IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER OR RINK SKATES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Nathaniel Hobson Hughes, of Ash Grove House, Kilwin-
ning, West Kilbride, Ayrshire, N.B., for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
ROLLER OR RINK SKATES."
Sealed the 14th October 1876, and dated the 19th April 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Nathaniel Hobson Hughes at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th April, 1876.
NATHANIEL HOBSON HUGHES, of Ash Grove House, Kilwinning, West Kilbride,
Ayrshire, N.B. IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER OR RINK SKATES."
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This Invention relates to improvements in roller or rink skates, and is clearly
set forth in the following description and the annexed Drawings, of which Figure 1
is a side view showing wooden foot plate A with holes for straps a, a, a, heel
screw for fastening into boot B. Steel under plate (which may be made in
skeleton) to which bearings C, C, and D are attached, c, c, being the side bearings
for the wheel F in the front; C,-C, the bearings for the rear wheels G, G-two
wheels being at this part. D is a central curved bearing to carry a revolving
ball E; c, c, c, are brass bushes containing sponge soaked in oil for lubricating and
holding in position the spindles f, f, of the rollers F and G of the ball E. d, d, d, d,
are nuts and screws for attaching the steel under plate B to the wooden foot
plate A.
Wheels F and G front and rear are fixed on their spindles, which revolve
in their bearings c, c, the spindles being slipped into position through slots e cut in
the bearings, and are held in position by the brass bushes c, c, c.
The ball E is
fixed on its spindle which revolves in the curved bearings D, also kept in position
by brass bushes. The ball contains in itself the vital principles of wheels of all
sizes, and of the pivot and universal joint working on the floor over which it rolls,
and thus acting by a side movement of the skater's body as a pivot on which to
turn.
Figure 2 shows under side of skate flat view.
Figure 3, sectional view of ball bearings and foot plate.
Figure 4, sectional view of rear wheels G, G, bearings C³, C, and sole plates A, B.
Figure 5 shows sectional view of front wheel F, bearings C, C, and foot.
plates A, B.
This skate, which can be made in three sizes (of which the Drawings represent
the largest), viz., with 3-inch ball and wheels for gentlemen's use and great speed;
Pine Cl

page_text: 2 inch ball and wheels for ordinary skating, ladies or gentlemen; and 12-inch ball
and wheels for ladies and children, avoids all vibration.
The ball combining the action of the pivot of wheels of various diameters, and of
the universal joint working on the surface over which it rolls, produces in unison
with the movements of the body a gently undulating motion.
The wheels G, G, F, (as shown in Figures 4 and 5), being fixed on their spindles
merely revolving in the brass bushes reduces all friction to a minimum. These
wheels are intended as points, around which the bail in turning may describe arcs
of circles, and to give a catch in the side stroke, they being so arranged as to clear
the ground when the foot is fairly balanced on the ball.
The true skating point is revolving ball F (as shown in Figure 1), containing as
it does in itself the vital principle of wheels of all sizes. By a side movement of
the body communicated from the brain of the skater direct to the ball without any
break in the continuity of thought and action such as would be caused by an
artificial joint or tilting apparatus. turns of any desired radius can be executed
with no further risk of injuring the ankle than is incurred in ice skating. It is the
more to avoid any chance of break in this continuity of thought and action that the
inventor has used the simple screw b, as shown in Figure 1, with straps as in an
ordinary skate in place of more complicated fastening gear.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Nathaniel Hobson Hughes in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
19th October 1876.
NATHANIEL HOBSON HUGHES, of Ash Grove House, Kilwinning, and West
Kilbride, Ayrshire, N.B. "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER OR RINK SKATES."
This Invention relates to an improvement in roller or rink skates, and is clearly
set forth in the following description and the annexed Drawings, of which Figure 1
is a side view showing foot plate A with sockets a, a, for straps. bis the heel screw
for fastening into boot. The plate A. has bearings C, C¹, and D; C, C, being the side
bearings for the wheel F in front; C¹, C, the bearings for the rear wheels G, G,
two wheels being at this point. D is a central curved bearing to carry a revolving
ball E. c, c, c, are metal bushes for containing a lubricant and for holding in
position the spindles f, f, of the rollers F and G and of the ball E. Wheels F and G
front and rear and the central ball or sphere E are fixed on their spindles, which
revolve in their bearings C, C, the spindles being slipped into position through
slots e cut in the bearings, and are held in position by the brass bushes c, c, c, and
sett screws d, d. The ball contains in itself the vital principles of wheels of all
sizes and of the pivot and universal joint working on the floor over which it rolls,
and thus acting by a side movement of the skater's body as a pivot on which to
turn.
Figure 2 shows under side of skate, flat view.
Figure 3 shows an under side view of a skate with one front wheel and one
back wheel.
Figure 4, sectional view of ball bearings and foot plate.
Figure 5, sectional view of rear-wheels G, G, bearings C¹, C¹, and sole plate A.
Figure 6 shows sectional view of front wheel F, bearings C, C, and foot plate A.
This skate, which can be made in three sizes, viz., with 3-inch ball and wheels
for gentlemen's use and great speed, 2-inch ball and wheels for ordinary skating,
ladies or gentlemen, and 1½-inch ball and wheels for ladies and children, avoids
all vibration.
The ball combining the action of the pivot of wheels of various diameters and of
the universal joint working on the surface over which it rolls produces in unison
with the movements of the body a gently undulating motion.
The wheels G, G, F, (as shown in Figures 5 and 6) being fixed on their spindles,

page_text: merely revolving in the brass bushes, reduces all friction to a minimum. These
wheels are intended as points around which the ball in turning may describe arcs of
circles, and to give a catch in the side stroke, they being so arranged as to clear the
ground when the foot is fairly balanced on the ball.
The true skating point is revolving ball E (as shown in Figure 1), containing as
it does in itself the vital principle of wheels of all sizes. By a side movement of the
body communicated from the brain of the skater direct to the ball (without any
break in the continuity of thought and action such as would be caused by an
artificial joint or tilting apparatus) turns of any desired radius can be executed
with no further risk of injuring the ankle than is incurred in ice skating. It is the
more to avoid any chance of break in this continuity of thought and action that
the inventor has used the simple screw b, as shown in Figure 1, with sockets for
straps as in an ordinary skate in place of more complicated fastening gear.
Instead of the screw 6 being used I sometimes fit the heel portion of the foot
plate with a strap for buckling over the instep, and when necessary I arrange the
two rollers at the toe instead of at the heel; or single rollers may be at the toe and
heel, as in Figure 3.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that I claim the construction and employment of
a skate with a central spherical roller and with toe and heel rollers arranged as set
forth and as shown in the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Nathaniel Hobson Hughes, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of October One thousand eight hundred
and seventy-six
NATHANIEL HOBSON HUGHES. (L.S.)
A. ROLLO-BOWMAN BALLANTINE, witness.
A. H. C. R. B. BALLANTINE, witness.