IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER SKATES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Ebenezer William Hughes, of Jackson Road, Holloway,
in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER
SKATES"
Sealed the 23rd February 1877, and dated the 29th August 1876
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Ebenezer William Hughes
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th August 1876.
EBENEZER WILLIAM HUGHES, of Jackson Road, Holloway, in the County of
Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER SKATES."
This Invention has for its object improvements in roller skates.
In constructing roller skates I formn the main frame or body of the skate of a
metal plate, which is somewhat concave on the under side Near the two ends it is
connected with the axles of the wheels in such a manner as to allow the axles to lock
1ound, like the leading axle of a waggon. Each axle has an arm fixed to it in the
middle and standing up vertically. This aim corresponds to the perch pin of a
waggon, and it passes through the body plate and also through a lower bearing in a
bridge piece, which is rivetted to the under side of the body plate. The structure
is further stiffened by a longitudinal tye passing beneath the axles and pinned to
them at the centre, but not so as to interfere with the locking motion. The ends of
tbis tye are continued up to the ends of the body plate, to which they are secured.
The foot stand of the skate, to which straps and other fittings are attached, is
mounted on the upper ends of the two perch pins, so that it is able to rock upon
them as the body and foot of the skater incline, and springs are applied tending to
bring the foot stand always to a horizontal position.
In order that the inclination of the body and foot of the skater may control the
wheels, and cause them to lock round to run in a curved course, I employ in con-
nection with each pair of wheels two studs, one on either side of the foot stand, of
which however they are entirely independent. The studs are carried at the ends of
n semicircular piece of metal, which is itself loosely pin jointed at the centre to a
finger projecting horizontally from the perch pin. Thus when one of the studs is
depressed below the stud on the other side, the finger on the perch pin will be
pushed over towards the opposite side, and the axle will receive a similar movement.
[Price 6d.]

page_text: I employ a blade spring, which tends always to hold the axle at right angles to the
body of the skate. This spring is inserted through holes formed to receive it in
the perch pin and in the sides of the bracket which carries the lower bearing for
this pin.
It is not essential that both the axles should be able to lock the hinder axle; they
may if preferred be rigidly fixed to the body frame.
Another part of my Invention relates to the wheels of roller skates.
At the present time considerable inconvenience is experienced in the use of roller
skates from the necessity of lubricating the wheels from time to time I avoid this
inconvenience by bushing the wheels with brass or other metal bushes, which I
make in two halves or parts, and drive into the hole at the centre of the wooden
wheel. The concavities or hollows in the bushes are considerably larger than would
. be necessary for the passage of the axle, except at the ends of the bushing pieces
where there are lips, which come flush with the sides of the wheel, and here the
bushes are made to fit the axle. Into the cavities within the bushes I force with
heavy pressure an antifriction composition; that which I employ is known as Cohne's
composition, which contains plumbago and asbestos. The wheels thus bushed
1equire no lubrication, and the composition sustaining the whole or nearly the whole
of the downward pressure, the wheels run with very little friction. The lips at
the ends of the bushes are made so thin that they will wear away as they come
into contact with the axle, so as always to allow the pressure to be taken by
the composition.
The bushes may also be made in one piece, but otherwise as above described, the
antifriction composition being then forced in from the end.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Ebenezer William Hughes in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
28th February 1877.
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EBENEZER WILLIAM HUGHES, of Jackson Road, Holloway, in the County of
Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER SKATES."
This Invention has for its object improvements in roller skates.
In constructing roller skates I form the main frame or body of the skate of a
metal plate, which is somewhat concave on the under side. Near the two ends it is
connected with the axles of the wheels in such a nanner as to allow the axles to lock
round, like the leading axle of a waggon. Each axle has an aim fixed to it in the
middle and standing up vertically. This aim corresponds to the perch pin of a
waggon, and it passes through the body plate and also through a lower bearing in a
bridge piece, which is rivetted to the under side of the body plate. The structure
is further stiffened by a longitudinal tye passing beneath the axles and pinned to
them at the centie, but not so as to interfere with the locking motion. The foot
stand of the skate, to which straps and other fittings are attached, is mounted on
the upper ends of the two perch pins, so that it is able to rock upon them as the
body and foot of the skater incline, and springs are applied tending to bring the foot
stand always to an horizontal position
In order that the inclination of the body and foot of the skater may control tho
wheels, and cause them to lock round to run in a curved course, I employ in con-
nection with each pair of wheels two studs, one on either side of the foot stand, of
which however they are entirely independent The studs are carried at the ends of
a seinicircular piece of metal, which is itself loosely pin jointed at the centre to a
finger projecting horizontally from the perch pin. Thus when one of the studs is
depressed below the stud on the other side, the finger on the perch pin will
be pushed over towards the opposite side, and the axle will receive a similar
movement.

page_text: It is not essential that both the axles should be able to lock; the hinder axle may
if preferred be rigidly fixed to the body frame.
Another part of my Invention relates to the wheels of roller skates.
At the present time considerable inconvenience is experienced in the use of roller
skates from the necessity for lubricating the wheels from time to time. I avoid this
inconvenience by bushing the wheels with brass or other metal bushes, which I
make in two halves or parts, and drive into the hole at the centre of the wooden
wheel. The concavities or hollows in the bushes are considerably larger than would
be necessary for the passage of the axle, except at the ends of the bushing pieces,
where there are lips which come flush with the sides of the wheel, and here the
bushes are made to fit the axle. Into the cavities within the bushes I force with
heavy pressure an antifriction composition; that which I employ is composed of
plumbago, asbestos, and paraffin. The wheels thus bushed require no lubrication,
and the composition sustaining the whole or nearly the whole of the downward
pressure, the wheels run with very little friction The lips at the ends of the bushes
are made so thin that they will wear away as they come into contact with the axle,
so as always to allow the pressure to be taken by the composition.
The bushes may also be made in one piece, but otherwise as above described.
In order that my said Invention may be most fully understood and readily
carried into effect I will proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed.

page_text: The studs m, m, and the piece n are shown separately at Figures 13,. and a
piece n', which forms a link between the part n and the finger c¹¹, is shown at
Figure 14. This piece n¹ is interposed to allow the requisite freedom of play." It
* will be seen-that when the studs are displaced from the horizontal position by the
..pressure of the foot upon them the finger c¹ is moved to the one side or the other,
and the axle is carried around its upright arm c¹..
"
Figures 15, 16, 17, and -18 illustrate the method in which I bush the wheels of
roller skates.
According to Figures 15 the following is the plan:-The wheel p is bored out in
the centre sufficiently to receive the brass tube q into the opening, and within this
tube two thimbles r, r, are placed. They are of thin sheet brass, and each has a
-hole at the end of a size to allow the axle to pass. I fill the thimbles with a com-
⚫ position, consisting by preference of 60 parts of finely powdered plumbago, 40 parts
of finely powdered asbestos, and 20 parts of paraffin. The ingredients should be
thoroughly mixed and used 'whilst hot. The composition is then in the form of-a
powder, and by a strong pressure in a press the thimbles are filled, the pressure con-
solidating the material into a stone-like mass; the passage for the axle is afterwards
bored out. The thimbles having been thus filled and prepared are inserted into the
tube q, and the parts are secured by turning over the lips of the tube, as the Drawing
indicates. The ends of the tube are notched, and the parts are turned alternately
outwards on to the boss of the wheel and inwards so as to overlap the thimbles.
According to Figures 16 the tube q is dispensed with, the thimbles being made to
fit the opening in the centre of the wheel sufficiently tightly to prevent them being
displaced in use.
Figures 17 show an arrangement in which the boss in place of being divided into
two thimbles is divided longitudinally into two semicircular troughs, which fit
together and are forced into their places in the hole bored in the wheel.
Figures 18 show an arrangement in which thimbles r are employed in com-
· bination with a tube q, this tube being retained in its place by the accuracy of its
fit, and having its ends turned over to retain the thimbles.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention and the manner of per-
forming the same, I would have it understood that I claim,-
First. The combination of the parts a, c, c¹, c¹¹, e, m, and n, substantially as
described.
Second. The construction of roller skates, substantially as described and repre-
sented in the annexed Drawings.
Third. The bushing the wheels of roller skates with an antifriction composition,
substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Ebenezer William Hughes have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-eighth day of February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.