IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER SKATES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Jacob Joachim Kunstadter, of Holborn, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER SKATES."
DACOD DOACHI KUNSTADTER, of rolborn, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER SKATES."
These improvements consist―
Firstly. In the axle bearing.
Secondly. In an arrangement of a divided stock and adjustable socket and
spindle or slide and guide and fastening screw or screws whereby the stock or foot-
board can be lengthened or shortened as required so as to suit fect of various sizes.
Thirdly. In a self-acting lubricating device.
Fourthly. In the employment of elastic bands for fastening the skate to the foot,
provided with buttons, hooks, clasps, or buckles which may be used instead of or
in.addition to the straps and buckles now in use;
And, Fifthly. In the manufacture of skate wheels of toughened glass.
The skate can be made with or without the adjustable footboard to suit fect of
various sizes, but if the arrangement of adjustable stock be employed, said stock
must be made in two or more parts sliding into one another at the middle of the
skate and provided with slots to guide and screws or pins or other arrangement
for securing the footboard when adjusted.
When the stock is of wood 1 employ a metal socket in which the two ends of the
divided stock are inserted and centrally within said socket is a set screw which
carries an oval or elongated plate fitted with pins at each end, which pins take
into the adjacent ends of the divided stock, and by the turning of the oval plate by
means of the set screw the skate will be lengthened or shortened expeditiously, and
be firmly secured at the required length; the stock will be made of wood, metal
gutta percha, or other suitable material.
The axle bearings consist each of a block forming part of the metal foot stock
or fixed on the stock when of wood, and centrally through each of these blocks
pin is passed and fixed. The lower edge or surface of the said block is cut
[Price Gil.]

page_text: to form a plane at an angle with the horizontal plane of the foot board, the pin
being fixed at right angles to the said lower surface of the block. Around the pin
and extending to about half the thickness more or less of the block forming part
of or attached to the foot stock a channel or annular recess is formed to receive a
spring, said spring being passed over or around the pin described as passing through
the block on the stock, and the flange formed by the recess in said block is partly
cut away.
The axles are fixed in a block which has pierced therethrough a hole at right
angles to and across the axle through which hole the pin fixed in the upper or foot
stock block is passed, and said axle block is secured, and so as to turn on said pin by
a cotter or nut. On the upper face of the axle block is a pin or stud which will
fit in the opening in the flange forming the recess for the spring, and said pin or
stud will act upon the spring fixed therein to prevent the axle block turning round
too sharply or too far, and by the action of the spring to return said axle block to
its dead centre, and by this arrangement the skate can be made to run in any
direction according as the skater's foot is inclined to one side or the other or is kept
horizontal and vertical.
Instead of the axle block and stock or upper block as described there may be
employed a cup or socket screwed to the stock, and for the axle block will be
substituted a ball fixed by a pin to the cup, and the axle in this case may pass
through the lower part of the ball itself or through a shoulder enlargement or
flange on the lower part of the said ball, and in this case any ordinary spring may be
employed as will be well understood.
The oiling device consists of a receptacle in the stock from which is carried a
tube or hole communicating with the axle and in said tube or hole is placed a
packet stem or plunger.
When the skate is in use the heat produced by the rotation of the wheels will
draw the oil down in sufficient quantities to lubricate the working parts of the
skate.
According to another arrangement I cut a recess in the body of the wheel at the
side, in which recess a small metal or other covered receptacle is placed, and a hole
or tube extends to the axle hole or hub of said wheel, and a packet plug is placed
in said hole or tube which forms a perfect lubricating device.
The wheels when made of toughened glass are cast and turned and formed with
a receptacle for oil communicating with the hub, and I employ a dished washer, the
stem or shank of which is formed conical and fitts into the end of the hub of the
wheels to prevent any overflow of oil, or if the oil overflows to return saine to the
interior of the wheel or on to the projecting hub of the wheel whence it will fall
on to the axle and so down the incline of the washer to the interior, and this conical
washer is used for skate wheels generally.
SPECIFICATION filed in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, and
of an Order of the Lord Chancellor, by the said Jacob Joachim Kunstadter in
the Great Seal Patent Office on the 5th December 1876.
JACOB JOACHIM Kunstadter, of Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS in ROLLER SKATES."
The improvements consist-
Firstly. In the axle bearing.
Secondly. In an arrangement of a divided stock and adjustable socket and spindle
or slide and guide and fastening screw or screws whereby the stock or footboard
can be lengthened or shortened as required so as to suit feet of various sizes.
Thirdly. In a self-adjusting lubricating device.

page_text: Fourthly. In the employment of elastic bands for fastening the skate to the
foot, provided with buttons, hooks, clasps, or buckles which may be used instead
of or in addition to the straps and buckles now in use;
And, Fifthly. In the manufacture of skate wheels of toughened glass.
The skate may be made with or without the adjustable footboard to suit feet of
various sizes, but if the arrangement of adjustable stock be employed said stock
must be made in two or more parts sliding into one another at the middle of the
skate and provided with slots to guide, and screws or pins or other arrangement
for securing the footboard when adjusted.
When the stock is of wood I may employ either a metal slotted sliding plate
and screws, or a metal socket in which the two ends of the divided stock is inserted,
and centrally within said socket is a set screw or a screwed pin and nut, which
screw or pin carries an oval or clongated plate fitted with studs at each end, which
studs take into the adjacent ends of the divided stock, and by the turning of the
oval plato by means of the set screw or pin the skate will be lengthened or
shortened expediiously, and be firmly secured at the required length; the stock
can be made of wood, metal, gutta percha, or other suitable material.
The axle bearings consist each of a block forming part of the metal footstock, or
fixed on the stock when of wood, and centrally through each of these blocks a pin
is passed and fixed. The lower edge or surface of the said block is cut to form a
plane at an angle with the horizontal plane of the footboard, the pin being fixed at
right angles to the said lower surface of the block forming part of the stock or fixed
thereto. Around the pin and extending to about half the thickness more or less of
the block a channel or annular recess is formed to receive a spring, said spring
being passed over or around the pin described as passing through the block on the
stock, and the flange formed by the recess in said block is partly cut away. The
axles are fixed in a block which has pierced therethrough a hole at right angles
to and across the axle, through which hole the pin fixed on the upper or footstock
block is passed and said axle block is secured, and so as to turn on said pin by a
cotter or nut. On the upper face of the axle block is a pin or stud, or pins and
studs, which will work in the opening in the flange forming the recess for the
spring, and said pin or stud will act upon the spring fixed therein to prevent the
axle block turning round too sharply or too far, and by the action of the spring to
return said axle block to its dead centre, and by this arrangement the skate can
be made to run in any required direction according as the skater's foot is inclined
to one side or the other, or is kept horizontal and vertical.
Instead of the axle block and stock or upper block as described there may be
employed a cup or socket secured to or forming part of the stock, and for the axle
block will be substituted a ball fixed by a pin to the cup, but capable of turning
round on the pin and in the cup or socket; and the axle in this case may pass
through the lower part of the ball itself, or through a shoulder enlargement or
flange on the lower part of said ball, and in this case any ordinary spring may be
employed, as will be well understood.
The oiling device consists of a receptacle in the stock or the bearing or axle
block from which is carried a tube or hole communicating with the axle, and in such
tube or hole is placed or packed stem.
When the skate is in use the heat produced by the rotation of the wheel will
draw the oil or grease down in sufficient quantities to lubricate the working part
of the skate.
According to another arrangement I cut a recess in the body of the wheel at the
end, in which recess a small metal or other covered receptacle is placed, and a hole
or tube extends to the axle hole or hub of said wheel, and a packed plug is placed
in said hole or tube and forms a perfect lubricating device.
The wheels when made of toughened glass are cast and turned and formed with
a receptacle for oil or grease communicating with the hub, and I employ a dished
washer the centre of which is formed with a conical shank which fits against a
shoulder on the axle and extends a short distance into the end of the lub of the

page_text: wheel to prevent any overflow or running out of the oil, or if the oil overflows to
return same to the interior of the wheel or on to the projecting hub of the wheel,
whence it will fall on to the axle and so down the inclined shank of the washer to
the interior of the wheel, which when of wood is grooved or recessed interiorily of
the hub by means of an "inside" tool which is applied on completing the axle hole
in turning the wheels, as will be well understood by any practical wood turner.
This recess or groove in the interior of the wheel will form a receptacle for the
oil, and into which same will be drawn on the rotation of the wheels and will
supply the lubricant at the most needed point. The conical washer is applicable
for skate wheels generally.
In order that my Invention may be clearly understood I have illustrated in the
annexed Sheet of Drawings an arrangement of my improved roller skate with a
metal footstock, and shown details of various parts.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section through the skate stock and one of the
axle bearings.
Figure 2 a plan of under side of skate with axle block removed.
Figure 3 a section at line x, x, of Fig. 1, and shews a front view of pair of hind
wheels and bearings.
Figure 4 top view of axle block.
Figure 5 represents the conical washer; and
Figure 6 represents an arrangement of axle bearing for skate with wooden stock
with arrangement of recovery spring.
A is the metal body of the skate (whether in one or two pieces) here shewn in
two pieces for lengthening and shortening to suit different sizes of feet. B, thumb
screw nut and bolt for securing the two sliding parts of the skate stock together.
C, metal block forming part of or secured to the stock, and in which block C the
pin D is fixed. E are springs in the annular recess in the block C, and serve by
acting on the studs F¹ of the axle block F to return the axle block and with it the
axle and wheels to their normal position. F is the axle block which is capable of
moving around to the right or left, and the axles are mounted in and pass through
the block F eccentrically to the pin D and at right angles thereto as a castor.
F¹, studs on axle block for the purpose above described. G, oil or grease_box
formed in the casting of the axle block. H, screw plug for closing oil box. I are
wheels. K, elastic attachments for the skates. I, the conical shank of the washer
shewn in Fig. 5..
In Fig. 6 E' is the spring of one or two pieces according to the strength required.
M is a pin acting as fulcrum between the screw N and angular riding lump" O,
which by the spring is pressed into a V-shaped recess on the block F, and on the
movement of said block F from right to left said "riding lump" is caused to ride
up one or other of the V sides. The pin P prevents the block F from turning more
than is necessary. The action of the spring E' is regulated and strengthened by
means of the screw N.
Having now described the nature and particulars of my said Invention so that it
may be carried into practical effect, I claim-
First. The axle bearing cousisting of the block C, pin D, and springs E, with the
axle block working upon pin D, and with the axle placed through the block
Feccentrically to said pin, substantially as described and shown.
Second. The arrangement of divided stock for lengthening and shortening a
skate, substantially as shown and as described.
Third. The lubricating device for skate consisting of receptacle and conducting
tube and packed stem, substantially as set forth.
Fourth. In a wheel for roller skates the internal grove or recess substantially as
and for the purpose described.
Fifth. The conical washer substantially as shown in Figure 5, and for the
purpose described.
Sixth. The manufacture of wheels for skates of toughened glass, substantially
as described;

page_text: And, Seventh. The arrangement of axle bearing and spring as represented in
Fig. 6 of the Drawings and as herein set forth.
In witness whereof, the said Jacob Joachim Kunstradter, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Fifth day of December, One thousand eight hundred
and seventy-six.
J. J. KUNSTÄDTER. (L.S.)