IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER SKATES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Auguste Louis Bernard Devot, of Copthall Buildings, in
the City of London, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER SKATES."
▲ communication from abroad by Napoleon Rebour, of Paris, France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Auguste Louis Bernard
Devot at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th December
1876.
AUGUSTE LOUIS BERNARD DEVOT, of Copthall Buildings, in the City of London.
IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER SKATES." A communication from abroad by Napoleon
Rebour, of Paris, France.
This Invention has for its object improvements in roller skates, and refers partly
to skates in which the weight of the skater is carried by the axles, and partly to
skates in which the weight is supported on the circumference of the rollers, and the
axles are used to maintain the positions of and guide the rollers
One part of the Invention has reference to the use in combination with a rocking
sole plate and small tables or platforms below it of springs interposed between the
sole plate and the tables, or platforms for returning the sole plate (when inclined or
tilted) to its borizontal or normal position.
Another part of the Invention has reference to a method of transferring the
weight of the skater to the tops of the rollers instead of passing it through the
axles. Below tables or platforms, arranged one over cach axle beneath the sole
plate, circular plates or discs are applied in conjunction with antifriction balls or
spheres, the latter are interposed between the tables or platforms and the circular
plates or discs.
Each circular plate or disc has at its upper side an annular groove or channel
concentric with a similar groove or channel at the under side of the table or
latform above. These grooves retain the antifriction balls or spheres in place.
Each circular plate or disc (of which there are four) at one side of its centre
overlaps and rests upon the top of one of the rollers. Thus when the rollers rotate
in a vertical plane their circular plates or discs will rotate in a horizontal plane.
The Invention has reference also to the rollers, axles, means for lubricating, and
arrangements for guiding the skates; what may be called compound axles are used.

page_text: Each roller is bushed with metal. The hole in the bush is stepped, the centre
portion being the smaller diameter and the two ends of larger diameter. The bush
projects at each side of the roller, and at the outer side is formed with an external
screw thread to receive a cap. The portion of bush projecting from the inner side
of the roller receives one end of a tubular collar piece formed with a flange; this
collar piece passes through a bracket or frame, and its inner end enters a tubular
connecting piece. Each roller turns on a separate pin having a hole entirely
through it, formed with a head at its outer end, and screwed at its inner end. Each
hollow pin passes through the bush of its roller through the collar piece, and into
the tubular connecting piece into which the inner end of the hollow pin is screwed.
Thus the tubular connecting piece forms the central portion of each compound axle
of which two hollow pins, each carrying a roller, form the extremities. The inner
end of each hollow pin is somewhat flattened at one side, and a radial hole is
formed through the tubular connecting piece midway between its extremities.
This hole serves as a feeding hole for oil or lubricant, and is tapped or screwed to
receive a screw plug, the end of which comes against the flattened ends of the two
hollow pins and keeps them in place. Each plug is at its outer end prolonged in
the form of a rod and enters a hole in a bracket or plate depending froin the under
side of the sole plate, so that when the sole plate is inclined or tilted the axles are
moved from their normal relative positions parallel to each other, and at right
angles to the longitudinal centre line of the sole plate into positions in which their
axes are inclined to each other, and to the longitudinal centre line of the sole plate,
and thus the skate is caused to travel in a curve.
The Invention comprises also modifications in the construction of the rollers, the
axles, and the carriages on which the tilting sole plate is arranged.
In one arrangement, instead of each roller being entirely perforated and working
on a separate hollow pin, one solid pin is employed, having at its centre a groove
which serves in conjunction with the tubular connecting piece as a reservoir for
lubricant.
It will be evident that roller skates of various forms may be constructed according
to this Invention.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Auguste Louis Bernard Devot in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
9th June 1877.
AUGUSTE LOUIS BERNARD DEVOT, of Copthall Buildings, in the City of London.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER SKATES." A communication from abroad by Napoleon
Rebour, of Paris, France.
This Invention has for its object improvements in roller skates, and refers partly
to skates in which the weight of the skater is carried by the axles, and partly to
skates in which the weight is supported on the circumference of the rollers, and the
axles are used only to maintain the positions of and guide the rollers.
One part of the Invention has reference to the use in combination with a rocking
sole plate and small tables or platforms below it of springs interposed between the
sole plate and the tables or platforms for returning the sole plate (when inclined or
tilted) to its horizontal or normal position.
Another part of the Invention has reference to a method of transferring the
weight of the skater to the tops of the rollers instead of passing it through the
axles. Below tables or platforms, arranged one over each axle beneath the sole
plate, circular plates or discs are applied in conjunction with anti-friction balls or
spheres; the latter are interposed between the tables or platforms and the circular
plates or discs.
Each circular plate or disc has at its upper side an annular groove or channel con-

page_text: centric with a similar groove or channel at the under side of the table or platform
above. These grooves retain the antifriction balls or spheres in place.
Each circular plate or disc (of which there are four) at one side of its centre
overlaps and rests upon the top of one of the rollers. Thus when the rollers rotate
in a vertical plane their circular plates or discs will rotate in a horizontal plane.
The Invention has reference also to the rollers, axles, means for lubricating, and
arrangements for guiding the skates; what may be called compound axles may be
used. Each roller is bushed with metal. The hole in the bush is stepped, the centre
portion being the smaller diameter and the two ends of larger diameter. The bush
projects at the outer side of the roller, and is formed with an external screw thread
to receive a cap. The portion of the bush at the inner side of the roller receives
one end of a tubular collar piece formed with a flange; this collar piece passes
through a bracket or frame, and its inner end enters a tubular connecting piece.
Each roller turns on a separate pin having a hole entirely through, it formed with
a head at its outer end and screwed at its inner end. Each hollow pin passes
through the bush of its roller, through the collar piece and into the tubular con-
necting piece, into which the inner end of the hollow pin is screwed. Thus the
tubular connecting piece forms the central portion of each compound axle, of which
two hollow pins, each carrying a roller, form the extremities. The inner end of
each hollow pin is somewhat flattened at one side, and a radial hole is formed
through the tubular connecting piece midway between its extremities. This hole
serves as a feeding hole for oil or lubricant, and is tapped or screwed to receive a
screw plug, the end of which comes against the flattened ends of the two hollow
pius and keeps them in place. Each plug is at its outer end prolonged in the form
of a rod and enters a hole in a bracket or plate depenling from the inner side of
the sole plate, so that when the sole plate is inclined or tilted the axles are moved
froin their normal relative positions parallel to each other, and at right angles to
the longitudinal centre line of the sole plate into positions in which their axes
are inclined to each other and to the longitudinal centre line of the solo plate, and
thus the skate is caused to travel in a curve.
The Invention comprises also modifications in the construction of the rollers, the
axles, and the carriages on which the tilting sole plate is arranged.
In one arrangement, instead of each roller being entirely perforated and working
ou a separate hollow pin, one solid pin is employed, having at its centre a groove
which serves in conjunction with the tubular connecting piece as a reservoir for
Iubricant.
It will be evident that roller skates of various forms may be constructed according
Fig. 1 shews in side elevation one of the improved skates, in which the weight
of the skater is carried by the axles.
Fig. 2 is a cross section in the line A, B, of Fig. 3.
Fig. 3 is a plan of the under side or bottoin of the skate.
Fig. 4 is a cross section of one of the compound axles, shewing the feeding hole
for lubricant, the screw plug, and the end of one of the hollow pins against which
it bears.
a is the sole plate, to which are connected by two vertical centre pins or
pivots b, b¹, screwed into the said plate a couple of frames c, c¹; within each of
these frames are arranged two small pivots d, d, or d¹, d, having extensions (*
secured to a small table or platform e or e¹. Each of these tables or platforms has
two depending brackets or frames f, through which the roller axles pass. To the
under side of the sole plate are secured a couple of flat rings g, g¹, concentric
respectively with the pins or pivots b and 6. These rings form races for the
frames c, c, and for the extremities of the springs i, i, which springs are inter-
posed between the sole plates and the tables or platforms for returning the sole

page_text: plate (when inclined or tilted) to its horizontal or normal position. The springs
are firmly secured in position on the tables or platforms by the extensions d* of the
pivots d, d, whose ends are recessed at their under sides, so as to overlap the said
springs.
Each roller
Each roller is constructed as follows:-k is a metal bush with the flange K'; the
hole in the bush is stepped, the centre portion being the smaller in diameter and the
two ends of larger diameter, as shewn in Fig. 2. The bush is formed with an
external screw thread, on to which is screwed a body having an internally screwed
boss k, a rim, and a flange . Around the rim ³ are arranged three concentric
leather rings,ko, k, which when the body is screwed home are compressed between
the flanges k¹ and 4, thus forming a noiseless tyre. The screwed portion of the
bush projects beyond the outer body to receive a cap . The recess or step m of
the bush receives one end n of a tubular collar piece formed with a flange n³; the
other end of this coller piece is stepped on its outer circumference, and passes
through one of the brackets or panes which is fitted to receive the step of larger
diameter, the smaller step entering the tubular connecting piece o.
turns on a separate pin 2 having a hole through its entire length, as shewn in
dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 2, and in full in Fig. 4. Each of these pins is formed
with a head p¹ at its outer end, and with an external screw thread at its inner end.
Each hollow pin, as will be seen, passes through the bush of its roller and through
the collar piece, and is screwed into the tubular connecting piece (see Fig. 2). When
the hollow pin is screwed into position the head p₁ fits the enlarged bore of the
outer end of the bush k. At the inner end each pin has a portion cut away at the
side against which bears the screw plug q, which closes the radial hole formed
through the tubular connecting piece o, midway between its extremities, and serves
as a set screw to the hollow pins (see Fig. 4). This hole, as already stated, serves
us a feeding hole for oil or lubricant. q' are the prolongations of the plugs entering
holes in the brackets or plates ? depending from the under side of the sole plate a,
for causing the skate to travel in a curve when the sole plate is tilted; s is a heel
piece assisting to retain the sole plate in its proper place under the wearer's foot;
and s, s², fastening straps.
Fig. 5 shews in side elevation (with some details omitted) one of the improved
skates in which the weight of the skater is transferred to the top of the rollers
instead of passing through the axles.
Fig. 6 is an elevation of the back end.
Fig. 7 is a plan of the under side or bottom of the skate.
It will be seen that in many respects, as for example, in the construction of the
sole plate and its pivotted frames, the arrangement of the spring i, the construction
of the rollers and axles, and the means for causing the skate to travel in a curve,
this skate resembles that already described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive.
t, t, are circular plates or discs, two of which are arranged below each table or
platform; u, u, are anti-friction balls or spheres interposed between the tables or
platforms and the circular plates or discs. The concentric dotted circles between
which the balls or spheres are shewn in Fig. 7 indicate the grooves or channels in
the circular plates or discs and tables or platforms e, e', which latter are of slightly
modified form, to admit of the grooves or channels for the spheres being formed
therein. Each axle is supported by means of brackets f, as in the preceding Figs.,
but in this arrangement the brackets are formed in one piece with a plate f¹, and
connected to the plate or platform e or e¹ by screws through the two cylindrical
projections ff, as shewn. The holes in the brackets f through which the tubular
collar pieces pass are slightly oblong in a vertical direction, to allow of the vertical
movement off and other parts requisite for relieving the axle of the skater's
weight.
Fig. 8 shews in transverse section part of a skate illustrating the application in a
modified form of the compound axle herein-before described in connection with
solid rollers having bushes which project beyond the respective faces of the rollers.
kare the bushes; their caps; p the hollow pins formed with two collars or pro-

page_text: jections p, p, to retain the roller in place. These collars have a small longitudinal
groove cut in them, as shewn, to admit of the passage of the lubricant along the
entire bearing. o, the tubular connecting piece; q, screws by which the hollow
pins p are held in the connecting piece o; n¹, n², tubular collar pieces. The two
dotted circles in the centre of the view represent a short tubular branch of the
tubular collar piece; this branch is screwed to receive a plug like those already
described, but this plug does not bear against the inner ends of the hollow pins on
which the rollers turn, The arrangement will be readily understood from the
Drawing.
Fig. 9 shews the arrangement in which the rollers are not entirely perforated, the
one at the left-hand side of the view being made solid, and fixed to a solid pin p
which passes through two stepped collar pieces or bushes n and through the tubular
connecting piece o terminating in a circular recess in the centre of the right-hand
roller, wherein it is retained by a screw whose end enters a groove formed around
the pin, as shewn. The pin p is also formed with a central circumferential groove,
to facilitate the flow of oil or lubricant to the bearing parts of the pin.
Having described the nature of the said Invention, and explained the mode of
carrying the same into practical effect, as communicated to me as aforesaid, I desire
to have it understood that I do not claim generally as of this Invention the use of
a tilting sole plate having depending plates operating in connection with projections
from the axle for causing a skate to travel in a curve, nor, save as herein-after
mentioned, do I intend to claim any of the mechanical parts herein described and
shewn apart from the application or combination thereof, in manner and for the
purpose specified, but what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim
as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters
Patent is,-
First. The combination of parts constituting the improved roller skate, constructed,
arranged, and operating as shown in and described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4
inclusive of the accompanying Drawings.
Secondly. The combination of parts constituting the improved roller skate,
constructed, arranged, and operating as shewn in and described with reference to
Figs. 5 to 7 inclusive of the accompanying Drawings.
Thirdly. The combination of parts shewn in and described with reference to
Fig. 8 of the Drawings, for the purpose specified.
Fourthly. The combination of parts shewn in and described with reference to
Fig. 9 of the Drawings, for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Auguste Louis Bernard Devot, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Ninth day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
A. L. B. DEVOT. (LS.)