Improvements in Pneumatic Roller Skates or Foot Cycles.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Dec., 1895-Accepted, 1st Feb., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pneumatic Roller Skates or Foot Cycles.
I, ADALBERT Bosse of 83 Yorkstrasse, Berlin in the Empire of Germany,
Merchant, 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 has for its object an improved pneumatic skate or foot cycle,.
which may be attached to the side of the foot, whereby it is possible to travel
rapidly over the ground the same as with ordinary skates on ice. The essential
novelty consists in the attachment of rollers or projecting pieces which give the
striking foot the necessary grip, so that it cannot roll back.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a complete foot cycle ;
Figure 2 a rear elevation of the same;
Figure 3 shows on a larger scale the foct-plate;
Figures 4 and 5 show the method of attaching the foot cycles to the leg and the
use of same when running and striking.
The running wheel a, which may be preferably constructed like a bicycle wheel,.
is revolubly mounted in a frame or fork b. One arm b¹ of the fork is attached
like a splint to the leg of the user and is secured at the top by means of a buckle c..
The arm carries a foot-plate d at its lower end, which plate may be also attached
to the foot like an ordinary skate stock and stands at some height above the
ground.
On the under part of this foot-plated two or three lugs or projections efg are
formed or secured in front, in the centre and in the rear. The central projection f,.
which is located near the ball of the foot, is attached to the side of the plate d,
and preferably carries a small roller f¹. The rear projection lies obliquely
backwards and is provided with an extensible piece g¹ adapted to be slipped over
it and which is rounded off at the bottom and may also carry a roller 92. The
extensible piece is fastened by means of a clamp screw 9. Instead of the
extensible piece having tubes or sleeves slipped over the projection or projections,
other suitable arrangements may be adopted for lengthening the device. The
front projectione attached to the point of the shoe is rounded off at the bottom,.
but may be omitted.
A pair of the aforesaid wheels or foot cycles is attached to the legs of the
skater. The projection f gives the necessary grip for the pushing off and for the
forward movement of the other foot. When for instance the left foot with its
attached wheel has to be moved forward, the right is placed obliquely or sloping
inwards and the roller ¹ comes in contact with the ground where it gets a grip and
thus enables the necessary impetus to be given to the left foot for rapid skating.
If it be desired to travel very rapidly the front projection e is also brought in
contact with the ground so that a very powerful stroke may be obtained. The
rear projection 9 is to permit the wearer to stand stationary, and thus facilitates
learning to skate or run on these foot cycles, and allows of the wearer standing
steadily when descending hills. Experienced runners can entirely remove the
extension g' so that the projection g does not come in contact with the ground.
at all.

page_text: 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. Pneumatic roller skates or foot cycles to be attached to the side of the foot:
characterized by a foot-plate (d) having one or more projections below adapted to
afford a firm grip or support when striking off and when standing.
2. In skates or foot cycles of the kind described: a foot plate or stock having a
projection (e) at the front point of said plate, a second projection (f), under the
ball of the foot, and which is preferably provided with a roller and a third
projection (g) with a removable and adjustable extension (g') and roller (92) at the
rear, substantially as herein before described.
Dated this 9th day of December 1895.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6 Lord Street, Liverpool. Agents.