The patent by Ned E. Barnes of Willis, Texas, describes a Sand-Band (Patent No. 792,109, 1905). The invention is a device for protecting the hubs of wheels from the dirt and dust thrown or dropped from the wheel during vehicle travel. The object is to provide a device that is easily applied or removed and efficient in use.
Inventor Background: Ned E. Barnes
Ned E. Barnes was an inventor focused on improving the durability and maintenance of horse-drawn carriages and early automobiles. His invention addresses a common problem in vehicle mechanics—the contamination of axle bearings (hubs) by road dirt, which leads to friction, wear, and frequent maintenance.
Invention and Mechanism (Simplified)
The sand-band is a simple, adjustable plate that mounts directly to the stationary axle and covers the rotating wheel hub, acting as a fixed shield and wiper.
- The Shield: The device uses a metal plate (3) of a size sufficient to cover the end of the hub (2).
- Mounting Arm (4): An arm (4) is formed integrally with the plate and is bent to lie over the stationary axle (1).
- Adjustable Mounting (Key Innovation): The arm (4) has a longitudinal slot (5), allowing it to be adjusted along its length. Stud-bolts (7) are fitted through the slot. Collars or straps (8) pass down around the axle and clamp the stud-bolts securely to the axle.
- Function: This slotted design allows the shield plate (3) to be precisely adjusted over the end of the hub (2), regardless of the axle’s exact position, ensuring the hub is fully covered.
- Integrated Wiper: A pad (9) of leather or similar material is secured to the underside of the shield plate (3).
- Function: This pad is designed to press lightly upon the hub, acting as a wiper to clean off any dust or dirt that might otherwise escape the plate and fall onto the hub. It also prevents the plate itself from scratching the hub.
- Easy Maintenance: The entire device can be fitted to or removed from the axle simply by loosening the screws on the clamping straps (8). Crucially, the hub itself can be removed for lubrication without disturbing the position of the sand-band.
Concepts Influenced by This Invention
Barnes’s sand-band influenced subsequent design in mechanical guarding and shielding by pioneering the principle of adjustable, fixed shields with integrated wipers for rotating parts.
- Fixed/Adjustable Shielding: The core concept of a shield (plate 3) mounted to a stationary member (axle 1) via an adjustable slotted arm (4) to cover a rotating member (hub 2) influenced the design of:
- Dust Covers and Guards: Mechanical guards for shafts, gears, and pulley systems in industrial machinery that require fine-tuning for position.
- Integrated Wiper/Gasket: The addition of a soft pad (9) to the shield’s underside to actively wipe the rotating part influenced the design of modern sealing and bearing assemblies that use flexible lip seals or gaskets to prevent debris intrusion while allowing motion.
- Non-Interfering Maintenance: The design principle that the shield must not interfere with the routine lubrication or removal of the hub influenced the engineering of modern machine tool guards and covers that maintain accessibility for maintenance.
- Slotted Adjustability: The use of a longitudinal slot (5) to provide universal positional adjustment, secured by external clamps (8), is a standard, robust, and low-cost method for securing and aligning accessories on industrial rails and shafts.
