IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER AND OTHER SKATES, WHICH IMPROVE- MENTS ARE PARTLY APPLICABLE TO SLEDGES AND OTHER CARRIAGES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Borthwick Smith and James Starley, both of
Coventry, in the County of Warwick, Machine Manufacturers, for the In-
vention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER AND OTHER SKATES, WHICH IMPROVE-
MENTS ARE PARTLY APPLICABLE TO SLEDGES AND OTHER CARRIAGES."
Scaled the 2nd June 1876, and dated the 18th March 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Borthwick Smith
and James Starley at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th
March 1876.
WILLIAM BORTHWICK SMITII and JAMES STARLEY, both of Coventry, in the
County of Warwick, Machine Manufacturers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER AND
OTHER SKATES, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE PARTLY APPLICABLE TO SLEDGES AND
OTHER CARRIAGES."
Our Invention relates chiefly to wheel or roller skates, but is partly applicable
to other skates, and consists partly in novel devices whereby these skates can be
caused by a slight action of the foot of the skater to turn in any required direction
upon the skating floor or surface.
The chief peculiarity of our said Invention is the construction, combination,
and arrangement of the parts whereby axles working on vertical pins, pillars, or
pivots fixed on the stock of the skate are rendered capable of lateral turning or
direction by the tilting or deflection of the stock or foot rest of the skate, the
axles turning towards each other on the side of the footboard or platform depressed
by the boot.
For carrying into practice this feature of our said Invention we firmly fix in
the stock near the two ends of the same and vertical to its sole strong pivot pins or
studs of steel or iron, and upon these pivot pins we fit the axles cross-heads, or shafts
of the wheels or rollers. We prefer that these axles should be fitted to the said
pins by ball and socket or similar joints, that is to say, we turn a ball on the
pin and form a socket in the axle; or the axle may have a plain straight hole
large enough to fit the ball, so that within certain limits the axle can turn freely
in all directions on the said pins, the lower ends or extremities of which project
through the central holes in the cross-heads or axles.
With the axle and vertical pivot pin we combine two push pins or struts with
rounded, forked, or pivoted ends, which are placed at the sides of the said vertical
pivot or axis in an inclined position. The said side pins or struts extend from the axle
[Price 8d.]

page_text: or shaft to a metal plate fixed on the stock and are supported therein by recessed
or other joints, or by other means which will keep their ends securely in place
while permitting them free universal movement within certain limits, and we may
make the plate or its equivalent which receives the upper ends of the said push
pins or struts adjustable so as to regulate the canting of the wheels or runners to
any extent desirable.
We confine the axles upon the said vertical pivot pins by a bar which has broad
flat bearing surfaces. These bearing surfaces are pressed upon the axles by springs
whose pressure can be regulated as required. We prefer to use a bar extending from
one axle to the other, and bent or cranked so that its central portion lies near
the stock, while its ends, provided with bearing surfaces, rest upon the axles as
above described. And I fix in the stock small studs or pins which pass through
the bar and are provided with spiral or india-rubber springs adjustable by
means of small nuts at the end of the said pins to regulate the pressure of the
springs.
The action of the above described mechanism depends upon the position of the
aforesaid side pins or struts in relation to the vertical pivot pin or pillar. And
this action is produced by tilting or depressing either side of the stock, whereby
the side pin or strut on the corresponding side is caused to push the axle around
on its vertical pivot pin or pillar. When relieved from lateral or tilting pressure
of the foot the parts are caused by the aforesaid bearing bar and springs to return to
their central or normal position.
We sometimes modify the above described construction and arrangement of
parts by applying the turning pressure at one end of the axle, for this purpose
we extend one end of the axle beyond the wheel or roller, and fit on this end of
the axle 'a link or rod which extends in an inclined direction to a rod or bar fixed
on the stock and projects laterally from the same. The projecting ends of the
axle and rod are connected to the said link or rod by ball and socket or other
universal joints.
According to another modification of our Invention we form the extremity of
the vertical pivot pin or pillar round or spherical, and form in the axle a recess or
socket to fit the said round or spherical end of the pin; we or joint these two parts
together in any manner which will permit the said axle to work freely in any
direction on the said vertical pin. In combination with this axle we arrange
friction rollers or forked or other plates or similar controlling pieces which are
secured to a suitable spring bracket or bar similar to that above described in such a
position that they bear on the axle about midway between vertical and horizontal
planes taken through the said axle. The tilting or deflection of the stock to
either side will cause the said roller plates or other bearing pieces to assume an
angular position upon the said axle, thereby causing it to turn or swivel on its
vertical pivot or pillar. We prefer to arrange at the side of the axle opposite to the
said rollers or controlling pieces a spring or springs, with or without friction rollers,
which will tend always to keep the axle in its central or normal position.
According to another part of our said Invention we mount the wheels or rollers
of the skate upon a cranked axle, which by the tilting or rocking of the stock
causes the said wheels to turn or diverge from their central position to either
side as desired. The cranks on which the rollers are mounted at the opposite ends
of this axle are radially opposite each other, or ninety degrees apart. The inter-
mediate part of the axles which is supported in a suitable bearing fixed on the
stock, which bearing extends somewhat obliquely both longitudinally and trans-
versely across the said stock. Or this cranked axle may be supported by a ball
and socket or other suitable joint at the centre, its outer ends being connected
by links or levers with the stock, or the wheels may be placed on the intermediate
part of the shaft between the cranks and the latter connected by links or levers
with the stock or footplate, the said axles being turned or canted as above described
by the rocking or tilting of the stock.
Another part of our said Invention relates to making the body or stock of

page_text: within certain limits the axle can turn freely in all directions on the said pin;
the lower end or extremity of which projects through the central hole in the cross-
head or axle as shewn in Figure 2.
With the axle and vertical pivot pin we combine two push pins or struts & with
rounded, forked, or pivoted ends, which are placed at the sides of the said vertical
pivot or axis in an inclined position. The said side pins or struts extend from the
axle or shaft to a metal plate e fixed on the stock A, and are supported therein by
recessed or other joints, or by other means which will keep their ends securely in
place while permitting them free universal movement within certain limits, and we
may make the plate or its equivalent which receives the upper ends of the said push
pins or struts adjustable so as to regulate the canting of the wheels or runners to
any extent desirable. For this purpose we may form a slot in the plate e instead
of a round hole for the end of the pivot pin to pass through, and provide a screw or
other suitable means for holding it in any required position on the stock. We
confine the axles upon the said vertical pivot pins by a bar which has broad flat
bearing surfaces f¹. These bearing surfaces are pressed upon the axles by springs g,
whose pressure can be regulated as required. We sometimes use a bar extending
from one axle to the other, as in Figures 1, 2, and 3, and bent or cranked so that its
central portion lies near the stock A while its ends provided with the bearing
surfaces rest upon the axles, as above described; but we prefer to use two separate
pieces formed with these flat bearing surfaces f¹, as in Figures 4, 5, and 6. ff, are
pins or studs fixed in the axle to prevent the displacement of these bearing surfaces f¹.
We fix in the stock A small studs or pins h, which pass through the bar or pieces f
and are provided with spiral or india-rubber springs y adjustable by means of small
nuts hat the end of the said pins to regulate the pressure of the springs. To
prevent the accidental slackening and loss of these nuts we place between the nut
and spring a washer bent or V-shaped, and the bottom of the nut is of corresponding
form. We also form a flat side on the pin and washer to prevent the turning of the
latter.
The action of the above described mechanism depends upon the position of the
aforesaid side pins or struts in relation to the vertical pivot, pin, or pillar, and this
action is produced by tilting or depressing either side of the stock A, whereby the
side pin or strut on the corresponding side is caused to push the axle around on its
central pivot, pin, or pillar. When relieved from the lateral or tilting pressure of
the foot the parts are caused by the aforesaid bearing bar or pieces f and springs
to return to their central or norinal position.
According to another modification of our Invention, shewn in Figures 7 and 8,
we combine with this axle b, fitted on the vertical pivot pin a by a ball and socket
joint as above described, anti-friction rollers i or forked or other plates or similar
controlling pieces, which are secured to a suitable spring bracket or bar j somewhat
similar to that above described in such a position that they bear on the axle b in an
inclined position about midway between vertical and horizontal planes taken
through the said axle. The tilting or deflection of the stock A to either side will
cause the said rollers, plates, or other bearing pieces to assume an angular position
upon the said axle, thereby causing it to turn or swivel on its vertical pivot or
pillar. We prefer to arrange at the side of the axle opposite to the said rollers
or controlling pieces a spring or springs k with or without friction rollers, which
will tend always to keep the axle in its central or normal position.
According to another part of our said invention we mount the wheels or rollers
of the skate upon a cranked axle, which by the tilting or rocking of the stock
causes the said wheels to turn or diverge from their central position to either side
as desired. The cranks on which the rollers are mounted at the opposite ends of
this axle are radially opposite each other or 90 degrees apart. The intermediate
part of the axles which is supported in a suitable bearing fixed on the stock extend
somewhat obliquely both longitudinally and transversely across the said stock. Or
this cranked axle may be supported by a ball and socket or other suitable joint at
the centre, its outer ends being connected by links or levers with the stock. Or the

page_text: wheel or roller skates in two or more parts adjustable with regard to each to vary
the length or distance between the rollers or wheels, so that the same skate may
be used by different persons, or adapted to any size of foot. For this purpose
we prefer to form one part of the stock with a tongue or projection which is fitted
to slide in a slot or groove in the other part. The said tongue may be formed of
metal, and has projecting up from it a screw stud which passes through a narrow
slot in the other part of the stock and is provided with a pinching nut. This
nut, when tightened, will bind and hold the two parts of the stock together when
adjusted to any required length, or we may adapt any other suitable device for
securing the two parts of the stock adjustably to each other.
The above described mechanism relating to the turning or directing of the rollers
may be adapted with very slight modifications to ice skates, or skates which have
steel runners or blades instead of wheels or rollers, and will greatly improve the
action of these skates; and it is obvious that the above described improvements
relating to the turning or directing of the rollers or runners are applicable to sledges
and wheeled carriages to provide the same with means for guiding and controlling
their runners or wheels by the tilting or depression of the body of the vehicles.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Borthwick Smith and James Starley, in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 18th September 1876.
WILLIAM BORTHWICK SMITH and JAMES STARLEY, both of Coventry, in the
County of Warwick, Machine Manufacturers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER AND
OTHER SKATES, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE PARTLY APPLICABLE TO SLEDGES AND
OTHER CARRIAGES."
Our Invention relates chiefly to wheel or roller skates, but is partly applicable to
other skates, and consists partly in novel devices whereby these skates can be
caused by a slight action of the foot of the skater to turn in any required direction
upon the skating floor or surface.
The chief peculiarity of our said Invention is the construction, combination,
and arrangement of the parts whereby axles working on vertical pins, pillars, or
pivots fixed in the foot rest or plate, or stock of the skate, are rendered capable of
lateral turning or direction by the tilting or deflection of the stock or foot rest
of the skate, the axles turning towards each other on the side of the footboard or
platform depressed by the foot.
The manner in which we carry our said Invention into practise is clearly shewn
in the accompanying Drawings, which we will now proceed to describe.
Figure 1 is a plan of the underside of one of our improved skates.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same, with one of the wheels or rollers
removed.
Figure 3 is an end elevation of the said skate.
Figures 4, 5, and 6 are similar views of another skate, showing slight modifications
of our Invention.
Figure 7 is a plan of the underside of another skate, and
Figure 8 is a side elevation of the same with one of the wheels removed, and
showing further modifications of the said Invention.
Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the Drawings.
In the skate shewn in Figures 1, 2, and 3, or in Figures 4, 5, and 6, we firmly
fix in the stock A near the two ends of the same and vertical to its sole or upper
surface, strong pivot pins or studs a of steel or iron, and upon these pivot pins we
fit the axles, cross-heads or shafts b of the wheels or rollers c. We prefer that these
axles should be fitted to the said pins by ball and socket, or similar joints, that is to
say, we turn a ball a¹ on the pin and form a socket in the axle as shewn in Figure 5.
Or the axle may have a plain straight hole large enough to fit the ball, so that

page_text: wheels may be placed on the intermediate part of the shaft between the cranks and
the latter, connected by links or levers with the stock or foot plate, the said axles
being turned or canted as above described by the rocking or tilting of the stock.
If desirable, we may form one part of the stock with a tongue or projection which
is fitted to slide in a slot or groove in the other part. The said tongue may be
formed of metal, and has projecting up from it a screw stud, which passes through
a narrow slot in the other part of the stock and is provided with a pinching nut;
this nut when tightened will bind and hold the two parts of the stock together
when adjusted to any required length; or we may adapt any other suitable device
for securing the two parts of the stock adjustably to each other.
The above described mechanism relating to the turning or directing of the rollers
may be adapted with very slight modifications to ice skates or skates which have
steel runners or blades instead of wheels or rollers, and will greatly improve the
action of these skates.
And it is obvious that the above described improvements relating to the turning
or directing of the rollers or runners are applicable to sledges and wheeled carriages
to provide the same with means for guiding and controlling their runners or wheels
by the tilting or depression of the body of the vehicles.
Having thus fully described our said Invention and shown how the same may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practise, we wish it understood that
we claim-
First. In a wheel or roller skate and at one or both ends of the same the devices
comprising the vertical pivot pin fixed in the stock, the axle or cross-head fitted
and connected to the said vertical pin by a ball and socket or similar joint the
inclined push pins or struts with one end abutting against the axle and the other
end against a plate or bar on the stock, and the spring bar or pieces with flat bearing
surfaces combined and operating as above set forth.
Second. The modification of our said Invention comprising the combination of
parts in which the axle or cross-head connected to the vertical pivot pin by a
socket joint is acted upon by anti-friction rollers or flat surfaces on the end of a
spring plate or bracket as above set forth and for the purpose specified.
Third. The modification of our said Invention comprising the cranked axle formed
and arranged and supported upon the stock and with the wheels or rollers mounted
thereon in either of the positions above specified and operating under pressure
applied to either side of the stock, as above set forth.
Fourth. The application of our said Invention or either of the modifications
thereof above described to skates with steel blades or runners for the purpose
specified.
Fifth. The application of our said Invention or either of the modifications thereof
to wheeled carriages or other vehicles for the purposes specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Starley, for myself and on behalf of the
said William Borthwick Smith, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this
Eighteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-six.
JAMES STAKLEY. (LS.)