Improvements in Automatic Machines for Indicating the Force.. of a Kick.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 25th June, 1892
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Mar., 1893-Accepted, 20th May, 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Automatic Machines for Indicating the Force..
of a Kick.
·
"
I, ALEXANDER BARR, of 141 Hill Street, Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
North Britain, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows, that is to say :-
My said invention has for its object to provide for football players and others
improved apparatus to enable them to ascertain the degree of force each is capable
of exerting by a kick, the apparatus being of the kind referred to in my Patent
Specification No. 14592 of 1891.
In carrying out my present invention according to one modification, there is
arranged, at the lower part of a suitable casing, a football frame hinged at its top
edge, and having fixed to it a curved rack and a football or equivalent vessel
charged with compressed air; or there may be substituted for the football a spring
covered with leather or other material so as to resemble a football or part of a
football. The football frame may be in a balanced condition when in the position
for being kicked; or a spring may be connected to it to facilitate its starting. The
football frame or equivalent is enclosed by doors kept shut by mechanism, which
can be actuated only when a coin has been inserted in a slot. A person, wishing
to try the power of his kick, drops a coin in the slot, provided to receive it, and the
action of the falling coin removes a catch and permits of a sliding bar arranged
inside the casing being drawn out. To the side of the bar there is fixed a catch or
pawl, which when the bar begins to be drawn out, lifts a gag employed for locking
the doors when fully open or fully closed. The bar being pulled further out,
causes the doors to open and disclose the football or equivalent. When the bar has
been fully drawn out, the catch carrying the coin is depressed to its greatest
extent, and the coin escapes to a coin guide and thence to a box or boxes arranged
at one or both sides of the casing. The coin having dropped down, the bar is
pushed back to its original position, and in receding withdraws a retaining-pawl
which suspends the football frame, and permits it to drop into a position suitable
for a person to kick it. When the football or equivalent is kicked, its frame
swings on its hinges, and in swinging compresses air (and a spring if necessary) in
a small cylinder, arranged above it, by means of a piston, connected by a rod to
the football frame. On the back of the frame there is hinged by a pin, a vertical
rack which, when the ball is kicked, rises with the frame, and, gearing with a
pinion, causes another rack, or equivalent, carrying an index, to move along
horizontally and indicate, by the distance travelled, the force of the kick. The
frame is retained at the point to which it has been kicked, by the retaining pawl,
or equivalent, which engages with the curved rack. or equivalent, fixed to the back
of the frame, until another coin has been inserted in the slot. The frame in
swinging lifts the gag which retains the doors in their open position, and the doors,
being freed, close under the action of springs, which may be regulated by air
cylinders arranged behind them and inside the casing. Immediately the doors have
closed the gag drops and locks them together. The actions already described are
repeated when another coin is inserted in the slot.
Counting mechanism, like that of a gas meter, is provided, for indicating pence,
shillings, and pounds, being acted on by the movements of the football frame. To
render the machine as nearly noiseless in its action as is conveniently practicable,
pieces of rubber are fixed in the casing at points where the doors, and other
movable parts, may strike. Parts of the sides of the casing are made so as to be
removable and are held at the top by knobs and by locks or buttons at the bottom
in such a manner that they can only be opened from the inside. The side and front

page_text: plates have recesses formed in them on the outside so that advertisements can be
displayed upon them.
If desired the spring instead of being arranged inside of the air cylinder, which
works in connection with the football frame carrying the football or equivalent,
may be arranged to act between the frame and the casing. Instead of the curved
rack fastened to the football frame, the connecting rod from the frame to the air
cylinder piston may be arranged to act as a rack.
Dated this Twenty-fourth day of June 1892.
:
EDMUND HUNT
Applicant's Agent.
"
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Automatic Machines for Indicating the Force
of a Kick.
I, ALEXANDER BARE, of 141, Hill Street, Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
North Britain, Engineer, 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, that is to say :-)
My said invention has for its object to provide for football players and others
improved apparatus to enable them to ascertain the degree of force each is capable
of exerting by a kick, the apparatus being of the kind described in my Patent
Specification No. 14592 of 1891.
In carrying out my present invention according to one modification there is
arranged at the lower part of a suitable casing a football frame hinged at its top
edge and having fixed to it a curved friction bracket and a football or equivalent
vessel charged with compressed air. The football or equivalent is enclosed by
doors which are kept shut by mechanism and which can be opened only by a coin
inserted in a slot. When the doors are opened the football frame is disclosed and
it swings into a position for being kicked. The football having been kicked the
frame swings and by means of mechanism connected to it compresses air in a
cylinder and causes an index to move along horizontally and indicate by the
distance travelled the force of the kick. The frame in swinging at the same time
releases a catch and the doors being acted on by springs close and are secured the
same actions being repeated when another coin is inserted.
And in order that my said invention and the manner of performing the same
may be properly understood I hereunto append two sheets of explanatory drawings
to be hereinafter referred to and showing an example of my improved automatic
machine for indicating the force of a kick.
Figure, 1, Sheet, 1, of the drawings is a front elevation, Figure, 2, is a vertical
section as at right angles to Figure, 1, and Figure, 3, is a horizontal section as
taken below the slot for receiving the coin.
Figure, 4, on Sheet, 2, is a vertical section as at right angles to Figure, 2, and
drawn to a larger scale.
In these drawings the same reference letters are used to mark the same or like
parts wherever they are repeated.
As shown in the drawings there is arranged at the lower part of a suitable
casing, A, a football frame, B, hinged at its top edge by a pin, B 1, to cross stay
bars, B2, bolted to the back and front plates of the casing, and having fixed to it
a curved friction bracket, B 3, and a football or equivalent, vessel, B4, charged
with compressed air. The football frame, B, is enclosed by doors, C, kept shut
by mechanism, hereinafter described, which can be actuated only by a coin being
inserted in a slot, D, provided to receive it. A person wishing to try the power
of his kick drops a coin in the slot, D, which is inclined so that the coin falls into
and depresses the box shaped end, I 1, of a lever catch, E, swinging on small
brackets, E2, fixed to plates, E 3, on the sides of the stay bar, F, which last is
r

page_text: securely bolted to the casing, A. The depression of the box shaped end, E 1, of
the lever catch, E, sets free a sliding bar, G, which must be drawn out by the
person using the apparatus the bar being arranged inside of the casing, A, and
being secured by the other end of the lever catch which fits into a recess, G 1,
formed in the bar and into similar recesses, formed in the plates, E 3. To
facilitate the drawing out of the bar, G, a handle, G3, is fixed to it outside of the
casing, A. To the side of the movable bar, G, there is fixed a catch or pawl, G 4,
which when the bar begins to be drawn out, lifts a gag, H, employed for locking
the doors, C, when fully open or fully closed. The gag H swings by pins, HI,
fixed in small brackets, H2, formed on the back plate of the casing, A. The
gag, H, may in addition to the locking parts it is shown with, be formed with
arins (not shown) which extend outwards and downwards and are arranged to
more securely lock the doors, C, when closed by engaging with pins or sungs (not
shown) fixed in or formed on the back of the doors. When the gag, H, has been
sufficiently raised the movable bar, G, on being pulled further out effects the
opening of the doors, C, by a cam-shaped block, G5, which is fixed to the bar
and acts on brackets, J, bolted to axial bars, J1, which are fixed to and turn with
the doors. The doors, C, being fully opened the frame, B, carrying the football
or equivalent vessel, B4, is disclosed. When the bar, G, has been fully drawn
out the box shaped end, E 1, of the lever catch, E, is depressed still further by
the weight of the coin and sits on the bottom of a recess, L, cut in the movable
bar at a particular place. The box shaped end, E 1, of the lever catch, E, carrying
the coin is then in a position to permit of the coin escaping to a coin guide, M,
through a slot, M 1, formed in it, and thence to a box, M2, fixed at the side of
the casing, A. The coin having dropped down, the bar, G, is pushed back to its
original position, and in receding, by means of a pawl, N. hinged to plates, NI,
fixed on both sides of the bar, releases a friction clutch, P',
which engages with
the curved friction bracket, B 3, and permits the football frame, B, to drop into a
suitable position for being kicked. This position of the ball is indicated in
dotted outline. A small pin, N 2, fixed in the plates, N 1, prevents the pawl, N,
from dropping more than is convenient. The pawl, N, is lifted clear of the top
end of the friction clutch, P, by the legs, H. 3, of the gag, H, when the football, B4,
is kicked. The friction clutch, P, is carried by a bracket, P 1, fixed to the back
plate of the casing, A, or if desired it may be carried by the cross stays, B2, and
its clutching movement against the curved friction bracket, B3, is helped by a
spring, P2, arranged between it and the back plate of the casing, A. When the
football or equivalent, B4, is kicked its frame, B, swings on its hinges, B 1, and
in swinging compresses air in a cylinder, Q, arranged above it, by means of a.
On the back of the
piston, 1, connected by rods, Q 2, to the football frame.
football frame, B, there is fixed a bracket, B5, which is connected by a ball joint.
or equivalent to a vertical rod, R. The vertical rod, R, is connected by a ball
joint or equivalent to a horizontal crank, R 1, arranged in bearings, R 2, at the top
of the casing, A., and to the end of the crank is fixed a lever, R 3. The lever, R 3,
is connected at its lower end to a block, R 4, arranged to slide in a horizontal
guide, R 5, fixed to the front plate of the casing A; and to the block an index, R 6,
consisting of a pointer and a small representation of a football is fixed which when
the football, B4, is kicked is impelled along the indicator plate, R 7, and
indicates by the distance travelled the power of the kick. The frame, B, is
retained at the point to which it has been kicked, by the action of the friction
clutch, P, on the friction bracket, 133, fixed to the back of the frame, until another
coin has been inserted in the slot, D. The frame in swinging lifts the gag, H,
which retains the doors, C, in their open position the lifting action being effected
by means of compressed air passing from the air cylinder, Q, to a smaller
cylinder, Q3, (formed on it) and acting on a piston, Q4, fitted in the smaller
cylinder and connected by a piston rod, Q5, a crosshead, Q6, and rods, Q7, to the
gag. A small hole, Q8, is formed in the cylinder, Q3, near the bottom and is
fitted with a pin, Q 9, having a tapered flat filed on it so as to regulate the escape
'

page_text: of air from the cylinder. When the gag, H, has been sufficiently lifted the
doors, C, are free and close under the action of springs, S, fixed to the back plate
of the casing, A near the bottom, the gag meantime remaining partially raised
with its locking parts, H 4, riding on the brackets, J. The action of the springs, S,
may be regulated if desired by air cylinders (not shown) arranged behind the
doors, C, and inside the casing, A. Immediately the doors, C, liave been closed
and the air has escaped from the cylinder, Q3, the gag, H, drops and locks them
together. The actions already described are repeated when another coin is
inserted in the slot, D. The coin guide, D 1, in which the slot, D, is formed is
made so that it will not retain a half-penny or similar coin but will permit it to
drop into a box, D2, provided to receive it and from which it can escape by the
coin guide, M, to the money box, M 2.
A. plate, D3, is provided to carry whatever instructions may be deemed necessary
to enable any person to use the machine. A hole, A 2, is employed to drain off
any water which may fall on the top, A 1, of the casing, A. A boss, A. 3, formed
on the inside of the top, A. 2, of the casing, A, is provided to limit the extent of lift
of the gag, H. Counting mechanism like that of a gas meter (although not shown)
is provided to indicate pence, shillings and pounds, being acted on by the drawing
out or pushing in of the bar, G, or it might be by the swinging movement of the
football frame, B. To render the machine as nearly noiseless in its action as is
conveniently practicable pieces, T, of rubber are fixed in the casing, A, at points
where the doors, C, and other movable parts may strike. Plates, T 1, fixed to the
doors, C, are covered with rubber to enable the doors to butt quietly against the
fixed stay bars, B 2. Parts, 'U, U 1, of the sides of the casing, A, are made so as
to be removable being held at the top by knobs, U2, and at the bottom by
locks, 3, in the case of the parts, U, and by buttons, U 4, in the case of the
parts, U. The side and front plates of the casing, A, have recesses, U 5, formed
in them on the outside so that advertisements can be displayed upon them.
If
If desired there may be substituted for the football or equivalent (B) a spring or
springs covered with leather or other material so as to resemble a football. The
football frame, (B), may be arranged to be in a balanced condition when in the
position for being kicked or a spring may if wished be connected to it to facilitate
its starting. A curved rack may be used instead of the friction bracket, (B3),
and a retaining pawl employed to engage with it, and prevent the football
frame, (B), from dropping from the point to which it has been kicked.
considered necessary a spring may be arranged inside the air cylinder (Q) so that
it can be compressed by the upward movement of the piston, (Q1,) and thereby
offer increased resistance to the movement of the football frame (B). Or if
preferred the spring may be arranged to act between the frame, (B) and the back
plate of the casing (A). Instead of the rod, (R), the crank, (R1), and the
lever, (R3) there may be substituted a vertical rack hinged to the football.
frame, (B), by a pin, so that when the ball is kicked it rises with the frame, and
gearing with a pinion, causes another rack or equivalent to move along and carry
an index with it. Instead of the curved rack which may be fastened to the foot-
ball frame, (B), the connecting rods (2) from the frame to the air cylinder
piston may be arranged to act as a rack. The air cylinder, (Q), instead of being
bolted to the back and front plates of the casing, (A), may be fixed to the top (A 2)
of the casing.
. t
The space, (A4), may be filled if desired with a picture of the game of football.
Folding doors, (not shown) hinged to the casing, A, preferably at its two back
corners, may be arranged to enclose the whole machine when not in use. The
casing, A, of the machine may be made wholly or partly of wood.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is ::
1. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting my improved automatic.

page_text: machine for indicating the force of a kick substantially as hereinbefore described
and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
2. In automatic machines for indicating the force of a kick football or
equivalent fixed to a hinged frame which by a swinging movement compresses the
air in a cylinder and moves an indicator index, the football and other parts being
enclosed in a casing made with doors opened by mechanism actuated by a coin
inserted in a slot and closed by mechanism released by the swinging movement of
the frame the parts being arranged and operating substantially as and for the
purposes hereinbefore described.
3. In automatic machines for indicating the force of a kick, a football frame
swinging on hinges and having fixed to it a curved friction bracket engaging with
a friction clutch or brake arranged to be released by a pawl substantially as and
for the purposes hereinbefore described.
Dated this Twenty-first day of March 1893.
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicant's Agent.