IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON- STRUCTION OF WHEEL OR ROLLER SKATES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Ernest Hoevel, of Bath, in the County of Somerset,
Doctor of Philosophy, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON-
STRUCTION OF WHEEL OR ROLLER SKATES."
Sealed the 21st December 1876, and dated the 29th June 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Ernest Hoovel at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th June 1876.
CHARLES ERNEST HOEVEL, of Bath, in the County of Somerset, Doctor of Philo-
sophy. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF WHEEL OR ROLLER SKATES."
This Invention relates to certain improvements in the construction of wheel or
roller skates whereby the performance of any desired evolutions is greatly facilitated,
whilst ease and comfort are ensured to the wearer.
The
The foot plate of the skate is supported on single rollers or on two pairs of rollers
placed near the respectivo ends thereof, the axles upon which the wheels or rollers
turn being secured to the lower ends of suitably shaped upright shafts which carry
wheel plates on their tops. The centres of the said wheel plates are either vertically
above the centres of the axles or at some distance before or behind the same.
wheel plates are provided with journals, which extend laterally on both sides, and
round such journals turn the ends of what may be termed "forks," which carry
balls at their opposite extremities. The wheel plates are also provided with central
upright journals, round which similar horizontal wheel plates pivot. The upper
wheel plates have journals which extend longitudinally in a forward and backward
direction, and the foot plate is provided with central downward projections or
brackets, two of the same being near the forward portion of the foot plate, and two
near the rear portion thereof, such projections or brackets having apertures or
bearings formed therein for the reception of the said journals. The foot plate has
also attached thereto, somewhat nearer the centre, two downward central pro-
jections or brackets, the same being constructed with cups at their lower ends for
the reception of the balls connected with the "forks," as before mentioned. The
said last-mentioned projections or brackets are of such length that the "forks" are
kept in a slanting position, with their balls downwards. The forward and rear
wheels or rollers being secured as before described, the foot plate can be moved
round a horizontal axis, and as this is done the cups carry the balls of the "forks "
along with them, and the latter cause the axles to converge (all the wheels or
Price Od.]

page_text: rollers always touching the ground simultaneously) so as to enable the skate to run
in a curve, and at the same time the "forks" accommodate themselves to the
movement, their balls turning in the cups, and their ends turning on the journals
of the lower wheel plates. In carrying out the last-described arrangements it is in
some cases convenient to ensure a simultaneous action of the axles by extending
the inner journals of the upper wheel plates so as to form one continuous journal,
or to obtain the like result by any analogous means. In some cases it may be found
convenient to employ springs so as to bring back the axles into their positions
parallel to each other, when the foot plate is lifted from the ground. The whole
mechanism may be reversed so that the cups shall be close under the foot plate, as
will be well understood, without in any way departing from the principles of this
Invention. In addition to the front and rear wheels or rollers a roller or a pair
of rollers is or are so secured to the centre part of the lower surface of the foot
plate that the axle round which the said roller or rollers turn is always kept at
right angles to the longitudinal middle line of the foot plate, and so that the said
roller or rollers always touches or touch the ground at least with one part simul-
taneously with all the front and rear wheels or rollers. For this purpose the axle
which carries the middle wheel or wheels or roller or rollers is either fixed rigidly
to the foot plate by means of a suitably shaped shaft or shafts, and the edges of the
wheel or wheels or roller or rollers are rounded off, or the shaft has a joint near its
upper end, and the edges of the wheel or wheels or roller or rollers are left straight.
By either of these arrangements the middle wheel or wheels or roller or rollers will
form an additional support to the foot plate, and will greatly assist the skater in
controuling the tilting of the foot plate, and in preserving his equilibrium, and the
same will also act well in combination with the front and rear wheels or rollers.
In some cases it may be desirable to have the peripheries of the wheels or rollers
provided with india-rubber bands. A brake or stop at the rear end of the skate
may also be provided, the same acting by the skater pressing the rear part of the
foot plate downwards.
It should be mentioned that the front and rear wheels or rollers may be used by
themselves, and those in the middle dispensed with, and that either the front or
rear wheels or rollers may be removed, and the middle wheels or roller brought
nearer to the end of the foot stand.
SPECIFICATION filed in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, and
of an Order of the Lord Chancellor, by the said Charles Ernest Hoevel in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 11th January 1877.
CHARLES ERNEST HOEVEL, of Bath, in the County of Somerset, Doctor of
Philosophy. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF WHEEL OR ROLLER
SKATES."
My said Invention relates to certain improvements in the construction of wheel
or roller skates and whereby the performance of any desired evolutions is greatly
facilitated, whilst ease, comfort, and safety are ensured to the wearer.
The Invention will be best understood by reference to the annexed Drawings.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the skate constructed in accordance with my said
Invention. Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the same. Figure 3 is an under-
neath view of the skate. Figure 4 a transverse section through the line A, A, in
Figure 1, and Figure 5 a transverse section through the line B, B, in Figure 1. The
same letters of reference indicate similar parts in the several Figures.
The foot plate of the skate is shewn at a, the same being supported by one or
two rollers near each extremity thereof. The axles on which the wheels or rollers
turn are mounted in the lower ends of the vertical rods c, c. The last-mentioned
rods are furnished near their upper ends with lateral pivots g, g, upon which what
may be termed "forks," shewn at d, d, turn, and the said rods are also respectively

page_text: provided with a vertical pivot g¹. The foot plate a is furnished with two square
plates, one in front and one at the back, in which are formed openings which act as
sockets for the end of a horizontal rod or axle, shewn at h. In this rod or axle are
also formed sockets for the reception of the pivots g¹ gl. At the head or shoulder
of each vertical rod about the pivot g¹ is a surface plate corresponding with a plate
formed on the lower surface of the horizontal rod in order to allow free rotary
motion to the vertical rod during the inclination of the skate. d, d, are forks which
carry at their opposite ends the balls c, e. To the lower surface of the foot plate
are attached two square plates j, j, in which are formed cups or sockets for the
reception of the balls e, e. The length of the last-mentioned plates is so proportioned
as to allow the forks to be maintained in an oblique position, and the balls being
directed towards the bottom. By means of the above-described arrangement the
foot plate can be moved about a horizontal axis, and in such movement the before-
mentioned cups or sockets carry the balls with them. The latter cause the axles to
converge (all the rollers resting simultaneously on the ground) so as to allow the
skate to describe any desired curve, and at the same time the forks accommodate
themselves to the movement, their balls turning in the cups or sockets and their
extremities turning on the lower pivots.
In the construction of the above-described arrangements the central portion of
the horizontal rod h may be dispensed with, and two short rods, one at each end of
the foot plate, substituted therefor. In some cases it may also be desirable to use
springs of an appropriate degree of strength to bring back the axles to a parallel
position with regard to each other when the foot plate is raised. If desired the
mechanism may be reversed so that the cups or sockets for the balls are placed
directly beneath the foot plate. Between the front and rear rollers is placed a
supplementary roller k, which is furnished with an india-rubber band m, the shape
of such roller being shewn in the Drawings. The said supplementary roller is
subject to the central portion of the foot plate, and a part of its periphery always
touches the ground simultaneously with the rear and front rollers. The central
roller thus arranged forms an additional support for the foot plate, and facilitates
and controls the movements of the skate, whilst at the same time the equilibrium
of the skater is ensured. It should, however, be observed that the central roller
may be dispensed with and only the rear and front rollers employed. The skate
may be furnished with a brake or stopping arrangement placed at the rear end
thereof, and capable of being brought into action by the pressure of the heel of the
skater.
Having thus described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, I would observe in conclusion that what
I consider novel and original, and therefore claim as constituting the Invention
secured to me by the said herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, are-
First. The combination and arrangement of mechanism by means of which the
converging or radial action of the rear and front wheels or rollers is obtained,
substantially as herein-before described and set forth.
Secondly. The interposition of the central roller between the front and rear
wheels or rollers, substantially as herein-before described and set forth.
And, Thirdly. The general combination and arrangement of parts and mechanism
in the construction of wheel or roller skates, whether a central roller be employed
or not, substantially as and for the purposes herein-before described and set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Ernest Hoevel, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
CHARLES ERNEST HOEVEL. (L.S.)