IMPROVE- MENTS IN ROLLER SKATES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Orange Wildman Whitehouse, of 12, Thurlow
Road, Hampstead, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN ROLLER SKATES."
Scaled the 19th April 1876, and dated the 16th February 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Orange Wildman
Whitehouse at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th Feb-
ruary 1876.
EDWARD ORANGE WILDMAN WHITEHOUSE, of 12, Thurlow Road, Hampstead,
in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER SKATES."
This Invention has for its object to afford a simple and efficient means by which
a roller skate may be caused to run in a curved course by the person wearing
the skate inclining his body to one side or the other as when skating upon ice
with ordinary skates. For this purpose I fix to the fore part of the foot stand or
plate of the skate two springs, these are led back above the surface of the plate,
one on either side of it, and are arched upwards. Near the centre of the skate
they are made to cross one over the other, and at their rear ends they are jointed
to the axle of the hind wheel or wheels on opposite sides of a central vertical
pin upon which the axle pivots; this vertical pin is free to slide to and fro in a
slot formed longitudinally of the plate or foot stand. Where the springs cross one
another near the centre of the skate they pass downwards through a slot in the
foot stand, to be connected as before stated to the rear axle. The axle of the
front wheel or wheels may be either fixed to the foot stand or may be jointed to
it, and caused to pivot together with the rear axle. The front and rear axles may
each carry two wheels, and these may be one on either side of the foot stand; the
front wheels may also be of larger diameter than the .hind wheels. Or each axle
may carry one wheel only at its centre, or one axle may carry two wheels and the
other a single wheel only.
With a skate constructed as above described when the foot of the person
wearing the skate bears equally upon the two arched springs the axles will be
held parallel with one another, and the skate will run in a straight course, but
if the person leans over to one side or the other, the spring on that side of the
skate will be compressed and flattened out, whilst the other spring will be corre-
spondingly relieved from pressure, the axles will thereby be caused to radiate
Price 6d1

page_text: to that side towards which the person is inclining, and the skate will run in a
corresponding circle.
The rear end of the plate or foot stand inay be curved downwards, or have a
curved spring attached to it to come within a short distance of the ground so
that a person wearing the skate may, when skating, be able to stop by leaning
backwards and causing the spring or rear end of the plate to drag along the floor
or skating surface.
'
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said Edward Orange Wildman Whitehouse in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 16th August 1876.
EDWARD ORANGE WILDMAN WHITEHOUSE, of 12, Thurlow Road, Hampstead, in
the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER SKATES."
This Invention has for its object to afford a simple and efficient means by which
a roller skate may be caused to run in a curved course by the person wearing the
skate inclining his body to one side or the other as when skating upon ice with
ordinary skates. For this purpose I fix to the fore part of the foot stand or plate
of the skate two springs, these are led back above the surface of the plate, one on
either side of it, and are arched upwards. Near the centre of the skate they are
made to cross one over the other, and at their rear ends they are jointed to the
axle or to the piece which carries the axle of the hind wheel or wheels on opposite
sides of a central vertical pin upon or about which the axle pivots; this vertical
pin is free to slide to and fro in a slot formed longitudinally of the plate or foot
stand. Where the springs cross one another near the centre of the skate they pass
downwards through a slot or slots in the foot stand to be connected as before stated
to the rear axle. The axle of the front wheel or wheels may be either fixed to the
foot stand or may be jointed to it and caused to pivot together with the rear axle.
The front and rear axles may each carry two wheels, and these may be one on
either side of the foot stand, and the front wheels may also be of larger diameter,
than the hind wheels. Or each axle may carry one wheel only at its centre, or one
axle may carry two wheels and the other a single wheel only.
With a skate constructed as above described when the foot of the person wearing
the skate bears equally upon the two arched springs the axles will be held parallel
with one another and the skate will run in a straight course, but if the person leans
over to one side or the other the spring on that side of the skate will be compressed
and flattened out whilst the other spring will be correspondingly relieved from
pressure, the axles will thereby be caused to radiate to that side towards which the
person is inclining and the skate will run in a corresponding circle.
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.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a roller skate constructed according to my Invention,
Figure 2 is a plan, and Figure 3' is an under side view of the same, Figures 4 and 5
are sections taken on the lines 1, 1, and 2, 2, in Figure 2.
a, a, is a wooden foot stand to which the ordinary straps b for attaching the
skate to the foot are fixed. a¹ is a ridge in the centre of the foot stand to support
the foot in such a manner as to allow it liberty to incline to either side, c is a
bracket or stand fixed to the under side of the foot stand, it carries the axle.d of the
halet in

page_text: has a hole through it of sufficient size to allow the plates i and j and the bracket
or stand h to rotate freely and also to slide for some distance. The plate ; has two
pins, fixed in it, they pass through holes formed to receive them both in the
plate i and in the bracket or stand h; l, l, are springs, they are attached at their
fore ends to the foot stand, and immediately in rear of the points of attachment
they are bowed upwards so that they come into contact with the foot of the wearer
about at the tread of the foot and on either side; the springs are then bent so as
to pass to the under side of the foot board through the slots or notches a², a², and
they are made to cross each other and so to pass to the pins j¹, 1. Strengthening
pieces are rivetted to the springs near their ends, and both the blades of the springs
and the strengthening pieces are perforated with eyes which receive the pins ¹, j¹,
through them; m and n are supports screwed to the foot stand, the springs rest
upon them and they serve to direct the motion of the springs in the course desired.
The bracket or stand c which carries the axle of the fore wheels may, if desired, be
arranged to pivot about a vertical axis in place of being fixed to the foot stand, and
by crossed connecting rods (capable of adjustment as to their length) the front and
back foot stands may be connected together so as to cause them to turn simultaneously
about their pivots, this, however, I believe to be an unnecessary complication, as
I find that the skates work very satisfactorily when the hind wheels only are made
to pivot as the Drawing shows.
What I claim is the construction of roller skates substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Orange Wildman Whitehouse, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of August, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.