AN IMPROVED RACKET HOLDER AND PRESS
Year: 1885

page_text: I RICHARD WALLIS ASHBY, of 48, Clarence Parade, Southsea, in the County of
Hants, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "AN IMPROVED RACKET
HOLDER AND PRESS," to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is the introduction of an improved construction of
combined racket holder and press, and the invention consists in constructing the
press in such a way, that when the rackets are in and the press tightened up to
flatten the rackets and prevent them warping, there shall be no rods, or the like
projections, to catch the dresses of individuals passing, or to otherwise incommode
them.
In carrying out my invention, I enclose a series of plates between a pair of
plates, the latter forming the lower part of a light frame. The intermediate spaces
are to receive the rackets. These plates are preferably of the shape of a racket.
An endless screw is carried by the two end plates, and engages in a suitable bush
in the outer plate of the series. One end of the screw is fitted with a convenient
external handle by which it can be closed or opened.
Suitable guide rods are provided for the plates in series to slide on, and a locking
bar, as well, as may be desired.
The end plates, one or both, are continued upwards to a convenient height, and
unite, there, with a pair of horizontal bars, one of which may be loose. The object
of this frame is receive the handles of the rackets.
.'
Any convenient addition such as drawers, or bags, for the balls, may be added to
my improved racket holder and press.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: I, RICHARD WALLIS ASHBY, of 48, Clarence Parade, Southsea, in the County of
Hants, 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 :-
My invention relates to the construction of an improved racket holder and press, 5
and consists in making the press in such a way that when the rackets are in the
holder and the press tightened up, there shall be no rods or similar projections to
catch the dresses of individuals passing, or to otherwise incommode them.
In order that my invention, and the means by which the same is to be carried
into effect, may be thoroughly understood, I will proceed to describe the same in 1
detail, referring in so doing to the accompanying drawings, which are to be taken
as part of this specification, and read therewith, and throughout which like parts
are marked with the same reference letter.
Fig. 1 is a front elevation shewing my improved racket holder empty and closed.
Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the holder.
Fig. 3 is a sectional end elevation taken on the line on Fig. 1.
Fig.
4 is a perspective view of the holder shewing it two thirds open.
A is the base from which spring the two fixed ends B, B. C, C, C¹, C¹, are
horizontal stays, the whole constituting the frame of my improved holder.
1
D, D', the respective outside plates of the press, and the intermediate (and 2
thinner) plates, d, are capable of sliding easily upon the lower stays C, C¹, which
also furnish the rest for the rackets.
The plate D may be fixed to the side B.
The shape of these plates is that of a circle, the top being extended upwards as
shewn, so as to correspond with the shape of the blade of a racket.
The plate D¹ is traversed to and fro úpon the stays C, C1, by means of a screw E
(the pitch of which is a preferably quick one). F is a winch handle capable of a
to or fro circular motion (only) in the socket f, and from which therefore it cannot
be removed without removing the socket from the side B¹. The socket end f¹, of
the handle is cut with a thread to correspond with that of the screw E. The
opposite end of this screw is tightly connected to the end plate D¹ in any
convenient way. The screw E therefore does not rotate, but can make only a to
or fro motion.
Both lower stays C² and screw E are preferably in a horizontal plane passing
through the axis of the lower central portions of the plates.
The holder illustrated in the accompanying drawings is intended to hold six
rackets, although it may be made to hold any number as may be required.
A racket holder constructed according to my invention is to be used as follows.
The removal of the rackets for the last game will leave the holder open. Each
racket is placed in the holder by pushing the handle up between the top stays C, C,
far enough to allow the blade being dropped upon the lower stays C¹, C¹. The top
stays C, C, must therefore be fixed at a sufficient height above the lower stays to
admit of the rackets being placed in the holder in the way described, and of being
2

page_text: taken out by a reversal of the operations detailed. When they are all in the
holder, each one between two plates, the plate D' is closed up so as to pinch each
racket tight enough to remove warp or strain.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is,
In a racket holder, the combination of plates capable of moving freely upon rods
or stays, such as 0, with said stays, and with a central screw E, fixed to the
moveable plate nearest thereto, and which screw is capable of being traversed to
and fro through the side of the holder substantially as and for the purpose
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
D
1
C
1 1000
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
Agents for the Applicant.