because of the necessary alterations of truck frames, journals and j ournal'boxes, and the like, as well as for the reason that such constructions have been unable to withstand the strains and shocks transmitted to the axles, and the bearings therefor. Particularly is this true in the case of railroad rolling stock, wherein immense loads are carried, and Where the shocks, strains, end thrusts and the like are enormous.

When the present axles are utilized, the drag and friction caused by pulling around curves and up-grades'results in a substantial increase in power required to overcome such drag and friction, and requiring also a more powerful locomotive or engine than would be requisite if this drag and friction were reduced or eliminated.

To this end I have devised my present novel axle, which in fact is a differential axle permitting opposite wheels on the same axle to rotate independently, viz., each wheel r0- tating at a speed determined by its own diameter and the curvature of the track regardless of the speed of rotation of the opposite wheel. In this manner, the wheels on one side of a car might be almost at a standstill, on the inside of a curve in the track, and the wheels on the opposite side or the outside of the curve would be rotating at a relatively greater rateof speedethan-those-on-the inside of the" curve'," while tealesariie' time-there wouldbe little or no drag or friction caused by such difference in the relative speeds of the wheels on opposite sides of the car. Thus, by the use of my novel invention, one of the principal difliculties experienced in railroad operation is overcome.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the fact that the present trucks, journals and journal boxes, are retained intact, and the present axles are also utilized, although the construction of the present axles is modified and changed to more efiiciently permit the application of my invention.

The present application, therefore, includes a novel method of converting present axle construction to produce and include an improved structure, such conversion method being hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In carrying out my present invention, and as llustrated herein, a present day axle is utilized, the central portion thereof, throughout a predetermined extent, being turned to atruly cylindrical surface. This truly cyllndrical surface at the central portion of the axle is then built up, in any way desired, preferably by applying a split collar secured to the new turned section by bands shrunk on said split collar. A peripheral ridge centrally of said split collar is formed, having curved shoulders thereon. This built up section, preferably consisting of the split collar, 1s of a height equal to or possibly slightly higher than ,the highest portion of the remander of the axle, which axle near the wheel carrying portion is also turned down for a predetermined distance, to permit the application and reception of a double roller bearing, preferably of the type illustrated in my said co-pending application. The present journal of the axle remains unchanged.

With the axle in its now converted condition, 1 then utilize a pair of housings, onefor each side of the axle, which housings will extend over the axle to approximately the point indicated by the peripheral ridge or rib, on the split collar at the center of the roller bearing of the type illustrated in my CJI said co-pending application, the inner sleeve or race of which bearing abuts against the shoulders of the peripheral ridge on the split collar. The housing is appropriately recessed at the outer portion to permit the accommodation of the double roller bearing heretofore referred to. In a suitable groove provided in the interior of the housing, is positioned a split, and preferably a spring ring, abutting against the outer edge of the bearing race, to hold the same in position and alinement. and secured to the housings themselves, and a dust plate or cover is secured to the wheels or the housing, as desired, and a split thrust collar is applied in a thrust groove formed or turned in the axle for that purpose. Means are provided to transmit grease or other lubricant to each of the bearings. At the inner ends ofthe housings is a dust or enclosing ring secured to one of said housings and permitting rotation of the other housing Within said ring.

Bysuch a construction of a differential arrangement, and by utilizing the novel roller bearings of my said co-pending application, a greatly improved and highly efiicient axle results. permitting rotation of the wheels on each side of the axle, independently of those on the other side, thus substantially eliminating drag, friction, loss of power,

wastage of fuel, wear, and the like."=

A further element of efiieiency, and desirable in my present axle, resides in the fact that by retaining the present journals and journal boxes, should any breakage occur within the housings, of the bearings or any other part, the rotation of the wheels will be instantly transmitted to the axle, which will then rotate within the present journal boxes or bearings without retarding or delaying the transit of the load being carried thereby. At the same time the differential action of the wheels will be maintained unless bearing trouble occurs in both housings oma single axle. I believe that the axle constructionahove described is novel with me, and I have 'therefore claimed the same broadly herein.

I also believe that the method of convert ing the present axles into the construction described-herein is novel, and I have therefore included in the present application, claims to this method of converting, but am not limited thereto, as I may use an entirely new axle, turning the same from solid stock, and produce the same structure illustrated herein. However, I prefer to utilize the existing axles, turning the same down and CGDVBItlIlg the same as illustrated herein, for

purpose of economy.

Further features of the invention, novel comblnations of parts. and advantages, will be hereinafter more fully pointed out and.

claimed. 7 ,j. Y.

The wheels are mounted on Referring to the drawings, illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention,

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional View of my novel differential axle in assembled position;

Fig. 2 is a fragn'ientary detail of the pres ent axle illustrating the manner in which said axle is prepared to be converted;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1; and

'Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the completed axle applied to a railroad car.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in carrying out my present invention, I utilize, preferably, an axle of present construction, indicated generally at 1. Over a predetermined distance along the central portion of this axle, the same is turned to a cylindrical surface 2, the dotted lines 3 in Fig. 2 illustrating the original line of the axle. To this cylindrical surface 2 is applied a splitcollar 4, preferably rigidly secured to the axle by bands 5 at the center and 6 at each end, which bands are shrunk on the split collar. This is the preferred method of applying and securing the 'split collar 4, to insure rigidity of construction.

A circumferential ridge 7, formed partly of the material of the split collar 4 and partly by the band 5, is provided, having shoulders formed thereby. At the point 8 the original axle is turned until it has attained the original size of the narrowed portion 9 of the axle, on which portion 9 the old wheels were pressed, the superfluous material removed being indicated at 10 in dotted lines in Fig. 2. A curved shoulder is formed, during the turning operation, at the point indicated as 8. Also, a thrust groove 11 is formed or turned out of the original axle. The present or original journal 12 remains unchanged, for purposes which will be hereinafter more fully described. The point 8 on the original axle is now the point of greatest diameter of said original axle, and

. the split collar i'is of a predetermined size preferably slightly greater in diameter or height than the point or portion 8 of the axle. With the axle thus prepared, or converted, I next provide a pair of housings 14 and 15. These housings are duplicates of each other, and therefore, in the detailed illustrations herein but one of these housings is completely disclosed, a description of one sufficing for both. The inner end of this housing is ap propriately recessed at 16 to receive a single roller bearing designated generally at 17, and a protruding edge or shoulder 18 is formed with just suflicient clearance between the end of the shoulder 18 and the bearing 17 to permit rotation of the housing past the inner half or race of the bearing. A grease cup or nipple 19 forv providing grease or other lubricant to the bearing is also provided. Wheels 20 are secured to the outer ends of the housings 15, preferably by being shrunk or pressed thereon, as is usual. An appro riate recess 21 is provided in the outer end of each housing to receive ;roller bearings 22, preferably a double roller bearing of the type illustrated in my said co-pending application. A grease cup or nipple 23 is also provided to permit admission of lubricant to the recess 21. \Vhen the bearing 22 has been positioned in the recess 21, a split ring, preferably a spring ring, 24: is inserted in a groove provided therefor in the recess 21. WVhen this ring 24 is in position, the roller bearing 22 is held against displacement between the ring 24 and the shoulder 25 of the recess, on the outer sleeve of the bearing, the inner sleeve of the bearing abutting against the shoulder formed by the newly turned section at 8. A projection or shoulder 26 in the recess 21, and similar to the projection 18 in the recess 16 is also provided. A dust cap or cover plate 27 is applied, having a felt dust washer 28 preferably secured thereto. The plate 27 is attached, either to wheel 20 or housing 15 by screws or bolts 29 and lock washers 30. Each housing being thus far assembled, viz., with the bearings 17 and 22 in position in the recesses 16 and 21 respectively, and with the ring 24, and cover plate 27 assembled, is then applied to the axle, being slid over the end thereof until the bearing 17 abuts against the shoulders formed by the circumferential ridge 7 The space 31 between the housings 14. and 15 is relatively slight,.and to prevent the entrance of dust, dirt, or other foreign substances, I provide a dust cap orring 32, preferably aifixedto one housing, and free to rotate about the other housing. A felt dust washer or ring 33 is inserted and held in place by a spring ring, or the like, 3 1, to further assist in preventing the entrance of injurious foreign substances. A thrust collar 35 is then applied in the new thrust groove 11, this thrust collar 35 preferably being split, or formed of two sections, and secured together and in place by bolts or the like 36., The original journal boxes or bearings 37. more clearly, illustrated in Fig. 5, as well as the original journals 12, are left intact, and in running order and condition.

It will be appreciated, from an inspection of the drawings, particularly Fig. 1, that the unit load on each bearing point or surface will be greatly reduced, due to the large number of bearing points and contacting surfaces. My novel axle is also particularly adaptable and eflicient in sustaining and withstanding end thrust, due to the number of bearings through which said thrust must travel, and because of these numerous bearings, such thrust strain is distributed throughout these bearings, the housings and the axle. For example, referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, and assuming an end thrust to be applied to the flange of the wheel 20, such thrust will be distributed through the housing 15 to the outer race 17 of the bearing housed in the inner end of the housing 15. Such thrust will be conveyed through the rings of the outer race to and through the rollers thereof to the inner race, and finally to and against the shoulder 7 Simultaneously such thrust will be distributed from the housing 15 adjacent to the wheel 20 through the outer race 22 and through the thrust abutting rings illustrated and the main supporting rollers to the inner race of said bearing and thence to the shoulder 8 on the axle 1. The thrust through the outer bearings at the wheel end of the axle will be staggered from the first outer race thrust abutment ring through the adjacent set of rollers to the central inner race abutment ring thence through the next adjacent set of rollers to the diagonally arranged outer race abutment ring and thence through the next adjacent set of rollers to the last inner race abutment ring. It will thus be evident that several lines of thrust distribution are provided, resulting in aneflicient dissipation and absorption of axial thrust.

Also, on shocks being received by the wheel or axle housing, such shocks are received on a plurality of bearing contacts or surfaces, and

pated and offset. These are highly important features in an axle of this type, particularly Where such axles are utilized in railroad rolling stock, where the strains, shocks, and thrusts are tremendous, and must be overcome or withstood if an axle and bearing is to perform satisfactory service.

My novel axle, combined with my novel bearings, fulfills all of these requirements, and will be readily understood by those skilled in this art. Detailed description of the bearings themselves are not given'in this application, as they are fully illustrated and described in my said co-pending application Serial No. 155,390, and reference is made to said co-pending application for full and complete disclosure and description of the said bearings. It will be appreciated, however, that other types of'bearings may be utilized in my novel housings, within the range of my invention.

Fig. 4 illustrates, primarily, the thrust collar 35, cover plate 27, and split ring 24, which is united at a point designated gener ally at 38, a screw or the like 39 being threaded in a suitably threaded recess between the uniting faces of the ring 24, to prevent displacement of said ring.

In Fig. 5 my novel axle is, illustrated' as completely assembled and applied to a railroad car 39, having the. original journal boxes 37 in position ready foruse. A pulley 4.0 for driving generator belts, or the like, is shown applied-to the housing 15, which pulley is of usual construction, and therefore not further herein described. I

A further advantage of my present novel invention of axle resides in the fact that should, by any chance, any of'the bearing rollers, ring, or other parts of the bearings utilized, break or collapse, thereby jamming and preventing rotation of a housing relative to its axle 1, rotation would thus be imparted to'the axle 1, which would then rotate on its journal 12 in the journal box 37, precisely the same as said axle would have rotated without my novel means thereon, and thus will not delay the operation or travel of the car or the like in which the same is utilized. Furthermore, even should one of the housings be jammed on its axle, and said axle rotate in its original journals, the independent rotation of the wheels will be retained so long as the hearings in the other housing 4 on said axle are intact.

It will also be understood that the axle 1 is not fixed against rotation, this not being a desirable feature. The axle 1 may be said to be relatively fixed when considering the same in connection with the freely rotatable housing 15 or 14. It will be apparent, also, that my novel axle presents a true difierential structure, which, so far as I am aware,

has never beenattained, in an operative de-' vice, in structures adapted for such heavy work as that herein intended.

While I have necessarily described my invention somewhat in detail, it will be appreciated that I may vary the size, shape,

and arrangement of parts, within reasonably wide limits, ,without departing from the spirit of the invention.

M invention is further described and define in the form of claims as follows 1. Axle construction of the kind described,

comprising a rotatable shaft, housings,

wheels mounted on said housings, said housings, being rotatably mounted on said shaft and disconnected from each other whereby differential rotation of the wheels is permitted, and a roller bearing housed in the inner end of each of said housings.

2. Axle construction of the kind described, com rising a rotatable shaft, housings rotata ly mounted on said shaft, wheels on said housings, and roller bearings interposed between said shaft and said housings at the inner end of each of said housings.

3. Axle construction of the kind described, comprising a rotatably mounted shaft, housings surrounding said shaft and disconnected from each other, wheels on said housings, said' housings being rotatably mounted on said shaft, and a roller bearing interposed between said shaft and said housings at the inner end of each of said housings, whereby differential rotation of the wheels with respect to each other and the shaft is permitted.

4. The combination with an axle of apair of housings mounted for rotation about said axle, a roller bearing housed in each end of each of said housings, and a fixed collar on said axle, the inner bearing ineach housing abutting against said collar.

5. The combination with an axle ofa pair of housings mounted for rotation about said axle, a roller bearing housed in each end of each of said housings, a fixed collar on said axle, the inner bearing in each housing abutting against said collar, and means to prevent longitudinal movement of said housings. 6. The con'ibiinition with an axle of a pair of housings mounted for rotation abou said axle and extending substantially the length thereof, a roller bearing housed in each end of each of said housings, a fixed collar on said axle located adjacentto the inner end of each of said housings, the inner bearing in each housing abutting against said collar, and means to prevent longitudinal movement of said housings.

7. The combination with an axle, of a pair of housings mounted for rotation about said axle and extending substantially the length of the axle, a roller bearing housed in each end of each of said housings, an annular collar midway of the axle, the inner roller hearing in each housing abutting against said collar, and means to prevent longitudinal movement of said housings.

8. The combination with an axle, of a pair of housings mounted for rotation about said axle and extending substantially the length of the axle, a roller bearing housed in each end of each of said housings, an annular collar midway of the axle, the inner roller bearing in each housing abutting against said collar, and means to prevent longitudinal movement of said housings and said bearings.

9. The combination with an axle, of a pair of housings mounted for rotation about said axle and extending substantially the length of the axle, a roller bearing housed in each end of each of said housings, an annular collar midway of the axle, the inner roller bearing in each housing abutting against said collar, means to prevent longitudinal movement of said housings and said bearings, and an annular cap enclosing the space between the ends of said housings.

. 10. The combination with an axle, of a pair of housings mounted for rotation about said axle and extending substantially the length of the axle, a roller bearing housed in each end of each of said housings, an annular collar midway of the axle, the inner roller bearing in each housing abutting against said collar,

means to prevent longitudinal movementof said housings and said bearings, and an annular cap enclosingthe, space hetweensthei" ends of said housings and fixed to one of said housings.

11. The combination with an axle, of a pair of housings mounted for rotation about said axle and extending substantially the length of the axlc a roller bearing housed in each end of each of said housings, an annular collar on the axle. the inner rollcr hearing in each housing abutting against said collar, means to prevent longitudinal movement of said housings and said bearings, and an annular cap enclosing the space between the ends of said housings and fixed to one of said housings.

12. The combination with an axle, of a pair of housings mounted for rotation independently of each other about said axle and extending substantially the length of the axle, a roller bearing housed in each end of each of said housings, an annular collar midway of the axle, the inner roller bearing in each housing abutting against said collar, and means to prevent longitudinal movement of said housings.

13. The combination with an axle, of a pair of housings mounted for rotation independently of each other about said axle and ex-.

tending substantially the length of the axle, a roller bearing housed in each end of each of said housings, an annular collar on the axle, the inner roller bearing in each housing abutting against said collar, and means to prevent longitudinal movement of said housings.

14. The combination with a rotatable axle of a. pair of housings mounted thereon for rotation independently of each other and of said axle and extending substantially the length of the axle, a roller bearing housed in each end of each ofsaid housings, an annular collar on the axle, the inner bearing of each of said housings abutting against said collar, and means to prevent longitudinal movement of said housings.

15. The combination with a rotatable axle of a pair of housings mounted thereon for rotation independently of each other and of said axle and extending substantially the length of the axle, a roller bearing housed in each end of each of said housings, an annular collar on the axle, the inner bearing of each of said housings abutting against said collar, and means to prevent longitudinal movement of said housings and said bearings.

16. The combination with a rotatable axle, of a pair of housings mounted thereon for rotation independently of each other and of saidv axle and extending substantially the length of the axle, a roller bearing housed in each end of each of said housings, an annular collar on the axle and adjacent the inner end of each of said housings, the inner roller bearing in each housing abutting against said collar, and means to prevent longitudinal movement of said housings. 1

17. The combination with a rotatable axle,

of a pair of housings mounted thereon for rotation independently of each other and of said axle and extending substantially the length of the axle, a roller bearing housed in each end of each of said housings, an annular collar on the axle and adjacent the inner end of each of said housings, the inner roller bearing in each housing abutting against said collar, and means to prevent longitudinal movement of said housings and said bearings.

18. The combination with an axle, of a pair of housings mounted for independent rotation about said axle, and extending substantially the length of the axle, an annular collar midway of the axle, a roller bearing housed in the inner end of each of said housings and abutting against said collar, means to prevent the entrance of dust or the like in the space between the inner ends of said housings, a double roller bearing housed in the outer end of each of said housings, an internal peripheral groove adjacent the outer end of each of said housings, a ring in said groove abutting against one end of the double roller bearing, and a thrust collar adjacent the outer end of saidaxle engaging said double roller bearing to prevent longitudinal inovement of the said housings-or bearings.

19. The combination with a rotatable axle, of a pair of housings mounted thereon for rotation independently of said axle and of each' other, said housings extending substantially the length of the axle, a collar on the axle, a bearing housed in the inner end of each of said housings and abutting against'said collar, means to prevent the entrance of dust or the like in the space between the adjacent ends of said housings, a bearing housed in the outer end of each of said housings, a peripheral groove formed in said housings adjacent the outer end thereof, a ring abutting against one end of the last said bearing and a thrust collar adjacent the outer end of said axle engaging'said last named bearing, whereby longitudinal movement of the housings or bearings is prevented.

20. The combination with an axle, of journal bearings therefor, a pair of housings mounted for rotation about said axle and extending substantially the length of the axle, a roller bearing housed in each end of each of. said housings, an annular collar on the axle, the inner roller bearing in each housing abutting against said collar, means to prevent longitudinal movement of said housings and said bearings, and a cap enclosing the space between the ends of said housings and fixed to one of said housings, the axle being free to rotate in said journal bearings upon jamming of the housings or bearings.

21. The combination with an axle, of journal bearings in which said axle is normally fixed, a pair of housings mounted for rotation about said axle and extending substantially in each end of each of said housings, an annular collar on the axle, the inner roller hear- -ing 111 each housing abutting aga nst said collar, means to prevent longltudinal movement of said housings and said bearings, and a cap enclosing the space between the ends of said housings and fixed to one of said housings, the axle being free to rotate in said journal bearings upon jamming of the housings or bearings.

22. The combination with an axle, of a pair of housings mounted for rotation about said axle and extending substantially the lengthof the axle, a roller bearing in each end of each of said housings, a collar midway of the axle, the inner roller bearing in each housing abutting against said collar, means to prevent longitudinal movement of said housings and said bearings, and a cap enclosing the space between the ends of said housings and fixed to one of said housings, said axle, housings and bearings being constructed and arranged to dissipate end thrust through a plu rality of lines of thrust throughout the bearings, housings and axle.

23. The combination with an axle,of journal bearings therefor, a pair of housings mounted for rotation about said axle and extending substantially the length of the axle, a roller bearing housed in each end of each of said housings, a collar midway of the axle, the inner roller bearing in each housing abutting against said collar, means to prevent longitudinal movement of said housings and said bearings, and a cap enclosing the space between the ends of said housings and fixed to one of said housings, the axle being free to rotate in said journal bearings upon jamming of the housings or bearings, said axle, housings and bearings being constructed and arranged to dissipate end thrust through a plurality of lines of thrust. 24. The combination with an axle, of a pair of housings mounted for independent rotation thereabout, and a roller bearing in each end of each housing, the assembly and construction of said axle, bearings and housings being such that end thrust will be distributed through said plurality of bearings, said hous ings, and said axle.

25. The improved method of converting an ordinary axle into a roller bearing axle which consists in reducing a predetermined portion of the central part of said axle into a truly cylindrical form, increasing the length of 1 the wheel'supporting cylindrical portion, and

then forming an annular groove between the original journal surface and the wheel supporting portion.

Y. 26. The improved method of converting an ordinary car axle into a roller bearing axle, which consists in removing the car wheel therefrom, increasing the length of the cylindrical portion on which the car wheel \YfiSiLtrr tached. forming an annular groove between the outer end of the car wheel attaching portion and the journal portion and forming a cylindrical portion 0 reduced diameter intermediate the ends of the axle.

27. The improved method of converting an ordinary car axle into a roller bearing axle, which consists in removing the car wheel therefrom, increasing the length of the cylindrical portion on which the car wheel was attached, formin an annular groove between the outer end 0% the car wheel attaching portion and the journal portion, forming a cylindrical portion of reduced diameter intermediate the ends of the axle, and then attaching to said reduced portion a collar having an external diameter slightly greater than the greatest external diameter of any portion of the axis.

28. The improved method of converting an ordinary car axle into a roller bearing axle, which consists in removing the car wheel therefrom, increasing the length of the cylindrical portion on which the car wheel was attached, forming an annular groove between the outer end of the car wheel attaching portion and the journal portion, forming 9. cylindrical portion of reduced diameter intermediate the ends of the axle, and then permanently attaching to said reduced portion a collar having an external diameter slightly greater than the greatest external diameter of any portion of the axle.

29. The combination with an axle, of a pair of housings mounted for rotation about end of each of said housings, and a fixed collar on said axle, said bearings abutting against said collar.

30. The combination with an axle, of a pair of housings mounted for rotation about said axle, a roller bearing housed in the inner end;

axle, and extending substantially the length said axle, a roller bearing housed in the inner thereof, a roller bearing housed in the inner end of each of said housings, a fixed collar on said axle located adjacent to the inner end of each of said housings, said roller bearings abutting against said collar, and means to prevent longitudinal movement of said housings.

32. The combination with an axle, of a pair of housings mounted for rotation about said axle and extending substantially the length of the axle, a roller bearing housed in. the inner end of each of said-housings, an annular collar midway of the axle, said bearings abutting against said collar, and means to prevent longitudihalmoyement of saidhousings.

--' 33: Th combination with an axle, of a pair of housings mounted for rotation about said axle and extending substantially the length of the axle, a roller bearing housed in the inner end of each of said housings, an

annular collar midway of the axle, said bearings abutting against said collar, and means to prevent longitudinal movement of said housings and said bearings.

34. The combination with an axle, of a pair of housings mounted for rotation about said axle and extending substantially the length thereof, a roller bearing housed in the inner end of each of said housings, an annularicollar midway of the axle, the said bearingsabutting against said collar, means to prevent longitudinal movement of said housings and said bearings, and an annular cap enclosing the space between the ends of said housings.

35. The combination with an axle, of a pair of housings mounted for rotation about said axle and extending substantially the length thereof, a roller bearing housed in the inner end of each of said housings, an annular collar midway of the axle, said bearings abutting against said collar, means to prevent longitudinal movement of said'housings and said bearings, and an annular cap enclosing the space between the ends of said housings and fixed to one of said housings.

36. The combination with an axle, of a pair of housings mounted for rotation about said axle andextending substantially the length thereof, a roller bearing housed in the inner end of each of said housings, an annular collar on the axle,'said bearings abutting against said collar, means to prevent longitudinalv movement of said housings and said bearings, and an annular cap enclosing the space between the ends of said housings and fixed to one of said housings.

37. The combination with an axle, of a pair of housings mounted for rotation independently of each other about said axle and extending substantially the length thereof, a roller bearing housed in the inner end of each of said housings. an annular collar midway of the axle, said bearings abutting against said collar, and means to prevent longitudinal movement of said housings. v 38. The combination with an axle, of a pair of housings mounted for rotation independently of each other about said axle and extending substantially the length thereof, a roller bearing housed in the inner end of each of said housings, an annular collar on the axle, said bearings abutting against said collar, and means to prevent longitudinal movement of said housings.

39. The combination with a rotatable axle, of a pair of housings mounted thereon for rotation independently of each other and of said axle and extending substantially the length thereof, a roller bearing h'oused'in the inner end of each of said housings, an annular collar on the axle, said bearings abutting against said collar, and means to prevent longitudinal movement of said housings.

40. The combination with a rotatable axle, of a pair of housings mounted thereon for rotation independently of each other and of said axle and extending substantially the length thereof, a roller bearing housed in the inner end of each of said housings, an annular collar, said bearings abutting against said collar, and means to prevent longitudinal movement of saidhousings and said bearmgs.

41. The combination with a rotatable axle, of a pair of housings mounted thereon for rotation independently of each other and of said-'axlegand extending substantially the length thereof,'a roller bearing housed in the inner end of each of said housings, an

annular collar on the axle and adjacent the inner end of each of said housings, said bearings abutting against said collar, and means to prevent longitudinal movement of said housings.

42. The combination with a rotatable axle, of a pair of housings mounted thereon for rotation independently of each other and of said axle and extending substantially the length thereof, a roller bearing housed in the inner end of each of said housings, an

annularcollar on the axle and adjacent the inner end of each of said housings, said bearings abutting against said collar, and means to prevent longitudinal movement of said housings. and said bearings.

4.3. The combination with an axle, of journal bearings therefor, a pair of housings mounted for rotation about said axle and extending substantially the length thereof, a roller bearing housed in the inner end of each of said housings, an annular collar 'on the axle,,said roller bearings abutting against said collar, means to prevent longitudinal movement of said housings and said bearings, and a cap enclosing the space between the ends of said housings and fixed to one of said housings, the axle being free to rotate in said journal bearings upon jamming of the housings or roller bearings.

44. The combination with an axle, of jourbearings abutting against said collar, means to prevent longitudinal movement -of .said housings and said bearings, ing the space between the ends of said housings and fixed to one of said housings, the axle being free to rotate in said journal bearings upon jamming of the housings or roller bearings.

. 45. The combination with an axle, (if-journal bearings therefor, a pair of housings and a cap eiiclos mounted for independent rotation about said axle and extendingsubstantially the length thereof, and a bearing housed in the inner end of each of'said housings, the. axle being free to rotate in said journal bearings upon jamming of either of the housings thereon, said unjammed housing retaining capacity for independent rotation.

46. The combination with an axle, of journal bearings therefor, apair of housings mounted forjindependent rotation about said axle and extending substantialy the length thereof, and bearings on said axle adjacent to each end of each of said housings, the axle being free to rotate in said journal bearings upon jamming of either of the housings thereon, said unjammed housing retaining capacity for independent rotation.

47. The combination with an axle. of journal bearings therefor, a pair of housings mounted for independent rotation about said axle and extending substantially the length thereof, and a bearing housed in the inner end of each of said housings. the axle being free'to rotate in said journal bearings upon jamming of either of the housings thereon, said unjammed housing retaining capacity for independent rotation, the said housings having put slight clearance from said axle whereby they will ride directly on said axle on the breaking of their respective bearings.

{23. The combination with an axle. of journal bearings therefor, a pair of housings mounted for independent rotation about said axle and extending substantially the length thereof, and a bearing housed in each end of each of said housings, the axle being free to rotate in said journal bearings upon jamming of either of the housings thereon, said unjammed housing retaining capacity for independent rotation, the said housings having but slight clearance from said axle whereby they Will ride directly on said axle on the breaking of their respective bearings.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

GEORGE W. TAYLOR.

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