IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROLLER SKATES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Haguo Bosustow, of Clifton Villa, Lodge Road, in
the Town and County of Southampton, Mercantile Clerk, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROLLER SKATES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Hague Bosustow at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th April 1877.
JOHN HAGUE BOSUSTOW, of Clifton Villa, Lodge Road, in the Town and County
of Southampton, Mercantile Clerk. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
ROLLER SKATES,"
The objects of my Invention are providing an easy spring motion in skating on
guidable rollers, for the purpose of facilitating smoothness of running action and
obtaining greater speed, likewise giving case and quickness in curving, thereby
lightening labour to the performer and adding assistance and comfort in the use of
this skate.
The above objects I effectuate by means which are mainly as follows, that is
to say:
-
My Invention consists,-
Firstly. In metal standard bearings applied to roller skates, which are preferably
tubular, with angular slots at the sides for the bearing and adjustment of the axles,
so as to allow of curvature in the play of the rollers upon the said axles in turning,
running, or figure skating.
Secondly. The encasing rubber springs so as to furnish the combined action of
spring notion, regulator, and adjustor, and to provide the means of bracing up and
efficiently supporting the bearing of the axles.
Thirdly. Protecting the end-play of the wheels upon the axles by means of an
adjustor of screw washers, which I adopt for fastening the axles when in position
through the slots of standard bearings, to prevent displacement and admit of the
required play for the wheels in curving round the shoulders of same.
Fourthly. The use, in some cases, of caps to shield the rubber springs against the
friction caused by the bearing of the axle over same.

page_text: Fifthly. Providing moveable screw bottoms through the collar of the standard
bearings before mentioned, which adjoin the foot board of the skate for the purpose
of regulating the encased springs by compressed means.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Hague Bosustow in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 12th
October 1877.
JOHN HAGUE BOSUSTOW, of Clifton Villa, Lodge Road, in the Town and County
of Southampton, Mercantile Clerk. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
ROLLER SKATES."
The objects of my Invention are providing an easy spring motion in skating on
guidable rollers, for the purpose of facilitating smoothness of running action and
obtaining greater speed, likewise giving ease and quickness in curving, thereby
lightening labour to the performer and adding assistance and comfort in the use of
the skate.
To effectuate my said Invention I use,-
Firstly. Metal standard bearings applied to roller skates, which are preferably
tubular, with angular slots at the sides for the bearing and adjustment of the axles,
so as to allow of curvature in the play of the rollers upon the said axles in turning,
running, or figure skating.
Secondly. The encasing rubber springs so as to furnish the combined action of
spring motion, regulator, and adjustor, and to provide the means of bracing up and
efficiently supporting the bearing of the axles.
Thirdly. Protecting the end-play of the wheels upon the axle by means of an
adjustor of screw washers, which I adopt for fastening the axles when in position
through the slots of standard bearings, to prevent displacement and admit of the
required play for the wheels in curving round the shoulders of same.
Fourthly. The use, in some cases, of caps to shield the rubber springs against the
friction caused by the bearing of the axle over same.
Fifthly. Providing movable screw bottoms through the collar of the standard
bearings before mentioned, which adjoin the foot board of the skate for the purpose
of regulating the encased springs by compressed means.
The above are main points in the nature of my Invention, but I have also to state that
without substantial departure therefrom, my Invention further affords (at the option
of the skater) the use of wooden bearings for the purpose of lessening the weight of
the skates, such bearings being preferably drum-shaped in formation, with the india-
rubber spring inserted, and over these wooden drums are fastened metal bands to
keep the rubber packing in position, which are substantially similar to those above
referred to, and have angular slots through which the axle passes for the necessary
play of the rollers, as desired, and the axle centre or body being semi-cap formed;
becomes adjusted in required position by this particular device, as the cap part of
the axle bears against the under surface of the rubber whilst the upper surface is
brought in contact with a square metal plate, through which a capstan head screw
is fitted or recessed in to tighten or release the elasticity of the spring to suit the
comfort of the performer.

page_text: Fig. 3 is a detached front view of one of the metal bearings (in reversed position),
shape being tubular, in which the body of rubber (see Fig. 12) is placed or packed
to comprise the spring; Fig. 3 also indicates the anglo of the slots; Fig. 4 is a side
view of the same.
Fig. 5 shows a sectional view of the said metal bearing, in which will be observed
a thread recessed partly through to receive the screw bottom, by which means the
elasticity of the rubber (fitted herein) is compressed to any required pressure
against the axle body or cap, and being thus brought in contact it fixes the
axle firmly in its position through the slots, and imparts a riding motion entirely
under control, which forms a very important feature in my improvements.
Fig. 6 shows a corresponding section of the screw plug or bottom detached from
tho plate of the metal bearing.
Fig. 7 is a horizontal view of one end of the axle illustrating the position of screw
washers, in which the part B passes through the centre of the roller between the
washers G, G.
Fig. 8 shows the shape of the axle in a vertical position; D, D, represents the
circle of the cap or body, which passes through and rests between the slots in metal
bearings, in the manner as shown at F, F, (Fig. 2); and E, E, are the outlines
denoting the half cap or body of axle to be used in the wooden drum bearings
(as at Fig. 9) to regulate and effect similar inclination or curvo of the axle in the
play of the wheels as in metal bearings.
it
Fig. 9 is a detached side view of wooden drum bearing with fittings complete, as
appears when secured or otherwise fastened to the under side of the foot board or
stock of the skate (the roller not being shown) admits of a direct view of the outer
end of the axle E in position, as it extends beyond the slot J of the metal band 8,
to receive the play of the wheels. The means, of inclination or curvature being
obtained by the tilting of the foot to the side desired, which compresses the rubber
resting in the bearing over axle cap or body, and thus admits of displacement for
the inclination of the axle along the angle of the slots J, J; K represents the
capstan head screw, fitted in neck of wooden bearing (C, C); L, the plate through
which the screw passes, partly entering the rubber packing on which said plate
rests. The regulating action being obtained from the head of the screw revolving,
worked by means of a pin, (as illustrated under Fig. 11,) which enables the skater to
adjust the cramping action to almost any degree of rigidity.
Fig. 10 shows the metal band pertaining to the wooden bearing, and represents a
detached view from the outer side. The letters J, J, point to the angle and position
of slot. This band is in two pieces and fastens at the centre by corresponding
screw threads N, N, or otherwise joined, which enables it to set close to body of
drum.
Fig. 11 is a view of the capstan head screw O, partly screwed through longitudinal
plate P, by means of the horizontal pin Q working round through the holes in the
capstan head O, O. This device enables me to control the elasticity of the rubber
(Fig. 13) on which the plate P bears.
Figs. 12 and 13 represent views of the india-rubber spring packing as applied to
my metal and wooden bearings.
Similar letters have reference to similar parts throughout the Drawings.
M shows the foot board or stock of the skate attached to a boot, to the under side
of which the head or collar of metal standard bearings A, A, or neck of wooden
bearings C (illustrated at Fig. 9) is fastened by screws or otherwise; A, A, (in Figure 2)
represents the head or collars of metal bearings screwed to the under surface of the
foot board. The body of bearing being tubular in shape, as illustrated by front
view at Fig. 3; J, J, denote the angular slots through which the axles pass for
carrying the rollers. These slots are fully illustrated at Figs. 3 and 4; K is the
centre of bearing or barrel for receiving the rubber spring Ỷ (see Fig. 12). The
lower end of rubber packing rests against the axle cap F, while the upper end rests
against screw plug S¹ (see Fig. 6, sectional view), which may be screwed partly
through tube or barrel of bearings K (see Figures 3 and 4). The sectional view at

page_text: Fig. 5 shows depth of thread I. The wooden drum bearing previously described
and illustrated in Fig. 9 is fastened in like manner from the head or neck C to the
foot board M (see Figs. 1 and 2).
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, I hereby declare that I claim the Invention of "Improvements in the
Construction of Roller Skates," substantially as the same is herein-before set forth
and described and illustrated by the accompanying Drawings, wherein the following
are amongst the important points or features,-
Firstly. The improved arrangements for lessening the tendency of roller skates
becoming disordered, and the mode of adjustment in attaching the rollers to
the foot board or stock of skates, whereby a person is more easily enabled to effect
circular or curvilinear movements, as herein-before set forth and described.
Secondly. The rubber spring action and bearing encased under adjustablo control
applied to skates, substantially as described.
Thirdly. The cap or body and semi-cap or body formed axle, for the use and
purpose, substantially as herein-before described, and as illustrated in the accom-
panying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Hague Bosustow, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Tenth day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
Witness,
T. MORGAN,
Secretary,
"
Inventors' Patent-right Assn., Ld.,
21, Cockspur Street,
S.W.
J. H. BOSUSTOW. (L.S.)