IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER SKATES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Ogden and Paul Ogden, both of Higher Broughton,
in the County of Lancaster, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER
SKATES."
Sealed tho 18th July 1876, and dated the 9th May 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Ogden and Paul
Ogden at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th May 1876.
ROBERT OGDEN and PAUL OGDEN, both of Higher Broughton, in the County of
Lancaster. "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER SKATES."
This Invention of improvements in roller skates is designed to produce a skate
wherewith the user may with caso, safety, and confort describe various curves and
figures as well as straight lines.
Our improved skates are so arranged that in going either backwards or forwards
the skater by simple inclination of the foot can readily alter the direction in which
he is proceeding, and this will be so at whatever speed he may be moving.
Tho patten or sole may be made of wood or other suitable material, and secured
to the foot by straps or other known means. To the patten or sole are fixed two
plates, one corresponding to the solo end of the foot, the other to the heel end of the
foot. These plates are arranged at an angle which is greater or less than a right
angle. Each plate has jointed to it by a sort of swivel joint or pivot a two-armed
or fork-shaped bracket, tho joint being such that tho bracket may rotate on the pin
or axis of the joint, the bracket working against the bed formed by the inclined
plate. The forks or arms of the bracket are formed with holes to receive a pin or
axle upon which the wheels may run, and at the upper end of the bracket, between
it and the patten or sole plate, is a spring which acts to keep the wheels in perfect
line longitudinally with the patten or sole plate when the inclination of the wearer's
foot ceases.
Skates as above described may be arranged either with one wheel at each end
placed between the forks of the corresponding bracket, or with two wheels at
each end.
In one arrangement of our improved skates the axis about which the fork-shaped
bracket rotates is above the axis of rotation of the wheels; in another arrangement
the axis of rotation of the swivel joint is below the axis of rotation of the wheels,
and the fork-shaped brackets are dispensed with.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said Robert Ogden and Paul Ogden in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
7th November 1876.
ROBERT OGDEN and PAUL OGDEN, both of Higher Broughton in the County of
Lancaster. "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER SKATES."
This Invention of improvements in roller skates is designed to produce a skate
wherewith the user may with ease, safety, and comfort describe various curves and
figures as well as straight lines.
Our improved skates are so arranged that in going either backwards or forwards
the skater by simple inclination of the foot can readily alter the direction in which
he is proceeding, that is to say, whether in a straight or curved line, and at what-
ever speed he may be moving.
The patten or sole plate may be made of wood or other suitable material, and
secured to the foot by straps or other known means. To the patten or sole are fixed
two plates, one corresponding to the front end of the foot, the other to the heel end of
the foot. These plates are arranged at an angle which is greater or less than a right
angle. Each plate has jointed to it by a sort of swivel joint or pivot a two-armed
or fork-shaped bracket, the joint being such that the bracket may rotate on the pin
or axis of the joint, the bracket working against the bed formed by the inclined
plate. The forks or arms of the brackets are formed with holes to receive a pin or
axle upon which the wheels may run, and at the upper end of the bracket, between
it and the patten or sole plate, is a spring which acts to keep the wheels in perfect
line longitudinally with the patten or sole plate when the inclination of the wearer's
foot ceases.
Skates as above described may be arranged either with one wheel at each end
placed between the forks of the corresponding bracket, or with two wheels at
each end.
In one arrangement of our improved skates the axis about which the fork-shaped
bracket rotates is above the axis of rotation of the wheels; in another arrangement
the axis of rotation of the swivel joint is below the axis of rotation of the wheels.
And in order that our Invention may be fully understood and readily carried into
operation, we will proceed to describe the accompanying Sheet of Drawings.
Fig. 1 is a side view; Fig. 2, a plan seen from below; Fig. 3, an end view; and
Fig. 4, a section of one mode of constructing our improved roller skates.
a is the sole plate or patten, which is made of wood or other suitable material,
and which is secured to the foot of the skater by straps or otherwise. To the patten
or sole plato a are fixed the two plates b, b, one of which is fixed to the front end of
the foot, and the other under the heel. To theso plates are cast the angle brackets c,
through which pass the fulcrum studs & for the two-armed or forked bearings c,
which support the axles of the wheels f, only one wheel being required at each end
of the skate. At the under side of the plates bare the projections 9, which serve
to limit the swivelling action of the two-armed or forked bearings e.
The springs
are placed between the plates b and the bearings e, the upper end of each spring
fitting in a recess in the plate. These springs keep the wheels f in a line with the
sole plate or patten so long as the skater is moving in a direct line, and they allow
the axles to diverge from the line at right angles to the sole plato or patten when
the foot of the skater is inclined to make a curve. The amount of inclination is
limited by the projections g, which come against the cross piece of the forked
bearings e, as shown in Fig. 4.
Fig. 5 is a side view; Fig. 6, a plan seen from below; Fig. 7, an end view; and
Fig. 8, a section of a modification of our improved roller skates in which two rollers
aro required at each end. Figs. 9 and 10 are detached views of parts of the same.
a is the sole plate or patten, and b, b, the plates fixed to the under sido thereof as
usual; c, c, are tho angle brackets for the fulcrum studs d, and c¹ are the swivel
bearings for the axles of the wheels f. These bearings e' correspond to the forked

page_text: bearings e in the previous Figures, but they are made to support a wheel ƒ at each
end. To the bearings c are cast the projections g, which come against the anglo
brackets c when the sole plate or patten is inclined, as shewn in Fig. 8. To limit
the amount of inclination the bearings e' are slotted, as shown in Fig. 10, to receive
the lower end of the flat spring h', the upper end of which passes through a slot in
the plato b. These springs h' answer the same purpose as the coiled springs h, shewn
in the previous Figures.
Having thus stated the nature of our Invention, and described the manner of
performing the same, we declare that we claim,-
First. The improved mode of supporting the rollers of roller skates when only
two rollers are applied to cach skate, as shewn and described with reference to Figs.
1, 2, 3, and 4.
Secondly. The improved mode of applying a coiled spring to the bearings of roller
skates, as shewn and described in reference to Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Thirdly. The improved mode of supporting the rollers of roller skates when two
rollers are applied to each end of the skate, as shewn and described in reference to
Figs. 5 to 10.
And, lastly. The application of a flat spring to the bearings of roller skates, in the
manner and for the purpose described.
In witness whereof, we, the said Robert Ogden and Paul Ogden, have hereto
sot our hands and seals, this Sixth day of November, One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-six.
ROBERT OGDEN. (LS.)
PAUL OGDEN.
(L.S.)