IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER SKATES, AND WHICH I TERM IMPROVED WHEEL SKATES
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Washington Parker Gregg, of Boston, in the
State of Massachusetts, of the United States of America, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER SKATES, AND WHICH I TERM
IMPROVED WHEEL SKATES."
Sealed the 9th October 1874, and dated the 21st August 1874.
5
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Washington Parker Gregg
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition and
Declaration, on the 21st August 1874, pursuant to the 9th Section
of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WASHINGTON
PARKER GREGG, of Boston, in the State of Massachusetts, of the United
States of America, send greeting.
WHEREAS I am in possession of an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN ROLLER SKATES, AND WHICH I TERM 'IMPROVED WHEEL SKATES," " and have
petitioned Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria to grant unto me,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, Her Royal Letters Patent for
the same, and have made solemn Declaration that I am the first and
truc Inventor thereof.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I; the said Washington Parker Gregg, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and the manner in which
the same is to be performed, to be fully described in the following Speci-
fication, and represented in the accompanying Drawings which make a
part thereof:
The principal object or my Invention is to provide skates with wheels
arranged in certain novel ways in respect to cach other, and the stock
for diversified exercises and effects by experts and athletes, as well as
for roller skaters in general, upon all suitable surfaces.
The first part of my Invention is illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4
of Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side
elevation of one form of my said improved skates, the peripheries of the
outside wheels or drivers being below the plane of the upper surface of
the foot rest; Figure 2 is a transverse vertical section of the same
through line x, x, of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a side elevation of another form of one of my said improved
skates, the upper parts of the peripheries of the outside wheels or drivers
being above the level of the plane of the upper surface of the foot rest.
Figure 4 is a transverse vertical section of the same in line y, y, of
Figure 3.
In the said Figures the same letter marks the same part wherever it
occurs.
In the Specification and Drawings of the first Patent issued to me in
England in the year 1865 is described and shown a skate having outside
driving wheels turning on axles projecting laterally from the foot rest,
the upper parts of the peripheries of said driving wheels extending above.
the surface of the foot rest, and said skate being provided with heel and
toe supporting rollers, so hung that a horizontal line tangent to their
bearing surfaces should be in a plane a little above that of the bearing
surfaces of the driving wheels.
The first part of my present improvements consists mainly in sus-
pending the axle of the outside driving wheels in brackets depending
from the lower side of the foot rest so that the upper parts of the
peripheries of the side driving wheels may either extend above the plane
of the surface of the foot rest or be level with or below it, as may be
preferred, by merely altering the depth of the brackets without any

page_text: necessary alteration of the size of the drivers, the driving wheels in all the
cases supposed in this first part being outside of the perpendicular face
of the sides of the foot rest and never underneath said rest, and the heel
and toc supporting rollers so hung that the lower parts of their peri-
pherics shall be in a plane a little higher than that of the lower parts of
the peripheries of the driving wheels."
The Drawings aforesaid represent this first part of my Invention in
two forms, differing only in the depth of the brackets, the size of the
driving wheels, and. the relation of the peripheries of the driving wheels
to the surface of the foot rest.
The first form of this part of my Invention may be said to consist
mainly in arranging the outside driving wheels so that the upper parts
of their peripheries shall be below the plane of the upper surface of the
stock.
In carrying out this part of my Invention I place two comparatively
small rollers A, A', one partially under the heel on an axle a, and the
other partially under the toe on an axle 6 of the stock or foot rest B for
support and to facilitate turning, and I also arrange two larger wheels
C, C', for driving and side support upon the journals c, c', of an axle D
suspended in brackets B¹ below the arch of the instep of the stock B, so
that one of the said driving wheels shall be at cach side of the stock on
a plane outside of the perpendicular face thereof, the peripherics of
said driving wheels being below the plane of the upper surface of the
stock.
In the said Drawings of Sheet 1 (Figures 1 and 2) the upper parts of
the peripherics of the driving wheels are shown as extending nearly to.
the top of the stock, but they may be lower down if preferred. By
these means is produced an outside wheel skate which has no axle
through its stock or projecting laterally therefrom, nor any portion of
the peripheries of its wheels above the plane of the upper surface of the
stock, though the two driving wheels are outside of the stock and larger
in diameter than the toe and heel rollers. Designed to be compact and
to run easily with speed and safety its driving wheels may be of any
reasonable size, but as the peripherics do not reach above the upper
surface of the stock on this account it is not proposed that they should
be equal in diameter to the larger ones to be used under the second form
of this part of my Invention next herein-after mentioned.

page_text: This second form may be said to consist principally in hanging tho
journals of the two outside driving wheels on the brackets B2 so that
the upper parts of their peripheries shall extend above the plane of the
upper surface of the stock, and said wheels be at the same time used
with two smaller rollers, one under the toe, and the other under the licel
of the stock, thereby not only retaining most of the advantages of the
skate described as aforesaid in the papers of said Patent, but by reason
of dispensing with the axle through the stock securing others important
and peculiar to this second form of my improvements. To accomplish
this instead of using two driving with their peripheries below the
plane of the upper surface of the stock, as set forth in the first part
of this Specification, I put upon the journals e, e¹, of the axle D sus-
pended in brackets B2 below the arch of the instep of the stock B, two
outside driving wheels C, C³, so large in diameter that the upper part of
their peripheries will extend above the plane of the upper surface of the
stock, said stock having two smaller rollers A, A³, one on an axle f
under the toe, and the other on an axle g under the heel, to be used with
said side wheels. By these means either low or high journals may be
employed, and thus the smallest and largest wheels or rollers suitable
for roller skates be used. In a word, not only can we employ as large
outside driving wheels as can be used to advantage, but larger toe and
heel rollers can be used with the driving wheels than could be employed
with the skate described as aforesaid in the papers of said Patent without
unduly increasing the diameter and weight of such driving wheels on
account of their axles passing through the sides of the stock, thereby
enabling different skaters to avail themselves of the differences in these
respects according to their skill, age, strength, the state of the skating
surface, and other circumstances.
In the second as in the first form of these improvements the bearing
surfaces of the driving wheels are arranged to come down a little lower
than those of the toe and heel.
What I claim in this first part of my Invention, and as shown in
Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, of Sheet 1, is as follows:-A roller skate having
the axles of the side driving wheels suspended under the arch of the
instep in brackets depending from the lower side of the stock or foot
rest, which is provided with the heel and toe supporting rollers of smaller
diamater than the side driving wheels, all constructed in the manner and
for the purpose described.

page_text: The second part of my Invention is illustrated in Figures 5, 6, 7, 8,
9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 of Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings, and
consists chiefly in having two outside driving wheels, one at each side of
the ball, with two other outside driving wheels, one at each side of the
front of the heel of the stock or foot rest, and when desired, in having
one outside driving wheel at each side of the front of the heel, with two.
other smaller side wheels, one under each side of the ball of the stock, .
whether said sets of side wheels be in combination or not, with onc
small roller partially under the heel and another partially under the toe
of the stock, as more fully set forth in the following description and
represented in the Drawings. Of such Drawings Figure 5 is a side view
of the stock, two of its four outside wheels, and the two smaller rollers
partially under the toc and heel; Figure 6 is a top view of the stock,
and its four outside wheels, and said two smaller rollers; Figure 7 is a
side view of the stock, one of its two outside wheels, one of its two small
side wheels, and the two small rollers partially under the toe and heel;
Figure 8 is a top view of the same; Figure 9 is a side view of Figure 1
with the axles above the stock; Figure 10 is a top view of the same;
Figure 11 is a side view of Figure 1 with the axles below the stock;.
Figure 12 is a top view of the same; Figure 13 is a top view of Figures 3
and 4, with the two small side wheels outside of the stock upon their
axle prolonged.
To carry this second part of my Invention into effect, instead of
having several small rollers under the stock like those in common use,
and to avail myself when desirable of more than two outside wheels, I
attach to the stock or foot rest A in Figures 5 and 6 of the said
Drawings, Sheet 1, two comparatively large outside wheels B, B, one at
cach side of the front a¹ of the heel b' of the stock A, the more easily to
sustain each side of the foot between the hecl b' and the ball c' of the
stock, as well as the more easily to surmount obstacles, and for driving
and turning, and I also attach two other comparatively large outside
wheels C, C, in Figures 5 and 6, one at each side of the ball c¹ of the
stock, the more easily to sustain each side of that part of the foot and to
surmount obstacles, and for driving and turning, and in combination
with these four outside wheels B, B, C, C, I also attach two smaller
rollers D, D, one partly under the toe and the other partly under the
heel of the stock for the support of the heel and toe, and for more readily
turning at the heel and toc. I vary the size of the diameter and position

page_text: of the wheels of some of these skates for indoor use; and in order to
vary in excrcising at the heel and toe, and in practising different feats
and evolutions, and arrange them so that instead of having the two
driving wheels C, C, as in Figures 5 and 6 (plate 1) at each side of the
ball, I have two smaller wheels e¹, e¹, as in Figures 7 and 8, one under
each side of the ball c¹, and so use them with the two large driving
wheels B, B, one at each side of the front a¹ of the heel b¹ of the stock,
in combination with two smaller rollers D, D, partly under the toc and
heel of the stock, as seen in Figures 7 and 8. The stock or foot rest
with its wheels and rollers thus arranged may be reversed, so that the
skater may use the same either way. The two small side wheels may
be applied as readily to the stock having the four larger driving wheels
at its sides as to the stock with only the two large driving wheels at its
sides. Therefore some of these skates are made that way as well as the
other. All that is required is to remove the two front outside driving
wheels in Figures 5 and 6 with their axle and then fasten under the
ball by screws or otherwise the axle holder with its axle and two small
side wheels, as seen in Figures 7 and 8. So when it is desirable to have
the two small side wheels outside of instead of under the ball of tho
stock I withdraw their axle and substitute for it a longer one, put upon
its ends the saine two small wheels, and they are then outside of the
stock, as seen in Figure 13.
The axles of the four outside wheels may project from the edges or
sides of the stock, as at f,f, ƒ, ƒ, ƒ, ƒ, in Figures 5, 6, 7, and S. They
may be above the stock as at g, g, g, g, in Figures 9 and 10, or below
the stock as at h, h, h, h, h, h, in Figures 11 and 12. They may be
lower down like the axles i, i, i, of the small wheels under each side of
the ball in Figures 7 and 8, as well as higher than the top of the stock.
Thus may be provided high or low journals for the largest or smallest
four side wheels practicable, with the upper parts of their peripheries
above, below, or on a level with the plane of the upper surface of the
stock as preferred.
The outside wheels of some of these skates are made alike in diameter.
In general I prefer that the two rear outside wheels should differ in
size from the two at the ball for casier turning. I also prefer the largest
wheels for outdoor use. The small rollers D, D, revolve on axles in
common axle holders under the toe and heel. I prefer that none of them

page_text: should come down so low as the side wheels. I also prefer, especially
for novices and the young, that the small rollers partially under the toe
and heel should be used as set forth. One or both can be dispensed
with by experts or practised athletes, and sometimes by others upon
suitable level surfaces, when said other wheels may be driven with great
rapidity and effect. In turning at the toe and in inclining forward the
bearing is designed to be more or less on the small roller under the toe
and the two wheels at the sides of the ball. In turning at the heel and
in moving backwards the bearing is designed to be more or less on the
small roller under the heel, and on the two wheels at the side of the
front of the heel. In gliding the bearing is designed to be mainly on
the two wheels at the ball, and the two at the front of the heel, upon
which the skater may stand upright and move alike with firmness and
speed, owing to the relative position of these four wheels as well as to
their size and number, the small rollers under the heel and toe affording
additional support when required. When the heel and toe are supported
by small rollers, as I prefer they should be, one of the side wheels can
be dispensed with, but I prefer it should not be. When desirable,
particularly for the smaller skates, I sometimes use a caster for one or
each of the heel and toe rollers, as shown at D³, Figure 7, plate 1.
Thus is produced a wheel skate, not only supported at the toe and heel,
but at each side from heel to toc for novices, and at the same time
calculated for diversified exercises, feats, and evolutions by different
skaters.
-:
What I claim in the second part of my Invention is as follows:-
1. A skate stock or foot rest having four outside driving wheels
attached directly to it, one at each side of the front of the heel and one
at each side of the ball of the stock, substantially as described.
2. A stock or foot rest with four outside driving wheels, one at each
side of the front of the heel and one at each side of the ball of the stock,
in combination with one smaller roller under the heel and another under
the toe, substantially as described.
:
3. A stock or foot rest with one small wheel under cach side of the
ball, and one larger outside driving wheel attached at each side of the
front of the heel of the stock, substantially as described.
4. A stock or foot rest with one small wheel under cach side of the
ball and one larger outside driving wheel attached at each side of the

page_text: front of the heel of the stock, in combination with one small roller
under the heel and another under the toe, substantially as described.
5. In a skate stock or foot rest having four outside wheels, one at
each side of the rear part, and one at each side of the front part of the
stock, whether in combination or not with a smaller roller, partially
under the heel and toe, I claim the arrangement of said four outside
wheels, so that the upper portion of their peripheries shall extend above
the plane of the lower surface of the stock.
6 In a skate stock or foot rest having one small wheel under each side
of the front part, and one larger outside wheel at each side of the rear
part of the stock, whether in combination or not with a smaller roller
partially under the heel and toe, I claim the arrangement of said
outside wheels, so that the upper portion of their peripheries shall
extend above the plane of the lower surface of the stock.
7. In each of the several specified combinations covered by the forc-
going claims, in which a small roller or caster is employed partially
under the heel and toe, I claim the attachment of the outside wheels
to the stock in such a position that their tread shall be on a plane lower
than that of said small rollers or casters.
The third part of my Invention is illustrated in Sheet 2 of the accom-
panying Drawings. This part of my Invention consists principally in
having two outside driving wheels, one at or near the middle of cach
side of the stock, in combination with two smaller rollers partially under
the toc, and two partially under the heel, and when desirable, in having
two such outside driving wheels in combination with two such small
rollers under the front of the ball and two partially under the heel;
or with two under the rear of the front of the heel and two under the
front of the ball; or with two under the heel and one under the toc of
the stock or foot rest, as more fully set forth in the following descrip-
tion, and shown in the said Drawings of Sheet 2.
In the last mentioned Drawings, Figure 14 is a side view of the stock,
one of its two outside driving wheels, their axle across the stock, one of
the two rollers partially under the toe, and one of the two partially
under the heel, and dotted circles and z, showing outside wheels of
different diameters..

page_text: Figure 15 is a side view of the same stock, outside wheel, and axle,
one of the two rollers under the front of the ball, and one of the two
partially under the heel, and the same dotted circles x and z.
Figure 16 is a side view of the same stock, outside wheel, and axle,
one of the two rollers under the front of the ball, and one of the two
under the rear of the front of the heel, and the same dotted circles x.
and 2.
Figure 17 is a bottom view of the stock, its two outside wheels, the
axle holder for the central axle under the stock, the axle holders for
the rollers under the stock, two rollers partially under the toc, and.
two under the rear of the front of the heel and spool between the
latter.
Figure 18 is a side view of the stock, its side wheels being removed,
its front and rear axle holders, one of its two small wheels under the front
of the ball, and one of its two partially under the heel, an axle hole
above the stock for one set of drivers, another through the stock for a
set less in diameter, and another through the brackets or axle holder
under the central part of the stock, for a set still less in diameter.
Figure 19 is an end view of the stock, its two driving wheels, and their
axle, and two of its rollers partially under the heel of the stock.
Figure 20 is an end view of the stock, its axle, and two driving wheels,
with one small supporting roller under the toc.
Under my Patent herein-before mentioned I employ two driving
wheels outside of the stock, and also use them with one roller partially
under the toe and another partially under the heel, as therein set forth.
As useful as I deem skates made under that Patent, yet when the
wheels are very large and the stocks very long I prefer more support
at the heel and toe, such as is provided in this third part of my present
Invention.
In carrying out this part of my present Invention I arrange two
driving wheels A, A, one at or near the middle of each side of the
stock B upon an outer axle C extending across it. I also arrange on an
axle in an axle holder D two smaller rollers E, E, partially under the toc,
and on an axle in another axle holder F, two such other rollers G, G,
partially under the heel of the stock; and then use said four rollers so

page_text: arranged in combination with said two outside driving wheels as shown
in Figure 14, Sheet 2. When as sometimes it is desirable to vary
the position of the rollers under the stock I withdraw the rollers E, E,
and their axle from their position partially under the toe, and place their
axle with them on it in a third axle holder H, so that said rollers E, E,
shall be under cach side of the front of the ball I of the stock, as shown
in Figure 15, and then use said rollers E, E, with the two other
rollers G, G, arranged partially under the heel in combination with said
two driving wheels one at each side of the stock as aforesaid, with its
wheels and rollers arranged as last described; the stock may be reversed-
and used either end first.
To make another desirable variation I withdraw the rollers G, G, and
their axle from their position partially under the heel, and place their
axle with them on it in a fourth axle holder J, so that said rollers G, G,
shall be under each side i of what I term the rear of the front of the
hcel of the stock, as shown in Figure 16, and then I use the said
rollers G, G, with the other two rollers E, E, under each side of the
front of the ball in combination with said two driving wheels one at
cach side of the stock as aforesaid.
Instead of employing two rollers under the toe end of the stock I use
for some of the shorter skates one small rollers under the toe end, with
two small rollers under the heel end of the stock in combination with
said two driving wheels, one at each side of the stock as aforesaid, such
single roller being shown in Figure 20, Sheet 2. When placed under
the front of the ball and under the rear of the front of the heel the 1
small rollers may be kept by a spool L, Figure 17, wider apart than
when partially under the toe and heel; and if furnished with longer axles
may be used outside of the stock, but not in combination with drivers so
large as to interfere. The smallest and largest outside driving wheels
practicable it will be perceived can be used with these skates, as their
axles may be placed either in the sides of the stock or below or above it,
according to the diameter of the wheels. When desirable as it often is to
have the axle through the sides of the stock, I make an axle hole M as
shown in Figure 16 and Figure 18, to receive the axle and affix to eacli
of the ends of said axle a driving wheel as shown in the dotted circle x,
less in diameter than the two drivers for the axle across the stock, and.
then use said lesser driving wheels in combination with said rollers under
the stock at will, in each or any of the positions designated for them as

page_text: aforesaid. And when it is desired to have the axle of the outside driving
wheels below the plane of the upper surface of the stock I make an axle
hole O through the axle holder under the central part of the stock for
the axle, affix to each of its ends a driving wheel less in diameter as
shown in the dotted circle than the wheel for the axle through the
sides of the stock, and then use said third set of drivers in combination
with said rollers under the stock at will, in each or any of the positions
designated for them as aforesaid. I consider the cheapest to be that
with one set of outside drivers in combination with two small rollers
partially under the toe and heel ends of the stock, or in the other
positions under the stock hercin designated for them. But I construct
some of these skates with more than one set of two outside drivers for
one and the same stock, each set to be used by itself at will without the
other sets in combination with said wheels under the stock in each or any
of the positions designated for them as aforesaid. To do this I provide
two driving wheels A, A, for the axle, extending across the stock, two
less in diameter, as shown in the dotted circle x, for the axle through the
sides of the stock, and two still less in diameter, as shown in the dotted
circle, for the axle through the central axle holder under the stock.
Thus it is seen that while provision is made for additional support at the
ends as set forth, the skater can avail himself of the advantages of
exercising with different sets of two driving wheels on one and the
same stock as aforesaid, beginning for instance with the two smallest
outside drivers, and after practising sufficiently with this set, in com-
bination with the rollers under the stock, taking the next set of drivers,
and so on.
When several sets of drivers are provided for one stock a single long
axle is sufficient for them all, as only two drivers are used at a time in
combination with said rollers under the stock; said small rollers may be
provided with an axle for each of their axle holders or positions, I prefer
the two movable axles, I likewise prefer that the bearing surfaces of the
driving wheels should be lower down than those of the other wheels or
rollers, the better for turning, and that the riding may be the more on
the outside wheels; said combination with the rollers partially under
the toe and heel are intended more for beginners and general wheel
skating, the other combinations more as variations for experts and
athletes. When the exercises are to be confined for any considerable
time to the skate, the axle of whose drivers are through the sides or

page_text: above the stock, such fixtures as are not necessarly required therewith
may for the time be laid aside. The axle of the drivers when held in
place by a small screw through its washer into the stock, is on the
withdrawal of the screw readily transferred from one axle hole to
another when wanted for another set of drivers, when there is more than
one set for one stock.
The stocks or foot rests, wheels, axles, and other parts for the variform
skates herein-before described may be of any materials, size, or description
suitable for wheel skating, particular regard being paid to lightness,
strength, and durability; and said wheels and other parts may be fitted
to the foot rest and fastened on by any convenient known means.
What I claim in this the third part of my Invention is as follows :-
1. A skate stock or foot rest having one driving wheel on an outer
axle at or near the middle of cach side of the stock, and two smaller
rollers partially under each end of the stock, substantially as described
and shown.
2. A skate stock or foot rest having one driving wheel on an outer
axle at or near the middle of each side of the stock, and four smaller
rollers, two under each side of the front of the ball, and two partially
under the heel of the stock, substantially as described and shown.
3. A skate stock or foot rest having one driving wheel on an outer
axle at or near the middle of each side of the stock, and four smaller
rollers, two under each side of the rear of the front of the heel, and two
under each side of the front of the ball, substantially as described and
shown.
.
4. A skate stock or foot rest having one driving wheel on an outer axle
at or near the middle of each side of the stock, and one smaller roller
under the toe, and two such rollers under the heel of the stock, sub-
stantially as described and shown.
5. In a skate stock or foot rest having one driving wheel on an outer
axle at or near the middle of each side of the stock, whether in com-
bination with two smaller rollers under cach end, or two under the rear
and one under the front end of the stock, I claim the arrangement of
said outside driving wheels, so that the upper portion of their peripheries
shall extend above the plane of the lower surface of the stock.

page_text: 6. In cach of the several specified combinations covered by the
foregoing claims in this third part of my Invention, I claim the attach-
ment of the side wheels to the stock, in such positions that their tread
shall be on a plane lower than that of said rollers.
7. A skate stock or foot rest provided with axle holding devices or
brackets for supporting the axles of the two outside driving wheels at
different altitudes with respect to the stock, substantially as shown and
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Washington Parker Gregg, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this 28th day of July, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
four.
WASHINGTON PARKER GREGG. (L.S.)