IMPROVEMENTS IN SKATES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Chadburn, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Optician, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SKATES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Chadburn at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th January 1876.
WILLIAM CHADBURN, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Optician.
PROVEMENTS IN SKATES."
"IM-
This Invention relates to a novel construction of skate to be used on the ice,
whereby a broad bearing is provided without detracting from the efficiency of the
skate, so far as regards the ordinary requirements of the skater.
Instead of making the runner of a flat blade of steel as usual I make it of trough
shaped or double flanged steel, and the edges of the flanges I chamfer off, so as to
enable them to take a good hold of the ice.
The runner is rounded at its ends and may be slightly bowed if desired. It is
fitted to two rocking supports, which may either be hinged to pieces pendant from
the foot plate or connected by central ball-and-socket joints to the foot plate. By
thus connecting the runner with the foot plate the latter is free to rock laterally and
press on either edge of the runner.
Between the runner and the foot plate cushions of india-rubber are interposed to
restore the foot plate to its horizontal position when tipped and also to make the
lateral action of the skate easy to the skater. This form of skate enables the
skater to perform not only plain skating but also the roll or outside edge, the figuro
of 8, and such like evolutions, with facility.

page_text: the efficiency of the skate, so far as regards the ordinary requirements of the
skater.
Instead of making the runner of a flat blade of steel as usual I make it of trough
shaped or double flanged steel, and the edges of the flanges 1 chamfer off, so as to
enable them to take a good hold of the ice.
4
The runner is slightly bowed and rounded at its ends. It is fitted to the foot
plate by means of two hinges or ball-and-socket joints, which will allow of the
foot plate rocking freely and pressing on either edge of the runner.
Between the runner and the foot plate cushions of india-rubber or steel springs
are interposed to restore the foot plate to its horizontal position when tipped and
also to make the lateral action of the skate easy to the skater.
In the accompanying Drawing Figure 1 is a side view of a skate constructed
according to my Invention, and Figure 2 is a cross section of the same taken in the
line 1-2 of Figure 1.
In these Figures A, A, is the two-edged runner made of cast steel, trough shaped
in cross section. The edges of the runner are curved upwards at their opposite
ends, and to enable them to take a good hold of the ice they are chamfered or
bevilled as at a, Figure 2. B is the foot plate or board, which may be fitted with a
heel piece and straps as usual. This plate is connected to the runner by means of
two centrally disposed screws having each a semi-spherical head C which fit semi-
spherical sockets formed to receive them on the under side of the runner. These
screws enter tapped holes made in projections on the under side of the foot plate.
D, D, are blocks of india-rubber inserted between the runner A and foot plate B for
the purpose of giving the latter when tipped by the foot of the skater à tendency
to regain its horizontal position. These blocks may be held in place by cement or
otherwise; or in place of blocks of india-rubber steel springs may be used.
Figure 3 shows in side elevation and Figure 4 in cress section at the line 3-4 of
Figure 3 a modification of the improved skate, a hinged joint being substituted for
the ball-and-socket joint of Figures 1 and 2. To the under side of the foot plate B
brackets B are attached to receive screwed pivot pins C which enter lugs A¹ cast
on the runners A; D, are blocks of india-rubber interposed between the runner
and the foot place for the purpose above mentioned.
I would remark that my improved form of skate enables the skater to perform
not only plain skating but also the roll or outside edge, the figure of 8, and such like
evolutions, with facility, while it provides a broad bearing so desirable for the
inexperienced skater.
Having now set forth the nature of my Invention of "Improvements in Skates,"
and explained the manner of carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be under-
stood that under the above in part recited Letters Patent I claim, the application
to a laterally rocking foot plate or board of a two edged runner constructed and
fitted substantially as and for the purpose above described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Chadburn, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, the Twenty-first day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
WILLIAM CHADBURN. (L.S.)