Year: 1888

page_text: this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This Invention which relates to the marking of Tennis-courts is carried out in the
following manner.
An air-tight cistern is provided, for holding the marking liquid.
At a convenient point of the said cistern and at, or about its lowest level when in
action, an exterior well is formed.
The only outlet of the cistern is by a small aperture near the bottom of the said
exterior well. The action of the vacuum and atmospheric pressure admits of the
liquid's rising in the said exterior well only as far as to cover the said aperture.
About the level of the said aperture a small pulley is centred. At a convenient
position above this said small pulley a wheel is centred. The said pulley and wheel
are geared by an endless band so that when the said wheel is caused to revolve it
carries the belt or band with it, causes the said pulley to revolve and elevates some
of the liquid in the before mentioned exterior well.
A third wheel so arranged upon a hinged frame or other device as to give it play,
on being placed to the ground rises until it touches the wheel which carries the
above described band, and a pressure of the one wheel upon the other in exact
proportion to the weight of the contrivance, is established. Now if the last described
wheel be caused to revolve upon the ground the pressure will drive the band wheel
which elevates the liquid, and the band will part with some of the liquid to the free
wheel which, in turn, will deposit it upon the ground to be marked. Whenever the
small body of liquid in the exterior well sinks to the level of the aperture in the
air tight cistern containing the supply of liquid, air will be admitted, and the supply
Duined1

page_text: kept up on the principle of a bird-feed, such as is commonly used for supplying birds
with water.
A suitable valve for filling the said cistern will be provided and, as better explained
by the drawing, a trap shall be constructed inside the cistern for arresting the
sediment. The parts may be of any shape or dimensions, the main objects being,
to have a constant supply of a small quantity of liquid to the band, a driving action
that cannot choke up with grass owing to the free action of the marking wheel, and
no risk of spilling. A handle or handles may be fixed to the contrivance in any
convenient manner but I prefer the following construction. A strip of wood or
wire passes along each side of the cistern and extending somewhat beyond it (at the
same time curving outwards) is received by a cross head which forms a most effectual
handle for steadying the machine in action.
A pair of wheels and axle may be adjusted under the body of the marker so that
it may be run in three ways; (First), "with only the driving or marking wheel on
the ground (Second), with all three wheels on the ground; and (Third), with the
driving wheel off the ground and not marking.
;
Moreover the said extra wheels and axle may be so adjusted that they shall have
sufficient side play to prevent jolting upon ordinary ground; for this purpose it will
be sufficient to hinge the axle as if upon another axle at right angles to it so that a
certain degree of rocking-motion shall be attained and this on the part of the axle
without rocking on the part of the body of the machine; or we may dispense with
the wheels and axle and construct the machine with or without a suitable foot or feet
to support it in a level position when laid down. The accompanying drawing shows
the various parts (a side view) all in plain lines except the trap, the aperture for
filling, and the aperture for the feed.
a b c d
bef
=
===
The airtight cistern provided with an aperture or valve for filling, at any
convenient point.
The exterior well supplied from the cistern by a small aperture (not
indicated) on or about the level of the pulley g. The side extends as
far upwards as possible without interfering with the contact of tho
wheels i. h.
Pulley centred near the bottom of the well.
= Wheel centred at a convenient point above e-h. e. are geared with an
endless band as herein before mentioned, (dotted lines).
i =
The marking wheel centred at
j
=
A convenient point in
The independent frame which being hinged at
The extremity of the body of the machine, gives sufficient play to the
driving wheel to admit of its coming in contact with the wheel .
If then i cause to revolve and h be geared with g by a band, the
liquid which partly covers g, will be raised and taken off upon i so as to
mark the ground. And as the said liquid is used from the well it will be
replaced from the cistern through the aperture at or about the level of g.
A division inside the well which forms the before mentioned trap for the
sediment. The arrow-points denote the direction of flow of the liquid
when the machine is at work.
o A bracket supporting the machine upon
n =
Wheels and axle (arranged as hereinbefore described,) so adjusted that the
machine may be made to run upon three wheels or upon the front
wheel only; or upon the back wheels only (out of gear).
mHandle or handles as described.
:
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is ;
1. The cistern with suitable apertures which keeps up a constant supply by vacuum
and atmospheric pressure, for a marker.

page_text: 2. The well or receptacle for a small quantity of liquid in any form, practicable
with said cistern.
3. The driving wheel hinged so as to throw itself into gear with the band-wheels.
4. The back wheels and axle, so hinged upon a suitable bearing as to admit of a
certain amount of rocking action on uneven ground, as well as the possibility of
driving the machine upon one, two, or three wheels.
5. The double handles in conjunction with a single wheeled marker, which insures
steadiness when the machine is constructed without the back wheels.
Dated this 5th day of March 1888.
GEO. B. THORNTON.
JAMES MCHARDY.