IMPROVEMENTS IN LAWN TENNIS BATS.
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Walker Simons, of Saintbury Rectory,
Gloucestershire, Rector, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LAWN
TENNIS BATS.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Walker Simons at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd July 1881.
CHARLES WALKER SIMONS, of Saintbury Rectory, Gloucestershire, Rector.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN LAWN TENNIS BATS."
These improvements in lawn tennis bats relate to the handle, so as to make it
portable by folding or dividing it from the frame holding the net or gut, for more
convenience in carriage.
I make the handle junction with the bat by means of brass sockets, one on the
handle and one on the bat, conforming to the section of the bat handle. One
socket is tapped for a screw, and the other carries the screw; the handle and bat
are then screwed together, and a small set screw is inserted to prevent the two
sockets getting slack at the junction. When put together the handle is of the usual
size, and no unsightly or clumsy fastening interferes with the hand in playing.
I also make the junction by a hinged mortise joint, with a pin or screwed pin
passing through the junction.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Charles Walker Simons in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
20th January 1882.
CHARLES WALKER SIMONS, of Saintbury Rectory, Gloucestershire, Rector.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN LAWN TENNIS BATS."
These improvements in lawn tennis bats relate to the handle, so as to make it
portable by folding or dividing it from the frame holding the net or gut, for more
convenience in carriage.
I make the handle junction with the bat by means of brass sockets, one on the
handle and one on the bat, conforming to the section of the bat handle. One
socket is tapped for a screw, and the other carries the screw; the handle and bat
are then screwed together, and a small set screw is inserted to prevent the two
sockets getting slack at the junction. When put together the handle is of the
usual size, and no unsightly or clumsy fastening interferes with the hand in
playing.
I also make the junction by a hinged mortise joint, with a pin or screwed pin
passing through the junction.
As the principle of my Invention relates to the handle so as to make it portable
by folding or dividing it from the frame, my Invention is capable of being carried
out in many ways, but in the Drawings I have confined myself to two methods.
In the Figures forming part of this Specification,
Figure 1 is a lawn tennis bat ready for use drawn on a small scale; Figure 2,
the inner socket fixed on the handle, shewing spring and knob of catch; Figure 3,
the bat and handle put together, the spring and knob shown as they will be when
the handle is put in the bat. a, knob; b, hole in outer socket; a', spring;
Figure 4, separate view of outer socket to be fixed on the body of the bat;
Figure 5 is an end view of the inner socket, the end closed; Figure 6, view of
socket Figures 7 and 8, view of set screw to enter holes c; Figure 9, bat and
handle put together, with set screw in position; Figure 10, end view of the outer
socket; and Figure 11, view of side of outer socket.
Amongst many ways of carrying out my Invention may be mentioned these:-
The hinging or folding of the body of the bat to the handle by a clasp knife joint
or hinge with suitable catches, a bayonet joint, or the socket and screw.
Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of the said Invention,
and the means of carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood that I
do not confine myself to the precise details shown and described, so long as the
general character of the Invention is retained, but what I do claim is,—
The manufacture of lawn tennis bats adapted to be carried in a portable form by
dividing them into two parts, the handle and the body of the bat, and joining them
together when required for play by suitable sockets or screws, or by folding it
together with a suitable joint or articulation, and opening them for play, substau-
tially as described for the purpose set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Walker Simons, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty two.