A NEW OR IMPROVED CON- STRUCTION OF SKATE OR APPARATUS ADAPTED FOR USE UPON ARTIFICIAL ICE OR OTHER SMOOTH SURFACE
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Pilbrow, of Tunbridge Wells, in the
County of Kent, for the Invention of "A NEW OR IMPROVED CON-
STRUCTION OF SKATE OR APPARATUS ADAPTED FOR USE UPON ARTIFICIAL ICE
OR OTHER SMOOTH SURFACE."
Scaled the 30th April 1875, and dated the 6th March 1875.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Pilbrow at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
6th March 1875.
I, JAMES PILBROW, of Tunbridge Wells, in the County of Kent, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "A NEW OR IMPROVED
CONSTRUCTION OF SKATE OR APPARATUS ADAPTED FOR USE UPON ARTIFICIAL ICE OR
OTHER SMOOTH SURFACE," to be as follows:-
The Invention relates to that description of skate that may be used
upon "rinks," artificial ice, or other smooth surface, and is designed
for the purpose of constructing a skate which shall be simple in its
construction, have a minimum of friction and freedom from rubbing
surfaces, and be better adapted than those skates upon rollers or wheels

page_text: hitherto used or proposed for the above purpose, and which will give the
greatest facility to the users of this skate to perform with ease and grace
any movement or gyration desired, or to attain a high speed with little
exertion. Its peculiar principle, form, and construction render it the
nearest approach possible in its speed, action, and use or modus operandi
to the gliding action of the common skate on ice.
The improvement and novelty consist in the employment of a series
of small spheres or balls as "friction rollers," so that the under part of
the foot or sole plate being properly arranged for the purpose shall rest
upon the top of the balls, as the lower point of their circumference rests
upon the artificial ice or other smooth floor surface, having no pivots,
axles, or centro fixing, as is usual with other skate rollers, but having a
truc rolling motion and action entirely free, because as the skater's foot
and skate pass over the "rink" surface the balls roll along upon it at
the same time that they roll under the foot plate along the surface of the
curved tube, and each and every one as it presents itself passes from toe
to hccl, but only two at any one instant (on a perfectly level and smooth
"rink") will be in contact with the surfaces and become the point
d'appui in succession, that is to say, the skater is supported at any time
on two balls only (of each foot), covering a distance therefore not more
than the best ice skates do on icc, that is, a space of less than one inch.
This effect is obtained by curving the acting tubo to about the same
curve as the usual or best ice skates are made, say, a curve or arc of a
circle of about eight or nine inches in length, having a versed sine of a
quarter of an inch (or radius 4 ft.). That these balls should be returned
for action again when they have passed under the skate from toe to heel
it is requisite that a piece of tube or hollow channel should be connected
with the curved tube by bends, along which the balls will run freely to
the toe end again as fast as they are required.
To enable the balls to touch and therefore run on the "rink" floor
surface the lower or curved tube has a longitudinal opening made at its
under side, through which the lower part of cach ball's circumference
projects; the upper and inner surface of this tube being curved as above
described is the only portion that requires to be particulary truly formed
of hard material and with a smoothly finished surface.
The skates are secured to the fect or shoes of the user by any of the
ordinary means of straps and screws, and the sole piece or plate may be

page_text: orner suitable manner.
In conclusion I wish to state that I am aware that many designs for
roller skates now exist, with various arrangements and modifications of
rollers and their appurtenances to enable them more or less to perform
evolutions, but in all these the rollers or wheels are fixed or confined to
certain parts of the skate by axles or pins and brackets, and are usually
in a line with each other as well as their lower part of their circumference
or periphery are on a level and not on a curve; that their action
therefore is to turn on their own axle or pin, and thus the skate is
wheeled over the surface, as an ordinary carriage is, and not as the now
proposed skate is passed along upon the circumference and over the
periphery of a series of balls, spheres, or rollers, this being the most
antifrictional movement or action known, and this is the first grand
feature in my Invention in contradistinction to all others; the second
will be the use of a tube or other like channel for the passage of the
balls or rollers alike from toe to heel of the skate, as also for their
return from heel to toe by a separate tube or passage connected with the
former by curved or circular ends, thus forming an endless passage as it
were for the circulation of the balls or rollers. The third distinctive
feature is that the principal portion of the tube or the part on which the
action depends (and which is analogous to or represents the sliding edgo
of the common ice skate upon ice) shall be formed on a curve or arc of a
circle, so as to present the balls or rollers in a curved line vertically on
the floor or prepared surface, so that not more than two at one instant
will effectually touch the floor on a perfectly smooth and level surface,
thus enabling the user the more easily to turn sharply round, but
further relatively acts in the same manner practically with or as the
usual ice skate in giving a curved direction to the skater by his inclining
the foot and skate over on one side or the other (as in skating with the
ordinary skates on ice), by which act the curve through the inter-
medium of the balls or rollers is put out of its vertical plane, its plane
therefore forming an angle laterally with the floor or ground, greater or
less in degree, by which action the balls or rollers will be no longer
ranged in a straight line, vertically looked at, on the horizontal plane of
the floors, but forming in proper proportion with the curve of the tube
of the skate a curve of greater or less radius, compelling the skate to
take a direction in agreement with this condition, that is, instead of

page_text: continuing in a straight direction it will take a circular or curvilinear
course. The tube and its curved form also enables the skater to stop
himself at pleasure when needed by a similar action to that of the skater
on ice, namely, by bringing the centre of gravity more towards the heel
till the balls passing off the floor into the circular end of the tube permit
the hinder part of the tube itself gently to touch the floor surface,
thereby forming a frictional brake.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said James Pilbrow in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 3rd September 1875.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
PILBROW, of Tunbridge Wells, in the County of Kent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Sixth day of March, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in the
thirty-eighth year of Her reign, did, for Ierself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said James Pilbrow, Her special
licence that I, the said James Pilbrow, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said James Pilbrow, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "A NEW OR IMPROVED
CONSTRUCTION OF SKATE OR APPARATUS ADAPTED FOR USE UPON ARTIFICIAL ICE
OR OTHER SMOOTH SURFACE," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the
said James Pilbrow, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and
in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to
be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next
and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said James Pilbrow, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be

page_text: performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto
annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to
say):
"
My Invention of "A New or Improved Construction of Skate or
Apparatus adapted for Use upon Artificial Ice or other Smooth Surface
relates to that description of skate which may be used upon "rinks,"
artificial ice, or other smooth surface, and is designed for the purpose of
constructing a skate that shall be simple in its construction, have a
minimum of friction and freedom from rubbing surfaces, and be better
adapted than those skates upon rollers or wheels hitherto used or
proposed for the above purpose, and which will give the greatest facility
to the users of this skate to perform with ease and grace any movement
or gyration desired, or to attain a high speed with little exertion. Its
peculiar principle, form, and construction as herein-after described
cause it to be a near approach in its speed, action, and use or modus
operandi to the gliding action of the common skate upon ice.
The improvements and novelty consist in the employment of a series
of spherical rollers, wheels, spheres, or balls as "friction rollers" alone
or combined as described, so that the under part of the foot or sole
plate and tube or channel being properly arranged for the purpose shall
rest upon the top of the balls or rollers in the first case, or on their axes
in the second, as the lower point of their circumference rests upon the
artificial ice or other smooth floor or surface, the balls themselves having
no pivots, axles, or centre fixing as is usual with other skate rollers, but
having a true rolling motion and action entirely free, because as the
skater's foot and skate pass over the "rink" surface the balls roll along
upon it at the same time that they roll under the foot plate along the
surface of the curved tube or channel, and each and every one as it
presents itself passes from toe to heel, but only two at any one instant
(on a perfectly level and smooth "rink" or surface) will be in contact
with the surface and become the point d'appui in succession, that is to
say, the skater is supported at any time on two balls or rollers only (of
each skate or foot) covering a distance thereon of not more than that
which the best ice skates do upon ice, that is to say, a space longi-
tudinally between the two points of about one inch. This effect is
obtained by curving the acting tube or channel or chase to about the
same curve as that to which the usual or best ice skates are made, say,

page_text: a curve or arc of a circle of about nine inches in length, having a versed
sinc of about one-quarter of an inch, or a radius less than four fect. In
order that the balls or rollers should be returned for action again when
they have passed under the skate from toe to heel it is requisite that a
tube or a hollow channel should be connected with the curved tube or
channel by bends, along which the balls will run freely to the too end
again as fast as they are required.
To enable the balls to touch and therefore run on the "rink," floor,
or surface the lower or curved tube or channel is open at its under part,
through which the lower part of each ball's or roller's circumference
projects, the upper and inner surface of this tube or channel being
curved as above described, and is the only part that requires to be.
particularly truly formed of hard material, and with a smoothly finished
surface..
In the second case or arrangement the balls or rollers are flattened at
the sides or are made oblate spheres, having small steel axes passed
through them, which axes project into and run in through or along a
channel or chaso in the sides of the tube, so that the curved tube or
· channel passes over these axes in place of as in the last case over the
upper circumference of the ball itself, but the circumference of the balls
as before runs over and is in contact with the ground surface. This
arrangement will be found to possess several advantages, as it causes
the balls or rollers to pass through the tube or channel at a much slower
rate (as regards itself), that is to say, they will move or roll relatively
to the skate only about eight inches, while they pass over five feet four
inches on the floor, and the skate itself six feet also, permitting the
introduction of intermediate or friction rollers.
I am aware that many designs for roller skates now exist with various
arrangements and modifications of-rollers and their appurtenances to
enable them, more or less to perform evolutions, but in all these the
rollers or wheels are fixed or confined, to certain parts of the skate by
axles or pins and brackets, and are usually in pairs or in a line with each
other as well as upon a level. The action therefore in such instances is
that the skates as hitherto constructed are wheeled over the floor surface
in the same manner that an ordinary carriage is, and not as the now a
proposed skate is passed along and over the periphery or axes of a series
of balls, spheres, or spherical rollers, this being the most antifrictional
movement or action known, and this is the first feature in my Invention

page_text: in contradistinction to all others. The second will be the use of a tube
or other like channel for the passage of the balls or rollers alike from too
to heel of the skate, as also their return from heel to toe, forming an
endless passage as it were for the circulation of the balls or rollers. The
third great distinctive feature is that the principal portion of the tube
or channel or supporting part on which the action depends, and which
is analogous to or represents the sliding edge of the common ice skate,
and its action in use shall be formed on a curve or arc of a circle so as
to present the balls or rollers in a like curved line vertically on the floor
or prepared surface, so that not more than one or two in succession at
any one instant will effectively touch a perfectly level and smooth
surface floor, thus enabling the user the more easily to turn sharply
round, but further relatively acts in the same manner practically with
or as the usual ice skate in giving a curved direction to the skater's
course when desired by his inclining his foot and skate over on one side
or the other as in skating with the ordinary skates upon ice in the usual
manner, by which act the curvature of the arrangement of the balls
or rollers is put out of its vertical plane, its plane thereby forming an
angle laterally with the floor or ground greater or less in degree, by
which action the balls or rollers will no longer be ranged in a straight
line (vertically looked at) on the horizontal plane of the floor, but forming
in proper proportion with the curve of the tube above a curve of greater
or less radius on the floor, enabling the skate to take a direction in
agreement with this condition, that is to say, instead of a straight line
it will take a circular or curvilinear course. This curvature of the tube
or bearing part enables the user also in addition to imitate another
important action of the skater, and the common skates on ice, namely,
to pitch, tip, or roll his foot or skate forward or backward, so that he
can at will place his weight more especially towards the toe or heel of
O his skate, thus bringing the fore part or hinder part of the skate in
immediate contact with the surface of the "rink" through the medium
of any one or two of the balls or rollers, as the skater on ice does on any
part of the curved edge of the blade of his skate, which action enables
the user to perform many evolutions of small radius and greater
5 complexity than otherwise could be achieved. This curved form also
enables the user to stop himself if so desired as the ice skater does by
bringing the heel part down when the rollers would go partly out of
play, and the hinder part of the skate tube y gently touching the floor
would thereby form a frictional "brake."

page_text: The skato may be secured to the feet or shoes of the user by any of
the ordinary means by straps, and the sole piece or plate or stock may
be made of either wood or metal, though I prefer the general form and
arrangement shewn in my Drawings.
That the nature and construction of my Invention may be fully and
more thoroughly understood I will now further explain it in detail with
the assistance of and by reference to the accompanying Drawings drawn
to the actual size for use.
The points or parts to which the letters of reference apply are marked
at all the corresponding parts of the several Figures when necessary.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 represents one form of the skate in longitudinal and vertical
half elevation and half section through the line A, B, of Fig. 2, showing
the balls a, a, a, a, in elevation, and in their position. The part b, b, is
the foot plate or stock, and the part can clevated piece or rim of metal,
to which the heel straps or other fastenings may be secured. The upper
portion of the tube or channel d, d, for the return of the balls is formed
simply straight, and without any particular sectional shape, so long as it
is large enough and smooth enough for the balls to pass freely through
it, and is situated, as shewn, under the foot (of the user), and between
that and over the curved tube or channel e, e. This lower and curved
tube is an essential part of this arrangement of the new skate, and must
be more carefully formed and finished, that is to say, it must be formed
on a curve longitudinally, as shown in the Drawings, as I have before
described, and connected with the upper or return channel by circular
ends, as at ff. It is the internal surface of the upper part of this
curved tube or channel which requires the greater attention and care in
making, as it is by this part with the intermedium of the balls or rollers
that the perfect and satisfactory action of the skate depends, and there-
fore this part should be accurately made on the desired curve or arc, and
being about one-eighth of an inch larger in diameter than that of the
balls (which are to be used in or with it), smoothly made, and well
finished, of any suitable material cither wood or metal. It is represented
in the Drawings as made of wood, which forms the material of the whole
skate, and in which case, if the wood be not a very hard one, the upper
or curved portion of the lower tube or channel may have a strip of
metal inserted, as shown at g in Fig. 3, as the better bearing or surface

page_text: for the balls to run along. The lower part of this under or curved tube
is open, as from h, h, which will be more clearly understood by reference
to the underneath view of it, Fig. 2, through the opening of which it
will be seen that the balls are more or less projected or exposed, but
without being liable to fall out. This opening will be best if in the
form shewn by Fig. 2, b, b, and the edges slightly turned inwards, as
shown at i, i, in section, Fig. 3, by which means the skate has a greater
angular range in a leaning position, with security to the balls and their
free action when the skate is much out of a vertical position. The edges
of the tube along this opening should be well formed and smoothly
finished.
The balls or rollers (in cither case) may be made of any suitable
hard material, such as metal (made hollow for lightness), glass, hard
wood, or composition of various kinds, and should be perfectly spherical,
and of smooth surface, about one-eighth of an inch less in diameter than
that of the curved tube.
Fig. 3 represents a half transverse section of the skate through the
linc C, D, with balls in elevation, as passing through the tube, the upper
one as rolling along, and upon the lower surface of the tube, as in
Fig. 1, and the lower one as it rolls along and under the upper and
curved surface of the curved tubo as the skate or tube passes along and
over them.
It will be understood that only the two balls or rollers in succession as
at a', a', Figures 1, 3, and 4, which touch and are in contact with the
floor, and therefore upon which at any one time the skater is supported
when in a vertical position, but by inclining the skate and exercising
the same action of the foot as the skater upon ice, and bringing his
weight more on to the toe or heel other balls or rollers are brought into
play, and every facility given to the user to wheel about in any direction
as a skater does by the same efforts upon ice, the balls or rollers as
before stated being no longer in a perfectly straight line on the plane of
the floor.
.
It will be observed that the greater the curvature given to the tubo
or channel the greater will be the facility given to the skater to turn
sharp curves or to perform gyrations; Fig. 3 also shows the skato in
half clevation of front or toe view. This first arrangement of the skato
may be made entirely of metal or of part metal and part wood, or wholly

page_text: of wood, as shewn in the Drawings, and a very simple and convenient
way to construct it is by forming it in two halves, which when brought
together at the joint down to the centre, as at A, E, Figures 2 and 3,
and firmly secured by the screws as at j. j.j.jjj, (with balls inserted)
will form the perfect skate.
Fig. 4 represents the skate in the second case or construction, where
the balls or rollers a, a, a, are made as oblate spheres or flattened at
their sides, and a small steel axis m is fixed through each of them, and
which axis is to run or roll along the curved channel or chase d, e, f,
and upon which the skate by means of the upper part of the curved
channel will be supported in place of as in the former case on the top of
the balls. This arrangement is here shown half in section and half in
elevation as before; b, b, is the sole plate or stock; c, the rim or pro-
jection for attaching the heel straps; d, e, f, is the channel or chase;
c, e, being the curved or supporting portion, the particulars and form of
which will be better understood by reference to Figures 6, 10, and 10*,
and will be further explained hereafter. a, a, a, are the series of rollers
whose steel axes project into and run or roll along or around the aforesaid
channel or chase; 1, 1, 1, are a series of small intermediate or friction
rollers made concave, and having small steel spindles or axes n, n,
which also enter and run within the chase.
Fig. 5 represents the bottom of the skate or underneath view, shewing
the rollers a in position with an intermediate or friction roller between
each.
Fig. 6 shews the skate in section through the line H, I, and the
rollers in clevation, showing also one of the friction rollers before the
upper roller as it would be. The small letters apply to the like parts, as
before explained. By this section it will be seen how the axes of the
rollers m project into the chases on either side, as also how these side
plates o, o, which form the tube are secured to the sole plates c, c.
Fig. 7 shews a top view of the skate or sole plate or stock; p, p, p, are
the screws by which the side plates or tube is secured to the under side;
q, q, q, holes by which the toe and foot straps are secured, and q', q',
points for better keeping the foot of the skater in position.
Fig. 8 represents a ball (oblate) or roller in elevation, when it will be
seen that the steel axis m is formed in a peculiar manner by having its
outer part enlarged for what purpose will be explained below.

page_text: Fig. 9 shews one of the small or intermediate or friction rollers 7, and
showing its spindle or axis n as an ordinary one, but much smaller than
the last-mentioned. This roller is here shewn to be concave, the hollow
having a larger radius than that of the convexity of the ball or roller,
but as there may be some advantage found in a contrary construction
Fig. 9* shows it formed by a smaller radius, so that instead of rolling
or touching the centre periphery of the spherical roller it will roll
or touch at the two outer edges or within fillets as here shewn.
Fig. 10 shews an inside view of one of the side plates o which form
the "tube;" the channel or chase d, e, f, is more plainly shown, and
further explained by reference to the section Fig. 10*, where it will bo
seen that this channel or chase has sectionally a "dovetailed" form,
that is to say, larger at the back part than at its opening, corresponding
therefore to the form of the axes of the rollers m, so that when the axes
are in their place in the curved chase they cannot leave it, but have the
tendency to hold the side plates in position under any pressure, lateral
or otherwise; the small hollow at t permits the insertion of the axes into
the chase. It here must be observed that the important part of this
chase is the upper part of the lower or curved portion e, e, because upon
this edge the skater is supported, and by it the skate passes along and
the rollers' axes roll; u, u, shews a fillet or projection of the plate
inwards by which it is secured to the sole plates by the screws j, j‚ Î·
For lightness both in appearance as well as weight, these side plates
may be made with ornamental openwork, as shewn by Fig. 4 or Fig. 10,
as also for the same reason of saving weight would the chase be formed
in part by a projecting fillet.
Although in Fig. 4 the shape of the side plate or tube is shewn to
differ in form at the heel end from that of the toe end, and to have a
picce of india-rubber y or other suitable material inserted for a means
of stopping the skater when he requires it, yet for the sake of easy and
cheaper manufacture the plates may be formed as Fig. 10, when one
casting or plate (stamped) will form either side by reversing it, and the
friction brake y may still be easily attached when desired. The foot or
sole plate can for similar reason of lightness be perforated with an open
pattern.

page_text: and under the curved portion of the tube or channel from toe to heel,
passing up and round the circular part at the heel f, but always by
a rolling motion along the upper or returning channel or tube till
they arrive at the toe end, and drop into position again to bo presented
for action as required by the impelled motion of the skate, thus forming
an endless series of frictionless rollers.
In the second case, Fig. 4, the balls or rollers do not run on their
circumference through the tube or channel, but on their axes, but their
action and course is otherwise just the same.
:
The practical manufacture of this skate may be much varied according
to the materials used, which latter may be varied with almost equal
advantage. For instance, the foot piece or plato may be of wood or
metal, while the tube or channel or side plates may be mado of brass
or iron, and the balls or rollers, as before stated, may be made of any
suitable material or composition that experience or the fancy of the user
may dictate; but no doubt in general practice iron will be used for
the general body of the skate, hard wood for the rollers and balls, unless
the latter are made of a composition more suitable than wood (especially
for the intermediate rollers).
The method adopted for securing the tube or channel or metal part
to the under side of the foot piece or sole plate is shown sufficiently in
the several Figures, and screws 1, r, r, and p, p, P.
I would remark that rollers of uniform size alone at fixed given
points and ranged on a straight line or a level can never produce the
effect or advantages obtained by the rolling of balls or spheres guided
by a curved channel or tube, as herein-before described, because by
fixed unform rollers only on a level the whole would have a bearing
on the floor surface at one time, and would therefore run in and
preserve a straight line notwithstanding an inclined position, but the
balls or rollers rolling through a curved path passing by increments
over the whole curve will do the same (that is, run in a curved path)
on the plane of the floor, preserving at the same time the vertical
direction of their bearings, having no rubbing surfaces, and requiring
no oil or lubrication.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I would state in conclusion that
there are many varieties and modifications of "rink" skates running on

page_text: rollers or wheels affixed to the skate by centre pivots, axles, or pins
arranged either in line or in pairs, but on a level plane; but such
arrangements and parts as have been hitherto employed are entirely
different in form, and principle, and in action, and in essential parts,
differing as much in name as mechanically from the skates now forming
the subject of the present Invention. I wish it to be distinctly under-
stood that what I claim is,―
The novel and peculiar use and construction of a skate (adapted for
use on artificial ice or other smooth surface, or on "rinks") formed'
and constructed with curved tubes, channels, plates, or other means
through which or by which a series of spherical rollers, balls, or rollers
will be placed in succession in a curvilinear arrangement upon or over
the floor, surface, or rink," in like manner as herein described, and
which balls or rollers form the medium (almost frictionless) of progress
to the user of the skate.
"
And I also claim for such objects the use of spherical balls without
axles or pivots, either alone and free to roll themselves along the tube
or channel, or in combination with smaller intermediate rollers, or
having axes by which they roll, or any modification thereof, or series.
of balls or rollers, whether turning upon pivots or axles or not, and
running along the under or curvilinear part of a skate similar to that
of this Invention to obtain a rough approximation to the desired
curvilinear action, or any modification thereof to be employed in the
manner and for the purposes as herein-before substantially described,
set forth, and fully illustrated in the Drawings annexed.
And I further claim any combination of the two modifications of my
improvements herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Pilbrow, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Second day of September, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five.
Witness,
F. DYASON,
Grove Hill,
Tunbridge Wells.
JAMES PILBROW. (L.S.)