E. NORTON.
Skate.
No. 25,035. Patented Aug. 9, 1859.`
.UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.
EDWARD NORTON, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.
SKATE.
Specification of Letters Patent No. 25,035, dated August 9, 1859.
To all whom it may concern:
Be it known that I, EDWARD NORTON, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Skates; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the annexed drawings and to the letters of reference marked thereon, of which--y Figure l, shows a perspective view of the skate when secured to a foot. Fig. 2 is a detached view showing the arrangement for tightening the straps to the foot.
My invention consists in making the heel and toe straps for securing the skate to the foot, of sheet metal, which are secured tightly to the foot by a peculiar fastening hereinafter described.
A, represents the runner peculiar to those now in use. To this runner is fixed a heel plate B, and pivoted a front plate C. The latter is capable of a rocking motion lengthwise of the skate, in order that it will conform to the shape of the sole of the shoe and prevent cramping or straining of the foot, as is generally7 the case where the foot is strapped to a stiff stock. This manner of construction renders the skate Very light and comfortable when secured to the foot, particularly to the feet of ladies, at the same time this skate can be made to possess suiiicient strength to serve all ordinary requirements. The skate is then secured to the foot with metal straps, made of any suitable 3 sheet metal which can be highly polished and ornamented. These straps D, and E, are secured to the heel and front plates B, C, with screws or otherwise, in such manner, that they can be either lengthened or short- 4 ened as circumstances require. The toe or front straps consist of two semi-circular portions connected together on top by a bent strap F, upon which slides a plate J, having two longitudinal slots in it through which 4 pass the strap I". This plate is depressed by a thumb screw G, the action of which is to compress the straps E, and bind them tightly around the foot and by unscrewing G, the straps are loosened. The heel straps e D, are screwed to the heel plate B, and when the skate is on the foot, they pass around the instep as shown by Fig. I, Where they are tightened by a clasp in all respects similar to the onedescribed for the front or 5 toe straps.
That I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-
The metal straps D, and E, and the slotted plate J, and screw Gr, for tightening the t skate to the foot, substantially as above shown.
EDWARD NORTON. lVitnesses JEREMIAH MYERS, IVM. J. STUART.