US793372A - Vehicle-axle. - Google Patents

Description

No: 793,372. PATENTED JUNE 27, 1905. G. HEILRATH.

VEHICLE AXLE.

APPLIUATION FILED SEPT. 10,1904.

awvawlio z Qw vtweooeo 533) QZZMWQA UNITED STATES fatented June 27, 1905 CHRISTIAN HEILRATH, OF SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA.

VEHICLE-AXLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 793,372, dated June 2'7, 1905. Application filed September 10, 1904. Serial No. 223,983.

To all whom, zit natty concern:

Be it known that I, CHRISTIAN H EILRATH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sacramento, in the county of Sacramento and State of California, have invented a new and useful Vehicle-Axle, of which the following is a specification.

The present inventien relates more particularly to improvements in the spindles of vehicle-axles; and the object is to provide as an article of manufacture an axle having spindles which will afford continuous unbroken bearing-surfaces to the action of the hub and which can be shortened to take up wear, said shortening being accomplished with great ease and expedition without the necessity of re-dressing or otherwise finishing the spindle or parts thereof.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, whcrein I Figure l is a side elevation of a portion of a spindle. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale. Fig. i is a detail perspective view of one of the washers, and Fig. 5 is a similar view of one of the spacing-collars.

Like numerals are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

The main body of the spindle is designated by the reference-numeral 6 and is tapered in the ordinary manner. Projecting from its outer end is a stem 7, that is threaded and is of less diameter than the outer end of the spindle-body. Threaded on the stem 7 and made of the same material as the axle-spindle are a plurality of washers 8, between which are located spacing-collars 9, a spacing-collar being also arranged between the inner washer and the adjacent end of the spindle-body. The washers terminate short of the outer end of the stem 7 so that the usual nut 10 may be threaded thereon and abutted against the outer washer.

In the manufacture of the spindles while the axle is being threaded the washers and collars are placed in position, the former being tightened as snugly as possible, after which the spindle, with the washers and collars, are

dressed down to the proper size and shape. The result is that the washers constitute parts or eontinuations of the bearing-surface for the hub, and this surface is practically smooth and unbroken. The collars placed between the washers are preferably formed of different metal, so as to define the joints; otherwise when the spindle is finished the joints could not be readily found. Thus in the present structure the spindle-body and the washers are formed of steel, while the collars are constructed of brass. In order to more clearly mark the inner margins of the washers, the same are preferably provided at their inner edges with notches 11, which are located transversely of the spindle, as shown.

Axles as thus constructed are employed in the ordinary manner that is to say, each hub is rotatably mounted on its spindle and is held against displacement by the nut 10. When the bearing becomes worn so that the hub is loose, the nut is removed and the wheel taken off. The outermost washer is then detached, and this is accomplished by breaking or enlarging the same with a chisel, the edge of the chisel being placed upon the Washer, preferably just outside the notch. The collar defines the inner edge of the Washer, and the nbtch assists in preventing the chisel being placed too far on the inside, so that the danger of injuring or marring the next Washer is obviated. After the outermost washer and collar have been removed the wheel is replaced and the nut again tightened. With this structure it will be observed that the washers constitute permanent parts of the spindle and are not designed to be temporarily detached, re-dressed, and replaced. When the outermost washer is removed, it is removed permanently, and a true surfaceis provided by the outer side of the next washer, against which the nut may abut. No expert work is therefore required in taking up wear, as it is only necessary to remove one washer at a time.

It is thought that from the foregoing the construction, operation, and advantages of my vehicle-axle will be fully comprehended; but

While the illustrated embodiment of the invention appears at this time to be preferable I wish to be understood as reserving the right to effect such changes, modifications, or variations as may come fairly within the scope of the protection prayed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. As an article of manufacture, an axlespindle having a reduced threaded stem projecting from its outer end, forming a shoulder at the juncture of the stem and the spindle, a

plurality of metallic washers threaded upon.

the stem, the innermost one being abutted against the said shoulder, the others being firmly abutted, one against the other, and held against adjustment or movement on the stem, said washers having their peripheries dressed down so that their outer faces form an unbroken continuation of the surface of the spindle, and means for defining the joints between the Washers.

2. As an article of manufacture, a tapering axle-spindle having a reduced threaded stem projecting from its outer end, forming a shoulder at the juncture of the stem and the spindle, and a plurality of metallic washers threaded upon the stem, the innermost one being firmly abutted against the said shoulder, the others being firmly abutted, one against the other, and held against adjustment or movement on the stem, said washers having their peripheries dressed down and tapered to form an unbroken continuation of the spindle, and being furthermore provided in one edge thereof, said washers and collars being firmly abutted against the shoulder of the spindle and against each other and held against adjustment or movement thereby, being furthermore dressed down on their peripheries to form an unbroken taperingcontinuation of the spindle.

4:. 'As an article of manufacture, a tapered spindle-body having a threaded stem at its outer end, a plurality of washers threaded upon the stem and having notches in their inner sides, said notches being disposed transversely of the spindle, spacing-collars of different metal from the washers located between said Washers, said collars and washers being dressed down to form a continuation of the spindle, and a hub-retaining nut threaded on the outer end of the stem.

In testimonythat I claimthe foregoing as my own I have hereto aifixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

CHRISTIAN HEILRAIH.

Witnesses:

HAROLD HOLTEN, JOSEPH A. SHEERIN.

Images