A NEW OR IM- PROVED ROLLER SKATE
Year: 1876

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by William Clark at the Office of the Com-
missioners of Patents with his petition and declaration on the 21st September
1876.
"
WILLIAM CLARK, of Brighton, in the County of Sussex. "A NEW OR IM-
PROVED ROLLER SKATE."
This Invention has for its object the construction of a new or improved roller
skate, the six rollers of which are advantageously arranged in sets of three each
near the toe and heel in such manner that the skate will travel in a straight or
direct line upon the two central rollers, the skate being caused to diverge to the
right or to the left by bearing the foot to the right or left so as to bring the side
rollers at each end into action, such side rollers turning on independent axes placed at
an angle from the axes of the central rollers.
And in order that my Invention may be clearly understood and readily carried
into practice, I will proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 shows a side elevation, and Figure 2 an under side view of a roller
skate arranged and constructed with six rollers in accordance with my Invention.
a, a, are two central rollers carried by axes which are supported in the bearings or
brackets a¹, a¹, fixed on the under side of the foot plate c of the skate. b, b, are four
rollers arranged at angles to the rollers a,a, and turning on studs or axes carried by the
brackets or supports a¹, a¹, as shown. The rollers b, b, are advantageously of
smaller diameter than the rollers a, a, which are sufficiently wide to support the
skater whilst the side rollers b, b, are raised or supported at a short distance above
the ground. The edges of the rollers a, a, are bevilled off in order that they may
revolve with the side rollers b when the skater bears to the right or to the left.
The axes of the rollers b may be made adjustable in their bearings so as to vary
the extent of the curve they describe if desired.
Intermediate rollers arranged in a similar manner may be mounted between the
two sets of rollers a and b if desired.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner of performing
or carrying the same into practice, I would have it understood that I do not intend
to limit myself to the exact details herein-before described and represented in the
IDAJT

page_text: .
Drawings hereunto annexed so long as the true character of my Invention is
retained.
But what I claim is the new or improved arrangement and construction of roller
skates in which the central rollers a, a, are arranged in combination with indepen-
dent side rollers b, b, mounted on axes placed at suitable angles to the axes of the
rollers a, a, so as to cause the skate to diverge from a straight course to the right
or left when brought into action by the skater, such rollers a and being
arranged to act substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein-before
described and represented in the Drawings hereunto annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Clark have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-first day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
Witness,
J. G. TONGUE,
Patent Agent,
34, Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane,
W.C.
WILLIAM CLARK. (L.S.)