Improvements in Skates.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Sept., 1890-Accepted, 15th Nov., 1890
COME DIN SFMIFICATION
Improvements in Skates.
I, CHARLES GRANT LAMONT, of the City of Denver, in the County of Arapahoe,
State of Colorado, and United States of America, Carpenter, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to improvements in skates of the class designed to be clamped
or clasped to the boot or shoe and retained securely in place thereon without the aid of
straps, the clamps being capable of such adjustment that they may be made fast to or
tightened upon the soles of the hoot or shoe at pleasure.
The chief object of my improvement as hereinafter set forth is to provide a mechanism
for adjusting these clamps, which mechanism shall be simple in construction,
economical in cost, quickly and easily operated, reliable in action, durable in use and
not liable to get out of repair; a device operated without the use of keys or similar
appliances for the movement of the clamps in either direction, and other features, the
entire mechanism consisting of the features, arrangements and combinations herein-
after described and claimed.
In the drawing is illustrated an embodiment of the invention, in which drawing,
Fig. 1 is a side view or elevation of a skate provided with my improvements;
Fig. 2 is a top or plan view of the same, the open position of the lever being shown
in dotted lines;
Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line y-y, Fig. 2 ;
Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section taken on the line -, —x, Fig. 2;
Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken on the line -, -, Fig. 1;
Fig. 6 is an inside view of the flange of a clamp, the horizontal portion of the clamp
being shown in section.
In these views let the reference numeral 1 indicate the blade of the skate. This
blade is provided with two vertical slots 33 cut from the top downward, the lower
portion of the slots being undercut or enlarged and fashioned to receive the semi-
spherical base 9 of the vertical spindle 15. Within the centre of the enlarged lower
portion of each of these slots 33 are formed the lugs or pivots 23 which take in or
engage corresponding sockets formed in base 9, which is provided with the
grooves 11, 11, cut therein diametrically opposite each other and by means of which
the base passes through the upper portion of slot 33, the edges of the slot engaging the
grooves 31 while the base is passing therethrough to its seat upon the pivot 23.
Between the grooves 11 are shoulders 32 which engage corresponding shoulders above,
formed by undercutting the blade to enlarge the lower portion of slot 33 for the
reception of the base 9. It is obvious that this base can only be removed from its
seat by turning or adjusting it so that the grooves 11 shall engage the edges of
slot 32.
Resting upon each base 9 within slot 33 and surrounding the spindle 15, is the
toothed or fluted cylinder 20. The teeth of this cylinder extend its entire length from
top to bottom and at their lower extremities engage a corresponding circular row of
vertical lugs or short teeth 10 formed upon the top of base 9 and marking the inner
limit of shoulders 32. The teeth of the cylinder therefore normally engage lugs 10
which lock the cylinder to the base 9, except when the cylinder is raised within slot 33
and disengaged from said base as hereinafter explained.
The upper portion of the aperture of each cylinder 20 is enlarged for the reception
of a coiled spring 22 which is seated and supported therein upon the shoulders 30 and
surrounding the spindle.
The reference- numeral 34 designates the bed plates which surround the upper
portion of the cylinder 20, said plates being provided with apertures corresponding

page_text: with the slots 33 of blade 1. These plates are provided with the flauges 35. The
outer flange in each case terminates in or merges by a right angular turn into a
plate 4, which plates 4 constitute the toe and heel plates, their outer extremities being
suitably supported upon the blade 1.
As shown in the drawing a hooked lug 18 formed upon the blade extends through
an aperture in the toe plate and retains the same in position when the parts are
assembled.
The outer extremity of the heel plate 4 engages a socket 37 formed within the base
of the toothed lug 36 which forms a stop or rear auxiliary support for the heel of the
boot.
The bed plate 34 is held in position by short lugs 26 formed upon the blade 1 and
engaging corresponding apertures formed in said plate as shown.
Upon each of these bed plates and between the flanges are placed the oppositely
disposed sliding clamps 5 and 6 provided with flanges 17. Each of these clamps is
provided with a toothed portion 21 which engages the upper portion of the toothed
cylinder 20, the teeth of the cylinder and the clamp being made to correspond.
Above each pair of clamps 5 and 6 and resting at 27 upon the flanges 35 of the bed
plates is a retaining plate 24 through which the spindle 15 passes, the aperture within
said plate being large enough to allow the spindle to turn therein freely, so that the
plate may remain stationary while the spindle turns.
The coiled spring 22 engages the under side of plate 24, the plate holding the spring
in position from above.
There should be sufficient space 45 between the top of cylinder 20 and the plate 24
to permit the raising of the cylinder sufficiently to disengage it from the teeth 10 of
base 9.
When thus elevated the cylinder may be turned freely upon the spindle and the
clamps adjusted as desired, since the teeth of the cylinder engage simultaneously the
corresponding oppositely disposed toothed portions of each clamp, and therefore move
the clamps in opposite directions or so as to narrow or widen the space between 'the
flanges 17 which engage the sole of the boot, as may be desired.
Flanges 17 are preferably provided with the narrow vertical toothed portions 25 on
their outer edges, the space between being smooth as shown in Fig. 6. The short
teeth are preferred to teeth extending entirely across the flange for the reason that
short teeth engage or enter the boot sole more readily than the longer ones.
Above the plates 24 extend the outer extremities of the levers 2 and 3 which are
securely riveted or otherwise made fast to the spindle 9 and retain the mechanism
underneath in position.
The inner extremeties of levers 2 and 3 overlap each other as shown, the rear lever 3
being uppermost and provided with the longitudinal slot 14. Lever 2 is provided with
a corresponding lug 7 which extends through and engages slot 14 and is provided
with an elongated head which normally occupies a position at an angle across the slot,
said head being narrow enough to pass through the slot when the levers are properly
adjusted and when it is desired to disengage them.
Lever 2 is provided with the downwardly projecting locking bar 2* having the
clasp 40 which engages the skate blade on each side, one side of said clasp being
provided with a short lug 13 adapted to enter a corresponding socket 12 formed in the
skate blade as shown. There is sufficient space between the sides of clasp 40 to permit
the disengagement of lug 13 from its socket by pressing lightly upon the opposite side
of said clasp. The engagement of the lug and socket, however, is sufficiently secure
to prevent the accidental slipping of the clasp from the blade and unlocking the levers
as might occur were it not for the employment of the lug and socket.
In the use of my improved skate, the levers 2 and 3 are first unlocked and turned
to the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2. Each cylinder 20 is then grasped by
the thumb and finger, raised from engagement with lugs or teeth 10 and turned
sufficiently to adjust the clamps so that the flanges 17 will slip easily upon the boot
soles. As soon as the cylinders are released each returns by its own gravity and the
action of the coiled spring 22 to its seat upon the base 9, again engaging the teeth 10

page_text: and locking the cylinder and base 9 together. The levers 2 and are then turned to
the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and locked, thus tightening the clamps securely
upon the boot soles, since the levers are riveted to the spindle 15 which with their
connecting parts must turn as the levers are adjusted.
It must be understood that when the levers are turned to the position shown in
dotted lines in Fig. 2, the movement of the cylinders is such as to increase the distance
between the flanges of the clamps, hence the movement of the levers in the opposite
direction must lessen the distance and tighten the clamps upon the boot.
Though an ice skate is illustrated in the drawing it will be readily observed that
my improvements may be used with a roller skate as well, or that rollers may be
secured directly to the blades of the style of ice skates shown in the drawing. Hence
I do not limit myself to these improvements on an ice skate, but claim them broadly
for both roller and ice skates.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of iny said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
First. The combination with the adjustable toothed clamps 5 and 6 seated upon a
suitable bed plate, of the spindle 15 having the enlarged base 9 pivoted within a suitable
slot formed in the skate blade, the toothed cylinder 20 seated upon base 9 which is
provided with teeth engaging those of the cylinder which also engage the toothed
portion of the clamps, a plate made fast to the upper extremity of the spindle and
retaining the clamps in place, a spring located in the upper portion of the cylinder and
engaging the plate above the clamps and suitable space between the top of the cylinder
and the retaining plate to permit the raising of the cylinder sufficiently to disengage it
from the toothed base 9, substantially as described.
Second. In a skate the combination with the toothed clamps seated upon a bed
plate, means for retaining the clamps in place, a spindle having an enlarged toothed
base pivoted within the skate blade, the top of the spindle being made fast to a plate or
lever above the clamps, a toothed cylinder surrounding the spindle and engaging the
base of the spindle at one extremity and the toothed portions of the clamps at the
opposite extremity and the arrangement of the parts being such that there shall be
sufficient space between the top of the cylinder and the plate above to permit the
raising of the cylinder to disengage it from the toothed base, substantially as
described.
Third. In a skate the toothed clamps 5 and 6 resting upon a bed plate and retained
in place by a plate above, a spindle secured within the skate blade or frame and a
toothed cylinder adapted to rotate thereon and engage the teeth of the clamps for the
purpose of adjustment, substantially as described.
Fourth. In a skate the adjustable toothed clamps 5 and 6 resting upon suitable bed
plates, spindles 15 each provided with an enlarged base 9 pivoted within the skate
blade, a toothed cylinder 20 located upon each spindle and engaging the base 9 and
clamps 5 and 6 and the adjustable levers 2 and 3 having their outer extremities made
fast to the top of spindles 15 and having their inner extremities suitably united for the
purpose of adjustment, substantially as described.
Fifth. In a skate the adjustable toothed clamps 5 and 6 resting upon a suitable bed
plate, spindles 15 each provided with an enlarged base 9 pivoted within the skate
blade, a toothed cylinder 20 located upon each spindle and engaging the base 9 and
clamps 5 and 6, the levers 2 and 3 for adjusting the clamps, said levers being united at
their inner extremities by means of a slot 14 in one and a lug 7 in the other engaging
the slot, said lug being provided with an elongated head normally occupying a
position at an angle with the direction of the slot, but which when desired may be
so adjusted that the slot may slip over the head of the lug and disconnect the levers,
substantially as described.
Sixth. In a skate the adjustable toothed clamps 5 and 6 resting upon suitable bed
plates, spindles 15 each provided with an enlarged base 9 pivoted within the skate
blade, a toothed cylinder 20 located upon each spindle and engaging the base 9 and

page_text: clamps 5 and 6 and the adjustable levers 2 and 3 suitably united and provided with a
locking bar 2 having a clasp 40, said clasp being provided with a lug 13 engaging a
socket 12 formued within the skate blade, substantially as described.
Seventh. In a skate the adjustable toothed clamps 5 and 6 resting upon suitable
bed plates, spindles 15 each provided with an enlarged base 9 pivoted within the skate
blade, a toothed cylinder 20 located upon each spindle and engaging the base 9 and
the clamps 5 and 6, and the notched lug or stop 36 secured to or formed integral with
the blade and projecting upward in the rear of the heel plate, substantially as
described.
Dated this 31st day of July 1890.
CHARLES GRANT LAMONT.