IMPROVEMENTS IN FURNITURE-CASTERS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN FURNITURE-CASTERS." A communication from abroad by
John Hover Schlott, of Freeport, Illinois, United States of America.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th June 1879.
A
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN FURNITURE-CASTERS.
cominunication from abroad by John Hover Schlott of Freeport, Illinois, United
States of America.
This Invention relates to improvements in furniture casters, and consists chiefly
in the method hereinafter described of securing two half balls composing the caster
upon a central disc, the object being to provide a caster which will be durable,
simple, and capable of being moved in any desired direction.
In the accompanying Drawing
Figure 1 is a central vertical section of a device embodying this Invention.
Figure 2 is a similar view showing a modification in some of the details of
construction of the same.
Figure 3 is a plan or top view of the centre plate shewn in Figure 2; and
Figure 4 is a similar view of one of the said half-balls.
Like letters indicate the same parts in all of the Figures.
A represents the caster frame, in the lower ends of which is mounted on pivots f,
the disc B upon each side of which at its centre are cast the axles a extending
outwardly at right angles to the horizontal axis of the plate, and formed gradually
taper towards their outer ends; D, D, are the half balls, each of which has a
central aperture b tapering towards its circumference, where it is slightly enlarged
for the purpose herein after set forth. When the half balls D are placed one on
each side of the central plate B with the axles a extending through the apertures b,
the ends of the said axles are spread or tapped in the enlarged outer ends of the
apertures to prevent the escape of the said half balls, and at the same time to
allow them to revolve freely upon the axles. It is evident that the piece of
Prine 1

page_text: furniture to which this improved caster is attached can be readily moved in any
direction since the ball can revolve upon the pivots f securing the central disc in
place, and the two half sections can rotate upon the axles a.
In some instances for the purpose of making a stronger caster; and one not liablo
to bind or "choke," no matter in what direction the same is moved, I modify the
construction of the device in some of its details as shown in Figures 2 and 3.
According to this modification I form the small axles or pivots f slightly out of the
true centre of the disc or plate B, thus permitting the device to be readily moved
in any direction, since the weight of the article to which the caster is attached will
cause the central plate B to assume a vertical position when at rest, in which
position the ball can either revolve upon the axles for upon the axles a¹, according
to the direction in which it is propelled. For the purpose of strengthening this
device I provide two axles, one within the other, as shown in Figure 2; this con-
struction consists simply in shortening the axles and making them hollow, so that
a smaller axle i can be passed through them as shown, and soldered in the outer
ends of the apertures b, thus the two half-balls revolve together with the axle 2, and
upon the short hollow axles a'.
The sections of the caster ball are cast hollow, as shown, in order to lighten
them.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,-
First. A furniture caster consisting of the two half-balls and the central plate
pivoted in the caster frame, and having the axles a cast upon its opposite sides,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Second. The centre-plate having hollow axles a' in combination with the half-
balls and axle i, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Third. The centre-plate mounted in the caster frame on pivots which are placed
slightly out of the true centre of the plate, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-fifth day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.