Year: 1888

page_text: I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co. Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings in the County of Middlesex 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 relates to skates and consists :-
First. In the combination of self adapting spring sole clamps with a self fastening
clamp for the breast of the heel, whereby the skate is capable of being clamped to the
sole of a boot or shoe without the necessity of any previous setting of the sole and
heel clamps.
Second. In the self adjusting spring solo clamps whereby the skate may be clamped
to the sole of a boot or shoe and without the necessity of any previous setting of the
sole clamps.
Third. In the self fastening heel clamp for the breast of the heel, whereby the heel
of a boot or shoe may be clamped without the necessity of any previous setting or
adjustment of the heel clamp by pinching or binding screws or similar devices.
Fourth. In sole and heel plates constructed by bending down a loop forming a
double bracket, such loop being slitted to receive the runner, with a pin passing
through the runner and inside the loop for the purpose of securing the runner to the
bracket.
"
Fifth. In the combination with a heel plate, of a heel clamp so arranged that an
automatic clamping of said heel clamp in a suitable position for clamping upon the boot
heel is obtained at the time of application of the skate to the boot without the aid of
serrations, pawls, pinching screws, adjustment holes and pins, or other devices requiring
a previous special setting.
Sixth. In the combination with a sole plate and clamps of the spring locking
mechanism, whereby the sole clamps are automatically adjusted to, and capable of being
clamped upon the boot sole at the time and in the act of attaching the skate to the

page_text: boot, without the necessity for a previous adaptation of said clamps by means of
pinching or binding screws, or graduated holes or pins, or equivalent devices.
:
Seventh. In the construction of the runner, namely the forward part from about
its middle provided with straight sides, the bottom surface of such forward part
being curved upwards to its toe end, with the remainder of the bottom surface running
back to the heel end constructed in a straight line, and having the sides of such rear
portion of the runner curved to its heel end. Such construction being for the purpose
of affording curved edges for curved movements on the ice; and at same time giving
support under the centre of gravity of the body of the skater, thereby preventing
tendency to slip backwards while performing curved movements.
Eighth. In certain combinations and arrangements of parts, as hereinafter
described.
In the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a skate in which my improvements are embodied.
Figure 2, is a plan of the same.
Figure 3 is a side elevation showing a modification embodying this invention.
Figure 4 is a plan of the same.
Figure 5 is a bottom view of the runner.
Figure 6 is a vertical cross-section of the runner taken in the line r a of
figure 3.
Figure 7, is a vertical cross-section of the runner, taken in the line
figure 3.
y y of
Figure 8 is a cross section of the sole plate taken in the line of figure 3.
Figure 9 is a side view of a modification of skate to which my improvements are
applied.
Figure 10, is a plan of the same.
Figure 11, is a vertical cross section, taken in the lines e, al of figures 9 and 10.
Figures 12 and 13, are modifications of the mechanism employed for automatically
opening and closing the sole clamps.
Figure 14 is a plan view of the rear portion of the bottom of the runner.
Figure 15 is a side view of the rear portion of the skate showing another modifica-
tion in the construction of the heel clamp.
Figure 16 is a plan view of the same.
Figure 17 is a side view similar to figure 15, showing the heel clamp in the position
it assumes previous to the heel clamping operation.
a
In Figure 1 the dotted lines show the skate in two stages of the process of applying
it to the boot, the lower set of dotted lines a, b, showing the position of the skate at
the commencement of the act of applying, and the upper dotted lines c showing
later stage of the process of application, viz., when the action of the heel clamp has
been completed, and it only remains to draw the sole clamps up and spring them upon
and against the boot sole; the latter act giving the position shown in the full lines
and completing the act of applying the skate to the boot.
Figure 2 (the plan view) shows the skate as it would appear when detached from
the boot.
The heel plate 1 is shown in edge view in the elevation figure 1. It extends from
the back of the heel to about the centre of the skate. That portion of it which
extends forward from the front of the boot heel is made with parallel edges
and is shown in the plan figure 2 at 1" protruding through the spring toggle
clamp 2; the said spring toggle clamp being bent downwards at its front end and
provided with
slotted hole to admit of its movement back and forth upon the front
part of the heel plate. This parallel or forward part of the heel plate is provided
with a number of serrations or teeth 3 upon its upper surface, and the spring toggle
clamp 2 is provided with a tongue 4 partially punched from the plate of which said
toggle clamp is composed. This tongue is left connected with the toggle clamp at
its rear end and being bent downwards as shown at 5 gives a spring pawl which
admits of its engagement at its forward end with one or another of the serrations 3
upon the front part of the heel plate as above referred to. The end of the heel

page_text: plate after passing through the slotted hole in the spring toggle clamp 2 is bent
downwards at a right angle and is made to extend downwards to the upper
edge of the skate runner 6, and is notched at 7 to receive the said edge of the
runner; the plate and runner thus connected assist in giving stiffness and firmness
to the whole skate. A tongue or projection 8 is provided upon the rear end of the
heel plate which bent downwards and suitably slitted admits of the runner being
inserted therein. A second tongue 9 is partially punched from the body of the heel
plate and bent downward for the purpose of bearing upon the upper edge of the
runner 6, the object being to reinforce the heel under the line of greatest pressure
from the weight of the skater. This latter tongue however may be dispensed with,
especially in skates of small sizes. The heel plate is bent downwards in loop form as
shown at 10 forming a kind of double bracket which being suitably slitted at its
lower end admits of the insertion of the runner; and the runner being provided with
a hole at the part enclosed in the loop just described, admits of the insertion of a
pin 11 passing through the runner and bearing against the inner and lower part
of said loop, thus furnishing a simple and efficient means of securing the heel plate
upon the runner and admitting of an easy means of detaching the parts for any
purpose, as may be required. Lugs or ears 12 are also formed upon the back part of
the heel plate which are bent upwards and provided with suitable teeth or serrations
in the manner heretofore used, for grasping the rear portion of the heel of the boot.
Two springs 13, 13 one on each side of the skate runner are rivetted firmly at their
rear ends to the small flanges 14, 14 projecting downwards from the toggle clamp 2,
and their forward ends are provided with ears 15, 15 said ears being bent outwards
and having holes for the admission of screws or rivets. The clamps 16, 16 are for
embracing the edges of the boot sole. These clamps are connected with the
ears 15, 15 of the springs 13, 13 by means of screws or rivets before mentioned so as
to admit of their swivelling thereon to conform to the sides of the boot sole as
shown. The springs 13, 13 are so shaped and so situated upon the spring toggle
clamp 2 that when the heel of the boot is locked between the heel clamps, said springs
will lie below the horizontal plane of the boot sole; the said springs will thus have a
downward as well as an inward force or tendency; and by pressing them outwards
and upwards and engaging them with and upon the edges of the boot sole the skate
will be retained upon the boot in an expeditious and convenient manner. It will be
manifest that a certain spring action and effect will be mutually afforded by the
united elasticity of the spring toggle clamp 2 and the forward part of the heel plate,
both of these parts being composed of steel and suitably shaped to have the effect.
named. The sole plate 17 is suitably shaped at its front and rear ends to admit of
being bent downward to form tongues 18, 18 which as in the case of the heel plate,
are suitably slitted to admit of the insertion of the upper edge of the runner.
It is
also bent downwards near its middle part to form a loop 19 or double bracket, which
is also slitted as is the case with the heel plate loop; and the runner being at this
point provided with a hole and a pin 20 as in the case of the heel plate construction.
It is by this means secured to the runner or detached therefrom as may be required.
That part of the sole plate upon which the sole of the boot more directly rests may
be provided with points or spurs 21 which may be either formedt herein or may be
rivetted or otherwise secured thereto; their object being to aid the springs in
preventing a lateral movement of the skate upon the foot when once the skate has
been correctly placed thereon. These spurs are however not essential.
The mode of putting on the skate is so evident from the drawings and foregoing
description that no further explanation is considered necessary.
It should be
mentioned however that in order to prevent too great a gripping effect upon the heel
from the action of the spring toggle clamp 2 and its tongue 4 it is intended that in
the manufacture of the skates, the length of said spring toggle clamp and its tongue
and its relative position with reference to the other parts shall be so arranged that
only a certain amount of gripping effect can be produced, no matter at what position
the varying sizes of the boot heels may require the toggle clamp to be placed with
reference to the serrated portion of the heel plate.

page_text: In the skate shown in Figures 3 to 8 which is a modification, the same combination
of mechanical principles is used as in the skate shown in Figures 1 and 2. The
method of construction as regards details is however somewhat different, the design in
this case being to reduce the number of parts as much as possible; and it is shown
how the spring toggle clamp 2, the side or sole clamping springs 13 and 22 and the
sole clamps 16 instead of consisting as in the skate Figures 1 and 2 of four
separately made pieces fastened together by means of screws and rivets may be all
combined in one piece, the blank punching (if it is made from a plate of steel) being
suitably shaped and afterwards the side parts may be twisted as shown at 22 and 16
giving lateral elasticity for opening or expanding the clamps laterally the sole
clamps 16, 16 being also produced upon the same piece and bent upwards, outwards
and again upwards and then inwards, so as to embrace and grip upon the boot sole as
was shown and described with reference to the skate, Figures 1 and 2.
3
It is also
It is also shown in Figures 3 and 4 how the front or sole plate 17 may be extended
towards the rear, and the teeth or serrations 3 for engaging with the spring pawl or
tongue 4 of the heel locking device made upon it instead of being formed upon a
prolongation of the heel plate forward, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.
shown at 23 how the end of the front or sole plate is connected with the heel plate,
the end of the sole plate being formed in a T-shaped head 24, the end being bent
down. A slot 25 is punched in a longitudinal direction in the end of the heel
plate the bent end or T shaped head is passed through the slot 25 while the parts
are detached from the runner, and being then turned longitudinally, the parts are
securely fastened, the rear end of the sole plate 17 being previously passed through
the slot 25 in the spring toggle clamp 2 before described.
÷
In this modification of the skate a runner is shown having a wide flange 26 formed
upon its upper edge; and a double object is thus gained, riz.: that the parts forming
the foot rest may be securely rivetted thereto in a very simple manner.
The runner
is thus prevented from springing sideways while performing evolutions in which much
side pressure is caused, which fault is found in several styles of skates where the foot
rest is constructed in two parts.
In the modification represented in Figures 9 to 17 the heel plate is shown in
figures 9 and 10 at a. It extends from the rear of the heel to about the centre
of the skate. That portion of it which extends forward from the front of the boot
heel is made with parallel edges. This heel plate passes through the toggle clamp b,
said toggle clamp being provided with a slotted hole so as to embrace and to admit
of its moving back and forth upon the front end of the heel plate. The slotted
hole in the toggle clamp is intended to be so fitted to the bar or forward portion
of the heel plate upon which it slides that when the skate is in a position to be
applied to the boot, and while advancing the skate to the boot sole the toggle clamp
shall become clamped firmly upon such bar or sole plate without the aid of serrations
and pawls or other device for locking it; the thickness of the toggle clamp at the
part where it is slotted makes a very powerful and durable clamping lever. The
slotted hole in practice so closely fits the bar or forward end of the heel plate as to
secure the object above described. The end of the toggle clamp which impinges
against the breast of the boot heel may be shaped with a curved end as shown in
Figure 9 or it may be in the form of a spur, the serrations or teeth upon the brackets
oľ Tugs cc back of the heel being largely depended upon as sufficient to secure the
heel on the heel plate, the toggle clamp operating as a cam to press the heel of the
boot against the teeth or serrations so usually placed on the said brackets or
lugs c, c.
b
The mechanism for actuating the sole clamps as shown in Figures 9, 10 and 11 is
as follows.
d represents a spring bar of suitable material and strength made in U shape, having
its two ends firmly rivetted to the under surface of the sole plate at the forward
portion thereof. The tension of this spring bar is downwards as shown in figure 9.
e is a bar with its ends bent downwards, such bent ends being passed through
and firmly rivetted to the spring bar d as shown in figure 11. Upon the under

page_text: edge of this bar e are formed serrations or teeth ff. There are two sets of these
teeth one on each side of the centre line of the skate; and each of said series hooks
inward.
bar e.
The inner ends of the sole clamps g, g, are slotted as shown at h. and the cuds of
bar e pass through said slots. The extreme inner ends of said clamps g, g, are bent
down at a right angle. That portion of the end of the clamp which extends across the
slot has a knife edge i so as to engage with the teeth upon the under side of the
The skate upon being applied to the boot sole; and the spring bar d. being
pressed upwards the knife edges i, i, of the clamp ends will be disengaged from the
teeth on bar e. The clamps g, g, may now be suitably disposed against the
boot sole and the skate located in the desired position upon the same.
The spring
bar d may now be released and permitted to act; the teeth f, f, of the bar will thus
be caused to engage with the knife edges i, i, of the clamps 9, 9, and the tension
of the spring bar & acting downwards will automatically lock the clamps, g, g, upon
the boot sole, thereby securing the skate in the desired position upon the boot; the
hecl being at same time locked by the impinging of the end of toggle clamp 2 upon
the breast of the boot heel. This latter action is caused by the wedging of the
forward portion of the heel plate in the slot of the toggle clamp 2 as herein before
described.
e,
The sectional views, figures 12, and 13, show modifications of the principles above
described. The spring bar d acts however in an upward instead of a downward
direction small springs j, j, attached to the spring bar d engage with the small
serrations, placed on the under side and inner ends of the sole clamps g, g, the
serrations running in the opposite direction from what is shown in figure 11. The
bar e and the knife edges on the inner downwardly bent ends of the sole clamps shown
in figure 11 are dispensed with in these constructions.
In figure 13 the construction is somewhat modified from that shown in figure 12 by
substituting small toggles k, k, hinged in slots of the spring bar d, for the springs j,j,
said toggles k, k, being controlled by springs 1, 1, formed out of the upper surface of
spring bar d.
In these modifications, figures 12 and 13 the action of the spring bar d is sub-
stantially the same as in the other figures, except that it acts in an opposite direction
to either open or close the clamps. The operation of these modified constructions
from what has been said with reference to construction shown in figure 11, need not be
further described.
The front end of the runner from about its middle or central portion forward to the
toe has straight sides and curved at its bottom surface in an upward direction to the
toe end as is usually found in former skate constructions. The remaining portion of
the runner is not made with any upward curve on its bottom surface as heretofore
practised in skate construction but is formed in a straight line back to its heel end.
This rear portion however has upon both of its sides a gradual curve or taper back
to the heel end, so that at the heel end the runner is quite narrow. The object of this
construction is to furnish a better support to skaters while performing evolutions
which require the balance to be maintained upon the after part of the skate while
at same time permitting of the necessary curvature for obtaining graceful curving
movements upon the ice, which movements are accomplished only upon the edges of
the skate runner from the middle portion back to the heel end.
In the modification of the heel clamp, shown in figures 15, 16 and 17 upon the
forward portion of the heel plate a the toggle clamp 6 is made to slide loosely by
means of a slide or oblong hole at the lower end of the toggle clamp, said oblong hole
being of such dimensions relative to the portion of the heel plate upon which it slides,
while it may be rapidly moved to and fro to accommodate heel of different sizes, yet
becomes clamped upon the heel plate by any pressure at its upper end. At the upper
end of this toggle clamp b is another oblong hole through which passes the end of the
other member of the toggle & the last mentioned hole in the toggle being of such
dimensions as to admit of considerable movement of the outer end 3 of the toggle
member 2, to enable said member 2 to be depressed below a right angle with the

page_text: "
toggle bas shown in figure 15, or to be raised considerably above a right angle with
same as shown in figure 17. The end of the member after being passed through
the toggle is slightly rivetted over, in order to prevent its accidental withdrawal.
Shoulders are formed upon the toggle which bear against the sides of the toggle
member outside the oblong hole through which the end of the member 62 passes.
The action of the skate at the parts described and the means for applying same will
be apparent upon reference to figure 17, in which a boot heel is represented by the
rear portion of said boot heel being inserted at the rear portion of the heel plate a.
The upper projections of the heel plate a are brought against the back of the
boot heel the skate being in an oblique position, bending downwards. The
toggle clamp is then moved backward until the toggle member 2 is at its
extremity of admission upwards and engages with the forward end of the boot heel, as
shown at 3, the toggle clamp being then held back and the skate moved upwards
pressure will be formed upon the upper end of toggle & clamping it firmly upon the
part of the heel plate a upon which it slides and a continuation of the motion of the
skate upwards will cause the toggle. to operate and the heel of the skate will be
securely fastened to the boot heel. An adjustment to suit any size of boot heel within
a reasonable limit can easily be made by the movement of the toggle b, forward or
backward upon the heel plate upon which it slides. The amount of gripping action
can be determined by the manufacturer by so limiting the arc through which the
toggle member 2 is permitted to move that the line of such are shall give sufficient
effect to the clamping mechanism as a whole when in action.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent I declare that what I claim is :-
First: In a skate, the combination of self adapting spring sole clamps 13, 13, 16, 16,
with a self fastening clamp for the breast of the heel, substantially as described,
whereby the skate is capable of being clamped to the sole of a boot or shoe without the
necessity of any previous setting of the sole and heel clamps.
:
Second In a skate, the self adapting spring sole clamps 13, 13, 16, 16, substantially
as described, whereby the skate may be clamped to the sole of a boot or shoe, without
the necessity of any previous setting of the sole clamps.
Third In a skate, the self fastening heel clamp 2 for the breast of the heel,
substantially as described, whereby the heel of a boot or shoe may be clamped without
the necessity of any previous setting or adjustment of the heel clamps, by pinching or
binding screws or similar devices.
Fourth In a skate, sole and heel plates constructed by bending down therefrom
or, attaching thereto, a loop forming a double bracket, such loop being slitted to receive
the runner, with a pin passing through the runner and inside the loop, for the purpose
of securing the runner to the bracket, substantially as described.
Fifth In a skate, the combination of heel or sole plates bent down at their ends,
such ends being slitted to receive the runner, and having a loop bent down from, or
attached thereto, in form of a double bracket, said loop being also slitted to receive the
runner, with a pin passing through the runner for the purpose of securing such heel
or sole plate on to the runner, substantially as described.
Sixth In a skate, the heel clamp 2, with its spring tongue 4, such heel clamp
being bent down and slotted so as to embrace the forward end of the heel plate 1, the
heel plate containing serrations 3 on its upper surface, substantially as described.
Seventh-In a skate, the springs 13, 13, secured firmly at their rear ends to the
toggle clamp 2, and carrying on their forward ends the sole clamps 16, 16 substantially
as described.
Eighth In a skate, the combination with a heel plate, of a heel clamp b, so
arranged that an automatic clamping of said heel clamp in a suitable position for
clamping upon the boot heel is obtained at the time of application of the skate to the
boot, without the aid of serrations, pawls, pinching screws, adjustment holes and pins,
or other devices requiring a previous special setting.

page_text: Ninth :—In a skate, the combination with a sole plate and clamps of the locking
bars d and e, substantially as described, whereby the sole clamps are automatically
adjustable to, and capable of being clamped upon the boot sole at the time and in the
act of attaching the skate to the boot, without the necessity of a previous adaptation of
said clamps by means of pinching or binding screws, or graduated holes and pins, or
equivalent devices.
Tenth In a skate, a runner having its forward part from about its middle straight
on its sides, the bottom surface curved upward to its front or toe end, and having on
the rear portion curved or tapered sides, and a bottom surface in a straight line to the
heel end substantially as described, for the purpose of giving support under the centre
of gravity of the body of the skater, and affording curved edges for curving
movements.
Eleventh In a skate, the heel clamp b, slotted so as to embrace the heel plate a
or an extension from same, and to clamp thereon in the act of applying the skate to
the boot, substantially as described.
Twelfth In a skate, the spring bar d in combination with the serrated bar e and
the knife edges i, i, of the bent down inner ends of the clamps g, g substantially as
described.
Thirteenth-In a skate, the sole clamps 9, 9, the same clasping the boot sole by a
mechanism acting so as to press their inner ends outwards from the boot sole, such
ends being held in position relatively, by being locked upon an intermediate connecting
bar e, substantially as described.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicant.