Improvements in the Method of and Means for the Preparation and Maintenance of Surfaces for Skating and Sliding upon.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Nov., 1890-Accepted, 17th Jan., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of and Means for the Preparation and
Maintenance of Surfaces for Skating and Sliding upon.
I JOHANNES AVETICIAN CALANTARIENTS, Doctor of Medicine, of 15 York Place,
Scarborough in the County of York, do hereby declare the nature of this inven
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention has for its object to provide means for the better construction of a
surface to be used in substitution for ice for skating, sliding, etc., and it consists in an
improved method of and apparatus for treating crystalline substances for the
production, renewal, and maintenance of such a surface as hereinafter described.
The substances use for the above purposes are chiefly such of the crystalline salts
or compounds of sodium, potassium, magnesium, ammonium, aluminium, and of
similar metals (such as the carbonates, phosphates, sulphates, sulphites, hyposulphites.
nitrates, borates, acetates, tartrates and the like) as possess such physical properties,
that they are solid at ordinary temperatures, but are capable of being easily fused by
heat into a liquid; that they are not hygroscopic, or only very slightly so; and that
they are capable, when required, of being made to assume a smooth and slippery
surface. The salts which I have found best suited for my purpose are those of
sodium, especially those which contain water of crystallisation.
The crystalline substances above referred to being reduced to a liquid state, either
singly, or two or more mixed together, by melting them and stirring them in any suit-
able vessels, preferably steam jacketted melting pans made of such a material as
would not be injuriously affected by the said substances, the impurities, if any, in the
melied mass, are strained off. When the requisite degree of temperature is reached,
I turn off the steam, and discontinue the stirring to allow any suspended powder to
settle at the bottom. I then decant the clear liquefied crystals, and by means of
watering cans or other suitable vessels, made of such materials as would not be
affected by the chemicals used, or a hose of the required length, with a rose attached
to the further end, previously well heated, I pour it over the floor prepared to receive
it, quickly moving about from place to place, so as to give the floor a thin uniform
coating of ice, without allowing the liquid to run from one part to another. Having
traversed the whole floor in this manner, 1 allow it to congeal and solidify. I then
repeat the process, until the floor of ice substitute has attained the desired thick-
ness, say, half an inch to an inch and a half or more. When it has congealed and
become dry, I proceed to rub the surface with clear distilled or ordinary water,
preferably hot, hy any suitable means, such as a brush with stiff bristles, or the
apparatus hereinafter described. I then allow it to dry, and form a smooth, brilliant
and slippery ice-like surface.
The surface so formed and prepared resembles ice in appearance and in slipperi-
ness, and also in the fact that ordinary skates can be used for skating thereon
in any weather, the skates biting or cutting into it as on real ice. All kinds of
skating and figure cutting, and all gaines and exercises usually practised on real ice,
can be done with equal facility on this ice-substitute, which I call "crystal ice."
As soon as all the liquefied crystals are decanted off from the melting pans, I add
to the powder that was allowed to settle at the bottom, water, preferably distilled,
and stir until all the powder is dissolved. I then pour it off it crystallising tanks,
and by allowing it to crystallise, I recover the crystals for further use.
I sometimes prepare my skating surface by at once pouring on the prepared floor
sufficient quantity of the melted crystals to give it the required depth. I then
llow it to congeal or solidify. In this case, however, the surface so formed is rough

page_text: and uneven, and more melted crystals must be poured on the surface, by means of
watering cans or otherwise, as already described, until the inter-spaces between the
crystals are filled up. I then allow it to solidify and, if need be. repeat the process,
until the process is even and smooth. I then apply friction with water, as already
described, and allow it to dry, and form a smooth ice-like surface.
When the floor is too large to be covered with the contents of the melting vessel,
it may be laid in sections of any convenient size, and afterwards levelled by planing
and polishing.
Sometimes blocks or flags, of my crystal ice may be cast, and laid together form a
floor, being covered, if necessary, with a thin layer of liquid ice substitute, to form a
smooth surface, polished and planed as before mentioned.
The crystals of carbonate and sulphate of soda can be used alone, or mixed in any
proportion for the purposes of my invention, but a mixture of equal parts of car-
bonate and sulphate of soda, treated as above described, forms an admirably dense
and slippery skating or sliding surface. So, likewise, does phosphate of soda alone,
or mixed in any proportion with carbonate or sulphate of soda; also sulphite of soda
answers well, but at present the prices of phosphate and sulphite of soda, and of
some others, are too high, as compared with the other chemical preparations I have
enumerated, to render their use generally practicable, where expense is a con-
sideration. I sometimes make the surface of my ice of a different composition or
proportion to the under portions. I also vary the crystalline substances and their
proportions according to the nature of the climate of the locality where the ice is
laid.
When the crystals of carbonate and sulphate of soda are used separately, it is
desirable, on melting, to raise their temperature to the boiling point of water, before
pouring on the skating floor, but when a mixture of equal parts of carbonate and of
sulphate of soda are used, the temperature of the melted mass, although it need not
exceed 120 degrees Fahr., yet I prefer raising it to 170 or more degrees. As a rule.
the lower the atmospheric temperature and greater the humidity of the air at the
time the skating surface is being prepared, the higher I make the temperature of the
melted crystals, before pouring them on the floor, so as to ensure as dense and as
transparent a surface as possible.
With regard to carbonate of soda (soda crystals) or sulphate of soda (Glauber's
salt), if found more economical or convenient, I can use the substances themselves,
and, by mixing them with hot water, produce the crystals wherever required. The
same treatment may be extended to such of the other salts as will crystallise in the
same way.
As, in the act of skating the surface cuts up into a fine powder in a manner
similar to real ice, I sweep up this powder as often as required, and store it up in a
convenient place. I then once a day, or as often as necessary, apply wet, or only
slightly damp friction, and allow the floor to dry. Or I simply apply dry friction.
When a quantity of powder has accumulated, sufficient to cover the area with a fine
layer, I liquefy it by heat in the manner already described, free it from impurities,
and pour it on the surface, so as to give it a fine layer, in the manner already
described for forming the skating surface. I then allow it to congeal and dry. If
this process does not take place with the desired rapidity, notwithstanding a free
current of air from open windows and doors, I cause an artificial current of air to
pass over the surface by any suitable apparatus worked by hand or machinery. I
sometimes dry such air previously by causing it to pass over crystallised or fused
chloride of calcium or other dessicant, or by raising or lowering its temperature
according to circumstances. When the congelation and drying is complete, I apply
friction with water, and allow the surface to dry. It is then ready again for
skating.
As all the powder formed by skating is thus put back again upon the skating floor,
it is evident that no diminution of the original thickness of ice can occur, however
long it may be used. Although practically this is the case, yet since small quantities
do adhere to skates and are carried away, and a little may also be lost in manipu-

page_text: lations for the purification of the crystals, once every few months of active use I add
a small quantity of fresh crystals, to make up for the incidental losses.
To facilitate the pouring of the liquefied crystals in a fine layer, I sometimes
make use of an apparatus somewhat similar to an ordinary watering can, but with
5 the top closed, leaving an aperture for filling it. The tube of an air pump being
screwed onto this aperture whilst the liquid is being poured out by the right mand,
air is pumped in at the top of the can by the left, and thus pressure put upon the
liquid, which then issues with greater force. The rose itself is made of an oblong
shape, the direction of the length corresponding to that of the spout. When the
0 liquid is to be poured under pressure, a rose with finer holes is used."
In the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated the apparatus for polishing and
smoothing the surface of the ice-substitute.
Fig. 1 is a plan view of the friction-applying device for polishing.
Fig. 2 is an end view of the same.
Fig. 3 a side view; and Fig. 4 a sectional side view, on a larger scale than
Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is a back view of the plane for smoothing purposes.
Fig. 6 a side view; and Fig. 7 a plan.
In the polishing apparatus, a are bristles, which, secured to a
constitute a brush. This brush is attached to the underside of a shallow cistern B to
backing piece A,
contain water. This cistern is covered, and provided with a plug hole for filling, and,
in addition, a loose piece of board b may be floated in it, to prevent the water splashing,
or perforated partitions may be employed if preferred. C is a tube fixed to the
bottom of the cistern at one side of it in the middle, just clearing the brushes, which
leads the water from the cistern into a perforated tube D, joined to the tube Cat right
angles, and parallel to the length of the brushes, so as nearly to touch the floor. The
perforated tube D has a strip of some porous soft fabric E, such as cloth, folded round
it along the length, and one or both borders allowed to trail along the floor. The
tube C leading from the cistern has a tap c in it, and may be jointed, to allow of its
being turned away from the brushes, to lift up the perforated tube D, with the cloth E
surrounding it, clear of the floor. The bandle of the tap may be so arranged that
when it is turned to shut the water off, it also lifts up the perforated tube from the
floor. His a handle fixed at the side where the perforated tube is placed, which
enables the apparatus to be moved about at right angles to the length of the perforated
tube and brushies. Four castors or little wheels are provided, one at each angle of
the apparatus, mounted on arms f¹, carried by rods F, capable of partial rotation, so
that when the apparatus is not in use, the castors or wheels may be depressed into the
dotted position (see Fig. 3), by rotating the shafts F so as to raise the apparatus, and
clear the bristles from the floor, thus facilitating the moving of the apparatus to and
from the skating floor.
The rotation of the shafts F is effected by worms 9 9 and a transverse shaft G
mounted in bearings on the cistern top, and having a hand wheel for rotating it in the
lirection desired.
When required for use, the apparatus is wheeled onto the skating floor; the cistern
s filled with water and closed; the castors or wheels are raised, so as to allow the
bristles to rest on the floor; the tap turned on, to allow the water gently to percolate
hrough to the Hoor and wet the surface of the ice substitute. The apparatus is then
ulled along the floor, or moved backwards and forwards, so as to wet the floor, and
issolve any powder and projecting points, and apply friction, both at the same time,
nd having, in this manner, traversed the whole Hoor, the apparatus is taken away,
nd the ice allowed to set and dry.
As the act of skating constantly removes the superficial layer on which any dust
ay have settled, the ice floor always remains clean, but should it be desirable to
ean it further, wet friction may be applied with the apparatus above described, or
ashing in the ordinary manner, and the floor mopped up.
As certain portions of the skating floor are liable to be less skated upon than others,

page_text: and a difference of level takes place, as manifested by a less clean appearance of those
parts, I scrape up those parts, and any others that may require such treatment, with a
suitable apparatus, such as that illustrated at Figs. 5, 6, and 7 of the drawings. This
apparatus consists of a steel blade 1, arranged in guides k k of a frame K, so as to lie
at an inclination to the ice surface when in use. L is a screw for raising or lowering
the blade, to regulate its cut with reference to the framing K, which rests upon the
ice. The screw L rotates freely in the lug of the framing, but is secured against
longitudinal movement by a shoulder and collar 7. The threaded part l works in
a socket i on the blade I, and thus provides for the raising or lowering of the latter as
required.
M is a handle secured to the framing, for operating the plane from a standing
position.
If, through skating or otherwise, any holes or depressions are made in the ice floor,
I at once mond them, thus: I clear out all the powder from the hollows, and surround
them with some powdered crystals, to the height of an inch or two, and then melt
some of the crystals, and pour into and fill the hollow to a level above the rest of the
floor. I then place any suitable objects round them, to prevent skaters passing over
them until ready. When quite set and hard, I scrape or plane them off to the general
level of the rest of the floor, and then they are ready for skating upon.
-
To prevent the skating surface from efflorescing in dry weather, I wet it occasionally
with cold water, or if efflorescence has already occurred, I apply friction with hot
water, by means of the apparatus above described, and thus supply to the salts not
only the moisture they have lost, but the very conditions of temperature for reforming
their crystalline structure.
When my ice substitute is required for toboganning purposes, the inclined track
may be covered with it, and renovated by the methods above described. The car
which slides down the incline may be as ordinarily constructed, or it may have one
large or several small blocks, as shaped masses of my ice substitute, firmly fastened to
its under surface, which may be changed when worn.
In the latter case, the toboggan track need not necessarily be covered with the ice
substitute, for the car resting on the track through the intervention of the blocks of
the ice substitute, will slide down the incline, even if the latter is made of plain wood,
or bricks or stone &c.
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:
1. The method of preparing surfaces for skating and sliding upon, by liquefying
salts or compounds such as described, pouring the same upon the floor or surface in
successive layers, until the required thickness is attained, allowing it to dry, and
finally rendering it smooth and brilliant by the application of dry friction, or friction
with hot or cold water, as set forth.
2. The method of giving brilliancy, shine, or glaze, to the skating surface, by
applying friction thereto, either dry or with hot or cold water, by means of brushes or
otherwise, in the manner above described.
3. The method of renovating the skating surface when it is cut up by skating, by
sweeping away the powder formed repeatedly, and storing it up, and periodically
melting and purifying it, and pouring again on the floor at a high temperature, so as
to form a thin layer; drying it in a natural or artificial current of air, and finally
giving it brilliancy by friction as herebefore described.
4. The portable apparatus for pouring on the surface a thin layer of melted crystals
under pressure, and through an oblong rose, as above mentioned.
5. The portable apparatus for applying friction to the skating surface, consisting of a
brush or brushes mounted beneath a tank of water so arranged that the water slowly
percolates and wets the surface, at the same time that friction is being applied
substantially as described & illustrated.

page_text: 6. The portable apparatus consisting of a large and sharp blade of steel set in a
frame resembling a plane, but with a long handle, for planing the skating surface in
the standing position, as above described and illustrated.
7. The method of filling up any holes in the skating surface, hy clearing off the
powder; surrounding them with clean crushed crystals, and filling them with liquefied
salts to a higher level, and, when congealed, scraping or planing them down to the
general surface, as above described.
8. The method of preventing efflorescence, by applying cold, wet friction to the
skating surface, and, restoring slipperiness to the skating surface after efflorescence,
by applying friction with hot water, as above described.
Dated this 5th day of November 1890.
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.