Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 91.djvu/125

 Land Skates with Brakes and Pneumatic Tires

��The latest "quicker than walking" form of exercise

��A BALL - BEARING, pneumatic- tired skate which will run easier on a level road or street

��The road skates are provided with brakes which are operated by the braces

than an ice skate will slide on ice, has been invented by Charles H. Clark, of New York city.

Located on opposite sides of each foot are two nine-inch wheels, the front wheel being on the inside of the foot and the rear wheel on the outside, so as not to interfere in any way with the movements of the legs.

On the outside of the leg, as shown in the illustration, is a brace journaled to the foot rest. The upper end of the brace is attached to the ankle, thus relieving it of any strain.

In addition to this purpose of protecting the ankle the brace acts as a brake arm to set the band brake on the

��Int. Film Serv.

���wheel. By pushing either foot forward, in the same manner that a person would do who wanted to stop when walking, the brake is operated. The tires are resilient enough to enable the operator to steer with ease. According to the inventor a person equipped with the skates can travel three times as far with the same amount of effort as in walking.

Considering the skate as a foot- propelled vehicle it is certainly efficient. No transmission system with an at- tendant loss of power is necessary because the propelling force of the legs is applied direct. Furthermore, the skate need not be left at the curb like the automobile. Ar- rived at your destina- tion you can unfasten your skates and take them into the building with you.

To travel, you simply raise one foot and then the other as you would in walking. The wheels are placed in such a way as to maintain an even balance at all times

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