Improvements in Foot Balls.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Oct., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 22nd July, 1895-Accepted, 24th Aug.,
1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Foot Balls.
We, WILLIAM HOWARD, Boot Manufacturer, JOHN FREDERICK SADLER,
Cycle Dealer, both of No. 268 Strand, in the Administrative County of London
and WILLIAM HENRY DALLIMORE of No. 64 Lynette Avenue, Clapham Common
in the County of Surrey, Accountant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to improvements in foot balls, more particularly in ball
covers. The objects of the invention are to dispense with end discs and to provide
for the ball retaining its original shape-spherical or oval as the case may be-by
reason of the homogeneity of the leather out of which the cover is made. With
reference to this question of retention of shape, it is obvious that a cover made up
of several different pieces may, and frequently has in it, segments or gores cut from
different hides, and that such segments or gores will, for that reason, differ from
each other in texture, some being tougher, or one of them less tough, than the
others. When the ball has been used for a short time, this weaker segment or gore
will stretch unduly and spoil the shape of the ball.
In carrying our invention into effect, we cut the cover from a single piece of
leather. We provide a template to which the cover is cut. The template varies
in shape according to the shape of the ball-Association or Rugby-and resembles
a star to some extent. The template for an Association ball is a star of preferably
eight equal rays. The sides of the rays are convex to each other. The template
for a Rugby ball is an oval star, so to speak, having preferably, six rays. The
rays for the ends of the cover differ from those for the sides. A template represents
half a cover. It is laid down upon the skin and half a cover marked or cut out
according to its outline. The cover is then turned over upon the outer edge of one
of the rays, as an axis, down on to the skin and the other half of the cover is marked
and cut out in the same ray as its fellow.
The edges of one half are joined to the respective edges of its own rays as well
as to those of the rays of the other half, by sewing, as heretofore.
Dated this 22nd day of October 1894.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
Agents for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Foot Balls.
We, WILLIAM HOWARD, Boot Manufacturer, and JOHN FREDERICK SADLER,
Cycle Dealer, both of No. 268 Strand, in the Administrative County of London,
and WILLIAM HENRY DALLIMORE of No. 64 Lynette Avenue, Clapham Common,
in the County of Surrey, Accountant, do hereby declare the nature of 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 relates to improvements in foot balls, more particularly to the
covers of the latter.
The object of it is to provide for the ball retaining its original shape,-spherical

page_text: or oval as the case may be by reason of the homogeneity of the leather out of
which the cover is made. With reference to this point of retention of shape, it is
obvious that a cover consisting of even as small a quantity as two pieces of leather
is as likely as not to be unequaland dissimilar throughout its surface in respect of
texture, tendency to stretch and such other of the natural properties of leather as
its career as a football cover may call into operation. Further, it is obvious that a
cover consisting of several different pieces, may have and frequently has in it,
segments or gores cut from different hides and that such segments or gores will, for
that reason, differ from each other in texture, some being tougher, or one of them
·less so, than the others. In either of the above cases as to number of pieces, the
weaker piece will be found to be unduly stretched when the ball has been in use for
a short time, with the result that the shape of the ball is spoilt.
In carrying the present invention into effect, we cut the cover from a single piece
of leather, using a template to guide the marker. The template varies in shape
according to whether covers from it are for Association or Rugby balls. It resembles
a star to some extent. The template for an Association half cover is a star of
eight equal rays, the sides of the rays being convex to each other. That for a
Rugby half cover is an oval star, so to speak, and has, preferably, six rays, the
rays for the sides being wider than those for the ends. Such a template is used by
laying it down upon a skin, marking out along its edges, turning it over upon one
of its side or end edges as about an axis and marking out the outline of the second
half cover.
Or the template may be double, i.e., representing two half covers
joined together along the side or end edge last referred to.
Referring to the accompanying figures which are to be taken as part of this
Specification and read therewith,
Figure 1 is a plan of a blank for the cover of an Association ball.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the cover made as far as the assemblage and
sewing together of the rays of the respective stars or half covers of the blank
illustrated in Figure 1.
Figure 3 is an elevation of the finished ball.
Figure 4 is a plan of a blank for the cover of a Rugby ball.
Figure 5 is an elevation of the finished ball.
a, a are the two half covers and a¹, a' the line along which the two are left joined
together.
b, b are the rays of each half cover, and 6', 6' the convex edges. The lines along
which the rays are sewn to each other are indicated in Figures 1 and 4 by the
dotted lines, 2. The difference between the widths of the side and end rays of a
Rugby cover is obviously the result of the difference between the major and minor
axes of the ellipse.
The rays b, b are sewn to each other. When this has been effected, the cover
presents the appearance illustrated in Figure 2-two half covers held together along
the line a!. The dash and dot line of the figure indicates the arc through which
each half cover is turned to bring its edge in contact with that of the other half
The dotted lines indicate the appearance of the one half cover upon the
other one.
The edges are sewn together and the bladder inserted and blown and
the mouth of the cover laced up as heretofore.
cover.
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:
The improved one piece foot-ball cover, as set forth.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
No. 22 Southampton Buildings, Chaucery Lane, London, W.C.
Agents for the Applicants.