Improvements in the Construction of Skates.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Apr., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 19th Jan., 1.92-Accepted, 28th Mar., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Skates.
I, JOHN THORPE, of 23 Vicarage Road, Croydon, in the County of Surrey,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to effect improvements in the method of, and in
means and appliances for, attaching skates to the feet.
In carrying out my invention, I provide fixed heel and toe plates to the skate.
Both these plates are slotted to receive sliding studs or guide pins, and they are
also fitted or formed with stationary studs to pass through slots in superposed
sliding plates. The sliding plates are fitted with screws and a coupler or
union nut for adjusting the relative positions of the sliding plates. A two-armed
plate, formed with a pair of clips for seizing the heel of the boot, is pivoted to the
sliding heel plate. A vertical fixed plate is also provided to seize the inside or
forward part of the boot heel. A bar is pivoted to the sliding toe plate by a stud
fixed to the centre of the bar. Two bent levers are pivoted, one at each end, of
the last named bar. These bent levers pass through guides on the stationary
toe-plate, and the outer ends of the bent levers are provided with fixed, swivel,
spring, or other suitable clips which seize the sole of the boot on each side.
When the skate is placed under the boot, the screw nut is turned by the hand, or
a spanner, or other suitable tool, whereby the several parts of the mechanism are
drawn forcibly together. The toe-clips automatically adjust themselves to the
sole, and the heel-clips similarly adjust themselves to the heel, and force the front
of the heel against the vertical plate. The skate is thus secured to the boot in a
manner at once simple and effective.
My invention is equally suitable for roller as well as sliding skates.
11001
333 w
p
GEO. DOWNING,
8, Quality Court, London, W.C., Agent for Applicant
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Skates.
JOHN THORPE 23 Vicarage Road, Croydon, Surrey Engineer 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 the mode of fastening skates to
the feet, either ice or roller skates, in which toe and heel clamps operate in con-
junction with two non-rotating draw bars connected together by a revolving out.
The objects of my improvements are ;-
First. To allow a skate to be fixed to a boot or shoe by movement of nut
previously referred to.
Second. To allow one size of skate to be readily fixed to several sizes of boots
by motion of nut without further adjustment.
Third. To allow one size skate to be fixed to any shape of boot, by means of
the said toe clamps automatically adjusting themselves to boot, as hereinafter
described.
L T
11
of hant ለ። on either side

page_text: Sixth. Should leather of boot contract with damp or become pulpy, skate may
be tightened instantly.
I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawing
in which
Figure 1. is a longitudinal elevation of skate,
Figure 2. is a plan of underside of same.
Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.
The toe plate "A" and heel plate "B" in the case of ice skates are rigidly
secured to shoulders of blade at " M."
The forward end of heel plate is bent up at right angles to form the heel
abutment. The toe plate "A" is provided with two guides or glands "F" which
are rivetted thereto, and allows bent levers "E" to pass through them, which
will hereafter be described. A portion of the centre of toe plate is turned down
on to the forward shoulder "M" to strengthen the fastening to shoulder.
Under the above mentioned toe plate there is provided a draw bar "D" which is
slotted in centre longitudinally some length, and passing over shoulder "M"
thereby making it non-rotating. The rear end of said draw bar
screwed.
On the forward end portion of the draw bar, a cross bar or counter lever "C"
is pivoted in the centre "J" thereto. On each end of the said pivoted cross bar or
counter lever there is also pivoted one bent or cambered sole clamp
"E" at
points "H" the said sole clamps "E" passes through stationary guides or
glands "F" which act as fulcrums and terininates by further ends being turned
up at right angles.
The inner faces of the turned up portions are grooved and slightly rounded so
that sole of boot always forms tangent with centre of inner face "G," when skate
is being fixed and said bent levers oscillate to various positions, thereby presenting
no corners to sole of boot.
Under heel plate "B" there is a draw bar "K" which is slotted longitudinally
and passes over shoulders "M," thereby making same non-rotating. The rear end
of said draw bar terminates by being turned up at right angles and grooved to
receive heel of boot.
The screwed
There is a fixed pin "L" passing through the rear shoulder "M" which acts as
guide and allows draw bar "K" to pass between said pin and heel plate "B."
The front portion of said draw bar is provided with a screw.
portion of toe and heel draw bars are connected together by a revolving nut "I."
In the drawing, the screw on the draw bar "D" is made right-handed, and that
on the part "K" is left-handed.
When the skate is placed on the boot, by means of turning nut the two draw bars
are drawn together in contrary directions. The heel sliding bar forcing the heel of
boot on to the turned up piece "B." The forward draw bar "D" simultaneously
draws the pivoted counter lever "C" in a direction towards heel. By the afore-
said motion the cambered sole clamps which are pivoted to the ends of the said
counter lever or cross-bar "C" are drawn together by a transverse and longitudinal
radial movement of passing through guides or glands "F," thereby allowing a free
oscillation of said sole clamps which allows skate to be fixed by equal strain of toe
and heel clamps in any position of boot as desired, which may be of several
reasonable sizes, by the motion of said nut "I."
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is -
1st. In a skate fastening a counter lever or cross bar (C) which is pivoted by
a vertical pin to the end of, and in conjunction with a non-rotating draw bar (D),
said cross bar having two cambered sole clamps E, one end of each being pivoted
to each end of cross bar, said sole clamps passing through guides F.
2nd. In combination, cross bar pivoted by vertical pin to draw bar two cambered
or bent sole clamps, one end of each being pivoted by a vertical pin to each end of

page_text: counter lever or pivoted bar (C) at (H), said sole clamps passing through
guides (F), their ends being bent up at right angles and rounded on inner face
substantially as shown for the purpose specified.
3rd. The combination in a skate fastening with the sliding heel clamps (K)
moving under fixed heel plate (B) with the revolving nut, said nut being connected
to non-rotating draw bar (D) of counter lever or cross bar pivoted by vertical pin to
said draw bar, sole clamps pivoted by vertical pin thereto-and said clamps having
free oscillating movement of passing through guides (F) and their ends being
rounded for the purpose specified-and all as substantially set forth.
Dated this 19th day of January 1892.
JOHN THORPE,
Applicant.