IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPERTAINING TO THE BRACKETS AND CONTROLLING MECHANISM OF ROLLER SKATES, AND TO THE METHOD OF RETAINING THE ROLLERS ON THEIR AXLES."
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Mac Kay, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPERTAINING TO THE BRACKETS
AND CONTROLLING MECHANISM OF ROLLER SKATES, AND TO THE METHOD OF
RETAINING THE ROLLERS ON THEIR AXLES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Mac Kay at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 6th June 1878.
JAMES MAC KAY, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster.
"IMPROVEMENTS
IN AND APPERTAINING TO THE BRACKETS AND CONTROLLING MECHANISM OF
ROLLER SKATES, AND TO THE METHOD OF RETAINING THE ROLLERS ON THEIR
AXLES."
This Invention relates to certain improvements on a former Invention, for which
I obtained Letters Patent on the 22d day of February 1877, numbered 740. Such
former Patent consisted of a bracket having an inclined plane, which was attached
to the footstock of the skate, on which worked a second bracket having an inclined
plane, which second bracket formed or carried the axle of the rollers, and the move-
ment of which was controlled by a bar taking on to a spiral spring, working
laterally on the under side of the footstock, on a second bar which was attached to
the footstock.
My present improvements consist of a certain novel arrangement of parts by
which the controlling mechanism, being the spiral spring or springs, is covered in
and protected from the entrance of dust or other foreign matter.
As described in my former Patent, I use a bracket with an inclined plane, which
is attached to the footstock of the skate in duplicate, one at the toe and one at the
heel, the angle by preference inclined to the instep. On this attached bracket I
pivot, by a suitable pin or equivalent, a second bracket, with a corresponding inclined
plane, which works face to face with the inclined plane of the fixed bracket. This
moving bracket is provided with arms which carry the axle and the rollers, and is

page_text: also provided with arms or horns, which take the place of the controller bar in my
former Patent. These arins or horus embrace or span a barrel, or its equivalent,
which contains a spiral spring. This barrel may be either part of the under or
fixed bracket (when viewing the skate from the under side), or the barrel may be
formed separately and attached to the footstock. The spring may be inserted into
the barrel by forming the barrel in two parts, or it may be placed through one end,
which is afterwards filled up. The barrel is provided with a lateral spring bar, with
suitable shoulders and washers. The spring bar extends between the horns or arms
before referred to, and passes through the barrel and the spiral spring, so that the
movement of the bracket carrying the rollers is controlled by the spring bar and
spiral spring, and at the same time the spring is covered in and protected from dust
or other foreign matter, the requisite canting motion being obtained, as in my former
Patent, by the use of the two inclined planes.
A modification of iny present, Invention consists in forming the spring barrel as
part of the moving bracket, in which case the horns or arms before spoken of, as on
the moving bracket, are attached to the footstock, and the spring barrel, or its
equivalent, works up to them instead of the horns or arms working up to the
barrel.
I provide stops to regulate the cant of the footstock by forming lugs on the inclined
plane of either of the brackets.
The axle of the rollers may either be a fixture or run in the bracket.
I retain the rollers on their axles by a washer or washers, which is or are held or
retained by a second washer, which is sprung over the end of the axle into a nitch
or groove, which is formed on the axle to receive it, or the retaining washer may be
made in halves and placed on the axle in the nitch or groove before referred to, and
retained by a ring or its equivalent.
By my improved method of securing the rollers I dispense with split pins and
am enabled to more readily get at the axle for cleaning, which also presents a better
appearance.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Mac Kay in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 5th December
1878.
JAMES MAC KAY, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN AND APPERTAINING TO THE BRACKETS AND CONTROLLING MECHANISM OF
ROLLER SKATES, AND TO THE METHOD OF RETAINING THE ROLLERS ON THEIR
AXLES."
This Invention relates to certain improvements on a former Invention, for which
I obtained Letters Patent on the 22nd day of February 1877, numbered 740. Such
former Patent consisted of a bracket having an inclined plane, which was attached
to the footstock of the skate, on which worked a second bracket having an inclined
plane, which second bracket formed or carried the axle of the rollers, and the move-
ment of which was controlled by a bar taking on to a spiral spring, working
laterally on the under side of the footstock, on a second bar which was attached to
the footstock.
My present improvements consist of a certain novel arrangement of parts by
which the controlling mechanism, being the spiral spring or springs, is covered in
and protected from the entrance of dust or other foreign matter.
As described in my former Patent I use a bracket with an inclined plane, which
is attached to the footstock of the skate in duplicate, one at the toe and one at the
heel, the angle by preference inclined to the instep. On this attached bracket I
pivot, by a suitable pin or equivalent, a second bracket with a corresponding inclined
plane, which works. face to face with the inclined plane of the fixed bracket. This
moving bracket carries the axle and the rollers, and is provided with arms or horns
which take the place of the controller bar in my former Patent. These arms or
horns embrace or span a barrel, or its equivalent, which contains a spiral spring.
This barrel may be either part of the under or fixed bracket when viewing the
skate from the under side, or the barrel may be formed separately and attached to
the footstock. The spring may be inserted into the barrel by forming the barrel in
two parts, or it may be placed through one end, which is afterwards filled up. The
barrel is provided with a lateral spring bar with suitable shoulders and washers.
The spring bar extends between the horns or arms before referred to, and passes
through the barrel and spiral spring, so that the movement of the bracket carrying
the rollers is controlled by the spring bar and spiral spring, and at the same time
the spring is covered in and protected from dust or other foreign matter, the requi-
site canting motion being obtained, as in my former Patent, by the use of the two
inclined planes.
A modification of my present Invention consists in forming the spring barrel as
part of the moving bracket, in which case the horns or arms before spoken of, as on
tho moving bracket, are attached to the footstock and the spring barrel, or its
equivalent, works up to them instead of the horns or arms working up to the
barrel.
I provide stops to regulate the action of the rollers by forming lugs on the inclined
plane of either of the brackets.
The axle of the rollers may either be a fixture or run in the bracket.
I retain the rollers on their axles by a washer or disc, or washers or discs, which
is or are held or retained by a second washer or disc, which is sprung over the end
of the axle into a nitch or groove, which is formed on the axle to receive it, or the
retaining washer or disc may be made in halves and placed on the axle in the nitch
or groove before referred to, and retained by a ring or its equivalent.
In order that my Invention may be clearly understood, I now proceed to more
particularly set forth the system, mode, or manner in or under which the same
is or may be used or practically carried into effect, and that the same may be
thoroughly defined, I have hereunto attached two Sheets of Drawings marked with

page_text: figures and letters of reference corresponding with those in the following explana-
tion, like letters and figures being used to denote the same or corresponding parts
throughout the various views.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings represents a side elevation of a roller
skate fitted with brackets and controlling mechanism, and having the rollers mounted
according to this Invention.
Figure 2 is a back view of the heel rollers, Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a back view of the toe rollers shown at Figure 1.
For convenience of space the toe and heel roller brackets, as at Figure 1, are
shown as modified arrangements of each other.
Figure 4 is a plan of Figure 1 viewed from the under side, the toe rollers and their
mechanism being shown partly in section.
Figure 5 is a section through A, B, Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a section through C, D, Figure 4.
Figure 7 is a side elevation and a perspective view of the axle of the rollers 1
constructed according to my Invention.
Figure 8 is a perspective view of a roller constructed according to my Invention,
viewed from the inside.
.
Figures 9, 10, 11, and 12 are details of Figure 8.
Figure 13 represents a side elevation of a roller skate fitted with brackets and 2
controlling mechanism, and having the rollers mounted according to this Invention,
and is a modification of Figure 1.
Figure 14 is a front view of the toe rollers, Figure 13.
Figure 15 is a back view of the toe rollers, Figure 13.
Figure 16 is a plan of Figure 13, viewed from the under side.
Figure 17 is an elevation of the two rollers and their mechanism, shown partly
in section, according to the arrangement at Figure 16.
Figure 18 is an elevation of the heel rollers and their mechanism, shown partly in
section, according to the arrangement at Figure 16.
Figure 19 is a sectional side elevation of a modification of my Invention.
Figure 20 is a sectional plan of Figure 19.
Figures 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 34A, 34B, 35, 36, 37,
38, 39, 40, 41, 42 are various details of my Invention.
Figure 43 is a side elevation of a modification of my Invention.
2
Figure 44 is a front view of the toe rollers, and Figure 45 is a back view of the 3
toe rollers, as shown at Figure 43.
Figure 46 is a sectional view of the toe roller, Figure 43.
Figure 47 is a sectional view of Figure 45.
Figure 48 is a plan of Figure 43 viewed from the under side.
Figures 49 and 50 are modifications of Figure 43, and Figure 51 illustrates my 4
Invention, as arranged with a flat spring, such spring being used in lieu of the spiral
springs shown in some of the preceding Figures.
Upon reference to the Drawings it will be seen that A is the footstand of the
skate; B, the rollers; C, the fixed bracket; D, the moving bracket which carries the
axle; E, the axle; F, the controlling mechanism which regulates the movement of the
footstock and the radiation of the rollers. It will be seen that the bracket C has
an inclined face C¹, on which fits and works by means of the pivot d the moving
portion or second bracket D. The moving bracket D in Figures 1 to 6 is provided
with horns e, which take the place of the controller bar in my former Patent,
No. 740, A.D. 1877. The arms or horns e embrace the controlling mechanism F 5
(see Figures 3 and 4). The controlling mechanism F consists of the barrel f, which
is cast on and forms part of the bracket C. The barrel f contains a spiral spring g,
and the telescopic pins or nipples h (see Figure 4), the ends of which h¹ bear on the
horns or arms e before referred to, as forming part of the moving bracket D. The
moving bracket D is provided with an oil cup or receiver i, which may be placed, 5
as shown at Figure 5, below the axle E, or as shown at Figure 6 above the axle E,

page_text: the axle being grooved, as shown at Figure 7, for distributing the lubricant.
Between the moving bracket D and the wheel B I provide a leather or other suit-
able washer j, by preference set in a retaining ring j', see Figure 7A.
The method of fitting and retaining the rollers on their axles according to this
Invention will be seen upon reference to Figures 4, and details Figures 7, 8, 9, 10;
11, 12. It will be seen that the roller B is formed with a recess k, and that the
axle E is formed with grooves and collars m. In the groove there fits a retaining
washer or disc n, made in halves (see Figure 11). This washer or disc n serves to
keep the washer plate p in position, the halves of the disc being kept together by
the ring r. The position of the parts will be understood upon reference to Figures 4
and 8. The wheel B is provided with a bush S, into which the end of the axle E
takes. The wheel B is retained on the axle by means of the screws t, which screw
into the plate p (see Figure 4).
The modification shown from Figures 13 to 18 consists in covering in the con-
trolling mechanism F, as shown at Figure 16. It will further be seen that the
wheel B is retained by the bush S and the retaining washer S¹, which is fixed to
the shaft E by the screws S¹¹. The screws t go through the plate t¹ and screw into
the bush S.
The modification shown from Figures 19 to 32 consists in the arrangement of the
retaining parts of the wheel B. It will be seen that the axle E runs loose in the
bracket D. The grooves are formed in the ends of the axle, as also the collars m
(see detail, Figure 28). The split washer or disc n (Figure 24) fits into the groove
on the axle E, and is retained by the plate p (Figures 23 and 20). The wheel B is
fastened by the screws t, which take into the bush S. It will be seen that the
wheels B are free to run on the axle E, and the axle E is free to run in the bracket D.
The leather lubricating washer jis fitted in the groove j¹. The controlling mechanism
is detailed at Figures 29 to 32, Figure 29 being the spring bar; Figure 30, the spring
casing, which is of telescopic construction, containing springs, such as Figure 31, and
shown open with parts separated at Figure 32.
The modification shown from Figures 33 to 38 consists in retaining the wheel B
on the axle E by means of the split washer or disc n, fitted as shown in Figure 34,
and retained by four screws t, which secure the wheel B. The bracket C under this
modification is shown at Figure 36; the bracket D is shown at Figure 37; the
controlling mechanism is shown at Figure 38, and will be understood upon
reference.
In the modification shown from Figures 39 to 42, it will be seen that one split
washer or disc n is used, the axle E being provided with a head E¹, and free to
revolve in the bracket D.
The modification shown from Figures 43 to 48 illustrates a slightly differing
arrangement from that shown at Figures 1 to 6, the difference being in the arrange-
ment of the rollers B, which are carried by the forked arms D¹ on the moving
bracket D. Figures 49 and 50 are modifications of Figure 46, which will be under-
stood upon reference.
The modification shown at Figure 51 illustrates the application of a flat spring as
a substitute for the controlling mechanism F.
From the beforegoing it will be seen that a skate constructed with brackets,
controlling mechanism, and the rollers retained according to this Invention, has the
advantage of being self-lubricating through the oil cups i and the grooved axles E,
the surplus oil being wiped up by the leather washer j. The bushes and wheel or
roller retaining parts are completely covered in, and split pins are dispensed with,
also the controlling mechanism is encased, and dust and foreign matter cannot enter
and clog any of the working parts of the skate, which can be easily wiped and kept
clean and free from dirt.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said In-
vention, and the system, mode, or manner in or under which the same is or may
be used or practically carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that what
:

page_text: 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 construction and arrangement of the bracket c applied to a roller
skate, substantially in the manner and for the purposes set forth, and as shown in
the various views of the accompanying Drawings.
Second. The construction and arrangement of the moving bracket D applied to a
roller skate, substantially in the manner and for the purposes set forth, and as
shown in the various views of the accompanying Drawings.
Third. The construction and arrangement of the various lubricating devices i,
applied to a roller skate, substantially in the manner and for the purposes set forth,
and as shown in the various views of the accompanying Drawings
Fourth. The construction and arrangement of the controlling mechanism F, as
applied to a roller skate, substantially in the manner and for the purposes set forth,
and as shown in the various views of the accompanying Drawings.
Fifth. The construction and arrangement of the axles E as applied to a roller
skate, substantially in the manner and for the purposes set forth, and as shown in
the various views of the accompanying Drawings,
Sixth. The construction and arrangement of the washers, plates, or discs n and p,
and the ring r, for retaining the rollers B on their axles E, as applied to a roller
skate, substantially in the manner and for the purposes set forth, and as shown in
the various views of the accompanying Drawings.
Seventh. The method of retaining the rollers or runners B on their axles E, by
the devices herein-before described and set forth, and as shown in the various views
of the accompanying Drawings, or any modification thereof.
Eighth. The improved mountings, being brackets C, brackets D, axles E, wheels or
rollers B, guiding or controlling mechanism F, and their various details, all arranged
in combination, as shown in the various Figures of the accompanying Drawings, and
as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Mac Kay, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fourth day of December, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.
JAMES (L.S.) MAC KAY.