IMPROVE- MENTS IN CASTERS.
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Richard Lill, of New Cross, in the County of Kent, and
George Innes, of Deptford, in the said County, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN CASTERS.'
"
Sealed the 21st October 1876, and dated the 21st April 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard Lill and George Innes
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st April 1876.
RICHARD LILL, of New Cross, in the County of Kent, and GEORGE INNES, of
Deptford, in the said County. "IMPROVEMENTS IN CASTERS."
The object of this Invention is to enable tables and various other articles of
furniture which are fitted with castors to be moved with greater facility than at
present.
This object we effect by an improved form of castor, which is constructed mainly
as follows:-A ball of any suitable material forms the portion which rests on
the floor, and this ball is enclosed in a suitably formed cup to receive same, said
cup forming part of a casting which at the end opposite to the ball terminates in a
screw, which screw is for the purpose of attaching the castor to the leg of the article
to which the castor is fitted. The inner surface of the cup in which the ball runs
is so formed that when the ball is in position a recess is left between the under
surface of the cup and the upper portion of the ball, and to counteract the friction
of the ball in running, a small friction hall rests in a suitable recess in the casting
on the upper surface of the, said ball. Or instead of one friction ball, any suitable
number may be used, as, for instance, three, which are so placed that the ball resting
on the floor is operated on by the said friction balls for the purpose of reducing
the friction, and also for allowing the ball forming the castor being moved with
facility when required.
In fitting the castor as above constructed an opening in the leg of the article
is left for the admission of the screw, and into said opening the screw is introduced
and screwed up tight. A plate and cap or socket is supplied to the under side
of leg as at present, and a nut may be placed in the leg through which the screw
works, said nut serving to further secure the screw. The cup into which the ball
is introduced is formed, when cast, into a semicircle, or is formed in two halves,
and the ball being introduced the edge of the circle is drawn or forced to the
circumference of the ball (below the diameter), and thus same is securely held free
[Price Gd.1

page_text: to rotate as required. The friction balls, when three are used, may each be enclosed
in a cup similar in construction to that above described.
The castor may be constructed, if desired, without friction balls.
By means of the screw as above described we are enabled to dispense with the
screws as at present used for securing the cap or socket to the leg of the article.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Richard Lill and George Innes in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
21st October 1876.
RICHARD LILL, of New Cross, in the County of Kent, and GEORGE INNES, of
Deptford, in the said County. "IMPROVEMENTS IN CASTORS."
The object of this Invention is to enable tables and various other articles of
furniture which are fitted with castors to be moved in direct line with greater
facility than at present.
This object (as also the obtaining of greater stability) we effect by an improved
form of castor which is constructed mainly as follows:-A ball or sphere of any
suitable material forms the portion which rests on the floor, and this ball is enclosod
in a suitably formed cup to receive same, said cup forming part of a casting, which
at the end opposite to the ball terminates in a screw, which screw is for the purpose
of attaching the castor to the leg of the article to which the castor is fitted. The
inner surface of the cup in which the ball runs is so formed that when the ball is
in position a recess is left between the under surface of the cup and the 'upper
portion of the ball, and to counteract the friction of the ball in running a small
friction ball rests in a suitable recess in the casting on the upper surface of the said
ball. Or instead of one friction ball any suitable number may be used, as, for
instance, three, which are so placed that the ball resting on the floor is operated
on by the said friction balls for the purpose of reducing the friction, and
also for allowing the ball forming the castor to be moved with facility when
required.
In fitting the castor as above constructed an opening in the leg of the article is
left for the admission of the screw, and into said opening the screw is introduced
and screwed up tight. A plate and cap or socket is supplied to the under side of
leg as at present, and a nut may be placed in the leg through which the screw
works, said nut serving to further secure the screw. The cup into which the ball
is introduced is formed when cast into a semicircle or is formed in two halves,
and the ball being introduced the edge of the circle is drawn or forced to the
circumference of the ball (below the diameter), and thus same is securely held free
to rotate as required. The friction balls, when three are used, may each be enclosed
in a cup similar in construction to that above described.
The castor may be constructed, if desired, without friction balls.
By means of the screw above described we are enabled to dispense with the
screws as at present used for securing the cup or socket to the leg of the article.
Having. thus far described the nature of the said Invention, and incidentally
intimated in what manner the same is to be performed, we will now proceed (aided
by the Drawings accompanying these presents) to further and particularly describe
and ascertain in what manner the same is to be performed or carried out in practice,
that is to say :-
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 represents elevation of one form of our improved castor attached to leg of
an article of furniture; Fig. 2, vertical section of Fig. 1; Figs. 3 and 4 represent
sectional elevations similar to Fig. 1, the form of arrangements being somewhat
different; Fig. 5, elevation of another form of castor; Fig. 6, vertical section of
Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is under plan of friction balls and cup.

page_text: In these Figures a represents the ball resting on the floor of the room or apartment
enclosed in an inverted cup b. This cup is cast or formed with a recess at its
upper portion so as to admit friction rollers or balls or roller or ball c. The ball a
rests against the said friction rollers or balls c. The cup is formed in the first
instance so as to admit the ball a, and then to retain same in position the lower
portion is closed over the centre by a burnisher or other suitable means, which
retains the ball in position free to move, the friction rollers or balls ensuring free
movement to the ball.
The upper portion of the castor may be formed in various ways.
In Figures 1 and 2 a ferrule or socket f is placed over the under part of leg to
the article of furniture, and the screw e is screwed through an opening left in the
ferrule into the leg, as shewn.
In Fig. 6 the securing to the leg of the article is the same as in Fig. 2.
In Fig. 4 the screw e is dispensed with, and the socket f, is in ordinary castors,
is used, said rocket enclosing the leg of the article of furniture, and screwed to
same in the ordinary way.
In Figure 3 the socket is dispensed with, and in place the cup is cast with a flat
portion with screw in its centre, as shewn; and to ensure its firm attachment to
the article of furniture holes are left for insertion of screws or other modes of
fastening to the article required.
Any ornamental work may be placed between the castor and the socket, as shewn
at h, in Figs. 1, 2, 5, and 6, same being retained in position by screw e.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and object of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed or carried out
in practice, we hereby declare that we claim the Invention of "Improvements in
Castors," substantially as the same is herein-before set forth and described and
illustrated by the accompanying Drawings, it being understood that we do not
claim the use of a ball or sphere irrespective of arrangements, substantially such as
are herein-before described.
In witness wherof, we, the said Richard Lill and George Innes, have hereunto
set our hands and seals, this Twentieth day of October, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
RICHARD LILL. (L.S.)
GEORGE INNES. (L.S.)