A NEW OR IMPROVED APPARATUS OR RINK FOR SLIDING UPON, APPLICABLE ALSO FOR FACILITATING THE MOVING OF HEAVY ARTICLES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Langsford, of Liverpool Road, Islington, in the
County of Middlesex, for an Invention of "A NEW OR IMPROVED APPARATUS
OR RINK FOR SLIDING UPON, APPLICABLE ALSO FOR FACILITATING THE
MOVING OF HEAVY ARTICLES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Langsford at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th May 1881.
HENRY LANGSFORD, of Liverpool Road, Islington, in the County of Middlesex,
"A NEW OR IMPROVED APPARATUS OR RINK FOR SLIDING UPON, APPLICABLE
ALSO FOR FACILITATING THE MOVING OF HEAVY ARTICLES."
This Invention consists of an apparatus or rink for sliding upon in a similar
manner to sliding upon ice, but instead of the surface being smooth and slippery,
as is the case with ice, according to this Invention it is a rolling surface constructed
and arranged substantially as follows:-
In a suitable framing I fix transversely a number of spindles; on to these
spindles I mount loosely side by side a number of rollers made of any suitable
material or combination of materials; these rollers are formed with shoulders
thereon at their centres, the object of the shoulders being to ensure sufficient space
between each roller for the rollers of the next row to come in between them, thus
forming a smooth rolling surface, and no space being left between the rows of
rollers for the heels of the boots to catch in. For learners, or when an apparatus
or rink is required on which the performers cannot fall, I fix along each side of
the apparatus or rink a rail over which the arms may be passed when sliding
along.
The before named apparatus may be made portable by arranging the rollers in
oblong frames in sections capable of being fitted closely together at will, so as to

page_text: form one long length, or the whole may be fitted in the ground so as to form a
sliding rink.
The apparatus or rink may be inclined so that scarcely any impetus is required
to slide along the entire length; or according to this Invention I fix one roller
suitably formed, or a series of rollers, on each of the spindles, and keep the same
continually revolving, so that a person simply stepping on the rink or apparatus
would be carried along without any run. Or I employ instead of rollers a series
of balls either on spindles or placed loosely in suitable trays or holders to form the
rolling surface.
An apparatus constructed as aforesaid may be fitted in a warehouse or other
place for sliding goods upon.

page_text: Figs. 1 and 2 represent plans of a portion of a sliding rink constructed according
to my said Invention.
Fig. 3, cross section of apparatus as represented at Fig. 1, drawn to an enlarged
scale.
Figs. 4 and 5, side elevations of rollers as arranged in Figs. 1 and 2 respectively,
drawn to an enlarged scale; Figs. 6 and 7, section of modified forms of rollers, as
hereinafter described. At each of the above Figures the same letters are employed
to denote the same parts.
a represents the frame of apparatus in which are fitted the spindles b; these
spindles have india rubber rings c placed on either end, as shewn in section at
Fig. 3, so as to deaden the noise of the rollers; e shews the rollers; f, Figs. 1
and 3, ferrules to keep the rollers apart the proper distance, so as to allow the
next set to interpose, thus forming a smooth rolling surface. In Fig. 2 it will be
seen that I dispense with the ferrules, in which case I am enabled to bring the sets
of rollers closer to the spindles, thereby reducing the space between same, as shewn
in this Figure and and Fig. 5. In this latter case the rollers e may be formed as shewn
in section at Fig. 6, so as to reduce the friction. With regard to the arrangement

page_text: represented at Fig. 1, I may in some cases form the rollers with bosses thereon, as
shewn in section at Fig. 7, so as to dispense with the separate ferrules, but when
an expensive material is employed for the rollers I prefer to employ the separate
ferrules, as they may be made of an inferior material. Instead of having the rollers
to revolve on the spindles I may have them fixed thercon, or the whole length
formed in one or more piece or pieces revolving in bearings in the frame, but I
have found in practice that each roller revolving separately is the better plan, as
they run with greater facility. The frame may be made of wood or metal, and I
prefer to make. this in two pieces, as shewn at Fig. 3, so that the top a¹ may be
taken off in order to drop in the spindles and afterwards screwed on tightly. The
best material I have found for the rollers is lignum vitæ, as by using this I am
enabled to dispense with lubrication. The apparatus may be formed in one length,
or a number of lengths (to make it more portable), in which latter case the
different lengths would be fastened by fish plates or other suitable arrangement, or
the apparatus may be fixed in the ground. For sliding upon, the action is the
same as sliding upon ice. An apparatus constructed as above is also applicable for
sliding goods upon.
1.
Having thus described the nature and object of my said Invention, and the
means whereby the same may be carried into practical effect, I would remark in
conclusion that I do not wish to confine myself to the precise details described and
shewn, as the same may be varied without departing from the principle of my said
Invention, but what I claim is, an apparatus or rink composed of rollers or balls so
arranged that they form a smooth rolling surface, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Langsford, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Tenth day of November, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
HENRY LANGSFORD. (LS.)