IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROLLER SKATES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Nicholas Donnaven, of Northumberland Square,
Dublin, in Ireland, Machinist, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF ROLLER SKATES."
Sealed the 16th June 1876, and dated the 21st April 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Nicholas Donnaven
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st April 1876.
JAMES NICHOLAS DONNAVEN, of Northumberland Square, Dublin, in Ireland,
Machinist. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROLLER SKATES."
My Invention consists in an improved mode of constructing the bearings of the
rollers of roller skates whereby the axles may adapt themselves to the various angles
required in making curves or figures. To the sole of the skate are fixed two plates,
one near the heel and the other near the front as usual, and on each plate are two
bearings between which is a swivel piece; a block of india-rubber is placed between
the sole plate and the swivel piece, the india-rubber is prevented moving endwise by
studs projecting from the sole plate and swivel piece. At the under side of the
swivel piece is a stud which swivels in a hole in the socket through which the axle
of the rollers passes.
The angle of the sole plate is limited according to the inclination of the body of
the skater by segmental recesses in projections cast to the socket above referred to
and by segments projecting from the bearings on the sole plates, and as the sole
plate inclines the blocks of india-rubber become partially compressed, the converging
angles of the axles to form curves and figures are also limited by the bearings on the
sole plates acting against projections from the sockets described.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Nicholas Donnaven in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
19th October 1876.
JAMES NICHOLAS DONNAVEN, of Northumberland Square, Dublin, in Ireland,
Machinist. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROLLER SKATES."
My Invention consists in an improved mode of supporting the axles of the
rollers of roller skates, whereby the said axles can adapt themselves to the con-
[Price 4d.]

page_text: verging or radiating position required for producing curves or figures according
to the angle of the foot produced by the inclination of the body of the skater.
And in order that my Invention may be fully understood and readily carried
into operation, I will proceed to describe the accompanying Sheet of Drawings,
reference being had to the figures and letters marked thereon.
Fig. 1 is an elevation of my improved roller skate; Fig. 2 is a plan looking from
above; Fig. 3 is another plan looking from below; Fig. 4 is an end view, and
Fig. 5 a transverse section of the same. a is the sole plate or foot stock of the skate
which is secured to the foot of the skater by straps or other equivalents in the
usual manner.
To the under side of the sole plate are fixed the plates b, b, shewn detached in
Fig. 6, one under the heel and the other near the front as usual, on each plate are
two bearings for the pins c, c, these pins support the swivel pieces d, d, shewn
detached in Fig. 7, and between the plates b, and swivel pieces d, are the blocks of
india-rubber or other springs e which are held in position by studs projecting from.
the swivel piece, and which expand or become compressed when the sole plate
assumes an inclined position. The under part of the swivel piece is tapered and it
terminates in a stud, this tapered part and the stud fit in a recess and a hole in the
sockets f, through which the axles of the rollers g pass. The pins e passing through
the bearings in the plates b project at the inner ends to support the three-armed
pieces n, the horizontal arms of which are level with the top of the foot plate, and
the pendant arms are forked and fit on the spring steel rod i, the ends of which
take into holes in projections from the sockets f
So long as the foot of the skater remains level with the floor the parts remain in
the positions they occupy in Fig. 4, but when the foot inclines at an angle to the
floor as shewn in Fig. 5 the action of the foot on the three-armed pieces h, causes
the sockets f to swivel partly round on the swivel pieces d, and consequently causes
the axles of the rollers g to converge or radiate from a centre as shewn by dotted
lines in Fig. 3, thereby enabling the skater to form curves or figures, the amount
of inclination of the foot producing more or less convergence of the axles according
to the curve required to be formed.
By means of this Invention the position of the sole plate or foot stock does not
control the radiating position of the axles of the rollers as in most other roller
skates, the said radiating motion being obtained in the same manner as in the front
wheels of a four wheeled carriage.
Having thus stated the nature of my Invention, and described the manner of
performing the same, I declare that I claim, the improved mode of supporting the
axles of the rollers of roller skates whereby the said axles can adapt themselves to
the converging or radiating position required for producing curves or figures
according to the angle of the foot produced by the inclination of the body of the
skater as shewn and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Nicholas Donnaven, have hereto set
my hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of October, One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-six.
JAMES NICHOLAS DONNAVEN. (L.S.)