AN IMPROVED FLOOR FOR ROLLER SKATING
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Arthur Thomas Timewell, of Clapham Road, in the
County of Surrey, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED FLOOR FOR ROLLER
SKATING."
Sealed the 23rd June 1876, and dated the 28th January 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Arthur Thomas Timewell at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th January 1876.
ARTHUR THOMAS TIMEWELL, of Clapham Road, in the County of Surrey. AN
IMPROVED FLOOR FOR ROLLER SKATING."
My Invention has for its object an improved construction of floor for roller
skating, by which a firm and durable surface with a cool and ice-like appearance is
obtained in place of other substances hitherto employed for the said purpose, and
consists in forming the said floor or surface of thin white slabs of marble or other
suitable colored marbles laid horizontally and closely together in cement, plaster of
Paris, or otherwise upon a flat level plain or bed of concrete, and subsequently
smoothing or polishing the flat face of the said marble so as to obtain a continuous
even gliding surface or skating area of any required extent, and thereby insure a
firmer solid grip and easy skating action with increased speed than by the system
at present in use, or employing in like manner any known artificial form of com-
position marble laid in slabs or in one superficial piece throughout.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Arthur Thomas Timewell in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 26th
July 1876.
ARTHUR THOMAS TIMEWELL, of Clapham Road, in the County of Surrey.
IMPROVED FLOOR FOR ROLLER SKATING."
" AN
My Invention has for its object an improved construction of floor for roller
skating, by which a firm and durable surface with a cool and ice-like appearance is
obtained in place of other substances hitherto employed for the said purpose, and
consists in forming the said floor or skating surface of thin white slabs of marble or
other colored marbles laid horizontally aud closely together in cement, plaster of
Drine C11

page_text: Paris, or otherwise upon a flat level plain or bed of concrete, and subsequently
gritting or dressing the face of the said marble floor so as to obtain a continuous
even gliding surface or skating area of any required extent free from ordinary wear
and tear and the dangerous inequalities often experienced in other surfaces in use
for the said purpose, whereby a firmer grip and easier skating action with increased
speed is afforded to the skater than by the present system, or employing in like
inanner any of the known artificial compositions, such as Maretzo marble in slabs or
in one continuous mass throughout.
And in order that my said Invention may be more fully understood and readily
carried into effect, I now proceed to describe the same by aid of the accompanying
Drawings, reference being had to the letters and figures thereon marked (that is to
say):
Fig. 1 represents a top or plain view of a marble rink floor for roller skating
upon my improved principle of construction, shewing the concrete bed partly in
section; Fig. 2, enlarged, transverse vertical section thereof taken through the
dotted line Z, Z, in Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 longitudinal section of the same.
In each Figure the same letters of reference denote similar corresponding parts.
A, A, excavated earth or base upon which the floor is formed; B, B, screeds or
ledges formed of concrete, at equal distances of about ten feet apart; extending from
one end of the rink to the other for obtaining the dead level surface necessary for
forming the floor; C, C, stone facings to secure greater accuracy to the work; D, D,
concrete bed laid within the longitudinal bays formed by the screeds, so as to be
flushed off level with the stone facings; E, E, liquid cement of plaster forming the
top surface gageing for receiving the marble; F, F, surface of rink composed of slabs
of marble laid in cement as aforesaid, with flush joints as shewn; G, G, sluice gutters
inserted beneath the edge of the floor for receiving and carrying off the water
employed in washing and cleansing the marble surface after skating as required;
H, H, platform or corridor surrounding the rink; 1, I; scupper holes for carrying off
the surface water to the drains whilst washing the marble with india-rubber squeez-
ing brooms.
In constructing my improved floor I first form screeds upon the rough ground by
means of wooden boxes or open moulds fixed to a dead level, and fill in the same
with concrete balast and the stone facing until a true horizontal surface has been
obtained corresponding to the box or inould, tlie said box or mould is then inoved
on and again fixed in advance of the other; and so on in like manner until each
entire length and set of screeds have beeli accurately formed and thoroughly dried
and hardened; the concrete, ballast is then laid between the screeds and finally
flushed off level with the stone facing and allowed to set; a coating of cement is
then applied to the surface and the slabs of marble laid thereon and permanently
fixed in any suitable pattern or device, and colored, or in a tesselated manner, or
otherwise.
In conclusion to the foregoing description, I would here briefly note that the
form and construction of the said marble rink floor may receive such other modifica-
tions as in practice may be found necessary by “substituting and employing other
combinations of the materials in lieu of the above, or a re-arrangement of the same.
I would also further note that the flush joints may be pointed and the surface of
the marble rubbed with grit and sandstone for the purpose of reviving the face
when required after long skating, and either washed with plain water from hydrants
or with diluted acids and water so as to chemically act on the marble and give a
chalky consistence or holding power to the roller skates without impairing the
natural solidity and smoothness of the surface.
Having now fully described and ascertained the nature of this my said Invention,
and the manner in which the same is to be performed and carried into effect, I
would have it clearly understood that I do not by any means intend to confine
myself to the precise details herein-before set forth and described, as the same may
be otherwise varied without departing from the general principle of this my said
Invention, nor do I claim as new and of my said Invention the exclusive use of the

page_text: several substances, combinations, and processes herein-before set forth and described,
except when the same are employed in and for the purposes of my said Invention,
which I hereby declare to consist in constructing and employing rink floors with
a plain or tesselated skating surface of marble laid in thin slabs, or otherwise
formed upon a bed of concrete or other cementitious substances in combination
with stone faced screeds in the manner and for the purposes herein-before set forth
and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Arthur Thomas Timewell, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
Witness,
B. F. WEATHERDON,
Law Chnmbers,
Chancery Lane.
ARTHUR THOMAS TIMEWELL. (L.S.)