IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER SKATES, PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edmund Edwards, Edward Charles Hammond, and Archer
Edwards, all of Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER SKATES, PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO
OTHER PURPOSES."
Sealed the 14th July 1876, and dated the 2nd May 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edmund Edwards, Edward
Charles Hammond, and Archer Edwards at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents on the 2nd May 1876.
t
EDMUND EDWARDS, EDWARD CHARLES HAMMOND, and ARCHER EDWARDS, all of
Holborn, in the County of Middlesex. IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER SKATES, PARTS
OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES."
Our Invention has for its objects improvements in the construction of roller
skates used for the purpose of skating upon level floors or other suitable surfaces,
by which improvements such roller skates are made cheaper, simpler, and more
effective than when constructed in the methods heretofore ordinarily used and
practised.
We take a sole plate of wood, metal, or other suitable material, to which the foot
of the skater is attached by straps or other convenient means in any of the ways
ordinarily used. To the lower side of this sole plate at or near the toe wo fix by
screws, bolts, or other convenient means a plate or disc of any suitable material,
but preferably metal. At or near the centre of this plate we make a hole, through
which a vertical pin or scrow passes freely, its head being contained in a larger
recess or hole in the sole plato above. Below the plate we arrange a disc or block
of india-rubber or other elastic material of suitable thickness (which may be varied
to suit the size of the skate and the weight of the person skating, or it may be
made in two or more thicknesses separated by washers) and below this elastic disc
or block we arrange a corresponding disc or plate of metal or other suitable
material, into the centro of which the lower end of the screw above described is
screwed so as to compress the elastic disc or block to any desired extent between
it and the upper plate. Below the lower disc or plate we arrange one or more
projections, into which is fitted a transverse axis, upon each end of which revolves
a wheel of hard wood, metal, or other suitable material.

page_text: Sometimes we form the lower disc or plate and the transverse axis out of one
piece of metal instead of in two parts, as first described.
By the methods of construction described the elastic disc or block forms a
universal joint, upon which the axis carrying the wheels can move in any direction
within moderate limits, and to prevent the elastic disc or block from moving round
we prefer to make one or more projections upon the faces of the upper or lower
plates, or both, which projections enter the elastic disc or block.
In order to induce and control the movement of the axis and wheels arranged as
described we make a cylindrical tubular socket, vertical or nearly so, upon the lower
side of the upper plate or disc, and immediately behind the elastic block, and we
make a corresponding cylindrical tubular socket, horizontal or nearly so, upon the
lower plate, and in a line with the longitudinal centre line of the skate, and we
connect together these two sockets by means of a cylindrical bar or wire of metal
(preferably of steel) but at right angles, or nearly so, and one of its arms fitting
freely into the vertical socket and the other arm fitting freely into the horizontal
socket.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:- When the skater is moving in a
straight line forward or backward the elastic block is equally compressed, the axis
of the wheels remaining transverse to the skate, and the vertical arm of the bent
bar being free to move up and down to a sufficient extent in its socket. When the
sole plate is bent over transversely to the right or left the elastic block is compressed
upon the same side, and in doing so the vertical arın is turned round to a corre-
sponding extent in its socket, and its horizontal arm therefore twists or turns
round (upon the vertical screw) the lower disc or plate with its transverse axis and
wheels. Apparatus similar to that described is also arranged upon the lower side
of the sole plate at or near its heel, but having the vertical socket and bent bar in
front of the elastic block instead of behind it, so that its lower plate and transverse
axis and wheels are twisted or turned round upon the vertical screw simultaneously
with those under the toe end of the sole plate, but in the opposite direction, and
the skater thus describes a segment of a circle instead of a straight line. The
horizontal arm of the bent bar may be screwed loosely into instead of merely fitting
freely its socket.
Another novel method of construction and arrangement which we sonictimes
adopt consists in making the lower side of the upper disc or plate in the form of
an inclined plate or washer, the front edge of that at the toe and the back edge of
that at the heel being the lowest. The lower disc or plate to which the axis is
attached is also arranged at an angle parallel to the upper one, and elastic blocks
or springs are compressed between the two by means of a vertical screw arranged
ns in the method of construction first described. In this form we use no bent bar
or sockets, but when the sole plate with the upper inclined disc or plate is bent
over transversely the discs cease to be parallel, the elastic blocks or springs being
compressed upon the side to which the sole plate is inclined, but they recover their
parallelism by the lower inclined disc or plate with the axis and wheels turning to
a sufficient extent round the vertical screw first described.
The action of the apparatus being the same at the toe and heel of the skate
respectively, but in opposite directions, the same result is obtained as in the
arrangement first described.
In the different improved methods of construction described one wheel only may
be used under the centre of each end of the skate instead of two, or one wheel
may be used at one end of the skate and two wheels at the other end of the
skate.
Another part of our Invention relates to improved methods of constructing the
wheels or rollers for roller skates. We form the circumference of the wheel of
separate pieces, preferably of blocks of wood fitted together with the end of the
grain arranged radially, and we arrange a disc of metal upon each side of the
wheel so formed, the two discs being drawn together so as to compress the wheel
between them by means of two or more screws passing through the discs. We

page_text: make the discs with annular projections upon their inner sides which fit into
corresponding annular recesses in the sides of the wheels, the projections and
corresponding recesses being made either rectangular or angular in cross section..
Each of the discs has á central bearing within which the axis works, and we prefer
to make the outer end of the axis not project completely through the outer disc,
and we arrange a washer and scrow or pin upon the axis within the wheel and
fitting against the inside of the inner disc, which prevent the wheel from coming
off the axis. The inside of the wheel may be filled with lubricating material,
which may be supplied through suitable openings (which may be closed with
screwe) through the outer disc, and sponge or other absorbent material may bo
placed within the wheel to retain the lubricating material. An internal tube may
be added, connecting the bearings of the disc, and a hollow scrowed nut may bo
screwed into the bearings from the outside of one or both the discs against a disc.
of felt or other soft material so as to prevent the lubricating material from
escaping.
.
Wheels constructed as described may be used for other purposes as well as for
roller skates, such as the castors of furniture or the wheels of vehicles.
We sometimes form grooves or recesses upon the circumference of the wheels of
roller skates, and we fill these recesses with a mixture of glue and sand, glass, or
other hard substance, or with rough asphalte or cement, or other material, the
surface of which may offer sufficient resistanco upon the surface of the floor which
is being skated upon to prevent or lessen slipping.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edmund Edwards, Edward Charles Hammond, and Archer Edwards
in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 2nd November 1876.
.68
EDMUND EDWARDS, EDWARD CHARLES HAMMOND, and ARCHER EDWARDS, all of
Holborn, in the County of Middlesex. 'IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER SKATES, PARTS
OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES.
This Invention has for its objects improvements in the construction of roller or
wheel skates used for the purpose of skating upon level floors or other suitable
surfaces, by which improvements such roller skates are made cheaper, simpler, and
more effective than when constructed in the methods heretofore ordinarily used and
practised.
In order to put our Invention in operation we take a sole plate of wood, metal,
or other suitable material (but preferably of wood curved to the shape of the
wearer's foot), to which the foot of the skater is attached by straps or other con-.
venient means in any of the ways ordinarily used. To the lower side of this solo
plate, at or near the toe, we fix by screws, or bolts, or other convenient means, a
plate or disc of any suitable material, but preferably metal. At or near the centre
of this plate we make a hole through which a vertical pin or scrow passes down
freely, its head being contained in a larger recess or hole in the sole plate above.
Below the plate we arrango a disc or block of india-rubber or other elastic material
of suitable thickness (which may be varied to suit the size of the skate and the
weight of the person skating, or it may be made in two or more.thicknesses sepa-
rated by washers), and below this clastic disc or block, or spring, wo arrange a
corresponding disc or plate of metal or other suitable material, into the centre of
which the lower end of the vertical screw above described is scrowed so to com-
press the elastic disc or spring to any desired extent between it and the upper plate.
Below the lower disc or plate we arrange one or more projections, into which is
fitted a transverse horizontal axis, upon each end of which revolves a wheel or roller
of hard wood, metal, or other suitable material.
In some cases it may be advisable to form the lower disc or plate and the trans-
verse axle out of one piece of metal instead of in two parts, as first described.

page_text: By the methods of construction described, the elastic disc, block, or spring forms
n universal joint, upon which the axis carrying the wheel can move in any direction
within moderate limits; and to prevent the elastic block or spring from moving
round (and also in order to return the lower plate and axle more readily to their
original position when moved), we prefer to make one or more projections upon the
faces of the upper or lower plates, or both, which projections enter the clastic disc or
block.
In order to induce and control the movement of the axis and wheels, arranged as
described, we make a cylindrical tubular socket, vertical or nearly so, upon the lower
side of the upper plate or disc, and immediately behind the clastic block or spring;
and we make a corresponding cylindrical tubular socket, horizontal or nearly so,
upon the lower plate, and in a line with the longitudinal centre line of the skate;
and we connect together these two sockets by means of a cylindrical bar or wire of
metal (preferably of soft steel) bent at right angles or nearly so, and one of its arms
fitting freely into the horizontal socket, and the other arm fitting freely into the
vertical socket.
The action of the apparatus constructed and arranged as described is as follows:-
When the skater is moving in a straight line forward or backward the elastic block
or spring is equally compressed, the axis of the wheels remaining in a position
transverse to the skate, and the vertical arm of the bent bar being free to move up
and down to a sufficient extent in its socket. When the sole plate is bent or
inclined over transversely to the right or left, the clastic block or spring is further
compressed upon the same side, and in doing so the vertical arm is turned round to
a corresponding extent in its socket, and its horizontal arm therefore twists or turns
round upon the vertical screw the lower disc or plate together with its transverse
axis and wheels. Apparatus similar to that described is also arranged upon the
lower side of the sole plate at or near its heel, but having the vertical socket and
bent bar in front of the elastic block or spring instead of behind it, so that its lower
plate and transverse axis and wheels can be twisted or turned round upon the
vertical screw simultaneously with those under the toe end of the sole plate, but in
the opposite direction, and the skater thus describes a segment of a circle instead of
a straight line.
In the accompanying Drawing Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 are in illustration of our
Invention.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a skate; Figure 2 is a plan from below;
Figure 3, a cross section; and Figure 4, a side view of the same.
u is a sole plate of wood; b, b, are plates fixed under it near the toe and heel
respectively; c, cl, are corresponding plates or discs having the india-rubber blocks
or springs d, d, fitted between them and the plates b, b, and compressed by the
vertical screws e, c', the heads of which enter recesses in the sole plate a, as shewn;
ff, are projections below the plates c, el, carrying the transverse axles g, g', upon
which the wheels i, i, i, i, revolve; h, h, are vertical sockets on the plates b, b',
and,, are horizontal sockets under the plates c, el; and 1, l, are bars bent at right
angles and fitting freely in the sockets i, k, and i, h, respectively.
When the sole plate a is inclined over transversely, the bars, l, twist the lower
plates c, c', together with the axles and wheels, round the vertical screws e, e', (as
shewn in the transverse section Figure 5,) to au extent corresponding with the
inclination of the sole plate and the radius of the curve described, the india-rubber
springs d, d', forming universal joints upon which the lower plates or discs c, c',
move.
The extent of inclination of the sole plate a may be limited by making pro-
jections upon the plates c, c', as shown in Figure 2, with which the vertical
sockets i, i, come in contact.
Small screws m, m', are shown in Figure 1 to prevent the screws e, e¹, from
turning.
The vertical arms of the bent bars 1, 1, can rise and fall to a sufficient extent in
the sockets, ', to allow for the elasticity of the springs d, d'.

page_text: In Figure 6 is shewn a front end view of a similar skate having a metal
instead of india-rubber.
spring
Figure 7 shews a longitudinal section (broken off), and Figure 8n transverse
soction of a skate similarly constructed, but having two instead of four wheels..
Ench wheel is shewn in two parts revolving independently upon the axle g, which
is supported by the vertical frame f. Instead of being vertical the frame f may..
incline forward or backward, so as to reduce the height of the sole plato a.
Another novel method of construction and arrangement consists in making the
lower side of the upper disc or plate in the form of an inclined plate or washer, the
front edge of that at the toe and the back edge of that at the heel being the lowest.
The lower disc or plate to which the projection carrying the axle is attached is also.
arranged at an angle parallel to the upper one, and elastic springs or blocks are
compressed between the two by means of a vertical screw arranged as in the method:
of construction first described. In this form we use no bent bar or sockets, but
when the sole plate is inclined over transversely the upper and lower discs respec-
tively cease to be parallel, the clastic blocks or springs being compressed upon the
side to which the sole plate is inclined, but they recover their parallelism by the
lower inclined discs or plates with the axles and wheels attached to them turning
to a sufficient extent round the vertical screws first described. The action of the
apparatus being similar at the toe and heel of the skate respectively, but in opposite
directions, the same result is obtained as in the arrangement first described.
In the accompanying Drawing Figures 9, 10, and 11 are in illustration of this
part of our Invention. Figure 9 is a longitudinal section; Figure 10, a plan from
below; and Figuro 11, a front end view of a skate.
a is the sole plate of the skate; b, b', are the upper inclined discs or plates; c, c¹,
are the lower inclined discs or plates having projections below carrying the axles
9, gl, fitted with wheels i, i, i, i. The blocks or springs d, d', are held between the
plates b, c, and b', c¹, respectively by the vertical screws o, c¹, which are screwed
into the lower plates c, cl, and fit freely in the upper plates b, b', so that they can
rock transversely but not longitudinally.
'
In the different methods described two wheels may be used at one end of the
skate and only one wheel at the other end:
Another part of our Invention relates to improved methods of constructing the
wheels or rollers used for roller skates. We form the circumference of the wheels
of a sufficient number of separate pieces (preferably of wood fitted together with
the ends of its grain arranged radially), and we fit a disc of metal upon cach side of
the wheel so formed, the two discs being drawn together by means of screws so as
to compress the wheel between them. We make the discs with annular projections
upon their inner sides, which fit into corresponding annular recesses upon the sides
of the wheel, the projections and corresponding recesses being made either rectan-
gular or preferably angular in section. One or both of the discs has a contral
bearing, which works upon the axle, and we prefer to make the outer end of the
axle not project completely through the outer disc, and we arrange a washer and
screw or pin upon the axis inside the wheel and fitting against the end of the
bearing upon the inner disc, so as to prevent the wheel from coming off the axle.
The inside of the wheel may be filled with lubricating material, which may be
supplied through suitable openings (which can be closed with screws) through one
or both of the discs, and sponge or other absorbent material may be placed within
the wheel to retain the lubricating material.
In the accompanying Drawing Figures 12 and 13 are in illustration of this part
of our Invention. Figure 12 is a side view, and Figure 13 is a transverse section of a
wheel.
a, a, a, a, a, a, are pieces of wood fitted together as described, and held between
the discs b, b, which are drawn together by screws c, c, c. Bearings d, d¹, are
formed in the discs, and revolve upon the axle g, which is shewn not passing com-
pletely through the outer disc b'. An internal tube may be added connecting the
bearings of the discs, and a hollow screwed nut may be screwed into the ends of

page_text: the bearings from the outside of ono or both discs against a washer of felt or other
soft material so as to prevent the lubricating material from escaping.
Wo sometimes form grooves or recesses round the circumference of wheels used
for skates, and wo fill these recesses with a mixture of gluo and sand, glass, or
other hard material, or with rough asphalto or cement or other material, the surface
of which may offer sufficient resistance upon the floors used for skating, so as to
prevent or lessen slipping.
Wheels constructed as described may be used for other purposes as well as for
wheel or roller skates, such as the castors of furniture or the wheels of vehicles.
Having now described our Invention, and the manner in which it is to be per-
formed, we claim,-
The combination in wheel or roller skates of an elastic block or spring held by
means of a vertical scrow or pin between the bottom of the solo of the skate and a
plate or disc carrying a transverse axle, and a wheel or wheels with a loose cylindrical
bar bent at right angles, and having one arm fitting into a vertical socket fixed to
the bottom of the sole, and its horizontal arm fitting into a horizontal socket upon
the plate which carries the axle and wheels, substantially as and for the purpose
described and shewn in the Drawing.
Also the combination in wheel or roller skates of an inclined disc or plate fixed
below the bottom of the solo of the skate, and a disc or plate similarly inclined and
carrying an axle fitted with a wheel or wheels, with a block or spring held between
the two inclined plates by a vertical scrow or pin fixed in the lower inclined
plate, but capable of oscillating in the upper inclined plate transversely but not longi-
tudinally, substantially as and for the purpose described and shewn in the Drawing.
Also the methods of constructing wheels or rollers, substantially as described and
shown in the Drawing.
In witness whercof, we, the said Edmund Edwards and Edward Charles
Hammond, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Thirty-first day of
October, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and soventy-
six.
Witness,
EDMUND EDWARDS.
(L.S.)
EDWARD CHARLES HAMMOND. (L.S.)
C. J. WINTERSGILL,
Clerk to Messrs. Edwards and Co.,
Engineers and Patent Agents,
40, Southampton Buildings,
London.