IMPROVE- MENTS IN WHEEL OR ROLLER SKATES, AND IN CONSTRUCTING THE WHEELS OR ROLLERS OF THE SAME; ALSO IN THE MODE OF ATTACHING AND ADJUSTING THE SKATES ON OR TO THE BOOTS OR SHOES ON THE FEET OF THE WEARER, WHICH ATTACHMENT AND ADJUSTMENT ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO SKATES USED ON ICE
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Edward Turner, of 94, Gracechurch Street, in the
City of London, Mechanical Draughtsman, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN WHEEL OR ROLLER SKATES, AND IN CONSTRUCTING THE WHEELS OR
ROLLERS OF THE SAME; ALSO IN THE MODE OF ATTACHING AND ADJUSTING THE
SKATES ON OR TO THE BOOTS OR SHOES ON THE FEET OF THE WEARER, WHICH
ATTACHMENT AND ADJUSTMENT ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO SKATES USED ON
ICE."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Edward Turner at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th March 1876.
GEORGE EDWARD TURNER, of 94, Gracechurch Street, in the City of London,
Mechanical Draughtsman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN WHEEL OR ROLLER SKATES, AND IN
CONSTRUCTING THE WHEELS OR ROLLERS OF THE SAME; ALSO IN THE MODE OF
ATTACHING AND ADJUSTING THE SKATES ON OR TO THE BOOTS OR SHOES ON THE
FEET OF THE WEARER, WHICH ATTACHMENT AND ADJUSTMENT ARE ALSO APPLICABLE
TO SKATES USED ON ICE."
This Invention has for its object improvements in arranging and constructing
apparatus provided with wheels or rollers for attaching to the boots or shoes on the
foet of persons when it is desired to skate or excrcise on the ground or floor, or on
skating rinks or elsewhere, whereby the person wearing the same is enabled to steer
or guide his or her course, and perform his or her required or desired gyrations or
evolutions, and the turning or swivelling of the wheels or rollers required for this
purpose by the natural inclining or gravitating of the body towards the centre of
the circle or part of the same to be described, exactly as is done by a skater on ico
when using the ordinary ice skate, without having to practice, if accustomed to
skate on ice, and without requiring to rock or oscillate the stock, sole, or body of
the skate or apparatus, to cause the wheels or rollers to turn or swivel, or to return
to their normal position, as has to be done with some of the apparatus at present
in use for this purpose; also in forming and arranging the wheels or rollers of such
skates or apparatus; and in the arrangements for attaching and adjusting the samo
to the boots or shoes on the feet of the wearer, without requiring the use of straps.
In carrying out that part of my Invention which relates to the skate itself, I

page_text: attach or connect to the sole, stock, or body of the skate two metal brackets,
hangers, or parts, to form supports for the wheels or rollers, and to allow of the
turning or swivelling motion of the said wheels or rollers on or in connection with
the same, when the wearer of the skates or apparatus performs his or her required
or desired gyrations or evolutions. Tho wheels or rollers turn on axes, which are
supported by or attached to parts, and with the parts are so connected with or to
the brackets, hangers, or parts, attached or connected to the stock, sole, or body of
the skate, as to cause the axis of the wheels or rollers to be closer to each other than
the pins, pivots, axes, or hinges of or on the brackets, hangers, or parts, and so allow
of the parts and the wheels or rollers turning or swivelling on a vertical hinge pin
or axis attached to or connected with the hanger, bracket, or part on the stock, solc,
or body of the skate, which is not in a vertical line with the centre of the axis on
which the wheels or rollers turn, but is parellel thereto, the object of this arrange-
ment being to apply an improved modification of the castor arrangement used in
furniture to produce the effect herein-before described.
In order that the wheels or rollers may be caused to return to and maintain their
proper positions to enable the skater to proceed in a straight line, which is the
normal position of the same, a spring or springs or their equivalents is or are
provided, and so placed and attached or connected with the apparatus, as to cause
by their action the wheels or rollers to return to and maintain their normal position,
on the action of the weight, momentum, and inclination being changed to the vertical
position, or that required for proceeding in a straight line. To obtain this result
the part or parts to which the axis of the wheels or rollers is attached or by which
the same is supported is or are formed with an arm or projection on each side, in
each of which an opening is formed to allow a screw, pin, or projection formed on,
attached to, or connected with the brackets or hangers on the stock, sole, or body of
the skate to pass and at the required portion of their length; these screws, pins, or
projections have their diameter sufficiently reduced to admit of their acting as a
stop to a metal washer placed on each of the same, which metal washer acts as a
guard to transinit the strain caused by swivelling or turning the wheels or rollers
and skate to a spiral metal, india-rubber, or other suitable spring placed over the
reduced part of the screw, pin, or projection, and a similiar washer is placed at the
extreme end of the reduced part and provided with a screw or nut or other con-
venient and suitable means for readily adjusting the amount of compression to be
given to the spiral, metal, india-rubber, or other suitable spring, which acts to return
the wheel or roller to the straight line when the lateral pressure of the skater in
turning or performing the gyration or evolution is removed on his or her proceeding
in a straight line.
It will be seen that by the arrangement of the relative positions of the wheels or
rollers and their axes, and the hinges, pins, axes, or joints, on the brackets or
hangers on which the wheels or rollers and the parts turn or swivel as herein-before
described, when the weight or momentum of the skater is thrown inwards or
towards the centre of the circle or curve, in which the skater is moving or
describing precisely, as is done when skating on ice, the same will cause the axes
of the wheels or rollers to coincide with the radii of the circle or curve without any
furthur effort on the part of the skater, and the wheels or rollers to follow or proceed
on the circumference or periphery of the same.
The wheels or rollers for use with wheel or roller skates I construct in the
following manner :-I form the metal axle box, bush, or part which runs or turns
on the axle as a tube, on which a flange or circular projection extending around
the same, and projecting therefrom to the required height or distance is formed or
attached, and on this tube I place the ring or rings, washer or washers, of leather,
gutta percha, vulcanite, ebonite, lignum vitae, boxwood, metal, or other suitable
material or materials, or combination of the same, and of which it is desired to form
the wheel or roller, and cause the same to be pressed tightly against the flange or
circular projection on the tubular axle box, bush, or part, by screwing up or other-

page_text: wise firmly attaching by screws or other suitable and convenient means a similar
or like flange or circular projection, which fits over the tubular axle box, bush, or
part, and enables the ring or rings, washer or washers, to be firmly and solidly
compressed between them, and give the greatest nip or compression on the edges
of the said flanges or circular projections, and thus hold firmly and solidly between
them the material or materials, or combination of the same, used in forming the
wheel or roller; and this result may be obtained by dishing the flanges or circular
projections inwards towards the middle of the tubular axle box, bush, or part, or by
forming a projection or projections on the inside of the edges of the same, so as to
cause the greatest nip or pressure to be given by that part of the flanges or circular
projections. By arranging and constructing the wheels or rollers in this manner, it
will be seen that a person, if desired or preferred, can readily replace the worn or
damaged parts forming the bearing surfaces or tires of the wheels or rollers, by
being provided with spare rings or washers similar to those out of which the
wheels or rollers, or wheel or roller are or is formed, or change it or them as fitted
for any other material he may desire or consider better suited to his purpose.
For lubricating the axles of the wheels or rollers I employ a modification of the
arrangement of carriage or mail coach axle patented by William Mason, in Patent
No. 6895, dated September 24th, 1835, in which a small hole or channel for the
passage of the oil is formed in the interior of the axle, and which hole or channel is
connected with other small holes placed or made at right angles to the central hole
or channel, which consists in forming the small hole at or about the centre of the
length of the axle, and at an angle to the central hole; and instead of forming the
cup at the end of the axle as a plug inserted in the axle and an oil reservoir also,
I use it as an oil reservoir, but form it as a hollow cap or cup placed on the exterior
of the axle, a screw thread being cut on the ends of the axle, and on the interior of
the cap or cup to enable it or them to be attached to the axle, and at the same timo
act as nuts to keep the axle of the wheels or rollers in their proper position.
For attaching and adjusting the skates to the boots or shoes of the wearer
without the use of straps I place and secure to the stock, sole, or body of the skate
lugs, clips, or clamps arranged so as to be adjustable to the size of the boot or shoe
of the wearer, and so that by the turning of a screw the same may be caused by
the aid of suitable connections to grip or clamp the said boot or shoe to the stock,
sole, or body of the skate, and afford a firm attachment to the heels and sides of the
same by the action of a single screw which produces the above effects. By this
arrangement a considerable loss of time and a great deal of trouble are avoided,
inasmuch as it is simply required to cause the said screw to open the lugs, clips, or
clamps wide enough to admit the entrance of the boot or shoe between them, and
then by screwing it up to fit any boot or shoe of a size suited to the length of the
skate without requiring the tedious first adjustment required with other skates
which are used without straps, whilst if desired straps may be used, and by
attaching the end or ends of the said straps to my adjusting apparatus the
same can be tightened up and the skate secured to the boot or shoe of the
wearer.
It will be seen that the mode of attaching and adjusting these skates to the boots
or shoes of the wearer herein-before described is readily applicable to the ordinary
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said George Edward Turner in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 29th
September 1876.
GEORGE EDWARD TURNER, of 94, Gracechurch Street, in the City of London,
Mechanical Draughtsman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN WHEEL. OR ROLLER SKATES, AND
IN CONSTRUCTING THE WHEELS OR ROLLERS OF THE SAME; ALSO IN THE MODE OF

page_text: ATTACHING AND ADJUSTING the SkateS ON OR TO THE BOOTS OR SHOES ON THE
FEET OF THE WEARER, WHICH ATTACHMENT AND ADJUSTMENT ARE ALSO APPLICABLE
TO SKATES USED ON ICE."
This Invention has for its object improvements in arranging and constructing
apparatus provided with wheels or rollers for attaching to the boots or shoes on the
feet of persons when it is desired to skate or exercise on the ground or floor or on
skating rinks or elsewhere, whereby the person wearing the same is enabled to steer
or guide his or her course, and perform his or her required or desired gyrations or
evolutions, and the turning or swivelling of the wheels or rollers required for this
purpose by the natural inclining or gravitating of the body towards the centre of
the circle, or part of the same to be described, exactly as is done by a skater on ice
when using the ordinary ice skate, without having to practice, if accustomed to skate
on ice, and without requiring to rock or oscillate the stock, sole, or body of the
skate or apparatus to cause the wheels or rollers to turn or swivel, or to return to
their normal position as has to be done with some of the apparatus at present in
use for this purpose; also in forming and arranging the wheels or rollers of such
skates or apparatus; and in the arrangements for attaching and adjusting the same
to the boots or shoes on the feet of the wearer, without requiring the use of straps.
In carrying out that part of my Invention which relates to the skate itself when
made with two wheels, as shewn, in one modification by the Figures in Sheet 1, I
attach or connect to the sole, stock, or body of the skate A two metal brackets,
hangers, or parts B to form supports for the wheels or rollers C, and to allow of the
turning or swivelling motion of the said wheels or rollers on or in connection with
the same when the wearer of the skates or apparatus performs his or her required or
desired gyrations or evolutions. The wheels or rollers C turn on axes D, which are
supported by or attached to parts E, and with the parts E are so connected with or
to the brackets, hangers, or parts B attached or connected to the stock, sole, or body
of the skate A as to cause the axes D of the wheels or rollers C to be closer to each
other than the pins, pivots, axes, or hinges F of or on the brackets, hangers, or parts
B, and so allow of the parts and the wheels or rollers turning or swivelling on the
vertical hinge pins or axis Fattached to or connected with the hanger, bracket, or
part B on the stock, sole, or body of the skate A, which is not in a vertical line
with the centre of the axis on which the wheels or rollers turn, but is parallel
thereto, the object of this arrangement being to apply an improved modification of
the castor arrangement used in furniture to produce the effect herein-before
described.
In order that the wheels or rollers may be caused to return to and maintain their
proper positions to enable the skater to proceed in a straight line, which is the
normal position of the same, a spring or springs G or their equivalent is or are
provided, and so placed and attached or connected with the apparatus as to cause by
their action the wheels or rollers to return to and maintain their normal position on
the action of the weight, momentum and inclination being changed to the vertical
position or that required for proceeding in a straight line. To obtain this result the
part or parts E to which the axis or axes of the wheels or rollers is or are
attached, or by which the same is or are supported, is or are formed with an arm or
projection H on each side, in each of which an opening is formed to allow a screw,
pin, or projection I formed on, attached to, or connected with the brackets or
hangers B on the stock, sole, or body of the skate A to pass, and at the required
portion of their length theso screws, pins, or projections may have their diameters
sufficiently reduced to adinit of their acting as a stop to a metal washer placed on
each of the same, which metal washer acts as a guard to transmit the strain caused by
swivelling or turning the wheels or rollers and skate to a spiral, metal, india-rubber,
or other suitable spring G placed over the reduced part of the screw, pin, or projection,
and a similar washer is placed at the extreme end of the reduced part and provided
'with a screw or nut or other convenient and suitable means for readily adjusting the
amount of compression to be given to the spiral, metal, india-rubber, or other

page_text: suitable spring, which acts to return the wheel or roller to the straight line when
the lateral pressure of the skater in turning or performing the gyration or evolution
is removed on his or her proceeding in a straight line.
In order to reduce the strain on the pin F caused when the skate is in use I form
the part E with a prolongation or horn E, E, on each side, which unite so as to
form one part when extended beyond the wheel or roller, which then extends
upwards to the bottom of the sole, stock, or body A, and is provided with a small
friction wheel or roller E3 working against the end of the bracket or hanger B which
is extended far enough to enable this to be done.
Figure 1 is a side elevation; Figure 2, a plan; Figure 3, a back view; and
Figure 4, a cross section on the line x, y, of Figure 1 of a modification of my two
wheel skate just described, constructed in accordance with my Invention.
Figure 5, a side elvation, the foot board A being shewn in section of another
modification of my two wheeled or roller skate; Figure 6, a plan; Figure 7, a back
view; Figure 8, a cross section on the line x, y, of Figure 5; and Figure 9, a dia-
grain shewing the position of the wheels or rollers in turning. In this arrangement
the brackets B are formed with a hollow curved surface for the friction wheel E³ to
work on in order to utilise the weight of the skater so as to cause the wheels to
return to their normal position when is use, by which means any adjustment of the
springs is rendered unnecessary, and a modification of this arrangement is shewn in
the four wheel skate, Figure 5, Sheet 2. In order to allow of the proper action of
the parts E and the wheels or rollers C, I form the pin, joint, or pivot F with an eye
at the part where it is attached to the bracket B and attach it by a pin passing
through the same so as to make a universal joint, and place the springs, which may
be of india-rubber or other suitable material, over the hooks, in the position shewn
in the Drawing, so as to keep the parts F and B together and allow of the requisite
movement; and in order to further restrain the swivelling movement and prevent its
exceeding the maximum amount, I form on or attach to the brackets B stops K, as
shewn in the Drawings.
Figure 1, Sheet 2, is a side elevation, and Figure 2 a plan, of a modification of
my Invention as applied to a four-wheeled skate, by which it will be seen that
the position of the wheels on the brackets is reversed in order to enable the required
results to be obtained with the use of four wheels; Figure 3 is a front view; and
Figure 4, a section on the line x, y, of Figure 1.
Figure 5 is also a side elevation; Figure 6, a plan; Figure 7, a front view; and
Figure 8, a section on the line 2, 3, of Figure 5 of another modification of a four-
wheeled skate constructed in accordance with my Invention; Figure 9 being a
diagram of the position of the wheels with the skate describing a curve; and
Figure 10 is a back view of the part M connected with the check rod used with
these arrangements, like parts in all the Figures in relation to the wheel or roller
skates being indicated by similar letters of reference.
It will be seen in Figure 1, Sheet 2, that the skate is fitted with a connecting
rod K between the front and hind axes, and that a check rod L, used also in
Figures 5 to 8, is employed in order that the play of the wheels or rollers may be
controlled and confined within the necessary limits. This rod is provided with a
piece or lever M, shewn in Figure 10, connected thereto, and which is attached to
the ankle or leg of the wearer, so as to restrain the motion obtained by the
inclination and momentum of the body of the wearer within the limits required for
the curve to be described. The connecting rod K in this arrangement, made in
two halves in the length, is formed or attached to or connected with the parts E,
one of the lengths having a forked end, as shewn; and at the point of connection
of the two halves or parts a slot way is formed, through which the pin passes, so
as to allow of the required play being obtained, which is further limited in its
extreme extent by means of an adjustable stop or check Q attached to, formed on,
or connected with the hinder bracket B, as shewn in the Drawing, and which also
secures the parts E, F, to the bracket B. The check rod L works in a recess in

page_text: the part A, and the end is turned downwards, so as to work in the hole marked N
in the plan and shewn in section in Figure 4.
Figure 5, Sheet 2, is a side elevation; and Figure 6, a plan of another modi-
fication of my four-wheeled skate, in which 1 employ the weight of the skater, as
in the two-wheel skate, Figure 5, Sheet 1, to act instead of the spring G. This
I accomplish by forming the parts as shewn, and balancing the parts on hori-
zontal axes Oon B in connection with the vertical pins, joints, or pivots F. The
check rod L restrains the movements of the parts E by means of the suspending
rods P, P; Figure 7 is a front view; and Figure 8, a section on the line x, y On
the wearer desiring to turn he inclines his body or throws his weight towards the
centre of the curve he desires to describe, exactly as he would do when using the
ordinary ice skate, when the momentum of the skater and side resistance of the
wheels or rollers on the ground or surface cause the same to adapt themselves to
the curve desired, the size of which is controlled and limited by the action of the
check rod Land lever M, as herein-before described.
The wheels or rollers for use with wheel or roller skates I construct in the
following manner-1 form the metal axle box, bush, or part a, which runs or
turns on the axle b as a tube, on which a flange or circular projection c extending
around the same and projecting therefrom to the required height or distance is
formed or attached; and on this tube a I place the ring or rings, washer or washers
of leather, gutta percha, vulcanite, cbonite, lignum vita, boxwood, metal, or other
suitable material or materials, or combination of the same, d, out of which it is
<lesired to form the wheel or roller, and cause the same to be pressed tightly
against the flange or circular projection on the tubular axle box, bush, or part,
by screwing up or otherwise firmly attaching by screws or other suitable and con-
venient means a similar or like flange or circular projection c¹, which fits over the
tubular axle box, bush, or part, and enables the ring or rings, washer or washers,
to be firmly and solidly compressed between them, and give the greatest nip or
compression on the edges of the said flanges or circular projections, and thus hold
firmly and solidly between them the material or materials, or combination of the
same, used in forming the wheel or roller, and this result may, be obtained by
dishing the flanges or circular projections inwards towards the middle of the
tubular axle box, bush, or part, or by forming a projection or projections on the
inside of the edges of the same, so as to cause the greatest nip or pressure to be
given by that part of the flanges or circular projections.
The nipping parts may be roughed, jagged, indented, or so arranged as to hold
the parts firmly and prevent them from slipping or moving. By arranging and
constructing the wheels or rollers in this manner it will be seen that a person, if
desired or preferred, can readily replace the worn or damaged parts forming the
bearing surfaces or tyres of the wheel or rollers by being provided with spare
rings or washers similar to those out of which the wheel or rollers, or wheel or
roller, are or is formed, or change it or them as fitted for any other material he
may desire or consider better suited to his purpose.
For lubricating the axles of the wheels or rollers I employ a modification of the
arrangement of carriage or mail coach axle patented by William Mason in Patent
No. 6895, dated September 24th, 1835, in which a small hole or channel e for the
passage of the oil is formed in the interior of the axle, and which hole or channel
is connected with other small holes placed or made at right angles to the central
hole or channel, which consists in forming the small hole fat or about the centre
of the length of the axle and at an angle to the central hole, and instead of forming
the cup at the end of the axle as a plug inserted in the axle and an oil reservoir;
also I use it as an oil reservoir, but form it as a hollow cap or cup g, g, placed on
the exterior of the axle, a screw thread being cut on the ends of the axle and on
the interior of the cap or cup, to enable it or them to be attached to the axle, and
at the same time act as nuts to keep the axle of the wheels or rollers in their
proper position.

page_text: Figure 5, Sheet 3, shews a sectional view of axle box and tyre; Figure 6, a side
view of such wheel; and Figure 7 shews an elevation of the same fitted to the axle;
and Figure S, a section of such axle.
For attaching and adjusting the skates to the boots or shoes of the wearer
without the use of straps I employ the apparatus and arrangements shewn in the
Figures in Sheet 3 applied to an ice skate, and I place and secure to the stock,
sole, or body of the skate A, lugs, clips, or clainps B, arranged so as to be adjustable
to the size of the boot or shoe of the wearer, and so that by the turning of a
screw C by means of a key or spanner, if desired, the same may be caused by the
aid of suitable connections and arrangements, as shown in the Figures, to grip or
clamp the said boot or shoc to the stock, sole, or body of the skate, and afford a
firm attachment to the heels and sides of the same by the action of a single screw
which produces the above effects. By this arrangement a considerable loss of time
and a great deal of trouble are avoided, inasmuch as it is simply required to causo
the said screw C to open the lugs, clips, or clamps B, by means of the movement
of the part D wide enough to admit the entrance of the boot or shoe between them,
and then by screwing it up to fit any boot or shoe of a size suited to the length of
the skate without requiring the tedious first adjustment required with other skates
which are used without straps, whilst, if desired, straps may be used, and by
attaching the end or ends of the said straps to my adjusting apparatus the same can
be tightened up and the skate secured to the boot or shoe of the wearer.
It will be seen that the mode of attaching and adjusting these skates to the boots
or shoes of the wearer, herein-before described, is readily applicable to the ordinary
runner or ice skate.
The dotted lines shew the amount of extension or contraction of the self-adjusting
motion attainable by its use.
Figure 1 is a side elevation; Figure 2, a plan; Figure 3, a back view; and
Figure 4, a front view of these arrangements, like parts being indicated by similar
letters of reference.
The self-adjusting attachment, although shewn applied to the ice skate only, can
be used as herein-before described with either the two or four wheeled skate and
may be applied to skates already constructed.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention of improvements in wheel
or roller skates and in constructing the wheels or rollers of the same; also in the
mode of attaching and adjusting the skates on or to the boots or shoes on the feet
of the wearer, which attachment and adjustment are also applicable to skates used
on ice, and the manner in which the same is to or may be performed or carried
into practical effect, I desire to state that I do not claim as of my Invention the
use of wheel or roller skates, as these are not new; nor making the wheels or rollers
of skates to swivel or turn as this is not novel, nor the application of ordinary.
castors to wheel or rollers skates, as this has been done before, nor any of the parts
individually as new except when applied and combined in whole or in part for this
purpose, nor do I bind or confine myself to the precise arrangements or details
shewn in the accompanying three Sheets of Drawings, as the same may be modified
without departing from the nature of my said Invention; but what I do claim as
novel and as of ny Invention and desire to have protected by Letters Patent is,-
First. The improved castor arrangements, shewn in the Drawings, by means of
which the skate can be turned or swivelled without canting or moving the stock,
sole, or body of the skate to cause the wheels or rollers to turn or swivel, and the
check rod L and its connections acting in the manner and for the purposes described
and illustrated in Sheet 2 of the Drawings.
Second. The manner of constructing, fitting, and mounting the wheels or rollers
of rink or other skates to which the same are applied, in the manner and for the
purposes herein-before described, illustrated, and specified.
Third. The arrangements and method of a self-adjusting attachment for securing
wheel or roller skates, and also skates for use on ice to the boots or shoes on the

page_text: feet of the wearer, substantially as herein-before described, illustrated, and specified,
and for the purposes specified.
Lastly. The combinations and arrangements applied in whole or in part to wheel
or roller and also to ice skates, shewn in the accompanying three Sheets of Drawings
and herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Edward Turner, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-ninth day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
GEO. E. TURNER. (L.S.)