IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER SKATES
Year: 1876

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Benjamin Davies and John
Elliott Chambers at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th
February, 1876.
WILLIAM BENJAMIN DAVIES, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Iron-
monger's Assistant, and John ElLLIOTT CHAMBERS, of Lozells, near Birmingham,
aforesaid, Ironmonger's Assistant. "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER SKATES."
Our Invention consists of the improvements in roller skates herein-after
described, by which improvements the construction of the skate is much simplified
and the cost of its manufacture reduced. From the simplicity of construction of
roller skates made according to our Invention they are very durable and not liable
to derangement..
In constructing a skate according to our Invention we support the sole on three
single rollers. These rollers are fixed in a vertical plane passing longitudinally
through the middle of the sole of the skate. We fix the said rollers preferably at
equal distances apart, one being under the hind part or or heel, and another under the
fore part or toe, and the third under the middle of the sole of the skate. The latter
or middle roller may however be fixed a little nearer to the fore part of the skate
than to the hind part. These rollers may be of the same diameter, or the middle
roller may be of larger diameter than the other two. When we make the rollers of
the same diameter we fix the middle one somewhat lower than the others, so that
the lowest point of its periphery shall be in a somewhat lower horizontal plane than
that in which the lowest points in the peripheries of the others are situated. When
the middle roller is of greater diameter than the others its axis is fixed in the same
horizontal plane as that in which the axes of the other two are situated, and the
greater diameter of the roller gives the difference in the level between its lowest
point and the lowest points of the other rollers.
By constructing and arranging the three single rollers in the manner described,
the wearer of the skate can by slight inclination or motion of the foot cause only
the middle roller to bear on the skating floor or surface, or he can also bring either
the front or hind roller in contact with the said surface as well as the middle roller.
The support of the smaller rollers is useful in striking off and in assisting the skater
to balance himself, but when moving in any direction other than rectilinear, the
whole weight is thrown on the middle roller, on which alone the practised skater
will mostly support himself. The describing of curves and the various evolutions
practised by skaters can be performed with the greatest ease on the middle roller.
Davion 227

page_text: In order to prevent the rubbing of the middle roller against the slot in the sole
in which it works we fix guide or bearing rolls in the said alot, between which
guide rolls the upper part of the middle roller works.
Instead of using one roller under the middle of the skate, two rollers parallel and
of the same diameter may be employed.
The rollers may be made adjustable so as to change the difference in their levels
to suit the convenience of learners. This adjustment may be effected by causing
the bearings of the axes of the rollers to slide vertically in fixed brackets on the sole
of the skate. The sliding bearings may be fixed in any position to which they
may be adjusted by means of screws. The sides of the moveable and fixed bearings
may be provided with teeth or racks, in order to make them engage the more
securely with one another.
In order to prevent or diminish the unpleasant vibration frequently complained
of in roller skates, especially when used on an unyielding surface, we interpose
between the bearings of the rollers & the foot of the wearer a layer or pad of
india-rubber, felt, or other yielding material, which will deaden the vibration in
question and prevent the sense of numbness which the vibration referred to
frequently produces.