Richmond daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1876-1904, 1898-12-15
NOVELTIES IN PATENTS.
Some of the Latest Contrivances
Of Inventors.
THE WINTER SCHEME IN ALL.

Brand New Ideas In Skates - Novel
Protectors For Skaters-sIeds Run
ON UheeIs-BicycIes For snow and
Ice-Odd Novelties In Overcoat.-
The brain of the Yankee inventor has
been fairly boiling during the summer
and the fall with what be evidently
hopes will be adopted as fads for the
winter. In the last few months Uncle
Sam has granted hundreds of what may
be termed "cold weather patents. The
small boy will be Interested in some
brand new ideas in skates. Ideas must
be brand new. otherwise Uncle Sam s
examiners will not grant patents for
them. The latest skate patented this
winter has two runners, like a small
sled. They practically form but one,
however, being but a half inch apart.
Each in itself has double edge, and
when dull is simply turned upside down.
The inventor figures that skate of this
make will need sharpening but fourth
as often as an ordinary one. and that
the ankle cannot turn with the double
runner. Another man has recently re-
ceived patent for freak skate, which
is hinged in the middle, so that each
foot in reality has beneath it two blades,
the smaller one under the front Of the
toe. Thus the pedal appendage is allow
ed the same bending in skating as in
walking or running. Still another nov
city in skates is claimed to reduce fric-
ton against the ice well nigh TO a mini
mum. Each runner Is an endless chain
of little blades, which revolves over two
axles one under the heel and the other
beneath the toe.
Some inventors appear to regard skat-
ing as diversion as dangerous as foot
ball and have consequently devised all
sorts of appliances for the protection Of
those who must enjoy it. The most
novel of these combines the principles
of the crutch. the hoopskirt, and the
baby walker and is respectfully recon-
mended to those who get their skates
on in the figurative as well as the literal
sense of the word. Straps fasten over
the shoulders, and the armpits rest in
hollow supports, which terminate in
forked rods securing strong hoop, en-
circling the feet and clearing the sur
face of the ice by a few inches. A few
weeks ago an Arkansas genius was
given a patent for side attachments for
skaters shoes. They resemble rubber
nose guards for football players and are
fastened over the ankle bone. not only
to prevent interfering, but TO protect
the tops of shoes from being worn
through in cases where the ankle is SO
weak as to allow the entire side of the
foot to serape the ice. Another of this
years patents is for an ankle brace of
metal which extends ON either side of
the leg to a clamp. fastening tightly
around the calf. Unique fixtures re-
Gently patented for ice skating Kinks
are an overhead trolley, sSith handles
connected thereto by ropes, and also a
circular merry go round top. revolving
with gymnasium rings. whereby the
learner can perform all sorts of gyra-
lions with npunity.
Even more novel are many ideas in
sleds and sleighs. The latest sled for
the small boy Is an express wagon body,
having a spiked veiocipede wheel, with
pedals, in front and runners beneath. He
Fits upon board seat forward and,
while furnishing more than sufficient
motive power for his own propulsion.
iuakes abundant room for a passenger
man had patented an attachment for
sjeighs whereby the necessity for horses,
steam or electric power is claimed to be
ohviated. Beneath the seats are treadles
which connect with pulleys and GIN
cracks galore, and which, when actu-
ated, not only supply all of the motive
power needed to give the vehicle the
speed Of fabricated atmospheric electric
ify. bur warm the feet ana keep the
blood generally in circulation.
Still another of this year fads is oe-
scribed in the specification Of a patent
issued TO Mr. Hammann of Hamburg,
" no claims TO have hit upon scheme
80 completely revolutionize the propul
sion of sleds, ears and carts on snow
ice or other frozen surfaces. \ revolv
ing gear, being actuated. moves groups
of pointed levers against the slippery
surface in such manner that they push
the vehicle rapidly along. like so many
fast moving legs kicking their heels ont
behind and sometimes supporting the