Improvements in Skates.
Year: 1891

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Skates.
I, JOHN DIEDRICH FREESE, of 279 Cortland Street, Chicago, in the County of
Cook and State of Illinois, United State of America, Furniture Manufacturer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:—
This invention relates to a novel construction in skates, the objects being to
provide a skate, in the use of which it is possible to keep the feet warmer than
heretofore, and one which is easier and more comfortable to wear; to provide a
skate capable of giving a more powerful stroke; to provide improved and easier
runners or blades, and to increase the general efficiency of a skate.
To these ends my invention consists in the features of construction and com-
binations of parts hereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the appended
claim.
The accompanying drawing illustrates in perspective a skate constructed in
accordance with my invention.
In
In accordance with the broad idea comprised by my invention I make the foot-
piece of the skate flexible or yielding, so that when skating the foot is not held
in one position, but can move naturally in accordance with its position and use.
this way a better circulation of blood is maintained, which seems to keep the foot
warm. By permitting the foot to move as thus pointed out, I provide an easy-
wearing skate that does not cramp the foot, so that it is possible to skate a longer
period of time without becoming tired than it is possible with skate having a rigid
foot-piece.
Referring to said drawing. A indicates, as a whole, a skate having a foot-piece B
and runner C. The said foot-piece is made flexible, as described, and in the
particular construction illustrated comprises a plurality of sections and 2, flexibly
joined together, preferably by a hinge-joint 3.
The toe-section 1 is conveniently
made shorter than the heel-section 2.
The runner or blade C of the skate embraces a plurality of sections 4 and 5,
preferably two, which are flexibly connected to each other to permit a relative
movement of said parts. It will be understood that said sections 4 and 5 of the
runner can be flexibly joined in a variety of ways, and may be hinged directly to
each other; but for convenience, economy, and simplicity of construction I find it
preferable to secure a section of the runner to each section of the foot-piece, as
shown. In this way the desired flexibility of the sections of the foot-piece and
runner are secured in a simple and durable manner. It is also desirable to make
the front or toe-section 4 of the runner shorter than the rear or heel-section 5 and
to round the forward end of the heel-section of the runner, as shown at 6.
From the foregoing description it will be seen that when making a stroke with
a skate of this kind a greater purchase and one longer in duration can be secured
than with a single rigid runner, which will be more effective and advantageous in

page_text: skating, and, further, that the runner has a double bearing-surface instead of one,
whereby they will not cut into the ice so deep and will slide with greater ease.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
:-
A skate consisting of a sectional foot-piece jointed together and front and rear
runner-sections of approximately the same length rigidly secured to said sections
of the foot-piece, substantially as shown and described.
Dated thin 14th do of A
F. W. BARKER,
Applicant's Agent.