IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER SKATES
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Washington Parker Gregg, of Boston, of the State of
Massachusetts, of the United States of America, Gentleman, for an Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER SKATES."
:
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Washington Parker Gregg at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd November 1880.
WASHINGTON PARKER GREGG, of Boston, of the State of Massachusetts, of the
United States of America, Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER SKATES."
My present Invention relates to improvements in roller skates patented to me
in England under date of September 27th, 1878, in which a large middle wheel is
placed on the outer side, and a smaller middle wheel on the inner side of the stock
of the skate, the upper part of the rim of the smaller middle wheel being even or
nearly even with the upper surface of the stock.
Notwithstanding the merits of this class of skates it is desirable for athletes and
proficients to have at the inner side of the stock a middle wheel less in diameter
than the outer middle wheel, and yet somewhat larger than would be possible
under the construction described in the Specification of the said former Patent
(wherein the upper part of the rim is even or nearly even with the upper surface
of the stock) unless the height of the stock from the ground were increased.
In order to provide such wheel I have devised the improvements hereinafter set
forth, whereby, among other advantages, may be obtained more speed and an
avoidance of liability of the foot to bear or slip over the inner side of the stock.
My present Invention consists in a novel construction, arrangement, or combi-
nation of the wheels, rollers, and stock of the skate, as herein set forth.
The accompanying Drawing exhibits a skate embodying my present improve-
ments.
Figure 1 is a top view of the skate with a large middle wheel on the outer side
of the stock, and a middle wheel less in diameter at the inner side of the stock, but
with a part of its rim above the upper surface of the stock.
Figure 2 is a bottom view of the skate with the large middle wheel on the outer
side of the stock, and said smaller middle wheel at the inner side of the stock.
מ.

page_text: Figure 3 is an inner side view of the skate with the toe and heel rollers, and the
large and small middle wheels.
Figure 4 is an outer side view of the skate with its toe and heel rollers and large
middle wheel.
In carrying out my Invention I arrange one comparatively large middle wheel A,
as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, for side support, turning and driving on the
outer side of the stock B near the ankle, and one smaller sized middle wheel C for
side support, driving and turning at the inner side of the stock opposite or nearly
opposite to the larger middle wheel A, the upper part of the rim of the smaller middle
wheel C being above the upper surface of the stock, instead of even or nearly even
with said surface, as in my aforesaid Patent, and the hubs of the middle wheels
being placed on axles in different planes, as shown, and so located that when the
treads of both wheels are in the same horizontal plane the stock of the skate is
also horizontal.
By thus making the inner middle wheel smaller than the outer one, and
arranging it at the inner side of the stock with the upper part of its rim above the
upper surface of the stock, it will be seen that I am enabled to have an inner
middle wheel, not only less in diameter than the outer one, but larger than is
possible at the inner side of the stock, with the upper part of its rim even or nearly
even with the upper surface of the stock without increasing the height of the stock
from the ground; while at the same time, and what is not less desirable, there
will not be that liability of the inner wheels to interfere with each other during
use, which there would be were they as large in diameter as the larger outer
middle wheels, nor the liability of the foot to slip or bear over the inner side of the
stock.
With the middle wheels arranged and constructed as set forth, I combine one
'small roller D under the toe and one small roller E under the heel of the stock to
support the heel and toe.
The middle wheels should extend down from the stock at least as low as the
end rollers, and generally a little lower than the end rollers to facilitate driving
and turning.
Each middle wheel having a separate axle may have its lower bearing a little
nearer than that of the other middle wheel towards the toe or the heel of the
stock.
The stock, wheels, and rollers (with rims, either flat or rounded) and the fixtures
and fastenings may be of any suitable materials, size, or patterns.
As there are various ways of fastening axles to the stocks I do not confine myself
to any particular way. Some axles I faston to the upper, some to the lower surface
of the stock, and some to the sides or to brackets below or above the stock, according
to the diameter or position of the wheels and rollers.
With a view to lessen sound sometimes arising from a roller skate when used for
a long time or much worn, as well as to render the skate more easy and agreeable
to the foot, I sometimes place upon the upper surface of the stock a rubber facing,
as shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4, and separately in Figures 5 and 6. It may be
whole, as shown at F, or perforated, as at G. When whole it tends more to lessen
sound than if perforated; when perforated it is lighter and yet elastic. It may be
used in either condition as circumstances require, and is fastened to the stock by
screws or any other convenient known means, and may be easily removed at
pleasure. In general I prefer it perforated, but I do not herein claim such rubber
facing nor its application. These skates are designed for use on all suitable
surfaces, and either inside buildings or in the open air.
Having described my Invention I claim,―
1. In roller skates, constructed with a small supporting roller under the toe and
a similar supporting roller under the heel of the stock, a middle wheel arranged at
the inner side of the stock, with the upper part of its rim above the upper surface
of the stock, in combination with a larger middle wheel arranged at the outer side
of the stock, the hubs of the middle wheels being placed on axles in different

page_text: planes, and so located that when the treads of both wheels are in the same
horizontal plane the stock of the skate is horizontal, substantially as and for the
purposes described.
2. A skate constructed with a wheel arranged at the inner side of the middle
of the stock with the upper part of its rim above the upper surface of the stock,
combined with a larger wheel arranged at the outer side of the middle of the
stock, the hubs of the wheels being placed on axles in different planes, and so
located that when the treads of both wheels are in the same horizontal plane the
stock of the skate is horizontal, as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Washington Parker Gregg, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty eighth day of September, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty.
WASHINGTON PARKER GREGG (5.0)
WASHINGTON PARKER GREGG
(1)