IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER SKATES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Washington Parker Gregg, of Boston, in the State of
Massachusetts, of the United States of America, Gentleman, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER SKATES."
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Washington Parker Gregg at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th September 1878.
WASHINGTON PARKER GREGG, of Boston, in the State of Massachusetts, of the
United States of America, Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER SKATES."
The introduction of my roller skates, Patented in England under date of
August 29th, 1865, with one large middle driving wheel on each side of the stock,
being, notwithstanding their merits, retarded by objections against the size of the
wheels and liability of the inner side wheel of one skate to interfere with that of
the other skate while in use, I have made the improvements herein described.
My present Invention consists in a novel construction, arrangement, or com-
bination of the wheels, rollers, and stock of the skate, as herein set forth.
The accompanying Drawings exhibit a skate embodying my improvements.
Figure 1, in Sheet 1, is a top view of the skate, with a large middle wheel on
the outer side of the stock, and a smaller middle wheel under the inner side of
the stock.
Figure 2, in Sheet 1, is a bottom view of the skate, with the large middle wheel
on the outer side of the stock, and the smaller middle wheel, its axle, and nut under
the inner side of the stock.
Figure 3 in Sheet 1, is a side view of the skate, with its toe and heel rollers and
small middle wheel.
Figure 4, in Sheet 1, is a side view of the skate with its toe and heel rollers, and
the large middle wheel and axle head.
In carrying out my Invention, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, in Sheet 1, I arrange
one comparatively large middle wheel A for side support, driving, and turning, on
Duine G71

page_text: the outer side of the stock B, near the ankle, and one smaller middle wheel C for side
support, driving, and turning, under the inner side of the stock opposite or nearly
opposite to the larger middle wheel A, and so that the lower part of the rim of
one middle wheel may be as low down as the lower part of the rim of the other
middle wheel.
By making the inner middle wheel much less in diameter than the outer one, and
arranging it under the inner side of the stock, the skate becomes easier of application
to or removal from the foot, and interference of the inner wheels with each other
when the skates may be in use, is obviated.
With the middle wheels constructed and arranged as set forth I combine one
small roller D under the toe and one small roller E under the heel of the stock, to
support the heel and toe. Each middle wheel should extend down from the stock
at least as low as the end rollers, and preferably a little lower than the end rollers,
to facilitate driving and turning.
The skate is made to be used either with its stock, toe, and heel rollers, and
small middle wheel, as shown in Figure 3, in Sheet 1, for the left foot; or with its
stock, toe, and heel rollers, and large middle wheel, as shown in Figure 4, in
Sheet 1, for the right foot, the middle wheels being made detachable, for the
purpose of being dispensed with at pleasure, by removing the axle F, or the nut G
and axle H, suitably arranged for the purpose. Each middle wheel having its
separate axle may have its lower bearing a little nearer than that of the other
middle wheel towards the toe or heel of the stock.
The stocks, wheels, rollers, fixtures, and fastenings may be of any suitable
inaterials and size,, and of any desirable patterns.
The rims may be flat or rounded, and also covered with hardened leather, rubber,
or other suitable substances.
As there are various ways of fastening axles to the stocks or foot rests I do not
confine myself to any particular way. Some axles I fasten to the upper, some
to the lower surface of the stock, and some to the sides of or to brackets
below or above the stock, according to the diameters or positions of the wheels
and rollers.
These skates are intended for all suitable surfaces indoors or out. Thus it will
be seen that the diameter of one middle wheel is reduced on the inner side of each
skate; that the liability to interfere is avoided or lessened; and that I can still
employ on the outside of the skate a middle wheel large in diameter.
The improvements aforesaid are intended to fully answer for novices and for
most proficients, but it is desirable for athletes and professionals that a middle
wheel should be employed at the inner side of the stock, somewhat larger than the
comparatively small middle one under it; therefore, instead of such small middle
wheel I sometimes arrange, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, in Sheet 2, a medium
sized middle wheel C¹ for side support, driving, and turning, at but not under the
inner side of the stock, opposite or nearly opposite to the large middle wheel A,
the upper part of the rim of the medium sized middle wheel being even, or nearly
even, with the upper surface of the stock, and the lower part of the rim of the
medium sized middle wheel being as low down as the lower part of the rim of the
middle wheel A. Thus athletes and professionals can have an inner middle wheel
larger in diameter than they could have under the inner side of the stock, without
raising the stock higher from the ground.
With the large and medium sized wheels constructed and arranged as set forth I
combine one small roller D under the toe and one small roller E under the heel of
the stock, to support the heel and toe. Each of said middle wheels should also
extend down from the stock at least as low as the end rollers, and preferably a
little lower than the end rollers, to facilitate driving and turning.
The skate with said middle wheels is also to be used either with its stock, toe,
and heel rollers, and medium sized middle wheel shown in Figure 3, in Sheet 2, for
the left foot, or with its stock, toe and heel rollers, and large middle wheel as
shown in Figure 4, in Sheet 2, for the right foot, said middle wheels being made

page_text: detachable for the purpose of being dispensed with at pleasure, by removing the
axle F or the axle G, H, suitably arranged for the purpose.
Having described my Invention, I claim as follows,―
1. In roller skates a large middle wheel arranged on the outer side of the stock
in combination with a smaller middle wheel arranged under the inner side of the
stock, substantially as set forth.
2. I also claim a middle wheel arranged under the outer side of the skate, having
wheels or rollers at each end, substantially as and for the purposes described.
3. I also claim a large middle wheel arranged on the outer side of the skate in
combination with smaller wheels or rollers at each end, substantially as and for the
purposes described.
4. I also claim said detachable middle wheels arranged with the stock and
fixtures, substantially as set forth.
5. I also claim in roller skates a large middle wheel arranged on the outer side of
the stock in combination with a medium sized middle wheel arranged at instead of
under the inner side of the stock, substantially as and for the purposes described.
6. I also claim in roller skates, herein described, a medium sized middle wheel
arranged at instead of under the inner side of the stock, substantially as and for
the purposes set forth.
In witness whereof, 1, the said Washington Parker Gregg, have hereunto set
my hand and seal this Sixteenth day of Anost. AD 1970
WASHINGTON PARKER GREGG. (L.S.)
Witness,
BENJ. H. CURRIER,
Justice of the Peace & Notary Public.