AN IMPROVED SLEIGH OR APPARATUS TO BE USED IN CONNECTION WITH SKATING RINKS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Barber, Auctioneer, and George Thomas Ockleford
Crocker, Dentist, both of Southampton, Hampshire, for the Invention of " AN
IMPROVED SLEIGH OR APPARATUS TO BE USED IN CONNECTION WITH SKATING
RINKS."
Sealed the 28th October 1876, and dated the 23rd August 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Barber and George
Thomas Ockleford Crocker at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on
the 23rd August 1876.
HENRY BARBER, Auctioneer, and GEORGE THOMAS OCKLEFORD CROCKER, Dentist,
both of Southampton, Hampshire. "AN IMPROVED SLEIGH OR APPARATUS TO BE
USED IN CONNECTION WITH SKATING RINKS."
This Invention relates to an improved sleigh or apparatus to be used in connection
with skating rinks, to enable the practice or exercise of skating or travelling there-
upon to be more generally practiced and more thoroughly enjoyed by timid or
nervous persons, ladies, and invalids.
•
The improved apparatus is constructed somewhat in the shape or form of a sleigh,
and it is mounted upon castor wheels, which allow of its receiving travelling
movement in every direction. Its upper part is formed as an arm chair, or is made
with suitable supports for the legs, feet, arms, body, back, and head; these supports
may be made rigid for the use of those in health, or they may be capable of being
separately altered in position to accommodate bodily infirmities of or to give case
to invalids and those in delicate health. The apparatus as thus constructed is
intended to have travelling movements given to it by hand by another person not
the occupant of the sleigh, but suitable gearing may be combined with the improved
apparatus to enable the occupant of the sleigh to give the travelling movements
thereto.
The improved apparatus may thus be variously constructed as regards the
arrangement of its parts, and varied also in its configuration or shape, and in its

page_text: degree of ornamentation, these depending on the taste or requirements of the user.
The frame of the apparatus is made as light as is consistent with a sufficiency of
strength and preferably of cast iron or other metal.
This description of apparatus will be of great advantage and use, especially to
invalids and those who have not the full use of their limbs, or who are weak or in 5
delicate health, and very many of whom would otherwise be deprived of the enjoy-
ment generally experienced by all who practice the pastime of skating, the pursuit
of which in many instances might be a means of gratifying a continual and natural
desire of invalids to be out in the air and of restoring health.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Henry Barber and George Thomas Ockleford Crocker in the Great
Seal Patent Office on the 23rd February 1877.
HENRY BARBER, Auctioneer, and GEORGE THOMAS OCKLEFORD CROCKER, Dentist,
both of Southampton, Hampshire. "AN IMPROVED SLEIGH OR APPARATUS TO BE
USED IN CONNECTION WITH SKATING RINKS."
This Invention relates to an improved sleigh or apparatus to be used in connection
with skating rinks or similar places, to enable the practice or exercise of skating or
travelling on rinks to be more generally practised and more thoroughly enjoyed by
timid and nervous persons and by ladies and invalids.
The apparatus is also applicable for use as an invalid chair and on public
promenades.
The improved apparatus is constructed with an under part or framing 1 somewhat
in the form or shape of a sleigh, as illustrated on the accompanying Drawing - This
under part is mounted upon castors, wheels, or rollers 2, which may be made of any
material and tired with india-rubber, and which allow of the apparatus travelling
in any nection. The upper part of the apparatus is formed as an arm-chair 3;
being made with suitable supports for the legs, feet, arms, body, back, and head of
the occupant; these supports may be made rigid, as shown, for the use of those in
health, or they may be made capable of being separately altered in position to
accommodate bodily infirmities of or to give ease to invalids and those in delicate
health. The apparatus as thus constructed is intended to have travelling movement
given to it by hand, being either drawn or propelled by another person not the
occupant, but suitable gearing, or a small steam engine, or a system of springs, or
other propelling appliances may be combined with the above-described apparatus,
to enable the occupant thereof to control the travelling movements thereof.
The improved apparatus may thus be variously constructed as regards the
arrangement of its parts, and it may be varied also in its configuration or shape
and in its degree of ornamentation, these depending upon the taste or requirements
of the user or the maker. The framing of the apparatus is made as light as is
consistent with a sufficiency of strength and preferably of iron or other metal; but
it may be made of wood or of any other suitable material,
This description of apparatus will be of great advantage and use, especially to
invalids and those who have not the full use of their limbs, or who are weak or in
delicate health, and very many of whom would otherwise be deprived of the enjoy-
ment generally experienced by all who practise the pastime of skating, and the
pursuit of which in many instances might be a means of gratifying a continual and
natural desire of invalids to be out in the air, and of restoring health.
Having now.described the nature and objects of our said Invention, together with
the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into practical
effect, wo would remark in conclusion that we claim as our Invention, the above-
described improved sleigh or apparatus in its various modifications, and ther em-
ploymement thereof in connection with skating rinks, public promenades, or similar
"

page_text: places, for the purposes specified, substantially as described and as shown on the
accompanying Drawing.
In witness whereof, we, the said Henry Barber and George Thomas Ockleford
Crocker, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Sixteenth day of
February, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
seven.
HENRY BARBER.
(L.S.)
GEORGE THOMAS OCKLEFORD CROCKER. (L.S.)