IMPROVEMENTS IN FURNITURE CASTERS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Herbert John Haddan, of the Firm of Herbert and
Company, Patent Agents, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster, Civil
Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN FURNITURE CASTERS."
A communication from abroad by Charles Edwin Parent, of the City and
County of New York, United States of America.
Sealed the 13th June 1878, and dated the 24th April 1878.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Herbert John Haddan at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th April 1878.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of the Firm of Herbert and Company, Patent Agents,
of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster, Civil Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
FURNITURE CASTERS." A communication from abroad by Charles Edwin Parent,
of the City and County of New York, United States of America.
The nature of this Invention consists in the construction and arrangement of a
furniture caster, as will be herein-after more fully set forth.
In order to enable others skilled in the art, to which this Invention appertains,
to make and use the same, its construction and operation will now be described,
reference being had to the accompanying Drawing and to the letters of reference
marked thereon, forming part of this Specification, and in which Figure 1 is a side
elevation of the improved furniture caster; Figure 2 is a central vertical section of
the same.
A represents a glass ball, which may be made solid or otherwise, as desired, and
of any suitable dimensions. This ball is contained within a metallic holder
composed of a top plate B, with central stem C projecting upward from the same,
and four downwardly projecting curved arms D, D. These arms are so constructed
as to extend below the centre of the ball and prevent the ball from dropping out,
while at the same time they will allow the ball to turn freely in any and every
direction between them.

page_text: Each arm D is on its inner face forward or provided with a swell or projection d,
of solder or other soft metal, which is arranged at such a point as to strike the ball
at or about one-third the distance below the top of the ball. It will thus be seen
that the ball is not in contact with the inner face of the arm, but as force is applied
to move the caster in any direction the projection d on the arm behind the ball,
striking the ball about one-third the distance from the top, causes, as it were, &
leverage to turn the ball easily in the required direction.
In the centre of the top plate B of the holder, on the under side, is inserted an
ivory tip or pivot b, which forms the top bearing for the ball, and causes the same
to turn more freely and easily in any direction than it would if the ball were in
immediate contact with the metal plate itself.
Having thus fully described this Invention, what is claimed as new and desired
to be secured by Letters Patent is,-
1st. In a furniture caster composed of the glass ball A and the holder, having
the arms D, the swells or projections d of solder or other soft metal, attached to
the inner sides of the arms, substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.
2nd. In a furniture caster composed of a glass ball A and a metallic holder, an
ivory tip or point 6 inserted in the holder for forming the top bearing for the ball,
as herein set forth.
3rd. The combination of the ball A, plate B, with stem C and ivory tip b, and
the arms D, with inner projecting swells d, all substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Herbert John Haddan, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-third day of April, in the year of our
Lord 1878.
H. J. HADDAN. (L.S.)