IMPROVEMENTS IN CASTERS
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Burgess, of New York, in the United States of
America, but temporarily of Great James Street, Bedford Row, in the County
of Middlesex, Merchant, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN CASTERS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Burgess at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st June 1880.
WILLIAM BURGESS, of New York, in the United States of America, but
temporarily of Great James Street, Bedford Row, in the County of Middlesex,
Merchant. "IMPROVEMENTS IN CASTERS."
This Invention relates to improvements in the construction of casters for furniture,
and other articles requiring casters.
In carrying out my Invention, I mould a ball of glass or other suitable material,
such ball being formed with an axial recess or depression on each side; this ball is
placed in a pair of clips, each formed or provided with projections for taking into
the said recesses in the ball so as to form the pivots on which the ball revolves;
the clips are connected to or form part of the vertical pivot on which the caster
revolves, the usual socket being provided when necessary, according to the article
to which the caster is to be applied.
In some cases the clips may be formed separate and rivetted or fastened together
after the ball is placed in position.
In a modification of the Invention, instead of forming the ball with the
hereinbefore described recesses, I form it with a groove passing all round it,
the clips being provided with suitable projections to take into the said groove so
as to hold the ball and allow it to turn.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Burgess in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 20th
December 1880.
WILLIAM BURGESS, of New York, in the United States of America, but
temporarily of Great James Street, Bedford Row, in the County of Middlesex,
Merchant. "IMPROVEMENTS IN CASTERS."
This Invention relates to improvements in the construction of casters for furniture,
and other articles requiring casters.
In carrying out my Invention, I mould a ball of glass or other suitable material,
such ball being formed with an axial recess or indentation on each side; this ball
is placed in a pair of clips or arms forming an arch, and each formed or provided
with a projection or a pin or pivot for taking into the said indentations or recesses
in the ball so as to form the pivots on which the ball revolves; the arms or clips
aro connected to or form part of the vertical pivot on which the castor revolves,
the usual socket being provided when necessary, according to the article to which
the caster is to be applied.
In some cases the arms or clips may be formed separate and rivetted or fastened
together after the ball is placed in position.
In a modification of the Invontion, instead of forming the ball with the
bercin beforo described recesses, I form it with a groove passing perpendicularly
all round it, the clips or arms fitting into the said groove so as hold the ball and
allow it to turn.
But to make my Invention better understood I will now proceed to describe the
samo by reference to the accompanying Drawing, in which Figuro 1 is a sido
elevation; Figure 2 a front elevation, and Figure 3 a section of a caster constructed
according to my Invention; Figure 4 a section of a caster showing the metal part
formed or cast in two pieces rivetted together, and Figures 5 and 6 elevations of a
caster in which the ball is formed with a groove passing perpendicularly all round
it.
Similar letters in all the Figures represent similar or corresponding parts.
In Figures 1, 2, and 3, A is the ball of glass or other suitable material, such as
porcelain B, B, the axial recesses or indentations on the two opposite sides of the
ball A; C, C, are the clips or arms forming an arch extending over tho upper part
of the ball A; D, D, are the projections or pivots cast or fitted on the ends of the
arms C, C, such pivots fitting into the recesses or indentations B, B, in the ball A
so as to allow the ball to revolve freely on the pivots D, D.
The top of the arch formed by the arms C, C, may end in a vertical stem or
pivot E of any required length, or may form a short post which can be fitted with
either a plate or a cup or socket attachment for fastening to furniture. The arch
inclines from the post at an angle or offset sufficient to cause the ball to swivel or
turn on its base whenever pressure is exerted on its side.
Figuro 4 shews a section of a caster of similar construction to that herein before
described, except that the metal part is formed or cast in two pieces rivetted
together as shewn.
Figures 5 and 6 show elevations of a caster in which the glass ball A is formed
with a groove F of any required width, extending perpendicularly around it at the
part of its greatest diameter as shewn, the said ball A being fitted into an arch
formed by two arms C, C, extending one on each side over the top of the ball to a
point below its centro, and held in place by a clamping pressure upon the ball.
The upper part of this caster may be fitted with a stem or a short post, plate, or
cup attachment, as desired.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the best means with
which I am acquainted for carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood

page_text: that I do not confine myself to the precise details herein laid down, as the samo
may be varied without departing from the peculiar character of my Invention, but
what I claim is,—
Firstly. A furniture caster constructed of a ball of glass or other suitable
material, with indentations on its two opposite sides into which fit pins or pivots
to form an axle, such pins or pivots being cast or fitted on the ends of two arms
forming an arch extending over the upper part of the ball, as hereinbefore described
and represented in Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the accompanying Drawing, or any mere
modification thereof.
Secondly. The modified construction of caster shewn in Figures 5 and 6, in which
the ball is formed with a groove extending perpendicularly around it at the part of
its greatest diameter, as and for the purpose described and represented.
Thirdly. Making the metal part of the casters in two parts, rivetted together as
hereinbefore described and represented in Figuro 4 of the accompanying Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Burgess, have hereto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty sixth day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty.