IMPROVEMENTS IN FURNITURE CASTORS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Kendrick, of Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, Manufacturer, for the Invention of " IMPROVEMENTS IN FURNITURE
CASTORS."
Sealed the 28th February 1878, and dated the 18th December 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Kendrick at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th December 1877.
THOMAS KENDRICK, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Manufacturer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN FURNITURE CASTORS."
This Invention refers to the construction of castors for furniture, so as to render
them more certain in their action, and less liable to bind, and it consists in em-
ploying two or more castors attached each to an elongated bracket or arm formed
in one piece with the socket through which the vertical pin from the foot of the
article works; thus in a double castor consisting of two rollers, there are five free
bearings, one at the vertical pin or the foot of the article, working freely in the socket
on the bracket piece; one at the head of each horn at its junction with the bracket,
the pin through this horn working freely in the bracket, and one at each spindle of
the castor bowls; thus all vertical pressure is converted into leverage upon the two
castors, rendering it impossible for them to stick or bind.
By forming additional arms to the bracket piece, more than two castors may be
used, if desired. Or if preferred I can attach an arm or bracket to the horn of an
ordinary castor, which arm may carry a second free castor, thus providing four free
bearings.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Kendrick in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 18th
June 1878.
THOMAS KENDRICK, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Manufacturer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN FURNITURE CASTORS."
This Invention refers to the, construction of castors for furniture, so as to render
them more certain in their action, and less liable to bind, and it consists in em-
ploying two or more castors attached each by an elongated bracket or arm
formed in one piece with the socket through which the vertical pin from the foot
of the article works; thus in a double castor consisting of two rollers, there are five
free bearings, one at the vertical pin on the foot of the article, working freely in the
socket on the bracket piece; one at the head of each horn at its junction with the
bracket, the pin through this horn working freely in the bracket; and one at each
spindle of the castor bowls, thus all vertical pressure is converted into leverage upon
the two castors, rendering it impossible for them to stick or bind.
'
By forming additional arms to the bracket piece, more than two castors may be
used, if desired. Or if preferred, I can attach an arm or bracket to the horn of an
ordinary castor, which arm may carry a second free castor, thus providing four free
bearings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figures (1 to 6) inclusive, represent an arrangement of two bowls upon one
mount, shewing some of the positions assumed by the bowls in working; Figure
being a plan from the top; and the other Figures, elevations.
Figure 7 shews the mount or bracket piece with the pegs for each of the arms
that receive the bowls.
(a) is the socket through which the vertical pin from the foot of the article works.
In this arrangement there are five free bearings, one at (a,) (b,) (c,) (a,) (e).
Figures 8 and 9 shew in plan and clevation a combination of three bowls, in
which there are seven free bearings, as at (a,) (b,) (c,) (d,) (e,) (f,) (g); and Figures 10
and 11 similar Drawings of a combination of four bowls with nine free bearings;
from these examples it will be seen that more bowls may be employed, if necessary.
Figure 12 is a plan of the under side; and Figure 13, a side view of a double-
bowled castor, so mounted that one castor can in action lock itself by the horn (a)
impinging on the block (6) formed at the bottom of the peg, and being thus
locked, the other castor is compelled to work.
Figures 14 and 15 are elevations, and Figure 16 a plan from above of an
arrangement of two unequal in size castor bowls, the smaller working under
the bracket which carries the larger one; and Figures 17 and 18 are elevations of a
castor having a second arm or bracket (a) for the peg, and thus affording with a
single bowl castor three free bearings, as at (a,) (b,) (c).
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, I claim the several improvements in furniture
castors, substantially as herein more fully set forth and specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Kendrick, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Seventeenth day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
THOMAS KENDRICK. (LS.)