IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER OR RINK SKATES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Lowry, of Salford, in the County of Lancaster,
Machinist, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER OR RINK SKATES."
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said George Lowry at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 6th March 1876.
GEORGE LOWRY, of Salford, in the County of Lancaster, Machinist.
MENTS IN ROLLER OR RINK SKATES."
"IMPROVE-
This Invention relates to roller skates, and consists in various improved arrange-
ments and contrivances for enabling the roller axle to be easily moved into position
for making curved or other figures, and at the same time affording firmness to the
skater.
My improvements will be clearly understood by the following particular descrip-
tion thereof, reference being had to the figures and letters on the accompanying
Sheet of Drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation, and Fig. 2 a plan of the
under side, and Figs. and 4 end views representing one arrangement of my
improvements applied to roller or rink skates. Fig. 5 a side elevation, Fig. 6 a
cross section, and Fig. 7 a plan shewing another arrangement of my improvements.
Figs. 8, 9, 10 and 11 are views of detatched parts, and Figs. 12 and 13 are side and
end views of a modification of the same.
In the various Figures, a represents the sole plate or foot board which is fastened
to the boot of the skater by straps in the usual manner, and b the rollers.
In the arrangement shewn in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4 I fasten to the under side of the
toe and heel part of the sole flanges c and studs d on which are placed loose
brackets e, to which are fixed by screws f the axles g carrying the rollers b. To
the inner ends of the swivel brackets I fasten spring arms h, i, the arm / having
a forked end k, through the prong of which is passed the end of the arm i, and in
the front swivel bracket there is a hole through which is passed the lower end
of the arm m and a three-armed trigger or lever m, n, o, the arms no being formed
as a cross plate let into a groove in the rounded top p of the sole plate, and in the
front flange c, and through the sole or stock, there is a slot to allow the arm m to
Duins 71

page_text: move to and fro, and for the purpose of bringing back the roller axles to their
straight position. I place a small runner a¹ on the part of the arm i, and cause
it to be in contact with a double incline 6¹, c¹, fixed to the under side of the sole of
the skate, and the arms are made of spring steel to give the required elasticity
to bring the runner to the centre. When the skate is buckled to the boot, the two
arms n, o, of the cross plate are slightly underneath the boot sole and in position
for going in a straight direction, but if the skater presses or leans more or less on
either side, the arms n, o, rock up and down, and the arin m to and fro, so as to
shift the roller axles into angular positions, thereby attaining the curves to the
right or left. In the arrangement shewn in Figs. 5, 6, and 7, I fasten to the toe
and heel part of the sole by flanges c cylinders or tubes q, each having at opposite
sides inclined holes or slots r, Figs. 5 and 8, through which are passed the axles
g carrying the rollers b, and each axle is passed through and fixed to a ball or
globes, which rests on the cup or seating t in the interior of the tube or cylinder q,
and in order to bring back the axles of the rollers to their right angled positions
there are springs u in contact with flattened parts of the balls 8 and fastened to the
sole, and in order to regulate the force of the springs there are small screws v.
I also employ the three-armed triggers or levers m, n, o, for causing the axles
of the rollers to work up and down in the inclined slots, the arms m being linked
to loose hoops w, Fig. 5, each having in them at both sides a cross slot x, Fig. 10,
fitting the axles g for the purpose of enabling the axles to swivel round and up and
down the slots with great facility; but when desired a straight slot may be formed
in the cylinder, and a round hole in the hoop as shewn in Figs. 9 and 11, or the
cylinders or tubes may be dispensed with and the ball made to work directly in its
socket. In Figs. 12 and 13 there are tubes or cylinders, sockets, and balls similar
to those before described in Figs. 5, 6, and 7, but instead of forming inclined slots
in the tubes or cylinders I use straight or horizontal ones, and place outside each
cylinder two slides having at their lower ends inclined or curved slots and formed
at the top for the foot of the skater to act upon. The axles of the roller pass
through both pairs of slots, and when the skater presses more or less on either slide
the corresponding incline turns the axles of the rollers to the required angular
positions for going to the right or left, and for making curves or circles.
Another improvement relates to my Patent for roller or rink skates, dated 10th
February, 1876, No. 542. In the Specification of that Invention I stated that to
each hanger or bracket whether for four or three roller skates is cast or fixed
an arm having a hooked end to which is linked an india-rubber band passing
round a stud screwed or otherwise fastened to the sole, the object being to allow
the rollers to oscillate sideways, and bring them back into a straight position when
the side pressure is removed. As a modification of this plan instead of using
either one or two bands passed round the central stud the stud may be entirely
dispensed with, and the arms coupled directly together by one india-rubber band.
Having now described the nature and particulars of my said Invention, and the
manner in which the same is to be performed, I desire it to be understood that
I claim-
First. The system, mode, or method of guiding and rocking the axles of the
rollers by the boot sole acting direct on the three-armed lever or trigger, as shewn
in Figs. 1, 3, 4, and 5, or on the side slides as shewn in Figs. 12 and 13.
Secondly. The horizontal spring arms h, i, for causing the back rollers to be
turned simultaneously with the front ones, and the small runner and double incline
for bringing back the axles to their straight positions when the side pressure of
the foot is removed.
Thirdly. The employment of balls and sockets in tubes or cylinders having
inclined or circular slots for the axles of the rollers to pass through as herein-
described and shewn in Figs. 5, 6, and 7, or working directly on one another.
Fourthly. The general arrangement, construction, and combination of parts of
the improved roller or rink skates as herein-described and illustrated on the
accompanying Sheet of Drawings.

page_text: And Fifthly. The improvement on my former Patent wherein I use one india-
rubber band to connect the swivel brackets without the intervention of a centre
stud.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Lowry, have hereunto set my land and
seal, this Second day of March, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-six.
Signed, sealed, and delivered by the
within named George Lowry, in the
presence of
G. SEPTIMUS HUGHES,
Patent Agent,
Manchester.
GEO. LOWRY. (LS.)