Renovating of Surfaces for Skating and Sliding upon.
Year: 1886

page_text: Renovating of Surfaces for Skating and Sliding upon.
I JOHANNES AVETICIAN CALANTARIENTS of 15 York Place Scarborough in the
County of York, Doctor of Medicine 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 has for its object to provide means for the construction of a
surface to be used for skating and sliding upon in substitution for ice and it
consists in an improved method of and apparatus for treating crystalline substance
for the production renewal and maintenance of such a surface as hereinafter
described. The substances I use for the above purposes are chiefly such of
the crystalline salts or compounds of sodium potassium magnesium ammonium
aluminium and of similar metals such as the carbonates phosphates sulphates
sulphites byposulphites nitrates borates acetates tartrates and the like as possess
such physical properties that they are solid at ordinary atmospheric temperatures
but are capable of being easily fused by heat into a liquid, that they are not
hygroscopic or only very slightly so and that they are capable when required of
being made to assume a smooth and slippery surface-The salts which have
found best suited for any purpose are those of sodium especially those which contain
water of crystallisation.
I sometimes construct a skating surface of those of the crystalline substances
mentioned which are devoid of slipperiness for the purpose of being skated upon
with roller skates.
The manner in which I proceed to prepare my skating or sliding surface is as
follows. In a covered building I prepare a perfectly level water tight floor of the
required area and of any suitable material such as asphalt, cement, fine concrete,
galvanised or tinned sheet iron, sheets of zinc or lead soldered or riveted together
or a firm closely fitting wooden floor may be used the edges of the floor being
raised to a sufficient height to prevent the fluid running off-In cases where it is
doubtful whether the floor is thoroughly water tight I can secure its water tightness
by covering it with water proof sheeting, the edges of the water proof sheeting
being fastened together by solution of india rubber or other suitable material-
In the case of a well made wooden floor instead of covering the whole floor with

page_text: •
water proof sheeting, for the sake of economy I fasten strips of the sheeting over
the joints between the boards or wherever else required by means of solution of
india rubber or in other suitable manner and so render the floor water proof I then
by means of heat melt the crystalline substances above referred to either singly, or
a mixture of any two or more of them in any suitable vessel made of such a
material as would not be injuriously affected by the said substances and thereby
reduce it into a liquified state frequently stirring until the fusion is complete-If
there be any impurities in the melted mass I strain them off pour the melted mass
on to the prepared floor until it stands at the required height and thickness such
for example as from half an inch to an inch and a half or more, and by allowing
the mass to congeal or solidify I form an ice-like surface for skating or sliding
upon in any weather-The surface so formed resembles ice in its slipperiness and
also in the fact that ordinary skates can be used for skating thereon the skates
biting or cutting into it as on ice-If the congealed surface be not sufficiently
smooth I resort to the means for smoothing it hereinafter described which means
may also be resorted to for renovating the surface when it is cut up by skating
When the floor is too large to be covered by the contents of the melting vessel
and it is inconvenient to do it all at once by using a large number of vessels at the
same time I lay it in portions of any convenient size such as for example ten feet
square or ten feet by fifteen feet. The way I proceed is as follows. I mark out
the exact boundary of the portion of the floor which the contents of the melting
vessel will cover to the requisite depth and along this boundary and for two or
three inches outside it I fasten to the floor or the water proof material covering it,
a ribbon of water proof sheeting say about nine inches wide so that the unfastened
portion falls to the inside of the boundary I then take rims of wood, or other
material of the required length and depth and lay them on the floor on the fastened
portion of the water proof ribbon up to the boundary line-I temporarily fasten
the rims together and turn the water proof ribbon over the rims and fasten it
down by tacks or otherwise. I then pour the melted crystals into the cradle or
space so prepared and when the crystals have quite solidified I remove the rims
and peel off the water proof ribbon from the side of the solidified mass and the
floor, the rims and waterproof ribbons being used for a fresh portion of the floor
until the whole is covered-If the skating surface does not completely solidify on
cooling I warm the surface and then allow it to cool, and if necessary, repeat the
process until the solidification is complete.
Figure 1 shows the aforesaid rims R R temporarily fastened together at A A the
alternate end of each rim projecting for facility of removal.
Figure 2 is a section throughout one of the rims R showing the way in which
the waterproof ribbon A B C D is fastened to the waterproof material on the
floor E F from A to B and thrown over the rims R from B to C and D and fixed
by tacks as at T. The dotted lines represent the melted crystals For the sake of
clearness four rims are shown in figure 1 but only two will be necessary as the
other two sides will be formed either by the edge of the floor or the solidified
mass of artificial ice previously prepared.
Figure 3 illustrates an apparatus for warming the surface as before stated―
I make a light frame work E F G. H of wood or other material of the same size
as the portion of skating floor to be acted upon and tightly stretch over and
fix upon it a support of galvanized iron wire netting or equivalent perforated
reticulated or permeable material O P. I place this sieve like frame over the
skating floor or the cradle A¹ B¹ C¹ D¹ and place upon it a flat bag K L of india
rubber or other suitable material and of the same size as the frame I then fill the
bag with steam or heated air through the tap T and keep it full until the skating
surface has become warm-I then discontinue the supply of steam or heated air
remove the frame E F G H and allow the floor to cool If necessary I repeat the
operation until the floor becomes sufficiently solid.
Figure 4 is an enlarged section on the line m n figure 3. ABCD and EF
refer to the same parts as in figure 2. R¹ is section of the frame carrying the

page_text: support G. H upon which is placed the bag K L-When preparing the skating
surface in very cold weather I may place this support over the cradle directly after
the melted crystals are poured into it and throw a sheet or covering over until the
ice has congealed-This plan insures solidification from the bottom upward and
prevents the formation of air spaces underneath a thin superficial layer of ice.
Another way of effecting a rapid solidification of the skating surface is the
following I warm the surface fluid and the skating floor by means of an apparatus
somewhat like the one represented in figures 5. 6. 7 and 8.
Figure 5 represents the apparatus complete Figure 6 a plan of Figure 5
Figure 7 a section through R³° A² B² of figure 6. figure 8 section through H³ G¹ of
figures 5 and 6.
The apparatus consists of a hollow metallic cylinder or box A2 B2 figures 5 and 6
closed at the ends and flattened longitudinally on the side touching the floor as
seen at C D figures 5. 7 and 8. In the inside of the box or cylinder A² B² is
fixed a perforated metallic tube E2 F extending to within a short distance of the
ends of the box A B The tube E² F² communicates at its middle at right angles
with a short metallic tube G¹ H' figures 5. 6 and 8-Over the end H¹ of the
tube G H is fixed a flexible hose K¹ L' for the admission of steam.
T is a tap, to shut off or admit steam as required.
mn figures 5 and 8 indicate a small metallic tube fixed in the cylinder A² B² at
its middle so that the lower aperturo m of the tube m n nearly touches the lowest
part of the floor of the box A2 B2 which is made slanting toward m as shewn in
section at CD Fig. 8. Over the upper end n of the tube m n is fastened a
flexible tube N. O figure 5 which bends at O into a vessel V suspended from the
handle of the apparatus.
R2 PS is the handle jointed at Ra R².
When required for use steam is admitted through the hose L¹ K¹ and tube H¹G¹
into the tube E2 F' the perforations in the said tube E2 F helping to distribute
the steam throughout the cylinder or box A2 B2 and heating it evenly-As the
steam condenses the water gravitates toward the tube m n and is forced by the
pressure of steam through the tubes m no into the vessel V The apparatus being
thus kept hot I place it on the skating floor and traverse it thereover until the
surface fluid has become warm I then remove the apparatus and allow the liquefied
mass to cool and solidify.
I sometimes make the metallic box A2 B2 wide in the direction of C2 D² thus
giving the apparatus a flat oblong or square form and place it on skates wheels or
runners in such a manner that the flat bottom of the box A2 B² C² D³ just clears
the skating floor without touching it.
When the skating surface is required to be dried or otherwise acted upon I heat
the apparatus as above described and traverse it over the floor the radiation of
heat from the bottom of the box A² B² C² D³ against the floor effecting the object
required.
Sometimes when any particular floor is to be covered only temporarily for the
sake of convenience I resort to the following expedient I take a number of pieces
of board or other material say half an inch thick and of any convenient size such
as for example one foot square or one foot by two feet so prepared that when laid
flat on the floor side by side they fit into or inter lock with one another-I have
also a few rims prepared of wood or metal that can be temporarily fastened to the
edges of the boards at right angles so as to form a number of small trays which
are made water tight in the manner hereinbefore described-I pour the prepared
fluid mass into these trays taking all the precautions herein described and when
the mass has become sufficiently solid I remove the edges or rims leaving the ice
substitute adherent to the board-I then melt off the irregularities of the surface
by means of the apparatus shown at figure 5 taking care that the thickness of ice
substitute left on the several pieces is exactly equal-These then can be carried to
any room laid side by side closely like tiles and further smoothed by steam in the '
manner hereinafter described for renovating the surfaco-This last process will also

page_text: serve to fill up the interspaces between the blocks the interspaces between the
trays being made water tight before hand It is then fit for skating When
required to be removed they can be lifted off one by one and stored away in a
damp situation for further use.
The crystals of carbonate and of sulphate of soda can be used alone or mixed in
any proportion for the purposes of my Invention but a mixture of about one part
of carbonnate and from one to seven of sulphate of soda treated as above described
forms an admirably dense and slippery skating or sliding surface So likewise
does phosphate of soda alone or mixed in any proportion with carbonate or
sulpbate of soda also sulphite of soda. answers well, but at present the prices of
phosphate and sulphite of soda and of some others are too high as compared with
the other chemical preparations I have enumerated to render their use generally
practicable where expense is a consideration When the crystals of carbonate and
sulphate of soda are used separately it is desirable on melting to raise their
temperature to the boiling point of water before pouring on the skating floor but
when a mixture of equal parts of carbonate and of sulphate of soda are used the
temperature of the melted mass need not exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit As a
rule the lower, the atmospheric temperature at the time the skating surface is
being prepared the higher I make the temperature of the melted crystals before
pouring them on the floor, so as to insure as dense and as transparent a surface as
possible.
With regard to carbonate of soda (soda crystals) or sulphate of soda (Glauber's
salt) if found more economical or convenient I can use the substances theinselves
and by mixing them with hot water produce the crystals whenever required The
same treatment may be extended to such of the other salts as will crystallize in
the same way.
When the surface is required to be skated upon with roller skates, then
I prepare the surface from those of the crystalline substances, hereinbefore
mentioned which are devoid of slipperiness such as alum or hyposulphite of
soda-Sometimes I apply these non slippery salts to the surface of the slippery
skating surface and so make it suitable for skating on with roller skates such as
by sprinkling powdered hyposulphite of soda over the surface and then melting
it in by means of steam in the manner hereinafter described for renovating the
surface.
A great advantage from the use of the above mentioned surface is that when
much cut or scratched it can readily be renovated.
To effect the renovation and smoothing of the surface I apply heat thereto so as
to melt a fine layer of the material of such surface and with it the irregularities,
and powder formed on it, whether by skating or efflorescence and allowing it to
solidify which it speedily does, and forms a smooth surface. If necessary the
process may be repeated until the surface becomes sufficiently smooth.
The application of heat to the surface may be effected in a variety of ways one
of which I shall describe by way of illustration.
In figures 9. 10. 11. 12. 13 and 14 I have shown a convenient means by which
the heat of steam may be used for this purpose figure 9 represents a perspective
view of the apparatus for applying steam-Figure 10 the plan Figure 11 is a
section through P. Q of figures 9 and 10, figure 12 is a section through BTC of
figures 9 and 10-Figure 13 is a section through R. S of figures 9 and 10 and
figure 14 is an enlarged view of D C E M of figure 12 or transverse section
through D E of figure 9.
The same letters indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.
A boiler for generating steam being placed outside in any convenient locality
the steam is conducted by means of a flexible pipe or tube (marked A B figure 9)
into the building or place where the skating surface is to be acted upon-The
pipe A B is fastened at B to the metallic tube B C The tube B C opens at C into
a horizontal metallic tube F G which is perforated all over and fixed in the middle
of a much larger metallic tube or cylinder D Ę extending throughout its entire.

page_text: length The tube D E is closed at both ends but has a slit along the entire length
of its under portion. Two strips of metal K and L figure 14 are fastened along
the outside of the tube D E one on each side of the slit the free edge of the inner
strip L inclining toward the outer one K so as to leave a very fine and perfectly
even slit M throughout the length of the tube D E facing downward By this
arrangement of the strips the slit is brought forward as much as possible so as to
facilitate the application of steam to the extreme borders of the skating floors
The steam enters through the tubes A B C into the tube F G and issues through
the perforations in its circumference and becomes evenly distributed throughout
the interior of the tube D E and then issues through the slit M in a fine even
stream impinging with some little force directly against the skating surface The
area of the slit is made equal to or a little less than the area of the pipe conveying
the steam These tubes are supported by a flat piece of metal P Q figures 9
and 10 the ends of which bend downward and are fixed to a pair of skates or
carriers N. O. N. O figures 9 and 11 each consisting of an upper flat piece of metal
with the ends curved upward and an under piece of the same shape and size made
of a non corroding substance such as glass glazed porcelain or earthenware or even
hard wood the two pieces being well fastened together and the lower having its
edges well rounded off.
TU figures 9 and 11 are two blocks of a non conducting material such as wood
hollowed out to inclose the steam pipe B C between them and are fastened
together and to P. Q by screws.
SR. S R are two strong metallic rods one on each side of the tube B C which
help to support the tube Ď E and keep it at a height just sufficient to clear the
skating surface.
OOV represent the handle by means of which the apparatus is moved about
Should it be required to give additional steadiness to the apparatus on its skates
or carriers the ends O O may be joined together by a metallic bar the weight of
which is equivalent to that of the tube D E.
X is a tap interposed in the tube A B and fixed on the handle V by which tap
steam is admitted and regulated or shut off as required.
When the skating surface is to be smoothed or renovated all that is required is
to put the apparatus in position on the surface turn the steam on and move along
with it at a walking pace-The steam by issuing with some force through the
slit M in one continuous even stream, and striking against the surface melts it, and
as the whole surface is traversed a fine pellicle or film including any powder formed
by the action of the skates or effloresence on the surface is melted and this portion
so melted soon solidifies and presents a smooth surface again for skating upon
If one application of steam be not sufficient to smooth the surface the application
may be repeated until the required smoothness is obtained.
I have represented only one tube DE in the drawings but of course two or more
may be used if desired the tubes being fixed closely and parallel to one another
with a branch from the tube B C to each-Their length also may be varied
although four to six feet is a convenient length for a skating floor of moderate size.
Both the length and number of tubes may bear a relation to the size of surface
to be renovated-The greater number, by necessitating a more rapid movement
enables a larger extent of surface to be acted upon in a given time, and the
greater length by covering a larger surface shortens the time in which the work
can be finished.
The size of the boiler, as the source of steam, will have to be made in proportion
to the size of the surface to be renovated and the diameter and strength of the pipe
conveying steam from the boiler to the steaming apparatus will also have to be
proportioned to the quantity and pressure of steam required.
It is desirable to use steam under some pressure so as to avoid its condensation
into water by loss of heat in passing through the tubes and also to prevent
unnecessary moisture being imparted to the surface under treatment
account should drops of water be allowed to fall on the ice from the steaming
On no

page_text: apparatus The degree of pressure must depend upon the temperature of the
atmosphere at the time, the lower temperature necessitating a higher pressure of
steam. The tap at X is operated to regulate the force with which the steam strikes
against the skating surface.
Should it be found desirable to dry the steam further before it comes in contact
with the skating surface I lengthen the tube B C into a spiral and keeps it hot by
means of a lamp or otherwise.
It is always desirable to place. the steaming apparatus on a clean tray of some
kind and let the steam pass through to get it thoroughly hot and dry before
placing it on the ice for the purpose of steaming.
The exposed parts of the instrument may be covered with some non conducting
material so as to prevent loss of heat.
If the skating surface in course of time becomes dirty by accumulation of dust
or other causes I easily clean it in the following manner apply the steaming
apparatus in the same way as for renovating the surface but instead of allowing
the fine melted layer to solidify I mop it up quickly and so remove with it all the
dirt from the surface-If desired to make up for this small loss of material an
equal quantity of powdered clean material may be sprinkled over the skating
surface and melted thereon as herein before described.
To prevent the skating surface from efflorescing in dry weather I wet it
occasionally or if efflorescence has already occurred I steam it with the apparatus
above described and thus supply to the crystals not only the moisture they have
lost, but the very conditions of temperature for reforming their crystalline
structure.
When not in use the surface may be covered over with some water proof material
as a protection against efflorescence and to keep it clean The atmosphere may also.
be kept charged with moisture in a most agreeable manner by means of fountains
plants and flowers which combined with the evaporation from the skating surface
will keep the air of the room cool and pleasant.
In situations where the atmosphere is very dry, in addition to the above, pure
air saturated with moisture may be forced into the building where the surface is
laid which forcing in of air may be effected in any suitable manner such as by
means of pipes arranged round the borders of the skating floor and connected with
a chamber fitted with a rockery kept moist by cold water constantly dripping
over it.
A great advantage of this surface is that it does not cause an unpleasant and
dangerous difference of temperature between the air outside and in, as is the case
with real ice, and as skating on it causes no dust to fly about, the atmosphere is, as
compared with that in a rink in which roller skates are used, comparatively free
from dust-If it be desired that elasticity should be imparted to the surface this
can be effected by making the skating floor rest upon india rubber cords or pieces
of india rubber, springs, sawdust, curled hair or other elastic substances.
If desired color may be given to the surface by tinting the floor with the
required color before covering it with the substance that is to form the skating
surface. As the ice substitute is transparent or translucent it appears of the same
color as the floor on which it rests, or a small quantity of any desired coloring
matter may be added to the melted crystals before pouring on the floor when the
skating surface is being prepared.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and the manner in which the same is to be understood I declare that
what I claim is-
First The method of preparing surfaces for sliding and skating upon by
liquefying salts or compounds such as described, pouring the same upon a floor
or surface, allowing it to cool and finally rendering it smooth and solid by
application of heat as setforth,

page_text: Second-The method of preparing surfaces for sliding or skating upon by
fastening successively upon portions of the floor so as to inclose a space, water
proof material and rims, and then pouring into the space thus inclosed a mass
of liquified salts or substances of the character hereinbefore defined and allowing
the mass to solidify and then removing the rims and water proof material and
repeating the operation until the entire surface is formed substantially as herein-
before described.
Third The method of preparing or renewing surfaces of the character described
for skating and sliding upon, by forming a surface of salts or compounds such as
specified, and heating such surfaces by steam or hot air substantially as setforth.
Fourth The method of preparing surfaces for skating or sliding upon by taking
salts or compounds of the character herein before defined liquefying them and
pouring the liquified mass upon a floor or surface and placing over this mass a
support for sustaining a sheet of covering thereover to insure solidification of the
mass substantially as hereinbefore described.
Fifth In the construction or renewal of surfaces such as described for skating
and sliding, the improvement consisting in traversing over the same an apparatus
heated substantially as setforth.
Sixth In the construction or renewal of surfaces of the character described for
skating and sliding upon the improvement consisting in applying to said surface in
direct contact therewith a current of steam substantially as setforth.
Seventh The method of preparing surfaces for skating or sliding upon by
taking boards or supports formed to fit together and forming them into temporary
trays and pouring into them liquefied salts or compounds of the character herein-
before defined, then when the liquid mass has solidified removing the edges of the
trays and placing the boards or supports together side by side and levelling the
surface thus formed substantially as herein before described.
Eighth The method of preparing surfaces for skating or sliding upon by
taking salts or compounds of the character hereinbefore described and liquefying
them, then preparing a yielding or elastic surface or floor by supporting flooring
boards or sheets or plates upon india rubber cords or springs or upon sawdust or
horse hair or the like and then pouring the liquefied mass of salts or compounds
upon the said yielding or elastic surface or floor and allowing the mass to solidify
substantially as hereinbefore described.
Ninth The apparatus for use in preparing sliding or skating surfaces of the
character described, consisting of a box or receptacle, means for supplying heat or a
heating agent thereto, and runners or similar means for traversing the same over
said surface in close proximity thereto substantially as setforth.
Tenth The portable heating apparatus for use in preparing and renewing
surfaces composed of salts or compounds such as specified, said apparatus com-
prising a long box or receptacle having a slit or opening in its lower surface
and means for supplying steam to said box or receptacle, so that a current of
steam is caused to issue therefrom against the surface traversed substantially as
described.