US2515503A - Combined waste retainer and collar lubricator - Google Patents

Description

July 18, 1950 c. A. GAMMON COMBINED WASTE RETAINER AND COLLAR LUBRICATOR Filed March 50, 1949 Fig.2

3nnentor CharlzsAfiammon f" Ctttornegs Patented July 18, 1950 2-1.

. COMBINED 2,515,503 3 WASTE RETAINER AND v COELAIR Lue nroe'ron Charles A. St. Augusti-ne, Fla. Application March30, 1949, Serial No s4,273

. 5:01aims. (c1. ace-axe).

This invention relates to plain journal boxes for railway cars and provides a article of manufacture, in the form ofa combinedjournal collar lubricat'or and waste-retainer C Journal boxes of the type mentioned are packed with oil-saturated waste so'that the'waste is in contact with the turning .journalb'elow' the brass; Displacement of thiswastehas long'b'een a source of trouble. A wide varietyof retainers have been. proposed and some'have gone into commercial use. Many/ f them 'involvesome sort of metal structure'inserted into the box above the waste and designed to prevent itfrcm working to the front of the box where ittends to pack and ultimately tofbrce the box-lid open.

The present invention is based on the concept that the logical way to pre'vent'movement of the waste forward is to fill the space in the lower forward part of the box with an oil-saturated form-retaining felt insert which confines the waste, and fits the box so closely that the waste cannot displace it. The insert acts inherently as a lubricator.

The contour of the space to be filled is so irregular that it is not practicable to manufacture the insert in one piece at reasonable expense. The wide variety of journal boxes further complicates this problem. Hence, partly as a measure of economy, the inserts are laminated on planes normal to the journal axis, a procedure permittin some of the layers to be cut from sheets of felt. Inasmuch as a satisfactory adhesive for connecting the felt layers has not been found the presently preferred practice is to sew the laminae together.

The rear layer of felt is relatively thin and engages behind the collar on the end of the journal, where it functions effectively as a collar lubricator.

The invention will now be described in detail by reference to the accompanying drawing which illustrates a successfully tested embodiment.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a vertical axial section through a typical journal box showing the new waste retainer and collar lubricator in place.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the retainer removed from the box.

Fig. 3 is a, left side elevation of the same.

Fig. 4 is a plan view.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view.

In the present description statements of direction will be made on the assumption that the observer is at the side of the car looking toward the end of the journal so that the forward portion "of the box and journal is that toward the'ob'server and-the rear portion is away from the observer and toward the wheel, it being remembered that on a railway carv the wheels are located between-the two journals which are at the'ends of the axle:

I The journal box is generally represented by the numeral H and has an opening at l2 which is normally closed by a lid not shown in the draw- -'ing but hinged according to custom on the lugs 13.

In the upper portion of the box are the brass l4 and wedge I5 which are constructedaccording to accepted standards and require no description.

Theaxle general-ly'indicated at It has a journal llwhich terminatesin the usual journal collar I8. The slot' indicated at 19 is for the reception of a dust guard not illustrated in the drawing, and with which the present invention is not concerned. The lower portion of the box forms a receptacle commonly called the cellar which contains oil-saturated waste generally indicated at 2 I, In the conventional journal box this waste is the sole means for lubrication. It is commonly used without any retaining means whatsoever, but when so used occasionally creeps and causes trouble by packing in the front of the box. This action is often sufficient to force the box lid open, which is harmful because it permits the entrance of dust. Displacement of the waste inevitably impairs lubrication of the journal, and this is the primary objection.

According to the present invention there is inserted in the forward portion of the cellar a retainer which is made up of a high grade oil absorbing material preferably felt or some satisfactory substitute having physical characteristics which resemble the characteristics of felt. A high grade wool felt is preferred and has been successfully used.

This retainer as illustrated in the drawing is made of three layers 22, 23 and 24' composed of relatively thick felt and a fourth and thinner layer 25 which is the rear layer and forms a flange 26 dimensioned to engage behind the journal collar l8. The side and bottom external contours of the retainer are such as to fit closely the internal contour of the box I I in the forward portion of the box and below the lower margin of the opening I2.

As best shown in Fig. 2 the flange 26 is arcuate and is adjacent an arcuate channel indicated in Figs. 2, 4 and 5 by the numeral 21. This arcuate channel fits the periphery of the journal collar l8. As viewed in Fig. 2 the retainer may be said to have upward extending portions which conform to and embrace the journal collar.

The effect of the retainer is to confine the waste 2| in a position beneath the journal and to the rear of the collar. Since the retainer resists displacement because of its close fit, it exercises an adequate restraining action. The retainer is oil absorbent and performs the function of lubricating the journal collar. It thus becomes a part of the complete packing of the box. Since it is closely confined at the front of the box, it is not disturbed by the use of packing irons. As a consequence, the collar is effectively lubricated and because it is lubricated by the felt retainer it is protected against waste grabs and lint wipers commonly present in bearing waste; As is well known these have a tendency to accumulate on the collar end of the bearing and wedge. If they enter between the collar and the hearing as they tend to do, they cause serious trouble. Thus, the retainer also performs a useful function'by keeping the waste away from the collar.

The retainer is low in first cost, is easy to insert, and because it is located in the lower portion of the box, does not interfere with inspection and servicing of the bearing.

' For convenience in removing the retainer from the box it is desirable to attach a pull loop 28 which is formed of tape and which is accessible at the front of the box. This loop takes no' part in the normal functioning of the retainer, and can be omitted.

I claim:

1. A waste retainer for use in plain journal boxes of the type in which the journal has a collar at its end and turns against a brass mounted in the top portion of the box, and the box has a front opening and also a cellar which is packed with oil-saturated waste, said retainer comprising an oil-absorbent unit of felt-like material formed to fit the interior of that portion of the cellar which is forward of a plane normal to the journal axis and slightly to the rear of the journal collar, and which portion is below the lower margin of the front opening of the box, said unit having lateral upward-extending portions which conform to and embrace the journal collar, and having also a flange which enters behind the journal collar and contacts therewith, said extensions and flange terminating at levels not higher than the journal axis.

2. A waste retainer as defined in claim 1 in which the unit of felt-like material is laminated and the planes of lamination are normal to the axis of the journal.

3. A waste retainer as defined in claim 1 in which the unit of felt-like material is laminated, the planes of lamination are normal to the axis of the journal and said flange is formed by one of the laminations,

4. A waste retainer as defined in claim 1 in which the body of felt-like material is laminated, the planes of lamination are normal to the axis of the journal and the laminations comprise a thin lamina which forms the flange and a plurality of thicker laminae which form the major portion of the body.

5. A waste retainer as defined in claim 1 in which the unit of felt-like material is laminated, the planes of lamination are normal to the axis of the journal and the laminae are connected by stitches.

CHARLES A. GAMMON.

No references cited.

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