IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER AND OTHER SKATES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Richard Robert Harper, of 19, Salisbury Street, Strand,
W.C., for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER AND OTHER SKATES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard Robert Harper at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th March 1876.
RICHARD ROBERT HARPER, of 19, Salisbury Street, Strand, W. C. " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN ROLLER AND OTHER SKATES."
I substitute for the Plimpton wheel, as described in the Specification of Patent
numbered 2190/5, dated Aug. 25th 1865, and also as by Patent numbered 4142/74,
and dated 2nd Dec. /74, carriages and frame arrangements for connecting the
sole plate or foot stock with the frames and axles of the rollers or the caster liko
carriages for effecting the changes of position, by which curved movements are
produced. A novel mechanical arrangement of carriage or universal joint-like con-
nection or means by which a greater range of action is obtained, and shorter radius
curves of motion can be safely effected by the user.
I mount and secure on the under side at the heel and toc of the wooden or other
sole plate or foot stock a metal casting forming a carriage, having a plate with
screw holes therein, and projecting (downwards) from which is (centrally) a stud,
formed with a pair of jaws within or between which is fitted a swivel pin, which
passes through a hole formed in the centre of the axle of the wheels or rollers,
where two wheels or rollers are mounted, and which rollers freely revolve on the
ends of such axle; such swivel pin being somewhat in the nature of a carriage
perch pin, is so formed at one end as to make a joint with the jaws of the central
stud before mentioned, there being a pin or screw passing transversely through the
jaws of the central stud and the jointed end of the swivel pin, and which thus form
a somewhat universal joint-like arrangement with freedom of action, which enables
the sole plate or foot stock to be freely moved or canted transversely, whilst the
roller axles remain horizontal, but change their respective radial positions under the
limitations and guiding influences of two side bracket peices, forming part of or
secured to the inetal plate or casting, from which these angular bracket peices
project, one being on each side of the central stud, which forms the double or com-
pound joint; as the axle thus finds a support on each side, according to the transverse
angle made, this in turn produces a corresponding and sympathetic action or change
7

page_text: in the position of the other axle (and its pair of rollers or wheels) by causing the
two axles to radially converge towards and diverge from each other in relation to
the ideal centre of movement.
For the purpose of limiting the range of motion or canting movement of the sole
plate or foot stock I employ in connection with the before mentioned joint plate or
other portion of the carriage casting, a set screw or screws or a combination of
wedge or wedges, which can be adjusted by a screw or screws to the desired limit of
tilting in accordance with the skill of the wearer or user of the skates.
Instead of the two angular bracket pcices, which may be cast on or fixed to or
otherwise form a part of the metal plate or carriage casting before described, I may
substitute traversing slots, or sliding links may be substituted, and in such cases the
axles may be fitted with friction rollers or socket sleeves; or instead thereof conical
surfaces may be cast upon the metal carriage plate, and the axles roll against their
surfaces.
Instead of the axles being drilled through to receive the jointed or perch pin
described, or the stud or pin end of the double joint peice, which forms the universal
joint between the rollers or wheels and the under side of the solo plate or foot
stock, as such drilling may weaken, a collar plate may be formed on the jointed pin
or stud, and a loop or eye be formed beneath or beyond it for receiving the middle
portion of the axle without boring, drilling, or otherwise reducing or weakening it.
For the purpose of restoring the axles to their right angled position with the
longitudinal line of the foot I employ a suitable spring or springs, which I prefer
to attach or fix centrally to the under side of the sole plate or foot stock.'"
For bicycle or other such like skates having their roller or rollers disposed in the
line of the longitudinal axis of the sole plate or foot stock, I employ a similar
arrangement of carriage to that herein-before described, adapting it to the disposition
of such central roller or line of rollers.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Richard Robert Harper in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 26th
August 1876.
RICHARD ROBERT HARPER, of 19, Salisbury Street, Strand, W.C.
MENTS IN ROLLER AND OTHER SKATES."
" IMPROVE-
In substitution for the Plimpton wheel carriages and the frame arrangements
for connecting the sole plate or foot stock with the frames and axles of the rollers
or the castor like carriages for effecting the changes of position by which curved
movements are produced, as described in the Specification of Patent numbered
2190/3, dated 25 August/5, and also as in Patent No. 4142/74, and dated 2 Decr. /74,
I employ instead thereof a novel mechanical arrangement of carriage or universal
joint-like connection, as a means by which a greater range of action is obtained, and
shorter radius curves of motion can be safely effected by the user.
I mount and secure on the under side, at the heel and toe of the wooden or other
sole plate or foot stock, a metal casting forming a carriage, having a plate with screw
holes therein, and projecting (downwards), from which is (centrally) a stud formed
with a recessed surface (or a pair of jaws) within or between which is fitted a swivel
pin, which passes through a hole formed in the centre of the axle of the wheels or
rollers, where two wheels or rollers are mounted, and which rollers freely revolve on
the ends of such axle; such swivel pin being somewhat in the nature of a carriage
perch pin, is so formed at one end as to make a joint with the recessed surface or
jaws of the central stud before mentioned, there being a pin or scrow passing trans-
versely through the jaws of the central stud and the jointed enb of the swivel pin,
and which thus forms a somewhat universal joint-like arrangement with freedom of
action, which enables the sole plate or foot stock to be freely moved or canted
transversely, while the roller axles remain horizontal in relation to the ground line;

page_text: but change their respective radial positions under the limitations and guiding
influences of two side bracket pieces or horns forming part of or secured to the
metal plate or casting, from which these angular bracket pieces or horns project, one
being on each side of the central stud, which forms the double or compound joint.
As the axle thus finds a support on one side either direct or through the interposed
points of short springs provided for the purpose by reason of the wedging over to
the one side, according to the transverse angle made, thus causing the two axles to
radially converge towards and diverge from each other in relation to the ideal centre
of movement.
For the purpose of limiting the range of motion or canting movement of the
sole plate or foot stock, I employ in connection with the before-mentioned joint
plate or other portion of the carriage casting, a set screw or screws or a combination
of wedge or wedges, which can be adjusted by a screw or screws to the desired
limit of tilting, in accordance with the skill of the wearer or user of the skates.
Instead of the two angular bracket pieces which may be cast on or fixed to or
otherwise form a part of the metal plate or carriage casting before described, I may
substitute traversing slots, or sliding links may be substituted, and in such cases
the axles may be fitted with friction rollers or socket sleeves, or instead thereof
conical surfaces may the cast upon the metal carriage plate, and the axles roll against
their surfaces or against points of springs interposed between them.
Instead of the axles being drilled through to receive the jointed or perch pin
described, or the stud or pin end of the double joint piece which forms part of
the universal joint between the rollers or wheels and the under side of the sole
plate or foot stock, as such drilling may weaken the axle, a collar plate may be
formed on the jointed pin or stud, and a loop or eye be formed beneath or beyond
it for receiving the middle portion of the axle, without boring, drilling, or otherwise
reducing or weakening it.
For the purpose of restoring the axles to their right angled position with the
longitudinal line of the foot, I employ a suitable spring or springs, which I prefer
to attach or fix centrally to the under side of the sole plate or foot stock.
For bicycle or other such like skates having their roller or rollers disposed in the
line of the longitudinal axis of the sole plate or foot stock. I employ a similar arrange-
ment of carriage to that herein-before described, adapting it to the disposition of
such central roller or line of rollers.
The carriage fitted to the under side of the foot stock is reversed, and the inclined
planes or angular projections or horns, against which the axles (through their sleeves
or small friction rollers) act or come in contact, are also reversed or applied or fitted
right and left hand.
In the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, Fig. 1, is a side elevation of the foot
stock of a roller skate fitted with a mechanical arrangement described according to my
Invention; Fig. 2 is an end view of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is an inverted view or view.
of the under side of one end of Fig. 1, and shows a mode of attaching the spring
to the under side of the foot stock, and also its action upon the axle.
Figs. 4 and 5 are two views of the axle, in which the central swivel pin passes
through a central eye of the axle instead of clipping or embracing it externally.
Fig. 6 is an end view of Fig. 4, and Figs. 7 and 8 are views of the collars or
sleeves, which revolve freely upon the inner shoulders or enlargements of the axle.
Figs. 9 and 10 are two views of the swivel pin, upon which is mounted the axle,
and which in combination with the other parts produces the universal joint like
action, and which is in turn mounted in or upon the metal carriage as described,
and to which it is attached by means of the stud pin (a), whilst within the curved
slot (b) in the upper portion thereof a centre screw or pin enters for the purpose of
limiting the amount of motion.
Figs. 11 and 12 are two views of the carriage castings to be secured to the undor
side of the foot stock.
Fig. 13 is a plan view of the under side of Fig. 11, where in (Fig. 11) it is shown
in longitudinal section.

page_text: Figs. 14 and 15 are views of the smaller springs, the points of one of which are
interposed between the inclined planes and the sleeves or small metal rollers, Figs.
7 and 8; whilst Figs. 16 and 17 are respectively a side view and plan of the main
springs employed for restoring the axles to their parallel position.
When in their normal position the axles are parallel to each other, and to and
with the under side of the foot stock. The swivel pins to which the axles are con-
nected depend vertically from the under side of the skate, and are held and supported
freely within the carriage castings (Figs. 11, 12, and 13); the springs shown by
Figs. 14 and 15, maintain a pressure upon the sleeves of the axle, shown in Figs.
7 and 8, when on the axle and the springs (Figs. 16 and 17) being secured to the
under side of the foot stock, act upon and press against the sleeves on the opposite
side to that upon which the smaller springs act. When lateral pressure is brought
upon the skate on one side or the other, the carriage partially moves upon the swivel
pin to a greater or lesser extent within the limit of range permitted by the central
screw or stud pin within the curved slot b, shown in Fig. 9. By the tilting of the
*foots tock the inclined planes or conical surfaces formed by the horns of the carriage
casting are brought into play by reason of the depression on the one side and being
released on the other, producing a tangential disposition of the axles, and radiation
from the side; the foot stock is depressed, whilst the swivel pin allows of the change
of position of these axles under the resistance of the springs, and which restore the
axles to their normal position immediately the side pressure on the foot stock is
removed, the springs overcoming the frictional resistance of the parts, whilst the
superimposed weight of the "rinker" is firmly supported by the curved surfaces
working in uniformn contact between the upper part of the swivel pin, Figs. 9 and
10, and the correspondingly curved recess shown in Figs. 11, 12, and 13, and also by
reason of the bearing stud or pin (a) working in the hole provided therein, and
holding it firmly in its place by means of the screw nut. The sleeves or collars
fitted upon the shoulders of the axle, between the main rollers work in contact with
and are operated upon by the inclined faces of the horns formed on the carriage
casting forming the projections from the under side of the carriage casting when
fixed, or through the interposition of the free ends of the smaller springs, which
produce their action on the axles through the sleeves.
"
Having now described my Improvements in Roller and other Skates," and
illustrated the same in the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, I claim,―
1st. The arrangement and disposition of the parts of roller skates, as herein
described and set forth.
2nd. The mode or method of mechanically effecting by such arrangement and
disposition of parts, as herein shown, the translation by the side motion or canting
of the foot stock into a change of position of the axles of such skates in relation to
cach other, and producing the radial movement of the axles whereby curves of
motion of small radius may be produced with facility, whilst direct and uniform
bearing and support is maintained between the axles of the bearing rollers and the
supporting carriages.
In witness whereof, I, the said Richard Robert Harper, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this 26th day of August. 1876.
Witness,
H. H. M. SMITH,
19, Salisbury Street, Strand,
London, W.C.
RICHARD ROBERT HARPER. (L.S.)